Claudius the God: And His Wife Messalina, by Robert Graves

• Title: Claudius the God: And His Wife Messalina
• Author: Robert Graves
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started:4/26/2019
• Finished: 4/29/2019

I'm very sad this is over, I love I, Claudius as well as this second volume, Claudius the God.  I think I could read this on an annual basis.

April Morning, by Howard Fast

Title: April Morning

Author: Howard Fast

Borrowed from Worcester Md Public library ebook

Started: 4/20/2019

Finished: 4/26/2019

Loved this book of the revolutionary war. Fantastic. 

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain

• Title:  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
• Author:  Mark Twain
• Borrowed from Worcester, MD Public Library Audiobook
• Started:4/20/2019
• Finished: 4/25/2019

Somehow I had never read this book, although I've read Huck Finn and several other Twain books.  Very enjoyable.

The Annotated Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler; Edited by Owen Hill, Pamela Jackson, and Anthony Rizzuto

• Title:  The Annotated Big Sleep
• Author:  Raymond Chandler
• Editors: Owen Hill, Pamela Jackson, Anthony Rizzuto
• Borrowed from DC Public Library Paperback
• Started:  3/18/2019
• Finished: 4/17/2019

I had high hopes for this one, because as you can see in my earlier posts I LOVE annotated classics.  Those Holmes and Dracula annotated volumes by Leslie Klinger are some of my favorites.  

Unfortunately the Annotated Big Sleep didn't live up to those expectations.  It was still good and entertaining, but the annotations were a pretty big disappointment.  Some were insightful, most unnecessary or mundane. 

Still, fun to revisit this book.

Rounding the Mark, by Andrea Camilleri

• Title:  Rounding the Mark
• Author:  Andrea Camilleri
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook
• Started:4/9/2019
• Finished: 4/11/2019

Another Inspector Montalbano book,not great.

I, Claudius, by Robert Graves

• Title:  I, Claudius
• Author:  Robert Graves
• Borrowed from Worcester, MD Public Library Audiobook
• Started: 4/1/2019
• Finished: 4/8/2019

I had listened to the BBC radio production before but never the actual book, loved it.

Death is Hard Work, by Khaled Khalifa

Title: Death is Hard Work

Author: Khaled Khalifa

Purchased from Amazon.com Kindle edition

Started: 3/23/2019

Finished: 3/31/2019

Book club book, my selection. Liked it, saving the rest for the discussion. 

Fierce Kingdom, by Gin Phillips

• Title: Fierce Kingdom
  
• Author:  Gin Phillips
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started: 3/27/2019
  
• Finished: 3/29/2019
  

A recommendation from my mother, this was a pretty good if somewhat frustrating thriller.  

The Accursed, by Joyce Carol Oates

• Title:  The Accursed
  
• Author:  Joyce Carol Oates
  
• Borrowed from Worcester, MD Public Library (audiobook)
  
• Started: 3/18/2019
  
• Finished: 3/26/2019
  

This was an interesting (and huge) novel.  Or maybe it just felt huge because it seemed to go on and on.  That sounds like a complaint, but it isn't really (or not entirely).  I liked it, sometimes a lot, but it was strange -- at times very.   Overall I enjoyed it, but I'm also glad it is behind me...

The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler

Title: The Lady in the Lake

Author: Raymond Chandler

Borrowed from little library (paperback) on S St NW in DC

Started: 3/6/2019

Finished: 3/17/2019

Philip Marlowe book, pretty enjoyable.  

Collard, by David Rosenfelt

• Title:  Collard
  
• Author:  David Rosenfelt
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library (audiobook)
  
• Started: 3/8/2019
  
• Finished:  3/11/2019
  

It's a tossup as to which I like better about these mysteries:  the banter between the characters, or the narration by Grover Gardner.  Maybe it is the combo, but it is good stuff and I typically find myself chuckling/laughing out loud as I listen to them.

The Double-A Western Detective Agency, by Steve Hockensmith

• Title:  The Double-A Western Detective Agency
  
• Author:  Steve Hockensmith
  
• Purchased from Amazon.com (Kindle Edition)
  
• Started:2/20/2019
  
• Finished: 3/5/2019
  

I loved the first book in this series, Holmes on the Range, and since then I've liked some and not others.  This book I'm happy to say is in the strong-like category.  In fact it has been so long since I've gotten to enjoy reading about the Amlingmeyer brothers that I'm tempted to say I loved it.  The mystery is only so-so, but as is often the case it is the characters and the banter that is really so enjoyable.  I even read this one through the acknowledgements where Hockensmith credits the inventor of bourbon "for services rendered".

What's not to love?

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, by David Rosenfelt

• Title:  The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
• Author:  David Rosenfelt
  
• Borrowed from Worcester, MD Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started: 3/5/2019
  
• Finished: 3/6/2019
  

I've long since given into my enjoyment of these novels.  Still laugh out-loud at these no matter how silly the plots. 

American Gods: 10th Anniversary Edition, by Neil Gaiman

• Title:  American Gods: 10th Anniversary Edition
  
• Author:  Neil Gaiman
  
• Borrowed from Worcester, MD Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started: 2/25/2019
  
• Finished: 3/5/2019
  

Very enjoyable, and very well done audiobook.

7 Deadly Wonders, by Matthew Reilly

Title: 7 Deadly Wonders

Author: Matthew Reilly

Borrowed from Fairfax county public library audiobook

Started: 2/19/2019

Finished: 2/24/2019

Indiana Jones meets Da Vinci code, over the too ridiculous.  I can understand the appeal but not for me. 

Disappearance at Devil's Rock, by Paul Tremblay

• Title:  Disappearance at Devil's Rock
  
• Author:  Paul Tremblay
  
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 2/13/2019
  
• Finished: 2/18/2019
  

Liked this one ok, but didn't love it.  Was hoping for more, maybe?  I don't know.  Mixed feelings.

Rum Punch, by Elmore Leonard

• Title:  Rum Punch
  
• Author:  Elmore Leonard
  
• Borrowed from Little Free Library in DC
  
• Started: 2/8/2019
  
• Finished: 2/12/2019
  

The movie Jackie Brown was based off this book.  The book is good, like more Leonard books are, but for once I liked the movie version better.  Of course, Jackie Brown is (IMO) Tarantino's best movie. 

The Gaslight Collection, by Pennie Mae Cartawick

• Title:  The Gaslight Collection
  
• Author:  Pennie Mae Cartawick
  
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 2/11/2019
  
• Finished: 2/12/2019
  

The nicest thing I can say about this Holmes pastiche is that it was short.  Did not enjoy this one.

The Under Dog and Other Stories, by Agatha Christie

• Title: The Under Dog and Other Stories
• Author: Agatha Christie
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 2/6/2019
• Finished: 2/11/2019

Interesting mixture of Poirot short stories, many featuring Hastings.  At least one with Japp.  One of the short stories was obviously the basis for the Mystery of the Blue Train which I had just read recently.  

The Narrow Road to the Deep North, by Richard Flanagan

Title: The Narrow Road to the Deep North

Author: Richard Flanagan

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook

Started: 1/23/2019

Finished: 2/5/2019

Book club selection -- liked it at times, hated the melodramatic love story plot. 

The Mystery on the Blue Train, by Agatha Christie

• Title:  The Mystery on the Blue Train
  
• Author:  Agatha Christie
  
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 1/15/2019
  
• Finished: 1/22/2019
  

Enjoyable Poirot novel with a great twist at the end.

Cold Service, by Robert B. Parker

Title:  Cold Service

Author:  Robert B. Parker

Borrowed from Little Library on S ST NW in DC, Paperback

Started:  1/14/2019

Finished: 1/18/2019

A Spenser book, pretty terrible.  Returning the previous Spenser book to the little library, this one was in there.  Worse than the last one I read, and that one was bad enough. 

Widow's Walk, by Robert B. Parker

• Title:  Widow's Walk
  
• Author:  Robert B. Parker
  
• Borrowed from Little Library on S ST NW in DC, Paperback
  
• Started:  1/12/2019
  
• Finished: 1/14/2019
  

A Spenser book, pretty terrible.

The Brothers of Baker Street, by Michael Robertson

• Title:  The Brothers of Baker Street
  
• Author: Michael Robertson
  
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 1/10/2019
  
• Finished: 1/14/2019
  

The second book in this series, I didn't care for either book so this is the last one for me.  

Past Tense, by Lee Child

Title: Past Tense

Author: Lee Child

Borrowed from Worcester, MD public library Kindle edition

Started: 1/6/2019

Finished: 1/10/2019

Most recent Jack Reacher book. Less terrible than those that came before it. Still not great, still practically impossible for me to put down. 

A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman

Title: A Man Called Ove

Author: Fredrik Backman

Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook

Started: 1/2/2019

Finished: 1/8/2019

This was a good one, really enjoyable.  

Educated, by Tara Westover

Title: Educated

Author: Tara Westover

Purchased from Amazon.com Kindle edition

Started: 1/1/2019

Finished: 1/6/2019

Book club book, did not enjoy, suspect everyone else will have loved it. 

Quartered Safe Out Here, by George MacDonald Fraser

• Title:  Quartered Safe Out Here
  
• Author:  George MacDonald Fraser
  
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 12/20/2018
  
• Finished: 12/31/2018
  

Back in August 2017 I read my first Flashman novel, Royal Flash.  I liked it but didn't love it.  As it turns out, I had read the worst book in the series (in my estimation) first.  When I went back to read them in order (skipping Royal Flash) I was completely smitten with the books, characters, and Fraser's writing style.

When I had completed the Flashman series I read Fraser's Mr. American and liked it.  I've now finished Quartered Safe Out Here and again, just loved this one.  

I just recently re-read the original Flashman book, and will likely reread that entire series...

Flashman, by George MacDonald Fraser

• Title:. Flashman
  
• Author: George MacDonald Fraser
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County (VA) Public Library
  
• Started: 12/10/2018
  
• Finished: 12/18/2018  
  

My second reading of Flashman, love this book/series.

Desperadoes, by Ron Hansen

• Title:  Desperadoes
  
• Author:  Ron Hansen
  
• Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 11/20/018
  
• Finished:  11/30/2018
  

Extremely enjoyable book about the Dalton Gang.

The Nine Tailors, by Dorothy L. Sayers

• Title:  The Nine Tailors
  
• Author:  Dorothy L. Sayers
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started:  11/23/2018
  
• Finished: 11/30/2018
  

Another Lord Peter Wimsey mystery -- I found this one very dull until the last part, dealing with the flood and the solution to the murder.  That part was very well done.

Beartown, by Fredrik Backman

Title: Beartown

Author: Fredrik Backman

Purchased from Amazon print edition

Started: 11/10/2018

Finished: 11/23/2018

Book club book, enjoyable. 

Clouds of Witness, by Dorothy L Sayers

• Title:  Clouds of Witness
  
• Author:  Dorothy L. Sayers
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 11/12/2018
  
• Finished: 11/15/2018
  

Liked but didn't love this second novel in the Lord Peter Whimsey series.

The Baker Street Letters, by Michael Robertson

Title: The Baker Street Letters

Author: Michael Robertson

Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook

Started: 11/5/2018

Finished: 11/7/2018

Fun Holmes pastiche -- not great but definitely readable. 

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, by PD James

Title: An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

Author: PD James

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook

Started: 11/1/2018

Finished: 11/3/2018

Enjoyable mystery. 

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, by Benjamin Franklin

• Title: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
  
• Author:  Benjamin Franklin
  
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook
  
• Started: 10/28/2018
  
• Finished: 10/30/2018
  

This was not at all what I expected.  Very enjoyable, but I expected Franklin's personal history of the revolution.  Instead, it was his rags to riches story, something of a manual for life.  Including such minutia as people who still owed him debts (large & small), if street gutters should be one in the middle of the road or two with one on each side (Franklin says one gutter in the middle).

It was bizarre, but enjoyable all the same.

Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys

Title: Wide Sargasso Sea

Author: Jean Rhys

Borrowed from DC Public Library paperback

Started: 10/23/2018

Finished: 10/27/2018

This book was the only reason I read Jane Eyre -- even though reviews said you didn't need to read that book to appreciate this one, I wanted to do so. 

I'm glad I did, I liked them both. 

Follow Me Down, by Shelby Foote

• Title:  Follow Me Down
• Author:  Shelby Foote
• Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library (Audiobook)
• Started: 10/23/2018
• Finished: 10/27/2018

Very enjoyable book told somewhat "Roshomon" style, with various characters providing their point of view of the events in the book.  It isn't quite Roshomon, because as you proceed through the novel each character is providing more information, not contradictory information as in Roshomon.  However, like Roshomon, the deceased victim also has her say.

Really enjoyed this one, and it was narrated by a long time favorite, Grover Gardner.  

Swag, by Elmore Leonard

Title:  Swag

Author:  Elmore Leonard

Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook

Started:  10/21/2018

Finished: 10/23/2018

Another enjoyable Elmore Leonard book, not a western, one of his Detroit crime novels. 

The Man Who Came Uptown, by George Pelecanos

Title: The Man Who Came Uptown

Author : George Pelecanos

Purchased from Amazon Kindle edition

Started: 10/18/2018

Finished: 10/21/2018

Book club book, not the best Pelecanos but he is good to librarians.  

Whose Body, by Dorothy L. Sayers

• Title:  Whose Body
  
• Author:  Dorothy L. Sayers
  
• Borrowed from DC Public Library (Audiobook)
  
• Started: 10/17/2018
  
• Finished: 10/19/2018
  

Very entertaining mystery, but very dated in it's treatment and discussion of Jews.

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

Title: Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Bronte

Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/11/2018

Finished: 10/17/2018

Listened to this one because I wanted to read "The Wide Sargasso Sea" but saw that it was a prequel to Jane Eyre. 

This book was entertaining, if melodramatic and frustrating to my modern sense. 

The Secret Place, by Tana French

Title: The Secret Place

Author: Tana French

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/8/2018

Finished: 10/11/2018

Another Dublin Murder Squad book, but this one was different from the rest.  I enjoyed it a lot, but it took me a while to get into it.  

The supernatural element was interesting as well. Overall very enjoyable. 

Forrest Gump, by Winston Groom

Title: Forrest Gump

Author: Winston Groom

Borrowed from Worcester County MD Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/3/2018

Finished: 10/7/2018

Very enjoyable first half of a book that devolved into absurdity and never recovered.  About the time Forrest is shit into space with the wrong Ape (you read that right) the book lost me. 

Made a good movie though...

The Glorious Cause, by Jeff Shaara

Title: The Glorious Cause

Author: Jeff Shaara

Borrowed from Fairfax county VA public Library Audiobook

Started: 9/26/2018

Finished: 10/3/0218

Loved this book. A historical fiction (if that's the correct way to describe this one) of the entire revolutionary war.  Extremely enjoyable. 

A Matter of Honor, by William C Hammond

Title: A Matter of Honor

Author: William C Hammond

Purchase from Amazon.com used print edition

Started: 9/15/2018

Finished: 9/30/2018

A decent US Revolutionary War novel. Not up to the O'Brian standard, but decent enough. 

Broken Harbor, by Tana French

Title: Broken Harbor

Author: Tana French

Borrowed from Worcester County, MD Public Library Audiobook

Started:. 9/17/2018

Finished: 9/25/2018

This is the best of those Dublin Murder Squad books since the first -- a good read. 

The Bad Seed, by William March

• Title:  The Bad Seed
  
• Author:  William March
  
• Borrowed:  Borrowed from Hoopla Digital via Worcester County Public Library, MD (Audiobook)
  
• Started:  9/8/2018
  
• Finished: 9/11/2018
  

I've seen the movie before, but so long ago I had only vague memories of it.  But the plot was pretty obvious, and that didn't matter.  Still a very disturbing, well written book.

Patriotic Fire: Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans, by Winston Groom

• Title: Patriotic Fire: Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans
  
• Author:  Winston Groom
  
• Borrowed from Hoopla Digital via Worcester County Public Library, MD (Audiobook)
  
• Started:  9/4/2018
  
• Finished: 9/7/2018
  

The stuff of history & legend, as the author puts it, and as an American extremely entertaining.  A good companion piece to follow up the two revolutionary era books I read recently, one on Madison and the other 1776.

Sphere, by Michael Crichton

Title: Sphere

Author: Michael Crichton

Borrowed from Free Library in Ocean City, MD Northside park (paperback)

Started: 9/1/2018

Finished: 9/2/2018

Really terrible novel, easy beach read...