Happy Halloween. Or else.

Well, we'll see what we get for trick-or-treaters tonight. Because the mega churches have such awesome family events for Halloween, our house visitors have dwindled. Last year we only got three. Ah well. The light goes off at 7:30 no matter what.


Ok, some people go a little bonkers for Halloween:




And this:




And ...




Or this:




And there's a house that goes through 30 different songs to its lights. Wow. I would hate to be any of these neighbor.

And THIS is the best pet costume:



Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Next month he'll be able to reach it, won't that be fun?

So last night I didn't get a whole lot of reading done so I hope to do better tonight. On the way is the new Patricia Wynn, ACTS OF FAITH, featuring Gideon St. Mars, a viscount who becomes the highwayman Blue Satan, and his friend Mrs. Kean, in early 18th century England. It's been since 2011 in that series so that makes me excited and happy. And I have a hold at the library I've been waiting for, Deborah Crombie's newest, TO DWELL IN DARKNESS.

We were shopping earlier today and I got inspired by artichokes. I haven't had them in long time. Rather than the usual cooking in water, I found a recipe on Foodnetwork.com that adds more flavor so we'll see how it goes. And if Steve will eat any.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

I prefer bubblewrap

Nothing on TV for me tonight so I will continue reading CJ Sansom's LAMENTATION. No, I haven't finished it yet. Sheesh.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

What the boys probably do while we're gone

IT'S HERE!! IT'S HERE!! Woot a woot a woot!  LAMENTATION by C J Sansom. This is 6th of 6 in series featuring Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer in mid-16th century England. Here's a description:

Summer, 1546.
King Henry VIII is slowly, painfully dying. His Protestant and Catholic councillors are engaged in a final and decisive power struggle; whoever wins will control the government of Henry's successor, eight-year-old Prince Edward. As heretics are hunted across London, and the radical Protestant Anne Askew is burned at the stake, the Catholic party focus their attack on Henry's sixth wife, Matthew Shardlake's old mentor, Queen Catherine Parr. Shardlake, still haunted by events aboard the warship Mary Rose the year before, is working on the Cotterstoke Will case, a savage dispute between rival siblings. Then, unexpectedly, he is summoned to Whitehall Palace and asked for help by his old patron, the now beleaguered and desperate Queen. For Catherine Parr has a secret. She has written a confessional book, Lamentation of a Sinner, so radically Protestant that if it came to the King's attention it could bring both her and her sympathizers crashing down. But, although the book was kept secret and hidden inside a locked chest in the Queen's private chamber, it has - inexplicably - vanished. Only one page has been found, clutched in the hand of a murdered London printer. Shardlake's investigations take him on a trail that begins among the backstreet printshops of London but leads him and Jack Barak into the dark and labyrinthine world of the politics of the royal court; a world he had sworn never to enter again. Loyalty to the Queen will drive him into a swirl of intrigue inside Whitehall Palace, where Catholic enemies and Protestant friends can be equally dangerous, and the political opportunists, who will follow the wind wherever it blows, more dangerous than either. The theft of Queen Catherine's book proves to be connected to the terrible death of Anne Askew, while his involvement with the Cotterstoke litigants threatens to bring Shardlake himself to the stake.

Published (UK) in 2014, it has 650 pages. This is the series that all other historical mysteries measure themselves against. It's. that. good. Plus it's been FOUR YEARS since he last wrote one for this series.It comes out in the US in February.  I'm so excited.

Tonight, otherwise, I have Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to watch. Obligatory Director Coulson photo...

And in this episode, Fitz confronts Simmons about his damage and her leaving. The sneak preview looks very good.




I did start the Lovett book last night and it has captured my attention so I'll be back to it after the Sansom book.

A friend of ours, Josh stopped by the shop today. He used to work for me at Software Etc., and has since gone to West Point, met and married his wife and started a family. Triplets. Five years old. Lots of energy. Two boys and a girl. And his wife is really super nice so it was a nice visit.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

No! No! No! I don't WANT Monday!

I will be starting FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Charlie Lovett. This is a stand alone novel. Here's a description;

Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London when two different customers request a copy of the same obscure book: the second edition of Little Book of Allegories by Richard Mansfield. Their queries draw Sophie into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true authorship of Pride and Prejudice—and ultimately threaten Sophie’s life. In a dual narrative that alternates between Sophie’s quest to uncover the truth—while choosing between two suitors—and a young Jane Austen’s touching friendship with the aging cleric Richard Mansfield, Lovett weaves a romantic, suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in all its forms and the joys of a life lived in books. 

Published in 2014, it has 323 pages. I really enjoyed his THE BOOKMAN'S TALE last year so I'm giving this a try. This is a loan from the library. 

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster 

Is THAT the weekend?

TGIF!  I woke up this morning wishing it was Saturday so I could sleep some more. And this afternoon it was nice and dark -- completely wasted at work and not napping. Bah.

We had dinner last night at a Mexican restaurant called Rio Sabinas with Steve's brother and his family and Steve' mom. The place has great atmosphere and the food was very good. Definitely the top of the list for future Mexican food for us.

This weekend -- no plans other than the usual chores. Now that I'm feeling better I can get the stuff I didn't do the last couple weekends done.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Oh hi!

The Blue Man Group show last night was the BEST SHOW I'VE EVER SEEN. Bar none. Just freakin' amazing. Here's a video I found on Youtube to show what it was like:




I would do it again in a heartbeat. I want to be on the tour with this show. I want to live in their theater in Las Vegas.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Brownies, and I'm yours.

I'm currently reading A SHORT VICTORIOUS WAR by David Weber. This is 3rd of 14 in this space opera series featuring Honor Harrington.

The families who rule the People's Republic of Haven are in trouble. The treasury's empty, the Proles are restless, and civil war is imminent.But the ruling class knows what they need to keep in power: a ''short victorious war'' to unite the people and fill the treasury once more. It's a card they've played often in the last half-century, always successfully, and all that stands in their way is the Star Kingdom of Manticore and its threadbare allies: enemies in the past who have always backed down. Only this time the Peeps face something different. This time they're up against Captain Honor Harrington and a Royal Manticoran Navy that's prepared to give them a war that's far from short—or victorious.

Published in 2000, it has 384 pages.

Tonight:

Blue Man Group. 



Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

How can you hate your job if it's pandas?

Over the past weekend, I competed reading my 100th book of the year. I'm have a good reading year. 100 in October is a little ahead of my average.

Steve's brother and his family are in town this week. The two girls are little, one just started first grade and the other is a couple years younger. Lauren has started to read and Emily appears to be not far behind. Of course, being a book lover, I'd like to get them something before they leave. I'm thinking of the kids' version of stories from Laura Ingalls Wilder's LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS. I need to reread those books myself. 

This also got me thinking about classic books for younger folk that I've read or would like to read or even to re-read. And how these girls  -- and really all kids -- have so much to look forward to in discovering them.
(And I suppose that's a big "if", these days).

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Damn, it's not a pizza.

I'm currently reading THE GAUGUIN CONNECTION by Estelle Ryan. This is 1st of 5 in series featuring Dr. Genevieve Lenard. Here's a description:

As an insurance investigator and world renowned expert in nonverbal communication, Dr Genevieve Lenard faces the daily challenge of living a successful, independent life. Particularly because she has to deal with her high functioning Autism. Nothing - not her studies, her high IQ or her astounding analytical skills - prepared her for the changes about to take place in her life. It started as a favour to help her boss' acerbic friend look into the murder of a young artist, but soon it proves to be far more complex. Forced out of her predictable routines, safe environment and limited social interaction, Genevieve is thrown into exploring the meaning of friendship, expanding her social definitions, and for the first time in her life be part of a team in a race to stop more artists from being murdered.

 Published in 2012, it has 436 pages. Great characters in this. 

Fighting this cold would be easier if I could sleep at night. Not having much luck in that department. But steaming is definitely helping. I felt almost human for a while yesterday.

The Cowboys are still surprising me, pleasantly. Steelers play tonight, cross your fingers.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

No freakin' sympathy

I think maybe the cold is getting better. My eyes were very tired and burning yesterday (lack of sleep maayyybe) and I slept better last night and that's better. The cough will probably linger for days ... weeks ... years. 

Currently reading an ARC of DREAMING SPIES by Laurie R King. This is 14th of 14 in series featuring Mary Russell, student and then wife of Sherlock Holmes. Here's a description:

After a lengthy case that had the couple traipsing all over India, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes are on their way to California to deal with some family business that Russell has been neglecting for far too long. Along the way, they plan to break up the long voyage with a sojourn in southern Japan. The cruising steamer Thomas Carlyle is leaving Bombay, bound for Kobe. Though they’re not the vacationing types, Russell is looking forward to a change of focus—not to mention a chance to travel to a location Holmes has not visited before. The idea of the pair being on equal footing is enticing to a woman who often must race to catch up with her older, highly skilled husband. Aboard the ship, intrigue stirs almost immediately. Holmes recognizes the famous clubman the Earl of Darley, whom he suspects of being an occasional blackmailer: not an unlikely career choice for a man richer in social connections than in pounds sterling. And then there’s the lithe, surprisingly fluent young Japanese woman who befriends Russell and quotes haiku. She agrees to tutor the couple in Japanese language and customs, but Russell can’t shake the feeling that Haruki Sato is not who she claims to be. Once in Japan, Russell’s suspicions are confirmed in a most surprising way. From the glorious city of Tokyo to the cavernous library at Oxford, Russell and Holmes race to solve a mystery involving international extortion, espionage, and the shocking secrets that, if revealed, could spark revolution—and topple an empire. 

To be published in February 2015, it has 352 pages. I received it via netgalley.com.

Time for my nap.


Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Hide in plain sight

Still fighting the cold. Had to work full day yesterday because secretary called in sick. May go home this afternoon after he gets back from lunch.

Haven't walked the dogs for a couple of days. They were outside all day yesterday ok. Just heard they are out this morning. Bah. Steve looking.

Slept better last night but need some catching up I think.

Nothing on TV tonight so I'll read, yay!  Steve has shooting.

I haven't settled on a Kindle read yet. Still reading the Charles Finch and Deanna Raybourn in paper.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

It's JUST a cold

Sorry, I've been down and out with this cold. The problem, other than coughing my lungs out, is not being able to sleep because I can't lay down without wheezing which irritates me . Also, not being to sleep at night, period. Hello, 2:00, have I mentioned my alarm goes off in three hours? Bah.

I'm currently reading THE LAWS OF MURDER by Charles Finch. This is 8th of 8 in series featuring Charles Lenox, a gentleman sleuth, in 1860s London. Here's a description:

It’s 1876, and Charles Lenox, once London’s leading private investigator, has just given up his seat in Parliament after six years, primed to return to his first love, detection.  With high hopes he and three colleagues start a new detective agency, the first of its kind.  But as the months pass, and he is the only detective who cannot find work, Lenox begins to question whether he can still play the game as he once did. Then comes a chance to redeem himself, though at a terrible price: a friend, a member of Scotland Yard, is shot near Regent’s Park.  As Lenox begins to parse the peculiar details of the death – an unlaced boot, a days-old wound, an untraceable luggage ticket – he realizes that the incident may lead him into grave personal danger, beyond which lies a terrible truth.

 Published 2014, it has 304 pages. This is actually an Advanced Reading Copy I won from www.goodreads.com. It comes out in November. 

Tonight I have Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Here's a photo of Director Coulson to celebrate:

Yes, there's much to be concerned about in S.H.I.E.L.D-land.

The Walking Dead premiere on Sunday was fabulous. Other than not knowing where/what's happening to Beth, it was satisfying on several storylines.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

No, it's just a cold! Sheesh. Drama much?

Yeah, so Steve has kindly shared his cold with me. I'm not happy. It will get worse before it gets better. Bah. But I have re-supplied the cold supplies and I will probably be fighting it big time by this weekend.

I guess you could say I also got my anniversary present today, belatedly. I got Steve a card and a subscription to Sirius so he can listen to better music when he's driving around or on his computer. I didn't get anything ... until today. A monsterous John Deere but non-riding snow blower. Thanks, hon. But it does have hand warmers. Thanks, hon. And I got a great deal on it. Thanks, hon. I'll remember this next anniversary. :)  (if it had been a 4-wheeler with a blade at the front, I'd have been excited)

When a book gets too over-hyped, I just don't want to read it. Recent example: GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn. Now that it has been made into a movie, it has skyrocketed to super-hype-dom. My digital library had it and I thought I'd give it a chance so I put it on hold. It finally came around to me .... and I just can't do it. Cannot read it. So back it goes today. One that I have overcome its hypey-ness is THE HUNGER GAMES and I agree that that book, that trilogy, is fantastic.  And I read THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and that trilogy before it was a hit.

It's cooler today and the trees are more yellow than green now. I love Fall!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

I getchu getchu getchu

Have a great Wednesday!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Doh!

Currently reading DELICIOUS! by Ruth Reichl. This is a stand alone novel. Here's a description:

Billie Breslin has traveled far from her home in California to take a job at Delicious!, New York’s most iconic food magazine. Away from her family, particularly her older sister, Genie, Billie feels like a fish out of water—until she is welcomed by the magazine’s colorful staff. She is also seduced by the vibrant downtown food scene, especially by Fontanari’s, the famous Italian food shop where she works on weekends. Then Delicious! is abruptly shut down, but Billie agrees to stay on in the empty office, maintaining the hotline for reader complaints in order to pay her bills. To Billie’s surprise, the lonely job becomes the portal to a miraculous discovery. In a hidden room in the magazine’s library, Billie finds a cache of letters written during World War II by Lulu Swan, a plucky twelve-year-old, to the legendary chef James Beard. Lulu’s letters provide Billie with a richer understanding of history, and a feeling of deep connection to the young writer whose courage in the face of hardship inspires Billie to comes to terms with her fears, her big sister and her ability to open her heart to love.

It was published in 2014 and has 401 pages. This is a digital loan from the library.  Reichl is a former food critic and I have to admit the food descriptions are lovely.


Tonight I have Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. where we find out what Fitz has been up to  -- infiltrating Hydra! Woot! And in honor, here's a photo of Director Coulson (and Agent May).

Stay well, my friends.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Ohhhh it's Monday ...

I'm currently reading SECRET ASSET by Stella Rimington. This is 2nd of 8 in series featuring Liz Carlyle, an agent in MI-5 Joint Counter-Terrorist Group, in London. Here's a description:

When it appears a “secret asset”—a sleeper spy—has infiltrated British Intelligence, the Director of Counter-Terrorism assigns Liz Carlyle to dig up the mole. The spy, possibly a former IRA operative now working with British-born Al Qaeda sympathizers, has one thing on his (or her?) mind: total devastation. With a major attack looming, Liz must trust her instincts and move fast. But this assignment is deadly, and suddenly she feels like she has wandered into a wilderness of mirrors, where nothing is what is seems and no-one can be trusted.

Published in 2005, it has 370 pages.

Steve stayed home with a cold a today. He is a TERRIBLE sick person. Ugh.  I went home for lunch and even the dogs were looking at me as if to say "Please don't leave us here!"

It's Monday, and I don't really feel like committing to the TV shows that are on. I feel free.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Friday .... yesssss!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Whaddyamean it's not Friday?

It's rather cooler out today. Somewhere in the 50s I think and has become dark and windy. And it's supposed to get below freezing overnight.

I had to pick up some extra jeans (on sale) and found a couple cardigans (on sale) and for a couple months now I've been meaning to get a new purse because mine broke a strap so I picked up that too (on sale). It was a bit spontaneous but I'm probably done wardrobe shopping for the season.

There's a show premiering tonight, Gracepoint, starring UK actor David Tennant. This is based on a show in the UK called Broadchurch in which Tennant also starred. He's sort of recreating the same role for the US version. I'll check it out. It's a follow-the-crime show.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

So it's going to be one of those days ....

Also currently reading AGAINST THE ODDS by Elizabeth Moon. This is the 7th and final book of the Serrano Legacy space opera series. Here's a description:

The worst has happened: Fleet is tearing Itself apart. Some of the mutineers see injustice in the unequal spread of the rejuvenation drugs that offer virtual immortality to the rich; others are simply thirsty for power, or for blood. The Loyalists, meanwhile, fight desperately to preserve the rule of law In Familias Regnant space. But when Esmay Suiza-Serrano Is unceremoniously booted out of Fleet, the apparent victim of Family politics, she has no Idea of the whirlwind of conflict Into which she is about to be drawn. As the noose tightens on galactic civilization, great battles will be fought and greater loves affirmed ... and old friends will meet their destinies. 

Published in 2000, it has 544 pages. 

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster