Ziggy Contemplates Chocolate
The last week or so, I’ve been taking up a challenge offered by some fans of cozy mysteries that they as formulaic as I’d come to believe. I certainly liked those I’ve recently completed.
For those of you just discovering this part of my blog, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines.
The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
What are you reading?
Recently Completed:
My Wicked Half Sister by E.M. Tippetts. This series is really hard to classify. The first book was more or less romance. The next couple were CSI mysteries. This one is what anime/manga would call “slice of life.” Suffice to say, I’ve enjoyed them all.
The Easter Egg Murders by Patricia Smith Wood. Loosely based on an actual murder here in New Mexico.
In the Bleak Midwinter by Julie Spencer Fleming. Audiobook. A WW reader recommendation. Good characterization and setting.
In Progress:
Beneath a Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire. Audiobook. Just started.
The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burns. Middle grade novel. A WW reader recommendation!
Also:
After watching the anime of Card Captor Sakura for the first time, I had a desire to re-read the manga. Interesting to see the changes made between the storylines. Unlike most of the time when such happens, I had no clear preference. I’m curious which storyline the new Card Captor Sakura (“Clear Card”) will follow.
Jane Lindskold: Wednesday Wanderings 
April 27, 2018 at 5:10 am |
I started Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell yesterday. I had seen part of the TV series, but didn’t really like it. So far, the book is much better!
April 27, 2018 at 11:16 am |
I tried that in audio and couldn’t get into it. Need to try in print. Might have been the reader.
April 27, 2018 at 12:02 pm
I read the book when it first came out and absolutely loved it. I recently started listening to the audiobook on my walks with the dog but, like you, I couldn’t get into it. So perhaps your theory that the reader didn’t do it justice is correct.
—
-Alan
April 27, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Yes. That happens to me often. I am on page 284 (out of 1000!) and going strong. Much better in print!
April 30, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Good to know! Thank you both. I’ll put this back on my TBR list — in print.
April 27, 2018 at 5:23 am |
I just finished the two prequels to Beneath a Sugar Sky. The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart sounds cute. I may need to try that one. I loved watching Card Captor Sakura. 🙂
April 30, 2018 at 12:38 pm |
The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart is good but not as cute as you might imagine!
April 27, 2018 at 5:47 am |
I’m in the middle of The Daybreakers, by Louis L’Amour. It’s a quick and easy read made slow by the culture shock of coming to it in the middle of rereading the Firekeeper books. This is my first official Western, but I do see how much it owes to early American lit and the Leatherstocking Tales. The book is interesting, but its world view (so far) is ornery.
April 27, 2018 at 5:50 am |
By all of this I mean to say thank you for the recommendation. This is a wonderful learning experience for me, and I expect I’ll read more westerns in the future.
April 27, 2018 at 11:17 am
I really like the idea of an “ornery” world view. Lovely!
April 27, 2018 at 8:59 am |
COMPLETED ~
Wall Of Storms by Ken Liu
Immortal Reign by Morgan Rhodes. <The final of the 6 book Falling Kingdoms series. I finished the series because I'd started it. It wasn't bad, and other people might love it, but my general feeling is… Meh.
Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear. This was my first venture into the steampunk genre. The story takes place in a wild west Town. It had racial diversity, queer characters, gadgets galore and even a cat. (Does that count as a Western?) It was good. I think I'll read a few more in the genre before I decide if I want to add steampunk to my reading list.
CURRENTLY READING ~
The Feed by Nick Clark Windo
I'm only a few pages in so I have nothing to say about it yet.
Looks like my reading has been a potluck of genres this week. I'm always looking for new authors and great stories.
April 27, 2018 at 11:18 am |
KAREN MEMORY is the best steampunk I’ve read (although I had real problems with the sewing machine). Most is window dressing at best. KAREN MEMORY has a lot of thought behind it.
April 27, 2018 at 11:41 am
Yeah, I didn’t understand the sewing machine AT ALL😕
April 28, 2018 at 4:06 pm |
Well, I managed one significant accomplishment this week: finished reading through the 238 on-line episodes of ‘wot i red on my hols’. Drop-dead funny, but i regret to have to say that Alan is not a ‘good’ reviewer: he simply likes and recommends too many things that run from uninteresting to unreadable in my book. And didn’t like any number of things I’m rather fond of. Not that there’s no overlap – Mary Beard was every bit as good as he promised, for example. Oh, well…
Also recently completed, 3 journal articles on dark matter, or the absence thereof. Some of you may have noticed a news report on the discovery of a small galaxy that apparently doesn’t have any. If true, that should put paid to the argument that it’s not unseen mass, it’s an incorrect theory of gravitation that’s messing things up. Or maybe not… Anyway, if anyone’s interested I can point you at some key articles on the subject – only one with enough math that you have to take it on faith that the authors got it right if you haven’t kept your tensor analysis skills honed. Like me 😉
April 29, 2018 at 10:22 pm |
Thank you Louis. That’s an amazing accomplishment! I’m impressed by your stamina and I’m pleased you enjoyed the articles.
Best wishes
—
-Alan
April 30, 2018 at 12:41 pm |
I’m not up to reading about Dark Matter now, but I’ll keep you in mind.
And I’m a faithful reader every month of “wot I red.” I agree with you about the humor, and I’m glad Alan’s tastes and mine differ because I find new things that way.