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Sharz' 2012 Reading Log

Keep track of what you read in 2012. One thread per member, please.
User avatar
MLE (Emily Cotton)
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 3566
Joined: August 2008
Interest in HF: started in childhood with the classics, which, IMHO are HF even if they were contemporary when written.
Favourite HF book: Prince of Foxes, by Samuel Shellabarger
Preferred HF: Currently prefer 1600 and earlier, but I'll read anything that keeps me turning the page.
Location: California Bay Area

Post by MLE (Emily Cotton) » Fri October 5th, 2012, 3:52 am

[quote=""Sharz""]October: YTD:

Checkmate by Dorothy Dunnett[/quote]
What! no rating?
I like your rating system. It appears that we have similar tastes. Which makes it easy to guess if I will enjoy a book or not.

Sharz
Reader
Posts: 249
Joined: October 2009
Location: Chicago

Post by Sharz » Sun October 14th, 2012, 9:47 pm

Typically, I list a book when I start reading it and rate it when I'm done. Sometimes I have several books going at the same time, and I don't want to miss one. I'm not quite finished with Checkmate, but there's no question it'll be a 5/5 unless I totally hate the series wrap-up. Unlikely. :)

I've noticed, too, that we have a good bit of overlap in tastes, so I keep an eye out for your comments on what you're reading. If you haven't read Dunnett, definitely give her a try. I love, love, love this series. I am going to begin re-reading it next month with the companion translator and reference book ... but after a few easier and fluffy reads first.
Last edited by Sharz on Sun October 14th, 2012, 10:06 pm, edited 3 times in total.

User avatar
MLE (Emily Cotton)
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 3566
Joined: August 2008
Interest in HF: started in childhood with the classics, which, IMHO are HF even if they were contemporary when written.
Favourite HF book: Prince of Foxes, by Samuel Shellabarger
Preferred HF: Currently prefer 1600 and earlier, but I'll read anything that keeps me turning the page.
Location: California Bay Area

Post by MLE (Emily Cotton) » Mon October 15th, 2012, 2:34 am

[quote=""Sharz""]Typically, I list a book when I start reading it and rate it when I'm done. Sometimes I have several books going at the same time, and I don't want to miss one. I'm not quite finished with Checkmate, but there's no question it'll be a 5/5 unless I totally hate the series wrap-up. Unlikely. :)

I've noticed, too, that we have a good bit of overlap in tastes, so I keep an eye out for your comments on what you're reading. If you haven't read Dunnett, definitely give her a try. I love, love, love this series. I am going to begin re-reading it next month with the companion translator and reference book ... but after a few easier and fluffy reads first.[/quote]
Yes, the Lymond series is on my top 10 reads list. I couldn't get through the Niccolo one, though. DD fried too many of my logic circuits by book 2. But after a slow start, the storytelling throughout Lymond is superb, and she really has a command of the history of the era.

After you catch your breath with something slower, try Hawk Quest for another rip-roaring never-say-die adventure. Romance not so good, but the characters are more consistent.
Last edited by MLE (Emily Cotton) on Mon October 15th, 2012, 2:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

Sharz
Reader
Posts: 249
Joined: October 2009
Location: Chicago

Post by Sharz » Fri November 2nd, 2012, 12:53 am

Nov: 11 YTD: 91

Sea Scoundrel by Annette Blair HR -- DNF
Surrender by Pamela Clare HR 4/5
Untamed by Pamela Clare HR 4/5
Defiant by Pamela Clare HR 4/5
The October Horse by Colleen McCullough 2/5
The Widow of Larkspur Inn by Lawana Blackwell 2.5/5
Bridgette by Linda Lael Miller 3/5
Christy by Linda Lael Miller 3/5
Skye by Linda Lael Miller 3/5
Megan by Linda Lael Miller 3/5
Out of Time by Monique Martin 3/5
Last edited by Sharz on Sat December 1st, 2012, 9:01 pm, edited 10 times in total.

User avatar
Misfit
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 9581
Joined: August 2008
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by Misfit » Fri November 2nd, 2012, 12:59 am

[quote=""Sharz""]Nov: YTD:

Sea Scoundrel by Annette Blair -- DNF[/quote]

That didn't take long... ;)
At home with a good book and the cat...
...is the only place I want to be

Sharz
Reader
Posts: 249
Joined: October 2009
Location: Chicago

Post by Sharz » Sun November 4th, 2012, 5:44 pm

The other Blair I just read (Undeniable Rogue) had most of the same problems, really, and if I were grading them both 1-10 on a range of things like writing quality, characters, plot, setting, storytelling, etc, Rogue is really only marginally higher. But for some reason I liked it, and couldn't tolerate Sea Scoundrel.
Last edited by Sharz on Tue November 6th, 2012, 7:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Misfit
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 9581
Joined: August 2008
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by Misfit » Sun November 4th, 2012, 5:46 pm

[quote=""Sharz""]The other Blair I just read (Undeniable Rogue) had most of the same problems, really, and if I were grading them both 1-10 on a range of things like writing quality, characters, plot, setting, storytelling, etc, Rogue is really only marginally higher. But for some reason I liked the other, and couldn't tolerate Sea Scoundrel.[/quote]

It's a crapshoot at times with these older romances, but I'm willing to risk if more than I am with currently published HRs.
At home with a good book and the cat...
...is the only place I want to be

Sharz
Reader
Posts: 249
Joined: October 2009
Location: Chicago

Post by Sharz » Tue December 4th, 2012, 7:27 pm

Dec: 4 YTD: 95

Caribbean by James Michener 2.5/5
The Bourne Sanction by Eric Van Lustbader 3/5
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein 4.5/5
An Affair before Christmas by Eloisa James 3.5/5
Last edited by Sharz on Wed January 2nd, 2013, 2:53 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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