In My Mailbox #1

This weekly meme is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren! Check out her blog to see what others are reading.

I just heard about this meme and decided to participate as of today. I do not have a long list but here goes.

I ordered and received the following:



Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart

Synopsis
Vanessa March never thought to look for her missing husband in Vienna--until she saw him in a newsreel shot there at the scene of a deadly fire. But her hunt for answers only leads to more sinister questions in a mysterious world of beautiful horses.

Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart

Synopsis
A governess in a French château encounters an apparent plot against her young charge's life in this unforgettably haunting and beautifully written suspense novel. When lovely Linda Martin first arrives at Château Valmy as an English governess to the nine-year-old Count Philippe de Valmy, the opulence and history surrounding her seems like a wondrous, ecstatic dream. But a palpable terror is crouching in the shadows. Philippe's uncle, Leon de Valmy, is the epitome of charm, yet dynamic and arrogant—his paralysis little hindrance as he moves noiselessly in his wheelchair from room to room. Only his son Raoul, a handsome, sardonic man who drives himself and his car with equally reckless abandon, seems able to stand up to him. To Linda, Raoul is an enigma—though irresistibly attracted to him, she senses some dark twist in his nature. When an accident deep in the woods nearly kills Linda's innocent charge, she begins to wonder if someone has deadly plans for the young count.

As well as reading Mary Stewart for the mystery boards I am also reading the following Victoria Holt Novel and a Daphne Du Maurier for the same boards.

Lord of the Far Island by Victoria Holt

Synopsis
The past is never far behind.…
Ellen Kellaway, orphaned at age five, was raised by wealthy cousins, but was never allowed to forget that her every advantage was owed to the charity of others. However, when the son of a powerful London family asks for her hand in marriage, her world is opened up to untold wealth and social position. She never imagined that such an unlikely dream would come true.
Despite these wonderful new developments in her life, Ellen continues to be wracked b the bad dreams that have haunted her since childhood. What is the meaning of the lifelong nightmare—the image of an unfamiliar room, a door opening and behind it a dreadful presence? Perhaps it is a message urging her to uncover the secrets of her long-lost family—the secrets of the ancient home of the Kellaways on the Far Island, off the wild coast of Cornwall.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier

Synopsis
Jamaica Inn stands alone on Bodmin Moor, stark and forbidding, its walls tainted with corruption. Young Mary Yellon soon learns of her uncle Joss Merlyn's strange trade here. But does he deal in blacker secrets still?

As you can see it is quite a lot of classic mystery this week. I am participating in discussion on a mystery board in which these authors will be discussed. This is my first experience with Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. Should be fun!

Cozy Mystery Saturday: Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

A small suburb of Atlanta, a young librarian with an unfortunate name, a real murder club, and real murder---all together a classic cozy mystery. Charlaine Harris is perhaps best known for her series featuring Sookie Stackhouse. Her writing is marked by a warm sense of humor. The characters are fun.

This is the first in a series featuring Aurora Teagarden. Aurora is a young librarian who is drawn into the murder investigation through her involvement in a real murder club. She is a modests young woman who has some interesting friends.

I was drawn to read this book through an interest in reading something more from Charlaine Harris. This fall while visitng my sister in South Carolina I was presented with the first of the Sookie Stackhouse books. Although I am not so much into the current vampire craze I enjoyed her writing style.

my review: Real Murders was an enjoyable story. The story begins at a meeting of the Real Murder Club and moves quickly into murder. Aurora Teagarden, Roe to her friends, becomes part of the investigation while juggling the men in her life. There are twists and turns along the way. This mystery is a fun read. Harris has a unique style that makes you want to read more. It is a worthwhile read. Those of you who love Sookie Stackhouse might not appreciate Aurora Teagarden as much in this first book of the series but she is a character that is worth following up on to see how she developes through the rest of the series.

I give this a 3 out of 5. A Worthwhile Read.

Special Thanks to BookMagic for letting me share this meme.

Books that move us.

There are some books that hit you in the face. They allow you to view the world or at least some part of it in a new way. Some books take your mind off the world, and others make you think and send you seeking out another book that deepens the theme or idea., or understanding of the book. An example for me was The Historian that drove me to reread Dracula. I had to put it down, read Dracula and then pick it up again. It was a wonderful journey that helped me to get through a book (Dracule) that I had struggled with earlier in life. The experience helped me to appreciate both books.

What books do that for you? What books move you to some action? What books lift you up and give you a sense of wonder? What books help define the world for you? What moves you?

Friday, Snow (no surprise) and other things.

Of course it was snowing here again today. My husband is sick, and my house needs attention. However, I did manage to make headway in reading The Forgotten Garden. It is a good read so far. Very intriguing. Finished up on a cozy mystery for tomorrow, and I got started on a new mystery for the B&N mystery boards.

What did you do with your Friday? BookJourney got me thinking about get-togethers with girlfriends. I don't have many of those these days. Everyone is busy except for me. Taking time off from the classroom this year has been enjoyable. I have time to read for my own edification and pleasure.

I strolled through blogs this morning and almost got distracted from my books. There are so many interesting memes happening, giveaways, and discussions that I may be distracted the rest of the weekend. Originally I thought I might mention a few of them but feared I might offend the authors. I am interested in incorporating several of these into my blog but will move ahead cautiously. The Friday 56, What are you reading Mondays, Tuesday ???-sorry forgot the term for the moment. What memes do you find interesting? What should I incorporate on this site? And really....What are you reading and why?

Snow Supplies: Books! Flashback to early reading experience.

Another snow storm predicted for tomorrow. I am stocking up again. Although I have several books that I am working on I needed to prepare for some book club discussions coming up in the next few weeks. Since I will be stuck inside for at least tomorrow I made a run to the store. How many of you stock up on books before a snowstorm?

I have added another Charlaine Harris book to my group: A Bone to Pick. I enjoy a good cozy mystery when the weather is bad, and well there really isn't a bad time for one. I have also added Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart. This is also a first for me. We are discussing her books in a mystery bookclub in March so I need to read one of her books. This sounded interesting. And finally I have added another classic mystery book: Lord of the Far Island by Victoria Holt. My mother used to read her gothic romances.

Mystery was one of the earliest genres that I read as a child. Starting with the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Trixie Belden and working my way through Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen in Junior High.

What mysteries have you been reading? Do you like cozy mysteries, suspense, romance mysteries, or thrillers?

"Time Passing. A Triangle Life of work, love, family." p307. This story is beautifully rendered. It follows the tale of Mary Fury and Jonathan Cobb from their meeting along the Allagash River in Maine, trips to Indonesia, Yellowstone, and their life in New Hampshire. Mary and Cobb establish a life filled with love, adventure, and compassion. Although at times the story lacks a more realistic touch it is a worthwhile read. The story is poignant and timely. There is much to learn from the depth of love that is exhibited in this beautiful story. Life comes full circle. Mr. Monninger's writing style evokes beautiful images of the beauty of nature and life around us. Pick up the book and enjoy "...a quiet period, a deep chair with a good reading light..."

I am reading this book in ebook format. This is my first experience with an ereader. So far I am really enjoying it but must take breaks occassionally. So far the book is terrific. It tells the story of 3 generations of women, works through 3 time periods, and holds your interest. Who will Nell's parents turn out to be and what does that mean to her granddaughter.

Kate Morton does not disappoint. I have a hard time putting it down to work on anything else.

If you have read this book or are reading this book I would be interested to hear what you think.

I will be back with an update. Meantime I will post on another book I have recently read---Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger

The Beginning

I am a beginner to blogging so be patience with me. The intent here is to read and review books that are in my TBR pile as well as some books that I have read recently. Let's talk books. I am an avid reader and love to talk books.

Currently I am reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and a new mystery. My library is eclectic: classics, contemporary, mystery (cozy and suspense), some non-fiction, etc.