M. Suzanne Terry

For years, I have tried to keep track of notes I have made on each book I read, but all my efforts tend to fizzle out. So far, this process seems to be working *knocks on wood* and I’m so pleased. 

As with the last update, those listed as just titles were reviewed in a previous post. 

For the main list of book titles I’ve read for this challenge, see this post.

A

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo 

B

Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke 

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley – This book has everything I typically like in a mystery. Unlikely/unexpected sleuth with a spunky personality and clever wit. Idyllic setting. Family secrets/character(s) with a secret history. It was all there. But the book was still just meh to me. The plot dragged so slowly for at least half of the book. Once it picked up, it was more interesting, but I was already over it by the time that happened.

C

The Castlemaine Murders by Kerry Greenwood

The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton 

D

Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith 

E

Excuse Me While I Disappear by Laurie Notaro 

F

G

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – I’m so glad that I watched the show before I read this. Because while I’m sure the book would have been just as clever without David Tennant as Crowley in my head, it stands to reason that just about anything is better with him (or at least the thought of him). I was happy that the high expectations I had going in were met when I read it.

H

How To Be Perfect by Michael Schur 

I

The Iron Druid Chronicles (10-ish books in the series plus a lot of short stories published separately) by Kevin Hearne – OK, technically, this is way more than one book, but one thing I wish review sites let you do is post one review for the whole series, because while occasionally one book will stand out above the rest, I typically think of them as one long story. So I’m going to do what I want here. Anyway…ancient immortal druid, living in today’s world. Has a vampire for a lawyer and werewolves as allies. Mind-melds with his dog. You know, as you do. The writing is clever, and the premise is fun. I’ve sailed through the first three and am currently listening to the fourth in the series. The story and characters are great; the reader is fantastic. I especially like Oberon. 

J

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry – It took me a couple of chapters to get into this one, but I could hardly put it down once I did. The way Berry ties in events from Jayber’s early life to cast meaning on what happens later is nothing short of masterful. I’m often critical of endings, but the last sentence of this book is perfect. This is the first novel of Berry’s that I’ve read, and I’ll definitely be reading others. 

K

Writers & Lovers by Lily King 

L

Lucky Turtle by Bill Roorbach 

M

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

N

O

The Opposite of You by Rachel Higginson 

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

P

Q

R

S

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle – If I could host a dinner party with various characters in literature (a term I use broadly), Sherlock Holmes would definitely be on the guest list. I read a lot of this series when I was younger, and I enjoyed the re-read just as much if not more than I did then.

T

U

V

W

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny

X

Y

Z

Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul by Najwa Zebian