My year of reading 100 Books is almost over. With only 8 books left to reach my goal I am hopeful! I will also finish re-reading J.D. Robb's In Death series (assuming my beloved daughter sends me book 47 that she bought for me - and - had signed by J.D. Robb!) before the end of the year. Again, hopeful. I have a stack of library books I need to read that I've already re-checked out once and only have one more shot to get them read before I have to return them. Again, hopeful.
Realistically, it was a slow reading month mostly because the In Death series' are fast reads, usually a day or two, at most. A Long Obedience...was a slow read, intentionally. I wanted to soak in every word. I wouldn't be surprised if I re-read it some time next year. It's that good!
Festive in Death by J.D. Robb. Surprisingly Festive was heavy on the relational story surrounding the characters even so far as some lengthy conversations. All of which I adored. The murder mystery not so much. Eve was investigating a scumbag and while she pursued justice as she always does, because no one deserves getting dead by someone else, maybe, her 'heart' wasn't into it but simply her blazing sense of justice propelled her to find the killer. It was Christmas time and so much fun to see Eve navigate the relationship + gifts 'dilemma' and do it well somehow. 85/100
Bunker Hill, a city, a siege, a revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick. Empowered with my newly acquired PINES library card and after a fairly slow reading month last month I was determined to make a large dent in my reading repertoire and expanded genre. I had in mind to read another Philbrick historical non-fictional account but it was still considered new and not up for 'hold' so I pulled an older one from the shelf. 86/100
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson. It looks like I started this one and then realized it would take a 'long' time to finish it well so I set it aside for something I could 'instantly' check off as read...just kidding. I love Eugene Peterson. I love reading The Message as a companion Bible to the NIV, KJV, ESV, or even the NLT. A Long Obedience is, first of all, worthy of your uncluttered time. Peterson takes you through the path of discipleship via the Psalms of Ascent - Psalm 120 - 134. 87/100
Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb. This time less on the friendships and characters and more on the murder mystery. Pretty slow going at times but otherwise a satisfying read. Loved the finale. 88/100
Devoted in Death by J.D. Robb. At some point along my accumulation of the In Death series I stopped purchasing paperbacks and began buying the hardbacks the day they came out. I couldn't wait to read the latest in the series. I've been into the hard backs on my shelf and only have a few more to finish the series. Assuming my daughter sends me the signed copy of the latest book she purchased for me from J.D.Robb's very own bookstore in Boonesboro, Maryland, I'll definitely be able to finish the series this year. It's been a fun ride! Devoted in Death no less - interesting. Think Bonnie and Clyde, except exceedingly more vicious and evil. 89/100
Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb. Aside from the retribution killings (which is disgusting but an intriguing storyline, the entwining of Lieutenant Dallas' "people", those people who have come into her life over the past few years, who she has come to love, albeit reluctantly at times, yet truly - is wonderful. This was a really good read! 90/100
Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb. The power of parental influence. When a father seeks vengeance through his own daughter as a long distance serial killer. This is book 43 in the series. I know. Crazy, right? Like all series, the In Death series has had ebbs and flows. The characters for the most part continue to grow with each passing story. I enjoy the books best when many of the characters or effectively used within the story and this is one of those books. I also love the introduction of new, and the potential for recurring characters. Again, Apprentice In Death filled that bill. An all-around great read. 91/100
Echoes in Death by J.D. Robb. Can I just say as I get closer and closer to finishing my re-read of these books - I still love them! I'm not sure how many times I've read each book. Although, the re-read this year was after about a three-year hiatus. Even still, I am not tired of them, nor am I bored. I enjoy them. Every. Single. Time. Like all of the books, Echoes is a gruesome, skin-crawling, heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching, compelling murder mystery handled and solved superbly by the ever-growing character, feisty, and snarky protagonist, Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her hunka hunka burning love, billionaire husband who is himself a reformed thief. 92/100