Fiction
"A Botanist's Guide to Parties & Poisons" by Kate Khavari - Book Club Discussion
Saffron Everleigh is in a race against time to free her wrongly accused professor before he goes behind bars forever. Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Anna Lee Huber, Kate Khavari's debut historical mystery is a fast paced, fearless adventure. London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh attends a dinner party for the University College of London. While she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large expedition to the Amazon, she doesn't expect Mrs. Henry, one of the professors' wives to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin. Dr. Maxwell, Saffron's mentor, is the main suspect, having had an explosive argument with Dr. Henry a few days prior. As evidence mounts against Dr. Maxwell and the expedition's departure draws nearer, Saffron realizes if she wants her mentor's name cleared, she'll have to do it herself. Joined by enigmatic Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons. Will she be able to uncover the truth or will her investigation land her on the murderer's list?
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in BookClub
"The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett - Book Club Discussion
From "a master of the detective novel [and] one hell of a writer" ( The Boston Globe) comes a coolly glittering gem of detective fiction that has haunted three generations of readers. A treasure worth killing for. Sam Spade, a slightly shopworn private eye with his own solitary code of ethics. A perfumed grafter named Joel Cairo, a fat man name Gutman, and Brigid O'Shaughnessy, a beautiful and treacherous woman whose loyalties shift at the drop of a dime. These are the ingredients of Dashiell Hammett's iconic, influential, and beloved The Maltese Falcon.
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in BookClub
"The Snowman" by Jo Nesbø - Book Club Discussion
Oslo in November. The first snow of the season has fallen. A boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone. Out his window, in the cold moonlight, he sees the snowman that inexplicably appeared in the yard earlier in the day. Around its neck is his mother's pink scarf. Hole suspects a link between a menacing letter he's received and the disappearance of Jonas's mother - and of perhaps a dozen other women, all of whom went missing on the day of a first snowfall. As his investigation deepens, something else emerges: he is becoming a pawn in an increasingly terrifying game whose rules are devised - and constantly revised - by the killer. (GoodReads)
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in BookClub
"And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie - Book Club Discussion
First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. A famous nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room of the mansion: "Ten little boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay there then there were seven. Seven little boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six. Six little boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one, and then there were five. Five little boys going in for law; One got in Chancery, and then there were four. Four little boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one, and then there were three. Three little boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one, and then there were two. Two little boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up, and then there was one. One little boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none." When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion. (GoodReads)
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in BookClub
"Wish You Were Here" by Rita Mae Brown - Book Club Review
Curiosity just might be the death of Mrs. Murphy - and her human companion, Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen. Small towns are like families: Everyone lives very close together, and everyone keeps secrets. Crozet, Virginia, is a typical small town until its secrets explode into murder. Crozet's thirty-something postmistress, Harry, has a tiger cat (Mrs. Murphy) and a Welsh Corgi (Tucker), a pending divorce, and a bad habit of reading postcards not addressed to her. When Crozet's citizens start turning up murdered, Harry remembers that each received a card with a tombstone on the front and the message "Wish you were here" on the back. Intent on protecting their human friend, Mrs. Murphy and Tucker begin to scent out clues. Meanwhile, Harry is conducting her own investigation, unaware her pets are one step ahead of her. If only Mrs. Murphy could alert her somehow, Harry could uncover the culprit before the murder occurs and before Harry finds herself on the killer's mailing list. (GoodReads)
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in BookClub
Scrooge: The Story Behind A Christmas Carol
Before the Grinch hated Christmas and stole all the gifts, there was Ebenezer Scrooge except he didn't steal any Christmas gifts like the Grinch but took away all the Christmas joy. Scrooge is a grumpy elderly who hates Christmas until he receives a surprise visit from ghosts to show him his past, present, and future. The story has made films, plays, musicals, and several adaptations. Here's the story behind Scrooge.
By Gladys W. Muturi2 years ago in BookClub
"The Power of Mindfulness: Cultivating Awareness and Appreciation in Daily Life" . Content Warning.
The world is full of amazing and awe-inspiring things, but sometimes we can become so accustomed to our surroundings that we forget to appreciate them. This is where the art of mindfulness comes in. By being present in the moment and fully engaged in our surroundings, we can learn to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
By ethics with AI2 years ago in BookClub
Thе Importancе of Proofrеading Your Book Bеforе Publishing
Proofreading plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and polish of written content before it reaches its audience, and this process is particularly vital for books. Whether fiction or non-fiction, books are a manifestation of an author's expertise, professionalism, and overall credibility. The meticulous examination and correction of errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and coherence contribute significantly to the overall quality and readability of a book. This attention to detail not only enhances the reader's experience but also safeguards against potential negative feedback, unfavorable reviews, or legal complications that could arise from inaccuracies or inconsistencies. For authors in the UK seeking assistance with Book Writing Founders UK could be a valuable resource for professional proofreading services to elevate the standard of their literary works.
By Merry Jhon2 years ago in BookClub
Buried Alive
Image by Headfone So of course, the delayed release of Buried Alive has limited its impact on many fronts from hostage negotiations, to original crime drama, and now marijuana forgiveness on the federal level. While it was fun writing this audio drama for Headfone and also enjoyed listening to the final product, it seems it might never be released to the public. There’s only one more episode I’m going to release after this one so the only way you can hear how it ends is if Headfone releases the story on their app. West Coast Milblogger returns in the new year.
By Cyrus Emerson2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: Clytemnestra’s Bind by Susan C Wilson . Top Story - December 2023.
The House of Atreus is spiralling into self-destruction—a woman must find a way to break the family curse. Queen Clytemnestra's world shatters when Agamemnon, a rival to the throne of Mycenae, storms her palace, destroys her family and claims not only the throne but Clytemnestra herself. Tormented by her loss, she vows to do all she can to protect the children born from her unhappy marriage to Agamemnon. But when her husband casts his ruthless gaze towards the wealthy citadel of Troy, his ambitions threaten, once more, to destroy the family Clytemnestra loves. From one of Greek mythology's most reviled characters—a woman who challenged the absolute power of men—comes this fiery tale of power, family rivalry and a mother's burning love. Placing motherhood at the heart of the story, Clytemnestra’s voice is heard in a new way. It also explores society's obligation to conform to stereotypical gender expectations and shows the explosive powerplay between men and women in a patriarchal society.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
"Ulysses" by James Joyce: A Journey Through Time and Consciousness
"Ulysses" by James Joyce: A Journey Through Time and Consciousness James Joyce's "Ulysses" stands as an enigmatic masterpiece in the realm of literature, a work that transcends time and space to explore the intricacies of human consciousness. Published in 1922, this novel is a complex tapestry woven from the threads of a single day in the lives of three central characters in Dublin: Leopold Bloom, Molly Bloom, and Stephen Dedalus.
By Youssef Alaa2 years ago in BookClub
