100 Books in 2012 Challenge Update

An update on my progress in the 100 Books in 2012 Challenge, which has just been thrown a complication (as have my knitting and writing challenges) by an upcoming job change and a move across the country. Most of the chaos will occur next month, which may mean I don't post as often as usual. I have several Georgian and Regency posts to finish up, when I have a little spare time.

 The books I've read recently are:
28. Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb
29. Shattered by Karen Robards
30. Justice by Karen Robards
31. Hometown Girl by Mariah Stewart
32. Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick
33. Captive Queen by Alison Weir
34. Marrying the Captain by Carla Kelly (re-read from last year)
35. The Surgeon’s Lady by Carla Kelly  (re-read from last year)
36. The Garden of Happy Endings by Barbara O’Neal (2 times)

I liked all of the books. My favorites were Mariah Stewart's Hometown Girl and The Garden of Happy Endings by Barbara O'Neal, which was compelling enough to start reading again as soon as I finished it.

The most informative book was Lady of the English. Captive Queen, while interesting, was a bit of a disappointment. I read the author's biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine a few years ago, and liked it. In this novel, however, she used as fact rumors that most historians discount (including, if I remember correctly, herself). Maybe Ms. Weir's ideas about novel writing are different than mine, but I believe novels should be rooted in fact.

The Garden of Happy Endings is not, as its title might lead you to suspect, a romance. (I'd call it mainstream fiction with romantic elements.) It's a story of sisters, faith, friendship, community, and love. With gardens, dogs, and recipes. I found it riveting.

What are you reading?

Susannah