How to define the many different "types" of mysteries? Sometimes I'm not sure when a novel is a mystery, a thriller, and/or action. But, the "cozy" mysteries seem to be much easier to segregate and define. While I'm not a great fan of cozies - I have a number of friends who love them. So I keep trying, either to read them myself or just "find" books that I think they would enjoy. I'm the one who said she's addicted to action adventure - and the cozy mystery doesn't lend itself to that kind of thing.
So, I spent a little time looking up "cozy mysteries" on-line...reading other people's descriptions and lists of favorites. There are a number of very good blogs specifically devoted to cozy mysteries, and if you have an interest I would suggest doing a little 'surfing.' What I found 
was that, for me, reading ABOUT them was more interesting than actually reading them. I love books... as objects that I really enjoy acquiring and collecting. Even though I don't read them, finding a trove of cozy mysteries in some dark corner that are in really great condition is just as exciting as finding that elusive copy of favorite author's book that I don't yet have. It's kinda like finding cookbooks that look interesting (now that's another blog at another time!).
Here's what I found in terms of descriptions about cozy mysteries:
The stories almost always involved solving some form of puzzle. Observation, a keen understanding of human nature, and a heavy reliance on gossip are the tools used in the solving of the mystery. Usually these stories are located in small-town locales - and the characters usually know each other. The sleuth is often female, but not always. If you watched "Murder, She Wrote" on TV, I think that may be an excellent visual of the cozy mystery. No forensics, no technology (generally), and unlikely to have any real access to criminal records. Now that said, the protagonist is intelligent, intuitive and creative in approach to the solving of the mystery. It seems that the actual crime is often "glossed over" so that the attention is focused on the sleuth and the way the crime is solved. Not a standard to read the "blood and gore" of any crime in these books. Nor is "hard edged" ever a term that could be applied. Good books for a quiet and relaxing read.
But I grew up reading my dad's books, you know the ones that the kids weren't supposed to pick up and read. I read his Raymond Chandler mysteries and Dashiell Hammett - and a host of others that have long since disappeared. Heck, I was the 7th grader who's mom got called in for a conference because I turned in a book report on "Battle Cry" written by Leon Uris. How was I to know that the book was "an adult" novel and not for my young eyes??
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Gentle Puzzles or Cozy Mysteries?
Friday, March 21, 2008
A Little Paranormal... Please
Okay, I'll admit it. I'm one of those who read the novels with elements of paranormal -- some only slight and some 'way out there.' I also watch the movies with elements of paranormal - like "Deja Vu" with Denzel Washington, or "Next" with Nicolas Cage... and the list could go on. And when I'm reading, I'll read just about all of the various authors. Some I like, some I don't. But then that's what can make it interesting. I have a number of favorite authors and will purchase most anything they write. I tend to like the suspenseful novels that keep you on the edge of your seat the most. But there are those that are just plain fun to read.
While she is not a favorite of mine, Christine Feehan has been writing about vampires for a few years now and is very popular. I've read most of her books - but I enjoy her "...Game" series more that the Carpathian (vampire) series. Told ya', I'm a sucker for the paranormal stuff. I've picked up "Predatory Game" and it's on the corner of the table by the chair in the living room... I really will get to it soon. Haven't read it yet, but here's a few of the others of hers that I have read:
There's different kind of sensual predator—a half-human/half-leopard species of shapeshifters. Mysterious freelance paramilitary operative Rio Santana is a member of this breed, but he's been banished from his clan and lives in a solitary rainforest dwelling. Enter Rachel Lospostos, who has marooned herself in the jungle to escape a group of murderers. Blood runs hot between the two, both emotionally and literally—their first meeting is a near-terminal cat fight that leaves Rachel bedridden with a mangled leg and a broken wrist. As Rio cares for her, it becomes clear that their relationship is fated, but it may soon be cut short if they don't figure out who wants Rachel dead.
Briony Jenkins, who performs in a trapeze act with her four brothers, was adopted a
nd diagnosed as autistic as a toddler. In reality she was one of the infamous Dr. Whitney's victims enhanced with both physical and psychic talents. Her extreme empathy makes it painful for her to be around people, but her career puts her into the midst of crowds every day. Performing in Africa, she sneaks away from the hotel for some necessary solitude and is saved from rebel troops in the jungle by Jack Norton, a member of the armed forces who has the ghostwalker enhancements. He has escaped from a rebel camp where he had been horribly tortured. She saves him, and he shields Briony from the sensory overload that torments her. They go their separate ways, but Briony is pregnant, and Dr. Whitney's minions want her baby. (Pssst .. this one I enjoyed - so sue me!)
The blood-drinking, mind-reading, shape-shifting Carpathian clan and their human friends gather for Christmas—and to stave off encroaching enemies. The guests hunt vampires, confront a dark mage and, most importantly, face the extinction of their species due to a mysteriously low birth rate and high infant mortality. Shea—once a human surgeon, now a Carpathian healer—studies the Carpathian's procreative problem even as she carries the child of her "lifemate" Jacques, whose brother, Prince Mikhail, also hopes for more children with his mate, Raven. This book also sets the scene for more stories by adding characters.Sunday, March 16, 2008
Too Many Books --Oh My!
My husb
and says that if I don't show up at the local big box book store at least three times a week, they call him to ask if I'm ill. I mean, really, I don't go that often.... but the books are piling up around here. I have a habit of buying books as I see them for myself. Just in case I want to read them... someday. Hardbacks or softcovers...trade-size or mass market. Doesn't matter, if it looks interesting, I'll pick it up and tell myself that I'll read it this week.
Now I'm a fast reader - can read on average one good size mass market a day easily (and I work a full 40 hour job). Reading is a necessity from my point of view. And, darn, if there isn't something always just a bit interesting. But, here I'll be honest.... I don't always finish the books that I start. If the book (story) doe
sn't grab me very early into the book, I don't bother to stay with it. That's my primary requirement. The book has to hold my interest, it should be well written, tell a story if it's fiction...or if non-fiction, be written well enough to capture my interest, let me learn something without overwhelming me with technical jargon (I leave the technical manuals to my husband who loves them).
Last count, there are 7 books on the end table in the living room near my chair, another 23 books on the shelf of the end table on the other side of the chair waiting to be read, and 6 books on the bedside table. Oh, I forgot... there is a book in the car just in case I get stuck somewhere, a book in the tote that I carry back and forth to work, and three books just under the monitor here at my computer.
And this is w
hy I ended up selling books -- simply to make room for more and help finance my obsession. Now I can just smile innocently at my husband while I'm picking up books at sales, stores, and most anywhere else I can....why they're for the website dear. (He just snickers and looks the other way).
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
It's That Time of Year-We're Looking At Gardening Books!
Winter is waning -- at least that's the story that I'm spreading. I'm so very tired of the cold and so looking forward to spring. And every year at this time I start browsing seed catalogs, flower catalogs, gardening books, and checking out websites that pertain to gardening. Now, that said, I am the world's worst gardener. I just have hopes and dreams - from March through the end of June. At the end of June a switch is flipped off in my head - gardening is over, I'm not going out there anymore. Hello weeds, aren't you pretty!
I have wonderful intentions....honest. I really mean to stay with it each year, but somehow I seem to find excuses when the weather turns really hot. So, over the years I've learned to plant perennials - those that are hardy and drought resistant. I'm the "oh, darn, I meant to go out there and water the flower beds..." person.
I still look forward to it though and still browse those catalogs and pick up those books. Now, my reasoning is that when I retire...I'll do a better job. Hmmm... we'll see.
Here's a few books that I found interesting.
The Spare-Time Gardener by Barbara Hill Freeman
A gardening book is made especially for those who are looking to squeeze gardening into their already hectic schedules. Freeman brings a realistic view to gardening, allowing you to actually achieve and enjoy the time you spend. The Spare Time Gardener covers design, planning, enhancing and maintaining all for the gardener on the go.
Heirloom Flore Gardens by Jo Ann Gardner
Favorite old varieties of plants are a lot like old friends: easy-
going, dependable, and enduring. Even with all of the dazzling new flowers that appear every spring in catalogs and garden centers, most gardeners still treasure those time-honored plants that have proven their worth over many years and earned an abiding place in our hearts.
Heirloom Flower Gardens celebrates more than 300 classic ornamental plants, and explores their uses in the landscape and the home. This charming and influential book is now back in print, and even better than before. It features more than 25 additional plant portraits, as well as expanded information on growing, landscaping, and preserving flowers and herbs for culinary and craft use. Other new sections provide information on creating period plantings and designing specialty or theme gardens.
Small Space Gardening by Peter Loewer
The
re'e no end to the advantages of gardening in containers, and gardening expert Peter Loewer's new book on the subject provides the perfect introduction.Containers, of course, are the norm in cities and suburbs, where space is at a premium, but even gardeners with plenty of room will appreciate the benefits of container planting. Potted plants dress up front walks, hang brightly from the limbs of trees, and energize a deck with color and life. they are a great laboratory for "experiments," and also allow a gardener to grow plants that wouldn't otherwise winter over in northerly climate zones. Older gardeners also love container gardening for its relative simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Armchair Adventure - I'm Addicted
I'm not a brave person.. unless you call raising and dealing with kids brave (and in some circles I think that counts). However, I love a good book with a lot of suspense, action and/or adventure. I love cliff-hangers, shoot-outs, spies, political intrigue, strange and bizarre happenings of things that might have been, could possible happen, or just darn good imagination. And then I had to admit.. I just like books -- as long as the story is written well enough to hold my attention.
If you read, you very likely have favorite authors... authors whose books you hope will be just as good as the one you just finished. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they just aren't. But, if it's a favorite author I'll still take a chance. When I read something I enjoy I will "backtrack" on that author's books: hoping to find earlier books of theirs. This in turn, started me down the path of collecting and searching for books in used book stores and libraries, and then sharing those books with friends, trading them and eventually selling them myself.
Talked myself into it. It was just the excuse I could use to buy more books.... sell some of what I had and use that to find more. But what I have found out is that there's always another book that looks interesting...always another book that someone I know might want to read. And so it went.... Now, I have a website where I can make available books that I've been collecting and books that I keep picking up because they look interesting.
But back to adventure.... one of my favorite authors is James Rollins. I will admit that I prefer his earlier works to the more current Sigma Force series. Here's one of the earlier books that I enjoyed:
(you can find it at KCs Kozy Korner)
High in the Andes, Dr. Henry Conklin discovers a 500-year-old mummy that should not be there. While deep in the South American jungle, Conklins nephew, Sam, stumbles upon a remarkable site nestled between two towering peaks, a place hidden from human 
eyes for thousands of years.
Ingenious traps have been laid to ensnare the careless and unsuspecting, and wealth beyond imagining could be the reward for those with the courage to face the terrible unknown. But where the perilous journey inward ends—in the cold, shrouded heart of a breathtaking necropolis—something else is waiting for Sam Conklin and his exploratory party. A thing created by Man, yet not humanly possible. Something wondrous . . . something terrifying.