The Diamond of Darkhold

I know I said that Science Fiction books were read by Tony...but this is one series that I read and enjoyed! The series, written by Jeanne DuPrau, begins with the City of Ember. Three books follow that one: The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood and then the Diamond of Darkhold. The series follows the citizens of Ember who live underground because the Disaster forced them to find a new home to ensure their survival. The most recent book finds these people living in Sparks where life is extremely hard. Two young people set out to their old city of Ember to discover the secret of a book they found. They hope to find something that will make life in Sparks easier...read it to find out what they discover and if they help the people of Sparks!

Agatha Raison and a Spoonful of Poison

I just finished Agatha Raison and a Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton. This is the newest book in the series. Agatha Raison lives in the Cotswolds and after retiring from an advertising career in London, she takes on investigative work. She now has a detective agency and solves all sorts of cases including missing persons to murders. In this book, she had to figure out who tainted the jams at the baking contest with LSD. Since two old ladies died after tasting the jams, she is after a murderer. The only bad part about this book is that the character is only in her early 50's but the author makes her seem ancient. A good cozy mystery overall!

From Cozy Mysteries to Pioneers...

I should probably enlighten you as to the type of books I read...

I would say that my favorite books are ones that focus on small-town life. Jan Karon's series about Mitford, Phillip Gulley and his Harmony books, Debbie Macomber and the Blossom Street and Cedar Cove series, and Joan Medlicott and her Covington ladies are favorites of mine.

I also enjoy books that follow pioneers and their trials. Lauraine Snelling wrote a great series about the Red River and its inhabitants. Ruth Glover wrote the Saskatchewan Saga series. And Linda Hubalek has several series about pioneers.

Cozy mysteries are another favorite. (Cozy mysteries are ones that are not filled with blood and gore.) M.C. Beaton wrote the Agatha Raison books, Rett MacPherson and the Torie O'Shay mysteries, Rhys Bowen and her Evan Evans, Molly Murphy and Her Royal Spyness series, and Nancy Atherton has the Aunt Dimity books.

Then there are books (usually mysteries) that revolve around hobbies... Maggie Sefton writes knitting mysteries, Laura Childs writes tea shop mysteries, Kate Collins and her flower shop books, and Jennifer Chiaverini and the Elm Creek quilters.

Humorous books that I enjoy are ones by Katie Fforde, Sophie Kinsella, and Hester Browne.

Books that I really don't care to read are ones with gruesome details, overly romantic novels, and sci-fi. (Sci-fi books are Tony's specialties!)

Well, I think that sums up my favorite books... I will probably come up with a ton more so I will just keep on adding them!

WELCOME!!!

Welcome to Bits and Bobs!

I plan on writing down my thoughts on books that I have read so you may find something interesting to read. There are times when I may start a book but find it way too boring to finish. I will write about those books in case it can be enjoyed by someone else. At times, Tony will add to this blog since he reads books totally unlike my choices :) And if we find really good children's books that the kids enjoyed, we will share those as well.

I would hope you would send me your thoughts and recent readings so I can add your information. For Geri, interesting magazines may be submitted :)