Book Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Title: And Then There Were None
Author: Agatha Christie

Goodreads Summary:

First, there were ten - a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a 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. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. And only the dead are above suspicion.




My Thoughts:

My first book of the year! It was a good choice - it was a quick read that held my interest to the very end.

I am a huge fan of the movie Clue and the television show Harper's Island - how I missed this story, probably the story that inspired the later two, is beyond me.

So yeah, this was also my first Agatha Christie book. I can't believe it took me this long to read one of her mysteries. I love little mysteries and isn't she the queen? Well, I bow to her prowess in this genre. I was completely captured, and had no idea how it was all going to wrap together neatly. Christie even acknowledged the difficulty of this task herself, in a bit at the beginning of the book.  The characters were fascinating, their "wicked" pasts all slowly coming to light, each one more wretched and horrible than the next. One by one, they fall, and the reader is left to wonder until the very end who is is the mastermind, the most wicked of them all?

I admit, I watched the mini-series first, but only because I accidentally ran into it. Without the mini-series, I would never have known about this book, which was amazing! So I am glad that I did. I want to add that the mini-series was very well-done! It stuck very closely to the book with only a few minor dramatizations for television audiences but it didn't detract from the original story one bit. I loved Aidan Turner in the role of Lombard, and the oh so mighty Charles Dance as Judge Walgreave - I can't help but have a crush on them both!

This is the perfect read for an afternoon or evening, curled up with a spot of tea and biscuits. It's quick and fast and delivers a powerful mystery full of grim figures and intrigue.

December ~ A Slightly Homemade Book Club Christmas

Month: December

Hostess: Mary

Book: If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins

Food: A gigantic party pizza, gooey chocolate cake, and lots of red wine

December book club is tricky. It is always hosted at the begining of January, since December is such a crazy month for all of us - it kind of signifies the final coming down from the holidays, spending some much needed relax time chatting and hanging out with friends.The hostess always suggests the book, but knows that probably none of us will get to it, no matter how much we want to. It is more of a party than a meeting. 

This December, Mary chose Kristan Higgins' book If You Only Knew. I didn't get to it, but I do have it requested from the library and plan to get to it ASAP. A little late but that's ok. Mary is a huge Higgins fan, and through her I have read quite a few good romances. My favorite to date is from the Blue Heron series, In Your Dreams. Plus that cover is adorable.

We also have our gift exchange! Gifts are either homemade or not, and it is always exciting to open the decorated presents and see what our friends have put together and found.

This year I made cinnamon muffin bread.

Mary made a wreath ornament out of wine corks, while Jill bought us texting gloves.Chrissy made us granola and Kelly bought us cute zipper bags with book titles on it. I love it all! 

We had a blast, being goofy together, catching up, and just letting ourselves be ourselves. We didn't have to be mom, a nurse, an office manager, a salesperson - we were able to let go and have fun.

January is my month! I picked The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard.

Reading Challenges I Spotted on Facebook

Spotted on Facebook: Two Reading Challenges.

I saw the gauntlet thrown before me, and I went for it. Plus, part of me really really likes to check off boxes. 

Here they are, in case anyone else would like to check boxes off with me too..

   

The other is one that was posted on Popsugar- I can't post a photo of it, it goes all wonky size. But I included the link for those who might be interested.

I think this might help to expand my reading a bit outside my comfort zone. I tend to stick to what I like and not branch out, and I want to be a little more open this year.

Resolutions ~ 2016

This year, I want to be kinder to myself. I want to play more, create more, find the magic in everyday. I want to be kinder to other people, to do things with love and thoughtfulness.

I want to say yes to every adventure and try to banish doubt and fear.

I am so excited for this year, for all the new memories and experiences our little family will have.

I wish this for all of you as well - to love every day, find the magic, the love, the wonder, the adventure. As Neil Gaiman says, read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you are wonderful.

Tonight, I will start with a cuddle on the couch with my two guys, while the cold stays outdoors and we stay warm indoors, hot tea steaming on the table in front of me, the cats purring against us.

Little House Read-Along!

If ever there was a challenge/read-along tailor made for me, it is this one. I reread this series every single year starting in the winter- now I just get to read them with other people! I have loved these books since I was a little girl, although I never really watched the television show. Bit of trivia here - Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura on the show, lives an hour from me and is running for Congress.

 I have already started reading Little House in the Big Woods out loud to Wyatt and one day I hope to visit some of the locations in these books as a family. 

The Details:  This read-along is hosted by Bex at An Armchair by the Sea and Lynn at Smoke and Mirrors. 

The reading schedule is as follows:

January - Little House in the Big Woods
February - Little House on the Prairie
March - Farmer Boy
April - On the Banks of Plum Creek
May - By the Shores of Silver Lake
June - The Long Winter
July - Little Town on the Prairie 
August - These Happy Golden Years
September - The First Four Years
October - On the Way Home
November - West from Home 
December - Pioneer Girl/ A Wilder Rose by Susan Wittig Albert (we are going to read one each of these and then both if we have time. You are welcome to choose either one or any other book related to Laura Ingalls Wilder)

I am really looking forward to this challenge! Bex mentioned on her blog post that the website has recipes from the books - I may have to try a few. I see molasses cookies or brown bread in my future.. 

First Book of the Year - 2016!

Wow, the first book of the year already! Where did 2015 go? This is a great meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey every year, and I love it because it makes you think about what that special first book will be. I am a little late to the party but better late than never - especially if that party is anything like the one in the book I am reading...

This year I think mine is one of the best I have chosen!

After much deliberation, my first book of the year is an Agatha Christie book called And Then There Were None. I have never ever read an Agatha Christie book before, and I am looking forward to it! I watched the first episode of the mini-series of the same name and was hooked, and knew I had to read the book, which I am sure will be loads better!

My Favorite Books of 2015

I can't believe it's that time of the year again! It's a new year, and that means possibilities for change and renewal, or maybe just maintaining what you have going right now. And of course, it means an opportunity to read more books! Whether you want to try new authors, different genres, or keep reading tried and true favorites, the sky's the limit!

As a new mom, I didn't get to read like I normally do - but I still did manage to read a few books! My favorites among them were:

I am looking forward to what this year will bring!