Monthly Archives: December 2016

2016 Favorite Reading

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Rick Robinson

I read 144 books in 2016. That’s above my yearly goal of 104 (two per week). I rate books as I finish them, and here’s a list of the books I liked best. Most are “old”. They’re in no particular order, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Fantasy, Mystery, Short Stories | 28 Comments

Christmas Swag

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Rick Robinson

note: my Current Reading post will be back next week Thanks to “wish lists”, friends and family know just what to buy this old fella. Take a look: The Mistletoe Murder and other Stories by P.D. James. Four stories in … Continue reading →

Posted in At Home in Portland, Books & Reading, Music, Mystery, Science Fiction | 21 Comments

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Rick Robinson

We wish you all the best for this Christmas and the upcoming year.

Posted in Adventure, Books & Reading, Friday Forgotten Books | 7 Comments

Forgotten Books: The Willows at Christmas and The Willows in Winter by William Horwood

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Rick Robinson

these are the 249th & 250th in my series of forgotten or seldom read books The Willows at Christmas (2001) and The Willows In Winter ( 1994) by William Horwood, St. Martin, (US) hardcovers, illustrated by Patrick Benson I’d like to think that anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Books & Reading, Friday Forgotten Books | 12 Comments

Current Reading: Holmes, Sweet, Child, Neville

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Rick Robinson

My reading is slow, but steady. I’m still happily working my way through The MX Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories – Christmas Adventures while also reading two books by William Horwood for the upcoming pre-Christmas Friday Forgotten Book post. I finished Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, current reading | 21 Comments

We had some snow…

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Rick Robinson

I know the weather is truly terrible across much of the country, so some reading this may think I’m whining about nothing. Okay, but good grief. There are a lot of hills here in Portland, and when it gets snowy and … Continue reading →

Posted in At Home in Portland | 19 Comments

Forgotten Books: Escapade by Walter Satterthwait

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Rick Robinson

this is the 248th in my series of forgotten or seldom read books Escapade by Walter Satterthwait, St. Martin’s Dead Letter, 1996, paperback, mystery, country house mystery, featuring Phil Beaumont & Jane Turner This is the first of three novels Satterthwait has … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Friday Forgotten Books, Mystery | 10 Comments

Current Reading: more Holmes, Child

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Rick Robinson

As we progress through the holidays I’m still reading Holmes, in this case the MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part V: Christmas Adventures as mentioned last week. I’m over halfway through the 528 page anthology and liking it very much. Also, … Continue reading →

Posted in current reading, Mystery, Science Fiction | 24 Comments

Forgotten Book: The London Blitz Murders by Max Allan Collins

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Rick Robinson

this is the 246th in my series of forgotten or seldom read books The London Blitz Murders by Max Allan Collins, Berkley Prime Crime, 2004 paperback, mystery in historical setting The events in this book take place in February 1942, during a lull … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Friday Forgotten Books, Mystery | 28 Comments

Current Reading: Holmes, Mankell

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Rick Robinson

As said in the Friday comfort reading post, I’ve been reading Sherlock Holmes stories in order to calm myself from various bad news and stresses. I began with David Marcum’s Papers of Sherlock Holmes, volume 1 & 2 (just okay), then the … Continue reading →

Posted in current reading, Mystery | 20 Comments