A Midsummer’s Equation by Keigo Higashino

by Carol2 Comments
Higashino might be one of my favorite authors. A Midsummer's Equation is the fourth of his mysteries I've read I've read. It's the third Detective Galileo translated into English but the 6th in the series. It doesn't matter; the ones I've read definitely stand-alone. As the blurb above says, Manabu Yukawa is at a run-down resort town to attend a conference when, surprise, surprise, someone gets murdered. Yukawa is a physicist - good at observing, logical, thoughtful, quiet. He's that character that knows what's going on but isn't going to brag about it. We also get to see his more caring side here. He becomes friends with a boy who is also staying in town and they have some very good scenes together. His concern for the boy is what pulls him into the case, and his natural tendency to get involved in mysteries - he is the series' star. A lot of mystery blurbs talk about a surprise twist, but Higashino actually lives up to...
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#ReadersWorkouts 8/2

by Carol4 Comments
Here are my steps for the week. Not really, though. I didn't wear my Fitbit when I went swimming - I don't trust the water resistance, and I let it die sometime yesterday. It's charged now though.   My current plan is to do cardio on Tuesday (60 mins), upper body on Wednesday, cardio on Thursday (60 mins), a total body workout on Friday, cardio on Saturday (60+ mins), and a core workout on Monday. I'm also trying to do a 10 minute-ish Pilates workout each day. August is a new start, right? Tuesday - 20 mins step machine, 40 mins elliptical. 5 mins Pilates stretching- the dog decided it wasn't a good idea. Thursday - 20 mins step machine, 40 mins elliptical. Saturday - Went swimming Sunday - Short walk with dog. Monday - 20 mins core, 10 mins Pilates abs I usually listen to a book while I'm walking, jogging, whatever. This week I'm listening to A Midsummer’s Equation by Keigo Higashino. My new goal (which shouldn't really have to be a...
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Thursday’s Tale: Fox Arson

by Carol2 Comments
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned kitsune. Kitsune means fox in Japanese, but for us, it refers to the foxes in Japanese folklore. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. According to folklore, all foxes have the ability to shape shift into men or women. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives. The more tails a kitsune has — they may have as many as nine — the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. the last story I share about the foxes, The Foxes' Wedding, was a happy tale, today's shows a different side of the kitsune. A retainer who served the governor of Kai was heading home one evening from the governor's mansion when he saw a fox. The man chased the fox and...
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Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

by Carol2 Comments
I picked up Missing, Presumed because a.) I enjoy mysteries and b.) the blurb sounded interesting. I was expecting the standard police procedural, but what I got was more about the characters than the plot. I thought it was excellent, but if you're looking for a standard formulaic mystery, this isn't it. If you care about the people involved, about their flaws and strengths, their disillusionments and personal struggles, pick it up. It's more a general fiction than mystery to me, if that makes sense. It's not a puzzle with a neat set of clues and a clever wrap-up. Don't get me wrong, I love those too, but this one is less linear, slower pace with lots of side-tracking. Although Edith is the missing, presumed dead woman, Manon is the star, but she's complicated. In hindsight, she may have a few too many issues, but while reading the book I loved her. She's tough and smart, but lonely and needy. She's probably...
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#ReadersWorkouts #FitReaders 7/26

by Carol2 Comments
Here are my steps for the week. I actually averaged over my goal of 9,000 steps a day.   My current plan is to do cardio on Tuesday (60 mins), upper body on Wednesday, cardio on Thursday (60 mins), a total body workout on Friday, cardio on Saturday (60+ mins), and a core workout on Monday. I'm also trying to do a 10 minute-ish Pilates workout each day. I'm failing miserably at my plan though. Wednesday - Walk with the dog Thursday - 10 mins Pilates booty Saturday - 8 mins Pilates arms Sunday - 20 mins stair machine. 40 minutes elliptical. 9 mins Pilates legs. I usually listen to a book while I'm walking, jogging, whatever. This week I finished The Sans Pareil Mystery by Karen Charlton and started A Midsummer’s Equation by Keigo Higashino. My new goal (which shouldn't really have to be a goal at all, but I have a bit of a sweet tooth) is to avoid snacking. Planned snacks, like going out to ice cream as...
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High Summer Read-a-thon Wrap-up

by Carol2 Comments
The High Summer Read-a-thon wrapped up yesterday. Thanks for hosting, Michelle! My Totals: Pages read: 248 Time listened: 10 hrs 6 mins Books finished: The Sans Pareil Mystery by Karen Charlton Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse on the Moon by Torben Kuhlmann Made headway on: Missing, Presumed  by Susie Steiner A Midsummer's Equation by Keigo Higashino I think the next read-a-thon on my horizon is Bout of Books August 22-28....
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