52 Books in 6 months PT.2 (July 01 to Dec 18) ~ 2016

I've read, and listened, through more than 52 books this year, so I decided to split the list up.  
Part 1  of 52 books in 52 Weeks   can be found here . 
This post contains the rest of the books we read after June 2016 -  which, amazingly, ended up being 53 more titles.  Audiobooks count in my world.

The number beside each book is my personal rating for the book, or audiobook, at the time of reading with the range being:

(1) = would not recommend,

(2) = some interesting aspects but not one of my recommended reads,

(3) = would recommend.

(4) = Really good (or worthy) read, would definitely recommend

(5) = Excellent book, highly recommend

The next few were ongoing, sip, reads so I’ll add them here:

A: How to Read Slowly  ~  James W. Shire (3)

B: Consider This ~ Karen Glass  ()

C: The Christian Family ~ Larry Christenson (4)

D: Christian Living in the Home ~ Jay Adams (4) 

(As in previous posts, I won't include the books I'm reading for my own extra-mural studies;  and,  the titles in green are ones I pre-read as possible reads for the children.)  

1. The King James Bible: The Books of;   Luke,  John   (5+)
2. The Harvester ~ Stratton-Porter (2)
3. The Merchant of Venice ~ Shakespeare (3)
4. The Tempest ~ Shakespeare  (3) 
5. Twelfth Night ~ Shakespeare (2)  I struggled thru this play. For those that like a heads up before reading; contains bawdy humour; which I don't find funny.
6. The Affair of the Mutilated Mink ~ James Anderson  (3) (not for Daisy) 
7. Grand Designs: Handbook ~ Kevin McCloud (2)
8. Star of Kazan ~ Eva Ibbotson  (2)              Daisy enjoyed this,  and gave it a (4)
9. They Found Him Dead ~ Georgette Heyer (3+)   (okay for Daisy)
10. Go Set a Watchman ~ Harper Lee (2)
11. New Zealand's Greatest Doctor Ulric Williams of Wanganui:  A Surgeon Who Became a Naturopath ~ Brenda Sampson (4)
12. Own Your Life ~ Sally Clarkson (repeat read) (4++)
13. The Great New Zealand Baking Book ~ created by Murray Thom & Tim Harper (4++)
14. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd ~ Agatha Christie  (2) (not for Daisy)
15. Queen Lucia ~ E.F. Benson (dropped.  Just could not get into this book)
16. Then Sings My Soul. Bk 2 ~ Robert J. Morgan (4)
17. Regency Buck ~ Heyer (2)  (too romancey-schmancey to give to Daisy)
18. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio ..... ~ Terry Ryan (2) 
19. 100 Cupboards ~ N.D. Wilson   (3)  child's book 
20. Mrs. Pollifax on Safari ~ Gilman (2-3) (Not for Daisy)
21. The Tightrope Walker ~ Gilman (1) (Not for Daisy) Odd ideology in this book,  Gilman's Unitarianism beliefs permeate every chapter. For others that like to know potential content issues: promotes the idea that premarital s3x is totally fine with the right person, strong on 'eastern' beliefs, details suicide.
22. Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry ~ Harry Kemelman (3-) the book does contain two crass excerpts (degrading s3xual intent) about one of the woman's body parts.
23. Thrush Green ~ Miss Read (3) 
24. Stay Where You are & Then Leave ~ John Boyne (WWI) (3-) younger. children's book. Has a few, mature themed, crass,  adult comments at the end of the book.  Could have sensitivity issues for children with a family member that has mental health issues: for those reasons I'd notate this with: content/sensitivity issues. 
25. The Hiding Place ~ Corrie ten Boom  also FoTF Radio Drama (4)  the book is much better and rates a (4-5)
26. Birth Order ~ Leman (re-read) (3) Leman is rather long winded!
27. Girl Waits With Gun ~ Amy Stewart (3+) based on real events and the Kopp sisters of  New Jersey.  Contains one portion that needed editing out: the sewing machine salesman seducing an 18yr old girl and 'getting' her with child. Could be a sensitive listen for anyone involved in adoption.
28. Lady Cop Makes Trouble ~ Amy Stewart (4)
29. Bonhoeffer ~ Eric Metaxas (4+)
30. The Roman Hat Mystery ~ Ellery Queen (2)
31. Sunday the Rabbi Stayed Home ~ Harry Kemelman  dropped this, just wasn't appreciating the story which was woven around a drug taking/pushing teen, and there seem to be a lot of swearing in this one...  I also think I may be Rabbi Small-ed out
32. An Infamous Army ~ Georgetter Heyer (3)  Not for Daisy.   The initial chapters in the book made it feel like a penny-dreadful romance. I nearly ditched it, I loathe books like that.  Barbara Child's lack of character throughout, most of, the book was very off putting.  However,  Heyer's retelling of the Battle of Waterloo, from the Allies perspective, and the devastation of life there is very well written and ended up making the book an appreciated read for me.
33. Death At Wentwater Court ~ Carola Dunn (2) Not for Daisy 
34. To Davy Jones Below ~ Carola Dunn (2)
35. The Cross of Lead (Crispin bk 1) ~ Avi (4)  child’s book.  I was surprised I enjoyed this so much, very well written.
36. Rare Leadership ~  Warner, Wilder (3-) the sort of book that needed skipping  ahead to read the pertinent info.  Odd writing structure to this book
37. The Body in The Library ~ Christie (3-) Has a swear word tossed in at around 38 minutes in
38. A Life in Secrets ~ Sarah Helm (WWII) (2) Vera Atkins came across as an awful woman, this book portrayed her as ambitious, deceitful and cold.

This time of year is an excellent opportunity for me to listen while I work, so I'm hoping to enjoy a good pile of audiobooks, before the end of the year.  
(I kept coming back and updating with books & my ratings as I went along.  All finished now.)

Summer time listens & reads.  Mostly pre-listening for Daisy:

39:   High Rising ~ Angela Thirkell   (audio  3 + )       A.M. Smith's  review is worth reading before you start this one.  For my Christian friends, Thirkell includes a portion where she has Laura supplicating her creator repeatedly with Oh, G**.     Thirkell also has the main character making disparaging remarks about her deceased husband: perhaps this is a literary reflection on the men in the authors own 2 unsuccessful marriages?

40:  Deadly Climate ~ Richard Barth (audio)  (returned.  Too much profanity for me.)

41.  No Wind of Blame ~ Georgette Heyer  (audio 3)    okay for Daisy (discuss the unfavourable conversation that takes place about a woman becoming a christian.  Heyer details her as a groupie :-/ )

42:  The Unknown Ajax ~ Georgette Heyer (audio 3 + )   repeat listen. okay for Daisy

43.  Then Sings My Soul: Book 3 ~ Robert J. Morgan (book)  (4)

44:  Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas ~ Stephanie Barron (audio 3 + ) for those that like to know of details like this: has a scene where an unmarried couple kiss,  one of the characters says  "oh my G"

45:  Miss Buncle's Book ~ D.E. Stevenson (audio 3 + )    okay for Daisy.  (For other mums:  There is a scene where a young man talks about wanting to kiss a girl he greatly admires.  And the book focuses on village gossip).  I did rather enjoy this gentle, ambling, English Country tale: perfect for when you just want to have a rest from deep literary genius, and indulge in a in lite listen.  A book like this would irritate me during the busy times of life, but not during summer break.

46:   The Excursion Train (bk 2) ~ Edward Marston (audio  1)

 I was really wanting to like this one. Not a recommended listen from me 

 It struggles to rank as a 2.  I was expecting a more gripping whodunit - and one that was heavier with railroad history - this one isn't it.   For others that like to know details like this: The story surrounds an attempted r@pe, and seems to be riddled with adulterous relationships - including one between step parent and their young adult child. meh! - and the conduct of select character with prostitutes.  A few curse words at the beginning.  My Catholic friends may not appreciate what, I felt, was a slap at the Catholic faith.  Shrug.  Maybe I was just in the mood to find as many faults as I could with this book?

47:   A Nun in the Closet ~ Gilman   (2)    Unitarian to the hilt :-/    Not for Daisy

48:   A Quiet Life in the Country Bk 1 ~ T.E.  Kinsey    (3) okay for Daisy

49:   The Found Him Dead ~ Heyer (3 + )   okay for Daisy

50:   The Unfinished Clue ~ Heyer (2 - )   not for Daisy.    Emotional adultery.  Verbally abusive husband. 

51:   Dick Barton and the Firefly Adventure ~ BBC (Radio Drama) Mason, West  (2 to 3)   this is a terrible :), cheesy, 'ages' past radio drama.  We enjoyed our trip down vintage lane - on New Year’s Eve - with this and the next listen.  I think we may be done with Dick Barton though.
52:   Dick Barton and the Black Panther ~ BBC (Radio Drama) Mason, West (2 - )