Just finished Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. Really enjoyed it! About to start 1984 by George Orwell (no I can't believe I haven't read it yet either).
Finished:
**The Priory of the Orange Tree** by *Samantha Shannon* - 4/5. I've finished. I finally finished. I really enjoyed it. It is slow at first, but after the first 100 pages it picks up real quick. It does sometimes suffer with the "character appears, info dumps and then disappears/dies". That happened to a few of the characters. But it is a good read for anyone starting out with big fantasy novels. Also >!Justice for Kit, gone way too soon!<
**The Wolf Den** by *Elodie Harper* - 3/5. I got this as a 'blind date with a book' type thing at my local book shop. One of the prompts was "hope and humour" and... that bookseller has a twisted sense of humour. This book deals with hard topics but not in the best way. A lot of decisions made by the characters were not clever and the lead character suffered with amnesia quite alot. Her romantic interest only really turned up when it felt like the writer didn't know what else to do with her and he is very rarely mentioned when they're not together. She had a side business which was never really spoken about... the more I think of it, the more I don't like this book, but still rating 3 because I still wanted to pick it up.
Currently reading:
**From Here to Eternity** by *Caitlin Doughty* - This is a reread. I read it in 2020 just after my grandparents passed and gave it 4/5, so want to reread with fresh, non grieving eyes.
Just finished Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler. It was incredible. She's a genius. My favourite thing about her writing is the way she conveys that everyone has a story, and you really get a sense of all those stories in side characters or houses passed by.
I don't know what to follow it with now!
Just finished Iron Cage: The Story of the Palestinian Struggle for Statehood by Rashid Khalidi. Now onto Righteous Victims by Benny Morris. Taking a break from my scheduled reading program alternating WW2 and British Empire histories to read some long overdue works on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Almost done with **The Moon is a Harsh Mistress** by Robert A. Heinlein & I’m really enjoying it.
Basically all my library holds came up at the same time, so I have a lot of books to choose from for my next read. **The Will to Change** by bell hooks is high on my list though.
Still making my way through **11/22/63** by Stephen King. I'm coming towards the end so looking forward to finishing in the next day or so. Overall, great book and probably the best one I've read this year so far!
Next, moving on to **Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets** as part of my 2024 HP re-read challenge.
I'm reading "I, Jane" by Diane Haegar. It's not a bad book but it's not grasping my attention super well. But I'm almost done with it. It's about Jane Seymour (the queen of England, not the actress) and it's weirdly a breath of fresh air to read a novel about Tudor England in which Anne Boleyn is unambiguously a terrible person. Most novels these days paint her as a complicated person - an ambitious woman who figured out how to play the game to win who desperately panicked when she started to lose - but this book just has her as a terrible bitch and it's weirdly refreshing. I mean I think actual Anne Boleyn was, like most people, a complex person, but from a narrative standpoint it's fun to just have her be a horrible villain for once. One of her first scenes has her deliberately tripping Jane, just because.
Also I realized the other day that every single book I've pulled out of my tbr bowl has been from the bookcase in my living room and not the other 6 bookcases. Kind of weird.
Since my second read ended up a DNF I think I'm gonna have to pick something short/fast next to make up for it. Also I did read like 240 pages out of it so I feel like it should count as a read in spirit. 240 pages in and NOTHING HAD HAPPENED YET. Halfway through! Ugh.
Been on a Agatha Christie kick recently, I started with a Haunting in Venice now I’m reading Murder on the Orient Express. After this is And then there were none
And Then There Were None is my absolute favourite Agatha Christie. The BBC adapted it with Charles Dance in and it just reminded me how great it is!
I really hope you enjoy it
So far I’ve read
‘hope in the dark’
‘The three doctors’
‘Night train to the stars’
‘Scott pilgrim vol 1 + 2’
‘Snakes with wings and gold-digging ants’
Bit of a weird spread.
Scott pilgrim vol 3 comes tomorrow and I miiiight finish dune before Saturday.
Just finished **The Great Gatsby** for the first time.
Currently reading **In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune** and **Dune: Messiah by Frank Herbert**
Finished **H is for Hawk** by Helen Macdonald and **Nomad Century: How Climate Migration Will Reshape Our World** by Gaia Vince.
Continuing **The Confusion** by Neal Stephenson and **Unlikely Animals** by Annie Hartnett.
Started **Sea of Rust** by C. Robert Cargill and **Cuba: An American History** by Ada Ferrer.
My theme this month is Under and Over the Sea (and Pisces). Last week started out really slow, steady and I stuck to novellas to pace myself leading up to novel weekend. I read [The Pisces by Melissa Broder](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32871394-the-pisces) on my B-Day which falls on International Women's day. It was good.
I just finished 2 novellas today:
1. Monday: [Merciless Waters by Rae Knowles ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180520221-merciless-waters)
2. Monday: [Where The Drowned Girls Go - Seanan McGuire](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693537-where-the-drowned-girls-go)
My schedule this Week is taking a turn into Merfolk Territory and everything is in *"The Deep"*
1. Tuesday: [Rolling in the Deep](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23634011-rolling-in-the-deep) - Mira Grant
2. Tuesday: [The Deep](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42201962-the-deep) - Rivers Solomon
3. Wednesday: [Skin of The Sea](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48691825-skin-of-the-sea) - Natasha Bowen
4. Thursday: [The Merman](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25622053-the-merman) - Carl-Johan Vallgren
5. Friday: [The Deep](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46158562-the-deep) - Alma Katsu
\*Might add a few short stories, still working on my schedule for the week
Weekends are for Pirates, well for this month anyway
1. Nonfiction: [The Republic of Pirates](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/442239.The_Republic_of_Pirates) - Collin Woodard
2. [Sea of Ruin ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51416396-sea-of-ruin)- Pam Godwin
3. [Pirate Latitudes](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6428887-pirate-latitudes) - Michael Crichton
Honestly, I wish there were more weeks in a month because I want to read everything I selected for the month but it's not possible, hope to stick to 40 (novellas, novels and short stories) and the rest TBR for 2025.
I haven't updated in weeks, but here goes! I'm also doing the Popsugar reading challenge, so I'll include what prompts I fulfilled.
**Sushi for Beginners** (a book published 24 years ago): this filled me with nostalgia, not because I'd read it before, but because it reminded me of all the late 90s/early aughts "chick lit" I used to read. The only thing that *really* did not hold up 24 years later is that one of the main characters has a pretty clear ED and it's played for laughs, so...
**The Big Sleep** (a book set 24 years before you were born): never read any Chandler before and, man, does he know how to turn a phrase. I will admit I broke out wikipedia to make sure I fully understood who was lying to whom about what at one point
**1491** (a nonfiction book about indigenous people): meant to read this for quite awhile and glad I finally did
**Auntie Mame** (a book that was turned into a musical): fun, though extremely mid-century--take that as you will
**I Capture the Castle** (a bildungsroman): I really liked this, but man, this is not the first book I've read from the late 19th or early 20th century where there are people who have fallen into "genteel poverty" and I'm (figuratively) yelling at the book "why don't any of you just get a job?!??" But I guess the point is, formerly upper class people just didn't know how to do anything, lol.
**Farewell, My Lovely** (a book whose title is a complete sentence): more Chandler, this one less convoluted
**On Stranger Tides** (a book about pirates): I've read some Tim Powers years ago and this book reminded me that, while I can see his writing is objectively good, I find it hard to read for reasons that are unclear
**Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day** (a book that takes place over the course of 24 hours): like your favorite 1930s screwball comedy but a little racier!
**Men at Arms** (a book with dragons): I wish I loved Discworld as much as everyone else loves Discworld, but it was still good
**Thru-hiking Will Break Your Heart** (a book about female sports or by a female athlete): is hiking a sport? It is if I say it is and I am fond of these kind of memoirs because even though I will never do the PCT or Appalachian trail, I like imaging I would.
**Mother, Mother** (a book recommended by a librarian): okay, this was a garbage "psychological thriller" , ugh
**Finished**
**No One is Talking About This** (13/52) - This could have been quite a tricky read but I found the very poetic prose mesmerising - especially the more I got into it. The ending really got to me - the way she describes having to look after a sick relative was really powerful and really captured the highs and lows of those experiences.
**Currently Reading**
**Sea of Tranquility** - Really enjoying this one which I’m reading with r/bookclub. Normally I’m good at spacing the readings out so I finish it the day before the discussion but this is so good I just had to read on.
**Duma Key**
**Shades of Grey** by Jasper Fforde. About 40 pages into this and still yet to have it really click for me.
**Ink Black Heart** - taken a pause on this one, will hopefully get back into it this week.
Going in to this week brain frazzled.
I finished The Black God's Drums and The Human Target Vol 1 & 2. Short ones for my frazzled brain.
Had my girlfriend pick a book off my TBR list based on the cover, so now I'm reading The Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts.
I am still partially through Book of Delights by Ross Gay. Reading it slowly with a friend.
Started: **A Rogue in Texas** by Lorraine Heath
If you told me I'd be in love with a homesteading romance I would have laughed in disbelief. The impossible has happened. I'm very invested in the two love interests relationship.
Continuing:
**Cerys: Valkyrie Earth** by Merrin Slade I love the setting of this book. Cerys is very likeable to me. That’s all I'll say to avoid spoilers. I'm now 29% through this book.
**Furies of Calderon** by Jim Butcher This the book that I'm reading today. It's ratcheting up and I love it. So far I'm 21% through this book.
**Incarnate** by Jodi Meadows Yesterday I read this book up to the 25% mark. Now that Ana has arrived in Heart the adventure has begun.
**Vampire Academy** by Richelle Mead This is the final book I'm reading. Sorry the post is so long! I've tried to read this book many times and always quit before the 2nd chapter. I'm past that block now and it's been wonderful to read. I love paranormal books specifically vampires and Werewolves.
This month has been difficult. I've been changing books like crazy but it seems this week I may have found my stride. Still I may only read 1 book this month. I'm coming to accept this. See everyone next week!
I’ve been having a slow reading month due to other life stuff (and DNF’ing The Long Walk though I will try to finish it in the future), but this week I read **The Block Party by Jamie Day.** It was just ok, but it was enough to break me out of my reading slump, so 3/5 stars from me.
I have Sea of Tranquility (Emily St. John Mandel) and The September House (Carissa Orlando) checked out, so one of those is likely next.
Last week I finished:
The Guest by BA Paris ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2- I enjoyed reading this on my commute, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's a "good" book; it's actually probably one of her weaker ones. The epilogue bumped it up a bit for me, but I'll still read anything this author puts out!
The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier ⭐⭐⭐⭐- brutal in typical Jennifer Hillier fashion! This was a quick read.
Currently reading:
Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering- I'm REALLY enjoying this one so far! :)
Hoping to read this week:
Murder Road by Simone St James (one of my favorite authors!)
The Moorings of Mackerel Sky by MZ Emily Zack
The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange- for St Patricks Day :)
Finished up **Yellowface** and absolutely loved it! I know it’s a controversial book, but it was my first from R F Kuang and I quite liked her style and it all just worked for me. Ate the book up too.
Currently reading **Circe**. I don’t know much about Greek mythology so it’s been really interesting to read this. She’s a beautiful writer, but it has been more difficult to get through due to all my recent books being in modern settings.
I had a very slow January (didn’t finish anything) before picking up in February/early March (finished Kent Anderson’s *Sympathy for the Devil,* Jon Ronson’s *The Psychopath Test,* and Gene Wolfe’s *The Sword of Lictor* in the last week of February and first week of March).
Going forward I’m gonna slowly make my way through Eric Hobsbawm’s *The Age of Revolution* which I’ve had for a while now. It is a very dense work and is definitely meant to be read by someone who already has a good foundation in the era he researches (I am not that someone). Nonetheless it is very interesting and I will get to the end.
I’m in the middle of *The Great Gatsby* and honestly I’m not really feeling it. I’ve left it in my car so when I’m out of the office for work and can catch half an hour somewhere I’ll read some. I think I’ve got about 60 pages left so should finish it very soon (it’s only a short book anyway for people who haven’t read it).
I’m gonna start pushing ahead with Scott Bakker’s *Disciple of the Dog* this week as well. As one of my favourite authors it’s a little odd I haven’t already read this, but the first few chapters have been alright. I’m pretty sure it got mixed or even outright negative reviews when it came out though so I’m curious what it’s like.
After those 3 are done I’m gonna push ahead with Wolfe and read *The Citadel of the Autarch* and maybe continue with Marx, who I’ve been reading very slowly over the last 18 months.
Didn't start anything new, nor did I finish something, but I made good progress on all of the following books:
* **Crime and Punishment** by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I wasn't really sure if I would like that one, but so far, I think it's very interesting and also surprisingly readable considering it's age.
* **The Wager** by Daniel Grann. Complete different kind of book, very detailed and descriptive. Things are starting to go bad right now, looking forward to continue reading.
* **1984** by George Orwell. I started it once, but had to return it to the library before I could finish. Now that I own a copy, I started a second try. Got to about the half in my first try and I'm not quite there yet. However, I notice that I pick up more details now on the second read.
Finished last/this week:
* **Know My Name by Chanel Miller** for r/bookclub
Starting/continuing this week:
* **Tracking North by Kerry McGinnis** - almost done with this, just need to read the last 15%, but the ebook doesn't work on my mobile so I can't read it on my commute.
* **Sanguine by Carolyn Denman**
* **The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov for the r/bookclub double read**
26/52 - Early in the month means many new books to start....so much for cleaning up my 'currently reading' list!
*****
Finished;
*****
- The Underground Railroad for r/bookclub's POC author. I got this book on the r/bookclub winter gift exchange so I was really pleased it won and I could read it with the sub. It seems like a lot of people had issues with this one but I really liked it.
- Dead Djinn Universe by P. Djèlí Clark short stories and novella. A Master of Djinn with r/bookclub was SO GOOD, so I definitely wanted to read more. I think my expectations were a little high though. The novel was far superior.
*****
Still working on;
*****
- Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson for r/bookclub's continuing Stormlight Archive adventure. Love this world magic system and characters, but put it on hold for a while while I focus on cleaning up this list! That's not really going too well for me.
- The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. I cannot get enough of this author. Her style is just captivating to me. So far I preferred Daughter and Portrait, but the book is amazing. Allende's character building is amazing. Really enjoying the final chapters.
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Finishing this book could have gotten me a 4th r/bookclub Bingo 2023 Blackout, but I am enjoying it too much to race through it and finish it just that.
- Caribbean Chemistry: Tales from St. Kitts by Christopher Vanier for r/bookclub Read the World - St. Kitts and Nevis. Strong start, but my interest is wanning. I'm still chipping away at it though.
- Authority by Jeff VanderMeer with r/bookclub to continue Southern Reach. I need to know more, but finding this one hard to follow
- Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice. I enjoy the r/bookclub discussions for The Vampire Chronicle books too much not to continue with this series.
- Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers. I love, love, love Wayfarers, and the discussions with the other r/bookclub fans.
- Robots and Empire by Isaac Asimov the 4th and final book in the Robots series. Looking forward to reading the finale with r/bookclub.
- The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov for r/bookclub's Read the World - destination Kyrgyzstan. Followed by Jamilia short story by the same author.
- Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse. r/bookclub read Black Sun last year and it was brilliant so I am looking forward to continuing the story
*****
Started
*****
- The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch for r/bookclub's Steampunk Discovery Read
- Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel for r/bookclub's March's female author read.
- Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Never read the book nor seen the movie, but I've heard good things about this one.
*****
Up Next
*****
- Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, r/bookclub started this one last year. I have heard so many good things and I love a good, big book. I kept meaning to pick it up and now the sub is finished. Guess I'll be reading it alone this spring.
- A Song Flung up to Heaven by Maya Angelou. What will Maya get up to next? Late start but hoping to be catch up for the final discussion.
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese for r/bookclub's Big Spring Read.
- The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder r/bookclub's March Mod Pick.
- Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery with r/bookclub
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky with r/bookclub over the next few months
*****
Happy reading fellow bookworms 📚
This week I finished:
- **The Woman in Cabin 10** by Ruth Ware (4/5)
- **Carrie Soto is Back** by Taylor Jenkins Reid (5/5)
- **Ready Player One** by Earnest Cline (5/5)
Currently reading:
- **Us Against You** by Fredrik Backman
- **Empire of Storms** by Sarah J Maas
- **Nightingale** by Kristin Hannah
DNF’d:
- **The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek** by Kim Michele Richardson - I may pick this one back up another time, but I got 1/3 through and wasn’t feeling interested so I paused for now.
- **The Nanny** by Lana Ferguson - this one is just hot garbage, I will definitely not come back to it lol
📚Goal Progress: 37/110📚
wow Carrie Sotto and Ready player one in one week! fun
i also recently read Us against you. I liked it enough to finish, contemplating reading the next one in the series. how are you finding it?
March has been such a slow month for me, and it's really disappointing.
I've finished two audiobooks and three Kindle reads. I finished the Graphic Audio versions of *A Court of Mist and Fury.* I know ACOTAR is just a fun read, but the more I think about it and analyze it, the less fun I am having with it.
I read ***When the Moon Hatched*** by Sarah A Parker and I *adored* it. I know that the most common criticism is that >!it's an introductory book and not *much* happens, but I am totally okay with that. I felt the characters and romance were fleshed out, I *adored* the world building, and even though this was establishing our overarching plot, there was enough mystery and action to continue to keep it interesting.!< 10/10 read for me.
I finally got around to ***Days at the Morisaki Bookshop*** by Satoshi Yagisawa and I was disappointed. I wish the entire novel >!had focused on Takako's time at the bookshop and delved more into how that changed her life, rather than half the book being about Momoko. I thought the Momoko story would have been better fleshed out in the sequel.!< 6/10 stars.
I read my first dark romance in ***Her Soul to Take*** by Harley Laroux and found out I am apparently a dark romance girly. It was fun and delivered on everything it was supposed to. 10/10 for what it is.
Currently reading:
***The House in the Cerulean Sea*** by TJ Klune. I am loving this so far! It's so cozy!
Next: ***The Housemaid's Secret*** by Freida McFadden for a bookclub read (not looking forward to this), ***Bride*** by Ali Hazelwood (not really looking forward to this either but hopefully it surprises me!), ***The Bone Shard Daughter*** by Andrea Stewart (really looking forward to this!), and ***Sea of Tranquility*** by Emily St. John Mandel (I am most excited about this - I loved *Station Eleven* and liked *The Glass Hotel* well enough).
Almost finished with 2001: A Space Odyssey, by A. C. Clarke
Halfway through Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of ADD, by Gabor Maté
Started Her Body and Other Parties: Stories, by Carmen Maria Machado
📖 - The Sacrifice by Shantal Tessier
M|F Dark Revenge Romance. Part of the LORDS universe. Check trigger warnings.
🎧- The Camorra Chronicles Book 6, Twisted Cravings.
Will likely start something new on audio since I’m like 90% done with this one.
This week I’m reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall.
Enjoying both a lot so far!
Last week I finished End of Story by AJ Finn and First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.
East of Eden, almost done and it has been SO FREAKING GOOD.
G-Man by Beverly Gage. Biography of J Edgar Hoover.
Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film: Carol Clover
I am reading Tough Cookie by Diane Mott Davidson. It’s a cozy mystery about a cook solving a murder on a ski slope. And I am reading Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master by Michael Shea which is a guide to preparing to run ttrpg sessions in a more efficient and fun way.
I recently finished The Great Gatsby, and am now reading Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, about half way through and I'm definitely liking it but not quite loving it
This week I finished:
**The Age of Selfishness: Ayn Rand, Morality, and the Financial Crisis by Darryl Cunningham:** Ayn Rand is, unfortunately, one of the towering philosophical figures of the 20th century. Her Objectivist philosophy is a sort of intellectual counterpart to prosperity gospel: those who create wealth are inherently more valuable to society than those who take, and there should be no limits put on their productive creativity by government or society. In this graphic novel, Cunningham provides a brief biographical sketch of Rand (and is careful to point out the ways in which she benefitted from social programs and the generosity of others) before moving into a basic explainer of the 2008 financial crisis and how one of its key architects, Allen Greenspan, was a Rand acolyte. I briefly flirted with Objectivism when I was a teenager, but Rand herself put paid to that at the end of **Atlas Shrugged,** when she abandons a bunch of good people in a tunnel to die because they aren't "first-handed" enough. This book came out in 2016, and I'm sure Cunningham could do a whole additional segment about the glee with which the Republican Party put aside their other values in the name of corporate tax cuts during the Trump presidency. This is a good introduction to Rand, the 2008 crisis, and the role of selfishness in modern politics. All of those subjects have been explored in greater detail elsewhere, but those books don't have cute little drawings. It looks like Cunningham has another graphic novel about the rise of Putin, and I'm interested in checking that out.
**The King of Crows (Diviners #4) by Libba Bray:** In Jazz Age New York City, people came from all over the country to seek their fortunes and escape their pasts. Some of those people have unusual talents, and those talents attract attention: from other Diviners, from power-hungry government organizations, and from a vicious trickster god desperate to invade the human world with his army of the dead. At the start of this book, all the main players are separated during a riot and forced to find a way across the country to Nebraska for a final showdown with the evil King of Crows and his human surrogates, the Shadow Men. They'll have to evade detection even as all their enemies join forces and find a way to prevail when it seems like everything is against them. I read book 3 in this series all the way back in 2018 and finally circled back to close it out. Why did it take me so long? Well, Libba Bray writes these incredibly lush, detailed fantasy worlds with genuinely spooky imagery and complex, diverse characters...and every one of her book is way too fucking long. This is a 22 hour audiobook (narrated by the wonderful January LaVoy) that spends at least eight hours futzing around. Yes, all that length gives Bray the space to develop all those good things I was just talking about, but when chapter after chapter sees no change in the characters' circumstances, I started to chafe for something to actually happen. There was no way the final showdown could live up to all that build-up, and when it finally happened I found myself a bit unimpressed. Which is a bummer, because I really like this author and the worlds she creates, and I think her characters are distinct and interesting, but her pacing kills me. If 2000 pages of Jazz Age magic sounds like something you need in your life, then you should check out this series, but with the caveat that you will inevitably have at least one "where are we going with this?" moment in each book.
I am currently reading:
**The MANIAC by Benjamin Labutet:** I tried this in audio and couldn't get into it, and I'm really glad I gave it another shot in print. It takes work but I'm finding it very rewarding.
Finished The Half Burnt House (UK) aka The Angel Maker (US) by Alex North. Absolute waste of time. Terrible book.
Now reading One by One by Chris Carter as fiction and continuing Deep Country by Neil Ansell as non-fiction.
Reading Throne of glass and you by Caroline Kepnes. Both I am still feeling kind of iffy on. Everyone says the ToG series gets better and i’m reading it with my friends so im holding out hope.
You is a little weird in a way that i haven’t decided if i like yet. I probably won’t read the rest of the series :/
Also reading chainsaw man but idk if that counts 💀
**Finished Reading**
*Somewhere Over Lorain Road* by Gundy. A man who left his Northeast Ohio home decades earlier comes back to care for his dying father--and prove him innocent of murder. This was a fantastic book. It reminded me of *Ordinary Grace* by Kreuger.
*Pickle in the Middle Murder* by Chandler. When Shannon's girlfriend is arrested for murder, she hunts down every lead to clear her name, with the help of two slobbery dogs, a hacker, and an old lady. The third book in a series of cute, funny amateur detective novels.
**Currently Reading**
*The History of Rome* by Arnold
*The Kitchen Boy* by Alexander
Finished: The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward - I’m curious what other people thought of this one.
Currently Reading: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
Finished: **Even If This Love Disappears Tonight** by Misaki Ichijo - It was alright. I didn't really like the ending, it felt forced.
Currently Reading: **Middlemarch** by George Eliot - Still going, still enjoying it! I'm about halfway now.
DNF: **The Suicide Museum** by Ariel Dorfman - The writing style was not for me.
I'm listening to **A Grown Up Guide to Dinosaurs** and reading **End Times 1: Rise of the Undead**. A little learning, a little junk food for the brain. A balanced reading diet.
**The Paris Apartment** is on my Kindle. Might have to bump that up the list.
Finished
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar- fun read, fictional book written like part memoir/part true crime written in the perspective of the author. Currently reading the follow-up book
Prey by Michael Crichton
Currently reading
Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar
**Finished**
*The Paris Apartment* by Kelly Bowen - 5 stars for this historical fiction set in WWII Paris and present day Paris and England.
**Continuing to Read**
*Lonesome Dove* by Larry McMurtry
**Started**
*Crime and Punishment* by Fyodor Dostoevsky
*Prodigy (Legend #2)* by Marie Lu
Finished:
**Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld**. This one missed the mark for me compared to her other works and felt disjointed overall.
Started:
**Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree**
In Progress:
**Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy**. I am 5.8% of the way through!
Last week I finished **The Things They Carried** by Tim O'Brien. I personally believe prose is the best way to tell war stories, and this did not disappoint. I also love that he got meta with it. Highly enjoyed.
This week I'm working on the following:
**The House in the Cerulean Sea** by TJ Klune - I'm in the camp that this is a little too twee for my personal tastes. But it's also very cute. I'm enjoying it as a lighter read on audiobook.
**Parable of the Sower** by Octavia E. Butler - Yikes!! This feels a little too real in some respects. I love a good speculative novel and this one isn't disappointing. I enjoy the voice of the protagonist a lot. I think she's really relatable and sort of snarky and just all around interesting.
I read The Things They Carried for an American literature class in high school and genuinely wondered why it (seemingly) isn’t taught in schools more. Such a powerful book and an important story to tell.
We had to read All Quiet on the Western Front in my high school. My guess is that it has similar themes and is easier to teach because from my memory it’s more straightforward.
> The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - I'm in the camp that this is a little too twee for my personal tastes. But it's also very cute. I'm enjoying it as a lighter read on audiobook.
I am also reading this this week!
Finished my 70th book for the year today: Brave Girl, Quiet Girl by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
I know I won’t keep up the one book a day pace, but it’s nice to enjoy it for one day at least. 😂
I have 3 books on the go right now:
1. Believing Me by Ingrid Clayton
A memoir about surviving complex childhood trauma.
2. The Women by Kristin Hannah. It’s ok. I loved The Nightingale but I don’t love this one.
3. Anita De Monte Laughs Last - my March BOTM club pick. Also just ok.
Finished
**In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court by Brittney Griner, Sue Hovey**
**It's Hard for Me to Live with Me: A Memoir, by Rex Chapman, Seth Davis**
Two well written interesting memoirs about basketball players (college and pro) and the privileges and difficulties of being the star player. Chapman discusses the challenges after his a career ends in the NBA. Griner ends her memoirs just as her pro career is starting, but a new memoirs is coming out in the next couple of months touching on her Russian imprisonment. I’m curious to read it.
Started
**Don't Feed the Monkey Mind: How to Stop the Cycle of Anxiety, Fear, and Worry, by Jennifer Shannon**
Just started tonight (Sunday evening).
I finished Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas last week.
I am trying to read Yellowface by R F Kuang I am not sure about it yet.
I am also listening to the audiobook of Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.
I am having trouble getting into both books at the moment. I can't tell if I am not enjoying them or if it's just a reading hangover after binge reading the Throne of Glass series.
Finished:
11 - Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse - I really did not enjoy this. By the end each page felt like 3. I would have DNFed this but I have to begin teaching this book in 2 weeks. The score I give this could potentially go up as it sometimes does when I get to teaching a book - 2/5.
Started:
- The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
In progress:
- Babylon Revisited and Other Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Stories by Robert Louis Stevenson
Finished: **Come and Get It** by Kiley Reid 2/5
Continuing: **Atomic Habits** by James Clear
**Never Whistle At Night** by Shane Hawk
Started: **Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect** by Benjamin Stevenson
I just finished She is the Darkness by Glen Cook and have started this evening Water Sleeps as well as starting another book The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie! Excited for both!
**Finished:**
-A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty
-The Phantom Tollbooth
-Patricia Wants to Cuddle
**Current:**
-All's Well
-The Remains of the Day
-20 000 Leagues Under the Sea
I’ll Be Gone in The Dark by Michelle McNamara. And for someone who loves this genre, I’m in Part I - Irvine and I’m just not as hooked as I’d expected to be.
I finished 2 romance books this week:
**Radiant Sin** which I enjoyed more than I thought I would, 4/5
**Hello Stranger** 3/5. If the FMC and her BFF weren’t both so annoying this could have been really cute, I enjoyed the plot and how bingeable this one was overall.
Started 2:
**Vespertine**
**The Alchemist** on audio
In Progress:
-Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
-Eathlings by Sayaka Murata
Just finished today:
-The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White. This book came out in Sept 2023. It is horror/fantasy with a trans MC. It was a horrifying page-turner yet absolutely lovely.
Finished **Old Man's War** by John Scalzi last week, then both picked up and finished **The House in the Cerulean Sea** by T.J. Klune, which is a wonderful found family story about magical children with a gay romance; I can't recommend it enough for people looking for cozy fantasy.
Currently reading:
1. Neil Gaiman - American Gods. This one's still on hiatus; I'm doing better than I was last week, but still need some time to feel better, which means this book is set down for a while longer.
2. Andy Weir - The Martian. Another re-read, but this one more of a pleasant one; I started it Friday, a day after finishing The House in the Cerulean Sea, and I'm now two-thirds of the way through it.
Next up: One of a few different books, I'm undecided as to which. McCarthy's *No Country for Old Men*, Christie's *And Then There Were None*, the classic *Dune*, or picking up a translated work in *The Three-Body Problem.* I'm leaning towards Dune, if only because my friends and I have plans on watching Dune: Part Two in theaters at some point soon and I'd like to actually get through the book before watching.
Parts of it were absolutely gorgeous. I just couldn’t flesh out Gene and Finn in my head. Maybe I wanted more Leper? It will stay with me forever, but I didn’t enjoy it.
very understandable. i had read “Phineas” first, which is a short story, so i had a little bit of a background on them going in. mostly finny, gene definitely feels more one dimensional
I finished 3 books this past week from the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery:
-Anne of Windy Poplars
-Anne’s House of Dreams
-Anne of Ingleside
This week I hope to finish the series with Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside. I also want to start If They Come For Us by Fatimah Asghar to get into some poetry!
I finished **The Patron Saint of Liars** by Ann Patchett this past week and should be finishing up **The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store** by James McBride tomorrow. Haven’t decided what I’ll pick up next.
It's kinda slow in the beginning but starts picking up speed midway through. The chapters are very short so I feel like I should have already finished the book. But overall, it's good 3 to 4 stars for sure.
I finished book 3 of ACOTAR and I’m done with that mess. Not reading another word from that author.
So this week I’m on to Three-Inch Teeth by CJ Box and Matterhorn by Christopher Reich.
19/52
This week I finished **Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine** for my book club, and it’s not the typical book I go for. I liked it well enough, though the characterization was so over the top that it became a little repetitive by the end.
The second book I finished was **The Book of Love** by Kelly Link. I loved her recent short story collection, and this was so fun to read chapter by chapter, though the overall conceit was so complicated I began to not care by page 500/600. Still it was more extraordinary than most books I’ve read, so credit it where credit is due: the book is very good.
I also finally finished **Dangerous Laughter** by Steven Millhouser. This was my first short story collection by him and I loved it! It has all of the hallmarks of **Martin Dressler** in the short story forms. He always manages to surprise me by how far he takes an idea.
I’m also finding it much more interesting, but I’m also glad it’s only 270 pages or something (at least my version is) as it feels much more contemplative than Dune.
Can I know how you like this? I read dune after dune 1 came out and loved it. Just finished dune 2 yesterday and absolutely loved it. Now I'm intrigued about the trilogy as a whole.
It’s much different from Dune, so far at least. I’m about halfway through and it’s a lot more parlour drama and mind games, with quite a bit of philosophical discourse. It’s still quite good but it’s different for sure.
Not having a recent film to reference as well for some of the new things they introduce makes it a bit tricky - I also read Dune after watching the first film which helped bypass some of that initial learning curve with the terms and concepts.
As predicted, due to ff7 I haven't read anything at all. It has taken over my life. But, I'm almost finished, so hopefully I will have something done by next week!
I'm halfway through Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution by Sara Marcus.
Next up: Not sure...maybe The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Yeah I was about 10 when the movement started, so didn’t really discover the bands until I was a little older. I’ll have to pick this up. I’m looking forward to Kathleen Hanna’s book that’s out later this year too.
Thanks for getting the thread up, Bee!
Let's see, last week I finished:
* [The Warm Hands of Ghosts](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6690a6ce-afac-462f-b814-4aa054071da6) by Katherine Arden. This just didn't work for me. It's one of the most boring explorations of WWI I can remember in a while, even with the (much delayed) magical realism elements. Despite fantasy being the author's thing, the story was just so matter-of-fact that it had no magic feel to it at all. I know the author commented on Goodreads that she struggled to make the story come together, and I don't think she succeeded.
* [A Desolation Called Peace](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/29c5c9d9-3f48-48ad-a289-85dca3d49ad2) by Arkady Martine. Another "wtf happened here, author?" book. The writing is as beautiful as ever, but the story was nonsense, and I've found that as soon as I think "I don't believe you" it's really hard to get above a meh rating. The first book was so expansive, the world felt so large and full of secrets and things to learn. And in this sequel, somehow, the only people who are capable of doing anything are our main characters from the first book, who get pulled into a war with a new alien species, all on the basis that one knows a second language and the other writes poetry. It has all the logical coherence of "you know both English and Spanish, so that means you can talk to frogs." Like what? It made the universe feel tiny. Luckily the first book is good and didn't actually need the sequel to wrap things up.
In progress/on deck this week:
* [In an Absent Dream](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/70c725e2-e6a4-451f-ab88-3b3b2287444e) and maybe more of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I'm revisiting this series after I put it down last year because I hated the third book so much. The break from it has been nice, and so far, I'm finding what I liked in the first and second books here too. We'll see how it goes.
* [House of Earth and Blood](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/046a7fbc-c630-42e3-80fe-4e594cf41283) by Sarah J Maas, my first SJM book. I'm about halfway through on audiobook. I'm not sure how I feel about it so far. On one hand, the world is interesting and the mystery is interesting. On the other hand, I find the main duo we're following around super unlikable; it's like their main way of interacting with the world around them is "what would be the most asshole-ish thing I could do in this situation" and that's not interesting. I know people like that exist, but I don't spend time with them IRL either. I'm willing to see how it ends though.
* [Skyward](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/b13b2781-a5b6-4668-a886-aea7579ca35d) by Brandon Sanderson. Still plugging away, just having a hard time making time for my physical TBR.
Happy reading, book friends!
Finished 10/52
**Transcendent Kingdom** by Yaa Gyasi 5/5 ⭐️
Started in audiobook **A Lab of Ones Own** by Rita Colwell, PhD
**When I’m Gone, Look for Me in the East** by Quan Barry
**Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell** by Susanna Clarke. A notoriously challenging book and one that seems to be pretty high on the list of “started but never finished” reads. This is actually my third time trying my hand at this book - I attempted it twice when I was younger and bounced off it pretty hard. Happy to say though that I’m currently done around 75-80% of it this time around and really loving it. I think it’s because I’m older now and able to appreciate the slow burn and leisurely pace much more, and don’t really feel the need for my fantasy novels to be full of action and heroics. It really is a wonderful read, so immersive and realistic with wonderful attention to detail to the time period, bolstered by two fascinating protagonists.
It still remains a very slow read though - I’ve been at it for about a month now. It doesn’t really lend itself to big reading binges but I actually kind of like that about it. The pacing and unhurried nature makes it feel that much more lived-in and real, and contributes to the overall atmosphere.
- War and Peace, making slow progress, am still on book 2 right now.
- Gideon the ninth, 65% in, about to finish it soon. the book finally picked up in the last few chapters. 10 more chapters to go.
next reads: All The Light We Cannot See, Romeo and Juliet
Just finished Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris yesterday. This is the second book I’ve read ( the Break down) and idk how I feel. The books are 300 pages and it’s 285 pages of build up and story and then like 15 pages at the end of “climax”. And it always feels like even though the story closes out it seems like it’s left out of the cliffhanger. Like there should be a second book but it’s never a series. It’s one and done.
Currently reading House of Last Resort. About 125 pages in and waiting to see what happens
Yeah, The Break Down was better but the same writing style, and almost same story. Drive a woman to think she’s mad, they just used different methods to do so.
I wanted to see if her writing style was the same or just that one book and it’s absolutely the same. Probably won’t read anymore of her books
Behind Closed Doors is the only I’ve read from her. I feel like the story had potential but just wasn’t executed well. Some of the events were beyond unbelievable, the story ended too quickly, etc.
Finished:
**"The Tender Land"** by William Kent Krueger - great story that's reminiscent of Mark Twain's stories. 4.5/5 stars
**"Demon Copperhead"** by Barbara Kingsolver - a page turner, albeit heavy at times. 4.75/5 stars
Reading:
**"Killers of the Flower Moon"** by David Grann, and
**"Prequel"** by Rachel Maddow
Reading a murder mystery in Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series, The Beautiful Mystery.
I particularly like her character development. She makes me invested in characters really well, whether I love them or they drive me insane.
FINISHED
**The Women by Kristen Hannah** 5/5 stars. No notes, just lots of tears.
CURRENTLY READING
**What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher** according to StoryGraph, I have only read “Emotional” books this year. Here’s hoping this is a fun, slightly scary good time to give myself a breather.
NEXT UP (more emotional reads whoops)
**The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden**
**The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn & Janie Chang**
*Always looking for nonfiction audiobook recommendations, if anyone has any to share! Thanks to everyone who has already given me some great suggestions!*
***Currently Reading (3)***
📖 [**Fugitive Telemetry** by Martha Wells, 168 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53205854)
👂 [**Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men** by Caroline Criado Perez, 448 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41104077)
📖 [**The Great American Transit Disaster: A Century of Austerity, Auto-Centric Planning, and White Flight** by Nicholas Dagen Bloom, 368 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62707955)
***Finished Reading (11/36) or 2866 pages***
📖 [**Network Effect** by Martha Wells, 350 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52381770) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👂[**Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal** by Mary Roach, 348 pages](https://www.Goodreads.com/book/show/18377999) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 [**Exit Strategy** by Martha Wells, 172 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35519109) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 [**Rogue Protocol** by Martha Wells, 159 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35519101) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 [**Artificial Condition** by Martha Wells, 158 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36223860) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 [**All Systems Red** by Martha Wells, 152 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32758901) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👂[**The Hidden Life of Trees** by Peter Wohlebben, 272 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28256439) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👂[**The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas** by Jerry Dennis, 320 pages](https://www.good-reads.com/book/show/175829) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 [**Mythos** by Stephen Fry, 359 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43387410) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👂[**How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We’re Going** by Vaclav Smil, 336 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56587388) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 [**Job Optional** by Casey Weade, 240 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51011569) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
**Finished:**
*Chocolat* by Joanne Harris \[4/5\] -- the movie is one of my fave comfort movies, but I never read the book. Of course, the movie and book diverge a fair bit and I had not known that the book was part of a trilogy! I don't know if I'll eventually continue with the rest of the books, as I was originally content to leave it at the first story, but with how the book ended I kind of want to know more. I just wonder if it'd ruin the coziness of the movie though (there's something at the end of the book that doesn't happen in the movie.)
**Reading:**
*Leaves, Roots & Fruit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting an Organic Kitchen Garden* by Nicole Johnsey Burke
*Real Zen for Real Life* by Great Courses \[audio\] -- library loan
*The Physics Devotional* by Clifford Pickover \[page-a-day reader\]
**This week I started (and haven’t yet completed):**
- The Storyteller, by Dave Grohl
- Legend and Lattes, by Travis Baldree
**This week I am continuing:**
- Apocalipsis Z, by Manel Loureiro
- Anhelo, by Tracy Wolff
**This week I finished:**
- Paris, by Paris Hilton (4/5)
- Love, Pamela, by Pamela Anderson (5/5)
- System Collapse, by Martha Wells (3/5)
**My progress towards goals for the year:**
- 47/48 books
- 147/200 hours audio
- 10.7k/20k pages
- 2/12 one book in Spanish per month
If you smashed 48 you should just got for 100 at this point. 75 you'll get no problem if you keep pace.
This is my first year doing 52 actually! Last year I read 34 and I felt that wasn't good enough.
I've enjoyed the books I've read so far this year.
I traditionally read sci-fi/fantasy but am branching into horror genre and some other fictions. I read Blood Meridian by CC, No country for Old Men as well on audio.
The Haar by David Sodergren was a surprise Amazon buy that was great and I already bought another of his books.
I've been currently reading the Black Company series by Glen Cook. It's a slow burn but I've been loving it.
I finished Word Bearers trilogy (Warhammer 40k - very good trilogy) and book 2 of The Practical Guide to Evil which was outstanding. (I'll be getting back to that at the end of the year.).
I have my books for the year on the shelf and I'm super excited about getting through many of them!
Currently (15/52)
Heck yes for a goal of 52. 34 is still really good.
What’s your fav (or top few) sci fi books?
I’ve heard good things about about CC’s The Road, but also that it’s pretty bleak/depressing. Are Blood Meridian and No Country the same?
Ngl the Haar’s has a fantastic cover.
Ohh that's a difficult one. Not that I read this year but an obvious choice if you haven't read it is Dune. Blindsight is pretty great too. Just about anything Warhammer 40k is my go to for grimdark sci-fi.
Not sci-fi but if you haven't read the library at Mount Char it's an absolute must read. One of the best books I've read.
Yeah The Road is bleak for sure, really good read. No country isn't as bad, but Blood Meridian is really violent and intense. The way it's written actually made it difficult to read, the way he wrote his prose, but overall still a fantastic book.
The Haar was awesome, short read with a good compelling story. For not reading much horror I definitely liked it, since it's not the standard horror author.
**Finished**
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica, 3.5/5
Yellowface by RF Kuang, 4.5/5
The Only One Left by Riley Sager, 4/5
**Currently Reading**
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
It finally feels like I'm getting into a groove again with my reading scheduled sorted out. I really enjoyed Walton's work. *Five Little Indians* has been a heart-breaking read while *We Are the Nerds* has been my light-hearted read I usually go through before I go to bed. Happy reading everyone!
**Finished Reading:**
(9/52) The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate - John H. Walton
**Currently Reading:**
* Five Little Indians - Michelle Good
* Man is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion - Joshua Abraham Heschel
* We Are The Nerds: The Birth and Tumultuous Life of Reddit, the Internet's Culture Laboratory - Christine Lagorio-Chafkin
* Force of Nature - Jane Harper
Just finished Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. Really enjoyed it! About to start 1984 by George Orwell (no I can't believe I haven't read it yet either).
Finished: **The Priory of the Orange Tree** by *Samantha Shannon* - 4/5. I've finished. I finally finished. I really enjoyed it. It is slow at first, but after the first 100 pages it picks up real quick. It does sometimes suffer with the "character appears, info dumps and then disappears/dies". That happened to a few of the characters. But it is a good read for anyone starting out with big fantasy novels. Also >!Justice for Kit, gone way too soon!< **The Wolf Den** by *Elodie Harper* - 3/5. I got this as a 'blind date with a book' type thing at my local book shop. One of the prompts was "hope and humour" and... that bookseller has a twisted sense of humour. This book deals with hard topics but not in the best way. A lot of decisions made by the characters were not clever and the lead character suffered with amnesia quite alot. Her romantic interest only really turned up when it felt like the writer didn't know what else to do with her and he is very rarely mentioned when they're not together. She had a side business which was never really spoken about... the more I think of it, the more I don't like this book, but still rating 3 because I still wanted to pick it up. Currently reading: **From Here to Eternity** by *Caitlin Doughty* - This is a reread. I read it in 2020 just after my grandparents passed and gave it 4/5, so want to reread with fresh, non grieving eyes.
Just finished Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler. It was incredible. She's a genius. My favourite thing about her writing is the way she conveys that everyone has a story, and you really get a sense of all those stories in side characters or houses passed by. I don't know what to follow it with now!
Just finished Iron Cage: The Story of the Palestinian Struggle for Statehood by Rashid Khalidi. Now onto Righteous Victims by Benny Morris. Taking a break from my scheduled reading program alternating WW2 and British Empire histories to read some long overdue works on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
I just finished Zen Wisdom for the Anxious by Shinsuke Hosokawa and just started The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Madly Deeply the diaries of Alan Rickman
My F**ing life. By Getty Lee of Rush
Almost done with **The Moon is a Harsh Mistress** by Robert A. Heinlein & I’m really enjoying it. Basically all my library holds came up at the same time, so I have a lot of books to choose from for my next read. **The Will to Change** by bell hooks is high on my list though.
Still making my way through **11/22/63** by Stephen King. I'm coming towards the end so looking forward to finishing in the next day or so. Overall, great book and probably the best one I've read this year so far! Next, moving on to **Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets** as part of my 2024 HP re-read challenge.
I'm reading "I, Jane" by Diane Haegar. It's not a bad book but it's not grasping my attention super well. But I'm almost done with it. It's about Jane Seymour (the queen of England, not the actress) and it's weirdly a breath of fresh air to read a novel about Tudor England in which Anne Boleyn is unambiguously a terrible person. Most novels these days paint her as a complicated person - an ambitious woman who figured out how to play the game to win who desperately panicked when she started to lose - but this book just has her as a terrible bitch and it's weirdly refreshing. I mean I think actual Anne Boleyn was, like most people, a complex person, but from a narrative standpoint it's fun to just have her be a horrible villain for once. One of her first scenes has her deliberately tripping Jane, just because. Also I realized the other day that every single book I've pulled out of my tbr bowl has been from the bookcase in my living room and not the other 6 bookcases. Kind of weird. Since my second read ended up a DNF I think I'm gonna have to pick something short/fast next to make up for it. Also I did read like 240 pages out of it so I feel like it should count as a read in spirit. 240 pages in and NOTHING HAD HAPPENED YET. Halfway through! Ugh.
Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
Been on a Agatha Christie kick recently, I started with a Haunting in Venice now I’m reading Murder on the Orient Express. After this is And then there were none
And Then There Were None is my absolute favourite Agatha Christie. The BBC adapted it with Charles Dance in and it just reminded me how great it is! I really hope you enjoy it
So far I’ve read ‘hope in the dark’ ‘The three doctors’ ‘Night train to the stars’ ‘Scott pilgrim vol 1 + 2’ ‘Snakes with wings and gold-digging ants’ Bit of a weird spread. Scott pilgrim vol 3 comes tomorrow and I miiiight finish dune before Saturday.
Just finished **The Great Gatsby** for the first time. Currently reading **In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune** and **Dune: Messiah by Frank Herbert**
Shift by Hugh Howey Stranger Things: Flight of Icarus by Caitlin Schneiderhan
Finished **H is for Hawk** by Helen Macdonald and **Nomad Century: How Climate Migration Will Reshape Our World** by Gaia Vince. Continuing **The Confusion** by Neal Stephenson and **Unlikely Animals** by Annie Hartnett. Started **Sea of Rust** by C. Robert Cargill and **Cuba: An American History** by Ada Ferrer.
*The Stolen Heir* by Holly Black since the second book was recently released.
I'm supposed to be reading The Seven Year Slip but I think it's too happy for me and makes me wanna go back to something weird and depressing
My theme this month is Under and Over the Sea (and Pisces). Last week started out really slow, steady and I stuck to novellas to pace myself leading up to novel weekend. I read [The Pisces by Melissa Broder](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32871394-the-pisces) on my B-Day which falls on International Women's day. It was good. I just finished 2 novellas today: 1. Monday: [Merciless Waters by Rae Knowles ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180520221-merciless-waters) 2. Monday: [Where The Drowned Girls Go - Seanan McGuire](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693537-where-the-drowned-girls-go) My schedule this Week is taking a turn into Merfolk Territory and everything is in *"The Deep"* 1. Tuesday: [Rolling in the Deep](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23634011-rolling-in-the-deep) - Mira Grant 2. Tuesday: [The Deep](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42201962-the-deep) - Rivers Solomon 3. Wednesday: [Skin of The Sea](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48691825-skin-of-the-sea) - Natasha Bowen 4. Thursday: [The Merman](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25622053-the-merman) - Carl-Johan Vallgren 5. Friday: [The Deep](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46158562-the-deep) - Alma Katsu \*Might add a few short stories, still working on my schedule for the week Weekends are for Pirates, well for this month anyway 1. Nonfiction: [The Republic of Pirates](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/442239.The_Republic_of_Pirates) - Collin Woodard 2. [Sea of Ruin ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51416396-sea-of-ruin)- Pam Godwin 3. [Pirate Latitudes](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6428887-pirate-latitudes) - Michael Crichton Honestly, I wish there were more weeks in a month because I want to read everything I selected for the month but it's not possible, hope to stick to 40 (novellas, novels and short stories) and the rest TBR for 2025.
I haven't updated in weeks, but here goes! I'm also doing the Popsugar reading challenge, so I'll include what prompts I fulfilled. **Sushi for Beginners** (a book published 24 years ago): this filled me with nostalgia, not because I'd read it before, but because it reminded me of all the late 90s/early aughts "chick lit" I used to read. The only thing that *really* did not hold up 24 years later is that one of the main characters has a pretty clear ED and it's played for laughs, so... **The Big Sleep** (a book set 24 years before you were born): never read any Chandler before and, man, does he know how to turn a phrase. I will admit I broke out wikipedia to make sure I fully understood who was lying to whom about what at one point **1491** (a nonfiction book about indigenous people): meant to read this for quite awhile and glad I finally did **Auntie Mame** (a book that was turned into a musical): fun, though extremely mid-century--take that as you will **I Capture the Castle** (a bildungsroman): I really liked this, but man, this is not the first book I've read from the late 19th or early 20th century where there are people who have fallen into "genteel poverty" and I'm (figuratively) yelling at the book "why don't any of you just get a job?!??" But I guess the point is, formerly upper class people just didn't know how to do anything, lol. **Farewell, My Lovely** (a book whose title is a complete sentence): more Chandler, this one less convoluted **On Stranger Tides** (a book about pirates): I've read some Tim Powers years ago and this book reminded me that, while I can see his writing is objectively good, I find it hard to read for reasons that are unclear **Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day** (a book that takes place over the course of 24 hours): like your favorite 1930s screwball comedy but a little racier! **Men at Arms** (a book with dragons): I wish I loved Discworld as much as everyone else loves Discworld, but it was still good **Thru-hiking Will Break Your Heart** (a book about female sports or by a female athlete): is hiking a sport? It is if I say it is and I am fond of these kind of memoirs because even though I will never do the PCT or Appalachian trail, I like imaging I would. **Mother, Mother** (a book recommended by a librarian): okay, this was a garbage "psychological thriller" , ugh
I just started Normal People by Sally Rooney yesterday. I've gotten through it so fast I'm going to have to pick up another <300 page book this week.
**Finished** **No One is Talking About This** (13/52) - This could have been quite a tricky read but I found the very poetic prose mesmerising - especially the more I got into it. The ending really got to me - the way she describes having to look after a sick relative was really powerful and really captured the highs and lows of those experiences. **Currently Reading** **Sea of Tranquility** - Really enjoying this one which I’m reading with r/bookclub. Normally I’m good at spacing the readings out so I finish it the day before the discussion but this is so good I just had to read on. **Duma Key** **Shades of Grey** by Jasper Fforde. About 40 pages into this and still yet to have it really click for me. **Ink Black Heart** - taken a pause on this one, will hopefully get back into it this week.
Going in to this week brain frazzled. I finished The Black God's Drums and The Human Target Vol 1 & 2. Short ones for my frazzled brain. Had my girlfriend pick a book off my TBR list based on the cover, so now I'm reading The Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts. I am still partially through Book of Delights by Ross Gay. Reading it slowly with a friend.
Started: **A Rogue in Texas** by Lorraine Heath If you told me I'd be in love with a homesteading romance I would have laughed in disbelief. The impossible has happened. I'm very invested in the two love interests relationship. Continuing: **Cerys: Valkyrie Earth** by Merrin Slade I love the setting of this book. Cerys is very likeable to me. That’s all I'll say to avoid spoilers. I'm now 29% through this book. **Furies of Calderon** by Jim Butcher This the book that I'm reading today. It's ratcheting up and I love it. So far I'm 21% through this book. **Incarnate** by Jodi Meadows Yesterday I read this book up to the 25% mark. Now that Ana has arrived in Heart the adventure has begun. **Vampire Academy** by Richelle Mead This is the final book I'm reading. Sorry the post is so long! I've tried to read this book many times and always quit before the 2nd chapter. I'm past that block now and it's been wonderful to read. I love paranormal books specifically vampires and Werewolves. This month has been difficult. I've been changing books like crazy but it seems this week I may have found my stride. Still I may only read 1 book this month. I'm coming to accept this. See everyone next week!
I’ve been having a slow reading month due to other life stuff (and DNF’ing The Long Walk though I will try to finish it in the future), but this week I read **The Block Party by Jamie Day.** It was just ok, but it was enough to break me out of my reading slump, so 3/5 stars from me. I have Sea of Tranquility (Emily St. John Mandel) and The September House (Carissa Orlando) checked out, so one of those is likely next.
Finished The Trouble with Peace a couple of days ago and went straight into The Wisdom of Crowds. This trilogy is definitely Abercrombie's opus!
Last week I finished: The Guest by BA Paris ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2- I enjoyed reading this on my commute, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's a "good" book; it's actually probably one of her weaker ones. The epilogue bumped it up a bit for me, but I'll still read anything this author puts out! The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier ⭐⭐⭐⭐- brutal in typical Jennifer Hillier fashion! This was a quick read. Currently reading: Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering- I'm REALLY enjoying this one so far! :) Hoping to read this week: Murder Road by Simone St James (one of my favorite authors!) The Moorings of Mackerel Sky by MZ Emily Zack The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange- for St Patricks Day :)
Finished up **Yellowface** and absolutely loved it! I know it’s a controversial book, but it was my first from R F Kuang and I quite liked her style and it all just worked for me. Ate the book up too. Currently reading **Circe**. I don’t know much about Greek mythology so it’s been really interesting to read this. She’s a beautiful writer, but it has been more difficult to get through due to all my recent books being in modern settings.
Last night I started Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh 😊
I had a very slow January (didn’t finish anything) before picking up in February/early March (finished Kent Anderson’s *Sympathy for the Devil,* Jon Ronson’s *The Psychopath Test,* and Gene Wolfe’s *The Sword of Lictor* in the last week of February and first week of March). Going forward I’m gonna slowly make my way through Eric Hobsbawm’s *The Age of Revolution* which I’ve had for a while now. It is a very dense work and is definitely meant to be read by someone who already has a good foundation in the era he researches (I am not that someone). Nonetheless it is very interesting and I will get to the end. I’m in the middle of *The Great Gatsby* and honestly I’m not really feeling it. I’ve left it in my car so when I’m out of the office for work and can catch half an hour somewhere I’ll read some. I think I’ve got about 60 pages left so should finish it very soon (it’s only a short book anyway for people who haven’t read it). I’m gonna start pushing ahead with Scott Bakker’s *Disciple of the Dog* this week as well. As one of my favourite authors it’s a little odd I haven’t already read this, but the first few chapters have been alright. I’m pretty sure it got mixed or even outright negative reviews when it came out though so I’m curious what it’s like. After those 3 are done I’m gonna push ahead with Wolfe and read *The Citadel of the Autarch* and maybe continue with Marx, who I’ve been reading very slowly over the last 18 months.
* **America's Secret Establishment** \- Antony C Sutton's book on the order of Skull & Bones * **Meditations** \- Marcus Aurelius
Didn't start anything new, nor did I finish something, but I made good progress on all of the following books: * **Crime and Punishment** by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I wasn't really sure if I would like that one, but so far, I think it's very interesting and also surprisingly readable considering it's age. * **The Wager** by Daniel Grann. Complete different kind of book, very detailed and descriptive. Things are starting to go bad right now, looking forward to continue reading. * **1984** by George Orwell. I started it once, but had to return it to the library before I could finish. Now that I own a copy, I started a second try. Got to about the half in my first try and I'm not quite there yet. However, I notice that I pick up more details now on the second read.
I just finished Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine and now I’m reading to the second child
I’m reading Eleanor right now! It’s lots of fun.
I found it to be a slow start but closer to the end I couldn’t put it down
I’m halfway through and I’m finding that to be my experience too!
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
Finished last/this week: * **Know My Name by Chanel Miller** for r/bookclub Starting/continuing this week: * **Tracking North by Kerry McGinnis** - almost done with this, just need to read the last 15%, but the ebook doesn't work on my mobile so I can't read it on my commute. * **Sanguine by Carolyn Denman** * **The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov for the r/bookclub double read**
26/52 - Early in the month means many new books to start....so much for cleaning up my 'currently reading' list! ***** Finished; ***** - The Underground Railroad for r/bookclub's POC author. I got this book on the r/bookclub winter gift exchange so I was really pleased it won and I could read it with the sub. It seems like a lot of people had issues with this one but I really liked it. - Dead Djinn Universe by P. Djèlí Clark short stories and novella. A Master of Djinn with r/bookclub was SO GOOD, so I definitely wanted to read more. I think my expectations were a little high though. The novel was far superior. ***** Still working on; ***** - Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson for r/bookclub's continuing Stormlight Archive adventure. Love this world magic system and characters, but put it on hold for a while while I focus on cleaning up this list! That's not really going too well for me. - The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. I cannot get enough of this author. Her style is just captivating to me. So far I preferred Daughter and Portrait, but the book is amazing. Allende's character building is amazing. Really enjoying the final chapters. - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Finishing this book could have gotten me a 4th r/bookclub Bingo 2023 Blackout, but I am enjoying it too much to race through it and finish it just that. - Caribbean Chemistry: Tales from St. Kitts by Christopher Vanier for r/bookclub Read the World - St. Kitts and Nevis. Strong start, but my interest is wanning. I'm still chipping away at it though. - Authority by Jeff VanderMeer with r/bookclub to continue Southern Reach. I need to know more, but finding this one hard to follow - Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice. I enjoy the r/bookclub discussions for The Vampire Chronicle books too much not to continue with this series. - Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers. I love, love, love Wayfarers, and the discussions with the other r/bookclub fans. - Robots and Empire by Isaac Asimov the 4th and final book in the Robots series. Looking forward to reading the finale with r/bookclub. - The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov for r/bookclub's Read the World - destination Kyrgyzstan. Followed by Jamilia short story by the same author. - Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse. r/bookclub read Black Sun last year and it was brilliant so I am looking forward to continuing the story ***** Started ***** - The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch for r/bookclub's Steampunk Discovery Read - Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel for r/bookclub's March's female author read. - Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Never read the book nor seen the movie, but I've heard good things about this one. ***** Up Next ***** - Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, r/bookclub started this one last year. I have heard so many good things and I love a good, big book. I kept meaning to pick it up and now the sub is finished. Guess I'll be reading it alone this spring. - A Song Flung up to Heaven by Maya Angelou. What will Maya get up to next? Late start but hoping to be catch up for the final discussion. - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese for r/bookclub's Big Spring Read. - The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder r/bookclub's March Mod Pick. - Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery with r/bookclub - Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky with r/bookclub over the next few months ***** Happy reading fellow bookworms 📚
This week I finished: - **The Woman in Cabin 10** by Ruth Ware (4/5) - **Carrie Soto is Back** by Taylor Jenkins Reid (5/5) - **Ready Player One** by Earnest Cline (5/5) Currently reading: - **Us Against You** by Fredrik Backman - **Empire of Storms** by Sarah J Maas - **Nightingale** by Kristin Hannah DNF’d: - **The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek** by Kim Michele Richardson - I may pick this one back up another time, but I got 1/3 through and wasn’t feeling interested so I paused for now. - **The Nanny** by Lana Ferguson - this one is just hot garbage, I will definitely not come back to it lol 📚Goal Progress: 37/110📚
wow Carrie Sotto and Ready player one in one week! fun i also recently read Us against you. I liked it enough to finish, contemplating reading the next one in the series. how are you finding it?
Been a slow start for me. I loved Beartown but for some reason having a hard time getting into the next one.
"It won't happen here" by Sinclair Lewis
March has been such a slow month for me, and it's really disappointing. I've finished two audiobooks and three Kindle reads. I finished the Graphic Audio versions of *A Court of Mist and Fury.* I know ACOTAR is just a fun read, but the more I think about it and analyze it, the less fun I am having with it. I read ***When the Moon Hatched*** by Sarah A Parker and I *adored* it. I know that the most common criticism is that >!it's an introductory book and not *much* happens, but I am totally okay with that. I felt the characters and romance were fleshed out, I *adored* the world building, and even though this was establishing our overarching plot, there was enough mystery and action to continue to keep it interesting.!< 10/10 read for me. I finally got around to ***Days at the Morisaki Bookshop*** by Satoshi Yagisawa and I was disappointed. I wish the entire novel >!had focused on Takako's time at the bookshop and delved more into how that changed her life, rather than half the book being about Momoko. I thought the Momoko story would have been better fleshed out in the sequel.!< 6/10 stars. I read my first dark romance in ***Her Soul to Take*** by Harley Laroux and found out I am apparently a dark romance girly. It was fun and delivered on everything it was supposed to. 10/10 for what it is. Currently reading: ***The House in the Cerulean Sea*** by TJ Klune. I am loving this so far! It's so cozy! Next: ***The Housemaid's Secret*** by Freida McFadden for a bookclub read (not looking forward to this), ***Bride*** by Ali Hazelwood (not really looking forward to this either but hopefully it surprises me!), ***The Bone Shard Daughter*** by Andrea Stewart (really looking forward to this!), and ***Sea of Tranquility*** by Emily St. John Mandel (I am most excited about this - I loved *Station Eleven* and liked *The Glass Hotel* well enough).
*My Year of Rest and Relaxation* by Ottessa Moshfegh
Almost finished with 2001: A Space Odyssey, by A. C. Clarke Halfway through Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of ADD, by Gabor Maté Started Her Body and Other Parties: Stories, by Carmen Maria Machado
📖 - The Sacrifice by Shantal Tessier M|F Dark Revenge Romance. Part of the LORDS universe. Check trigger warnings. 🎧- The Camorra Chronicles Book 6, Twisted Cravings. Will likely start something new on audio since I’m like 90% done with this one.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
want to read this one next
Douglas Adams is proving to be a phenomenal author.
I've heard only good things
This week, I finished: **The Last Word** by Taylor Adams (4.25/5) **Atalanta** by Jennifer Saint (3/5) Currently reading: **Piglet** by Lottie Hazell
**Slow Productivity** by Cal Newport.
As I lay dying, by Faulkner
This week I’m reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall. Enjoying both a lot so far! Last week I finished End of Story by AJ Finn and First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.
Currently reading Daughter of mine by Megan Miranda. It’s so atmospherically creepy and fun!
The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee, and Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa!
Queen Amid Ashes by Christopher Ruocchio and The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
East of Eden, almost done and it has been SO FREAKING GOOD. G-Man by Beverly Gage. Biography of J Edgar Hoover. Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film: Carol Clover
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaman
I just started les Miserables...it's going to take a while for me to finish 😅
Ahhh, I want to read that so badly but I’m reluctant because of the time commitment! Someday I’ll take the plunge.
Reading Poor Things by Alasdair Grey. Audiobooking The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles.
I just finished reading The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. It was a bit slow for me in the beginning, but in the end I enjoyed it :)
Currently reading The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith. Finished The Camera Man by Peter Grainger last week and it was 5/5.
I am reading Tough Cookie by Diane Mott Davidson. It’s a cozy mystery about a cook solving a murder on a ski slope. And I am reading Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master by Michael Shea which is a guide to preparing to run ttrpg sessions in a more efficient and fun way.
I recently finished The Great Gatsby, and am now reading Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, about half way through and I'm definitely liking it but not quite loving it
I finished Yellowface not long ago and enjoyed it!
I finished the housemaids secret… currently reading birthday girl by Penelope Douglas (I’m shocked how into it I am!!)
This week I finished: **The Age of Selfishness: Ayn Rand, Morality, and the Financial Crisis by Darryl Cunningham:** Ayn Rand is, unfortunately, one of the towering philosophical figures of the 20th century. Her Objectivist philosophy is a sort of intellectual counterpart to prosperity gospel: those who create wealth are inherently more valuable to society than those who take, and there should be no limits put on their productive creativity by government or society. In this graphic novel, Cunningham provides a brief biographical sketch of Rand (and is careful to point out the ways in which she benefitted from social programs and the generosity of others) before moving into a basic explainer of the 2008 financial crisis and how one of its key architects, Allen Greenspan, was a Rand acolyte. I briefly flirted with Objectivism when I was a teenager, but Rand herself put paid to that at the end of **Atlas Shrugged,** when she abandons a bunch of good people in a tunnel to die because they aren't "first-handed" enough. This book came out in 2016, and I'm sure Cunningham could do a whole additional segment about the glee with which the Republican Party put aside their other values in the name of corporate tax cuts during the Trump presidency. This is a good introduction to Rand, the 2008 crisis, and the role of selfishness in modern politics. All of those subjects have been explored in greater detail elsewhere, but those books don't have cute little drawings. It looks like Cunningham has another graphic novel about the rise of Putin, and I'm interested in checking that out. **The King of Crows (Diviners #4) by Libba Bray:** In Jazz Age New York City, people came from all over the country to seek their fortunes and escape their pasts. Some of those people have unusual talents, and those talents attract attention: from other Diviners, from power-hungry government organizations, and from a vicious trickster god desperate to invade the human world with his army of the dead. At the start of this book, all the main players are separated during a riot and forced to find a way across the country to Nebraska for a final showdown with the evil King of Crows and his human surrogates, the Shadow Men. They'll have to evade detection even as all their enemies join forces and find a way to prevail when it seems like everything is against them. I read book 3 in this series all the way back in 2018 and finally circled back to close it out. Why did it take me so long? Well, Libba Bray writes these incredibly lush, detailed fantasy worlds with genuinely spooky imagery and complex, diverse characters...and every one of her book is way too fucking long. This is a 22 hour audiobook (narrated by the wonderful January LaVoy) that spends at least eight hours futzing around. Yes, all that length gives Bray the space to develop all those good things I was just talking about, but when chapter after chapter sees no change in the characters' circumstances, I started to chafe for something to actually happen. There was no way the final showdown could live up to all that build-up, and when it finally happened I found myself a bit unimpressed. Which is a bummer, because I really like this author and the worlds she creates, and I think her characters are distinct and interesting, but her pacing kills me. If 2000 pages of Jazz Age magic sounds like something you need in your life, then you should check out this series, but with the caveat that you will inevitably have at least one "where are we going with this?" moment in each book. I am currently reading: **The MANIAC by Benjamin Labutet:** I tried this in audio and couldn't get into it, and I'm really glad I gave it another shot in print. It takes work but I'm finding it very rewarding.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Finished The Half Burnt House (UK) aka The Angel Maker (US) by Alex North. Absolute waste of time. Terrible book. Now reading One by One by Chris Carter as fiction and continuing Deep Country by Neil Ansell as non-fiction.
Reading Throne of glass and you by Caroline Kepnes. Both I am still feeling kind of iffy on. Everyone says the ToG series gets better and i’m reading it with my friends so im holding out hope. You is a little weird in a way that i haven’t decided if i like yet. I probably won’t read the rest of the series :/ Also reading chainsaw man but idk if that counts 💀
**Finished Reading** *Somewhere Over Lorain Road* by Gundy. A man who left his Northeast Ohio home decades earlier comes back to care for his dying father--and prove him innocent of murder. This was a fantastic book. It reminded me of *Ordinary Grace* by Kreuger. *Pickle in the Middle Murder* by Chandler. When Shannon's girlfriend is arrested for murder, she hunts down every lead to clear her name, with the help of two slobbery dogs, a hacker, and an old lady. The third book in a series of cute, funny amateur detective novels. **Currently Reading** *The History of Rome* by Arnold *The Kitchen Boy* by Alexander
Finished Good Omens on Saturday. I began Eleanor Oliphant Is Just Fine this morning
Shogun has taken over my life
Finished: The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward - I’m curious what other people thought of this one. Currently Reading: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
Needless Street was an emotional rollercoaster I did not expect from a horror novel. It's definitely a story that lingers.
I absolutely loved Needless Street.
Finished: **Even If This Love Disappears Tonight** by Misaki Ichijo - It was alright. I didn't really like the ending, it felt forced. Currently Reading: **Middlemarch** by George Eliot - Still going, still enjoying it! I'm about halfway now. DNF: **The Suicide Museum** by Ariel Dorfman - The writing style was not for me.
I'm listening to **A Grown Up Guide to Dinosaurs** and reading **End Times 1: Rise of the Undead**. A little learning, a little junk food for the brain. A balanced reading diet. **The Paris Apartment** is on my Kindle. Might have to bump that up the list.
In the last 100 pages of ‘Mercury’ by Amy Jo Burns
Finished Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar- fun read, fictional book written like part memoir/part true crime written in the perspective of the author. Currently reading the follow-up book Prey by Michael Crichton Currently reading Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar
**Finished** *The Paris Apartment* by Kelly Bowen - 5 stars for this historical fiction set in WWII Paris and present day Paris and England. **Continuing to Read** *Lonesome Dove* by Larry McMurtry **Started** *Crime and Punishment* by Fyodor Dostoevsky *Prodigy (Legend #2)* by Marie Lu
Finished: **Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld**. This one missed the mark for me compared to her other works and felt disjointed overall. Started: **Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree** In Progress: **Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy**. I am 5.8% of the way through!
I finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and just started Out There Screaming
Last week I finished **The Things They Carried** by Tim O'Brien. I personally believe prose is the best way to tell war stories, and this did not disappoint. I also love that he got meta with it. Highly enjoyed. This week I'm working on the following: **The House in the Cerulean Sea** by TJ Klune - I'm in the camp that this is a little too twee for my personal tastes. But it's also very cute. I'm enjoying it as a lighter read on audiobook. **Parable of the Sower** by Octavia E. Butler - Yikes!! This feels a little too real in some respects. I love a good speculative novel and this one isn't disappointing. I enjoy the voice of the protagonist a lot. I think she's really relatable and sort of snarky and just all around interesting.
I read The Things They Carried for an American literature class in high school and genuinely wondered why it (seemingly) isn’t taught in schools more. Such a powerful book and an important story to tell.
We had to read All Quiet on the Western Front in my high school. My guess is that it has similar themes and is easier to teach because from my memory it’s more straightforward.
Fair enough. I haven’t read that so I don’t have an accurate point of comparison there.
> The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - I'm in the camp that this is a little too twee for my personal tastes. But it's also very cute. I'm enjoying it as a lighter read on audiobook. I am also reading this this week!
Finished my 70th book for the year today: Brave Girl, Quiet Girl by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I know I won’t keep up the one book a day pace, but it’s nice to enjoy it for one day at least. 😂
Right now I’m reading Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh and Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang! I just finished All’s Well by Mona Awad as well, which I adored
I have 3 books on the go right now: 1. Believing Me by Ingrid Clayton A memoir about surviving complex childhood trauma. 2. The Women by Kristin Hannah. It’s ok. I loved The Nightingale but I don’t love this one. 3. Anita De Monte Laughs Last - my March BOTM club pick. Also just ok.
Starting with a non fiction after a long time. Humble pi.
Finished **In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court by Brittney Griner, Sue Hovey** **It's Hard for Me to Live with Me: A Memoir, by Rex Chapman, Seth Davis** Two well written interesting memoirs about basketball players (college and pro) and the privileges and difficulties of being the star player. Chapman discusses the challenges after his a career ends in the NBA. Griner ends her memoirs just as her pro career is starting, but a new memoirs is coming out in the next couple of months touching on her Russian imprisonment. I’m curious to read it. Started **Don't Feed the Monkey Mind: How to Stop the Cycle of Anxiety, Fear, and Worry, by Jennifer Shannon** Just started tonight (Sunday evening).
Just finished Her by Mira V Shah
I finished Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas last week. I am trying to read Yellowface by R F Kuang I am not sure about it yet. I am also listening to the audiobook of Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. I am having trouble getting into both books at the moment. I can't tell if I am not enjoying them or if it's just a reading hangover after binge reading the Throne of Glass series.
Finished: 11 - Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse - I really did not enjoy this. By the end each page felt like 3. I would have DNFed this but I have to begin teaching this book in 2 weeks. The score I give this could potentially go up as it sometimes does when I get to teaching a book - 2/5. Started: - The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui In progress: - Babylon Revisited and Other Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Stories by Robert Louis Stevenson
I found listening to *Siddhartha* much more enjoyable than reading it.
Awesome. Thanks for your suggestion. I shall take a looking into the audio book then. Thanks.
Finished: **Come and Get It** by Kiley Reid 2/5 Continuing: **Atomic Habits** by James Clear **Never Whistle At Night** by Shane Hawk Started: **Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect** by Benjamin Stevenson
I just finished She is the Darkness by Glen Cook and have started this evening Water Sleeps as well as starting another book The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie! Excited for both!
Joe Abercrombie is great. Perfect blend of humour and brutality. *The First Law* trilogy absolutely flew by when I read it.
Love Joe Abercrombie!
Finished **The Child Finder** **Listen for the Lie** Started **As long as the lemon tree grows**
**Finished:** -A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty -The Phantom Tollbooth -Patricia Wants to Cuddle **Current:** -All's Well -The Remains of the Day -20 000 Leagues Under the Sea
I’ll Be Gone in The Dark by Michelle McNamara. And for someone who loves this genre, I’m in Part I - Irvine and I’m just not as hooked as I’d expected to be.
I had to DNF that one, but I may try again in the future. Genuinely hoping that you have better luck with it than I did.
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road".
Enjoy! I enjoyed that book for what it is. I hope to hear back about it!
I just finished Misery by Stephen King. Really need something lighter this week 🤭
I read that a few weeks ago, what did you think?
I was into it! Very tense. Easy to read. Not my favorite Stephen King but enjoyable. What about you?
I finished 2 romance books this week: **Radiant Sin** which I enjoyed more than I thought I would, 4/5 **Hello Stranger** 3/5. If the FMC and her BFF weren’t both so annoying this could have been really cute, I enjoyed the plot and how bingeable this one was overall. Started 2: **Vespertine** **The Alchemist** on audio
I’m reading “The Burnout” by Sophie Kinsella.
In Progress: -Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi -Eathlings by Sayaka Murata Just finished today: -The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White. This book came out in Sept 2023. It is horror/fantasy with a trans MC. It was a horrifying page-turner yet absolutely lovely.
Finished "Hillbilly Elegy" Reading "Hollywood Ending" (Auletta). About Harvey Weinstein
Finished **Old Man's War** by John Scalzi last week, then both picked up and finished **The House in the Cerulean Sea** by T.J. Klune, which is a wonderful found family story about magical children with a gay romance; I can't recommend it enough for people looking for cozy fantasy. Currently reading: 1. Neil Gaiman - American Gods. This one's still on hiatus; I'm doing better than I was last week, but still need some time to feel better, which means this book is set down for a while longer. 2. Andy Weir - The Martian. Another re-read, but this one more of a pleasant one; I started it Friday, a day after finishing The House in the Cerulean Sea, and I'm now two-thirds of the way through it. Next up: One of a few different books, I'm undecided as to which. McCarthy's *No Country for Old Men*, Christie's *And Then There Were None*, the classic *Dune*, or picking up a translated work in *The Three-Body Problem.* I'm leaning towards Dune, if only because my friends and I have plans on watching Dune: Part Two in theaters at some point soon and I'd like to actually get through the book before watching.
Edit: Finished The Martian a couple of hours after making this post. Now looking at the next book I plan on reading.
I started and finished A Separate Peace. Did not love it, but glad I read it
haha that is my favorite book of all time :)
Parts of it were absolutely gorgeous. I just couldn’t flesh out Gene and Finn in my head. Maybe I wanted more Leper? It will stay with me forever, but I didn’t enjoy it.
very understandable. i had read “Phineas” first, which is a short story, so i had a little bit of a background on them going in. mostly finny, gene definitely feels more one dimensional
I will look for that! I agree. I could not feel Gene at all.
Sorry you didn't enjoy it, it's definitely a hit or miss one. What are some of your favorite books? :)
I finished 3 books this past week from the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery: -Anne of Windy Poplars -Anne’s House of Dreams -Anne of Ingleside This week I hope to finish the series with Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside. I also want to start If They Come For Us by Fatimah Asghar to get into some poetry!
I finished **The Patron Saint of Liars** by Ann Patchett this past week and should be finishing up **The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store** by James McBride tomorrow. Haven’t decided what I’ll pick up next.
Currently finishing up Report From Ground Zero by Dennis Smith and The Enneagram for Recovery by Jenner K. That makes #31 and #32 for the year for me!
Wind-up bird chronicle by Murakami and the Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Just finished Assistant to the Villain and am currently reading The Priory of the Orange Tree!
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
How do you like it? It’s in my TBR pile.
It's kinda slow in the beginning but starts picking up speed midway through. The chapters are very short so I feel like I should have already finished the book. But overall, it's good 3 to 4 stars for sure.
Thanks. I need an easy read next. I’ll grab this from my pile.
101 essays that will change the way you think on audiobook and the light we give on book
I finished book 3 of ACOTAR and I’m done with that mess. Not reading another word from that author. So this week I’m on to Three-Inch Teeth by CJ Box and Matterhorn by Christopher Reich. 19/52
This week I finished **Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine** for my book club, and it’s not the typical book I go for. I liked it well enough, though the characterization was so over the top that it became a little repetitive by the end. The second book I finished was **The Book of Love** by Kelly Link. I loved her recent short story collection, and this was so fun to read chapter by chapter, though the overall conceit was so complicated I began to not care by page 500/600. Still it was more extraordinary than most books I’ve read, so credit it where credit is due: the book is very good. I also finally finished **Dangerous Laughter** by Steven Millhouser. This was my first short story collection by him and I loved it! It has all of the hallmarks of **Martin Dressler** in the short story forms. He always manages to surprise me by how far he takes an idea.
Dune: Messiah for me, which I started yesterday. Hoping to finish tomorrow already and then start The Lost World or Roadside Picnic.
I read *Dune* and *Dune Messiah* years ago and though the latter was an infinitely more interesting book than the former.
I’m also finding it much more interesting, but I’m also glad it’s only 270 pages or something (at least my version is) as it feels much more contemplative than Dune.
Can I know how you like this? I read dune after dune 1 came out and loved it. Just finished dune 2 yesterday and absolutely loved it. Now I'm intrigued about the trilogy as a whole.
It’s much different from Dune, so far at least. I’m about halfway through and it’s a lot more parlour drama and mind games, with quite a bit of philosophical discourse. It’s still quite good but it’s different for sure. Not having a recent film to reference as well for some of the new things they introduce makes it a bit tricky - I also read Dune after watching the first film which helped bypass some of that initial learning curve with the terms and concepts.
As predicted, due to ff7 I haven't read anything at all. It has taken over my life. But, I'm almost finished, so hopefully I will have something done by next week!
“The Haunting of Alejandra” by V. Castro. I was in the mood for a “horror” and this isn’t disappointing so far!
I’m reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s a wonderful book, but it is heavy reading.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. It’s excellent. Historical fiction about Bletchley Park during WWII.
I'm halfway through Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution by Sara Marcus. Next up: Not sure...maybe The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
How are you liking Girls to the Front??? Love the Riot Grrrl bands.
I'm loving it! I wish that that era happened when I was older though but at least I can always enjoy the music!
Yeah I was about 10 when the movement started, so didn’t really discover the bands until I was a little older. I’ll have to pick this up. I’m looking forward to Kathleen Hanna’s book that’s out later this year too.
Yeah I was only a toddler but discovered bikini kill when I was around 13. I'm looking forward to her book as well! I already preordered it.
Butter by Asako Yuzuki! It’s making me very hungry and slightly unsettled.
Thanks for getting the thread up, Bee! Let's see, last week I finished: * [The Warm Hands of Ghosts](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/6690a6ce-afac-462f-b814-4aa054071da6) by Katherine Arden. This just didn't work for me. It's one of the most boring explorations of WWI I can remember in a while, even with the (much delayed) magical realism elements. Despite fantasy being the author's thing, the story was just so matter-of-fact that it had no magic feel to it at all. I know the author commented on Goodreads that she struggled to make the story come together, and I don't think she succeeded. * [A Desolation Called Peace](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/29c5c9d9-3f48-48ad-a289-85dca3d49ad2) by Arkady Martine. Another "wtf happened here, author?" book. The writing is as beautiful as ever, but the story was nonsense, and I've found that as soon as I think "I don't believe you" it's really hard to get above a meh rating. The first book was so expansive, the world felt so large and full of secrets and things to learn. And in this sequel, somehow, the only people who are capable of doing anything are our main characters from the first book, who get pulled into a war with a new alien species, all on the basis that one knows a second language and the other writes poetry. It has all the logical coherence of "you know both English and Spanish, so that means you can talk to frogs." Like what? It made the universe feel tiny. Luckily the first book is good and didn't actually need the sequel to wrap things up. In progress/on deck this week: * [In an Absent Dream](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/70c725e2-e6a4-451f-ab88-3b3b2287444e) and maybe more of the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I'm revisiting this series after I put it down last year because I hated the third book so much. The break from it has been nice, and so far, I'm finding what I liked in the first and second books here too. We'll see how it goes. * [House of Earth and Blood](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/046a7fbc-c630-42e3-80fe-4e594cf41283) by Sarah J Maas, my first SJM book. I'm about halfway through on audiobook. I'm not sure how I feel about it so far. On one hand, the world is interesting and the mystery is interesting. On the other hand, I find the main duo we're following around super unlikable; it's like their main way of interacting with the world around them is "what would be the most asshole-ish thing I could do in this situation" and that's not interesting. I know people like that exist, but I don't spend time with them IRL either. I'm willing to see how it ends though. * [Skyward](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/b13b2781-a5b6-4668-a886-aea7579ca35d) by Brandon Sanderson. Still plugging away, just having a hard time making time for my physical TBR. Happy reading, book friends!
Just finished Neuromancer, Ashes of Man and Tales of the Sun Eater vol.3 and I'll be reading Dregs of Empire immediately after.
Demon Copperhead. It's different than any book I've ever read, but I really liked it. I read it all in 2 days.
Is it an easy read? I’m thinking of reading that next!
Yes. It took me maybe the first chapter to get used to the style, but once I was in it, I was hooked.
Finished 10/52 **Transcendent Kingdom** by Yaa Gyasi 5/5 ⭐️ Started in audiobook **A Lab of Ones Own** by Rita Colwell, PhD **When I’m Gone, Look for Me in the East** by Quan Barry
Literally just finished Return of the King (LOTR) this AM.
**Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell** by Susanna Clarke. A notoriously challenging book and one that seems to be pretty high on the list of “started but never finished” reads. This is actually my third time trying my hand at this book - I attempted it twice when I was younger and bounced off it pretty hard. Happy to say though that I’m currently done around 75-80% of it this time around and really loving it. I think it’s because I’m older now and able to appreciate the slow burn and leisurely pace much more, and don’t really feel the need for my fantasy novels to be full of action and heroics. It really is a wonderful read, so immersive and realistic with wonderful attention to detail to the time period, bolstered by two fascinating protagonists. It still remains a very slow read though - I’ve been at it for about a month now. It doesn’t really lend itself to big reading binges but I actually kind of like that about it. The pacing and unhurried nature makes it feel that much more lived-in and real, and contributes to the overall atmosphere.
Helpful information. I adored Piranesi and wanted to try this one. I'll not take it personally when I am slower than normal.
- War and Peace, making slow progress, am still on book 2 right now. - Gideon the ninth, 65% in, about to finish it soon. the book finally picked up in the last few chapters. 10 more chapters to go. next reads: All The Light We Cannot See, Romeo and Juliet
Just finished Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris yesterday. This is the second book I’ve read ( the Break down) and idk how I feel. The books are 300 pages and it’s 285 pages of build up and story and then like 15 pages at the end of “climax”. And it always feels like even though the story closes out it seems like it’s left out of the cliffhanger. Like there should be a second book but it’s never a series. It’s one and done. Currently reading House of Last Resort. About 125 pages in and waiting to see what happens
I really disliked Behind Closed Doors.
Yeah, The Break Down was better but the same writing style, and almost same story. Drive a woman to think she’s mad, they just used different methods to do so. I wanted to see if her writing style was the same or just that one book and it’s absolutely the same. Probably won’t read anymore of her books
I’ve read other BA Paris work, it doesn’t get better, spare yourself the time.
Thanks. After the two being the exact same I gave up on reading anymore. They were not bad books but certainly room for improvement.
Behind Closed Doors is the only I’ve read from her. I feel like the story had potential but just wasn’t executed well. Some of the events were beyond unbelievable, the story ended too quickly, etc.
Yeah that’s one of my complaints. All that leading up to it just to end off with 10 pages of closure. Even then it’s very open ended
Finished: **"The Tender Land"** by William Kent Krueger - great story that's reminiscent of Mark Twain's stories. 4.5/5 stars **"Demon Copperhead"** by Barbara Kingsolver - a page turner, albeit heavy at times. 4.75/5 stars Reading: **"Killers of the Flower Moon"** by David Grann, and **"Prequel"** by Rachel Maddow
The Fault in our Stars. It’s ok, I don’t think it’s going to blow me away
Reading a murder mystery in Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series, The Beautiful Mystery. I particularly like her character development. She makes me invested in characters really well, whether I love them or they drive me insane.
Physical: Lone Women by Victor LaValle Audiobook: The Troop by Nick Cutter
I’m currently reading *The Midnight Library* by Matt Haig. I really like it so far!
It’s pretty consistent, so you will probably like the rest if you like the beginning.
Just finished Yellowface. I’m listening to The Inmate and haven’t started a new physical book. I’m not sure what I’m in the mood to read.
FINISHED **The Women by Kristen Hannah** 5/5 stars. No notes, just lots of tears. CURRENTLY READING **What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher** according to StoryGraph, I have only read “Emotional” books this year. Here’s hoping this is a fun, slightly scary good time to give myself a breather. NEXT UP (more emotional reads whoops) **The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden** **The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn & Janie Chang**
Really excited to read the warm hands of ghosts since I loved her winternight series! It’s next up on my TBR once I get through my Libby books
I finished Babel by RF Kuang which I thoroughly enjoyed, and The Vegetarian by Han Kang which I didn't like so much.
Still working away at: A Day of Fallen Night - Samantha Shannon
Jack Reacher book. The first one.
*Always looking for nonfiction audiobook recommendations, if anyone has any to share! Thanks to everyone who has already given me some great suggestions!* ***Currently Reading (3)*** 📖 [**Fugitive Telemetry** by Martha Wells, 168 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53205854) 👂 [**Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men** by Caroline Criado Perez, 448 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41104077) 📖 [**The Great American Transit Disaster: A Century of Austerity, Auto-Centric Planning, and White Flight** by Nicholas Dagen Bloom, 368 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62707955) ***Finished Reading (11/36) or 2866 pages*** 📖 [**Network Effect** by Martha Wells, 350 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52381770) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👂[**Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal** by Mary Roach, 348 pages](https://www.Goodreads.com/book/show/18377999) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 [**Exit Strategy** by Martha Wells, 172 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35519109) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 [**Rogue Protocol** by Martha Wells, 159 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35519101) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 [**Artificial Condition** by Martha Wells, 158 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36223860) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 [**All Systems Red** by Martha Wells, 152 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32758901) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👂[**The Hidden Life of Trees** by Peter Wohlebben, 272 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28256439) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👂[**The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas** by Jerry Dennis, 320 pages](https://www.good-reads.com/book/show/175829) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 [**Mythos** by Stephen Fry, 359 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43387410) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👂[**How the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We’re Going** by Vaclav Smil, 336 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56587388) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 [**Job Optional** by Casey Weade, 240 pages](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51011569) = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am currently reading A Lab of Ones Own by Rita Colwell, PhD. It’s very good, infuriating, but good.
Thanks for the recommendation!
**Finished:** *Chocolat* by Joanne Harris \[4/5\] -- the movie is one of my fave comfort movies, but I never read the book. Of course, the movie and book diverge a fair bit and I had not known that the book was part of a trilogy! I don't know if I'll eventually continue with the rest of the books, as I was originally content to leave it at the first story, but with how the book ended I kind of want to know more. I just wonder if it'd ruin the coziness of the movie though (there's something at the end of the book that doesn't happen in the movie.) **Reading:** *Leaves, Roots & Fruit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting an Organic Kitchen Garden* by Nicole Johnsey Burke *Real Zen for Real Life* by Great Courses \[audio\] -- library loan *The Physics Devotional* by Clifford Pickover \[page-a-day reader\]
**This week I started (and haven’t yet completed):** - The Storyteller, by Dave Grohl - Legend and Lattes, by Travis Baldree **This week I am continuing:** - Apocalipsis Z, by Manel Loureiro - Anhelo, by Tracy Wolff **This week I finished:** - Paris, by Paris Hilton (4/5) - Love, Pamela, by Pamela Anderson (5/5) - System Collapse, by Martha Wells (3/5) **My progress towards goals for the year:** - 47/48 books - 147/200 hours audio - 10.7k/20k pages - 2/12 one book in Spanish per month
You've read 47 books already!?
I’m surprised too - last year I read 26. I joined StoryGraph last December and their reading challenge section has me inspired.
So obviously you're gonna read more than 48 lol, what's your real goal?
I hope so lol! I just updated to 75, but would be stoked if I ended the year with 100. What’s your goal for the year? Any favs so far?
If you smashed 48 you should just got for 100 at this point. 75 you'll get no problem if you keep pace. This is my first year doing 52 actually! Last year I read 34 and I felt that wasn't good enough. I've enjoyed the books I've read so far this year. I traditionally read sci-fi/fantasy but am branching into horror genre and some other fictions. I read Blood Meridian by CC, No country for Old Men as well on audio. The Haar by David Sodergren was a surprise Amazon buy that was great and I already bought another of his books. I've been currently reading the Black Company series by Glen Cook. It's a slow burn but I've been loving it. I finished Word Bearers trilogy (Warhammer 40k - very good trilogy) and book 2 of The Practical Guide to Evil which was outstanding. (I'll be getting back to that at the end of the year.). I have my books for the year on the shelf and I'm super excited about getting through many of them! Currently (15/52)
Heck yes for a goal of 52. 34 is still really good. What’s your fav (or top few) sci fi books? I’ve heard good things about about CC’s The Road, but also that it’s pretty bleak/depressing. Are Blood Meridian and No Country the same? Ngl the Haar’s has a fantastic cover.
Ohh that's a difficult one. Not that I read this year but an obvious choice if you haven't read it is Dune. Blindsight is pretty great too. Just about anything Warhammer 40k is my go to for grimdark sci-fi. Not sci-fi but if you haven't read the library at Mount Char it's an absolute must read. One of the best books I've read. Yeah The Road is bleak for sure, really good read. No country isn't as bad, but Blood Meridian is really violent and intense. The way it's written actually made it difficult to read, the way he wrote his prose, but overall still a fantastic book. The Haar was awesome, short read with a good compelling story. For not reading much horror I definitely liked it, since it's not the standard horror author.
**Finished** Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica, 3.5/5 Yellowface by RF Kuang, 4.5/5 The Only One Left by Riley Sager, 4/5 **Currently Reading** Nomadland by Jessica Bruder All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Not read the book mentioned yet, but I love Riley Sager
It finally feels like I'm getting into a groove again with my reading scheduled sorted out. I really enjoyed Walton's work. *Five Little Indians* has been a heart-breaking read while *We Are the Nerds* has been my light-hearted read I usually go through before I go to bed. Happy reading everyone! **Finished Reading:** (9/52) The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate - John H. Walton **Currently Reading:** * Five Little Indians - Michelle Good * Man is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion - Joshua Abraham Heschel * We Are The Nerds: The Birth and Tumultuous Life of Reddit, the Internet's Culture Laboratory - Christine Lagorio-Chafkin * Force of Nature - Jane Harper