Bill’s Comments (group member since Nov 30, 2021)

Bill’s comments from the On The Same Page group.

My review of #6, by Ian Rankin 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next book is Gideon's Power by J.J. Marric

You're having a great challenge. Good luck with your final books.

491. The Naming of the Dead

Patricia wrote: "Great month as usual, Bill. I might (someday) check out the graphic novel of Lord of the Flies. Read the original ages ago, but it's one of those that's part of our culture. My husband & I were wat..."

It is one of those books, isn't it, Patricia. Enjoy your May reading as well.

Ioana wrote: "You had a good April! Other than the Persepolis books, I haven't read any of these, not even Lord of the Flies. Someday I'll have to try it..."

Lord of the Flies is a strange little story.

488. A Question of Proof

Barking! by Liz Evans

My review of A Question of Proof by Nicholas Blake (Nigel Strangeways #1), my first book of May. 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is Cloud Warrior by Patrick Tilley (Amtrak Wars #1)

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "End-April 2025 Reading Update
Finished 8 total, 4 since the mid-month update. Total pages in April roughly 2200. Total books for 2025 so far, 41, 34% of my planned total. Also 10,200 p..."

It's a great series, Alondra.

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "The series is one of the favorite TV shows of my wife and I. It's the same but different, much more humour in the TV show. I almost think I prefer the TV series...

Yeah, I was afraid ..."

If you haven't tried them yet, I'd start with Karin Slaughter's Grant County books and work up to the Will Trent ones. They do link somewhat. Blindsighted was even better.

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "In the future
1. Broken by Karin Slaughter (Will Trent #4)"

Great reading month Bill!

Have you seen the series Will Trent? And, if you have, how does the tv series compare to book se..."

The series is one of the favorite TV shows of my wife and I. It's the same but different, much more humour in the TV show. I almost think I prefer the TV series...

Such a mix of genres and authors. They all sound interesting. Good luck in May

Lillie wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Also; I think debating that stuff is crazy. Like, why do you care so much??"

Yes, yes, yes to all of that!! That's always my question too, why do you care? And, how is it affecting..."

Exactly. And you know, if you ban a book, people will actually want to read it to see what the fuss it..

Lea wrote: "What a great reading month for you, Bill. The only book I've read is Persepolis, and you're right, it was quite a stark story. Hope May is a good reading month for you!"

Thanks, Lea, you as well.

Alissa wrote: "Bill wrote: "End-April 2025 Reading Update
Finished 8 total, 4 since the mid-month update. Total pages in April roughly 2200. Total books for 2025 so far, 41, 34% of my planned total. Also 10,200 p..."

I've been away from it too long as well, Alissa

Michelle wrote: "Looks like you had a great reading month Bill. Lord of the Flies as a graphic novel sounds interesting."

It was excellent, Michelle

On The Same Page Monthly Reading Challenge MAY 2025
Start Date: 05/01/2025
End Date: 05/31/2025

Total Pages Read: 2633 pages
Bonus Points: 55 pts

Books Read:
1. A Question of Proof by Nicholas Blake 276 pages, finished 7 May, 3.5 stars
2. The Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin 515 pages, finished 9 May, 3.5 stars
3. Saga, Vol. 8 by Brian K. Vaughan 152 pages, finished 11 May, 3.5 stars
4. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 4 by James Tynion IV 144 pages, finished 13 May, 4.0 stars
5. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi 84 pages, finished 14 May, 3.0 stars
6. The Bone Thief by Jefferson Bass 382 pages, finished 15 May, 4.0 stars
7. The White Russian by Tom Bradby completed 160 pages, DNF, NR
8. Warriors Graphic Novel: The Prophecies Begin #2 by Erin Hunter 256 pages, finished 25 May, 3.5 stars
9. Gideon's Power by J.J. Marric 224 pages, finished 27 May, 4.0 stars
10. The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed 159 pages, finished 29 May, 4.5 stars
11. The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown 281 pages, finished 31 May, 4.0 stars

10 pts:
- "April showers bring May flowers", so the proverbs say. Read a book with flowers on the cover.
- From the 13th to 17th May, Switzerland will host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest. Read a book set in one of the participating countries.
- Read a book featuring a spring festival or seasonal ritual,
- Read a book from your TBR list that includes the number 5. ie 5th, 15th, 25th, etc.
-- The Bone Thief by Jefferson Bass (Body Farm #5) (10 pts)
-- Gideon's Power by JJ Marric (Commander Gideon #15) (10 pts)
- Read a book with a journey or road trip.
-- The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown (10 pts)
- Read a book with a floral or nature theme.
- Read a book with a one word title.

25 pts:
- Sunday 12th of May is Mother's Day in the US. Read a book with a protagonist who is a mother.
-- Saga, Vol 8 by Brian K. Vaughan (25 pts)
- Monday 26th of May is Memorial Day in the US. Read a book set during war.
- Many countries celebrate International Workers Day on 1st of May. Read a book centering around a working class community.
- Read a book about an escape.
- Read a book about someone learning a new hobby or skill.
- Read a book with the name of a flower in the title or the author or character(s) have a floral name. ie Daisy, Petunia, etc…

50 pts:
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the US. Read a memoir by someone who shares their experience with mental health challenges.
- 5th May, 1951 - Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space. Read a book about the space race, NASA, or early astronauts.
- 20th May, 1927 - Charles Lindbergh takes off for the first solo transatlantic flight. Read a novel where the protagonist "takes flight" in some way—emotionally, spiritually, or physically.
- Read a book published by a small press or university press.
- Read a book about immigration, or about someone who is an immigrant.
- Read a book from a debut author.

End-April 2025 Reading Update
Finished 8 total, 4 since the mid-month update. Total pages in April roughly 2200. Total books for 2025 so far, 41, 34% of my planned total. Also 10,200 pages for the year after 4 months.

Books completed in 2nd half of April
1. Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel by Aimée de Jongh 4.5 stars. A fascinating re-creation of the original novel by William Golding. Wonderfully drawn and respectful to original story.
2. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline 3.5 stars. Dystopic future set in northern Ontario, told by indigenous peoples who are hunted because of their ability to still dream. Interesting and I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book
3. The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle #5) 4.5 stars. Humans (yumens) decide to colonize a distant planet and chop down its forests. Their treatment of the indigenous population, basically treating them as animals causes an uprising and war between the two races. Surprisingly violent for a Le Guin story. Excellent and well - paced.
4. The Complete Persepolis: 20th Anniversary Edition by Marjane Satrapi 20 years after Vos 1 & 2 of Marjane Sartrapi's graphic novels of her life story, set in both Iran and Austria, they've been combined in this anniversary edition. Stark art work, stark story. My second look at her work. 3.5 stars.

My Favorite book of the month - a toss-up between Lord of the Flies and The Word for World is Forest.
Most disappointing - My only non-finish, Children of Chicago by Cynthia Pelayo.

Currently Reading
1. On Freedom by Timothy Snyder Making steady progress on this non-fiction work of political philosophy and enjoying his thoughts.
2. Joanna Russ: Novels & Stories (LOA #373): The Female Man / We Who Are About To . . . / On Strike Against God / The Complet e Alyx Stories / Other Stories by Joanna Russ I wanted to read he Sci-Fi novel, The Female Man and found this Library of American edition that contains many of her works. Just about to start it.
3. The Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin (DI Rebus #16). Always enjoyable. I can put it down and then just drop back into the flow of this entertaining mystery featuing Rebus, his partner Siobhan and his arch enemy Cafferty.
4. Domain by James Herbert (Rats #3). Another gritty, entertaining story by Herbert. London destroyed by nuclear bombs and the remaining humans have to survive that and mutant rats. Yipes!
5. The Wintermen by Brit Griffin (Wintermen #1). I'm enjoying this so far. A dystopic world set in northern Ontario where the Wintermen battle a commercial enterprise, Talus, who wants to rob the north blind.
6. Barking! by Liz Evans (PI Grace Smith) Another I'm just about to start. I've greatly enjoyed the 1st two books. Grace is like Kinsey Milhone or Kat Colorado with humour.
7. The White Russian by Tom Bradby I'm enjoying this murder mystery set in 1900's Leningrad.
8, A Question of Proof by Nicholas Blake (Nigel Strangeways #1) A student is murdered at a private boy's school in England and Strangeways is assisting an old friend and the local police solve it. He's just about to show up.
9. The Bone Thief by Jefferson Bass (Body Farm #5) Dr. Bill Brockton is trying to get funding for his schoo and his pet project, the Body Farm. He's being asked to set up a sting against a commercial enterprise that is suspected of selling off organs and bones and his friend is about to have an artificial hand 'installed' ?

In the future
1. Broken by Karin Slaughter (Will Trent #4)
2. Cloud Warrior by Patrick Tilley (Amtrak Wars #1)
3. Gideon's Power by J.J. Marric (Superintendent Gideon #15)
4. Imago by Octavia E. Butler (Xexogenesis #3)
4. Dorothy Parker: Complete Broadway, 1918–1923 by Dorothy Parker

Enjoy your May reading.

Alissa wrote: "Completed another Series/installment of the Heartstopper series

Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman



4 STA..."

It's an excellent series. I just finished Vol 5 and still enjoy it. Is enjoy the right word?

You've had another great month, Lea. Glad you enjoyed your Malcolm Gladwell book. I haven't read that one, but I've enjoyed a couple of others. I recall them being interesting and also somewhat self-evident. I may eventually try some others. I'll be interested in your thoughts about Cujo. It's been a long time since I read the book and watched the movie, but they were both excellent, as I recall. Good luck with your May selections.

You've had an excellent month, Pat. I have to try more Ruth Ware books. I've got a couple on my book shelves, I believe.