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

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

Mid October Update
Finished 7 books, completed 6, with one that I gave up on.

Completed
1. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I admit that I might be being unfair but I gave up on this after 4 or so months. NR
2. The Extinction Parade, Vol. 1 by Max Brooks Interesting graphic horror novel; vampires decide to join with the human race to defeat the walking dead... if they don't, what will there be left for the vamps to eat? 3.5 stars
3. Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy by Arthut La Bern. Very much like the movie but with some differences; change in focus. Still interesting 3.5 stars
4. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Best book of the month so far and one of my favorites of 2024. Loved it. 5.0 stars
5. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin One of Le Guin's Hainish Cycle books. It was a slow read but still interesting. Very thoughtful. 4.0 stars
6. Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks. Brooks moves from zombie horror to Sasquatch horror. Very good. 4.0 stars
7. Cosmic Engineers by Clifford D. Simak A group of Earthlings join the Cosmic Engineers to save the universe. Adventure + 3.0 stars

Currently Reading
I'm about to start 3 new books and I've a few others still on the go but making steady progress.
1. Old Man's War by John Scalzi. Almost finished. Reminds me of Battle Cry by Leon Uris except in outer space.
2. The Wind's Twelve Quarters by Ursula K. Le Guin My next Le Guin instalment, a collection of fantasy short stories
3. Tales of Gooseflesh and Laughter by John Wyndham Horrorish short stories by Wyndham. Enjoying so far, completed 4 of them.
4. Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia Just getting into this historical mystery set in Harlem.
5. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig This tome will take me awhile but I like the story and look forward to seeing how it's resolved.
6. Skyscraper by Faith Baldwin It's described as Sex and the city but written in the 1930's. I can see that.
7. In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune Some people here (Lea?) said this is a Pinocchio story. I can see that. Enjoying so far and the adventure is picking up.
8. If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin Haven't started yet.
9. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (Moon #1) Dystopic story set in Northern Canada. First of two Moon books so far
10. The House at the End of Lacelean Street by Catherine McCarthy A new author for me. One of my horror novels for October.
11. Beyond the Black Enigma by Bart Somers Looks like a space adventure for my Sci Fi challenge

In the Hopper
1. Chocky by John Wyndham
2. The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown
3. The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin
4. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Enjoy the rest of your October reading choices.

Congrats on completing the challenge Fiona. Good luck with the other 4.

My review of the 8th book in this challenge, Cosmic Engineers by Clifford D. Simak 3.0 stars

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

Next in line is Beyond the Black Enigma by Bart Somers

My review of Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks 4.0 stars

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

Next in line is Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

My review of Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks. 4.0 stars. It definitely fits the category..

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

Next is Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

Finally got around to finishing my 11th book in this challenge, the 5th book in the Hainish Cycle. It was a slow build as you might have guessed by the fact I've been reading it since July. But it was still excellent. The Dispossessed. 4.0 stars

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

#12 is a collection of Le Guin short stories, The Wind's Twelve Quarters

You're on a roll.

Jennifer wrote: "Safe to say Bill plans for the Halloween season pretty thoroughly! Those are good lists, Bill!"

I good at planning, not good at accomplishing. LOL

Michelle wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, a truly wonderful book. 5.0 stars

https://www.goodreads..."

Bree Larson is excellent, perfect as Zott...

Pam wrote: "I’m finishing up Carrie by Stephen King. It’s a group read in another GR group. It’s King’s first novel."

Great novel, Pam.

If you're interested, Variety has put out their Top 100 Horror Films of All-time

https://variety.com/lists/best-horror...

I think I've seen 36 of them...

1442. The Extinction Parade, Vol. 1
1443. Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy
1444. Lessons in Chemistry

My review of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, a truly wonderful book. 5.0 stars

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

Next in line is If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm continuing to vet my bookshelves and books I'm reading. I've been reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson and have decided not to finish the boo..."

Thanks, Alondra. I find myself vetting books I haven't read and getting impatient with books I am reading... Not all, but I need to focus more on reading than acquiring... LOL

Impressive.

My review of Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy by Arthut La Bern 3.5 stars

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

Next in line is a bit of horror, The House at the End of Lacelean Street by Catherine McCarthy

Linette wrote: "Bill wrote: "Linette wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm continuing to vet my bookshelves and books I'm reading. I've been reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson and have ..."

I promise you. You won't be disappointed. It's such a great mystery series.

If you're interested, I've attached a list of Horror books coming out in October.

https://reactormag.com/new-crossover-...

I'll nominate War.

Alondra wrote: "End of September Update: Uhm, how is it October already. One minute i'm hacking up a lung and sick as a puppy, the next, my neighbors are putting up Halloween decorations. What the fluff!??

Anywa..."

Sci Fi would be a great 12 + 4 challenge.