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

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

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "End - July Reading Update
Overall, I'm very pleased with my July reading. Even though there were some short books / novella, I still completed 15. Total for the year is now 76 of my pl..."

I've got #2 on my shelf and am looking forward to getting to it. How many have you read, Lillie?

Lea wrote: "Oh, Bill, now I'm feeling badly for commenting on how many books you're currently reading. I love that you have so many options at all times. I own several of the Will Trent books, but haven't read..."

Thanks, Lea. So many series. I've been vetting and deciding not to continue with some... But then starting new ones. But we're all like that I think.

Lea wrote: "Dear Ms. Bradley,

I really enjoyed reading The Ministry of Time, despite the fact that I usually quibble with time travel novels, this one seemed a bit easier because you don't tr..."

It sounds like it might be interesting.

A fascinating mix of books, Patricia. I hope your August reading selections are as varied.

End - July Reading Update
Overall, I'm very pleased with my July reading. Even though there were some short books / novella, I still completed 15. Total for the year is now 76 of my planned 120 (63% complete). Pages completed, roughly 18,000 or 235 per book. I completed 7 since my mid - Jul update.

Completed
1. Broken by Karin Slaughter Will Trent and Sara Linton head back to Grant County to solve a murder or two. Gritty, dark, tense (4.0 stars)
2. Barking! by Liz Evans (PI Grace Smith #4) Grace works to solve a possible murder that took place 50 years ago. Always a fun read. 3.5 stars
3. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughan A new graphic novel series for me from Vaughan. All the men on Earth, including animals, seem to have perished, except one. This is the first collection of chapters. 3.0 stars
4. The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo (Kosuke Kindaichi #1) A locked room murder mystery set in Japan and introducing a new PI. I enjoyed it very much. 3.5 stars
5. The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes (Harlem Cycle #2) A crime story set in Harlem in the 1958. Features two NY cops, Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed. Lots of action, violence and language, but it seems appropriate for the time and place. Think of Shaft or Superfly. 3.5 stars
6. Suffer the Little Children by Donna Leon (Commissario Brunetti #16) Crime series set in Venice and one of my favorite. Deals with childless families purchasing babies from immigrants and police involvement in the case. 4.0 stars
7. Empire by Clifford D. Simak A Sci Fi adventure from the 50s. Two billionaires battling, one to take over the universe, the other to prevent him. Entertaining. 2.5 stars

Currently Reading
(I'll just highlight the six books I've started since Jul 15)
1. Wycliffe and the Redhead by W.J. Burley (Inspector Wycliffe #21) Another favorite crime series, set in Devon.
2. The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin a standalone historical story by the creator of the Mistress of the Art of Death series.
3. The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun (Cat Who.. #5) Qwilleran and his 2 Siamese cats go on vacation to a summer cottage.
4. The Big Payoff by Janice Law (Anna Peters #1) an industrial espionage thriller
5. The Red Mass by Rosemary Aubert (Ellis Portal #5) Canadian crime / legal drama series set in Toront.
6. A Writer's Diary by Virginia Woolf (Originally published 1953)... Excerpts from Woolf's diaries.

In the Mill
1. Young Doctor Kildare by Max Brand Hospital series
2. Murder is for keeps, by Peter Chambers a new author for me
3. Exit Music by Ian Rankin Inspector Rebus #17
4. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (Singing Hills Cycle #1)

There you go. Enjoy your August reading selections.

I read Tom Sawyer and I believe also, Huckleberry Finn as a youngster, so early '60s. I was probably too young to understand the implications of the language. I have given up some books / series recently because I found the language / terminology just too oppressive, the Flashman series for example, which were mostly written in the 70s. I had to finally give up reading it. I like the way you are approaching it.

You've had a great July, Laurel. I read Tom Sawyer many, many years ago, can't remember it but I'm sure I enjoyed it. If you get around to Wolf Hall, I'll look for your comments. It takes a bit to get into but it does start to grow on you... :)

You had a great month, Lea. I agree with you about Joan Didion, a beautiful writer. I still have a couple of hers to read. I didn't realize that there was a book before White Bird. I quite liked it, kind of an Anne Frank story. The Ministry of Time sounds interesting. There seem to be quite a few time travel books / series now.

My review of by Clifford D. Simak 2.5 stars

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

Next in line is by Virginia Woolf

714. Suffer the Little Children

I'm reading a few already.... and just starting and if I finish those in Aug, there will probably be others.

Completed my 9th book in this challenge, Suffer the Little Children by Donna Leon 4.0 stars

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

Next will be a Wycliffe mystery, Wycliffe and the Redhead by W.J. Burley

Michelle wrote: ""The morning sun baptizes both sinner and saint alike."
-S.A. Cosby, King of Ashes

105 books
9132 pages

83 audiobooks
22 print

#102 [book:The Dream Hotel|218..."

I've only read The Scorpio Races by Stiefvater so far and thought it was great. I do have a couple of her books on my bookshelf. I need to try them.

Alondra wrote: "Completed: Peace Talks



3.75 Wizarding Stars

This is not the best Dresden files, but it does set us up nicely for the next book; which, I fear, wi..."

Good old Harry. I need to revisit his universe.

Patricia wrote: "My ninth book: Kingdom of the Blind. I have mostly enjoyed this series, but honestly, am getting a little tired of it. This is almost blasphemy to some in my mystery book club, but ..."

It's been awhile since I picked up one of the series.. I'll have to check out the next one and see how I still feel about it.

701. The Real Cool Killers

My review of The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes (Harlem Cycle #2) 3.5 stars

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

Next in line is a Canadian mystery The Red Mass by Rosemary Aubert (Ellis Portal #5)

699. The Honjin Murders

My review of The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo 3.5 stars

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

Next is The Big Payoff by Janice Law

698. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned