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

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

My review of Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu, a fantasy graphic novel. It's not perfect but it sure draws you in. Very intense. (3.5 stars)

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

Next in line is a mystery in England, Don't Mess with Mrs In-Between by Liz Evans (Grace Evans #3)

16. An animal on the cover - Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu 3.5 stars (a cat)

263. Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood

Finished my 6th book in my Series challenge, Look To The Lady by Margery Allingham, the 3rd Albert Campion mystery. 3.0 stars

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

I had another mystery lined up next but decided to switch to a quick graphic novel fantasy, the 2nd in the Monstress series, Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu

259. Look To The Lady

Alondra wrote: "Great update, as always, Bill.

I have Red Mars and Green Mars sitting on my shelf. I need to get them read. I started reading Red Mars and put it down; but that was durin..."

I've had 2312 on my bookshelf for awhile. If I like Ministry, it'll give me more incentive to try it too. I have seen Red & Green Mars at the book store

February Mid - Month Update
Finished 7 books (one rated as a Not Complete) and approximately 1500 pages.

Completed
12 + 4 Challenge (books of Ursula K. Le Guin). finished 3 books, all quite short.
- The Beginning Place. A standalone, kind of horror / fantasy about two people who go on an adventure in a co-existing world to save the people of that world. 4 stars
- Very Far Away from Anywhere Else. A sweet, YA romance. 5.0 stars
- Planet of Exile. The 2nd book in the Hainish Cycle, a Sci Fi series. Most enjoyable, 'humans' isolated on a planet battling with one of the races on that planet against marauding enemies. 4 stars

Series Challenge - two complete
- Lore Olympus: Volume Five by Rachel Smythe. An excellent graphic novel series about the Greek gods, especially Persephone and Hades. 4 stars
- The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi. The first book in the Spiderwick Chronicles, a YA fantasy about a house and faeries and other creatures. 4 stars

Non - Series Challenge (2 books, one listed as not complete)
- The Fall Of The Sparrow by Nigel Balchin. The life of Jason Pellew, looking back after a trial and his conviction. I didn't particularly like the characters and found the story too easy to put down. Read half. NR
- Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang. A love story graphic novel set in Oakland. Interesting mysticism as well. 4.5 stars

Currently Reading
12 + 4, Ursula K. Le Guin. The Complete Orsinia: Malafrena / Stories and Songs. Just cracked it open. Le Guin created an imaginary Eastern European country and wrote about its history and lives.
Series Challenge - Look To The Lady by Margery Allingham (Albert Campion #3). Allingham is one of the golden age of mystery authors. Campion is an interesting character with a fun assistant, Lugg. Involves the theft of antiquities.
Non - Series Challenge - Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney, Fascinating look at the events around Jan 6th by one of those intricately involved in the examination of it. Scary and lots of facts that I didn't know.
Tome Challenge - The White Road by John Connolly (Charlie Parker #4). Gritty crime story set in South Carolina
February Focus Author - Adam Hall - The Ninth Directive (Quiller #2). A spy thriller set in Thailand with Quiller trying to prevent the assassination of a British royal.

Maybe next in line
12 + 4 - City of Illusions (Hainish #3)
Series - Don't Mess with Mrs In-Between by Liz Evans PI Grace Smith #3. Set in England, Smith is like Kinsey Milhone and Kat Colorado.
Non - Series - Twilight by Peter James. A standalone mystery by James, author of the Roy Grace mysteries.
Tome Challenge - The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Climate Sci Fi from a new author for me.
February Focus - Adam Hall - The Striker Portfolio (Quiller #3) Quiller searches for a crashed fighter jet.

There you go. Enjoy the rest of your February reading.

The authors and books are new to me. I look forward to your comments.

Lillie wrote: "#10 The Scourge Between Stars 2.5* P

This was too short! I know it was a novella but I wanted more. The ideas were good but they need..."

I've got it. Interesting comments.

Howards End Is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill

My review of Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang & LeUyen Pham (2024) a lovely story of romance and growing up. Excellent graphic novel. 4.5 stars

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

*hugs* for Matthew Perry's book.

Like Alondra I remember buying the various serials of The Green Mile. They may have been available all at once when I bought it but it was quite awhile ago. Still one of King's best books I think. I'm enjoying exploring the World of Oz too, always nice entertaining adventures... so far anyway. Not surprising that Geddy Lee's book is long considering the length of some of their songs.😎 You've had an excellent month so far. Enjoy the rest and Happy Valentine's Day.

241. Lunar New Year Love Story

I bought Lunar New Year Love Story a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang & LeUyen Pham yesterday. Half way through so far and it seems to fit the category. Enjoying very much. My review. 4.5 stars

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

Finished my 5th book, the 2nd book in the Hainish Cycle, Planet of Exile, a nice action filled short novel. (4.0 stars)

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

A tome next, Le Guin's The Complete Orsinia: Malafrena / Stories and Songs

229. Planet of Exile

Patricia wrote: "You've about convinced me to read some LeGuin. I think I read A Wizard of Earthsea years ago, but I don't remember for sure. I don't think I realized she had so many different books.
H..."

And pretty good poetry too

Karol wrote: "Bill wrote: "Back in the day when I read The Exorcist I could not read it downstairs by myself at night.. .LOL If everyone went to bed so did I and I read it there. Not that the devil couldn't find..."

I hear you.... After I saw the movie, I was baby sitting my younger brother. I was in bed and heard him shout out in his sleep from his room. I thought, well, if he's possessed, mom and dad can deal with it when they get home..... *covers pulled up over my ears* 😃

Patricia wrote: "Well, I left out a book. First month of the year & my bookkeeping is already a mess. The Resistance Man is the 6th book in Bruno, Chief of Police series which takes place in France...."

Great series.

Martha wrote: "Currently reading ... 3 main ones at this time - Murder at the Mena House, The Bluest Eye & The Arctic Fury
Bastard Out of Carolina paperback
The Arctic Fury - library
..."

I don't know if I could 'read' The Exorcist as an audio book. It was scary enough just reading it. Who is reading it for you?

OK, scariest scene in the book for me, as I recall, is when Father Karras is listening to the tape of Regan speaking in voices and he realizes 'something'. *shudder*