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

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

Anne wrote: "Bill wrote: "It's an interesting slow-paced story. His style actually. Have you read The Chrysalids? Good luck til the end of the year.."

I have not read The Chrysalids, but I might have a copy. I..."

I've always wanted someone to do a movie about it. They always seem to do The Day of the Triffids or The Midwich Cuckoos.

Two books left to finish before years end. I may carry one over and read a graphic novel instead, but we shall see.

My review of To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers 4.0 stars I loved it.

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

2619. To Be Taught, If Fortunate

Anne wrote: "Bill wrote: "You can do it."

Thanks, Bill.

I finished The Day of the Triffids last night. It was excellent, and I'm a little annoyed with myself for not reading it sooner.

I need ..."

It's an interesting slow-paced story. His style actually. Have you read The Chrysalids? Good luck til the end of the year.

Kristine wrote: "Bill wrote: "You've done well with your challenge. Do you think you'll finish any more?"
Bill, I am reading. I have to finish 4 for this and 3 for the Motley Challenge. Time is running short…..Wish..."

🤞🤞🤞

Carolien wrote: "I haven't read any of your top 10 which may be a good thing as it will no doubt introduce me to excellent new authors. I recognise some of the authors, have read Gaiman and Atkinson, but not these...."

Thanks, Carolien. Merry Christmas to you and yours. I hope you get lots of books too.

End of Year Summary - Part 2
In my first look back at 2023, I highlighted my six 5 - star reads, which obviously make it into my 2023 Top Ten List. So this morning I looked at the sixteen books that I rated 4.5 stars to see which four would be added to that list. Of course, it's a bit arbitrary but I managed to pick those four. And here they are!

Top Ten List, the last 4
7. Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle. My first exposure to Beagle was The Last Unicorn. This was a lovely story about a young girl forced to move to Britain and dealing with that and the ghosts living in her home. I hope to read A Fine and Private Place next year.
8. Stephen McCranie's Space Boy Omnibus Volume 1 by Stephen McCranie I've read a few new graphic novel series this past year, in many genres. I've especially enjoyed the Space Boy series. Great artwork, excellent story. Omnibus #1 introduced me to the series. I will continue it next year.
9. A Game of You by Neil Gaiman (Sandman Vol 5). Another of the excellent graphic novel series, this in the Fantasy / Horror series. I read two or three of the series this past year. Thought this one was particularly excellent.
10. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson Kate Atkinson never disappoints, lovely meandering stories, excellent mysteries. This was a Jackson Brodie mystery but the heroine was in fact young Reggie..

More to follow.

Ioana wrote: "You had a great year of reading, I haven't counted my stars yet.
I've only read Dust and Five Little Indians, and loved them both. I should really look into your other 5 stars. Hope your 2024 will..."

Thank you, Ioana. Happy holidays to you as well.

Congrats, Camilla.

You've done well with your challenge. Do you think you'll finish any more?

Great covers.

Almost end Year summary
I'm still working on 3 books. I hope I might be able to complete them and maybe another short one. We'll see. Anyway as I check my lists, I've completed somewhere around 132 books this year. This includes 4 books that I gave up on, so 128. Somewhere around 35,000 pages, which is sort of middle of the road since I started this ten years ago?

Only six 5 - star reads this past year and 16 - 4.5 star. Three 2.5 star, 4 2.0 star and 4 NR. The majority were 4.0 star, 56.

Pretty satisfied with my challenges. Didn't complete my 12 + 4, only read 9 books. I started 17 new series and continued 47 (in that specific challenge)

My 6 5 - star books were -
1. Idoru by William Gibson (Bridge #2)
2. Dust by Hugh Howey (Silo #3)
3. Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (2020)
4. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (2018)
5. March: Book Three by John Lewis (2016)
6. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (2020)

I'll continue this over the next few days... Good luck completing your 2023 challenges.

Congratulations, Jan and Lauri!

Continuing to check books off my list with my review of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson 3.5 stars

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

Can I finish my last three books? Two at least, I think.

2596. Silent Spring

LR Wright was a favorite of mine. I keep hoping that they might eventually make a TV series out of it.

Patricia wrote: "Bill wrote: "I've ordered Howard's End is on the Landing. It sounds interesting."
I actually heard about it from someone else in this group. Carolien, I think. Hope you enjoy!"

This group has that effect on people.

The Murderbot Diaries are excellent. I'm glad I've quite a few still to read.

Michelle wrote: "#146 Lovelight Farms The latest addition to my Ugly Christmas Book Binge. This was a cute little rom-com playing on the save-the-Christmas-tree..."

I may have to check out The Scourge Between Stars. It sounds interesting.

Martha wrote: "Mid - December update
81. Soof Sarah Weeks 12/9/23
5 stars - I loved this book as much as I did the first one. Such sweet writing/storytelling. Touches the heart of ..."

I've got to read The Thursday Murder Club next year..