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

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

2336. Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations

You've had an excellent start to your month.

Ioana wrote: "Thanks for the links. That's my goal for 2024....either a Hugo or a Nebula winner each month, and I'll use these lists for inspiration."

That's a neat challenge, Ioana.

I'll nominate Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon

Patricia wrote: "A Murder Is Announced is one of my favorites by Christie. I thought the second half of Doomsday Book was much better than the first, so hang in there!"

I'll keep you posted. :)

Fiona wrote: "Thirteenth book completed

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

I’ve enjoyed the author’s previous books but struggled to get into this one. Slow start and didn’t really engage with Carney the mai..."

This was my first Whitehead book. I'm hoping the other's I have are more enjoyable. I liked this.....

I have to get back to Maisie Dobbs and Longmire. Both enjoyable series.

Mid-November Reading Update
5 books completed so far and making slow progress on the others.

Completed
1. The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini by Cynthia von Buhler (Minky Woodcock #1). Minky Woodcock follows Houdini while working for spiritualist Conan Doyle. One of the Hard Case Crime graphics. It was ok.. 3.0 stars. I've ordered the next, The Girl who Shocked Tesla
2. The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby (Athenian Mysteries #1) Good intro to this mystery series set in ancient Greece. (4.0 stars)
3. Without Trumpet or Drum by John Sanders (Nicholas Pym #3). An adventure set during the rule of the Roundheads. It was ok. There are two other books in the series but I can't find them. So I guess the series is finished as far as I'm concerned. (2.5 stars)
4. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple #5). As always an entertaining mystery. The murder is announced in the local paper and Miss Marple is on the case. My favorite book this month. (4.5 stars)
5. Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan I'm really enjoying the outer space adventure graphic series. This wasn't my favorite but it's moving the story along and has great artwork and interesting ideas. (4.0 stars)

Currently Reading
1. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (Oxford Time Travel #1). I'm enjoying but I'm almost half way through and wish something would happen!!!
2. Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon (1973). A horror story.... Similar comment to above. Get on with the story!! It's got a creepy tone at times... but let's go!
3. Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power (2008). It's giving me a perspective on the UN efforts to help displaced refugees and of one of the main actors in that effort. It's taking awhile to get through.
4. The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison (Inspector Shan #1). Enjoying this story very much. Buddhism, Communism, murder. Slow paced by very well told.
5. Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Philip K. Dick. I've read other books in this series which shows interviews with various political, literary, musical individuals. I like Dick's Sci-Fi and look forward to reading this one.
6. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (1962). The effects of pesticides and herbicides on nature. Powerful and easy to read.
7. Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks (Culture #7). I love the world that Banks has created with his Culture Sci Fi series; animate robots, the future society, etc etc. Rich stories.
8. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi A dystopic world set in Thailand; climate change, genetic manipulation. Neat so far.
9. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson (Jackson Brodie #3) Atkinson knows how to spin a story. I don't know where it's going but I like following the path she leads you down.

In the Hopper
1. Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe A neat graphic novel series with a modern look at the Greek gods, especially the romance between Persephone and Hades.
2. I Know This to Be True: Jacinda Ardern by Jacinda Ardern. I have a few of these books to read, this one features New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern.

Enjoy the rest of your November reading.

Vox sounds interesting

It looks like they are working on a movie based on Project Hail Mary with Ryan Gosling starring. Does he seem right to you?

1, 2, 4, 7, 18, 26, 30, 32, 35, 36, 39, 50, 52, 56, 60, 62, 66, 72, 73, 75, 77, 91, 100, 101, 105

My review of Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan 4.0 stars

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

Next in line is Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Philip K. Dick

Carolien wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of the 1st book in the Athenian Mysteries series, The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby 4.0 stars

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

I hope you enjoy, Carolien

2311. A Murder Is Announced

My review of the 5th Miss Marple mystery, A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie 4.5 stars. Love Miss Marple.

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

Next is Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan one of my favorite graphic novel series.

2305. Saga, Volume 4

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "End October Reading Update
I completed 9 books in October, 3 since my mid-month update. Total pages 2600+ pages.


So glad to see Dust was a favorite! I need to read S..."

I hope I get to it sooner than it took me to get to Dust.

Patricia wrote: "Glad you enjoyed the Corby book, Bill. I read this with another group (Historical Mystery Lovers). I have the second book to get to some day!"

Once I actually focused on it and got used to the characters, I really enjoyed. I'm looking forward to trying the 2nd now.

Netherlands - my 30th country if I added correctly. A quick visit to The Hague in this historical adventure, Without Trumpet or Drum by John Sanders 2.5 stars

My review of the 3rd Nicholas Pym historical adventure, Without Trumpet or Drum by John Sanders 2.5 stars

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

A Miss Marple mystery next (it's been awhile), A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie (Marple #5)