Anne’s Comments (group member since Dec 08, 2021)

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

Alondra wrote: "Anyway; you've got this!!

I hope you're right. It's the end of the month, and I have 2 in progress, but that means I need to finish both of those plus one more by the end of December. I read all the shorter ones already. At least the two in progress are really good so far. Dumas is always entertaining, and Crime and Punishment is intriguing. That main character is insane.

1. An author you have read a book from more than 2 times. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

2. A book written In the year of the snake. 🐍 (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2013, 2025) Kills Well with Others

3. A book written by two authors.

4. A book you bought because of the cover only. A Natural History of Dragons

5. A book you bought because of the author only. The Hermit Next Door

6. A book you bought because it was a new release. Winter Lost

7. A book with a persons name in the title. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

8. A ghost story. The Black Bird Oracle

9. A collection of short stories. The Lady in Glass and Other Stories

10. A book based on historical events. The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women

11. A book about revenge. The Zig Zag Girl

12. A book that has more than 40 chapters. War

13. The main character owns a small business. Tender Is the Bite

14. A character driven novel. The Wood at Midwinter

15. A book with a strong female character. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins

16. A book about royalty. The Ruin of Kings

17. A book that the timeframe spans more than 10 years. Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium

18. A book from a different culture. Lagoon

19. A book about books. The Murders in Great Diddling

20. A book located in your home state. (Or country if your country does not have states.) Incel: A Thriller

21. A book located in the state you were born. (Or country if your country does not have states.) When the Moon Hits Your Eye (one plot line takes place in WI)

22. A book set in a fictional town. The Busybody Book Club

23. A book that has people on the cover. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

24. A book that has a body of water on the cover. Somewhere Beyond the Sea

25. A book that has a tree on the cover. Rockin' Around the Chickadee

26. An author that shares your first name. Song of the Lion

Alondra wrote: "I have quite a few on my TBR already, AND/OR, have the first book in the series. This is why we are onboard with the Series challenge.

Good luck, Anne!! 😁"

I do have a problem with too many series, as you know. I set up a thread for that, and I was dismayed to discover how many I am working on. My list is huge even after getting rid of ones I have abandoned for good.

Vikki wrote: "Good luck with your challenge, I haven't read any of the books on your list."

Thanks.

Linette wrote: "One of Sanderson's books was a favourite read last year, one of his 'secret projects' books. I actually liked 3 of them but this one stood out for me - have you read it yet? Excellent. [book:Tress ..."

I have not read that book because I haven't read any of the books in that world, and I wasn't sure if it would make sense or have spoilers. I do want to read it, though.

Moon of the Crusted Snow is really good, and I, Robot is one of my rare 5* books (the only one I gave in 2023). The Blessing Way is the start of one of my favorite mystery series, but it is hard for me to say how much of that is the quality of the books and how much is from reading and enjoying them with my dad when I was still young.

I have The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and A Natural History of Dragons on my TBR, so I am curious what you will think of them.

Bill wrote: "I like how you've organized this. I'm still sorting my ideas out."

I may still adjust a bit. Most of these challenges are based on ones from 2024, which I've mostly completed.

Linette wrote: "The Moving Finger was my first Agatha Christie book - I loved it so much I read everything of hers I could find! Still love her books.
Song of the Lion is book 21 in the same series that I have bo..."

I have read a bunch of Agatha Christie but not this particular book. I have not been reading them in order.

I hope you love the Hillerman books. My dad first introduced these books to me when I was still in high school, and I have been reading them ever since. I got a little behind after Tony Hillerman died and his daughter started writing the sequels, and I'd like to get caught up.

I did like Skyward. It was definitely more young adult than most of his books, but it was kind of fun. I've liked most Sanderson books that I've read, but I have a lot more to read. My brother gave me some of them years ago, and I still haven't read them.

Bill wrote: "I like your list. I want to get into Mercy Thompson more. I enjoyed the graphic novel and have the first book... I also want to get into Shelley Parker Chan... There are others too.."

I was trying to mix it up by having books from several different genres. i own about half the books, including the Mercy Thompson book and the one by Shelley Parker Chan. The latter came highly recommended, so I hope I like it.

Fantasy Challenges (remember to log with SF&F BC; books can only count for one category, and each category can only be used once per person) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shape Shifting
1. Change: Read a book with a character that changes shape or disguises themself .Winter Lost
2. Copy: Read a book with “shape” or “shift” in the title.

Romantasy
1. Love: Read a book where a romantic relationship is central to the plot. Lagoon
2. Pairing: Read a book with a couple on the cover. Saga, Volume 1

Angels and Devils
1. Ying: Read a book where a character has wings and/or horns. Fray
2. Yang: Read a book with a black and white cover. Rogue Protocol

Magical Object
1. Powerful: Read a book where a magical object is central to the plot. The Ruin of Kings
2. Thing: Read a book with the word “magic” in the title.

Poisoner
1. Sick: Read a book where a poisoning is a significant plot point. The Moving Finger
2. Dangerous: Read a book with something poisonous on the cover. Marble Hall Murders

DnD Party
1.Characters: Read a book with a rogue, mage, fighter, and/or wizard (classic DnD characters). Harlem Shuffle
2.Team: Read a book with 4 or more characters on cover or the word “party” in the title. The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women

Mythology
1.Story: Read a book with a mythological character or that is considered a retelling of a myth. Somewhere Beyond the Sea
2. Alpha-Omega: Read a book with any Greek letter on the cover or the word “myth” in the title. Egyptian Mythology: The Gods, Heroes, Monsters and Legends of Ancient Egypt

Undead
1. Alive?: Read a book with an undead character or a character that returns from the dead. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
2. Dead: Read a book the word “dead” or “death” in the title. A Red Death

Bestiary
1. Not a Pet: Read a book with a character that would be considered a beast. A Day of Fallen Night
2. Risky: Read a book with any kind of beast on the cover. Wolves, Coyotes & Foxes: Symbols of the Wild

Fantastic Flora
1. Greenery: Read a book where plants can be considered a character (protagonist or antagonist) in the book. Terminal Alliance
2. Anti-Human: Read a book with plants but no humans on the cover. City of Secrets

Magic Powers
1. Sorcerer: Read a book with a character that has any kind of magic. The Zig Zag Girl
2. Magi: Read a book with any kind of magician on the cover. Merlin's Tour of the Universe: A Traveler's Guide to Blue Moons and Black Holes, Mars, Stars, and Everything Far

Fairy Tales
1. Story: Read a book that is a collection of related stories. Undeath and Taxes
2. Fae: Read a book with fairies on the cover or “tales” in the title. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Charged Jewelry
1. Jewels: Read a book where a piece of jewelry is important to the plot. Dial A for Aunties
2. Pretty: Read a book with something sparkly on the cover. Mrs. Plansky's Revenge

Powerful Weapon
1. Wow: Read a book with a legendary weapon (A weapon of myth, sung of in songs and spoken of in whispers. Old, powerful, and possessing a name). The Name of All Things
2. Ouch: Read a book with someone injured or dead on the cover.

Chekhov's Gun
1. Foreshadowing: Read a book where an object in the beginning of the book foreshadows something significant that happens at the end of the book.
2. Armory: Read a book with any kind of gun on the cover.

Bonus Points:

January Protagonist: Big Dumb Hero
1. Strong: Read a book with a character who possesses great physical strength. The Black Bird Oracle
2. unBrianiac: Read a book with a character that is noted for their lack of intelligence. Tender Is the Bite

January Antagonist: Monster
1. Huge: Read a book with a character that is extremely large. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
2. Ugly: Read a book with a character that is noted for an unpleasant appearance. The Lady in Glass and Other Stories

February Protagonist: Love Interest
1. Pretty: Read a book where a main character is known for their good looks. Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

February Antagonist: Rival
2. It’s Personal: Read a book where a character has a personal grievance that is significant to the plot. Song of the Lion

March Protagonist: Sidekick
1. 2nd Best: Read a book with a sidekick character or where the main character is only the 2nd best at something. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
2. Helpful: Read a book where the ‘hero’ needs help accomplishing a goal. Artificial Condition

March Antagonist: Assistant to the Villain
1. Sidekick: Read a book with a character who is a sidekick or a character who has a sidekick. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
2. Not In Charge: Read a book where the main character is not the person in charge at their organization.Now or Never

April Protagonist: Mentor
1. Aged: Read a book with an older main character. Kills Well with Others

April Antagonist: Wicked Stepparent
1. Not My Child: Read a book where a character raises a child that is not theirs by birth.The Maid
2. Envy: Read a book where jealousy is important to the plot.The Murders in Great Diddling

May Protagonist: Friendly Creature
1. Pet: Read a book where the main character is a pet or has a pet. It's a Wonderful Woof
2. Companion: Read a book with an animal that is friendly toward the main characters. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

May Antagonist: Mother Nature
2. You’re Edible Here: Read a book where the main characters encounter a hostile environment. Hungry Tales

June Protagonist: Strong Female
1. Girl: Read a book where the main character is female. The Woman in the Library
2. Stamina: Read a book where a character can sustain a prolonged physical or mental effort. Little Girls in Pretty Boxes: The Making and Breaking of Elite Gymnasts and Figure Skaters

June Antagonist: Sociopath
1. No Empathy: Read a book where a character struggles to understand other people or doesn’t care about other people. Exit Strategy
2. Manipulative: Read a book with a manipulative character. Cave of Bones

July Protagonist: Orphan
1. Child: Read a book where a main character is a child. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
2. Parentless: Read a book where a main character doesn’t know their parent or a parent dies in the story. The Silverblood Promise

August Protagonist: Dynamic Leader
1. In Charge: Read a book where the main character serves in any kind of leadership role. Bleeding Heart Yard
2. Fan Club: Read a book where a character has a substantial fandom. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

August Antagonist: Gang-Boss
1. Illegal Trade: Read a book where illegal trade is important to the plot. Murder by Memory
2. Recruiter: Read a book where the antagonist successfully recruits more minions. A Natural History of Dragons

September Protagonist: Pollyanna
1. Optimistic: Read a book where a character presents as extremely optimistic. Ghost Road Blues
2. Hopebringer: Read a book where a character receives hope after giving up. When the Moon Hits Your Eye

September Antagonist: Mad Scientist
1. Dangerous Creation: Read a book where a scientist creates something dangerous. Network Effect
2. Unintended Consequences: Read a book where a choice or action has unexpected, negative consequences. The Memory of Souls

October Protagonist: Anti-hero
1. Good?: Read a book where it is unclear whether a significant character is good or bad.
2. Hero?: Read a book where the protagonist lacks conventional heroic attributes.

October Antagonist: Tyrant
1. Authoritarian: Read a book where the antagonist demands total loyalty from their followers.
2. Commander: Read a book where the main antagonist is any kind of leader.

Pseudo-Medieval
1. Feudal Government- Read a book where the ruling government is any kind of feudal system or the book’s main character possesses a noble title. Golden Fool
2. Enchanted Forest- Read a book where a forest is a significant setting (even better, but not required, if that forest is magical). The Midnight Feast

Expansive Empire
1. Colonial Acquisition- Read a book where a government has acquired another political entity through force. The Poppy War
2. Resistance Forces- Read a book where an organized (but less powerful) force actively tries to thwart the ‘lawful’ government. Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People―and the Fight to Resist It

Magical City
1. Urban Fantasy- Read any book classified as urban fantasy. Stone and Sky
2. Underground Magic- Read a book where magic exists, but most people are not aware of its existence. Canines & Cocktails


MacGuffin
1. Treasure: Read a book with a MacGuffin (an object or element in a story that drives the plot, but serves no further purpose).
2. Breathing: Read a book where the MacGuffin is a sentient being.

Past Reading Group Challenge Books:
1. Fool's Assassin (2015, 2020)
2. Fool's Quest (2020)
3. Assassin's Fate (2020)
4. The Grace of Kings (2017, 2023)
5. The Final Empire (2017, 2023)
6. To Green Angel Tower (2018, 2023)
7. 1984 - reread (2018)
8. Deadspawn - reread (2020, 2023)
9. Malice (2024)
10. Shadowplay (2024)
11. A Blight of Blackwings (2024)
12. A Curse of Krakens (2024)

Robin Hobb:
8. Golden Fool 9/10, 5*
9. Fool's Fate
10. The Dragon Keeper
11. Dragon Haven
12.City of Dragons
13. Blood of Dragons
14. The Fool's Assassin
15. Fool's Quest
16. Assassin's Fate

Motley challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Reading Group: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

5 Countries: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
1. Montenegro Kills Well with Others
2. Mali Masquerade
3.
4.
5.

5 States https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
1. Minnesota Incel: A Thriller
2.Iowa When the Moon Hits Your Eye
3.
4.
5.

2024 books
1. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt
2. The Zig Zag Girl 1/2, 4*
3. The Black Bird Oracle 1/6, 3*
4. Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium 1/7, 3*

Non-fiction: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
1. Wolves, Coyotes & Foxes: Symbols of the Wild 1/1, 4*
2. Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium 1/7, 3*
3. War 1/21, 4.5*
4.Merlin's Tour of the Universe: A Traveler's Guide to Blue Moons and Black Holes, Mars, Stars, and Everything Far 4/6, 4*
5. Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI 4/23, 4*
6. The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women 4/27, 4*
7. Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow 5/15, 3*
8. Little Girls in Pretty Boxes: The Making and Breaking of Elite Gymnasts and Figure Skaters 6/3, 4*
9. Egyptian Mythology: The Gods, Heroes, Monsters and Legends of Ancient Egypt 6/17, 3*
10. Timeline of the British Monarchy 6/21, 3*
11. Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People―and the Fight to Resist It 7/13, 4*
12. Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass—How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up 8/16, 4.5*

Classics
1. The Moving Finger 5/3, 4*
2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 6/29, 5*
3. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator 8/1, 3.5*
4.The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Owned books:
1. Wolves, Coyotes & Foxes: Symbols of the Wild 1/1, 4*
2. Winter Lost 1/11, 4.5*
3. The Lady in Glass and Other Stories 1/31, 4*
4. The Moving Finger 5/3, 4*
5. The Hermit Next Door 5/11, 4.5*
6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 6/29, 5*
7. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator 8/1, 3.5*
8. Canines & Cocktails 8/30, 4*
9. A Natural History of Dragons 19, 3.75*
10. Golden Fool 9/10, 5*
11. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Series books: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rules: Authors need to be on the series list before 1/1/25. New titles can be added as they become available or if I realize I missed one. Series books can be applied to any other applicable challenge.

1. The Zig Zag Girl 1/2, 4*
2. The Black Bird Oracle 1/6, 3*
3. Winter Lost 1/11, 4.5*
4. Tender Is the Bite 1/15, 3.75*
5. Rockin' Around the Chickadee 1/16, 4*
6. Lagoon 1/26, 3*
7. The Lady in Glass and Other Stories 1/31, 4*
8. Song of the Lion 2/5, 4*
9. Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead 2/18, 4*
10. A Red Death 3/10, 3*
11. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun 3/11, 4*
12. Artificial Condition 3/22, 4*
13. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice 3/23, 4*
14. Now or Never 3/30, 3.5*
15. Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank 4/17, 4*
16. Dead of Night 4/19, 4*
17. The Moving Finger 5/3, 4*
18. Hungry Tales 5/5, 4*
19. It's a Wonderful Woof 5/10, 4*
20. The Wood at Midwinter 5/10, 3*
21. The Hermit Next Door 5/11, 4.5*
22. Rogue Protocol 5/15, 4*
23. Mrs. Plansky's Revenge 6/1, 3*
24. Dial A for Aunties 6/8, 4*
25. Exit Strategy 6/13/25, 3.5*
26. Cave of Bones 6/17, 3*
27. Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man 6/21, 4*
28. A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay 6/27, 4*
29. Marble Hall Murders 7/25, 4*
30 . Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory 7/30, 3*
31. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave 8/3, 4*
32. Terminal Alliance 8/10/25, 4*
33. Bleeding Heart Yard 8/22, 4*
34. Bark to the Future 8/25, 4*
35. Up on the Woof Top 8/29, 4*
36. Canines & Cocktails 8/30, 4*
37. Witch King 8/6, 2*
38. Ghost Road Blues 9/9, 3.5*
39. Short Tails: Chet & Bernie Short Stories 9/10, 4*
40. Golden Fool 9/10, 5*
41. Network Effect 9/20, 3.5*
42.

Challenges:

1. 100 books
2. 40 series books
3. 12 nonfiction
4. 12 classics (novels or plays)
5. 2025 Reading challenge (12/16)
6. Motley challenge (25/26)
7. Read any 5 past reading challenge books
8. 20 books owned as of December 31, 2024
9. Books set in 5 new countries and 5 new states (continuing challenge)
10. Finish (re)reading all Realm of the Elderlings books
11. Complete fantasy challenge.
12. Finish or DNF all books in progress as of 12/31/2024

1. Winter Lost 1/11, 4.5*
2. Candle & Crow
3. The Wood at Midwinter 5/10, 3*
4. She Who Became the Sun
5. The Lady in Glass and Other Stories 1/31, 4*
6. Dead of Night 4/19, 4*
7. Guillotine
8. Lagoon 1/26, 3*
9. The Fifth Season DNF
10. Starsight
11. The Hermit Next Door 5/11, 4.5*
12. Parable of the Talents
13. A Red Death 3/10, 3*
14. Song of the Lion 2/5, 4*
15. The Moving Finger 5/3, 4*
16. Tender Is the Bite 1/15, 3.75*

Currently Reading:

I haven't finished my 2024 list yet, but I've already put a lot of thought into my 2025 list. I have even had to switch out some of my titles because some of my holds came in from the library too soon. I'll put my tentative list in the next comment.

Bill wrote: "It's already listed for one of my 2025 challenges, Anne. Glad to hear it's just as good. Do you think there will be a 3rd or has he closed the series down fairly well?.."

I think it would work as an ending, but I wouldn't rule out another book in that world either if the author has a good idea. It does not have a cliffhanger ending. I am having a hard time explaining without spoilers, so I'll leave my answer at that.

1661. Norway
1662. She Who Knows
1663. In the Lives of Puppets
1664. The Dark Side of the Road
1665. The Trap
1666. Cave 13
1667. Yellowface
1668. Life on Our Planet: A Stunning Re-examination of Prehistoric Life on Earth
1669. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
1670. Melrakki, le renard polaire Islandais

18, 83

Congrats!