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

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

1458. Unnatural Ends
1459. Babel
1460. The World We Make
1461.Baby-sitters' Fright Night
1462. Tangled Threads
1463. Parable of the Sower
1464. Death in the Clouds
1465. Like Thunder
1466. The Snow Queen's Shadow
1467. White Trash Zombie Unchained
1468. Dead Things
1469. Bookshops & Bonedust
1470. Crowbones

I forgot my update last month, so I'll fix that now. It's been a hectic few months. I read some excellent books (including a 5* book), and I DNF'd several. I did make progress on many of my challenges.

August and September Update:
90/100 books, 5 in progress
2. 56/40 series books COMPLETE
3. 3/10 nonfiction, 3 in progress
4. 7/10 classics (novels or plays)
5. 9/12 2024 Reading challenge
6. 22/25 Motley challenge
7. 1/3 past reading challenge books
8. 14/20 books owned as of December 31, 2023, 1 in progress
9.a. 4/5 countries
9.b. 3/5 states
10. 1/10 Realm of the Elderlings books

Alondra wrote: "Anne wrote: "I had a good month in July, and I read several fun books. I made progress on some challenges, but I have a lot of work left on others that I have been neglecting. August is a busy mont..."

Thanks. Anytime is a good time to start on Realm of the Elderlings. Those books are amazing.

I totally forgot to do my update at the end of August! I've been a little busy.

I finished my 9th book a couple weeks ago. The Olympian Affair was a fun sequel, and I am looking forward to seeing how things develop in the next book.

Alondra wrote: "Anne wrote: "I finished The Narrow Road Between Desires last week. It was excellent, but I read it slowly, so I could savor it. The author takes a very long time between books, so ..."

I hope he finishes the 3rd book soon. I will be rereading also, but I will wait until the book is available for preorder before I consider restarting.

On The Same Page Monthly Reading Challenge OCTOBER 2024
Start Date: 10/01/2024
End Date: 10/31/2024

Total Pages Read: 3,175
Bonus Points: 50

Books Read:
1. Of Mutts and Men 10/6, last 267
2. The Death of Truth: How Social Media and the Internet Gave Snake Oil Salesmen and Demagogues the Weapons They Needed to Destroy Trust and Polarize the World--And What We Can Do 10/10, 183
3. Relentless 10/12, 512, +25 (horror)
4. Iceland: Wild at Heart 10/12, 161
5. Lost in Iceland 10/12, 159
6. Norway 10/13, 128
7. She Who Knows 10/20, 145
8. The Dark Side of the Road 10/24, 217, +25 (horror)
9. In the Lives of Puppets 10/24, 432
10. The Trap 10/29, 304
11. The Girl in the Eagle's Talons DNF 36
12. Life on Our Planet: A Stunning Re-examination of Prehistoric Life on Earth 37
13. The Zig Zag Girl 67
14. The Black Bird Oracle 145
15. Cave 13 155
16. Magic Claims 10/13, 227

On The Same Page Monthly Reading Challenge SEPTEMBER 2024
Start Date: 09/01/2024
End Date: 09/30/2024

Total Pages Read: 2,644
Bonus Points: 120

Books Read:
1. Moon of the Turning Leaves 9/2, last 59, +20 (library, white)
2. Happy Holidays, Jessi 9/2, last 112, +20 (library, red)
3. Rage 9/11, 464, +20 (library, white)
4. The Olympian Affair 9/17, 497, +10 (red/pink/white)
5. The Nickel Boys 9/20, 213, +20 (library, red/white)
6. Presumed Puzzled 9/22, 276, +10 (library)
7. Open and Shut 9/27, 292, +10 (library)
8. Fool's Errand 9/30, 486, +10 (red/white)
9. Jekyll & Hyde Inc. DNF, 7
10. Literary London DNF, 20
11. The Girl in the Eagle's Talons 64
12. Life on Our Planet: A Stunning Re-examination of Prehistoric Life on Earth 51
13. Terminal Alliance 14
14. The Death of Truth: How Social Media and the Internet Gave Snake Oil Salesmen and Demagogues the Weapons They Needed to Destroy Trust and Polarize the World--And What We Can Do 56
15. Of Mutts and Men 33

I had a good month in July, and I read several fun books. I made progress on some challenges, but I have a lot of work left on others that I have been neglecting. August is a busy month for me, so those challenges may end up waiting for fall.

July Update:
69/100 books, 3 in progress
2. 49/40 series books COMPLETE
3. 3/10 nonfiction, 1 in progress
4. 6/10 classics (novels or plays), 1 in progress
5. 8/12 2024 Reading challenge
6. 21/25 Motley challenge
7. 0/3 past reading challenge books
8. 12/20 books owned as of December 31, 2023, 1 in progress
9.a. 3/5 countries
9.b. 2/5 states
10. 0/10 Realm of the Elderlings books - I still need to get started on these

I finished The Narrow Road Between Desires last week. It was excellent, but I read it slowly, so I could savor it. The author takes a very long time between books, so who knows when I'll have another story from him to read.

Lea wrote: "I read Parable of the Sower recently too. It was pretty intense, but so well written. I read the sequel Parable of the Talents also. I thought it was important to read and well written..."

I am slow to check comments here. I did have a wonderful trip. I agree about the Parable books being intense and wanting to read lighter books afterward. I read White Trash Zombie Unchained as my vacation book, and it worked well since it had short chapters (not much time to read).

On The Same Page Monthly Reading Challenge JULY 2024
Start Date: 07/01/2024
End Date: 07/31/2024

Total Pages Read: 3,109
Bonus Points: 245

Books Read:
1. Scents and Sensibility 7/3, last 116, +30 (US, funny, TBR)
2. The Once and Future Witches 7/20, last 252, +20 (US, TBR)
3. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers 7/5, last 204, +20 (US, funny)
4. The Narrow Road Between Desires 7/28, 226, +25 (Amazon)
5. The Ghost Orchid 7/28, 304, +10 (US)
6. Heart of Barkness 7/21, 299, +30 (US, funny, TBR)
7. Bits & Pieces 7/18, 577, +20 (US, TBR)
8. The Postscript Murders 7/14, 315, +10 (TBR)
9. Shades of Grey 7/30, 400, +10 (funny)
10. Claudia and the World's Cutest Baby 7/25, 139, +60 (US, forgiveness)
11. Claudia Kishi, Middle School Dropout 7/28, 138, +10 (US)
12. The Phantom of the Opera 87
13. Jekyll & Hyde Inc. 52

On The Same Page Monthly Reading Challenge AUGUST 2024
Start Date: 08/01/2024
End Date: 08/31/2024

Total Pages Read: 2,872
Bonus Points: 85

Books Read:
1.The Phantom of the Opera 8/8, last 299
2. Deep Silence 8/21, 468, +25 (horror)
3. Sanctuary 8/10, 152
4. Red Side Story 8/24, 455
5.BSC in the USA 8/5, 246, +10 (student)
6. Dawn and Too Many Sitters 8/16, 136, +10 (student)
7. Stacey's Broken Heart 8/24, 150, +10 (student)
8.Kristy's Worst Idea 8/24, 150, +10 (student)
9.Stacey McGill, Super Sitter 8/25, 143, +10 (student)
10. Mary Anne and the Little Princess 8/31, 142, +10 (student)
11.Happy Holidays, Jessi 25
12. The Olympian Affair 113
13. Jekyll & Hyde Inc. 23
14. Literary London 33
15. Moon of the Turning Leaves 262
16. Perdido Street Station DNF 50
17.Trust Me When I Lie DNF 25

June was a little slower month of reading for me. I was very busy with work after I returned from vacation, and I've been distracted with other things. I hope to bounce back in July.

June Update:
1. 58/100 books, 5 in progress
2. 41/40 series books COMPLETE
3. 3/10 nonfiction, 1 in progress
4. 6/10 classics (novels or plays), 1 in progress
5. 7/12 2024 Reading challenge
6. 21/25 Motley challenge
7. 0/3 past reading challenge books
8. 11/20 books owned as of December 31, 2023, 1 in progress
9.a. 3/5 countries
9.b. 2/5 states
10. 0/10 Realm of the Elderlings books - I still need to get started on these

As expected, I didn't get as much read in May as I normally would, but it wasn't a complete loss. I still finished 9 books, and some counted toward my challenges.

My vacation was amazing. Iceland and Norway were beautiful, and I enjoyed my time in Belgium and England also. I had a great time seeing various natural and architectural wonders. It was nice to have a break from all my work stress also.

May Update:
1. 50/100 books, 5 in progress
2. 35/40 series books, 3 in progress
3. 3/10 nonfiction, 1 in progress
4. 6/10 classics (novels or plays), 1 in progress
5. 6/12 2024 Reading challenge, 1 in progress
6. 21/25 Motley challenge
7. 0/3 past reading challenge books
8. 9/20 books owned as of December 31, 2023, 2 in progress
9.a. 3/5 countries
9.b. 2/5 states
10. 0/10 Realm of the Elderlings books - I need to get started on these

Alondra wrote: "Kudos, Anne!!

Hopefully, I will stop slacking and actually pick up a book. Great weather and lots of visiting family; and no time for me to read. Oh well... LOL"

Sometimes we all need a break. I got back from my vacation 2 days ago. I managed to finish one book during my trip, and I'm okay with that. I was too busy/distracted with my travels to spend much time reading.

Bill wrote: "I hope your May selections are as successful."

Thanks, they mostly were.

On The Same Page Monthly Reading Challenge JUNE 2024
Start Date: 06/01/2024
End Date: 06/30/2024

Total Pages Read: 2,639
Bonus Points: 300

Books Read:
1. White Trash Zombie Unchained 6/3, last 68, +35 (6th, US)
2. Crowbones 6/19, 351, +25 (US)
3. Dead Things 6/16, 275, +25 (US)
4. The Phantom of the Opera 3
5. Dogs of War 6/23, last 304, +35 (6, US)
6. Bookshops & Bonedust 6/19, 352, +10 (audiobook)
7. Kristy + Bart = ? 6/19, 135, +85 (<200, US, twins)
8. Close to Death 6/29, 421
9. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers 135
10. The Once and Future Witches 264
11. Scents and Sensibility 205
12. Abby's Lucky Thirteen 6/25, 126, +85 (<200, US, twins)

670. Tangled Threads
671. Parable of the Sower

I finished Parable of the Sower today. This book was written decades ago, yet it was set in basically the current day. She foresaw some of the changes that have occurred in the interim. I can't say I enjoyed the book because so many of the things that happened were traumatic or horrific or disturbing. Still, it was very well written.

My next choice(s) from my list is going to be either The Man in the Iron Mask or White Trash Zombie Unchained. Those are the 2 books I selected to bring with on my vacation to Europe, which I leave for in about a week. I may not have much time for reading, and these seemed like good options for my downtime.

Numbering got messed up ahead of me. Edited to have correct numbers.

647. Unnatural Ends
648. Babel
649. The World We Make
650. Baby-sitters' Fright Night