Heena’s Comments (group member since Oct 13, 2014)

Heena’s comments from the RMFAO (Reading My Frigging A** Off) group.

#2 Pines (Wayward Pines #1) by Blake Crouch - 4/5

Loved it! A brilliant book! I loved the concept and even though I thought I was onto what was happening the end still caught me by surprise. It was an ending I did not see coming. A very quick audiobook at around 8 hours and totally worth it.

Cheryl wrote: "Heena,

I know what you mean about literary post-apocalyptic fiction. It tends to be slower paced, and maybe less happens but the author focuses on those incidents intently. You learn alot about a ..."

Hmmm... characters over the settings. I did enjoy Lord Of The Flies :)

Welcome, Raina, and welcome back, Debara!

Cheryl wrote: "3.) Far North by Marcel Theroux
3 stars. Literary post-apocalyptic fiction that's well-written but bleak. (But not as bleak as The Road.)"

I've always had a feeling that post-apocalyptic fiction comes across well if it is literary. I have no idea if I make any sense in that sentence but I hope I got the point across. I agree that there are amazing works, especially classics, which are both literary and post-apocalyptic. But I find myself drifting away from the plot with literary writing whereas in simpler, concise writing I am able to immerse myself better int he world rather than being lost in the writing itself. Maybe its just me... but I had to share this. What are your thoughts on this?

Dagny wrote: "Heena wrote: "I've got my hands on all of Blake Crouch's audiobooks so keeping with this month's theme I'm starting with the Wayward Pines trilogy as it is horror as well as apocalyptic/dystopian a..."

I remember you praising the book! I wanted to start with Dark Matter only but I wanted to explore the creepy settings of Wayward Pines for research. Dark Matter, though, is next on my list and I can't wait to read it!!

I've got my hands on all of Blake Crouch's audiobooks so keeping with this month's theme I'm starting with the Wayward Pines trilogy as it is horror as well as apocalyptic/dystopian according to some readers. I'm mainly reading it for being a horror though.

Carolyn wrote: "I am doing the Great American Read challenge for another group, so I think it is time to try to get this style in gear.... The Handmaid's Tale, The Hunger Games, Left Behind I think these should al..."

I've been meaning to read and watch the Netflix series of The Handmaid's Tale. Do share your thoughts on this book once you're done with it!!

Dagny wrote: "#2 Raging Storm

Really enjoyed this book although it took me a while to get used to the main female character. It's the 2nd in a trilogy. As far as the storyline and plot go, it di..."

Sounds very interesting, Dagny.

#1 Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence - 5/5

An absolutely brilliant sequel to Red Sister! I loved it!!
The characterization is brilliant and so is the concept and the settings. The pacing is beautiful and the protagonist is a real bad-ass. I love Nona and her flaws. She feels as real as a character can be. I loved how the author explored the other parts of the fictional world he created so meticulously in this book.
Moving on to the next, and the last, book in this trilogy now.

Maggie wrote: "Hello there! I may have introduced myself already, but I'm trying to become more active. :) My name is Maggie, and I'm a librarian mom of two from Muskoka. I have loved books for as long as I can r..."

Hey Maggi, welcome back. I've always adored librarians, so it's great to meet one here too! As Cheryl said, next month's genre would accommodate family drama very well, though we have dystopian and apocalyptic fiction this month so do join us in case if you have any books in either genre that you want to read. Looking forward to seeing you around :)

Cheryl wrote: "Thanks for the info, Heena. It’s really helpful to know if someone else liked a book, especially if you aren’t too knowledgable about a genre. "

Welcome, Cheryl. And I agree. I've received some really amazing recommendations here on the group.

My first one is going to be Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence. I started it in June but will be finishing it this month.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who wants to explore dystopian fantasy. This is a brilliant series by Dr Lawrence. This series has it all - badass protagonist, assassin nuns and their ruthless training, deadly villains and so many amazing new things that it'll keep you up at nights! Though this book is not for the faint-hearted as it has some disturbing graphic details but they were all justified and complimented the story well.

Adelaide wrote: "I accidentally read a post-apocalyptic book early, but I recommend it if you are looking for something a little different. Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. It's a mostly wel..."

Sounds good, Adelaide. Thanks for the recommendation!

Dagny wrote: "Unlike Heena, Dystopian or Apocalyptic is not my preferred reading, but I'm very grateful for this challenge. Without it I never would have discovered Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Childr..."

I'm yet to read this series! And thanks for the recs. The second one sounds good and seeing that it is only 3 and a half hours, I think I might be able to include it in my list for this month.

Dagny wrote: "#5 Jackie's Girl: My Life with the Kennedy Family
It's my 2nd for the month focusing on Jackie. Never did get around to any space related ones.

This will be it for the month, so I ..."

Wow, Dagny, 5 is a great number for non-fiction. I wasn't even able to read even 1 :(

Hi everyone, here's the link for July month: July - Dystopia & Apocalyptic Fiction: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

July is here and so is the mark of the end of half the year (already)! We all have read some really great books so far this year and I am sure everyone plans to read tons more in the coming months. Moving forward in the genre challenge, we have something special (genres particularly close to my heart) - Dystopian OR Apocalyptic Fiction. Though these are two different genres, at RMFAO, we've always kept them together as a LOT of books inevitably fall in both the genres (if there's an apocalypse the world can hardly be utopic, right?) So let's pull out the big guns and begin!

NOTE: Apocalyptic Fiction also includes Post-Apocalyptic Fiction.

If you are a dedicated dystopian or apocalyptic fiction reader then we request you to please recommend some awesome books to other members. Others, please feel free to ask for suggestions and recs. Reviews of books are greatly appreciated and we are okay with anyone posting relevant links too.

There are absolutely no limits so you can interpret this genre in its broader sense and include other similar genres and/or subgenres that you feel might have a wee bit of similarity with the main genre. You can also include books that are not particularly centred around the main genre but has its components or elements somewhere in the story.

The main intent of this challenge is to incorporate different kinds of books and genres in our normal reading routine to make the experience more fun and entertaining. Please do not lose yourself in the technicalities as we all know how literary genres can be confusing.
If you have any doubts or questions, then post them below and we'll be happy to answer/discuss them.

Here are the DEFINITIONS for this month's genres:

Dystopian Fiction: Also referred to as Dystopia. Dystopia is a form of literature that explores social and political structures. It is a creation of a nightmare world - unlike its opposite, Utopia, which is an ideal world. Dystopia is often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government. It often features different kinds of repressive social control systems, a lack or total absence of individual freedoms and expressions, and a state of constant warfare or violence. Many novels combine both Dystopia and Utopia, often as a metaphor for the different directions humanity can take in its choices, ending up with one of the two possible futures.

Apocalyptic Fiction: Apocalyptic is from the word apocalypse, referring to the end of the world. Apocalyptic fiction focuses on the end of civilization either through nuclear war, plague, or other global catastrophic risks.
Apocalyptic literature is a genre of religious writing centred on visions of the end of time. Many apocalyptic stories focus on stories that are on the brink of the end of the world of civilization. Post-apocalyptic fiction is set in a world or civilization after such a disaster. Also called 'Holocaust.'

Here's a quick summary of the levels:

Level 1: Casual Reader: 1 book (easy)
Level 2: Frequent Reader: 2 books (moderate)
Level 3: Bookworm: 3 books (mildly strenuous)
Level 4: Bibliophile: 4 books (strenuous)
Level 5: Bookiopath: 5 books or more (challenging)

Please mention what type of books you'd be reading:

PB: Paperbacks
HB: Hardbacks
EB: E-Books
AB: Audio Books

Please feel free to announce your to-read books along with the level you are targeting for below. Though it is not necessary as you can announce your reads as and when you decide or read them.

PLEASE READ (especially new members):
1. You can read any number of books for the respective genre every month.
2. You can join the challenge at any stage (in any month.)
3. You can drop out of the challenge any time you like.
4. You can select different levels every month.
5. Use this discussion board to share your reads with other members of the group.
6. Please be active and don't hesitate to ask questions or recommend books.
7. You can couple this challenge with any other challenge here (or anywhere else.) We all do it and it makes it all the more fun!

Happy reading!

Ashley wrote: "Can I still join this challenge? I just finished A Tale of Two Cities and would like to read 2 more classics for a total of 3."

Yes!! You can join in anytime. What say @Dagny?

I planned three books for this month that I recently bought, one on Nelson Mandela and two on Hitler and the third Reich, but seeing as I have a lot of writing to do, I won't be able to read as much as I thought I might. Also, I've just started the Book Of Ancestor series by Mark Lawrence and it is taking up all my reading time.
Still I'll try and see fi I can read the shortest of my three books before the month end.
All the best to you all though. Have a good reading month!

@Dagny - Haha... yes, feels that way.