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(group member since Aug 28, 2021)
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from the Reading with Style group.
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It Looks like I won't be reading in order (a challenge with holds and not finishing what I have started because ... too many library books, and my first book is my own!), so here is my plan ... Path - Sci Fi
1) MPG Sci Fi - Neuromancer by William Gibson
2) Far Future - Old Man's War by John Scalzi
3) Character who has a cat - The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
4) Siamese (Set in South East Asia) : The Harmony Silk Factory by Tash Aw (Malaysia)
5) Pad Thai (contains all letters) : Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
6) Outer Space (book set in): Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
7) 5 star read active RWS member: The Holder of the World by Bharati Mukherjee (Anika)
8) Memoir / Biography : M Train by Patti Smith
9) Ratings (read a book with less than 5k):Democracy by Joan Didion (3943 ratings as of posting)
10) Visit another shelf (MPG Thriller): The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler
20.1 Adaptation and Resilience:Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher
A retelling of Beauty and the Beasts (with an update on what actually happened to Beauty), with a sassy, fallen-down-in-the-world gardening girl, and a somewhat sarcastic Beast, who has a hobby making clockwork objects.
The story is not going to surprise or shock in any way, it keeps pretty much to the original, it's just an update in terms of an independent, capable girl, and a Beast who is considerate and is able to be self deprecating in regards to his role as a captor. A nice back story for the cause of the curse and the characters involved.
If you like T. Kingfisher, you are going to enjoy this.
+20 task
+10 review
Task Total: 30
Season Total: 105
10.5;...; ...; ...; 10.9;
20.1;
10.5 Tom Robbins:A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor
I have now read an awful lot of The Chronicles of St Mary's now, probably in the last 6 months alone, which is probably a good recommendation, and I do love them and find them amusing, and this was still the case with this story, but sometimes, I just feel like the story has still probably run its course and doesn't need to keep going.
Sure, I would be sad if there was a world without Max and Markham, as well as all the other characters, but I feel like this story has created a new "evil institution" just to keep the story going. I am not even sure if there is a need for an "evil organisation", why can't the merry band of historians and security, with cameos from the engineers, just go exploring history. They have proven that they can get themselves into enough trouble and disaster just doing their jobs, without having to battle evil.
I still gave this 4 stars, because it is still clever and funny, but, like all good things, I do feel it is time for an end.
+10 task
+10 review
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 75
10.5;...; ...; ...; 10.9;
20.1;
Yes, sorry, real countries.
20.1 Adaptation and Resilience:What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson
Made into a film starring Robin Williams, which I have not seen; but from what I have seen of the trailer I would have to say "loosely based on", for anyone who has seen the film
I did not realise that this was the same author as I Am Legend, which I have also not seen, although I have watched the original adaptation "The Omega Man" several times (and not by choice, my husband is obsessed!), but on reflection, this makes sense.
Chris Nielsen dies in a car accident, but finds that there is an after life, and once he accepts his own death is able to make his way to Summerland, but his strong connection to his earthly wife makes the transition difficult and he knows that something is not right.
This will not be for everyone with it's philosophizing about the afterlife and energies, spirit, etc, but it more a story of love and faith rather than religion, it just has a heavy blanket to wrap itself in.
+20 task
+5 oldies (1978)
+10 review
Task Total: 35
Season Total: 55
10.9;
20.1;
10.9 Surgery best wishes (Coralie's task):The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell
This was the read for my Friday night book club, and I wasn't sure how I was going to go, and I had stupidly read the book where other groups write their response, which included a spoiler.
I started late (last Sunday, with book club on Friday) and was not going to make my way through, so jumped into the audiobook come Wednesday, and was quickly finished on Thursday, as the performance (some books are read, and those that work best are a performance), was superb.
The book is for the majority, split into two timelines about 3 years apart, one in the late 1830's in the northeast of England, the other in London in the early 1840's, and I kicked myself when the timelines collided for not making the connection sooner.
The earlier part tells the story of Mrs Sharp, a woman found naked in field after a storm with no memory of who she is or where she is from, but as she recovers and interacts with the world seems to have an uncanny knowledge of medicine and procedures.
The latter story is that of Dr Borthwick, an "accoucheurs ", essentially a male midwife, who comes to serve the upper classes, as well as serving to assist in the slums.
This is a well told, intelligent book, and there is more than one twist which will surprise and entice you.
(This is the first book in my 2 years in the group that the librarian host has actually read and finished, which I think is definitely a recommendation!)
+10 task
+10 review
Task Total = 20
Season Total = 20
10.9;
Only your first book has to be either of those genres, after that, you are free to choose whatever you like 😊
At work, on phone. I read nearly all of a Junior Fiction series on Princesses around the world when I was trying to get myself back into reading, My Royal Story. I know a little on most major queens/princesses, and have done a bit further reading on some of them. Plus I watched the Mrs Brown movie 🤪
The Victorian era is interesting, so much going on, but my memory of royal involvement in politics is foggy.
Sorry, on phone so can’t link to commentSo, whilst a lot of political things are happening there, how responsible or influential on them is she? Or how much do they play a part in the text? I am somewhat familiar with Victoria, but it’s awhile ago. What was her position on slavery and suffrage? I don’t think she was involved with the suffrage movement, but was she involved in anti slavery.
Monarchy were not, from memory, law makers by this time, that was parliament, which is why I am uncertain. They attended parliament, but they are not the executive arm, like the President.
Yes!
Thanks Valerie 😊, this is correct
Sorry Joanne, I think so. I have looked at the blurb, and it is a challenge. I am concerned it is more espionage, but I can see how unrest in the Middle East and the capture / assassination of Bin Laden is political.
If you choose to read, we will trust your judegement.
I know everyone is keen to start the new season, but there is a slight delay, as we can't update the 10 point tasks as Joanne is away this weekend, hopefully having a wonderful time, but we can't update her posts! Please plan the current 10 point tasks around the poll leaders, we will reach out to the various task planners, and everything will be back to normal in a couple of days.
Ed wrote: "20.5 Tom Spanbauer:Time Regained by Marcel Proust
Post- 20
Combo= 5 (20.6)
Oldie=10 (1927)
Jumbo=10 (784p.)
Post Total= 45
Season Total=195
Tasks Completed:
10.6
2..."
Hi Ed, can you confirm which combo this is? 20.6 is for graphic novels, thanks.
Ed wrote: "20.3 Francine Pascal and Nelson DeMille:Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney-
Post- 20
Combo= 5 (20.6)
Post Total= 25
Season Total=150
Tasks Completed:
10.6
20.3 (2x); 20...."
Sorry Ed, 20.6 can't be used for combos, -5
Joanne wrote: "20.7 Best Friends Forever Dog or Cat as an important part of the book
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
+20 Task
+10 Aged (Connie Willis is 77 years old)
..."
Hi Joanne, the bucket list task can't be used as a combo, so -5
Mary wrote: "15.7 BBRBBR When Red Is Black by Qiu Xiaolong
Shanghai Redemption by Qiu Xiaolong
15 pts 15.7 BBR D. Read a book set in the same time pe..."
15.7 is worth 20 points, so +5
Never Mind by Edward St. Aubyn, and all the books in the Patrick Melrose series, of which I seem to own most, except the first one ...
