RJ - Slayer of Trolls’s Comments

RJ - Slayer of Trolls’s comments from the 2025 Reading Challenge group.

Note: RJ - Slayer of Trolls is not currently a member of this group.

GENERAL FICTION/CLASSICS IN 2020

In 2020, I will continue reading


World Without End by Ken Follett

When that one is finished (probably around March) I'll be moving on to:


Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi


East of Eden by John Steinbeck


The Way West by A.B. Guthrie Jr.


The Time Regulation Institute by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar


Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey

I'm not sure I'll get to all of them this year. And of course if there's an interesting group read going on I might throw something else in, but for now these are the books I'm trying to get to.

2019 in GENERAL FICTION/CLASSICS

I read eight books in this category in 2019. Here is the full list, ranked in descending order of my ratings:

My 2019 General Fiction Book of the Year:

The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie Jr.
Rating: 5 stars

Other General Fiction/Classic Reads:

Arthur & George by Julian Barnes
Rating: 4 stars


Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Rating: 4 stars


The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Rating: 4 stars


The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
Rating: 4 stars


A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Rating: 3 stars


Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Rating: 3 stars


Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll
Rating: 2 stars

I read several other books that would be considered Classics but they will be covered in other genres, such as Mysteries.

With 2020 just around the corner, I'm going to start posting some thoughts on the reading year ahead.

I read several books at the same time and I usually try to select one or two from each of the following categories:
- General Fiction and Classics
- Non-Fiction
- Mystery, Crime, Thriller
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Short Stories

Over the next couple weeks, I'll be spotlighting some of the books that I plan to read in the coming year in each of these categories.

Meanwhile, in my 2020 Reading Challenge topic, I'll be summarizing the books I read in 2019 and naming my favorite(s) in each category. Join me there at: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Now that my challenge has been finished, I'm going to post some thoughts on how 2019 went from a reading standpoint (from a non-reading standpoint...let's just say 2019 can't wrap up soon enough).

I read several books at the same time and I usually try to select one or two from each of the following categories:
- General Fiction and Classics
- Non-Fiction
- Mystery, Crime, Thriller
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Short Stories

Over the next couple weeks, I'll be summarizing the books I read in 2019 and naming my favorite(s) in each category.

Meanwhile, in my 2020 Reading Challenge topic, I'll be looking forward to the books that I plan to read in the coming year. Join me there at: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I finished my 52nd book and met my goal for 2019 with more than 2 weeks left in the year!


In the Heat of the Night by John Dudley Ball
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And I started reading:


Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming

Laura wrote: "I nominate A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. It fits the theme as the characters use a lot of slang which was entirely made up for the book."

I recently finished reading Clockwork and you are spot on. The discussion of this book always features a lot of thoughts about the slang language that Burgess invented, or at least "modified" from Russian terms.

Scott wrote: "Ok i finished this one it was really long. A lot of story lines in progress in the series I sure hope George RR Martin can finish the series.

Here is a spoiler comparing the book at TV show on a s..."

Martin has made some very public comments recently that he expects The Winds of Winter to be finished and published in 2020. Possible summer release?

Like 2019, I'll be shooting for 52 books finished in 2020. I'm only one away from my 2019 goal and should finish that book in the next 2-3 days.

I have a whole bunch of books that are almost complete and should be finished in the first few days of 2020. More on those later.

In my 2019 topic, I'll be posting a year-end summation sometime over the holidays. In this topic I'll share some thoughts on what I expect in 2020.

Let's make it a great reading year everybody! And don't forget - QUALITY over QUANTITY!

I read this a couple years ago. I didn't enjoy it. I thought the narrative really dragged and the story is well trodden in the genre.

Marc wrote: "You fast! Or are you just reserving your comments from an earlier read?"

Haha - my comments will be based on my read of this book from earlier this year. I've read the first three Discworld books only. I'll read the fourth with the group next month.

I liked this book best so far. Pratchett seems to have more of an idea where he wants to go with the story instead of just throwing out some random jokes and hoping that will substitute for a coherent plot. Granny Weatherwax is a series favorite and we meet her in the very first pages.

Also, when I read this I got a strong YA vibe. Anyone else feel that way? Not to say adults can't enjoy and appreciate the book but I got the feeling it would appeal to high school and middle school readers as well. Many fantasy books seem that way to me.

I finished two more and I've almost reached my goal of 52!


Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy
Rating: 3 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started reading:


In the Heat of the Night by John Dudley Ball


Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer

I enjoyed this one more than the prior two Discworld novels. But I'll save my comments for later when more people have started.

SarahKat wrote: "I'll nominate Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams.

Connection in the title. It's about endangered creatures so there also might be a connection to a "vision" of the future ..."

Excellent choice! Terrific book.

Wow! Great job Nancy! You crushed your goal!

I finished #49 for the year:


A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And I started reading:


Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Kim wrote: "“Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.” a quote from All the Light We Cannot See
Heard so much about this book but not read it yet so I've decided..."

It's a beautifully written book. Great nomination!

I have finished my 48th of the year and I'm closing in on my goal:


Arthur & George by Julian Barnes
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started reading:


World Without End by Ken Follett

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I hadn't seen yours yet, RJ, and the Pottery Barn Catalogue reference is a hoot! "

Thank you Patty! :)

Kayli wrote: "I found this copy last year at a yard sale for $1 and it is a signed edition. I havent read it yet but im excited to read it along with you guys :)"

Wow! Nice find.

Two more down - now I'm at 47 for the year! I finished:


The Bloody Crown of Conan by Robert E. Howard
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


A Quest for Simbilis by Michael Shea
Rating: 3 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And I started reading:


Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames


A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess