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R7: SS "Se7en" (7)
Roll 2: 21Book: PULSE by L.R. Burkard
Date: 1 Feb 2016
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: Book 1 of series
I previously read Burkard's regency/inspirational trilogy (starting with Before the Season Ends) which I very much enjoyed. I particularly liked how it "felt" like a regency novel and that the inspirational content fitted with the time period, which looked specifically at when Methodism started to emerge from the broader cloak of the Anglican church.
So, I was intrigued to try Burkard's take on a YA/dystopian/inspirational blend. The book follows three teenage girlfriends caught in the aftermath of an EMP which has disrupted all forms of normal life. Andrea is the pretty, wealthy one living in suburbia. Lexi is a Christian "prepper" living on a farm or smallholding. Sarah lives in an apartment in the city.
I enjoyed the varying perspectives and how Burkard gave a lot of thought to how different patterns of life would be disrupted and what the likely responses would be. I also found her style easy-to-read and enjoyable as before.
I did struggle with what felt like a "polemical" aspect. On the one hand, to make her story realistic, Lexi's family of devout preppers hold a fairly strange blend of political views and this also helps to propel the plot forward. On the subject of gun rights, at least, I appreciated that Burkard traced this to more overtly political (rather than religious) origins. But, at other times, it felt like it was drifting from being realistic to being polemical. And I struggled with it. While an evangelical myself, I don't appreciate it when inspirational novels get "preachy" or "political" (or when they sacrifice good writing to "make a point" - which Burkard doesn't do. She's genuinely a good writer). I didn't feel this way in Burkard's previous series and I also don't know if I should put it down to "realism" in the sense that the political take is consistent with the identity the family is given.
[I was also slightly bothered by the US-centricity. Not so much that the story focused on only American characters as lots of books do this. More because the few clues about what had happened suggested that this was a US-specific disaster. But then I live in a developing country.]
On balance, I probably won't continue with this series, but I will look out for more of Burkard's historical work.
Roll 2: 21Book: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas
Date: 2/1
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: 1st in series
I enjoyed watching Kathleen and Devon spar while they realized their true feelings for each other.
I was surprised that so many pages were taken with setting up the romance that is the subject of the second book. Luckily, all that discussion of the other couple made me excited for the next book.
Roll 3=212 in a series
Black Heart Loa
2/2/16
3 stars
I have had this one on my tbr list for a very, very long time...however, it probably could oc stayed even longer. It was just...okay.
I loved the first book, bought the second, and then it sat on my self for years...I guess I must have known it wasnt going to be as good.
Kallie finds oit her mother hid a loa her soul, and it seem everyone is trying to get it out, by any means necessary.
The book starts with Jackson (Kallies cousin) is buried alive, and she and a friend are on the hunt for him before he dies. However once they find the location where his body should have been, thry find an empty hole, and a man possed by an evil Loa. The evil Loa wants the Loa in Kallies body, but is transitioning betwwen the Loa and the human...so the girls get away.
Layne ends up at Kallies house after an accident, and two spirits try to posses his body, Jacskon ends up being half wolf, Burrican Evelyn is at ots peak, and hexes seem to be backfiring.
...the reason???The Loa in Kallie, mixed with black dust...and apparently the only way to fix it all...is to have sex all day...Yes thats is right, sex,it opens the gates, and everything is put right again.Which is the reason the book got a 3.
Roll 2: 21Book: Smoke and Shadows
Date: 2/2/16
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: Book 1 of series
The Tony Foster Series is a spin-off of the Henry Fitzroy series. I originally read this book when it was first published and loved it. I re-read it now and I still really enjoyed it. I'm not sure how it would rate as the first book in a series though. It makes more sense when the history of the parent series is known.
I did like the fact that Tony has grown up a lot since he started as a street kid. I also really liked the fact that he had moved on from Henry but the two were still connected and stayed friends.
I'll definitely re-read the other books of the series. It's been long enough that I know I've forgotten the main points.
Sorry sorry, challenge overload and forgot to post here when I'd finished lol
Week 3 Spot # 21
Book:
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
Read: 3 Feb
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
How it fits: #2 in a series
Review:
I am really enjoying this series, I'm loving how Elle Kennedy writes.
This story centres on Logan (Garretts best friend) and Grace.
Grace, I loved her, she opens her mouth and "stuff" just flies out, random babbling that she can not control, it was very funny.
Logan, well he's the usual douchy hockey player you read about, sleeping around etc. Except for one evening he meets Grace, completely by accident, they kind of hit it off, but then it all goes wrong, do Logan spends the next half of the book trying to win her back, with some very funny moments!
I can't wait to read the next book.
One more review in and then we are off :•)
Week # 3Sorry, just couldnt get around completing the review even after finishing the book a while ago.
Number Called : 21
Requirement : Series 2nd
Book Read : First Frost | Sarah Addison Allen | 31Jan2016
Rating : ★★★★
Review
Garden Spells happened just by fluke for me, but I was sucked right into the Waverley Family and all that happened to Claire and Sydney. I was as delighted to get introduced to the antics of the Apple Tree and absolutely loved the novelty of the gift each of these Waverley women have. Now, set ten years after the events of Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen comes back with another installment of the amazement that is Waverley!
.. and just as fitting as it would be, the Magic is still intact!
Here, the Waverleys' are feeling a little out of sorts; unsettled and anxious.. it's that period of unrest before the first frost when the apple tree blossoms signalling new beginnings. Meanwhile, Claire has moved to a well-settled life with her Candy Business flourishing by the day. Sydney is back for the good to Bascom, North Carolina. Both of them are married and have adorable daughters. Bay, Sydney's daughter, is all grown up now and plays a very important role of this whole puzzle.
As the story revolves around the three women, there are a lot of other subplots that happen simultaneously.. some executed well, some made the author seem immature. But, nothing stopped me from getting that fuzzy, cozy, homey feeling I got while reading this book.. and this feeling was reminiscent of Garden Spell days, so I was glad.
I love the whole idea that this magic or this gift trickles down generations in this family. The whole concept of wanting to explore, understand or simply thank the previous generations, is touching.. Something that I think we have begun to forget or take for granted now-a-days. For me the biggest win of the book was that even though it was based on magic and weird talents and crazy tree, I felt at peace throughout the book. There was a certainly alluring calm that spread over me when I read it that I drowned myself into the Waverley world, through Sarah Addison Allen's simple yet poetic tone. Her writing was as flowy as it was in the first book and I was long sold.
I must say though, that the story is very predictable and traverses along the expected path. I was very disappointed with the whole Russell Zahler piece of the story. I was so excited to see that there might be great antagonist to the book, but it was just very anticlimactic. Even Bay's love-angle seemed a wee-bit forced at times. The author could have just kept the story to Claire and Sydney and would have been fine, rather probably even better.
But, all said and done, I constantly had a feeling everytime the page turned to Claire or Sydney or Evanelle, that I was happy in life, something like having a cup of tea with dear old friends you haven't seen for years but you pick up right where you left off.. comfortable, familiar and just plain good.
Afterall, everyone need's a little magic in their lives ! :)
Week 4New Roll 4+5=9
New Spot = #30
This week we can read
#3 in a series
#30 in a series
A Stand alone
Alternative = #30 Cover Item Water
REVIEWS
V Audio Nerd - HERE
Amber - HERE
Apoorv - HERE
Esther - HERE
Joanne - HERE
Barbara - HERE
Abbie - HERE
Week 4: 30Book: L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 30
Date: 7 Feb 2016
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Book 30 of series
This volume consists of the winners of the Writers of the Future contest and the volumes always have a consistently high standard. As always, this volume lived up to its promise (yay!) though the essays were largely disappointing as they focused on a retrospective of the competition rather than secrets of craft.
This was the first volume done in trade paperback and what I loved it about it is that it is the first volume where you can see the full-colour illustrations. The illustrations are done by the winners of the companion competition, Illustrators of the Future.
Another Range of Mountains by Meghan E. O'Keefe
****
A woman is running from a king and helping a count find his stolen daughter. The world-building was good and I liked the theme of memory and its role.
Shifter by Paul Eckheart
*****
Who would you be if you could be anyone? This was my absolute favourite of the collection.
Beneath the Surface of Two Kills by Shauna O'meara
***
Can two wrongs make a right? One of the shorter pieces of the collection with a thought-provoking core. [And I loved the illustration for this one.]
Artistic Presentation by L. Ron Hubbard
A short essay by Hubbard on the dangers of taking shortcuts and the importance of effort in art.
Beyond All Weapons by L. Ron Hubbard [reprint]
***
When a space-fleet reaches a stalemate, they have to roll the dice on a decision even bigger than they realise. Aspects of this story feel very dated but it had a clever ending.
Animal by Terry Madden
***
The first of many post-apocalyptic stories in the volume, this one focuses on those who are willing to fight for the rest of creation when humanity reaches too far.
Rainbows for Other Days by C. Stuart Hardwick
***
Another post-apocalyptic story about rescuing the world beyond man, but this one focuses on a part-robotic ranger with a big choice to make.
Giants at the End of the World by Leena Likitalo
****
Partially post-apocalyptic but set in a secondary frontier-style world. A girl needs to travel to the end of the world to try and save it.
...And Now Thirty by Robert Silverberg
A short essay on the history of the Writers of the Future competition.
Carousel by Orson Scott Card [reprint]
****
What if death lost its sting? In a world where the dead are resurrected, a man has to deal with the consequences.
The Clouds in Her Eyes by Liz Colter
****
Another post-apocalyptic story about a girl who has survived an illness with strange powers. She alone can see what's wrong with the world but must risk everything she knows to fix it.
What Moves the Sun and Other Stars by KC Norton
**
Intelligent robots have been exiled to a distant comet but not everyone wants them to stay there. I didn't really get this story.
Long Jump by Oleg Kazantsev
**
An experiment that risked the end of the world must be repeated in order to try and save it. The virtual aspects of this story were interesting but it felt like it didn't go anywhere (unless I missed something...).
These Walls of Despair by Anaea Lay
***
Another post-apocalyptic in a secondary world. Interesting premise of a magical chemistry to trigger emotions, but a lot of this story confused me.
Synaptic Soup by Val Lakey Lindahn
Brief essay on where artistry comes from.
Robots Don't Cry by Mike Resnick [reprint]
****
Salvaging abandoned planets sometimes throws up experiences you can't anticipate. Very simple but moving tale.
The Shaadi Exile by Amanda Forest
****
Women are sent as mail-order brides through the stars to preserve culture. But what happens when that culture takes a left-hand turn for the worse and tries to corrupt the rest? Interesting story on both a micro and macro-level.
The Pushbike Legion by Timothy Jordan
***
Another post-apocalyptic tale about an English town stuck in the middle of a desert. I liked the English flavour of the tale, especially the bicycles. Made for a bit of a change.
Memories Bleed Beneath the Mask by Randy Henderson
*****
In a world where memories can be transferred, you can receive the expertise to secure your future at the risk of overwriting your identity. This was my second-favourite story of the volume. Interesting social commentary combined with moving personal elements.
Week 4: 30Book: The Kachina Job
Date: 7 Feb 2016
Rating: ***
How it fits: Stand alone
I loved the basic plot of this book - a were mountain lion and a were jaguar were separately hired to steal an artifact from a wizard on behalf of the local werewolf alpha. The alpha takes the artifact and the two thieves are caught by the local sheriff, an owl were.
Overall, the book was ok, but I felt that a lot was missing - for instance, the 3 main characters basically changed their lives over the coarse of the book, but there was little mention of the fact. One of the main characters had a major personality change, again with little mention. Even the plot points seemed to fall nicely into place.
I thought the world had a lot of potential so if the author revisits the series later, I may pick it up (or not depending on timing).
Week 4: #30Book: Desert World Immigrant
Rating: 5 stars
Date: 2/8
How it fits: Book 3 of the desert world series
Review:Livre gets drug into more politic wrangling in this one but instead of following Shan and Temar we get to follow along with Naite and Verly. I enjoyed finally getting the full story of what happened to both me. Their backstory's have been dangling throughout the first two books but now they get fleshed in completely in this book. I loved watching their more violent and volatile courtship as the book progressed. The intrigue between the PA and the AFA also continues adding a good background for Naite and Verly's story.
Week 4: Spot 30Evil at Heart
2/8/16
4 stars
#3 in a series
Sick...but good...cant believe I didnt find this series earlier, its definitely becoming one of my favorites!
Gretchen is on the loose, Archie is in a rehap hospital, and the bodies are piling up. It looks like Gretchen is on a killing spree again, however it my look like its her, but a few inconsistencies have made Archie doubt who the killer is.
A blast from the past, a former survivor shows up, and boy did Gretchen do a number on him....between a copy cat killer, and the press making Gretchen out to be "awesome". We have the sexiest serial killer, a Gretchen tour bus, Fan clubs, websites, souvenirs, and even a stripper Gretchen look alike competition.
After Gretchen once again makes Archie believe everything she says, and makes him believe she is not the new killer...we find out...that maybe she actually is....
Cant wait till #4!
Week 4: 30Book: A Man to Call My Own by Johanna Lindsey
Date Read: 02/08
Rating: ♥♥♥
How it Fits: Stand-alone
This book felt like it had a very old style. I was surprised to see it was written in 2003. I still enjoyed it, but unlike the other romance I've been reading lately, I actually enjoyed the story more than the romance/sexy bits. It had interesting characters, who behaved very stupidly but it was a fun ride.
Week 4: 30Book:
Date read: 02/07
Rating: 4 Stars
How it Fits: Stand-alone
This book was really funny, best friends, porn, an awkward moment of picking her panties out of her butt and Katherine Berger (yes that is her actual name!) has her own hilarious story.
"My name is Katherine Berger and I love porn!"
Abbie wrote: "Week 4: Spot 30Evil at Heart
2/8/16
4 stars
#3 in a series
Sick...but good...cant believe I didnt find this series earlier, its definitely becomin..."
That's interesting. I have the first book of the series on my "tbr" list. I'll have to move it up.
Week # 4Too tired to write a detailed review.. will do so tomorrow and edit this.
Number Called : 30
Requirement : Standalone
Book Read : Open | Andre Agassi | 11Feb2016
Rating : ★★★★
Review
"Open" refers not just to the Grand Slam titles Andre Agassi's won, but to his desire to open up about his life and his experiences on and off the tennis court. In clear, intelligent prose, Agassi reveals how he grew to despise tennis, even as it brought him fame and fortune; essentially bullied and browbeaten by his demanding father to succeed at the game, tennis became a prison for Agassi, even as grew into becoming one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. In a breath-taking prologue, Agassi takes us inside his mind, deep into his thoughts, during his final run at the 2006 US Open, furiously coaxing his worn-out body into one more match. He takes into the solitary confinement every tennis player endures; in his words, Agassi reveals how tennis is truly a one-on-one sport, and players have no one on the court to turn to but themselves. It's the solitary confinement that wreaks havoc on a player, and throughout his career, Agassi struggled with tempering his inner demons, his doubts and his self-loathing. Yet when he's achieved more than anyone could ever expect, Agassi lets us in on the elation and triumph, however fleeting those triumphs were.
WEEK 5
ROLL 5+2=7
SPOT: 37
This week we can read:
#3 in a series
#7 in a series
#37 in a series
Alternative option - Title B
V Nerd - HERE
Amber - HERE
Abbie - HERE
Barbara - HERE
Esther - HERE
Joanne - HERE
Apoorv - HERE
Barbara wrote: "Abbie wrote: "Week 4: Spot 30Evil at Heart
2/8/16
4 stars
#3 in a series
Sick...but good...cant believe I didnt find this series earlier, its defi..."
Ohhh, its really good!
Week 5: #37Book: Shield Mate by Eressë
Date read: 02/14
Rating: 4 Stars
How it Fits: Book 7 in the Chronicles of Ylandre
Review Like the rest of the series I enjoyed this one alot. Both characters fell in love with each other quickly but just as quickly split up. This one was a little different in that we got to see more about the army which was for the most part an unexplored part of the world. Vaeren was also an interesting character in that he was a half-blood but wasn't the softer more submissive one of the pair. The only thing that I wish was explored more was the damage and healing done by Vaeren's past. I felt it got lost in the surface plot of Vaeren being a whore and Ranael's distaste for the job.
Ooh it's a great series Barbara, I have a bit of a girl crush on Gretchen, even though she's a psycho loony lol
Week 5Spot 37
How it fits: #3
Scent of Danger
Finished 2/15/16
1 star
Yup...thats right, this book was crap....no wonder it was free.
Girls meets, tall dark and handsome man, falls in love, in like 2 mintutes, finds out he is from another planet...next thing you know he kidnaps her, and takes her to this other world....oh...and its not too worried about all this.
She finds out, she is his potianal mate, and everyone is talking out children, and how many she wants.
Next thing we know, there is a competition in which...of course he wins, and they get married. She gets pregnant, and has trouble carring...sinces its like this hybrid baby thing...she gets kidnaped by someone else, man rescues her, and we have a baby....and live happily ever after...
Week 5Spot 37 Alternative option - Title B
Book: The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev
How it fits: Title starts with B
Finished 2/15/16
Rating *****
As a general rule, I hate books that make me cry for the characters. I'm not a real fan of heavy drama. This book is the exception to the rule. It was much darker than the first book of the series, but it was lovely and I couldn't stop smiling at the end.
Ria suffered an extremely traumatic event in her childhood. As a result, her father sent her to boarding schools for the remainder of her childhood and in the summer she went to visit her aunt and uncle in Chicago, IL. She grew very close to her aunt, uncle and cousin, and fell in love with her cousin's friend, Vikram. They planned to marry when they grew up, but she pushed him away and ended up a star of Bollywood films.
The book starts 10 years later, when both Ria and Vikram come back to Chicago for the cousin's wedding.
I can't say enough about how I loved this book. First of all, although I was disappointed that more of the book wasn't placed in India, I got a kick out of the location - I have read a number of books set in Chicago, but this one is set in the same suburbs I grew up in. I couldn't help but enjoy that. I loved both Ria and Vikram - I knew how the book had to end but the journey was worth the destination.
Bollywood Bride is technically the second book in the Bollywood series, but there is very little connection and it reads perfectly well as a stand-alone.
Week 5Spot 37
Book If You Dare by A.R. Torre
How it fits - #3 in a series
Finished 17th Feb
Rating ☆☆☆☆☆
Review
Wow what an ending to a series, there is talk of her doing more and I hope so as I'd like to see what happens to Deanna.
It's a difficult book to review as it will give away spoilers, but all I can say is that Deanna's obession with killing is still there, and maybe she acts on it.............
Week 5Spot 37
Book: Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson
How it fits - #3 in a series
Finished 18th Feb
Rating ☆☆☆☆
Review
Dujek Onearm and Whiskeyjack must ally their outlawed Malazan army with their traditional enemies, Caladan Brood and Anomander Rake. The fact that this sentence even makes sense to me is a testament to how immersed I have become in Erikson's world. Despite its complexity and length, the humanity even of his non-human characters is so compelling that you cannot help but be drawn into his world.
Week 5Spot 37
Book Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
How it fits - Title starts with B
Finished 02/18
Rating ☆☆☆☆
To be honest, much of this book is like an advertisement for being child-free. While there are many close friendships in this book, the characters are all tied together by having children starting kindergarten in a small town. There is so much gossiping and judgement and threats and bullying and as you can see any time you read the comments on any opinion piece on any aspect of motherhood, women are mean to each other when it comes to judging parenting.
Abbie wrote: "Week 51 star
Yup...thats right, this book was crap...."
Lol Abbie, I'll make sure not to add it to my tbr
It was awful...only finished for the game, cause I didnt feel like hunting for another #3.
Week # 5I am slacking way too much this year ! *sigh*
Number Called : 37
Requirement : Series 3rd
Book Read : Rack & Ruin | Charlie Cochet | 17Feb2016
Rating : ★★★★
Review
In Rack & Ruin , Destructive Delta is looking for a traitor in their midst. Someone has been feeding the Coalition information on what THIRDS is up to and helping them find members of the Order. The action really ramps up with this book.
Dex and Sloane's relationship has solidified more, as well, since Sloane decided to trust Dex with his deepest, darkest secrets in Blood & Thunder. And, while they are happy, Sloane is still prone to running. They're not all rainbows and unicorns just yet. Sloane is terrified he is going to become too attached to Dex and then lose him, and so a part of him can't help but run when things get too intense between them. Somewhat surprisingly, it is Ash that talks them both back from the proverbial ledge. Ash, for all his asshattery in this book, is a lot more sensitive than he tends to let on. He wants everyone to keep their distance and I suspect that most of his gruff blusteriness is just a ploy to keep everyone from knowing he has a soft, gooey, marshmallow center.
Dex is, of course, still a cut up, and he has really helped bring the team back to what it was before they lost Gabe. I love his nicknames for Ash and love how he constantly pushes Ash's buttons. Of course, one of these days, he's going to get his ass kicked for it, and that will be entertaining in its own right.
We're seeing a lot more threads come into play here, too, concerning other team members. Things are beyond strained between Ash and Cael, with Ash being even more of a jerk than normal to everyone, but now he has started including Cael in his jerkiness. And I feel so bad for Cael and just want to hug him and tell him it will be all right. Calvin and Hobbs are a bit strained, too, but they are just acting a bit awkward since Hobbs was in the hospital.
So far, I have enjoyed this series and am really looking forward to seeing where it goes.
This week we have rolled 5+4=9
New Spot = 46
This week we can read
#4 in a series
#6 in a series
#46 in a series
Alternative - Freebies
V Nerd - HERE
Amber - HERE
Abbie - HERE
Barbara - HERE
Esther - HERE
Joanne - HERE
Apoorv - HERE
Uggg...why are all the freebies romance?
Abbie wrote: "Uggg...why are all the freebies romance?"I noticed that, along with a lot of short stories. If you check the last few pages, there are a few non-romances. Personally, I'm irritated with myself. I started a freebie last night, got caught up and finish d it last night. If I had only waited to start the book until the day, I could have used it.
For Freebies, can we read anything you can buy free or does it have to be from the list?
I think it has to be from the list Esther.I was dreading this one so I went through all of my series that I have started, and whaddya know, I found a #6 whoop!!!
Week 6Spot 46
Book: Uncanny Magazine Issue 6: September/October 2015
How it fits - #6 in a series
Finished 21st Feb
Rating ☆☆☆
Review:
I'm a big fan of this magazine and generally enjoy its stories a lot. I enjoyed this edition but it wasn't my favourite. It felt a bit flat, for me. The fiction wasn't too bad, but the non-fiction felt especially US-focused.
Short Stories:
Find a Way Home by Paul Cornell
☆☆☆☆
This was probably my favourite story of the edition. It was a middle-grade story about a loner who happens to find exactly what the army is looking for. I thought it was charming and very sweet.
The Oiran's Song by Isabel Yap
☆☆☆☆
In stark contrast to the previous story, this one was definitely not for children! It focused on a friendship forged between a courtesan (who isn't at all what she seems) and a young soldier in a Japanese samurai-style conflict. I liked how the story effectively immersed you in the culture and time period, and how it managed to both be quite stark in its violence and very moving in its emotion.
[There is an interesting interview with the author later in the edition about where this story came from and her interest in Japanese culture]
The Sister's Line by Liz Argall and Kenneth Schneyer
☆☆☆
A younger sister has disappeared and is mailing a train to her elder sister so that she can be found. The style of this story was interesting but it didn't really talk to me.
[There is an interesting interview with both authors later in the edition where they discuss the origins of this story and how they managed co-writing. I thought it was particularly interesting how they interpreted aspects of their story quite differently.]
And Never Mind the Watching Ones by Keffy R.M. Kehrli
☆☆
In a world of glittering, alien frogs, a young man goes missing. This one started quite well and I liked the shifting perspectives in the structure. Ultimately, however, I didn't get any emotional payoff from the story.
Sinners, Saints, Dragons, and Haints, in the City Beneath the Still Waters by N.K. Jemisin
☆☆☆
A story of a man and an unusual friendship in the drowning city of New Orleans. It had some interesting reflections on the kinds of emotions let loose by disasters and was quite immersive in its style. [This story was a reprint]
Non-fiction:
Suspended Beliefs: Verisimilitude vs. Accuracy by Diana M. Pho
An essay arguing that obsessing about accuracy in fiction is mis-founded and how it places too much reliance on how much we think we know. It seemed to tie in with broader conversations about how minorities are portrayed in fiction, especially speculative fiction.
A Brief History of MidAmeriCon by Steven H. Silver
Apparently, a new version of this Con is happening soon so this looked at a previous incarnation. I have no context in which to place this.
Diversity Panels Are the Beginning, Not the End by Michi Trota
An essay on how "cons" need to move from having diversity panels to having diverse panels on all topics. This argument is very much reminiscent of debates around having 'women officers' in organisations, and, more recently, on whether concepts of responsible business (or responsible investing) need specific champions in organisations or should rather be inculcated broadly. It's a common tension when shifting mindsets.
Masculinity is an Anxiety Disorder by David J. Schwartz
Part essay, part memoir, Schwartz looks at how typical "Man" boxes are reconstructed as "Nerd" boxes while never really questioning the structure of boxes themselves.
Poetry (which I don't generally understand):
A Riddler at Market by Rose Lemberg
I didn't understand this.
To a Dying Friend by Dominik Parisien
I didn't understand this.
Biting Tongues by Amal El-Mohtar
This seemed to a feminist reconstruction of Red Riding Hood but I'm not sure.
The Book of Longing by Jennifer Crow
I didn't understand this.
Week 6: #46Book: No Distance Left to Run by L.A. Witt
Date read: 02/21
Rating: 3Stars
How it Fits: Book 4 in the Distance Between Us series
Review: Meh, just an average read for me. I like the characters and enjoyed the sex and chemistry between them. But the plot line really didn't do it for me. The realities of faking a death and just walking back into an old life without any legal problems left me wondering how that worked. I also wasn't too impressed with how easily Chris forgave Julian, especially when he went back to his parents.
Week 6: #46Book: Surface Tension by Christine Kling
Date read: 02/21
Rating: ****
How it Fits: on freebies shelf (page 98)
I obtained this book awhile back and it's been sitting for awhile. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. The book was about Saychelle Sullivan who operates a salvage boat operation in southern Florida. She receives a mayday request for a boat and manages to rescue the boat, but the only occupant is a woman who has recently been murdered. The captain of the boat, an ex-lover of Saychelle's is missing and presumed dead. Saychelle becomes the lead suspect in the murder of the woman and Neil, the captain of the boat.
I know absolutely nothing about salvage boats, so I was interested in the premise of the story. The author did go a bit overboard on the business details and the main character had a few TSTL moment, but overall, I was engaged in the mystery, I liked the characters and am looking forward to reading other books by this author. For a free book, I definitely consider this a win.
Week #6,:spot #46The Night Season
3.5 stars
2/22/16
#4 in Series
This was the first Gretchen Lowell book where Gretchen did not have a staring role...I kind of missed her, she only makes a brief appearance at the end of the book.
Susan writes an article about a few bones that are discovered from over 40 years ago, abd it seems someone is a bit sore that they were discovered. Archie & Susan find themselves knee deep in Octopuses and Dead Bodies, and well as a flood. Throw in a missing child who keeps reappearing and Henry in the Hospital recovering from a deadly octopus string...and we have a mystrey!
Have to say, octopus as a murderer weapon is a first for me!
Week #6 Spot #46
4 stars
23rd Feb
#6 in a series
This was a book of epilogues for all of the Sinners books, i really enjoyed it but not as much as the others, i think that Eric and Reb's story was my favourite.
I wasn't too impressed with the Jace and Aggie story as she brought in a little bit of paranormal into the story and i'm not sure where that came from as there has been nothing of the sort in the previous books!
Week # 6Ugh! Someone just please add 10 hours to the day. Please!
Number Called : 46
Requirement : Series 4th
Book Read : 4th of July | James Patterson | 25Feb2016
Rating : ★★★★
Review
I really liked this one. The last one was kind of sad at the end (no spoilers--but if you've read it you know why), so I had to take a little break from the series. This one has two stories going on at the same time. Lindsay is being sued civilly by the family of someone she shot, despite being cleared by the DA. In between court appearances (to avoid the media) she drives out to her sister’s house, which is sitting empty. Of course while in that town she gets involved in a case of a group of people going on a serial murder spree. Although I guessed the ending, it was still exciting. And the court case was good too. Overall, super quick, fast-paced read.
Sorry for the hold-up guys. I just couldn't finish my book last night. I'm going to get through it this morning. 60 pages left to go.
Week: 6Spot: #46
Book:
by Sarah MacLeanFinished: 02/26
Rating: ♥♥♥♥
Fits: #4 in series
I just loved how this book tied the whole series together. I was spoiled as to the surprise in this book at the end of book 2. I can't remember how, but I went through parts of that one looking for clues. Then when I read book 3, I saw hints, now that I knew the truth, with it being revealed at the end of that one.
There were still things I hadn't put together when I started reading this one, though and I probably enjoyed figuring out the world they live in and all the interactions more than the romance itself. I also learned that her previous romance series, and the new book that just came out have loose ties as well.
The second book in this series continues to be my favourite of them all, and Sarah MacLean was my first and still favourite romance author. I recommend trying this series for anyone who is thinking of giving the genre a try.
New roll = 5+3=8New spot = 54
This week we can read
#5 in a series
#4 in a series
#54 in a series
Alternative - 54 - Cover item: 2 or more people
V Nerd - HERE
Amber - HERE
Abbie - HERE
Barbara - HERE
Esther - HERE
Joanne - HERE
Apoorv - HERE
V Audio Nerd wrote: "New roll = 5+3=8New spot = 54
This week we can read
#5 in a series
#4 in a series
#54 in a series
Alternative - 54 - Cover item: 2 or more people"
#54 in a series, LOL. Is there a series that has that many books?
Haha I have no idea, I bet J.D Robb is close though
That is the longest one I can think of and it's in the 40's right now.
Challenge of the week, find a #54 book lol
hmm just looked and there are loads, challenge fail !!
The Challenge Factory
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Love Letters For Sale (other topics)
The Walking Dead #88 (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Kevin Hearne (other topics)Cora Brent (other topics)
Joe Hill (other topics)
Jules Moulin (other topics)
Claire Contreras (other topics)
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Book: Under Glass
Date: 1/30
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: stand alone
Review:3.5 rounded up. I liked this story for the romance and at time heartstring tugging I felt by Kai's situituation. I loved watching Kai and Ollie struggled to find a way in a relationship that should have been easy for them but isn't. I also like how it questions the idea of destined mates but doesn't try to throw the idea aside. On the downside the world building left something to be desired. You would think the people that can create planets would have better technology than what we are using now. The world didn't seem that futuristic compared to our own. The sci-fi part of the book felt more like a very thin skin over the romance part of the book