Niki's Buddy Read Tracker

[Petrik]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Petrik - Snapshot was awesome!!

Aside from Alcatraz, I believe I've also read everything except for these. I tried the first one several years ago and was like: meh. But several people have assure..."

I heard a lot of fantastic things about Snapshot Niki! I know I'm going to get it soon! I forgot about Alcatraz lol!

Yeah, everyone told me that WoT as an entry, there are a lot of up and down in the series but as a whole it's amazing. Let's hope we can last to the end! :D

[Laura]

congratulations Niki!

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

I do a lot of things. I'm a Respiratory Therapist. I resuscitate people, take care of people with tracheostomies, take care of people on ventilators (life support) as in help put in airways, manage their settings and help fine tune them using their bloodwork as a guide, then either wean them....or if they need to I take them off life support so they can die.

I also am on a ICU specific hospital emergency team with a registered nurse, where we are able to escalate care or admit people to critical care before they completely crash... as often times doctors are busy, we are able to skip a step and if they really need to be in intensive care I can just phone my doc and say "hey this guy looks like shit, can I put him in one of our beds?"

Phew that was long winded. But that's some of the meat and potatoes... I actually do much more than I just described lol! It's not glamorous and I often get called the C word at least 3 times a day, because often IQ is a factor as to who needs medical attention lol

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

That's awesome Margret. Its great that you help people.

[Liam]

Petrik and Niki,

I've actually read all of his short fiction, except for Snapshot (Come to think of it... getting to that very soon) and they are excellent! I've read all of his YA books as well, and honestly Steelheart didn't really do it for me, but the Rithmatist was excellent.

The Alcatraz books are definitely for little kids haha. I read the first one and didn't really continue after that. I actually forgot tat he wrote those haha, he's written so much. His gift is definitely adult fiction, primarily ;].

[Margret, Caladan Brood Face]

It's never boring that's for sure! I love my job

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Petrik wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "Petrik - Snapshot was awesome!!

Aside from Alcatraz, I believe I've also read everything except for these. I tried the first one several years ago and was like: meh. But severa..."

I'm determined. It WILL happen lol.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Laura wrote: "congratulations Niki!"

Thank you, Laura! :)

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Margret wrote: "I do a lot of things. I'm a Respiratory Therapist. I resuscitate people, take care of people with tracheostomies, take care of people on ventilators (life support) as in help put in airways, manage..."

Wow! I think a job like that would be incredibly hard to do. Lots of stress and I'm sure you work yourself to exhaustion taking care of other people. Thank goodness for people like you who love their jobs haha. It sounds like you'd be a great person for doctors to rely on.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Liam wrote: "Petrik and Niki,

I've actually read all of his short fiction, except for Snapshot (Come to think of it... getting to that very soon) and they are excellent! I've read all of his YA books as well,..."

I think I've loved everything so far except for "perfect state" but that was just a preference issue. Even though it's not nearly as sophisticated as his adult fiction I really am looking forward to Alcatraz. I have a special place in my heart for middle grade, although I definitely have to be in the right mood. That is, if I can ever find time to read it haha.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

That's funny, I loved Perfect State. The one book I didn't like by Sanderson was Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell which I only gave 2*'s. Everything else has been at least 3* but I probably have a lot more 3*'s for him than most. Sixth of the Dusk was a round up to a 3*.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Haha oh, the irony. Shadows for Silence was one of my favs - a solid 5 stars from me.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Haha oh, the irony. Shadows for Silence was one of my favs - a solid 5 stars from me."

Yep even people you share an amazing similarity to in reading tastes it will always be different. PS was a solid 5 for me.

[Liam]

Perfect State was just okay to me too, Niki, even though I enjoyed it. Shadows for Silence was probably one of my Top favorites haha.

I think Sixth of the Dusk, Shadows for Silence, and Emperor's Soul were my three favorites of his short fiction.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Scott wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "Haha oh, the irony. Shadows for Silence was one of my favs - a solid 5 stars from me."

Yep even people you share an amazing similarity to in reading tastes it will always be di..."

Yeah, I think sometimes mood is as big a factor as any. And timing, based on what you just read before it.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Liam wrote: "Perfect State was just okay to me too, Niki, even though I enjoyed it. Shadows for Silence was probably one of my Top favorites haha.

I think Sixth of the Dusk, Shadows for Silence, and Emperor's..."

I think I'm with you there - especially for emperor's soul. :) although I wish Sixth had a tad more resolution.

[Matt]

I LOVED Shadows. I always knew Sanderson was exceptional at world building and setting a mood but it wasnt until i read Shadows of Silence that I realized how quickly he could do it. Easily 5 stars for me and i really want another story set in the Threnodite system.

[Ahdam]

I've only read the first 2 books of the mistborn by Sanderson as well as his white sand graphic novel and it's weird to hear all these other titles from him I've never heard of but still got a long way to go for his books 😂😂😂

[Elizabeth]

Congrats Niki!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Matt wrote: "I LOVED Shadows. I always knew Sanderson was exceptional at world building and setting a mood but it wasnt until i read Shadows of Silence that I realized how quickly he could do it. Easily 5 stars..."

Yes! That's exactly why I loved it too - it was so much easier to see his brilliant story construction. And I was amazed at how he built momentum throughout. So good!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Ahdam wrote: "I've only read the first 2 books of the mistborn by Sanderson as well as his white sand graphic novel and it's weird to hear all these other titles from him I've never heard of but still got a long..."

This might sound weird, but I'm really jealous. I sometimes wish I could forget what I've read of Sanderson so I could have the joy of experience it again for the first time. You are in for some amazing reading!! :)

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Elizabeth wrote: "Congrats Niki!"

Thank you! ^_^

[Ahdam]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Ahdam wrote: "I've only read the first 2 books of the mistborn by Sanderson as well as his white sand graphic novel and it's weird to hear all these other titles from him I've never heard of but st..."

To be honest even I felt like I could unread a couple of series and I knew when I read final empire and well of ascension I was definitely going to enjoy this author and it is also annoying when I found out my cousin had also read these 2 books as well as the night angel trilogy making me more jelly and I cant wait to read his books more and just curse myself for taking too long to read them

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Ahdam wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "Ahdam wrote: "I've only read the first 2 books of the mistborn by Sanderson as well as his white sand graphic novel and it's weird to hear all these other titles from him I've n..."

Haha if I could get through a book a day and still retain it all, I would. Too many good ones on the tbr!

[Justin]

Dang I guess I should have waited for July 1st to re-read Way of Kings. I'm not good with the buddy system yet =P. How do you even do buddy reads? I usually kind of ignore everybody else when I'm reading lol.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Justin wrote: "Dang I guess I should have waited for July 1st to re-read Way of Kings. I'm not good with the buddy system yet =P. How do you even do buddy reads? I usually kind of ignore everybody else when I'm r..."

Actually, thanks for the reminder - we moved it to the 15th to accommodate Eye of the World but I never updated it haha. BR can be fun. We just comment when we feel like it about whatever to do with the book and conversation usually generates from there. Everyone hides spoilers to allow people to read at different paces. It took me a bit to get the swing of things, as I'm also usually in my own world when I read haha.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

The Ghost Brigades - Aug 5th

Stone Sky - Aug 15th

Knight's Shadow - Aug 20th

Words of Radiance - Sept 1st

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Just updated all the things for the first time in months. January appears to have been double booked. Twice. lol

[Petrik]

Niki! I'm starting Gardens of the Moon on January too! Can you please remind me this time? or link me to the group site and hopefully GR doesn't screw me up again

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Petrik wrote: "Niki! I'm starting Gardens of the Moon on January too! Can you please remind me this time? or link me to the group site and hopefully GR doesn't screw me up again"

Sure - Here's the link to the schedule: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
It has a link to the Gardens of the Moon discussion within it. None of the other threads have been created yet. I'm excited for this one. :)

[Petrik]

Thanks Niki! I'll check the group! Same here!!! So excited! :D

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Petrik wrote: "Thanks Niki! I'll check the group! Same here!!! So excited! :D"

January 5th <- meant to say that in the first post haha. Should be an adventure for sure.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

I put together a bookshelf with all the buddy read titles I've signed up for in 2018. There are 46 titles in the docket, which is slightly less than half of my average yearly reading. It's a little intimidating at the moment lol.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Ahdam]

That is quite a number of them I think I signed up to a few big series e.g. Malazen, ASOIAF and WOT which I'm still behind

Hopefully we can both get through them because next year is definitely gonna be an interesting one also try not to bail out on dragonbone chair please I know its intimidating but I cant wait to see what you guys think and I'm gonna attempt to read Stone of Farewell which is probably the worst time to read it but I feel sad I left the series where it was so finger crossed haha

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

I hope so too. Most of the titles are Malazan and Wheel of Time. If I ignore those, the list is pretty manageable. Dragonbone Chair is one of my higher priorities, so hopefully I'll be able to pick that one up on time. :)

[Petrik]

Malazan and Wheel of Time... holy shit, Niki! xD I hope you can nail them all!!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Petrik wrote: "Malazan and Wheel of Time... holy shit, Niki! xD I hope you can nail them all!!"

Yeah, scares the hell out of me. We'll see how it goes haha. I hope I can get to all of it too - thanks! :)

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Added the Faithful and the Fallen series. As for this overbooked month, I've yet to complete a buddy read.

[Petrik]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Added the Faithful and the Fallen series. As for this overbooked month, I've yet to complete a buddy read."

OH YESSSS I hope you love this series!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Petrik wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "Added the Faithful and the Fallen series. As for this overbooked month, I've yet to complete a buddy read."

OH YESSSS I hope you love this series!"

Thanks!! I'm sooo excited to start it. I almost splurged and let myself buy the whole series... I must not until I at least try the first one haha.

[Zaara]

Happy birthday, Niki. I wish you a year of magnificent outcomes + also a great amazing exclusive foot massage (love those, esp the ones with the hot stones and fluffy towels) + #imaginary gift sending you these (the pic won't attach) so here's the link:

https://jacobmaarse.com/pasadena-jaco...

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Awww thanks Zaara!! Foot massages are the best! :D I appreciate you thinking of me.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

I may have to make some cuts from my schedule. I'm feeling inundated. I'm also realizing that so many of these buddy reads are making it impossible for me to make progress on my currently outstanding series. I keep rushing to make the reads and haven't had time for anything on my independent list. There's a fine balance, I just haven't found it yet lol.

[Miche]

It is understandable, Niki ! Let me know if you decide to cut the Hidden Legacy or The Faithful and The Fallen!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Haha jinx! Nope - those are two I'm at least sure I'm going to do. :D

[Miche]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Haha jinx! Nope - those are two I'm at least sure I'm going to do. :D"

Yay! :D

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

I know what you mean. I see so many buddy reads I want to sign up for but I've not done so as I can't see me doing more than I've already signed up for.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Angela wrote: "I know what you mean. I see so many buddy reads I want to sign up for but I've not done so as I can't see me doing more than I've already signed up for."

Haha yeah, I think at this point I need to just keep track of all the ones I want to join and then suggest them again in 2019 lol.

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Haha that sounds like an excellent plan. I'm pretty much just concentrating this year on getting as far through Malazan as Miche and I can.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Angela wrote: "Haha that sounds like an excellent plan. I'm pretty much just concentrating this year on getting as far through Malazan as Miche and I can."

That's a good plan too! Especially since you two seem to be having so much fun reading those. That type of excitement to continue is what I'm feeling for the series I haven't had time for because of buddy reads haha.