2021 Reading Challenge discussion
February Monthly Report/Wrap Up
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I had a pretty steady month overall. I read 9 books in February, exactly where I want to be at. I loved several books this month and liked almost all the rest, but had 1 dud. Here's what I'll mention:
The Crimson Shadow by Una McCormack: One of the best political novels ever written...and it's a Star Trek book! Una meshes post-World War 2 themes with a Star Trek backdrop and writes one of the most compelling protagonists ever with Garak.
A Ceremony of Losses by David Mack: This is also a great book in Star Trek that follows a heavy handed political narrative about right and wrong. While I sometimes disagree with his ideology, Mack writes some of the best suspense in the genre!
Wards of Faerie: Terry Brooks is at his best when he writes traditional epic fantasy, and after several years break, he returns triumphantly to his strengths in this first book of a trilogy.
Firefight is the middle book in the Reckoners trilogy and it is just amazing. Sanderson has not turned in a bad book, and he turned one of the most looked down upon genre's and made it have depth and importance to literature.
I read 2 big books(tomes), "Malice" by John Gwynne and "Leviathan Wakes" by James S. A. Corey. Both books were pretty good, but had certain things that I personally disagreed with(Leviathan Wakes) or some story beats that just didn't click as well for me(Malice). Nevertheless, both books were really good.
I kind of enjoyed "Britt Marie was here", but it didn't quite leave me with all of the feelings I wanted it too. I have a "that's it?" feeling afterwards.
I mentioned I had one dud. I was thoroughly disappointed with "The Measure of the Magic" by Terry Brooks. He had so many amazing promises that never paid off. It's why duologies are just not great in literature. Thankfully, I read "Wards of Faerie" at the end of the month that restored my faith in Brooks.
Overall, I hope to read 10 books in March, but I'm not feeling pressure to read more or less. I'll see how my reading goes. My Total right now is 20 books. I'm looking forward to seeing where everyone else is.
Sorry for the late response, I've had quite a lot of issues with the program and was finally able to get some of them fixed. I ended the month with a total of 7 books read, which is more than I had planned. So far, that puts me about 6 books ahead of my pace for the year and, depending on how the next few months go, I will most likely increase my goal.
A big reason for the extra reads is because I read the entire Maze Runner series by James Dashner. Overall, the world he created and the themes present in the novel were quite compelling, but he missed out on so much, in my opinion. Had he spent more time developing his characters and adding more specific details to his story regarding WICKED, especially in The Kill Order, I might've enjoyed it more.
The best reads of this month were The Night Season by Chelsea Cain and Artemis by Andy Weir. Two of my favorite authors in their respective fields and they didn't disappoint. Can't wait for Andy Weir's next novel that comes out in May!
H.M.S. Unseen by Patrick Robinson was my biggest disappointment, but only because I had bigger expectations from what he has produced in other novels. The first half of the book was excellent and showed so much promise, but then it delved into more psychological elements, which is not Robinson's strong suit. However, Arnold Morgan the "hero" of these novels is one of my favorite characters ever created in any type of novel and he stayed strong throughout. The book ended quite blandly and didn't deliver on what could've been an exceptional stand-off between Morgan and the villain, Ben Adnam.
My goal for each month is 4 books, but I'm going to shoot for at least 6 in March.
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February started off super strong for me, as you may have read in the mid month check in. Here’s how it wrapped up...
12 books for the month, bringing my total for the year to 28. I know that seems like a crazy high number, and it is, so I have to chill with my disappointment. However with that said, I have not finished a single book (aside from my Bible- which I do not count) in 12 days. Crazy enough, I’m still 2 books ahead of schedule for my goal of 150. I have a feeling I’m going to need to make up ground after baseball and soccer seasons are over.
I read a handful of corny “cozy mysteries”, not note worthy enough to discuss.
I have a goal to read one nonfiction a month, but this month I finished two.
The House Of Kennedy by James Patterson. If you’ve read one book about the Kennedys, you’ve pretty much read them all. I’m from Massachusetts, and I’ve read plenty of books on the Kennedy family. It still boggles my mind that he was such a womanizer and it seemed like nobody really cared.
The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith by Matthew Bowman was the second nonfiction. It was also the last book I logged for February. It felt like it took me so long to finish, over a week I think. I enjoyed learning about it, but it’s just crazy sad to me that millions of people actually believe this false teaching.
My favorite book of the month was probably The Project by Courtney Summers. Ironically it’s about a cult (not Mormonism). It was a pretty easy read and it grabbed me from the start. Also a little bit of an unexpected ending.
I read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia because it was a Goodreads Choice 2020 winner. Whew! It was literally one of the weirdest books I’ve ever read. It left me feeling like I needed to brush my teeth, or take a bath. It’s strangeness kinda lingered and grew like mold in my brain (pun intended, if you know you know). I can appreciate weird, dark, supernatural, horror, and gothic, but this was a bit too much. I felt like I couldn’t keep up with the plot either. I don’t recommend. I think the story was imaginative and the writing was on point good, but ewww I just couldn’t deal with the incestuous darkness. Why on earth did this book win an award?
I haven’t finished a book in 12 days..... for me, that’s a slump. I just feel burnt out right now. Maybe I should check out that Maze Runner series!
Finally. 🤦♀️ This month has been stressful for me, and as much as I want to be reading, I just haven’t the time. I also have traded a lot of audiobook time in the car with my daily Bible reading listening plan. Anyway, enough excuses 😂 this month I COMPLETED one book, American Royals by Katherine Mcgee. It was light and fun. It wasn’t engaging enough for me to want to care to read the series, but eh! It was fine. However, I am 75% or more finished with a handful of other books, so hopefully March will look a little better. Also, I just picked up Percy Jackson. I have had student after student claim to me that this is better than Harry Potter, and the other day a copy was left on my desk with no note, so I feel I must find out. I’m 50 pages in and already like 🧐. I’m going to be super disappointed if it doesn’t get better. I’m at a total of eleven books. With my modest goal of 50, I’m probably fine, but I’ve missed reading!
February was a great month for me. I was able to consume 23 books and a few stood out to me.the first book that was great was Dick Winter's personal memoir that added to the story that was told in Band of Brother. I particularly enjoyed the later chapter where he shared his involvement in the creation of Band of Brothers and his philosophy on leadership.
Another notable selection was Booker T. Washington's Up From Slavery. He is a true American hero and deserves to be a worthy role models for students across the country.
The last book I want to highlight is A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. This book blew me away with the simplicity and depth that Hemingway is known for. He masterfully displays the romantic notions that many have that are stark contrasts to the reality of a brutal world.
I look forward next month to work through the Clive Cussler books I have on my shelf.
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the first book that was great was Dick Winter's personal memoir that added to the story that was told i..."
23?!!! That's insane! Good for you!
Heather: the Maze Runner is a great way to get out of a slump! They are quick and easy reads and help get back some momentum! I'm definitely curious to know your thoughts on the stories! And Gavin, holy smokes man. I know you said you were doing some audio books, but 23! Keep at it man, that's awesome!
I am sorry that this is getting out late, but we have just finished another month of reading. I'd love to hear what books you read, which one's you liked and disliked, and maybe a hint at what you're reading in the future. I'll add my list after I've seen some of yours.