Ioana's 2022 Independent Challenge

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Alissa wrote: "Yeah Elevation was weird.
And I'm a terrible SK fan bc i didn't realize Fairy Tale was coming, so on the TBR it goes!..."

Agreed. I can't expect every book to be a hit or even to my liking, but he has kept me entertained since I was 13.

I never know when new stuff is coming out. I always fall across it on the internet or scrolling through GR.

[Ioana]

Alondra wrote: "I never know when new stuff is coming out. I always fall across it on the internet or scrolling through GR."

I know...for me, that's true about all the other authors. Not that I need more books on my TBR 🤣🤣🤣

[Ioana]

Book #43 of 2022: The Trident Deception New author and new series, very entertaining. Nothing deep, full of action and a little too nicely wrapped up in the end, but it hit the spot. I will continue this series. 3 stars.

[〰️Beth〰️]

Ioana wrote: "Book #43 of 2022: The Trident Deception New author and new series, very entertaining. Nothing deep, full of action and a little too nicely wrapped up in the end, but it hit the spot..."

This does sound like a nice summer read. Definitely going on the TBR.

[Ioana]

〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "This does sound like a nice summer read. Definitely going on the TBR."

It really is. I'm not a fan of romances or anything labeled "chick-lit", so for me, mysteries and thrillers are the perfect easy reads.

[Lea]

I always need to add a few more new series. That one looks fun. :-)

[Ioana]

Lea wrote: "I always need to add a few more new series. That one looks fun. :-)"

LOL, no, you don't "need", but this one is easy and fun. Add it 🤗

[Ioana]

Books #44-45 of 2022:

Victim F: From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors. Note to self: never make judgements and never have a guilty/not guilty opinion after watching the news. This is a horrific story, how was it even possible? Recommended to all my true-crime buddies.

The House of Special Purpose has been on my TBR since 2013 and I finally got to it. Another spin/alternative of "what happened to Anastasia", Tsar Nikolai's youngest daughter, it was really enjoyable. 4 stars.

[Lea]

I'm glad you liked Victim F. That wasn't on my radar at all, but it looks fascinating. I added it.

I thought I had The House of Special Purpose on my TBR also, but it isn't there, so I added that one too. :-)

And the series...because why not?

[Ioana]

Keep adding, that's what I'm doing too. TBR gets bigger and bigger, I thought I'd only need a couple of lives to finish it, but I think I'll need a lot more than that 🤣

[Ioana]

Book #46 of 2022: Airborn. Ok, this is not my usual genre, but I enjoyed it immensely. YA, check. Fantasy, check. But it was a lot of fun, and I'm really sad that none of my libraries has the other 2 in this trilogy. It did not end in a cliffhanger, so I'm ok with the ending...but I hope that someday I'll find the others.

[Michelle]

Ioana wrote: "Keep adding, that's what I'm doing too. TBR gets bigger and bigger, I thought I'd only need a couple of lives to finish it, but I think I'll need a lot more than that 🤣"

I'm actually an Airborn fan club of one Ioana so welcome to the group. I loved this cheesy little story. I loved it even more because I listened to the audio which reminded me of an old time radio show. Yes, it made the cheese even cheesier, and I thought it was great. I tried to get my family to listen to it and they did not love it. :( I went through the whole trilogy and loved it all the way. It read like an old fasioned Disney movie. The kind they made in the 60's and 70's. So much fun! Glad you liked it! Maybe you should put in a request at your library they might pick up the other two.

[Ioana]

Michelle wrote: "Maybe you should put in a request at your library they might pick up the other two."

LOL, of course I did :-)
I don't have high hopes, but you never know. I listened to the audiobook, too and I'm so glad I'm not the only one who liked it. I just checked Audible, they have both books, but at $45 each, ouch!

[Michelle]

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Maybe you should put in a request at your library they might pick up the other two."

LOL, of course I did :-)
I don't have high hopes, but you never know. I listened to the audiob..."

Ouch! is right! I'll keep my fingers crossed that your library will pull through.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Ioana wrote: "Book #43 of 2022: The Trident Deception New author and new series, very entertaining. Nothing deep, full of action and a little too nicely wrapped up in the end, but it hit the spot..."

Added..... *facepalm*

[Ioana]

Alondra wrote: "Added..... *facepalm*"

No worries, easy read...

[Ioana]

Book #47 of 2022: Sarum: The Novel of England. I don't know if I should count this, as I DNF, but given the size of the book, the 3-400 pages I read should count for something, right?
As another reviewer said "quantity over quality", and I felt the same about his Paris book.
There is so much information and it spans over such a long period of time, starting with the glacier period and the early humans, there is no depth to anything. Events are glossed over, characters come and go and I could not get attached and care about anything and anybody. Nice concept, terrible execution.

[Ioana]

Book #48 of 2022: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood I've started this some years ago, and even though I liked it, I've never finished it. So I started it again, and I'm glad I did. Quick sequential art, about life in Iran during the late 1970s, early 1908s. It covers the time the Shah was overthrown, the Islamic revolution and the Iran-Iraq war, all events I knew very little of. I definitely need to read more about these. 4 stars, and currently reading the next book in this series.

Book #49 of 2002: American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment. I never before understood the concept of private prisons, but now I do. They are a source of money and huge profits, at the expense of the imprisoned ones. Another eye-opening book, hard to read, not only about the current prisons, but about their history, laws that allowed them to flourish and how we got here. Recommended. 4 - 4.5 stars, still thinking about that.

[Ioana]

Book #50 of 2022: Daughters of Smoke and Fire. The story was ok, but as the first novel published in English by a female Kurdish writer, the description of the Iranians-Kurds interactions was very interesting. I did not realize until now how large the Kurdistan region is, how it expands over areas of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. I don't know how they are treated in other countries, but in Iran, their life is hell. Predictable in general, I really enjoyed the book for what it taught me. 4 stars, rounded up.

[Ioana]

Book #51 of 2022: Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return. I enjoyed this more than the 1st one. A more mature Marjane returns home to Iran, and even though things are not what she expected, life goes on and she learns to live in the Iranian society. She was very lucky to have open-minded parents, and I realize that is very rare in that world. But seeing this world through her eyes and through her experiences is (as the blurb puts it) "illuminating". 4.5 stars.

[Carolien]

Persepolis has been on my list for a while, good to see that you enjoyed it. And I've added Daughters of Smoke and Fire. You're having a good streak here.

And I agree Sarum must count for something. I tried it years ago and abandoned it as well!

[Ioana]

Carolien wrote: "Persepolis has been on my list for a while, good to see that you enjoyed it. And I've added Daughters of Smoke and Fire. You're having a good streak here.

And I agree Sarum must count for somethi..."

Persepolis is an interesting read. There are lots of times when Marjane's actions are not the expected ones, not the "right" ones, but you can tell they are based on one's youth and/or inexperience. I haven't read many books set in Iran, but these and Daughters of Smoke and Fire are a good start. I think you'll like them all.

[Ioana]

Book #52 of 2022: Dark Horse. #7 in the series, I liked it more than some of the previous ones. Yes, the finale is still over the top (even if "only" fighting humans, Joe Ledger would be proud), but there was some story, not just non-stop action. Can't wait for the next one, expected to come out in 2023.

[Ioana]

Book #53 of 2022: The Lincoln Highway. I enjoyed this...somewhat. More in the beginning, less in the 2nd half, and the ending left me wondering. I think this would be a great book club book, lots of unanswered questions that everyone can answer as they want. 3 stars.

[Lea]

Oh, bummer, it's too bad that you only enjoyed The Lincoln Highway somewhat. It does leave a lot of questions and I was a bit worried, since I think you tend to gravitate towards books where the author tells you things more definitively. Nothing wrong with that, it's why you're the Nonfiction Queen. :-) If it helps and if you have not already seen how the author answered questions with regard to the end of the book, I thought that the link below on his website was interesting. Scroll to the very end. For everyone else who hasn't yet read The Lincoln Highway, do not do this, you will be spoiled. :-)

https://www.amortowles.com/the-lincol...

[Ioana]

Lea wrote: "Oh, bummer, it's too bad that you only enjoyed The Lincoln Highway somewhat. It does leave a lot of questions and I was a bit worried, since I think you tend to gravitate towards books where the au..."

This was a very interesting Q&A, I enjoyed it, thank you. But I don't buy the last paragraph.
(view spoiler)[ Emmett is not likely to ever find out. That's not the point. The point is how would he be able to live knowing (or not knowing) what happened to Duchess. There was a 50-50 chance he'd live (or die), and he was instrumental in that. He played God, forcing Duchess to choose between life and money. And what about Woolly? Was it suicide or did Duchess help (or at least, did not stop) him? And who, when will find him? (hide spoiler)] Too many things left unanswered.

[Lea]

I agree with many of things you said. My thoughts, for what they are worth: (view spoiler)[I agree with you that Emmett being not likely to find out what happened isn't the point. But, I think you may be giving Emmett too much credit. I don't think Emmett had any way of knowing about the five o'clock winds and tides that we only knew about because Woolly foretold earlier on his deathbed. So, I think he intended to delay Duchess, but not end his life. I believe he felt Duchess was perfectly capable of getting back to shore without a paddle and a hole in the boat, but he wanted it to take some time to "teach him" some perspective. Duchess's actions almost got Billy killed and we know that Duchess intended to engage in more violence to settle the score going forward. I think that's why Emmett put the money in the boat, but Duchess's belongings in the car. Emmett expected him to return safely. I don't think he intended to make Duchess choose between his money or his life, but the wind happened and Duchess made his fateful choice. It sounds like the trial of balance is associated with mythology and I probably need to read The Odyssey again or tackle Ulysses which totally frightens me.

In my view, the story starts with Emmett serving time for involuntary manslaughter and ends with him unwittingly doing it again.

I do think that Woolly committed suicide and that broke my heart because I think he had some undiagnosed issues that could have been addressed if he'd had more attentive people in his life.

I don't think Duchess exactly knew Woolly would commit suicide, because he wasn't very sensitive to other people's emotions, but he certainly didn't check on his friend and make sure he was OK. I don't know who will find Woolly or what will happen next.

It's fun to have someone to chat with books about, thanks for typing your thoughts. :-) (hide spoiler)]

[Ioana]

I don't know...
(view spoiler)[ The logical and easier thing to do would've been to put the $$ next to Duchess, not on the other side of the boat. But he did not do that. Why?
I think it was right for Duchess to die. He was mean, manipulative, selfish and was planning more violence, so yes, that was a fair ending for him. And while Emmett was not an angel, he was better than that. (hide spoiler)]
I love chatting with you about books, but please don't count me in for The Odyssey. Maybe the graphic novel 🤣

[Lea]

I may eventually work myself up for re-reads of The Iliad and The Odyssey, but not this year. Or next year. :-)

As for the rest of your thoughts, (view spoiler)[I think the reason why he put the $$ in the boat at all was so that Duchess could see it, but not touch it, until he paddled himself to shore using his own hands. We are the oars to our own ship, etc. Otherwise, why put it in the boat at all, wouldn't you just put it in the car with the rest of Duchess's possessions? My issue with the $$ was because I work for a bank, so I cannot for the life of me figure out why that amount of cash wouldn't be banded. :-)

One of my other book friends believes that Father John was Duchess's father, but I'm not sure about that. What do you think? I think Father John was what Duchess would have turned out to be, unchecked, but I don't think he could have actually been Duchess's father since his father had been in the flop house, not a hobo, until he realized Duchess was looking for him.

I agree that Duchess's demise was inevitable, brought about by his own inability to think about anything besides his own needs.

I think it is also interesting to think about the book being Billy's perspective. Billy loved his brother and may have portrayed Emmett in a more favorable light than he should have been. I wouldn't call him an unreliable narrator, but he *is* biased. And being so young, he doesn't understand some of things in the story. I think that's why I can't understand Sally and Emmett's relationship and why she would follow somebody who wasn't that into her. But Billy himself wasn't mature enough to understand the nature of their relationship, so maybe that's why we can't either. (hide spoiler)]

[Ioana]

Knowing you, I'm not surprised you've already read The Iliad and The Odyssey. I guess you liked them both (or at least did not hate them) if you're willing to re-read them.

(view spoiler)[ I don't even work in a bank, and I was wondering the same thing. If it's a pile of banknotes, it flies when you touch it, how did he even put it in the boat? You don't need much of a breeze to have it fly all over the place. He knew what was going to happen. Only a saint *maybe* would not try to save the $$ even if their life was in danger, and Duchess was far from that. Emmett knew that, and he set him up.

Father John was Duchess's father??? Never thought of that, I don't think so. He was just another horrible human being, and yes, what Duchess would've become.

I didn't understand Sally and Emmett's relationship either, but that didn't bother me much. Did we see that relationship more through Billy's eyes? In his chapters? What about Sally's chapters? I don't remember...
(hide spoiler)]

[Lea]

I have not read Ulysses though and while I don't think I ever will, I will never say never. :-)

(view spoiler)[I still don't think Emmett set him up, but I think you've made a good case for why that is a possibility and I love that we're still discussing the ending.

I thought that the entire book, even the chapters from the other people's perspectives, was documented by Billy, so was seen through his lens. I could be wrong though... (hide spoiler)]

[Ioana]

I haven't read so many classics, I'm even ashamed to admit. It's sooo much work...

(view spoiler)[ I don't think the book is through Billy's eyes. And in the link you sent me earlier, Towles says: "But once I was writing, the voices of the others characters began to assert themselves, making their own claim on the narrative, insisting that their points of view be heard. First it was Sally and Woolly, then Pastor John and Ulysses, and finally Abacus and Billy. Now that the book is done, it’s hard for me to imagine it could ever have been told from the perspectives of just Emmett and Duchess." I think each character talked and told the story from their point of view. (hide spoiler)]

[Lea]

(view spoiler)[Yes, but I was viewing it as Billy ultimately writing it from the varied perspectives based upon his own personal experiences and what was told to him by the others. Because he was writing in his book by Professor Abacus Abernathe. So I was assuming that he was the author, a sort of book within a book type of literary device. (hide spoiler)]

[Ioana]

(view spoiler)[ Hmmm..... interesting point, maybe, but that's not how I read the book and the characters. For me, Billy can't be at the same time not mature enough to understand certain things and relationships, and mature enough to write the book from multiple POVs. Although, he was very smart. And my favorite. (hide spoiler)]

[Patricia]

Ioana wrote: "Book #53 of 2022: The Lincoln Highway. I enjoyed this...somewhat. More in the beginning, less in the 2nd half, and the ending left me wondering. I think this would be a great book c..."
This will be a book club read for me though not until the spring. I'm looking forward to it, but I know what you mean about some books you wish you were reading in a club. I'm sure we'll have an interesting discussion when it comes around.

[Ioana]

Patricia wrote: "This will be a book club read for me though not until the spring. I'm looking forward to it, but I know what you mean about some books you wish you were reading in a club. I'm sure we'll have an interesting discussion when it comes around."

I think this book is perfect for a book club, and a good discussion. Don't read the spoilers above, and I can't wait for you to read it and come back with your interpretation.

[Ioana]

Book #54 of 2002: Upgrade. I've been waiting for this for a long time, and sadly, it did not live up to my high expectations. It was not bad, the first 3/4 quarters were really good, but the final chapters were definitely not what I was expecting. Too much brawn (and that's nothing wrong with that, but this was not the book for it) and too little brain. I know others will disagree. 3.5 stars for me.

[Lea]

Sorry Upgrade missed the mark for you. I'm a little nervous to pick it up myself. Maybe next year...or the year after...we'll see...

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Ioana wrote: "Book #54 of 2002: Upgrade. I've been waiting for this for a long time, and sadly, it did not live up to my high expectations. It was not bad, the first 3/4 quarters were really good..."

Yikes. So much hype around this book. I am really behind on reading his work; so, I won't rush to get to it.

Dark Matter didn't work that great for me; but it was okay. Good luck on the next read.

[Ioana]

Book #56 of 2022: American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry I've read quite a few books on this subject, and this was different: from the law enforcement's point of view. It's tragic to see how (once again) money and lobbyists influenced the Congress and the laws. If you ever wondered "where were the people who were supposed to noticed this and put a stop to it?", I know I did, then read this book. 3.5 stars.

[Lillie]

Ioana wrote: "Book #54 of 2002: Upgrade. I've been waiting for this for a long time, and sadly, it did not live up to my high expectations. It was not bad, the first 3/4 quarters were really good, but the final chapters were definitely not what I was expecting. Too much brawn (and that's nothing wrong with that, but this was not the book for it) and too little brain. I know others will disagree. 3.5 stars for me."

Yes! I finished it about 1/2 hr ago and I was disappointed too. The first 1/2 I was super excited in the direction it was going and then (view spoiler)[Kara ended up being his antagonist. I'd gotten a thrill to see siblings uniting against what their mother had unleashed on the human population and then blegh (hide spoiler)] it veered off course, imo. There were some other things as well. It was a book I'd been looking forward to for so long. It was frustrating because he has written books that I've loved.

[Michelle]

Ioana wrote: "Book #56 of 2022: American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry I've read quite a few books on this subject, and this was different: from the law enforcement'..."

Thanks Ioana! You've added another one to the old TBR.

[Ioana]

Lillie wrote: "It was a book I'd been looking forward to for so long. It was frustrating because he has written books that I've loved.."

I know, right? I loved the premise and the first half, maybe 2/3 of the book, then....it just fizzled out. Disappointing.

[Ioana]

Michelle wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Book #56 of 2022: American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry I've read quite a few books on this subject, and this was different: from the la..."

I hope you'll like it. It's interesting to read about this from different perspectives. This one also deals with the trials of the distributors, who of course, accepted no blame either.

[Michelle]

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Book #56 of 2022: American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry I've read quite a few books on this subject, and this was diffe..."

Of course.

[Ioana]

Book #57 of 2022: No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes. The book follows Akbar Gul (a Taliban commander), Jan Muhammad Khan (a U.S-allied militia leader) and Heela Achekzai (a civilian woman). Each is impacted by the war in different ways, and each tries to survive it the best they can. It's not black and white, there is no good and bad, but everything morphs and a friend today can become an enemy tomorrow. And while strong men manage better, civilians are caught in the middle. It's a heartbreaking true story, with no winners and no solution in sight. Recommended, 4 stars.

[Ioana]

Book #58 of 2022: Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake. I was be amazed by Frank Abagnale's ingenuity, smartness and resourcefulness. On the other side, of how gullible people are...
I know the book was supposed to be funny, but Abegnale cheated and lied, conned lots of people and in the end did not have to pay much for it. I don't know if I should rate how I feel about Abegnale's actions, how I feel about his opinion of himself (he is the author, after all), the writing itself...overall, I'd say 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. Others might appreciate the entertainment value more.

[Lea]

It's hard to say that one enjoyed No Good Men Among the Living, but I certainly learned a lot from the book.

Regarding Catch Me If You Can, it has been alleged that Abagnale relied pretty heavily on the co-writer, Redding, who made it very dramatic.

Once I listened to Frank Abagnale at a conference and he was very interesting. However, even though he was very entertaining, I just didn't believe what he had to say. He claims to have been released in order to help law enforcement and that he has helped on many vitally important national security issues, and maybe he has. I don't know. I just think he's a good story teller, but the veracity of his stories is very questionable.

[Ioana]

Lea wrote: "It's hard to say that one enjoyed No Good Men Among the Living, but I certainly learned a lot from the book. "

I agree, as most of the other books about the was were written from the Americans' point of view. This explains some things, and mostly why it is so hard to find a solution.

Lea wrote: "He claims to have been released in order to help law enforcement and that he has helped on many vitally important national security issues, and maybe he has. I don't know. I just think he's a good story teller, but the veracity of his stories is very questionable."

I think I've read the same, somewhere, that he is now "on the right side" of the law, which in a way bugs me. I don't say that people don't change their minds, that they don't grow up, but in his case, forgiving his past sins doesn't seem right. He is definitely smart, but comes across as very cocky too, and because of that I don't think we should believe everything that he says.

[Ioana]

Book #59 of 2022: Every Last Fear - definitely not for me, I should know better....oh well.

Book #60 of 2022: The Institute. Someone here (Michelle?) categorizes SK books in 2 categories, good King and bad King. This was definitely a good one. It won the GR choice award in 2019, and I think for good reasons. Great story, good characters and if you're a conspiracy theory adept, not impossible to think that it can't happen. 4 stars.

Book #61 of 2022: The Push. I have mixed feelings about this. It was a fast read and I could not put it down, and while I anticipated the ending, I was hoping to be wrong. I can't imagine being a mother and dealing with such events... 3 stars.