JulieLill's 2022 Reading Challenge

[madrano]

Oh, Julie, i've added this to my TBR. What a fascinating compilation of places. Thanks for the title & review.

[Julie]

The 13 Clocks
James Thurber
3/5 stars
I don’t know how to describe this book; it is more of a fairy tale about the princess, Sara Linda who is shut up in a castle with thirteen clocks which have been frozen. A prince who is disguised as a minstrel, and who has fallen in love with Sara Linda and is then given the task of finding the jewels of Zorna and restart the 13 clocks before Sara Linda could be released. Interesting! James Thurber Book

[madrano]

Julie, thank you for reviewing this book. I'd not heard of it and i'm a fan of Thurber's work. Terrific!

[Julie]

Sword of Destiny
Andrzej Sapkowski
3/5 stars
This Witcher book is a compilation of short stories of the deeds and antics of Geralt of Riva and his companions. I enjoy Sapowski’s writing and the characters he has created. I am going to read Blood Of Elves next. Witcher Series

[madrano]

Happy for you, Julie. Does your son read the series, too? I suspect my son would like this and will pass the title along.

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "Happy for you, Julie. Does your son read the series, too? I suspect my son would like this and will pass the title along."

My son does not read books as far as I know unless it is film related. He is more into films and does a podcast with a friend besides his regular job. We have not heard his podcasts.

[madrano]

Ah, your son sounds even more like my son now. Film-related helps but, as mentioned over the years, "Star Trek" trumps all.

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "Ah, your son sounds even more like my son now. Film-related helps but, as mentioned over the years, "Star Trek" trumps all."
I love Star Trek too, so I can't fault your son for that. I did see Leonard Nimoy at a book signing for his book You & I in 1973 and got his autograph.

[madrano]

Lucky you, Julie. I don't read Trek materials but always know what gifts are welcome for him. We still like Trek too, btw, just not only Trek. LOL!

[Julie]

Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World's Greatest Chocolate Makers
Deborah Cadbury
4/5 stars
Deborah Cadbury, a Quaker family relative of one of the famous chocolate makers relates the history of chocolate, the manufacturers who made the chocolate and the rivalries between the chocolate manufacturers including Cadbury, Milton Hershey, Nestle, Lindt and Forrest Mars. Very interesting! Food

[Alias Reader]

Sounds interesting, Julie. I consider chocolate one of the major food groups ! :)

[madrano]

Sounds yummy! Question, did you have a box of chocolates handy as you read? If not, did you drool as you read some parts? Inquiring Minds...

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "Sounds yummy! Question, did you have a box of chocolates handy as you read? If not, did you drool as you read some parts? Inquiring Minds..."

I do love chocolate!

[Julie]

Blood of Elves
Andrzej Sapkowski
4/5 stars
Queen Calanthe commits suicide during an attack on the capital city and her granddaughter, Ciri manages to flee from the burning capital. Emhyr var Emreis, Imperator of Nilfgaard, has sent his people to find her. Young Ciri is wanted because of her royal blood, but she also has elven blood and possibly will be able to perform magic. Geralt of Rivia, a witcher vows to find and protect her. Exciting! Witcher Series

[madrano]

It's neat reading your enthusiastic account of the action, Julie. Enjoy!

[Julie]

A Stir of Echoes
Richard Matheson
4/5 stars
Tom Wallace was an easy going man with a wife and a son. At a party, he was hypnotized and now he is having headaches but he can also hear people’s thoughts and he starts seeing aberrations. Why is this happening to him and is he and his family in danger because of this. Compelling! Richard Matheson Book

[madrano]

I have only read his Somewhere In Time, which i liked very much. It was sorta made into a movie but with many changes. The film was good, too. Indeed, i've seen a couple of films based on his books--I Am Legend and What Dreams May Come, come to mind. I'll have to check this one out, too.

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "I have only read his Somewhere In Time, which i liked very much. It was sorta made into a movie but with many changes. The film was good, too. Indeed, i've seen a couple of films base..."

This was also made into a film- I ordered it from the library. The length of the book was pretty short which was nice.

[madrano]

Good news about the film, i must say. For science fiction, in particular, i like to watch films based on books. Sometimes there are interpretations or representations which illuminate the book/text. Thanks for letting us know.

[Julie]

Barnum: An American Life
Robert Wilson
5/5 stars
This is the biography of the amazing PT Barnum, who ran a museum of oddities, brought life to the circus and introduced some of his most famous acts to the American public including Jenny Lind, the Swedish songstress, Jumbo, the elephant and General Tom Thumb. The author paints a wonderful picture of his life, his family, the people that surrounded him and mostly his drive to entertain people. Highly recommended! Circus

[madrano]

What a walk through an era, Julie.

[Julie]

The Time of Contempt
Andrzej Sapkowski
4/5 stars
While war has commenced between the elves, other races and humans, Ciri returns in this novel along with Witcher and Yennefer. However, she is in grave danger because there are several who want to control her while her magic is still not under her complete control. Witcher Series

[madrano]

And the saga continues...

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "And the saga continues..."

4 more books!

[madrano]

Enjoy, Julie!

[Julie]

Our computer is slowly dying so I may not be on for awhile though I could probably use my IPad to get on. We have good luck with this computer till now and have had it for a number of years. I just hate to get a new one and have to set up all my stuff on it!

[madrano]

I hear ya, Julie. Our machine has been running slowly this week, which i prefer to think is a result of our heatwave. (Don't know how, i'm grasping.)

I will say that when we travel i use my iPad to connect to this group & the last couple of times it's gone smoothly. I'm probably doing something wrong but it takes me 3 steps to actually get to this board but then it's all the same.

Here's hoping you can hold on to your present computer longer still! Good luck.

[Alias Reader]

Sorry to hear about your computer, Julie.

My laptop is also acting up and wont keep a charge. :( I am hoping it just is a battery replacement.

[Julie]

Alias Reader wrote: "Sorry to hear about your computer, Julie.

My laptop is also acting up and wont keep a charge. :( I am hoping it just is a battery replacement."

We went out and ordered a new computer. Of course, our old one is working better today but still slow. My husband thinks it is about 10-11 years old.

[Julie]

Baptism of Fire
Andrzej Sapkowski
3/5 stars
Geralt is still on the search for Ciri and fears that she has been captured by the Nilfgaard Court. A new female character, Milva an archer joins in the search for Ciri. The Witcher Series

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote:
We went out and ordered a new computer. Of course, our old one is working better today but still slow. My husband thinks it is about 10-11 years old..."

That's quite old for a computer. Enjoy our new one !

My laptop is about 3 years old. I do have Geek Squad. I need to take it in and see why it won't hold a charge.

[Julie]

The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
Sy Montgomery
5/5 stars
This is the delightfully true story about Sy Montgomery, naturalist, writer and radio commentator, who along with her husband raised a pig who was sickly. With the help of their neighbors providing food and support, he recovered quickly, grew to 750 pounds and was a friend to the neighbors, a local celebrity and a beloved pet.
Animal Book

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
Sy Montgomery
5/5 s..."

This sounds like one I would enjoy. My library has audio and eBook.

Do you think audio would be good for this one ?

I've added the title to my TBR. Thanks !

[madrano]

I hope you enjoy learning about your new computer, Julie & family. All the "new" stuff you'll uncover!

Are you telling me that they just raised the pig & didn't eat it? I know that sounds crass but raising such a large animal with the help of the community sounds like wishful thinking for a town-wide BBQ.

deb, the awful

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "Are you telling me that they just raised the pig & didn't eat it? .."

Yikes ! if they did, I'll pass on the book.

[madrano]

I suppose most folks would, actually. It would be creepy, wouldn't it? Vegetarian or not.

[Julie]

The pig died of natural causes.

[Julie]

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "
The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood
[author:Sy Montgomer..."

I think this would be good on audio- probably depends on who is reading it. I read the book.

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote
I think this would be good on audio- probably depends on who is reading it. I read the book...."

Thanks, Julie. I'll hop on over to Amazon to listen to a sample.

[madrano]

Thanks, Julie, for answering my question. Dying of natural causes must have been an occasion for the community to celebrate the pig's life.

[Julie]

House of Hollow
Krystal Sutherland
4/5 stars
In this dark YA novel, the author tells the tale of three unusual sisters who as children disappeared for a month and returned not knowing what happened and with changes in their appearances. This time their older sister, Grey goes missing and Iris Hollow and her sister Vivi take up the challenge of where their sister went and what really happened the first time they went missing! Compelling! Horror

[madrano]

I need a horror book for my 100 Challenge & may use this one. Thanks for the recap, Julie.

[Julie]

The Tower of the Swallow
Andrzej Sapkowski
3/5 stars
"Child of Prophecy", Ciri is in trouble. She is being hunted by friends who want to help her and her foes who want her dead. Her goal is to get to the Tower of the Swallows alive. Will she make it? Witcher Series

[madrano]

You are making great progress on this series, Julie. You must really be enjoying it. Have fun!

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "You are making great progress on this series, Julie. You must really be enjoying it. Have fun!"

2 more books in the series to go!

[madrano]

Julie, i see a number of #0.5 and other 0.number in the series. Have/Will you been reading those, too? It's clear you are still liking the story.

[Julie]

There are different lists of how to read the books.

Witcher collections (anthologies)
#1 - The Road with No Return (short story)
#2 - The Last Wish (Anthology)
#3 - Sword of Destiny (Anthology)
#4 - Season of Storms (Anthology)
or
Witcher novels
1 - Blood of Elves
2 - The Time of Contempt
3 - Baptism of Fire
4 - The Tower of the Swallow
5 - Lady of the Lake

This is the order I am reading and is considered the most recommended reading order:
1) The Last Wish [short stories]
2) Sword of Destiny [short stories]
3) Blood of Elves
4) The Time of Contempt
5) Baptism of Fire
6) The Tower of the Swallow
7) Lady of the Lake
8) Season of Storms [prequel]

There is not really much difference in the lists.
You might want to try one of the short stories to see if you like the writing before you invest in the series.

[madrano]

Thanks for the info, Julie. I agree, a short story would be the way to go. I've tried that a couple of times with series. Thus far it's been a 50-50 success but i'm always open. ;-)

[Julie]

Natural Causes: An Epidemic of Wellness, the Certainty of Dying, and Killing Ourselves to Live Longer
Barbara Ehrenreich
4/5 stars
I have read Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed and enjoyed that book. In this book she talks about how we spend more time worrying about living a long life as we put our bodies through dieting, fitness and medical tests. But science shows that the cells make those decisions on how long we live and not us. That maybe we should live our life fully and not worry about what we cannot control. I thought this was very thought provoking! Barbara Ehrenreich Book

[madrano]

Interesting topic. I'm with my family this week & we discussed something similar today--is sacrificing worth it? Ultimately, we decided on most fronts making poor choices and feeling miserable may not be worth the stress some people put upon themselves to live longer. The question--live longer for what? I think i'll look at this book for some answers, as we were all just talking without facts/proof. Thanks, Julie.