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2023 Independent Challenges
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Bill's Independent Challenges for 2023 (Done like toast. Onward to 2024)
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Starting two books next
1. The House That Stood Still by A.E. van Vogt, and
2. Moghul Buffet by Cheryl Benard
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Visiting with Dresden next, it's been awhile; Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #4)
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Enjoying my March reading so far. Completed 6 books (2 graphic novels in the six). 1400+ pages read as well. No duds and no 5 - star selections. Just entertaining books for the most part.
Completed
1. Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo A graphic novel about the early life of Eryk, set in the Grishaverse. According to the synopses it's set after Shadow and Bone. Excellent artwork and interesting story. (3.5 stars)
2. The Better to Eat You by Charlotte Armstrong A '50s mystery about inheritances, murder. Well - written, interesting story. (4.0 stars)
3. Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler (Xenogenesis #2). This story follows Lilith's child, Akin, part human / part Oankali as he explores human communities prior to his transformation and tries to find a way to save mankind. Excellent, unique. (4.0 stars)
4. Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels: The Case of the Missing Marquess, The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, and The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Serena Blasco. Graphic novel interpretation of the 1st three Enola Holmes (Sherlock and Mycroft's younger sister) novels. Fun character, wonderful artwork. (4.0 stars)
5. Ghost of the Well of Souls by Jack L. Chalker The last book of the Well World Saga, one I started back in the 80's??? Interesting story and satisfying conclusion. (3.5 stars)
6. A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers The 2nd book in the Monk and Robot duology. Thoughtful, light, made me feel happy. Now to start her Wayfarer Sci-Fi series. (4.5 stars)
Currently Reading
(I have sort of thrown my limit of no more than 5 books at a time out the window. But that's ok.)
1. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #4). Just about to turn to the first page. Nice to get back to this series.
2. The House That Stood Still by A.E. van Vogt (1950) I think this is my first Sci-Fi novel by Vogt. Aliens? Not sure. We shall see.
3. Think Inc by Adam Diment (Philip McAlpine #3). The last book in the McAlpine spy series; cool '60s English spy always getting into trouble and now on the run from his bosses.
4. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie (The Age of Madness #1). I just started this fantasy story and it's grabbed me right away.
5. Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle (1999). Enjoying it even if it's a slow burn. Young girl telling her growing up story, complete with ghost (I think)
6. Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (Ray Carney #1). Set in Harlem, furniture salesman (with some shifty aspects in him) Ray Carney. Took a bit to get going but enjoying now.
7. Moghul Buffet by Cheryl Benard (1998). American salesman disappears in Pakistan. Being looked for by reporter and investigator. Interesting so far.
8. The Doomsday Men by J.B. Priestley (1938). I'm not sure what this is about yet as I've just started. Found this book at a charity book sale. Took a chance. 😀
Some Future Possibilities
1. The Case of The Screaming Woman by Erle Stanley Gardner. My first attempt at a Perry Mason mystery.
2. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton It's about time I got back to a Kinsey Milhone mystery.
3. Small g: A Summer Idyll by Patricia Highsmith A Highsmith mystery. I'd planned to read it sooner but for the life of me couldn't find where I'd put it. Too many hidey-holes for books I think.
4. Heart of Red Iron by Phyllis Gotlieb. I've always enjoyed Gotlieb's take on Sci-Fi. O Master Caliban was the first story in the Dahlgren duology. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all ends.
5. Death at Dawn by Caro Peacock A new author and series for me. The first book in the Liberty Lane mystery series.
Enjoy the rest of your March reading.
Nice month Bill. You've got me interested in the Becky Chambers series but I think I'd better finish her other series first.
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I really like Joe Abercrombies work. I have a Little Hatred, but want to finish the First Law series first.
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I really like Joe Abercrombies work. I have a Little Hatred, but want to finish the First Law series first."
If I end up enjoying Hatred, I'll finish off this series and then check out First Law, Alondra. I have the first Wayfarer book and am looking forward to trying it.
Michelle wrote: "Nice month Bill. You've got me interested in the Becky Chambers series but I think I'd better finish her other series first."
That's a good idea, Michelle.
The limit of five books is a nice idea. For other people. :-) :-) :-)Wow, 6 books for half of month is great (even if two were graphic novels). Goals!
Enjoy your books!
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Wow, 6 books for half of month is great (even if two were graphic novels). Goals!
Enjoy your books!"
Thanks, Lea. Enjoy yours too.
Nice progress, Bill. I've had my eyes on the Xenogenesis for a while, glad to hear it's a good one.I think you'll like the Wayfarers trilogy (Monk and Robot is on my list). Happy reading!
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I think you'll like the Wayfarers trilogy (Monk and Robot is on my list). Happy reading!"
Glad to hear that at least two of you influencers like the Wayfarers series. 😀
Bill wrote: "March 2023 Mid-month Reading UpdateEnjoying my March reading so far. Completed 6 books (2 graphic novels in the six). 1400+ pages read as well. No duds and no 5 - star selections. Just entertaini..."
Great first half of the month Bill. I always end up adding a few from your lists onto my tbr pile. So many interesting books.
And I really need to get back to Becky Chambers 2nd book, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy. Liked the first one.
Also, I may have to start all over again with Harry Dresden. I keep seeing everyone here talking about that series.
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Enjoying my March reading so far. Completed 6 books (2 graphic novels in the six). 1400+ pages read as well. No duds and no 5 - star selections. Ju..."
The Dresden files books are always an enjoyable, action filled read. 😀
Lillie wrote: "I may have to start all over again with Harry Dresden. I keep seeing everyone here talking about that series."IMHO, stay away from the audiobook, worst narrator ever. I gave up on the series because of him.
Ioana wrote: "IMHO, stay away from the audiobook, worst narrator ever. I gave up on the series because of him."Thanks for the heads up! I probably would’ve tried the audiobook
Lillie wrote: "Thanks for the heads up! I probably would’ve tried the audiobook"Maybe you'll like him...try a sample, you never know. I didn't, he's constantly sighing. I read that the narrator changes after book 5 (I think) but I did not have it in me to listen to him anymore to get there.
I had to laugh at your 'limit' of 5 books. I'm lucky to keep it to 12 on my currently reading list. I do usually keep it to 3 main ones, but I can't even manage that lately. Most times one will leap ahead of the others and I'll manage to finish one. LOL Great half month! Now I have new graphic novels to search out. I love the Enola Holmes movies.
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I have to check out the Enola Holmes movies. I hear they are great.
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by A.E. van Vogt which, unfortunately, was a DNF, so NR. I read 77 of 192 pages.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Trying a mystery series that I've enjoyed on TV, now to see what the books are like; The Case of The Screaming Woman by Erle Stanley Gardner, a Perry Mason mystery
Five does sound like a good round number, but like you, I can't keep to it. Either books come in from the library I need to read or I need to read something for a book club, or I'm just not in the mood to read what I've got going! I do the same with what I'm watching which drives my husband crazy. I'm trying to limit to 2 (or 3) different series we watch together. But, it's hard!Enjoying your reviews as always!
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Nice to see there are so many others that do the same thing. LOL. Thanks for the review comment, Patricia.
I couldn't imagine reading that many books at once, although since Covid, I have gone to just reading one book at a time, I did used to read 2/3 so I could leave my kindle in my work bag so I wouldn't end up with nothing to read. I am also trying to be better with TV series, and just binge 3, rather than 5 like I used to.
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That's a good idea about TV watching.
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Next in line is No Next of Kin by Doris Miles Disney
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Darn! Now I have to keep reading it. Vol 2 has been ordered.
Bill wrote: "Darn! Now I have to keep reading it."LOL, that's what I said too after #1 :-)
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LOL, that's what I said too after #1 :-)"
Birds of a feather. :)
I read 9 volumes, and then there was this long pause before the author finally wrote Volume 10. I was trying to decide if I wanted to continue the series...because I felt like it wrapped up OK...but now that you all are getting excited about the series, I feel like I need to continue! More good books, oh darn! :-)
I've read the first 5, and I need to get back to it. Darn!
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Lea wrote: "I read 9 volumes, and then there was this long pause before the author finally wrote Volume 10. I was trying to decide if I wanted to continue the series...because I felt like it wrapped up OK...bu..."
Enjoy, you two. 😁
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, a satisfying little mystery by a new author for me. 4.0 starshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Next in line is the 2nd Jason Love spy thriller, Passport To Peril by
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In my mid-March update, I highlighted the six books I'd read -
- Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo (3.5 stars)
- The Better You Eat by Charlotte Armstrong (4.0 stars)
- Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler (4.0 stars)
- Enola Holmes, the Graphic Novels, Vol 1 by Serena Blasco (4.0 stars)
- Ghost of the Well of Souls by Jack L. Chalker (3.5 stars)
- A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers (4.5 stars)
March Totals
Total books - 11, Yearly Total - 34
Total pages - 2200, Yearly Total - 8,200 (Avg. per book - 241)
Top Three Books
1. A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers (4.5 stars)
2. No Next of Kin by Doris Miles Disney (4.0 star)
3. Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels: The Case of the Missing Marquess, The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, and The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Serena Blasco (4.0 stars)
Books Completed this last Half
1. The House That Stood Still by A.E. van Vogt. This was a DNF, a strange little Sci-Fi story involving ancient American natives, the Toltecs, maybe aliens, murder... Too strange for me.. NR
2. The Case of The Screaming Woman by Erle Stanley Gardner. My first Perry Mason mystery. Sort of what you'd expect if you have ever enjoyed the original TV series. Della gets Perry involved in a case that sounds interesting and with a nice little courtroom drama portion, he solves the crime. Need I say more? (3 stars)
3. Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan. I'd seen this graphic novel during my past explorations of comic book stores but never tried. But thanks to the influencers in this group, finally decided to take the plunge and try it out. NEAT! Inter-racial relationship a la Romeo and Juliet but more graphic. Great artwork. Entertaining story. Super! Vol 2 is on order (4.0 stars)
4. Think Inc by Adam Diment. The last book in the Philip McAlpine spy / thriller series. Cool '60s spy, McAlpine, bungles a case and is now on the run from his minders and hiding out in Italy. Persuaded to join a criminal org, Think, Inc. Adventures ensue. I think it might have been the best so far of the 4 books. Unfortunately, author Diment disappeared after the 4th book and didn't write anymore. (4.0 stars)
5. No Next of Kin by Doris Miles Disney. My first look at the mysteries of this American author. It was a tight, well-written mystery, taut and suspenseful. Family tragedy, blackmail, intrepid reporter trying to help a damsel in distress. Most enjoyable. (4.0 stars)
Currently Reading
1. Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
2. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie
3. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
4. Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle
5. Moghul Buffet by Cheryl Benard
6. Small g: A Summer Idyll by Patricia Highsmith
7. The Doomsday Men by J.B. Priestley
8. Passport To Peril by James Leasor
Possible Next Books
1. Heart of Red Iron by Phyllis Gotlieb
2. Death at Dawn by Caro Peacock
3. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
4. Skull-Face by Robert E. Howard
5. By Cecile by Tereska Torrès
Continued good reading in April.
Your thread is so dangerous, there are so many good books that I haven't read on it. I really need to read some books by Becky Chambers. And keep going on the Saga volumes. I enjoy reading your reviews. Onward to April! :-)
You had a great month, and you are SO CLOSE with finishing the Alphabet series! way to go
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I think I may have to finish it off next year if I don't this one. Thanks, Alissa. Enjoy your April too.
Lea wrote: "Your thread is so dangerous, there are so many good books that I haven't read on it. I really need to read some books by Becky Chambers. And keep going on the Saga volumes. I enjoy reading your rev..."
It's nice that we all provide reading ideas for each other. Onward to April!
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Next in line is By Cecile by Tereska Torrès
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In my mid-March update, I highlighted the six books I'd read -
- Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo (3.5 stars)
- The Better You Eat by Charlotte Armstrong (4.0 stars)
- Ad..."
Great month, Bill!
So glad you are reading Joe Abercrombie. How are you liking it???
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In my mid-March update, I highlighted the six books I'd read -
- Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo (3.5 stars)
- The Better You Eat by Charlotte Armstrong (4...."
It's kind of a grittier, if that's possible, Game of Thrones. I'm enjoying it, although it's a slow build.
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Next in line is Skull-Face by Robert E. Howard
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Next in line is a fantasy from Leigh Brackett. I had previously enjoyed one of her mysteries. Looking forward to trying this, The Sword of Rhiannon
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Next in line is Death at Dawn by Caro Peacock (Liberty Lane #1)
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by Chris Riddell
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Finished 6 books so far, mostly fairly short as I try to get through my longer selections. 😁
1. The Doomsday Men by J.B. Priestley (1938). I'd not read anything by Priestley before. One of those books I discovered at a local Thrift Shop. It's about a group of disparate individuals dragged into investigating a group of fanatics trying to destroy the Earth. Interesting. (3.5 stars)
2. Moghul Buffet by Cheryl Benard (1998) Set in Pakistan, an American goes missing. Not my favorite story but worth checking out maybe. (2.5 stars)
3. Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan (Saga Chaps 7 - 12 / 2013).. The influencers in this group got me hooked on this series. Great artwork, entertaining Sci-Fi story; sexy, enough action to satisfy you. (4.0 stars)
4. Skull-Face by Robert E. Howard. (1929) A novella from the guy who brought you Conan the Barbarian. More in the line of the Dr. Fu-Manchu fantasy adventures. (3.0 stars)
5. Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (2021) My first effort from this author. Three short stories / novellas featuring furniture salesman / part time crook Ray Carney. Set in New York, mainly Harlem, in the 60s. I like the references to the furniture of the time, it paints a great picture. Lots of tension as well, worked in nicely. (4.0 stars)
6. Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright by Chris Riddell (Goth Girl #3 / 2015). If you've got kids who are exploring the reading world, a great series for them. Also it's adult enough, with literary references and such, to make it enjoyable for you too. Love the artwork and the characters. Wuthering Heights refs in this one, plus many others. Makes me feel good. (3.5 stars)
Currently Reading
1. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (Harry Dresden #4 / 2002). It's been nice getting back to Dresden's fantastical world.
2. Death at Dawn by Caro Peacock (Liberty Lane #1 / 2007) Just starting the series and the book. Historical adventure, so it seems. Not sure what else to say yet.
3. Passport to Peril by James Leasor (Dr. Charles Hood #2 / 1960). Spy thriller. Starting in Switzerland, eventually moving to the the Himalayas.
4. By Cecile by Tereska Torrès (1963). The end of WWII coming out. Young woman returning to Paris, romanced by her mentor, falling love? with his mistress... Second story by Torres that I've tried.
5. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie (Age of Madness #1 / 2019) Game of Thrones but dirtier and grimier. Moving along nicely
6. Heart of Red Iron by Phyllis Gotlieb (Dhalgren #2 / 1989). It's been a few years since I read Dhalgren but it's not taken too long to get back into the story. Gotlieb wrote some unique Sci-Fi stories.
7. The Sword of Rhiannon by Leigh Brackett (1949). Set on Mars, jumping from the future to Mars' past. Interesting so far.
8. Small g: A Summer Idyll by Patricia Highsmith (1994) Murder set in Switzerland. Highsmith is always different.
9. Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle (1999) Coming of age story about a girl who is forced to follow her mother to England in her new marriage, combined with a ghost story.
Possible next in lines
1. Golem100 by Alfred Bester (1980) I've read three other Bester Sci-Fi stories. He's interesting.
2. The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby (Athenian Mysteries #1 / 2010). I've had this on my shelf for 3 years. Historical mystery set in ancient Athens. I hope it's good.
3. Dust by Hugh Howey (Silo #3 / 2013). The final book in a fascinating end of world series. I've really enjoyed.
4. Return from the Stars by Stanisław Lem (1961). I've never read any of Polish author Lem's Sci-Fi. We'll see.
5. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton (2009). Getting near the end of the Kinsey Milhone mystery series. I've got mixed emotions about it. It's been a fun ride.
Good luck with the rest of your April reading.
Sounds like April is shaping up to be a good month for you Bill. Happy reading!
Sounds like a busy and satisfying month for you Bill!I was just reading about Harlem Shuffle --I've read Nickel Boys and Underground Railroad and am curious about this one. Seems to be a very different kind of work.
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I was just reading about Harlem Shuffle --I've read Nickel Boys and Underground Railroad and am curious about this one. Seems ..."
I have another of his books on my shelf, The Intuitionist, which seems to be Sci-Fi. Harlem Shuffle was definitely different.
Michelle wrote: "Sounds like April is shaping up to be a good month for you Bill. Happy reading!"
Thanks, Michelle. You too.
Bill wrote: "Mid-April Reading UpdateFinished 6 books so far, mostly fairly short as I try to get through my longer selections. 😁
...."
Going to have to try the Goth Girl series. Sounds like fun, and I like literary allusions.
On The Same Page
Books mentioned in this topic
Artificial Condition (other topics)Artificial Condition (other topics)
Five Little Indians (other topics)
March: Book Three (other topics)
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Michelle Good (other topics)Eliot Pattison (other topics)
Peter S. Beagle (other topics)
Becky Chambers (other topics)
Alice Oseman (other topics)
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2. Start a Series - Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead .."
Ok..."
Whitehead is a slow burn. I don't mind it so far.