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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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Next in line is a Kinsey Milhone mystery..."
It's always entertaining.
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My Jun focus is Biography and I'll start with
by Sarah Polley
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by Tim Probert (Lightfall #2 / 2022)
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It's already the end of May. Wow! We're off tomorrow to take our mini - Schnauzer Bonnie down island to see a vet eye specialist to see if she can do anything about Bonnie's cataracts. We've got her diabetes pretty well under control so let's hope she can get her vision back.
Anyway, since my mid - May update, where I'd read 5 books, I've completed another 7, 4 graphic novels and 3 regular novels.
Completed
1. Heart of Red Iron by Phyllis Gotlieb 4.0 stars. Canadian author Gotlieb is one of my fav Sci-Fi authors. This is the second and final book in her Dahlgren series. Wild planet, strange beings, interesting story.
2. Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman 4.5 stars. Continuing growth in the relationship between high schoolers Charlie & Nick as they take part in a school trip to Paris. Best book so far.
3. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #3). 4.5 stars Continued adventures of warlock / PI Harry Dresden. Finds himself in the middle of battle between Dark and Light Fae, as well as between Vampires and the Wizard council. Great, entertaining stuff
4. Stephen McCranie's Space Boy Omnibus Volume 2 by Stephen McCranie 4.5 stars. The 2nd collection of graphics featuring Amy, a young girl adjusting to living on Earth after growing up in a space station and her friendships, especially with Oliver, a distant, strange boy who she is trying to figure out.
5. Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian (4 stars) 6. Shadow of the Bird (4.0 stars) by Tim Probert. Wonderful YA fantasy graphic novels about Bea and her new friend Cadwaller (Cad) the Galdurian and their adventures to find Bea's grandfather and, oh yes, save their planet. When will #3 be written!!!
7. The Terminal Beach by J.G. Ballard (3.5 stars). A collection of short stories by Sci-Fi author Ballard. Bleak, dystopic, strange.
Top 3 Books (No 5 star selections)
1. Heartstopper: Volume Three 4.5 stars
2. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher 4.5 stars
3. Stephen McCranie's Space Boy Omnibus Volume 2 by Stephen McCranie 4.5 stars
Currently Reading
1. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton One of the last mysteries featuring California PI Kinsey Milhone. Looking into a cold case.
2. Golem100 by Alfred Bester. A slow go but interesting. Devil is called up and is a serial killer, it seems, 3 disparate individuals trying to solve the case.
3. Death at Dawn by Caro Peacock The 1st Liberty Lane historical mystery. Liberty is a young woman trying to discover how her father died and is caught up in political intrigue.
4. Dust by Hugh Howey. The last book in the Silo Sci-Fi series. Enjoying already.
5. Inverted World by Christopher Priest I'm just getting in to this Sci-Fi novel. Interesting concept; a city pulled on rails. Not sure where it's going yet, but I like writing so far.
6. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie. I need to focus on this gritty fantasy. I like it, but I've been picking up easier (er, shorter) books.
7. Return from the Stars by Stanisław Lem I haven't been too invested in this. It makes me think of Brave New World a bit. Space crew back from a long voyage, finds Earth totally different.
8. Interfaces by Virginia Kidd A collection of interesting Sci-Fi / Fantasy stories selected by Kidd and Ursula K Le Guin. Lots of new authors for me.
9. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo The Poet X was an excellent novel written verse. I'm looking forward to getting into this one.
In the Hopper
1. Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory by Sarah Polley A biography from Canadian actor / director Polley
2. The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry Book 3 of the Joe Ledger action / horror / adventure series
3. The Cabal by Saul Dunn A new author for me, an outer space adventure, 1st in a trilogy.
4. The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby An historical mystery set in ancient Greece, a new author and series for me.
5. The Blood Books, Vol. 3 by Tanya Huff The final two books in the Blood books series. Vampire, a cop and a detective solve supernatural mysteries.
Enjoy your sixth month reading. Happy June.
Nice variety. I've only read Dust and The King of Plagues and enjoyed them both. I hope you will, too.Your graphic novels look interesting, I need to check them out.
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Your graphic novels look interesting, I need to check them out."
Thanks, Ioana. They are geared toward YA, but still very enjoyable.
I recently finished The Pericles Commission and enjoyed it...now have to find the second book in the series, which is proving even more obscure, lol.
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I'm looking forward to finally starting it.
Nice month of reading, Bill! I need to read the Heartstopper series, my youngest daughter loves them and I know there is a new one coming in November.
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It might just be easier to watch the Nefflix series. I hear it's pretty good. :0)
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It's already the end of May. Wow! We're off tomorrow to take our mini - Schnauzer Bonnie down island to see a vet eye specialist to see if she can do anything about Bonnie's cataract..."
Great update, Bill.
Dust, and Summer Knight are both awesome. Still reading Before They Are Hanged, which is book 2 in the First Law series which is part of the world of A Little Hatred. Hopefully, this gives me a little more info.
I may have to add the Lightfall series. I love a good graphic novel!
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It's already the end of May. Wow! We're off tomorrow to take our mini - Schnauzer Bonnie down island to see a vet eye specialist to see if she can do anything about Bonn..."
Harry Dresden is always good value for money. The Lightfall books are YA but can be enjoyed by all ages. I have to finish off A Little Hatred. Too many books on the go at the same time...
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Next in line is Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power
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Off to a slow start in June, having only finished 3 books. I think I've got too many books on the go and find myself wandering from one to the other without being able to focus on one in particular. That's my aim for the rest of the month. We'll see. Anyway...
Completed
1. Interfaces by Virginia Kidd & Ursula K. Le Guin A collection of speculative fiction short stories & some poetry as selected by the two. Nice variety (4.0 stars)
2. Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery": The Authorized Graphic Adaptation by Miles Hyman A graphic novel version of Shirley Jackson's classic horror short story. Recreates the mood of the short story very effectively (3.5 stars)
3. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo My second book by Acevedo. Wonderfully touching story of two girls (one in NY and one in Dominican Republic) who discover they are sisters after the tragic death of their father. Told in free verse. Very powerful, emotional.. Just excellent. (5 stars)
Currently Reading
1. Casebook of the Black Widowers by Isaac Asimov. The 3rd collection of mysteries solved by an eclectic group of gentlemen as they have their monthly dinner (with a guest).
2. Golem100 by Alfred Bester. Odd Sci-Fi story about a group of women who call up a Golem and the trio trying to solve the story.
3. Return from the Stars by Stanisław Lem. A bit of a slog but still interesting. Kind of a cross between Brave New World and Gulliver's Travels. After return from space journey, individual adjusts to changes on Earth.
4. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton A Kinsey Milhone mystery. This one seems somewhat far-fetched, but as always, still interesting.
5. Inverted World by Christopher Priest I'm enjoying so far. City being hauled around on railway tracks but there are secrets..
6. Dust by Hugh Howey. The last book in the Silo series. Enjoying very much so far
7. Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory by Sarah Polley Well written collection of personal essays by Canadian actress / director Sarah Polley,
8. Death at Dawn by Caro Peacock The first book in the Liberty Lane historical mystery collection. A slow go so far.
9. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie I'm enjoying and have been at this Game of Thronesish fantasy the longest. Need to finish.
10. Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power. I enjoyed Powers' autobiography very much. Looking forward to reading this.
In the Hopper
1. The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby The 1st book in the Athenian mysteries
2. Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell The first book in the Hilary Tamar mystery series
3. The Blood Books, Vol. 3 by Tanya Huff The last two books in this horror / mystery series; Blood Debt and Blood Bank
4. The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry The 3rd book in Maberry's Joe Ledger horror / thriller series
5. Let the Fire Fall by Kate Wilhelm This is the 2nd book I've read by Wilhelm. I quite liked the first Sci-Fi book of hers that I read. This sounds interesting.
Enjoy your reading for the rest of June.
I also only read 3 books so far in June. I expect to finish one or two more this week, but we'll see. You've got a lot of interesting-looking books on the go.
I really enjoyed Clap While You Land.
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You've got a lot of interesting-looking books on the go.
I really enjoyed Clap While You Land."
I plan to try and finish some of those I've been reading the longest and get back on track. LOL... I plan to order With the Fire on High by Acevedo. I hope it's as good as the other two.
Nice update, Bill. I enjoyed Dust too, and also The King of Plagues. I now need to read Clap While You Land, great review, thank you.
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I like Acevedo's writing style and story telling. Enjoy the rest of your June reading.
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My next book is Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell (Hilary Tamar #1)
I read the Gary Corby book with another group a few months ago & enjoyed it. Enough that I have the second book to read. I've had the Caudwell book for a good while. Will be interested to hear your thoughts. Hopefully, it will help me to finally read it!
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I've had the Caudwell book for a good while. Will be interested to hear you..."
Thanks for your thoughts on Gary Corby. I've had it for awhile now. Looking forward to finally trying it.
Very interesting review from the Casebook of the Black Widowers. I hope to read more books by Asimov, the Robot series was great. I know I started Foundation at one point, too, but it is nice to see there are possibilities that aren't all heavy sci fi. We'll have to see...
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You might like to try Fantastic Voyage and Fantastic Voyage 2. They were neat.
Bill, Very diverse list. Glad you loved Clap When You Land, I am really interested in that. One. Nice it was 5 Stars 🌟. How is your Bonnie doing? Hope all is well 🐾🐾
Enjoy, finishing your list. 📚
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How is your Bonnie doing? Hope all is well 🐾🐾
Enjoy, finis..."
Thanks, Kristine, much appreciated. Bonnie has adjusted pretty well to her insulin shots. We go see the doggie eye specialist on Thursday to see if they can do anything about her cataracts. I hope they can. It will really be a boost to her confidence, I think.
Bill wrote: "3. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo My second book by Acevedo. Wonderfully touching story of two girls (one in NY and one in Dominican Republic) who discover they are sisters after the tragic death of their father. Told in free verse. Very powerful, emotional.. Just excellent. (5 stars)"Yay! I’m so happy that you enjoyed Clap When you Land. It was a 5 star read for me too. I’ve enjoyed her other books as well. Her voice really speaks to me.
Looks like I’ll have to put the Silo trilogy and Acevedo’s Family Lore on my list for next year. We are starting our lists, right?
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Ahem.... (view spoiler) 😎 🔐
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Bill wrote: "You might like to try Fantastic Voyage and Fantastic Voyage 2. They were neat."Great suggestion. Two books seems so much more doable than eight books! :-)
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Great suggestion. Two books seems so much more doable than eight books! :-)"
As I recall, the 2nd book was Asimov's attempt to correct some of the implausibility in the first book. There was a movie version of the 1st book too...
I've only read 4 so far this month. Week before last was a nightmare for us ... appointments every day. I was exhausted by the weekend & pretty much hibernated all week. But I did some reading along the way. I'm enjoying the 3rd Harry Dresden & hope to read Blood Bank soon. I'll miss that series.
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Life does get in the way sometimes, eh?
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Next in line is Let the Fire Fall by Kate Wilhelm
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I had hoped to complete one more book by end month and might still manage it. Anyway, total books for June, 8 completed. Total page3 roughly 2000.
Previously discussed -
1. Interfaces by Virginia Kidd & Ursula K. Le Guin 4.0 stars
2. Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery": The Authorized Graphic Adaptation by Miles Hyman 3.5 stars
3. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo 5 stars
Completed since mid-month
4. Casebook of the Black Widowers by Isaac Asimov (Black Widowers #3) cozy mystery short story collection. 3.5 stars
5. Ottoline at Sea by Chris Riddell (Ottoline at Sea). Children's story, love the art work and just fun. 4.0 stars
6. The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman (Sandman #4) Maybe the best of the Sandman collections so far. (4.0 stars)
7. Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory by Sarah Polley a collection of essays by Canadian film director / actress Polley. 4.5 stars
8. Ms. Tree, Vol. 3: The Cold Dish by Max Allan Collins Hard boiled detective graphic novel, Vol 3. 3.5 stars
My favorites of the month
Clap When You Land
Run Towards the Danger
Sandman Vol 4
Currently Reading
Some I've been working on for awhile now, but I aim to finish in Jul... *shakes his fist in determination*
1. Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power Power worked in Obama's administration. I liked her autobiography. Just starting this.
2. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie I am enjoying this gritty war story fantasy. I have to settle down and finish it
3. Dust by Hugh Howey. The last book in the Silo series. Slowly working my way into it.
4. Death at Dawn by Caro Peacock an interesting historical mystery. Reminds me a bit of Laurie King's writing style.
5. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton I hate that I'm almost finished this excellent detective series featuring California PI Kinsey Milhone. Comfort crime stories for my soul.
6. Golem100 by Alfred Bester This is a strange one but interesting. Crime story set in a dystopic fantasy future involving Golem murderer.. I think.
7. Return from the Stars by Stanisław Lem I may give up on this one but we'll see... Combination of Brave Ne World, Stranger in a Strange Land.....
8. Inverted World by Christopher Priest This is a different one but I do want to get into it to see where it's going. Interesting concept.
9. Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell I like this mystery. There is a wit to it. Reminds me of PG Wodehouse or John Mortimer (maybe more the latter as it involves barristers). Solving a mystery via letter, thus far. My first by Caudwell
10. Let the Fire Fall by Kate Wilhelm Just about to start. I did enjoy the previous Sci-Fi story by Wilhelm
In the Hopper - Either Alondra or Lea used this expression I think I quite like
1. Eye in the Sky by Philip K. Dick I've got a few of Dick's books to read. Always entertaining
2.A Rare Benedictine by Ellis Peters I do enjoy a Cadfael mystery
3. The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry I will finally get to this Joe Ledger thriller!
4. The Blood Books, Vol. 3 by Tanya Huff The next series to complete when I finish Dust
5. The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby another series (The Athenian Mysteries) that I'm looking forward to finally starting!
So many books to finish, so many to choose from. *sigh*
Enjoy your July selections. Happy Canada Day weekend. Happy upcoming July 4th celebrations. Happy Bastille Day upcoming. And Happy whatever you might be celebrating in July. Happy, happy, happy!
Bill wrote: "End June UpdateI had hoped to complete one more book by end month and might still manage it. Anyway, total books for June, 8 completed. Total page3 roughly."
What a great reading month with nothing lower than a 3.5!
Hope you have a wonderful July 🎆
There's always a bunch of books on your lists and in your hopper (maybe it was me, I don't remember) that I haven't heard about and look dangerously good. Looks like you had a productive month and even more on the go - best of luck finishing all those books in July. Happy Canada Day weekend to you too! :-)
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Thank you Lea. Big plans for Jul 4th?
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I also need to read Sand by Hugh Howey. I read an excerpt a long time ago and it was crazy!!! I gotta read that soon.
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I also need to read [book:Sand|2050..."
One of my plans for next year is to try to read more tomes... not that I've been looking ahead or anything.
Bill, I love your list--but now I feel totally overwhelmed with more books for my TBR shelf!
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Of course you haven't, Bill. 🤦🏾😂
I think I bit off more than I could chew. I'm reading 3 huge books, and The Terror is massive
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Of course you haven't, Bill. 🤦🏾😂
I think I bit off more than I could c..."
I've got 3 big ones on the go too... They kind of snuck up on me... lol
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Next in line is a Kinsey Milhone mystery, [book:U Is ..."
I really need to start the Dresden series!