Bill's Independent Challenges for 2023 (Done like toast. Onward to 2024)

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of the 3rd Nicholas Pym historical adventure, Without Trumpet or Drum by John Sanders 2.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Miss Marple mystery next (it's been awhile), A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie (Marple #5)

[Patricia]

Glad you enjoyed the Corby book, Bill. I read this with another group (Historical Mystery Lovers). I have the second book to get to some day!

[Bill, Moderator]

Patricia wrote: "Glad you enjoyed the Corby book, Bill. I read this with another group (Historical Mystery Lovers). I have the second book to get to some day!"

Once I actually focused on it and got used to the characters, I really enjoyed. I'm looking forward to trying the 2nd now.

[Ioana]

Bill wrote: "End October Reading Update
I completed 9 books in October, 3 since my mid-month update. Total pages 2600+ pages.


So glad to see Dust was a favorite! I need to read Sand, too.

[Bill, Moderator]

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "End October Reading Update
I completed 9 books in October, 3 since my mid-month update. Total pages 2600+ pages.


So glad to see Dust was a favorite! I need to read S..."

I hope I get to it sooner than it took me to get to Dust.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of the 5th Miss Marple mystery, A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie 4.5 stars. Love Miss Marple.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next is Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan one of my favorite graphic novel series.

[Carolien]

Bill wrote: "My review of the 1st book in the Athenian Mysteries series, The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I have a copy and based on your review I should get to it soon!

[Bill, Moderator]

Carolien wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of the 1st book in the Athenian Mysteries series, The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

I hope you enjoy, Carolien

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Philip K. Dick

[Bill, Moderator]

Mid-November Reading Update
5 books completed so far and making slow progress on the others.

Completed
1. The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini by Cynthia von Buhler (Minky Woodcock #1). Minky Woodcock follows Houdini while working for spiritualist Conan Doyle. One of the Hard Case Crime graphics. It was ok.. 3.0 stars. I've ordered the next, The Girl who Shocked Tesla
2. The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby (Athenian Mysteries #1) Good intro to this mystery series set in ancient Greece. (4.0 stars)
3. Without Trumpet or Drum by John Sanders (Nicholas Pym #3). An adventure set during the rule of the Roundheads. It was ok. There are two other books in the series but I can't find them. So I guess the series is finished as far as I'm concerned. (2.5 stars)
4. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple #5). As always an entertaining mystery. The murder is announced in the local paper and Miss Marple is on the case. My favorite book this month. (4.5 stars)
5. Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan I'm really enjoying the outer space adventure graphic series. This wasn't my favorite but it's moving the story along and has great artwork and interesting ideas. (4.0 stars)

Currently Reading
1. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (Oxford Time Travel #1). I'm enjoying but I'm almost half way through and wish something would happen!!!
2. Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon (1973). A horror story.... Similar comment to above. Get on with the story!! It's got a creepy tone at times... but let's go!
3. Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power (2008). It's giving me a perspective on the UN efforts to help displaced refugees and of one of the main actors in that effort. It's taking awhile to get through.
4. The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison (Inspector Shan #1). Enjoying this story very much. Buddhism, Communism, murder. Slow paced by very well told.
5. Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Philip K. Dick. I've read other books in this series which shows interviews with various political, literary, musical individuals. I like Dick's Sci-Fi and look forward to reading this one.
6. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (1962). The effects of pesticides and herbicides on nature. Powerful and easy to read.
7. Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks (Culture #7). I love the world that Banks has created with his Culture Sci Fi series; animate robots, the future society, etc etc. Rich stories.
8. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi A dystopic world set in Thailand; climate change, genetic manipulation. Neat so far.
9. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson (Jackson Brodie #3) Atkinson knows how to spin a story. I don't know where it's going but I like following the path she leads you down.

In the Hopper
1. Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe A neat graphic novel series with a modern look at the Greek gods, especially the romance between Persephone and Hades.
2. I Know This to Be True: Jacinda Ardern by Jacinda Ardern. I have a few of these books to read, this one features New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern.

Enjoy the rest of your November reading.

[Patricia]

A Murder Is Announced is one of my favorites by Christie. I thought the second half of Doomsday Book was much better than the first, so hang in there!

[Bill, Moderator]

Patricia wrote: "A Murder Is Announced is one of my favorites by Christie. I thought the second half of Doomsday Book was much better than the first, so hang in there!"

I'll keep you posted. :)

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Philip K. Dick & David Streitfield 3.5 stars. (An interesting collection of subjects in this series.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now I have to find out what the heck (or Hades, more appropriately) is happening to those Greek gods and goddesses, Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Great update, Bill. I felt the same about Harvest Home, except I put it down. Next time I will push through past pg 50.

I have The Wind-Up Girl. Not sure why I don't pick it up; but that is a trend with me.

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Great update, Bill. I felt the same about Harvest Home, except I put it down. Next time I will push through past pg 50.

I have The Wind-Up Girl. Not sure why I don't pick it up; but that is a tren..."

It's my trend too.. LOL

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks (Culture #7) 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next book in line is Mother Finds A body by Gypsy Rose Lee

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Mother Finds A body by Gypsy Rose Lee, a sillyish, light mystery. 2.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton a collection of New Yorker cartoons by the author of Ducks: Two Years on the Oil Sands.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is a book I just picked up today. It looked interesting. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar

[Linette]

Bill wrote: "My review of Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is a book I just picked up today. It looked in..."

I am not sure how I felt about This is How You Lose a Time War - beautiful, atmospheric writing, but also somehow directionless? I think I did like it, hope you do too :)

[Bill, Moderator]

Linette wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is a book I just picked up today...."

We shall see.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is the 3rd Oz book, Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum

[Bill, Moderator]

Plugging away at books I've been working on for awhile, my review of When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson (Jackson Brodie #3) (4.5 stars)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bill, Moderator]

End November Reading Update
Since my mid-November update, I completed 5 more books in November for a total of 10 and roughly 2300 pages. According to Goodreads, I've reached my yearly estimate of 120 books. I'll have to do a complete look when I get to the end of December.

So, these are the 5 books I completed in the last half of November.

Completed
(Just as an aside, I've completed two books so far in December but I won't mention those here. 😃)
1. Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Philip K. Dick & edited by David Streitfeld (3.5 stars). A series of interviews with Philip K. Dick by a variety of interviewers over the course of his life. Interesting.
2. Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe The 4th volume in the Lore Olympus graphic novel series. Continues the story of the romance between Persephone and Hades. My favorite soap opera (4.0 stars)
3. Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks (Culture #7). One of my favorite Sci Fi series. Banks has created such a unique, fascinating universe in this series. They can be read as standalones. (4.0 stars)
4. Mother Finds A body by Gypsy Rose Lee The 2nd mystery by burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee and featuring her in the mystery itself. This one finds them in Texas trying to solve a variety of murders. Fluff (2.0 stars)
5. Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton A collection of cartoons by Canadian author Beaton, featuring classic literature, historical characters, etc. Chuckles and laugh out loud moments abound. (4.0 stars)

Top 3 Reads of November
(No 5* selections. Maybe I'm getting too picky in my increasing old age)
1. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple #5). Loved it. 4.5 stars
2. Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks (Culture #7) 4.0 stars
3. The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby (Athenian Mysteries #1) Excellent start to an interesting series. I have #2 on my shelf now.

Currently Reading
(I'm working hard to get my list completed. I'm down to 7!)
1. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (Oxford Time Travel #1) 279 of 578 pages (48% complete)
2. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi 77 of 361 pages, 21% complete
3. Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon 104 of 416 pages (25% complete)
4. Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power 204 of 656 pages (31% complete)
5. The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison (Inspector Shan #1) 100 of 416 pages (24% complete)
6. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson 185 of 368 pages (50% complete)
7. Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Oz #3) 0 of 165 pages. Just starting

Next in Line, after Ozma
(short is the word for any new books)

1. Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan (2017) 123 pages.

Enjoy your last month of 2023!

[Lea]

Looks like I might need to look at the Lore Olympus series again. I read the first two and stopped. Maybe I should keep going...

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "Looks like I might need to look at the Lore Olympus series again. I read the first two and stopped. Maybe I should keep going..."

I did the same thing.

[Ioana]

Too bad none of my libraries has it...

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Oz #3) (4.0 stars)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan (Tinfoil Dossier #1)

[Laurel]

Bill wrote: "Plugging away at books I've been working on for awhile, my review of When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson (..."

I love Kate Atkinson and especially the Jackson Brodie series. I've got Big Sky on my lists for next year.

[Bill, Moderator]

Laurel wrote: "Bill wrote: "Plugging away at books I've been working on for awhile, my review of When Will There Be Good News? by [author:Kate Atki..."

I just ordered it.

[Bill, Moderator]

Vetting my books to see which ones I hope to complete by year end and whether, if I don't, do I want to continue in the new year and I've given up on two books I'm currently reading. I'm probably being unfair and may some day feel like trying again, but here you go.. my reviews, such as they are for

Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power NR

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon NR

Now to continue working on my other books.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan (Tinfoil Conspiracy #1) (3.5 stars)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is The People That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Bill wrote: "Vetting my books to see which ones I hope to complete by year end and whether, if I don't, do I want to continue in the new year and I've given up on two books I'm currently reading. I'm probably b..."

I get it. Harvest Home was droll for like 50 pages. I stopped and found something better.

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "Vetting my books to see which ones I hope to complete by year end and whether, if I don't, do I want to continue in the new year and I've given up on two books I'm currently reading. I..."

Indeed.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The People That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs 2.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is the 5th Gideon police procedural, Gideon's Staff by J.J. Marric

[Patricia]

I just read that Atkinson has a new Jackson Brodie coming out in August! Very excited! I do have a few other of her books to read, starting with A God in Ruins.

[Bill, Moderator]

Patricia wrote: "I just read that Atkinson has a new Jackson Brodie coming out in August! Very excited! I do have a few other of her books to read, starting with A God in Ruins."

You won't be disappointed.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Gideon's Staff by J.J. Marric (Commander Gideon #5) 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Going back to the Saga graphic novel series next with Saga, Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan

[Bill, Moderator]

Mid-December Reading Update
I've vetted the books I was reading and decided to give up on two of them; Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon and Chasing The Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power. I recorded the pages read but they are NonReads with No Rating.

Other than them, I've completed six books so far in December:
1. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar, a strange Sci-Fiish story told in the form of letters between two enemies. 3.5 stars
2. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson, a Jackson Brodie mystery and my favorite book of December so far. 4.5 stars
3. Ozma Of Oz by L. Frank Baum a fun adventure featuring Dorothy and the new ruler of Oz, Ozma. 4.0 stars
4. Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan, the first book in the Tinfoil Dossier, quirky and neat SciFi story 3.5 stars. I've ordered the 2nd book.
5. The People That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the 2nd book in his Kaspak trilogy. An adventure in a prehistoric land. Entertaining. 2.5 stars
6. Gideon's Staff by J.J. Marric. One of my favorite police procedurals set in London. Neat story. 4.0 stars

Currently Reading
1. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi A Dystopic Sci Fi story set in Thailand. Gene ripping, global warming. The more I get into it, the more I'm enjoying. Surprised how gritty it is.
2. The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison (Inspector Shan #1). I'm enjoying this mystery set in Tibet under Chinese occupation.
3. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Can't say I'm enjoying, per se, but it's an excellent read about the dangers of DDT, crop spraying, etc. Of its time, but very powerful
4. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis A Time Travel book. I do wish it would go somewhere, but at the same time, I'm enjoying.
5. Saga, Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan The continuing adventures of this space opera, chapters 25 - 30. I'm drawn to it.
(any of these books not completed by end year with carry over to 2024. I want to see how each book ends.)

Next Book
1. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers (I really liked her Monk & Robot duology.)

Enjoy the rest of your year.

[Ioana]

I'm not familiar with any of your completely read books, but Silent Spring, Doomsday Book and To Be Taught, If Fortunate are high on my TBR. Definitely in 2024. Looking forward to reading your reviews.

[Bill, Moderator]

Ioana wrote: "I'm not familiar with any of your completely read books, but Silent Spring, Doomsday Book and To Be Taught, If Fortunate are high on my TBR. Definitely in 2024. Looking forward to reading your revi..."

Thanks, Ioana.

[Carolien]

I need to go back to the Jackson Brodie series, I enjoyed the first ones very much. I'm interested in your thoughts on the Doomsday Book, I've had it on the list for ages,

Enjoy the last few days of reading in 2023!

[Bill, Moderator]

Carolien wrote: "I need to go back to the Jackson Brodie series, I enjoyed the first ones very much. I'm interested in your thoughts on the Doomsday Book, I've had it on the list for ages,

Enjoy the last few days ..."

I have a feeling that The Doomsday Book will carry over into 2024...

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi Glad I finally tried it as it was excellent. (4.5 stars)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3 books to finish plus some short ones before end year. Hoping to complete at least 2.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Saga, Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is a novella by Becky Chambers, To Be Taught, If Fortunate

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Agent of Dreamland is already on the tbr!! I might need to put that on my list to buy.

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Agent of Dreamland is already on the tbr!! I might need to put that on my list to buy."

You might indeed.

[Bill, Moderator]

Continuing to check books off my list with my review of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Can I finish my last three books? Two at least, I think.

[Bill, Moderator]

Almost end Year summary
I'm still working on 3 books. I hope I might be able to complete them and maybe another short one. We'll see. Anyway as I check my lists, I've completed somewhere around 132 books this year. This includes 4 books that I gave up on, so 128. Somewhere around 35,000 pages, which is sort of middle of the road since I started this ten years ago?

Only six 5 - star reads this past year and 16 - 4.5 star. Three 2.5 star, 4 2.0 star and 4 NR. The majority were 4.0 star, 56.

Pretty satisfied with my challenges. Didn't complete my 12 + 4, only read 9 books. I started 17 new series and continued 47 (in that specific challenge)

My 6 5 - star books were -
1. Idoru by William Gibson (Bridge #2)
2. Dust by Hugh Howey (Silo #3)
3. Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (2020)
4. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (2018)
5. March: Book Three by John Lewis (2016)
6. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (2020)

I'll continue this over the next few days... Good luck completing your 2023 challenges.

[Ioana]

You had a great year of reading, I haven't counted my stars yet.
I've only read Dust and Five Little Indians, and loved them both. I should really look into your other 5 stars. Hope your 2024 will be at least as good as 2023. Happy holidays!