On The Same Page discussion
2024 Independent Challenge
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Lea's 2024 Filling in the Gaps Individual Challenge
Lea wrote: "Ioana wrote: "I tried Eragon...it wasn't for me."I keep changing my mind about it! I do like fantasy, but have so many open fantasy series, I really should do something about that too. :-)"
I don't remember what I did not like about it. The narrator? Too YA? I can't remember, although I know I did not hate it. Just did not feel the time investment was worth it for me.
Definitely a good start to your year! I wish I could remember more about the Alice Network, but I do think I liked The Diamond Eye better. I'm just starting Warrior Girl, so am not reading the latest comments in the Buddy Read section. I should get into it a little more this weekend.Happy Reading!
Mod
Ioana wrote: "I don't remember what I did not like about it. The narrator? Too YA? I can't remember, although I know I did not hate it. Just did not feel the time investment was worth it for me."My co-worker has told me that the author was 19 when he wrote the first book, so he has encouraged me to read at least the first two in the series before I abandon it. I want to start some other series first, but I'll get to this one sometime and see if things improve. Since you aren't a huge fantasy reader, you probably did right by abandoning things. His books get progressively longer. :-)
Patricia wrote: "Definitely a good start to your year! I wish I could remember more about the Alice Network, but I do think I liked The Diamond Eye better. I'm just starting Warrior Girl, so am not reading the latest comments in the Buddy Read section. I should get into it a little more this weekend.Happy Reading!"
Yes, don't go to the buddy read thread right now. I hope you enjoy the book as much as Lindsey and I did.
Bill wrote: "You're off to a great start. I'm much slower so far.."I had such a slow November/December, but I'm back! :-) It's funny how reading comes and goes.
Mod
I had such a slow November/December, but I'm back! :-) It's funny how reading comes and goes."
Daily life impacts so many things.
Bill wrote: "Daily life impacts so many things."LOL, so true, but so unfortunate. If only daily life could work itself around my daily reading schedule. :-)
Mod
I keep changing my mind about it! I do like fantasy, but have so many open fantasy series, I really should do something about that too. :-)"
The first book is good; everything after is mid - meh.
Mod
I agree about Lehane. I haven't read Mystic River yet. I hope to one day, but I have to wait awhile. After reading Suttree by McCarthy and then Small Mercies by Lehane and Poverty, by America by Desmond during the past month, I think I need to read something that takes it easy on my poor tattered heart. ..."
Oops, yes; you did get 2 4-star. I always hope for the best. I hate when books are less than 3 stars.
You need to read something light and fluffy. LOL
Alondra wrote: "The first book is good; everything after is mid - meh."Oh, no! I hate it when that happens to a series. Well, I think I'll put it to the side for now, I have way too many fantasy series on the go, and I need to reign in my habits. :-)
Alondra wrote: "Oops, yes; you did get 2 4-star. I always hope for the best. I hate when books are less than 3 stars.You need to read something light and fluffy. LOL"
Me too. I just finished Iron Flame and was so disappointed to give it a 2-star rating, but it really was just okay.
So I just now started The Book of Lost Names which is not light and fluffy. LOL. I don't know why I do this to myself, but it happens.
Alissa wrote: "Great start to the year!!!!"Thanks! I'm feeling very productive this month. The rain does help my reading. :-)
Mod
Oh, no! I hate it when that happens to a series. Well, I think I'll put it to the side for now, I have way too many fantasy ..."
Yeah; even until this day, I am not sure what it was, but it was too much. I did like book 2; but I feel like too much was going on in this world and the set up wasn't complete or something. Mmmm
Alondra wrote: "Yeah; even until this day, I am not sure what it was, but it was too much. I did like book 2; but I feel like too much was going on in this world and the set up wasn't complete or something. Mmmm"I'll have to see how it does for me. I tend to dislike books that "change the rules of the world" for book 2 and beyond. We can learn more things about the world, but I don't think the rules should change. I'm on the fence about this with regard to The Empyrean (Fourth Wing) series. I may try Eragon, but only after I finish a few more series.
January Month End ReportBooks Read: 18(!!!) books this month and year. 6,366 pages.
Books from Filling in the Gaps: 11/100; 2022 Books 0/4, 2023 Books 0/12, 2024 Books, 11/84
Books from 12+4 Challenge: 5/16
Previously discussed:
Killing the Witches: The Horror of Salem, Massachusetts
The Alice Network
Fourth Wing
Small Mercies
The Housemaid's Secret
Poverty, by America
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Darkfever
Fractal Noise
Recently finished:
Killing the Legends: The Lethal Danger of Celebrity - This was another book by Bill O'Reilly and this one was a little more interesting than Killing the Witches. It was about the deaths of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Muhammad Ali, talking about the similarities between these three legends who had such incredible success, but then experienced pressures within their inner group of trusted people. I was least familiar with the story Muhammad Ali, as I do not care for boxing, but it was interesting to read his premise. I fear that there are other celebrities that could have been included in this story. Sometimes the grass is not always greener. 3 stars
End Game - What a disappointing end to the Will Robie series. I'm currently pretending that this book never happened. Ultimately, this is about Blue Man being missing and Robie and Reel going to search for him. It's a great premise, but should have been executed better. I was disappointed with the direction that the plot took. 2 stars
The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West - I started reading this book last year, and finally finished this year. I felt like McCullough must have done a lot of extra research for his book about the Wright Brothers and decided that Ohio deserved its own book. I learned quite a few things, but it wasn't my favorite book by him. I enjoyed it without being engrossed by it. 3 stars
Iron Flame - This is the second book in the Empyrean series after Fourth Wing and I have to say that I found some of the beginning of the book boring and repetitious. Then the book got interesting. I felt like there were some continuity issues though. Then, there was an ending that I didn't like and left me with both some issues and some questions. I'm not sure if I will continue with this series or not. The books are long and really should be shortened unless the narrative is propelling the plot forward.
The Book of Lost Names - I had already read The Alice Network this month, a WW2 book that I thought I was going to love, and didn't. So, I read this book, another WW2 book that I thought I was going to love, and I didn't. I did like the book. But I think I need to follow Ioana and limit my WW2 book reading. If this book had focused more on the story of the spies, the forged documents, and the rescued children, I would have been more interested. However, it was primarily a love story that I didn't get invested in. I felt like the characters lacked depth and were all a little too naïve. That said, I did enjoy this book more than The Alice Network and would definitely read a sequel that followed what happened to the children. 3 stars
The Exchange: After The Firm - The Firm was the first Grisham book that I read many years ago, and I remember that I loved it. I decided not to go back and read the book, because I remembered most of what happened before. However, I thought one of the differences between the book and the movie were that Mitch could no longer practice as an attorney. This seemed to be more of a sequel to the movie rather than the book, although it was entertaining. I'm glad I read it, but I'm afraid I might forget it. I'm not sure it has the staying power of the original. 3 stars
No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality - A memoir about Michael J. Fox that had been recommended to me. I haven't read his other memoirs, but I enjoyed this one. It was narrated in his voice and I had to slow it down to listen. I enjoyed his humor and the way he makes the best of his health condition and remains grateful for such close family connections. I would read another one of his memoirs. 3 stars
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - I don't think I ever read this book as a child. I needed to read something to make me happy after all of these depressing books about horrible people and this book fit the bill. I loved it so much. It is much better than the movie. (view spoiler) Yes, I do think I'll read the rest of the books in the series. There are a lot. 5 stars
Yellowface - This was supposed to be a buddy read for February, but I got the book early and was just going to dip my toe into the book. I could not put it down. I had some reservations about Babel, another book written by this author, because I felt like it was very heavy handed. This book was also a bit heavy handed, but cloaked in satire and very well paced. I did note a few continuity errors and I hated almost every single character, but it didn't affect my appreciation of the book. I thought it was very clever and I loved the ending. 4 stars
Currently reading:
Jane of Lantern Hill - This is a book by L.M. Montgomery. I'm about 20% into it.
The Talented Mr. Ripley / Ripley Under Ground / Ripley's Game - I'm about 2/3 of the way through the first book, The Talented Mr. Ripley. This is another book where I dislike every single person in it.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing - This is the memoir written by Matthew Perry. I wasn't going to read it, but I got talked into it and I'm not upset about that.
Book of the Month - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Least Favorite of the Month - The Alice Network
Biggest Surprise - Yellowface
Greatest Accomplishment - I finished seven series this month!
Progress on the Whack-a-Mole Series Situation –
Series Completed this year (for the moment...):
1. The Housemaid (1)
2. Firekeeper's Daughter (1)
3. Fractalverse (1)
4. Killing Series (2)
5. Will Robie (1)
6. The Empyrean (2)
7. The Firm (1)
Series Started This Year with Books Remaining:
1. Fever (10)
2. Ripley (5)
3. Oz (14)
Series Started Last Year with Books Remaining:
NONE!!!
Series That Added Books This Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
NONE
Series That Added Books Next Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Xanth (41)
2. You (2)
3. Camp Half-Blood Chronicles (1)
4. Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez (10)
5. Holly Gibney (1)
6. Thursday Murder Club (1)
7. Comoran Strike (4)
8. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1)
9. Stephanie Plum (9)
10. Heartstopper (1)
Abandoned series:
1. Crescent City
Mod
Continued enjoyment of your selections.
Great month! I've already commented on the buddy read thread, but can't believe you've already finished it! Glad you liked it though. I've got to get through a book for a book club next week first. My daughter & I were talking about the Ripley books last night. I've only read the first. We were wondering if the new Netflix series will feature all of them. Look forward to hearing what you think. I think I would have a hard time reading so many books in a row with such unlikeable characters! Ha!
Happy Reading in February!
Wow, you are a reading machine!Sorry about The Book of Lost Names, I'm on a long hiatus when it comes to WW2 books now. Unfortunately, these themes hav been done and repeated so many times, this formula is now old. I hope authors will come up with some new ideas on how to tell us those stories.
I'm almost done with Yellowface, and I keep thinking back to Babel. Do you thing that one was so heavy handed because of what she said in Yellowface about the publishing industry today? That authors just write what's currently asked of them, regardless of their views or feelings? And that's what she did?
I keep wondering how much of Yellowface is based on personal experience.
Bill wrote: "Wow! What a month. You're on a roll. I am enjoying the Oz books very much so far. I'm looking forward to trying The Fourth Wing, not sure when though. Of all the Highsmith books I've read, for some reason I've not wanted to try the Ripley books.Continued enjoyment of your selections."
How far along did you get in the Oz series? I'm going to try to read through the series, maybe a book every month or every second month.
I hope you can get to Fourth Wing sometime. The dragons are fabulous.
Do you have a suggestion for a Highsmith book? I am enjoying the book, despite the fact that these people are truly despicable. I had tried to hold off reading the book, but my book club wanted to read the first one...and then...my library only had the compilation of the first three books...and I figure...who are we kidding...I'm going to feel compelled to read the whole series...unless it turns terrible... :-)
Patricia wrote: "Great month! I've already commented on the buddy read thread, but can't believe you've already finished it! Glad you liked it though. I've got to get through a book for a book club next week first.My daughter & I were talking about the Ripley books last night. I've only read the first. We were wondering if the new Netflix series will feature all of them. Look forward to hearing what you think. I think I would have a hard time reading so many books in a row with such unlikeable characters! Ha!
Happy Reading in February!"
I hope you like your book you are reading for your book club. Don't worry, we will probably still be discussing Yellowface when you finish it. It should generate a lot of really great discussions.
My book club decided to read The Talented Mr. Ripley and my library only had the compilation of the first three books, so I think I'm committed to the series. LOL. I didn't realize that a series was coming out, I'm sure that explains why it was chosen.
I switched to reading L. M. Montgomery after reading all these books about disagreeable characters. I needed a little bit of a comfort read. I am enjoying the books, though.
Happy reading to you too! Here's to another great month!
Ioana wrote: "Wow, you are a reading machine!Sorry about The Book of Lost Names, I'm on a long hiatus when it comes to WW2 books now. Unfortunately, these themes hav been done and repeated so many times, this formula is now old. I hope authors will come up with some new ideas on how to tell us those stories.
I'm almost done with Yellowface, and I keep thinking back to Babel. Do you thing that one was so heavy handed because of what she said in Yellowface about the publishing industry today? That authors just write what's currently asked of them, regardless of their views or feelings? And that's what she did?
I keep wondering how much of Yellowface is based on personal experience."
I still have some WW2 classics that I've never read, but I need a break. Two in a month was a lot, and I have some regrets.
It is really interesting and I do wonder about how much personal experience plays into Yellowface. I know that social media has played into what our "collective conscience" is nowadays, what is apparently acceptable and what is apparently not. I could see where perhaps an editing team may have made some changes to the manuscript to make things "more clear" for the average reader and it came across as repetitive and heavy handed to me. That could have happened. She alludes to one of the characters reading Rand, an author who was didactic on the other side of the aisle, and a comparison I made when reading Babel. I'm hopeful that we get a better idea of what sells. In any event, I'm eager to read the other books by Kuang, whereas I was lukewarm before.
And I can't wait to discuss the ending of the book because I think it will be controversial. I am sure that everyone will have a different opinion as to what should have happened and whether this is a good ending or not.
Looking forward to discussing this all with you!
Lea wrote: "And I can't wait to discuss the ending of the book because I think it will be controversial."About 50 min to go...I just hope it's not a stupid ending...
Mod
I completely agree. I did not like the book at all and struggled to finish. I think I gave it 2 stars.... yuck.
Great update, Lea; and I may have to add Yellowface!! Woot!
finishing 7 series is AMAZING!And finishing the buddy read book before the month even started is hilarious haha I'm glad you liked it!
What an incredible start to the year! Super impressed with your progress. I'm starting Yellowface romorrow. Glad to hear its a fast read!!
Ioana wrote: "Lea wrote: "And I can't wait to discuss the ending of the book because I think it will be controversial."About 50 min to go...I just hope it's not a stupid ending..."
It's a controversial ending, and I think a lot of people won't be satisfied with it. I liked it. (view spoiler)
Alondra wrote: "I completely agree. I did not like the book at all and struggled to finish. I think I gave it 2 stars.... yuck.Great updated, Lea; and I may have to add Yellowface!! Woot!"
Somebody told me that I should read The Talented Mr. Ripley because I'd find myself rooting for the bad guys. That hasn't happened yet. I do often find myself feeling compassion for the "bad guys" but rarely do I want them to succeed and I highly doubt that will happen in the last 1/3 of the first book. Honestly, I do hope that justice is served, but since there are four more books after this one, I'm doubting that it will actually happen.
I think Yellowface is definitely worth reading. There's a group of us buddy reading it right now and I can't wait until more of us get done, because I think there is a lot to discuss and I can't wait to hear what people think. I think this will be a book where different people have different thoughts, and I love to discuss books like that. I always learn so much.
Alissa wrote: "finishing 7 series is AMAZING!And finishing the buddy read book before the month even started is hilarious haha I'm glad you liked it!"
It helps that most of the series only had one book left for me to read, but still it felt good to get ahead of it all. So good that I started five more series so far this year. Oopsies. And some of them have a lot of books. I'm doubtful I will finish all the series I start this year, but at least there aren't any holdovers from last year anymore. Bright side. :-)
Lindsey wrote: "What an incredible start to the year! Super impressed with your progress. I'm starting Yellowface romorrow. Glad to hear its a fast read!!"It was for me, I hope you have the same experience. I can't wait to discuss - I feel like this is a book where all of us will see something different. It's a good one to discuss.
Mod
Seriously!!?? I have no words. I hated the book so much, I might go back and tag a 1-star on it., just off principles. 😂
Mod
"2 Stars...maybe a 2.5 since I am drinking a margarita."
That drink was really good!! 😂🤣🍹
Lindsey wrote: "What an incredible start to the year! Super impressed with your progress. I'm starting Yellowface romorrow. Glad to hear its a fast read!!"It was for me too. Can't wait until you and Alissa read it, this will be a good book to discuss.
Alondra wrote: "Seriously!!?? I have no words. I hated the book so much, I might go back and tag a 1-star on it., just off principles. 😂"I love your principles, Alondra! I am a few chapters into the second book and I can promise you that Tom Ripley has learned nothing. Some might say that he still has the morals of a tomcat, but I think that's an insult to tomcats everywhere. :-) :-) :-)
Alondra wrote: "This is the first sentence of my review:"2 Stars...maybe a 2.5 since I am drinking a margarita."
That drink was really good!! 😂🤣🍹"
Problem solved, I now know how to improve those books.
I am keeping reading them, it is like a train wreck, I must know what happens, even though I know what happens is going to make me really upset!
Ioana wrote: "It was for me too. Can't wait until you and Alissa read it, this will be a good book to discuss."It is a great book to discuss, so glad we all read it at the same time.
Mod
I love your principles, Alondra! I am a few chapters into ..."
Yeah, don't do the poor tomcats like that! LOL
I am glad you are enjoying the books though. It just shows how individual we all are and that is awesome. It really shows that there is a book out there for everyone, they just gotta find it.
Alondra wrote: "Yeah, don't do the poor tomcats like that! LOLI am glad you are enjoying the books though. It just shows how individual we all are and that is awesome. It really shows that there is a book out there for everyone, they just gotta find it."
LOL. I think it is too much to say that I'm "enjoying" the books. I don't enjoy train wrecks, but I also look at them. I think it is the same with these books. I can't read them too fast though, it stresses me out reading about all these awful people!
February Mid Month ReportBooks Read: 8 books this month and 26 year to date. 8,577 pages.
Books from Filling in the Gaps: 16/100; 2022 Books 0/4, 2023 Books 1/12, 2024 Books, 15/84
Books from 12+4 Challenge: 7/16
Recently finished:
Jane of Lantern Hill - This is another children's book by L.M. Montgomery that I decided to read because I needed a palate cleanser after reading Yellowface and reading through the first three Ripley books in The Talented Mr. Ripley / Ripley Under Ground / Ripley's Game. The book is about a girl who lives unhappily with her mother and her grandmother. She discovers that her father is alive and he asks her to visit him one summer. It must have been scandalous in its day - with parents separated but not divorced. I enjoyed it, but it isn't without its flaws. 4 STARS
If I Stay - This was a great buddy read with Jackie and I think we both ended up liking the book. It's about a teenage girl who is in an accident. I thought it would be a tough read, but instead it was very soothing to my soul while I was reading so many books about people being awful to one another, this one was very gentle with a lot of good people. I am eager to read the sequel. 4 STARS
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing - This year is apparently the year for celebrity memoirs, as I read Michael J. Fox last month, and Matthew Perry and Britney Spears already this early half of the month and have Geddy Lee on the go. I wasn't going to read this book at all, but with Matthew Perry passing last October, I discovered I wanted to hear his voice and hear what he had to say. Of course, it made the optimistic portions of this book not very optimistic, because we know how this story will end. I'm glad I read it, but I needed a hug afterwards. 3 STARS
The Woman in Me - Two things can be true. Britney should not have been kept under conservatorship, especially without legal counsel. Britney is also not well. This is the story of the iconic Britney Spears, and it is powerful in making the point that if she had been a male star, the things that she had been doing would have likely not resulted in a loss of freedom. I contrasted how Matthew Perry was treated with Britney Spears, since I was reading them about the same time, and there is a sharp contrast. That said, I don't think Britney was honest with herself and her audience. She portrays herself as the victim, without addressing any mental health issues and barely addressing the medications she was taking. She says her family threw away all her journals and dolls and her mom takes to Instagram to show photos of both. I applaud how far she's come and her strength and I pray for her to continue her journey. 3 STARS
Daughter of Moloka'i - This was supposed to be a buddy read with Alissa, but I got ahead of things. It's the sequel to Moloka'i, and continues the story of Rachel and her daughter, Ruth. It worked it's way through World War II and how those of Japanese ancestry were placed in internment centers. I know quite a bit about the internment centers, having had friends whose parents had been placed in them, so this book wasn't revolutionary for me, although the book made some points of things I had not yet considered. Overall, I thought it was a good book, but it was one that I could put down. 3 STARS
Missing May - I thought this book would help with palate cleansing as I continued to read about the awful things The Talented Mr. Ripley was doing, but this book was both short and dealt with more grief. It was a Newberry Award winner, but I thought it was good without being particularly memorable. 3 STARS
The Green Mile - This was a serial novel by Stephen King about death row set in Louisiana in 1932. I had seen the movie before, but it had been 25 years since I saw the movie. I still visualized the actors while reading the book and I think they did a good job. The movie was intense, but to me, the book was moreso. I have to say the book was excellent, but to say I enjoyed the book would be tough. 4 STARS
The Marvelous Land of Oz - This is the second book in the Oz series, and not nearly as good as the first one. I did enjoy the flying Gump and the Woggle-Bug, but I missed the cohesion of the first book and the quest. I am looking forward to reading the next book, maybe that one will be better suited to my taste. 2 STARS
Currently reading:
The Talented Mr. Ripley / Ripley Under Ground / Ripley's Game - I'm about 1/3 of the way through the third book, Ripley's Game and these people are just despicable. I keep hoping justice will find its way into these books, but so far, no evidence.
My Effin' Life - This is memoir written by Geddy Lee, bassist of Rush. It's a long book with lots of information about his parents life as Jews in WW2 Poland. We're just now getting to their first album.
Chain-Gang All-Stars - This book starts with a bang. It's intense. It's about allowing lifers and death row inmates to compete, gladiator-style, against one another for their freedom. Because, of course, what they need to be successful to stay alive is clearly the skills needed to compete in the world. I may need another big hug after this book, if it keeps going where it is.
Progress on the Whack-a-Mole Series Situation –
Series Completed this year (for the moment...):
1. The Housemaid (1)
2. Firekeeper's Daughter (1)
3. Fractalverse (1)
4. Killing Series (2)
5. Will Robie (1)
6. The Empyrean (2)
7. The Firm (1)
Series Started This Year with Books Remaining:
1. Fever (10)
2. Ripley (3)
3. If I Stay (1)
4. Oz (14)
Series Started Last Year with Books Remaining:
NONE!!!
Series That Added Books This Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Deathless (1)
Series That Added Books Next Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Xanth (41)
2. You (2)
3. Camp Half-Blood Chronicles (1)
4. Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez (10)
5. Holly Gibney (1)
6. Thursday Murder Club (1)
7. Comoran Strike (4)
8. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1)
9. Stephanie Plum (9)
10. Heartstopper (1)
Abandoned series:
1. Crescent City
Mod
Like Alondra I remember buying the various serials of The Green Mile. They may have been available all at once when I bought it but it was quite awhile ago. Still one of King's best books I think. I'm enjoying exploring the World of Oz too, always nice entertaining adventures... so far anyway. Not surprising that Geddy Lee's book is long considering the length of some of their songs.😎 You've had an excellent month so far. Enjoy the rest and Happy Valentine's Day.
Glad to see you enjoyed If I Stay, I recommend the sequel as well. I really liked the tone of both.
Great month! Can't believe you don't have any books for series started last year! That is a stat I don't think I even want to look at. Maybe some day.Happy Reading & Happy Valentine's Day!
Looks like you're doing a lot of heavy reading this month Lea. Kudos. I hope you enjoy Chain gang more than I did. Its brutal and I don't think it made the statement that it was meant to. Maybe though I just didn't get it.
Bill wrote: "*hugs* for Matthew Perry's book.Like Alondra I remember buying the various serials of The Green Mile. They may have been available all at once when I bought it but it was quite awhile ago. Still one of King's best books I think. I'm enjoying exploring the World of Oz too, always nice entertaining adventures... so far anyway. Not surprising that Geddy Lee's book is long considering the length of some of their songs.😎 You've had an excellent month so far. Enjoy the rest and Happy Valentine's Day."
I think it would have been fun to read all of the serials as they come, but I'm also glad I didn't have to wait! :-)
I think it will take me awhile to get through all the adventures of Oz, but it will be fun. I do so enjoy children's books and the first book was better than I imagined.
I did laugh out loud when you made the comparison about the length of Rush songs and his book. I'm not yet at the part where Peart has joined the band, and I think Lee is not loving having to write the lyrics to songs.
I also think the older you are, the more you might have to write about. There's no minimum age to write a book about your life, surely The Diary of a Young Girl taught us that...but...I do think it is more interesting when there are lots of stories.
You've had a great month too, and I love your focus on an author. Things to consider for next year... :-)
Carolien wrote: "Glad to see you enjoyed If I Stay, I recommend the sequel as well. I really liked the tone of both."Thanks, Carolien. It was my first experience of a book written by Forman, but I'm definitely reading the sequel! And maybe more. I like the voice she gave her characters.
Patricia wrote: "Great month! Can't believe you don't have any books for series started last year! That is a stat I don't think I even want to look at. Maybe some day.Happy Reading & Happy Valentine's Day!"
Patricia, I couldn't stop myself from starting new series, but I decided that I needed to finish every series I started from that time forward, and I've been doing pretty good. Of course, I'm treading water, with total open series, since authors keep writing new books and previously "closed" series become open. I also have high hopes for going back and picking up partially finished series from years prior (I have tons!), but I haven't made much progress on that either. Oh, well, we have to read what inspires us! I may decide to stop looking at this stat too, at some point, but right now, it seems to only discipline I'm able to apply to my unruly series addiction. Happy reading to you too!
Michelle wrote: "Looks like you're doing a lot of heavy reading this month Lea. Kudos. I hope you enjoy Chain gang more than I did. Its brutal and I don't think it made the statement that it was meant to. Maybe though I just didn't get it."I'm about 50% in and inclined to agree with you, sadly. It had such a promising start, but now I think it is too brutal and I'm not loving all of the shifting point of views. I think there are too many for my taste. Too bad.
Lea wrote: "February Mid Month ReportBooks Read: 8 books this month and 26 year to date. 8,577 pages."
Great first half of the month!
Lea wrote: "My Effin' Life - This is memoir written by Geddy Lee, bassist of Rush. It's a long book with lots of information about his parents life as Jews in WW2 Poland. We're just now getting to their first album."
My husband got this one for Christmas and went through it in 2-3 days. He's not a reader and this will probably be one of 2 books he reads this year but he loved it that much. Also helps that he's a big Rush fan.
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Ring Shout (other topics)The Eye of the World (other topics)
The Best Way to Play (other topics)
Swan Song (other topics)
Starter Villain (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Elin Hilderbrand (other topics)Douglas Adams (other topics)
John Scalzi (other topics)
Bill Cosby (other topics)
Rebecca Ross (other topics)
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I expect nothing less from Dennis Lehane; but like I commented to Alissa. I will not be reading any Lehane books due to having my heart shredded with Mystic River. *cries again*"
I had two 4-star books so far: Warrior Girl Unearthed and Small Mercies. Both buddy reads!
I agree about Lehane. I haven't read Mystic River yet. I hope to one day, but I have to wait awhile. After reading Suttree by McCarthy and then Small Mercies by Lehane and Poverty, by America by Desmond during the past month, I think I need to read something that takes it easy on my poor tattered heart.