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2024 Independent Challenge
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Lea's 2024 Filling in the Gaps Individual Challenge
Patricia wrote: "Great month & great mix of books! I'm glad you said that about Our Town. I only read it with one of my kids when I was homeschooling & we were underwhelmed. I'll have to try & listen or watch; especially as I do plan to read Tom Lake.I did enjoy Before the Coffee Gets Cold, but I have been enjoying several Japanese authors lately. Even though I usually have to write the names down to keep them straight. I'll be interested to hear how you like the whole series.
Happy Reading!"
I hope you enjoy Tom Lake - and if you do decide to watch Our Town, I hope you enjoy it better. I get why people don't care for it, but I enjoyed it. Not a lot happens on the surface.
I would like to get back to reading more Japanese novels, it has been awhile. There's something soothing about Before the Coffee Gets Cold. I don't think it will change the world, and it is repetitive...but my book is the first three books, so by the time I finish it, I hope I'll still be in the spirit to continue.
Lea wrote: "Ioana wrote: "That's actually very sensible, thank you!"Maybe wait to thank me after you've watched or listened to the production. You may still dislike it. There's not a lot going on on the surf..."
It's only 2 hrs...how bad can it be?
Lea wrote: "Coffee is a filthy habit. :-)"Ohhh, blasphemy!! I guess you never had good coffee. The best I ever had was at Hotel Calzaiuoli 30 years ago in Italy, and recently in Vietnam. There were other very good ones in between, but these 2 stand out.
Wine and chocolate have their own ranking system, they should not be mixed ;-)
Lillie wrote: "Watching to see what you end up thinking of this book. I love time travel but, unfortunately, this dragged for me and that’s not good when it’s a novella. Still ended up giving it 3* but I won’t be reading the next one."See, I don't care so much for time travel. I always have quibbles. I do find the book soothing, but all of the characters run together and make it feel repetitive. I'll read 1-3 in this book and let you know if anything happens where you must continue. But I doubt it. It isn't the flavor of this type of book.
Ioana wrote: "Ohhh, blasphemy!! I guess you never had good coffee. The best I ever had was at Hotel Calzaiuoli 30 years ago in Italy, and recently in Vietnam. There were other very good ones in between, but these 2 stand out.Wine and chocolate have their own ranking system, they should not be mixed ;-)"
Let me be further blasphemous and say that it isn't just that I don't appreciate coffee. I loathe everything about it. I don't like the smell of it, I don't like the look of it, I don't like the taste of it, I am actively repulsed by coffee and anything coffee flavored or coffee adjacent. No to tiramisu. So I'm not sure I would even appreciate the good stuff. I will try everything once with an open mind, but I'm not sure there will be a positive outcome for someone like me. :-(
Case in point, I have a co-worker who is a smoker. He came into my office recently after a smoke break and I immediately wrinkled my nose. He is one of those people who is very conscious about the smell and washes his hands after smoking, so he started to immediately apologize. I told him, "No, no, I can't smell any smoke on you and even if I did, cigarette smoke is somewhat tolerable...but that coffee mug you are waving around has got to go."
My husband is a pretty much a saint for a variety of reasons, but living in a house with no coffee might top the list. I worry once he retires, we may have to set up a coffee machine in the shed, but right now, he gets his coffee fix at work.
LOL, how you feel about coffee, that's how I feel about smoking.Yes, your husband is a saint. Mine would've divorced me long time ago :-)
But he stopped smoking for me, so who knows?
No to tiramisu; or coffee ice cream, hmmm....I guess we can still be friends, there are tons of other deserts we can enjoy together.
Lea! Hello fellow coffee hater, lol. I don’t mind the smell of coffee but coffee flavored anything and I’m out
I have never liked coffee either. Mild coffee flavor is OK if you cover it with something else (preferably chocolate) and I recently discovered that I can sometimes drink a Frappe since that is like a little coffee in my chocolate ice cream. Mostly though I am a devoted tea drinker. I have found that the worst thing ever are those Kuerig machines. The coffee drinkers that I work with lobbied to buy one for the office and one of the selling points was that I would also be able to make my tea with the same machine. I have never tasted anything so awful. Anything that runs through there tastes like the plastic cup you insert, and we weren't cleaning the entire machine between me and the coffee drinkers, so the result was a coffee tea mixture that tasted more like eating a dixie cup than anything else. To all the coffee lovers out there who try to help the rest of us develop the addiction. Please, just let us be. We have our own vices and we prefer them.
Michelle wrote: "Mostly though I am a devoted tea drinker. I have found that the worst thing ever are those Kuerig machines. "As a fellow devoted tea drinker, the keurig is the worst! I mean what was I even drinking? And then when you add in the left over coffee flavoring, that was a nope from me
As a coffee lover, I agree about the Keurig machine. Yuk!Not to mention the environmental impact of all those plastic cups.
Lillie wrote: "Lea! Hello fellow coffee hater, lol. I don’t mind the smell of coffee but coffee flavored anything and I’m out"Glad to hear that I'm not alone. At least you don't mind the smell of coffee. If someone wants to meet you for coffee, you can at least play along. I think we all have our vices and I have plenty of others.
:-)
Michelle wrote: "I have never liked coffee either. Mild coffee flavor is OK if you cover it with something else (preferably chocolate) and I recently discovered that I can sometimes drink a Frappe since that is like a little coffee in my chocolate ice cream. Mostly though I am a devoted tea drinker. I have found that the worst thing ever are those Kuerig machines. The coffee drinkers that I work with lobbied to buy one for the office and one of the selling points was that I would also be able to make my tea with the same machine. I have never tasted anything so awful. Anything that runs through there tastes like the plastic cup you insert, and we weren't cleaning the entire machine between me and the coffee drinkers, so the result was a coffee tea mixture that tasted more like eating a dixie cup than anything else. To all the coffee lovers out there who try to help the rest of us develop the addiction. Please, just let us be. We have our own vices and we prefer them."I totally agree about the Keurig machines, Michelle. That coffee/tea mixture is the worst. I love a really good flavored tea, but I'm neutral on most other types of tea. I typically drink it to stop the cries of horror and outrage when people cry, "You don't like coffee or tea??" but likely wouldn't order it otherwise. On the other hand, if I go to another country or a fancy tea place, that is fun. :-)
Ioana wrote: "LOL, how you feel about coffee, that's how I feel about smoking.Yes, your husband is a saint. Mine would've divorced me long time ago :-)
But he stopped smoking for me, so who knows?
No to tiramisu; or coffee ice cream, hmmm....I guess we can still be friends, there are tons of other deserts we can enjoy together."
Wow, that is something that your husband stopped smoking for you. My husband needs his 3C's: Coke, Cheese, Chocolate. I'm glad he doesn't have Coffee as his 4th C. He likes it, but doesn't live by it.
LOL - maybe we can be better friends. You never have to worry about me eating the last piece of tiramisu! Haha!! :-)
Lea wrote: "LOL - maybe we can be better friends. You never have to worry about me eating the last piece of tiramisu! Haha!! :-)"You are so smart, I haven't thought of that. We'll still fight over the chocolate, I guess...
Mod
I'm afraid I'm addicted to coffee, usually a pot each day... ☕ 😃
Lea wrote: "Coffee is a filthy habit. :-) I do love wine, though. And chocolate. So that must can..."
I love all 3! =)
Ioana wrote: "You are so smart, I haven't thought of that. We'll still fight over the chocolate, I guess..."True. Although, if you are able to distract me with fresh strawberries and vanilla bean ice cream, I will probably let you have almost all of the chocolate. :-)
Bill wrote: "There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly ground coffee... not that I have a coffee grinder, mind you. But I used to like it when people ground their coffee at the grocery store. Of course freshly baked bread also smells good, but that's a digression.I'm afraid I'm addicted to coffee, usually a pot each day... ☕ 😃"
I usually avoid the stores that grind coffee if I can help it, or hurry through the area.
However, I agree about the freshly baked bread. Such a lovely smell. Makes me want to bake bread this weekend. Or just meander through the bakery. :-)
Alissa wrote: "Lea wrote: "Coffee is a filthy habit. :-) I do love wine, though. And chocolate. So that must can..."
I love all 3! =)"
See, there you go. Since I love math, I will tell you that the two positives definitely cancel out the negative of me not liking coffee, so we can still be friends. It's mathematically incontestable.
Lea wrote: "if you are able to distract me with fresh strawberries and vanilla bean ice cream, I will probably let you have almost all of the chocolate. :-)"Sorry, if they are good strawberries, you don't stand a chance with me. Or cherries. Or peaches.
You can have the vanilla ice cream (maybe). Only because your "probably" and "almost" are not too reassuring.
We can share Bill's fresh baked bread.
And now I need to go eat, because this is getting too much 🤣
Ioana wrote: "Sorry, if they are good strawberries, you don't stand a chance with me. Or cherries. Or peaches.You can have the vanilla ice cream (maybe). Only because your "probably" and "almost" are not too reassuring.
We can share Bill's fresh baked bread.
And now I need to go eat, because this is getting too much 🤣"
I know, I'm so hungry now. I had the best strawberries this week. We found this little roadside stand in the middle of nowhere and the strawberries were so tiny and organic and sweet. It might really be worth it to go back there and get more. :-)
No good strawberries here yet. Maybe next month? Hopefully...
Mod
Watched Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley; etc. Pretty good shows. What amazed me about Henry Winkler is that he and only a few others, went on to do great things in Hollywood. Ron Howard, a really great director; along with Penny Marshall.
Leviathan was good. I think I gave it 3.5 Stars. I first foray into Steampunk.
Alondra wrote: "Watched Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley; etc. Pretty good shows. What amazed me about Henry Winkler is that he and only a few others, went on to do great things in Hollywood. Ron Howard, a really great director; along with Penny Marshall.Leviathan was good. I think I gave it 3.5 Stars. I first foray into Steampunk."
I was today year's old when I discovered that Laverne and Shirley and Happy Days were connected. I had no idea. :-)
Steampunk was such a popular genre, I remember reading several series back in the day, but never did read Leviathan. I hope I like the books too. It's over 15 years old, so hopefully it doesn't show its age too much. :-)
June Mid Month ReportBooks Read: 9 so books this month and 84 year to date. 29,471 pages.
Books from Filling in the Gaps: 43/100; 2022 Books 1/4, 2023 Books 4/12, 2024 Books 38/84
Books from 12+4 Challenge: 13/16
Recently finished:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold / Tales from the Café / Before Your Memory Fades - This book is #1-3 in a series written by Kawaguchi. Kawaguchi is a playwright and it shows in his novels. They might be better visualized than read. It is about coffee shops and time travel, two things I controversially don't care much about. However, the books are soothing and simple. Nothing earthshattering, but nothing upsetting in them either. I don't get the hype, but I will probably continue reading the series. 3 stars
Check & Mate - This is an allegedly YA book written by Ali Hazelwood. It's about chess and dysfunctional families. I liked it, but I might have known too much about chess to really love it. Also, some of the family dynamics were a little much. That said, the book was fine, but I'm sure I'll never read it again. GRC Award winner. 3 stars.
Iced - This is the 6th book in the Fever series, and the first written in Dani's perspective. Yeah, no, this is not to my taste at all. I hope the author gets back on track or this will be another series that I will abandon. 1.5 stars
Bite Me - This is the 3rd and currently final book in the Love Story series, and it won the GRC Award in 2009, so I have been hoping to get it read for awhile. It's about vampires in San Francisco, and it is completely ridiculous. I am not sure it is worthy of the award, but I did like the story. Abby is my favorite character, several times she made me laugh. 3 stars
Spare - The reading club made me do it, and I'm glad I did. Oddly enough, the book both made me like Harry more and like him a lot less. I'm not sure if it is the fault of the ghostwriter or not or the point of the book, but as you know, bad things happen to Harry, and he seems so fixated on himself. It's like he's unable to see that bad things are happening to other people also and the impact of his actions on others. That said, I felt for him - so much tragedy, so many miscommunications, so many challenges, so many voices telling him what to do and what not to do. I really hope that he is able to find some peace, empathy for others, and something to do that he enjoys. And I wish the same for the other members in the British royal family. 3 stars
Blackout - This is the third book in the Newsflesh trilogy, but a trilogy isn't a good trilogy unless there are at least four books in it. I can't say too much about this book because there are spoilers, but although I had some quibbles, this series had a suitable ending. This is a GRC Award winning series that I would have never picked up if it weren't for GRC Awards. 3 stars
The Emerald City of Oz - This was supposed to be the 6th and final book in the Oz series, but when you have no money and fans clamoring for more books, you really are never done. The Gnome King is coming for Oz and Ozma doesn't seem to want to do anything. The ending is neat and contrived but the puns were outstanding. 3 stars
Messenger - This is the third book in the Giver series. I'm not one for symbolism, but this book has lots of it. While I don't agree with the author's portrayal of the Trade Master (and capitalism), the immigration issue was pretty interesting, especially since it involved curtailing visits as opposed to people moving to a new place permanently. Overall, a very nonpolitical way to have a quite political book. I liked it, but what a tough ending. I can't wait to see how she wraps the series with the next book. 3 stars
Stepsister - I love me a fairy tale retelling. This one had a fantastic premise. It explains what happened to the stepsisters after Cinderella married her prince. And it provides positive reinforcement that being pretty should not be the aim of women. How could something go wrong? Well, although the author tried to make the stepsisters change from their caricature, unfortunately, she used a whole bunch of other stock characters to make that happen. In addition, the resolve involved a lot of magic and I think it would have been a better message to have the resolve be a bit more realistic. 3 stars
Currently reading:
2001: A Space Odyssey - What a weird start to this book. I paused reading it, but I'm about to start up again. At least the book is short.
Ford County - Sometimes I use short stories to get me going when I'm in a book slump. This is by Grisham. It also had a slow start for me, so I think it is just me.
Rise: A Newsflesh Collection - Another group of short stories in the Newsflesh series. Maybe this will do the trick, but it is quite a doorstopper.
Leviathan - A GRC Award winner - YA Steampunk. So far, it hasn't gripped me either. I think it must be just me, I need to get back in the mood to read these books.
Progress on the Whack-a-Mole Series Situation –
Series Completed this year (for the moment...):
1. Firekeeper's Daughter (1)
2. Fractalverse (1)
3. Killing Series (2)
4. Will Robie (1)
5. The Empyrean (2)
6. The Firm (1)
7. Moloka'i (1)
8. If I Stay (2)
9. Ripley (5)
10. The Unhoneymooners (2)
11. Earthseed (2)
12. Crescent City (1)
13. Holly Gibney (1)
14. Thursday Murder Club(1)
15. Edenbrooke (1)
16. Heartstopper (1)
17. Camp Half-Blood Chronicles (1)
18. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1)
19. A Love Story (3)
Series Started This Year with Books Remaining:
1. Fever (5)
2. Oz (9)
3. The Giver (1)
4. Newsflesh (2)
5. Before the Coffee Gets Cold (1)
6. A Space Odyssey (4)
7. Leviathan (3)
Series That Added Books This Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Deathless (1)
2. Coyote Sunrise (1)
3. The Space Between Worlds (1)
4. Camino Island (1)
5. Nantucket (1)
6. The Housemaid (1)
Series That Added Books Last Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Xanth (41)
2. You (2)
3. Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez (10)
4. Comoran Strike (4)
5. Stephanie Plum (9)
GRC Award Books Remaining
2009
1. Science Fiction - Leviathan Book 1 of a 3 book series. Started
2010
2. Fantasy - Towers of Midnight. Book 13 of a 15 book series. Maybe I will be able to read it in 2025.
3. Goodreads Author - Spirit Bound. Book 5 in a 6 book series. Maybe I will read it in 2025.
4. Cover Art - Torment. Book 2 in a 5 book series. Maybe I will read it in 2025.
2011
5. Fantasy - A Dance with Dragons. Book 5 in a 7 book series, where 2 books have not yet been written, I've read the first book in the series, but a long time ago. This will be the last old GRC Award book that I'll read.
2023
6. Romance - Happy Place - Lindsey and I are going to read this one in August 2024.
7. Science Fiction - In the Lives of Puppets - Ioana and I are going to read this one in July 2024.
8. Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction - Divine Rivals. This is the first book in a 2 book series at the moment. I'm hoping to get this read sometime in 2024.
I'm seeing the end, but it will take me 2 years to get these books read...and I have to keep up with the new awards every year as well....
Nice progress. I hope the rest of the month brings you some 4 or even 5 stars books. I can't believe you are **almost** done with the GRC Awards, great job!!
Mod
Ioana wrote: "Nice progress. I hope the rest of the month brings you some 4 or even 5 stars books. I can't believe you are **almost** done with the GRC Awards, great job!!"
Thanks. It will still take me years to read the remaining ones. There are only 8 left, but 5 are part of series, and I can't just start in the middle. The way I figure it, I have 42 more books to read, including finishing out some series the Awards "made" me start. I also can't forget every year we get 20-25 more. It's a long-term project, and by the time I finish, it will probably be morphed into something else, if I know Amazon. :-)
Here's hoping I get out of my reading funk. :-)
Bill wrote: "You've had a good month so far. Sorry to hear that Leviathan hasn't grabbed you. I hope you enjoy. Good luck the rest of the month"I really think it is me, Bill, since it has been happening with multiple books. I think I'm distracted with a lot of things and that makes getting into a book just a bit more complicated. Fingers crossed...
Mod
You might have to find a comfort read and REREAD it. Sometimes that is the only thing that helps. Mine is The Long Walk from The Bachman Books: Rage/The Long Walk/Roadwork/The Running Man.
Good luck, Lea.
(btw; you are still way ahead of me in reading. LOL)
Alondra wrote: "I think your mojo is slipping or you're just in a reading funk. I've been crawling out of one for 4+ years; so, I get it. LOLYou might have to find a comfort read and REREAD it. Sometimes that is the only thing that helps. Mine is The Long Walk from The Bachman Books: Rage/The Long Walk/Roadwork/The Running Man.
Good luck, Lea.
(btw; you are still way ahead of me in reading. LOL)"
Thanks, Alondra. I did what you recommended and started re-reading children's books in July. I'm not sure what it says about me, but Winnie-the-Pooh was a good jolt to my reading. Now, if I could just pick a really amazing read. Fingers crossed.
4+ years is a long time to be in a reading funk, but COVID was life changing and we just have to give ourselves grace and read at our new normal pace. Fingers crossed for you, too. I'm always hoping you find an amazing read, but you know the rest of us will be reading it too. :-) :-) :-)
June Month End ReportBooks Read: 12 books this month and 87 year to date. 30,860 pages.
Books from Filling in the Gaps: 44/100; 2022 Books 1/4, 2023 Books 4/12, 2024 Books 39/84
Books from 12+4 Challenge: 14/16
Previously discussed:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold / Tales from the Café / Before Your Memory Fades
Check & Mate
Iced
Bite Me
Spare
Blackout
The Emerald City of Oz
Messenger
Stepsister
Recently finished:
Rise: A Newsflesh Collection - This is a compilation of all the Newsflesh side stories. I didn't plan to read this one, but I was enjoying the series so much, I just had to. It was good. My favorite side story was How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea. 3 stars
Leviathan - This is a YA steampunk book about an alternate way World War I could have happened, and the premise is pretty clever. I was on a plane while I was listening to this book, and I'm not sure it was the book, or the travel distractions, but I did lose my way in the book a few times. I still enjoyed it very much, and can't wait to read the next two books in the series. 3 stars
2001: A Space Odyssey - For me, the first 2/3 of the book was a real slog. I had to force myself to read a few pages each day. Granted, I was in a reading funk. However, the book really get's going about 2/3 of the way through, and the fact that the book earned 3 stars when I was sure it would be a 1 star book for over half of the reading of the book just goes to show how well the author tied it together for me. I will continue the series and am looking forward to reading more from the author.
Currently reading:
Ford County - I'm not a huge fan of short stories, and some are better than others, but I'm finally into this book.
Flawless Execution: Use the Techniques and Systems of America's Fighter Pilots to Perform at Your Peak and Win the Battles of the Business World - I'm going to get through my 12 + 4 challenge, one book at a time. This one hasn't gripped me yet.
Progress on the Whack-a-Mole Series Situation –
Series Completed this year (for the moment...):
1. Firekeeper's Daughter (1)
2. Fractalverse (1)
3. Killing Series (2)
4. Will Robie (1)
5. The Empyrean (2)
6. The Firm (1)
7. Moloka'i (1)
8. If I Stay (2)
9. Ripley (5)
10. The Unhoneymooners (2)
11. Earthseed (2)
12. Crescent City (1)
13. Holly Gibney (1)
14. Thursday Murder Club(1)
15. Edenbrooke (1)
16. Heartstopper (1)
17. Camp Half-Blood Chronicles (1)
18. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1)
19. A Love Story (3)
Series Started This Year with Books Remaining:
1. Fever (5)
2. Oz (9)
3. The Giver (1)
4. Newsflesh (1)
5. Before the Coffee Gets Cold (1)
6. A Space Odyssey (3)
7. Leviathan (2)
Series That Added Books This Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Deathless (1)
2. Coyote Sunrise (1)
3. The Space Between Worlds (1)
4. Camino Island (1)
5. Nantucket (1)
6. The Housemaid (1)
7. Legacy of Orisha (1)
Series That Added Books Last Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Xanth (41)
2. You (2)
3. Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez (10)
4. Comoran Strike (4)
5. Stephanie Plum (9)
GRC Award Books Remaining
2010
1. Fantasy - Towers of Midnight. Book 13 of a 15 book series. Maybe I will be able to read it in 2025.
2. Goodreads Author - Spirit Bound. Book 5 in a 6 book series. Maybe I will read it in 2025.
3. Cover Art - Torment. Book 2 in a 5 book series. Maybe I will read it in 2025.
2011
4. Fantasy - A Dance with Dragons. Book 5 in a 7 book series, where 2 books have not yet been written, I've read the first book in the series, but a long time ago. This will be the last old GRC Award book that I'll read.
2023
5. Romance - Happy Place - Lindsey and I are going to read this one in August 2024.
6. Science Fiction - In the Lives of Puppets - Ioana and I are going to read this one in July 2024.
7. Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction - Divine Rivals. This is the first book in a 2 book series at the moment. I'm hoping to get this read sometime in 2024.
I'm seeing the end, but it will take me 2 years to get these books read...and I have to keep up with the new awards every year as well....
Book of the Month: Maybe Blackout
Worst book: Iced, no question
Biggest surprise: Spare - a book that strangely made me like Prince Harry more and like Prince Harry less at the same time
Greatest accomplishment: 3 tomes this month
Mod
Bill wrote: "You had another excellent month. I hope your 2nd half of 2024 is as productive. I may have to dig out my copy of In the Lives of Puppets and try to squeeze it in, to compare my thoughts with yours. At any rate, I look forward to seeing what you think of it."I started it. I think Ioana has trouble with it and is considering abandoning it pending what else she hears about it. I am finding it a strange combination of Pinnochio, a Pixar movie with all those random characters, except with raunchy humor, an Isaac Asimov novel, and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It's different. I am anxious to hear what you think about it too.
Lea wrote: "I started it. I think Ioana has trouble with it and is considering abandoning it pending what else she hears about it."I'll get back to it after I finish my current book. The narrator drives me nuts with his robots' voices...
You're having a great year! I haven't read many of your books. I'll be interested in hearing what you & Lindsey think of Happy Place. I enjoyed it on audio though I heard a lot mixed reviews. I have Divine Rivals on my shelf. No idea when I'll get to it.Happy Reading!
Ioana wrote: "I'll get back to it after I finish my current book. The narrator drives me nuts with his robots' voices..."I don't know. Fortunately or unfortunately, I listened to a great portion of it on a long plane ride. That pushed me through a section that I struggled with. I'm enjoying it more now that I'm further in the book, but I'm not sure it will be worth it for you. I have quite a few quibbles and I think you will too. No worries if you want to skip this one.
Patricia wrote: "You're having a great year! I haven't read many of your books. I'll be interested in hearing what you & Lindsey think of Happy Place. I enjoyed it on audio though I heard a lot mixed reviews. I have Divine Rivals on my shelf. No idea when I'll get to it.Happy Reading!"
Thanks, Patricia. I hope Lindsey and I both like Happy Place. I have really enjoyed some of Henry's books, and others not so much, so I'm hopeful that this falls into the first category. I'm also interested in reading her new book that just came out. It's hard to keep up with all the authors.
I'm tentatively planning Divine Rivals for later in the year, because I have started way too many series again this year, and am hoping to make some progress. However, if you decide you want to read it earlier and want a buddy read, let me know. It's always fun to read with others, if it works out.
Lea wrote: "Fortunately or unfortunately, I listened to a great portion of it on a long plane ride. That pushed me through a section that I struggled with. I'm enjoying it more now that I'm further in the book, but I'm not sure it will be worth it for you. I have quite a few quibbles and I think you will too. No worries if you want to skip this one."I'll let you know.
Ioana wrote: "I'll let you know."Sounds good. :-)
Lea wrote: "Patricia wrote: "You're having a great year! I haven't read many of your books. I'll be interested in hearing what you & Lindsey think of Happy Place. I enjoyed it on audio though I..."I don't have any particular plans for it, so whenever you want to read it, I'll try to jump in. I've started too many series lately as well, but at least, this one is only 2 books.
Patricia wrote: "I don't have any particular plans for it, so whenever you want to read it, I'll try to jump in. I've started too many series lately as well, but at least, this one is only 2 books."Yes! That is so much less of an investment than book series that are 16 books! I was thinking about starting the book around October. I'll let you know when it gets closer what I'm thinking. It would be fun to read it together!
July Mid Month ReportBooks Read: 10 books so far this month and 97 year to date. 33,462 pages.
Books from Filling in the Gaps: 51/100; 2022 Books 1/4, 2023 Books 4/12, 2024 Books 46/84
Books from 12+4 Challenge: 15/16
Recently finished:
Ford County - This is a collection of short stories set in Ford County, Mississippi, the same place as A Time to Kill. I'm not a a fan of short stories, but I think that it works well for Grisham, as I often think he has trouble with some of the endings of his longer work. 3 stars
Winnie-the-Pooh - A re-read of one of my favorite children's books. 4 stars
The House at Pooh Corner - I think I've read this book before, but I never marked it on GR. I'm not sure how long I went in the series, so this is my series to re-read. I really love this book, it introduces my favorite troublemaker, Tigger. 5 stars.
Flawless Execution: Use the Techniques and Systems of America's Fighter Pilots to Perform at Your Peak and Win the Battles of the Business World - I was given this book many years ago, but I never got it read. I finally put it on my 12 + 4 list, and got it read. I learned some things from it, but some of the concepts would be too problematic to implement in my business. 3 stars
When We Were Very Young - This is a classic poetry book for children, in the Winnie-the-Pooh series. It is fun. Again, I can't remember if I read it before, but it was soothing to listen to. 3 stars
Now We Are Six - I enjoyed this final book in the Pooh series written by Milne (apparently there are two more books written by other authors.) Some of the poems stuck in my mind. 4 stars
Assistant to the Villain - The book is ridiculous. It cannot be taken seriously at all. It's about a woman who becomes an assistant to an evil villain. I'm not sure how to classify the book. It reads like a middle grade novel with swear words. :-) 3 stars.
In the Lives of Puppets - This is another book I cannot figure out how to classify. It reminds me of a Disney or Pixar novel in that there is a main character with a lot of comedic side characters, but the humor is so raunchy, and not really all that funny. It's about a world full of robots, and a retelling of Pinocchio. I was completely charmed by The House in the Cerulean Sea by the same author, but this missed the mark for me. I keep moving between 2 stars and 3 stars.
The Island - This was a beach read by Elin Hilderbrand, about a woman and her two daughters and her sister. Mothers and daughters. Sisters. They all seemed to behave so immaturely, but it was interesting enough that I kept reading. 3 stars
The Patchwork Girl of Oz - Oh my goodness, this was one of my favorite installments so far. It's ridiculous and nobody should review the details too carefully, continuity issues are everywhere! But, so many puns and such a fun adventure story. 3 stars.
Currently reading:
The God of All Comfort - I was given this book in 2010 and I never read it. I finally started it, and I'm not sure what took me so long. It is providing me with such comfort.
Feedback - The fourth full book in the Newsflesh series with all new characters. These characters are journalists handling the same Presidential campaign in Feed from the other side of the aisle.
Progress on the Whack-a-Mole Series Situation –
Series Completed this year (for the moment...):
1. Firekeeper's Daughter (1)
2. Fractalverse (1)
3. Killing Series (2)
4. Will Robie (1)
5. The Empyrean (2)
6. The Firm (1)
7. Moloka'i (1)
8. If I Stay (2)
9. Ripley (5)
10. The Unhoneymooners (2)
11. Earthseed (2)
12. Crescent City (1)
13. Holly Gibney (1)
14. Thursday Murder Club(1)
15. Edenbrooke (1)
16. Heartstopper (1)
17. Camp Half-Blood Chronicles (1)
18. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1)
19. A Love Story (3)
20. Assistant to the Villain (1)
Series Started This Year with Books Remaining:
1. Fever (5)
2. Oz (8)
3. The Giver (1)
4. Newsflesh (1)
5. Before the Coffee Gets Cold (1)
6. A Space Odyssey (3)
7. Leviathan (2)
Series That Added Books This Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Deathless (1)
2. Coyote Sunrise (1)
3. The Space Between Worlds (1)
4. Camino Island (1)
5. Nantucket (1)
6. The Housemaid (1)
7. Legacy of Orisha (1)
Series That Added Books Last Year with number of books I still need to read in that series:
1. Xanth (41)
2. You (2)
3. Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez (10)
4. Comoran Strike (4)
5. Stephanie Plum (9)
GRC Award Books Remaining
2010
1. Fantasy - Towers of Midnight. Book 13 of a 15 book series. Maybe I will be able to read it in 2025.
2. Goodreads Author - Spirit Bound. Book 5 in a 6 book series. Maybe I will read it in 2025.
3. Cover Art - Torment. Book 2 in a 5 book series. Maybe I will read it in 2025.
2011
4. Fantasy - A Dance with Dragons. Book 5 in a 7 book series, where 2 books have not yet been written, I've read the first book in the series, but a long time ago. This will be the last old GRC Award book that I'll read.
2023
5. Romance - Happy Place - Lindsey and I are going to read this one in August 2024.
6. Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction - Divine Rivals. This is the first book in a 2 book series at the moment. I'm hoping to get this read sometime in 2024.
Solid 3* month so far :). Love that you’re revisiting children’s books. I really need to revisit them soon. Already putting together a list in my head. Does anyone remember the Raggedy Ann and Andy series? Or the Borrowers? The Littles? Ahhh, memoriesAlso, good to know about these books! I can now cross them off my list for now. Way too many good books to read out there.
Lea wrote: "Assistant to the Villain - The book is ridiculous. It cannot be taken seriously at all. It's about a woman who becomes an assistant to an evil villain. I'm not sure how to classify the book. It reads like a middle grade novel with swear words. :-) 3 stars.
In the Lives of Puppets - This is another book I cannot figure out how to classify. It reminds me of a Disney or Pixar novel in that there is a main character with a lot of comedic side characters, but the humor is so raunchy, and not really all that funny. It's about a world full of robots, and a retelling of Pinocchio. I was completely charmed by The House in the Cerulean Sea by the same author, but this missed the mark for me. I keep moving between 2 stars and 3 stars."
Lillie wrote: "Solid 3* month so far :). Love that you’re revisiting children’s books. I really need to revisit them soon. Already putting together a list in my head. Does anyone remember the Raggedy Ann and Andy series? Or the Borrowers? The Littles? Ahhh, memoriesAlso, good to know about these books! I can now cross them off my list for now. Way too many good books to read out there."
Yes! I don't read as many books as you, but I do try to re-read one book series or group of books every year. This year was A.A. Milne. I had The Littles on my list and I was trying to decide about The Borrowers as well, but I'd completely forgotten about Raggedy Ann and Andy. That needs to be corrected right away. I have Mrs. Mike, The Keeping Days, Ramona Quimby, The Boxcar Children and The Velveteen Rabbit already on my short list also.
I think Assistant to the Villain is was OK, but when you read it, you have to be in the right frame of mind for the ridiculous. If you read it straight and seriously, you cannot enjoy that book. A lot of people love In the Lives of Puppets, you might like it better than I did. It's possible that I was so charmed by Cerulean Sea that my expectations were far too high.
Happy reading!
Mod
Bill wrote: "I read the two Winnie the Pooh books in university... just because.. I was bereft when Christopher Robin grew up... Chokes me up even now.. I need to read another Oz book."I agree about Christopher Robin. It was so nostalgic to read these books again. I did audiobook and it was fun to hear the different characters and just close my eyes (not when driving, I promise) and listen to the poems.
I really loved the first Oz book, and Ozma of Oz, but the Patchwork Girl of Oz is my third favorite. Such a long series, but I'm enjoying it!
Oh boy....and I thought that Winnie-the-Pooh was "only" a Disney character... I should've known it was based on a book.
Mod
You have to read them. Lovely stories.
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Watching to see what you end up thinking of this book. I love time travel but, unfortunately, this dragged for me and that’s not good when it’s a novella. Still ended up giving it 3* but I won’t be reading the next one.