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2024 Independent Challenge
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Ioana's 2024 Independent Challenge
Lillie wrote: "This series looks so good that I think I’ll add it to next year’s list. Though I kind of want wait to see if the third one holds up."I'll let you know in a couple of months. My June is pretty full, but I want to get to this soon, so I don't forget the details.
Ioana wrote: "I'll let you know in a couple of months. My June is pretty full, but I want to get to this soon, so I don't forget the details."Phew! My unsaid “hint hint” was detected :) Looking forward to it.
Stepsister was my 5th Jennifer Donnelly, but the 1st that did not work for me. I liked the premise, the idea of what beauty means, the reason/explanation why some people might be mean to others (not because they are inherently mean, but because they are jealous or insecure), but I did not like the execution.Maybe it was the narrator? The characters in the book are young adults, some married, some ready to get married, but they talked like teenagers. Yes, the tone was the narrator, but the content was the author. This bugged me.
There is some magic, but this was not an overly fantastic world. However, the ending was totally out of this world. (view spoiler)
Waiting for Lea and Alissa to finish reading, so we can discuss this.
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident Interesting fact: nine young hikers die in mysterious circumstances in the Urals Mountains of Russia, back in 1959. There are signs of radioactivity, some are severely hurt, they are all bare-feet and not properly dressed for the cold temperatures, while their things in their tent are undisturbed, etc. There are no plausible explanations, and lots are considered: avalanche, wild animal attack, escaped prisoners attack (this is Siberia, after all), killed by Russian authorities because they saw something they shouldn't have, UFOs, and many others. The final explanation, 50 years later, is plausible I guess, although studies don't all agree, and I want to read more about it. (view spoiler) I wish the book had a better editor, though. 3.5 stars.
Ioana wrote: "Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident Interesting fact: nine young hikers die in mysterious circumstances in the Urals Mountains of Russia, back in 1959...."I’ve been looking for a good book for my husband as he only reads non-fiction. This looks perfect! I might have to read it as well.
Lillie wrote: "I’ve been looking for a good book for my husband as he only reads non-fiction. This looks perfect! I might have to read it as well."I love books about little known events, and this was definitely one of those.
I guess we'll never know...the Russians have a completely different explanation: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
Jade Legacy is the last in The Green Bone Saga trilogy. A very satisfying ending to a very good adult fantasy series. There is finally peace after years and years of clans war, and the future is promising. I usually don't like time skips, but in this case it worked and did not bother me much. We got to know the new generation, they way they matured and become wise and capable. Again, lots of politics, social and economics commentaries, business deals, personal development, this book covers a lot, in a wonderful way.The only complaint, it was long...over 700 pages and there were times I wished it was shorter. 4 solid stars, maybe 4.5.
Wonder Drug: The Secret History of Thalidomide in America and Its Hidden Victims Fascinating read about Thalidomide and its horrific results. This should be mandatory reading for anyone advocating for the "self regulating" of any company and/or industry. Their hunger for profits blinds them, and the rest of the population will suffer the consequences. 4 stars.
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I believe it was an ongoing theme on the Call the Midwife series. Very scary.
The book focuses on the impact of the drug in US, where it was never approved by FDA, never sold in stores, and still, pills were "given" by doctors to patients in informal clinical trials, with little or no documentation or paper trail. A tragedy. Pills moved from doctors who received them to other doctors of various specialties, family members, other personnel in the office/hospital, etc. in unlabeled envelopes and unknown quantities. Pills were still "given away" even 3 months after the drug was officially recalled in Germany, and the cover-up machine was hard at work to justify its benefits.
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I bought this whole trilogy because you all loved it so much. Now, I cannot promise I will get to it soon, but I will get to it.... soon. LOL
Great review Ioana; and kudos on your progress as usual. :)
Alondra wrote: "Now, I cannot promise I will get to it soon, but I will get to it.... soon. LOL"I know the feeling, I have lots of books in that category, too. Happy reading!
The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo. Fascinating true story of the real Count of Monte Cristo. There were 3 Dumas: the "black count" in this book (technically the grandfather), the one who wrote the 3 Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo (the father), and the one who wrote a play which inspired Verdi's La Traviata (the son).The Dumas of this book who was born in Haiti to a white French father and black slave mother, becomes a general of the French Revolution and later is unjustly imprisoned during Napoleon's reign. And of course, later on was the inspiration for the Count of Monte Cristo (which I loved).
Ioana wrote: "The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo. Fascinating true story of the real Count of Monte Cristo. There were 3 Dumas: the "black count" in ..."This looks so interesting! My question is, do I read The Count of Monte Cristo first and then this one or the other way around?
Lillie wrote: "This looks so interesting! My question is, do I read The Count of Monte Cristo first and then this one or the other way around?"I don't think it matters. I've read the fiction book first, in my teens, then re-read it about 12 years ago and loved it both times. The fiction book is only loosely inspired by the real events, so you should be fine either way.
The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo sounds very interesting! I had no idea the Count of Monte Cristo was a real person. It's been years since I read it, but as I recall, I did enjoy it.Happy July reading!
Patricia wrote: "The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo sounds very interesting! I had no idea the Count of Monte Cristo was a real person. It's been years ..."I had no idea, either. I was surprise to read that, and the fact that he was of mixed race. Apparently in 18th century France, that was acceptable and not a reason to stop him advance to the rank of general in the army.
Life has been busy lately, and I don't know if it's because of that or my book choices mostly s%$#ed, but nothing holds my attention lately.Solito was decent. Heartbreaking story, but poor writing with little depth. I understand it was written as through the eyes of a 9 year old, but it was written when the author was an adult, and I wish there was more discussion/comments on the lives that the emigrants are trying to escape, more about the coyotes that help them cross the border, more "adult" content. 3 stars
In the Lives of Puppets. I tried reading this with Lea and I listened to the audiobook. I could not take the narrator voice trying to impersonate the robots. I liked The House in the Cerulean Sea a lot, but none of the books after that resonated with me. DNF.
Five Years After. I enjoyed the trilogy, and it really did not need a 4th book added to the series (7 years after). I did not care.
Saga, Volume 11. This series is very good, with an interesting story and great graphic art. This was not one of the best in the series, I had to wait a year for it, and now I have to wait another one for the next one. Not happy. 3 stars.
The Perfume Collector. My book club's selection, and it was just meh. 2 maybe 2.5 stars.
Where are the good books? Because I have issues with my current read, too.
Oh, no! Can you go back to re-read something you know you will like? I hate it when I get in a book slump. Fingers crossed for you.
Lea wrote: "Oh, no! Can you go back to re-read something you know you will like? I hate it when I get in a book slump. Fingers crossed for you."I very rarely re-read books. I think I've only re-read two ever: Rebecca and The Count of Monte Cristo.
I need to find a good new book.
Ioana wrote: "I very rarely re-read books. I think I've only re-read two ever: Rebecca and The Count of Monte Cristo.I need to find a good new book."
I would like to re-read both of those too, maybe after some years. (I try to re-read one book/book series I haven't read in at least 15 years, if possible.) If no for re-reads, and I understand (why re-read when there are so many great books out there to be read for the first time?) maybe you can find something from a genre that you're in the mood to read. Getting off a reading slump is super tough for me, I hope it is easier for you.
Sorry your book choices haven't worked for you lately! I know that can be disappointing--especially if they were some you were looking forward to. Here's hoping your summer picks up with some delightful books!!!
Lea wrote: "maybe you can find something from a genre that you're in the mood to read. Getting off a reading slump is super tough for me, I hope it is easier for you."I thought a thriller that was highly recommended would do the trick, but it will not. James Reece of The Terminal List is no Joe Ledger. I'll tell you more after I finish the book.
Patricia wrote: "Here's hoping your summer picks up with some delightful books!!"Thanks, Pat! I hope so too. One of my waiting list books just came my way, and I'm crossing my fingers. Toes too :-)
Ioana wrote: "I thought a thriller that was highly recommended would do the trick, but it will not. James Reece of The Terminal List is no Joe Ledger. I'll tell you more after I finish the book."I haven't read Joe Ledger yet. When it came out, I was a no-zombie reader, and now that I've stopped being so silly, I am now trying to get through all these long GRC Award books and their related series. Maybe next year. I'm sure I'll love it.
But, back to you, you're right. A thriller that isn't very good is super challenging to get through. That's the problem with reading slumps. It's hard to find the right book. Fingers crossed for you!
It's not that this is not a good thriller, but...It's all black and white with a super flat main character with no ounce of humanity. Americans good, muslims bad. Lots of technical guns talk: types, brands, caliber of the ammunition, why this is better than the other, etc. Crazy gun laws in California - bad. Career army personnel that didn't do combat but is more interested in diversity in the army - bad. And even though it is not fully spelled out: Republicans and guns - good; democrats and liberals - bad.
It's a revenge story with no human feelings. The main character does not spend a minute grieving for his lost family, he goes into war mode right away. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
Mod
Solito was decent. Heartbreaking story,..."
I'm enjoying Saga as well, but you know that. :)
Bill wrote: "I'm enjoying Saga as well, but you know that. :)"Yes, I know. The waiting is killing me. At least you have a few more to go through...take your time, enjoy!
Ioana wrote: "It's not that this is not a good thriller, but...It's all black and white with a super flat main character with no ounce of humanity. Americans good, muslims bad. Lots of technical guns talk: types, brands, caliber of the ammunition, why this is better than the other, etc. Crazy gun laws in California - bad. Career army personnel that didn't do combat but is more interested in diversity in the army - bad. And even though it is not fully spelled out: Republicans and guns - good; democrats and liberals - bad.
It's a revenge story with no human feelings. The main character does not spend a minute grieving for his lost family, he goes into war mode right away. I could go on and on, but you get the idea."
Yeah, no, I don't think that would be the thriller for me either. I don't care for revenge stories. I think that's what bugged me most about The Alice Network.
I also paused reading Saga after Volume 9, should I go back to it? I can't decide. :-)
Lea wrote: "I also paused reading Saga after Volume 9, should I go back to it? I can't decide. :-)"There are only 2 after the 9th. I'm still enjoying them, but not as much as the earlier ones.
They require little commitment, so I will read the next one when it comes out next year.
Mod
Solito was decent. Heartbreaking story,..."
Sorry that you've been in a slump. I am the slump queen, so I know!! LOL.
Comfort reads/authors or novellas have really saved me over the past few years. I wish I could get back to pre-pandemic numbers but I don't think it will happen any time soon.
Good luck with future reads and remember, don't read what you SHOULD read. Read what you want. :)
Alondra wrote: "don't read what you SHOULD read. Read what you want. :)"No worries there, you know me: no list, just a big pile of books to pick from. Sometimes the pile needs to be culled down.
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World Finally, a good book. I really enjoyed this book set in Turkey. "They" think that the brain is still active for 10 minutes and 38 seconds after a person dies, and this is the premise of the book. Tequila Leila is a prostitute and she is killed, her body dumped, but this is not the book of "who dun it", although we find out at some point. This is the book about her memories she relives in those 10 min and 38 seconds, all the lives she touched and the friends she made. This is a book about prostitution, rejection, people trafficking, prejudice, forced marriage, Turkish superstitions, but above all, about being human. 4 stars.
Ioana wrote: "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World Finally, a good book. I really enjoyed this book set in Turkey. "They" think that the brain is still active for 10 minutes and 38 seconds..."Glad you found one you enjoyed! I've read a couple of other books by Shafak but not this one. Maybe someday!
Patricia wrote: "I've read a couple of other books by Shafak but not this one. Maybe someday!"This one was my first, but I have a few others on my TBR. Any recommendation?
I really enjoyed The Architect's Apprentice. The other I read was The Bastard of Istanbul which was also good. I have The Island of Missing Trees on my shelf. I've heard good things about it though I know it's a bit different.
Patricia wrote: "I really enjoyed The Architect's Apprentice. The other I read was The Bastard of Istanbul which was also good. I have The Island of Missing Trees on my ..."Thanks. I enjoyed the story and her writing, so I plan to read more of her books too.
Ioana wrote: "The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo. Fascinating true story of the real Count of Monte Cristo. There were 3 Dumas: the "black count" in ..."This has been on my list for a while, I must try and get to it sooner.
Carolien wrote: "This has been on my list for a while, I must try and get to it sooner."I hope you do, and I hope you'll enjoy it.
Ioana wrote: "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World Finally, a good book. I really enjoyed this book set in Turkey. "They" think that the brain is still active for 10 minutes and 38 seconds..."This sounds SO interesting! I added it to my TBR
Alissa wrote: "This sounds SO interesting! I added it to my TBR"It's good, and not too long. Enjoy!
Yay, finally a good book. It sounds interesting. I added it to my TBR also.
Lea wrote: "Yay, finally a good book. It sounds interesting. I added it to my TBR also."Ohh, the pressure!!!
Mod
No worries there, you know me: no list, just a big pile of books to pick from. Sometimes the pile needs to be culled down."
I like the sound of that. Just a pile of books and your mood. :)
The Calculating Stars started fine, but I've lost interest by the 2nd half. This was an alternate timeline story, when a huge meteor lands and destroys a huge part of the earth in 1947 (post WW2), and as a result the Earth will heat up and will become inhabitable. So in the late 40s humans are exploring Mars colonization as an option to survive.There are so many things that bugged me: the MC, way ahead of her time "computer" woman, smarter than everybody else, with strong opinions that did not seem real for the times. Her husband, always calm and supportive, even when she forgets to pay the electricity bill and they are left in the dark. Nobody is that perfect. And even though they are the only main characters in the book, they are flat and underdeveloped.
There are way too many themes vaguely explored, but none in depth: racism, sexism, mental health, discrimination, almost nothing about the Cold War, almost nothing about the impact of such a cataclysm on the rest of the world, etc. I can't believe it won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards...
Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars
Mod
I hate when books go bad, and have the fizzle out of pacing and thought. Ugh. It sounds like if it had more info on the rest of the world, it might have been a little better at least.
I hope the next is better
The Women is my August book club's pick, and I enjoyed it, but did not love it. I am not sure if much was said in Romania about the Vietnam war, but I was too young, and the Americans were "the bad guys" anyway. There are many themes explored in this book, some in a better way than others, but overall I am grateful they are discussed: the role of women in war, friendship, love in all its forms (brother-sister, parent-child, between lovers, between friends), PTSD, drug addiction, alcoholism, how the society treats the veterans, the challenges to return to a non-war world, who is considered a hero and who's not, and many others. Maybe too many?
The book is sometimes predictable, and sometimes the twists seem forced and too convenient. But overall, a good book, 3.5 stars.
Cave 13. I've missed Joe Ledger, and book 3 in this new series did not disappoint. There's violence, military ingenuity, political intrigue, friendship, dedication to the cause, and much more. Can't wait for #4 book next year.
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This series looks so good that I think I’ll add it to next year’s list. Though I kind of want wait to see if the third one holds up.