John's 2024 Book Challenge

[Alias Reader]

You're very welcome.

[madrano]

John, this sounds like a good book for the prompt. I appreciate your note about the fact interest in the topic may vary.

Well achieved, John.

[James]

John, am I correct in my memory (admittedly growing hazier and hazier) of you mentioning the author John Banville and his mystery-novel nom de plume Benjamin Black? If so, a thousand thanks -- I am reading the first Quirke story, Christine Falls, and loving it!

[John]

James wrote: "John, am I correct in my memory (admittedly growing hazier and hazier) of you mentioning the author John Banville and his mystery-novel nom de plume Benjamin Black? If s..."

No, sorry, that wasn't me.

[madrano]

James, i think it was Kiki. She's a fan, as i recall, of his mysteries.

[James]

madrano wrote: "James, i think it was Kiki. She's a fan, as i recall, of his mysteries."

John, sorry for hijacking your thread! Do I recall correctly that you may be partial to stories set in Ireland as well as certain mysteries? If so, I hope you'll understand and forgive the mistake.

Madrano, thanks for setting me straight, and I'm going to go over to thank Kiki now.

[madrano]

Sure thing, James.

[John]

Relationship in title (19)

Death of His Uncle by C.H.B. Kitchin

The first two murder mysteries in this trilogy were fine, but this one read like a drawn-out short story.

[Alias Reader]

Good pick for the prompt, John. I'm sorry the story didn't meet expectations.

[James]

John wrote: "Relationship in title (19) Death of His Uncle by C.H.B. Kitchin"

Congrats on that one John.

[madrano]

Nicely done on this prompt, John. Reading the Goodreads bio of Kitchin reminds me of how little i know about British authors. It contains names of writers, none of which i recognize. Delicious!

[John]

Health, Fitness, Diet (3)

Eat Right 4 Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Achieving Your Ideal Weight by Peter J. D'Adamo

I'd been curious about this book, so figured now would be a good time to check it out (pun intended). Worthwhile, though glad I read a library copy.

Almost 1/3 of the text focuses on very detailed analysis and food recimmendations for each type; being single, I read mine and skipped the others. Useful information, though I'm not going to plan the rest of my life around it (besides less wheat, which I'm doing anyway). I found the Case Histories and Q&A sections of limited interest.

Fun fact: the doctor who "discovered" blood types is buried in the same cemetery as my dad.

[Alias Reader]

Sounds interesting, John.

I wonder what benefit it was for our species to have different blood types.

According to google:
According to another hypothesis, the emergence of all blood groups A and B and their subgroups, are resulted from successive mutations, from a basic and common blood group, which is the O group, and have been branched over millions of years
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...).

It's part of our DNA. Sometimes there's a change, or mutation, in DNA. “These different blood types evolved as a result of genetic mutations, but what caused certain blood types to be more successful is likely exposure to infectious diseases or other environmental pressures,” Fyfe-Johnson said.
https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2017/08....

Nicely done on the prompt, John !

[madrano]

John wrote: "Fun fact: the doctor who "discovered" blood types is buried in the same cemetery as my dad
..."

This sounds like a perfect book for the prompt. I appreciate that you shared this info & title with us.

I relish fun facts like that, John. A few years back we stayed at a motel which abutted to the largest cemetery in Dallas. We took our walks through and around the area. We were tickled to find people whose names we recognized &/or whose family provided info on the deceased on the gravestone. We learned where the original "Voice Of Tex", the State Fair mascot (a 3 or 4 story-high sculpture) was buried in the process. Why this thrilled us, i cannot say, but we can now tell others where he was laid to rest.

ANYway, thanks for the report.

[John]

Self help/creative (32)

Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity by Felicia Day

Mixed feelings about this one, which I'll address further in later review.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Self help/creative (32)

Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity by Felicia Day

Mixed feelings about this one, which I'll address further in lat..."

Well done, John. Last night I also finished a book that will use this prompt.

I see that Embrace Your Weird notes the following.

"Unique techniques to vanquish enemies of creativity like: anxiety, fear, procrastination, perfectionism, criticism, and jealousy"

That sounds like it could be applicable to many situations, not just creativity.

[James]

John wrote: "Self help/creative (32)

Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity by Felicia Day

Mixed feelings about this one, which I'll address further in lat..."

Congratulations on another prompt ticked, John.

[madrano]

John wrote: "Self help/creative (32)

Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity by Felicia Day

Mixed feelings about this one, which I'll address further in lat..."

I look forward to reading your take on the book, John. From the GR, i see the author is too perky for many listening to the book. This would probably include me, so i would read it. Some of the topic points sound good, particularly the one Alias mentioned.

Kudos on the prompt completion. I am very selective about self-help books but this might motivate me...or do i need to be already prepped before i read it, i wonder? *shrug*

[John]

A play (24)

Long Day's Journey Into Night by O'Neill, Eugene Gladstone by Eugene O'Neill

I'd been curious about O'Neill for a while, so got this one from the library. Came together at the end for a payoff, but rough trip getting through the massive dysfunction.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "A play (24)

Long Day's Journey Into Night by O'Neill, Eugene Gladstone by Eugene O'Neill

I'd been curious about O'Neill for a while, so got this one from the librar..."

I read this one back in 2016 and enjoyed it. I see I gave it 4/5 rating.

I also saw it performed that same year at the Roundabout with Jessica Lange. I knew as soon as I saw her amazing performance she was going to get the Tony for Best Actress that year and she did !

Nice job on the prompt, John!

[madrano]

John wrote: "A play (24)

Long Day's Journey Into Night by O'Neill, Eugene Gladstone by Eugene O'Neill

I'd been curious about O'Neill for a while, so got this one from the librar..."

Good one, John. When i was in my 20s, i read most of O'Neill's plays but i cannot recall why. Likely, same as you. From my teenage years on, i've liked reading plays.

As it happens, Journey is the only one i've seen in person. This was in the early aughts. Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Dennehy, Robert Sean Leonard and Philip Seymour. It's a long play, i must admit.

Well done, John.

[John]

BIPOC characters (50) and Author not from country of setting (51)

One People by Guy Kennaway


Not sure how I feel about this one, so yet another that will be sorted out in the monthly review list. If it's intended as realistic, I cringed at the casual violence and theft as admirable activities. As a farce, there was some humor to it at times.

[Alias Reader]

Congratulations on ticking off another prompt, John.

[madrano]

John wrote: "BIPOC characters (50) and Author not from country of setting (51)

One People by Guy Kennaway
.."

John, i read another reviewer stating the book reminded him of John Steinbeck's Tortilla Flat. Did you have that sense? I was uncomfortable with TF in a similar way but could put it in a context of the era (mid-1930s) in which it was written, up to a point. While this book was published in the '90s.

Regardless, nicely accomplished prompt!

[John]

LGBTQ character (8), Romance/Relationship/Love (12), Award winner (23), One word title (44)

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

Failed writer Arthur Less travels the world focusing on what might have been in the Pulitzer winning story. Had issues with the book which I'll explore in the monthly review thread. However, his moaning and whining about his 50th birthday as The Beginning of the End didn't endear Less to me, for one thing.

[madrano]

I have wondered about this one, John. To me, it sounded kinda whiny. I look forward to further comments at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, congratulations on a Threefer!

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "LGBTQ character (8), Romance/Relationship/Love (12), Award winner (23), One word title (44)

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

Failed writer Arthur Less travels the world fo..."

I've been toying with reading this one as the audio is usually available at my library. Do you think this would be difficult to follow on audio? If there is a lot of back and forth and multiple characters I end up lost.

There is already a popular follow-up. Less Is Lost.

I'll look forward to your review, John.

[John]

Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "LGBTQ character (8), Romance/Relationship/Love (12), Award winner (23), One word title (44)

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

Failed writer Arthur Less travels..."

It's linear enough that the flashbacks weren't a problem for me (although the book as a whole was a problem)

Nature, Environment, Animals (27)

Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes by Nick Hunt

I've enjoyed his writing, very talented! Here, he truly brings the varied locations to life. I had one issue with the book, which I'll explain in the full review, but it's one I think folks in this group would quite appreciate.

[madrano]

John wrote: "Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes by Nick Hunt

I've enjoyed his writing, very talented! Here, he truly brings the varied locations to life. I had one issue with the book, which I'll explain in the full review, but it's one I think folks in this group would quite appreciate..."

Sounds appealing, John. I like learning about these pockets. Thanks for sharing about it.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote:

Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes by Nick Hunt

I've enjoyed his writing, very talented! Here, he truly brings the varied locations to life. I had one issue with the book, which I'll explain in the full review, but it's one I think folks in this group would quite appreciate.
"

I'm adding this to my TBR list.

I also have a friend who likes travel/walking books, so I will pass the title to her also.

Thanks !

[John]

Crime (55)

Tokyo Express by Seichō Matsumoto

Decided to try this one after his Inspector Imanishi Investigates, which proved so enjoyable I'd call it a genre classic. Not so here for me, sadly. Premise sounded interesting, but execution had me skimming regularly. The first (original) detective's point-of-view reminded me a bit of Imanishi, with glimpses into his personal life. However, it soon switches to a police procedural once a Tokyo cop takes over. So little is known about him that when he mentions a wife near the end I was startled. Railway timetables play such a role here that one would need an obsessive interest in that to maintain interest. I suspect that one needs a strong grounding in Japanese geography as well. My interest was maintained in discovering the motive more than identity in this case. That turned out rather convoluted to me, requiring some suspension of disbelief.

I have a third title of his on my TBR list for a tie-breaker. So, we'll see ...

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Crime (55)

Tokyo Express by Seichō Matsumoto

Decided to try this one after his Inspector Imanishi Investigates, which proved so enjoyable I'd call it ..."

Sorry to hear this wasn't a winner. I appreciate the warning.

Well done on the prompt !

[madrano]

John wrote: "Crime (55)

Tokyo Express by Seichō Matsumoto

Decided to try this one after his Inspector Imanishi Investigates, which proved so enjoyable I'd call it ..."

Thanks for the head's up on this one, John. Sometimes when something like rail time tables are key, i feel like giving up. Here's to you for keeping on. Better luck with the third.

[John]

Just an FYI post: As of the end of this month, I counted 20 slots remaining to fill from my list for the rest of the year. A few have been marked as Highly Unlikely (red X rather than green check mark) on my working list: Dystopian, Space, etc.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Just an FYI post: As of the end of this month, I counted 20 slots remaining to fill from my list for the rest of the year. A few have been marked as Highly Unlikely (red X rather than green check m..."

Sounds good, John. We are on the same pace.

Just a note for those that think a category may not be for them. I got most of these prompts from the topics list on Amazon. If you go to their Books page on the left hand side you will see all the various book categories. When you click on a category, you will see many sub categories. For example, you may think the prompt business is not for you or you can't think of a book to fit, you will see on Amazon that under business their are dozens of sub categories that may be of interest.

Anyway, Good job, John !

[Alias Reader]

For some reason Goodreads is not letting me edit my posts.

On post #85 I wanted to add to my reply to John.

Sometimes when I am stumped on what book to select for a prompt, I will check out and see what you and others have chosen. Sometimes it does take a village... LOL

[madrano]

John wrote: "Just an FYI post: As of the end of this month, I counted 20 slots remaining to fill from my list for the rest of the year. A few have been marked as Highly Unlikely (red X rather than green check m..."

Great work, John. You are really whipping them out and stretching your book exposure. Continued success!

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "Sometimes when I am stumped on what book to select for a prompt, I will check out and see what you and others have chosen. Sometimes it does take a village...."

I've done that a time or two, as well. Occasionally i'm surprised at a book they list under a category, which i never saw in that light. Still, a good way to find titles which appeal.

[John]

Seven Deadly Sins (43)

The Cook of the Halcyon by Andrea Camilleri

As this is the final (regular) story, I'm commenting on the series as a whole, not so much specifically here.

Gluttony: Montalbano might be considered a "foodie", but he often has three or four courses at his favorite restaurant. I realize that those may be more what are known as "small plates" in today's restaurant jargon, but that's still a lot. Moreover, his housekeeper Adelina also cooks for him, where I suspect he polishes off a casserole at a time.

Lust: in this story, a strikingly beautiful woman nearly causes traffic accidents as a "distraction" (talk about a trope). Women are often sex objects here. Montalbano, himself, is faithful in a long-distance relationship. However, his officers have very active sex lives, indeed. Ho, hum ...

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Seven Deadly Sins (43)

The Cook of the Halcyon by Andrea Camilleri

As this is the final (regular) story, I'm commenting on the series as a whole, not so much specif..."

Well done on the prompt, John.

When I made the list of prompts I thought this would be an easy one. However, I've yet to pencil in a possible book.

[madrano]

Well selected book for the prompt, John. Thanks for sharing about it with us.

[John]

Two books by Vendela Vida (53)

Already reported that I had serious problems with The Lovers earlier this year. So, brought along Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name on a recent trip. This writer is not for me. I'll include a full review in my end of month list, but for now I'll leave it that I was totally disgusted with the main character by the last page, whom I infer is supposed to deserve sympathy?

[Alias Reader]

Sorry this extra prompt turned out to be a dud for you, John.

At least you know now this author is not for you.

[John]

Alias Reader wrote: "Sorry this extra prompt turned out to be a dud for you, John.

At least you know now this author is not for you."

It is possible that these two books were outliers, in the sense that the settings were the author's inspiration, but the story created to fit that didn't mesh well enough? Several other readers had issues here, though the majority seemed to like the book. As these were library books, and they filled time, I'm fine with moving on rather than "Well, there's several hours of my life I'll never get back!" as some might say.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: As these were library books, and they filled time, I'm fine with moving on rather than "Well, there's several hours of my life I'll never get back!" as some might say."

Sounds like books I would give a 2/5 rating and not a 1 or zero. They just didn't meet expectations.

[madrano]

John wrote: "Two books by Vendela Vida (53)

Already reported that I had serious problems with The Lovers earlier this year. So, brought along..."

I think Vida's main characters are difficult to like. Even when i have sympathy for the circumstances they find themselves in, i'm not comfortable with them. And i do not think i could be friends with a single one. Well, this year i read We Run the Tides, featuring teenage girls, so i'm not sure i disliked them, as much as tolerated their personalities because they were still forming.

What impresses me with her adult characters is that i do not think they are "fully formed", as people, either. And, to me, this is part of the interest. They may travel the world but are still dense as a brick.

This story particularly intrigued me because (view spoiler)[she ends up doing pretty much what her mother did. (hide spoiler)] No lessons learned, imo.

However, let's be honest. I'm the reader who likes to vicariously visit the places her MCs, as solo female travelers, visit, so will put up with much. And i like the descriptions and observations she gives of those sites. In this case, the Arctic Circle had my name written all over it.

But i can understand your qualms, John. You've certainly been more fair than i have been with many authors. Usually one poor one & i stop trying.

[John]

madrano wrote: "John wrote: "Two books by Vendela Vida (53)

Already reported that I had serious problems with The Lovers earlier this year. So, brought along..."

I think Vida's main..."

She does setting very well, people who otherwise didn't care for the story largely agree on that. Thanks for the very thoughtful comments.

[madrano]

My pleasure, John.

[John]

Debut novel (22)

I hadn't realized The Other Side of Mrs. Wood by Lucy Barker qualified until after I'd started reading the story. Quite liked the historical details, as well as the characters. How to put this without a spoiler ... the middle dragged a bit for me as the upstart succeeded a bit too well in eclipsing Mrs. Wood. However, I'm a fan of the ending. Likely four star review; audio narration definitely added to the experience.

[Alias Reader]

Nice job on the prompt. A good audio always helps.