What are you reading 2024

[Elena]

It was a rollercoaster, lots of re-reads, but also something new.

- 5 stars. I’m not sure when there will be the second book. but I missed Delilah and Kell, again! So… re-read I guess.

- 5 stars. This was a re-read, and I think I love it even more than the first time I read it. There's just something about London, different dimensions, and Gaiman's magical writing style that make it irresistible.

- 5 stars. This was just an ideal book for me. It’s very cozy and bookish - a perfect 5-star read when you just want to feel good.

- 5 stars. Speaking of cozy, I am completely and utterly in love with this book. It’s so uplifting and heartfelt. It makes you feel cozy, warm, and happy, just like a Ghibli anime.

- 5 stars. One more re-read. Never enough of T. Kingfisher books. I love everything, from character development and world-building to the paladins concept, twisted plot and exquisite writing style.

- 4 stars. I started reading this one day and was kinda hooked immediately. The whole entrance to the Oxford scene is pretty interesting. A solid thriller.

- 5 stars. Honestly, I didn’t expect to like this one so much! It’s simple and complicated at the same time, plus spicy and addictive.

- 3 stars. It’s nice to read a cozy mystery series with a slightly different setting and characters origin. Apart from that, the book is not really different to lots of other books in the same genre.

- 2 stars. I’ve been making my way through the Dune saga, and this one... 2 stars. It just seems like it’s my least favorite book in the series.

- 5 stars. I saved this one for last because it was such a 5-star joy! I had lots of fun reading the book; she is actually one of my favorite people. Kelly Bishop is such a cheerful, bright, complex, wholesome, and interesting person. There were a couple of moments, when I laughed and couldn't stop, and some sad moments too, unfortunately, but that's what makes life rich. A wonderful read if you're a fan.

[Elena]

Liliana wrote: "I don't remember when I last updated here, but this is what I read in December lol

I loved this first ..."

Reading your post, I really want to re-read Assistant and Apprentice. Just remembered how fun they were :D

[Brittany]

Nice Elena! I really enjoyed One of Us is Lying, book 2 as well. Book 3 less so.
So many good rereads for you there!

[Gord]

Time for that weekly recap and oh boy have I been busy this week.

Celtic Fire⭐⭐⭐
Book number 50 in this series, I have been working on this series for a long time now. Not a lot to really say about this one that I haven't said about the other 49 entries to this thing. It's a popcorn read full of pseudoarchaeology. This time the books is set in Wales and involves an ancient sword. We have car chases, sword fights, all of what you would expect from this series. It's fun and some day I will be caught up with this series. Only another 10ish books to go.

My Quiet Blacksmith Life in Another World: Volume 4⭐⭐⭐
This book had a lot going on in it. We got introduced to two new side characters, a bear was fought, the cabin was expanded again. Oh and our MC sneaks his way into a neighboring empire to rescue a character from the first novel adding yet another young woman to our not harem. I really hope that the harem stops growing at some point because this simple cabin in the woods is starting to feel more like a commune at this point. There is a our MC, five young woman, and a drake all living together. Overall another fun book and I'm curious to see where this series will end up going.

Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls ⭐⭐⭐
I've had this on my TBR for a bit and I figured this would be a nice short book while I was waiting for other audiobooks to come in. This is another on of those books where a young person is recruited to be a spy and save the day. On paper I enjoy everything about this book and it's a fun read. I just have one major gripe, the MC. She is a bratty 12 year girl and I can't stand her as a person. I don't blame the author for writing her that way, she is a 12 year girl. I also don't blame the narrator for voicing her so well. I just don't like following her as a lead. There was moments towards the end where we started to see some change but it felt like it took a life time to get there. Since this is only a trilogy I am tempted to read on just to see where this goes but it not high up on my list of things I want to read.

Now for the manga and there is a lot

Nue's Exorcist, Vol. 2⭐⭐⭐
Nope, I'm done with this series. I wanted to give the second book a chance to see if things got better and nope. I still feel that this has a decent idea at its core but it needs a lot of polish to get there and I just don't see that happening. This feels like the author was once again just flinging popular ideas at the wall trying to see if something will land with an audience. For instance this one had a beach episode because we need a reason to have women in bikinis but we've only got a couple main women in the story so far. No problems, lets just randomly introduce some more characters that we may or may not see again. I'm just not interested in seeing what randomness the author will try next so I am out.

SAKAMOTO DAYS 18 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
More Sakamoto Days and more crazy over the top fights. Not a lot to really say about this one as we are in the part of the arc where everyone gets to have their big fights.

Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol. 2⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is another one of those slice of life integrated society stories that I have a hard time explaining why I enjoy it so much. I just like the characters, the glimpses into this similar and yet so different world, it's just a fun read.

Soara and the House of Monsters Vol. 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After the first book I was excited to continue on and see what came next. There was also a part of me that was concerned that this would become very episodic with little direction. This second volume took my concerns and gently laid them to rest. I still think this will be episodic in a way where we are going to get new housing challenges for our main cast to tackle but we also have a mission, a direction, something that we have to accomplish. We might also have something tracking us down as well, not to sure on that one yet. This series is just hitting all the right buttons for me currently and I really can't wait to see where it will go next.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Part 4—Diamond Is Unbreakable, Vol. 6⭐⭐⭐⭐
I stand by what I said before. Now that this series seems to have a direction it feels a lot better. We have a scary villain that is smart that needs to be tracked down. It feels like a giant game of cat and mouse currently. There is of course more over the top fights that one would come to expect from this series. Including one of the most intense games of rock paper scissors I have ever seen. We also have been introduced to a new side character that is really make question things. I don't want to spoil anything but I wouldn't be surprised if what he is saying is true.

Yowamushi Pedal Omnibus, Vol. 7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This volume takes us to the end of the first day and the start of the second day of the interhigh championship race. Not a lot to really say here as this is just more intense racing and drama between contestants.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Vol. 6 ⭐⭐⭐
I am really having some mixed feelings about Clear Card and I'm not sure if it's just because I am getting it drip fed to me or if it is something else. In this volume we finally get some answers about who is who and who is doing what. It's still kind of vague and everyone has a secret to hide from Sakura of course but it kind of feels like some things have been cleared up and we have some sort of lines in the sand. I just wish I was more excited for this one like I was for the original series.

Go with the clouds, North-by-Northwest, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This has been one that has been nudging my leg for a bit to give it a chance and I finally did. I think this first book was a interesting introduction to the series and it has me wanting to read more. The story is just getting set up but basically or MC is a young man from Japan who is living with his grandfather in Iceland. He is a detective who apparently has the ability to talk to cars. We get a couple stories kind of setting up the world and the characters before we get the opening arc to what sounds like the overall larger story for the series. There was definitely enough here to sink a hook into me that will have me coming back for some more. Then we get to the art. The background set pieces are all gorgeous which is great. Then we have the character designs. Honestly, I love them. I feel like I can see so many different inspirations from other series and styles all blending together into something all it's own. I'm really glad that I picked this up and from this single book I am now curious about not only this series but other stuff this author has done as well.

What is next?


These are my next two audiobooks that I have on the go.

Outside of that I have the next week off and a giant stack of books from the library. I have light novels, I have manga, I have audiobooks, and a whole lot of time before I need to go back to work.

[Brittany]

Talking to cars is different! Glad you mostly had good reads this week Gord

[Liliana, YA Paranormal Lover]

Elena wrote: "It was a rollercoaster, lots of re-reads, but also something new.

- 5 stars. I’m not sure when there will be the second book. but I missed Delila..."

I was surprised at how much I liked One of Us is lying too! And you're right that it has an addictive quality to it 😆

[Liliana, YA Paranormal Lover]

Elena wrote: "Liliana wrote: "I don't remember when I last updated here, but this is what I read in December lol

I l..."

They are SO fun! I have the third book that I've been meaning to get to since it came out this summer 😆

[Elena]

@Lili I don't have the third yet, but considering re-reading before starting the third. And... I guess we're using 2024 topic instead of 2025 😅