Bill's Independent 2025 Reading Challenge

[Carolien]

Glad to see you enjoyed Catherine Aird, Bill, she's one of my favourite authors. She puts a lot of plot into concise stories and I love Sloan's slightly acerbic views of his fellow officers. Happy reading!

[Bill, Moderator]

Lillie wrote: "So many great books read so far. Hope the rest of the month holds up.

How are you liking the Exogenesis trilogy?"

Just started Lillie but I do like her writing style.

[Bill, Moderator]

Carolien wrote: "Glad to see you enjoyed Catherine Aird, Bill, she's one of my favourite authors. She puts a lot of plot into concise stories and I love Sloan's slightly acerbic views of his fellow o..."

I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd, Carolien

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Barking! by Liz Evans (PI Grace Smith #4) 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line I'm heading off to see what Jim Qwilleran and his cats are up to... The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun (#5)

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughan (Chaps 1 - 5) 3.0 stars. I do like Vaughan's imagination.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next is The Big Payoff by Janice Law

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes (Harlem Cycle #2) 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is a Canadian mystery The Red Mass by Rosemary Aubert (Ellis Portal #5)

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of by Clifford D. Simak 2.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is by Virginia Woolf

[Bill, Moderator]

End - July Reading Update
Overall, I'm very pleased with my July reading. Even though there were some short books / novella, I still completed 15. Total for the year is now 76 of my planned 120 (63% complete). Pages completed, roughly 18,000 or 235 per book. I completed 7 since my mid - Jul update.

Completed
1. Broken by Karin Slaughter Will Trent and Sara Linton head back to Grant County to solve a murder or two. Gritty, dark, tense (4.0 stars)
2. Barking! by Liz Evans (PI Grace Smith #4) Grace works to solve a possible murder that took place 50 years ago. Always a fun read. 3.5 stars
3. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughan A new graphic novel series for me from Vaughan. All the men on Earth, including animals, seem to have perished, except one. This is the first collection of chapters. 3.0 stars
4. The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo (Kosuke Kindaichi #1) A locked room murder mystery set in Japan and introducing a new PI. I enjoyed it very much. 3.5 stars
5. The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes (Harlem Cycle #2) A crime story set in Harlem in the 1958. Features two NY cops, Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed. Lots of action, violence and language, but it seems appropriate for the time and place. Think of Shaft or Superfly. 3.5 stars
6. Suffer the Little Children by Donna Leon (Commissario Brunetti #16) Crime series set in Venice and one of my favorite. Deals with childless families purchasing babies from immigrants and police involvement in the case. 4.0 stars
7. Empire by Clifford D. Simak A Sci Fi adventure from the 50s. Two billionaires battling, one to take over the universe, the other to prevent him. Entertaining. 2.5 stars

Currently Reading
(I'll just highlight the six books I've started since Jul 15)
1. Wycliffe and the Redhead by W.J. Burley (Inspector Wycliffe #21) Another favorite crime series, set in Devon.
2. The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin a standalone historical story by the creator of the Mistress of the Art of Death series.
3. The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun (Cat Who.. #5) Qwilleran and his 2 Siamese cats go on vacation to a summer cottage.
4. The Big Payoff by Janice Law (Anna Peters #1) an industrial espionage thriller
5. The Red Mass by Rosemary Aubert (Ellis Portal #5) Canadian crime / legal drama series set in Toront.
6. A Writer's Diary by Virginia Woolf (Originally published 1953)... Excerpts from Woolf's diaries.

In the Mill
1. Young Doctor Kildare by Max Brand Hospital series
2. Murder is for keeps, by Peter Chambers a new author for me
3. Exit Music by Ian Rankin Inspector Rebus #17
4. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (Singing Hills Cycle #1)

There you go. Enjoy your August reading selections.

[Lea]

Oh, Bill, now I'm feeling badly for commenting on how many books you're currently reading. I love that you have so many options at all times. I own several of the Will Trent books, but haven't read any of them yet. You're making great progress on your series books! :-)

[Lillie]

Bill wrote: "End - July Reading Update
Overall, I'm very pleased with my July reading. Even though there were some short books / novella, I still completed 15. Total for the year is now 76 of my planned 120 (63..."

Great reading month Bill! You've reminded me that I need to get to the next Detective Kosuke Kindaichi mystery.

[Alissa]

I enjoy seeing your progress so much!! Way to go!

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "Oh, Bill, now I'm feeling badly for commenting on how many books you're currently reading. I love that you have so many options at all times. I own several of the Will Trent books, but haven't read..."

Thanks, Lea. So many series. I've been vetting and deciding not to continue with some... But then starting new ones. But we're all like that I think.

[Bill, Moderator]

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "End - July Reading Update
Overall, I'm very pleased with my July reading. Even though there were some short books / novella, I still completed 15. Total for the year is now 76 of my pl..."

I've got #2 on my shelf and am looking forward to getting to it. How many have you read, Lillie?

[Bill, Moderator]

Alissa wrote: "I enjoy seeing your progress so much!! Way to go!"

Thanks, Alissa. You too. :)

[Lea]

Bill wrote: "Thanks, Lea. So many series. I've been vetting and deciding not to continue with some... But then starting new ones. But we're all like that I think."

Yes! I keep discovering new ones too. Someone asked me if I'd read Absolam, Absalom! by William Faulkner, and I had to check. No, I have not. But, that innocent question led me to realize that Absolam, Absalom! is apparently #6 in a Sin & Salvation series. Of course, I then need to know what else is in there? I discover everything Faulkner wrote in Mississippi, including three of his books I *have* read. So, I have "started" another series without knowing it, apparently, many years ago, because they've decided to call this a series. Do I? In the end, I decided to add the series to my list, even though I'm not sure whether I will read the other books in it. It's surprises like these that make me sure I will never make any real progress on series completion. But they are a lot of fun to read and I always like seeing how the books relate to each other...so here we are. I'm sure we all have stories like this. Happy reading!

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "Bill wrote: "Thanks, Lea. So many series. I've been vetting and deciding not to continue with some... But then starting new ones. But we're all like that I think."

Yes! I keep discovering new ones..."

In one of my literature courses at university, one of the books was by Faulkner, either As I Lay Dying or Absalom, Absalom. I think the first. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it... not that I can remember why...

Is the Sin & Salvation series by Faulkner? like his Compston county books?? Interesting post, Lea.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Stephanie Williams, adapted from the novel by Maggie Stiefvater (Raven Cycle #1 / 2025) 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lea]

Bill wrote: "In one of my literature courses at university, one of the books was by Faulkner, either As I Lay Dying or Absalom, Absalom. I think the first. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it... not that I can remember why...

Is the Sin & Salvation series by Faulkner? like his Compston county books?? Interesting post, Lea."

Yes! The Compson family is discussed in several of the works that are in this "series." According to GR, the "Sin and Salvation" series is a collection of novels by William Faulkner, set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, and exploring themes of sin, redemption, race, and family through Southern Gothic tales.

It includes Sartoris, The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Sanctuary, Light in August, Absalom, Absalom! and Requiem for a Nun.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4200...

Many people find Faulkner difficult to enjoy because he often writes stream of consciousness, which makes things difficult to follow. He's not a favorite of mine either, his books are ones I can appreciate, but rarely enjoy.

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "Bill wrote: "In one of my literature courses at university, one of the books was by Faulkner, either As I Lay Dying or Absalom, Absalom. I think the first. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into i..."

I prefer other Southern authors.. well, mainly one, I guess. I really like Carson McCullers.

[Bill, Moderator]

I read an article on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp page about 22 Canadian writers making their mark in 2025. I've ordered 3 of the books..

- Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram (pre-order)
- Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana (pre-order)
- The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (I enjoyed her very much

Any of them sound interesting to you?

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Great update for August!!

Luckily, I have many of these on my tbr already, or at least the first book in series.

Rebus is always a good, consistent read.

Glad you are back reading The Cat Who.... books. :)

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Great update for August!!

Luckily, I have many of these on my tbr already, or at least the first book in series.

Rebus is always a good, consistent read.

Glad you are back reading The Cat Who...."

QWill, Koko and Yum Yum are always fun to visit with, eh, Alondra?

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Paper Girls, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan 4.0 stars Entertaining time travel series.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lillie]

Bill wrote: "I've got #2 on my shelf and am looking forward to getting to it. How many have you read, Lillie?"

I've only read The Honjin Murders but I enjoyed it. I keep distracted by newer books, lol

[Bill, Moderator]

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "I've got #2 on my shelf and am looking forward to getting to it. How many have you read, Lillie?"

I've only read The Honjin Murders but I enjoyed it. I keep distracted..."

Me too... I have a feeling that next year instead of a Dusty Book Challenge, I might do a sparkling brand new challenge.. LOL... or both maybe

[Laurel]

Bill wrote: "I have a feeling that next year instead of a Dusty Book Challenge, I might do a sparkling brand new challenge.. LOL... or both maybe"

Ooh - there's the word I needed! Dusty! My themes next year will all revolve around the letter D, and I've been pondering how to include a focus on leftovers and books I've been marking to read every year and never getting to....

But of course I have to have new themes too: Laurel Dances with Dragons..., Laurel Goes to the Dark Side..., ?

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Bill wrote: "QWill, Koko and Yum Yum are always fun to visit with, eh, Alondra?.."

Always fun, light and entertaining. Quick reads too!

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "QWill, Koko and Yum Yum are always fun to visit with, eh, Alondra?.."

Always fun, light and entertaining. Quick reads too!"

I'm enjoying it, Alondra. Should be finished this weekend unless I stay with one of the others I'm reading.

Laurel wrote: "Bill wrote: "I have a feeling that next year instead of a Dusty Book Challenge, I might do a sparkling brand new challenge.. LOL... or both maybe"

Ooh - there's the word I needed! Dusty! My themes..."

Nice that you are thinking ahead, Laurel.. ;0)

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of An Outbreak of Witchcraft: A Graphic Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Deborah Noyes (2024) 3.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun (Cat Who... #5) 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is a book from a TV series I used to watch as a kid.. yes, many many years ago... Young Dr. Kildare by Max Brand (Dr. Kildare #6)

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Enemy by Charlie Higson (Enemy #1) 4.5 stars Alondra... check it out

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (Singing Hills Cycle #1)

[Bill, Moderator]

Mid-August Reading Update
7 books completed, roughly 1500 pages. 83 books total, 9 ahead of schedule. 20,000 pages.

Completed
1. The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Stephanie Williams Adaptation of the novel by Maggie Stiefvater. I've not tried the novel yet. I picked up the graphic because it just looked excellent. Most enjoyable so far. (3.5 stars)
2. Paper Girls, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan Another enjoyable graphic from the creator of Saga. Time travel, bicycle riding teen girls, lots of adventure. 4.0 stars
3. Wycliffe and the Redhead by W.J. Burley Another excellent Wycliffe mystery set in south west England. 3.5 stars
4. An Outbreak of Witchcraft: A Graphic Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Deborah Noyes A non-fiction graphic about the Salem witch trials of the 1690s 3.0 stars
5. The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun (The Cat #5) Qwill packs up his two Siamese and heads off for a writing vacation to a cottage on a lake and gets involved in murder. (4.0 stars)
6. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 2: Cycles by Brian K. Vaughan Yorick, the last man on Earth and his monkey and two ladies head off across the US to try and keep the world from total annihilation (4.0 stars)
7. The Enemy by Charlie Higson (Enemy #1) My favorite so far. Dystopian future set in London, all adults sort of turned in zombielike creatures and the children fighting to survive. (4.5 stars)

Currently Reading
(Just those started in August)
1. Exit Music by Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus #17) The last in the initial kick at the Rebus books, but he comes back in the Complaints
2. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (Singing Hills Cycle #1) Fantasy set in China.

Next in Line
1. Murder is for keeps, by Peter Chambers (Mark Preston #1)
2. 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs (Temperance Brennan #12) One of my dusty books
3. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Murderbot #3) It's about time I got back to this series.
4. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Non Fiction) one of my newest purchases.
4. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (Handmaid's Tale #2)

Some recent purchases
1. The Last Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko I read the Night Watch a few years back and enjoyed. This is the 4th book. I have ordered #2
2. The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Renée Nault I've been enjoying exploring graphic adaptations of classic novels.
3. The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar I enjoyed This is How You Lose the Time War and wanted to try Amal's latest.
4. The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater I enjoyed The Scorpio Races and also the graphic adaptation of The Raven Boys. I've heard this is intersting.
5. Paper Girls, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan Will the girls save the world? Will they get back to their own time? I have to find out.

Enjoy the rest of your August reading, folks.

[Michelle]

Bill wrote: "Mid-August Reading Update
7 books completed, roughly 1500 pages. 83 books total, 9 ahead of schedule. 20,000 pages.

Completed
1. The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by [author:Step..."

Looks like August is treating you well Bill. I hope you continue to enjoy Stiefvater. I enjoyed The Listeners and the The Raven Boys series.

[Lillie]

Great month so far Bill!

Yes! I'm excited that you're getting back to Murderbot :)

[Bill, Moderator]

Lillie wrote: "Great month so far Bill!

Yes! I'm excited that you're getting back to Murderbot :)"

Thanks, Lillie. So many good series to get back to but I'm really looking forward to this one.

Michelle wrote: "Bill wrote: "Mid-August Reading Update
7 books completed, roughly 1500 pages. 83 books total, 9 ahead of schedule. 20,000 pages.

Completed
1. The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by..."

Thanks, Michelle. I've been wondering if I should just read the Raven Boys books or wait for the next graphic..

[Michelle]

I vote for the books but I'm not one for graphic novels really. Now that I think about it, you should try the audiobooks they were read by one of my favorite narrators

[Bill, Moderator]

Michelle wrote: "I vote for the books but I'm not one for graphic novels really. Now that I think about it, you should try the audiobooks they were read by one of my favorite narrators"

Thank, Michelle. I'll bear that in mind.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Sleeping Planet by William R. Burkett Jr., an entertaining alien invasion story. 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is Fatale Compendium by Ed Brubaker, described as crime noir meets Lovecraft.. We'll see.

[Lea]

I need to get back to the Raven Boys too - waiting for the graphic novels is an interesting way to do it.

I discovered I did not like the graphic novels for the Vampire Academy, I found out I was missing too much and had to read the books. But I bet Raven Boys would be fun to read that way. I need to read more by Stiefvater, so many of her books on my TBR.

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "I need to get back to the Raven Boys too - waiting for the graphic novels is an interesting way to do it.

I discovered I did not like the graphic novels for the Vampire Academy, I f..."

I'm in the same boat with Stiefvater. I need to read more of her work.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Young Dr. Kildare by Max Brand, a medical drama from the late 30's. 3.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Back to Murderbots next with #3, Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (Singing Hills Cycle #1) a perfect fantasy. 5.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Heading into mystery next with Murder is for keeps, by Peter Chambers (Mark Preston #1)

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Bill wrote: "Back to Murderbots next with #3, Rogue Protocol Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries, #3) by Martha Wells by Martha Wells..."

Glad you're getting back to Murderbot. I really love this series. The tv series I'm not so sure about. They put a male actor there, and I feel like they should have kept that secret or put a more androgynous actor in that spot. I may check it out.

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "Back to Murderbots next with #3, Rogue Protocol Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries, #3) by Martha Wells by Martha Wells..."

Glad you're getting back to Murderbot. I really love thi..."

It's different but still excellent.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Fatale Compendium by Ed Brubaker 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line, some non-fiction, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Murder is for keeps, by Peter Chambers (Mark Preston #1) 3.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Big Payoff by Janice Law (Anna Peters #1). Not my favorite book of the year but still entertaining espionage spy thriller. 2.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Entering the realm of Sci Fi next with another new author for me, The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Red Mass by Rosemary Aubert (Ellis Portal #5) 3.5 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line is a Dept Z thriller, Redhead by John Creasey

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Dorothy Parker: Complete Broadway, 1918–1923 by Dorothy Parker. It was a slow read but most enjoyable. 4.0 stars

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next in line, a bit of Sci Fi with Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore