Bill's Independent 2025 Reading Challenge

[Bill, Moderator]

End August 2025 Reading Update
I'm satisfied with my August reading. 9 books since my mid month update for a total of 15. Roughly 3800 pages for the month.

Completed
1. The Enemy by Charlie Higson by Charlie Higson (Enemy #1) Dystopic future set in London where adults have either died or become zombiish creatures and all kids younger than 16 are now trying to survive. Good enough to make me want to continuer. One of my favs of the month 4.5 stars
2. Sleeping Planet by William R. Burkett Jr. Aliens want to conquer the Earth Federation by putting the people on the main 3 planets to sleep. Unfortunately, some didn't fall asleep. Enjoyed very much 3.5 stars
3. Young Dr. Kildare by Max Brand (Dr. Kildare #3) Medical drama with young doctor who is trying to figure out why a young lady tried to commit suicide. I used to watch the TV series 3.0 stars
4. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (Singing Hills #1) Reminded me of the Monk and the Robot somewhat. A monk visits the old empress to get her story. My fav of the month 5.0 stars
5. Fatale Compendium by Ed Brubaker Graphic novel. Noir mystery meets Lovecraft. Interesting and well-drawn 3.5 stars
6. Murder is for keeps, by Peter Chambers (Mark Preston #1) 60's PI from California gets involved with mobsters and murder. Hard boiled crime fiction and enjoyable. 3.0 stars
7. The Big Payoff by Janice Law (Anna Peters #1) Industrial espionage involving oil producers and murder. It was ok 2.5 stars
8. The Red Mass by Rosemary Aubert (Ellis Portal #5) Legal drama set in Toronto. Most enjoyable series 3.5 stars
9. Dorothy Parker: Complete Broadway, 1918–1923 by Dorothy Parker If you're interested in the early years of Broadway as presented in articles written by a lady who writes so well, you might like to check this out. 4.0 stars

Currently Reading
11 on the go. I'll only highlight those I've started since my mid -month update.
1. The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey (The Girl with #1) Just started but a dystopic world where kids are zombies and adults are trying to cure them... But I may be totally wrong
2. Redhead by John Creasey (Dept Z #2) a thriller from the 1930's
3. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Non Fic) Another I've just started, a look at the present....
4. Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore An alternate future in NY where the South won the Civil War.
5. The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge (Snow Queen #1) I'm just about to start so not sure what it's about.. Sci Fi / Fan
6. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) I'm enjoying getting back into this world.

Next in Line
1. Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy by Jason Bell (Non fic)
2. The Hyde Park Murder by Elliott Roosevelt (Eleanor Roosevelt Mysteries #2)
3. The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway Robin Hathaway (Dr Fenimore #1)
4. Cargo of Eagles by Margery Allingham (Albert Campion Mystery)

Some New Books
1. Babel by R.F. Kuang I bought it on the recommendation of the book store owner
2. Orlando by Virginia Woolf I'm currently reading her diaries and have this hankering to explore her work some more
3. The Fear by Charlie Higson #3 in The Enemy series
4. Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo The 3rd book in the Singing Hills series
5. A History of Canada in Ten Maps: Epic Stories of Charting a Mysterious Land by Adam Shoalts I can never know too much about Canada's history
6. The Dark by James Herbert A bit of horror from one of my favorite horror authors.

There you go. Enjoy your September reading. The last 3rd of the year..

[Lea]

I cannot believe it is the last third of the year already.

You had a great August. I always love to see what you are reading. :-)

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "I cannot believe it is the last third of the year already.

You had a great August. I always love to see what you are reading. :-)"

I enjoy your lists as well, Lea.

[Bill, Moderator]

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Murderbot #3) 4.5 stars

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

[Ioana]

Great August progress!
I've read The Girl With All the Gifts a few years ago when it was still a stand alone and I remember enjoying it. The 2nd one in the series, not so much...
I hope you'll enjoy Babel, I did.

[Bill, Moderator]

Ioana wrote: "Great August progress!
I've read The Girl With All the Gifts a few years ago when it was still a stand alone and I remember enjoying it. The 2nd one in the series, not so much...
I hope you'll enjo..."

it sounded interesting, Ioana. I'm looking forward to trying it.

[Alissa]

What a great month! I'm looking forward to hearing about Babel because I go back and forth on whether to give it a try!

[Bill, Moderator]

Alissa wrote: "What a great month! I'm looking forward to hearing about Babel because I go back and forth on whether to give it a try!"

It'll be awhile, I imagine. I still have to read the Poppy War first...

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin 4.0 stars

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

Some non-fiction next, Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy by Jason Bell

[Lillie]

Bill wrote: "Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Murderbot #3) 4.5 stars

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

Woohoo! You're back to reading this series :)

Bill wrote: "1. The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey (The Girl with #1) Just started but a dystopic world where kids are zombies and adults are trying to cure them... But I may be totally wrong"

I still remember this book, read it in 2016. It was so good! I hope you continue to enjoy it.

[Bill, Moderator]

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Murderbot #3) 4.5 stars

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

Woohoo! You're back to reading this series :)..."

Thanks, Lillie