Bill's Independent 2025 Reading Challenge

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of A Writer's Diary: Being Extracts from the Diary of Virginia Woolf by Virginia Woolf It took me awhile but such a fascinating look at this author and her work. 4.5 stars

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

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 5 by James Tynion IV 4.0 stars

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

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Bill wrote: "My review of Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 5 by James Tynion IV 4.0 stars

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

I miss this series. *sigh*

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 5 by James Tynion IV 4.0 stars

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

I miss this ser..."

There is a new volume coming in 2026 supposedly

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 6 by James Tynion IV 4.0 stars So good.

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

[Ioana]

Bill wrote: "My review of Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 5 by James Tynion IV 4.0 stars

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

I need to get back to this series, I think my last one was #3.

[Bill, Moderator]

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 5 by James Tynion IV 4.0 stars

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

I need to get b..."

You should.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Bill wrote: "There is a new volume coming in 2026 supposedly"
..."

I still need to get 8 & 9 read.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of High Country by Nevada Barr (Anna Pigeon #12) 3.5 stars

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

Next in line The Bone Yard by Jefferson Bass (Body Farm #6)

[Lillie]

Bill wrote: "My review of High Country by Nevada Barr (Anna Pigeon #12) 3.5 stars

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

Next in line The Bone Yard by [..."

I like the Anna Pigeon series too. Need to get back to the series.

The Body Farm series looks like a good one. Every time I read one of your reviews for it, it peaks my interest.

[Bill, Moderator]

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of High Country by Nevada Barr (Anna Pigeon #12) 3.5 stars

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

Next in line [book:The Bone Yard|1..."

It's worth checking out anyway, Lillie. Nice to know that my reviews pique interest in other authors and books.

[Bill, Moderator]

Mid-October Reading Update
7 books completed, managing to catch up and finish some longish reads, plus squeezed in a couple of graphics. Pages - approx 2100.

Completed
1. Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by James Sturm A beautifully drawn and told re-imagining of Richard Adams. 4.5 stars
2. Star Shapes by Ivy Grimes A quirky horror-lite novella. 2.0 stars
3. Joanna Russ: Novels & Stories (LOA #373): The Female Man / We Who Are About To . . . / On Strike Against God / The Complet e Alyx Stories / Other Stories by Joanna Russ This collection contained many if not all of Joanna Russ's works; a mix of Sci Fi and LGBTQ+ stories. It was a long read but all in all I enjoyed her writing. Didn't get every story but was glad to be exposed to her work. (3.5 stars)
4. A Writer's Diary: Being Extracts from the Diary of Virginia Woolf by Virginia Woolf I'd previously read two of Woolf's novels. They were interesting but I can't say they blew me away. Reading these selections from her diaries added to my interest of her work. She was a fascinating person whose life ended tragically. I think I'll continue to explore her writing. I've got Orlando on my bookshelf and I've ordered A Haunted House and Other Short Stories. (4.5 stars)
5 & 6. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 5 & Vol 6 by James Tynion IV. Great horror graphic novel series. These volumes are set in New Mexico and are very scary.... but darn, they continue in the next one at least. I've ordered... 4.0 stars for both
7. High Country by Nevada Barr (Anna Pigeon #12) This Anna Pigeon mystery is set in Yosemite. Always comforting to revisit Anna's life as a park ranger and the mysteries she's involved with. She's undercover this time. 3.5 stars

Currently Reading
(Books started since my end September update; a few horror...)
1. The Bone Yard by Jefferson Bass (Body Farm #6)
2. Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson
3. Hell House by Richard Matheson It's creepy so far....
4. Our Love Will Devour Us by R.L. Meza
5. The Girls in the Cabin by Caleb Stephens

In the Mill
(Possibles, anyway)
1. Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram
2. The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway (Cr. Fenaway #1)
3. Songs in the Year of the Cat by H. Leighton Dickson (Book 3)
4. Coven: A Graphic Novel by Soman Chainani

So there you go. Enjoy the rest of October. Happy Hallowe'en!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Great update, Bill.

I enjoyed both The Bone Yard and Hell House. Giving both 4 Stars. Its been many years since I read Hell House, though. Matheson is a great writer, so, I may have to think about rereading this one day.

[Bill, Moderator]

Alondra wrote: "Great update, Bill.

I enjoyed both The Bone Yard and Hell House. Giving both 4 Stars. Its been many years since I read Hell House, though. Matheson is a great writer, so, I may have to think abou..."

I'm enjoying, if you can call being creeped out as enjoying, Hell House a lot. I haven't opened The Bone Yard yet but I enjoy the series very much so far.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Coven: A Graphic Novel by Soman Chainani (2025) 2.5 stars Great for middle school kids I think.

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

[Lea]

Oooh, you're reading some seasonal books this time of year. I always try to read one or two also. :-)

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "Oooh, you're reading some seasonal books this time of year. I always try to read one or two also. :-)"

It's fun, isn't it?

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Elbows Up!: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance by Various edited by Elamin Abdelmahmoud (2025) 4.0 stars

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

Next in line will be Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram

[Lillie]

Elbows Up!: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance sounds like a really great compilation of Canadian voices in these super charged days. Putting it on my list.

Also intriguing is Coup de Grâce. Looking forward to your review.

[Bill, Moderator]

Lillie wrote: "Elbows Up!: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance sounds like a really great compilation of Canadian voices in these super charged days. Putting it on my list.

Also intrigu..."

It was definitely different, Lillie. I'll keep you posted on Coup de Grace.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy by Jason Bell an interesting history / biography with lots of parallels to today, I think. 4.0 stars

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

Next in line is Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Hell House by Richard Matheson (1971). Kind of one of those perfect classic horror stories. 4.5 stars

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

A break from horror with a spy story, The Content Assignment by Holly Roth

[Alissa]

Bill wrote: "My review of Hell House by Richard Matheson (1971). Kind of one of those perfect classic horror stories. 4.5 stars

https://www.goodrea..."

Hell House has been on my TBR for years!! I realized I can get it from Kindle Unlimited so I'm going to grab it. Thanks for your review to gently poke me to read my older TBR haha

[Bill, Moderator]

Alissa wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Hell House by Richard Matheson (1971). Kind of one of those perfect classic horror stories. 4.5 stars

https:..."

My pleasure. 👹😎👌

[Ioana]

Bill wrote: "My review of Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy by [author:Ja..."

I'm fascinated by spy stories, this one sounds interesting, and I have to read it :-)

[Lea]

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy ..."

It's now on my list also!

[Bill, Moderator]

Lea wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy ..."

I hope you both find it intersting.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram 4.0 stars

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

Next in line is The West Passage by Jared Pechaček

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of Red X by David Demchuk, one of the best books I've read this year and maybe one of the best horror stories I've ever read.... 5.0 stars

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

Next in line is Running Wild by J.G. Ballard which I believe is a mystery but who knows with Ballard.

[Ioana]

Bill wrote: "My review of Red X by David Demchuk, one of the best books I've read this year and maybe one of the best horror stories I've ever read......."

Not fair....you keep adding books to my TBR...

[Bill, Moderator]

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of Red X by David Demchuk, one of the best books I've read this year and maybe one of the best horror stories I've ..."

This one's worth it... 😁

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Content Assignment by Holly Roth. Turns out it was a reread but I enjoyed it anyway. 3.5 stars

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

Next in line a bit of alternate history, Camp Concentration by Thomas M. Disch

[Bill, Moderator]

End October Update
Two months left! I'd better finish some of those books I've got on the go. 6 books since my last update, 13 over all in October, roughly 3,700 pages.

Completed
1. Coven: A Graphic Novel by Soman Chainani a graphic novel about a trio of witches who try to keep the world safe. It was ok. 2.5 stars
2. Elbows Up!: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance by Elamin Abdelmahmoud A collection of essays, some poetry by a group of Canadian authors discussing what Canada is and its relationship with the US. Inter3sting and it introduced me to some other books. (My wife is thrilled) (4.0 stars)
3. Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy by Jason Bell A biography / historical novel about a Canadian spy who identified the Nazi playbook very early on. Scary because I see the same things going on today. (4.0 stars)
4. Hell House by Richard Matheson Fantastic classic horror novel about a group of psychics staying a week in a haunted house. Very scary and so well-written (4.5 stars)
5. Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram A young man decides to kill himself. Takes subway to end of line so he can walk into the St. Lawrence River but the subway isn't it what it seems.... (4.0 stars)
6. Red X by David Demchuk Best story of the month by far. Gay men are disappearing in Toronto by whom??? Fantastic story. (5.0 stars)

Newest Reads
1. Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison
2. The West Passage by Jared Pechaček
3. Running Wild by J.G. Ballard
4. Camp Concentration by Thomas M. Disch

In the Mill (Maybe)
1. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 7 by James Tynion IV
2. Bedelia by Vera Caspary

Newest Arrivals
1. Terminal by Brian Keene
2. Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams by Sylvia Plath
3. A Haunted House and Other Stories: The Complete Shorter Fiction of Virginia Woolf by Virginia Woolf
4. The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
5. The Land of Sweet Forever: Stories and Essays by Harper Lee
6. The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
7. The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
8. We Are All Perfectly Fine: A Memoir of Love, Medicine and Healing by Jillian Horton

(Yes, I know... too many new books... sigh)

Enjoy your November reads!

[Lillie]

Great month Bill! But I've really got to stop checking your page. Too many good books that I just have to add to my lists. Obviously I need to read faster.

[Ioana]

Lillie wrote: "Great month Bill! But I've really got to stop checking your page. Too many good books that I just have to add to my lists. Obviously I need to read faster."

LOL, that's exactly how I feel too 🤣

[Bill, Moderator]

Ioana wrote: "Lillie wrote: "Great month Bill! But I've really got to stop checking your page. Too many good books that I just have to add to my lists. Obviously I need to read faster."

LOL, that's exactly how ..."

👌😁

Lillie wrote: "Great month Bill! But I've really got to stop checking your page. Too many good books that I just have to add to my lists. Obviously I need to read faster."

If only I could... read faster that is... at least faster than I buy new books.

[Bill, Moderator]

My review of The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey 4.0 stars

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

Next in line is The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway

[Bill, Moderator]

My Last Two Months of 2025 Reading Thoughts
I won't call it a plan but this my tentative plan for the final two months.

1. Finish the 12 books I'm currently reading. (Don't start any more until I read them)
a. Exit Music by Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus #17) 69%
2. The Bone Yard by Jefferson Bass (Body Farm #6) 34%
3. Running Wild by J.G. Ballard 33%
4. The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge (Snow Queen Cycle #1) not sure about this one.... 27%
5. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (Handmaid's Tale #2) 44%
6. The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway (Dr Fenimore Cooper #1) 5%
7. Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson 24%
8. Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison 24%
9. Our Love Will Devour Us by R.L. Meza not sure about this one either 42%
10. The Girls in the Cabin by Caleb Stephens 32%
11. The West Passage by Jared Pechaček 3%
12. Camp Concentration by Thomas M. Disch 5%

I imagine I can finish at least 20 books in the final two months. 8 possibles next.....
1. A Haunted House and Other Stories: The Complete Shorter Fiction of Virginia Woolf by Virginia Woolf
2. Bedelia by Vera Caspary
3. A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toews
4. Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky
5. The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea #6)
6. Frozen Assets by Quentin Bates (Officer Gunnhildur #1)
7. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 7 by James Tynion IV
8. Blue Nights by Joan Didion

Of course things could change.. :) Now to start getting serious about 2026 challenges. Enjoy the last two months of 2025

[Ioana]

Bill wrote: "My review of The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey 4.0 stars

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

Next in line is [book:The Doctor Digs a Grave|90..."

Glad to see you've enjoyed it. I read it some years ago and found it interesting (and different) too. There is a sequel, but I could not get into that one.

[Bill, Moderator]

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "My review of The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey 4.0 stars

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

Next in line is [book:The Doctor Di..."

I hope to get to it next year maybe.

[Patricia]

I get what you're saying about making a tentative plan. I have a few books lined up that will help me finish a couple of challenges. Just have to be determined to stick with them & not be distracted!
I'll be interested to hear how you do with The Snow Queen. I read it years ago & loved it. I then had the second in the series sit on my shelf forever. At this point, I would want to reread The Snow Queen first. So, your thoughts may encourage or discourage me there. (No pressure!)

[Bill, Moderator]

Patricia wrote: "I get what you're saying about making a tentative plan. I have a few books lined up that will help me finish a couple of challenges. Just have to be determined to stick with them & not be distracte..."

I'll let you know. It's a very interesting concept.