Q3 Challenge (Jul-Sep 2025): Hey, that’s my name!

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Read a fantasy or science fiction book by an author with the same first, middle, or last name as yours. If you can't find one, you may choose a book from another genre.

Please let us know what book you’ve chosen and then, what you thought of it when you’ve finished!

[Shel, Moderator]

Well here's my kick in the pants to try the Chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara, which has been on my radar screen for a long time!

[Shel, Moderator]

Ok, I just finished Cast in Shadow and definitely plan to read more of the series (which looks like it's at 18 books and counting?). Sort of a police procedural set in a fantasy world with multiple races. I look forward to more worldbuilding as the series continues, because there were a lot of fascinating things in this society that were just hinted at!

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

For now I’m going with Signal Moon by Kate Quinn, a speculative fiction novella, not exactly time travel but a connection through time between WWII and present day, 8/10. I thought it was well-researched from a WWII historical standpoint, with engaging characters and a fascinating plot.

I will keep a lookout for something that is closer to my name, but I figured “Kate” is a nickname for Kathryn, which is my given first name.

[Cheryl]

I'm having trouble finding anything at all on my lists, and I don't think I can make time to add something new. I did find a recommendation from one of my sons (the one who understands my taste least well) for The Never-Open Desert Diner, by an Anderson, so I'll try that.

[Dawn]

I have all of 1 book on my entire book list that uses one of my names. And I've already read it. I might look for names close to mine and see what I can find, maybe Donald or Donna.

[Kateblue]

I have been thinking that I should read some of Chad Oliver's books for a while, and I have several of them sitting here. So I will pick one and try to finish by September 30.

See, I have always felt that I needed to read these. His full name is Symmes Chadwick Oliver, and my maiden name is Symmes. And he's from Ohio. My greatgrandfather moved from Ohio to Indiana. So, not only do we share a name, I am sure we share ancestry. My mom says so. (There's actually a book about that, too. Really boring.)

[Shel, Moderator]

Kateblue wrote: "I have been thinking that I should read some of Chad Oliver's books for a while, and I have several of them sitting here. So I will pick one and try to finish by September 30."

I've never read any of his books - be sure to let us know what you think!

[Cheryl]

I love his stories. But then I am pretty old-school.

Btw, I had to dnf the book I found for this challenge. Not sure if I have any others on any of my lists.... Actually, I did find two picture-books by people named Cheryl on my local list, so that's what I'll do. Not speculative fiction though. ;)

[Forrest]

I didn't find anything interesting that matched this challenge... So, I went to my TBR list and used "forest" instead. Here is the list of options:

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
The Word for World Is Forest by Ursula K Le Guin

Of these, my top choice is Daughter of the Forest. That has been on my radar the most lately.

[Shel, Moderator]

Forrest wrote: "Of these, my top choice is Daughter of the Forest. That has been on my radar the most lately.

This one is on my list - looking forward to hearing what you think!

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

Forrest wrote: "Of these, my top choice is Daughter of the Forest. That has been on my radar the most lately."

I really enjoyed this series.

[Kateblue]

Kathi wrote: "Forrest wrote: "Of these, my top choice is Daughter of the Forest. That has been on my radar the most lately."

I really enjoyed this series."

There is also The Butcher of the Forest, 2025 hugo nominee, didn't win and not my fave, but still good

[Cheryl]

The Word for the World is Forest is a book that I have read more than once and also recommend widely.

[Dawn]

I tried to read Rage the Night by Donna Morrissey.

Figured Dawn & Donna was close enough for this. It was a book I had on my perhaps list. Historical Fiction and CanLit.

But I didn't like it at all. Ended up DNFing at 30%. The character wasn't really interesting and the written vernacular was highly annoying, maybe just because it was an audiobook. I have hundreds of other books to read and 60 some series I'm trying to keep up with, no time for unlikeable books!

[Shel, Moderator]

Maybe there's an author with a similar last name?

I did a similar challenge a few years ago and ended up reading Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox (my full name is Michelle Fox), which was one of the best celebrity memoirs I've ever read.

[Kateblue]

OK, I read two by my namesake Chad Oliver. One, Lady Killer, was a short story, it turned out, though it was republished as an ebook standalone. It was funny and ridiculous.

The other, Shadows in the Sun was ok, but it seemed padded with repetitive info, so it seemed long even though I think it was probably only novella length. So I cannot really recommend it.

I started Unearthly Neighbors but quit because too much exposition and character introduction even though the premise seemed cool. Anthropologists going to an alien world to study aliens. I will probably read it sometime. The 4th, Mists of Dawn seems to be really long and I have no time right now

It was fun reading his stuff, though. Too bad I didn't get the writing gene

[Cheryl]

Cheryl Bardoe wrote a terrific picture-book about one of the first true scientists, Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas. I will look for more by her.

I'm disappointed that I'm having trouble finding books that are a truer answer to the challenge that also appeal to me. 'Anderson' should be easy. Oh well.

[Kateblue]

Cheryl wrote: "I'm disappointed that I'm having trouble finding books that are a truer answer to the challenge that also appeal to me. 'Anderson' should be easy. Oh well."

there's Poul Anderson. He was prolific. Of the maybe 5 I remember--some I liked and some I didn't If you are interested, I will tell you which, if I can remember

[Cheryl]

Hm. I recall being of the same opinion, that I had mixed reactions to his efforts and gave up. But, yes, please, I'd welcome a recommendation!