Reading, Life, and Times of Gilroy 2023
DiscussionsThe Green Dragon
Rejoignez LibraryThing pour poster.
1gilroy
No change in reading goals again this year. Two books cross the year (again. sigh.) Hopefully, the year will be better which means more reading.
Each book will have an initial post when I start it, then will receive a bulk update of notes from when I finish it. These will be followed by a month summary of all reads. I'm a slow reader, so you'll have to forgive me updating backdated posts. The notes also will go into the reviews. If books cross months, they don't get a new post for the new month, but they also don't get counted until finished.
At the end of the year, I'll do a final goal count post as well as my annual book poll. That poll will also be posted in the new thread.
The hopeful goals:
Total books to read: 45 -- 30 audio, 9 physical, 6 e-books
(Count as of January 1 - 0 audio, 0 physical, 0 e-books)
The current reads:
Audio - The Time Traveler's Wife by Andrea Niffenegger
Physical book - Heat Rises by Richard Castle
E-book -
(Kindle) Rift by Andreas Christensen
(Google Books) Stronger than Magic by Melinda VanLone
Each book will have an initial post when I start it, then will receive a bulk update of notes from when I finish it. These will be followed by a month summary of all reads. I'm a slow reader, so you'll have to forgive me updating backdated posts. The notes also will go into the reviews. If books cross months, they don't get a new post for the new month, but they also don't get counted until finished.
At the end of the year, I'll do a final goal count post as well as my annual book poll. That poll will also be posted in the new thread.
The hopeful goals:
Total books to read: 45 -- 30 audio, 9 physical, 6 e-books
(Count as of January 1 - 0 audio, 0 physical, 0 e-books)
The current reads:
Audio - The Time Traveler's Wife by Andrea Niffenegger
Physical book - Heat Rises by Richard Castle
E-book -
(Kindle) Rift by Andreas Christensen
(Google Books) Stronger than Magic by Melinda VanLone
2gilroy
Dud Books - Books I attempted to read and gave up:
(Also known as Pearl Rule books)
Note on how I designate a dud book:
Unless the book is so horrid of prose/story/cliché that I can't get past the first few pages, I feel the need to give the author at least 50 pages or a quarter of the book, which ever I can make. This allows for initial bad openings and characters to grow enough. At that point, if I continue to struggle and can't get into the book, I'm done and it becomes a dud. At least that's the plan.
(Also known as Pearl Rule books)
Note on how I designate a dud book:
Unless the book is so horrid of prose/story/cliché that I can't get past the first few pages, I feel the need to give the author at least 50 pages or a quarter of the book, which ever I can make. This allows for initial bad openings and characters to grow enough. At that point, if I continue to struggle and can't get into the book, I'm done and it becomes a dud. At least that's the plan.
3gilroy
2022 Reading poll :)
Annual Book Poll on Google Forms
Links to all previous year's polls should be on my profile.
Annual Book Poll on Google Forms
Links to all previous year's polls should be on my profile.
4gilroy
Overture (Earth song) by Mark Wandrey
Series Earth Song Cycle
Start 12/10/2022 End 02/28/2023
Thoughts
-- I always read the prologue when it's available. Maybe I should start. This one starts with the climax in the prologue. Ugh, no!
-- Okay so this is reading like one of those disaster movies as a book. One where there's a giant cast and they keep jumping from group to group until all the survivors end up together type. It has an ... interesting premise of aliens are trying to save humanity from a meteor crashing into the planet, but humans are too stupid and screwing it up . My objective is to either finish it or mark it a dud before the end of 2022. I was at 17% on my kindle at lunch today.
(Transferred from 2022 for tracking purposes)
-- There's a lot of moving pieces to this story, that you almost need a notepad to keep track of who is who.
-- Yeah, figured this would turn into one of those end of the world becomes dystopian becomes alien portal type books.
-- Wait. why did we have to read through all this crap of the various POV if all but one were going to die by the end of the book?!
-- Small relief. Billy Harper does survive to be with Mindy. So they should have stuck with those two and maybe Osgood through the whole book. Might have made it better. Definitely not drawn to read the next book in the series,
Series Earth Song Cycle
Start 12/10/2022 End 02/28/2023
Thoughts
-- I always read the prologue when it's available. Maybe I should start. This one starts with the climax in the prologue. Ugh, no!
-- Okay so this is reading like one of those disaster movies as a book. One where there's a giant cast and they keep jumping from group to group until all the survivors end up together type. It has an ... interesting premise of
(Transferred from 2022 for tracking purposes)
-- There's a lot of moving pieces to this story, that you almost need a notepad to keep track of who is who.
-- Yeah, figured this would turn into one of those
-- Wait.
-- Small relief.
5gilroy
Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett
Series Discworld
Start 11/11/2022 End 02/03/2023
Thoughts
-- Light and fluffy satire. That's what I need right now. Let's see where Sir Terry takes it.
-- The concept seemed sound. Let's pick on Hollywood and all the movie making shenanegans. I'm not laughing much and honestly struggling to find a character to like. Not even the main character is much of a draw. Gaspode the talking dog isn't bad, but he's a minor side character. Detritus the Troll is ... unique. Maybe half way through with the objective to finish before the end of the year. Not sure I'll make it here.
(Transferred from 2022 for tracking purposes)
-- Maybe it's because this particular one doesn't strike home as much as a few others, but I'm just not liking this story. I've crossed the halfway point, though, so I want to see if it gets better.
-- Um, well, that's a glitch. I get to page 162 and everything is fine. Then it goes back to page 67 and reprints to page 90, before continuing from page 189. WEIRD. I'll have to see if it does that in another print run or if this is just a poorly assembled book. Update: this was a poorly assembled book. Ended up checking out the book from Hoopla to read those pages.
-- I don't know. This book just didn't feel like some of the others. It has digs but just doesn't ring as funny as some others. May be my mood (and why I drew it out as much reading it.)
Series Discworld
Start 11/11/2022 End 02/03/2023
Thoughts
-- Light and fluffy satire. That's what I need right now. Let's see where Sir Terry takes it.
-- The concept seemed sound. Let's pick on Hollywood and all the movie making shenanegans. I'm not laughing much and honestly struggling to find a character to like. Not even the main character is much of a draw. Gaspode the talking dog isn't bad, but he's a minor side character. Detritus the Troll is ... unique. Maybe half way through with the objective to finish before the end of the year. Not sure I'll make it here.
(Transferred from 2022 for tracking purposes)
-- Maybe it's because this particular one doesn't strike home as much as a few others, but I'm just not liking this story. I've crossed the halfway point, though, so I want to see if it gets better.
-- Um, well, that's a glitch. I get to page 162 and everything is fine. Then it goes back to page 67 and reprints to page 90, before continuing from page 189. WEIRD. I'll have to see if it does that in another print run or if this is just a poorly assembled book. Update: this was a poorly assembled book. Ended up checking out the book from Hoopla to read those pages.
-- I don't know. This book just didn't feel like some of the others. It has digs but just doesn't ring as funny as some others. May be my mood (and why I drew it out as much reading it.)
10jillmwo
I took your poll, but I may turn out to be one of those dud respondents who didn't properly understand the question...Was I supposed to have read all of those during 2022? At any rate, gilroy, Happy New Year and congrats on launching the new thread for 2023.
11gilroy
>10 jillmwo: Not necessarily during 2022 but at any time.
13haydninvienna
Happy new year!
14MrsLee
May this year's reading lift your spirits and help you discover thoughts and ideas you never knew you were missing.
15Sakerfalcon
Happy new year! I hope it brings you lots of good books!
17gilroy
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/03/2023 End 01/03/2023
Thoughts
-- wife has been reading this multiple times over the last few months, so figured I'd try it out
-- there's some good humor in here. Enjoying the feel of the book
--Gotta love a bot who prefers soap operas to doing their own job.
-- lots of intrigue here. I honestly was picking up the fact that the "glitches" were hacks and not just small ones from the first instance. The incoming packet that Secbot refused to install, also a problem code box.
-- Wow, forgot this was a novella not a full novel. Fascinating read, lots of world building even without a lot of space to do it. The next one is queued up to read now.
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/03/2023 End 01/03/2023
Thoughts
-- wife has been reading this multiple times over the last few months, so figured I'd try it out
-- there's some good humor in here. Enjoying the feel of the book
--
-- lots of intrigue here. I honestly
-- Wow, forgot this was a novella not a full novel. Fascinating read, lots of world building even without a lot of space to do it. The next one is queued up to read now.
18reading_fox
Happy New Year#!
>17 gilroy: Just lots of slightly sarcastic fun all the way through all 5 novellas. I'd rather they were novels though.
>17 gilroy: Just lots of slightly sarcastic fun all the way through all 5 novellas. I'd rather they were novels though.
19gilroy
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
Read by Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/05/2023 End 01/07/2023
Thoughts
-- Continuing adventures of the SecUnit. Now trying to avoid detection in a general sense.
-- Yeah, even SecUnits can be unreliable narrators.ART comes across as a bit of an ass, but how much of that is actually MurderBot's opinion?
-- I feel like the time spent digging in the pit at the mining colony took too little book time, even if it took more than 5 hours of in world time.
-- Somehow, the two plots didn't mesh well enough for me this time. They ran good in parallel, but not woven loosely as attempted. Still good book
Read by Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/05/2023 End 01/07/2023
Thoughts
-- Continuing adventures of the SecUnit. Now trying to avoid detection in a general sense.
-- Yeah, even SecUnits can be unreliable narrators.
-- I feel like the time spent
-- Somehow, the two plots didn't mesh well enough for me this time. They ran good in parallel, but not woven loosely as attempted. Still good book
20Sakerfalcon
>19 gilroy: I'm envious of you getting to experience Murderbot for the first time! It is such a delight.
21gilroy
>20 Sakerfalcon: I quite like them. And the narrator has a dry enough tone that it feels more like a bot reading them than a human.
22gilroy
>6 hfglen:
>7 clamairy:
>8 Narilka:
>9 Karlstar:
>10 jillmwo:
>12 majkia:
>13 haydninvienna:
>14 MrsLee:
>15 Sakerfalcon:
>16 Bookmarque:
>18 reading_fox:
Thank you and a happy new year back to you.
>7 clamairy:
>8 Narilka:
>9 Karlstar:
>10 jillmwo:
>12 majkia:
>13 haydninvienna:
>14 MrsLee:
>15 Sakerfalcon:
>16 Bookmarque:
>18 reading_fox:
Thank you and a happy new year back to you.
23gilroy
For those who are following along, more news. This one was harder so I had to take a bit to work through things before I could post on it.
I've now had to say goodbye to both my parents. My mom passed the Sunday before Christmas. Trying to get things planned during the holidays ended up being a bear. But we did get her buried in the cemetery nook with my dad this past Wednesday. All this has made reading difficult, writing difficult, and focus difficult. Especially focus on the bill paying work. Cleaning house seems to be a good distraction, though.
I've now had to say goodbye to both my parents. My mom passed the Sunday before Christmas. Trying to get things planned during the holidays ended up being a bear. But we did get her buried in the cemetery nook with my dad this past Wednesday. All this has made reading difficult, writing difficult, and focus difficult. Especially focus on the bill paying work. Cleaning house seems to be a good distraction, though.
24pgmcc
>23 gilroy:
My condolences. I am very sorry to hear this news. I wish you strength at this difficult time.
My condolences. I am very sorry to hear this news. I wish you strength at this difficult time.
25Narilka
>23 gilroy: Oh no! I am so very sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences. My thoughts to you and your family during this difficult time.
26jillmwo
>23 gilroy: I'm so very sorry for what you're experiencing. I too lost both of my parents during the month of December (although each in a different year) and it does darken the season. Try not to expect too much of yourself these next few weeks. (((Hugs)))
27NorthernStar
>23 gilroy: My condolences, so sorry for your loss.
Not that there is ever a good time, but over the holiday season must be a particularly difficult time to be dealing with both the personal and practical issues.
Not that there is ever a good time, but over the holiday season must be a particularly difficult time to be dealing with both the personal and practical issues.
28Bookmarque
Oh man I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine. I hope you and your wife find some peace and solace together.
29haydninvienna
>23 gilroy: so sorry. Our best wishes to you.
31MrsLee
>23 gilroy: So sorry to hear this. May you find comfort and healing.
32Jim53
>23 gilroy: I stopped in to wish you a belated happy new year, and then saw this post. So sorry to hear about your loss. Will be holding you and yours in the light and hoping for good things for you.
33hfglen
>23 gilroy: Ouch. What everybody else said.
35Sakerfalcon
>23 gilroy: I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you will find peace and comfort in remembering good times you had together.
36clamairy
>23 gilroy: I am so so sorry. I can't add more than that, really. (Except maybe that this is an awful time of year to lose someone, not that there is ever a good time. )
37gilroy
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/10/2023 End 01/10/2023
Thoughts
-- I feel like the sarcasm is getting heavier the more I read. Though I'm loving it just the same
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/10/2023 End 01/10/2023
Thoughts
-- I feel like the sarcasm is getting heavier the more I read. Though I'm loving it just the same
38gilroy
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/11/2023 End 01/14/2023
Thoughts
-- Graycris really wants to do some damage with hiring all these security folks...
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/11/2023 End 01/14/2023
Thoughts
-- Graycris really wants to do some damage with hiring all these security folks...
39gilroy
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wels
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/19/2023 End 01/20/2023
Thoughts
-- I read this one first, because I was told it makes more sense with regard to the internal time line to read it before the novel.
-- Kinda missed the lazy bot, just wants to watch media consistency of the first four. But I suppose even Murderbot can grow
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/19/2023 End 01/20/2023
Thoughts
-- I read this one first, because I was told it makes more sense with regard to the internal time line to read it before the novel.
-- Kinda missed the lazy bot, just wants to watch media consistency of the first four. But I suppose even Murderbot can grow
40gilroy
Turncoat by Jim Butcher
Series The Dresden Files
Start 02/03/2023 End 03/19/2023
Thoughts
-- Ah to get back to the world of Harry Dresden and his magical wonders. Like when reading Harry Potter, each book has gotten increasingly dark, so I'm expecting some major darkness, yet the continued snark that makes Harry . . . well Harry.
-- Oh we get to play with the White Court, Morgan, and a skin walker! This book is going to be loads of fun.
-- I feel like there are more tangled threads in here than even I'm picking up this first read. And not just becauseMorgan is accused of murdering a senior council member.
-- Definitely some good quips. I love a spot where Harry acknowledges he's not that smart and Morgan just says "Too easy."
-- Why do we not get any interactions with Bob until halfway through the book?! He's part of what makes these fun.
-- Okay, we just went way deep there. And the pit is yawing quite wide...
-- Harry got his butt kicked, as usual. But even Harry and Ebenezer acknowledge that the world is getting darker and grittier. With the strife in the White Council, all hell is breaking loose around him, then he loses his brother because of the torture that happened to him. The series continues to be a great read.
Series The Dresden Files
Start 02/03/2023 End 03/19/2023
Thoughts
-- Ah to get back to the world of Harry Dresden and his magical wonders. Like when reading Harry Potter, each book has gotten increasingly dark, so I'm expecting some major darkness, yet the continued snark that makes Harry . . . well Harry.
-- Oh we get to
-- I feel like there are more tangled threads in here than even I'm picking up this first read. And not just because
-- Definitely some good quips. I love a spot where Harry acknowledges he's not that smart and Morgan just says "Too easy."
-- Why do we not get any interactions with Bob until halfway through the book?! He's part of what makes these fun.
-- Okay, we just went way deep there. And the pit is yawing quite wide...
-- Harry got his butt kicked, as usual. But even Harry and Ebenezer acknowledge that the world is getting darker and grittier.
41gilroy
Network Effect by Martha Wells
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 02/04/2023 End 02/12/2023
Thoughts
-- Now this is the first full length novel of the group, so going to take some time to wade through, since It's 12 hours long versus 3+ hours of the others. I read this after Fugitive Telemetry because I was told internal chronology wise, this one came after.
-- Enjoying the Helpfile chapters. They add some ... interesting information to the set up.
-- Oh no. ART, what happened to you?!
-- I can definitely agree with Murderbot here. Sometimes, humans do stupid things. You're in a safety module (life pod basically) and you chose ot attach to the evil ship? No, but wait we have a hint that ART is still somewhere in there. YES!
-- Okay so things fell out quickly once they started happening. And the reason for the help files is ... interesting. SecUnit has now freed two other bots.
-- Yeah, alien remnant was expected, just not how it was found/ignored.
-- Fun book. Would recommend the whole series.
Narrator Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 02/04/2023 End 02/12/2023
Thoughts
-- Now this is the first full length novel of the group, so going to take some time to wade through, since It's 12 hours long versus 3+ hours of the others. I read this after Fugitive Telemetry because I was told internal chronology wise, this one came after.
-- Enjoying the Helpfile chapters. They add some ... interesting information to the set up.
-- Oh no.
-- I can definitely agree with Murderbot here. Sometimes, humans do stupid things.
-- Okay so things fell out quickly once they started happening. And
--
-- Fun book. Would recommend the whole series.
42nonil
>41 gilroy: I'm behind you in the series (just finished Rogue Protocol) and I'm worried now...
43gilroy
>42 nonil: It continues as an awesome series. No worries. I'm only on like chapter 5 with that one spoiler. Now up to chapter 8 (what? Not supposed to be listening to an audio book at work? How else do I drown out the loud people in the office down the hall?) and things are looking ... better.
44Sakerfalcon
>41 gilroy: I'm reading this now too, so not clicking on your spoilers!
45gilroy
Dungeon Eternium by Dakota Krout
Narrator Luke Daniels
Series Divine Dungeon
Start 02/12/2023 End 03/04/2023
Thoughts
-- Time for the final Cal and Dale book. Kinda sad the series is ending.
-- The change in the narrator was not a good move. Cal now has a Brooklyn accent. To quote Murderbot -- UGH.
-- Okay, I'm not sure how much of this is the new narrator and how much of this is the story, but this book just is NOT drawing me in as the other four in the series had. I just feel meh for it. Maybe its because Minya, Dale, Cal, Danni, and Hans all sound so off that I just don't get it as much as the others. I don't know. Some of the story feels rushed.
-- Thomreturning to his people and getting his royal life back was a twist I didn't expect, but something about it felt ... shoehorned in? I'm not sure how to describe it.
-- Danni has a brother? Wants to go to the Wisp homeland? What the what? It's like let's drop a twist for twist's sake instead of actually writing a thought out story. Abyss feces.
-- The ending was kinda meh. The whole story felt compressed and something about this book just didn't feel like it fit the others in the series. Definitely not as good. A let down, really.
Narrator Luke Daniels
Series Divine Dungeon
Start 02/12/2023 End 03/04/2023
Thoughts
-- Time for the final Cal and Dale book. Kinda sad the series is ending.
-- The change in the narrator was not a good move. Cal now has a Brooklyn accent. To quote Murderbot -- UGH.
-- Okay, I'm not sure how much of this is the new narrator and how much of this is the story, but this book just is NOT drawing me in as the other four in the series had. I just feel meh for it. Maybe its because Minya, Dale, Cal, Danni, and Hans all sound so off that I just don't get it as much as the others. I don't know. Some of the story feels rushed.
-- Thom
-- Danni
-- The ending was kinda meh. The whole story felt compressed and something about this book just didn't feel like it fit the others in the series. Definitely not as good. A let down, really.
46gilroy
The Amulet Thief by Luanne Bennett
Series The Fitheach Trilogy
Start 02/28/2023 End 04/02/2023
Thoughts
-- I'd have thought they'd have done a vague opening scene with the theft of the amulet or something. Nope. We start long long time after with no details why this is called the amulet thief for more than five chapters. Wondering about the title now.
-- This is reading more like a bad romance (only seen from one POV) with a magical mystery thrown in to spice things up.
-- Oh look we have magical creatures now.A satyr? Huh. MAYBE this just got interesting. a quarter way through. +
-- The more I read, the more this feels like the writer chose the wrong point of view to write this book. The character is isolated and there is so little activity around her. Alex Kelley is just a 20 something who's thrust into a world she doesn't understand and we're not getting details filled in, because no one is filling in the main character.
-- I feel like the writer couldn't decide what type of story she wanted to write, so smashed all of them into a single story. It's a New Age romance. No it's a fantasy. Fantasy Romance. No wait it's Young Adult Fantasy with Romance. It's an Urban Fantasy. It's all over the place.
-- The sauna that is is chest? Really?!
-- Okay, the character is supposed to be 20 something. Why is she acting like a spoiled preteen? Then acting like a flighty teen? We rarely see the maturity the girl should have.
-- The point of her being the main point of view character never materializes. Yes, the last five or six chapters finally get some action, but was it the right action? We got some answers, but I feel like they were forced. ONE scene from earlier in the book paid off later. ONE. I don't recommend this book to others.
Series The Fitheach Trilogy
Start 02/28/2023 End 04/02/2023
Thoughts
-- I'd have thought they'd have done a vague opening scene with the theft of the amulet or something. Nope. We start long long time after with no details why this is called the amulet thief for more than five chapters. Wondering about the title now.
-- This is reading more like a bad romance (only seen from one POV) with a magical mystery thrown in to spice things up.
-- Oh look we have magical creatures now.
-- The more I read, the more this feels like the writer chose the wrong point of view to write this book. The character is isolated and there is so little activity around her. Alex Kelley is just a 20 something who's thrust into a world she doesn't understand and we're not getting details filled in, because no one is filling in the main character.
-- I feel like the writer couldn't decide what type of story she wanted to write, so smashed all of them into a single story. It's a New Age romance. No it's a fantasy. Fantasy Romance. No wait it's Young Adult Fantasy with Romance. It's an Urban Fantasy. It's all over the place.
-- The sauna that is is chest? Really?!
-- Okay, the character is supposed to be 20 something. Why is she acting like a spoiled preteen? Then acting like a flighty teen? We rarely see the maturity the girl should have.
-- The point of her being the main point of view character never materializes. Yes, the last five or six chapters finally get some action, but was it the right action? We got some answers, but I feel like they were forced. ONE scene from earlier in the book paid off later. ONE. I don't recommend this book to others.
47gilroy
Phantom Kiss by Chloe Neill
Narrator Sophie Eastlake
Series Chicagoland Vampires
Start 03/06/2023 End 03/06/2023
Thoughts
-- I came back to this as it was a lone story I'd not read from the original series, i think. I wanted to get back into Merit's world before I started to read the books about the daughter.
-- Interesting take on the whole magical world after the events of previous books.
-- Lots of build, build, build, then cliff face crash to finish. But that felt right for this story.
-- I liked the twist of the graveyard shift to protect people from trying to mess with the wrong dead people.
Narrator Sophie Eastlake
Series Chicagoland Vampires
Start 03/06/2023 End 03/06/2023
Thoughts
-- I came back to this as it was a lone story I'd not read from the original series, i think. I wanted to get back into Merit's world before I started to read the books about the daughter.
-- Interesting take on the whole magical world after the events of previous books.
-- Lots of build, build, build, then cliff face crash to finish. But that felt right for this story.
-- I liked the twist
48gilroy
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Narrator Carrie Fisher
Start 03/17/2023 End 03/19/2023
Thoughts
-- The irreverence of Carrie comes through even in her writing. It's fabulous
-- Interesting details regarding family and how she might have gotten her mind screwed even at a young age.
-- The longer I listened, the more the stream of consciousness started to bug me. She jumped around the timeline too much and I had trouble following. And I wasn't even on drugs.
-- In a way I'm glad I dragged my feet to listen to this, because I had more time to prepare for such a ... questionable book or use of my time. That's three hours I want back.
Narrator Carrie Fisher
Start 03/17/2023 End 03/19/2023
Thoughts
-- The irreverence of Carrie comes through even in her writing. It's fabulous
-- Interesting details regarding family and how she might have gotten her mind screwed even at a young age.
-- The longer I listened, the more the stream of consciousness started to bug me. She jumped around the timeline too much and I had trouble following. And I wasn't even on drugs.
-- In a way I'm glad I dragged my feet to listen to this, because I had more time to prepare for such a ... questionable book or use of my time. That's three hours I want back.
49Bookmarque
Funny coincidence, I listened to the audio version of one of Fisher's other books The Princess Diarist and ultimately returned it to audible. Some of the actual diary parts were too disconnected and rambling; like dream sequences which always make me crazy in books. I liked the actual writing of those parts, they just went on forever. The time frame is the first Star Wars filming and her "relationship" with Harrison Ford, who frankly, seemed like a creep to me. Agree that she was pretty messed up from an early age, but seems to have gotten through it to be a mostly normal adult.
50gilroy
I admit the first hour of the book wanders and is scattered thoughts that are only connected by Carrie's brain
51gilroy
Heat Rises by Richard Castle
Series Nikki Heat
Start 03/19/2023 End 04/22/2023
Thoughts
-- New case, with some twists to begin the book. Not the place you'd expect to find a catholic priest. and also no Rook for the first two chapters? How can I not see Nathan Fillion for two chapters? I mean I love the Stana Katic, but the interactions are part of what make the show/book!
-- Huh. They're setting things up to look like Heat may or may not get promoted. But also twisting the characters about to make you ask all sorts of questions.
-- I really don't like Hinesberg. But I think that's the point.
-- Still can't read thus without hearing Nathan Fillion in my head. And the rest of the TV cast
Series Nikki Heat
Start 03/19/2023 End 04/22/2023
Thoughts
-- New case, with some twists to begin the book. Not the place
-- Huh. They're setting things up to look like Heat may or may not get promoted. But also twisting the characters about to make you ask all sorts of questions.
-- I really don't like Hinesberg. But I think that's the point.
-- Still can't read thus without hearing Nathan Fillion in my head. And the rest of the TV cast
52gilroy
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Narrators Phoebe Strole and Fred Berman
Started 03/24/2023 End 04/10/2023
Thoughts
-- I had hopes that the storyline would be a single thread following her, with him popping in from time to time. No, it's a convoluted time line following them both. Why was this a popular book? I'm 15% in and seriously thinking of dropping it just because I don't like the convolutions.
-- When I first started listening to this book, I was uncertain I could take it. However, the longer I read, the more I realized this is a much better time travel/interwoven story than many others on the market. It also has smatterings ofvery descriptive passionate scenes. I even find myself surprised when I hear them use a certain word that most US residents find offensive.
-- I've mixed opinions on the book, though the last third is a bit depressing.I feel for Alba as a time traveler without her daddy to guide her.
Narrators Phoebe Strole and Fred Berman
Started 03/24/2023 End 04/10/2023
Thoughts
-- I had hopes that the storyline would be a single thread following her, with him popping in from time to time. No, it's a convoluted time line following them both. Why was this a popular book? I'm 15% in and seriously thinking of dropping it just because I don't like the convolutions.
-- When I first started listening to this book, I was uncertain I could take it. However, the longer I read, the more I realized this is a much better time travel/interwoven story than many others on the market. It also has smatterings of
-- I've mixed opinions on the book, though the last third is a bit depressing.
53clamairy
>52 gilroy: I enjoyed reading that book. I'm not sure how well it would work as an audiobook, though.
54gilroy
>53 clamairy: The two narrators that separate out if it's Clair or Henry helps some.
55MrsLee
>52 gilroy: I enjoyed that book, but I think it took me awhile to catch the flow of it.
56pgmcc
>52 gilroy:
I loved that book, but that is because I love complex and convoluted plots. The book is very much a love story. The Science Fiction is almost incidental.
Sorry you are not enjoying it. No book is perfect for everybody. When I find a book that is not working for me I move on to another book, no matter how many people praise the first book.
I loved that book, but that is because I love complex and convoluted plots. The book is very much a love story. The Science Fiction is almost incidental.
Sorry you are not enjoying it. No book is perfect for everybody. When I find a book that is not working for me I move on to another book, no matter how many people praise the first book.
57gilroy
RIFT by Andreas Christensen
Series The Rift Saga
Start 04/02/2023 End 04/23/2023
Thoughts
-- One chapter in and I can already wonder if a beta reader or anyone else got a hold of this before publishing. One of the main characters describes them selves by looking in the mirror (*wince* and not really done well.) Also, this entire first two chapters appear to be a rehash of the reaping done at the beginning of Hunger Games. Complete with guards and registration and selection. In fact there's a version of this in several YA novels. It's gotten cliche.
-- The more I read the book, the more I feel like the first quarter of the book is backstory that the author felt everyone needs to know. Shoot, they evenfeed you the backstory through the Wardens in Dave's Point of View (POV). Am I compelled to read on? Mostly to find what the cover blurb talked about. But that's about it. Once I find that, I suspect I'll drop the book like a cat clawed my bare legs.
Series The Rift Saga
Start 04/02/2023 End 04/23/2023
Thoughts
-- One chapter in and I can already wonder if a beta reader or anyone else got a hold of this before publishing. One of the main characters describes them selves by looking in the mirror (*wince* and not really done well.) Also, this entire first two chapters appear to be a rehash of the reaping done at the beginning of Hunger Games. Complete with guards and registration and selection. In fact there's a version of this in several YA novels. It's gotten cliche.
-- The more I read the book, the more I feel like the first quarter of the book is backstory that the author felt everyone needs to know. Shoot, they even
58gilroy
The Beyond by Chloe Neill
Narrator Amy Landon
Series Devil's Isle
Start 04/13/2023 End 05/03/2023
Thoughts
-- Final book in the series. Want to see how the author wraps this up
-- Oh wow, let's batter the main characters with a hurricane! On top of the other plot points
-- The title seems too limiting. For all the title suggests,I expected most than 4 of the 20 chapters to be spent IN the beyond.
-- Romance had been building throughout the series. Kinda expected the one couple, since the author feels like a romance writer first. (Even if some of her romance is in how she describes food. ;) ) The new couple ... I'd like to have seen more from there, honestly.
-- Overall, a good wrap up to the series. Maybe a little rushed, but still decent.
Narrator Amy Landon
Series Devil's Isle
Start 04/13/2023 End 05/03/2023
Thoughts
-- Final book in the series. Want to see how the author wraps this up
-- Oh wow, let's batter the main characters with a hurricane! On top of the other plot points
-- The title seems too limiting. For all the title suggests,
-- Romance had been building throughout the series. Kinda expected the one couple, since the author feels like a romance writer first. (Even if some of her romance is in how she describes food. ;) ) The new couple ... I'd like to have seen more from there, honestly.
-- Overall, a good wrap up to the series. Maybe a little rushed, but still decent.
59gilroy
Our friends of the library had their large annual book sale this weekend, starting today. Got a bit of a haul to catalog now.
Uglies
Pretties
Trickster's Choice
Writing Down the Bones
Bird by Bird
Writing Fiction with Pat Carr
Word Painting
The Name of the Wind
Dandelion Wine
Canterbury Tales
The Rooster Bar
The Racketeer
The Sinner
Uglies
Pretties
Trickster's Choice
Writing Down the Bones
Bird by Bird
Writing Fiction with Pat Carr
Word Painting
The Name of the Wind
Dandelion Wine
Canterbury Tales
The Rooster Bar
The Racketeer
The Sinner
60pgmcc
>59 gilroy:
That looks like fun. Well done.
That looks like fun. Well done.
61Narilka
>59 gilroy: Nice haul
62clamairy
>59 gilroy: Oooh, some real gems in there!
63clamairy
>60 pgmcc: ???
64MissBrangwen
>59 gilroy: Great haul! The Name of the Wind has been on my list for ages.
65hfglen
>63 clamairy: >60 pgmcc: fun maybe? The G is right next to the F key ;-)
66pgmcc
>63 clamairy:
I think that was supposed to be “fun”.
I think that was supposed to be “fun”.
67pgmcc
>65 hfglen:
Thank you, Hugh.
Thank you, Hugh.
68clamairy
>66 pgmcc: I thought as much, but did not want to "assume." ;o)
69pgmcc
>68 clamairy:
You obviously understand the dangers of assuming when I am around.
You obviously understand the dangers of assuming when I am around.
70clamairy
>69 pgmcc: Yes. I run the risk of making an ass of you and Vince. (My old boss, who first gave me the 'assume' warning.)
71Karlstar
>59 gilroy: Nice collection there. I was remarking recently that I hadn't read much Grisham in ages, are you a fan?
>70 clamairy: You and Vinny? It kind of works...
>70 clamairy: You and Vinny? It kind of works...
73gilroy
>71 Karlstar: Yep. I've enjoyed reading Grisham since A Time to Kill. Not all his books are decent though.
74Karlstar
>72 clamairy: Lol! Thanks.
75gilroy
Castle Cay by Lee Hanson
series Julie O'Hara
Start 04/23/2023 End 05/09/2023
Thoughts
-- another mystery, though an interesting direction to come at it. A body language expert
-- This reads very quickly, and feels more like a cozy than a thriller/general mystery. It has a LOT of character related backstory being told that's suggested to be relevant to the plot, but I'm not sure how much it is yet. Quarter of the way through the book already, though, so it better become more obvious soon.
-- Interesting twists and turns. Somehow I knew thatthe half brother would be part of the conspiracy with very little need to sign post it.
-- Not sure ifthey needed to add the mob angle , but it does make for more long term story lines later down the road. As does the whole pissed off drug cartel situation.
-- Huh. Interesting pick for the actual killer. Not who you'd expect but definitely someone with opportunity...
-- Kinda liked this book. Might get around to more of the series later.
series Julie O'Hara
Start 04/23/2023 End 05/09/2023
Thoughts
-- another mystery, though an interesting direction to come at it. A body language expert
-- This reads very quickly, and feels more like a cozy than a thriller/general mystery. It has a LOT of character related backstory being told that's suggested to be relevant to the plot, but I'm not sure how much it is yet. Quarter of the way through the book already, though, so it better become more obvious soon.
-- Interesting twists and turns. Somehow I knew that
-- Not sure if
-- Huh. Interesting pick for the actual killer. Not who you'd expect but definitely someone with opportunity...
-- Kinda liked this book. Might get around to more of the series later.
76Darth-Heather
>59 gilroy: the Uglies series is well done; there are four books and there are a lot of cliffhangers going on until the final one so if you enjoy the first one you might need to get the last two.
77gilroy
>76 Darth-Heather: Sadly, they didn't have them at the book fair, or I'd have gotten them. 😀
78gilroy
Awkward the science of why we're socially awkward and why that's awesome by Ty Tashiro
Start 04/23/2023 End 08/17/2023
Thoughts
-- got this because I almost always feel awkward in social situations. Hoped it would help me out.
-- The book concentrates on social awkwardness and it points out the realm of awkward outside of trauma or mental illness.
-- It does offer some interesting takes on the realm of awkwardness and social interactions, brought up studies that I hadn't realized people had done.
-- Some new tools for the social toolbox. Though I'll probably forget them by the time I need them.
Start 04/23/2023 End 08/17/2023
Thoughts
-- got this because I almost always feel awkward in social situations. Hoped it would help me out.
-- The book concentrates on social awkwardness and it points out the realm of awkward outside of trauma or mental illness.
-- It does offer some interesting takes on the realm of awkwardness and social interactions, brought up studies that I hadn't realized people had done.
-- Some new tools for the social toolbox. Though I'll probably forget them by the time I need them.
79gilroy
*Looks at calendar*
*Pokes at the date*
Nah. Couldn't be.
*Looks again*
5 years married today...
*Pokes at the date*
Nah. Couldn't be.
*Looks again*
5 years married today...
80pgmcc
>79 gilroy:
Congratulations. Happy anniversary
Congratulations. Happy anniversary
81Sakerfalcon
>79 gilroy: Congratulations! May there be many, many more happy years in store for you both!
82hfglen
>79 gilroy: Happy anniversary! Time does tend to fly when you're enjoying life, doesn't it.
83Bookmarque
Happy Anniversary! It only gets worse - next year is 30 for us and it seems like 10.
85Karlstar
>79 gilroy: Happy Anniversary!
86Narilka
>79 gilroy: Happy Anniversary!
89gilroy
The Game by Terry Schott
Begin 05/10/2023 End 06/10/2023
Thoughts
-- I'm already having Ready Player One vibes.
-- Let me expand on those vibes: Ready Player One, Hunger Games, Left Behind, Maze Runner... There are a lot of similar story lines wrapped into this book.
-- They introduce a nasty item early in the book which you knew would be in play sometime in the end. And It hits just who you expect.
-- Okay book. Not sure the next one will be worth it.
Begin 05/10/2023 End 06/10/2023
Thoughts
-- I'm already having Ready Player One vibes.
-- Let me expand on those vibes: Ready Player One, Hunger Games, Left Behind, Maze Runner... There are a lot of similar story lines wrapped into this book.
-- They introduce a nasty item early in the book which you knew would be in play sometime in the end. And It hits just who you expect.
-- Okay book. Not sure the next one will be worth it.
90gilroy
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas
Narrator Elizabeth Evans
Series Throne of Glass
Start 05/11/2023 End 05/27/2023
Thoughts
-- It's been a while since I read the first book in this series and I didn't reread before starting this one. So I'm having to dredge up memories to remember what happened in the last book.
-- I find it interesting how the main character is dealing with ... doing the things she doesn't want to do.
-- If you're paying attention through this book, the final "almost" reveal is kinda a given, an expectation. The blocks were a little too huge to miss.
Narrator Elizabeth Evans
Series Throne of Glass
Start 05/11/2023 End 05/27/2023
Thoughts
-- It's been a while since I read the first book in this series and I didn't reread before starting this one. So I'm having to dredge up memories to remember what happened in the last book.
-- I find it interesting how the main character is dealing with ... doing the things she doesn't want to do.
-- If you're paying attention through this book, the final "almost" reveal is kinda a given, an expectation. The blocks were a little too huge to miss.
91gilroy
On the life news front:
-- We're nearing the end of dealing with the estates for my mom and dad. So I'm drowning in paperwork. And lawyers. And Accountants.
-- I've developed an ambitious plan for a project with a potentially insane deadline. However, if things work right, I can have it available for Christmas. (Sadly, I can't say more without getting flagged for improper advertising.)
-- My car may have a defective wheel bearing. They are supposed to last up to 100k miles. I've not even reached 50k and it's going bad. So back to the dealer I go again. (This may even relate back to the last car break that happened because of the dealer. That's another story though.)
-- I feel like I've got too many irons and not enough hands to shuffle them in the fire. So need to breathe. And hope ambitious project isn't being used as a hiding spot/smoke screen for avoiding everything else.
-- We're nearing the end of dealing with the estates for my mom and dad. So I'm drowning in paperwork. And lawyers. And Accountants.
-- I've developed an ambitious plan for a project with a potentially insane deadline. However, if things work right, I can have it available for Christmas. (Sadly, I can't say more without getting flagged for improper advertising.)
-- My car may have a defective wheel bearing. They are supposed to last up to 100k miles. I've not even reached 50k and it's going bad. So back to the dealer I go again. (This may even relate back to the last car break that happened because of the dealer. That's another story though.)
-- I feel like I've got too many irons and not enough hands to shuffle them in the fire. So need to breathe. And hope ambitious project isn't being used as a hiding spot/smoke screen for avoiding everything else.
92pgmcc
>91 gilroy:
I thought that was what ambitious projects were for.
:-)
Good luck with all the paperwork and administration, and best wishes for the ambitious project.
I thought that was what ambitious projects were for.
:-)
Good luck with all the paperwork and administration, and best wishes for the ambitious project.
93jillmwo
>91 gilroy: pgmcc is absolutely right. Avoidance is exactly why one has ambitious projects. Otherwise you're just blowing the "grading curve" for everyone else here in the Pub.
94gilroy
Verdicts of History by Thomas Flemming
Start 06/10/2023 End 06/28/2023
Thoughts
-- I'm definitely reading more history now, hoping to learn stuff I missed when I was younger.
Start 06/10/2023 End 06/28/2023
Thoughts
-- I'm definitely reading more history now, hoping to learn stuff I missed when I was younger.
95hfglen
>94 gilroy: The worrying bit is when you read history that you remember seeing for the first time in the news, and realize that it happened 50 years ago.
96gilroy
>95 hfglen: the Nixon resignation happened the year I was born, so yeah...
97gilroy
News Update:
-- Car bearing not covered by dealership since they swear they didn't touch that part of the car when the other piece broke. So back to my other mechanic who will charge less than half of what the dealer wanted to fix it.
-- Ambitious project completed ahead of schedule. Will be available July 1. See my post in Hobnob With Authors for the link. ;)
-- Car bearing not covered by dealership since they swear they didn't touch that part of the car when the other piece broke. So back to my other mechanic who will charge less than half of what the dealer wanted to fix it.
-- Ambitious project completed ahead of schedule. Will be available July 1. See my post in Hobnob With Authors for the link. ;)
98gilroy
Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin
Narrator Gretchen Rubin
Started 06/21/2023 End 07/07/2023
Thoughts
-- Started on this because I realized I'd not gotten the actual framework from other books. Plus I love listening to her podcast.
-- Even after having listened to the first 300 episodes of Gretchen's podcast, I've learned more stuff about the tendencies framework and habit creation.
-- I'd taken the quiz years ago and know I'm an obliger. And I learned enough to know my best friend is a rebel. (That's made for some interesting conversations.)
Narrator Gretchen Rubin
Started 06/21/2023 End 07/07/2023
Thoughts
-- Started on this because I realized I'd not gotten the actual framework from other books. Plus I love listening to her podcast.
-- Even after having listened to the first 300 episodes of Gretchen's podcast, I've learned more stuff about the tendencies framework and habit creation.
-- I'd taken the quiz years ago and know I'm an obliger. And I learned enough to know my best friend is a rebel. (That's made for some interesting conversations.)
99gilroy
Neuromancer by William Gibson
Start 06/29/2023 End 08/22/2023
Thoughts
-- I thought I heard somewhere that this was the father of the cyberpunk novels, so I should start here. And they talk of the matrix, which makes me think of the Keanu Reaves movie...
-- I realize this was one of the first, if not the first, cyberpunk books. But it's disjointed and a little confusing. I think I understand what's going on.
-- The more I read, the more I realize this has to be read slowly, to catch details. Speed read it and you'll miss things. Race them to the end, and require multiple reads.
-- Something that keeps catching me as I read this. He wrote out the Jamaican accent. Nowadays, that's frowned on for writers to attempt, but this was definitely of a different era.
-- The end is kinda expected, kinda not. I'm definitely feeling a Shadowrun type vibe when I read the book. Overall enjoyable, but too many others between this one and the next in the series.
Start 06/29/2023 End 08/22/2023
Thoughts
-- I thought I heard somewhere that this was the father of the cyberpunk novels, so I should start here. And they talk of the matrix, which makes me think of the Keanu Reaves movie...
-- I realize this was one of the first, if not the first, cyberpunk books. But it's disjointed and a little confusing. I think I understand what's going on.
-- The more I read, the more I realize this has to be read slowly, to catch details. Speed read it and you'll miss things. Race them to the end, and require multiple reads.
-- Something that keeps catching me as I read this. He wrote out the Jamaican accent. Nowadays, that's frowned on for writers to attempt, but this was definitely of a different era.
-- The end is kinda expected, kinda not. I'm definitely feeling a Shadowrun type vibe when I read the book. Overall enjoyable, but too many others between this one and the next in the series.
101clamairy
>100 gilroy: Congrats!! Good for you!
102haydninvienna
>100 gilroy: Well done! And the "Keanu Reeves movie": was that the one of which it was said that if Keanu Reeves is the Answer, it must have been a bloody stupid question?
103MrsLee
>100 gilroy: Terrific!
104gilroy
>102 haydninvienna: Is that the John Wick series? Because I've never heard that description for one of his movies.
105haydninvienna
>104 gilroy: Nah, it was of the first Matrix movie, said by a humorist on Australian radio years ago.
106gilroy
>105 haydninvienna: I quite liked that movie.
107haydninvienna
>106 gilroy: So did I actually. Fun fact: In the scene near the end where Nemo is in the phone booth, you can see a Dymocks bookshop in the background. It's the shop that used to be on Pitt Street, Sydney (most of the exteriors at least were shot in Sydney). I have actually bought books in that shop (gone now, unfortunately).
108gilroy
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Narrator Xanthe Elbrick
Series Graceling Realm
Start 08/17/2023 End 09/05/2023
Thoughts
-- So this whole series revolves around someone having a "grace" which I take to as another term for gift or unique power. But they add the external cue of having multicolored eyes. I'm three chapters in and so far not finding it that bad. Main character doesn't seem unique, per say, though a lot of people are doing the female assassin, female killer route to be edgy and different.
-- A Lot of focus on eyes and eye color. I'm not talking about looking or gazing, but actual focus on the eye.
-- Oh geez, Don't get those two together in some kind of romance. Don't ruin another book by forcing a romance on the main characters...
-- Well, that ended differently than I expected.
Narrator Xanthe Elbrick
Series Graceling Realm
Start 08/17/2023 End 09/05/2023
Thoughts
-- So this whole series revolves around someone having a "grace" which I take to as another term for gift or unique power. But they add
-- A Lot of focus on eyes and eye color. I'm not talking about looking or gazing, but actual focus on the eye.
-- Oh geez, Don't get those two together in some kind of romance. Don't ruin another book by forcing a romance on the main characters...
-- Well, that ended differently than I expected.
109gilroy
The Magnificent Nine by James Lovegrove
Start 08/17/2023 End 10/12/2023
Thoughts:
-- It starts withthe HAT! And offers introductions to characters, just in case. But still...
-- Very interesting premise, and honestly, ended the way I expected after that opening revelation.
Start 08/17/2023 End 10/12/2023
Thoughts:
-- It starts with
-- Very interesting premise, and honestly, ended the way I expected after that opening revelation.
110gilroy
Skeleton's Key by Stacy Green
Series Delta Crossroads
Start 08/23/2023 End 09/20/2023
Thoughts
-- Electrical short in an old house in the south. Say it ain't so...
-- Reading too much like a romance for a decent mystery. Bugging me that it keeps switching POV. Just settle in and pick one, dang it.
-- Continued reading makes me wonder if they are writing a romance, a mystery, or a thriller. The author is dancing along the tropes of all three genres but not really honing in on any one of them well. Right now, it is a strong cross between romance and thriller, though the line between mystery and thriller is a bit thin these days.
-- The culprit revealed butI don't feel like enough clues were dropped to justify the culprit. Even with the photo with the blueprints it felt too little too late.
-- I'm glad they also solve the secret of Ironwood Plantation.
Series Delta Crossroads
Start 08/23/2023 End 09/20/2023
Thoughts
-- Electrical short in an old house in the south. Say it ain't so...
-- Reading too much like a romance for a decent mystery. Bugging me that it keeps switching POV. Just settle in and pick one, dang it.
-- Continued reading makes me wonder if they are writing a romance, a mystery, or a thriller. The author is dancing along the tropes of all three genres but not really honing in on any one of them well. Right now, it is a strong cross between romance and thriller, though the line between mystery and thriller is a bit thin these days.
-- The culprit revealed but
-- I'm glad they also solve the secret of Ironwood Plantation.
111Karlstar
>100 gilroy: Congrats! What exactly does that mean?
112gilroy
>112 gilroy: It means I can claim to be a self published author here on Librarything now. :) I'm doing my best to NOT advertise here, only posting over in Hobnob.
Though anyone who wants to know can DM me for the title.
Though anyone who wants to know can DM me for the title.
113gilroy
Dinosaur Philosophy by James Stewart
Illustrated by K Romey
Start 09/17/2023 end 09/17/2023
Thoughts
-- I identify with Kevin the yellow dinosaur very much.
Illustrated by K Romey
Start 09/17/2023 end 09/17/2023
Thoughts
-- I identify with Kevin the yellow dinosaur very much.
114gilroy
The Marquise and Her Cat by Shari L Tapscott
Series Fairy Tale Kingdoms
Start 09/21/2023 End 10/12/2023
Thoughts
-- Just getting started on this one.
-- An interesting retelling of Puss and Boots. It had been so long since I'd read it that I'd forgotten many of the details. Though the final scene definitely felt familiar.
Series Fairy Tale Kingdoms
Start 09/21/2023 End 10/12/2023
Thoughts
-- Just getting started on this one.
-- An interesting retelling of Puss and Boots. It had been so long since I'd read it that I'd forgotten many of the details. Though the final scene definitely felt familiar.
115gilroy
Battleship by Peter David
Begin 10/12/2023 End 11/20/2023
Thoughts
-- The movie was cheesy and bad acting all around. Books are almost always better than movies. So wanted to read this one.
-- I suspect that the book was written from the script of the movie, rather than the other way around. As such poor Peter David had bad details to work with to begin with. But the book hurts as bad, if not worse, than the movie. And I can't believe I'm saying that.
-- Still bad and cheesy as the movie. Though I have to go back and rewatch the movie to see if they added to the end
Begin 10/12/2023 End 11/20/2023
Thoughts
-- The movie was cheesy and bad acting all around. Books are almost always better than movies. So wanted to read this one.
-- I suspect that the book was written from the script of the movie, rather than the other way around. As such poor Peter David had bad details to work with to begin with. But the book hurts as bad, if not worse, than the movie. And I can't believe I'm saying that.
-- Still bad and cheesy as the movie. Though I have to go back and rewatch the movie to see if they added to the end
116gilroy
The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
Start 10/15/2023 End 11/23/2023
Thoughts
-- First chapter plus and we're introduced to the important characters.
-- This plot feels weird, like there's two plots that don't quite fit together, yet meld perfectly.
Start 10/15/2023 End 11/23/2023
Thoughts
-- First chapter plus and we're introduced to the important characters.
-- This plot feels weird, like there's two plots that don't quite fit together, yet meld perfectly.
117gilroy
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12003912/reviews?ref_=tt_urv
I'm not one to normally talk about TV or the stories they choose to write -- at least not on here.
But I watched this episode of the new version of SWAT the other night and it HIT the mark! Damn good acting and real touching on how the team raced to find their friend and former boss. And how they took the time to talk to him.
I've seen a review or two claiming that the debrief scenes were "Not believable" because they showed their sensitive side. Those reviews are Bullshit. Some of the best officers, the best military, the best people have emotion, have empathy, have trouble with life. But like Street, they compartmentalize, they develop strategies.
And as someone who's sat in Buck's place, who truly felt that the world would do better without, I can say having friends say "We Need YOU" means a lot. But it is only the start of a long road to recovery.
If you or someone you know is feeling they want to step off that ledge, please, have them talk to a counselor: call 1-800-273-8255 or text to 741741. And stay with them, talk to them, show them the world still needs them. Be their light in that dark, painful box.
I'm not one to normally talk about TV or the stories they choose to write -- at least not on here.
But I watched this episode of the new version of SWAT the other night and it HIT the mark! Damn good acting and real touching on how the team raced to find their friend and former boss. And how they took the time to talk to him.
I've seen a review or two claiming that the debrief scenes were "Not believable" because they showed their sensitive side. Those reviews are Bullshit. Some of the best officers, the best military, the best people have emotion, have empathy, have trouble with life. But like Street, they compartmentalize, they develop strategies.
And as someone who's sat in Buck's place, who truly felt that the world would do better without, I can say having friends say "We Need YOU" means a lot. But it is only the start of a long road to recovery.
If you or someone you know is feeling they want to step off that ledge, please, have them talk to a counselor: call 1-800-273-8255 or text to 741741. And stay with them, talk to them, show them the world still needs them. Be their light in that dark, painful box.
118gilroy
War of Honor by David Weber
Narrator Allyson Johnson
Series Honor Harrington
Start 11/13/2023 End
Thoughts
-- This is the audio reread for me to finally reach the end of the series. I think there are 3 books after this one.
-- I still want an editor to come in and strip out some of the off plot scenes that are more backstory and political details that aren't in the immediate knowledge of Honor. I feel like they make the book longer and detract from the overall story.
Narrator Allyson Johnson
Series Honor Harrington
Start 11/13/2023 End
Thoughts
-- This is the audio reread for me to finally reach the end of the series. I think there are 3 books after this one.
-- I still want an editor to come in and strip out some of the off plot scenes that are more backstory and political details that aren't in the immediate knowledge of Honor. I feel like they make the book longer and detract from the overall story.
121Karlstar
>115 gilroy: I had no idea there was a book to go with that movie. The movie ... wasn't good.
>119 gilroy: I'll be interested to see what you think about that one.
>119 gilroy: I'll be interested to see what you think about that one.
122gilroy
>121 Karlstar: The book ... matched the lack of decency within the movie, I fear.
123gilroy
System Collapse by Martha Wells
Read by Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 12/08/2023 End 12/09/2023
Thoughts
-- I'm going to need to listen to this again, as I had to concentrate on driving and missed somethings.
-- Historian Corian? Really? (I might have heard it wrong. As I said, needs a relisten.)
-- I enjoyed that that there was only one major fight and it was the end of the book since I felt like that could make things get redundant. Also the whole Murderbot doubting himself throughout the book seemed interesting. And the REDACTED was amusing.
-- Okay, this was just a funny. The book aligned with the GPS way too well. Murderbot goes to speak, and the GPS breaks in with "Police Reported Ahead."
Read by Kevin R Free
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 12/08/2023 End 12/09/2023
Thoughts
-- I'm going to need to listen to this again, as I had to concentrate on driving and missed somethings.
-- Historian Corian? Really? (I might have heard it wrong. As I said, needs a relisten.)
-- I enjoyed that
-- Okay, this was just a funny. The book aligned with the GPS way too well. Murderbot goes to speak, and the GPS breaks in with "Police Reported Ahead."
124gilroy
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
Narrator
Series
Start 12/12/2023 End 12/15/2023
Thoughts
-- Amusing, fun romp.
--More thoughts to come
Narrator
Series
Start 12/12/2023 End 12/15/2023
Thoughts
-- Amusing, fun romp.
--More thoughts to come
125gilroy
And bad internet information has lead to a complete factory reset of my phone.
*head bang against cinderblock*
*head bang against cinderblock*
126clamairy
>125 gilroy: Oh no! 😵💫
127gilroy
And it happened while I was at work, so I can't do anything with the brick, still, until I get home to a wifi network.
128clamairy
>127 gilroy: How'd it go? Did you get everything back?
129gilroy
Okay, so phone update:
It factory reset on me. I lost a lot of contacts and almost 2 years worth of photos. Some of the last of two pets I lost last year. Some of my mom and dad when they were still functional before their passing. And all the fun I'd had over the last year. For some unknown reason, Samsung feels when they reset the phone that they need to erase the expanded memory card too. Which was where all the photos were stored.
I tried a restore program but it found nothing. :(
Phone is up and functional again, and I'm rebuilding what I can, but the loss is greater than I want to admit.
Hurts.
It factory reset on me. I lost a lot of contacts and almost 2 years worth of photos. Some of the last of two pets I lost last year. Some of my mom and dad when they were still functional before their passing. And all the fun I'd had over the last year. For some unknown reason, Samsung feels when they reset the phone that they need to erase the expanded memory card too. Which was where all the photos were stored.
I tried a restore program but it found nothing. :(
Phone is up and functional again, and I'm rebuilding what I can, but the loss is greater than I want to admit.
Hurts.
130clamairy
>129 gilroy: Oh, I am so sorry.
:o(
You might consider one of those free back-up services, going forward. Amazon Prime gives you unlimited photo space, and Google gives you a goodly amount.
:o(
You might consider one of those free back-up services, going forward. Amazon Prime gives you unlimited photo space, and Google gives you a goodly amount.
131gilroy
>130 clamairy: I had not wanted to, because it was a memory card, but after this experience, I'm shoving them into Amazon Photo.
Sad part was I was thinking I should back up my photos on Thursday, and my phone becomes a brick on Wednesday.
Sad part was I was thinking I should back up my photos on Thursday, and my phone becomes a brick on Wednesday.
132clamairy
Is there any chance you can ask friends and family you might have shared any of these lost photos with over the last couple years to send what they have back to you?
134MrsLee
>129 gilroy: I'm sorry. I understand the loss. It would break my heart to loose my mom and last friend's text messages.
135Narilka
>129 gilroy: I'm so sorry :( That absolutely sucks.
137gilroy
Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Narrator Travis Baldree
Start 12/22/2023 End 12/22/2023
Thoughts
Narrator Travis Baldree
Start 12/22/2023 End 12/22/2023
Thoughts
138gilroy
Qualify by Vera Nazarian
Series The Atlantis Grail
Start 12/26/2023 End
Thoughts
-Earth is facing annihilation from an impending asteroid impact and now aliens who claim to be former Atlantis residents return to save the children. This concept sounds so familiar that I think I've read a book like it. Or very close to it.
Series The Atlantis Grail
Start 12/26/2023 End
Thoughts
-
139gilroy
I had taken my time writing this out this year due to other obligations. But here is my annual books read survey. Started these all back when I still had Livejournal and just had fun with them ever since. Feel free to play along.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoLgcufLO60THG9B0wno_7GPAbPZ_S8fYj8tkG...
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoLgcufLO60THG9B0wno_7GPAbPZ_S8fYj8tkG...