On The Same Page discussion

I will start by saying, that I am actually excited, or at least thrilled; for the upcoming reading year. No long thesis statement about the past year.... Let's Read!!

As always, .... our Readers Rights!!!

Readers Rights (abbrev.) by Daniel Pennac:

The right to not read
The right to skip pages
The right to not finish a book
The right to reread
The right to read anything
The right to read anywhere
The right to read out-loud
The right to be silent or to defend your tastes

My favorite rule of all time: Book throwing zone, keep clear!!!

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
―Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

“I read a book one day and my whole life was changed.”
―Orhan Pamuk, The New Life

📚📚📚📚📚

Currently Reading:

The beginning of my Around the States challenge. Started in 2021. Some books from the original list will have to be changed out, because OF COURSE, I have read it. So, some may not be true horror; and be a mix of thriller, mystery. No chick-lit; romance or YA; Just horror, as much as possible, or Science Fiction, Fantasy.

Alabama - The Elementals OR The Professor
✅Alaska - Bone White 5 Stars
Arizona - The Revelation OR Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West
Arkansas - Southern Gods OR The Bird Eater
California - The Hunger OR Earth Abides
Colorado - The Poet OR When the Wind Blows
Connecticut - Harvest Home OR The Other
✅Delaware - Hawkes Harbor 4 Stars
Florida - Cold Moon Over Babylon OR Graveyard Shift
Georgia - The House Next Door OR Sweet Blood of Mine
Hawaii - Max OR Mr. Peanut
Idaho - Killer Weekend OR Nemesis
✅Illinois - Dark Matter 4 Stars
Indiana - The Wide Game OR So Cold the River OR One Shot
Iowa - Ashfall OR A Kiss Before Dying
✅Kansas - Still Life With Crows 4 Stars
Kentucky - Dead Witch Walking
Louisiana - Heaven's Prisoners OR Dead Until Dark
Maine - The Kind Worth Killing
Maryland - Kindred OR Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets
Massachusetts - The Handmaid's Tale OR Inside the O'Briens
Michigan - Broken Monsters OR The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts
Minnesota - Iron Lake
Mississippi - Fay OR Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter OR The Quiet Game
Missouri - Sharp Objects OR Tripwire
Montana - Moon Called
Nebraska - The Killing Season
Nevada - Void Moon
New Hampshire - The Auctioneer
New Jersey - Chelsea Avenue
New Mexico - Little Heaven
✅New York - Reliquary 5 Stars
North Carolina - Redemption Road OR
North Dakota - Ancient Shores
Ohio - Unwind OR The Warrior Heir
Oklahoma - August: Osage County
✅Oregon - Heartsick 3.5 Stars
Pennsylvania - Stranger in a Strange Land
✅Rhode Island - The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories
South Carolina - My Best Friend's Exorcism
South Dakota - The Revenant
✅Tennessee - The Bone Thief 4 Stars
v - Texas - In the Valley of the Sun 5 Stars
Utah - Cry Down Dark (Maybe) OR
Vermont - Shadowland OR Isolation (eBook)
✅Virginia - Darkness on the Edge of Town 4-4.5 Stars
Washington - The Good House
West Virginia - Endurance
Wisconsin - The Bodies Left Behind
Wyoming - The Totem

TBR Oldies, but Goodies:
These books have been on my TBR the longest. 5+ years.. :O

1. The Great Gatsby
2. Blaze
3. Girl, Interrupted
4. Possess
5. The Help
6. Night Shivers

Non-Fiction

1. Between the World and Me
2. The Fire Next Time
3. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
4. Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics

Books that were cast to the side and ignored in previous challenges; by year. 🤦‍♀️

2013




2014

I actually finished all my challenge books. That was a "fun" year.

2015








2016 This was a great year!



2017




✅ (Kindle) 4 Stars

2018


5254]

Series to Complete/Make Progress In:


Murderbot

Exit Strategy 4 Stars
Network Effect

The Kingkiller Chronicle

The Wise Man's Fear
The Slow Regard of Silent Things

Dublin Murder Squad

The Secret Place
The Trespasser

Harry Hole

The Leopard
Phantom
Police

Harry Bosch

Angels Flight
A Darkness More Than Night
City of Bones

The Body Farm

The Bone Thief
The Bone Yard
The Inquisitor's Key

The Gentleman Bastard

Red Seas Under Red Skies
The Republic of Thieves

The Wayfarers

A Closed and Common Orbit
Record of a Spaceborn Few
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within

Oddities and Estrangements: Books that I really, really wanted and managed to toss aside.... like, why???

I love these challenges, esp the "Books that were cast to the side and ignored in previous challenges; by year." I feel like I need to do this one.... maybe next year lol

You need to finish the Miss Peregrine's Children series, I loved all the books. I also loved the Mortal Instrument series too.

Alissa wrote: "I love these challenges, esp the "Books that were cast to the side and ignored in previous challenges; by year." I feel like I need to do this one.... maybe next year lol"

It would probably help if I received notifications on my own topic.... gee whiz, I'm losing it.

Anyway; yes! It was necessary to add that, because it is an issue for me and I need to call me out. 😂

Ann_R wrote: "Good luck with your challenges, Alondra. I finally read Between the World and Me this year and thought it was quite well written."

Thanks, Ann. I am way behind on my NF reads. I need to make a concerted effort.

Denise wrote: "You need to finish the Miss Peregrine's Children series, I loved all the books. I also loved the Mortal Instrument series too."

Denise, I am so horrible with that series and I don't know why!!! I have most of the books; I really enjoyed the first book, and everyone has finished it but me. I have issues.... 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

A lot of good books on this list, I think 2022 will be great for you. Can't wait to see your reviews, happy reading!

Ioana wrote: "A lot of good books on this list, I think 2022 will be great for you. Can't wait to see your reviews, happy reading!"

Thanks Ioana. I really hope I keep my mojo going. I am relatively excited and not just meh... I am looking forward to them all.

Ooh interesting, makes me want to pinch some, but they don't really fit with my monthly themes.

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Ooh interesting, makes me want to pinch some, but they don't really fit with my monthly themes."

That's okay. We like pinching....

Great challenges, as always, Alondra. Books I've enjoyed because of your enabling and probably more that I will look at. Good luck in 2022.

Bill wrote: "Great challenges, as always, Alondra. Books I've enjoyed because of your enabling and probably more that I will look at. Good luck in 2022."

Wow! Half of my series are from you, Bill!! My TBR is in shambles..... #billsfault

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "Great challenges, as always, Alondra. Books I've enjoyed because of your enabling and probably more that I will look at. Good luck in 2022."

Wow! Half of my series are from you, Bill!..."

Funny, my wife uses that hashtag a lot too... For some reason..... ;0)

Bill wrote: "Funny, my wife uses that hashtag a lot too... For some reason..... ;0)..."

Great minds, and all that... LOL

Alondra wrote: "Bill wrote: "Funny, my wife uses that hashtag a lot too... For some reason..... ;0)..."

Great minds, and all that... LOL"

So you both say.. ;0)

Alondra, I love your challenge. On your states challenge, I've only already read The Handmaid's Tale and Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, but I liked them both very much.

The Great Gatsby did not set my world afire, but it was a very quick read for me, the most difficult thing about it was deciding to pick it up! :-) And I really liked The Help, so much so that I haven't been able to watch the movie yet. I have my own vision of how it happened, so I'm waiting until the memory of the book fades away a bit more, in hopes that I will enjoy the movie also.

I've also read City of Bones (should really get back to Cassandra Clare), Trainspotting (I might have read it while grumpy, I rated it low, but it hasn't stuck in my mind, so it couldn't have been that bad), Catcher in the Rye (my hubby's favorite, I liked it fine but wouldn't put it on my favorite's list), Hollow City and Library of Souls (I am still deciding if I'm going to read the next three books), The Fireman (don't yell at me, but it is the only book I've ever read by Joe Hill...I will read more), and Red Queen (another series I haven't kept up on, but haven't abandoned yet either!). Whew! You have a lot of choices on your list - I think it will be fun for you! All the best! :-)

Good luck, Alondra! 🐾

Emily wrote: "Good luck, Alondra! 🐾"

Thanks a bunch Emily!

Lea wrote: "Alondra, I love your challenge. On your states challenge, I've only already read The Handmaid's Tale and Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, but I liked them both very much.

The Great Gatsby did not ..."

Thanks Lea

That states challenge will probably change, as I find horror or fantasy for that state. They are more like placeholders.

You are so right about actually deciding to pick up a book. It is the hardest for me, with so many other things going on.

Great challenges! I can't wait to follow your progress.

Michelle wrote: "Great challenges! I can't wait to follow your progress."

Thanks Michelle!!! I think this upcoming year will be great for reading.

Completed: Whiskey Sour



4 Stars

Great pacing, feisty lieutenant who happens to be a woman and a disgusting predator. I liked it. 😂

If you like mystery thrillers with feisty cops; this is the book for you. Jack reminds me of Kinsey, as far as being feisty; but Kinsey knew her limits whereas Jack doesn't. I will be interested to see how her character develops over the course of the series.

Alondra wrote: "Completed: Whiskey Sour



4 Stars

Great pacing, feisty lieutenant who happens to be a woman and a disgusting predator. I liked it. 😂

If you like myst..."

This is a series I’ve never heard of……….. investigating

Ooh, I must get back into that series

Kim. E. wrote: "This is a series I’ve never heard of……….. investigating.."

It was pretty fun. Martha did not like it; but I thought it was good enough to keep going. LOL

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Ooh, I must get back into that series"

Yes, and let me know what you think.

Remember, these usually are freebies on Amazon Kindle every few months.

Alondra wrote: "Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Ooh, I must get back into that series"

Yes, and let me know what you think.

Remember, these usually are freebies on Amazon Kindle every few months."

Yes, I have had a few free, probably have some unread, might have to look when I can read freebies in December.

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Yes, I have had a few free, probably have some unread, might have to look when I can read freebies in December..."

I got the first 4 or 5 in the series for free. Woot!

End of January Update: It was a good month, which is typical. What we really need to see, is how good my February is!!

Completed:

4 Stars. Graphic novel. Some humor and lots of blood. Good stuff.

5 Stars. Graphic novel, and worth all the stars. If you love this Sci-Fi movie, thriller series, then you will really enjoy these comics. Just like with the DT series; you get more background information on characters, environments, etc. I love the details. The graphics weren't so bad either.

4 Stars. This anthology was on my kindle and had been sitting there for a while. I have hundreds of books on there. I came across it, because I wanted something creepy. Some stories are creepier than others or just weird.

5 Stars (2nd reread). It was just as good as the first time. *sigh* 🤗

4 Stars. I am apologizing ahead of time for those that read this after me; based on my review. This was a really good story, and probably the review should have been a thesis on stockholm syndrome, because that is what it was. The beginning was the MC coming across an ancient sarcophagus/coffin in a cave, while treasure hunting. We all know what sleeps in coffins, but apparently, he didn't. This is a story of the downward spiral of Jamie's mental and physical health, and ultimately his redemption. NOW; how this happens may lose some of you, but just go with it. I really like it.

4 Stars. Damn, I like Jack. She might end up being more fun than Kinsey. At least she can beat folks up when they disrespect her. Sorry, not sorry.

1-2 Stars 😒🤢. I am not telling you to read this book.

Currently Reading:

. OMG; I think I've read this already; or at least, most of it. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

. Damn, this is a good Science Fiction novel!! I hate that I put it down to finish that stupid HG Wells book! UGH!!

. I just grabbed this; so, haven't really started but I will be starting tonight. Mmmmm 🤔

On Deck:






I really want to catch up on all of the graphic novels I have. My son left a bunch here; but I only want to read The Punisher series; so, we shall see.

Since I have been on a Horror Roll... *giggles*,, I think I will pick up an Epic-Fantasy from my alternates list, on my 12+ 4. I also need to order the next books in the Expanse series... I am going to end up being behind if I don't.

This was really a good month, Alondra! I haven't read any of these, but these are only sometimes genres I enjoy. I'm still trying to figure out why some click, and some don't...WIP.

Excellent month, Alondra. I'm glad I finally started Octavia Butler. The beginning of Dawn is excellent, so different. I've ordered the SE Hinton novel. :0) Enjoy your February

Glad you had a good start to the year

Ioana wrote: "This was really a good month, Alondra! I haven't read any of these, but these are only sometimes genres I enjoy. I'm still trying to figure out why some click, and some don't...WIP."

Its the writing; gotta be. Something pulls us in to some books and we can see no wrong.

I think you would like Whiskey Sour. Nothing creepy. Also, The Body Farm series. It's really interesting.

Bill wrote: "Excellent month, Alondra. I'm glad I finally started Octavia Butler. The beginning of Dawn is excellent, so different. I've ordered the SE Hinton novel. :0) Enjoy your February"

I need to read Xenogenesis. I have Dawn on my TBR; so it's up next.

Good luck on Hawkes Harbor!! It's interesting. Not sure why I was so into it; but I loved it.

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Glad you had a good start to the year"

Thanks Desley. I always hope for a consistent month; because so many times, I fall short. :(

Alondra wrote: "End of January Update: It was a good month, which is typical. What we really need to see, is how good my February is!!

Completed:

4 Stars. Graphic no..."


I added Cthulhu Tales, Whiskey Sour and Parable of the Sower. Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu lol

Alissa wrote: "I added Cthulhu Tales, Whiskey Sour and Parable of the Sower. Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu lol..."

Do I detect some mild sarcasm???.. LOL

What a great month!

You’re reading Leviathan Wakes :) I’m loving that series. I have #5 on my challenge list. You’re making me think I should pick it up sooner rather than later

Lillie wrote: "What a great month!

You’re reading Leviathan Wakes :) I’m loving that series. I have #5 on my challenge list. You’re making me think I should pick it up sooner rather than later"

Thanks, Lillie :)

Every time that I have to put it down, I miss it. I am really enjoying it. Just need to order the next 2-3 books in the series. :)

What a great month! I am rearranging my TBR as we speak, I have never read anything by Octavia E. Butler and I think that might be more of a travesty than not reading anything by Roald Dahl...but don't tell Alissa....

Lea wrote: "What a great month! I am rearranging my TBR as we speak, I have never read anything by Octavia E. Butler and I think that might be more of a travesty than not reading anything by Roald Dahl...but d..."

Bwahahhaha.... I did read Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, so I am officially in the club.

I think Parable of the Sower will blow you away with all the similarities to this moment in time.

Alondra wrote: "Bwahahhaha.... I did read Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, so I am officially in the club.

I think Parable of the Sower will blow you away with all the similarities to this moment in time."

Well, since I might be the last person who hasn't read Dahl, I will try to join the Roald Dahl club later this month, we will see how successful my reading goes.

My brother has been recommending Parable of the Sower to me for years, Butler went to a rival high school of ours, so I think that piece would blow me away too. It amazes me how books written years ago (like I, Robot and Asimov's works too) have so many similarities to this moment in time.

Lea wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Bwahahhaha.... I did read Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, so I am officially in the club.

I think Parable of the Sower will blow you away with all the similarities to this moment ..."

The Parable of the Sower will definitely blow you away. The similarities to current times are downright frightening.

Alondra wrote: "Its the writing; gotta be. Something pulls us in to some books and we can see no wrong.

I think you would like Whiskey Sour. Nothing creepy. Also, The Body Farm series. It's really interesting.."
..."

Yes, the writing is definitely important, but the characters too. Adult fantasy is ok sometimes, YA fantasy is rarely ok. It's usually the female main character that I don't like (Cinder was an exception), then I don't like the book and abandon it.
Also, the narrator can make or break a book for me (see Dresden series).
Creepy does not bother me, actually I might even like it, but gratuitous gore does. Joe Ledger books were pretty gory, but fun.
As I said, still trying to figure out what I like and why...but I'll try anything 🤣🤣🤣

Lea wrote: "What a great month! I am rearranging my TBR as we speak, I have never read anything by Octavia E. Butler and I think that might be more of a travesty than not reading anything by Roald Dahl...but d..."

If you need another vote for Octavia Butler, add me to the list.