75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2022 GR Completed)
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Shelby's 2022 Reads
Also copying my character reading challenge that I decided to leave for the first few months of 2022 last year. Need to get these done by April.She's an Air Earthling who was raised by an Iltirian in the city of The Underworld on Darkmeadow, which means my three character prompts are:
- Urban: book set in a city or town.
- Darkmeadow: read a dark academia.
- Earthling: read a book with elemental magic or an element word in the book or series title (air, fire, earth or water).
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Andrea wrote: "That is so exciting, Shelby! I can’t wait to read your short story."It’s going to be such a relief to have something out for people to read!
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Elyse wrote: "Can't wait to read it, Shelby!"Thank you! 😊
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Juli wrote: "Congrats on the publication!"Thank you! It’s coming this March! As it happens I just received an acceptance for the short story I was working on over last year, and that one’s coming in April, so there will now be TWO anthologies with my work this year!!!
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Thank you! It’s coming this March! As it happens I just received an acceptance for the short story I was working on over last year, and that one’s coming..."
Fantastic! Be sure to link them here at some point!
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Thank you! It’s coming this March! As it happens I just received an acceptance for the short story I was working on over last year, and that one’s coming..."
Woohoo!!!
First read of the year done. I enjoyed playing the ski resort board of Clue on Steam while listening to the audiobook.
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First read of the year done. I enjoyed playing the ski resort board of Clue on Steam while listening to the audiobook."
haha fun!
Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "First read of the year done. I enjoyed playing the ski resort board of Clue on Steam while listening to the audiobook."
haha fun!"
I don’t know if anyone else here plays, but it would be nice to have enough people for some private games. I’ve been in a Clue mood again.
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First read of the year done. I enjoyed playing the ski resort board of Clue on Steam while listening to the audiobook."
haha fun!"
I ..."
I have never joined something like this but I'd love to try.
Juli wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "First read of the year done. I enjoyed playing the ski resort board of Clue on Steam while listening to the audiobook."
..."
It goes on sale on steam fairly regularly!
I’ve tried to read Richard Matheson in the past, but the style really isn’t for me. That said, I was determined to read this one. It was more readable than other stories by him I’ve tried, but I still wasn’t a fan. I’ve seen the twist in another apocalyptic zombie story, and I didn’t like it there either. I’m scratching my head at this, to be honest.
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I’ve tried to read Richard Matheson in the past, but the style really isn’t for me. That said, I was determined to read this one. It was more readable than other s..."
I loved Hell House and What Dreams May Come but preferred the I Am Legend movie to the story.
Buddy read. This was okay. I picked this up because it’s been on my tbr for a long time and I needed to read something that counted for “dark academia,” which I don’t usually go for. I was scrolling through options on GR and I saw a number of people labeling it that. I’m not sure it’s a great example of the genre, but I’m counting it anyway.
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Buddy read. This was okay. I picked this up because it’s been on my tbr for a long time and I needed to read something that counted for “dark..."
I don't see this as being dark academia. lol.
Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Buddy read. This was okay. I picked this up because it’s been on my tbr for a long time and I needed to read something that co..."
It’s got the history and the dark part, but the quest for knowledge and academia? Not really. 😂 I feel like Vicious is much closer. Or maybe The Archived.
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Buddy read. This was okay. I picked this up because it’s been on my tbr for a long time and I needed to read som..."
Yeah, I feel like Vicious is closer to it than Addie.
I really enjoyed the different directions the authors took with the the theme of this collection. The ones that stood out to me were The Grand Finale by Steve Neal, The Artist is Not Present by Jennifer Quail, Hollow by Adam Douglas, Thanks for Answering by Michael Gore, and The Next Time Around by R.L. Meza. I couldn't pick one favourite!
I ended up reading a lot yesterday. I binged a bunch of chapters of a current buddy read, and then I started this audiobook yesterday evening meaning to only listen for a few hours, only to keep listening up until I had to turn in and I finished it when I got up.
This one was . . . interesting. I'm not sure I've read a thriller set in Ireland before.
Six months after her mother's death, Georgina's young son, Cody, starts showing up with candy he claims came from his "New Granny." Georgina's husband Bren is a psychologist, and insists their child has made up an imaginary friend as a way to cope with the loss of his last real grandmother, but Georgina is sure someone is stalking them and getting their son to lie for them.
It's a frightening situation for any parent to be in, and I think the strength of this psychological thriller is in the question of if (view spoiler) is somehow involved. There's so many layers and the back and forth as Georgina tries to answer this question was really well done.
Personally, the tension didn't hold all the way through, and the ending would be hard to solve without the book explaining it in most cases.
So I went to the library today to pick up a hold and I decided to stay for a few minutes and read a couple of picture books I've been meaning to get to for a while, but none of the digital places where I get most of my books now have them.
This was really well done, and I really liked the art style. I wasn't familiar with the story, but with the subject matter, I was expecting it to be potentially darker than it really was. I think this is an excellent way to introduce and teach younger readers about the realities of residential schools in Canada. I'm very glad I finally got a chance to read it.
I assumed the other book was going to be heavy and I would need something lighter after, and I was right. I was not expecting the places this picture book went, and I love it. Though the art style and snark is like the I Want My Hat Back books, the result is quite different. I don't think I've ever read a picture book with chapters before either.
5 Stars
IMPORTANT UPDATE! The first anthology is now on GR!Behold:
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Behold:
"Woot!
Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "IMPORTANT UPDATE! The first anthology is now on GR!Behold:
"Woot!"
I'm reading an early author copy right now so I can see what everyone else wrote!
I picked this from my tbr at random, and it just so happened that the main character is a trans teen boy, which goes well with my other current read, Dreadnought, staring a trans teen girl. If you looking for a quick survival story, check this one out.
Just finished reading my advance author copy. One of these was very familiar to me already lol. This will be out in less than a month and I can't wait!
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Just finished reading my advance author copy. One of these was very familiar to me already lol. This will be out in less than a month and I can't wait!"
Awesome!
I had high hopes for this one. Linwood Barclay is one of those authors I've been seeing advertised for so long, that I went ahead and picked a book of his to see what I thought. This was . . . stupid. I was honestly surprised after so much hype since before I came back to reading. There's so many high ratings for this one and I'm baffled. I guessed the twist pretty early, but the book has so many classic red herrings for the thriller I was hoping it would be more clever than it was. That said, I am willing to try this author one more time. I've got his most popular standalone (according to GR) on my tbr, but it'll probably be a while before I read it.
I just saw that A.J. Finn was one of the authors burbling this, and that makes all of the sense.
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I had high hopes for this one. Linwood Barclay is one of those authors I've been seeing advertised for so long, that I went ahead and picked a book of his t..."
Ick AJ Finn. Hard pass!
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Soooo this was a thing. That I read."
Well, that doesn't sound promising. lol
Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Soooo this was a thing. That I read."
Well, that doesn't sound promising. lol"
If you like books that treat alien and supernatural conspiracies as fact, right after the book started with a warning not to believe every crazy conspiracy, you might like this. 🤷♀️ Also there’s like a whole chapter on the Mothman, aka the creature named in the title, so if you’re hoping for a book about the Mothman . . . well, this isn’t really it.
Just noting here that Monsters and Mayhem is out March 11, 2022!
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Soooo this was a thing. That I read."
Well, that doesn't sound promising. lol"
If you like books that treat alien and supe..."
haha interesting. I hate when they use one specific chapter as the whole title of a compilation book. You'd think the whole book will be about the Mothman.
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Woohoo!
Still not in a fantasy mood, but I needed to finish my character prompts for the Magical Readathon so I dug through my trusty indie publisher bookstore and this one caught my eye.
A quick read with an interesting premise.
Adding the prompts here for the upcoming mini Magical Readathon for our characters' conduits and legacy.Conduit: Orb - Sun on the cover or title
Legacy: Locket of the Clear Mind - read a book in four or less sittings
Monsters and Mayhem comes out today!Also, as part of the book launch, Eerie River Publishing is going to be hosting a couple of lives on their Facebook page this weekend. If you get the chance, please join me for my first ever author event this Saturday, March 12 at 3PM CST where I will be one of the authors who will be reading excerpts and answering questions!
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Also, as part of the book launch, Eerie River Publishing is going to be hosting a couple of lives on their Facebook page this weekend. If you get the chance, p..."
Oh so cool! I don't have Facebook anymore. :( Good luck!
Elyse wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Monsters and Mayhem comes out today!Also, as part of the book launch, Eerie River Publishing is going to be hosting a couple of lives on their Facebook page this weekend. If you ge..."
The publisher is planning to post it on their YouTube page. I'll link it here once it's up. :)
I've had a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon on my tbr forever, but I kept not reading it because I found out it WAS a retelling and I try to familiarize myself with the originals (or the classics if that's not possible) first. Now I can read that duology whenever I feel like it. Yay!
This was okay. It felt like a weird patchwork of other fairy tales, which was interesting.
I was scrambling forever for something for this prompt for the mini Magical Readathon, and when this came up as an option, it felt kind of obvious. Nice and short.
Magical Readathon Conduit: Orb - Sun on the cover or title
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A book I saw others reading on Goodreads, so I decided to add it to my tbr too. As a writer, I feel like I should have an understanding of writing nonbinary characters in the future. I don't know what it says that I was familiar with almost all of this already, it's a very beginner's guide, which is the intention. Although I'm not sure I've heard the name comparison before. That was interesting.
PS: I read it in ONE sitting.
Magical Readathon Legacy: Locket of the Clear Mind - read a book in four or less sittings
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Aaannd that's me completing the mini Magical Readathon. That was quick, but it's only two challenges and I kinda needed short books.
Elyse wrote: "Super!"I've now linked the video directly to my profile for anyone interested in watching!
Just adding the notes for the Magical Readathon: Orilium!The career I picked for my character is Spellsword, which means for the Spring Equinox I need to take the following classes:
Animal Studies: A quick read
Demonology: Word 'shadow' in the title
Restoration: Book featuring healers
Spells and Incantations: Short stories/essay single or collection
There's also a bunch of quest prompts I can read to level up my character faster. I like these because I'm usually more productive in April compared to August, so if I can read more now I'll try it.
Demon on the Loose (Spellsword exclusive claimed on Discord): Read a supernatural book
Unlimited Quests:
Fire Weasel in Danger!: A book from a new to you author
Rare Ingredient: Letter 'D' in the title
Missing Spellbook: Read a book borrowed from a library
Ammelorite Sample: Book with a purple cover
Combat Training Friend Needed: Buddy read a book
Grove Keepers Needed: Read a green book
EDIT EDIT: Magical Readathon is officially over, so I've cut out the ones I didn't do. Final points core as of completing the Spring Equinox: 170
EDIT: More of these keep coming, which is great, but there's no way I'm going to be reading them all, so I'm just keeping track of them here.
If I can finish 5 of these, my character will have enough points to reach level 3 by the end of the year (50 points from last year's Novice Path, 50 for each of the monthly challenges this year, and 10 for each of the prompts above I complete by the end of the month.
Somehow didn't update that I read this last month. I just saw this while I was updating my Magical Readathon post.
ALLLLRIGGGHTY! It's time for me to post my very long update about all the things I read for the Magical Readathon Spring Equinox 2022. I just finished posting all my reviews, and I will share them here as I go along. So, what I all read in April. Here we go:-----------------------------------------------------------
Easily the best Mothman-related anything I've come across this year.
Writing Mothman horror is tricky, but ultimately I liked this take on him. Unfortunately he hangs back for much of the book, yet the horror doesn't begin and end with him. The horror elements are gruesome, unforgiving, and relentless. There's a lot going on in Below, plenty of questions left unanswered, which fits with the main character's struggle in this story with a lack of closure for the relationships with men in her life.
The book starts one way and takes a pretty sharp turn. At its core, Below is a character piece about a woman named Addy who is struggling to stick up for herself after being emotionally dominated by the men in her life, and her figuring out what she's going to do about it going forward.
Overall, excellent characterization and writing from a new-to-me author. I will be checking out Crossroads by Laurel Hightower in the future.
Animal Studies: A Quick Read
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Lately I've been watching a lot of book reviews about killing competitions in books that were poorly executed.
After having so many of those discussions, it was a wonderful surprise to pick up a book where the main character, Sal, 1) is an assassin who kills and 2) is still learning, aka, not just the special badass whose perfect at everything, but also more than willing to learn, and 3) has a way they justify their actions in their own mind, yet still struggles with the reality of murder. It was refreshingly realistic.
Mask of Shadows is the story of Sal, a genderfluid protagonist who has a bone to pick with the corrupt wealthy who sacrificed their country to save their own skins. They decide to try out for the role of one of the queen's prized assassins, for which there can be only one winner.
Speaking of killing competition, here are the rules:
1) Competitors are EXPECTED to kill each other.
2) Competitors are not allowed to harm anyone outside of their competition. Doing so will get them disqualified and tried in in the legal system.
3) Competitors must kill in ways that leave no witness or evidence. Doing so will get them disqualified.
"I expect there to be less of you tomorrow."
(*Might not be exact quote. I listened to the audiobook.)
There are a lot of negative reviews for this book lining the top of its Goodreads page, in my opinion, most likely because it was compared to Throne of Glass in the marketing. Don't let those scare you away from giving this book a chance.
Do you want a book with:
- a genderfluid main character seeking restitution for the loss of their country?
- a well-crafted killing competition where the characters are competing to be assassins and the rules and the competition reflect that?
- a Maid Marion-esque love interest who is both shrewd and sweet, but also has some growing to do?
If you answered "yes," please give this book a try for yourself. It's true this book isn't much like Throne of Glass, but whether or not that's a good thing or bad is up to you.
Demonology: Word 'shadow' in the title
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I was really hoping this book would fill the prompt for this challenge so I could complete a whole duology for this readathon. I might try to make that a more common thing during monthly readathons from now on.
We stan Maud.
Restoration: Book featuring healers
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Another important story from our history created by the same people who gave us Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story, this one about the realities of residential schools.
5 Stars
Extra CW for: (view spoiler)
Quest - Missing Spellbook: Read a book borrowed from a library
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FINALLY! I need to get to these books on my unfinished series list this year and wrap some of these up. The sci-fi ones I'm not worried about because I know I'll get to them soon enough, but these other ones, man.
Quest - Demon on the Loose (Spellsword exclusive claimed on Discord): Read a supernatural book
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A short story that's been on my tbr for a while that I decided to pick up randomly
5 Stars
Quest - Fire Weasel in Danger!: A book from a new to you author
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I really enjoyed the variety of approaches the authors took for this theme. My favourite story from this anthology this time around was Flying Home by Joel R. Hunt. It really got under my skin in a way I wasn't expecting. Very well executed.
I also want to give a shout-out to Tenure by V.A. Vazquez for introducing me to the penanggalan. That image is going to stick with me.
Spells and Incantations: Short stories/essay single or collection
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Another book I picked up on the spur of the moment because the topic is interesting.
Quest - Ammelorite Sample: Book with a purple cover
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I was able to snag this early as I was in the mood for it by getting an ARC on Netgalley! Horray! Review:
"The thing about asexuality was that it was complicated in ways I was still figuring out. Just because you don't experience sexual attraction didn't mean you didn't experience romantic feelings. But those romantic feelings didn't look like they did in the movies because, well, Hollywood didn't make movies about ace people. Period. So they could be a little hard to figure out."
^THIS!^
Aces Wild by Amanda DeWitt is a strange, fun, entertaining mix that blends elements from both Six of Crows and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda if you made it very, very ace. This is not a thing I ever knew I needed before now. We have five different ace characters in the central friend-group, including an aromantic character and a romance between the main character, Jack, and a nonbinary character.
I know Jack is compared in the advertising to Kaz from Six of Crows, and I just wanted to take a moment to address that: Jack is not cold, brutal, or traumatized in the way that Kaz is. He feels more like a normal teenager who happens to be ace and has a few skills who is wayyy in over his head.
He's also emotionally stable and healthy!!! This isn't a criticism specifically of Kaz, but instead of the portrayal of some ace and especially ace-passing characters you see so often on the off-chance that you do see them. He's dealing with his family issues and teenage crushes, but beyond that there's no big emotional trauma or other metal health issues that make him come across as particularly cold and detached to the world that is then blamed on his asexuality. He's not a cold and emotionless robot. Far from it, in fact, and I cannot stress how REFRESHING that was, to see a group of well-adjusted teens who happen to be ace and it's fine. I can't recommend the book enough for that alone.
I enjoyed the dysfunctional family dynamics and the writing style was funny and entertaining to read. In fact, it's due to the strength of the writing that I was along for the ride with Jack's shenanigans even while I identified so much with his oldest sister in way over her head trying to keep everything together while he goes behind her back to do his own schemes. I cannot overstate how impressive that is, being the oldest sibling myself. Round of applause to Amanda DeWitt for that.
I want this book to go the distance. I want a beloved film adaptation of it that holds a special place in our hearts. I want people to read this book.
Now, all that said, I do have a few negatives here:
- None of these ace characters are interested in sex. Not one, out of five. I get that they all bonded over their shared experience and a character who was interested might not have initially had the same interests when they were meeting each other online, but one of the opportunities of this book with so many ace characters is the ability to explore the different parts of the spectrum. And while it was nice for me, who needed this book so much as a teen, to see a group of teens have no interest in sex while being ace and bonding, I feel like that was a missed opportunity.
- I much preferred the first two-thirds of this book over the last third. The 'heist' aspect is very minimal in this book, and it's much more about the friend and family dynamics. Also there's a one-two punch at the end of a trope I don't care for and a trope I hate. No spoilers, but I did see it coming by then. And overall, this book didn't quite stick the landing for me.
Quest - Rare Ingredient: Letter 'D' in the title
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Another short picture book that was sitting on my tbr. I only found out this saturday was the Dewey's readathon so I wanted to grab something short and sweet especially for that. This is another story about the residential schools as told by an elder who experienced it.
Quest - Grove Keepers Needed: Read a green book
Dewey's Spring Readathon Read
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And finally, The Children of Men. I watched the movie last night too and I think I prefer it. I read this along with This Film is Lit, so I'm counting it as a buddy read that way.
Quest - Combat Training Friend Needed: Buddy read a book
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75 Books...More or Less!
Books mentioned in this topic
This Is How You Lose the Time War (other topics)This Is How You Lose the Time War (other topics)
Darkwing (other topics)
Darkwing (other topics)
It Calls From the Veil: Anthology of Paranormal Horror (other topics)
More...
*UPDATE 3* It Calls From the Veil is also on GR!
*UPDATE 2* The first anthology is now on GR!
*UPDATE* I now have a second short story coming this year! I’ll be posting more details when it’s announced!
Also, my short story is going to be published in an anthology this year. I'll be sure to link it once one is available!
Keeping my annual goal of 1 nonfiction, 1 Shakespeare, and 1 classic, which I usually tackle fairly easily.
Nonfiction Read:
Shakespeare Read:
Classic:
All 2022 Reads: