Reading, Life, and Times of Gilroy -- 2024
DiscussãoThe Green Dragon
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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. 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 - 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Physical book - The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
E-book -
(Kindle) Why we make mistakes by Joseph Hallinan
(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. 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 - 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Physical book - The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
E-book -
(Kindle) Why we make mistakes by Joseph Hallinan
(Google Books) Stronger than Magic by Melinda VanLone
2gilroy
Dud books - Books I've attempted and gave up on
(Also known as Pearl Rule books)
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
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)
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
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
2023 Annual 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
War of Honor by David Weber
Narrator Allyson Johnson
Series Honor Harrington
Start 11/13/2023 End 02/16/2024
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 02/16/2024
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.
5gilroy
The Aeronauts Windlass by Jim Butcher
Series Cinder Spires
Start 11/23/2023 End 03/23/2024
Thoughts
-- Some of this feels like a merge of a seafaring historical fiction, but with magic, but at the same time, it's not. The sailing ships FLY, using magic crystals to keep them aloft. . And as it provides the most fodder for story. there's a battle between two countries that they call Spires, which I assume is mountain spires. That's not specified when reading.
-- The cast is rather large and the point of view shifts from chapter to chapter. Fortunately, you don't replace the same scene multiple times, but you get perspectives as you move through. But keeping track of which character is which can take some ... close following. So far, one of my favorite POV characters is a cat. Another character I suspect is going through a "royalty comeuppance" arc, but I'm not 100% sure.
-- I feel like I dragged my feet due to the lack of world building and the difficulty of climbing into the world fully. I understand the call to "drop a reader into the action" but one is supposed to world build as you go and the actual details of the world are so sparse, you really are left struggling. I usually like Jim Butcher's stuff, but he has this habit of not doing a great world build in place. When writing about Chicago and Wizard Dresden, that's not a big deal. With his other fantasy worlds... It tends to be.
-- It took me more than half the book to find the significance of the title, and even then it's a very loose connection.
-- Somehow, like with the YA genre where everyone has to have a "magic school" series, I feel like this is Jim Butcher trying to write a George R R Martin Game of Thrones style series. Not the best of ideas, honestly. It doesn't fit his writing style.
Series Cinder Spires
Start 11/23/2023 End 03/23/2024
Thoughts
-- Some of this feels like a merge of a seafaring historical fiction, but with magic, but at the same time, it's not.
-- The cast is rather large and the point of view shifts from chapter to chapter. Fortunately, you don't replace the same scene multiple times, but you get perspectives as you move through. But keeping track of which character is which can take some ... close following. So far, one of my favorite POV characters is a cat. Another character I suspect is going through a "royalty comeuppance" arc, but I'm not 100% sure.
-- I feel like I dragged my feet due to the lack of world building and the difficulty of climbing into the world fully. I understand the call to "drop a reader into the action" but one is supposed to world build as you go and the actual details of the world are so sparse, you really are left struggling. I usually like Jim Butcher's stuff, but he has this habit of not doing a great world build in place. When writing about Chicago and Wizard Dresden, that's not a big deal. With his other fantasy worlds... It tends to be.
-- It took me more than half the book to find the significance of the title, and even then it's a very loose connection.
-- Somehow, like with the YA genre where everyone has to have a "magic school" series, I feel like this is Jim Butcher trying to write a George R R Martin Game of Thrones style series. Not the best of ideas, honestly. It doesn't fit his writing style.
6gilroy
Qualify by Vera Nazarian
Series The Atlantis Grail
Start 12/26/2023 End 02/10/2024
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.
- Rigorous exercise, a boy the main character fawns for from her previous school, sudden inspiration/realization of talent. More tropes one sees in books like these. Some are offered in more unique ways. Others feel like retreads of the same old same old... Yet, I keep reading.
- The end does have some payoffs for the book. Those early chapters are a slog and the ramp to the climax really needed editing more than it got.
- I'm a little mad that one feature that was working through the book had no reason for the final result. Other than the book is the first of 5 in a series, so it could be the overarching plot line. Though theterrorists who don't want aliens around does pay off in the final scenes.
- Also one result I expected, mostly because these characters were built this way -The oldest of the four doesn't qualify in the end, but the younger three do. I'll admit it wasn't the character I expected this to happen to, but I knew the author would pull this crap. The build up was too obvious.
Series The Atlantis Grail
Start 12/26/2023 End 02/10/2024
Thoughts
-
-
- The end does have some payoffs for the book. Those early chapters are a slog and the ramp to the climax really needed editing more than it got.
- I'm a little mad that one feature that was working through the book had no reason for the final result. Other than the book is the first of 5 in a series, so it could be the overarching plot line. Though the
- Also one result I expected, mostly because these characters were built this way -
7MrsLee
Looking forward to your thoughts on your reading this year. I shall be watching for them on The Aeronauts Windlass as I read that not too long ago.
10Sakerfalcon
Happy New Year! I hope it is a great one for you, in books and in life.
11Narilka
Happy reading in 2024! You are the second person recently reading the Cinder Spires. I really need to start that series now that I've caught up on Dresden.
12gilroy
>7 MrsLee: >8 clamairy: >9 Bookmarque: >10 Sakerfalcon: >11 Narilka: Thank you!
>11 Narilka: They just released the second in the series around October or November, so I suspect that was a catalyst for people. At least it was for me. Need to get to the birthday present book. LOL
>11 Narilka: They just released the second in the series around October or November, so I suspect that was a catalyst for people. At least it was for me. Need to get to the birthday present book. LOL
13Karlstar
Happy new thread and belated happy new year, I hope it is a good year for you and your reading.
15gilroy
Home: Habitat. Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/27/2024 end 01/27/2024
Series Murderbot Diaries
Start 01/27/2024 end 01/27/2024
16Alexandra_book_life
>15 gilroy: It's a nice short story in Murderbot universe :)
17gilroy
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Narrator Sissy Spacek
Begin 01/26/2024 End 02/10/2024
Thoughts
-- This is a reread for me, but it's been so long since I read it, it's like the first time.
-- The story gives a long lead up to the part everyone applauds it for, I think. Though I'm loving hearing Ms. Spacek read it. She has just the right southern drawl for the text.
Narrator Sissy Spacek
Begin 01/26/2024 End 02/10/2024
Thoughts
-- This is a reread for me, but it's been so long since I read it, it's like the first time.
-- The story gives a long lead up to the part everyone applauds it for, I think. Though I'm loving hearing Ms. Spacek read it. She has just the right southern drawl for the text.
18clamairy
>17 gilroy: I have this one on my ancient iPod. I really loved the narration.
19Karlstar
>17 gilroy: It is a great book, almost from the start.
20clamairy
>19 Karlstar: It's one that I appreciate a little more each time that I read it. I believe I'm due for a re-read soon, now that I think of it.
21gilroy
Why We Make Mistakes by Joseph Hallinan
Start 02/10/2024 End 04/04/2024
Thoughts
-- So this book was all about the research into why humans make mistakes. It doesn't propose how to prevent them, no matter how upset these other reviews are about that. It offers a lot of data and insight into the fallibility of humans and what the root causes are.
-- The book is rather dry and feels like it comes from a Professor or other higher education specialist, standing at a lectern. If anything it could be fluffed up more to make the subject more interesting.
Start 02/10/2024 End 04/04/2024
Thoughts
-- So this book was all about the research into why humans make mistakes. It doesn't propose how to prevent them, no matter how upset these other reviews are about that. It offers a lot of data and insight into the fallibility of humans and what the root causes are.
-- The book is rather dry and feels like it comes from a Professor or other higher education specialist, standing at a lectern. If anything it could be fluffed up more to make the subject more interesting.
22gilroy
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Narrators Debra Wiseman and Joel Johnstone
Start 02/18/2024 End 02/21/024
Thoughts
-- Wanted to read this so I could watch the TV show and shake my head at the changes.
-- Listening to this, I find I understand both Hannah and Clay through the story. It is very difficult to read for someone who felt as the main characters did. Not sure I had the same problems with defending people, but I probably did miss many chances to make a difference.
-- The format is interesting, but a little annoying. Maybe that's because I'm listening to the audio.
Narrators Debra Wiseman and Joel Johnstone
Start 02/18/2024 End 02/21/024
Thoughts
-- Wanted to read this so I could watch the TV show and shake my head at the changes.
-- Listening to this, I find I understand both Hannah and Clay through the story. It is very difficult to read for someone who felt as the main characters did. Not sure I had the same problems with defending people, but I probably did miss many chances to make a difference.
-- The format is interesting, but a little annoying. Maybe that's because I'm listening to the audio.
23gilroy
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Narrator Em Eldridge
Start 02/26/2024 End 03/02/2024
Thoughts
-- The very beginning of the prologue is very choppy. Or maybe the reader is just not doing well for the audiobook, though it does smooth out after a paragraph or two.
-- I'm through the prologue and into the main book. And the prose remains choppy and just not good. What editor allowed this past them? Dialogue seems to run good but all the connecting text between just stumbles. Even the narrator is struggling. Though part of her reading style just doesn't sit well with me. Too much rise to a voice where it doesn't need to rise.
-- I'm going to walk away from this book. I made it through 29% of the book. It just doesn't work for me.
-- There are three reasons why I must call this a dud, though I'm not sure which one is close: 1) the narrator they chose for the book is not doing a very good job reading, because sometimes it feels like she puts a period length pause for a comma, 2) this is first draft rough, that needs editing and smoothing -- the text is very rough. But part of that may be related to point 1, or 3) this was AI written and never smoothed.
-- Parts of this read okay, like certain scenes were perfected (found out later that it's related to the fact that she has a YouTube channel where she did snippets) but most of the connective tissue between those smoothed pieces needed work.
Narrator Em Eldridge
Start 02/26/2024 End 03/02/2024
Thoughts
-- The very beginning of the prologue is very choppy. Or maybe the reader is just not doing well for the audiobook, though it does smooth out after a paragraph or two.
-- I'm through the prologue and into the main book. And the prose remains choppy and just not good. What editor allowed this past them? Dialogue seems to run good but all the connecting text between just stumbles. Even the narrator is struggling. Though part of her reading style just doesn't sit well with me. Too much rise to a voice where it doesn't need to rise.
-- I'm going to walk away from this book. I made it through 29% of the book. It just doesn't work for me.
-- There are three reasons why I must call this a dud, though I'm not sure which one is close: 1) the narrator they chose for the book is not doing a very good job reading, because sometimes it feels like she puts a period length pause for a comma, 2) this is first draft rough, that needs editing and smoothing -- the text is very rough. But part of that may be related to point 1, or 3) this was AI written and never smoothed.
-- Parts of this read okay, like certain scenes were perfected (found out later that it's related to the fact that she has a YouTube channel where she did snippets) but most of the connective tissue between those smoothed pieces needed work.
24gilroy
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Narrator Cynthia Hopkins
Start 03/05/2024 End 03/13/2024
Thoughts
-- Just a reminder to me that at one time, every big named author in YA had a "school" for something or another, be it magic, dragon riding, weird children, et al.
-- This one has some creepy vibes I did not expect from the title or the description. It's interesting and a unique take so far.
-- So they are dealing withthe kids that went through portals and then returned to the real world, talking about their experiences. That makes for all sorts of different side stories to follow.
-- Wait! Not SUMI! I liked that character. *reads further* okay, Loriell can go, she was too much of a reminder of high school bullies for me. *continues reading* Oh, dear, not Lundy. They killed two of the best characters!
-- The book offers a good mystery wrapped in the concept of a school to those who've traveled through a portal and returned. The resultant reveal is, I'd almost say expected. Yet not far from where the red herrings would like you to believe.
-- *checks* this feels like such a complete book, that I can't imagine there being an 8 book series. I so enjoyed this one that I'm not sure I want to read the next and ruin the taste of this complete morsel of a story.
Narrator Cynthia Hopkins
Start 03/05/2024 End 03/13/2024
Thoughts
-- Just a reminder to me that at one time, every big named author in YA had a "school" for something or another, be it magic, dragon riding, weird children, et al.
-- This one has some creepy vibes I did not expect from the title or the description. It's interesting and a unique take so far.
-- So they are dealing with
-- Wait!
-- The book offers a good mystery wrapped in the concept of a school to those who've traveled through a portal and returned. The resultant reveal is, I'd almost say expected. Yet not far from where the red herrings would like you to believe.
-- *checks* this feels like such a complete book, that I can't imagine there being an 8 book series. I so enjoyed this one that I'm not sure I want to read the next and ruin the taste of this complete morsel of a story.
25clamairy
>24 gilroy: I really loved this one. (I got bogged down in book two though.)
26gilroy
Changes by Jim Butcher
Series Dresden Files
Start 03/25/2024 End
Thoughts
-- Yes, I'm a bit behind on these. But what a way to start the book. Shock Harry into motion.
-- Stab, twist, withdraw, repeat. Harry never gets a break.
Series Dresden Files
Start 03/25/2024 End
Thoughts
-- Yes, I'm a bit behind on these. But what a way to start the book. Shock Harry into motion.
-- Stab, twist, withdraw, repeat. Harry never gets a break.
27Narilka
>26 gilroy: You are in for a wild ride :)
28gilroy
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Start 04/04/2024 End
Thoughts
-- Picked this because I enjoyed the Will Smith movie of the same name. Hoping to find that story buried somewhere in this, I suppose, though I doubt it.
Start 04/04/2024 End
Thoughts
-- Picked this because I enjoyed the Will Smith movie of the same name. Hoping to find that story buried somewhere in this, I suppose, though I doubt it.
29gilroy
Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill
Narrator Suzanne Elise Freeman
Series Heirs of Chicagoland
Start 04/10/2024 End 04/15/2024
Thoughts
-- I enjoyed the original series, mostly because the author knew how to describe food and action scenes, which surprised me. Plus, I surprised myself that I liked a romance series. And this one branched from that series, so I wanted to start into it.
-- While Merit focused on food, it seems that Elisa focuses on fashion. Small shift, though some new details from the old series that are helping to make some interesting story lines.
-- Walkie zashi? Really narrator? Learn to pronounce words before you read them. *face palm*
-- This is one of those books that build, build, build, then creates a single chapter to close out every story line in a matter of a few paragraphs. It did create some over arching story lines to watch, questions of characters and their motivations, and the usual supernatural interplay. And it's the first book in a series, so it had to do some establishing work for the story world.
-- Ottos and Screens -- this is more science fantasy than just romance urban fantasy. Will make things more interesting.
-- Okay, I'm going to be in the minority here. DO NOT hook up Connor and Elisa. PLEASE! Do not do it. I know it's a tempting story to explore, but I feel like it's been done to death. Not worth it. They are not Romeo and Juliette (unless the whole supernatural world goes to world war mode in book 2.)
Narrator Suzanne Elise Freeman
Series Heirs of Chicagoland
Start 04/10/2024 End 04/15/2024
Thoughts
-- I enjoyed the original series, mostly because the author knew how to describe food and action scenes, which surprised me. Plus, I surprised myself that I liked a romance series. And this one branched from that series, so I wanted to start into it.
-- While Merit focused on food, it seems that Elisa focuses on fashion. Small shift, though some new details from the old series that are helping to make some interesting story lines.
-- Walkie zashi? Really narrator? Learn to pronounce words before you read them. *face palm*
-- This is one of those books that build, build, build, then creates a single chapter to close out every story line in a matter of a few paragraphs. It did create some over arching story lines to watch, questions of characters and their motivations, and the usual supernatural interplay. And it's the first book in a series, so it had to do some establishing work for the story world.
-- Ottos and Screens -- this is more science fantasy than just romance urban fantasy. Will make things more interesting.
-- Okay, I'm going to be in the minority here.
30Karlstar
>28 gilroy: Sorry I missed this earlier. The plot of I, Robot the movie is pulled from a few of the stories, but in a large part, it is an extrapolation. A whole lot of the stories in the collection have absolutely nothing to do with the movie, obviously.
Did you give up on the book or are you going to finish it?
Did you give up on the book or are you going to finish it?
31gilroy
>30 Karlstar: Oh, I'm still reading. Just not posted any additional thoughts on it yet. Some of the expectations of where we'd be by now are ... mind boggling.
32clamairy
>31 gilroy: Haha, yes! I am still holding my breath waiting for the house cleaning robots. (Besides my darling Roomba, of course.) I'm not sure the flying cars are such a great idea anymore. 😂
33gilroy
>32 clamairy: I'm still seeking the extraplanetary mining camps and colonies on the moon/Mars/etc.
34gilroy
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Narrator Jim Dale
Start 04/15/2024 End
Thoughts
-- The prologue starting in second person POV was quite startling. I hoped the entire book read that way. Not so much. Oh well.
-- Am I understanding right that part of the premise of "The Prestige" might have been stolen from this book?
Narrator Jim Dale
Start 04/15/2024 End
Thoughts
-- The prologue starting in second person POV was quite startling. I hoped the entire book read that way. Not so much. Oh well.
-- Am I understanding right that part of the premise of "The Prestige" might have been stolen from this book?
