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Ioana wrote: "It's not you...it's the library's fault. I am saying this with a straight face."

Right?! I mean they’re the ones stocking new and shiny books. It definitely has nothing to do with my lack of self control 😆

Absolutely. LOL

Lea wrote: "Sometimes it's better when books don't hint at greatness. There's always a greater disappointment than if the book just was bad all the way through..."

That makes a lot of sense. I never looked at it like that.

Book #2 of 2022: A Good Neighborhood. Buddy read with Alissa, Lea, Kim and Lindsey. This is hard to rate, I loved some sections and hated some. I think part of it was that I could not relate to some events...is this a true description of how people think and act in North Carolina these days? I don't know...
(view spoiler)[ purity balls? cops that would ignore personal accounts of an event just to follow their own agenda? (hide spoiler)]
Race, parenting, nature conservations, these are all topics in the book, which would make it a good book club selection. 3 stars.

Book #3 of 2022: The Last Thing He Told Me. I liked the beginning, it was interesting, but as the book advanced it became too far fetched and not believable. The ending? Not believable. And this book received the GR choice award? Unbelievable! 3 stars, because I feel generous today.

Ioana wrote: "Book #3 of 2022: The Last Thing He Told Me. I liked the beginning, it was interesting, but as the book advanced it became too far fetched and not believable. The ending? Not believa..."

I felt the same about this book. Such an interesting idea at the beginning but then it went off the rails somewhere. Too bad the pacing was good for a suspense novel. The conclusion was just not good.

Michelle wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Book #3 of 2022: The Last Thing He Told Me. I liked the beginning, it was interesting, but as the book advanced it became too far fetched and not believable. The ending? Not believable. And this book received the GR choice award? Unbelievable! 3 stars, because I feel generous today."

Oh no! That's on my list too.

Lea wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Book #3 of 2022: The Last Thing He Told Me. I liked the beginning, it was interesting, but as the book advanced it became too far fetched and not beli..."

I also gave it 3 stars Lea, so it wasn't terrible. It just had issues. Try to suspend disbelief.

Lea wrote: "Oh no! That's on my list too.."

It's not bad, but it's not something I would go out of my way to read. Easily forgettable the next day, so if you're at the beach, you can give it a try. Leave at home your ability to find holes in the events, continuity or story.

I like Michelle's summary: "It just had issues. Try to suspend disbelief." She's right.

Book #4 of 2022: The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest. I wanted to read this book ever since I've read Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster in 2010. This is Anatoli Boukreev's book on the same events.

There is no way an outsider can tell who's story is closer to the truth, this is one case of "he said / he said".

But I can say this: I enjoyed Krakauer's book more. It gives a lot more background about all participants, guides and clients, it explains climbing and its dangers, it talks about Everest and other high mountains, altitude sickness, and from his perspective what everyone did and when, what went wrong, how this could've been maybe prevented. Plus, he's a good writer and the story flows beautifully.

Boukreev does not waste time with anything else but the events themselves, and the book sounds more like a way to justify his actions and assign blame; to clients who did not do the hard work to acclimatize (you need to climb up, spend 1 night up, go back to rest, repeat; multiple times, at increasing altitudes); to sherpas, who did not properly fix all the ropes they were supposed to. These are accurate facts and contributing factors, nobody contests them, and the blame he assigns is warranted.

Boukreev lacks Krakauer's gift as a writer and so the book lacks the nice flow. Plus, the narration of the audiobook is poor, the narrator stops for 10 seconds between every single paragraph. It's very annoying.

In the end, I'm glad I've read both books. Boukreev was a great climber (he died in 1997 in an avalanche, 1 year after this Everest climb, during a winter ascent of Annapurna in Nepal) and saved 3 people during this Everest expedition. On his own, with no help from anyone else, after climbing the Everest without the help of oxygen. When everyone else (guides, clients and Sherpas) was too spent, too tired or too afraid to get lost in the white storm, he went out and managed to bring the lost climbers back to camp.

Book #5 of 2022: Childhood's End. I started this book in 2021, but I always count books in the month/year I finish them.
I liked this, but did not love it. I was left with so many questions, there were so many things that were never resolved.
(view spoiler)[ What happened to the children taken by the Overlords? The entire relationship/communication between Overlords and Overmind is not explained. (hide spoiler)]
But the ending was interesting and not something I was expecting. 3 stars.

Ioana wrote: "Book #5 of 2022: Childhood's End. I started this book in 2021, but I always count books in the month/year I finish them.
I liked this, but did not love it. I was left with so many qu..."

I loved this book. Humans are going to human. I think I gave this 5 stars, because I wasn't a huge sci-fi reader, so I am not so smart.

Alondra wrote: "I loved this book. Humans are going to human. I think I gave this 5 stars, because I wasn't a huge sci-fi reader, so I am not so smart."

I'll definitely read more of his books, he has some interesting ideas.

Ioana wrote: "Alondra wrote: "I loved this book. Humans are going to human. I think I gave this 5 stars, because I wasn't a huge sci-fi reader, so I am not so smart."

I'll definitely read more of his books, he ..."

I've read a few of Clarke's books. He's not my favorite SciFi author. I should try him more.

Bill wrote: "I've read a few of Clarke's books. He's not my favorite SciFi author. I should try him more."

I haven't read anything else, but I will. There were things that bothered me in the Childhood's End, but there were some interesting ideas, too. I hope other books might be more "cohesive", we'll see.

Book #6 of 2022: Button Man. Family, loyalty, right and wrong, hard work, money, power, police corruption, American Italian Mafia, Murder Incorporated (that I've never heard about before, but now I know it was the Jewish run Mafia), mob violence and unions in the '30, protection for money, all these and more are aspects of the story. I enjoyed the book, the description of a period in NYC I know little of; yes, there is violence, but not gratuitous; there are characters based on real people, and they are all believable. Recommended, 4 stars.

Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "I've read a few of Clarke's books. He's not my favorite SciFi author. I should try him more."

I haven't read anything else, but I will. There were things that bothered me in the [book..."

[book:Dolphin Island|18513876] was kind of cute.

Bill wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "I've read a few of Clarke's books. He's not my favorite SciFi author. I should try him more."

I haven't read anything else, but I will. There were things that bothered m..."

Communication with dolphins...I read The Day of the Dolphin in my teen years (I think), I was fascinated. None of my libraries has Island of the Blue Dolphins, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Book #7 of 2022: The Night Parade it's listed under horror on GR, but it's not; more like a dystopian book, centered around a father's love for his daughter and the length he's willing to go to protect her. Really enjoyable, 4 stars.

Bill wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Bill wrote: "I've read a few of Clarke's books. He's not my favorite SciFi author. I should try him more."

I haven't read anything else, but I will. There were things that bothered m..."

I don't know why the actual link isn't working... Dolphin Island

There...

Bill wrote: "I don't know why the actual link isn't working... Dolphin Island

There..."

Thank you!

Ioana wrote: "Book #7 of 2022: The Night Parade it's listed under horror on GR, but it's not; more like a dystopian book, centered around a father's love for his daughter and the length he's will..."

I loved that book!! So glad you liked it :)

Alondra wrote: "I loved that book!! So glad you liked it :)"

I probably added it to my TBR back in 2017 because of you, it was worth it. Thank you!

Book #8 of 2022: American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West. If you want to know about how the wolf was reintroduced in Yellowstone, the pro and con arguments of various interested parties (wildlife conservationists, hunters, cattle ranchers, and everybody in between), the politics surrounding the wolves, the lives and habits of the wolf packs in Yellowstone, and a lot more....then this book is for you. And it's fascinating. 3 stars.

Book #9 of 2022: The Lathe of Heaven A great sci-fi concept, I don't think I've read anything like this before. Effective dreaming, whatever you dream comes true - and affects the entire world, good or bad. This was interesting, 3.5 stars rounded up for the unique idea.

Ioana wrote: "Book #9 of 2022: The Lathe of Heaven A great sci-fi concept, I don't think I've read anything like this before. Effective dreaming, whatever you dream comes true - and affects the enti..."

LeGuin has written some favorites of mine.

Ioana wrote: "Alondra wrote: "I loved that book!! So glad you liked it :)"

I probably added it to my TBR back in 2017 because of you, it was worth it. Thank you!"

I admit nuffin'.... 😏🙄

Bill wrote: "LeGuin has written some favorites of mine."

This was my first, definitely not my last.

Alondra wrote: "I admit nuffin'.... 😏🙄"

LOL, you don't have to, we all know what's happening here...

Book #10 of 2022: Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster was not my first book on this topic, so I knew a lot about the events. I was living back in Romania back then and I remember "hearing" on forbidden channels (Free Europe, Voice of America) that something happened, but of course, we didn't know details or the extent of the actual accident. We were told not to eat any of the new, long awaited green lettuce, radishes or other delicious spring vegetables, but not why.
It was interesting to read the details, and sadly, even the people living right next to the rector weren't told much more else; and their lives were in real danger. The effort for the cleanup was enormous...but the book a little too long. Fascinating, but probably more enjoyable if some of the details were skipped.

Ioana wrote: "Book #10 of 2022: Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster was not my first book on this topic, so I knew a lot about the events. I was livin..."

I should read one of the books on Chernobyl. I've never even watched the TV series...

Ioana wrote: "Book #10 of 2022: Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster was not my first book on this topic, so I knew a lot about the events. I was livin..."

The mini-series documentary style show was excellent, fascinating and frustrating. Highly recommended.

I don't think I could stomach reading about it. Watching it was enough.

Alondra wrote: "The mini-series documentary style show was excellent, fascinating and frustrating. Highly recommended."

I didn't know there was a mini-series, when? How long ago? Still available, do you know?

Ioana wrote: "Alondra wrote: "The mini-series documentary style show was excellent, fascinating and frustrating. Highly recommended."

I didn't know there was a mini-series, when? How long ago? Still available, ..."

Thanks, Bill.

Ioana wrote: "Alondra wrote: "The mini-series documentary style show was excellent, fascinating and frustrating. Highly recommended."

I didn't know there was a mini-series, when? How long ago? Still available, ..."

Yes; it's on Netfix. It was one of the best shows ever. 6 episodes or 9; i can't remember.

Alondra wrote: "Yes; it's on Netfix. It was one of the best shows ever. 6 episodes or 9; i can't remember.."

Thanks, I'll look for it.

Book #11 of 2022: Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family is about the Galvin's family tragedy, where 6 boys out of their 12 children (10 boys) are diagnosed with schizophrenia. It's a tragedy for all, parents, sick and healthy children, but different for each category, and at least for a while, none can empathize and understand the others.
And then there is the lack of solutions and support for all involved...

A good read, but very painful. In the news today "multiple health panels are launching bipartisan work to craft legislative packages addressing the nation’s mental health and addiction crises." Let's hope it gets somewhere.

Ioana wrote: "A good read, but very painful. In the news today "multiple health panels are launching bipartisan work to craft legislative packages addressing the nation’s mental health and addiction crises." Let's hope it gets somewhere."

I agree with everything you wrote about Hidden Valley Road, but most especially this. I hope that a better solution can be found for those who are suffering from those issues.

Book #12 of 2022: I Must Betray You. I had to read this, it takes place in Romania during its 1989 revolution, and I lived through it. I have mixed feelings about the book, most of the facts, ideas, situations, they are all true. But some are just historical fiction, things that probably nobody will know/notice unless you happened to live those events, and know how Romanians talk and behave.
I was not blown away by it, but it's a good book. Read it for a sense of time and place. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Book #13 of 2022: Troy. Yes, we all know how it starts and how it ends, nothing unexpected there, but I loved the retelling of the story. Lots of details, names, places, relationships, but Stephen Fry (who also narrates the audiobook) warns that you really don't need to remember all. This book is part of a series, and I will read the other ones too. 4 stars.

Book #14 of 2022: Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1. I tried, unsuccessfully I should say, to read the real book Dune a few years ago. So I hoped the graphic novel would be easier, more accessible...and it was, but I guess it's hard to translate a 650 pages book full of details and lots of action in a 150 pages graphic novel. It was ok, but did not make me want to attempt the real book again. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Ioana wrote: "Book #14 of 2022: Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1. I tried, unsuccessfully I should say, to read the real book Dune a few years ago. So I hoped the graphic novel wou..."

I had a similar problem with Dune. It's such a classic SciFi and I love SciFi. I tried several times over the years to read it and didn't get past the first few pages. Finally, I listened to the audiobook. I still wasn't overly impressed. When I saw your post I was actually encouraged. Maybe graphic was the way to go with Dune. Skip all the long boring sections and condense it down to only the action and it would be good right? I guess not. Come to think of it that didn't work in the old movie with Christopher Reeve either. I haven't seen the new one. I'm afraid I will fall asleep during the opening scene.

I think I know what my problem is: weird names, my brain can't keep track of multiple characters and places with a weird name, and that's true for a lot of fantasy and sci-fi books. I can do books with lots of names and places that I can relate to, or few weird names and places. I like things explained early in a book, so I know what I'm dealing with.
Dune has lots of characters with weird names, lots of places on weirdly named planets, terms and concepts that are maybe/hopefully explained later in the book, but not initially. My brain did not like that, sorry.
Try the graphic novel, it's short, only 160 pages or so, maybe it will work for you. Good luck!

Book #15 of 2022: Relentless Oh Joe, so much testosterone...but that's what makes these books so much fun.

Ioana wrote: "Book #15 of 2022: Relentless Oh Joe, so much testosterone...but that's what makes these books so much fun."

This sounds good, adding the series to my TBR.
I also have trouble with unusual names in fantasy/sci-fi. Especially if the spellings are similar to other characters. It gets very frustrating and disheartening when it’s a book you know you could enjoy if the names were easier to keep track of.

Ioana wrote: "Book #15 of 2022: Relentless Oh Joe, so much testosterone...but that's what makes these books so much fun."

I've read a couple of his books and they are definitely action-packed entertainment

〰️����ٳ�〰️ wrote: "This sounds good, adding the series to my TBR.
I also have trouble with unusual names in fantasy/sci-fi. Especially if the spellings are similar to other characters. It gets very frustrating and disheartening when it’s a book you know you could enjoy if the names were easier to keep track of."

I agree, Beth. Because of that I'm very selective with the fantasy and sci-fi books.

Bill wrote: "I've read a couple of his books and they are definitely action-packed entertainment"

LOL, I think this one fits in the category of "action-overly-stuffed entertainment" 🤣🤣🤣

Girl, you are kicking butt! What great books you've read so far!