Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

New year, new thread. What are you reading? Doesn't have to be group reads, or even sci-fi or fantasy. I'm currently reading Ilium because we talked about it in the nomination thread and I already had it on my Kindle so why not. I've already read the January picks so next I might start on our new TBR challenge.

Updated -- 12-12-2017

As many of you may or may not know, I write during the month of November (if not at other times as well) with the National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo. I have been doing this for two years now with a 54,000 word offering in2016 and a 71,200+ offering this year. I am working on editing now as well as looking for publishing help as well. No solicitations -- just news as we prefer here. Still it is fun to work on a project like that just to get my feet wet and grease the squeaky spots between my ears!!

I am planning to read 12 or more additional books beyond our group challenge this year, and possibly others as well. On my TBR&R for the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ General Challenge are as follow:

Personal Choices -- just for myself and my avocational interests.

Those books Read and Reviewed in 2017. Total thus far -- 26 read and 26 reviewed.

1. A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd -- REVIEW. .
2. Cascadia's Fault: The Coming Earthquake and Tsunami That Could Devastate North America by Jerry Thompson -- REVIEW .
3. Starfarer by Jeremy Reimer -- REVIEW .
4. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon -- REVIEW .
5. Nine and a Half Weeks: A Memoir of a Love Affair by Elizabeth McNeill -- REVIEW .
6. The Seventh Plague by James Rollins -- REVIEW .
7. Nikola Tesla: Imagination and the Man That Invented the 20th Century by Sean Patrick -- REVIEW.
8. The Six Directions of Space by Alastair Reynolds -- REVIEW
9. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng-- REVIEW .
10. Ayn Rand Complete Works vol. 1 Anthem by Ayn Rand. REVIEW.
11. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli -- REVIEW
12. A Nice Little Place on the North Side: Wrigley Field at One Hundred by George F. Will -- REVIEW.
13. Hell's Gate by Bill Schutt and J. R. Finch -- REVIEW .
14. I'll Be Damned: How My Young and Restless Life Led Me to America's #1 Daytime Drama by Eric Braeden -- REVIEW .
15. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle -- REVIEW .
16. Lord of the Flies by William Golding -- REVIEW .
17. Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig -- REVIEW.
18. The Bomb: A New History by Stephen M. Younger -- REVIEW .
19. Baseball on the Prairie: How Seven Small-Town Teams Shaped Texas League History by Kris Rutherford -- REVIEW.
20. Sky Fever: The Autobiography Of Sir Geoffrey De Havilland by Sir Geoffrey de Havilland -- REVIEW.
21. A Dawn Like Thunder: The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight by Robert J. Mrazek -- REVIEW.
22. The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For by David McCullough -- REVIEW.
23. What's The Score: Baseball Scorekeeping in 10 Easy Chapters by S.L. Schell -- REVIEW.
24. Flood by Stephen Baxter -- REVIEW.
25. Neptune's Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal byJames D. Hornfischer -- REVIEW .
26. Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft by Thor Heyerdahl and translated by F.H. Lyon -- REVIEW.
27. Quicklet on Inception by Christopher Nolan by Katherine Kugay -- REVIEW

CURRENTLY, ACTIVELY READING

<><>The Son by Philipp Meyer
<><>X-15 Diary: The Story of America's First Space Ship by Richard Tregaskis<><> -- Interesting topic since I saw an operational one that came to our Central Texas town before Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and an author who wrote many diaries from his exploits in World War II. I am adding his 15 other, major works to my long TBR&R. I had heard of some of them, but not all, although his WWII exploits are worth my time to read, if only to remember my dad and his service in the Navy during that war.


Guadalcanal Diary 978-1-5040-4000-6 by Richard Tregaskis Book 3 of the Solomons "trifecta."
Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, translated from the French by [Lewis Galantière|5743].
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang - containing the short story that was the conceptual basis for the motion picture, "Arrival."

For my desire to complete all of an author's work if possible. To that end, I am going to continue reading:

Works by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Works by Mary Doria Russell:

Children of God
A Thread of Grace
Doc
Epitaph

Planned for the Proud Readers of Great Stories GR Group.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Persuasion by Jane Austen -- Currently Reading
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Firestarter by Stephen King

As well as personal picks, completing a series once started,
Stephen King's The Drawing of the Three: The Dark Tower # 2.

27 = My total of books read to date for this challenge, a bit over double of my projection.

My Sci-Fi/Fantasy reads in work, completed, and planned are found in message 3 in this discussion.

14 -- My total of books read in SciFi/Fan Challenge 2017

41 read & 41 reviewed -- Grand Total of books read for GR General Challenge 2017, original goal exceeded by 14.

I'm reading a short story collection, Wireless by Charles Stross. He is having fun with some big concepts, but they aren't very developed. It is to be expected with a short story collection, but Stross is better when he can pour out his ideas with less restraint.

Next up will be Saturn's Children, also by Stross, and Demain les chats, a book my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas. I'm less excited by that one.

Currently reading Golden Son and The Ghost Brigades. Looking at my TBRs, I think this is going to be the year I complete a bunch of series. Well, the shorter series at least.

I'm currently reading This Alien Shore.

i am currently trading Shattered Rose it has already pulled on my heart strings alot, but i am loving the read

I just finished Babylon's Ashes, and then Barrayar (for probably the fourth or fifth time). Next up: Karen Memory.

I'm going to be reading Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter and listening to Waypoint Kangaroo. I've been holding off on some stuff to save it for 2017. Ready, set, go! And she's off!

I just finished Catalyst - A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno. It was OK - I gave it 3 stars but you could subtract a star or two if you're not a Star Wars fan like me - you can read my review here: /review/show...

Right now I am currently reading (in order of expected finish):
- Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
- The Circle by Dave Eggers
- The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 2015 Edition edited by Rich Horton

I'm currently reading and loving Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

I'm currently reading an ARC of Fata Morgana. So far not too bad about a 1/4 of the way through it. Also working my way through Scouting for the Reaper. Soon I'll be reading through Einstein's Beach House and Wastelands II: More Stories of the Apocalypse for a book club read along.

I finished City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson. Not sci fi, but I liked it. My review:

/review/show...

Just started Ancillary Justice which my husband loved.

Slowly working on an audiobook re-read of Beggars in Spain

The Well of Ascension byBrandon Sanderson and Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman - All the ancient references are fun to research.

Kingdom Blades by Melissa McPhail, so far it's excellent!

I am listening to The Warded Man and reading The Grace of Kings and Circus of the Damned.

Just started Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae, which is really good. Nearly done with it, as I got it for Christmas.

Chris wrote: "The Well of Ascension byBrandon Sanderson and Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run."

How is Born to Run? I plan on reading this sometime soon so to interested in comments...

J wrote: "Just started Ancillary Justice which my husband loved

Love that series. Plan on reading Ancillary Mercy this year to finish it off.

Here's my overall Review of 2016

Plus catching up on a big backlog of reviews from the end of last year:

Angles of Attack - (My Review)
Black Hawk Down - (My Review)
Chains of Command - (My Review)
The Rook - (My Review)
Attack on Titan, Vol. 21 - (My Review)
The Path of Daggers - (My Review)

Just started reading book one of the Abolethic Sovereignty : Plague of spells. after that I'll read the other two books in the set City of Torment and Key of Stars . Im planning on working My way through all the forgotten realms novels roughly 200 books

Loved Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

My review
/review/show...

Reading and really enjoying Digital Divide. I actually wish it was a bit heavier, but I don't have much time to think about that because things keep happening that I really enjoy! Hoping to finish it in the next week, and then straight onto A Handmaid's Tale, which I expect will provide me an adequate amount of heaviness to compensate.

Currently reading The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington, and so far it's been soooo good.

Currently reading John Dies at the End. I have it on my Kindle and it fills spots on about 4 challenges I'm doing .
Loving it so far. Keep laughing out loud.
Got Children of Time as a late Christmas gift so will start that soon

War and Peace. It will be a while before I finish it, so I'll probably finish some shorter books before then.

Alia wrote: "War and Peace. It will be a while before I finish it, so I'll probably finish some shorter books before then."
i straightened that on my book shelf today and was thinking I needed to try to tackle it again

I'm currently reading Geist and listening to The Blood Mirror on audiobook.

Allison, I think you're covered there. A Handmaid's Tale emotionally destroyed me the first time around. And that is not hyperbole. I also completely loved it both times I read it.

I'm working through "Church of Marvels" before getting back to some fantasy or scifi.

I'm reading The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco for Net Galley. I like the world building but plot wise it's begun to read like Memoirs of a Geisha in a fantasy context. This bothers me.

Sarah Anne wrote: "Allison, I think you're covered there. A Handmaid's Tale emotionally destroyed me the first time around. And that is not hyperbole. I also completely loved it both times I read it."

Wow, total emotional destruction makes me glad I'm reading it with lots of friends. I'm hoping we can help each other survive it! But I'm really looking forward to tackling it, and then diving straight back into fluff for a month (or more. Possibly never coming back out.) :-)

I hope you like it :)

I am enjoying "NOS4R2" by Joe Hill. It's the first I've read by him, but definitely not the last.

I am currently reading/listening to A Darker Shade of Magic
Crooked Kingdom and
Lord of All Things which is not going quickly.

Currently reading Chains of the Heretic and Bridging Infinity.

I finished reading a YA Fantasy called Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo today, I do have a full spoiler-free review posted if you would like to read it: /review/show...

I've been reading the Philip K Dick omnibuses(omnibi?) that the Library of America put out, really fantastic stuff


Philip K. Dick: Four Novels of the 1960s
Philip K. Dick: Five Novels of the 1960s & 70s

I’ve finished Carpe Jugulum, the 6th and final book in the Witches subseries of Discworld. I enjoyed it, although I didn’t think Granny Weatherwax got enough page time in this one. My review is here.

Now I’m reading Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke. I’ve also started on The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales, but I plan to spread it out over some time so that I don’t get burned out from reading 211 fairy tales in a row. I've read 4 so far.

YouKneeK wrote: "Now I’m reading Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke. I’ve also started on The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales, but I plan to spread it out over some time so that I don’t get burned out from reading 211 fairy tales in a row. I've read 4 so far. "

I just bought a copy of The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales a week ago with plans to, like you, read it over time.

Currently reading/listening to A Darker Shade of Magic and then on to Storm Front.

Right now I am reading Dangerous Curiosities by Gail Z. Martin. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is next...along with Vicious and the two club books.

YouKneeK wrote: "I’ve finished Carpe Jugulum, the 6th and final book in the Witches subseries of Discworld."

The Witches books were followed by the Tiffany Aching books. While they are marketed as YA they're still definitely worth reading.

I am going to try and read lots of short stories and novellas this year. I have a bunch of collections that have been sitting on my shelf: Ursula, Clifford Simak, James Tiptree Jr, to name a few.

Someone also renewed my subscriptions to Asimov's and Analog -- I am making a commitment to read at least the cover story in every issue this year. Plus read the back issues that have been piling up.

Novel-wise, I am still on a Gene Wolfe kick: I plan to finish the Book of the Long Sun and start on the Book of the Short Sun. After that, perhaps the Soldier in the Mist series.

Kim wrote: "The Witches books were followed by the Tiffany Aching books. While they are marketed as YA they're still definitely worth reading."

Thanks, those are definitely on the agenda. I'm a little more skeptical about the Science of Discworld books, but I'm going to at least try the first one. A few people have told me they enjoyed them.

Currently reading Liberator by Nick Bailey and Darren Bullock, after which there's a version of Mein Kampf set to verse (I should stress that was a Christmas present, a 1940 piss take of Hitler's book).

Just finished Babylon's Ashes. I loved it! The Expanse is a great science fiction series. I might read some Arthur C. Clarke next.

Have just begun Gemina by Amie Kaufman. Totally living up to Illuminae's start!

I just finished Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke. My interest fluctuated while I read it. Sometimes I was interested in the story and eager to see what would happen next, and other times it was a struggle to push through. The story was more unique than I had expected, though. My review.

The next book I start will be Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I’m also still slowly reading through The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales. I’ve read through fairy tale # 10 of 211.

I'm currently reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for my RL book group and it will fulfill one of the Read Harder challenges: read a book about reading.

Also this year I've read Blind Man's Bluff by Peter David, Half the Way Home: A Memoir of Father and Son by Adam Hochschild and Alex + ADA: The Complete Collection by Jonathan Luna.