utbw42's 50 for 2012

January: 10 books
February: 8 books
March: 5 books
April: 5 books
May: 4 books
June: 8 books
July: 10 books
August: 3 books
September: 6 books
October: 2 books
November: 7 books
December: 5 books

2010 thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/98279
2011 thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/105884

1. A Princess Of Landover by Terry Brooks (1-2-12) (367 pages)



Good addition to this series, not as engaging or quite as readable as previous Brooks entries in the world of Landover, but still interesting. I do find the character of Mistaya a bit harder to get into than other characters in this series. Apparently, Nightshade is making future appearances in this series, as she escapes at the end.

To date: 1 book, 367 pages.

2. Final Justice by W.E.B. Griffin (1-3-12) (518 pages)



Best of the series to date....everything culminates with the inclusion of what I consider the main character, Matt Payne. Great story, but Payne's character has never seemed more real than this book, and there are several points in the plot that are true page turning experiences.

To date: 2 books, 885 pages.

3. Micro by Michael Crichton/Richard Preston (1-6-12) (424 pages)



Wow, a nice surprise. Crichton's last book that I read, Next, to me, was an absolute turd. I threw caution to the wind and gave this a try, as I have read a couple of Richard Preston books in the past and enjoyed them. The result of this combined effort produced an imaginative, tight, page-turning thriller. What would YOU do if you were shrunk down to 1/2" height and plopped down in the middle of a tropical rain forest? I only wish Crichton were still alive to produce more stuff like this.

To date: 3 books, 1309 pages.

4. Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods (1-8-12) (330 pages)



Fun stuff, one of Woods better efforts. I blew through this one quickly, as the plot was one of Woods more intriguing and keeps you guessing till the very end.

To date: 4 books, 1639 pages.

5. White Night by Jim Butcher (1-11-12) (495 pages)



Continues story of Dresden's struggle to prevent an all out war between vampire clans and humans. Dresden is a fully-developed character by now that garners interest no matter what situation he is in. I sense this series is heading for a jaw-dropping turn soon.

To date: 5 books, 2134 pages.

6. Shoot Him If He Runs by Stuart Woods (1-12-12) (376 pages)



Good story....characters not as strong in this one and ending is a bit rushed, but still a fun read. This one also keeps you guessing till the end, and I really like the stories where Barrington and Barker work together. This would be a great beach book.

To date: 6 books, 2510 pages.

7. The Traffickers by W.E.B. Griffin/William E. Butterworth IV (1-14-12) (527 pages)



I liked the plot, but it appears to me that the Griffin co-author books are mostly written by his son, Butterworth IV, and thus the writing was not quite as sharp or focused as the previous Badge Of Honor novels. I felt this book tended to drag somewhat in the middle, but overall I enjoyed it.

To date: 7 books, 3037 pages.

8. The Vigilantes by W.E.B. Griffin/William E. Butterworth IV (1-25-12) (450 pages)



Average, probably the weakest in the Badge Of Honor series. It seemed to me that the book didn't know where it was going at times....and where is Peter Wohl? I guess they just dropped his character from the earlier books. I hope the next in this series picks up the pace some.

To date: 8 books, 3487 pages.

9. Sisterhood Of Dune by Brian Herbert/Kevin J. Anderson (1-25-12) (496 pages)



The Duniverse has always fascinated me, so this entry will no doubt be much more interesting and enjoyable to me than to the casual reader....although I can't imagine anyone who hasn't read the other volumes in this world reading this one. I have always found Herbert/Anderson novels to be enjoyable, readable, and very interesting...albeit not the quality of the master, Frank. This was a worthy entry for my Duniverse library.

To date: 9 books, 3983 pages.

10. Small Favor by Jim Butcher (1-28-12) (541 pages)



Wonderful continuation of the Dresden saga....Butcher very cleverly includes most of the major players in a thrilling plot of good (Dresden & Michael) versus evil (Nicodemus & The Summer Court). This one continues the suspense building in the past several novels of the overall saga.

To date: 10 books, 4524 pages.

11. A Death In Vienna by Daniel Silva (2-2-12) (424 pages)



This one gets real personal for Gabriel Allon, and his quest for justice concerning an SS officer from the Holocaust makes for an outstanding, fast-paced, well-constructed novel. Silva has created a very strong, very interesting character in Allon. I will quickly be moving to the next in this series....

To date: 11 books, 4948 pages.

12. Prince Of Fire by Daniel Silva (2-8-12) (407 pages)



Silva picks up where he left off in his previous novel as Allon continues to battle personal demons while searching for someone hell-bent on causing death and destruction on innocent lives in Paris. The last 100 pages of this book fly by....outstanding stuff.

To date: 12 books, 5355 pages.

13. Turn Coat by Jim Butcher (2-10-12) (545 pages)



Each entry in the Dresden Files is now an intense, page-turning experience. The thing that amazes me is how elements of the overall saga keep fitting into each individual novel, and in a way that carries the plot of each story. I think Butcher has done a masterful job with this series, and this story definitely keeps up. The comic moments and witty banter are still there, but they don't take away or diminish from the tension building, or somehow make the characters less interesting or even believable. Bring on the next one.....

To date: 13 books, 5900 pages.

14. Kill Shot by Vince Flynn (2-14-12) (385 pages)



A much better effort than the previous American Assassin novel in the Mitch Rapp series. Flynn has spent the last year battling prostate cancer, so any effort from him was a welcome sight. Overcoming a somewhat plodding middle after a quick start, this plot came together nicely at the end and really showcased what Flynn was trying to do with the first AA novel, show the beginnings of Mitch Rapp and what shaped him into the assassin he became. Flynn really pulls that off here.

To date: 14 books, 6285 pages.

15. Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods (2-16-12) (370 pages)



Beach book. This was a quick read, but just sort of rambled all over the place. The ending tied some things up and probably overall saved the book, but I honestly don't think I could recommend this to anyone.

To date: 15 books, 6655 pages.

16. Michael Vey: The Prisoner Of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans (2-20-12) (326 pages)



Tremendous surprise.....my son read this and I wanted to read it as well. This book far surpassed my expectations. One of the more original books I've read since the first Harry Potter, this book grabs you from the start and just gets better and better. More volumes of this story are forthcoming by the author.....word of the day: Electroclan.

To date: 16 books, 6981 pages.

17. Sundays Will Never Be The Same by Darrell Waltrip/Nate Larkin (2-23-12) (320 pages)



I don't give out 5 star reviews very often....usually only to books that have a profound impact on my life or a book that just literally moves me emotionally. This is one of those books. Granted, I'm a big NASCAR fan, so no doubt that allowed me to really enjoy this book, but Waltrip wrote the book (with Larkin's help) in such a way that it brought to the surface his ever changing relationship with Dale Earnhardt as he describes how he grew up and became a racer from the small town of Owensboro, KY. The last two chapters, which describe his racing career coming to an end and moving into the broadcast booth, and that fateful day where he witnessed Dale's accident and subsequent demise are pure gold. If you like NASCAR, you need to read this book.

To date: 17 books, 7301 pages.

18. Loitering With Intent by Stuart Woods (2-26-12) (376 pages)



Another beach book, slightly better than the previous entry in the Barrington series. This one stayed more focused, but I notice Woods has a tendency to throw away characters quickly if no longer needed.

To date: 18 books, 7677 pages.

19. The Hunters by W.E.B. Griffin (3-10-12) (515 pages)



An interesting book....clinical even by Griffin standards. The plot was well-constructed, but most of the book was about the "procedure" of dealing with the rare moments of something really happening. It seemed certain characters were further developed in this series at the expense of action, but like I said, it was an interesting book. I read the first two in this series some time ago, so it took a bit to get back into the overall plot of this series.

To date: 19 books, 8192 pages.

Hi, is your target of 1000 books any or part of the 1000 bks to read before you die. If it the former then i am just a few behind, i have kept track of my reading since 1/7/95 and have just finished book 614. Good luck with your challenges.

johnsimpson:

It's any 1000 books....I've been keeping track since about '93 when I realized how much I enjoyed reading for fun and relaxation. I thought maybe I could read 250-300 in my lifetime at first, but as I went on I began to realize I might have a shot at 1000. Thanks for stopping by!

20. Changes by Jim Butcher (3-12-12) (546 pages)



This is the pivotal novel in this series that I've been waiting for. Harry basically loses everything in this book, but in the process saves one family member at the expense of another. Gut-wrenching...I can't even imagine where this series goes from here. These books would make great movies.....instead of cheap, crappy sci-fi miniseries.

To date: 20 books, 8738 pages.

21. Ameritopia by Mark R. Levin (3-18-12) (248 pages)



Brilliant book.....the message and research are almost unparalleled. This would have been another 5-star book for me if it hadn't been so difficult to read. Levin included a LOT of philosophy in this book, and I'm just not that good at reading philosophy. If you can read this book and understand it, you will realize that, America, it is time to WAKE UP.

To date: 21 books, 8986 pages.

22. The Messenger by Daniel Silva (3-22-12) (338 pages)



A solid, straightforward, yet somewhat formulaic effort from Silva, as Gabriel Allon uses a female art enthusiast to infiltrate a terrorist organization to uncover a plot against the Pope, and ultimately the President. I think Allon's detachment from the female spy somewhat dulled the enthusiasm here, but still a gripping book from who I consider one of the better writers out there right now.

To date: 22 books, 9324 pages.

23. The Secret Servant by Daniel Silva (3-31-12) (488 pages)



Following right in the footsteps of the previous Silva entry, this one ratchets up the tension somewhat as Allon seems to be more emotionally involved in the kidnapping of a diplomat's daughter. This pursuit leads to the discovery of a massive terror plot, and the culimination of these events near the end of the book make for a fast, exciting read. Silva is really in stride with the character of Gabriel Allon and what his limitations and capabilities are.

To date: 23 books, 9812 pages.

Hello utbw42

I can strongly recommend Daniel Silva's books. I loved this one too.

Happy reading :-)

Hi utbw42, you seem to be doing really well with both challenges, i am afraid i have had a bad March but hope to pick up in April, just finished book 11 which is a bit tame by your count.

27) I'm a big Vince Flynn fan and I noticed in one of his interviews he mentioned that he read a lot of Daniel Silva. I picked up the first one and the rest is history.

28) March always seems to get me some as I tend to start watching a lot of baseball on TV....one of my weaknesses. :-)

Oh, I see. I like Vince Flynn's book too. :-)

24. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (4-4-12) (374 pages)



I could tell as I was reading this that I was reading one of the truly great novels of the past 5 years....maybe more. In this I found a novel that captured me with the innocence of the first Harry Potter book, and then just lured me in through an increasing level of horror where I literally had to keep reading to find out if Katniss survives or not. This book represents one of the more original concepts of a post-war or apocalyptic America where the attitude of a government towards its people is nothing short of appalling, and the way Collins brings this view to the reader through the eyes of a cunning 16-year-old survivalist is something that everyone should experience. I'm anxious to see how they adapt this into the movie, and to dive into the sequels.

To date: 24 books, 10186 pages.

25. The Shooters by W.E.B. Griffin (4-10-12) (422 pages)



Straightforward....now I know what someone means by "punchy prose". This book just basically says "Hey! Read me! Here's the beginning, here's the detail in the middle, and here's the end! Have a nice day." Not as good as the previous in this series, but Castillo is an interesting enough character to keep me reading the Presidential Agent novels.

To date: 25 books, 10608 pages.

26. Moscow Rules by Daniel Silva (4-12-12) (433 pages)



Another great Silva book, as Allon is drawn back into the Israeli spy gambit investigating suspected Russian journalist murders by a Russian arms dealer, as well as trying to prevent future terrorist attacks as a result of these arms deals. Silva always seems to know how to build the suspense in a book, as the last 1/2 of this book is a fast, exciting read.

To date: 26 books, 11041 pages.

Glad to know that you liked this Silva too :-)

Ameise1 - Silva has just really impressed me...I'm really drawn to his characters.

27. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (4-26-12) (391 pages)



Solid follow-up to The Hunger Games....what I really liked about this book was that it furthered the bigger-picture concept of mass rebellion among the districts. Katniss appears to me to be a modern-day Joan of Arc, which makes me fear for her future in the upcoming Mockingjay. Can't wait to start the next one.....

To date: 27 books, 11432 pages.

I love this series! Just finished Mockingjay!! Hope you love it as much as I did!

Hi again, you're doing well with your reading targets, i'm starting to pick up now just finished book 16 for the year and up to just under 8800 pages but the books have been on the thick side but then i'm just trying to get to the 300,000 page mark, my total books mark is 621 so i am about a years worth behind you at the moment although i will motor on a bit once the mark has been reached as i've got a number of books to read of around the 300 page mark. Keep on reading and i'll check in periodically to see your progress.

28. Night Mare by Piers Anthony (4-30-12) (307 pages)



Least enjoyable of the six Xanth books I've read so far, but still a good yarn. I don't think this one was as clever as the others, just more straightforward story telling with existing characters. Still enjoyed it...and will tackle the next one soon.

To date: 28 books, 11739 pages.

johnsimpson - Howdy....I'm now at 665 books, 267250 total pages. I'm impressed with your totals as well...looks like you truly enjoy reading as I do.

I'll just keep motoring along as well, see where my reading adventures take me. It's been a helluva ride so far....:-)

Hi utbw42, just finished book 17 for the year which is 622 in total and has got me to 300022 pages, its only taken 6,155 days or 16 yrs, 10mths and 6 days, here's to the next 300,000 pages. You're right, it is a helluva ride and i am enjoying my reading adventures.

29. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher (5-10-12) (477 pages)



I wondered where Butcher would take this series after Harry's murder and this was a great continuance of all that had occurred up to that shocking event. I really enjoyed how Butcher could take Harry's "spirit" and interweave him seamlessly into the story with current, living characters like Molly, Murphy, Butters, etc. He manages to carry you through Harry's coping with being a "ghost" while allowing you to remember and feel everything that made Harry a fantastic character in the previous 12 books. Brilliant writing, IMHO.....

To date: 29 books, 12216 pages.

johnsimpson - congrats! Wow, 300,000 pages! You apparently are reading much larger books than I, and I commend you for that. I hope to reach that goal someday soon.....I'll just keep reading until I do...:)

Hi utbw42, yes i can't believe i've got to 300,000 pages but yes you are right i have been reading some larger books, out of the 622 books to get to the 300k mark, 227 have been over 500pgs, of these 42 have been 750 to 999pgs and then a further 22 have been 1,000+ so it soon racks up.

30. Kisser by Stuart Woods (5-14-12) (374 pages)



Quick read...not a bad story, but Woods books (especially the Stone Barrington series) have become very formulaic. Move along....you don't need to see his identification...these aren't the droids you're looking for.....

To date: 30 books, 12590 pages.

31. Lucid Intervals by Stuart Woods (5-16-12) (355 pages)



One of the better Stone Barrington books, this one had a fairly intriguing plot with somewhat less pretentious characters. Keeps you guessing until the end....

To date: 31 books, 12945 pages.

32. The Defector by Daniel Silva (5-31-12) (505 pages)



I compare this to Flynn's Memorial Day; as I consider that Flynn's masterpiece, I also consider this to be Silva's masterpiece (so far). All of Allon's experiences, memories, nightmares, etc. culminate in a blinding page-turner, as his wife is finally abducted by some of the very evil he is sworn to combat for mother Israel, reluctant as he is at times. In the last 150 pages of this book, one sees Allon drop all pretense, and Gladiator-style emotional revenge ensues. I literally could not put the book down at that point.

To date: 32 books, 13450 pages.

Hi utbw42, glad to be a friend of you on LT, we seem to have quite a bit in common, keep up the good work.

thanks, johnsimpson....I'm trying. Just keeping on-keeping on as the saying goes.

Hi utbw42, how're things with you. Just starting to pick up the pace with the old reading in the last few weeks, 22 for the year to date and 627 overrall. Hope you are well and the weather where you are is better than here in the U.K. at the present time.

33. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (6-9-12) (390 pages)



A good ending to the Hunger Games Saga....not as groundbreaking or gripping as the first, but what book could be? I do think Collins has portrayed the cost of war to young adults in a clever way with this series, showing how characters that the readers get attached to end up with their lives changed, or completely torn apart. I wonder if she intended this series as a lesson to ALL readers. I would recommend this series for anyone ages 12 to 112.

To date: 33 books, 13840 pages.

34. The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry (6-12-12) (426 pages)



Intriguing plot, very interesting history, but rather vanilla characters. I do like how Berry presented the idea that Christopher Columbus could have been jewish, and that's what really drove this book. The current day people in this book just kind of rode along the plot as decorations. Berry has done better than this....

To date: 34 books, 14266 pages.

35. Strategic Moves by Stuart Woods (6-13-12) (358 pages)



Read this on the beach...moves quickly, and pretty fun to read. I seemed to be more into this Woods effort than previous Stone Barrington novels.

To date: 35 books, 14624 pages.

36. Bel-Air Dead by Stuart Woods (6-19-12) (373 pages)



Not bad, one of the better Barrington books. Woods actually weaves a fairly clever plot of stock takeovers, murder, romance, etc., in with some of his better written characters for a good summer read. It helps if you have read all the Barrington novels leading up to this one.

To date: 36 books, 14997 pages.

37. Thin Air by Rachel Caine (6-20-12) (307 pages)



Jo had lost her memory at the end of the last book, and spends this novel trying to figure out who she is while also discovering she should be battling demons sent to basically destroy the earth. I've been impressed with this series as Caine has created a complex, sympathetic, yet strong character in Joanne Baldwin. This series continually reminds me of the Harry Dresden series, both are outstanding.

To date: 37 books, 15304 pages.

38. Son Of Stone by Stuart Woods (6-21-12) (374 pages)



Um, no....read this quickly, but this book strains all bounds of reality. I've overlooked a lot of (stuff) in past Woods books and enjoyed the novels (some more than others), but this one was just one lottery winning moment after another and about halfway through the book I was just laughing at each additional perfect moment created in the world of Stone Barrington. By the time some tragedy showed up later in the book, it just had no impact whatsoever. If this continues, I'll have to lump these books in with my Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett books under satire.

To date: 38 books, 15678 pages.

39. Eric by Terry Pratchett (6-22-12) (197 pages)



Another hilarious entry in Discworld by one of the masters of satire. Rincewind finds himself accidentally traveling through time and visits a rather humorous version of Hell. Again, I found myself laughing out loud while reading this.

To date: 39 books, 15875 pages.

40. The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva (6-29-12) (528 pages)



Outstanding...just a notch below the last Silva book, but once again I am impressed with every Silva book I read. Gabriel Allon continues to grow in intrigue and depth as a character, and I really enjoy the way Silva writes the story to get Allon drawn back into another mission for Israel. This time Allon has to go and rescue a couple of agents that were trying to stop a wealthy businessman/crook from selling centrifuges to Iran for weapons manufacturing. Nail biting time.....

To date: 40 books, 16403 pages.

41. Dragon On A Pedestal by Piers Anthony (7-3-12) (306 pages)



I noticed Anthony shifted into overdrive on his use of puns in this book. While the story was entertaining and the characters somewhat engaging, the use of puns got to be a distraction after a while. Others tell me Xanth novels only get worse from this point on. I'll keep reading them, I guess. The character of Ivy interests me a lot, and hopefully will be featured in upcoming Xanth stories.

To date: 41 books, 16709 pages.

42. Portrait Of A Spy by Daniel Silva (7-6-12) (512 pages)



Another masterful effort in the world of Gabriel Allon by Mr. Silva as Allon is once again drawn into the Israeli spy net when he witnesses a terror attack in London, and is then asked to shut down the same terror network. The catch is he needs the help of a woman whose father Allon killed some time ago when the father was a terrorist mastermind. This book gets extremely tense in parts, which Silva has once again demonstrated his gift for thriller writing. Can't wait for the new Silva novel which comes out next week....

To date: 42 books, 17221 pages.

43. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (7-13-12) (300 pages)



I really enjoyed this book, and I sit here wondering "Why haven't I read any Agatha Christie before now?". Someone (no spoilers) sets out to mete their own means of justice to those seemingly above the law by committing 10 perfect murders on the remote Soldier Island. I was guessing the whole book, and I admit I was no where close to who I thought it was. I'm amazed at how quickly Christie makes the reader attached to these characters. This is a book that anyone can enjoy.

To date: 43 books, 17521 pages.

44. Bloodline by James Rollins (7-13-12) (447 pages)



Another outstanding book by Rollins, among his best. His Sigma Force characters are really solid now, very interesting to follow, but throw in a quick-moving, tense plot, and this book just really flows well. Once again, I think Rollins is this generation's Michael Crichton. Rollins has a way of introducing concepts in the world of science and technology that just pull the reader in.

To date: 44 books, 17968 pages.

45. Wherever I Wind Up by R.A. Dickey/Wayne Coffey (7-15-12) (332 pages)



A book that made a major impression on me. I was amazed at the story and events that make up R.A. Dickey. A devout Christian, Dickey describes how his calling from God has helped him on his journey through life and baseball. Baseball fans will love this book, but this book also has life messages for everyone. One of the more inspiring books you will ever read.

To date: 45 books, 18300 pages.

46. Gale Force by Rachel Caine (7-18-12) (306 pages)



A major character returns to stir up the war between the Wardens and Djinn, and Joanne finds herself now fighting an additional faction of evil, as if things weren't screwed up enough for her. This one moves quick, and the reader now get a sense of overall tension building in the plot. I really liked how the Wardens finally revealed their purpose to the general public, explaining how they attempt to control the forces of nature to keep people as safe as possible. Well done.....

To date: 46 books, 18606 pages.

47. The 6th Target by James Patterson/Maxine Paetro (7-19-12) (386 pages)



Pretty basic....I've read the previous 5 Women's Murder Club novels and this just continues the daily adventures of these characters. One's involved in a murder trial, one's involved in solving a crime, one's a medical examiner who found out she's pregnant, and the other is a reporter who basically snoops around in the other three's lives. The trial part in this book was pretty good...the rest just average....

To date: 47 books, 18992 pages.

48. The Fallen Angel by Daniel Silva (7-27-12) (405 pages)



Slightly different tone to this story than previous Gabriel Allon novels, as Allon is drawn into an investigation originated by the Vatican itself. Eventually, the Israeli spy network is pulled in as Allon's investigation leads into the Holy Land, and his attempts to thwart a Hezbollah attack on holy sites in Jerusalem at the same time the Pope is visiting. Pulse-pounding in parts as two major terror plots are interrupted, and I found myself wondering the whole time if Allon was going to royally screw up during each event. Gabriel doesn't seem to be affected personally as much in this one as previous books, but the story is no less enjoyable. Silva belongs in the upper echelon of thriller writers today.

To date: 48 books, 19397 pages.

49. Black Ops by W.E.B. Griffin (7-31-12) (453 pages)



Pretty similar to previous Presidential Agent novels by Griffin. Griffin seems to dedicate a large portion of the story to how the procedure and protocol unfolds within the overall plot. The actual events that occur (assassination attempts, bombing of an African chemical factory) seem to be just mere mentioned background items, while most of the book focuses on the interaction between Castillo and those in the government and in his secret cabal, plus a little love story thrown in...albeit somewhat awkwardly to fit in with the overall plot. This being said, the book seems a little better paced than the other Castillo novels. Overall, I enjoyed reading this.

To date: 49 books, 19850 pages.

50. Black List by Brad Thor (7-31-12) (371 pages)



I view this as Thor's vision of "1984", and he portrays a fairly realistic and frightening account of the Orwell classic. Scot Harvath and the group he is a part of are set up as potential terrorists by the government to get them out of the way so that certain groups can basically cause havoc by shutting down the American electronic and computer infrastructure (think internet). The novel basically describes Harvath's attempt to avoid capture while clearing his and his group's name, all in the backdrop of being literally under constant surveillance of the government and other rogue groups. My understanding is that a lot of this "watching" is currently going on as described in the book. Not a fun thought....

To date: 50 books, 20221 pages.

yay

51. Tangerine by Edward Bloor (8-1-12) (303 pages)



Interesting....and weird. I read this along with my son as part of his summer reading. I'm sure a 13-year-old can relate to this book much better than I can right now. A good title for this book could be "The Life And Times Of Paul Fisher", as it really never went anywhere, but the situations Paul ends up in can no doubt be identified with by a young teenager. If anyone is looking for a book for their 6th through 10th grader or so, this is a good read for them.

To date: 51 books, 20524 pages.

Hi utbw, looking at your current reads it seems that the Ronald Reagan diaries are a bit of a struggle, i seemed to have a similar experience with Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb even though i had read the first two and was looking forward to the finale, in the end i had to take the bull by the horns and get on with it and then really enjoyed it, couldn't see why it took me so long to get thru it.

How are you and obviously the reading seems to be going well.

hey john, yeah I pick up the Reagan Diaries every once in a while and read a few entries. I'm just not in a hurry (obviously) to finish it. Maybe someday....^_^

I know what you mean about books like that. Every 2 or 3 years or so, I get into a book that just seems to CRAWL...and I'm too stubborn to put it down and start another.

Good to hear from you.....never stop reading!

BTW, the British Open was awesome this year. I couldn't stop watching it, even to read some.

52. Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett (8-22-12) (337 pages)



A funny look at a magical society coming to grips with the "new" concept of motion picture films. The way the wizards react to seeing their first movie was laugh out loud funny in parts. Not quite as engaging as previous Pratchett novels, but still a hilarious read.

To date: 52 books, 20861 pages.

Hi utbw42, doing well on the books front i'm at 31 books read and 15487 pages for the year so i am on track for both my LT challenges. How are things with you, now the olympics are over i can get more reading done as i was watching coverage from about 8am till nearly midnight when the beach volleyball was on at Horse guards parade, didn't expect volleyball matches to go on as late into the night but the venue was awesome. Will watch the para olympics but not as much as i have some other commitments during these games.

I bet you have really enjoyed the Olympics with them being on your side of the pond. The Little League World Series has been on here lately and I find myself watching more of that and reading less whenever that comes on. A team from a town next to my town (Goodlettsville) is in the U.S. Championship on Saturday. We've all been watching with rapt attention to that.....great job on the reading. I'm trying to get back in the groove now....

53. The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen (8-30-12) (418 pages)



Gerritsen deftly weaves ancient archeology and whodunnit in a slightly off-medical thriller that manages to keep the tension and the guessing going until the very end. The supporting characters are solidly credible and go along well with recurring characters from previous Gerritsen novels, and manage to keep the plot moving along nicely. This would be a great vacation book.

To date: 53 books, 21279 pages.

Hi utbw!
I really like Tess Gerritsen's books. I've read both 'The Keepsake' and 'Ice Cold'. I wish you an enthralling reading with the second one. :-)

54. A Clash Of Kings by George R.R. Martin (9-2-12) (969 pages)



Long read, but worth every fantastic page. Outstanding characters abound in this volume, but Martin's story of how Tyrion Lannister the dwarf is manipulating the realm to his advantage is by far the most riveting sub-plot going. I loved the first book (and the subsequent HBO mini-series), and this book picked up the plot of the first and threw it to much higher levels. I will probably wait to see season 2 on DVD before I read the next volume, but I am already anticipating great things for this series.

To date: 54 books, 22248 pages.

55. Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen (9-6-12) (435 pages)



Wow, what a surprise....Gerritsen has crafted what I feel is her best effort to date with this book. Part whodunnit, part horror, with lots of characters interacting that takes the reader through an entire spectrum of emotions (fear, hate, love, friendship, technical, survival, etc.). I've always enjoyed Gerritsen's books, but this one belongs among the best I've read this year.

To date: 55 books, 22683 pages.

56. Michael Vey 2: Rise Of The Elgen by Richard Paul Evans (9-7-12) (335 pages)



This book had it's moments, I guess, but really was more of a bridge novel to future volumes of this saga. MV2 didn't have the emotional impact the first one did, which seemed to leave the plot a bit flat and thin, although, like I said, there were parts of interest that give me hope for future novels in this story. Word of caution: don't read if you are squeamish about rats.

To date: 56 books, 23018 pages.

57. Mars Life by Ben Bova (9-23-12) (442 pages)



Great addition to Bova's Grand Tour novels, specifically the Mars book. I really like how Bova was able to weave the excitement of colonizing and exploring Mars with the real world concerns back on Earth of just how economically feasible it would be to do so. The main protagonist (Jamie Waterman) really stands out as a solid character to drive many of the plot points, both pro and con Mars exploration, while everything else just kind of plays off of that. If you in any way like the subject of astronomy, specifically solar system exploration, I highly recommend picking up Bova's Grand Tour novels. Great escapism, which we all could use a little of these days.

To date: 57 books, 23460 pages.

Hi utbw42, i see the reading seems to be going reasonably well for you, what chance the Reagan Diaries being finished by the end of the year. I am at 36 books finished and should finish another before the month is out so my 50 book target should be met. How is everything with you and your part of the world.

Hey John, not sure about the Reagan Diaries for this year...maybe for next year. Things are moving right along here, just trying to keep the reading going. Good to hear from you...

Hi utbw42, i felt the same about A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth but eventually managed to get through it and enjoyed. I think i read about a dozen other books whilst reading it. Nice to hear from you as well, we're both just keeping the reading going and now with autumn here i think i will get more done.

58. The Outlaws by W.E.B. Griffin/William E. Butterworth IV (9-29-12) (656 pages)



This was better than I thought it would be, basing my opinion on previous Griffin/Butterworth IV efforts in the Badge Of Honor series. I still think these collaborative efforts between the two are mostly written by the son, but he seems to show a knack for picking up this series and continuing it with it's sharp attention to detail while adding another unforeseen twist in the Presidential Agent Series. Characterization remains strong in this novel, and I really liked how the president was just as much the antagonist as the Russians in this book. Well-played...and Castillo remains just as interesting, doing things in the country's best interest while breaking every bureaucratic rule in the process.

To date: 58 books, 24116 pages.

59. D.C. Dead by Stuart Woods (9-30-12) (359 pages)



Quick read...the usual murders, romance, and somewhat belief suspension plots that are the trademark of Woods' Barrington series. I read these for brief mental exercise...they have ZERO literary value.

To date: 59 books, 24475 pages.

60. The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen (10-1-12) (436 pages)



Gerritsen books continue to be among my favorites. This novel follows form as she presents a suspenseful, tight, and fairly believable story of a serial killer who is literally hiding right under the Boston PD's noses. Throw in the main protagonist, Jane Rizzoli, and ties to ancient Chinese martial arts mysteries and this one just seems to flow right off the pages. Gerritsen's strength, I think, is the fact that she makes her characters seem real, people that the reader can identify with. Looking forward to the next Rizzoli/Isles novel.

To date: 60 books, 24911 pages.

61. Brink Of Chaos by Tim LaHaye/Craig Parshall (10-22-12) (360 pages)



Disappointing ending (if it is the ending) to the Joshua Jordan trilogy as I found myself constantly wanting to get into this novel, but could not. The book had its moments, but overall I found a mash of thinly developed characters in a lot of different loose threads that just was not satisfying. I think trying to cram too many plot points and too many characters into too small a novel is usually a recipe for disaster, and this pretty much falls into that category. Read at your own risk.

To date: 61 books, 25271 pages.

Hi utbw42, congrats on breaking through the 25,000 page barrier and only 61 books to get there, i am currently on 40 books for 19,548 pages and am trying to get to 25,000 pgs with 50 books as i do like the thicker books. How are you my friend, do you think you'll get to 75 books for the year.

Hey johnsimpson, great to hear from you. Yeah, my page totals tend to come from books that average around 400 pages or so, although the Bonhoeffer book I'm reading is really big, but outstanding.

Doing pretty good, just working and reading and trying to manage a wife and 2 boys. Not easy, but reading is a great escape for me. Take care....

62. Crewel Lye by Piers Anthony (11-3-12) (309 pages)



A real pleasant surprise....this one has a great story going for it, but Anthony has managed to insert two great characters (Jordan the Barbarian and Threnody the demon-spawn) that really make this tale zip through. I've come to expect a certain level of entertainment from Xanth novels, but this one was just a real pleasure to read. Interesting note at the end: Anthony says all his Xanth novels are written for adults, but enjoyed by kids. I have noticed more and more adult themes creeping into the Xanth novels the more I read them. However, Anthony is very clever about how he writes on these issues....kind of like a cartoon with adult jokes that fly right over the kids heads but crack the parents up.

To date: 62 books, 25580 pages.

Hi utbw, how are you doing my friend, you seem to be motoring past your target. I am 9 short at the moment but am still just over 50 books behind you overrall with 646 to your 699 but am nearly 30,000 pages ahead of you but thats due to the really thick books that i like. Also how can i address you other than utbw, doesn't feel right after we have been conversing for quite a time now. I think i am going to have a change of plan next year so that i can bring down my TBR pile so i might join the 75ers to try and read more of my 240 to 350 page books.

Hey John, call me Andy....

Good luck with the 75 club...I'm not sure I could make that. I always seem to fall within 60-70 each year.

I really need to cut down my TBR pile big time....it never seems to get any smaller.

63. Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett (11-10-12) (353 pages)



A hilarious look at what happens when Death decides to take some time off from his job: literally all hell breaks loose. This could only be told this hysterical by Terry Pratchett, one of the all-time masters of satire. Parts of this book had me rolling, but I have to say the last 1/4 of the book got a bit muddled, but it was still a very enjoyable book. The scene of Death being asked if he had any experience with a scythe before he goes out to reap corn on a lady's farm is just a freaking riot.

To date: 63 books, 25933 pages.

64. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas (11-12-12) (542 pages)



In a word: magnificent. From his early beginnings in Berlin to his maturing into a true man of God, this stunning work shows Bonhoeffer's strength to stand and face, head-on, the evil of an emerging Nazi regime led by a relatively unknown foreigner, one Adolf Hitler. In spite of Hitler's persuasion of the German Church to adopt Nazi theology, Bonhoeffer remains steadfast in his commitment and his continual message of the Word of God as opposition to this growing evil. Amazingly, Bonhoeffer never wavered even as he was captured and eventually executed for his part in various assassination conspiracies against Hitler, even garnering the admiration of his executioners as a man "who was hardly ever seen so entirely submissive to the will of God". This is quite possibly the most important book I have ever read, and I was continually stunned and surprised at how much of this book applies to our situation in this country today. The similarities are eerie.

To date: 64 books, 26475 pages.

65. Covert Warriors by W.E.B. Griffin/William E. Butterworth IV (11-14-12) (372 pages)



I think this is the best Presidential Agent book since the first one by WEB Griffin alone. Abrupt ending aside, which I hope will be picked up in the next book, III and IV present a page-turning story of a pariahed agent (Castillo) working behind the scenes and against the wishes of an ever-increasing insane president to rescue an old friend kidnapped in Mexico. Castillo also has to deal with the fact that the kidnapping is related to those in the world who, quite simply, want him dead. This is one I could not put down.

To date: 65 books, 26847 pages.

66. The Last Man by Vince Flynn (11-19-12) (433 pages)



Good read....solid Flynn. I would put this in the middle, quality-wise, of the Flynn books I have read, but that still makes it a good page-turner. Instead of Mitch Rapp, I felt the real star in this one was Irene Kennedy, CIA director, but Flynn saved the best part, and Rapp, for the end. Very interesting dynamics between Rapp and his dying mentor, Stan Hurley, during the last 1/4 of the book. I wish Flynn could explore that more in the next book.

To date: 66 books, 27280 pages.

Hi andy, progress you've completed another 1% of the Reagan diaries. At the rate your going i think you will reach 30,000 pages and 75 books. Keep on reading and the TBR pile will start to reduce.

hey john, I'm about to attempt another serious dent in the reagan diaries, wish me luck.

my tbr pile taunts me, continuously...

Are you sure you're ready for that although you'll have time to recover before christmas,lol.

67. Poseidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler/Dirk Cussler (11-24-12) (520 pages)



A much more entertaining story and better developed characters grace this title than the previous entry by father/son Cussler. These Pitt novels are nowhere near as good as when Clive alone penned them, but the joint efforts between the two seem to be trending in the right direction. I was especially impressed with how the two Pitt children were developed in this one, and the implications of stolen technology from the U.S. really set up the background plot well.

To date: 67 books, 27800 pages

68. Always By My Side by Jim Nantz/Eli Spielman (11-28-12) (273 pages)



Good in places....I especially enjoyed the parts where Nantz was able to relate his career accomplishments to his father's struggle with Alzheimer's. That seemed to really bring out a human side to Nantz, but there were perhaps a few too many times where the book strayed from that engrossing formula to focus on Nantz specifically and his somewhat choir-boy and look-at-me moments. Don't get me wrong...those were still some good reading points in the book, but I couldn't help feel that this book could have elevated itself to the great category if it had really focused more and driven home the relationship to his father at those other times in the book. As a sports fan, reading about Nantz's experience at the '86 Masters with Nicklaus pulling out perhaps the greatest golf round in history brought chills to me.

To date: 68 books, 28073 pages.

69. Unnatural Acts by Stuart Woods (12-4-12) (372 pages)



Meh....quick read, somewhat enjoyable, but WAY too many plots points and characters crammed into a small, quick, paperback-read. Most of the book is not even about Stone Barrington (even though this is technically a Stone Barrington Novel), but focuses on a secondary character. Time for a new spin-off series, Woods....stop hijacking Barrington to develop your other characters.

To date: 69 books, 28445 pages.

Hi Andy, 83% on the Reagan Diaries, it's looking good for you to finish it before the end of the year. Hope your looking forward to the festive season and have you any book purchases in mind or have you done your book buying for the year.

70. Cold Days by Jim Butcher (12-10-12) (515 pages)



So far I have been continually amazed at how Butcher has built on each previous novel with something bigger, bolder, and ultimately better. Harry is now one step from immortal after coming back from the dead and is dealing with some extremely dangerous beings, some of which are immortal themselves. Butcher continues to be a master at weaving a tight plot with excellent characters, a lot of tension, a dose of humor, and a sense of building something that you know is coming which will be even better with each new novel. Cannot wait for the next one.....

To date: 70 books, 28960 pages.

71. The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan/Douglas Brinkley (12-18-12) (696 pages)



A fantastic collection of the thoughts of arguably our greatest president in modern times. I was amazed at the difference, in every aspect, of what this man stood for and how he approached his job and what we currently have going on in Washington, D.C. It took me a while to read this because the diary entries were fairly chopped up and abbreviated in places, but it was definitely worth the read. I recommend this for anyone who appreciates what we once had in this country.

To date: 71 books, 29656 pages.

72. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (12-20-12) (305 pages)



Interesting story....Joanne plays the antagonist some in this book rather than the other way around, but I feel Ms. Caine just slightly missed on developing Joanne as the bad guy. I enjoyed it as part of the overall saga....one more to finish this overall story.

To date: 72 books, 29961 pages.

Hi Andy, congrats on finally finishing the Reagan Diaries, looks like you'll sail through the 30,000 page barrier for the year. Hope everything is well with you and if i don't get to post you before the 25th, have a lovely christmas mate from me and the Mrs.

Hi Andy, wishing you a very merry christmas and hope you have a lovely day tomorrow. I hope you get all that you asked for and if like me there will be some books, ha ha.

73. Semper Fi by W.E.B. Griffin (12-30-12) (344 pages)



I've been wanting to read this series for a while now.....it was worth the wait. This follows the trials of Kenneth "Killer" McCoy as he progresses from a Marine corporal in China spying on Japanese occupation to a commissioned lieutenant in D.C. during the time right before the invasion of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Along the way he makes friends, mistakes, and meets a few women. A hard-nosed look at the Marine Corps during WWII, and I am looking forward to the next few in this series.

For 2012: 73 books, 30305 pages.

See you in 2013.......:-)

Hi Andy, 710 books read, awesome my friend. I wish you a very happy new year for 2013 and look forward to more correspondence from you in the future. Whatever you are doing tonight my friend have a good evening and a great 2013.