Seanie’s 2012 Reading Journal

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Seanie’s 2012 Reading Journal

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1Seanie
Edited: Jan 24, 2012, 1:00 am

Well it’s that time again, I’ve really found my reading threads valuable as before I started them I didn’t keep track of what I was reading at all. I wish I could think of more to say about each book & I will keep trying to put more info in – but I’ve been failing at that so not expecting too much of myself :)

Here’s my rating system:

= terrible, I couldn't finish it (I havn't found a book yet that would get this rating)

= not so good, wouldn't recommend to others, but something kept me going to the end

= an enjoyable read

= a really good read, would recommend to others

= Wow! It’s on my favourites list & I think everyone should read it!

&
half stars for those that fall between...

The vast majority of books will get 3 stars or more coz I’m still pretty easy to please :)

& my first book for this year is by one of our fave LT authors & GD regular – Janny Wurts!

Book 1:
Stormwarden by Janny Wurts
Book 1 of The Cycle of Fire

Started: 2 January 2012
Finished: 10 January 2012

Pages: 447
Characters of note: Taen, Anskiere, Emien, Jaric
Rating:

Really enjoyable story, likeable characters, very easy to lose myself in the world. I did find the technology a lil jarring when i t fisrt appeared - but thats because I wasnt expecting it, apart from the initial impact I found it fit into the story really well. Looking forward to book 2 :)

2Severn
Jan 3, 2012, 5:10 pm

I'll be watching ya, Seanie. :)

3sandragon
Jan 3, 2012, 5:14 pm

I'm keeping an eye out as well.

4maggie1944
Jan 3, 2012, 9:10 pm

You be starred!

5Sakerfalcon
Jan 4, 2012, 7:39 am

I'll be lurking around too, as you seem to read some interesting books!

6Seanie
Edited: Jan 24, 2012, 1:00 am

Book 2:
Keeper of the Keys by Janny Wurts
Book 2 of The Cycle of Fire

Started: 10 January 2012
Finished:

Pages: 350
Characters of note:
Rating:

Book 3:
Shadowfane by Janny Wurts
Book 3 of The Cycle of Fire

Started:
Finished: 23 January 2012

Pages: 351
Characters of note: Jaric, Taen, Anskiere, The Kielmark, Corley,
Rating:

Books 2 & 3 just as enjoyable as book 1 :)

7Seanie
Mar 21, 2012, 10:56 pm

Oh dear I have been bad at keeping this thread up to date!!! I'm even having trouble remembering what I've read since I last posted & the whole point of me doing this thread was so that wouldnt happen - doh!

OK, got it, I've read 5 books since Shadowfane, no idea of dates so I'll just put the month in:

Book 4:
by Sara Douglass
Book 1 of The Axis Trilogy

Started: January 2012
Finished: February 2012

Pages:
Rating:

Book 5:
by Sara Douglass
Book 2 of The Axis Trilogy

Started: February 2012
Finished: February 2012

Pages:
Rating:

Book 6:
by Sara Douglass
Book 3 of The Axis Trilogy

Started: February 2012
Finished: March 2012

Pages:
Rating:

I was inspired to do a re-read of this series because Sara Douglass used to post on the cat forum that I visit & she had been mentioned on there recently. I'm really glad I did, a really enjoyable read :)

8Seanie
Mar 21, 2012, 10:56 pm

Book 7:
City of Dragons by Robin Hobb
Book 3 of The Rainwild Chronicles

Started: March 2012
Finished: March 2012

Pages:
Characters of note:
Rating:

Unsurprisingly I LOVED this book. I jumped straight into it rather than re-read books one & two first & I regret that a bit because I was in & out of this world in just 5 days - not long enough!!! I cant wait for book 4 - & I'll re-read all 3 next time to stretch out my time in this world as long as possible :)

Book 8:
Divine Endurance by Gwyneth Jones
Started: March 2012
Finished:22 March 2012

Pages: 305
Characters of note: Cho, Derveet, Divine Endurance
Rating:

Pretty language but I found the story hard to follow, felt a bit jumpy & I was often wondering what was going on. This could be becuase I dont read much sci fi ??? But I did still enjoy the read - despite the confusion!

9maggie1944
Mar 22, 2012, 1:42 pm

I am waiting for the next Robin Hobb book, too. She needs to get that done, IMHO.

10Seanie
Mar 22, 2012, 8:56 pm

Well according to fantasticfiction.co.uk it should be out in July this year! I would love it to be out that soon but I have a feeling its a misprint on the FF website coz thats less than 6 months between books...

11Seanie
Mar 26, 2012, 6:57 pm

Book 9:
The Wickedest Witch in the World by Beverley Nichols
Started: 23 March 2012
Finished: 26 March 2012

Pages: 184
Characters of note: Judy, Mrs Judy, Miss Smith, Beezlebub, Snowdrop
Rating:

LOVED it :) So sweet & simple :) Soo many smiles while reading this, I had to stretch it out as much as was possible!!!

12Seanie
Edited: Apr 11, 2012, 11:54 pm

Book 10:
The Three Sisters by Rebecca Locksley
Started: 27 March 2012
Finished: 4 April 2012

Pages: 498
Characters of note:
Rating:

Loved the book & really looking forward to reading the trilogy she's written under her real name (I think) - Jane Routley, I've ordered it from my local library but its being ordered in from one of the country branches, so not sure when it'll arrive :(

13Seanie
Apr 11, 2012, 11:55 pm

Doh - I've done it again, read a full book & started another before doing my reviewy thing (I know they arent real reviews, lol) on the last... So details for books 10 & 11 will be sketchy *sigh*...

Book 11:
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Started: 5 April 2012
Finished: 8 April 2012

Pages:
Characters of note: Matilda, Miss Honey, Ms Trunchbull
Rating:

Just lovely, such a smooth easy read :)

14Seanie
Edited: Apr 22, 2012, 10:00 pm

Book 12:
Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay
Started: 9 April 2012
Finished: 20 April 2012

Pages: 438
Characters of note: Crispin, Kasia, Vargos
Rating:

Felt very wordy to start with after my last read (which was admittedly Roald Dahl) & the prologue left me a bit confused & certain parts felt jumpy, like we were told about some events then he went back to explain what lead up to that event, didnt feel necessary to break up the flow of the story like that. I have read reviews which have said that he seemed to be focusing on writing a moasic rather than a story & I could see that - but I realy enjoyed the characters & story & am looking forward to getting book 2 - come on post from the UK to Aus!

15reading_fox
Apr 12, 2012, 10:05 am

"Doh - I've done it again, read a full book & started another before doing my reviewy thing "

I find it helps to always edit my LT catalogue when I've finished a read, and that usually prompts me to update the reading thread. I've always got new tags I want to add, update the start stop dates, change any publisher info etc etc. Probably also helps that I write a full(ish) review on each book too.

I really need to find the next two stormwarden books.

16maggie1944
Apr 12, 2012, 10:21 am

I, too, take pleasure in entering the "finished reading" date and that does make updating the rest of it easier to remember.

17Seanie
Edited: Apr 22, 2012, 10:07 pm

Book 13:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Started: 20 April 2012
Finished: 22 April 2012

Pages: 190
Characters of note: Charlie, Grandpa Jo, Willie Wonka
Rating:

Gorgeous :)

18Seanie
Edited: Apr 26, 2012, 11:13 pm

Book 14:
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
Started: 23 April 2012
Finished: 26 April 2012

Pages: 214
Characters of note:
Rating:

Cute - didnt like it as much as Matilda or Charlie, probably coz I'm vegetarian & not a fan of hunting / poaching - but still enjoyed the story :)

19Seanie
Edited: Apr 30, 2012, 10:32 pm

Book 15:
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Started: 27 April 2012
Finished: 27 April 2012

Pages: 199
Characters of note: Sophie, The BFG, The Queen of England
Rating:

Just GORGEOUS! I love the BFG's language :)

20Seanie
Edited: May 10, 2012, 9:53 pm

Book 16:
Lord of Emperors by Guy Gavriel Kay
Started: 29 April 2012
Finished: 10 May 2012

Pages: 613
Characters of note: Crispin, Scorticus, Rustem, Shirin, Alixana
Rating:

I really enjoyed this duology, but felt that the flow of the story was interrupted regularly. I was satisifed with the ending - tho I saw it coming, I guess I would have been disappointed if it hadnt ended that way but still felt a little predictbable...

21reconditereader
May 1, 2012, 8:14 pm

Those 2 Guy Gavriel Kay books sucked me in big time!

22justjukka
May 4, 2012, 1:32 am

Have I mentioned how much I like your rating system?

23Seanie
Edited: Jun 3, 2012, 9:31 pm

Book 17:
The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma
Started: 11 May 2012
Finished: 29 May 2012

Pages: 465
Characters of note: HG Wells, Mr Murray,
Rating:

I enjoyed the story, the naration felt a little in the way & overdone at times, but I still really enjoyed the book.

24Seanie
Edited: May 10, 2012, 9:54 pm

#21 - yep me too, despite the negatives I really enjoyed the characters & the story :)

#22 - glad you like :)

25Seanie
Edited: Jun 5, 2012, 12:14 am

Book 18:
Mage Heart by Jane Routley
Started: 29 May 2012
Finished: 4 June 2012

Pages: 470
Characters of note: Dion, Kitten, Genny, Andre
Rating:

Felt a little simplified at times & the pace was a bit jumpy but an enjoyable story anyway & I've jumped straight into book 2 :)

26Seanie
Edited: Jun 13, 2012, 8:17 pm

Book 19:
Fire Angels by Jane Routley
Started: 4 June 2012
Finished: 14 June 2012

Pages: 500
Characters of note: Dion, Shad, Parrus, Tomas, Symon, Beg, Causa
Rating:

Still a lil simplified or obvious at times, but I really like the characters & story.

27Seanie
Edited: Jun 20, 2012, 1:07 am

Book 20:
Aramaya by Jane Routley
Started: 14 June 2012
Finished: 19 June 2012

Pages: 470
Characters of note: Dion, Nicoli, Shad, Kitten, Dally
Rating:

28Seanie
Edited: Jul 24, 2012, 7:43 pm

Book 21:
The Winter Oak by James A Hetley
Started: 20 June 2012
Finished: 30 June 2012

Pages: 295
Characters of note: Maureen, Jo, Brian, David, Fiona
Rating:

Quite different to what I usually read - & I jumped into the series at book 2 which is unlike me - but I quite enjoyed the story & characters :)

29Seanie
Edited: Jul 18, 2012, 8:05 pm

Book 22:
Dragon's Teeth by James A Hetley
Started: 1 July 2012
Finished: 14 July 2012

Pages: 327
Characters of note: Alice Haskell, Kate Rowley, Caroline, Ben, Gary, Jane
Rating:

Again different to what I'd usually read & again I've jumped into the middle of a story (Pretty sure I'll need to read Dragon's Eye for this one to make a bit more sense. But I did enjoy the characters & story - enough that I think I'll re-read this series, but start at book 1 (now that I have it) & follow through in order! I should be able to skim the one's I've just read...

30Seanie
Edited: Jul 24, 2012, 7:42 pm

Book 23:
Summer Country by James A Hetley
Started: 14 July 2012
Finished: 23 July 2012

Pages: 361
Characters of note: Maureen, Jo, Brian, David, Fiona, Dougal, Sean
Rating:

A really enjoyable story, made a few things 'click' from The Winter Oak & I'm gonna jump in & re-read it & I think a few things will make much more sense now that I've read book 1...

31Seanie
Edited: Aug 16, 2012, 2:10 am

Book 24:
The Winter Oak by James A Hetley
Started: 24 July 2012
Finished: 7 August 2012

Pages: 295
Characters of note:
Rating:

32Seanie
Edited: Sep 16, 2012, 10:30 pm

Book 25:
Dragon's Eye by James A Hetley
Started: 8 August 2012
Finished: 22 August 2012

Pages: 355
Characters of note: Gary, Caroline, Alice, Kate, Daniel, Ben
Rating:

33Seanie
Edited: Aug 16, 2012, 2:24 am

Book 26:
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Started: 15 June 2012
Finished: 16 August 2012

Pages: 593
Characters of note: Siri, Vivena, Susebron, Vasher, Denth
Rating:

Read in PDF at work.

Really enjoyable story! I hope there's more coming in this world with this magic system :) I will be buying the book :)

34Seanie
Edited: Sep 16, 2012, 10:35 pm

Book 25:
Dragon's Teeth by James A Hetley
Started: 23 August 2012
Finished:
12 September 2012
Pages: 327
Characters of note:
Rating:

35Seanie
Edited: Sep 20, 2012, 10:00 pm

Book 26:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Started: 13 September 2012
Finished: 19 September 2012

Pages: 223
Characters of note: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, The Dursleys, Snape
Rating:

Loved it :)

36Seanie
Edited: Sep 26, 2012, 7:16 pm

Book 27:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Started: 20 September 2012
Finished: 24 September 2012

Pages: 251
Characters of note: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid
Rating:

Loved it :)

37MrsLee
Sep 20, 2012, 11:29 pm

Are the Harry Potter books rereads for you, or first time?

38Seanie
Sep 20, 2012, 11:31 pm

I've read book 1 before & maybe book 2 & I've seen parts of the movies, so I have an idea of some of what's going to happen, but its not a re-read really...

39Meredy
Sep 21, 2012, 2:51 am

Do you have the whole set on hand, ready to go straight through one after the other? That's the way I like to do a series, although in the case of HP I did keep up as they were published, from the third book onward.

40Seanie
Sep 21, 2012, 5:09 am

Thats the only way I'll read series, if I have them all on hand to read in order (with a couple of exceptions like Robin Hobb, Brandon Sanderson, George RR Martin)...

Funnily enough I had 6 books on my shelf, didn't know what order so was going to start & just find the missing book while I was reading, but it was book 1 that was missing, lol, so I borrowed it off a work friend & now I know I've got the remaining 6 on my shelf :)

41Seanie
Edited: Sep 27, 2012, 10:47 pm

Book 28:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Started: 24 September 2012
Finished:27 September 2012

Pages: 317
Characters of note: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Dumbledore
Rating:

Loved it :)

42Seanie
Edited: Oct 7, 2012, 7:40 pm

Book 29:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Started: 28 September 2012
Finished: 7 October 2012

Pages: 636
Characters of note: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Dumbledore, Sirius
Rating:

Loved it again - possibly a bit under edited but still a good fun read :)

43Seanie
Edited: Dec 17, 2012, 5:14 pm

Book 29:
The Curse of the Mistwraith by Janny Wurts
Started: 7 October 2012
Finished:

Pages: 799
Characters of note:
Rating:

***Breaking my usual rule here & stopping in the middle of the HP series to start this - because I want to be part of the group read :) I expected to struggle to get into this a bit because Janny has posted that some readers find it a bit hard going & HP's relatively easy going so I thought I might struggle, but 2 chapters in & no struggle at all, found it very hard to put the book down & go to sleep last night!

Not an easy read, but enjoyable. Interesting world & characters :)

44Seanie
Edited: Dec 17, 2012, 5:20 pm

Yikes I've been slack again!

I've since read:

Book 30:
The Ships of Merior by Janny Wurts
Read: October / November 2012
Pages:
Characters of note:
Rating:

Book 31:
Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts
Read: November 2012
Pages:
Characters of note:
Rating:

Enjoyed book 3 a bit more than 1 & 2, possibly because I've 'been in the world' longer so understood it better, but I did still feel confused about parts of the story. Wishing I had the rest of the books on hand coz it feels like the more time spent in this world, the more I enjoy the stories.

Book 32:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling
Read: December 2012
Pages:
Characters of note:
Rating:

Book 33:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
Read: December 2012
Pages:
Characters of note:
Rating:

Tho I'm not sure it deserves all the hype it gets, I really am enjoying the Harry Potter series :) Its fun & fairly light - tho I did cry my eyes out near the end of The Half Blood prince!

& currently reading:
Book 34:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
Read: December 2012
Pages:
Characters of note:
Rating: