Xymon81's Horde of 2016!!!

Hello again everyone I am Matthew. I am 34 and I have been married for 9 amazing years. We have 6 kids between us. Oldest two, 21 and 15 are my step daughters. Next one,10, is from my first marriage. The last three, 8, 6 and 5, are all ours. I also have a 4 year old Granddaughter. The eldest does not live with us but it is still a busy house.

I am a active duty soldier, currently in Anchorage Alaska. We are in the middle of our second winter here.

I work in the Artillery field and have been in for 16 years. I am originally from Chicago and plan to back there when my time is done. I spread my time between work, reading, my PS$, spending time with my family and a few various other things.This is my 5th year in the challenge. This year I came close to the 100 mark again. Second year in a row I finished at 99 books. Oh well it just means I have a good head start on my first book of the new year.

So what do I read? A little bit of everything. A lot of fantasy and science fiction. Throw in a mixture of mystery and horror if it strikes my interest. A smidge of graphic novels, non fiction and whatever else gabs my interest. Look at last years thread and you will get a good idea.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/185053

To all my returning friends, welcome back and if your new stick around.

Number of Books Read: 37/75

Currently Reading: Fellside by M. R. Carey

Video Games completed: 1

Currently playing: Bully

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great and safe new year. Mine was amazing this year. For the first time my wife and I went out to a party in downtown Anchorage. We planned ahead and reserved a room in the hotel holding the event and no kids all night :) . My wife got off from work two hours early, which a nice bonus. So we get checked in and go looking to see if tickets are still available to but for the party. So while speaking to the photographer, my wife chatted him up, just being friendly and he comped us the tickets which was an amazing blessing. They cost $75 a piece. Music was good, great food all night. I loved people watching at a time like this. All in all a blast.

Happy new year Matthew! May all your books be wonderful, and sufficiently entertaining or enlightening.

Hi, Matthew! It sounds like you had a fantastic NYE! Also, I have to say that FFVII is my all-time favorite game in the history of ever! I hope you're enjoying it.

Welcome back! Sounds like a great New Year celebration.

>4 ronincats: Thank you.

>6 evilmoose: I hope so as well, otherwise what is the point?

>7 scaifea: Thanks, FF7 is the best of all time. I recently downloaded to my PS4 and loving every second.

>8 drneutron: Thanks, it was. I hope yours was as well.

Today was a mostly relaxing day except for screaming children and the necessity of the grocery store. That was an adventure in itself. The streets have completely iced over. To some that may not sound bad but there are pictures of people ice skating in the streets as it is safer than walking. So just imagine trying to drive. Needless to say, tomorrow will be another day inside and we are skipping church as well. Which is something we do not do unless absolutely necessary. Gives me time to finish my book and get a head start on the next one before the end of my vacation and the dreaded return to work Monday. :( .

So instead of a top five this year I am going to pick one book per genre and some runner ups then at the bottom my top flops of last year.

Fantasy: This is hard one since I read so much of it but I think I have to pick: The Book of Joby by Mark J Farreri

Runners up: The Red Knight by Miles Cameron/ The Aeronauts Windlass by Jim Butcher/ Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

Flop: Murder in Tarsis by John Max Roberts

Science Fiction: I did not read to much this year but I would say: Armada by Ernest Cline

Runner up: Have Spacesuit- Will Travel by Robert A Heinlein

Flop: Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear

Suspense/Mystery: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Runner up: Finders Keepers by Stephen King/ Second Life by S. J. Watson/ So Nude So Dead by Ed McBain

Flop: Getting off by Lawrence Block

Horror: Red Hill by Jamie McGuire

Runner up: No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Nevill/ Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix/ The Child Thief by Brom

Flop: Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

Nonfiction: American Sniper by Chris Kyle

Runner up: The Opening Kickoff The Tumultuous Birth of a Football Nation by Dave Revsine/ As You Wish by Cary Elwes

Flop: Didn't have one

Best series: The Shattered Sea series (Half a King' Half the World, Half a War) by Joe Abercrombie

Runner up: Michael Bennett Series by James Patterson

Xymon81 I enjoyed Armada to.

>11 BBGirl55: His first book was much better but it was still fun.

The first book is complete. Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan.



A comic talks about his life in NYC with his five children. Reading his book, I am thinking I feel your pain. I know about hoping the neighbors can't hear us through the walls and a ton of other things that in smaller amounts are ok but with so many can get overwhelming. The thing I agree with the most is how people react or comment when they find out you have a large family. Why do they think it's ok to ask awkward questions like are you having more? or how do you do it? Like it's a punishment or something. I think the one that gets me the most are the ones that insist on exaggerating the amout of kids you have. The larger the number the funnier they think it is supposed to be. There's my rant for today.

I'm glad you had a great New Year's and such a great reading year last year. My uncle and aunt live in Wasilla, and they love it.

I have Armada home from the library, knowing it won't be as good as Ready Player One but hoping also to enjoy it. And The Aeronaut's Windlass was one of my top books of 2015. I haven't heard of your top book previously, but have added it to my wishlist.

Have a wonderful bookfilled 2016, Matthew.

>13 billiejean: Ive been up that way once. Its pretty, considered living there but too far for commuting.

>14 ronincats: The book of joby is not easy to find. It was on my top 50 list. I had to do a special out of state request to even get a copy from the library.

>15 PaulCranswick: Welcome, hope you have the same.

Book 2: Attack on Titan 10 by Hajime Isayama



Book 3: Attack on Titan 11 by Hajime Isayama



Two more entries in one of the best anime series around. If you like anime, you will like this one. Things are now getting into stride but each reveal only leads to more questions.

>5 xymon81: lovely picture of the two of you!



Happy New Year Matthew!

Bitter news today. George R R Martin has posted that the next Game of Thrones novel will not be completed anytime in the near future. Many were hoping that there would be answers to many burning questions before spring when season six of the show begins. For those that don't know, it has taken the author so long to finish this book that they are now inventing their own story lines. Season one of the show aired April 2011 and Book five released July of the same year. Five years and seasons filmed and what people are waiting to expectantly for is 't still nowhere closer in sight.

Also I returned to work today, which is both good and bad. No one wants to go back to work but darn if it isn't more peaceful.

Today is also my anniversary. Nine years with an incredible woman. Where does the time go sometimes? It is hard to imagine any other life being better. I look forward to the year to come and then it's into the double digits.

Hi Matthew, congratulations on 9 years of happynes :-)

I saw the news too, but if Gearge R.R. Martin can't write faster, so be it, I am happy he wrote A Song of Ice and Fire and will be patiently waiting for book 6...

Anita

Happy Anniversary!!

And I'm with Anita - I'm happy to wait for Mr. Martin to take his time. I have no interest in the tv show, and even less so if they're making up story lines now.

>17 The_Hibernator: Thank You.

>19 FAMeulstee: Thank You and welcome. I believe I have been very patient, especially the last two years. AS each year begins I think will this be the one I finally get to see what happens or will we just be stuck with the most epic cliff hanger in history for all time. I don't know if I'd count it if another author came in to finish the series.

#15 Matthew. I enjoyed Ready player one better. Congraz on the anniversary!

>10 xymon81: That's the advantage of living in a large city, Matthew. My library system has two copies of The Book of Joby and one (this NEVER happens) is actually at my local branch. It will take me a while to get to it, though, as I've a bunch ahead of it.

And belated Happy Anniversary!

>22 BBGirl55: Thank you very much. :)

>23 ronincats: Very fortunate for you. I was surprised we didn't have it, the downtown library here is actually pretty darn good and usually if they don't have it one of the other ones do.

Hurray Wednesday is through. Everyone break open a bottle and put your feet up. After this horrible two hour briefing on evaluation forms, it is well needed. I have to say whoever thought to put a starbucks in the briefing hall was a genius. After that library trip to pick up more kids books. I swear if i listed all those books too, id easily be over a couple hundred for the year. My wife and I alternate nights reading to kiddos and read 4 per night. I also found two other impulse pick ups. The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood, and Luke Skywalker Can't Read by Ryan Britt. Onto the TBR stack they go.

My library TBR stack. Trying to clear the easy reads before I focus on The Fell Sword.

My Reading Challenge for this year. Some of these may be difficult. I filled in some off of my wish list. Still have some research to do to figure out what I am going to do for some of these, politics and poetry especially. What I have next to a novel is just mu current idea. When it's finished I will strike through it.

o A book based on a fairy tale Krampus

o A National Book Award winner Fortune Smiles

o A YA bestseller Dogsbody

o A book you haven't read since high school Crime and Punishment

o A book set in your home state The Devil in the White City

o A book translated to English Iq84

o A romance set in the future Tinker

o A book set in Europe City of Death

o A book that's under 150 pages

o A New York Times bestseller Ashley Bell

o A book that's becoming a movie this year Allegiant

o A self-improvement book Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life

o A book you can finish in a day

o A book written by a celebrity

o A political memoir

o A book at least 100 years older than you

o A book more than 600 pages. Imajica

o A book from Oprah's Book Club Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

o A science fiction novel

o A book recommended by a family member

o A graphic novel

o A book that is published in 2016 Morning Star

o A book with a protagonist who has your occupation Rise: A Soldier, a Dream, and a Promise Kept

o A book that takes place during the summer Dandelion Wine

o A book and it's prequel

o A murder mystery The Devil's Detective

o A book written by comedian Food: A love Story

o A dystopian novel The Heart goes Last

o A book with a blue cover The Stolen Child

o A book of poetry

o The first book you see in a book store

o A classic from the 20th century Slaughterhouse five

o A book from the library

o An autobiography

o A book about a road trip Rough road to the North : travels along the Alaska Highway

o A book about a culture you are unfamiliar with

o A satirical book

o A book that takes place on an island Nightfall

o A book that's guaranteed to bring you joy: Divine Misfortune

Book 4: Star Wars Aftermath by Chuck Wendig



This is one of the first books of the new star wars universe. For those unaware when Disney bought Lucasarts, they said the expanded universe would not be a part going forward. I understand why they did it. Not to be held by the constraints of what had already been written. I had hopes of this beginning to fill the holes between Return of the Jedi and Force Awakens.

I do like the many interludes in this book. With it you get a wider picture of the galaxy. You understand that this is a time of widespread upheaval. With the emperor dead along with most of the seasoned officers with the defeat at Endor. This means there is no organized plan to slow down the fledgling republic.

This is where the book opens. A secret meeting among some of the most senior left. To find a way forward. This is what I want to know. How does the empire become the first order and really thier goals. The rest of the plot revolves around a certain famous pilot that is captured and the attempt to rescue him and uncover the truth about the empire by a fellow rebel, her son, a bounty hunter and an AWOL Empire officer.

The last thing I'll say is that they did explain one burning question from watching The Force Awakens. I could not at the time see why the republic could not fight themselves. Why is there a need for the resistance? This is explained wonderfully. Some may have issues with his writing style but it didnt effect me. A decent new direction for the was overall.

>26 xymon81: Oooo. Krampus. I've got that on my to-read list.

Hope you had a great weekend!

>32 The_Hibernator: I have had it on mine since I read The Child Thief last year.

Thank you, it went well enough.

Book 5: Luke Skywalker Can't read by Ryan Britt



An interesting group of essays on a wide range of topics in the fantasy and science fiction fandoms. The title essay basically assumes that most in the Star Wars universe are only functionally literate. This is going on that you really see nothing of high culture anywhere in book or movie. When you watch these movies, everyone is too overdependant on technology and this means the average person reads less. Something we can relate to today, when in 2015 the most used word of the year was not even a word but an emoji. The other one that sticks out is an essay about Tolkien. There is a lot of evidence that supports that he never wanted to write a sequel to The Hobbit. What if that was the case? That fantasy world would be so much less if it wasn't for The LOTR trilogy. It defined what would become known as Epic Fantasy. Lastly the Doctor. He sees it as a great example of how as he regenerates it is how humans can change. You can always be a new you, never forgetting your past but moving forward as something different.

As I go to do some training taking a couple of books off my shelf so I don't ruin any library books. Starting off with The Keep by F Paul Wilson. A mixture of a vampire, Nazis and a creepy castle. What could be better?

Book 6: The Keep by F. Paul Wilson



This was a great book for something that I picked up on a whim from the take me I'm free stacks. Even for an older novel, it kept me entertained and I wanted to know how this would end.

So a small company of German soldiers take over a small unoccupied 5oo year old keep in the Romanian Alps in the beginning days of WWII. The keep itself is a strange character as someone secretly pays to keep it in perfect condition and it has crosses through out the entire place that have never been seen before. The crosses make some think that this must be some secret Catholic stronghold that holds a lost reassure. The locals warn the Germans to change nothing but a Private who thinks he knows better goes digging around in the cellars an unleashes something monstrous. It kills a man a day. After many days, the Captain calls the HQ for permission to retreat from the keep.

Instead they send an up and coming SS officer who brings along two squads of troops. For this Major it is a test before he goes to his selected assignment of setting up a camp in Romania exactly like ones already in Poland. From this point on you don't know who to root for, me I go for the bad ass undead guy.

Also center to this story is a small Jewish family, father and daughter, from nearby Bucharest. It is known by the locals that they are experts in researching the keep. So they are summoned to end the madness that is happening there. By this time they know what is happening in the countries around them and they do their best to buy time. Eventually they do make contact with the entity and he is possibly the reason for every myth of vampires. Should they release him as he says he will end the threat of the Nazi's forever or will he be something even worse?

Last note I have is about the Captain of the original group of Germans. He was an interesting character. In the army since the last world war, he has seen the drastic changes that have happened and not for the better. He received this post for not swearing loyalty to the party. He knows that politics change and one day if he can outlast it, he will see the honor return to his country.

Last day of the week. As I go into the long weekend, I started reading Ashley Bell. I haven't read a Koontz book for awhile, and this one does sound pretty good. I am only 50 pages in so far so I am reserving judgment. The beginnings are usually pretty good, it is towards the end that they sometimes don't live up to the rest of the book.

Other than that I am pondering who the lucky SOB's are that one the huge Powerball. Unfortunately I live in one of the 8 states that do not have the lottery. So I can only watch from afar and imagine the sweet life of semi retirement and all the reading I could do when not at my part time job I would do just to get out of the house.

It's funny getting reactions from non-readers. They see you finish a normal sized novel, say 300-400 pages. You swear you just finished a medical encyclopedia or something else unfathomable. The eyes go big, you get statements like I dont know how you do it. It's pretty sad too actually.

What a day. I treated the family out to a breakfast buffet, to give everyone a break from cooking. Wish we could have stayed longer but I had to read the gospel today so had to make sure to get to church relatively on time. After church left my wife ay home and took the kids to the indoor playground. Which is a bonus because there is a gym in there too so I got a really good workout in today as well. Picked up a free book from the rack, Baseball's Greatest World Series. Something any sportsfan can hardly pass up. Went to the store and picked up a few things and now kick back time. Open up a few and try to make some headway in Ashley Bell. I have until the 20th to get it done and I'm only about 100 pages in. Yikes.

I recently read a very interesting article about fantasy fiction. It is really what is wrong with fantasy, which involves combat. Most novels really do knot have a good grasp about realistically portraying combat. There are exceptions like the Mongoliad series or what they call military fantasy. In that genre, the witers usually use extensive research. Mostly though it is not the case. They break it down to three sections; training, spears and armor. A lot of stories have the main character go from noobie to badass in a short amount of time. When really it takes years of practice to that when you get in a real scrap, you won't pee yourself and forget everything you practiced. It will be second nature. Spears as they explain, is that there is an assumption that once inside its reach that a sword bearer will have the advantage. Not logical at all. Lastly armor. Most assume that it is too heavy and if you don't wear it, you have the quickness to defeat a slower opponent. More BS. Just watch season one of Game of Thrones. One of the last episodes showed the proper use of armor versus someone unarmored when a dothraki tried to take on a knight. Easy pickings. Anyways it was something that made me think.

Hi Matthew. I don't think I've wished you for the New Year yet, but now it's embarrassingly late :0o

Interesting observations. Do you have a link to that article on fantasy fiction?

>40 humouress: Thank you though, its the thought that counts. Here you go by the way. http://fantasy-faction.com

Thanks!

Hey-o! I read Star Wars: Aftermath before seeing TFA and I absolutely loved it. I found the vignettes/interludes were very helpful in establishing what was going on in this new version of the SWU, very quickly moving us away from the EU and ensuring that we had all the necessary components to fully grasp the significance of what was happening. I don't get what the beef with Wendig's writing style was -- I found it to be highly fluid and easily readable, with rapid pacing to convey the urgency of events. I'm very much looking forward to the next one!

>43 dk_phoenix: I have the novelization of The Force Awakens on my bedside TBR stack. It supposedly has a great more detail that will fill in the smaller ditches of plot. The larger holes are still there waiting till 2017 to get filled in.

Has anyone else seen that the Starz network is going to release a series based on American Gods? It sounds really interesting. I have high hopes for it because Starz is also the same network that does Outlander. The news may be old but I somehow missed it until yesterday. Now another show to get excited about. I'm sure it will be better than the BBC miniseries of Neverwhere.



I haven't shared one of these for some time. This one just is too funny.

Book 7: Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz

Reading Challenge: New York Times Best Seller



A writer learns she has a very rare type of brain cancer. The next day the unexplainable happens and she is cured of her cancer. In the search for the how and why, BiBi learn that she was saved to save another Ashley Bell. Against her are forces both criminal and supernatural. In her quest to save Ashley she may find herself as well.

This is one of the better books from Koontz. Not as good as Innocence but just about. The ending was satisfying, which is usually the area I have the most issue. This one I feel was very complete.

On another note, went to library today and picked up another Attack on Titan novel and The Blade Itself. The second one made me very excited, even though I have a semi large TBR stack I had to get it since I have been waiting on a copy for some time and it never seems to be in. I'm starting off next with City of Death. A Dr Who novel based on a episode from the Tom Baker years originally written by Douglas Adams.

While the east coast got all the snow, we got a 7.0 earthquake at 2am. No worries though my tv and ps4 and shelves all came out fine. The family did too by the way.

So glad. For your family, that is ;0)

>48 humouress: Thanks, my wife doesn't seem to be happy I fell right back asleep though.

>34 xymon81: I've heard that he didn't want to write a sequel either. That he just wanted to work on his baby Silmarillion. Sounds like a pretty interesting book.

Hope you have a great weekend ahead!

Book 8: Attack on Titan 12



Book 9: Attack on Titan 13



Two more volumes from the popular series. Now the horror really begins as it is finally understood of what titans actually are. Just the how and why remains. The short term story is great too as now politics take center stage. As the casualties mount up, the people you can trust is growing thin.

Book 10: Doctor Who: City of Death by James Goss

Reading Challenge: A book set in Europe



This Who novel takes the fourth doctor (Tom Baker) and his fellow Time Lord companion Ramona in late 1960's Paris. They quickly get involved with a brilliant plot to steal the Mona Lisa, Time Travel and the fate of all life ever to live on Earth. Stated like that it sounds pretty good and mostly it lives up to it. One you get past the first 40 pages,, it moves along nicely. Those first 40 pages are mostly character introduction but some are so short that you soon forget who this person is when they reappear.

The other issue is really my own, is that I am just not as invested in the earlier doctors as I am in from nine on. Number nine is where I stared really watching, I have seen episodes of the earlier doctors but not nearly as much. So for me it is a matter of trying to get the right character, since they all have their own nuances. Same with the companions. There are so many and some doctors had several so trying to get the right one in mind. Does my imagination fill in the blanks, yes but it doesn't seem just right because it is an established character.

Last night I also started playing Grim Fandango.



An odd noir themed tale about a grim reaper selling express tickets to the after life. Your not very good at your job either and are almost on the verge of being in limbo forever. The story is amusing and the interactions are really good.

Wow it is February already. It is kind of hard to believe. I started of really well and completed ten to start of the year.

Read Total: 10

Read This Month: 10

Reading challenges completed: 2; A New York Times bestseller, A Novel set in Europe.

Nonfiction: 2,

Science Fiction: 2,

Horror: 2,

Manga: 4,

Book 11: Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom

Reading Challenge: Book based on a Fairy Tale



Krampus is the second of Brom's reimagining's that I have read. Many know who Santa is and maybe you know that legend and name have changed may times over the last few hundred years, since the middle ages when Christmas became a recognized holiday. There are earlier legends that deal with a different creature and he isn't jolly.

Yule is the time of renewal and as the world forgot its practice so did they forget is Patron, Krampus. After years of captivity he is suddenly free and wants revenge on St. Nick for making him a relic. His best hope is a struggling musician trying not to get killed and reunite with his estranged wife and daughter.

A really great book. I think my favorite parts are when Krampus is going house to house and tring to get people to celebrate Yule again. He sees then how much people have changed but also how much we have destroyed.

Book 12:Attack on Titan 14; Book 13: Attack on Titan 15; Book 14: Attack on Titan 16; Book 15: Attack on Titan 17

,, ,

Well that is it, I am caught up completely with this manga. It is now at the second interlude. Looks like it is all down hill from here. Starting in April when the next story arc starts, I assume it will be heading to the finale but I may be surprised. Somewhere around that same time the second season of the show is also going to start being aired, which is really exciting.

>52 xymon81: Hmm...maybe try watching an episode featuring that Doctor + companion before reading the book featuring them? I think that's what I'd do. I grew up on Classic Who, but there were so many companions coming and going that it's not easy keeping them straight even now. Which reminds me, I should start a Classic Who rewatch one of these days...

> That is a pretty good suggestion. Thanks, I'll have to keep that in mind.

#57 I am with Faith. It helps to see at least 1 episode with that companion in. City of Death is a episode in Tom Bakers 6th seasion as The Doctor.

>58 BBGirl55: 6 seasons wow. I will keep it in mind, i don't read to many Who novels though.

#59 Tom Baker did 7 seasion in total as the 4th Doctor. By far the longest serving doctor on screen.

Hey, Matthew, looks like you've been reading up a storm. I unfortunately have missed out on the entire Dr. Who phenomenon.

>61 ronincats: Its never to late to join the fandom.

As I go to training the next month I will be on and off. My reading will pick up though still. I have 7 novels stashed away to read in the evenings and dull moments. Im starting off with Divine Misfortune. I read the first few chapters and I am loving it already.

>60 BBGirl55: Tom Baker, with his long, long scarves, was my first Doctor (way back when).

#62 I concur!

#63 my first that I remember was McCoy. Remdmbrance of the daleks.

>63 humouress: Mine too! Well, I mean I watched reruns on PBS back in the day. Tom Baker & Peter Davison were my first doctors. I waffle between which is "my" Doctor, depending on the day and how I'm feeling. Hah. ("Jelly baby?")

Ahh look what Ive started, lol. My first was Tennant. He is still my favorite then I think it would be the original doctor after that. My wife was the one to get me started on it. She got me hooked and there was no looking back.

Book 16: Divine Misfortune by A. Lee Martinez

Reading Challenge: A book that's guaranteed to bring you joy.

Another great entry by this author. I do not think there is one yet I have not liked. I chose it for my challege book because I was pretty sure it would be just what I needed as a fun read and I was right.

So a married couple are looking for a god. After searching Panthenon.com they find thier match. A god of good fortune and there is no blood or money tribute involved. He just wants a place to crash. The small print may be the couples undoing as they also have to deal with a wrathful goddess of love and a demon of chaos who wants to destroy Lucky's happiness.

>67 xymon81: Oh, I loved that one, too! Woot!

Book 17: Nevermore! by Nancy Kilpatrick

Edgar Allen Poe, master of suspenseful horror and legend of American literature. These collected stories are all by modern authors including a very small story by Margaret Atwood. These authors have taken an inspiration from one or many of Poe's works and created something new. These stories have the same air of suspense and psychological horror that permeate a Poe story. There are few disappointments within, with each story keeping your attention til the very last word.

Happy valentines day everyone from wonderful Louisiana. Started a Heinlein book yesterday, I will fear no evil. It is halfway through the month now, cant wait to wrap things up here and to start heading back. My wife before i left stuffed a few things in the top of my bag, some nice godiva candy a star wars shirt and a card. Most guys are scrambling to get little gifts and flowers but my outstanding wife did the opposite too which stands out. :) If course I left a box for everyone before I left. Hopefully soon Ill hear how they all enjoyed it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

More then they loved their presents they loved getting to FaceTime with you. My new stuff is hanging so I can see it everyday. Lol great minds think a like you had stuff ahead of time as well. As for the Godiva, only the best for the best! Love ya.

Book 18: I Will Fear No Evil by Robert A Heinlein



This is by far one of the most unique science fiction titles I have read. Johann Smith is rich and old and only alive due to plugged into various machines. But he is not going out without a fight. Johann is looking for a new body for his still active mind. He just needs someone to die who also has his rare blood type.

Eventually a donor is found and he has the operation. After a long recovery process, he finds that he is in the body of a woman. Not just any woman though but that of his secretary who by fate had his blood type. She was "mugged" one day and was hit in the head and killed instantly.

He also discovers that she has survived as a conciseness within his mind. Both can speak to each other, are both aware of all that is going on and take control of the body at any time. Johann is the dominant personality though. Of all this no one is aware since it would be thought to be a symptom of insanity.

They are aided in the book by Jake, Johann's best friend and lawyer and his secretary's lover. So for Jake it becomes a confusing matter with his best friend in his lovers body. Johann spends a lot of time trying be someone else not himself. He does't know which way to go. Should I be attracted to men or woman or both? He tries to be the same woman infact that his secretary was. Sort of a copy cat or clone with him acting the part.

There is also a court case involved trying to prove Johann's identity. Since he is so rich, the relative's all want a share since his body is dead.

I have to say the book was an interesting idea. But it became very tedious with long pages of the two personalities speaking to one another. Times like this the plot stalled to an almost standstill. I will probably not read it again.

Book 19: The Devil's Detective by Simon Kurt Unsworth

Book 20: All The Birds in The Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

February roundup:

Total read: 20

Read this month: 10

Graphic novels:4 ,,,

Fantasy novels:4 ,, ,

Science fiction: 1

Short Stories Collection: 1

As you can see, being at training did not affect my progress this month. I did hit a bit of a slump as I went through my Heinlien book but that is because at times it was a very tedious read. I also finished one of my ER books but I also won another one this month. I owe a few reviews and I will update them as I return home. In these last few days as I pack up, I am working in The Fell Sword. This is book 2 of the Traitor Son Cycle, an epic realistic grim military fantasy series.

What did you think of All The Birds in the Sky?

>77 ronincats: I really enjoyed it. It was just a fun read. It was not one if those books that doesn't take itself seriously. You just sit back and enjoy the ride and then wonder where did all the pages go.

Okay. I read the first chapter (it was available online for free) and did not think it did more than echo some stale fairy tale tropes. Now that I know it gets better after that, I'll give it a try.

Finally made it back home the other day. Now to get back to business, reading that is. I still have quite a bit of The Fell Sword to get through and the next installment is already here. I see that part four is due out this fall as well. I am going to reread both books of the Red Rising series before tackling the last book. Also a few other things. On my kindle app, I am also working on another ER work as well during my gym times.

Book 21: Dead Man's Dancer: The Mechele Linehan Story by Tom Brennan.



A crazy true crime story that actually appeared on an episode of 48 hrs and is something that could be made into a drama. in the mid 90's Michele move from New Orleans to Anchorage and to make enough money for schooling began working at the Alaska Bush Company, a notorious Strip club. There like many,, she was successful of separating men from their money. There several men were able to see her off time and she had relationships with. At one time she was engaged to three different men, all of them spoiling her in lavish ways. The crazy part is that all of them were living together in Anchorage, all assuming that Mechele was their special one. I'm not really sure how she managed to keep this illusion going for so long. It came crashing down when one of the men is murdered. It is assumed that Mechele and one of the Fiancé's are the culprits. Infact the victim, weeks before he died wrote his parents that if he were ever killed to look at his lover and his housemates. There unfortunately is not enough direct evidence to point at who the real killer is. Mechele leaves Alaska and goes back to school. There she meets soon to be doctor and marries. he is in the R O TC Program and after graduation is assigned to FT Lewis Wa. Ten years later, she is a great housewife, mother, volunteer living in Tacoma. New evidence comes to light and there is enough circumstantial evidence for a trial, and Mechele and one of her fiancé's are convicted. The fiancé dies in a prison assault before his is overturned and Mechele is also released in an appeal.

This is a crazy story I am still trying to wrap my head around. Who really pulled the trigger and was Mechele the scheming woman that the media portrayed her as or someone that was over their head and things got out of hand.

Book 22 Red Rising by Pierce Brown

A four day weekend, how much reading can I get in. I already finished one after just starting it two days ago and now already 150 pages into boom 2.

Boom or Book. 4 days so so lucky.! Happy Reading

Date night paint night. Day started off with a couples massage, did some shopping, picked up a few library books and then this in the evening. Im night, therese is sunset

Book 23: Fright Before Christmas:13 Tales of Holiday Horror

A easy to read and quite enjoyable group of short stories. These thirteen tales take many iconic myths from the season and twists them into 13 YA Tales of horror. It was a lot of fun, a clockwork puppy that eats people, a machete santa, krampus, killer snowmen, this book has it all. It was also a blast to read.

Book 24 Golden Son by Pierce Brown

I'll bet you are SO happy to be home!

>88 ronincats: Yes it is, it amazing how much you take for granted til you are away for an extended period of time.

In other news I started the last book of the Red Rising Series today.

Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone.

Book 25: Nightfall by Jake Halpern



Book Challenge: A book that takes place on an island

The island of Bliss has 14 years of daylight and 14 years of darkness. THe book begins with the last days of dusk. Everyone is preparing to leave the island for the long night. Furniture is rearranged, places are set and all mess is cleaned away. Marin is confused why these strange rituals happen and no one will giver her a straight answer as to why. Right before the boats are to take their families away, a friend vanishes. So along with her twin brother Kana they go off in pursuit of their friend. They find Line and upon returning back see that they have been left behind. Night has now fallen and the island is awakening. What comes out does not permit the "day-dwellers" and they must flee before they are caught or freeze from the plummeting temperature.

It was not a bad story. A little slow getting started. My only other wish is to learn more about the night creatures than what is revealed.

Have a wonderful Easter.

Book 26: Morningstar by Pierce Brown.

Read a very interesting article today. According to a research team, the Ewoks would have been wiped out completely after Return of the Jedi. With how close the deathstar was to the moon and it's size, most of the fragments would have fallen to the surface. Some would have been big enough to cause the effect of a nuclear winter on the moon. Similar to what happened to the dinosaurs. Those that weren't obliterated would have slowly starved. At least it could have saved us from the two horrible standalone Ewok movies.

:) Sounds like an interesting article!

Book 27: The Fell Sword by Miles Cameron.

Finished it just in time for the month:) Ill have the review up tomorrow.

UPDATE:



So last year I finished Book one of this series and I have had book two awhile and have had to renew it a bunch of times as I worked on other things as well. Book 2 picks up right where the first ended. After their great victory over the Wild, the company finds themselves in high demand. Their next campaign takes them to foreign soil as they are supposed to guard the emperor. Of course right before they arrive, there is a coup and their new boss is kidnapped and the capitol is on the verge of being overrun.

The main story is just the icing on the cake. In this book more of the surrounding world is opened to us. You see the politics of the different courts and even the Wild. You gain a better understanding of the wider world. Who is an enemy of who and allies as well. The first pieces are also being put into place for an epic conflict in a further book.

March Roundup

Total read: 27

Read this month: 07

Science Fiction: 3 ,,

Fantasy: 2 ,

Short Stories: 1

Nonfiction:

The first quarter is come and gone and just short of 30 books is a good place to be. I am starting off the month with the next book called The Dread Wyrm. It is the third installment of my current fantasy series. After this I will be all caught up until book four releases later this year.

*just waving*

>98 humouress: well hello welcome :)

So yesterday my library had a clothes swap and with it was a take as many books as you like thing too. The books were free and I was impressed at what was available. I kept myself under control, it could have been all too easy to get too greedy. Ill post pictures later.

Here they are. My small haul.

>100 xymon81: You say you restrained yourself? It's not Cranswick-sized ...but did you leave any for anyone else? ;0)

>101 humouress: There were people who filled up small boxes like it was a Costco. There were some other really nice things that I left sit too long and when I went back were gone.

So Saturday, my wife convinced me to go to a Goodwill that has opened. Ofcourse right in the entrance way in the book area. Which for a thrift store is one of the nicest I have seen. Everything was in good condition and even recent titles. She saw that and looked at me to say, no you got enough the other day. My response was no promises. I walked away from there with just two titles. A Christopher Moore book, A Dirty Job and a book connected to the Homefront game called The Voice of Freedom. Homefront has a Red Dawn type story except it involves a United Korea invading the U S.

The next day, I could belive my luck. I arrived at church early so I decided to walk over to a little free library that is literally right across from it. In it was another Moore book, Coyote Blue and something called Geek Love. I just liked the title. Where do I even start when I finish all my library books?

Book 28: Star Wars : The Force Awakens



If you have seen the movie you know the story. This does fill in a few gaps that were edited out of the film release such as how Poe made it off Jakku. Plus a nice scene in Maz's castle where Chewie literally rips someone's shoulder off. Wish that would have made the cut but Disney movie, not gonna happen. I'm surprised they even showed blood at parts.

Woot for the Christopher Moore books! Love him. And I've heard good things about Geek Love...

>105 scaifea: Thats good to know, last you want is to pick up a dud. Even if it as free.

I just watched something that is just destroying my brain cells. Now back in my youth, I loved reading flipping through kids books while in Walden books, if you still remember them. One of the ones I looked through the most was The Berenstein Bears. It is always how I remember it being spelled. So now why is it now Berenstain? I don't think I could spell and remember it a certain way and be wrong for 34 years. All the official book listings on this site end in the AIN not EIN. But look at the posts and the EIN does appear even with both spellings in the same thread as in one of Scaifea's from last year. While I don't prescribe to some of the explanations and conspiracy theories that are out there, I just find it odd and want too see how other people feel about it.

>107 xymon81: Ha! Yep, it's a whole theory, apparently. If both spellings have come up in my threads, it's because I'm a dingaling who doesn't always remember to check my posts for typos, I'm afraid. And I'm not shocked if there are working touchstones for both, because people from both camps have likely made book entries here. But I'm pretty certain that they have always been the Berenstain Bears. I like this article about the whole thing:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/berenstain-bears-debate-is-a-case-of-schrodi...

>108 scaifea: Actually I have a new theory. I think it is more like those things you see on facebook all over the place where it may only have certain letters that are right but somehow your mind still reads it. Such as this.



So if your mind is just filling in the blanks, then maybe the AIN spelling is correct.

>107 xymon81: Yup, I came up against that one, too. Though I only came across the books as a parent, so I must have assumed the EIN spelling, because that's a more common ending (on other names).

Book 29: Calamity by Brandon Sanderson



Things come to close in the Epic series. Powers are real in this alternate Earth but there are no heroes. These epics prey on those without power and each other as a lord would over medieval peasants. The powers themselves manifest because of a unknown object only known as Calamity. Who or what it is is not known or why only some are gifted and others not. Each epic also has a weakness associated with it's power, at first they seem bizarre and random but there might be a method to the madness. Each is associated to a deep seeded fear from before the epic's powers manifested.

Only one small group fights the menace by trying to take down as many epics as they can. Their first major success is by taking down the seemingly invincible Steelheart. As the team moves on to take on another epic, they learn of epics in their ranks including their leader Prof. Book two ends with their mission a total failure as Prof loses control and reassumes his former self and kills several team members.

This one opens up with a simple task, save Prof from himself and find a way to end the epic scourge once and for all. Saving him seems near impossible as his powers make him tougher than any they have faced before. If they could just find a way to turn him back, perhaps there is a way to turn the rest away from the darkness.

Book 30: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman.

Audio Edition

Book 31 Uprooted by Naomi Novik

April roundup

Book 32: Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore



One of the more amusing Moore books that I have read. Sam Hunter is hiding in life. While he is successful, it is all a lie. It takes a weird random girl and an ancient Crow god to bring him out again to be who he is supposed to be.

You know, I've only read one book by Brandon Sanderson. I should really read more.

Book 33: Homefront: The Voice of Freedom by John Milius.

A decent adaptation to the backstory of the Homefront franchise. In it the Greater Korean Republic detonates an EMP over the United States and then invades the west coast. With no power or communication our forces are quickly scattered and Korea takes over all the way up to the Mississippi River. A Red Dawn type scenario ensues where resistance groups are formed to help fight back. Encouraging them on is the Voice of Freedom. Broadcasting in secret to reveal the truth about the occupation, he is persued across the country in an attempt to silence him and damage the rebels for good.

>113 xymon81: So what did you think? It won the Nebula this week. I would think it would appeal more to women so I'm interested in how you saw it.

>118 ronincats: It was an amazing novel. Yes the way it written with it's almost poetic writing it should appeal greatly to the fairer sex. It would be a great introduction to fantasy to those who are intimidated by the genre.

>117 xymon81: That does sound fascinating, Matthew.

I guess Mr. Trump had better plan to ban all Koreans entry too then!

Have a splendid weekend.

Well my wife is not happy today but it is her own fault. So she asked if I would go with to this neighborhood garage sale. Not long after we first get there I find a spot where the late owner had collected boxes of books and comics and other stuff. I walked away with an whole small box for 15 dollars. When I put them away at home there are close to 90 novels in the set. It is all a mixture of older pulp scoff from the 60's to 80's mostly. I found some Vance, Hienlein, a HG Wells, some Trek fiction and a lot of other odds and ends. I think it's a steal much to my wife's dismay.

Book 34: Quench Your Own Thirst: Business Lessons Learned Over a Beer or Two. by Jim Koch

Warning reading this book may inspire you to drink Sam Adams. Well it did for me. Really as Jim recounts the personal history of the brewing company and the craft beer movement, you also get his practical business advice. If you are inspiring business owner then this is a must read of how to break open a new business in a busy market.

Book 35: Press Play to Start by Daniel H. Wilson

A set of short stories all related to video games. With an introduction by Ernest Cline and some of today's rising stars in speculative fiction, it's a sure hit. Stories are about mmrpg's, virtual reality, first person games, text based adventures, and even one using The Oregon Trail. There was only maybe a few that I could have skipped but I did not. Most are great stories and a must read for those looking for a new entre in the genre.

Just looked and I am 5 books behind my normal pace. This is a variety of reasons. One is actually doing schoolwork again. I started off with two classes, art appreciation and algebra. The math I had to drop since I cannot seem to be able to do it online. I will need a classroom for that, it has been way to long. I've been playing a lot of Starwars Battlefront lately as well. I'm giving it a break for now and going back to reading and sports. If I can watch a Cubs game, I'm gonna see it.

Do we get a list of what you picked up at the sale, or at least a picture of the best of the lot? What a deal!

Not showing up. Double check your code!

There updated, that is just a sampling of some of the more known authors from the box.

Ooh, Heinlein, Wells, Zelazny, Van Vogt, Farmer and more. Again, nice haul!

May Roundup

Total read: 35

Read this month: 04

,,,

As I noted before I am just a few behind my average, but I am have been heavily involved in Battlefront for sometime. I am anticipating The Cloud City release next month. I want to see the AT-AT stomping through the city. Until then I will take a break and get some reading in. Right now I have The Fireman. A huge almost 800 page epic by Joe Hill. If this is his ode to his father's The Stand, Hill is hitting all the right notes so far.

Book 36: The Fireman by Joe Hill.



So far Joe Hill just cannot seem to write a bad novel. His last two NOS4A2 and The Fireman are right up there with some of the best works his dad ever produced. His dragonscale is an inventive plague, but it is not really the horror in the novel. It really is about how humans are when our society crumbles. I don't want to give too much away but this book will heat up your summer.

Happy new week! I wasn't a huge fan of NOS4A2, but I'm not a Stephen King fan, either, and as King's son Hill has some similarities in writing style.

Book 37: Pool of Radiance by James M. Ward.



The location itself is interesting. A once prosperous city that was overrun by creatures and is slowly being taken back by people. There is the civilized area and outside where all the creature dwell with different clans and types controlling zones. All are controlled by a possessed dragon. I just wish there was more information about what really controls him, all you really know its bad and does bad things. You also have a corrupt councilman playing both sides and he does that like very other one ever written. The heroes themselves are just decent. You have an apprentice wizard looking for the ones who killed her master, But oh there's a twist because she messed up a wish spell she now has unreal strength. She gains acceptance for her new size but she can't figure out why people are so attracted to her now. You have a priest who loses a holy artifact. Lastly a ranger/thief who want wants to find those responsible for killing his lover.

I think my main problem is that in this setting there really is no danger for them. They are capable from the beginning to act as a group and no matter how bad an injury it gets healed with no lasting effect. That and I think just a little bit more time at each setting. There was just too much trying to compete in a 300 page novel. And I'm sorry but the romance was a bit too much at the end. After a maybe two week adventure, you aren't planning a wedding. This is cheesy B Fantasy at not even it's finest.

Game Completed: Gone Home



I had no idea the game I was getting when I got this for free this month on PS4. It ended up being fitting with all the tragedy this weekend. Gone home is a first person point and click game in the way of Myst but no where near the difficulty level. You arrive home from a year abroad to an empty house. Your sister has left a cryptic message on the front step about taking off and not telling your parents were she has gone. While exploring inside you unlock your sister's journal entries and her story. It was very moving.

>133 xymon81: I'll definitely pass on this one. Thanks for taking one for the group, Matthew.

>134 xymon81: I got it some time back at one of the many free book racks around. It is part of the get stuff off our shelves challenge. With all the stuff we have backlogged try to clear some room especially for me. I am the worse offender.

Book 38: I suck at girls by James Halpern



Taking a break from Fellside, I decided to do a quick read off my shelf. No even realizing it till I finished it this morning, it ended up beng the perfect book for father's day weekend. This is Halpern's second book to the largely successful and hilarious Sh*t my Dad Says. Where as before it was more random, in this volume there is a method to the hilarity.

The author reminisces about when he was going to propose to his wife. His dad in his own way tells him to spend the day thinking back over everything he's learned on life and women and to see if this is really it. What follows is a look back from childhood to early adulthood and crushes, dating, that first time experience and so on.

In his own self depreciating way, he does that, and you see how one grows through adolescence. The often bad advice of friends and bosses, crazy stunts and realizing it really isn't that way.

Wow I have not posted since mid June. Well it has been a busy time. First I moved to a new house. Had to be done, and it took a long time getting it done. On top of that going back to school. First class I had was Art Appreciation, now it is a class on Serial and Mass murderers. It is a lot of information and videos to watch. If you are curious here is the book, Serial Murderers and Their Victims.I am only on week five so far on this one. Between this and work, I don't read much. I finally finished the book I have been working on for some time. Book 39: Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at Warby Mary Roach. Each chapter is about the scince involved in caring for our troops. It was a fascinating read. Also below is the view from my new back deck. The deck itself is amazing but for now just enjoy the view.

Good to see you posting. It does sound like you've been way too busy, but I hope you are enjoying your interesting-sounding courses. What a gorgeous view!

Congrats on the new house!

Nice view!

Thanks everyone!!!

Book 40: The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale



This is true story of Robert Coomes, a juvenile of the late 1800 who murders his mother in their own home. What follows is a complete account of his actions following the murder, his arrest and trial, and his years in the Broadmoor asylum for the criminally insane. Written from detailed accounts of court documents, newspapers following the case and the like it is a well researched novel.

Hi Matthew; I'm on a bit of an LT go-slow, too, and gradually catching up. A possessed dragon? That's a new one, but I'll agree with Roni. It seems your wife would agree with you about your being the worst offender regarding too much stuff on your shelves (like I can talk) - but it looks like you took the easy way out by moving house ;0)

Beautiful view! It looks inspiring. Congratulations on the new house.

Book 41: Butcher, Baker: A True Account of a Serial Murder by Walter Gilmour



My book for my final essay on Serial Killers. The subject of this one is Robert Hanson. In the late 70's and early 80's he would pick up dancer or street women. Some he let loose if they cooperated. Others he took to the wilderness and hunted. Since during this time so many women came and left all the time, no one thought it suspicious that these women were vanishing. The few times there was a complaint it was never fully investigated. It all emerged into a giant pattern after one woman escaped and was able to bring to light the whole horrid truth.

Heya, I see you've been absent as much as me! The Berenstain bears debate was good to see - I only vaguely remember them from childhood, don't think I ever read them much. But on my son bringing them home from Kindergarten I found that 'a' to be like a sore in my mouth - I was just painfully conscious of it and it seemed terribly out of place.

And I feel like I should spend far more time writing research papers about the fate of fictional species. Seems like a great way to spend your time.

>143 humouress: Thanks. We are both bad at getting more books than getting rid of. Moving did not improve matters, we still need shelf space, they are all doubled up right now. In two weeks our library is having another clothes swap and book grab. This time I need a box instead of the few shopping bags I had last time.

>145 evilmoose: I may put some more research into it, might be a good subject for a book.

Book 42 Black City Saint by Richard R. Knack.



This story is based in the prohibition era 1920's Chicago. As a gang war is between the north and south begins to take shape over booze another secret war looms in the shadows. The Farie realm sits just off of our own with a single gate keeping both sides from merging. The fey stay on their side and we mostly do not know they exist. Those that do cross over we see as ghosts or shadows. One gatekeeper keeps the peace and stability. His name is Nick or Georgius. We would know him as St. George the dragon slayer. The though was the last gatekeeper and by slaying him, George has taken his place with the dragon soul sharing his body. It is an interesting take on my home towns history to include the infamous fire of Chicago lore.

Book 43: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K Rowling and Jack Thorne



I rather enjoyed this book. The character interactions are what make Harry Potter and this book continues that excellence. The fact that is in play format still and not converted to a novel does not deter me. Some may argue also that the first few year go by too fast and we don't get to see enough of Albus's younger year. This main plot takes place in his fourth year. The main plot itself was good too, the third book made time travel seem an almost trivial thing. This book reveals the true dangers of it. If you ever saw The Butterfly Effect, one of my favorite films, it has the same type of plot but in a Hogwarts setting.

Book 44: Bullseye by James Patterson



The next book in the Michael Bennett series. Good and quick as any of the rest. A great read for a dull day. Bennett races to stop an assassin before he kills the President who in in town for a U. N. summit.

August Roundup

Total read: 44

Read this month: 06



I have read more books in the past few days than I have in the past few months. Now that my last course is done I can actually read for pleasure. Not that the last course wasn't interesting but I defiantly need a break for a bit. I have all these books stacked up from the library by my bed side and need to start working through them. My last three have fit into that category but have too many more to go. Next up is a book on Batman and pop culture called The Caped Crusade.

Book 45: The Caped Crusade By Glen Weldon

This title runs through the 75 plus years of the characters history. Of almost all comics batman so is perhaps the most confusing. Aside from a few cornerstone ideas, he changes constantly. Batman started as a clone of The Shadow, a comic that only a few may even remember now days. Dark and brooding he was considered to violent as he killed many of his adversaries. He was lightened up a bit and given the first sidekick, Robin and the the gay jokes started from the very beginning. In the very first issue a misprint had the spacing between an ally to close so it looked more like anally.

So more time past batman got a tv series and it was this campy cheerful disaster to those who loved the dark batman. Here he stayed for some time til Frank Miller in Comics and Burton on film brought him back to the dark. He was here but wouldn't for long as the third and fourth batman movies brought the campiness back. It went further dark in the Nolan era and through the current DC universe films. Now some say he was too dark and violent. It is almost enough to make you hit your head against a wall. That is what this book really portrays. Through it all not everyone can be satisfied. Everyone clings to their idea of Batman and refuse any change. This will continue through the history of the character.

Book 46: Made To Kill by Adam Christopher



This book is the first in a new series about a robot private detective in the 1960's. In reality it is this authors take on the pulp scifi genre of the golden age. What you have is the world's last robot after they were banned since most people just didn't like them or the fact they took over the service industry. For some reason this one was left alone and can walk around mostly unmolested. I cant see a robot being very inconspicuous, even with a trench coat and hat. The story is good in a predicable way.

Happy weekend!

>153 The_Hibernator: Thanks :)

Book 47: Arena by Holly Jennings



Arena is about an immersive online tournament where teams fight gladiator type matches to the death. Being virtual no one dies but the player feels every injury as in real life. All this happens as people watch the feed live like a football game. The fans praise the gamers as celebrities and they act the part as such. The glamour, clubbing, and fun is all the public sees. Behind the scenes though is a different story. The pressure to succeed and keep up your image is almost more than most can bare. After a teams devastating loss, one member died of an overdose. It is swept aside by the owners and sponsors as bad media and the person is quickly replaced. But how can the players change a system where they have no power or say, and everyone thinks they are lucky to be in the position they are in.

Book 48: Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse? by Max Brallier



An interesting adult take on a book format that really has not been used for many years. The choose your own adventure novels can have some pretty interesting twists as you go through. Some people may not like the character but they are supposed to be somewhat generic so anyone can feel they could fit into those shoes.

This one starts you off as a young marketing worker in Manhattan. It is not a good start to the week for you. Your hungover, you missed the last krispe kreme by being late, and now have the crappy chair for the long dull meeting. All you want now is home, Chinese takeout, and bad tv. Then the end of the world happens.

I did a few go throughs and there are over fifty possible scenarios with endings. Each one was varied and both times I survive but I don't know for how long. Its good as like a bathroom reader or something like that.

Yesterday at the library was the clothing swap and book grab. Of course my wife swore we needed nothing else but we still walked away with a full bin and a half full reusable grocery bag. A majority of it is not even ours though this time. A lot of YA books for the older ones to try new things some were good stuff too. They were like mortal instruments, witch and wizards series. A handful of younger kids books. Of course my wife found the only Dr. Who book in the whole place. Beautiful Chaos is it's name if you are wondering. A tenth doctor adventure. I walked away with a few this time. The selection was not as good as last time but I am happy with the ones I did decide upon.

Everything's Eventual by Stephen King
The Devil In the White City by Erick Larson Was already on my wish list.
The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
The Chronicles of Amber Volume 1 by Roger Zelazny
Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes by Joel Rosenberg
Legacy of the Drow by R. A. Salvatore

On another note , I had to turn in almost all of my library books today. I found out last week that I was selected for a course but it means going to Lawton, Oklahoma for 7 weeks. There is no way to get through my enormous stack by the time I have to leave so I kept three and returned the rest for another day. I am still whittling away at A view from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman. I also kept Night Music: Nocturnes Volume 2 by John Connolly and the latest Dave Eggers Heroes of the Frontier. I shall soon have to decide which books will make the cut to be packed.

>156 xymon81: Amber is always good and - ooh, I haven't seen a Rosenberg in a while.

>157 humouress: I went back yesterday and on a rack they had the first omnibus The Warriors and a whole slew of Drizzt novels.

Book 49: A View From the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman.



A selection of introductions, speeches and essays by the author. Some are really good such as the continued importance of libraries. It also gave me some new authors and books to try that I have never heard of.

Book 50: Night Music: Nocturnes #2 by John Connolly



An amazing set of short supernatural stories. My last book of the month finished just in time.

September Roundup

Total read: 50

Read this month: 06

, , , , ,

Another month down and I am right at 50 books. Three months left and 25 to go.

Book 51: Marvel: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know by Adam Bray



Not a very difficult read by any stretch of the imagination. A guide to the Marvel universe as it stands today including SHIELD.

>158 xymon81: You know, I saw that book on the new fiction section at Barnes and Noble. It was so hard for me not to pick the whole pile up and plunk it down on the new nonfiction table. But then none of the employees would know what happened. lol

Book 52: Starblood by Dean Koontz



This is the first book I have finished from my large garage sale purchase a few months back. This Koontz book is old but in remarkably good condition. How old is it you may ask. There was still an advertisement in the middle of the book for cigarettes, and a brand that I have never heard of at that. So the story itself centers on a genetically engineered human who comes out severely deformed. He has no feet or arms, only one eye and nostrils but no nose. To make up for this though he seems to develop telekinetic abilities. The military wants to use him but loses its funding after the current war ends. So he is on the street and is some how able to find work running a sort of news business. His life is comfortable until he witnesses a friends death at the hands of The Organization. So he must find a way to stop them and in doing so he just might solve another mystery as well in the process.

Book 53: The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck.



A short novel but a really good one. A village is overtaken by a battalion of Nazi's during WW2. What follows is an insurgent fight and how the occupiers struggle with control. It is a fascinating read and you can even apply it to modern days.

Book 54: Cradle and All by James Patterson



Two women separated by thousands of miles. They each are virgins and pregnant. One could be carrying the new savior and the other our destroyer. But they are both sweet and innocent women. A church investigator must piece together the circumstances of each girl to see who is carrying which. It is a puzzler that will keep you guessing til the end.

I liked The Moon is Down when I read it a number of years ago. The premise of James Patterson's book is an interesting one. I have never read anything by him and got a bit put off by all those books that came out co-authored with other lesser known individuals as it struck me as a tad lazy.

Have a great Sunday, Matthew.

>166 PaulCranswick: My wife were just talking about that. How much of Patterson's books now days are his or is it just his name power to sell more books.

Book 55: Downfall by Jean Rabe



Finished this book a few days ago. Between playoffs and now world series I have not read as much but still working on a few books. This one is one I read years ago. I have the the two books from the local library, just need the time to get to them.

Book 56: Rage by Stephen King/ Richard Bachman

There is a reason you cannot find this book by itself anymore. A highschool student murders two of his teachers and hold his class hostage. You find out about his upbringing, an overstrict father and a doting mother created a climate where he feels he can do no wrong.

Book 57: The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick.

Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

This is the Christmas tree at the end of the Pacific Beach Pier here in San Diego, a Christmas tradition.

To all my friends here at Library Thing, I want you to know how much I value you and how much I wish you a very happy holiday, whatever one you celebrate, and the very best of New Years!

Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Matthew