Athabasca's 2016 reading journal

Book bullets

Abaddon's Gate - James S.A. Corey
Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Kingfisher by Patricia A. McKillip

Brotherhood in death by J.D. Robb
Library book, crime

Another fun addition to the series, maybe a bit too self-congratulatory, but a fun read. Much what her readers expect from her - but that won't stop me reading the next.

Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold
Library book, sf

Something of a theme - another unexceptional but fun addition to the series. I enjoyed what was really a little romance with a bit of family involvement.

Nice to see another journal! I'll update it on the Green Dragon reading journal list.

Hello!

Hi guys, Thanks - been away a wee while drowning in stress, so I was only able to manage re-reads or junk that was not worth journaling. However it got me through and hopefully now my head is in a better place to tackle the TBR pile.

Marked in flesh by Anne Bishop
Own book, kindle, urban fantasy

I really like this series, even though I find the author a bit bloodthirsty- she seems determined to wipe out the human race. There are now a lot of characters and it's a bit difficult to keep track of what's going on (although wiping out Europe will help). However good characters, interesting powers and a fast pace make for a thundering good read.

>1 Athabasca: Hiya, Athabasca. Looks like we started our threads around the same time so they haven't gotten long yet. So welcome back!

The McKillip looks good. Was that a bullet you were shooting or one you got hit by?

It's good to see you back here again! I have Kingfisher on my tbr pile and am really looking forward to it. I'm very curious at the range of responses to Gentleman Jole - it seems to have generated the full spectrum from "loathe" to "love" via "meh". If I see a copy at the library I'll pick it up but I doubt I'll buy it.

Hope you have some great reading in store for the rest of the year!

>8 clamairy: clam - thanks for stopping by - glad I'm not the only one who's running a bit late this year! The McKillip was a wound taken in my first foray into other Green Dragon threads - that'll learn me!

>9 Sakerfalcon: Thanks Sakerfalcon. Gentleman Jole was one for the fans, I think- enjoyable if you knew the characters and lots of tying up of very old history. I did enjoy it but it was very much a trip down memory lane and I think readers who did not know the series would be completely befuddled. Definitely one to borrow rather than buy, unless you are an utter completist!

I'll watch out for what you think of Kingfisher as I expect it'll be difficult to find and I may have to buy it.

Dragon in exile by Sharon Lee
Library book, SF

Another lovely addition to the Liaden series. I really liked it, but it followed very quickly from the previous book so should be read in order. All the usual characters and conundrums. Lots of different characters and plot-lines now, so a bit confusing but rewarding.

An astronaut's guide to life on Earth by Chris Hadfield
Library book, non-fiction

Excellent. Much the same as his live talk but great on being an astronaut and one of the best books about real leadership I've read.

Spell blind by David B Coe

Cracking wee urban fantasy, shades of early Dresden, but I liked it and will read more. Good on character, storytelling and interesting magic.

>12 Athabasca: I read this earlier in the year and agree with you. It's excellent in so many ways.

>12 Athabasca: & >14 Sakerfalcon: I need to get my hands on this one! I see the trade paperback is cheaper than the Kindle version, and I have a B&N coupon. Might have to go for a physical copy of this one.

Alliance of equals by Sharon Lee

Following on from Dragon in exile, a mish-mash of storylines that don't always come to fruition. This is mostly Padi's story.

The Mitford girls by Mary S Lovell

This was great. A fascinating history of an amazing family. I don't know much about this period, and found this book ver interesting.

The gifts of imperfection by Brene Brown

About shame and perfectionism, the author promotes living whole-heartedly. Some great advice, largely around giving yourself a break.

>17 Athabasca: The Mitford Girls was good. What an, um, interesting family.

>19 Marissa_Doyle:, Marissa, weren't they interesting? How could one group of sisters span the whole political spectrum and be involved with almost every major leader? They all seemed a bit mad!

Welcome back! Hope all is well.

(I did end up buying An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth in trade paperback, BTW. Will get to it sometime this Winter, hopefully.)

>21 clamairy:, Clamairy, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

The Bible: the biography by Karen Armstrong

Fascinating discussion of the history of the Bible, the different books and versions. Academic but readable.

>23 Athabasca: I thought that was a particularly interesting read as well.

>17 Athabasca: I've had that Mitford book sitting on my shelf for a few years now, and really need to get around to it sometime. I bought it after reading The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters, which was huge, but fascinating.

A great reckoning by Louise Penny

Fine addition to the series. Slow to start and with an array of new characters joining the stellar cast.

Apprentice in death by J.D. Robb

Another longstanding series and this new one does not disappoint, perhaps more focussed than other books in the series.

Ready player one by Ernest Cline

Loved this, full of nostalgia, fun characters, maybe stretches the limits of believability sometimes, but hey, it's a computer game. Great fun and a quick-paced read.

>28 Athabasca: Loved this one! So full of self-deprecating humor. I've been looking for more like it.

>28 Athabasca: >29 clamairy: I think a lot of GDers liked it. Sadly his next one ins't quite as good.