DreamWeaver's 2023 Reading

Another year, another chance to actually record my reading here. I keep trying to do this, and I keep falling off. Last year, my computer died and I didn't get a replacement till October (I used the family computer for the basic stuff).

Anyway, an introduction. I am a mom of two (AJ 8, E 7) who works from home as an accountant in the Seattle area. I listen to books as I work, mostly non-fiction, romance, science fiction, fantasy, and a little mystery.

I also quilt, knit, spin, and other assorted crafting. I play board games with anyone I can get to sit down at the table (or join me on Boardgame Arena).

Below are the books I've read each month. Click on the image to go to the relevant post. I'll also put a list of the titles etc.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
(1. The Heir by Grace Burrowes) (2. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey) (3. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson) (4. Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi) (5. I Am Quiet by Andie Powers)
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
(6. The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold) (7. The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis) (8. Dancing Bears by Witold Szablowski) (9. I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston) (10. Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price)
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
(11. Extra Witchy by Ann Aguirre) (12. She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott) (13. If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk by John Pavlovitz) (14. All Systems Red by Martha Wells) (15. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson)
16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
(16. Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman) (17. Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo, Ren Graham) (18. Cloudwalker by Roy Henry Vickers) (19. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne) (20. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold)
21. 22.
(21. So This Is Ever After by F. T. Lukens) (22. The Science of Marijuana by Leslie L. Iversen)

23. 24. 25. 26. 27.
(23. You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang) (24. Ever After Always by Chloe Liese) (25. Loveless by Alice Oseman) (26. The Ghost Tree by Natasha Deen) (27. The Elephant Girl by James Patterson, Ellen Banda-Aaku)
28. 29. 30. 31. 32.
(28. Women and Other Monsters by Jess Zimmerman) (29. Rooted by Lyanada Lynn Haupt) (30. The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite) (31. I Am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang) (32. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend)
33. 34. 35. 36. 37.
(33. Absolution By Murder by Peter Tremayne) (34. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells) (35. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine) (36. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke) (37. How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee by Bart D. Ehrman)
38. 39. 40. 41. 42.
(38. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson) (39. An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands) (40. The Best Gift for Bear by Jennifer A. Bell) (41. Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik) (42. A Game of Birds and Wolves by Simon Parkin)
43. 44. 45. 46. 47.
(43. Fangirl: The Manga, Vol. 1 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, Gabi Nam) (44. Coven by Jennifer Dugan) (45. Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert) (46. That's (Not) Mine by Anna Kang) (47. Elektra by Jennifer Saint)
48. 49. 50. 51.
(48. Porcupine Cupid by Jason June) (49. The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch by Neil Gaiman, Michael Zulli) (50. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi) (51. The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag)

52. 53. 54. 55. 56.
(52. Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton) (53. The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckable by Aaron Blabey) (54. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade) (55. The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag) (56. By The Book by Jasmine Guillory)
57. 58. 59. 60. 61.
(57. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna) (58. All the Feels by Olivia Dade) (59. Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade) (60. Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking by Leonard Mlodinow) (61. Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson)
62. 63. 64. 65. 66.
(62. How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra) (63. The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag) (64. Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber) (65. Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen) (66. We Are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang)
67. 68. 69. 70. 71.
(67. Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West) (68. The Katha Chest by Radhiah Chowdhury) (69. A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross) (70. Fangirl: The Manga, Vol. 2 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, Gabi Nam) (71. Hall Of Smoke by H.M. Long)
72. 73. 74. 75. 76.
(72. Gardens Of the Moon by Steven Erikson) (73. It Is (Not) Perfect by Anna Kang) (74. Quiet by Susan Cain) (75. Anatomy by Dana Schwartz) (76. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree)
77. 78. 79. 80. 81.
(77. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka) (78. Zackary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao) (79. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri) (80. Beware the Moonlight! by Natasha Deen) (81. The Midwinter Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag)
82. 83. 84. 85. 86.
(82. What If? 2 by Randall Munroe) (83. Don't Go Near the Water by Natasha Deen) (84. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey) (85. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert) (86. Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta)
87. 88. 89. 90. 91.
(87. Justinian's Flea: Plague, Empire, and the Birth of Europe by William Rosen) (88. King of the Murgos by David Eddings, Leigh Eddings) (89. Book Lovers by Emily Henry) (90. Outfoxed by Love by Eve Langlais) (91. Adulthood Is A Myth by Sarah Andersen)
92.
(92. First Year Out: A Transition Story by Sabrina Symington)

In my second thread.

little wins

big wins

DNF
I have to remember that I don't have to finish a book just because I started it.

1) Dangerous by Nora Ash: This was a big Nope from me. From the very first scene, this book has a problem with consent. I tried to give it a chance, but three intimate scenes and three consent no-nos. And I'm out.

Cover Image Key

I've decided to make my posted covers uniform and informative. Here is how to read them:

Book Genre:
Book Format Consumed:
Book Length:
Book Rating: I think you can figure the stars out

Welcome back, Amanda! Glad you got the computer issue sorted out.

Happy reading year, Amanda.

#1
The Heir by Grace Burrowes
The Windham Series The Windham Series Book 1


A good start to the year. A historical romance without toxicity. I will be reading the rest in the series.

We've got very similar reading tastes so I'm dropping off a star.

I've found Grace Burrowes hit or miss for me so I'm glad to see you enjoyed your first read of the year.

Hi Amanda! Starring you as a fellow Seattleite with similar reading tastes :) Your first book of the year intrigues me -- no toxicity is a plus for a historical romance!

#2
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
The Bad Guys Book 1

My 8-year-old son is enjoying this series. I can see why, it's a fun read, though very different from the movie. Granted, I will happily buy all 15 books in the series for no other reason that they get him to sit down and read.

#3
The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
Walt Longmire Book 5

This is such a good series. It is very different from the TV show. The more I read, the stronger my preference for the books gets.

Happy New Year, Amanda!

Happy New Year and happy new thread Amanda!



Wow, nice icons. Did you create them?

My thirteen (oops) fourteen year old likes/d the Bad Guys books. I can have a look at his shelves if you want a few recommendations for series.

>26 humouress: That would be great, thanks! I'm working really hard to get/keep him interested in reading. A combination of neurodiversity (like mother, like son), in his case ADHD, and over 6 months of near-constant ear infections at 2 yo when he was supposed to be learning to speak, has put him a little behind in his ability to read. However, he's a smart kid, which makes the books he can read boring for him (again, very like mother, like son).

Any and all suggestions would be welcome, as I don't think the solution that got me reading (to the point that when I was in high school I was known as the girl who read as she walked through the halls) would work for him. I don't think he will be overly enthused for little red romance novels ;)

>26 humouress: Oh, as for the icons, I use a free program called GIMP, which works much like Adobe Photoshop. Last year, before my computer died, I created all the pieces and put them on different layers. Like a stack of transparencies, I can turn them on and off to layer up the image with only the pieces I need, and transmit a whole bunch of Infomation in one picture. Now, it only takes a minute to create the pictures.

#4
Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi

Well, that's a gut punch. I'm going to have to read that out loud to myself a few times before I even attempt it with the kids. Right now I can't even read it silently without tearing up.

#5
I Am Quiet by Andie Powers

This one was for me. While I will read it to my kids, they are NOT quiet. But it will be a good place to jump off of for a talk about how we don't have to be who other people want us to be. We just have to be our best selves.

#6
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

The best True Crime I've read.

Beyond that, (1) This reader is fast - I had to turn my reading speed down to 1.75 from 2.25. (2) I found the idea the author posits at the beginning that the woman may all have been sleeping when they were attached very interestingly. I've never heard of that theory before, but it makes a lot of sense.

>27 dreamweaver529: I'll have to look at his shelves when we get home but Diary of a Wimpy Kid comes to mind. Although those are so well known, he's probably already read them. I used to read aloud to my boys but they've grown out of that now, plus my voice won't hold out for longer chapters of books for older kids. One favourite for a long time was Tashi. We have The Great Big Enormous Book of Tashi which collects all the earlier books (I think they've published a few more since). I get the impression that it's pretty much an Australian classic by now. But they don't seem to like the books I loved growing up; and, to be honest, some of them don't seem that exciting to me when I read them out.

>28 dreamweaver529: Pretty cool! Still sounds like a lot of work to me though :0)

>32 humouress: Off to the library I go (okay, not really, it's month end, so I have to work all weekend - yeah capitalism) I really like the look of Tashi.

And yes, setting up the file took a bit, but now it's less than a min per book. And it makes me smile - always a good thing.

#7
The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis
Chronicles of Narnia Book 1

If the series wasn't considered a classic, I probably won't continue. I don't know if it's because it's for kids or that the allegory is a little too on the nose for me. But I've had the whole box set (with the picture of the castle on the spines) since I was in grade school, so I'll have to finish them.

>31 dreamweaver529: I'm super impressed that you can listen on 2.25 speed while you work!

>34 dreamweaver529: I wasn't impressed with the first few Narnia books as a kid and then made myself read all of them as a young adult because like you say, they're classics. Still wasn't impressed. It's definitely partly the allegory for me (I think even as a kid I felt like something was up with this book), and I hate how Susan is treated in the end.

>35 curioussquared: My trick for listening faster, is to pick a time you can just sit down and listen and bump you're speed up .5. Then actively listen for at least half an hour. It takes work to process what they're saying. When you can follow without a lot of active listening, go back down .25 and it will be easy to listen to. Repreat this process till you're where you want to be.

As for listening while I work, I'm neurodivergent and need the stimulation to keep my mind from wandering. I have to pause my book to write an email, but I can listen while dealing with numbers and coding, which is most of my job as an Accountant Data-geek (I do process improvements and write reports as well as more traditional accounting tasks). It's more passive for my brain than trying to figure out dinner for the family, or what to do about the patriarchal capitalist system we live in ;)

>36 dreamweaver529: I don't feel the need to increase my speed currently, but I will definitely give your method a try if I do.

And that makes total sense! I usually have an audiobook going to occupy the other half of my brain while I'm doing more manual tasks like housework. Most of my job is writing words and I've found that to be incompatible with listening to books like you say, but if I'm doing a more rote work activity I'll often turn on a mindless episode of reality TV 😂 it's just enough to occupy the part of my brain that's bored by the rote work task.

#8
Dancing Bears by Witold Szablowski

This was an interesting read. It did a great job of obliquely hightailing xenophobia and classism. I think this will be one of the books I mentally reference back to.

Love your presentation with the stars, Amanda!

>39 PaulCranswick: Thanks. I like pictures. Actually, I'm working on adding more to my thread. I have this bad tenancy, when I'm stressed at work, I program things in Excel/Power Query. Right now, I'm working on getting Excel to know when I complete an AlphaKit Challenge.

>14 dreamweaver529: { this post is going to get more colorful here in the next few days

#9
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

I do believe this is the first romance novel I've ever read where half of the central couple is not in most of the book. I wasn't sure about it for the first 1/4 to 1/3, but it pulled itself together by the end.

Hi Amanda, I found your thread and have placed a star. I have an eight-year-old niece, and she's a fan of Dav Pilkey's Dog Man and Cat Kid books. I feel like I constantly have to replace copies of those and the Bad Guys books at work. Has your son tried those books?

>42 aktakukac: He loves them. Which is good, as he can more or less read them by himself. I got a box set at Costco and will buy them as long as he wants to read them. As for Dog Man, I think I've seen them in his backpack from the school library, I'll have to ask where he is in the series.

#10
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price

I am so glad I work from home, as this one had me crying more than once. I'm not autistic, but I am Neurodiverse. My brain doesn't work like most people's. I've known that since I was 7/8 years old. However, only over the last few years have I really started to recognize all of the ways that has affected my adult life. Sure, I can't spell worth a darn, but I didn't realize how much work I put into masking in social situations. The beginning of this book hit me very hard, I resonated with a lot of the obstacles, struggles, and pain the author talked about. I will end up reading this again in the future, and recommend it, loud and long.

#11
Extra Witchy by Ann Aguirre
Fix-It Witches Book 3

A fun romance is just what I needed last night (work when sideways very quickly, and the downside of working from home is that it's too easy to pull 10 straight days of 12-14h days). I do have one question though. The main character is a neuro-mancer, mind magic, specializing in glamors, who does her makeup by magic. But cameras?

>10 dreamweaver529: This one sounds so important! I may need to check it out (and I like the sound of Laziness Does Not Exist, too).

> 46 As s neurodiverse person living in a world designed only for neurotypicals, it is very important. The struggles we have moving in a world not designed for us are all too often labeled as moral failers in a way the other disabilities (blindness, deafness, physical limitations) aren't. And I really believe there are more of us out there than people know. So many people are so deeply masked that they don't even know they're masking.

That's all to say, awareness is a big first step to making the world a better place for everyone.

I got the eBook from the library (all of the local ones have copies) but ended up buying the audio after not being able to see through the tears after the first few pages. I also have Laziness Does Not Exist on hold. Thank goodness for libraries ;)

Happy reading in 2023, Amanda!

#12
She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott

Another cute romance. I like how it dealt with the toxic relationship, as I have found more than a few novels in the past have passed off what is in fact a dysfunctional romance as HEA.

>47 dreamweaver529: I will look out for your thoughts on Laziness Does Not Exist!

>49 dreamweaver529: I've seen this around and been intrigued -- glad you liked it!

>50 curioussquared: Libby says ~3 weeks on Laziness. Yeah for library cards.

She Gets The Girl was one of the finalists for GoodReads Best Young Adult Fiction 2022. While I don't want to read all of their "Best Of" for last year, I am thinking about trying some of them (maybe half a dozen or so. That's only 120 books. I can add that to my other reading right?). My sister uses that site, so I mirror my reading log there. And I just can't seem to resist a good list.

>51 dreamweaver529: I love a good list, too. I don't love that Goodreads is owned by Amazon but I do love that it seems to inspire a lot of people to read! I used to update my reading there as well but have dropped off the past few years.

Only 120 books! You can definitely add those in 😂

#13
If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk by John Pavlovitz

As a very nearly leftest sometime member of a church that was the first in Canada to ordain both women and openly gay ministers, I approve this message.

This would make a very good book study, with each chapter a detailed discussion. It has a lot to say, and I will be looking into the author further. My favorite though - Every person is a thumbnail of the Divine.

#14
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries Book 1

We are just going to ignore the 68 audiobooks I have out from the library and reread an old favorite. I love the The Murderbot Diaries. I've read the first few nearly a half dozen times. I don't know if I'll read the rest again here in short order, but it wouldn't surprise me.

>54 dreamweaver529: As someone who is currently rereading Rogue Protocol with 15 audiobooks checked out from the library and 400+ unread print/digital books in the house... I feel you :)

Hi and thanks for stopping by my thread!

Lots of good reading here! I love the thoughts on neurodiversity. My son (currently finishing up his doctorate in psychology) had many diagnoses as a teen, but in a recent conversation referred to something that could be this. I need to do more research and have more conversations with him. In the meantime, I've put Unmasking Autism on my library hold list.

I've also requested If God is Love, Don't Be a Jerk.

I love the Murderbot stories - and I also love the way they keep popping up here on LT as people reread their favorites.

I am visiting my parents on the Island* this weekend with the kids, so I don't have as easy access to my computer as I normally do. So, I'll have to post my reading in batches, rather than as I finish. And I'm going to have a lot of threads to catch up on over the next week.

#15
Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians Book 1

I liked the way this book was written, with the "author" of the biography talking directly to the readers. Much like A Natural History of Dragons. (Hum, I should go back and reread that series.)

It was cheeky and fun, and I will be reading the rest of the series. It's Sanderson after all.

#16
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman

I don't know how I found this book, probably a recommendation in Libby, but it was cute, fun, and quick. And I do so love it when Gaiman reads his books.

#17
Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo, Ren Graham

I enjoyed this book - especially how a non-deal the mention of top surgery was.

#18
Cloudwalker by Roy Henry Vickers

I got this book from the local library (Pierce County, WA), and read it to the kids while we were waiting for the ferry home from Vancouver Island. As an ex-pat, it is always nice to come across Canadian work. And the artwork is very beautiful.

>60 dreamweaver529: I enjoyed that one too. It felt like queer Stranger Things or Scooby Doo.

>62 curioussquared: Yeah, and I love how the queer was just there, not really commented on at all, just part of the characters and world. We need more books like that.

#19
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Well...that ended. It didn't conclude mind you, it just ended.

>64 dreamweaver529: Lol. I'll avoid that one.

>64 dreamweaver529: Kudos for finishing it. I abandoned it after they once again killed something that was likely the only one of its kind (maybe a quarter of the way through?).

>66 MickyFine: I nearly put it down when the MC called his "servant" "boy", even though the man was 30+. Yikes!

#20
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
Vorkosigan Book 1

I do so love this series. And with so many reading or rereading them this year, I couldn't resist. I love Cordelia, she's strong, brave, and very human.

Note: I'm not, strictly speaking, following the numbering listed in the series, as I find that both Falling Free and Ethan of Athos are more "In Universe" rather than part of the series proper. I have read both, but don't feel the need to reread them. And, as this is my thread, I will not include them in my numbering.

>68 dreamweaver529: Should I take at least partial responsibility for this? Lol.

The number of books and confusing reading order is part of what put me off starting this series for so long. I finally found this article, which made sense to me, and am following the article author's preferred reading order for my first readthrough: https://bookriot.com/vorkosigan-saga-reading-order/

>69 curioussquared: Yes, yes you are.

Good article, I wish I had had it before my first read-through.

Twenty books already Amanda is impressive indeed.

Wow, your reading year is off to a terrific start, Amanda!

If you are interested in playing on Boardgamearena, I am listed there as scdoster.

Okay, the End Of January Blues have set it. In years past, I probably would have let my posting stop as a result. This year, I refuse. I acknowledge that my reading has slowed down, and my posting even more so. But, I'm not going to stop. Not this time.

For a while there, I was at a book a day. Even with kid's books in the mix, that's not sustainable. For one, I want to read some longer books. Also, I listen while I work, and January is a bad month for overtime. So, as I spend more time with my family, I will, by necessity, read less.

This is all to say, I will not stop in January this year. I will keep going. At least for another month.

#21
So This Is Ever After by F. T. Lukens

This is the book every YA TTRPG player wants to write as the epilogue to their game. It's cute, very YA, and another nice queer romance.

>73 dreamweaver529: I lurk mostly, but know that I'm enjoying all of your updates. :)

>75 MickyFine: Thanks, that helps. To be fair, I lurk on you're thread too. Then spend time patching up the BB holes ;)

>76 dreamweaver529: They're dangerous things those BBs. :)

#22
The Science of Marijuana by Leslie L. Iversen

I am fascinated by the science behind recreational drugs, from alcohol to amphetamines, from the biology to the sociology. All to spite the fact that I am a totally boring person who didn't get drunk for the first time till my late thirties.

I found this book interesting for a couple of reasons. For one, it used marijuana in the title rather than the scientific name of cannabis. This might reflect the original publication date, but as a science book, I found this an interesting choice. It did a good job of referencing the science, and there were a few chapters that made me dust off the ideas from my BioCem class. In the end, I came out with a better structural framework for further learning about the stated subject manor. Which, after all, is the point.

#23
You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang
You Are Not Small Book 1

Let's start off the month small, pardon the pun. It was okay, good for little kids. I wouldn't have picked it up if it wasn't part of a series included in GoodReads 2022 Best Middle Grade & Children's.

#24
Ever After Always by Chloe Liese
Bergman Brothers Book 3

It's nice to read a romance novel about a married couple. Especially one where the issues they are having aren't trivial, stupid, or because one or both of them are jerks.

I like this series's take on a lot of things. I'll probably reread the ones I read and read the rest.

>80 dreamweaver529: Ooh taking note.

>81 MickyFine: Please do. I really like this author. She includes a lot of body positivity, as well as characters that aren't your typical able-bodied neurotypical types. In this series alone you have multiple autistic characters (all handled with sensitivity), a character who is deaf, and one who has severe arthritis. And that's just in the books I've read. All the characters are unique and layered. They make mistakes, but it always makes sense given who they are, and it's never just because they are selfish and/or mean.

All this to say, there is more than one reason I'll be rereading these books more than once.

Oh, come on! I was successfully resisting this - I do _not_ need another author to binge! - and then you start talking about solid characters who do things because of who they are...bah. Got the first Bergman Brothers book from the library.

>83 jjmcgaffey: I'm...sorry? I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

But do be aware, they are SPICIE. And in a way I appreciate, not the typical romance novel routine of insert Tab A into Slot B, repeat until full charge is acheved (noting graphic behind the spoiler, honest). I must say, having a more accurate representation in that area is a major plus for me.

I don't really enjoy detailed descriptions of who puts what where...but I've been known to read them if there's actual relationship building going on along with the physical. We'll see if these work for me.

#25
Loveless by Alice Oseman

I'm trying to read a handful of books from a handful of Goodreads Choice Awards 2022 Best of lists. This is on YA Fiction list.

It's a good book, that talks about a queer identity that doesn't get as much coverage in the media as I think it should. The main character and narrator starts the book thinking she is just a late bloomer as she is graduating high school without dating, or even kissing, anyone. It was very clear to me very early on, that this was not the case. I felt it handled things very well. The characters are interesting and engaging. I don't feel like anyone did anything just to move the plot along.

I like the writing and will be looking at some of the author's other works. Yes, I know she wrote Hartestoper, and yes, both of them are waiting on hold for me from the library.

Heartstopper is super cute. I also enjoyed Radio Silence.

Have a great weekend, Amanda.

You are on a reading roll so far this year!

#26
The Ghost Tree by Natasha Deen
Spooky Sleuths Book 1

A cute, quick little book. I'll have to grab a physical copy for my son to read. I think he'll like it.

I've met Natasha Deen and she is absolutely lovely. Glad to hear you enjoyed the book and hopefully your kiddo does too.

#27
The Elephant Girl by James Patterson, Ellen Banda-Aaku

I'm glad I read this book, though I don't think I would have picked it up if it wasn't on Goodreads Choice Awards 2022: Best Middle Grade & Children's list. It audiobook was good.

#28
Women and Other Monsters by Jess Zimmerman

I started this book last year but had to return it before I could finish it. I knew I was going to come back to this book. It spoke to me, on so many levels. This is another book that I think needs to be read by every woman and everyone who cares about a woman.

#29
Rooted by Lyanada Lynn Haupt

An interesting read. While I appreciated the science, there were places that were a little too New Age adjacent for me to love the whole thing. Though, I am serially looking into making some simple leather shoes for walking the paths in my community.

#30
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite
Feminine Pursuits Book 2

I am so here for these queer regency romances. They are well done, with good characterization, without noticeable modern sensibilities thrown in.

I also liked the beekeeping aspects of this story. It reminded me of the videos I've seen from Texas Beeworks on Youtube. Always a good watch.

>94 dreamweaver529: Ooh, I've been hit. I'll check this one out. Have you read The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics from the same author? I thought that one was a lot of fun. I've also been reading some Cat Sebastian lately which feels like it's in the same vein.

>95 curioussquared: Yes, I did last year, and I loved it. The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics is the first book in the Feminine Pursuits series, of which The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows is the second. The third one, The Hellion's Waltz is on my list to read this year too.

I'll keep an eye on your thread to see what you think of it.

#31
I Am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang
You Are Not Small Book 2

Another one in the (Not) series. Again, okay for little ones, but not great. If I didn't have all of them out from the library already, I probably won't finish the series, but as I do...

#32
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Nevermoor Book 1

I have no idea why I picked this book up, but I'm glad I did. It's a good intro to a series focusing on a relatable outsider. I look forward to the next book in the series.

>98 dreamweaver529: Glad you enjoyed this one! I've loved the whole series and have book 4 on preorder. For me, it felt like the closest thing to Harry Potter I'd read since Harry Potter -- something about the whimsicality of the world.

>98 dreamweaver529: I'll take credit for this one. I think you were one of the people that my recent re-read hit with a BB.

>100 MickyFine: Yeah, that sounds about right. Thanks for that, now I have another series I need to read. La Sigh.

#33
Absolution By Murder by Peter Tremayne
Sister Fidelma Book 1

I read this in the before time, when I still had to drive to work each day. I own a bunch more in the series but never read any of them. Maybe this year I'll keep going.

#34
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries Book 2

Another reread, another book not addressing the very long list of digital audiobooks I have out of the library. But I do so love this series!

#35
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine

Not my thing. A lot of imagery, without a good bridge back to reality, at least for me. And way too many case studies are taken as good as empirical research.

#36
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Inkworld Book 1

The longest book I've read yet this year. It was good, a very engaging tale that would have been finished much earlier, if I wasn't visiting family this weekend, and thus not able to read as much as I normally do.

>105 dreamweaver529: I loved this first book SO MUCH and then the wheels fell off the wagon (for me) midway through the second book. But this book is just *chef's kiss*.

#37
How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee by Bart D. Ehrman

A very interesting book that highlights the difference between History and Faith.

You delurked on my thread, Amanda, so I'm delurking on yours. What a great variety of interesting books you've read this year--some of them have definitely become book bullets!

#38
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

I may be following along with ClassicCAT (thus reading this book) but I don't think I like classics any more now than when I had to read them in school. While this one is better than 20,000 Leagues, it's still not what I enjoy reading. But I can now say I've read it, and it was mentioned in another book I read this month, which is always fun.

>109 dreamweaver529: These classic adventure stories are never really my thing! I remember hating this one in school. Muppet Treasure Island, on the other hand, is absolutely necessary watching.

>110 curioussquared: Tim Curry makes any movie necessary watching ;)

#39
An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands
Highland Brides Book 1

I do so enjoy a good Historical Romance. The husband was respectful, the characters were interesting, and the plot was reasonable and engaging.

#40
The Best Gift for Bear by Jennifer A. Bell

A cute holiday book. Complete with recipes for gingerbread and icing.

#41
Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik
Starlight's Shadow Book 1

I really liked this book. I liked the characters, the worldbuilding, the style, the whole thing. I WILL be reading the rest of this series.

#42
A Game of Birds and Wolves by Simon Parkin

I'm not a fan of the style this book is written in. It skips around a lot, including an annoying hook at the beginning that is set after the events of the rest of the book.

Also, the book's subtitle emphasizes the "women" who did the work, but for the vast majority of the book, we are following the men in the story. Mahap it's because of the lack of info, but it continues the erasure of the work women did to win the war.

#43
Fangirl: The Manga, Vol. 1 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, Gabi Nam
Fangirl: The Manga Book 1

I wish I had more time to read manga. I always enjoy it when I do. I have the book it's based off of out from the library as well. We'll see how long it takes for me to get around to reading it ;)

#44
Coven by Jennifer Dugan

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The YA is very apparent, but the story wasn't bad.

>116 dreamweaver529: I love Fangirl but have never read the manga version. I should try it!

>117 dreamweaver529: I'll put this one in the "maybe" column. I read Dugan's Hot Dog Girl and thought it was OK.

#45
Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Brown Sisters Book 1

I love this series! It's been a while since I read this one, but it is as good as I remember.

#46
That's (Not) Mine by Anna Kang
You Are Not Small Book 3

I'm not enamored with these books. Maybe my kids are just too old, but I don't think they would have been my favorite even when they were little. I'll read them all because I have them out from the library, but I can't say I recommend them.

#47
Elektra by Jennifer Saint

This one is a hard one for me to rate. While I didn't like it, it was well written. It's just not my thing, it is Literary Fiction, which I don't read.

The only reason I picked it up is that it was one of the books nominated for Best Fantasy on Goodreads last year. It doesn't read like a fantasy novel to me. Sure there are gods, but only in flashes imposing their whims on the humans that the story is about.

#48
Porcupine Cupid by Jason June

This caught my eye on one of my Libby home pages. Simple and quick, I really enjoyed that Genderqueer Pride Flag and Transgender Pride scarf. I love that it gives not only opportunities for conversion but moments of recognition for children who live in the Queer community.

#49
The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch by Neil Gaiman, Michael Zulli

Very Neil Gaiman.

#50
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
The Pandava Quintet Book 1

I enjoyed this story. I love reading books steeped in a mythology not my own (either Christan or Greco-Roman).

#51
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Witch Boy Book 1

I've always been drawn to stories where the main character transgresses. I hate being told you have to do something or can't do something just because of an accident of birth. I already have the next book in this series out from the library.

Now that they're something to compare, I think I'll do a monthly round-up, complete with CHARTS!

1) A list of ongoing series that I've read at least one book of so far this year

(oh, my this list is going to get long before the end of the year)

2) Series completed this year


3) Genre By Month (each book as more than one)

#52
Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
Marvellerverse Book 1

I so enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the next one to come out in September. While similar to another magic school-based series, it has avoided its problems in this book at least. The main trio consists of two BIPOC characters, two girls, two outsides. The status quo is not held up as something that is great and needs to be maintained.

The characters are great, the story is engaging, the world-building is solid. I will be keeping an eye on this author and reading the next installment.

>126 dreamweaver529: Love the stats!

>127 dreamweaver529: Oh, good to see you liked this one. Someone else I know who read this wasn't a fan so it's good to see it might just be them :)

#53
The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckable by Aaron Blabey
The Bad Guys Book 2

I can see why my son is enjoying these books. We have the first 6 or so. I think I'm going to have to buy more.

My library has a copy of The Marvellers on its shelves right now so I've just placed a hold on it.

>130 ronincats: I look forward to hearing what you think of it!

#54
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Spoiler Alert Book 1

Another SPICEY body-positive romance novel. I read this one before the The Brown Sisters or the Bergman Brothers. I really enjoy so much about this book, from the theme, characters, and plot.

#55
The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Witch Boy Book 2

While the story didn't speak to me the way the first one did, it was still very good. I enjoy the characters and the world. And I'd forgotten how much I enjoy graphic novels.

One more chart

Reads by:
* Group are Audience
* Bars are Months
* Shades are Stars (lightest/top 5, darkest/bottom 3)

>132 dreamweaver529: This whole trilogy is so great.

>135 MickyFine: I love the first two! I'm rereading the second right now and have the third out from the library.

#56
By The Book by Jasmine Guillory
Meant to Be Book 2

A very nice Beauty and the Beast retelling. I'm looking forward to the next one being released in June.

#57
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

A cute fantasy romance. I'll be looking at the author's other books.

>137 dreamweaver529: I really disliked the writing style of The Wedding Date, DNFed it, and haven't tried Jasmine Guillory since. It was her first novel though so I feel like maybe I should give her a second chance. Any suggestions on what to try?

>139 MickyFine: This is the first book by her I've read. I didn't realize that the books in this series are written by different authors.

I didn't have a problem with the writing for most of the book (the prolog has too much manic pixie energy for me, and if that had been the tone of the whole book, I don't know if I'd have finished it). The main character is dealing with burnout and discrimination at work, both of which felt authentically handled imho. I enjoy retellings, especially fairytale ones. I like knowing what beats to expect, and this one hits most of them (even the library reveal).

I haven't read The Wedding Date, so I can't say if it is similar, but if you can pick it up from the library, I'd say give it a try.

>139 MickyFine: I loved The Wedding Date so it's possible Guillory just isn't for you, but if you want to try again I'd suggest Party of Two or While We Were Dating, which are two of her newer ones and I think are stronger overall. The Proposal is also really fun. I thought By the Book was OK but not great.

#58
All the Feels by Olivia Dade
Spoiler Alert Book 2

Don't read this book if you don't want to cry. Or maybe that's just me. Being a neurodivergent big girl who was bullied horribly growing up, both of these characters resonated with me so hard. I'm also a lapsed fan fic writer, so there's that too.

#59
Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade
Spoiler Alert Book 3

I do love this series, it will be added to my rotation of romance rereads.

>142 dreamweaver529: I think this one is my favourite of the three (although they're all great).

>144 MickyFine: I agree. Not only does it hit all sorts of buttons for me, but the characters are also so great. And I love the bad-boy-who-isn't-really-a-bad-boy-but-is-hurt type.

#60
Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking by Leonard Mlodinow

I'm torn on this one. There's a lot of good stuff in it, but a few points that didn't sit right with me.

There was the inevitable fatphobia that comes up any time you talk about food, and it ends with "use your willpower to avoid the food that multi-billion dolor companies carefully design to get past your willpower", with no suggestion that maybe we should be doing something as a society to prevent such manipulation in the first place. Leaving in place/strengthening the "fat people are lazy/have no willpower". And that totally ignores the systematic oppression that put some people, mostly BIPOC, in places where they have few if any other choices.

And then there was the "determination and an unwillingness to give up is a good thing". It talks about the Tyson-Douglas match, in which the underdog uses extreme determination to fight on and win, to spite the fact that everyone thought it was impossible. Yes, let's focus on this one time when that was a good thing, and ignore the times when boxers should have stopped but didn't and were significantly injured or died. The Sunk Cost Fallacy is real, it is not always a good thing to fight on in spite of all of the opticals. Sometimes, it's best to just stop.

I'm not saying this book is horrible and should be avoided, but I am worried that there is harm here if it is not read with some skepticism.

#61
Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson
Ravenfall Book 1

Another great mid-grade novel. And it's at an Inn (for those that are doing the BINGO card over on the Cat Challenges group).

#62
How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra
Giada the Healer Book 1

The beginning of another good Middle-Grade series. So far this year, I've found I'm more likely to like these than YA. The YA I've read in the past can tend to the melodramatic.

#63
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

I'm really enjoying graphic novels this year. A cute story, nothing deep, but a good read.

#64
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Once Upon a Broken Heart Book 1

Ah, yes, the melodrama of YA fantasy romance. It is a good story, but the plot has so many twisty turns, it left me rolling my eyes at points. Even so, I will read the rest of the series.

#65
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
Garlic Book 1

This was so cute. I'll have to pass it on to my kids.

#66
We Are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang
You Are Not Small Book 4

Yeap, just reading these as they are already out from the library.

#67
Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West
Dragon Masters Book 1

Reading with my kid.

You are on a roll! >149 dreamweaver529: This one looks interesting.

#68
The Katha Chest by Radhiah Chowdhury

Representation is vital, as is media that we can use to talk to our children about people who have different experiences.

>154 curioussquared: I really like that one too. The more graphic novels I read, the more I remember why enjoyed reading them.

#69
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
Elements of Cadence Book 1

I am very intrigued by this one. The writing is good, the characters and interesting, the plot is good. I've got the next one on hold from the library.

>157 dreamweaver529: Ooh, I'm glad you liked this one! I bought it without knowing much about it so it's on my shelf to be read... at some point, lol.

#70
Fangirl: The Manga, Vol. 2 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, Gabi Nam
Fangirl: The Manga Book 2

Heaven save me from cliffhangers! And the next one doesn't come out till August. Granted, I will read the actual book between now and the, but still. It's the principal of the thing.

#71
Hall Of Smoke by H.M. Long
The Four Pillars Book 1

A good, well-written book. Definitely earns its Epic Fantasy tag. Though, while I won't not be picking up the next book, I'm not going to be reaching for the next one any time soon.

#72
Gardens Of the Moon by Steven Erikson
Malazan Book of the Fallen Book 1

I am so glad I had a study guide. It is a long, complicated book, with many characters and locations, with strange names and fantasy languages.

That all being said, I will be reading the next one. With the guide.

#73
It Is (Not) Perfect by Anna Kang
You Are Not Small Book 5

Only one more to go.

#74
Quiet by Susan Cain

This book has been on my TBR for nearly a decade. I regret not picking it up sooner. Now, how do I make everyone I have to interact with read it?

#75
Anatomy by Dana Schwartz
The Anatomy Duology Book 1

A very interesting setting for a romance. The main character is studying to be a surgeon in a time when getting cadavers to learn from requires either executions or a "Resurrection Man".

Congrats on 75 already!!!

>165 curioussquared: Thanks! I'm very proud of myself for tracking and posting for this long.

Right now, I'm on track to read a book a day when you include children's picture books, and 300 without (counting just Adult, YA, Midgrade, and Graphic Novels). I want to read a long book (20+hrs) once a month, but only just did my first one, so I have two to make up over the rest of the year.

I may have made a whole Power BI file to track everything.

>166 dreamweaver529: I love it!

Congrats on reaching the magic number!

Love your PowerBI charts!

#76
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Cozy is the perfect word for this book. I love settling into it. I can see why so many people are enjoying it.

#77
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitue by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Lunch Lady Book 1

One for the kid, a James-Bond-esque school drama. As ridiculous as the name implies.

#78
Zackary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

Again, a good Midgrade gook, with good diversity and an interesting story. If there is another one published in the series, I'll check it out.

>164 dreamweaver529: Congratulations on reaching 75!

Congrats!

>168 MickyFine: >172 FAMeulstee: >173 drneutron: Thanks, I've read more so far this year than I did all of last year. I forgot how much I enjoyed slipping into other worlds and seeing through others' eyes. I also really enjoy looking back on what I've read so far.

#79
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Burning Kingdoms Book 1

Darker than my normal fare, it was a good book, with great characters, plot, and world-building.

#80
Beware the Moonlight! by Natasha Deen
Spooky Sleuths Book 2

Another good book in a cute series - though I have some issues with the "Scientific Method" the protagonist is using. I can give him some slack, as he is an elementary student, but to truly use the scientific method, you have to test your hypothesis not to see if it's true but to try and disprove it. Only by attacking your own idea with everything you can, and having it come out intact, can you avoid any number of logical fallacies. Sure, it's a minor thing, but it's a way of thinking that kids can pick up which can make for issues later.

#81
The Midwinter Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Witch Boy Book 3

Another solid win for Representation Matters.

#82
What If? 2 by Randall Munroe
What if? Book 2

I love this series! Wil Wheaton is perfect as the narrator. He does a perfect job of reading the footnotes, invoking the hyperfocus infodump taggant aside energy just right.

I had the ebook open as I listened so I could also enjoy the hilarious illustrations.

#83
Don't Go Near the Water by Natasha Deen
Spooky Sleuths Book 2

Another good installment in the series. I have the same issues with this one, but it's still a good read for my kids.

#84
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Bellinger Sisters Book 1

I don't know if it's because I've been reading more inclusive romance novels, but the beginning especially was rather meh for me. Though, they do say you should read books about people who are different from you. A rich, thin, non-intellectual, social butterfly, party girl that consistently uses her body and sex appeal to get what she wants - yeap, that is very nearly the definition of not me.

#85
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

Yeap, I very much enjoy this author's work. It's funny and engaging, and I am so here for it.

#86
Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta

A 100% must-read. I'd love to be involved in a chapter-by-chapter book discussion based on it.

#87
Justinian's Flea: Plague, Empire, and the Birth of Europe by William Rosen

Not the best book I've read on the subject. It jumped around a lot.

#88
King of the Murgos by David Eddings, Leigh Eddings
The Malloreon Book 2

I read Pawn Of Prophecy when I was in high school. And even though this story happens more than a decade after that one, I don't think the characters have changed much. Even still, it's a...comfortable read. Nothing particular chalanging. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that it was published in the 80s.

#89
Book Lovers by Emily Henry

A fun subversion of the Hallmark tropes. But I really hope this wasn't the best of what 2022 Romance novels had to offer (It won the Goodreads Readers Choice Award in Romance last year)

Ever had one of those moments when you rethink your whole rating system? I'm trying to rate my next book, but I'm having a hard time finding the right number. It's better than the books I've given a 3.5 but not as good as the books I've given a 4.

I think I'm going to have to go back and re-rate all the books again. Which means reposting all the pix. Ug.

Update: Rerating complete. I've reviewed all my 4s, pushed some down to 3.5, and dealt with the cascading change that created. I've updated all the pix for the 11 affected books (in this thread, and will keep my eyes open for other issues going forward).

#90
Outfoxed by Love by Eve Langlais
Kodiak Point Book 2

Total fluff. But sometimes, fluff is just what I need.

>185 dreamweaver529: I really liked Book Lovers but I know what you mean. I think Emily Henry has super broad appeal which is why she's so popular -- she appeals to people who don't typically read romance, too. Also, I find the Goodreads Choice Awards are pretty trash in general. It's always the same popular authors winning and any diversity is usually snubbed.

>186 dreamweaver529: You are much more disciplined than me! I wouldn't have the patience to go back and rerate everything :)

>187 dreamweaver529: I love this cover, lol. Sometime fluff is just the ticket.

>188 curioussquared: Re Goodreads Choice Awards: I agree that it tends to be more of a popularity contest than a good book contest. I'm reading through 7 of them (hoping to read at least 5 of the 20 nominated books). So far, the best list has been the Middle Grade & Childrens. The winning book I Am Quiet was a very good book, and both The Marvellers and Ravenfall are on the list.

#91
Adulthood Is A Myth by Sarah Andersen
Sarah's Scribbles Book 1

I really needed a laugh, and this one provided many.

#92
First Year Out: A Transition Story by Sabrina Symington

My reading for International Transgender Day of Visibility. Maybe one day, November 20th can just be a normal day.

Well, it's graph time again. I've tweaked my dashboard (and will probably continue to do so for the rest of the year). If you want more, pop over to my
Category Challenge thread.

Top Left: Books by Advance*
Top Center: Audiobook by Lenght Gole Tacomiters
Top Right: Audiobook by Length†
Bottom: Books Read per Week by Rating‡


* Lines represent the current number of books that need to have been read to date (March 31) to achieve the selected goal.
From the bottom up:
Dark Green: Adult Books - 150 per year
Light Green: Adult & Young Adult Books - 200 per year
Dark Pink: Adult to Midgrade - 225 per year
Light Pink: Adult to Graphic Novels - 300 per year
Dark Purple: All - 365 per year

†Lines represent the current number of books that need to have been read to date (March 31) to achieve the selected goal.
From the bottom up:
Dark Green: Books longer than 20 hours - 12 per year
Light green: Books longer than 15 hours - 38 per year (12 books longer than 20 hours plus 26 books (one a fortnight) books longer than 15 hours)
Dark Pink: Books longer than 10 hours - 125 per year
Light Pink: Books longer than 5 hours - 225 per year

‡Line set to 7 books per week, or one per day.

Oh, and here is my progress on the series I have read this year. This isn't a full list of series I'm working on, just ones in which I've read at least one book since the beginning of the year.