On The Same Page discussion

Lea wrote: "Alissa and I are reading The Reading List next month. I'm so glad to see that you enjoyed the book!"

I knew you were doing a buddy read but my hold came early and couldn’t resist it, lol. Hope you and Alissa enjoy it as much as I did. Recommend a bit of patience in the beginning to allow for set up. It drew me in and I couldn’t put the book down. Read it in one day. Told family to figure out their food situation cause I was busy ;)

Will you be discussing it in the Buddy section? I’d love to follow your discussion if you are.

Michelle wrote: "I absolutely loved both The Poet X and The Reading List. Glad to hear you enjoyed them too! Good month!."

They were both so good, weren’t they? I saw Elizabeth Acevedo has new book out this spring. So excited.

Alondra wrote: “I have the first on my TBR, along with A Spindle Splintered.

Yikes"

Woohoo!

Great month, Lillie!

Lillie wrote: "I knew you were doing a buddy read but my hold came early and couldn’t resist it, lol. Hope you and Alissa enjoy it as much as I did. Recommend a bit of patience in the beginning to allow for set up. It drew me in and I couldn’t put the book down. Read it in one day. Told family to figure out their food situation cause I was busy ;)

Will you be discussing it in the Buddy section? I’d love to follow your discussion if you are."

I wouldn't have been able to resist it either, no judgment from me! I am anxiously awaiting my holds. I love that it drew you in and you couldn't be bothered to fix any meals. I hope the same thing happens to me.

Yes! We will be discussing it in the Buddy section and we'd love to hear more about what your thoughts were! So, don't forget your impressions! :-)

You've had a great month, Lillie. I have difficulty with poetry but I may have to check out Poet X.

Love that you enjoyed a book so much you made your family feed themselves!

Book #12 City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong 4 stars
A dystopian feeling novel set in today’s world with a mix of a western feel with almost surreal fantasy overtones. Going into this I had no real clue as to what genre I was going to be reading and I felt ok with that. The set up is that there’s a town out there for people desperate to get away from a rough situation. Not perfect by any means but once I let myself slip into the story, I really enjoyed it.
Looks like it’s the start of a series and there are 6 more. Kind of excited :)

Carolien wrote: "Great month, Lillie!"

Thanks!

Bill wrote: "You've had a great month, Lillie. I have difficulty with poetry but I may have to check out Poet X."

I hope you do read it. You write such great reviews and I’d love to know what you think of it.

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Love that you enjoyed a book so much you made your family feed themselves!"

Because I have a bit more free time nowadays, I usually do my reading earlier in the day. But this one just had to be read ;)

So February has been an almost book less month. I listened to one audiobook at the beginning of the month and started several but didn't have the time to finish them. This month I helped my sister move my dad and his wife from TN to DC. No time to read with the move. Just got back home today. I'm tired, lol

Read:

Armstrong, Kelley. City of the Lost (Rockton #1) 3.5 stars Went into this book without having looked at reviews, just based on the synopsis. Had no clue whether this was going to be a mystery or a fantasy or what. Ended up being fun and a nice distraction to overthinking dad's move.

Books I started this month and hope to finish:

I Am Not Sidney Poitier
The Color of Magic
Kindred
The Eight
In Five Years (missed bookclub this month)
Rhode Island Red (Nanette Hayes #1) picked this up today at airport. A new mystery author for me!

Lillie wrote: "So February has been an almost book less month. I listened to one audiobook at the beginning of the month and started several but didn't have the time to finish them. This month I helped my sister ..."

I bought Rhode Island Red recently. Looking forward to reading it.

Hope March is a better month for you

Bill wrote: "I bought Rhode Island Red recently. Looking forward to reading it."

When I was buying this book my first thought was to wonder if you had read it yet 😂

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Hope March is a better month for you"

Thanks! I'm sure it will be now that dad is settled. I've already made progress on The Color of Magic :)

Book #12 In Five Years 3.5 stars

Read this for book club and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to continue this earlier in the month. Took up where I left off earlier and I was surprised at how much I ended up liking this story. A woman catches a glimpse of her life 5 years in the future, one that leaves her confused. Wasn't sure how she was going to get there but I actually cared when I got to the end.

Lillie wrote: "So February has been an almost book less month. I listened to one audiobook at the beginning of the month and started several but didn't have the time to finish them. This month I helped my sister ..."

I feel you on that one. Life comes at you fast, and it makes you tired.

I will be interested to see what you think of The Color of Magic. I need to read book 2. It didn't blow me away, but it was fun to read. I think I just need to get used to Terry Patchetts world.

Book #13 The Color of Magic 3 stars

I think I must’ve read this book a long time ago because most of the story seemed so familiar. A good fantasy series start. I didn’t love it but I’m interested enough to read another book in this very long series. I just need to decide if I’ll read it in order or jump around by the mini-series groupings I saw listed recently. Is there one people recommend over others?

Book #14 Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency 2.5 stars

Very quirky, very different, very Douglas Adams. If you've read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll be familiar with Adams' writing. I may have liked this better if I had read the book vs. listening to the BBC audio production. It felt too noisy in the background for me to hear everything well. Really had fun watching the tv series though. Have the next one on Libby waiting for me.

Books #15 A Darkness Absolute (3.5 stars) & #16 This Fallen Prey (4 stars)

Books 2 and 3 in the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong - I'm enjoying the audiobooks of this series set in the Yukon wilderness. People who need a refuge from a cruel world find it in a hidden little town off the grid. But are they victims or perpetrators? That's what detective Casey Duncan (who's up in the town for her own reasons) and Sheriff Eric Dalton investigate in each of these books.

I'm on a 6 week hold for the next one so I should probably read books off my list, lol

End of February already! 6 books in total this month, the lowest amount I've read in years. Lots of family distractions. Should be quiet for March.

Audiobooks:
Adams, Douglas. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently #1) 2.5 stars
Armstrong, Kelley. City of the Lost (Rockton #1) 3.5 stars
Armstrong, Kelley. A Darkness Absolute (Rockton #2) 3.5 stars
Armstrong, Kelley. This Fallen Prey (Rockton #3) 4 stars

Physical Books:
Serle, Rebecca. In Five Years 3.5 stars
Pratchett, Terry. The Color of Magic (Discworld #1) 3 stars

Currently reading:
I Am Not Sidney Poitier
Kindred
The Eight
Rhode Island Red (Nanette Hayes #1)

Currently listening to:
Wolf Hall

Lillie wrote: "Book #14 The Color of Magic 3 stars

I think I must’ve read this book a long time ago because most of the story seemed so familiar. A good fantas..."

I agree. I have the next 3 or 4 books, because it was interesting and short enough for me to continue.

Great update Lillie. :)

You guys are making me think that I've got to read The Color of Magic. How could I have missed that entire fantasy series?

Michelle wrote: "You guys are making me think that I've got to read The Color of Magic. How could I have missed that entire fantasy series?"

I missed it too. And now the series has so many books in it. It has to be good...

Michelle wrote: "You guys are making me think that I've got to read The Color of Magic. How could I have missed that entire fantasy series?"

Lea wrote: "I missed it too. And now the series has so many books i..."

It's one of those series that has always been on the edge of my consciousness, in that I've thought about it over the years, wondering if I should start it. Just felt so overwhelmed on which series within the series to start with. So I plunged in with the first one he wrote.
Have a feeling I'll be reading them for years to come. Looking at the goodreads page, it looks like I began the Rinceworld series and there are 8 books in the grouping.

Book #17 I Am Not Sidney Poitier 3.5 stars

Quirky and weird and a bit of a sad book. The author took us on a circuitous route in the life of Not Sidney, a young man who lost his mother when he was 9, was not brought up by but taken care of by Ted Turner. Loneliness, racism, classism and bullying are explored through Not Sidney's life. Parts were absurd and others cut to the bone. It left me uncomfortable but I think that was the point. New-to-me author whose work I'm excited to explore further.

Michelle wrote: "You guys are making me think that I've got to read The Color of Magic. How could I have missed that entire fantasy series?"

Luckily they are short; very short! So, I am all in. It took me about 1/3 of the way to get a feel for the book; but once I did, I liked what I read. I may yet do a reread when I am ready for book 2

Michelle, Lea and Alondra please let me know which of the mini series you’re going to read and what you think of them. I’d love to be able to talk about them as we’re all thinking of trying them out.

Fingers crossed things quieten down and you can read more in March

Book #18 The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul 3 stars

Having listened to the first one and due to the chaotic nature of the audio, I had decided to not continue with the series quite yet. But then my hold, that I’d forgotten I’d requested, came in. Same main voice actors, so that made it a bit easier. And the audiobook was only 3 hours long at normal speed (I listen at 2x), I went ahead with it. Definitely better. Still a very absurd world, but fun.

Book #19 The Last Chance Library 3.5 stars

I want to say this is a cute story but that’s not the right word because it’s about grief, loneliness and about finding friends, a community. Basic premise is a young library assistant who has been grieving her mother’s death finds reason to hope and live again while fighting to save her library from being shut down. Really enjoyed the audiobook while doing household chores. Found this gem thanks to Michelle.

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Fingers crossed things quieten down and you can read more in March"

Thanks! Reading seems to have picked up this month :)

Book #20 Wolf Hall 4 stars

This book's been sitting on my shelf for a number of years. I had no intention of ever buying it but I found it at a used bookstore for $2 so a no brainer. Started with the print version but switched over to the audiobook. Definitely a good decision. Why didn't anyone tell me how gossipy, how soap opera-y it was?? At first I was overwhelmed at how detailed it was but then I let myself go with it. Yup, a fun book.

Lillie wrote: "Book #21 Wolf Hall 4 stars

This book's been sitting on my shelf for a number of years. I had no intention of ever buying it but I found it a used books..."

It was a nice surprise for me too.. Excellent book.

Lillie wrote: "Book #21 Wolf Hall 4 stars

This book's been sitting on my shelf for a number of years. I had no intention of ever buying it but I found it a used books..."

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it. I did not have the patience to pass over being overwhelmed in the beginning...

Lillie wrote: "Book #20 The Last Chance Library 3.5 stars

I want to say this is a cute story but that’s not the right word because it’s about grief, l..."

Really glad you liked it Lillie! There was a lot in there about what people get out of reading. I liked that too.

Bill wrote: "It was a nice surprise for me too.. Excellent book. "

I love it when a book that I've long thought of as stodgy turns out to be really really good :)

Ioana wrote: "I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it. I did not have the patience to pass over being overwhelmed in the beginning...

I hear you! That's why I switched over to the audiobook since I was thinking of putting down the print version. But I had to read it this year as it's on my challenge list. If you ever decide you'd like to give it another chance, I'd recommend the audiobook though it is 23 hours long.

Michelle wrote: "Really glad you liked it Lillie! There was a lot in there about what people get out of reading. I liked that too."

Yes! I love reading books about books, whether they're about bookstores or libraries or book clubs. It's about what everyone gets out of reading :)

Lillie wrote: "If you ever decide you'd like to give it another chance, I'd recommend the audiobook though it is 23 hours long.."

Hmmm, maybe, someday...it's not that 23 hours that puts me off, I've listened to longer ones. It's the mood and the state of mind that need to cooperate.

Book #22 Mom & Me & Mom 4.5 stars

A love story from Maya Angelou to her mom. What a powerhouse Vivian Baxter was! Such a strong and complex bond they had. Made me smile and tear up reading about their relationship. As always with Ms Angelou’s work, I walk away from this book full of admiration.

Book #23 We Ride Upon Sticks 3.5 stars
Another Michelle recommendation and another fun one. Thanks :)
A girls hs hockey team that embraces witch craft to have a winning season. Set in the 80s. Honestly that's all anyone had to say to get me to read it ;-)

Book #24 Abandoned in Death 4 stars

Per usual, JD Robb wrote another really good, enjoyable (can one say that about murder mysteries?) book. I continue to love this series, think this is #54. Thought she wrote a good plot and I liked that I couldn't predict who the murderer was. Next one's out in September. Can't wait.

*a bit of housekeeping - had to edit all my post with numbered books. I think I skipped one at the start of page 2, so some of the replies will be off by a number

I have some of the 'In Death' series, really need to try one!

Lillie wrote: "Book #13 The Color of Magic 3 stars

I think I must’ve read this book a long time ago because most of the story seemed so familiar. A good fantas..."

If you like witches then go for Wyrd Sisters which is a Macbeth parody. It's one of my favourites.

Otherwise my all time favourite is Guards! Guards! which introduces the Watch and Sam Vimes.

The early ones are lighter, he hits his stride from about book 6 and then the later ones become very dark.

Carolien wrote: "If you like witches then go for Wyrd Sisters which is a Macbeth parody. It's one of my favourites.

Otherwise my all time favourite is Guards! Guards! which introduces the Watch and Sam Vimes.

The early ones are lighter, he hits his stride from about book 6 and then the later ones become very dark. "

Thanks Carolien!! That really helps me in navigating the series. Decisions, decisions :)

#25 Light Years From Home 2 stars

I'm so disappointed! Mike Chen previous books have all been fun and then this mess. Oh well. This family was so dysfunctional and not in the good storytelling way, just in the "boy, they really need to get over themselves" way. Ugh. Not the worst book of the year for me but a close second.

You're having a great March!!

I added The Last Chance Library & Wolf Hall

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I have some of the 'In Death' series, really need to try one!"
I hope you do but I highly recommend reading them in order of publication starting with

Alissa wrote: "You're having a great March!!

I added The Last Chance Library & Wolf Hall"

Thanks :) definitely better than February

I hope you enjoy the books!

Lillie wrote: "Book #23 We Ride Upon Sticks 3.5 stars
Another Michelle recommendation and another fun one. Thanks :)
A girls hs hockey team that embraces w..."

Glad you enjoyed it Lillie. I was concerned about it at times but I felt like the ending pulled it all together. And I loved the 80's stuff. A fun one for sure, like totally!