596 replies to this topic

[Sanjana R]

Finished the Alex Trebek memoir, so now I'm at an even 20 books for the year, lol. 

 

I didn't know Alex had an honorary degree from Fordham! There was a pic of him in the PhD regalia like me included in the book lol

[Katia11]

Really? That's interesting! I didn't know that either!

[Katia11]

Soooo.....

 

I picked up A Game of Thrones today. *gulps nervously*

 

But I read three Sanderson books last year. I can DO this. 

[Katia11]

I have conquered Game of Thrones! Well, book one at least. Now I need to decide if I actually liked it enough to pick up book two. 

[Mara=^.^=]

[Katia11]

LOL 

[Katia11]

*Emerges bloody and tired* I HAVE CONQUERED THE DRAGON.

 

(i have read all the available game of thrones books)

[ShadRose17]

Just started Sunrise On The Reaping as my hold just popped up available on Libby finally.
I am super pregnant and already emotional. Two chapters in and what a rollercoster, am I going to regret starting this now? Maybe... but what choice do I have but to continue?
Someone send chocolate, I'm gonna need it.

[Katia11]

You are definitely going to need it. It only gets.. Uh.. More intense as the book goes on.

[ShadRose17]

Eleven chapters in now, sort of regretting I never got around to reading all of "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes", but I probably will after this.
I'm pretty sure I can see where this is going and I don't like it.
Though not gonna lie this is the first book that's sucked me in so much I'm binge reading chapters in a long time, so I'm happy about that. My desire for reading recently has been non-existent so I'm glad for a spark, I missed reading.

[Katia11]

I debate reading that one. I am not entirely sure I need to be in Snow’s head for an entire book. I know there are things that would be good to know, so maybe I'll work up the gumption to read it one day.

[Katia11]

I finished a very odd book today. Still trying to figure out how I feel about it. The demon MC turns an angel into a library. Which like, fair…. But

[ShadRose17]

Finished tonight. Saw it coming, my heart is still crushed, yikes. That was rouugh.

[Katia11]

sending ya some air hugs. it really is a hard one. 

[ShadRose17]

sending ya some air hugs. it really is a hard one.

I'm really wondering how they're gonna spin the movie, if it's gonna end in straight tragedy like that or if they'll end with the epilogue somehow.

[Katia11]

That is a fair question. I suppose a lot will have to do with if they can get the og cast to come back.

It would be devastating to end after Lenore, but they still might if they can’t get those og actors.

Although, I suppose Woody Harrelson could always do a voiceover or something.

[Katia11]

I also realized it's about halfway through the year (though let's not talk about that) and I thought, it'd be fun to do like a mid-year evaluation thing. I realize I already did a current fave reads list but this is my topic, so I make the rules. 

 

A book that made me cry: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, (granted I didn't actually cry. i really don't cry during books. there's just too much emotional distance). Also, the Green Bone saga by Fonda Lee is pretty heartbreaking so that gets a mention too. 

 

A book that made me laugh: This is less ACTUALLY laughing and more just really comforted me: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, or Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy, also Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett just hit RIGHT for me.

 

My favorite new character: That's a real tough one. I'm not a 'favorite character' type person. Other than Elizabeth Bennet or Anne from Anne of Green Gables who have yet to be replaced.

 

A favorite new to me author: Andrew Joseph White 

 

My favorite book by a debut author: (to make this easier on myself i'm setting a boundry that this can't include any books written earlier than 2024): Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Disappearance of Amy Semple McPherson by Claire Hoffman, Brewed With Love by Shelly Page, and once again, Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

 

The biggest disappointment: Heir by Sabaa Tahir, and this isn't because it was BAD because I still very very much enjoyed it, but there was a plot similarity to the first series of books that bothered me a little. I was like.. this.. again? 

 

The Biggest Surprise: The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker ( I was not expecting to like horror as much as I did) The Ana and Din Mystery series by Robert Jacson Bennet (the blend of fantasy and mystery in this series is just so well executed and I loved it), and Game of Thrones & the rest of that series (Simply because I really went into this thinking I wouldn't like it AT all and instead, I read all five books.)

 

My most anticipated release: probably Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri

 

A new release on my TBR: Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe (I enjoyed the middle grade series that C.B. Lee wrote and I can't wait to see what they bring to the cozy fantasy genre).

 

A book I want to read by the end of 2025: i think I really want to try and finish at least one more in the stormlight archive series, so probably Rhythm of War, and maybe Wind and Truth if I can manage it.

 

The most beautiful book I purchased in 2025 so far: Katabasis by R. F. Kuang. I splurged and got the one with sprayed edges. It's gorgeous. 

 

The best book I've read in 2025: Yeah... that's not happening. LOL 

[ShadRose17]

Read "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," and egh, not nearly as gruesome or heartwrenching as Sunrise imo, but geez.
Snow's character is interesting in that he changes but he... doesn't really. He just becomes a more defined version of who he was all along, if that makes sense? It was definitely interesting because at first you could be empathetic with him, but as time goes on it's like oh yeah okay you're just like this, cool.
It was a very interesting story though, I did very much enjoy it and also basically binged it like I did Sunrise, though it took a little longer for me to get in to. It was a decently strong story, though out of all the Hunger Games books I'd probably rate it last on the list of I don't know if I'd read it again, whereas I definitely have and will reread the original trilogy and probably will Sunrise eventually.
I do want to watch the movie now though since I haven't yet, to see how they do it will be interesting.

[Katia11]

Fair!!!

I saw the movie and it was pretty good. I especially liked the music

[Katia11]

Started The Fox Wife this morning. enjoying it quite a bit so far.