This is the first part of Richardson's Pilgrimage series. The writing is beautiful but it takes some effort to appreciate the stream-of-consciousness style and accept the lack of a structured plot.

I used this for prompt 47 of the #52bookclub24, “Self-insert by an author“, as the book supposedly follows the real-life experiences of Richardson.

These are the books I've got planned for the #AwesomeApril readathon! @Andrew65

The memoirs of a journalist who fled Eritrea after speaking out against the government, this is one of my favourite books of 2024 so far. It's an exciting and inspiring story.

Sadly, the author died of COVID in 2021, but he did manage to reunite with his family in Canada. I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by his son.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 49, Mr. Rime: Reccommended by friends or family)

I just came back from a gigantic book sale for charity that happens in my community every year. I picked up the Nancy Drew books, as they'll be coming up soon in the #NancyDrewBR hosted by @Librarybelle.

Reading the ND books these past months has made me nostalgic for the childhood mystery series I loved, so when I saw these Vicki Barr books, I had to bring them home too!

Good storytelling in this YA fantasy containing elements of East Asian folklore.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 46, Polteageist: Possessive or posessed character)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 15, Part of a duology)

I really enjoyed this latest installment of the #NancyDrewBR. It featured some interesting elements: a secret code, a mysterious perfume and even a cult!
@Librarybelle

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 7, Wooloo: Farm or farmer)

An excellent collection of interconnected short stories set in the Filipino-Canadian community. The author explores both the joyous and painful experiences of reuniting with family members after many years apart.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 68, Lapras: There is a journey)

This book is a low pick for me. It's a somewhat random collection of thoughts on silence, some insightful and others that were less interesting. Either way, it has definitely made me appreciate silence more.

This might be a stretch, but I'm using this book for prompt 30, “Meowth: Treasure“ for #gottacatchemall, since the theme of the book is that silence is to be treasured, and we all know that “Silence is golden“! @PuddleJumper

I bailed on my #BookSpin choice and my library hold for my #DoubleSpin choice didn't come in on time, but it was a pretty good reading month otherwise, with 2 bingo lines.

Thanks @TheAromaofBooks for hosting #BookSpinBingo!

A reread of book 2 in the Expanse, one of my favourite sci-fi series. I love this installment for its unlikely friendships: Amos/Prax and Bobbie/Avasarala. The TV adaptation of this novel is even better!

This is the 5th and final book I finished for the #MarvellousMarch readathon. Thanks to @Andrew65 for hosting!

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 17, Vespiquen: Woman in charge)

Such a charming booking, with a lovely peaceful cover! Of course all the answers are found at the library. 😄

#MarvellousMarch @Andrew65
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 43, Sinistea: Tea cup on cover)

My April #BookSpinBingo list! @TheAromaofBooks

Excellent space opera, with an interesting array of characters and a lot of unexpected twists in the plot. Nice to see that the book received a Hugo Best Novel nomination this year. #hugoawards #hugo2024

#MarvellousMarch @Andrew65
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 32, Perrserker: Warrior or soldier character)

The Hugo nominees were announced yesterday and these are the Best Novel nominees. The full list of nominees can be found at https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-hugo-astounding-and-lodestar-awards-finalists/.

I've read Starter Villain and Some Desperate Glory and liked both very much. Is anyone else planning to read the Hugo nominees?

#hugoawards #hugo2024

This historical novel tells the story of a young Irish immigrant who settles in Quebec in the years leading up to the Lower Canada Rebellion in 1837-1838. I enjoyed the story and the author made the description of the historical events much more interesting than those in the history textbooks I had to read when growing up in Quebec.

#MarvellousMarch @Andrew65
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 33, Perrserker: There is a battle)

This month's #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub book was a very enjoyable read. I liked that the plot wasn't totally predictable (at least not to me), and I thought Mrs. Millard was a great character.

@Aimeesue @batsy @CarolynM @catebutler @Cathythoughts @CatLass007 @elkeOriginal @erzascarletbookgasm @Jess_Read_This @jlhammar @julieclair @Kimzey @LeahBergen @Lizpixie @MrsK @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @Tamra @Teresereading @willaful

This was a low pick for me. I really liked the exploration of ideas and the plot was interesting and well paced, but it was a pretty gloomy story overall.

#LitsySciFiBookClub @TheSpineView
#192025 #1963 @Librarybelle
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 61, Ponyta: Fantasy, paranormal, or sci-fi)

I enjoyed this account of the early female astronomers at the Harvard Observatory. Not surprising that they didn't get the salary or the respect they deserved at the time!

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 26, Wheezing: Features a positive change)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 6, Women in STEM)

These are the books I'm working on for the #MarvellousMarch readathon hosted by @Andrew65. I hope I can get a few of them finished by the end of the month!

I really enjoyed this coming-of-age story. I loved all the characters, the Cork setting, the humour and the unexpected twists. However, I do have to say that there were other #LitsyToB24 picks I found more interesting and thought-provoking, if less enjjoyable. @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 20, Karrablast: Instant connection)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 38, Published by Hachette)

This is a fun story about a researcher looking into the origins of fads and who ends up falling in love and herding sheep in the process.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 19, Karrablast: Excitable character)

I'd read the updated 1965 version of this book but some aspects still seemed very outdated and definitely cringey by today's standards. It was fun seeing Nancy and friends at a ranch setting but the plot was weaker than the previous #NancyDrewBR books. @Librarybelle

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 12, Dubwool: Animal on cover)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 48,The word “secret“ in the title)

I made japchae while listening to The Good Son. I had a lot of the ingredients on hand, since Korean dishes and Chinese dishes (which I cook a lot) have many ingredients in common, but this was my first time cooking sweet-potato noodles.

#FoodandLit @Catsandbooks @Texreader

This psychological thriller set in South Korea is a low pick for me. On the one hand, the story was extremely disturbing and the narrator both unreliable and unlikeable. On the other hand, I couldn't stop reading once I started!

#FoodandLit @Catsandbooks @Texreader
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 76, Corsola: Someone dies)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 9, A character-driven novel)

There was a lot that I liked about this book: the alternative history of the US, the obsessive personalities, the slow revealing of X's secrets, and the exploration of the characteristics of “art“.

I'm surprised that this didn't make the Tournament of Books shortlist (but glad it was included in #LitsyToB24). It seems just the sort of book that makes for good ToB discussion.
@squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB

It took me a while to get into this book but I ended up liking it much more than I thought it would.

I loved the satirical moments when Bunny tries to consider climate change and other momentous issues affecting the world but then gets distracted by a colleague's designer shoes. I'd like to think that I'm not like Bunny but I realize I'm writing this on my computer in my well heated home with my car parked outside the door. 😅

Newitz looks at 4 ancient cities, Çatalhöyük, Pompeii, Angkor, and Cahokia, and examines the details of everyday life in these urban centres, instead of the major events that other historians tend to focus on.

I finished this book yesterday to wrap up the #FabulousFebruary readathon. Thank you for hosting @Andrew65!

I finished 10 books in February, including my #DoubleSpin book, but I just could not manage a bingo! Better luck in March ....,

@TheAromaofBooks

My #BookSpinBingo list for March!
@TheAromaofBooks

This book was left behind by one of my daughters when she moved out years ago, and it was the perfect choice for prompt 29 of #52bookclub24: “Published in a Year of the Dragon“. It was published in 1976 and, as the title suggests, it features dragons! I loved the story! Wish I had read it when I was young.

#FabulousFebruary @Andrew65
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 57, Sirfetch'd: Book you keep meaning to read)

I found this novel somewhat messy with all its characters and storylines but I did enjoy reading it. It's a heartwarming story set in a 1970's Pennsylvania neighbourhood with primarily Jewish and Black residents.

#LitsyToB24 @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB
#FabulousFebruary @Andrew65

This is a biography of model and artist Kiki Man Ray, who was married to artist Man Ray for a time. While Kiki's life story was interesting, I enjoyed even more learning about the development of art in Montparnasse during the 1920's.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 65: Rapidash: Different genre to the last book you read)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 39, Non-fiction recommended by a friend)

The second book in the Web Shifter's Library series, this SF novel has further adventures of lovable shapeshifter Esen and friends. Biologist Julie Czerneda is great at inventing interesting alien species.

#BacklistReadathon @clwojick @TheAromaofBooks
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 10: “Dubwool: Character has horns“)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 3: “More than 40 chapters“)

This classic SF novel involves a man whose dreams cause the world to be altered. The jumps to different realities makes the reading challenging, but LeGuin poses many thought-provoking questions.

#BacklistReadathon @clwojick @TheAromaofBooks
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 22: “Koffing: Dystopian setting“)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 12: “Title starting with the letter L“)

Time for the #FabulousFebruary readathon! @Andrew65

I'm hoping to finish Dragonsong and Four Lost Cities soon.

I'm also hoping to finish or at least start several more books from #LitsyToB24 before voting starts. I'm currently enjoying Biography of X, stalled with Julia, and have on my radar Mobility, Hello Beautiful, and The Rachel Incident. Suggestions on which to try next from the Litsy crew would be appreciated!

I've always been a fan of Jean Plaidy's historical novels but I've not read many that she authored as Victoria Holt. I really enjoyed this gothic romance and murder mystery, even if it did seem to borrow a lot of elements from Jane Eyre and Rebecca.

#BacklistReadathon @clwojick @TheAromaofBooks
#192025 #1960 @Librarybelle
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 50: “Mr. Rime: Character dresses up“)

I'm continuing to enjoy #NancyDrewBR hosted by @Librarybelle. This installment, in which Nancy helps a friend whose inn seems to be the target of malicious acts, was full of danger and suspense.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 14: “Combee: Flowers“)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 21: “Written by a ghostwriter“)

This classic novella was atmospheric and tense, and it inspired a lot of modern cosmic horror stories. However, I found it slow moving and didn't care for any of the characters.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 78, Corsola: Isolated person or location)
#DoubleSpin #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#52bookclub24 (prompt 23, The “other“ book with the similar plot) This book inspired T. Kingfisher's The Hollow Places

This novel about a woman who finds a portal to an isolated mysterious world in her uncle's shop of oddities is more fun than most of the cosmic horror stories I've read in the past. I love all the weird and wonderful characters in this novel!

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 44: “Sinistea: Ghost or spirit“)
#52bookclub24 (prompt 22: A plot similar to another book) This book was inspired by The Willows by Algernon Blackwood.

I can't say I “enjoyed“ this novel, as it brought back memories of some of the aspects I hated the most about high school. However, it was a good coming-of-age story with a mix of light-heartedness and darkly satirical humour.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 6: “Thievul: Set in a city“)
#LitsyToB24 @squirrelbrain @Megabooks @BarbaraBB
#52bookclub24 (prompt 51: Related to the word “Wild“)

Here are the books I've added to the #192025 challenge in the last couple of months. Making steady progress but it's getting harder to fill the slots, especially since I'm trying to not repeat any authors. The challenge is definitely broadening my reading. @Librarybelle

This horror story set in 1990's Mexico City had some weaknesses, but I really liked all the details about Mexico's film industry of the earlier decades. The characters were not all likable but were all flawed in different and interesting ways.

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 8: “Wooloo: Character with curly hair“)

#52bookclub24 (prompt 19: “A buddy read“, for a local bookclub)

Even with the 14th book in the series, McGuire still brings new and interesting twists to the ongoing plotlines and development of the characters. There were more than a few surprises throughout this story!

#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 16: “Vespiquen: Someone wears impractical clothes“)
#BacklistReadathon @clwojick @TheAromaofBooks
#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

My wrap-up for January's #BookSpinBingo. I finished my #BookSpin book and managed to get a bingo. Thanks to @TheAromaofBooks for hosting!

I made a brief visit to Toronto yesterday and had to stop by my favourite bookstore, BMV on Bloor, where I picked up a couple of vintage mysteries.

Here‘s my list for February‘s #BookSpinBingo! @TheAromaofBooks

This was a hard book to get through the first time I'd read it and it was still hard this second time around, because of the emotions it puts its readers through. I feel emotionally wrung out, but it it really is a great story.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#192025 #1995 @Librarybelle
#ChunksterChallenge2024 @Amiable
#1001
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt : “79. Cursola: Found family“)

This near-future post-apocalyptic thriller was a low pick for me. It had an interesting premise -- amnesiacs are found among refugees displaced by climate disasters -- but there were weaknesses in the execution.

#gottacatchemall prompt 27: “Nature is featured prominently“ @PuddleJumper

This novel felt a little dated and had long passages of political theory that I didn't completely absorb, but otherwise, it was an excellent story contrasting two worlds that differed greatly in geography, social norms and political structure.

It gave me lots to thin about and I'm looking forward to the #ClassicLSFBC discussion. @RamsFan1963

A bit slow-paced and contemplative for my tastes. I didn't feel especially engaged with the characters until quite late in the story, but I do appreciate the quality of Stegner's writing and how he explores the theme of aging.

#JoyousJanuary @Andrew65
#gottacatchemall @PuddleJumper (prompt 24: Koffing: Toxic relationship)