Tag: 2024

January 2025 Wrap Up

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In January I read six books including several nonfiction books.

Books:

Christmas at Hogwarts by J.K. Rowling is a picture book version of Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts with beautiful art by Ziyi Gao. The text used is from the 12th chapter of the Sorcerer’s Stone. This is great for Harry Potter fans and kids just getting into the Wizarding World.

The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren is the first book in the start of a cozy paranormal mystery series. We follow Lucy who travels to Oxford to visit her grandmother but her knitting shop is closed and she is supposedly dead. It turns out that Gram was murdered but turned into a vampire to save her and Lucy is trying to figure everything out. A fun story but I don’t think that I will continue with the series.

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson is a book about the last crossing and the sinking of the Lusitania and how this helped bring the United States into World War I. Like all of Erik Larson’s books this is a very easy read and could be a good introduction to the topic.

The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom by Shari Fanke is Shari memoir about the true story behind the 8 Passengers YouTube channel and vlogs and what happened. Given the topic it’s hard to say that I enjoyed this but I’m glad Shari got to tell her story and this is a cautionary tale for all family vloggers.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is the first book in the Empyrean series and I have a full review posted. We follow Violet Sorrengail as her mother has ordered her to join the Dragon Riders at the Basgiath War College instead of joining the scribes. I loved this even though I didn’t think I would and I would recommend trying it.

The Rebel Romanov: Julie of Saxe-Coburg, The Empress Russia Never Had by Helen Rappaport is Rappaport’s newest nonfiction about Romanov history. This follows Julie of Saxe-Coburg who marries Constantine, the grandson of Catherine the Great and who Julie ends up leaving everything for her own freedom. Julie is not a historical figure that I’ve ever heard of but Rappaport makes Romanov history very interesting and readable.

December 2024 Wrap Up

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In December 2024 I read three books, mostly manga and didn’t finish one. I should have posted this wrap up much sooner but that’s life.

Books:

Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire was the first book I read in December. This is the sixth book in the Wayward Children series. We follow Regan who shortly after finding out that she is intersex ends up in the Hooflands, a world filled with centaurs and unicorns. Here she grows into herself and learns that even those who are different are people. Loved this one and felt like the series is coming back to its roots.

Next I read Saiyuki Reload volumes three and four which is a continuation of the Saiyuki series following Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo, and Hakkai traveling to stop the daemons that are trying to resurrect Gyumaoh. I still love this series but there is a lot of nostalgia tied to it for me.

The one book I Didn’t finish and don’t plan to was The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I’ve tried to read this book before and couldn’t finish it and tried again for book club but still didn’t like it. Personally I feel like the book is too long and a large chunk on the first 200 pages or so could be cut but the biggest reason I stopped reading was that I just didn’t care about any of the characters.

November 2024 Wrap Up

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In November I finished four books and a podcast series.

Books:

The first book I finished was the physical edition of Dracula Daily by Matt Kirkland. Dracula Daily started out as an email list where a section of Dracula is sent to you chronological instead of how the book was originally written. This physical book also includes some of the internet commentary and art created for Dracula Daily. I loved Dracula and reading it in a different way. I have participated in the email list before but enjoyed reading it as a physical book as well.

Next I read Doctor Who: How to be a Time Lord. This is an in universe book that is supposed to be a manual on how to be a Time Lord with the Doctor having replaced part of it. Written in 2014 so not up to the current Doctor who. Cute idea but designed for kids that are fans of the show.

Hounded by Kevin Hearne is the first in the Iron Druid Chronicles an Urban Fantasy series following Atticus O’Sullivan the last of the Druids. When he is attacked by the followers of a Celtic god who wants his sword Atticus must do everything in his power to survive. This is a fun urban fantasy where the hero is a master of his power and unlike others in the genre it doesn’t seem like he is in much true danger.

Rebel’s Creed by Daniel B. Greene is the second book in The Lawful Times series. The book starts out giving us some of the first book from Chapman’s point of view which made me understand him as a character when I didn’t like him before. Then we follow Holden in the aftermath of book one as he is trying to find the truth of what happened. While I enjoyed it and want to see where Greene takes the series from here you can tell that he is still finding his footing as an author.

Podcast:

The podcast that I finished was The Edge of Sleep featuring the YouTuber Markiplier and is what the TV show of the same name is based on. The basic premise is that something has happened where if you fall asleep you die and a small group is trying to find out what is going on. I enjoyed the podcast but I personally liked the TV show more and I hope there will be a second season at some point.

October 2024 Wrap Up

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In October I read five books, decided not to finish two, and watched somethings as well.

Books:

The first book I read was The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher. This was a reread for book club and I have a full review posted. The Hollow Places is a fantasy horror novel where a portal to another world is opened in Kara’s uncle’s house/museum. She ends up exploring this opening and finding out lays beyond. I enjoyed this on reread but definitely feel like this is for fans of horror.

The Goblin King’s Mischief by D. Lieber is a fantasy romance following Lady Melody who wants the Goblin King to fall in love with her. I received a copy from the author and also have a full review posted. This is a charming fantasy romance that I feel would be great for fans of Elise Kova.

Next I read Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Devil in the White City is a nonfiction book about the creation of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and H.H. Holmes actions around the fair. This does focus more on the fair before going into H.H. Holmes murders but his story is throughout as well. Erik Larson make history very readable and if you have any interest in the topics he writes about I would recommend his books.

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers is a science fiction book where people are sent to space to explore but to adapt to the new environments they change how their bodies look and function. We follow the events of a four man crew but told by Ariadne as a log of events. Eventually, they find out that they haven’t received any messages from Earth and must decide if they should go back to Earth or continue on with the mission. I feel like the ending was meant to be hopeful and allows you to decide what you believe happens but I wanted more.

The last book I finished was Salvation in the Sun by Lauren Lee Merewether. This is a historical fiction novel set in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. I do have a full review posted. The novel focuses on the Pharaoh trying to take back power from the Cult of Amun by changing the main god being worshiped to the Aten and how that change effects everything. I would recommend this to historical fiction fans and those with an interest in Ancient Egypt.

Books DNF(Did Not Finish):

The two books that I didn’t finish were Chimera by Mira Grant and The Starflower by K.A. Kenny.

Chimera by Mira Grant is the last book in the Parasitology trilogy and I generally like Mira Grant’s work. However, with this series I often felt like same things kept being retread and I found that I no longer cared about what happen.

The Starflower by K.A. Kenny is a science fiction novel following our main character Zim whose military call sign is Starflower. While fighting the Aldrakin she learns of a prophecy that she due to her call sign is supposed to be about her which will impact the universe. I received a copy from the author for review. While the writing was good and the premise interesting I found myself being confused at the beginning and not connecting with any of the character. However, If it sound interesting I would give it a try.

Movies and Shows:

This month I watched The Conjuring 2 as we are in spooky season and I wanted to continue watching the series.

The main show I watched was The Edge of Sleep on Prime TV. This show has the YouTuber Markiplier in it and that’s how I found out about it. The premise is that for some reason if you fall asleep you will die but the world was normal before. We follow a small group of characters that are trying to figure out what is going on. This is a very weird show but I enjoyed it and plan to listen to the podcast version. However, as I’m making this post very late it has since been removed from Prime TV and there doesn’t seem to be a place to watch it at this time.

September 2024 Wrap Up

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In September I read five books and watched two movies.

Books:

Egypt’s Second Born by Lauren Lee Merewether is the fifth novella in the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel series. We follow young prince Amenhotep in the events before Salvation in the Sun. The main focus is on the relationship between Amenhotep and his brother and how their individual relationships with their father are so different. This also gives insight into Amenhotep’s insecurities and where he is emotionally at the start of Salvation in the Sun. This was well written and a very good character study.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster which was a selection for the book club I’m in. This is a children’s fantasy story that follows Milo who thinks everything is boring but a mysterious tollbooth shows up in his room. He ends up traveling to the Lands Beyond and having an adventure. A cute story that would be great for kids.

Black Talon by Jaime Castle is the start of an Adult fantasy series set in a world where some of the elites have soul bonds with dragons which gives them access to power and magic. The story is told from two perspectives, Kullen who is the emperor’s assassin, and Natisse who is part of the rebellion. Interesting concepts but I don’t plan to continue with the rest of the series. I would have preferred the story to be just from Kullen’s perspective.

The Mitanni Princess by Lauren Lee Merewether is the last novella in the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel series. We follow the Mitanni Princess Tadukhipu who just wants to paint and love the servant she has fallen for. However she is forbidden to do this and is eventually married off to the Pharaoh. While I don’t understand why she is band from painting I liked Tadukhipu as a character and look forward to seeing her again the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles.

Crape Jugulum by Terry Pratchett is the last book I read this month and another book cub pick. This is one of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld book. An interesting take on vampires and I loved how they tried to acclimate themselves to their weakness. My first Discworld book but while I liked some of the ideas I don’t think Discworld is for me as I don’t read much comedy and very pick with it.

Movies:

The first movie I watched was Annabell. Being spooky season and close to Halloween I intended to watch more horror movies but didn’t get around to many. Annabell is one of the Conjuring Universe movies focusing on the haunted doll Annabell and what happen before the Warren took her. Fairly good haunted doll movie but what I don’t get is why to doll even before its supposed to be haunted is so creepy looking. I would never let that doll into my house.

The only other movie I watched this month was Bettlejuice Bettlejuice which is the sequel to the 1988 film Bettlejuice. While I like the movie, it is a weird movie, there were some plot elements that felt a little rushed to me mostly all the stuff with Bettlejuice’s ex-wife. I loved that most of the original cast was able to return and it didn’t feel like just a cash grab to me.

August 2024 Wrap Up

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In August I read four books and watched two movies. I’m currently catching up on all the post that didn’t get published in 2024.

Books:

The first book I read was Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. This is a historic fantasy following Emily Wilde as she researches fairies and folklore. She arrives at a remote village where she discovers some darker magic and unexpected friendships. When her academic rival Wendell arrives love starts to brew. Emily is a research rat who seems to care more about learning then people but she ends up connecting with the villagers.

The next book I read was Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre by Aaron Mahnke. This is a collection of historical stores and anecdotes about weird things throughout history. The title is accurate as this truly is a cabinet of curiosities through stories. However, at times if felt like we were just scratching the surface of these stories.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree is the prequel to Legends & Lattes. We follow Viv when she is working for the mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens when she gets injured and is forced to stay in the town of Murk. She ends up meeting and helping the owner of a bookstore and fighting the villain the mercenary group was after. Bookshops & Bonedust shows us who Viv was before she opened the coffee shop and how what you want and need changes over time.

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White is a young adult vampire story following Lucy from Dracula who did not dye and her connection present day with Iris, a woman who is trying to escapes her family and their evil vampire MLM. I have a full review posted and would recommend reading that for more information.

Movies:

The first movie that I watched was Urban Myths from 2022 which is a Korean horror anthology movie. There are ten different parts with each being about 20 minutes long. The focus of each one is a different myth about familiar things such as school, mannequins, social media, and unexplained noises. While I didn’t like all of them I found it an interesting watch that felt different than American horror movies.

The next movie I watched was The Conjuring. I haven’t seen all of the Conjuring movie yet but wanted to re-watch the first before continuing on. The Conjuring follows the paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren during the Perron family case where they believe that their house is haunted. While I like the Conjuring movies I would say to take the based on a true story bit with a grain of salt.

July 2024 Wrap Up

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In July I read five books and watched the new season of Doctor Who. I should have posted this before now and I don’t remember everything about what I read.

Books:

The first book I read was Symbiont by Mira Grant. This is the second book in the Parasitology trilogy. We follow Sal and her companions as they try to figure out how the tape worms are taking over the host and what Sherman’s plan is. I love Mira Grant’s (Seanan McGuire) writing but this very much felt like a middle book. Sal spends far to much time fainting and being kidnapped.

The Bitter End by Alexa Donne is young adult thriller where a winter storm traps eight teens at a remote ski lodge and people start dying. A very well written thriller with multiple points of view. I have a full review posted as well and I feel like those who enjoy thrillers will enjoy this.

Next I read Saiyuki Reload volumes one and two by Kazuya Minekura. This is a continuation of the Saiyuki series following Sanzo,Goku, Gojyo, and Hakki traveling to stop the demons that are trying to resurrect the demon king. I love this series and the art and plan to continue rereading this series. I plan to write a full review when I read all of the series.

The last book I read in July was The Girl in the Tower by Katherian Arden we follow Vasillisa as she leaves her village for adventure by pretending to be a boy but when she saves some children from bandits the Grand Prince anoints her as a hero and she is reunited with her brother and sister. This had a bit a second book syndrome but I can it is setting up for the finale.

TV Show:

They only TV show I watched was the new season of Doctor Who. I liked this season but I feel like the ending was a little rushed and they tried to make Ruby’s mother important to the plot in a way that I didn’t feel was necessary but I do plan to watch the next season when it comes out.

June 2024 Wrap Up

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In June I read seven books and watched two movies. Mostly fantasy and science fiction but some nonfiction as well.

Books:

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson is a historic nonfiction about what happened in the five months between Abraham Lincolns’ election and the start of the Civil War. Civil War history is generally not something I’m interested in but Erik Larson makes history very readable. I would recommend this book if you are a fan of Erik Larson or are interested in the history of the Civil War.

The next book I read was The Fifth Prophet by Lauren Lee Merewether which is the fourth novella in the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel series. This one follows Pawah as he becomes a scribe at the temple of Anum and everything he will do to become more powerful. As this follows the villain of the Last Pharaoh Chronicles I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others in the series but I wonder if I would have liked it more if I had read the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles first as I’m reading in chronological order of events not the publication order.

A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab is the first book in the Shades of Magic series. In this world there are multiple universes and those with specific magic can travel between different London’s. We follow Kell who is being framed and Lilah a thief who is helping him. I should have liked this but while I liked the magic and Kell I hated Lilah and didn’t feel much of a connection to this story.

Saiyuki Resurrected Edition volume 4 by Kazuya Minekura is the last volume of these editions of Saiyuki and I have a full review posted for the series. Overall I still love this series.

World War Z by Max Brooks is a zombie story told as an oral history through interviews with different characters explaining what they did and how the world survived the zombies. This is a different take on zombies and how the world would cope in this situation then most stories and is very different than the movie adaptation. I would hope that humanity would ban together if something like this were to happen but after Covid I’m less optimistic.

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik is a collection of short stories including a look at the world her next novel is set in and one of the first stories that became Spinning Silver. I received a review copy of this from Netgalley and have a full review going through each of the stories. Overall I would recommend this if you are a fan of Novik’s work.

Queen’s Hope by E.K. Johnston is the last book in the Star Wars Padme trilogy. We follow Padme Amidala as a senator at the beginning of the Clone Wars. This focuses on what Padme’s role is now after her marriage to Anakin and the start of the war. We also see how her relationships with the handmaidens has changed over the years specifically with Sabe and what she is doing on Tatooine.

Movies:

I also watched two movies this month both Japanese. The first was One Cut of the Dead which is a zombie comedy movie similar to Shaun of the Dead in the humor. At first it seem like we are seeing a zombie outbreak on the set of a movie shoot but its much more than that.

The next movie I watched was Godzilla Minus One which is a Godzilla movie set after World War II following a Kamikaze pilot who survived the war and saw Godzilla at the end of the war. He now feels like he needs to be part of the group that kills Godzilla. I’m not the biggest Godzilla fan but this movie was very good.

May 2024 Wrap Up

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In May I read seven books including several manga and a picture book. I’m currently catching up on some post that I had planned to go up before now.

Books:

The first book I read this month was The Free Trader of Warren Deep by Craig Martelle which is a science fiction story about Free Trader Brandon and his mind linked hillcat traveling the trade routes of Warren Deep. He decides to traverse the Great Desert to find old tech to make his riches. I liked the concept overall but found some parts confusing and it ended abruptly.

In the Houses of their Dead: The Lincolns, The Booths, and the Spirits by Terry Alford is a nonfiction book about the connections between Abraham Lincoln and John Wilks Booth even before the assassination. There is also a focus on the Lincoln’s interest in spiritualism. I liked this book while I was reading it but I feel like I didn’t retain much of the information.

Knight owl by Christopher Denise is a picture book about a little owl who wants to become a knight. I love owls and collect owl things and this was too cure to pass up.

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy novel where people can have powers based on different metals. I have read and reviews this book before and reread it for book club. I still really like this story and need to continue on with the series.

Saiyuki Resurrected Editions volumes one through three by Kazuya Minekura is a manga fantasy series that is very loosely based on Journey to the West. We follow Sanzo, Gojyo, Goku, and Hakkai as they are tasked with traveling west to find out why the yokai are attacking humans and stop the resurrection of the demon king Gumaho. These editions are new hardback editions with an updated translations. I’ve loved this series for years and still do but I don’t believe that the full story will ever be completed.

April 2024 Wrap Up

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In April I only read two books but I was playing and finishing different video games including Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Books:

The first book I read this month was Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age by Kathleen Sheppard which I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Netgalley. Women in the Valley of the Kings is a nonfiction book about the history of Egyptology and the impact that women have had on the field. I’ve been interested in Ancient Egypt and Egyptology for years but most of the people you hear about are the famous men and their findings. I didn’t realize how many women were involved in the field and how their finds and research impacted others. I would recommend this to those studying Egyptology and those who have an interest in the field.

The other book I read this month was Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Mass. This is the last book in The Throne of Glass series which I loved. I feel at this point that this series is so popular you will know if you want to read it and if you would like it. It took me a while to finish this series mostly because I have been very bad at finishing series in the last several years. However, some of the books are a bit of a slog but the payoff is worth it.

Video Games:

This month I finished Final Fantasy VII Rebirth which I also have a full review posted for. I absolutely loved this game and I can’t wait to see where they take the story in the next game. Two things if you are interested in playing the developers are expecting you to know the story of the original games including Crisis Core for all the emotional payoffs and you should play Remake before trying this one. This is a game for fans but other would enjoy it as well.

The other game I’ve been playing has been The Oregon Trail for Nintendo Switch. I’ve been having a lot of fun playing it but as I only pick it up here and there it will take me a while to complete everything in the game. If you have fond memories of play Oregon Trail as a kid I would recommend it.