Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
1 October 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
Oh, this week has been crazy. Foolishly, or not, we decided to do some Spring cleaning – in Autumn. So, that became a thing. We’ve been decorating and cleaning everywhere (probably not the best time of the year to do this but hey ho), anyway, everywhere looks quite refreshed but consequently we’re both a bit tired now. In reading I’ve almost achieved what I set out to do this month. I’ve finished my batch of SPFBO books and chosen my three Semi Finalists, during the next month I will be reading those books chosen by the Critiquing Chemist. I managed to complete However Many Must Die by Phil Williams, I also read A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark – she has a beautiful style of writing although I didn’t total gel with the story. I’ve also picked up and read about a third of Once A Monster by Robert Dinsdale. I’m enjoying this so far and so hopefully will make good progress with that in the next couple of days – all going to plan I will have completed all my September review books.
Next Week’s Reads:
Complete Once a Monster by Robert Dinsdale, maybe begin one of my SPFBO books and make a start on my October books (I’ll be posting tomorrow about what’s on my plate this month). I have a few good creepy looking books for October.
Reviews Posted:
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
- However Many Must Die by Phil Williams
- A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
24 September 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
I had a lovely week, we had visitors staying and it was great to see them and spend quality time together. I completed The Hexologist by Josiah Bancroft which I thoroughly enjoyed, I hope there are many more adventures yet to come from this couple and their fascinating world. I’ve also made a very good start on However Many Must Die by Phil Williams, I’m about 75% in so should finish that one today. I did have the mother of all migraines for the past two days though and that rather stopped all reading – well, it pretty much stopped everything other than lying in a dark room. Anyway. I have two of my September review books still to complete and I’m hoping to pick these up in the forthcoming week. In SPFBO news I posted seven reviews this week and also selected my semi finalists (which is probably what brought on that headache – the stress of tough choices eh!).
Next Week’s Reads:
Once a Monster by Robert Dinsdale and A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark
Reviews Posted:
- Of Thieves and Shadows (The Heart of Quinaria #1) by BSH Garcia
- Dark Innocence by PJ Alexander
- The Bone Spear by Alexander Layne.
- The First and Last Demon by Hiyodori.
- The Heron Kings Rampant by Eric Lewis
- Twicetime by Carol Carman
- Dream of Death City by PJ Nwosu
Outstanding Reviews
- The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
- The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
- However Many Must Die by Phil Williams
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
17 September 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
Another busy week, this year is officially ridiculous, I feel like the world is speeding up! How is it almost half way through September already. Anyway, moving swiftly on, I managed to complete Talonsister by Jen Williams which is one of those books that renews your joy of reading. I also read Jo Nesbo’s The Night House which is a psychological horror and a story within a story. In SPFBO news I’ve started reviewing the seven books that I read fully, I’ve posted two reviews already and a third is lined up for tomorrow which means I have four more reviews to go. Then I’ll be reading the books chosen by my partners the Critiquing Chemist. My September review books are going quite well. I’m about 65% into Josiah Bancroft’s The Hexologist which leaves me with three review books to complete – A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark, Once a Monster by Robert Dinsdale and However Many Must Die by Phil Williams. I think I can manage that in the next two weeks.
Next Week’s Reads:
Complete the Hexologists and I think I’ll pick up Phil William’s book after that. These are the covers for the books I’m hoping to complete during September.
Reviews Posted:
- The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
10 September 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Jen William, Talonsister, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
This week has been very busy socially so not as much reading as I’d have liked. But I’m reading and enjoying Talonsister by Jen Williams, about 60% into the story now and hoping to complete in a couple of days. I’ve caught up with another couple of reviews and in fact i only have two outstanding reviews now -which is a definite woohoo moment. I’ve also posted my second SPFBO cuts post – not my most favourite part of the competition but it has to be done. I have one more such post and then the remaining books from my batch are my potential Semi Finalist hopefuls. In other news our rescue dog is doing really well. It’s been about five weeks now and she’s starting to enjoy contact with us all now, plus she’s very soon settled into a routine. And she adores our other dog Bones so it’s a big relief.
Next Week’s Reads:
I will be completing Talonsister by Jen Williams.
Reviews Posted:
- The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Booking Ahead/Weekly/Monthly Wrap Up
3 September 2023
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Monthly Wrap Up, Weekly wrap up, What's on my Plate
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing so but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Books read this week:
Again, not a great reading week really. I picked up both of my anticipated reads but one I’ve DNF’ed and the other didn’t work it’s magic for me although I did manage to complete it. I’ve started one of my September review books and also this month I’ll be picking up and reading those books put forward by the Critiquing Chemist as part of their Semi Finalist hopefuls for SPFBO.
Next Week’s Reads:
I will be completing Talonsister by Jen Williams which I’m about 20% into already and enjoying.
Reviews Posted:
- The Twenty by Sam Holland
- My Murder by Kate Williams
- The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd
- All The Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
My August recap
8 books read in total.
- Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- 1 x SPFBO
- 1 x SPFBO
- Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
- Thornhedge by T Kingfisher
- The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
- Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
- Powerless by Lauren Roberts
What’s on My Plate for September
Well, I’m gradually catching up with blog hopping and reviews. The four outstanding reviews above are from books that I read earlier this year but didn’t write up yet so I’m whittling down the list slowly but surely. Fortunately, I’ve been very reasonable when it comes to requesting more review books which means my September review list (which I’ve already started) feels a lot more manageable. This is good news because ideally I’d like to backtrack through my earlier books that I’ve got behind with. I’ll also be aiming to read the books put forward as potential semi-finalists by the Critiquing Chemist and similarly I’ll be giving them my list of hopefuls. I have some tough decisions. In total I fully read 7 of my SPFBO books and the rest I tried to read at least the first 30%, sometimes slightly more, sometimes less. Like I said I really need to decide which books to put forward. I’ll be posting two further elimination posts – both on forthcoming Saturdays. My feelings go out to all the authors still waiting – and very much so to those authors from my first elimination post which can be found here.
My reading this month:
Talonsister by Jen Williams
‘Uncover a magical past that refuses to be forgotten in a world of mythical creatures and ruthless religion in this brand-new duology from the multi-award winning author of The Ninth Rain, perfect for fans of John Gwynne and Andrea Stewart.’
I’ve made a good start on this one already and can’t wait to see where the story takes me.
A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark
‘Readers of Shauna Lawless and Thilde Kold Holdt will love this Celtic-inflected adventure by critically acclaimed, grimdark epic fantasy novelist, Anna Smith Spark.’
I’ve already taken a sneaky peak at this one and it’s given me the shivers (in a good way). I think I’d almost forgotten how much I love this author’s style. So beautiful.
Once A Monster by Robert Dinsdale
This isn’t my first outing with this author. I loved The Toymakers and Paris by Starlight which firmly established him as a master storyteller, in my opinion, so when I saw the description for Once A Monster I was a little bit smitten. Greek myth, Dickensian style setting – hell yes.
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
‘The first book in a wildly inventive and mesmerizing new fantasy series from acclaimed author Josiah Bancroft where magical mysteries abound and only one team can solve The Hexologists.’
I am totally ashamed to admit that I haven’t read this author yet. His first book (Senlin Ascends) in the Books of Babel series was an entry into the SPFBO competition and following that the series simply took off. I think I’ve bought all the books but in typical reviewer fashion the books I’ve bought seem to play second fiddle. So, this will be my first foray and I’m really excited. I will get to The Books of Babel though -I’ve made myself a promise to do so.
The Night House by Jo Nesbo
‘From the internationally best-selling author, a twisted, multi-layered spin on the classic horror novel’
Definitely the right time of year for a horror novel. This was released earlier this year but when it came up for request I couldn’t resist. The dark nights are creeping in and this book has crept itself onto my list. Woot
However Many Must Die by Phil Williams
‘Get ready for the first epic entry in a new series, and a new world, of dark military fantasy from Phil Williams.’
I can’t wait to pick this one up. I’ve read this author’s work before, he has a great imagination, his Under Ordshaw series is excellent and I highly recommend Dyer Street Punk Witches – which, although set in the same world can be read without having read the other books in the series (although why deny yourself that pleasure).
On top of these I have my potential SPFBO books – maybe 2, maybe 3, maybe 4 – ooh, the anticipation!
????
I think this is a manageable quantity of books – so I’m also hopeful of squeezing in a backlist book. I have a few that are calling to me:
Anyone read any of these? Any thoughts??
Books and travelling with Lynn 