The 2012 Annual Reading Challenge – List Thread!

Nyssa · 12-17-2011, 06:20 AM

Welcome to the 2012 Reading Challenge List Thread.

This thread is for you to keep a running tally for your chosen challenge.
I would request that you please state your goals at the top of your post (i.e. in the title line), and then start your list in the body of your post.

[Please Remember: No discussion posts in this thread. Please use the other thread for that. Non-List posts will be deleted or moved to the other thread]

Post #2 will be dedicated to a Table of Contents for all participants in this thread.
Names will be added, to this TOC, in alphabetical order with a link to that individual’s post number from this thread.

Discussions & Ideas can be found here: 2012 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread

To Discuss a particular book please participate in the Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? thread and share your thoughts about the book with others.

Nyssa · 12-17-2011, 06:21 AM

[Please Remember: No discussion posts in this thread. Please use the 2012 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread for that. Non-List posts will be deleted or moved to the Discussion Thread]

Table of Participants
(Participants will be listed by user name in alphabetical order)

afa - Post # 69
Alohamora - Post # 21
aquabel - Post # 67
ATDrake - Post # 5
banjobama - Post # 25
barb2cats - Post # 59
bevdeforges - Post # 49
burgesk - Post # 55
cak3 - Post # 70
Catlady - Post # 11
colinsky - Post # 15
CRussel - Post # 14
CWatkinsNash - Post # 16
Dazrin - Post # 17
Djedefre - Post # 79
dreams - Post # 23
ElsieC - Post # 74
faithbw - Post # 73
fantasyfan - Post # 78
GA Russell - Post # 50
goruta - Post # 66
Hamlet53 - Post # 19
HarryT - Post # 8
Hatgirl - Post # 26
HomeInMyShoes - Post # 18
issybird - Post # 12
jbcohen - Post # 65
jessicalynn - Post # 48
jersysman - Post # 29
Joy736 - Post # 68
JSWolf - Post # 6
Kaylee Skylyn - Post #76
KenFisher - Post # 45
Kevin2960 - Post # 46
Kevin8or - Post # 36
kevorkian - Post # 80
Kiwiscott - Post # 39
LauraPony - Post # 24
Lizzie in Ma - Post # 41
Loosheesh - Post # 7
maxiart - Post # 77
melmac - Post # 27
mikaelalind - Post # 37
mikegetz - Post # 64
MikeOxlittle - Post # 61
missimpossible - Post # 34
narflet - Post # 28
Nyssa - Post # 3
orlok - Post # 22
paulsalter - Post # 38
pdurrant - Post # 4
Polarpenguin - Post #62
Quake1028 - Post # 33
Rakgi - Post # 57
RareBird - Post # 60
RDaneel54 - Post # 47
red_pheonix - Post # 13
richrock - Post # 53
RolandD - Post # 52
rpmazur - Post # 43
Rumpelteazer - Post # 9
sabredog - Post # 63
sakura-panda - Post # 30
Shack70 - Post # 10
shanghaichica - Post # 72
spindlegirl - Post # 42
sun surfer - Post # 20
TaureanBull - Post # 35
tecweston - Post # 71
toomanybooks - Post # 32
tponzo - Post # 40
Traciinaz - Post # 54
treadlightly - Post # 31
victauria - Post # 44
Xanthe - Post # 58
yakuzaboss - Post # 51
Yapyap - Post # 56
Xzwatz - Post # 75

78 participants so far!

Nyssa · 12-17-2011, 06:22 AM

Series:

The Dresden Files: (14 / 13 Novels) & (11 / 11 Bonus Stories) ~ Completed Apr. 27th (Finished Cold Days on 12/9/12)

Chronological Order:

Spoiler:

Rachel Morgan/The Hollows: (0 / 9 Novels) & (0 / *6 Bonus Stories) *Plus the anthologies in which 4 of the stories are included.
Chronological Order:

Spoiler:

Honor Harrington: (9 / 13 Novels), (21 / *21 Bonus Stories) & (0 / 4 Sub-Series Novels) *Plus the anthologies in which the stories are included. ~On Hiatus
Chronological Order:

Spoiler:

Black Dagger Brotherhood: (7 / 10 Novels) & (1 / 1 Bonus Story) ~Currently Reading
Chronological Order:

Spoiler:

Percy Jackson: (1 / 5 Novels) & (0 / 1 Story Collection) ~On Hiatus
Chronological Order:

Spoiler:

Bonus Reads:

Black Rain [MRBC selection for January] ~ Completed Jan. 7th
Franks, Rolls, and Beans [Short Story] ~ Completed Jan. 22nd
Pencils Make Good Darts [Short Story] ~ Completed Jan. 29th
Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road, #1) ~ Completed Feb. 23rd
Sex on Tuesdays ~ Completed Mar. 9th
Elfbitten [Short Story] ~ Completed May 14th
101 Degrees Fahrenheit [Short Story] ~ Completed Aug. 21st
101 Tips for Traveling with a Vampire [Short Story] ~ Completed Aug. 21st

------------------------------
Explanation of my Intended Goal(s): Here
Book Titles are linked to my GoodReads Reviews (see "spoilers" for series books & reviews)
------------------------------

pdurrant · 12-17-2011, 06:36 AM

I expect that I will read more than 150 books in 2012. (About 160 in 2010, about 200 in 2011), but my big problem is my TBR list. Because I also bought a lot of books: 256 in 2010 and about 216 in 2011.

At the end of 2011, my TBR pile was 380 books long. If I can get it to below 300 by the end of 2012, I will consider that I've won my 2012 challenge.

So all I need to do is read 80 more books than I buy in 2012. Based on past reading rates, all I'll need to do is buy no more than one book for every two I read. How hard could that be?

Books read in 2012

December 30th: A Quest Lover's Treasury of the Fantastic edited by Margaret Weis - $2.55 - 7/10. 352pp
A good anthology of quest fantasy stories. I enjoyed all the stories.
January 4th: F&SF, April 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp
A good issue. I enjoyed all the stories (which doesn't always happen with F&SF).
January 5th: Grantville Gazette, Vol. #39 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp
That was fun. Continuations of old series and some new stories, spread around the 1632 universe, as well as a couple in the Time Spike universe, and one stand-alone story. All very readable.
January 6th: Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie - $5.99 - 8/10. 400pp
Another good mystery, and without any of her usual cast. I did guess the killer, but not the right reason.
January 8th: Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy - $3.39* - 6/10. 739pp
A competent military thriller, but I found the basic premise completely implausible.
January 14th: Asimov's SF, February 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp
A good issue. I particularly liked the last story, an interesting take on capital punishment.
January 16th: Analog SFF, March 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp
Another good issue. I'm enjoying the serial.
January 17th: F&SF, May 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 5/10. 100pp
Unfortunately, much of the issue is taken up with an 'eldritch horror' kind of fantasy, which really goes nowhere, and isn't to my liking at all.
January 19th: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 9/10. 320pp
Excellent. Very nicely done indeed.
January 19th: The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings - $3.35 - 6/10. 791pp
An Epic Fantasy that fails.There's no real sense of peril at all. Just a jolly romp by friends.
January 22nd: Genellan: Planetfall by Scott Gier - Free - 6/10. 478pp.
I think there's just too much thrown into this novel, which means that none of it seems to be explored or explained well enough.
January 28th: Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 240pp
Another good Hercule Poirot mystery. I remembered the plot of this one, but it was still fun seeing how it worked out.
January 28th: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 256pp
Yet another good Hercule Poirot mystery. Again, I remembered the main plot points of this one, but it was still fun seeing how it worked out.
January 29th: The Swords of Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber - $3.06 - 7/10. 256pp
More fun with Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser.
February 1st: The Godmother by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - $2.60 - 7/10. 318pp
Fun, but could be better. I might well get the next two books though.
February 3rd: The Man Who Used the Universe by Alan Dean Foster - $3.83 - 9/10. 320pp
A very good story indeed, and an absolutely splendid last line. It made me remember why I like his work, while some of the later Pip & Flinx books made me forget!
February 4th: Marsbound by Joe Haldeman - $2.92 - 8/10. 288pp
A fun coming-of-age/first contact novel.
February 5th: Starbound by Joe Haldeman - $7.64 - 8/10. 320pp
Constant switching of narrator is confusing, but a good second novel in the series and again, complete in itself.
February 6th: The Dispossessed by Ursula K LeGuin - $3.40* - 9/10. 352pp
An excellent novel depicting an "ambiguous utopia". Highly recommended.
February 7th: Asimov's SF, March 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 9/10. 100pp
An excellent issue. Some very interesting and entertaining stories in this issue. Usually I can pick one as my favourite, but this month there are three or four that I really liked.
February 8th: Analog SFF, April 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 7/10. 100pp
An average issue, helped by the serial which I'm still enjoying.
February 9th: F&SF, June 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp
A good issue. I liked "The Legend of the Whiney Man" and "The Gist Hunter" in particular.
February 9th: First Contacts by various authors - $2.02 - 6/10. 211pp.
An OK anthology of older first contact short stories.
February 12th: Infected:Prey by Andrea Speed - Free - 8/10. 376pp
That was fun. Werecats and private detectives.
February 13th: Infected:Bloodlines by Andrea Speed - $2.38 - 8/10. 222pp
I liked this one too. But even more obviously an AIDS allegory.
February 14th: Infected:Life After Death by Andrea Speed - $2.38 - 8/10. 350pp
Also fun, even though there doesn't seem to be much overall plot, in tthe series as a whole.
February 15th: Infected: Freefall by Andrea Speed - $2.38 - 8/10. 350p
Still enjoyable, although there are obviously more to be written.
February 16th: Bio of a Space Tyrant, vol.1 by Piers Anthony - Free - Abandoned. 318pp
[Abandoned. I can't stand Anthony's sympathetic depictions of paedophiles.]
February 17th: City by Clifford D. Simak - $2.70 - 7/10. 255pp.
An interesting linked set of short stories, although the linking text is a bit weak.
February 18th: Worlds Without End and Other Stories by Clifford D. Simak - $1.70 - 7/10. 140pp.
Another interesting set of short stories, but without any overall story arc or links as in City.
February 19th: Chronospace by Allen Steele - $3.60 - 6/10. 336pp
An interesting, if ultimately not very satisfying, time travel story.
February 21st: Power Lines by Anne McCaffrey - $2.97 - 6/10. 330pp
A weak and poorly worked out villain.
February 24th: Echoes of Betrayal by Elizabeth Moon - $6.75 - 9/10. 480pp
Splendid fantasy. But only third out of five planned!
February 25th: Evil under the Sun by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 320pp
Another good Hercule Poirot murder mystery.
February 26th: Voyager In Night by C. J. Cherryh - $2.54* - 8/10. 224pp
An interesting stand-alone SF story. Recommended.
February 29th: Fellowship of Fear by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 7/10. 288pp.
A moderate spy mystery. I got the answer about half way through. But fun enough to pick up the rest next time there's a good offer at fictionwise.
March 2nd: Grantville Gazette, Vol. #40 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp
Another good set of short stories in the 1632 universe.
March 4th: F&SF, July 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp
A good issue. I especially liked "Think So?" by Robert Reed.
March 6th: N or M? by Agatha Christie - $0.62 - 7/10. 304pp
An interesting second-world-war spy mystery, catching up with Tommy and Tuppence in their middle-age.
March 8th: Analog SFF, May 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp
Another good issue, with a suitably epic finish to the serial.
March 10th: Asimov's SF, April–May 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 7/10. 200pp
Brought down by a slightly disappointing time travel story.
March 11th: The Stoneholding by James G Anderson & Mark Sebanc - $3.75 - Abandoned. 419pp
[Abandoned: Too much of an attempt to be epic, an entirely unconvincing world, and far too much back story shoved in willy-nilly.]
March 15th: Captain Flandry by Poul Anderson - $3.75 - 8/10. 416pp
An excellent set of stories from Poul Anderson
March 21st: Aliens edited by Martin H Greenberg - $2.02 - 6/10. 200pp.
A mixed bag. One or two I liked a lot, but most were only so-so.
March 22nd: Scardown by Elizabeth Bear - $3.70 - 7/10. 368pp
Good SF, clearly part two of a trilogy.
March 24th: Worldwired by Elizabeth Bear - $3.70 - 8/10. 416pp
Good conclusion to an interesting series.
March 26th: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - $0.81 - 9/10. 464pp
Despite a ridiculous premise, a very exciting read.
March 27th: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - $0.81 - 9/10. 480pp
March 28th: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - $0.81 - 9/10. 448pp
One story split over two volumes (as is often the case with the last two parts of a trilogy). I enjoyed these a lot. Exciting, quick reads.
March 29th: The Nick of Time by George Alex Effinger - $4.16 - 6/10. 256pp
The first section was an interesting 'groundhog day' scenario, from before Groundhog Day was released. But I never felt the characters were really done well or consistently.
March 30th: The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 224pp
I remembered the plot of this one from a TV adaption. I did like the book anyway - it's not just the puzzle, IMO.
April 1st: The Exiles Trilogy by Ben Bova - $1.53 - 7/10. 448pp
Three sort-of connected novellas about interstellar travel. Showing their age a bit.
April 3rd: Falcons of Narabedla by Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.01 - 7/10. 150pp
An interesting early work. But weak plotting, and one very inconsistent character.
April 5th: Song of Sorcery by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - $2.60 - 8/10. 209pp
A fantasy with witches and spells and gypsies and dragons. Fun stuff.
April 6th: F&SF, August 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp
I really liked the first two stories and the last. The others weren't to my taste.
April 8th: Endgame Enigma by James P. Hogan - $3.75 - 7/10. 480pp
I'm a bit torn on this one. The main plot idea is splendid. I just found the implementation rather dull.
April 12th: The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 240pp
An engaging tale, with Miss Marple as a deus ex machina at the end.
April 13th: Fortress of Eagles by C. J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 7/10. 496pp
A good start on a continuation, but definitely just part of a series rather than another almost stand-alone book.
April 16th: Fortress of Owls by C. J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 7/10. 560pp
A bit more action, and I'll definitely read the other two, but it seems that the last four books in this series are one big story arc.
April 20th: The Unwelcome Warlock by Lawrence Watt-Evans - $0.63 - 8/10. 330pp
A very good continuation of the Ethshar series
April 21st: Tales of Ethshar by Lawrence Watt-Evans - $0.63 - 8/10. 224pp
A splendid collection of short stories set in the Ethshar universe.
April 22nd: The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King - $1.83 - 7/10. 448pp
It was pretty good. I'm a little unconvinced by the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes interactions.
April 24th: The Dark Place by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 272pp
A fun, quick read. Some plausible-sounding analysis of bones, and a fascinating situation.
April 23rd: Murder in the Queen's Armes by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 256pp
A splendid little mystery novel.
April 23rd: Old Bones by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 256pp
Another splendid little mystery novel.
April 24th: Man Kzin Wars VII: A Darker Geometry by Mark O. Martin and Gregory Benford - $3.75 - 8/10. 432pp
Interesting views of the start of the Man-Kzin conflicts.
April 27th: F&SF May/June 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp
It was OK. I didn't dislike any of the stories, and most of them I quite liked.
April 28th: F&SF March/April 2012 by Spilogale authors. - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp
I particularly enjoyed "The Tortoise Grows Elate" and "The Queen and the Cambion". But overall, an average issue.
April 29th: Black Star Rising by Frederick Pohl - $4.00 - 6/10. 288pp
A reasonably promising start, but fades in the middle and then stops after one main plot point gets resolved. Not his best.
April 30th: Beyond Heaven's River by Greg Bear - $2.89 - 6/10. 184pp
OK, but not a very convincing situation or characters.
May 1st: Hunters of the Red Moon by Marin Zimmer Bradley - $0.97 - 7/10. 224pp
This was better, with some interesting ideas, but ultimately not very satisfying for me.
May 1st: Curses! by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 9/10. 192pp
Another excellent adventure with Gideon Oliver.
May 1st: Asimov's SF, June 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp
An average issue. But that average is pretty good with Asimov's.
May 2nd: Analog SFF, June 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp
Also enjoyable, but nothing really stood out in the issue for me.
May 4th: Grantville Gazette 41 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp
May 5th: F&SF September 2005 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 9/10. 100pp
Well, that was a really good issue. Mostly, perhaps, because of two really nice short stories by David Gerrold. But the other stories were nearly all above average too.
May 6th: Flandry's Legacy by Poul Anderson - $3.75 - 9/10. 480pp
An excellent book, concluding the Flandry stories, and with tales from the Long Night and the recovery.
May 12th: Out of the Dark by David Weber - $4.23 - 8/10. 528pp.
A fun read, and realistic for an alien invasion story. But Weber pulls a deus ex machina to save the day, although it's foreshadowed a bit.
May 14th: A Rising Thunder by David Weber - $3.00 - 7/10. 464pp.
I enjoyed the book, and it would be unfair to say that nothing happens. But it's certainly just one more step in the saga without a significant story arc of its own.
May 15th: Out of Whack by Jeff Strand - $4.34 - 6/10. 248pp
A comic novel about a young man forming a comedy group. Some good lines. But overall, not really my kind of thing.
May 17th: Analog SFF, July/August 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 9/10. 200pp
An excellent issue. I especially liked the Novella "The Conquest o the Air".
May 19th: Asimov's SF, July 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $1.73 - 8/10. 100pp
A very good issue.
May 20th: Sir Dominic Flandry by Poul Anderson - $3.00 - 9/10. 448pp.
Three splendid novels and a short story about Dominic Flandrey and his work to put off the "Long Night" that will follow the fall of the Terran Empire.
May 24th: Bedlam's Bard by Mercedes Lackey and Ellen Guon - $3.00 - 7/10. 624pp.
Fun with Elves and magic. Heros' angst is occasionally a little irritating, but not enough to spoil things.
May 25th: The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein - $3.00 - 9/10. 256pp.
Showing its age only a bit, an excellent tale.
May 26th: The Forerunner Factor by Andre Norton - $3.00 - 6/10. 416pp.
A good start, but a little too much weirdness and coincidence thrown in later on.
May 31st: Overkill by Robert Buettner - $3.00 - 9/10. 309pp.
A fun read. Interesting background and an exciting story. Good stuff.
May 31st: Undercurrents by Robert Buettner - $2.57 - 8/10. 304pp.
A good follow-up, if not quite as fun for me due to lack of real aliens.
June 2nd: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - $20.94 - 10/10. 1178pp
A splendid book. I like it even more each time I read it.
June 29th: Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi - $4.78 - 9/10. 368pp
Perhaps it's the influence of the original, but I really liked this, and read it in one sitting. A very well-worth-while updating of a good story.
June 30th: F&SF July/August 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp
A good edition, although all Fantasy, as far as I remember.
July 4th: Icy Clutches by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 226pp
A fun series of murder mysteries.
July 5th: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 9/10. 320pp
An excellent detective story, told in an interesting fashion.
July 7th: Net Force by Tom Clancy - $6.80* - 3/10. 384pp
Poor.
July 10th: F&SF October/November 2005 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 200pp
An average issue, although it does include one story I skipped as I've never read "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S Beagle.
July 11th: Grantville Gazette 42 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp
Another good instalment of the Ring of Fire soap opera.
July 13th: Make No Bones by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 9/10. 234pp
I do like these mystery novels.
July 15th: The Covenant by Poul Anderson, Isaac Asimov, Robert Blocj and Robert Sheckley. - $1.16 - 8/10. 40pp
A round-robin novella. It was fun to watch each author leaving plot problems for the next. Out of copyright in the US.
July 16th: Bits of the Dead by Piers Anthony and many others. - $2.89 - 5/10. 80pp
An interesting anthology of zombie short-shorts, but not quite to my taste.
July 17th: 1636: The Kremlin Games by Eric Flint et al. - $6.00 - 7/10. 400pp
A good look at Russia, expanding and extending the stories in the Grantville Gazettes about Bernie.
July 19th: Dead Men's Hearts by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 7/10. 256pp
A little below the others, but still fun.
July 20th: F&SF December 2005 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 6/10. 100pp
An OK issue, but nothing stood out for me.
July 21st: Fortress of Dragons by C.J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 8/10. 576pp
A very good continuation of the series. I hope the last one doesn't disappoint.
July 26th: Twenty Blue Devils by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 288pp
Another excellent mystery with Gideon Oliver.
July 28th: Fortress of Ice by C.J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 8/10. 528pp
Arghhh.. A discontinued series. No clifhanger, but not a resolution, either.
August 2nd: Towards Zero by Agatha Christie - $0.65 - 8/10. 208pp
Another excellent murder mystery, with Inspector Battle.
August 5th: Analog SFF, September 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp
A good issue. I especially like the moon story.
August 5th: Asimov's SF, August 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $1.58 - 7/10. 100pp
An OK issue.
August 7th: Ware Tetrology by Rudy Rucker - Free - 4/10. 704pp
Some interesting ideas, but a lack of consideration of consequences.
August 15th: So You Want to Be a Wizard (New Millennium Edition) by Diane Duane - $6.99 - 9/10. 400pp
A splendid book, only slipping from 10/10 because of a couple of minor not-well-enough-thought-out changes to the NME.
August 17th: The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 7/10. 320pp
Astonishingly, written when she was 15! A fun, if uneven, romance. Occasional wonderful turns of phrase.
August 18th: F&SF January 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp
A better than average issue for me.
August 20th: F&SF February 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp
Also better than average issue for me. Although the end of the two-part story was a bit disappointing, other stories made up for it.
August 21st: F&SF March 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp
Another good issue for me. More SF than fantasy.
August 22nd: F&SF April 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp
One splendid story by Robert Reed, the rest more so-so.
August 23rd: F&SF May 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp
An OK edition.
August 25th: Silks by Dick Francis et al. - $0.48 - 6/10. 400pp
An average Dick Francis novel. (Bought a second-hand hardback for 30p)
August 26th: Skeleton Dance by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 9/10. 352pp.
Another good outing for Gideon Oliver.
August 27th: Sunsinger by Michelle Levigne - Free - 5/10. 200pp
Disappointing. The SF elements were poorly done, and a fairly dull coming of age plot. The interesting story is just given in brief recap of events in one character's life. IMO, the author chose the wrong character as the protagonist.
August 29th: Powder and Patch by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 8/10. 282pp
Wow. A splendid romantic romp will well depicted characters. Amazing for a third novel, and a great improvement on her first.
August 30th: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling - $7.20 - 8/10. 224pp
An interesting and enjoyable re-read. There's a surprising amount that makes a lot more sense knowing the rest of the story.
September 1st: Interzone #211, Jul/Aug 2007 by TTA Press Authors - $3.40 - 7/10. 224pp
An interesting set of SF and Fantasy short stories. A different style to the ones in Analog and Asimov's. Also lots of opinion/fact articles, which I mostly skipped.
September 2nd: Interzone #212, Sep/Oct 2007 by TTA Press Authors - $3.40 - 7/10. 224pp
Another interesting set of short stories along with lots of other stuff.
September 5th: F&SF September/October 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp
An OK issue. Nothing that really stood out for me.
September 8th: Grantville Gazette 43 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 7/10. 400pp
Some of the stories were a bit too complex. Still fun overall.
September 9th: Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie - $1.95 - 8/10. 336pp
An interesting mystery set in ancient Egypt.
September 11th: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling - $7.20 - 9/10. 256pp
A good second novel in the series, and the re-read is worth-while.
September 13th: These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 9/10. 256pp
I am enjoying these Heyers.
September 15th: Quantum Prophecy #1: The Awakening by Michael Carroll - $4.84 - 7/10. 288pp
An intersting superheroes/villains universe, but with prophecy, and not good enough to make me want to get the rest.
September 16th: Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 240pp
Another good Christie, although one event is a bit contrived.
September 18th: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling - $7.20 - 8/10. 320pp
Good, but the major plot device is a mistake. A re-read knowing the rest of the story is well much worthwhile.
September 21st: Analog SFF, October 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.10 - 7/10. 100pp
An average issue.
September 24th: Analog SFF, November 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp
An excellent Probability Zero from Larry Niven.
September 28th: Asimov's SF, September 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $1.73 - 7/10. 100pp
An average issue.
September 30th: Asimov's SF, October/November 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.59 - 7/10. 200pp
Average, perhaps a little less.
October 4th: Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett. $4.80 - 9/10. 448pp
Splendid. Not the best of the discworld books, but certainly a good one.
October 6th: Charlotte Sometimes by by Penelope Farmer. $3.49 - 8/10. 198pp
An interesting and enjoyable book. The story of a girl who finds herself swapping places with a girl from several decades earlier. More, a story about how much of our identity may depend on the perception of others.
October 7th: Snuff by Terry Pratchett. $3.93 - 9/10. 512pp
Another excellent discworld book, featuring Sam Vimes
October 9th: Prince of the Blood by Raymond E. Feist. $6.45 - 8/10. 464pp
The revised version is, I think, an improvement. But it's a long time since I read the original.
October 12th: The King's Buccaneer by Raymond E. Feist. $7.49 - 8/10. 640pp
A good story, although the pairing off sub-plot made it almost a romance. A few too many OCR errors for a new commercial book.
October 16th: Simon The Coldheart by Georgette Heyer $4.80 - 6/10. 352pp
Clearly an early novel, but still fun and interesting
October 17th: A Deceptive Clarity by Aaron Elkins. $1.36 - 8/10. 251pp
Remarkably similar to the Gideon Oliver series, despite the difference in profession. A fun read, but alas, I didn't get who the villain was, and enough clues were given.
October 19th: The Door Through Space by Marin Zimmer Bradley. $0.68 - 7/10. 150pp
A Darkover novel in all but name, just about. An interesting read. I enjoyed it.
October 20th: Legion by Brandon Sanderson. $0.30 - . 87pp
A fascinating idea, and I'd be interested in reading a longer story involving this character.
October 21st: The Keeper's Price by Marion Zimmer Bradly et al. $1.35 - 7/10. 230pp
Which was an interesting set of stories, the first official Darkover fan-fiction collection.
October 23rd: Why Are You Atheists So Angry? by Greta Christina. $5.76 - 9/10. 184pp
A good little book which explains things well.
October 25th: A Step Farther Out by Jerry Pournelle. $2.00 - 6/10. 208pp
A bit dated, but with some horrendously prescient bits.
October 31st: The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer. $1.84 - 9/10. 336pp
A splendid romp in just-post-Jacobite England.
November 1st: Grantville Gazette 44 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 7/10. 400pp
An average to below average (for GG) issue.
November 2nd: F&SF November/December 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 8/10. 200pp
An average to above average issue.
November 4th: Rogue Program by Darrell Bain - $1.95 - 7/10. 500pp
Very readable, but only 7/10 as I found the second half totally implausible.
November 6th: Asimov's SF, December 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $1.53 - 8/10. 100pp
An above average issue.
November 8th: Analog SFF, December 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $1.53 - 8/10. 100pp
Also a good issue.
November 9th:Mindbridge by Joe Haldeman - $2.53* - 6/10. 208pp
A good read, but I prefer my SF with one impossible thing, not three or more.
November 11th: The Best of Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.45 - 6/10. 400pp
Not all were Fantasy/SF. Interesting, but I think I do prefer her novels.
November 12th: Shadow of a Dark Queen by Raymond E. Feist - $5.64 - 7/10. 576pp
It's quite fun, but there are plot holes you could drive an army through.
November 13th: Warrior Woman by Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.52 - 6/10. 205pp
An interesting departure from her usual works, but although a good read, I felt the world-building was rather poor.
November 13th: Starburst by Frederik Pohl - $4.00 - 6/10. 224pp
An accidental re-read. I still think it was better as the novella "The Gold at the Starbow's End".
November 14th: The Weapon from Beyond by Edmund Hamilton - $3.33 - 7/10. 158pp
An interesting start to a series, but too many coincidences result in a 7/10
November 16th: Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 9/10. 416pp
A good romp through late 1500s England and Spain, with a descendent of the eponymous hero of "Simon the Coldheart".
November 19th: The Hollow by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 9/10. 272pp
A very nice mystery. Very well done indeed.
November 21st: Asimov's SF, January 2013 by Dell Magazine Authors - $1.86 - 7/10. 100pp
A slightly below average issue for me.
November 23rd: Analog SFF, January/February 2013 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.80 - 9/10. 200pp
An excellent issue. The novelettes and short stories were top class.
November 26th: Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover. Darkover Anthology #11 edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.16 - 8/10. 336pp
A splendid collection of her shorter Darkover stories.
November 28th: The Demon in the Skull by Frederik Pohl - $4.00 - 7/10. 176pp
An interesting and disturbing look at the impact of absolute power.
November 30th: Outward Bound by James P. Hogan - $3.34 - 8/10. 224pp
A fun new Heinlein-type juvenile. And none of Hogan's later rather weird pseudo-science ideas which put me off his work a bit.
December 1st: The Book of Kells by R.A.MacAvoy - $2.60 - 8/10. 364pp
A rather nice fantasy involving 10th century Ireland. A good read.
December 2nd: Sabazel by Lillian Stewart Carl - $4.89 - 3/10. 260pp
[Abandoned. Not actually terrible, but halfway in I just don't care about anyone or anything in the story.]
December 4th: Rise of a Merchant Prince by Raymond E. Feist - $6.06 - 8/10. 464pp
A splendid continuation of the saga. And characters I care about.
December 6th: Man-Kzin Wars XII created by Larry Niven - $2.50 - 7/10. 384pp
Fills in some of the gaps in Niven's Known Space future history, in-between the hot wars with the Kzin.
December 8th: The Closed Worlds by Edmond Hamilton - $3.33 - . 157pp
Which was an good story, although for someone who wants to keep a secret, the hero certainly talks about it a lot!
December 9th: The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 8/10. 480pp
A splendid fictionalised but generally accurate tale of William the Conqueror from birth to 1067 or so.
December 13th: InterZone #213 by TTA Press authors - $3.39 - 8/10. 200pp
Which was an above-average issue. A lovely fantasy "Molly and the Red Hat" and some rather splendid SF.
December 14th: The Ancient Future by Traci Harding - $3.90** - 3/10. 560pp
[Abandoned. Appalling historical errors and terrible dialog that can't decide how to best be translated.]
December 15th: Power Play by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - $3.59 - 6/10. 352pp
No real sense of peril, and one completely inexplicable transformation (fantasy in an SF setting) makes this a poor series for me.
December 18th: What Entropy Means to Me by George Alec Effinger - $3.90** - 4/10. 118pp
[Abandoned. I'm pretty sure I've read this before, and I just don't have the patience for the style of writing.]
December 19th: Prisoner in the Skull by Charles Dye - $3.18 - 5/10. 256pp
A bit dated, a bit clunky and an unsatisfactory ending involving far too much of an unlikely occurrence.
December 21st: Still Falling by Kurt R. A. Giambastiani - $0.69 - 8/10. 20pp
An interesting little fantasy short story.
December 21st: Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic by Terry Jones - Free - 7/10. 256pp
Quite fun, in a kind of sub-Douglas Adams kind of way.
December 22nd: The Venging by Greg Bear - $2.89 - 7/10. 200pp
An interesting near to far future SF story, but I wasn't fond of the ending.
December 24th: Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow - Free - 8/10. 224pp
An excellent near-future first person account of technology trends and social trends.
December 26th: Puppeteer by Jaebi - Free - . 50pp
A good start, but trails off rather poorly.
December 27th: Falling onto Mars by Geoffrey A. Landis - Free - 8/10. 20pp
A high-quality SF short story.
December 27th: Sten by Allan Cole - $3.40 - 9/10. 279pp
Great fun in a mil-sf sort of way.
December 28th: The Collective by Kerry Downinge - $4.37 - 4/10. 236pp
[Abandoned. The characters are just not interesting or believable.]
December 29th: Jade Darcy and the Affair of Honor by Stephen Goldin and Mary Mason. - $3.83 - 9/10. 200pp
A really rather good SF story about a flawed hero. I liked it a lot.
December 31st: Rewind by Terry England. - $2.85 - . 340pp
An enjoyable but flawed story. Good setup, but some consequences didn't ring true.

Books bought in 2012

January (3): Grantville Gazette #39 (pre-paid), Asimov's SF February 2012, Analog SFF March 2012 (subs)
February (15): Asimov's SF March 2012, Analog SFF April 2012, F&SF March/April (subs), Echoes of Betrayal, Bio of a Space Tyrant (vols. 2-6), City, Worlds Without End and Other Stories, Fellowship of Fear, Infected:Freefall, Infected:Life After Death, Infected:Bloodlines.
March (7): Grantville Gazette #40 (pre-paid), Asimov's SF April/May 2012, Analog SFF May 2012 (subs), The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Exiles Trilogy
April (15): Asimov's SF June 2012, Analog SFF June 2012, F&SF May/June 2012 (subs), Tales of Ethshar, The Unwelcome Warlock, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, Gideon Oliver (2-10)
May (10): Analog SF, Jul/Aug 2012 (sub), Grantville Gazette #41 (pre-paid), Out of the Dark, March 2012 Baen Bundle (A Rising Thunder, The Star Beast, The Forerunner Factor, Overkill, Sir Dominic Flandry, Bedlam's Bard), Asimov's SFF, July 2012
June (2): F&SF July/August 2012 (sub), Fuzzy Nation
July (2): Grantville Gazette #42 (pre-paid), 1636: The Kremlin Games
August (52): Analog SF, September 2012 (sub), Asimov's SFF, August 2012, So You Want To Be A Wizard (New Millennium Edition), 48 Georgette Heyer Novels for $88, Silks (second-hand hardback)
September (12): Grantville Gazette #43 (pre-paid), F&SF September/October 2012, Analog SF (September and October/November) (sub) Asimov's SF (September and October), Snuff, Unseen Academicals, The Spanish Bride, Simon the Coldheart, Charlotte Sometimes, Good Omens
October (10): Five by Aaron Elkin and three by Marion Zimmer Bradley, The King's Buccaneer, Legion, Why Are You Atheists So Angry?
November (8): Grantville Gazette #44, F&SF November/December 2012, Analog SFF December 2012, Asimov's SF December 2012, Rogue Program, Analog SFF January/February 2013, Asimov's SF January 2013, Scalzi Super Bundle (omnibus)
December (0):

Analysis
TBR: 307
Books read: 185 (incl. 6 abandoned and 2 not from TBR pile)
Books otherwise removed from TBR pile: 25

Books removed from TBR pile: 210
Books added to TBR pile: 137
Removed/Added: 1.53 (should be over 2!)
Net reduction for 2012: 73

Non-free books read (or abandoned): 177
Total cost of books read: $504.27
Average cost of books read: $2.85

Non-free books bought: 137
Total cost of books bought: $311.60
Average cost of books bought: $2.27

(£ prices converted to $ prices at £1:$1.5)

* Actually a 100% rebate purchase, but I'm counting it as 50% off.

ATDrake · 12-17-2011, 06:40 AM

Prospective CanCon contribution (on profoundly ironic hold):

1. Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) Too Much College, or, Education Eating Up Life. With Kindred Essays in Education and Humour. (1939)

Record of Stuff Read for 2012 with links to corresponding commentary in What Are You Reading thread (2011, 2010):

Legend:
$ paid for with my own money (otherwise assume freebie or library)
R previously read (usually in another format)
P read in paper (may not be available in e-)

∂ e-book available DRM-free
∫ e-book has noticeable typos/formatting errors
§ short story or novella packaged as standalone e-text
Ω omnibus edition containing multiple works
A anthology or essay collection with multiple authors
¶ public domain or Creative Commons license

n/10 overall writing/plotting/characterization/research/presentation quality (not necessarily correlated to enjoyment)
√/3 recommended for quality and/or entertainment value (caveat: some trashy mind candy reads recommended in the lot if I think they're fun enough)
♥/3 personally rather liked this one (but can not necessarily recommend it, because sometimes I have really bad taste)

1,2,3... Full-length new works read.
I,II,III... Works re-read in format previously encountered.
i,ii,iii... Works previously read in paper format re-read in newly-acquired e-.
A,B,C... Graphic novels and picture-intensive artbooks.
a,b,c... Shorter works packaged standalone.

1. The Mask of Narcissus by Vincent Lardo ∂ $ 7/10 ♥ √
2. Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal ∂ $ 8/10 ♥♥ √√
3. Knightly Love by Fyn Alexander ∂ $ 6.5/10 ♥
a. The Lion of Kent by Aleksandr Voinov & Kate Cotoner ∂ § $ 7.5/10 ♥ √
4. Desert Wives by Betty Webb ∂ $ 7.5/10 ♥ √
A. Two Generals by Scott Chantler P 8.75/10 GN ♥♥♥ √√√
5. Changes by Mercedes Lackey P 6/10
6. Four For A Boy by Mary Reed & Eric Mayer ∂ $ 7.5/10 ♥ √
7. Rule 34 by Charles Stross P 7.25/10 ♥
b. Briony's Soldiers by Diana Bold $ ∂ § 6.25/10 ♥
c. The Old Buzzard Had It Coming by Donis Casey ∂ $ 7.5/10 ♥ √√
9. Artifacts by Mary Anna Evans $ ∂ 7/10 ♥ √
10. Artscape by Frederick Ramsay $ ∂ 6/10
11. Concrete Desert by John Talton $ ∂ 6/10
12. In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicky Delany $ ∂ 6/10 ♥ √
13. The Shoeless Kid by Marcelle Dubé $ ∂ 5.5/10
15. A Thousand Deaths by George Alec Effinger $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥ √√
16. Secret Lives of Great Composers: What Your Teachers Never Told You About the World's Musical Masters by Elizabeth Lunday P ♥ √
17. The Heat of the Moon by Sandra Parshall $ ∂ 6.25/10
18. Interrupted Aria by Beverle Grave Myers $ ∂ 7/10 ♥♥ √√
d. Night Shift by Marcelle Dubé ∂ § 5.5/10
19. The Virgin Billionaire by Ryan Field ∂ 6/10 ♥
20. Infected: Bloodlines by Andrea Speed $ ∂ 6.75/10 ♥ √
21. Infected: Life After Death by Andrea Speed $ ∂ 6.75/10 ♥ √
22. Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean ∂ 6.75/10 ♥ √
23. Infected: Freefall by Andrea Speed $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √
i. The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly $ 7.75/10 ♥♥ √√
24. Farthest Space: The Wrath of Jan by Ellen Fisher 6/10 ♥ √
ii. The Witches of Wenshar by Barbara Hambly $ 7.75/10 ♥♥ √√
iii. The Time of the Dark by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
iv. The Walls of Air by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
v. The Armies of Daylight by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
I. Mother of Winter by Barbara Hambly $ P 7.25/10 ♥
II. The Icefalcon's Quest by Barbara Hambly $ P 7/10 ♥
vi. The Dark Hand of Magic by Barbara Hambly $ 7.25/10 ♥
vii. Dog Wizard by Barbara Hambly $ ∫7.75/10 ♥♥ √√
viii. Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly $ 7.75/10 ♥♥ √√
vix. Stranger at the Wedding by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
x. The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly $ ∫7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
e. The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters by Sierra Dean $ ∂ § 6.25/10 ♥ √
25. A Bloody Good Secret by Sierra Dean $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √
f. Secret Santa by Sierra Dean $ ∂ § 6.25/10 ♥ √
26. Deep Dark Secret by Sierra Dean $ ∂ 6.5/10 √ ♥
27. A Private Gentleman by Heidi Cullinan $ ∂ 6.25/10 ♥ √
g. Tom Fleet's Incredible Machine by Deirdre O'Dare $ ∂ 5.25/10
h. Three by S. Dora $ ∂ 6/10 ♥
i. Whispers by Suzanne Rock $ ∂ 5.5/10
28. The Hanged Man's Ghost by Missouri Dalton $ ∂ 6.25/10 ♥ √
29. Shadowboxing by Anne Barwell $ ∂ 5.75/10
30. Seven from the Stars by Marion Zimmer Bradley $ ∂ 6/10
xi. The Planet Savers by Marion Zimmer Bradley $ ∂ 6/10 ♥
31. The Calling of the Three by Ru Emerson $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √
32. King and Raven by Cary James $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
33. Adventures: The Chronicles of Lucifer Jones by Mike Resnick ∂ 7/10 ♥ √
34. Exploits: The Chronicles of Lucifer Jones (1926-1931) by Mike Resnick $ ∂ 7/10 ♥ √
j. Jiggles and the Test Pilot by Mary Tales ∫ 3/10 ♥
35. Suspicion of Innocence by Barbara Parker ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √
36. Encounters: The Chronicles of Lucifer Jones (1931-1934) by Mike Resnick $ ∂ 7/10 ♥ √
37. Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear ∫ 4/10
38. The Heir by Grace Burrowes 6.25/10
39. Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear 6/10
40. Color Him Gay: The Further Adventures of The Man From C.A.M.P. by Victor J. Banis $ ∂ 6/10 ♥
41. Brida by Paulo Coelho 6.5/10 ♥
42. Yorkshire by Lynne Connolly ∂ 7/10 ♥ √
43. A Nice Class of Corpse by Simon Brett $ 6.5/10 ♥ √
44. Blue Blood Will Out by Tim Heald $ 6.25/10 ♥
45. Mrs, Presumed Dead by Simon Brett $ 6.5/10 ♥ √
46. Body Politic by Paul Johnston $ 7.25/10 ♥ √
47. Unbecoming Habits by Tim Heald $ 6.25/10 ♥
48. The Two in Hiding by Ru Emerson $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √
49. One Land, One Duke by Ru Emerson $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √
j. The Body Human: Three Stories of Future Medicine by Nancy Kress $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥ √√
50. Future Perfect: Six Stories of Genetic Engineering by Nancy Kress $ ∂ 8.5/10 ♥ √√√
51. Designed for Death by Jean Harrington $ ∂ 6/10 ♥
52. Cutting Cords by Mickie B. Ashling ∂ 5.5/10
53. Scene Stealer by Elise Warner $ ∂ 4.5/10
54. Mrs Pargeter's Package by Simon Brett $ 6.25/10
54. Mrs Pargeter's Pound of Flesh by Simon Brett $ 6.5/10 ♥ √
56. Vessel by Mickie B. Ashling $ ∂ 6.25/10 ♥
57. The Ionia Sanction by Gary Corby 6.75/10 ♥♥ √√
58. Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
59. The Fire Lord's Lover by Kathryne Kennedy 6.5/10 ♥ √
60. Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy 6.25/10 ♥
61. Double Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy 5.75/10
62. Worlds Apart by Barbara Elsborg $ ∂ 6/10 ♥
63. Plastered in Stonington by Rosemary Goodwin $ ∂ 5.75/10
64. Lilith: A Snake in the Grass by Jack L. Chalker ∂ 7.5/10 ♥
65. Bomber's Moon by Alex Beecroft $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
k. The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady ∂ 6.25/10 ♥
66. Dogfighters by Alex Beecroft $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√
67. The War of the Roses by Warren Adler
68. Children of the Roses by Warren Adler
69. Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George $

l. Places in Time by Cardeno C. $
xii. Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A. Heinlein $
xiii. Methuselah's Children by Robert A. Heinlein $
70. Have Space Suit, Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein $
71. The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein
72. Revolt in 2100 by Robert A. Heinlein $
73. Drunkard's Walk by Frederik Pohl $
74. Tyrant of the Mind by Priscilla Royal $
75. Heartshot by Steven F. Havill $
76. Relics by Mary Anna Evans $
77. Sorrow Without End by Priscilla Royal $
78. Justice for the Damned by Priscilla Royal $
79. Forsaken Soul by Priscilla Royal $
80. Effigies by Mary Anna Evans $
81. Findings by Mary Anna Evans $
82. Floodgates by Mary Anna Evans $
83. Strangers by Mary Anna Evans $
84. The Exterminators by Bill Fitzhugh $
85. My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
86. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
87. Unearthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood
88. Screenscam by Michael Bowen
89. Silver Lies by Ann Parker

90. Deadline by Seanan McGuire
m. Countdown by Seanan McGuire
n. Six Months, Three Days by Charlie Jane Anders
o. The Homecoming by Mike Resnick
p. Fields of Gold? by Rachel Swirsky
q. What We Found by Geoff Ryman
r. The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees by E. Lily Yu
s. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu
t. The Man Who Ended History by Ken Liu
u. Movement by Nancy Fulda
v. Ray of Light by Brad Torgersen
w. The Ice Owl by Carolyn Gilman
91. Among Others by Jo Walton
92. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
93. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
94. Blaze of Glory by Sheryl Nantus
95. Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
96. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

Paid Purchases Read (Brand New/Previously Encountered/Mixed Omnibus or Collection): 53/11/2
Promotional e-Book Freebies Read: 20
Titles by Known Canadians Read: 14

JSWolf · 12-17-2011, 07:12 AM

My Books for 2012

Blue = To be read
Red = Currently reading
Black = read
Bold = Series name

Click the covers for more information on each book.

001. Rizzoli & Isles 08 - Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen

002. Women's Murder Club 08 - The 8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

003. Leviathan 01 - Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

004. Lucas Davenport 01 - Rules of Prey by John Sandford

005. Hyperion 02 - The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons

006. Ready Player One by Ernst Cline

007. In Death 17 - Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

008. The Hallows 03 - Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

009. Millennium 03 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

010. Star Trek: The Original Series: The Rings of Time by Greg Cox

011. Miss Peregrine 01 - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Loosheesh · 12-17-2011, 08:23 AM

Challenge details can be found here

HarryT · 12-17-2011, 08:58 AM

Books read for entertainment during 2012

"The Know-it-all", by A.J. Jacobs. Completed 8/1/12

Thoroughly enjoyed this. A very witty account of the author's goal to read the complete "Encylopaedia Brittanica", and the effect that doing so had on his life. Highly recommended.

"The Anonymous Client", by Parnell Hall. Completed 11/1/12

#2 in the "Steve Winslow" series. An excellent legal "whodunnit", in the style of a modern-day Perry Mason. I'm really enjoying this series.

"Starliner" by David Drake. Completed 14/1/12

An average military SF novel. Fun to read, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so. A large number of very obvious OCR errors, especially prone to "cl" being rendered as "d" - eg "dock" instead of "clock", which was irritating.

"Death in a White Tie" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 21/1/12

The 7th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Superb. The ending took me completely by surprise.

"Endgame Enigma" by James P. Hogan. Completed 24/1/12

A very good SF thriller by one of my favourite hard SF authors, with a real "twist in the tail". Highly recommended.

"The Railway Detective" by Edward Marston. Completed 27/1/12

A new author for me. Pretty good detective story set in England in 1850. Not exceptional, but certainly worth reading.

"The Alloy of Law" by Brandon Sanderson. Completed 30/1/12

A standalone sequel to "The Mistborn Trilogy". Excellent adventure story, fun and fast-paced. Thoroughly enjoyable.

"Overture to Death" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 4/2/12

The 8th in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A death at a village bring Inspector Alleyn from Scotland Yard to investigate. Not as good as the two previous books in the series but nonetheless enjoyable.

"Last Bus to Woodstock" by Colin Dexter. Completed 7/2/12.

The first "Inspector Morse" novel. Morse and Lewis solve the murder of a girl found dead in a pub carpark. Absolutely excellent.

"Death at the Bar" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 14/2/12.

The 9th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Alleyn is called in to investigate the death of a prominent London barrister who is on holiday at a small Devon fishing village. An excellent book. Highly recommended.

"Thraxas" by Martin Scott. Completed 19/2/12.

Extremely funny take on the hard-boiled detective genre. Thraxas is a drunken, overweight PI in the hopelessly corrupt city of Turai. A failed apprentice sorceror and former mercenary, he's down on his luck. But then he's hired by Princess Du-Akai to recover some letters she unwisely wrote. And then his problems really begin... Highly recommended.

"Thraxas and the Warrior Monks" by Martin Scott. Completed 25/2/12.

Sequel to "Thraxas", as above. This time Thraxas gets involved in the case of an apprentice sculptor who is accused of murdering his master, and tried to find the religious statue stolen at the time of the crime. Two rival bands of warrior monks are also looking for the statue, which makes life difficult for Thraxas. A fun fantasy romp. Well worth reading.

"George Passant" by C.P. Snow. Completed 6/3/12.

The 2nd book (chronologically, although it was the first written) in C.P. Snow's "Strangers and Brothers" series. I found this to be much heavier going than the first book, which I hope means that his writing style improved over time. I enjoyed the book, but it was rather heavy going at times.

"Surfeit of Lampreys" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 12/3/12.

The 10th "Inspector Alleyn" novel. Very good. An eccentric aristocratic family and a rather grisly murder of a rich relative. The murder mystery, although good, is secondary to the wonderful characterisation of the family members. Excellent!

"Death Masks" by Jim Butcher. Completed 18/3/12.

The 5th book in the "Dresden Files" series. The best that I've read so far in the series.

"Crocodile on the Sandbank" by Elizabeth Peters. Completed 24/3/12.

The first of the "Amelia Peabody" stories set in an archeological setting in late 19th century Egypt. Excellent. Very highly recommended.

"Moonshot" by Dan Parry. Completed 27/3/12.

A superb account of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Excellent.

"Death and the Dancing Footman" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 3/4/12.

Another excellent novel by Ngaio Marsh; the 11th in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A classic "English country house murder mystery", in which Alleyn only puts in an appearance 60% of the way through the book. As always, Marsh's excellent character development really make the book worth reading, and is what separates her from the "cardboard" characters of Agatha Christie, to my mind. A very good book indeed.

"Egypt - How a Lost Civilization was Rediscovered" by Joyce Tyldesley. Completed 7/4/12.

A paper book, unfortunately not available as an eBook. Tells the story of the history of Egyptology by focussing on some of the most colourful characters in the field. A very good read.

"Migration" by James P. Hogan. Completed 20/4/12.

SF, set on board a generation starship. I really can't recommend this. It's a decent enough story, but it doesn't go anywhere. It just finished abruptly and leaves you wondering "well, what happens next?". A disappointing book by one of my favourite "hard SF" authors.

"Colour Scheme" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 6/5/12.

The 12th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series, set in New Zealand. An excellent read - one of her better ones.

"Crusade" by David Weber & Steve White. Completed 11/5/12.

The first book in the "Starfire" series. Excellent military SF. The Terran Federation faces a battle for survival against religious fanatics. A re-read of an old favourite.

"In Death Ground" by David Weber & Steve White. Completed April 2012.

2nd book in the "Starfire" series. Set about 60 years after "Crusade", the Terran Federation is invaded by a race of carnivorous arachnids who goal is extermination of the human race.

"The Shiva Option" by David Weber and Steve White. Completed April 2012.

3rd book in the "Starfire" series, and the 2nd half of the story which began in "In Death Ground".

"Insurrection" by David Weber and Steve White. Completed April 2012.

4th book in the "Starfire" series. The fringe worlds rebel after decades of oppression by the rich corporate worlds of the Terran Federation. Will they succeed in establishing independence or will a bloody civil war destroy the Federation?

"Exodus" by Steve White and Shirley Meier. Completed April 2012.

5th book in the "Starfire" series, set 80 years after "Insurrection". A race fleeing the destruction of their star system in a supernova explosion arrived in Federation space after travelling for thousands of years in generation ships. A war of conquest ensues.

"Etremis" by Steve White and Charles Gannon. Completed April 2012.

6th and (so far) final book in the "Starfire" series. The second half of the story which began in "Exodus".

"Died in the Wool" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 12/6/12.

13th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Alleyn is still in New Zealand, hunting down enemy agents during WWII. He's called to a sheep station, whose owner, a well-known Member of Parliament, has been murdered, and where top-secret military research is being conducted. I wasn't too impressed by this one; a decent enough murder mystery, but none of the characters really caught my interest..

"Elantris" by Brandon Sanderson. Completed 16/6/12.

Superb standalone fantasy novel. Excellent world-building, a very clever magic and logical magic system, and and an absorbing story. VERY highly recommended!

"Final Curtain" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 23/7/12.

The 14th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A famous retired actor commissions Alleyn's wife, Troy, to paint his portrait. When he is found dead, apparently from food poisoning, Alleyn (now back from New Zealand) becomes involved in the case. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Interesting characters, and a very clever murder case which I didn't guess the solution to.

"Neither Here Nor There" by Bill Bryson. Completed 25/7/12.

Bill Bryson's book about travelling through Europe in 1990. Extremely funny, and a very good read. Highly recommended!

"The Lost Continent" by Bill Bryson. Completed 28/7/12.

A book describing Bill Bryson's 13000 mile roadtrip through small-town American after having lived in the UK for many years. Very good.

"Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. Completed 31/7/12.

SF. A treasure-hunt for keys to unlock the vast fortune left by the creator of the virtual world within which most of the population of mid 21st-century Earth now lives their lives, the clues to which are references to 1980s pop culture. Very good indeed. Highly recommended!

"Notes From a Small Island" by Bill Bryson. Completed 4/8/12.

Bill Bryson travelogue about a journey around Britain. Very amusing. Highly recommended.

"Swing, Brother, Swing" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 9/8/12.

The 15th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. An eccentric peer apparently kills a fellow band-member, while playing in a swing band. An excellent book. Good story, interesting characters, and an ingenious crime.

"I'm a Stranger Here Myself" by Bill Bryson. Completed 11/8/12.

Reprint of a weekly newspaper column written by Bill Bryson on "rediscovering America" after moving back there in 1996, having lived in England for 20 years. The book consists of about 70 short chapters, covering a wide range of diverse topics. Entertaining, and an ideal book for dipping into.

"The Magic of Recluse" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 18/8/12.

1st book in the "Recluse" fantasy series. Lerris must leave the island nation of Recluse because he is bored by the perfection of the order-based society there. On the mainland, he has to come to terms with his own order-based magical abilities and face the threat of chaos-using wizards. Excellent!

"The Towers of the Sunset" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 23/8/12.

2nd book in the "Recluse" saga, set centuries earlier than the previous book, and telling the story of the founding of Recluse by the young storm wizard Creslin. Excellent.

"Opening Night" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 26/8/12.

16th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series and set, like so many of her books, in the world of the theatre. An actor died on the opening night of a new play. Is it murder or suicide? Alleyn investigates. I guessed the solution to this one quite early in the book, but an extremely enjoyable read. Recommended.

"The Magic Engineer" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 1/9/12.

3rd book in the "Recluse" saga. This jumps forward 300 years from "The Towers of the Sunset", which told the story of the founding of Recluse, and we now have the story of Dorrin, who invented the order-based engineering which played a major role in the 1st book in the series. Excellent.

"Spinsters in Jeopardy" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 8/9/12.

In this, the 17th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series, sees, Alleyn is sent under cover to France, with his family (he's gained a 6-year-old son somehow since the last book!) to investigate the connection between an ancient French fortress, occupied by what today we'd call a "new age cult", and an international heroin distribution operation. Many adventures follow, including the kidnapping of Alleyn's young son, Ricky, and his (Alleyn's) attempt to infiltrate the cult to find out what's going on. Thoroughly enjoyable. One of the best in the series so far.

"The Order War" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 25/9/12.

The 4th book in the "Recluse" series. This book tells the story of Justen, whom we first encountered as a minor character in the first book in the series, and his attempt to balance the powers of Chaos, as represented by the white wizards of Fairhaven, with the powers of Order, represented by the black wizards of Recluse. A very good read.

"Scales of Justice" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 19/10/12.

[i]The 18th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series sees Chief Inspector Alleyn investigating a murder in a close-knit rural community. Very well-plotted; I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

"The Curse of the Pharaohs" by Elizabeth Peters. Completed 24/10/12.

2nd book in the "Amelia Peabody" series. A newly discovered tomb in the Valley of the Kings followed by the mysterious death of its discovered leads to press reports of an ancient curse. A very enjoyable romp.

"Last Seen Wearing" by Colin Dexter. Completed 26/10/12.

2nd book in the "Inspector Morse" series. Morse is asked to reopen the case of a vanished schoolgirl. Many twists and turns. Excellent.

"Warbreaker" by Brandon Sanderson. Completed 30/10/12.

Standalone fantasy novel. Great world-building, as is always the case with BS. Very good.

"Off With His Head" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 3/11/12.

The 19th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A man is decapitated during an ancient folk dance. Alleyn has to discover how and why. Very good plot. Recommended.

"The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn" by Colin Dexter. Completed 8/11/12.

The 3rd book in the "Inspector Morse" series, and another very good read. Morse investigates the murder of a deaf man who worked in a foreign examination syndicate in Oxford.

"Agent of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Completed 9/11/12.

The first book in the "Liaden" series. Reasonably good SF, but I wasn't blown away by it. Hopefully the series will get better.

"The Mummy Case" by Elizabeth Peters. Completed 14/11/12.

The 3rd book in the "Amelia Peabody" series, this novel follows the Victorian lady sleuth to the "pyramids" of Mazghunah. On her arrival, it seems that the barren area can be of no interest, but a murder in Cairo soon persuades her otherwise... Very enjoyable.

"Service of All the Dead" by Colin Dexter. Completed 15/11/12.

The 4th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. Morse and Lewis investigate a puzzling series of murders linked to an Oxford church. Excellent.

"The Death of Chaos" by L.E. Modesitt. Completed 20/11/12.

The 5th book in the "Recluse" series, and a direct sequel to the 1st book in the series. Good solid fantasy.

"Singing in the Shrouds" by Ngaio Marsh. 3/12/12.

The 20th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Alleyn goes undercover as a passenger on a freighter sailing from England to South Africa to try to unmask the identity of the infamous "flower killer". Very good indeed. Highly recommended.

"The Dead of Jericho" by Colin Dexter. Completed 7/12/12.

The 5th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. A woman who Morse knew personally is found hanged in her home. It appears to be a straightforward case of suicide, but Morse is convinced that there's more to it, and conducts an unofficial investigation of his own. Excellent.

"Utopia" by Lincoln Child. Completed 11/12/12.

Thriller. A gang of criminals holds a high-tech amusement park to ransom. Excellent.

"Blood Rites" by Jim Butcher. Completed 17/12/12.

The 6th book in the "Dresden Files" series. Mildly amusing. I probably shan't re-read it.

"The Riddle of the Third Mile" by Colin Dexter. Completed 20/12/12.

The 6th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. A distinguished academic vanishes from his Oxford College, and an unidentifiable torso is discovered in a nearby canal. But things are a lot more complicated than they may at first appear. Excellent.

"Tyrannosaurus Canyon" by Douglas Preston. Completed 22/12/12.

A fast-paced thriller set in the badlands of New Mexico, about a search for a valuable T. Rex fossil. Very enjoyable.

"False Scent" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 24/12/12.

The 21st book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A famous but ageing actress is found dead at her own birthday party, apparently as the result of an accident with poisonous pesticide. But Alleyn suspects that all is not as it appears to be. Very enjoyable. Good plot and interesting characters. Highly recommended.

"The Secret of Annexe 3", by Colin Dexter. Completed 28/12/12.

The 7th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. A man is found murdered in a hotel annexe room following New Year celebrations. A complex and interesting investigation follows. Very good indeed!

"Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke. Completed 30/12/12.

The world was on the brink of nuclear destruction when the giant ships of the Overlords appeared in the skies above the major cites, and imposed peace. But what was their purpose in coming to Earth? An SF classic. Excellent.

Total books read: 62

Books proof-read during 2012

"Thuvia, Maid of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 1/1/12.
"The Chessmen of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 16/1/12.
"The Master Mind of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 27/1/12.
"A Fighting Man of Mars", by Edgar Rice Rurroughs. Completed 14/2/12.
"Swords of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 4/3/12.
"Synthetic Men of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 27/3/12.
"Llana of Gathol" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 6/4/12.
"John Carter of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 9/4/12.
"A Thousand Miles Up the Nile" by Amelia B. Edwards. Completed 11/5/12.
"Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens. Completed 22/7/12.
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Charles Dickens. Completed 5/8/12.
"A Child's History of England" by Charles Dickens. Completed 1/9/12.
"Queen Lucia" by E.F. Benson. Completed 12/9/12.
"Miss Mapp" by E.F. Benson. Completed 22/9/12.
"Lucia in London" by E.F. Benson. Completed 7/10/12.
"Mapp and Lucia" by E.F. Benson. Completed 15/10/12.
"Lucia's Progress" by E.F. Benson. Completed 14/11/12.
"Trouble for Lucia" by E.F. Benson. Completed 25/11/12.
"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. Completed 17/12/12.

Total books proofed: 19

Total books read + proofed: 80

Rumpelteazer · 12-17-2011, 09:05 AM

I've got two goals this year. First, I want to read 10.000 pages (192 pages a week), this goal will probably be adjusted upwards. What I want of this challenge is to find out what I read in a normal year, last year with the 100 books challenge I pushed myself and I avoided several longer books to get to 100. For page count I will use the number of pages my Kindle displays and when reading a DTB I will use that page count.

My second goal is to reduce the number of series I'm actively reading. For now I can only start a new series when I've finished two others. Eventually I want to have four or five series I'm actively reading.

Update 22 February:
Considering I'm almost halfway with my 10,000 pages challenge I'll up it to 25,000 pages.

***
Pages Read
37246
****
Series

Millennium
The Cat Who...
Dresden Files
Cotton Malone
Ring
Dr. Laszlo Kreizler
Haunted Bookshop
A Song of Ice and Fire
Jaz Parks
Aurelio Zen
Nic Costa
Rama
Sebastian St. Cyr
James Potter (on hold due because release of further novels are delayed indefinitely by author)
Inspector Montalbano
Mary Russell
Haunted Guesthouse
Timmy Quinn
Brother Cadfael
Charlie Parker
Georgia series

****
Books read in 2012

001. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (303 pages)
002. The Ghost Writer by John Harwood (305 pages)
003. His Devil by Erik Lynd (9 pages)
004. For Sale: Old Manor House (Free Ghosts Included) by Merabeth James (260 pages)
005. The Ghosts of Varner Creek by Michael Weems (231 pages)
006. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (588 pages)
007. What Lies Beneath by Sarah Rayne (505 pages)
008. The Cat Who Moved a Mountain by Lilian Jackson Braun (212 pages)
009. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larrson (852 pages)
010. James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing by G. Norman Lippert (509 pages)
011. The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library by Alice Kimberly (219 pages)
012. The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr (785 pages)
013. Carnacki: Heaven and Hell by William Meikle (155 pages)
014. The Sorrows by Jonathan Janz (272 pages)
015. The Black Tower by Louis Bayard (384 pages)
016. Scarab by Stavros Halvatzis (169 pages)
017. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (1198 pages)
018. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (274 pages)
019. The Ghost and the Femme Fatale by Alice Kimberly (237 pages)
020. The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry (446 pages)
021. Changes by Jim Butcher (462 pages)
022. The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion by Alice Kimberly (304 pages)
023. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri (140 pages)
024. Loop by Koji Suzuki (333 pages)
025. The House of the Lost by Sarah Rayne (408 pages)
026. Beekeeping for Beginners by Laurie R. King (44 pages)
027. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (317 pages)
028. A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King (271 pages)
029. A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King (249 pages)
030. The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry (515 pages)
031. The Cat Who Wasn't There by Lilian Jackson Braun (211 pages)
032. The Moor by Laurie R. King (241 pages)
033. O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King (345 pages)
034. Property of a Lady by Sarah Rayne (256 pages)
035. The Hunting Ground by Cliff McNish (274 pages)
036. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (443 pages)
037. Justice Hall by Laurie R. King (384 pages)
038. Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne (491 pages)
039. The Game by Laurie R. King (377 pages)
040. 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz (403 pages)
041. The Murder of the Century by Paul Collins (280 pages)
042. Zorro by Isabel Allende (371 pages)
043. Rama II by Arthur C. Clarke (480 pages)
044. The Terra-Cotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri (332 pages)
045. Side Jobs by Jim Butcher (420 pages)
046. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher (486 pages)
047. When Gods Die by C.S. Harris (302 pages)
048. Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman (299 pages)
049. Why Mermaids Sing by C.S. Harris (254 pages)
050. The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry (416 pages)
051. The Cat Who Went into the Closet by Lilian Jackson Braun (203 pages)
052. Locked Rooms by Laurie R. King (401 pages)
053. Where Serpents Sleep by C.S. Harris (371 pages)
054. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin (297 pages)
055. The Language of Bees by Laurie R. King (437 pages)
056. The God of the Hive by Laurie R. King (350 pages)
057. The Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman (273 pages)
058. What Remains of Heaven by C.S. Harris (290 pages)
059. The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson (384 pages)
060. The Templar Sword by Paul Christopher (272 pages)
061. Borderlands by Brian McGilloway (222 pages)
062. Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris (279 pages)
063. When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris (352 pages)
064. Tai-Pan by James Clavell (856 pages)
065. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough (624 pages)
066. The Third Gate by Lincoln Child (282 pages)
067. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (594 pages)
068. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lilian Jackson Braun (186 pages)
069. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters (261 pages)
070. Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum by Stephen Prosapio (307 pages)
071. Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton (462 pages)
072. Pirate King by Laurie R. King (317 pages)
073. John Doe by Tess Gerritsen (54 pages)
074. The Gods of Gotham by Lindsay Faye (395 pages)
075. Ghost of a Chance by Simon R. Green (218 pages)
076. Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen (313 pages)
077. The Manor by Scott Nicholson (285 pages)
078. Ash by James Herbert (607 pages)
079. One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters (225 pages)
080. The Supernaturals by David L. Golemon (527 pages)
081. Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King (384 pages)
082. The Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke (69 pages)
083. Old Haunts by E.J. Copperman (256 pages)
084. Every Dead Thing by John Connolly (501 pages)
085. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander (307 pages)
086. The Passage by Justin Cronin (954 pages)
087. The Twelve by Justin Cronin (685 pages)
088. 31-10 by Stephen Volk (16 pages)
089. Dust and Shadows by Lyndsay Faye (309 pages)
090. The Hides by Kealan Patrick Burke (134 pages)
091. Cabal by Michael Dibdin (274 pages)
092. The Racketeer by John Grisham (318 pages)
093. Dark Hollow by John Connolly (358 pages)
094. Misery Hall by L. Chambers-Wright (15 pages)
095. The Killing Kind by John Connolly (354 pages)
096. The Black House by Peter May (348 pages)
097. The White Road by John Connolly (418 pages)
098. Cold Days by Jim Butcher (556 pages)
099. The Yard by Alex Grecian (451 pages)
100. The Vampire Laird by Merabeth James (218 pages)
101. Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter (330 pages)
102. Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters (222 pages)
103. The Black Angel by John Connolly (493 pages)
104. City of Screams by James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell (67 pages)
105. Curfew by Phil Rickman (654 pages)

Shack70 · 12-17-2011, 09:41 AM

My goal for 2012 is to read 50 books. My goal for 2011 was 100 and I am right on target to reach that goal, but I found that I picked some books over others simple because of the size of the book. There are some long books I still want to read and 50 books in a year will allow me to do it!

Catlady · 12-17-2011, 10:57 AM

Reserved for 2012

issybird · 12-17-2011, 11:00 AM

25 Books of 25 Lands:

England: Beasts and Super-Beasts, Saki
Egypt: The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, Lucette Lagnado
USA: Tender is the Night, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Scotland: Whisky, Kilts, and the Loch Ness Monster: Traveling through Scotland with Boswell and Johnson, William W. Starr
Bhutan: Married to Bhutan, Linda Leaning
Russia: The Eternal Husband, Fyodor Dostoevsky
Japan: Silence, Shusaku Endo
Cuba: Havana Blue, Leonardo Padura
France: Dawn of the Belle Epoque: The Paris of Monet, Zola, Bernhardt, Eiffel, Debussy, Clemenceau, and Their Friends, Mary McAuliffe
Canada: Me Bandy, You Cissie, Donald Jack
Laos: Another Quiet American: Stories Of Life In Laos, Brett Dakin
Iceland: The Greenhouse, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Netherlands: The Assault, Harry Mulisch
Colombia: Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
Argentina: Needle in a Haystack, Ernesto Mallo
Germany: Defying Hitler, Sebastian Haffner
Hungary: In Praise of Older Women, Stephen Vizinczey
Albania: Chronicle in Stone, Ismail Kadare
China: In the Pond, Ha Jin
Turkey: Istanbul: Memories and the City, Orhan Pamuk
Italy: The Surprise of Cremona, Edith Templeton
Spain: The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Afghanistan: A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Eric Newby
Austria: The World of Yesterday, Stefan Zweig
Kenya: Someday I Will Write About This Place, Binyavanga Wainaina
Australia: Cocaine Blues, Kerry Greenwood
Malaysia: The Garden of Evening Mists, Tan Twan Eng

Laundry Basket Challenge (25 books from my paper TBR collection):

In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor
Under Gemini, Isabel Bolton
Singled Out: How Two Million Women Survived Without Men After the First World War, Virginia Nicholson
Bright Young People: The Rise and Fall of a Generation 1918-1940, D.J. Taylor
Unknown Soldiers: The Story of the Missing of the First World War, Neil Hanson
Defying Hitler, Sebastian Haffner
In Praise of Older Women, Stephen Vizinczey*
Uncommon Arrangements: Seven Portraits of Married Life in London Literary Circles 1910-1939, Katie Roiphe
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, Winifred Watson
Within the Plantation Household: Black and White Women of the Old South, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese
Only My Dreams: An English Girlhood, Hilda Ann Salusbury
The Surprise of Cremona, Edith Templeton
The Pueblo Revolt of 1680, Andrew L. Knaut
The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home, George Howe Colt
Memories of a Big Sky British War Bride, Irene Hope Hedrick
City of the Soul: A Walk in Rome, William Murray
The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Children of the Sun: A Narrative of Decadence in England After 1918, Martin Green
A Favourite of the Gods, Sybille Bedford
A Compass Error, Sybille Bedford
The World of Yesterday, Stefan Zweig
A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Eric Newby
Wise Blood, Flannery O'Connor
South from Grenada, Gerald Brenan

I was comfortably past 100 books in 2011, so while I'll track 2012 reading at GR, it's not a goal for me.

red_phoenix · 12-17-2011, 11:01 AM

I simply wish to have a record of how many books I read in a year. I have never kept track before so do not have a clear idea.

Books Read in 2012

1. Ice Hunter by Joseph Heywood (started in 2011) - pages read in 2012 - approx. 156
2. Thank you, Mr. Moto by John P. Marquand - pages 123
3. Think Fast, Mr. Moto by John P. Marquand - pages 116
4. Last Laugh, Mr. Moto by John P. Marquand - pages 108
5. The Girl of O.K. Valley by Robert Watson - pages 140
6. The Shape Of Silence by Stephen Leigh - pages 282
7. Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett - pages 287
8. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison - pages 438
9. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts (reread)
10. The Hollow by Nora Roberts - pages 318 (reread)
11. Raven Calls by C.E. Murphy - pages 360
12. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom - pages 249
13. Ghost a la Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian - pages 217
14. Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean - pages 202
15. Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini by Sue Ann Jaffarian - pages 215
16. Keeper of the Spirit by Ruby Storm - pages 338
17. The Masters of Time: Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce - pages 286
18. The Masters of Time: Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce - pages 291
19. The Masters of Time: Dark Embrace by Brenda Joyce - pages 245
20. The Drowning by Richard Herley - pages 303
21. Storm Born by Richelle Mead - pages 311
22. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead - pages 288
23. Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead - pages 253
24. Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead - pages 309
25. Deadly Aim by Patricia H. Rushford - pages 280
26. Yorkshire: Richard and Rose, Book One by Lynne Connolly - pages 208
27. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - pages 579
28. Enchant the Dawn by Elaine Loew - pages 154
29. The Eighth Day by Tom Avitabile - pages 390
30. The Good, The Bad, and The Uncanny by Simon R. Green - pages 275
31. Storm Prey by John Sandford - pages 408
32. The Bluejay Shaman by Lise McClendon - pages 225
33. Time and Again by Nora Roberts - pages 456
34. Sundance, Butch and Me by Judy Alter - pages 313
35. Touring Afterlife by Nancy Frederick - pages 165
36. Season of Fear by Christine Bush - pages 178
37. Too Many Murders by Colleen McCullough - pages 371
38. Ghost by Jim Butcher - pages ?
39. Star Wars: Heir to the Empire - pages 404
40. Star Wars: Dark Force Rising - pages ?
41. Star Wars: The Last Command - pages 467
42. Key of Light by Nora Roberts - pages 334
43. Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts - pages 327
44. Key of Valor by Nora Roberts - pages 332
45. Shamrock Alley by Ronald Damien Malfi - pages 382
46. Cold Days by Jim Butcher - pages ?
47. Too Big To Miss by Sue Ann Jeffarian - pages 301

CRussel · 12-17-2011, 01:02 PM

Goal is to read or re-read some classics I never read or have completely forgotten. From "fun" ones, like Dumas, to empty spots in my education, such as Edith Wharton. But while I do this, I really, really want to cut down my TBR list. Like pdurrant, I have a problem with buying more than I read.

I'll use this thread to keep track of both goals, by listing my books read and by keeping score on the buy/read ratio. (Note: this list of books in the TBR list is not comprehensive, since it only includes the first couple of books in several large series that I expect to read all of in 2012. But we'll adjust the list as required.

Initial # of books ToBeRead as of January 1: 107
Current # of books ToBeRead as of 27 December, 2012: 90

Books Bought in 2012: 110

Books Read in 2012:

The House of Silk, A Sherlock Holmes Novel (Anthony Horowitz)
Miss Pym Disposes (Josephine Tey)
Masquerade (Georgette Heyer)
The Final Empire (Brandon Sanderson) (Audible, read by Michael Kramer)
A Quintet of Kate Shugak Stories (Dana Stabenow)
The Night the Gods Smiled (Eric Wright)
The Day They Brought the Bears to Belfast (Sharon Lee) *short*
Sprig Muslin (Georgette Heyer)
Quiet Magic (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (3 short stories)
Redoubtable - Kris Longknife #8 (Mike Shepard) (Audible, read by Dina Pearlman)
Assassin's Apprentice (Robin Hobb)
A Quintet of Dana Stabenow Stories (2 Liam Campbell, 2 Mnemosynea, and a Star Svensdotter)
Oath of Fealty (Elizabeth Moon)
The Quiet Gentleman (Georgette Heyer)
The Tattooed Girl: The Enigma of Stieg Larsson and the Secrets Behind the Most Compelling Thrillers of Our Time (Dan Burstein, et al)
Bruno, Chief of Police (Martin Walker)
The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)
The Tin Princess (Philip Pullman) (Audible, read by Anton Lesser)
Kings of the North (Elizabeth Moon)
No Mark Upon Her (Deborah Crombie)
Echos of Betrayal (Elizabeth Moon)
A Rising Thunder (David Weber)
Restless in the Grave (Dana Stabenow) (Audible, read by Marguerite Gavin)
To Serve Them All My Days (R. F. Delderfield)
Faro's Daughter (Georgette Heyer)
One Jump Ahead (Mark L. van Name) (in Jump Gate Twist omnibus)
Slanted Jack (Mark L. van Name) (in Jump Gate Twist omnibus)
The Curse of Chalion (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Palladin of Souls (Lois McMaster Bujold)
From Whence You Came (Laura Anne Gilman)
The Spirit Ring (Lois McMaster Bujold) (Audible, read by Jessica Almasy)
The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)
Friday's Child (Georgette Heyer)
Barnburner (Sharon Lee)
Gunshy (Sharon Lee)
A trio of Alaskan short stories (Dana Stabenow)
Longeye (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller)
The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep (Lawrence Block)
Cast in Ruin (Michelle Sagara)
Scholar (L. E. Modesitt, Jr.) (Audible, read by William Dufries)
Dragon Ship (eArc) (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller)
Boundary (Eric Flint & Ryk E. Spoor)
Double Share (Nathan Lowell)
Deceiver (C. J. Cherryh)
Betrayer (C. J. Cherryh)
The Dark Vineyard (Martin Walker)
1634: The Baltic War (Eric Flint)
Ring of Fire II (Eric Flint)
Grantville Gazette V (Eric Flint, et al)
Born To Run (Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon)
1632 (Eric Flint) (Audible, read by George Guidall)
Into Thin Air Jon Krakauer
Wheels of Fire (Mercedes Lackey & Mark Shepherd)
Kill My Darling (Cynthia Harrod-Eagles)
Tinker (Wen Spencer)
Wolf Who Rules (Wen Spencer)
Elfhome (Wen Spencer)
Trading into Danger (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway)
Captain Vorpatrill's Alliance (eARC) (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Fire Season (eARC) (David Weber & Jane Linskold)
Beguilement - Book 1 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Legacy - Book 2 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Passages- Book 3 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Horizon- Book 4 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Lady of Quality (Georgette Heyer)
1635: The Eastern Front (Eric Flint)
1636: The Saxon Uprising (Eric Flint)
Monster Hunter International (Larry Correia)
Midnight Come Again (Dana Stabenow)
The Singing of the Dead (Dana Stabenow)
Princeps (L. E. Modesitt, Jr.) (Audible, read by William Dufries)
Oath of Swords (David Weber)
The Snows of Kilimanjaro (Ernest Hemingway)
Marque and Reprisal (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway)
A Brother's Price (Wen Spencer)
Alien Taste (Wen Spencer)
The War God's Own (David Weber)
Engaging the Enemy (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway)
Command Decision (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway)
Tainted Trail (Wen Spencer)
A Fine and Bitter Snow (Dana Stabenow)
Wyvern (Wen Spencer)
Victory Conditions (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway)
A Grave Denied (Dana Stabenow)
A Taint in the Blood (Dana Stabenow)
A Civil Contract (Georgette Heyer)
Bitter Waters (Wen Spencer)
Fledgling (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller)
Saltation (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller)
Ghost Ship (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller)
Dragon Ship (final version) (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller)
Carousel Tides (Sharon Lee) (Audible, read by Elisabeth Rodgers)
Crystal Soldier (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Kevin T. Collins)
An Infamous Army (Georgette Heyer)
Crystal Dragon (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Kevin T. Collins)
Balance of Trade (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Kevin T. Collins)
Garment of Shadows (Laurie King)
Local Custom (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Bernadette Dunn)
Scout's Progress (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Bernadette Dunn)
Mouse and Dragon (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Bernadette Dunn)
A Deeper Sleep (Dana Stabenow)
Agent of Change (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe)
Conflict of Honors (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe)
Agent of Change (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe)
Carpe Diem (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe)
Plan B (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe)
I Dare (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe)
Fledgling (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens)
Klondike: The Last Great Gold Rush (Pierre Berton)
Saltation (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens)
Necessity's Child (eArc) (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller)
Ghost Ship (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens)
Cocaine Blues (Kerry Greenwood)
Flying Too High (Kerry Greenwood)
Murder on the Ballarat Train (Kerry Greenwood)
Dragon Ship (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens)
Farnham's Freehold (Robert Heinlein)
Ravenwood(Nathan Lowell)
Zypheria's Call(Nathan Lowell)
Nocturne(Deborah Crombie)
Captain Vorpatrill's Alliance (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Death at Victoria Dock (Kerry Greenwood)
Last Seen Wearing (Colin Dexter)
Falling Free ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Shards of Honor ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Barrayar ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Nine Princes of Amber (Roger Zelazny) (Audible, read by Allessandro Juliani)
Proto Zoa (5 short stories) ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Mountains of Mourning ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Warrior's Apprentice ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
The Vor Game ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Labyrinth ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Cetaganda ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Darkship Thieves ( Sarah Hoyt )
Darkship Renegades ( Sarah Hoyt )
Powder and Patch ( Georgette Heyer )
The Philosopher's Stone (J. K. Rowling) ([i]audio, read by Steven Fry)
The Green Mill Murder (Kerry Greenwood)
Blood and Circuses (Kerry Greenwood)
Ethen of Athos ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Borders of Infinity ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Brothers in Arms ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Mirror Dance ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Mrs. Hudson's Case ( Laurie King )
Any Taint of Vice ( Dana Stabenow )
Archie Meets Nero ( Robert Goldsborough )
Memory ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Komar ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Darkover: First Contact ( Marion Zimmer Bradley)
Rediscovery ( Marion Zimmer Bradley)
The Sword of Aldones ( Marion Zimmer Bradley)
A Civil Campaign ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Winterfair Gifts ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Diplomatic Immunity ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Cryoburn ( Lois McMaster Bujold )
Foreigner (C. J. Cherryh ) (Audible+eBook, Audible read by Daniel Thomas May )

colinsky · 12-17-2011, 01:07 PM

Watch this space.

12-17-2011, 06:40 AM	#5
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Contribute minimum monthly 30%+ Canadian content to Patricia Clark Memorial Library Prospective CanCon contribution (on profoundly ironic hold): 1. Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) Too Much College, or, Education Eating Up Life. With Kindred Essays in Education and Humour. (1939) Record of Stuff Read for 2012 with links to corresponding commentary in What Are You Reading thread (2011, 2010): Legend: $ paid for with my own money (otherwise assume freebie or library) R previously read (usually in another format) P read in paper (may not be available in e-) ∂ e-book available DRM-free ∫ e-book has noticeable typos/formatting errors § short story or novella packaged as standalone e-text Ω omnibus edition containing multiple works A anthology or essay collection with multiple authors ¶ public domain or Creative Commons license n/10 overall writing/plotting/characterization/research/presentation quality (not necessarily correlated to enjoyment) √/3 recommended for quality and/or entertainment value (caveat: some trashy mind candy reads recommended in the lot if I think they're fun enough) ♥/3 personally rather liked this one (but can not necessarily recommend it, because sometimes I have really bad taste) 1,2,3... Full-length new works read. I,II,III... Works re-read in format previously encountered. i,ii,iii... Works previously read in paper format re-read in newly-acquired e-. A,B,C... Graphic novels and picture-intensive artbooks. a,b,c... Shorter works packaged standalone. 1. The Mask of Narcissus by Vincent Lardo ∂ $ 7/10 ♥ √ 2. Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal ∂ $ 8/10 ♥♥ √√ 3. Knightly Love by Fyn Alexander ∂ $ 6.5/10 ♥ a. The Lion of Kent by Aleksandr Voinov & Kate Cotoner ∂ § $ 7.5/10 ♥ √ 4. Desert Wives by Betty Webb ∂ $ 7.5/10 ♥ √ A. Two Generals by Scott Chantler P 8.75/10 GN ♥♥♥ √√√ 5. Changes by Mercedes Lackey P 6/10 6. Four For A Boy by Mary Reed & Eric Mayer ∂ $ 7.5/10 ♥ √ 7. Rule 34 by Charles Stross P 7.25/10 ♥ b. Briony's Soldiers by Diana Bold $ ∂ § 6.25/10 ♥ c. The Old Buzzard Had It Coming by Donis Casey ∂ $ 7.5/10 ♥ √√ 9. Artifacts by Mary Anna Evans $ ∂ 7/10 ♥ √ 10. Artscape by Frederick Ramsay $ ∂ 6/10 11. Concrete Desert by John Talton $ ∂ 6/10 12. In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicky Delany $ ∂ 6/10 ♥ √ 13. The Shoeless Kid by Marcelle Dubé $ ∂ 5.5/10 15. A Thousand Deaths by George Alec Effinger $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥ √√ 16. Secret Lives of Great Composers: What Your Teachers Never Told You About the World's Musical Masters by Elizabeth Lunday P ♥ √ 17. The Heat of the Moon by Sandra Parshall $ ∂ 6.25/10 18. Interrupted Aria by Beverle Grave Myers $ ∂ 7/10 ♥♥ √√ d. Night Shift by Marcelle Dubé ∂ § 5.5/10 19. The Virgin Billionaire by Ryan Field ∂ 6/10 ♥ 20. Infected: Bloodlines by Andrea Speed $ ∂ 6.75/10 ♥ √ 21. Infected: Life After Death by Andrea Speed $ ∂ 6.75/10 ♥ √ 22. Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean ∂ 6.75/10 ♥ √ 23. Infected: Freefall by Andrea Speed $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √ i. The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly $ 7.75/10 ♥♥ √√ 24. Farthest Space: The Wrath of Jan by Ellen Fisher 6/10 ♥ √ ii. The Witches of Wenshar by Barbara Hambly $ 7.75/10 ♥♥ √√ iii. The Time of the Dark by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ iv. The Walls of Air by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ v. The Armies of Daylight by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ I. Mother of Winter by Barbara Hambly $ P 7.25/10 ♥ II. The Icefalcon's Quest by Barbara Hambly $ P 7/10 ♥ vi. The Dark Hand of Magic by Barbara Hambly $ 7.25/10 ♥ vii. Dog Wizard by Barbara Hambly $ ∫7.75/10 ♥♥ √√ viii. Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly $ 7.75/10 ♥♥ √√ vix. Stranger at the Wedding by Barbara Hambly $ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ x. The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly $ ∫7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ e. The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters by Sierra Dean $ ∂ § 6.25/10 ♥ √ 25. A Bloody Good Secret by Sierra Dean $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √ f. Secret Santa by Sierra Dean $ ∂ § 6.25/10 ♥ √ 26. Deep Dark Secret by Sierra Dean $ ∂ 6.5/10 √ ♥ 27. A Private Gentleman by Heidi Cullinan $ ∂ 6.25/10 ♥ √ g. Tom Fleet's Incredible Machine by Deirdre O'Dare $ ∂ 5.25/10 h. Three by S. Dora $ ∂ 6/10 ♥ i. Whispers by Suzanne Rock $ ∂ 5.5/10 28. The Hanged Man's Ghost by Missouri Dalton $ ∂ 6.25/10 ♥ √ 29. Shadowboxing by Anne Barwell $ ∂ 5.75/10 30. Seven from the Stars by Marion Zimmer Bradley $ ∂ 6/10 xi. The Planet Savers by Marion Zimmer Bradley $ ∂ 6/10 ♥ 31. The Calling of the Three by Ru Emerson $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √ 32. King and Raven by Cary James $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ 33. Adventures: The Chronicles of Lucifer Jones by Mike Resnick ∂ 7/10 ♥ √ 34. Exploits: The Chronicles of Lucifer Jones (1926-1931) by Mike Resnick $ ∂ 7/10 ♥ √ j. Jiggles and the Test Pilot by Mary Tales ∫ 3/10 ♥ 35. Suspicion of Innocence by Barbara Parker ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √ 36. Encounters: The Chronicles of Lucifer Jones (1931-1934) by Mike Resnick $ ∂ 7/10 ♥ √ 37. Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear ∫ 4/10 38. The Heir by Grace Burrowes 6.25/10 39. Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear 6/10 40. Color Him Gay: The Further Adventures of The Man From C.A.M.P. by Victor J. Banis $ ∂ 6/10 ♥ 41. Brida by Paulo Coelho 6.5/10 ♥ 42. Yorkshire by Lynne Connolly ∂ 7/10 ♥ √ 43. A Nice Class of Corpse by Simon Brett $ 6.5/10 ♥ √ 44. Blue Blood Will Out by Tim Heald $ 6.25/10 ♥ 45. Mrs, Presumed Dead by Simon Brett $ 6.5/10 ♥ √ 46. Body Politic by Paul Johnston $ 7.25/10 ♥ √ 47. Unbecoming Habits by Tim Heald $ 6.25/10 ♥ 48. The Two in Hiding by Ru Emerson $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √ 49. One Land, One Duke by Ru Emerson $ ∂ 6.5/10 ♥ √ j. The Body Human: Three Stories of Future Medicine by Nancy Kress $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥ √√ 50. Future Perfect: Six Stories of Genetic Engineering by Nancy Kress $ ∂ 8.5/10 ♥ √√√ 51. Designed for Death by Jean Harrington $ ∂ 6/10 ♥ 52. Cutting Cords by Mickie B. Ashling ∂ 5.5/10 53. Scene Stealer by Elise Warner $ ∂ 4.5/10 54. Mrs Pargeter's Package by Simon Brett $ 6.25/10 54. Mrs Pargeter's Pound of Flesh by Simon Brett $ 6.5/10 ♥ √ 56. Vessel by Mickie B. Ashling $ ∂ 6.25/10 ♥ 57. The Ionia Sanction by Gary Corby 6.75/10 ♥♥ √√ 58. Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ 59. The Fire Lord's Lover by Kathryne Kennedy 6.5/10 ♥ √ 60. Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy 6.25/10 ♥ 61. Double Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy 5.75/10 62. Worlds Apart by Barbara Elsborg $ ∂ 6/10 ♥ 63. Plastered in Stonington by Rosemary Goodwin $ ∂ 5.75/10 64. Lilith: A Snake in the Grass by Jack L. Chalker ∂ 7.5/10 ♥ 65. Bomber's Moon by Alex Beecroft $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ k. The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady ∂ 6.25/10 ♥ 66. Dogfighters by Alex Beecroft $ ∂ 7.5/10 ♥♥ √√ 67. The War of the Roses by Warren Adler 68. Children of the Roses by Warren Adler 69. Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George $ l. Places in Time by Cardeno C. $ xii. Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A. Heinlein $ xiii. Methuselah's Children by Robert A. Heinlein $ 70. Have Space Suit, Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein $ 71. The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein 72. Revolt in 2100 by Robert A. Heinlein $ 73. Drunkard's Walk by Frederik Pohl $ 74. Tyrant of the Mind by Priscilla Royal $ 75. Heartshot by Steven F. Havill $ 76. Relics by Mary Anna Evans $ 77. Sorrow Without End by Priscilla Royal $ 78. Justice for the Damned by Priscilla Royal $ 79. Forsaken Soul by Priscilla Royal $ 80. Effigies by Mary Anna Evans $ 81. Findings by Mary Anna Evans $ 82. Floodgates by Mary Anna Evans $ 83. Strangers by Mary Anna Evans $ 84. The Exterminators by Bill Fitzhugh $ 85. My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy 86. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood 87. Unearthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood 88. Screenscam by Michael Bowen 89. Silver Lies by Ann Parker 90. Deadline by Seanan McGuire m. Countdown by Seanan McGuire n. Six Months, Three Days by Charlie Jane Anders o. The Homecoming by Mike Resnick p. Fields of Gold? by Rachel Swirsky q. What We Found by Geoff Ryman r. The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees by E. Lily Yu s. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu t. The Man Who Ended History by Ken Liu u. Movement by Nancy Fulda v. Ray of Light by Brad Torgersen w. The Ice Owl by Carolyn Gilman 91. Among Others by Jo Walton 92. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin 93. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 94. Blaze of Glory by Sheryl Nantus 95. Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin 96. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin Paid Purchases Read (Brand New/Previously Encountered/Mixed Omnibus or Collection): 53/11/2 Promotional e-Book Freebies Read: 20 Titles by Known Canadians Read: 14 Last edited by ATDrake; 12-01-2012 at 06:19 AM.

12-17-2011, 09:05 AM	#9
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,210 Karma: 27117938 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	10000 pages & series decimation challenge I've got two goals this year. First, I want to read 10.000 pages (192 pages a week), this goal will probably be adjusted upwards. What I want of this challenge is to find out what I read in a normal year, last year with the 100 books challenge I pushed myself and I avoided several longer books to get to 100. For page count I will use the number of pages my Kindle displays and when reading a DTB I will use that page count. My second goal is to reduce the number of series I'm actively reading. For now I can only start a new series when I've finished two others. Eventually I want to have four or five series I'm actively reading. Update 22 February: Considering I'm almost halfway with my 10,000 pages challenge I'll up it to 25,000 pages. * Pages Read 37246 Series Millennium The Cat Who... Dresden Files Cotton Malone Ring Dr. Laszlo Kreizler Haunted Bookshop A Song of Ice and Fire Jaz Parks Aurelio Zen Nic Costa Rama Sebastian St. Cyr James Potter (on hold due because release of further novels are delayed indefinitely by author) Inspector Montalbano Mary Russell Haunted Guesthouse Timmy Quinn Brother Cadfael Charlie Parker Georgia series Books read in 2012** 001. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (303 pages) 002. The Ghost Writer by John Harwood (305 pages) 003. His Devil by Erik Lynd (9 pages) 004. For Sale: Old Manor House (Free Ghosts Included) by Merabeth James (260 pages) 005. The Ghosts of Varner Creek by Michael Weems (231 pages) 006. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (588 pages) 007. What Lies Beneath by Sarah Rayne (505 pages) 008. The Cat Who Moved a Mountain by Lilian Jackson Braun (212 pages) 009. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larrson (852 pages) 010. James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing by G. Norman Lippert (509 pages) 011. The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library by Alice Kimberly (219 pages) 012. The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr (785 pages) 013. Carnacki: Heaven and Hell by William Meikle (155 pages) 014. The Sorrows by Jonathan Janz (272 pages) 015. The Black Tower by Louis Bayard (384 pages) 016. Scarab by Stavros Halvatzis (169 pages) 017. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (1198 pages) 018. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (274 pages) 019. The Ghost and the Femme Fatale by Alice Kimberly (237 pages) 020. The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry (446 pages) 021. Changes by Jim Butcher (462 pages) 022. The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion by Alice Kimberly (304 pages) 023. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri (140 pages) 024. Loop by Koji Suzuki (333 pages) 025. The House of the Lost by Sarah Rayne (408 pages) 026. Beekeeping for Beginners by Laurie R. King (44 pages) 027. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (317 pages) 028. A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King (271 pages) 029. A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King (249 pages) 030. The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry (515 pages) 031. The Cat Who Wasn't There by Lilian Jackson Braun (211 pages) 032. The Moor by Laurie R. King (241 pages) 033. O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King (345 pages) 034. Property of a Lady by Sarah Rayne (256 pages) 035. The Hunting Ground by Cliff McNish (274 pages) 036. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (443 pages) 037. Justice Hall by Laurie R. King (384 pages) 038. Tower of Silence by Sarah Rayne (491 pages) 039. The Game by Laurie R. King (377 pages) 040. 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz (403 pages) 041. The Murder of the Century by Paul Collins (280 pages) 042. Zorro by Isabel Allende (371 pages) 043. Rama II by Arthur C. Clarke (480 pages) 044. The Terra-Cotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri (332 pages) 045. Side Jobs by Jim Butcher (420 pages) 046. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher (486 pages) 047. When Gods Die by C.S. Harris (302 pages) 048. Night of the Living Deed by E.J. Copperman (299 pages) 049. Why Mermaids Sing by C.S. Harris (254 pages) 050. The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry (416 pages) 051. The Cat Who Went into the Closet by Lilian Jackson Braun (203 pages) 052. Locked Rooms by Laurie R. King (401 pages) 053. Where Serpents Sleep by C.S. Harris (371 pages) 054. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin (297 pages) 055. The Language of Bees by Laurie R. King (437 pages) 056. The God of the Hive by Laurie R. King (350 pages) 057. The Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman (273 pages) 058. What Remains of Heaven by C.S. Harris (290 pages) 059. The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson (384 pages) 060. The Templar Sword by Paul Christopher (272 pages) 061. Borderlands by Brian McGilloway (222 pages) 062. Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris (279 pages) 063. When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris (352 pages) 064. Tai-Pan by James Clavell (856 pages) 065. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough (624 pages) 066. The Third Gate by Lincoln Child (282 pages) 067. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (594 pages) 068. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lilian Jackson Braun (186 pages) 069. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters (261 pages) 070. Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum by Stephen Prosapio (307 pages) 071. Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton (462 pages) 072. Pirate King by Laurie R. King (317 pages) 073. John Doe by Tess Gerritsen (54 pages) 074. The Gods of Gotham by Lindsay Faye (395 pages) 075. Ghost of a Chance by Simon R. Green (218 pages) 076. Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen (313 pages) 077. The Manor by Scott Nicholson (285 pages) 078. Ash by James Herbert (607 pages) 079. One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters (225 pages) 080. The Supernaturals by David L. Golemon (527 pages) 081. Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King (384 pages) 082. The Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke (69 pages) 083. Old Haunts by E.J. Copperman (256 pages) 084. Every Dead Thing by John Connolly (501 pages) 085. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander (307 pages) 086. The Passage by Justin Cronin (954 pages) 087. The Twelve by Justin Cronin (685 pages) 088. 31-10 by Stephen Volk (16 pages) 089. Dust and Shadows by Lyndsay Faye (309 pages) 090. The Hides by Kealan Patrick Burke (134 pages) 091. Cabal by Michael Dibdin (274 pages) 092. The Racketeer by John Grisham (318 pages) 093. Dark Hollow by John Connolly (358 pages) 094. Misery Hall by L. Chambers-Wright (15 pages) 095. The Killing Kind by John Connolly (354 pages) 096. The Black House by Peter May (348 pages) 097. The White Road by John Connolly (418 pages) 098. Cold Days by Jim Butcher (556 pages) 099. The Yard by Alex Grecian (451 pages) 100. The Vampire Laird by Merabeth James (218 pages) 101. Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter (330 pages) 102. Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters (222 pages) 103. The Black Angel by John Connolly (493 pages) 104. City of Screams by James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell (67 pages) 105. Curfew by Phil Rickman (654 pages) Last edited by Rumpelteazer; 12-30-2012 at 07:56 PM.

12-17-2011, 09:41 AM	#10
Shack70 Guru Posts: 776 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	Goal: To read 50 books My goal for 2012 is to read 50 books. My goal for 2011 was 100 and I am right on target to reach that goal, but I found that I picked some books over others simple because of the size of the book. There are some long books I still want to read and 50 books in a year will allow me to do it! Last edited by pdurrant; 12-19-2011 at 04:49 AM. Reason: added title

12-17-2011, 11:00 AM	#12
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,661 Karma: 225870683 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	Goal: 25 books about different countries and 25 paper books from my TBR pile 25 Books of 25 Lands: *England: Beasts and Super-Beasts,* Saki Egypt: The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, Lucette Lagnado *USA: Tender is the Night,* F. Scott Fitzgerald *Scotland: Whisky, Kilts, and the Loch Ness Monster: Traveling through Scotland with Boswell and Johnson,* William W. Starr *Bhutan: Married to Bhutan,* Linda Leaning *Russia: The Eternal Husband,* Fyodor Dostoevsky *Japan: Silence,* Shusaku Endo *Cuba: Havana Blue,* Leonardo Padura *France: Dawn of the Belle Epoque: The Paris of Monet, Zola, Bernhardt, Eiffel, Debussy, Clemenceau, and Their Friends,* Mary McAuliffe *Canada: Me Bandy, You Cissie, Donald Jack Laos: Another Quiet American: Stories Of Life In Laos, Brett Dakin Iceland: The Greenhouse, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Netherlands: The Assault, Harry Mulisch Colombia: Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez Argentina: Needle in a Haystack, Ernesto Mallo Germany: Defying Hitler, Sebastian Haffner Hungary: In Praise of Older Women, Stephen Vizinczey Albania: Chronicle in Stone, Ismail Kadare China: In the Pond, Ha Jin Turkey: Istanbul: Memories and the City, Orhan Pamuk Italy: The Surprise of Cremona, Edith Templeton Spain: The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafón Afghanistan: A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Eric Newby Austria: The World of Yesterday, Stefan Zweig Kenya: Someday I Will Write About This Place, Binyavanga Wainaina Australia: Cocaine Blues, Kerry Greenwood Malaysia: The Garden of Evening Mists, Tan Twan Eng Laundry Basket Challenge* (25 books from my paper TBR collection): In Tearing Haste: Letters Between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor Under Gemini, Isabel Bolton Singled Out: How Two Million Women Survived Without Men After the First World War, Virginia Nicholson Bright Young People: The Rise and Fall of a Generation 1918-1940, D.J. Taylor Unknown Soldiers: The Story of the Missing of the First World War, Neil Hanson Defying Hitler, Sebastian Haffner In Praise of Older Women, Stephen Vizinczey* Uncommon Arrangements: Seven Portraits of Married Life in London Literary Circles 1910-1939, Katie Roiphe Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, Winifred Watson Within the Plantation Household: Black and White Women of the Old South, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese Only My Dreams: An English Girlhood, Hilda Ann Salusbury The Surprise of Cremona, Edith Templeton The Pueblo Revolt of 1680, Andrew L. Knaut The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home, George Howe Colt Memories of a Big Sky British War Bride, Irene Hope Hedrick City of the Soul: A Walk in Rome, William Murray The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafón Children of the Sun: A Narrative of Decadence in England After 1918, Martin Green A Favourite of the Gods, Sybille Bedford A Compass Error, Sybille Bedford The World of Yesterday, Stefan Zweig A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Eric Newby Wise Blood, Flannery O'Connor South from Grenada, Gerald Brenan I was comfortably past 100 books in 2011, so while I'll track 2012 reading at GR, it's not a goal for me. Last edited by issybird; 01-01-2013 at 02:47 AM.

12-17-2011, 11:01 AM	#13
red_phoenix Grand Sorcerer Posts: 18,417 Karma: 445850508 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Sony PRS-T1	Record how many books I read - goal: 100 Books I simply wish to have a record of how many books I read in a year. I have never kept track before so do not have a clear idea. Books Read in 2012 1. Ice Hunter by Joseph Heywood (started in 2011) - pages read in 2012 - approx. 156 2. Thank you, Mr. Moto by John P. Marquand - pages 123 3. Think Fast, Mr. Moto by John P. Marquand - pages 116 4. Last Laugh, Mr. Moto by John P. Marquand - pages 108 5. The Girl of O.K. Valley by Robert Watson - pages 140 6. The Shape Of Silence by Stephen Leigh - pages 282 7. Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett - pages 287 8. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison - pages 438 9. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts (reread) 10. The Hollow by Nora Roberts - pages 318 (reread) 11. Raven Calls by C.E. Murphy - pages 360 12. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom - pages 249 13. Ghost a la Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian - pages 217 14. Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean - pages 202 15. Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini by Sue Ann Jaffarian - pages 215 16. Keeper of the Spirit by Ruby Storm - pages 338 17. The Masters of Time: Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce - pages 286 18. The Masters of Time: Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce - pages 291 19. The Masters of Time: Dark Embrace by Brenda Joyce - pages 245 20. The Drowning by Richard Herley - pages 303 21. Storm Born by Richelle Mead - pages 311 22. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead - pages 288 23. Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead - pages 253 24. Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead - pages 309 25. Deadly Aim by Patricia H. Rushford - pages 280 26. Yorkshire: Richard and Rose, Book One by Lynne Connolly - pages 208 27. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - pages 579 28. Enchant the Dawn by Elaine Loew - pages 154 29. The Eighth Day by Tom Avitabile - pages 390 30. The Good, The Bad, and The Uncanny by Simon R. Green - pages 275 31. Storm Prey by John Sandford - pages 408 32. The Bluejay Shaman by Lise McClendon - pages 225 33. Time and Again by Nora Roberts - pages 456 34. Sundance, Butch and Me by Judy Alter - pages 313 35. Touring Afterlife by Nancy Frederick - pages 165 36. Season of Fear by Christine Bush - pages 178 37. Too Many Murders by Colleen McCullough - pages 371 38. Ghost by Jim Butcher - pages ? 39. Star Wars: Heir to the Empire - pages 404 40. Star Wars: Dark Force Rising - pages ? 41. Star Wars: The Last Command - pages 467 42. Key of Light by Nora Roberts - pages 334 43. Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts - pages 327 44. Key of Valor by Nora Roberts - pages 332 45. Shamrock Alley by Ronald Damien Malfi - pages 382 46. Cold Days by Jim Butcher - pages ? 47. Too Big To Miss by Sue Ann Jeffarian - pages 301 Last edited by red_phoenix; 12-04-2012 at 10:09 PM. Reason: Add books read in 2012

12-17-2011, 06:20 AM	#1
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	The 2012 Annual Reading Challenge – List Thread! Welcome to the 2012 Reading Challenge List Thread. This thread is for you to keep a running tally for your chosen challenge. I would request that you please state your goals at the top of your post (i.e. in the title line), and then start your list in the body of your post. [Please Remember: No discussion posts in this thread. Please use the other thread for that. Non-List posts will be deleted or moved to the other thread] Post #2 will be dedicated to a Table of Contents for all participants in this thread. Names will be added, to this TOC, in alphabetical order with a link to that individual’s post number from this thread. Discussions & Ideas can be found here: 2012 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread To Discuss a particular book please participate in the Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? thread and share your thoughts about the book with others. Last edited by Nyssa; 12-17-2011 at 06:59 PM. Reason: Example no longer necessary

12-17-2011, 06:21 AM	#2
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	2012 Annual Reading Challenge List ToC [Please Remember: No discussion posts in this thread. Please use the 2012 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread for that. Non-List posts will be deleted or moved to the Discussion Thread] Table of Participants (Participants will be listed by user name in alphabetical order) afa - Post # 69 Alohamora - Post # 21 aquabel - Post # 67 ATDrake - Post # 5 banjobama - Post # 25 barb2cats - Post # 59 bevdeforges - Post # 49 burgesk - Post # 55 cak3 - Post # 70 Catlady - Post # 11 colinsky - Post # 15 CRussel - Post # 14 CWatkinsNash - Post # 16 Dazrin - Post # 17 Djedefre - Post # 79 dreams - Post # 23 ElsieC - Post # 74 faithbw - Post # 73 fantasyfan - Post # 78 GA Russell - Post # 50 goruta - Post # 66 Hamlet53 - Post # 19 HarryT - Post # 8 Hatgirl - Post # 26 HomeInMyShoes - Post # 18 issybird - Post # 12 jbcohen - Post # 65 jessicalynn - Post # 48 jersysman - Post # 29 Joy736 - Post # 68 JSWolf - Post # 6 Kaylee Skylyn - Post #76 KenFisher - Post # 45 Kevin2960 - Post # 46 Kevin8or - Post # 36 kevorkian - Post # 80 Kiwiscott - Post # 39 LauraPony - Post # 24 Lizzie in Ma - Post # 41 Loosheesh - Post # 7 maxiart - Post # 77 melmac - Post # 27 mikaelalind - Post # 37 mikegetz - Post # 64 MikeOxlittle - Post # 61 missimpossible - Post # 34 narflet - Post # 28 Nyssa - Post # 3 orlok - Post # 22 paulsalter - Post # 38 pdurrant - Post # 4 Polarpenguin - Post #62 Quake1028 - Post # 33 Rakgi - Post # 57 RareBird - Post # 60 RDaneel54 - Post # 47 red_pheonix - Post # 13 richrock - Post # 53 RolandD - Post # 52 rpmazur - Post # 43 Rumpelteazer - Post # 9 sabredog - Post # 63 sakura-panda - Post # 30 Shack70 - Post # 10 shanghaichica - Post # 72 spindlegirl - Post # 42 sun surfer - Post # 20 TaureanBull - Post # 35 tecweston - Post # 71 toomanybooks - Post # 32 tponzo - Post # 40 Traciinaz - Post # 54 treadlightly - Post # 31 victauria - Post # 44 Xanthe - Post # 58 yakuzaboss - Post # 51 Yapyap - Post # 56 Xzwatz - Post # 75 78 participants so far! Last edited by pdurrant; 10-09-2012 at 04:38 PM. Reason: Updated to fix participants count

12-17-2011, 06:22 AM	#3
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	Goal: Fully Read Favourite Series Series: The Dresden Files: (14 / 13 Novels) & (11 / 11 Bonus Stories) ~ Completed Apr. 27th (Finished Cold Days on 12/9/12) Chronological Order: Spoiler: 0.0-Side Jobs: Restoration of Faith 1.0-Storm Front 2.0-Fool Moon 3.0-Grave Peril 4.0-Summer Knight 5.0-Death Masks 5.5-Side Jobs: "Vignette" - Publicity and Advertising 6.0-Blood Rites 7.0-Dead Beat 7.5-Side Jobs: Something Borrowed 8.0-Proven Guilty 9.0-White Night 9.1-Side Jobs: Its My Birthday Too 9.2-Side Jobs: Heorot 10.0-Small Favor 10.1-Side Jobs: Day Off 10.2-Side Jobs: Backup 10.3-Side Jobs: The Warrior 10.4-Side Jobs: Last Call 11.0-Turn Coat 11.5-Side Jobs: Love Hurts 12.0-Changes 12.5-Side Jobs: Aftermath 13.0-Ghost Story 14.0-Cold Days Rachel Morgan/The Hollows: (0 / 9 Novels) & (0 / 6 Bonus Stories) Plus the anthologies in which 4 of the stories are included. Chronological Order: Spoiler: 01.00 - Dead Witch Walking 02.00 - The Good, the Bad, and the Undead 02.01 - Dates From Hell Anthology: “Undead in The Garden of Good and Evil” 03.00 - Every Which Way But Dead 04.00 - A Fistful of Charms 04.01 - Hotter Than Hell Anthology: “Dirty Magic” 05.00 - For a Few Demons More 05.01 - For a Few Demons More: “The Bridges of Eden Park” (short story) 05.02 - Holidays Are Hell Anthology: “Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel” 06.00 - The Outlaw Demon Wails 06.01 - The Outlaw Demon Wails: “The Bespelled” (short story) 07.00 - White Witch, Black Curse 07.01 - Unbound Anthology: “Ley Line Drifter” 08.00 - Black Magic Sanction 09.00 - Pale Demon 10.00 - A Perfect Blood (expected release date February 12th 2012) Honor Harrington: (9 / 13 Novels), (21 / 21 Bonus Stories) & (0 / 4 Sub-Series Novels) Plus the anthologies in which the stories are included. ~On Hiatus Chronological Order: Spoiler: 00.01 - More Than Honor: A Beautiful Friendship 00.02 - Worlds of Honor: The Stray 00.03 - Worlds of Honor: What Price dreams? 00.04 - Changer of Worlds: Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington 00.05 - Worlds of Honor: Queen's Gambit 00.06 - Worlds of Honor: The Hard Way Home 00.07 - The Service of the Sword: Promised Land 00.08 - In Fire Forged: Ruthless 00.09 - In Fire Forged: Let's Dance 01.00 - On Basilisk Station 01.01 - The Service of the Sword: With One Stone 02.00 - The Honor of the Queen 03.00 - The Short Victorious War 04.00 - Field of Dishonor 04.01 - More Than Honor: A Grand Tour 04.02 - Worlds of Honor: Deck Load Strike 05.00 - Flag in Exile 05.01 - The Service of the Sword: A Ship Named Francis 06.00 - Honor Among Enemies 06.01 - Changer of Worlds: Changer of Worlds 06.02 - More Than Honor: A Whiff of Grapeshot 07.00 - In Enemy Hands 08.00 - Echoes of Honor 08.01 - The Service of the Sword: Let's Go to Prague 09.00 - Ashes of Victory 09.01 - In Fire Forged: An Act of War 09.02 - Changer of Worlds: From the Highlands 09.03 - Changer of Worlds: Nightfall 09.04 - The Service of the Sword: Fanatic 09.05 - The Service of the Sword: The Service of the Sword 10.00 - War of Honor 10.01 - Crown of Slaves This is a bonus novel - Wages of Sin sub-series #1 10.02 - Shadow of Saganami This is a bonus novel - Saganami Island sub-series #1 11.00 - At All Costs 11.01 - Storm From the Shadows This is a bonus novel - Saganami Island sub-series #2 11.02 - Torch of Freedom This is a bonus novel - Wages of Sin sub-series #2 12.00 - Mission of Honor 13.00 - A Rising Thunder Black Dagger Brotherhood: (7 / 10 Novels) & (1 / 1 Bonus Story) ~Currently Reading Chronological Order: Spoiler: 01.00 - Dark Lover 02.00 - Lover Eternal 03.00 - Lover Awakened 04.00 - Lover Revealed 05.00 - Lover Unbound 06.00 - Lover Enshrined 06.01 - Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella’s Story (The short story is available as an ebook, or you can find the printed version in “The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider’s Guide“) 07.00 - Lover Avenged 08.00 - Lover Mine 09.00 - Lover Unleashed 10.00 - Lover Reborn Percy Jackson: (1 / 5 Novels) & (0 / 1 Story Collection) ~On Hiatus Chronological Order: Spoiler: The Lightning Thief The Sea of Monsters The Titan's Curse The Battle of the Labyrinth The Last Olympian The Demigod Files Bonus Reads: Black Rain [MRBC selection for January] ~ Completed Jan. 7th Franks, Rolls, and Beans [Short Story] ~ Completed Jan. 22nd Pencils Make Good Darts [Short Story] ~ Completed Jan. 29th Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road, #1) ~ Completed Feb. 23rd Sex on Tuesdays ~ Completed Mar. 9th Elfbitten [Short Story] ~ Completed May 14th 101 Degrees Fahrenheit [Short Story] ~ Completed Aug. 21st 101 Tips for Traveling with a Vampire [Short Story] ~ Completed Aug. 21st ------------------------------ Explanation of my Intended Goal(s): *Here* Book Titles are linked to my GoodReads Reviews (see "spoilers" for series books & reviews) ------------------------------ Last edited by Nyssa; 12-09-2012 at 03:33 PM. Reason: Updated Info

12-17-2011, 07:12 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 76,425 Karma: 136564696 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My Books for 2012 Blue = To be read Red = Currently reading Black = read Bold = Series name Click the covers for more information on each book. 001. Rizzoli & Isles 08 - Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen 002. Women's Murder Club 08 - The 8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro 003. Leviathan 01 - Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld 004. Lucas Davenport 01 - Rules of Prey by John Sandford 005. Hyperion 02 - The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons 006. Ready Player One by Ernst Cline 007. In Death 17 - Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb 008. The Hallows 03 - Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison 009. Millennium 03 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson 010. Star Trek: The Original Series: The Rings of Time by Greg Cox 011. Miss Peregrine 01 - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Last edited by JSWolf; 04-17-2012 at 05:07 PM.

12-17-2011, 08:23 AM	#7
Loosheesh Wizard Posts: 1,678 Karma: 3111989 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Jianghu Device: PW1, PW5, iPhone SE 2016, iPhone 13 Pro, iPad Pro 9.7, iPad Pro 2021	Goal: Read books from my list of books. Challenge details can be found here Last edited by pdurrant; 12-19-2011 at 04:48 AM. Reason: added title

12-17-2011, 08:58 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Goal: To make a note of all the books I read Books read for entertainment during 2012 "The Know-it-all", by A.J. Jacobs. Completed 8/1/12 Thoroughly enjoyed this. A very witty account of the author's goal to read the complete "Encylopaedia Brittanica", and the effect that doing so had on his life. Highly recommended. "The Anonymous Client", by Parnell Hall. Completed 11/1/12 #2 in the "Steve Winslow" series. An excellent legal "whodunnit", in the style of a modern-day Perry Mason. I'm really enjoying this series. "Starliner" by David Drake. Completed 14/1/12 An average military SF novel. Fun to read, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so. A large number of very obvious OCR errors, especially prone to "cl" being rendered as "d" - eg "dock" instead of "clock", which was irritating. "Death in a White Tie" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 21/1/12 The 7th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Superb. The ending took me completely by surprise. "Endgame Enigma" by James P. Hogan. Completed 24/1/12 A very good SF thriller by one of my favourite hard SF authors, with a real "twist in the tail". Highly recommended. "The Railway Detective" by Edward Marston. Completed 27/1/12 A new author for me. Pretty good detective story set in England in 1850. Not exceptional, but certainly worth reading. "The Alloy of Law" by Brandon Sanderson. Completed 30/1/12 A standalone sequel to "The Mistborn Trilogy". Excellent adventure story, fun and fast-paced. Thoroughly enjoyable. "Overture to Death" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 4/2/12 The 8th in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A death at a village bring Inspector Alleyn from Scotland Yard to investigate. Not as good as the two previous books in the series but nonetheless enjoyable. "Last Bus to Woodstock" by Colin Dexter. Completed 7/2/12. The first "Inspector Morse" novel. Morse and Lewis solve the murder of a girl found dead in a pub carpark. Absolutely excellent. "Death at the Bar" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 14/2/12. The 9th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Alleyn is called in to investigate the death of a prominent London barrister who is on holiday at a small Devon fishing village. An excellent book. Highly recommended. "Thraxas" by Martin Scott. Completed 19/2/12. Extremely funny take on the hard-boiled detective genre. Thraxas is a drunken, overweight PI in the hopelessly corrupt city of Turai. A failed apprentice sorceror and former mercenary, he's down on his luck. But then he's hired by Princess Du-Akai to recover some letters she unwisely wrote. And then his problems really begin... Highly recommended. "Thraxas and the Warrior Monks" by Martin Scott. Completed 25/2/12. Sequel to "Thraxas", as above. This time Thraxas gets involved in the case of an apprentice sculptor who is accused of murdering his master, and tried to find the religious statue stolen at the time of the crime. Two rival bands of warrior monks are also looking for the statue, which makes life difficult for Thraxas. A fun fantasy romp. Well worth reading. "George Passant" by C.P. Snow. Completed 6/3/12. The 2nd book (chronologically, although it was the first written) in C.P. Snow's "Strangers and Brothers" series. I found this to be much heavier going than the first book, which I hope means that his writing style improved over time. I enjoyed the book, but it was rather heavy going at times. "Surfeit of Lampreys" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 12/3/12. The 10th "Inspector Alleyn" novel. Very good. An eccentric aristocratic family and a rather grisly murder of a rich relative. The murder mystery, although good, is secondary to the wonderful characterisation of the family members. Excellent! "Death Masks" by Jim Butcher. Completed 18/3/12. The 5th book in the "Dresden Files" series. The best that I've read so far in the series. "Crocodile on the Sandbank" by Elizabeth Peters. Completed 24/3/12. The first of the "Amelia Peabody" stories set in an archeological setting in late 19th century Egypt. Excellent. Very highly recommended. "Moonshot" by Dan Parry. Completed 27/3/12. A superb account of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Excellent. "Death and the Dancing Footman" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 3/4/12. Another excellent novel by Ngaio Marsh; the 11th in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A classic "English country house murder mystery", in which Alleyn only puts in an appearance 60% of the way through the book. As always, Marsh's excellent character development really make the book worth reading, and is what separates her from the "cardboard" characters of Agatha Christie, to my mind. A very good book indeed. "Egypt - How a Lost Civilization was Rediscovered" by Joyce Tyldesley. Completed 7/4/12. A paper book, unfortunately not available as an eBook. Tells the story of the history of Egyptology by focussing on some of the most colourful characters in the field. A very good read. "Migration" by James P. Hogan. Completed 20/4/12. SF, set on board a generation starship. I really can't recommend this. It's a decent enough story, but it doesn't go anywhere. It just finished abruptly and leaves you wondering "well, what happens next?". A disappointing book by one of my favourite "hard SF" authors. "Colour Scheme" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 6/5/12. The 12th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series, set in New Zealand. An excellent read - one of her better ones. "Crusade" by David Weber & Steve White. Completed 11/5/12. The first book in the "Starfire" series. Excellent military SF. The Terran Federation faces a battle for survival against religious fanatics. A re-read of an old favourite. "In Death Ground" by David Weber & Steve White. Completed April 2012. 2nd book in the "Starfire" series. Set about 60 years after "Crusade", the Terran Federation is invaded by a race of carnivorous arachnids who goal is extermination of the human race. "The Shiva Option" by David Weber and Steve White. Completed April 2012. 3rd book in the "Starfire" series, and the 2nd half of the story which began in "In Death Ground". "Insurrection" by David Weber and Steve White. Completed April 2012. 4th book in the "Starfire" series. The fringe worlds rebel after decades of oppression by the rich corporate worlds of the Terran Federation. Will they succeed in establishing independence or will a bloody civil war destroy the Federation? "Exodus" by Steve White and Shirley Meier. Completed April 2012. 5th book in the "Starfire" series, set 80 years after "Insurrection". A race fleeing the destruction of their star system in a supernova explosion arrived in Federation space after travelling for thousands of years in generation ships. A war of conquest ensues. "Etremis" by Steve White and Charles Gannon. Completed April 2012. 6th and (so far) final book in the "Starfire" series. The second half of the story which began in "Exodus". "Died in the Wool" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 12/6/12. 13th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Alleyn is still in New Zealand, hunting down enemy agents during WWII. He's called to a sheep station, whose owner, a well-known Member of Parliament, has been murdered, and where top-secret military research is being conducted. I wasn't too impressed by this one; a decent enough murder mystery, but none of the characters really caught my interest.. "Elantris" by Brandon Sanderson. Completed 16/6/12. Superb standalone fantasy novel. Excellent world-building, a very clever magic and logical magic system, and and an absorbing story. VERY highly recommended! "Final Curtain" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 23/7/12. The 14th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A famous retired actor commissions Alleyn's wife, Troy, to paint his portrait. When he is found dead, apparently from food poisoning, Alleyn (now back from New Zealand) becomes involved in the case. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Interesting characters, and a very clever murder case which I didn't guess the solution to. "Neither Here Nor There" by Bill Bryson. Completed 25/7/12. Bill Bryson's book about travelling through Europe in 1990. Extremely funny, and a very good read. Highly recommended! "The Lost Continent" by Bill Bryson. Completed 28/7/12. A book describing Bill Bryson's 13000 mile roadtrip through small-town American after having lived in the UK for many years. Very good. "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. Completed 31/7/12. SF. A treasure-hunt for keys to unlock the vast fortune left by the creator of the virtual world within which most of the population of mid 21st-century Earth now lives their lives, the clues to which are references to 1980s pop culture. Very good indeed. Highly recommended! "Notes From a Small Island" by Bill Bryson. Completed 4/8/12. Bill Bryson travelogue about a journey around Britain. Very amusing. Highly recommended. "Swing, Brother, Swing" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 9/8/12. The 15th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. An eccentric peer apparently kills a fellow band-member, while playing in a swing band. An excellent book. Good story, interesting characters, and an ingenious crime. "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" by Bill Bryson. Completed 11/8/12. Reprint of a weekly newspaper column written by Bill Bryson on "rediscovering America" after moving back there in 1996, having lived in England for 20 years. The book consists of about 70 short chapters, covering a wide range of diverse topics. Entertaining, and an ideal book for dipping into. "The Magic of Recluse" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 18/8/12. 1st book in the "Recluse" fantasy series. Lerris must leave the island nation of Recluse because he is bored by the perfection of the order-based society there. On the mainland, he has to come to terms with his own order-based magical abilities and face the threat of chaos-using wizards. Excellent! "The Towers of the Sunset" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 23/8/12. 2nd book in the "Recluse" saga, set centuries earlier than the previous book, and telling the story of the founding of Recluse by the young storm wizard Creslin. Excellent. "Opening Night" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 26/8/12. 16th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series and set, like so many of her books, in the world of the theatre. An actor died on the opening night of a new play. Is it murder or suicide? Alleyn investigates. I guessed the solution to this one quite early in the book, but an extremely enjoyable read. Recommended. "The Magic Engineer" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 1/9/12. 3rd book in the "Recluse" saga. This jumps forward 300 years from "The Towers of the Sunset", which told the story of the founding of Recluse, and we now have the story of Dorrin, who invented the order-based engineering which played a major role in the 1st book in the series. Excellent. "Spinsters in Jeopardy" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 8/9/12. In this, the 17th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series, sees, Alleyn is sent under cover to France, with his family (he's gained a 6-year-old son somehow since the last book!) to investigate the connection between an ancient French fortress, occupied by what today we'd call a "new age cult", and an international heroin distribution operation. Many adventures follow, including the kidnapping of Alleyn's young son, Ricky, and his (Alleyn's) attempt to infiltrate the cult to find out what's going on. Thoroughly enjoyable. One of the best in the series so far. "The Order War" by L.E. Modessit. Completed 25/9/12. The 4th book in the "Recluse" series. This book tells the story of Justen, whom we first encountered as a minor character in the first book in the series, and his attempt to balance the powers of Chaos, as represented by the white wizards of Fairhaven, with the powers of Order, represented by the black wizards of Recluse. A very good read. "Scales of Justice" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 19/10/12. [i]The 18th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series sees Chief Inspector Alleyn investigating a murder in a close-knit rural community. Very well-plotted; I thoroughly enjoyed this one. "The Curse of the Pharaohs" by Elizabeth Peters. Completed 24/10/12. 2nd book in the "Amelia Peabody" series. A newly discovered tomb in the Valley of the Kings followed by the mysterious death of its discovered leads to press reports of an ancient curse. A very enjoyable romp. "Last Seen Wearing" by Colin Dexter. Completed 26/10/12. 2nd book in the "Inspector Morse" series. Morse is asked to reopen the case of a vanished schoolgirl. Many twists and turns. Excellent. "Warbreaker" by Brandon Sanderson. Completed 30/10/12. Standalone fantasy novel. Great world-building, as is always the case with BS. Very good. "Off With His Head" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 3/11/12. The 19th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A man is decapitated during an ancient folk dance. Alleyn has to discover how and why. Very good plot. Recommended. "The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn" by Colin Dexter. Completed 8/11/12. The 3rd book in the "Inspector Morse" series, and another very good read. Morse investigates the murder of a deaf man who worked in a foreign examination syndicate in Oxford. "Agent of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Completed 9/11/12. The first book in the "Liaden" series. Reasonably good SF, but I wasn't blown away by it. Hopefully the series will get better. "The Mummy Case" by Elizabeth Peters. Completed 14/11/12. The 3rd book in the "Amelia Peabody" series, this novel follows the Victorian lady sleuth to the "pyramids" of Mazghunah. On her arrival, it seems that the barren area can be of no interest, but a murder in Cairo soon persuades her otherwise... Very enjoyable. "Service of All the Dead" by Colin Dexter. Completed 15/11/12. The 4th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. Morse and Lewis investigate a puzzling series of murders linked to an Oxford church. Excellent. "The Death of Chaos" by L.E. Modesitt. Completed 20/11/12. The 5th book in the "Recluse" series, and a direct sequel to the 1st book in the series. Good solid fantasy. "Singing in the Shrouds" by Ngaio Marsh. 3/12/12. The 20th book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. Alleyn goes undercover as a passenger on a freighter sailing from England to South Africa to try to unmask the identity of the infamous "flower killer". Very good indeed. Highly recommended. "The Dead of Jericho" by Colin Dexter. Completed 7/12/12. The 5th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. A woman who Morse knew personally is found hanged in her home. It appears to be a straightforward case of suicide, but Morse is convinced that there's more to it, and conducts an unofficial investigation of his own. Excellent. "Utopia" by Lincoln Child. Completed 11/12/12. Thriller. A gang of criminals holds a high-tech amusement park to ransom. Excellent. "Blood Rites" by Jim Butcher. Completed 17/12/12. The 6th book in the "Dresden Files" series. Mildly amusing. I probably shan't re-read it. "The Riddle of the Third Mile" by Colin Dexter. Completed 20/12/12. The 6th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. A distinguished academic vanishes from his Oxford College, and an unidentifiable torso is discovered in a nearby canal. But things are a lot more complicated than they may at first appear. Excellent. "Tyrannosaurus Canyon" by Douglas Preston. Completed 22/12/12. A fast-paced thriller set in the badlands of New Mexico, about a search for a valuable T. Rex fossil. Very enjoyable. "False Scent" by Ngaio Marsh. Completed 24/12/12. The 21st book in the "Inspector Alleyn" series. A famous but ageing actress is found dead at her own birthday party, apparently as the result of an accident with poisonous pesticide. But Alleyn suspects that all is not as it appears to be. Very enjoyable. Good plot and interesting characters. Highly recommended. "The Secret of Annexe 3", by Colin Dexter. Completed 28/12/12. The 7th book in the "Inspector Morse" series. A man is found murdered in a hotel annexe room following New Year celebrations. A complex and interesting investigation follows. Very good indeed! "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke. Completed 30/12/12. The world was on the brink of nuclear destruction when the giant ships of the Overlords appeared in the skies above the major cites, and imposed peace. But what was their purpose in coming to Earth? An SF classic. Excellent. Total books read: 62 Books proof-read during 2012 "Thuvia, Maid of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 1/1/12. "The Chessmen of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 16/1/12. "The Master Mind of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 27/1/12. "A Fighting Man of Mars", by Edgar Rice Rurroughs. Completed 14/2/12. "Swords of Mars", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 4/3/12. "Synthetic Men of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 27/3/12. "Llana of Gathol" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 6/4/12. "John Carter of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Completed 9/4/12. "A Thousand Miles Up the Nile" by Amelia B. Edwards. Completed 11/5/12. "Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens. Completed 22/7/12. "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Charles Dickens. Completed 5/8/12. "A Child's History of England" by Charles Dickens. Completed 1/9/12. "Queen Lucia" by E.F. Benson. Completed 12/9/12. "Miss Mapp" by E.F. Benson. Completed 22/9/12. "Lucia in London" by E.F. Benson. Completed 7/10/12. "Mapp and Lucia" by E.F. Benson. Completed 15/10/12. "Lucia's Progress" by E.F. Benson. Completed 14/11/12. "Trouble for Lucia" by E.F. Benson. Completed 25/11/12. "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. Completed 17/12/12. Total books proofed: 19 Total books read + proofed: 80 Last edited by HarryT; 01-01-2013 at 07:47 AM.

12-17-2011, 10:57 AM	#11
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,365 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	Reserved for 2012

12-17-2011, 01:02 PM	#14
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,230 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Read/Reread some classics, while reducing my TBR Goal is to read or re-read some classics I never read or have completely forgotten. From "fun" ones, like Dumas, to empty spots in my education, such as Edith Wharton. But while I do this, I really, really want to cut down my TBR list. Like pdurrant, I have a problem with buying more than I read. I'll use this thread to keep track of both goals, by listing my books read and by keeping score on the buy/read ratio. (Note: this list of books in the TBR list is not comprehensive, since it only includes the first couple of books in several large series that I expect to read all of in 2012. But we'll adjust the list as required. Initial # of books ToBeRead as of January 1: 107 Current # of books ToBeRead as of 27 December, 2012: 90 Books Bought in 2012: 110 Books Read in 2012: The House of Silk, A Sherlock Holmes Novel (Anthony Horowitz) Miss Pym Disposes (Josephine Tey) Masquerade (Georgette Heyer) The Final Empire (Brandon Sanderson) (Audible, read by Michael Kramer) A Quintet of Kate Shugak Stories (Dana Stabenow) The Night the Gods Smiled (Eric Wright) The Day They Brought the Bears to Belfast (Sharon Lee) short Sprig Muslin (Georgette Heyer) Quiet Magic (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (3 short stories) Redoubtable - Kris Longknife #8 (Mike Shepard) (Audible, read by Dina Pearlman) Assassin's Apprentice (Robin Hobb) A Quintet of Dana Stabenow Stories (2 Liam Campbell, 2 Mnemosynea, and a Star Svensdotter) Oath of Fealty (Elizabeth Moon) The Quiet Gentleman (Georgette Heyer) The Tattooed Girl: The Enigma of Stieg Larsson and the Secrets Behind the Most Compelling Thrillers of Our Time (Dan Burstein, et al) Bruno, Chief of Police (Martin Walker) The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway) The Tin Princess (Philip Pullman) (Audible, read by Anton Lesser) Kings of the North (Elizabeth Moon) No Mark Upon Her (Deborah Crombie) Echos of Betrayal (Elizabeth Moon) A Rising Thunder (David Weber) Restless in the Grave (Dana Stabenow) (Audible, read by Marguerite Gavin) To Serve Them All My Days (R. F. Delderfield) Faro's Daughter (Georgette Heyer) One Jump Ahead (Mark L. van Name) (in Jump Gate Twist omnibus) Slanted Jack (Mark L. van Name) (in Jump Gate Twist omnibus) The Curse of Chalion (Lois McMaster Bujold) Palladin of Souls (Lois McMaster Bujold) From Whence You Came (Laura Anne Gilman) The Spirit Ring (Lois McMaster Bujold) (Audible, read by Jessica Almasy) The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss) Friday's Child (Georgette Heyer) Barnburner (Sharon Lee) Gunshy (Sharon Lee) A trio of Alaskan short stories (Dana Stabenow) Longeye (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep (Lawrence Block) Cast in Ruin (Michelle Sagara) Scholar (L. E. Modesitt, Jr.) (Audible, read by William Dufries) Dragon Ship (eArc) (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) Boundary (Eric Flint & Ryk E. Spoor) Double Share (Nathan Lowell) Deceiver (C. J. Cherryh) Betrayer (C. J. Cherryh) The Dark Vineyard (Martin Walker) 1634: The Baltic War (Eric Flint) Ring of Fire II (Eric Flint) Grantville Gazette V (Eric Flint, et al) Born To Run (Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon) 1632 (Eric Flint) (Audible, read by George Guidall) Into Thin Air Jon Krakauer Wheels of Fire (Mercedes Lackey & Mark Shepherd) Kill My Darling (Cynthia Harrod-Eagles) Tinker (Wen Spencer) Wolf Who Rules (Wen Spencer) Elfhome (Wen Spencer) Trading into Danger (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway) Captain Vorpatrill's Alliance (eARC) (Lois McMaster Bujold) Fire Season (eARC) (David Weber & Jane Linskold) Beguilement - Book 1 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold) Legacy - Book 2 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold) Passages- Book 3 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold) Horizon- Book 4 of the Sharing Knife (Lois McMaster Bujold) Lady of Quality (Georgette Heyer) 1635: The Eastern Front (Eric Flint) 1636: The Saxon Uprising (Eric Flint) Monster Hunter International (Larry Correia) Midnight Come Again (Dana Stabenow) The Singing of the Dead (Dana Stabenow) Princeps (L. E. Modesitt, Jr.) (Audible, read by William Dufries) Oath of Swords (David Weber) The Snows of Kilimanjaro (Ernest Hemingway) Marque and Reprisal (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway) A Brother's Price (Wen Spencer) Alien Taste (Wen Spencer) The War God's Own (David Weber) Engaging the Enemy (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway) Command Decision (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway) Tainted Trail (Wen Spencer) A Fine and Bitter Snow (Dana Stabenow) Wyvern (Wen Spencer) Victory Conditions (Elizabeth Moon) (Audible, read by Cynthia Holloway) A Grave Denied (Dana Stabenow) A Taint in the Blood (Dana Stabenow) A Civil Contract (Georgette Heyer) Bitter Waters (Wen Spencer) Fledgling (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) Saltation (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) Ghost Ship (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) Dragon Ship (final version) (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) Carousel Tides (Sharon Lee) (Audible, read by Elisabeth Rodgers) Crystal Soldier (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Kevin T. Collins) An Infamous Army (Georgette Heyer) Crystal Dragon (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Kevin T. Collins) Balance of Trade (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Kevin T. Collins) Garment of Shadows (Laurie King) Local Custom (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Bernadette Dunn) Scout's Progress (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Bernadette Dunn) Mouse and Dragon (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Bernadette Dunn) A Deeper Sleep (Dana Stabenow) Agent of Change (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe) Conflict of Honors (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe) Agent of Change (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe) Carpe Diem (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe) Plan B (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe) I Dare (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Andy Caploe) Fledgling (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens) Klondike: The Last Great Gold Rush (Pierre Berton) Saltation (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens) Necessity's Child (eArc) (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) Ghost Ship (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens) Cocaine Blues (Kerry Greenwood) Flying Too High (Kerry Greenwood) Murder on the Ballarat Train (Kerry Greenwood) Dragon Ship (Sharon Lee & Steve Miller) (Audible, read by Eileen Stevens) Farnham's Freehold (Robert Heinlein) Ravenwood(Nathan Lowell) Zypheria's Call(Nathan Lowell) Nocturne(Deborah Crombie) Captain Vorpatrill's Alliance (Lois McMaster Bujold) Death at Victoria Dock (Kerry Greenwood) Last Seen Wearing (Colin Dexter) Falling Free ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Shards of Honor ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Barrayar ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Nine Princes of Amber (Roger Zelazny) (Audible, read by Allessandro Juliani) Proto Zoa (5 short stories) ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Mountains of Mourning ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Warrior's Apprentice ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) The Vor Game ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Labyrinth ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Cetaganda ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Darkship Thieves ( Sarah Hoyt ) Darkship Renegades ( Sarah Hoyt ) Powder and Patch ( Georgette Heyer ) The Philosopher's Stone (J. K. Rowling) ([i]audio, read by Steven Fry) The Green Mill Murder (Kerry Greenwood) Blood and Circuses (Kerry Greenwood) Ethen of Athos ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Borders of Infinity ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Brothers in Arms ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Mirror Dance ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Mrs. Hudson's Case ( Laurie King ) Any Taint of Vice ( Dana Stabenow ) Archie Meets Nero ( Robert Goldsborough ) Memory ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Komar ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Darkover: First Contact ( Marion Zimmer Bradley) Rediscovery ( Marion Zimmer Bradley) The Sword of Aldones ( Marion Zimmer Bradley) A Civil Campaign ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Winterfair Gifts ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Diplomatic Immunity ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Captain Vorpatril's Alliance ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Cryoburn ( Lois McMaster Bujold ) Foreigner (C. J. Cherryh ) (Audible+eBook, Audible read by Daniel Thomas May ) Last edited by CRussel; 12-31-2012 at 02:27 PM. Reason: Update List

12-17-2011, 01:07 PM	#15
colinsky Addict Posts: 238 Karma: 3500000 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony PRS-300, PRS-T1, PRS-T3	Watch this space.

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12-17-2011, 06:36 AM	#4
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 72,518 Karma: 309063598 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	Goal: To get my TBR pile below 300. I expect that I will read more than 150 books in 2012. (About 160 in 2010, about 200 in 2011), but my big problem is my TBR list. Because I also bought a lot of books: 256 in 2010 and about 216 in 2011. At the end of 2011, my TBR pile was 380 books long. If I can get it to below 300 by the end of 2012, I will consider that I've won my 2012 challenge. So all I need to do is read 80 more books than I buy in 2012. Based on past reading rates, all I'll need to do is buy no more than one book for every two I read. How hard could that be? Books read in 2012 December 30th: A Quest Lover's Treasury of the Fantastic edited by Margaret Weis - $2.55 - 7/10. 352pp A good anthology of quest fantasy stories. I enjoyed all the stories. January 4th: F&SF, April 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp A good issue. I enjoyed all the stories (which doesn't always happen with F&SF). January 5th: Grantville Gazette, Vol. #39 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp That was fun. Continuations of old series and some new stories, spread around the 1632 universe, as well as a couple in the Time Spike universe, and one stand-alone story. All very readable. January 6th: Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie - $5.99 - 8/10. 400pp Another good mystery, and without any of her usual cast. I did guess the killer, but not the right reason. January 8th: Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy - $3.39* - 6/10. 739pp A competent military thriller, but I found the basic premise completely implausible. January 14th: Asimov's SF, February 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp A good issue. I particularly liked the last story, an interesting take on capital punishment. January 16th: Analog SFF, March 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp Another good issue. I'm enjoying the serial. January 17th: F&SF, May 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 5/10. 100pp Unfortunately, much of the issue is taken up with an 'eldritch horror' kind of fantasy, which really goes nowhere, and isn't to my liking at all. January 19th: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 9/10. 320pp Excellent. Very nicely done indeed. January 19th: The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings - $3.35 - 6/10. 791pp An Epic Fantasy that fails.There's no real sense of peril at all. Just a jolly romp by friends. January 22nd: Genellan: Planetfall by Scott Gier - Free - 6/10. 478pp. I think there's just too much thrown into this novel, which means that none of it seems to be explored or explained well enough. January 28th: Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 240pp Another good Hercule Poirot mystery. I remembered the plot of this one, but it was still fun seeing how it worked out. January 28th: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 256pp Yet another good Hercule Poirot mystery. Again, I remembered the main plot points of this one, but it was still fun seeing how it worked out. January 29th: The Swords of Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber - $3.06 - 7/10. 256pp More fun with Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. February 1st: The Godmother by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - $2.60 - 7/10. 318pp Fun, but could be better. I might well get the next two books though. February 3rd: The Man Who Used the Universe by Alan Dean Foster - $3.83 - 9/10. 320pp A very good story indeed, and an absolutely splendid last line. It made me remember why I like his work, while some of the later Pip & Flinx books made me forget! February 4th: Marsbound by Joe Haldeman - $2.92 - 8/10. 288pp A fun coming-of-age/first contact novel. February 5th: Starbound by Joe Haldeman - $7.64 - 8/10. 320pp Constant switching of narrator is confusing, but a good second novel in the series and again, complete in itself. February 6th: The Dispossessed by Ursula K LeGuin - $3.40* - 9/10. 352pp An excellent novel depicting an "ambiguous utopia". Highly recommended. February 7th: Asimov's SF, March 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 9/10. 100pp An excellent issue. Some very interesting and entertaining stories in this issue. Usually I can pick one as my favourite, but this month there are three or four that I really liked. February 8th: Analog SFF, April 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 7/10. 100pp An average issue, helped by the serial which I'm still enjoying. February 9th: F&SF, June 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp A good issue. I liked "The Legend of the Whiney Man" and "The Gist Hunter" in particular. February 9th: First Contacts by various authors - $2.02 - 6/10. 211pp. An OK anthology of older first contact short stories. February 12th: Infected:Prey by Andrea Speed - Free - 8/10. 376pp That was fun. Werecats and private detectives. February 13th: Infected:Bloodlines by Andrea Speed - $2.38 - 8/10. 222pp I liked this one too. But even more obviously an AIDS allegory. February 14th: Infected:Life After Death by Andrea Speed - $2.38 - 8/10. 350pp Also fun, even though there doesn't seem to be much overall plot, in tthe series as a whole. February 15th: Infected: Freefall by Andrea Speed - $2.38 - 8/10. 350p Still enjoyable, although there are obviously more to be written. February 16th: Bio of a Space Tyrant, vol.1 by Piers Anthony - Free - Abandoned. 318pp [Abandoned. I can't stand Anthony's sympathetic depictions of paedophiles.] February 17th: City by Clifford D. Simak - $2.70 - 7/10. 255pp. An interesting linked set of short stories, although the linking text is a bit weak. February 18th: Worlds Without End and Other Stories by Clifford D. Simak - $1.70 - 7/10. 140pp. Another interesting set of short stories, but without any overall story arc or links as in City. February 19th: Chronospace by Allen Steele - $3.60 - 6/10. 336pp An interesting, if ultimately not very satisfying, time travel story. February 21st: Power Lines by Anne McCaffrey - $2.97 - 6/10. 330pp A weak and poorly worked out villain. February 24th: Echoes of Betrayal by Elizabeth Moon - $6.75 - 9/10. 480pp Splendid fantasy. But only third out of five planned! February 25th: Evil under the Sun by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 320pp Another good Hercule Poirot murder mystery. February 26th: Voyager In Night by C. J. Cherryh - $2.54* - 8/10. 224pp An interesting stand-alone SF story. Recommended. February 29th: Fellowship of Fear by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 7/10. 288pp. A moderate spy mystery. I got the answer about half way through. But fun enough to pick up the rest next time there's a good offer at fictionwise. March 2nd: Grantville Gazette, Vol. #40 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp Another good set of short stories in the 1632 universe. March 4th: F&SF, July 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp A good issue. I especially liked "Think So?" by Robert Reed. March 6th: N or M? by Agatha Christie - $0.62 - 7/10. 304pp An interesting second-world-war spy mystery, catching up with Tommy and Tuppence in their middle-age. March 8th: Analog SFF, May 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp Another good issue, with a suitably epic finish to the serial. March 10th: Asimov's SF, April–May 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 7/10. 200pp Brought down by a slightly disappointing time travel story. March 11th: The Stoneholding by James G Anderson & Mark Sebanc - $3.75 - Abandoned. 419pp [Abandoned: Too much of an attempt to be epic, an entirely unconvincing world, and far too much back story shoved in willy-nilly.] March 15th: Captain Flandry by Poul Anderson - $3.75 - 8/10. 416pp An excellent set of stories from Poul Anderson March 21st: Aliens edited by Martin H Greenberg - $2.02 - 6/10. 200pp. A mixed bag. One or two I liked a lot, but most were only so-so. March 22nd: Scardown by Elizabeth Bear - $3.70 - 7/10. 368pp Good SF, clearly part two of a trilogy. March 24th: Worldwired by Elizabeth Bear - $3.70 - 8/10. 416pp Good conclusion to an interesting series. March 26th: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - $0.81 - 9/10. 464pp Despite a ridiculous premise, a very exciting read. March 27th: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - $0.81 - 9/10. 480pp March 28th: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - $0.81 - 9/10. 448pp One story split over two volumes (as is often the case with the last two parts of a trilogy). I enjoyed these a lot. Exciting, quick reads. March 29th: The Nick of Time by George Alex Effinger - $4.16 - 6/10. 256pp The first section was an interesting 'groundhog day' scenario, from before Groundhog Day was released. But I never felt the characters were really done well or consistently. March 30th: The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 224pp I remembered the plot of this one from a TV adaption. I did like the book anyway - it's not just the puzzle, IMO. April 1st: The Exiles Trilogy by Ben Bova - $1.53 - 7/10. 448pp Three sort-of connected novellas about interstellar travel. Showing their age a bit. April 3rd: Falcons of Narabedla by Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.01 - 7/10. 150pp An interesting early work. But weak plotting, and one very inconsistent character. April 5th: Song of Sorcery by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - $2.60 - 8/10. 209pp A fantasy with witches and spells and gypsies and dragons. Fun stuff. April 6th: F&SF, August 2005 by Spilogale Authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp I really liked the first two stories and the last. The others weren't to my taste. April 8th: Endgame Enigma by James P. Hogan - $3.75 - 7/10. 480pp I'm a bit torn on this one. The main plot idea is splendid. I just found the implementation rather dull. April 12th: The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 240pp An engaging tale, with Miss Marple as a deus ex machina at the end. April 13th: Fortress of Eagles by C. J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 7/10. 496pp A good start on a continuation, but definitely just part of a series rather than another almost stand-alone book. April 16th: Fortress of Owls by C. J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 7/10. 560pp A bit more action, and I'll definitely read the other two, but it seems that the last four books in this series are one big story arc. April 20th: The Unwelcome Warlock by Lawrence Watt-Evans - $0.63 - 8/10. 330pp A very good continuation of the Ethshar series April 21st: Tales of Ethshar by Lawrence Watt-Evans - $0.63 - 8/10. 224pp A splendid collection of short stories set in the Ethshar universe. April 22nd: The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King - $1.83 - 7/10. 448pp It was pretty good. I'm a little unconvinced by the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes interactions. April 24th: The Dark Place by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 272pp A fun, quick read. Some plausible-sounding analysis of bones, and a fascinating situation. April 23rd: Murder in the Queen's Armes by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 256pp A splendid little mystery novel. April 23rd: Old Bones by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 256pp Another splendid little mystery novel. April 24th: Man Kzin Wars VII: A Darker Geometry by Mark O. Martin and Gregory Benford - $3.75 - 8/10. 432pp Interesting views of the start of the Man-Kzin conflicts. April 27th: F&SF May/June 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp It was OK. I didn't dislike any of the stories, and most of them I quite liked. April 28th: F&SF March/April 2012 by Spilogale authors. - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp I particularly enjoyed "The Tortoise Grows Elate" and "The Queen and the Cambion". But overall, an average issue. April 29th: Black Star Rising by Frederick Pohl - $4.00 - 6/10. 288pp A reasonably promising start, but fades in the middle and then stops after one main plot point gets resolved. Not his best. April 30th: Beyond Heaven's River by Greg Bear - $2.89 - 6/10. 184pp OK, but not a very convincing situation or characters. May 1st: Hunters of the Red Moon by Marin Zimmer Bradley - $0.97 - 7/10. 224pp This was better, with some interesting ideas, but ultimately not very satisfying for me. May 1st: Curses! by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 9/10. 192pp Another excellent adventure with Gideon Oliver. May 1st: Asimov's SF, June 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp An average issue. But that average is pretty good with Asimov's. May 2nd: Analog SFF, June 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp Also enjoyable, but nothing really stood out in the issue for me. May 4th: Grantville Gazette 41 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp May 5th: F&SF September 2005 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 9/10. 100pp Well, that was a really good issue. Mostly, perhaps, because of two really nice short stories by David Gerrold. But the other stories were nearly all above average too. May 6th: Flandry's Legacy by Poul Anderson - $3.75 - 9/10. 480pp An excellent book, concluding the Flandry stories, and with tales from the Long Night and the recovery. May 12th: Out of the Dark by David Weber - $4.23 - 8/10. 528pp. A fun read, and realistic for an alien invasion story. But Weber pulls a deus ex machina to save the day, although it's foreshadowed a bit. May 14th: A Rising Thunder by David Weber - $3.00 - 7/10. 464pp. I enjoyed the book, and it would be unfair to say that nothing happens. But it's certainly just one more step in the saga without a significant story arc of its own. May 15th: Out of Whack by Jeff Strand - $4.34 - 6/10. 248pp A comic novel about a young man forming a comedy group. Some good lines. But overall, not really my kind of thing. May 17th: Analog SFF, July/August 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 9/10. 200pp An excellent issue. I especially liked the Novella "The Conquest o the Air". May 19th: Asimov's SF, July 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $1.73 - 8/10. 100pp A very good issue. May 20th: Sir Dominic Flandry by Poul Anderson - $3.00 - 9/10. 448pp. Three splendid novels and a short story about Dominic Flandrey and his work to put off the "Long Night" that will follow the fall of the Terran Empire. May 24th: Bedlam's Bard by Mercedes Lackey and Ellen Guon - $3.00 - 7/10. 624pp. Fun with Elves and magic. Heros' angst is occasionally a little irritating, but not enough to spoil things. May 25th: The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein - $3.00 - 9/10. 256pp. Showing its age only a bit, an excellent tale. May 26th: The Forerunner Factor by Andre Norton - $3.00 - 6/10. 416pp. A good start, but a little too much weirdness and coincidence thrown in later on. May 31st: Overkill by Robert Buettner - $3.00 - 9/10. 309pp. A fun read. Interesting background and an exciting story. Good stuff. May 31st: Undercurrents by Robert Buettner - $2.57 - 8/10. 304pp. A good follow-up, if not quite as fun for me due to lack of real aliens. June 2nd: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - $20.94 - 10/10. 1178pp A splendid book. I like it even more each time I read it. June 29th: Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi - $4.78 - 9/10. 368pp Perhaps it's the influence of the original, but I really liked this, and read it in one sitting. A very well-worth-while updating of a good story. June 30th: F&SF July/August 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp A good edition, although all Fantasy, as far as I remember. July 4th: Icy Clutches by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 226pp A fun series of murder mysteries. July 5th: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 9/10. 320pp An excellent detective story, told in an interesting fashion. July 7th: Net Force by Tom Clancy - $6.80* - 3/10. 384pp Poor. July 10th: F&SF October/November 2005 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 200pp An average issue, although it does include one story I skipped as I've never read "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S Beagle. July 11th: Grantville Gazette 42 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 8/10. 400pp Another good instalment of the Ring of Fire soap opera. July 13th: Make No Bones by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 9/10. 234pp I do like these mystery novels. July 15th: The Covenant by Poul Anderson, Isaac Asimov, Robert Blocj and Robert Sheckley. - $1.16 - 8/10. 40pp A round-robin novella. It was fun to watch each author leaving plot problems for the next. Out of copyright in the US. July 16th: Bits of the Dead by Piers Anthony and many others. - $2.89 - 5/10. 80pp An interesting anthology of zombie short-shorts, but not quite to my taste. July 17th: 1636: The Kremlin Games by Eric Flint et al. - $6.00 - 7/10. 400pp A good look at Russia, expanding and extending the stories in the Grantville Gazettes about Bernie. July 19th: Dead Men's Hearts by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 7/10. 256pp A little below the others, but still fun. July 20th: F&SF December 2005 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 6/10. 100pp An OK issue, but nothing stood out for me. July 21st: Fortress of Dragons by C.J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 8/10. 576pp A very good continuation of the series. I hope the last one doesn't disappoint. July 26th: Twenty Blue Devils by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 8/10. 288pp Another excellent mystery with Gideon Oliver. July 28th: Fortress of Ice by C.J. Cherryh - $3.17 - 8/10. 528pp Arghhh.. A discontinued series. No clifhanger, but not a resolution, either. August 2nd: Towards Zero by Agatha Christie - $0.65 - 8/10. 208pp Another excellent murder mystery, with Inspector Battle. August 5th: Analog SFF, September 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp A good issue. I especially like the moon story. August 5th: Asimov's SF, August 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors - $1.58 - 7/10. 100pp An OK issue. August 7th: Ware Tetrology by Rudy Rucker - Free - 4/10. 704pp Some interesting ideas, but a lack of consideration of consequences. August 15th: So You Want to Be a Wizard (New Millennium Edition) by Diane Duane - $6.99 - 9/10. 400pp A splendid book, only slipping from 10/10 because of a couple of minor not-well-enough-thought-out changes to the NME. August 17th: The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 7/10. 320pp Astonishingly, written when she was 15! A fun, if uneven, romance. Occasional wonderful turns of phrase. August 18th: F&SF January 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp A better than average issue for me. August 20th: F&SF February 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp Also better than average issue for me. Although the end of the two-part story was a bit disappointing, other stories made up for it. August 21st: F&SF March 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 8/10. 100pp Another good issue for me. More SF than fantasy. August 22nd: F&SF April 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp One splendid story by Robert Reed, the rest more so-so. August 23rd: F&SF May 2006 by Spilogale authors - $1.16 - 7/10. 100pp An OK edition. August 25th: Silks by Dick Francis et al. - $0.48 - 6/10. 400pp An average Dick Francis novel. (Bought a second-hand hardback for 30p) August 26th: Skeleton Dance by Aaron Elkins - $1.36 - 9/10. 352pp. Another good outing for Gideon Oliver. August 27th: Sunsinger by Michelle Levigne - Free - 5/10. 200pp Disappointing. The SF elements were poorly done, and a fairly dull coming of age plot. The interesting story is just given in brief recap of events in one character's life. IMO, the author chose the wrong character as the protagonist. August 29th: Powder and Patch by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 8/10. 282pp Wow. A splendid romantic romp will well depicted characters. Amazing for a third novel, and a great improvement on her first. August 30th: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling - $7.20 - 8/10. 224pp An interesting and enjoyable re-read. There's a surprising amount that makes a lot more sense knowing the rest of the story. September 1st: Interzone #211, Jul/Aug 2007 by TTA Press Authors - $3.40 - 7/10. 224pp An interesting set of SF and Fantasy short stories. A different style to the ones in Analog and Asimov's. Also lots of opinion/fact articles, which I mostly skipped. September 2nd: Interzone #212, Sep/Oct 2007 by TTA Press Authors - $3.40 - 7/10. 224pp Another interesting set of short stories along with lots of other stuff. September 5th: F&SF September/October 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 7/10. 200pp An OK issue. Nothing that really stood out for me. September 8th: Grantville Gazette 43 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 7/10. 400pp Some of the stories were a bit too complex. Still fun overall. September 9th: Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie - $1.95 - 8/10. 336pp An interesting mystery set in ancient Egypt. September 11th: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling - $7.20 - 9/10. 256pp A good second novel in the series, and the re-read is worth-while. September 13th: These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 9/10. 256pp I am enjoying these Heyers. September 15th: Quantum Prophecy #1: The Awakening by Michael Carroll - $4.84 - 7/10. 288pp An intersting superheroes/villains universe, but with prophecy, and not good enough to make me want to get the rest. September 16th: Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 8/10. 240pp Another good Christie, although one event is a bit contrived. September 18th: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling - $7.20 - 8/10. 320pp Good, but the major plot device is a mistake. A re-read knowing the rest of the story is well much worthwhile. September 21st: Analog SFF, October 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.10 - 7/10. 100pp An average issue. September 24th: Analog SFF, November 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.10 - 8/10. 100pp An excellent Probability Zero from Larry Niven. September 28th: Asimov's SF, September 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $1.73 - 7/10. 100pp An average issue. September 30th: Asimov's SF, October/November 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $2.59 - 7/10. 200pp Average, perhaps a little less. October 4th: Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett. $4.80 - 9/10. 448pp Splendid. Not the best of the discworld books, but certainly a good one. October 6th: Charlotte Sometimes by by Penelope Farmer. $3.49 - 8/10. 198pp An interesting and enjoyable book. The story of a girl who finds herself swapping places with a girl from several decades earlier. More, a story about how much of our identity may depend on the perception of others. October 7th: Snuff by Terry Pratchett. $3.93 - 9/10. 512pp Another excellent discworld book, featuring Sam Vimes October 9th: Prince of the Blood by Raymond E. Feist. $6.45 - 8/10. 464pp The revised version is, I think, an improvement. But it's a long time since I read the original. October 12th: The King's Buccaneer by Raymond E. Feist. $7.49 - 8/10. 640pp A good story, although the pairing off sub-plot made it almost a romance. A few too many OCR errors for a new commercial book. October 16th: Simon The Coldheart by Georgette Heyer $4.80 - 6/10. 352pp Clearly an early novel, but still fun and interesting October 17th: A Deceptive Clarity by Aaron Elkins. $1.36 - 8/10. 251pp Remarkably similar to the Gideon Oliver series, despite the difference in profession. A fun read, but alas, I didn't get who the villain was, and enough clues were given. October 19th: The Door Through Space by Marin Zimmer Bradley. $0.68 - 7/10. 150pp A Darkover novel in all but name, just about. An interesting read. I enjoyed it. October 20th: Legion by Brandon Sanderson. $0.30 - . 87pp A fascinating idea, and I'd be interested in reading a longer story involving this character. October 21st: The Keeper's Price by Marion Zimmer Bradly et al. $1.35 - 7/10. 230pp Which was an interesting set of stories, the first official Darkover fan-fiction collection. October 23rd: Why Are You Atheists So Angry? by Greta Christina. $5.76 - 9/10. 184pp A good little book which explains things well. October 25th: A Step Farther Out by Jerry Pournelle. $2.00 - 6/10. 208pp A bit dated, but with some horrendously prescient bits. October 31st: The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer. $1.84 - 9/10. 336pp A splendid romp in just-post-Jacobite England. November 1st: Grantville Gazette 44 edited by Paula Goodlett - $4.50 - 7/10. 400pp An average to below average (for GG) issue. November 2nd: F&SF November/December 2012 by Spilogale authors - $2.97 - 8/10. 200pp An average to above average issue. November 4th: Rogue Program by Darrell Bain - $1.95 - 7/10. 500pp Very readable, but only 7/10 as I found the second half totally implausible. November 6th: Asimov's SF, December 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $1.53 - 8/10. 100pp An above average issue. November 8th: Analog SFF, December 2012 by Dell Magazine Authors. - $1.53 - 8/10. 100pp Also a good issue. November 9th:Mindbridge by Joe Haldeman - $2.53* - 6/10. 208pp A good read, but I prefer my SF with one impossible thing, not three or more. November 11th: The Best of Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.45 - 6/10. 400pp Not all were Fantasy/SF. Interesting, but I think I do prefer her novels. November 12th: Shadow of a Dark Queen by Raymond E. Feist - $5.64 - 7/10. 576pp It's quite fun, but there are plot holes you could drive an army through. November 13th: Warrior Woman by Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.52 - 6/10. 205pp An interesting departure from her usual works, but although a good read, I felt the world-building was rather poor. November 13th: Starburst by Frederik Pohl - $4.00 - 6/10. 224pp An accidental re-read. I still think it was better as the novella "The Gold at the Starbow's End". November 14th: The Weapon from Beyond by Edmund Hamilton - $3.33 - 7/10. 158pp An interesting start to a series, but too many coincidences result in a 7/10 November 16th: Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 9/10. 416pp A good romp through late 1500s England and Spain, with a descendent of the eponymous hero of "Simon the Coldheart". November 19th: The Hollow by Agatha Christie - $0.95 - 9/10. 272pp A very nice mystery. Very well done indeed. November 21st: Asimov's SF, January 2013 by Dell Magazine Authors - $1.86 - 7/10. 100pp A slightly below average issue for me. November 23rd: Analog SFF, January/February 2013 by Dell Magazine Authors - $2.80 - 9/10. 200pp An excellent issue. The novelettes and short stories were top class. November 26th: Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover. Darkover Anthology #11 edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley - $1.16 - 8/10. 336pp A splendid collection of her shorter Darkover stories. November 28th: The Demon in the Skull by Frederik Pohl - $4.00 - 7/10. 176pp An interesting and disturbing look at the impact of absolute power. November 30th: Outward Bound by James P. Hogan - $3.34 - 8/10. 224pp A fun new Heinlein-type juvenile. And none of Hogan's later rather weird pseudo-science ideas which put me off his work a bit. December 1st: The Book of Kells by R.A.MacAvoy - $2.60 - 8/10. 364pp A rather nice fantasy involving 10th century Ireland. A good read. December 2nd: Sabazel by Lillian Stewart Carl - $4.89 - 3/10. 260pp [Abandoned. Not actually terrible, but halfway in I just don't care about anyone or anything in the story.] December 4th: Rise of a Merchant Prince by Raymond E. Feist - $6.06 - 8/10. 464pp A splendid continuation of the saga. And characters I care about. December 6th: Man-Kzin Wars XII created by Larry Niven - $2.50 - 7/10. 384pp Fills in some of the gaps in Niven's Known Space future history, in-between the hot wars with the Kzin. December 8th: The Closed Worlds by Edmond Hamilton - $3.33 - . 157pp Which was an good story, although for someone who wants to keep a secret, the hero certainly talks about it a lot! December 9th: The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer - $1.84 - 8/10. 480pp A splendid fictionalised but generally accurate tale of William the Conqueror from birth to 1067 or so. December 13th: InterZone #213 by TTA Press authors - $3.39 - 8/10. 200pp Which was an above-average issue. A lovely fantasy "Molly and the Red Hat" and some rather splendid SF. December 14th: The Ancient Future by Traci Harding - $3.90** - 3/10. 560pp [Abandoned. Appalling historical errors and terrible dialog that can't decide how to best be translated.] December 15th: Power Play by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - $3.59 - 6/10. 352pp No real sense of peril, and one completely inexplicable transformation (fantasy in an SF setting) makes this a poor series for me. December 18th: What Entropy Means to Me by George Alec Effinger - $3.90** - 4/10. 118pp [Abandoned. I'm pretty sure I've read this before, and I just don't have the patience for the style of writing.] December 19th: Prisoner in the Skull by Charles Dye - $3.18 - 5/10. 256pp A bit dated, a bit clunky and an unsatisfactory ending involving far too much of an unlikely occurrence. December 21st: Still Falling by Kurt R. A. Giambastiani - $0.69 - 8/10. 20pp An interesting little fantasy short story. December 21st: Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic by Terry Jones - Free - 7/10. 256pp Quite fun, in a kind of sub-Douglas Adams kind of way. December 22nd: The Venging by Greg Bear - $2.89 - 7/10. 200pp An interesting near to far future SF story, but I wasn't fond of the ending. December 24th: Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow - Free - 8/10. 224pp An excellent near-future first person account of technology trends and social trends. December 26th: Puppeteer by Jaebi - Free - . 50pp A good start, but trails off rather poorly. December 27th: Falling onto Mars by Geoffrey A. Landis - Free - 8/10. 20pp A high-quality SF short story. December 27th: Sten by Allan Cole - $3.40 - 9/10. 279pp Great fun in a mil-sf sort of way. December 28th: The Collective by Kerry Downinge - $4.37 - 4/10. 236pp [Abandoned. The characters are just not interesting or believable.] December 29th: Jade Darcy and the Affair of Honor by Stephen Goldin and Mary Mason. - $3.83 - 9/10. 200pp A really rather good SF story about a flawed hero. I liked it a lot. December 31st: Rewind by Terry England. - $2.85 - . 340pp An enjoyable but flawed story. Good setup, but some consequences didn't ring true. Books bought in 2012 January (3): Grantville Gazette #39 (pre-paid), Asimov's SF February 2012, Analog SFF March 2012 (subs) February (15): Asimov's SF March 2012, Analog SFF April 2012, F&SF March/April (subs), Echoes of Betrayal, Bio of a Space Tyrant (vols. 2-6), City, Worlds Without End and Other Stories, Fellowship of Fear, Infected:Freefall, Infected:Life After Death, Infected:Bloodlines. March (7): Grantville Gazette #40 (pre-paid), Asimov's SF April/May 2012, Analog SFF May 2012 (subs), The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Exiles Trilogy April (15): Asimov's SF June 2012, Analog SFF June 2012, F&SF May/June 2012 (subs), Tales of Ethshar, The Unwelcome Warlock, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, Gideon Oliver (2-10) May (10): Analog SF, Jul/Aug 2012 (sub), Grantville Gazette #41 (pre-paid), Out of the Dark, March 2012 Baen Bundle (A Rising Thunder, The Star Beast, The Forerunner Factor, Overkill, Sir Dominic Flandry, Bedlam's Bard), Asimov's SFF, July 2012 June (2): F&SF July/August 2012 (sub), Fuzzy Nation July (2): Grantville Gazette #42 (pre-paid), 1636: The Kremlin Games August (52): Analog SF, September 2012 (sub), Asimov's SFF, August 2012, So You Want To Be A Wizard (New Millennium Edition), 48 Georgette Heyer Novels for $88, Silks (second-hand hardback) September (12): Grantville Gazette #43 (pre-paid), F&SF September/October 2012, Analog SF (September and October/November) (sub) Asimov's SF (September and October), Snuff, Unseen Academicals, The Spanish Bride, Simon the Coldheart, Charlotte Sometimes, Good Omens October (10): Five by Aaron Elkin and three by Marion Zimmer Bradley, The King's Buccaneer, Legion, Why Are You Atheists So Angry? November (8): Grantville Gazette #44, F&SF November/December 2012, Analog SFF December 2012, Asimov's SF December 2012, Rogue Program, Analog SFF January/February 2013, Asimov's SF January 2013, Scalzi Super Bundle (omnibus) December (0): Analysis TBR: 307 Books read: 185 (incl. 6 abandoned and 2 not from TBR pile) Books otherwise removed from TBR pile: 25 Books removed from TBR pile: 210 Books added to TBR pile: 137 Removed/Added: 1.53 (should be over 2!) Net reduction for 2012: 73 Non-free books read (or abandoned): 177 Total cost of books read: $504.27 Average cost of books read: $2.85 Non-free books bought: 137 Total cost of books bought: $311.60 Average cost of books bought: $2.27 (£ prices converted to $ prices at £1:$1.5) * Actually a 100% rebate purchase, but I'm counting it as 50% off. Last edited by pdurrant; 12-31-2012 at 05:22 PM.

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