mathgirl40's 2021 category challenge

Keskustelu2021 Category Challenge

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mathgirl40's 2021 category challenge

1mathgirl40
tammikuu 5, 2021, 9:25 pm

Last year, I attempted to have 20 categories to match the year, but found it a little overwhelming. So I am simplifying my challenge somewhat and listing 12 categories that include my top reading priorities this year.

1. 2021 Tournament of Books
2. 2021 Evergreen and other Canadian awards
3. 1001 Books to Read Before You Die and classics
4. 2021 Hugo and Aurora Awards
5. History and Historical Fiction
6. Doorstoppers
7. Continue the series
8. BookCrossing Roundabout
9. World Walking
10. Books in French
11. Nonfiction and other formats
12. Everything else

I'm aiming for 10 books in each category, though for some categories like "Doorstoppers", a goal of 5 might be more realistic!

2mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 27, 2021, 10:17 pm

Category 1: The Tournament of Books



This category will include books from the 2021 Tournament of Books, held in March.

1. The Down Days by Ilze Hugo (Jan. 6)
2. We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry (Jan. 10)
3. Red Pill by Hari Kunzru (Jan. 24)
4. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (Jan. 25)
5. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (Feb. 1)
6. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (Feb. 11)
7. Deacon King Kong by James McBride (Feb. 12)
8. Luster by Raven Leilani (Feb. 15)
9. The Resisters by Gish Jen (Feb. 19)
10. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet (Feb. 23)
11. A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet (Mar. 5)
12. Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami (Mar. 15)
13. Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (Mar. 19)
14. Memorial by Bryan Washington (Mar. 26)
15. Telephone by Percival Everett (Mar. 29)
16. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (Nov. 28)
17. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (Dec. 10)
18. Matrix by Lauren Groff

Category 2: The Evergreen and other Canadian Awards



This category will include nominees for the 2021 Evergreen Award, given by the Ontario Library Association. The nominees are announced in February. It will also include nominees for other 2021 Canadian literary awards.

1. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots (Mar. 8)
2. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Apr. 4)
3. The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk (Apr. 7)
4. Rebent Sinner by Ivan Coyote (May 6)
5. Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead (May 9)
6. Seven by Farzana Doctor (May 12)
7. The Library of Legends by Janie Chang (June 4)
8. Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (June 28)
9. Indians on Vacation by Thomas King (Sept. 13)

Category 3: 1001 Books



These are books listed in Peter Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.

1. Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (June 19)
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (July 1)
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker (Oct. 23)
4. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (Dec. 8)
5. The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks (Dec. 15)

3mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 27, 2021, 10:42 pm

Category 4: The Hugo and Aurora Awards



This category will include nominees for the 2021 Hugo and Aurora science fiction and fantasy awards. This year, I will again rejoin as a voting member for both awards and read from the voter packets.

1. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (Apr. 24)
2. Prairie Gothic edited by Stacey Kondla (Apr. 25)
3. The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal (May 2)
4. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (May 4)
5. The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin (May 19)
6. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang (May 23)
7. Finna by Nino Cipri (May 24)
8. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire (May 25)
9. Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey (May 29)
10. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (May 30)
11. A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong (June 6)
12. Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark (June 11)
13. Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi (June 13)
14. Network Effect by Martha Wells (June 15)
15. The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi (June 25)
17. The Gryphon's Lair by Kelley Armstrong (July 7)
17. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (July 20)
18. One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire (July 21)
19. Beneath the Rising by Premee Mohamed (July 25)
20. Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider, Vol. 1 by Seanan McGuire (July 27)
21. The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal (August 12)
22. Swashbuckling Cats edited by Rhonda Parrish (August 14)
23. Monstress, Volume 5 by Marjorie Liu (August 15)
24. Wall of Wishes by Suzy Vadori (August 20)
25. A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong (August 24)
26. Hollow by Rhonda Parrish (August 28)
27. The Oppenheimer Alternative by Robert Sawyer (Sept. 2)
28, The Last Emperox by John Scalzi (Sept. 20)
29. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (Sept. 25)
30. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (Sept. 27)
31. Hugo novelettes and short stories (Oct. 5)
32. Die, Volume 2: Split the Party by Kieron Gillen (Oct. 9)
33. Once and Future: The King is Undead by Kieron Gillen (Oct. 13)
34. Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (Oct. 16)
35. Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler (Nov. 18)

Category 5: History and Historical Fiction



I'm hoping that this year's HistoryCAT will help me fill this category.

1. When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman (Jan. 18)
2. Being Chinese in Canada by William Ging Wee Dere (Mar. 28)
3. The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka (June 10)
4. Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen (Sept. 30)
5. Dissolution by C. J. Sansom (Nov. 12)

Category 6: Doorstoppers



This category is for BIG books (over 500 pages).

1. The Iliad by Homer (May 11)
2. Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson (May 24)
3. Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson (Aug. 19)
4. Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty (Oct. 31)
5. Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson (August 19)
6. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth (Nov. 30)
7. House of Chains by Steven Erikson (Dec. 18)

4mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 27, 2021, 10:55 pm

Category 7: Continue the Series



There are so many series I've been meaning to return to ....

1. The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay (Jan. 16)
2. Photo Finish by Ngaio Marsh (Jan. 31)
3. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (Feb. 3)
4. The Gathering Edge by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (April 11)
5. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (April 13)
6. The Potters Field by Andrea Camilleri (Sept. 6)
7. Guards, Guards by Terry Pratchett (Sept. 17)
8. Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie (Oct. 3)
9. The China Governess by Margery Allingham (Oct. 14)
10. Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett (Oct. 22)
11. The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny (Nov. 23)
12. Third Girl by Agatha Christie (Dec. 4)
13. Death is Now My Neighbour by Colin Dexter (Dec. 20)
14. A Cold White Sun by Vicki Delany (Dec. 25)
15. Juniper Wiles by Charles de Lint (Dec. 26)
16. Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells by Kelley Armstrong

Category 8: BookCrossing Roundabout



I signed up for a "Favourite Books of 2020" roundabout on BookCrossing, with 11 other BookCrossers. We'll be mailing the books along to one another throughout the year. This also includes other books I released on BookCrossing.

1. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Jan. 30)
2. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay (Feb. 9)
3. Walking Home by Kelly Winters (Mar. 20)
4. Unnatural Causes by Richard Shepherd (April 8)
5. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (April 9)
6. Age of Iron by J. M. Coetzee (June 20)
7. Yarrow by Charles de Lint (June 27)
8. Black Horses for the King by Anne McCaffrey (July 16)
9. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (July 31)
10. The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa (August 7)
11. A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding by Jackie Copleton (Dec. 10)
12. Birdbrain by Johanna Sinisalo

Category 9: World Walking



I've been using the World Walking app to do a virtual walk across Canada over the past few years and trying to read books associated with the places I visit. After I finish the Canada journey, I intend to do some shorter virtual walks in different parts of the world.

1. The Day the World Came to Town (Jan. 21)
2. The Cellars of the Majestic by Georges Simenon (Feb. 4)
3. All Together Now by Alan Doyle (Apr. 18)
4. Calling Out for You by Karin Fossum (May 21)
5. Black Seconds by Karin Fossum (Aug. 17)

5mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 27, 2021, 11:03 pm

Category 10: Books in French

  

I'm continuing my attempts to improve my reading proficiency in French. Thank goodness for the built-in French-English dictionary on my e-reader!

1. Le Sceptre d'Ottokar by Hergé (Mar. 31)
2. Le parfum de la dame en noir by Gaston Leroux (May 13)
3. Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hemon (July 12)
4. Une jeune femme en guerre by Maryse Rouy (Sept. 10)
5. Pietr le Letton by Georges Simenon (Oct. 10)

Category 11: Nonfiction and Other Formats



The majority of my reading consists of novels, but I hope to read more nonfiction, plays, poetry, anthologies, graphic novels, etc.

1. Rat Queens, Volume 1: Sass and Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe (Feb. 17)
2. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (Feb. 25)
3. Dearly by Margaret Atwood (Apr. 15)
4. In the Teeth of the Evidence by Dorothy Sayers (Oct. 26)
5. A Lot Like Christmas by Connie Willis (Nov. 13)

Category 12: Everything Else

All books that don't fit in the other categories get listed here!

1. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher (Jan. 12)
2. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (Jan. 27)
3. The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison (Feb. 28)
4. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin (Apr. 17)
5. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (Apr. 27)
6. Survival by Julie Czerneda (June 17)
7. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon (August 9)
8. Recursion by Blake Crouch (August 23)
9. Places in the Darkness by Christopher Brookmyre (August 30)
10. American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson (Sept. 16)
11. Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter (Oct. 8)
12. Hammers on Bone by Cassandra Khaw (Oct. 12)
13. Wildfire Season by Andrew Pyper (Oct. 29)
14. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (Nov. 21)
15. Crime at Christmas by C. H. B. Kitchin (Dec. 5)
16. The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (Dec. 17)

6mathgirl40
tammikuu 5, 2021, 10:22 pm

I'm happy to be back for another year of reading, albeit a few days late! I have a lot of catching up to do and will try to visit all the new 2021 threads in the next few days. I'm sure I will be picking up a lot of BBs along the way! :)

7spiralsheep
tammikuu 6, 2021, 6:52 am

Good luck with your reading in 2021!

8thornton37814
tammikuu 6, 2021, 7:49 am

Too many categories can definitely get a little out-of-hand. I think 10-12 is about as many as most of us can really handle. Hope you have a great year of reading!

9MissWatson
tammikuu 6, 2021, 8:35 am

Welcome back and happy reading!

10Tess_W
tammikuu 6, 2021, 10:57 pm

Good luck with your 2021 reading!

11mathgirl40
tammikuu 7, 2021, 8:04 pm

12mathgirl40
tammikuu 7, 2021, 8:46 pm



1. The Down Days by Ilza Hugo (4.5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

My first read of the year is from the 2021 Tournament of Books shortlist. This is a good book for the current times, as it deals with an African city that has been devastated by a very contagious and dangerous laughing sickness. At the onset of the story, the citizens have adjusted to the new normal, in which everyone wears a mask and new professions like "dead collectors" and "sin eaters" have emerged. There is a lot going on in this novel, maybe a little too much, but I loved the crazy characters and the mix of science-fiction, supernatural and mystery elements.

13rabbitprincess
tammikuu 7, 2021, 8:51 pm

Woo hoo, you're here! Have a great reading year :)

14DeltaQueen50
tammikuu 8, 2021, 1:37 am

As always, you have some very interesting categories and I am looking forward to the books bullets that I will collecting here!

15lkernagh
tammikuu 12, 2021, 1:13 pm

Lovely to stumble across your thread, Paulina! Happy new year and best wishes for a year of wonderful reading. Also, good luck with your continues virtual walking across Canada! I know we live in a really big country but even I never really comprehended this until I virtually walked across it (and it took over 3.5 years to do so)! ;-)

16mathgirl40
tammikuu 13, 2021, 7:59 pm

>13 rabbitprincess: Thanks!

>14 DeltaQueen50: Thank you. It's only fair, as I get a good number of BBs from your posts. :)

>15 lkernagh: You were the one who had inspired me to start the walk, and it really does make me appreciate the great size of our country! I'm 95% of the way through now, so I hope to finish up in the next month or two.

17mathgirl40
tammikuu 13, 2021, 8:10 pm



2. We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry (4 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

This is my third book from the 2021 Tournament of Books shortlist and it features a field hockey team consisting of 10 high-school girls and one boy. The group, which is located near Salem, Massachusetts, start dabbling in witchcraft in an attempt to get to the championships. Set at the end of the 1980's, the novel deals with the various challenges that face the teens as they move into adulthood. It took me some time to get into the story, but I grew to love the characters. The writing is funny and insightful, and those of us who lived through that period would enjoy the many cultural references.

18mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: tammikuu 17, 2021, 9:59 pm



3. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

In this YA fantasy story by T. Kingfisher (a.k.a. Ursula Vernon), a 14-year-old wizard defends her city from evil invaders with her magical baking. How can you not like a book that features gingerbread warriors and violently aggressive sourdough starter? The non-bread characters are just as interesting and appealing!

19mathgirl40
tammikuu 17, 2021, 10:28 pm



4. The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay (4 stars)
Category: Continue the Series

This novel is the third and final book in Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry, about a group of University of Toronto students who get pulled into an alternate world. The series is a mix of Arthurian legend and Tolkien-like fantasy. This trilogy is not as good as some of GGK's later works, but the writing is beautiful and Simon Vance's narration of the audiobook certainly does it justice.

20mathgirl40
tammikuu 19, 2021, 9:58 pm



5. When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman (4.5 stars)
Category: History and Historical Fiction

This historical novel covers the decades-long struggle between King Stephen and Empress Matilda (Maude), which eventually ends with the coronation of Henry II, Maude's son. Rich in detail, the novel gives a good sense of the brutal and violent times in which it is set, and how the average people suffer as the nobility fight for power. I also liked the author's inclusion of the fictional Ranulf, as his viewpoint offers good insight into the various characters.

21Tess_W
tammikuu 19, 2021, 10:46 pm

>20 mathgirl40: an excellent series! I've read the first 2 and have book 3 on my ereader.

22charl08
tammikuu 20, 2021, 4:37 am

Hi, thanks for visiting my thread. You have reminded me that I really should follow the ToB more closely: some really interesting and new-to-me books you've reviewed already. I am tempted!

23thornton37814
tammikuu 21, 2021, 10:01 pm

>20 mathgirl40: That's been on my TBR list a long time. I don't think I'll get to it this month, but maybe I'll get to it sometime.

24mathgirl40
tammikuu 23, 2021, 10:22 pm

>21 Tess_W: >23 thornton37814: I was sad to hear that Sharon Kay Penman passed away yesterday, just as I was discovering how wonderful a writer she was.

>22 charl08: The ToB list is always interesting. Sometimes there are misses, but every year, I end up discovering at least one incredible new-to-me author that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

25mathgirl40
tammikuu 23, 2021, 10:33 pm



6. The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede (4.5 stars)
Category: World Walking

I've been continuing my years-long virtual walk across Canada using the World Walking app, and I'm approaching Gander, Newfoundland. That and the fact that we'll be marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11 this fall motivated me to finally read this book that many had recommended to me.

This book describes how the city of Gander welcomed passengers from flights stranded as a result of the US closing its airspace on 9/11. Recounting the personal stories of several of the passengers, the book has its sad moments but it is also a very heart-warming story. It showcases the unique Newfoundland culture and also shows the strong bond between Canadians and Americans.

26Tess_W
tammikuu 24, 2021, 12:44 am

>25 mathgirl40: Super book!

27VivienneR
tammikuu 24, 2021, 1:05 am

Glad to see you here again and looking forward to following your reading.

>25 mathgirl40: The Day the World Came to Town was wonderful! And the bond between passengers and the town has continued.

28MissBrangwen
tammikuu 24, 2021, 5:10 am

>25 mathgirl40: That sounds like a unique story! I put it on my wishlist!

29hailelib
tammikuu 26, 2021, 6:25 pm

30mathgirl40
tammikuu 28, 2021, 7:01 pm

>26 Tess_W: >27 VivienneR: Nice to see so much love for this book. It was such a comforting story to read.

>28 MissBrangwen: >29 hailelib: I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

31RidgewayGirl
tammikuu 28, 2021, 7:08 pm

It's interesting that of the four Rooster books you've read, they are four I haven't read (I've read eight and am halfway through Memorial). I had very much put both The Down Days and We Ride Upon Sticks at the bottom of the list (along with Tender is the Flesh), but you've moved both of them up the stack.

32mathgirl40
tammikuu 28, 2021, 8:02 pm

>31 RidgewayGirl: I'd be really interested in what you think of The Down Days and We Ride Upon Sticks. I've just started Tender is the Flesh and TBH, I'm struggling a bit with it.

33mathgirl40
tammikuu 28, 2021, 8:54 pm



7. Red Pill by Hari Kunzru (3.5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

Another book from the Tournament of Books shortlist, this novel follows a writer as he undergoes a crisis. Working temporarily in Berlin, away from his family, he finds himself immersed in a frightening reality that makes him examine his beliefs and even his sanity. I loved Kunzru's White Tears but am not sure how I feel about this work. It's a good commentary on the current political situation but I found it a mostly discomforting read.

34mathgirl40
tammikuu 28, 2021, 9:14 pm



8. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

This one is my favourite of the 5 I've read so far from the 2020 Tournament of Books shortlist, and I expect it will stay at or near the top of my rankings as I work through more of the books.

Piranesi lives in a labyrinth of halls filled with statues and open to the sea. The details of his past and his world are slowly revealed as we progress through the story.

This novel is quite short, especially when compared to Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but it is complex, atmospheric and full of surprising moments. This beautifully written fantasy story will stay with me for a long time.

35pammab
tammikuu 29, 2021, 12:23 am

>18 mathgirl40: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking sounds extremely cute (and that cover!!)

>25 mathgirl40: I believe there is also a musical about the folks in Gander. I know some people who really adore that story. I wonder if they'd be interested in a book....

36mathgirl40
tammikuu 30, 2021, 6:24 pm

>35 pammab: I too love that cover!

>35 pammab: I believe the musical Come From Away is different from this book, but they have common themes. I've not seen the musical, but I've heard testimonials from people who have loved both the musical and Jim Defede's book.

37mathgirl40
helmikuu 2, 2021, 10:35 pm



9. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

I've read the first four book of the Wayward Children series and decided to reread this first one before a book club meeting. This first story introduces us to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children and is a nice mix of fantasy and horror.

38mathgirl40
helmikuu 2, 2021, 10:41 pm



10. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (5 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

I'd heard a lot about this book before reading it and it really lives up to the hype. The story of a Black girl who witnesses the shooting of her friend by a police office, this is a powerful novel that's very relevant to the current times. The subject matter is serious and disturbing but the story also has lots of humour and heart-warming moments.

39mathgirl40
helmikuu 4, 2021, 9:11 pm



11. Photo Finish by Ngaio Marsh (4 stars)
Category: Continue the Series

This was a very enjoyable Inspector Alleyn mystery set on a remote island in New Zealand. Alleyn and Troy are invited to a lavish house party where one of the guests is a famous opera singer, and soon after their arrival, a tragedy occurs. One of Ngaio Marsh's later books, it feels much more modern than the early Alleyn mysteries.

40mathgirl40
helmikuu 4, 2021, 10:30 pm



12. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (3.5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

This book from the 2021 Tournament of Books shortlist takes place in a near-future setting in which a virus has made animal flesh inedible, and as a consequence, the farming and consumption of human bodies has become commonplace. Bazterrica's novel is clever, satirical and thought-provoking, but it's also one of the most revolting books I've ever read. The author does not hold back in providing us the gruesome details of dining on human flesh.

41MissBrangwen
helmikuu 6, 2021, 1:01 pm

>38 mathgirl40: I read an extract of this for a course I'm teaching and it totally captured me. I don't feel up to reading the whole novel right now, but I'm certain I will one day. Great to read your review!

42mathgirl40
helmikuu 14, 2021, 5:34 pm

>41 MissBrangwen: Thanks! I think it should provide a lot of good discussion ideas for your course.

43mathgirl40
helmikuu 14, 2021, 5:46 pm



13. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (4 stars)
Category: Continue the Series

This is the third novella in the Murderbot Diaries, and it is just as fun as the previous two. In this one, Murderbot, a sentient AI who is addicted to TV dramas, continues its adventures and makes new friends, including another robot.

I am looking forward to reading the recently published novel-length Murderbot story, after I finish the 4th novella.

44mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: helmikuu 14, 2021, 9:00 pm



14. The Cellars of the Majestic by Georges Simenon (3.5 stars)
Category: World Walking

Maigret investigates when a body is found in a locker in the cellar of an upscale Parisian hotel. This was a nice light read with a satisfying conclusion.

I'm still working on my cross-Canada virtual walk (at 97% now) with my World Walking app but decided to do a short walk on the side for some variety. (One problem with the cross-Canada walk is that there are long stretches in which the scenery doesn't change at all.) Anyhow, I decided to do a walk through Paris, which motivated me to read this installment of the Maigret series.

45mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: helmikuu 17, 2021, 9:11 pm



15. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay (4.5 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

Set in South Africa during WWII and the years following it, this is a coming-of-age story that is filled with a terrific cast of characters. Courtenay is a great story teller. I found the book very hard to put down and it was also interesting to learn more about the tense relationships among the various factions in South Africa in that time period.

The main character is a boxer, and there are a lot of technical details about boxing in the novel. While the sport holds no appeal for me these days, I recall watching in the 70's the televised matches of the well-known heavyweights with my father, who was a fan.

46MissBrangwen
helmikuu 18, 2021, 8:49 am

>44 mathgirl40: I've listened to a few audio plays adapted from Maigret novels, but I've never actually read one of the novels. I really want to because I'm intrigued by his world and the writing!

47mathgirl40
helmikuu 18, 2021, 8:53 pm

>46 MissBrangwen: I'm in the opposite situation. I've read a few of the novels but would love to try one as an audiobook. Unfortunately, my library only has dramatizations of the books in audio, and not the full unabridged books.

48mathgirl40
helmikuu 18, 2021, 9:04 pm



16. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (4 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

Another from the Tournament of Books list, this novel tells the story of Gifty, an American whose parents are Ghanaian immigrants. She does research into the causes of addiction, while in her personal life, she deals with her mother's depression and the lingering pain of her brother's death. Beautifully written, this novel explores mental illness, racism and immigration, while also looking at Gifty's attempt to reconcile her scientific and religious beliefs.

49mathgirl40
helmikuu 18, 2021, 9:51 pm



17. Deacon King Kong by James McBride (5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

McBride's novel is set in a New York City housing project in 1969 and it features memorable characters from the Black, Italian and Irish communities. The story is funny, suspenseful and wonderfully convoluted. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Dominic Hoffman and I highly recommend it.

This novel and Susanna Clarke's Piranesi are my favourites from the books I've read from the Tournament of Books shortlist so far.

50MissWatson
helmikuu 19, 2021, 5:32 am

>47 mathgirl40: How could they abridge Maigret novels who mostly run to 200 pages or less?

51pamelad
helmikuu 19, 2021, 2:22 pm

>50 MissWatson: They could cut out the lunches, which would be a shame: the little local restaurants where the proprietors come from a small village, the wife cooks, they serve the local wine, and Maigret orders the specialty of the day.

52mathgirl40
helmikuu 19, 2021, 7:55 pm

>50 MissWatson: >51 pamelad: It would definitely be a shame if they cut out the lunches! The food descriptions are what I enjoy most about series like this and the Inspector Montalbano books.

53MissWatson
helmikuu 20, 2021, 9:20 am

>51 pamelad: >52 mathgirl40: Cutting out the food? That's like cutting out the Frenchness.

54mathgirl40
helmikuu 20, 2021, 10:35 pm

>53 MissWatson: So true! :)

55mathgirl40
helmikuu 20, 2021, 10:46 pm



18. Luster by Raven Leilani (3.5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if it hadn't been on the Tournament of Books list this year. I can appreciate the praise it has received and it deserves its spot on the ToB shortlist. However, it was an uncomfortable read and I found it difficult to relate to the characters. There are some very funny and insightful moments in the book and even a few heartwarming ones, but by the end, I was rather glad not to have to spend any more time with the characters.

56RidgewayGirl
helmikuu 22, 2021, 7:17 pm

>49 mathgirl40: I've just started Deacon King Kong and my expectations are high given how the only reviews I've seen are glowing.

57mathgirl40
maaliskuu 9, 2021, 9:50 pm

>56 RidgewayGirl: I was happy to see Deacon King Kong advance in the ToB today, though reading the commentary and the readers' comments gave me a better appreciation of Tender is the Flesh (which I would have rated more highly if it hadn't been so repulsive).

58mathgirl40
maaliskuu 9, 2021, 9:54 pm

After a pretty good start this year, I find that I am again falling behind in my reviews and I've not had the chance to visit other LT members' threads as much I'd like. The good news is that I've been given some new responsibilities at work, which I'm actually very happy about, and I'm looking forward to new and interesting challenges this year. The bad news is that the changes have really cut into my reading time, as well as my LT and other book-related activities. I hope this is just temporary and that I will catch up before too long!

59mathgirl40
maaliskuu 9, 2021, 10:22 pm



19. Rat Queens, Volume 1: Sass and Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe (4 stars)
Category: Other Formats

This is a very fun graphic novel, clearly inspired by Dungeons and Dragons or similar games, about a band of adventuring mercenaries. I was introduced to D&D only a couple of years ago and have been playing that and other RPGs semi-regularly with a group of women. One of the Rat Queens characters, Betty, is the character I would love to be!

60mathgirl40
maaliskuu 9, 2021, 10:28 pm



20. The Resisters by Gish Jen (4 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

This dystopian novel is set in a near-future time in which society is separated into two classes, those who have work and those who don't. Coincidentally (or not), people of colour seem to end up in the latter group. Unfortunately, this Tournament of Books play-in contender got eliminated in the first match yesterday, but I did enjoy it very much. The fact that both baseball and knitting were featured prominently in the book added to its appeal.

61spiralsheep
maaliskuu 10, 2021, 4:15 am

>58 mathgirl40: Congratulations on your new responsibilities at work, and I hope you find them fulfilling (and get a pay rise to go with any extra work... >;-) ).

62mathgirl40
huhtikuu 6, 2021, 9:42 pm

>61 spiralsheep: Thank you for the good wishes! I wouldn't say no to a pay raise! :)

63mathgirl40
huhtikuu 6, 2021, 9:42 pm



21. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet (5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

There were so many great books from the Tournament of Books shortlist this year, and this one is among my favourites. Bennet's novel is a family saga centered around twins who take two divergent paths in life. I loved how the characters' secrets are revealed as the story evolves and how the impacts of their choices affect their descendents. The novel offers a very good examination of issues related to race and skin colour, but most of all, it's a page-turning read.

64mathgirl40
huhtikuu 6, 2021, 9:42 pm



22. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (4.5 stars)
Category: Nonfiction

Krakauer's book exploring religious fundamentalism is frightening and disturbing. The descriptions of the beliefs and actions of the Mormon fundamentalists are horrifying, but the author takes care to separate the extremist sects from the mainstream religion. The book also includes a great deal of interesting history about the LDS Church.

65mathgirl40
huhtikuu 6, 2021, 9:43 pm



23. The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison (3.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

In this fantasy novel based on the Sherlock Holmes stories, Crow (Holmes) is an angel and Dr. Doyle (Watson) is a human who can transform into a hellhound. There is also some play with gender roles and the Jack the Ripper story is also added to the mix. The author Katherine Addison (a.k.a. Sarah Monette) said this novel started off as "wingfic", or "fanfic with winged characters". I was skeptical at the start but eventually grew to really like the different take on the characters and setting.

66scaifea
huhtikuu 7, 2021, 8:29 am

>65 mathgirl40: Oh, I really like the sound of that one - adding it to my list. Thanks for the review!

67mathgirl40
huhtikuu 24, 2021, 10:23 pm

>66 scaifea: I hope you enjoy it. It's definitely an interesting and different twist on the Holmes story!

68mathgirl40
huhtikuu 24, 2021, 10:23 pm



24. A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet (4 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

This entry from the 2021 Tournament of Books shortlist is an allegorical story about a group of children trying to survive the aftermath of a disastrous storm, while their neglectful and incompetent parents are rendered helpless. The author's real message, about our complacency regarding the climate crisis, is disturbing and hard-hitting.

69mathgirl40
huhtikuu 24, 2021, 10:34 pm



25. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots (4 stars)
Category: Canadian Awards

A finalist in the 2021 Canada Reads event, this book has Anna, an office temp, working for a supervillain and discovering that superheroes cause as much collateral damage as the villains do. It's a fun story that mixes the superhero action story with some insightful and hilarious examinations of office politics.

I was pleasantly surprised when I spotted a friends' name in the acknowledgements. I learned that she had been part of a writer's group that also included Natalie Zina Walschots and had provided critique of the early chapters. She assured me it was a thrill to see the book in print and the accolades that Walschots had received!

70mathgirl40
huhtikuu 24, 2021, 10:48 pm



26. Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami (4.5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

This is another example of a book I loved but would never have picked up if it were not for the Tournament of Books. It ended up making it to the semifinal round this year, perhaps surprising a number of people.

The story is narrated by Natsuko, a Japanese woman living on her own, and it includes her musings on various aspects of her life, including her relationship with her sister and niece, her work and co-workers, and her desire for motherhood. This novel is slow in places and rather messy, but I loved the voice of Natsuko, as well as the insightful examination of women's issues.

71spiralsheep
huhtikuu 25, 2021, 5:21 am

>69 mathgirl40: I see Hench is getting a lot of varied reviews from people whose opinions usually tend to be similar. Sounds interesting.

72mathgirl40
toukokuu 6, 2021, 10:08 pm

71 Our book club at work discussed Hench and there was quite a variety of opinions on it. It made for a good discussion!

73mathgirl40
toukokuu 6, 2021, 10:08 pm



27. Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (3.5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

Two families are unexpectedly isolated in a house outside the city, and disaster reveals their prejudices and fears. This book is an unusual take on the post-apocalyptic novel, but I thought it was one of the weaker ones from the 2021 Tournament of Books shortlist.

74mathgirl40
toukokuu 6, 2021, 10:09 pm



28. Walking Home by Kelly Winters (4.5 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir describing the author's journey on the Appalachian Trail. I appreciated her positive outlook, her honesty, the depictions of the interesting personalities she met on the trail, and most of all the detailed descriptions of everything, big and small, that she encountered while hiking.

This is another of the books from my "Favourite Book of 2020" BookCrossing roundabout, sent to me by a fellow BookCrosser. I've discovered a number of excellent books this way, ones that I might never have come across otherwise.

75mathgirl40
toukokuu 8, 2021, 6:38 pm



29. Memorial by Bryan Washington
Category: Tournament of Books

This novel is another book from the 2021 Tournament of Books shortlist. It alternates between the perspectives of two men in a relationship: Benson, an African American, and Mike, a Japanese American. It is a quiet and touching exploration of family relationships, forgiveness and reconciliation.

76justchris
toukokuu 8, 2021, 7:55 pm

>2 mathgirl40: Such great categories! And such good reads! You have tempted me many times over!

I starred you back in January but have only now managed to wander over. I look forward to additional reviews. It sounds like you're have quite the all-star reading experience with remarkably few duds.

77VivienneR
toukokuu 8, 2021, 8:14 pm

>49 mathgirl40: You've had lots of great reading recently but this one is definitely going on the wishlist!

78mathgirl40
toukokuu 9, 2021, 6:31 pm

>76 justchris: Thank you! I've noticed that most of my reads are 4 stars or higher. I think it's because I get many of my recommendations from these LT threads, and most of my LT friends are very reliable!

>77 VivienneR: I hope you like Deacon King Kong. It's definitely one of my favourites from the books I've read so far this year.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! We had video calls with my mother and my mother-in-law today, and though we're all apart, I'm just grateful that everyone is healthy and safe.

79mathgirl40
toukokuu 15, 2021, 7:09 pm



30. Being Chinese in Canada: The Struggle for Identity, Redress and Belonging by William Ging Wee Dere (3.5 stars)
Category: HistoryCAT

I had high hopes for this book, as I'd mistakenly expected it to say more about the general history of Chinese immigration to Canada, with a focus on the Montreal community. However, the book is quite narrow in scope as its focus is primarily on the political history of the Chinese in Canada, especially the redress movement which culminated in an apology from Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2006 for the Chinese head tax. I enjoyed most the chapters of the book in which the author talked about his parents' experiences and the early history of the Chinese in Montreal, where much of my own family had settled.

80mathgirl40
toukokuu 16, 2021, 7:29 pm



31. Telephone by Percival Everett (5 stars)
Category: Tournament of Books

This book was one of my favourites from the 2021 Tournament of Books. The story deals with a number of "ordinary" issues such as family relationships, loss, grief and work conflicts. However, the book is far from ordinary in any other way. There are a number of unexpected turns in the story, and moreover, this novel has three different endings and the reader of any of the editions gets one of the three, assigned apparently randomly. The ending I got left me a little bit puzzled and not completely satisfied, but I loved the book all the same.

81mathgirl40
toukokuu 17, 2021, 10:04 pm



32. Le Sceptre d'Ottokar by Herge (4 stars)
Category: Books in French

This is an enjoyable installment in the Tintin series, set in the fictional kingdom of Syldavia and featuring a number of Tintin's friends. It's a good adventure story, with lots of political intrigue and some exciting escapes. I'd first read this in English when I was young and this time around, I decided to try it in French. I didn't have too much difficulty, and the pictures helped. :)

82mathgirl40
kesäkuu 13, 2021, 6:25 pm



33. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (4 stars)
Category: Evergreen and Other Canadian Awards

I've liked Sylvia Moreno-Garcia's books since the beginning of her career, but now she is getting more recognition, at least among readers of genre fiction. Mexican Gothic had garnered Nebula, Goodreads and Aurora award nominations this year.

This is a haunted-house story set in Mexico in the 1950's. It's in the gothic style, as the title suggests. It's reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier's novels, though I think du Maurier was a superior writer. I enjoyed the atmospheric setting and suspenseful story, and I would definitely recommend this book to those who like this kind of mix of thriller, romance and horror.

83mathgirl40
kesäkuu 13, 2021, 9:15 pm



34. The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk (3.5 stars)
Category: Evergreen and Other Canadian Awards

This book was on the Canada Reads shortlist this year. It's a fantasy novel that mixes magic and romance in a fictional Victorian-style setting. After reading Polk's debut novel Witchmark, I had high hopes for this book but the story and characters did not appeal to me in the same way. However, I did like very much the character Nadi, an impulsive and capricious spirit who possesses the main character Beatrice in order to experience the pleasures of the human world.

84mathgirl40
heinäkuu 22, 2021, 10:30 pm



35. Unnatural Causes by Richard Shepherd (4.5 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

This is a fascinating memoir all about the world of forensic medicine, showing how it has evolved over the decades in the author's career. As a fan of murder mysteries, it was interesting to compare the fictional portrayals of forensic pathologists and their work to the real-life versions. There are some gruesome details but also a lot about the science and how data is interpreted.

85mathgirl40
heinäkuu 22, 2021, 10:30 pm



36. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (4 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

This historical fiction novel is set in a reform school for Black children, and tells the story of a boy who is unjustly sent there. I didn't like this book quite as much as Colson's The Underground Railroad but it was still a very good story. The novel succeeds in showing us the horrors of reform schools, and they are certainly not limited to the US of that time period. Here in Canada, we are still reeling from the horrific discovery of remains at a residential school for Indigenous children.

86mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: heinäkuu 24, 2021, 9:49 am



37. The Gathering Edge by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (4 stars)
Category: Continue the Series

A Liaden Universe novel is like comfort food to me. This one features pilot Theo Waitley and her sentient spaceship Bechimo. I'd recommend this series to anyone who enjoys space opera with a large variety of human and alien characters, but I wouldn't suggest starting with this book. The first Theo Waitley book, Fledgling, would be a good place to start, and it was the one that got me hooked onto this series.

87mathgirl40
heinäkuu 22, 2021, 10:34 pm



38. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (4 stars)
Category: Continue the Series

This is a classic Miss Marple mystery, featuring all the sordid secrets that might be found in a small English village. Reading this inspired my husband and me to rewatch the Geraldine McEwan TV adaptation.

88mathgirl40
heinäkuu 22, 2021, 10:45 pm



39. Dearly by Margaret Atwood (4.5 stars)
Category: Other Formats

There is a wide variety of subjects covered in this poetry collection -- aging, loss, environmental issues, everyday matters and wildly fantastical subjects.

My favourite poems are “Songs for Murdered Sisters“, a devastatingly poignant tribute to victims of domestic violence, and the hilarious “The Aliens Arrive“, a poem about late-night horror and sci-fi films.

"Songs for Murdered Sisters" is actually a joint work with composer Jake Heggie who had created a song cycle with the lyrics. There is an interesting article about the project here.

89VictoriaPL
heinäkuu 23, 2021, 6:24 pm

Catching up on your thread :)

90justchris
heinäkuu 23, 2021, 10:53 pm

>86 mathgirl40: The touchstone for Fledgling is hilariously wrong, I'm afraid. I've never read any of the Liaden books though I've certainly heard lots of great things from legions of fans.

91hailelib
heinäkuu 23, 2021, 11:16 pm

You’ve been reading some interesting books and I’ve added two to my wishlist.

92rabbitprincess
heinäkuu 24, 2021, 8:59 am

Unnatural Causes was so good! I also loved that he has a pilot's licence :)

93mathgirl40
heinäkuu 24, 2021, 9:51 am

>89 VictoriaPL: Thanks for visiting!

>90 justchris: Oh, good catch! Thanks, link fixed.

>91 hailelib: Hope you enjoy them!

>92 rabbitprincess: Yes, flying is an interesting way to relieve stress. I'm sure it would just add to my stress level. :)

94rabbitprincess
heinäkuu 24, 2021, 9:57 am

>93 mathgirl40: My enthusiasm for planes is such that a couple of people have suggested that *I* get a pilot's licence. I don't even have a regular driver's licence, so that seems like a recipe for disaster!

95mathgirl40
heinäkuu 24, 2021, 10:36 pm

>94 rabbitprincess: That might not be such a terrible idea. A coworker of mine once worked as a pilot in the military but he is notorious for getting lost while driving to nearby locations in the city.

96mathgirl40
heinäkuu 25, 2021, 10:23 pm



40. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This was an engrossing read -- creepy and suspenseful. I can understand why it's such a classic, and I plan to watch the movie adaptation one day. Unfortunately, I've heard that the sequel is terrible, so I think I'll skip it.

97mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: elokuu 3, 2021, 8:48 pm



41. All Together Now by Alan Doyle (5 stars)
Category: World Walking

This book is a collection of stories by Newfoundlander Alan Doyle, front man for the folk rock band Great Big Sea. The tales are heartwarming and hilarious, offered by Doyle as a way to counter the isolation of the pandemic. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Newfoundland culture or who just needs some fun stories to lighten their day.

98rabbitprincess
heinäkuu 26, 2021, 5:18 pm

>97 mathgirl40: My parents just read this! I think I'll have to get the audiobook (Alan narrates it, of course) :)

99JayneCM
heinäkuu 26, 2021, 7:12 pm

>97 mathgirl40: My library doesn't have it - sad!

100mathgirl40
elokuu 5, 2021, 10:27 pm

>98 rabbitprincess: I had listened to the audiobook version, and it was great to hear Alan Doyle's own voice with the genuine Newfoundland accent.

>99 JayneCM: Too bad! It's a fairly new book, so maybe they will get it eventually.

101mathgirl40
elokuu 5, 2021, 10:27 pm



42. Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (4.5 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

In this installment of the wonderful Murderbot series, our favourite AI is on a mission to save Dr. Mensah. This novella is as fun as the earlier ones, and I'm enjoying the ongoing development of Murderbot's character.

102mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: elokuu 5, 2021, 10:27 pm



43. Prairie Gothic edited by Stacey Kondla (4 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

I enjoyed this collection of creepy and atmospheric stories set on the Canadian prairies. The lonely and desolate settings of these tales definitely provide a Gothic feel. I was pleased to see that this collection was nominated for a 2021 Aurora (Canadian SFF) award, as were a couple of the individual stories.

103mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: elokuu 7, 2021, 8:17 pm



44. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

I found this retelling of Hamlet by Ann Leckie absolutely brilliant. I had enjoyed her earlier novels and liked this one even better, though it is quite different from her space opera books. This novel is unusual in that part of the story is told in the second person. I don't want to say more, as the gradual revealing of the context is one of the things I most enjoyed about the novel.

104VivienneR
elokuu 6, 2021, 1:31 am

>97 mathgirl40: My local library only had the print version of All Together Now in the catalogue so I headed over to Overdrive to recommend the audiobook and there is was! and available!

>103 mathgirl40: And I added The Raven Tower to my wishlist.

Thank you for the BBs.

105mathgirl40
elokuu 6, 2021, 3:52 pm

>104 VivienneR: Wonderful! I hope you enjoy both books.

106mathgirl40
syyskuu 1, 2021, 10:32 pm



45. The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal (4.5 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

This second book in the Lady Astronaut series is a great combination of alternate history and science fiction, with a good deal of scientific and technological detail mixed in. The story is in the style of the old-fashioned space-travel adventure but explores issues that seem very contemporary.

107mathgirl40
syyskuu 1, 2021, 10:33 pm



46. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (4 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

This book is a 2021 nominee for the Lodestar Award, which is associated with the Hugo Awards for science fiction and fantasy. It's a very strong debut novel, a coming-of-age story that combines urban fantasy with Lipan Apache myth. I particularly liked the characters, one of which is an affectionate and loyal ghost dog.

108mathgirl40
syyskuu 1, 2021, 10:33 pm



46. Rebent Sinner by Ivan Coyote (5 stars)
Category: Evergreen and Other Canadian Awards

In this memoir, Ivan Coyote writes with sincerity, warmth and lots of humour about their life experiences, including challenges they faced as a non-binary person. I liked this book as much as their earlier book, Tomboy Survival Guide. Both are highly recommended!

I found out that one of my friends has met Ivan Coyote, as they work at the same university. I am rather jealous! I would love to have a conversation with them.

109mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: syyskuu 1, 2021, 10:34 pm



47. Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead (4 stars)
Category: Evergreen and Other Canadian Awards

This winner of the 2021 Canada Reads event is narrated by Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer Jonny, a sex worker who relates episodes from his life as he is making his way back to the reservation for his stepfather's funeral. There are brutally graphic and disturbing descriptions mixed with beautiful lyrical ones. The audiobook, which I recommend, is narrated by the author himself.

110mathgirl40
syyskuu 1, 2021, 10:34 pm



48. The Iliad by Homer (4 stars)
Category: Doorstoppers

I'd had a copy of this classic (the Robert Fitzgerald edition) sitting on my shelves for 30 years and had attempted to read it several times but never got beyond the first few pages. The language and the length both discouraged me. Finally, I decided to try a different edition for my e-reader, and this time around, I managed to finish it. I found the Robert Fagles edition much more accessible, and somehow, the book seemed less intimidating when I didn't have a heavy tome in my hands.

I found the never-ending battle scenes gory and repetitive, but I enjoyed reading about the volatile relationships among the gods and the exploration of the theme of fate. I had read Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls, a retelling of the Trojan War from the point-of-view of Briseis, last year, and it really made me notice how women are portrayed in The Iliad. Goddesses have a lot of power, though they often use it for capricious reasons, but mortal women have practically no identity.

111VivienneR
lokakuu 2, 2021, 1:05 am

>110 mathgirl40: Congratulations on finishing The Iliad, which has defeated me. Those doorstoppers can be pretty daunting.

112pammab
lokakuu 2, 2021, 1:05 pm

>108 mathgirl40: Rebent Sinner caught my eye! I haven't read anything by Ivan Coyote and now I want to read something of theirs. I'll have to see whether the decision is made for me already by the library or whether I get to choose (I get the impression their books might not be widely carried?).

113mathgirl40
lokakuu 17, 2021, 7:08 pm

>111 VivienneR: Thanks! Well, I did say it took me 30 years to actually accomplish the feat! :)

>112 pammab: I hope you'll be able to find Ivan Coyote's books. They have also done many spoken-word performances and some of these may be available on YouTube.

114mathgirl40
marraskuu 7, 2021, 8:45 pm



49. Seven by Farzana Doctor (3.5 stars)
Category: Evergreen and Other Canadian Awards

This novel explores an important subject, female genital mutilation as it is practiced in certain Indian communities, and I appreciated gaining a greater understanding of the issues. However, I felt lukewarm about the story itself, though I did like the historical details of a parallel storyline set several generations earlier.

115mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: marraskuu 7, 2021, 9:16 pm



50. The Perfume of the Lady in Black by Gaston Leroux (3.5 stars)
Category: Books in French

The second book in Gaston Leroux's series featuring journalist Joseph Rouletabille has some similarities to the first book, The Mystery of the Yellow Room, in that it too is a locked-room story (but the "room" is an entire fortress). I found it, like the first book, a little on the slow side, but this volume included much about Rouletabille's early history.

I'd read this book in the original French, published as Le parfum de la dame en noir (which means I'd read it very, very slowly).

116mathgirl40
marraskuu 7, 2021, 9:17 pm



51. The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin (5 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

This novel is a great example of urban fantasy. It's not just fantasy in an urban setting but a story that celebrates and explores the different facets of a city. It has been nominated for the 2021 Hugo Best Novel award and is a strong contender. I'm eager to see how Jemisin will continue this series.

I've not been to NYC in years, but used to spend summer vacations there visiting my aunt. This book made me want to go back and rediscover its magic!

117mathgirl40
marraskuu 8, 2021, 10:05 pm



52. Calling Out for You by Karin Fossum (3.5 stars)
Category: World Walking

This was a good installment in the Inspector Sejer mystery series, in which an Indian woman is murdered upon her arrival to a small town in Norway. It is tense and atmospheric, but I have mixed feelings about the way the story ends.

118mathgirl40
marraskuu 8, 2021, 10:06 pm



53. The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang (4 stars)
Category: The Hugo and Aurora Awards

This is the first book in Kuang's fantasy series set in a fictional Asian empire. It started feeling very much like a typical YA fantasy adventure story but then went off in unexpectedly dark directions. The series has been nominated for a 2021 Hugo Best Series award.

119mathgirl40
marraskuu 8, 2021, 10:07 pm



54. Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson (4.5 stars)
Category: Doorstoppers

I've read the first three books in Erikson's epic Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The scope is so vast and the plotlines so complex that I thought I'd better reread them before moving onto the 4th book. This second book is excellent and I enjoyed it even more on rereading. Finally, I have a good sense of the characters and their backstories, and the reading experience is not so confusing.

120mathgirl40
marraskuu 9, 2021, 9:21 pm

         

I'd read the 6 nominees for the 2021 Hugo Best Novella in sequence and will review them all together here. I'm a voting member again this year, and this is how I will rank them from favourite to least favourite.

Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

55. Riot Baby by Tonyi Onyebuchi (5 stars)

This story is powerful and beautifully written. It mixes elements of science fiction with themes of racism, police brutality and family relationships.

56. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (4.5 stars)

An elderly woman who was a servant to a former empress tells a cleric about her time at the court, in a story with some surprising twists. This novella features excellent storytelling.

57. Finna by Nino Cipri (4 stars)

Finna is a charming romantic adventure through the multiverse that takes place in a wormhole-infested IKEA-like store.

58. Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey (4 stars)

This novella features a group of subversive queer librarians in an Old West setting. An enjoyable and fun read.

59. Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark (3.5 stars)

This is a supernatural horror story about the Ku Klux Klan and a group that resists them. The premise is a good one but there seems to be a bit too much going on in this story.

60. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire (3.5 stars)

This 5th book in McGuire's Wayward Children series reunites a number of characters introduced earlier. It's creepy and suspenseful but feels like a rehash of the earlier works.

121mathgirl40
marraskuu 13, 2021, 6:58 pm



61. The Library of Legends by Janie Chang (4 stars)
Category: Evergreen and Other Canadian Awards

I liked very much the premise of this novel, based on real events, about a group of students and professors fleeing the invasion of Nanking in 1937. I didn't care all that much for the mythological elements in the story, and I found the historical aspects more interesting. The book gave a good idea of the hardships that students and scholars faced at that time.

122mathgirl40
marraskuu 13, 2021, 6:58 pm



62. A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong (4 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

I've enjoyed many of Kelley Armstrong's books, especially her young-adult novels. This one is aimed at the middle-school level and is a charming and fun adventure story. The main characters include royal siblings -- a princess who would rather hunt monsters than prepare for her destined role as queen and her brother who is better at diplomacy than slaying beasts as he was raised to do. As the title suggests, there is also a whole menagerie of fantastical creatures featured in this novel.

123mathgirl40
marraskuu 13, 2021, 7:02 pm



63. The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka (4 stars)
Category: History and Historical Fiction

This historical saga, set in Malaysia, covers several generations of a family, descended from a strong-willed matriarch. The author's writing is beautiful and the intertwined storylines are interesting. However, the characters' stories are also quite bleak and at times, I longed for some happy moments to relieve the misery.

124hailelib
marraskuu 13, 2021, 7:13 pm

>103 mathgirl40:

I've put The Raven Tower on my list and several others also looked interesting. Good reviews.

125pamelad
marraskuu 13, 2021, 7:20 pm

>103 mathgirl40: Hamlet? Excellent. Noting it for the Shakespeare CAT.

126mathgirl40
marraskuu 13, 2021, 8:52 pm

>124 hailelib: >125 pamelad: I hope you'll both enjoy this one. Yes, it's an excellent choice for next year's ShakespeareCAT!

127DeltaQueen50
marraskuu 13, 2021, 10:04 pm

>123 mathgirl40: I read The Rice Mother in 2019 and gave it 4 stars as well, but I did note in my review that the family seemed to suffer one tragedy after another.

128mathgirl40
marraskuu 16, 2021, 10:51 pm

>127 DeltaQueen50: Yes, it did seem relentless, didn't it?

129mathgirl40
marraskuu 16, 2021, 10:59 pm



64. Network Effect by Martha Wells (4.5 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

After enjoying the first four novellas in this series, it was finally great to read a full-length work about the wonderful MurderBot and its associates. This particular adventure refers to earlier events but I think it would work fine as a standalone. The non-human characters are definitely the most interesting ones in this excellent space opera series.

This book was nominated for the 2021 Hugo Best Novel award. I'm not sure it has much of a chance, as the rest of the field is very strong but the Murderbot Diaries series as a whole is a strong contender for the Best Series award this year.

130mathgirl40
marraskuu 16, 2021, 11:07 pm



65. Survival by Julie Czerneda (3.5 stars)
Category: Other Science Fiction and Fantasy

A scientist mostly interested in studying Earth's species suddenly finds herself interacting with alien races. Czerneda herself is a biologist and that shows in this novel. I really liked her imaginative exploration of alien physiology. The story was a bit messy in places but it was a fun read.

131hailelib
marraskuu 17, 2021, 1:54 pm

Survival sounds good. Unfortunately my local library doesn't have any of the author's books but that one is fairly cheap in a Kindle version so I may buy it.

132mathgirl40
marraskuu 17, 2021, 10:51 pm

>131 hailelib: I hope you enjoy it. I've enjoyed a couple of Czerneda's fantasy books too. I've had the pleasure of meeting her at a couple of sci-fi conventions and she seems very enthusiastic about engaging with her readers.

133mathgirl40
marraskuu 17, 2021, 10:57 pm



66. Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (4 stars)
Category: 1001 Books

This is a charming book about life in a 19th-century English village. It's more of a collection of short stories with common characters and some continuing plotlines than it is a novel. For those who are reading from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list, this is a relatively quick and easy read compared to most others on the list.

134mathgirl40
marraskuu 17, 2021, 11:04 pm



67. Age of Iron by J. M. Coetzee (4 stars)
Category: BookCrossing Books

This is a powerful and moving story about a woman's reflections upon her life in Apartheid South Africa. While she is dying from cancer, the main character develops an unorthodox relationship with a homeless man who forces her to re-examine her assumptions and beliefs.

135NinieB
Muokkaaja: marraskuu 18, 2021, 8:33 am

>133 mathgirl40: I agree, Cranford is really charming!

136pamelad
marraskuu 18, 2021, 4:15 pm

>133 mathgirl40:, >135 NinieB: I enjoyed it very much and would recommend Mr Harrison's Confessions as another light, humorous and charming read.

137DeltaQueen50
marraskuu 18, 2021, 7:17 pm

>133 mathgirl40: Ah, you caught me with "quick and charming" - something I am always looking for with the 1,001 Books List!

138mathgirl40
joulukuu 18, 2021, 10:02 pm

>135 NinieB: >136 pamelad: >137 DeltaQueen50: Thanks for stopping by my thread! Sorry I've been so negligent about updating it lately. I am so terribly behind on reviews but I will try to squeeze in more of them before the end of the year.

139mathgirl40
joulukuu 18, 2021, 10:11 pm



68. The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi (4 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

This second book in John Scalzi's Interdependency trilogy is a solid installment in this space opera. The series was nominated for this year's Hugo Best Series Award. (I'm actually following the award ceremonies as I write this and will find out a bit later tonight if it did win!)

140mathgirl40
joulukuu 18, 2021, 10:19 pm



69. Yarrow by Charles de Lint (4 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

This is an early book from one of my favourite authors, Charles de Lint, who is considered a pioneer of urban fantasy. I especially liked the setting, Ottawa in the mid-80‘s. I lived there for a couple of summers, so many places felt familiar.

141mathgirl40
joulukuu 18, 2021, 10:29 pm



70. Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (5 stars)
Category: Aurora and Other Canadian Awards

This is a powerful and inspiring novel about survivors of a Canadian residential school for Indigenous children. Given the horrific news that had come out in the past year about mass burials outside such schools in Canada, this is an important story for the current times.

This book won the Ontario Library Association's Evergreen Award (based on readers' vote) this year. Regular visitors to my thread will know that I try to read most of the nominees every year. I had voted for Five Little Indians myself and was thrilled by the result.

142mathgirl40
joulukuu 21, 2021, 9:51 pm



71. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (4 stars)
Category: 1001 Books

This is a classic Sherlock Holmes story, though I do like the short stories more than the novels. I always enjoy seeing adaptations (both film and literature) of this story.

143mathgirl40
joulukuu 21, 2021, 9:58 pm



72. The Gryphon's Lair by Kelley Armstrong (3.5 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

This is the sequel to Armstrong's A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying. I didn't like it quite as much as the first book, but overall, this is a fun and charming series for middle-school readers. As the titles of the books suggest, there are a variety of interesting creatures featured in this series.

144mathgirl40
joulukuu 21, 2021, 10:10 pm



73. Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hémon (3.5 stars)
Category: Books in French

This book is a classic of French-Canadian literature, though the author was originally from France. In the story, Maria, living with her family in a remote area of Quebec, must choose from three suitors, each representing a very different way of life.

I'd read this in the original French and learned a lot of new vocabulary words, including lots of different words for trees and insects found in the forests of Quebec. :)

145mathgirl40
joulukuu 26, 2021, 10:22 pm



74. Black Horses for the King by Anne McCaffrey
Category: BookCrossing

This young-adult book provided a combination of things that I especially like: historical fiction, Arthurian tales and coming-of-age stories. I also learned quite a bit about horses.

146mathgirl40
joulukuu 26, 2021, 10:34 pm



75. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (3.5 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

Up until now, I've loved everything that I've read by Naomi Novik, but this novel just didn't capture me in the same way her others had. It certainly offers a different twist on the magical boarding school story but there seemed to me too much effort spent on building up the world (wonderful as it is) and not enough in developing an exciting plot.

147mathgirl40
joulukuu 26, 2021, 10:42 pm



76. One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire (4.5 stars)
Category: Next in the Series

This 5th book in the October Daye urban fantasy series is my favourite so far. In this one, Toby must navigate both the physical and political perils of the Undersea. McGuire (also writing as Mira Grant) is an incredibly prolific writer. Her stories are often hit-or-miss with me, but I am gaining a better appreciation of this series with each subsequent book.

148mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 27, 2021, 9:42 pm



77. Beneath the Rising by Premee Mohamed (3.5 stars)
Category: Hugo and Aurora Awards

This book was nominated for the 2021 Aurora (Canadian sci-fi and fantasy) Best Novel award. I loved the characters and snappy dialogue in this mix of sci-fi, fantasy and horror but found the plot rather chaotic. Despite that, I look forward to reading more from this author.

149mathgirl40
joulukuu 27, 2021, 9:48 pm



78. Spider-Gwen by Seanan McGuire (4 stars)

I finished this volume of 5 comics from my 2021 Hugo Voter Packet and enjoyed this new version of Spider Woman. This is yet another work by the very prolific Seanan McGuire, who had several Hugo nominations this year.

150mathgirl40
joulukuu 27, 2021, 9:49 pm



79. Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (4 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

I liked this first book in the Cormorant Strike series by Galbraith, a.k.a. J. K. Rowling. It's not compelling in the same way as the Harry Potter series but it's a solid mystery all the same, with characters I'd like to get to know better.

151mathgirl40
joulukuu 27, 2021, 9:55 pm



80. The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa (4 stars)
Category: BookCrossing

I found this book, about a cat and his human on a very special road trip, thoroughly charming. The story is very moving and the ending brought tears to my eyes. The writing seemed a little weak in places, but that could be a fault of the translation. In any case, it wasn't enough to mar my enjoyment of the story.

152VivienneR
joulukuu 28, 2021, 11:48 am

>150 mathgirl40: I enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling enough to continue with the series that I enjoyed even more.

>151 mathgirl40: That was one of my favourite books of 2020.

153mathgirl40
joulukuu 28, 2021, 8:38 pm

>152 VivienneR: Glad to hear the series gets even better!

154mathgirl40
joulukuu 29, 2021, 10:29 pm



81. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon (4.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This novel is an excellent mix of alternate history and noir. I love how Chabon incorporates the game of chess into the story. My edition had an interview with Chabon at the end of the book, and it made me appreciate certain aspects even more. This is a book that I'll have to reread one day.

155mathgirl40
Muokkaaja: joulukuu 29, 2021, 10:48 pm



82. The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal (4.5 stars)
Category: Hugo/Aurora Awards

This third novel in the Lady Astronaut series is an excellent mix of sci-fi, alternate history, mystery and thriller. Unlike the earlier novels that were focused on travel to Mars, this one takes place on the moon and has a different protagonist. I found this book fast-paced and very hard to put down!

156mathgirl40
joulukuu 29, 2021, 10:53 pm



83. Swashbuckling Cats edited by Rhonda Parrish (3.5 stars)
Category: Hugo/Aurora Awards

This collection of stories was nominated for a 2021 Canadian Aurora SFF award. As the name suggests, the stories are about cats on the high seas -- cats and pirates, or cats as pirates.

It's a mixed bag, with some outstanding stories and some mediocre, but the collection is charming and fun, perfect for cat lovers.

157mathgirl40
joulukuu 29, 2021, 11:06 pm



84. Monstress, Volume 5: Warchild by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
Category: Hugo/Aurora Nominees

This 5th volume in the Monstress series was again a Hugo Best Graphic Story nominee, though it lost to the graphic novel adaptation of Parable of the Sower. This is an amazing series, with gorgeous artwork and a wonderfully complex world. In fact, it's so complex that I'm going to have to reread it from the beginning to properly understand the story.

158mathgirl40
joulukuu 29, 2021, 11:14 pm



85. Black Seconds by Karin Fossum (4 stars)
Category: World Walking

This 6th book in the Inspector Sejer series goes into my "World Walking" category, as I'm still doing my virtual walk through Norway on my walking app. This one concerns a 9-year-old girl who goes missing, and Fossum explores the effects on all the people close to her. I liked this installment better than the previous two in this series and will definitely continue with the series at some point.

159mathgirl40
joulukuu 29, 2021, 11:20 pm



86. Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson (4.5 stars)
Category: Doorstoppers

Erikson's Malazan of the Fallen series is so large in scope, with a huge cast of characters and many complex subplots, that I decided to reread the first 3 books before moving onto the 4th. The reread of this 3rd novel was very rewarding. The more I read, the more I appreciate Erikson's brilliant writing.

160VivienneR
joulukuu 30, 2021, 12:12 am

You've been reading up a storm! What a finish to the end of the year! It happens to me too sometimes when I read more than one book at a time and then finish them all on the same day.

161hailelib
joulukuu 30, 2021, 8:52 am

>150 mathgirl40:

I like the Cormorant Strike books. Some of your other recent reads sound good also.

162mathgirl40
joulukuu 30, 2021, 9:06 am

>160 VivienneR: Heh, this is not quite what it looks like. I'd read these books months ago, but I'm frantically trying to post all the reviews (for my own records as much as anyone else's) before the end of the year. I fear I may not finish in time, but I'll give it a good try!

>161 hailelib: Thanks for stopping by. Glad to hear you like the Cormorant Strike series. I'm certainly motivated to read more!

163rabbitprincess
joulukuu 30, 2021, 5:39 pm

The Relentless Moon was so good!! Glad you liked it :)

164mathgirl40
joulukuu 30, 2021, 10:02 pm

>163 rabbitprincess: I'd read several of the short stories in the Lady Astronaut series, as they were included in my Hugo Voter Packet, and I enjoyed those as well.

165mathgirl40
joulukuu 30, 2021, 10:18 pm



87. Wall of Wishes by Suzy Vadori (3 stars)
Category: Hugo/Aurora Awards

This sequel to the The Fountain was nominated for an Aurora Best YA Novel this year. I thought the first novel had an interesting premise, but this one didn't especially hold my interest.

166mathgirl40
joulukuu 30, 2021, 10:21 pm



88. Recursion by Blake Crouch (5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

I've read a lot of time-travel books in my lifetime, but this one offered a new perspective to me. It was an excellent thriller and very thought provoking.

167mathgirl40
joulukuu 30, 2021, 10:27 pm



89. A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong (4 stars)
Category: Hugo/Aurora Awards

This mystery/fantasy/romance was nominated for the Aurora Best Novel award. It didn't win, but I did enjoy the story of a woman who travels between the Victorian age and the modern day via a portal in her house.

168mathgirl40
joulukuu 30, 2021, 10:33 pm



90. Hollow by Rhonda Parrish
Category Hugo/Aurora nominees

A 2021 Aurora Best YA Novel nominee, this is a very promising debut novel from Rhonda Parrish. The main character, the survivor of a tragic car accident, discovers a camera with strange properties in a spooky abandoned hospital. I found this novel to be a page-turning and suspenseful thriller.

169mathgirl40
joulukuu 30, 2021, 10:37 pm



91. Places in the Darkness by Chris Brookmyre
Category: Miscellaneous

This first sci-fi novel from mystery writer Brookmyre is a good mix of the two genres. It has much of the classic mystery elements but is set on a space station and features futuristic themes.

170mathgirl40
joulukuu 31, 2021, 8:48 am

I still have a backlog of books read earlier this year that I've not reviewed yet. Well, I am ready to admit defeat and am running of of time in 2021. So, for the sake of keeping complete records, I'll just list the rest of the books here I'd read, without reviews.

Here are the books I finished in September:

The Oppenheimer Alternative by Robert J. Sawyer (4 stars)
The Potters Field by Andrea Camilleri (3.5 stars)
Une jeune femme en guerre by Maryse Rouy (4 stars)
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King (4 stars)
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson (3.5 stars)
Guards, Guards by Terry Pratchett (4 stars)
The Last Emperox by John Scalzi (4 stars)
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (4.5 stars)
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (4 stars)
Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen (3.5 stars)

171mathgirl40
joulukuu 31, 2021, 10:56 am

Here are the books I finished in October:

Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie (3.5 stars)
Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter (4 stars)
Die, Vol, 2: Split the Party by Kieron Gillen (3.5 stars)
Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon (3.5 stars)
Hammers on Bone by Cassandra Khaw (3.5 stars)
Once and Future: The King is Undead by Kieron Gillen (4.5 stars)
The China Governess by Margery Allingham (3.5 stars)
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (4 stars)
Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett (4 stars)
Dracula by Bram Stoker (5 stars)
In the Teeth of the Evidence by Dorothy Sayers (3.5 stars)
Wildfire Season by Andrew Pyper (4 stars)
Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty (4 stars)

172mathgirl40
joulukuu 31, 2021, 1:50 pm

Here are the books I finished in November:

The Crime at Lock 14 by Georges Simenon (3.5 stars)
Dissolution by C. J. Sansom (5 stars)
A Lot Like Christmas by Connie Willis (4 stars)
Parable of the Sower graphic novel adaptation by Octavia Butler and John Jennings (3.5 stars)
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (4 stars)
The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny (4 stars)
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (5 stars)
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth (5 stars)

173mathgirl40
joulukuu 31, 2021, 3:05 pm

Here are the books I finished in December:

Third Girl by Agatha Christie (3.5 stars)
Crime at Christmas by C. H. B. Kitchin (3.5 stars)
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (4.5 stars)
A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding by Jackie Copleton (4 stars)
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (4.5 stars)
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks (3.5 stars)
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (4 stars)
House of Chains by Steven Erikson (4.5 stars)
Death is Now My Neighbour by Colin Dexter (4 stars)
A Cold White Sun by Vicki Delany (4 stars)
Juniper Wiles by Charles de Lint (4.5 stars)
Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells by Kelley Armstrong (3.5 stars)
Birdbrain by Johanna Sinisalo (3.5 stars)
Matrix by Lauren Groff (4.5 stars)

174rabbitprincess
joulukuu 31, 2021, 4:33 pm

Looks like you had a great last quarter!

175mathgirl40
joulukuu 31, 2021, 4:46 pm

>174 rabbitprincess: Thanks! I will write up a yearly summary at some point. :)

176DeltaQueen50
tammikuu 1, 2022, 12:54 pm

Congrats on an excellent reading year!

177hailelib
tammikuu 1, 2022, 2:18 pm

On to 2022 and more good books.

178mathgirl40
tammikuu 2, 2022, 4:01 pm

>177 hailelib: Thanks for stopping by! I will see you in the 2022 group!

179mathgirl40
tammikuu 2, 2022, 4:18 pm

Wrapping up for the year:
- I finished 136 books this year.
- I met my challenge goal, which was a minimum of 5 books per category.
- I bought fewer books than the number I cleared from my shelves. Yay!

Some standout books from the year:
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Telephone by Percival Everett
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
Dissolution by C. J. Sansom
Books from the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson

Thank you, my LibraryThing friends, for providing me with encouragement, thoughtful analysis, insight, and more book bullets than I can count over the past year! I look forward to seeing all of you in the 2022 group. Happy New Year!