pancake

I finished The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence (The Red Quern’s War book 3). The character growth across this trilogy really made this book satisfying, though it made the earlier books a bit rough for me. I really wasn’t a fan of the main character’s flaws early on.

Now I’m on to The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time book 12!). Only just started so no real impressions yet but I’m so excited to see how this series wraps up. It feels like I’m actually getting close to the end of this giant journey!

I finished The Liar’s Key by Mark Lawrence (Red Queen’s War book 2). It’s a fantasy-scifi blend leaning more towards fantasy, in a post-apocalytic setting. I struggled a bit at first but my enjoyment really picked up in the second half. I look forward to seeing how this trilogy will end.

I just started book 3, The Wheel of Osheim last night. I’m only a chapter in but I’m already finding it very gripping.

In between, I read Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane. This is a crime/thriller book taking place in South Boston in the 1970s. It features a significant event in Bostom’s history from that time period (busing to desegregate the city) and a fictionalized version of the crime boss Whitey Bulger. I found it considerably better than most crime fiction I’ve read and thought the themes were heavy hitting and well done. I will say I wish the author gave a little more explanation of what he pulled from real life events at the end of the book.

For bingo, I’ve now read 7 books that qualify for at least one tile (I’m not counting multiple books from the same series - which has been the majority of my reading). I don’t think I’ll fill the whole board but I think I can achieve at least a couple bingos by the end.

I blasted through Tom Lake by Ann Patchett this weekend. It was exactly what I wanted out of a “summer read”. Cozy, but with a strong plot and characters.

I’m still working on The Liar’s Key by Mark Lawrence. Only have about 100 pages left to go, but for some reason it’s just been hard to stick with it. Every time I pick it up, my mind tries to wander.

Of the ones I’ve read, Book of the Ancestor was my favorite. Hard to top assassin nuns, I guess.

I’m currently on The Liar’s Key by Mark Lawrence (book 2 of The Red Queen’s War). I’m really enjoying it though it’s not my favorite trilogy by him.

I finished The Heaven And Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. I was worried it wouldn’t stick the landing and it didn’t. A lot of the promises it set up in part 1 seemed to be forgotten. Almost like the author was working on two completely different books and decided to lump them together without editing them to match.

Now I’m about to start Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time book 11) and I’m super excited. He set so much up in the next book and I’m hoping the payoff is good.

Finished Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time book 10). It was enjoyable. Not much happened, but a lot was set up and it sounds like the next book will deliver.

Before I continue with that series, I’m reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. I’m about a third of the way through and so far it’s good. It’s the kind of story that follows it’s characters across many years, which I generally like, but something makes me worried it might not stick the landing and I can’t quite put my finger on it.

This was my favorite of his standalone novels. I found the way he explored the POV jumping to be so effective. I hope you enjoy!

Interesting! I heard some people say Crossroads was the worst of them. I’m close to halfway through this book and so far nothing has really happened. I will say though that the slog in general isn’t as bad as I was warned.

Finished Winter’s Heart by Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time book 9) and started Crossroads of Twilight (book 10). Book 9 was slow at first but really picked up in the second half. So far book 10 is starting slow too, but knowing this is the last “slog” book is helping me stay motivated.