I think I'm going to meet my Goodreads Reading Challenge target this year...
For those of you who don't know, the Goodreads Reading Challenge is an opportunity to dare yourself through the Goodreads site to read a certain number of books in a year. For 2020 I judged that 60 books (5 a month) would be a sufficiently ambitious goal.
Then the world went sideways.
Thanks to the lockdown, I'm progressing through my Goodreads Reading Challenge at a surprising clip. I find myself 10 books ahead of schedule. Pretty exciting and I'm looking forward to dishing out a lot more reviews than I normally would!
So here's an update of where I've been, where I'm going and the plans I have on the book review front.
Speculative fiction books read
The Women Men Don't See by James Tiptree Jr. (4-Stars)
If you've not read this, I really recommend it. Especially if you're interested in the early history of the science fiction genre. I adored this little short story, not to mention the history of the author so I'm planning on writing a review up. Look out for it soon!
Off to Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer (4-Stars)
London Underground Ghost Stories: Shiver Your Way from Station to Station by Jill Armitage (3-Stars)
Sam Hain - Occult Detective: #2 A Night in Knightsbridge by Bron James (3-Stars)
Just One Damned Thing After Another (The Chronicles of St Mary's #1) by Jodie Taylor (5-Stars)
A Symphony of Echoes (The Chronicles of St Mary's #2), by Jodie Taylor (3-Stars)
It's the old, old story. I fell head-over-heels in love with book one, it's characters and it's crazy plot. I rushed immediately into book two, only to find it a hodgepodge of story, characters completely lacking in development and frankly abusive romantic scenes. Despite that, I won't be put off. Just One Damned Thing was so good, I know Taylor must have better to come. So I'll wait until book three to do a few of this exciting series.
Bonus
I endeavour to cast a broad net, so a lot of what I've been reading falls outside the speculative fiction genre. But I can't leave without recommending Sophie Hannah's Little Face. If you're into crime, or psychological thrillers, this is absolutely your cup of tea.
She’s only been gone two hours. Her husband David was meant to be looking after their two-week-old daughter. But when Alice Fancourt walks into the nursery, her terrifying ordeal begins, for Alice insists the baby in the cot is a stranger she’s never seen before. Sophie Hannah's Little Face.
Speculative fiction books coming up
The Corpse-Rat King by Lee Battersby - The book I'm currently reading. It's... interesting. Come back next week for a review.
Something Wicked this way Comes by Ray Bradbury - Another book I'm currently reading (this one on audiobook). It's a staple in science fiction history and I'm well overdue to read it.
The Damned Busters by Matthew Hughes - Not sure what I'm letting myself in for on this one, but it looks hilarious.
God's War by Kameron Hurley - This has been on my list forever and I can't wait to get started.
Storming by K.M. Weiland - Another one which has been on my list for who knows how long.
If you have any recommendations, throw them my way! I can't guarantee when I'll get round to them, but I'm the sort who loves to collect a 'to read' pile a mile high.
Cover photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash