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Maja from The Nocturnal Library Throws Down the Gauntlet for Flannery (aka Tackling Recommendations from Friends) 

7/25/2013

20 Comments

 
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One of the most challenging parts of book blogging, and really to having any friendships with bookish people is managing your to-be-read pile. There are quite literally thousands of books I hope to read in my lifetime and the list gets longer every day after discussions with friends, coworkers, reading reviews, seeing tweets, and reading blog posts. Maja from The Nocturnal Library has been a great friend of mine for a few years now and she has recommended so many books to me, but have I read most of them yet? No. She is certainly not the only friend who probably wants to shake some sense into me but she IS the only I am attempting to appease at the moment. How? Well, I had her compile a list of 50 books she would like me to give a go and we'll see how many I finish in the next few weeks. My personal goal is at least 5 but I am being kind of beastly in how fast I am plowing through audios lately so we'll see if I can do more.

Maja is posting her list at the same time as this post so you can read her challenge post here. She has broken down her recommendations into genres with an emphasis on urban fantasy because I asked her to include a lot of them since I am woefully under-read in that area and she is an expert. She has no idea what my plan of attack is, but she does know that I got a head start.
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There are several series that many of my blogger and reader buddies are obsessed with, and the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews and the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones are definitely high up on the list. I had heard good things about the audio format for both so I picked them both up at the library and guess what? I finished both book ones already this past week. KA-POW! I am already at 2 out of 50. In case you didn't go read Maja's post but are curious about her list, you can also find all her picks on a Goodreads shelf. Other UF series I am definitely going to try are Downside Ghosts and Arcadia Bell, and I am planning to keep going with both Kate and Charley...though I am a bit sad that future installments won't count towards my 50 books.
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One of Maja's favorite authors is Ann Aguirre and I get embarrassed every time we have a conversation about Aguirre and I have to pretend I know what is going on, since I have only ever read Grimspace, the first in her Sirantha Jax series. I want to finish that series but they aren't on my list, so I am keen to read both Bronze Gods (which the lovely Maja sent me a copy of) and Perdition, which sounds AMAZING. Seriously, go read the blurb. Actually, here it is:

WELCOME TO HELL

The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.

Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.

Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…


I know, right?

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Obviously I am not sure what I will actually get through, but I have to admit that I am most curious about the books that Maja gave 5 stars to. I am notoriously stingy with my 5-star ratings and I am always peeking through people's shelves to see what they've deemed worthy of that top spot. What did they see as basically flawless or have such an emotional attachment to as to rate it so highly? Maja 5-starred 12 of her 50 recommendations, but the ones I am most interested in checking out are The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell, Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee, As If I Am Not There by Slavenka Drakulić, Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree by Santo Montefiore, and Betty Blue by Philippe Djian. A few of these are on her "made-me-cry" shelf and I am morbidly always interested in books that made people cry since it is such a rare occurrence for me. Will I have the same reaction?

All this could change, but for now, this is where my brain thinks I am going to go. Did you go check out Maja's list? What do you think I should go with? Even just the two I've already knocked out already make me feel better about our friendship. I want to read everything my friends think is amazing and/or that they think I might like. It makes me happy that Maja took the time to compile a group of recommendations so I could read a bunch of them and then pat myself on the back. Hooray for bookish friendships and the amazing book recommendations that result from them!
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20 Comments
Daena
7/25/2013 05:59:32 pm

Book club has read (or is reading) 8 of those titles. I have 3 of them is you want a paper or ebook copy. Halfway to the Grave audio grated on my nerves; found it easier to read.

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Flannery (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:31:47 pm

Yeah,I meant to keep up with the Night Huntress ones. I know I've started that book once or twice in the past but it never stuck. My plan WAS to go for Gameboard of the Gods for book club this month, since it is one of the picks. I might still be able to swing it for next Friday. Thanks for the offer for the books--I think KCLS should have them all.

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Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
7/25/2013 06:50:21 pm

Ohh, Betty Blue! I've been meaning to reread it for a while now, but I'm (irrationally) afraid I won't like it as much the second time and I don't want to ruin it. That, Disgrace and As If I'm not There are all very depressing, so keep that in mind, okay? But they're all books that stay with you forever.

I'm glad you'll be giving Cady Bell a chance. That series (like most UF series) only gets better with each new book. The third was a clean five-star read for me, and I love that it has a whole young family in the center of it, not just the heroine.

Perdition, as you know, is the Jax series spin-off, but they're very loosely connected. The only important thing that Jax readers know and you don't is that Jael is no ordinary human. He was created in a lab and genetically altered. He was present briefly in the third Jax book and they left him on Ithiss-tor (bug planet) in prison. Perdion happens decades later.

You never told me what you thought of Charley. And I can't wait to see what you'll pick next.

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Flannery (the Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:33:38 pm

I really liked Charley--and I REALLY liked the narrator. I have #2 at the library to pick up and I am currently about halfway through Kate #2. I am also really enjoying Perdition; I'm about 1/3 through that but reading in small chunks. Will have more time for non-audiobooks next week.

I like the depressing books! :)

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Regina link
7/30/2013 03:01:54 am

I wasn't aware it was a Jax spinoff! I wanted to read it, but now I NEED to read it.

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Jasprit link
7/25/2013 08:50:57 pm

This is a great challenge ladies! I've always been meaning to read more urban fantasy books, so this is the perfect chance for you to do so! I really hope you read either The Diviners or Out of the Easy, as I loved both. I also need to pick up Bruised I have heard fantastic things! Good luck Flann! :)

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Flannery (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:34:47 pm

I think I will get Out of the Easy done but UGH, The Diviners is such a brick of a book. Just seeing it makes me want to run the other direction. I also want to check out Bruised and have it on my shelf.

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Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings link
7/26/2013 12:00:06 am

Good luck, Flann! Maja has a hefty list for you but I have a feeling you'll enjoy the titles and you can't go wrong with Ilona Andrews or Ann Aguirre, as Maja herself has taught me! :) I can't wait to see what you think of these!

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Flannery (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:36:22 pm

Kate Daniels is basically my #1 list item. So many of you guys read that series and I feel like I need to be in the loop. I'm about halfway done with #2 and have 3,4, and 5 to pick up at the library. I'm driving down to Oregon on Sunday night so I have a feeling I'll be able to knock out two more. Oo la la!

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Heidi link
7/26/2013 03:15:44 am

I can't believe I haven't been over here in so long, shame on me! I applaud you Flannery for letting Maja challenge you. She has quite the list. I can't wait to see what you pick. I know Maja is always after me to read more Ann Aguiree, I have read the whole Razorland trilogy and I read Bronze Gods but I know I could read more. I hope you check out Sanctum that is an awesome book! So happy to hear you loved Charley as well.

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Flannery (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:38:07 pm

I have been an absolute nightmare about commenting for the past few months so no need to feel bad:) Sooner or later, Maja will get ALL THE PEOPLE to read Ann's books, I think. I've heard so many great things about Sanctum as well--I'm not completely sold that it will be for me but you're right that I should give it a shot.

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Bonnie link
7/26/2013 03:41:07 am

Oooh how fun! And definitely a really good list of books. Tons that I think I need to add to my shelves too. :) I see you're reading Charlie... hope you're having fun.

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Flannery (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:39:30 pm

I definitely am having fun. I think I will just get addicted to listening to several series and then I keep going with the audiobooks like I do with my other audio series addiction--In Death, as you know;-)

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Tatiana (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 05:54:04 am

I vote "Queen of Attolia" and "Unholy Ghosts." I am sure Catie will agree with me:)

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Flannery (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:41:46 pm

*sigh* I KNOW that Downside Ghosts is in my Top 10 for here because it is one of the only UF series that you and C love. I am very curious what makes it stand apart from everything else that is out there. I think I need to reread King's Thief. (Queen's Thief?) I 3-starred it but I remember being crabby when I read it. Maybe I'd like it more the second time around before moving on to #2.

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April Books & Wine link
7/26/2013 10:25:36 am

Heck yessss Queen Of Attolia and Kate Daniels!

ALSO.

I liked The Reapers Are The Angels AND it is a very quick read!

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Flannery (The Readventurer) link
7/26/2013 04:44:05 pm

That one is on my list because everyone I've seen who has read it has really liked it and I don't think too many people have read it to begin with. Maja is passionate about that one and it always seems to pop up on her favorites list. Frankly, I don't think she realized that she forgot to include Blackout on my list (Newsflesh, #3). She is probably kicking herself for forgetting it. (My mind jump there was about the zombies and her favorite zombie books:))

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Rachel link
7/27/2013 05:57:08 am

What a great idea you and Maja have! I'm thrilled you "read" Magic Bites and First Grave. I listened to both on audio as well and both were really good. I think I liked the narration for Magic Bites a little more than FG, but she does nail Charley's sarcastic humor! Lorelei also narrates Moon Called, the 1st in the Mercy Thompson series. I think that was on your list from Maja. I looked at it earlier today. Good luck with your challenge, Flann! :)

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Maggie, Young Adult Anonymous link
9/3/2013 03:42:35 pm

I love Maja recs. WHY DIDN'T YOU ANSWER MY EMAIL ABOUT KATE DANIELS???? I could've gotten you an autographed copy -- although they sold out of most of the books. I'm rereading the Mercy Thompson books on audio and I love the narrator. I've been meaning to read Darynda Jones since I saw Maja's reviews, so maybe I'll try that one on audio. READ KATE.

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