I’m not up to as much as last week, but I still think I’m making decent progress. Once I finish my current read it’ll be a big step forward because it’s such a chonk.
WWW Wednesday was revived and hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. The idea is to answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses.
What are you currently reading?
What have you just finished reading?
What are you going to read next?
Currently Reading
SWORD CATCHER by Cassandra Clare: I continue to buddy read this with Chris. It’s slow going. Overall I think I like it, but I feel like I barely make any progress when I read it. Something better happen by the end of the book or I doubt I’ll continue with the series. Objectively, the world building is rich and I can tell Clare spent a lot of time thinking about it. It clearly draws from a variety of European countries and Jewish culture. But it’s a tad too slow for me.
Recently Finished
ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell: This is an excellent book. I’m glad I read it via audiobook. Although it’s about Communism, the themes are very relevant to today. I might find myself a physical copy to refer back to later. Poor Boxer…I teared up at that character’s fate.
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG by Ian Fleming: I stumbled across this audiobook while looking through the classics on Libby. When I saw David Tennant is the narrator I immediately checked it out. I loved the 1968 live-action film as a kid, so it was great to read the source material. There are, of course, some changes, namely that the children’s mother is alive in the book.
THE SHADOW DANCERS OF BRIXTON HILL by Nicole Willson: This is one of the SFINCS novellas we have to read in the final round. I really liked this one. Review to come soon, but it’s a light horror novella about three young girls who can make their shadows dance independently.
Reading Next
I’m honestly not sure what I’ll read next. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll get to read OATHBREAKERS like I mentioned last week. It’s a new library book and I’m sure I won’t get to renew it. I have too many other books I need/want to get to between ARCs, SFINCS novellas, and a couple of non-obligatory reads. First I need to finish SWORD CATCHER. Afterward I might pick up ONCE WAS WILLEM by M.R. Carey.
I’m sorry that Sword Catcher isn’t quite hitting the spot for you. Things definitely do happen by the end of the book but that doesn’t really help if you don’t enjoy the journey getting to that point. I don’t think that I’ve ever read Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but a version narrated by David Tennant sounds brilliant.
The last 150-200 pages or so saved the book for me, but the ending was a bit disappointing–not a single resolution to any of the mystery, just a lot of violence. I can appreciate Clare’s world building, but wow was it bloated with all of the backstory.
I am both surprised that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was originally a book and also that it was written by the guy who wrote James Bond! Now I need to go and listen to David Tennant narrate this.
I had no idea, either, that it was written by the author of James Bond! The book seems to end in the middle of the adventure (especially compared to the film), so I need to figure out what the next book is, if it exists.
How could you not know this???
Obviously failed as a mother ☹️
I’m reading Once Was Willem now and I love it. Carey writes the best voices, and I’m loving Willem’s medieval voice.
Excellent! I ended up picking up ONYX STORM instead haha. But I’m only a few pages in, so not yet sure it’ll definitely be my next read…am also toying with reading a digital ARC or something because that pile is large.
It’s been (seemingly) eons since I read Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (but fondly remember it). Read by Tennant? I put that on hold so quickly it made my head spin… Thanks!!
Yes sir! Loved listening to David Tennant narrate it!
Ooh, the Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill sounds really interesting. Curious to know what makes it a horror even though I’m not a horror girlie, lol. 🤔 I hope your current read with Chris picks up and that you end up enjoying it more soon!
It’s not really a horror until you get to the end. And I’m not a horror girlie either, but it’s “light” enough that it didn’t bother me so much.
I really like the Shadowhunters books but I am a bit scared of Sword Catcher. Sometimes I am also super slow when reading them, so I know what you mean. Hope it picks up soon!
Sword Catcher is a commitment, whew! It definitely could’ve been 150 pages shorter, imo, but at least it picked up in the last 150-200 pages. I think I’ll read the next one, but haven’t decided yet whether to buy the matching special edition when it goes up for sale.