Michelle's 2006 Reading Blog (Jan - June)

[Michelle]

This first post will be edited so I can keep a list of my books as I read them, and my brief thoughts.

Dean Koontz - Odd Thomas
I really enjoyed this book, kept me glued. Started strange, picked up speed, great ending. Some great ideas, some sad, touching moments. :D
Graham Masterton - Spirit
Started off promising a rather predictable ghost story, but had an interesting slant to it. Better ending than I expected too.
Child of Time
An easy read, but an interesting idea, and it holds you well.
Graham Masterton - Devil In Grey
Another good one, very graphic to start, but with an interesting turn. Believable main character.
Neil Gaiman - American Gods
Gave up on this one, just wasn't grabbing me.
Dean Koontz - Forever Odd
A good follow up, with some more interesting people and ideas from Koontz. Disappointing ending.
Graham Masterton - Famine
Half way, and I may give up. I've kept going, with a hope that it'll improve.. very predictable, does not the usual twists I now expect from Masterton.
Isaac Asimov - Caves Of Steel
Interesting glimpse into a future.. where billions of humans live without real sunshine or fresh air. There were probably lots of in depth stuff that went over my head (haha), I simply enjoyed it as a good read. :)
Kate Mosse - Labyrinth
Oh my goodness - what a great book. The two storylines were great, they combined well, and came to a great conclusion. The characters was believeable and I adored Alais, one of the 2 main characters. had me in tears three times!
JD Robb - Origin In Death
Good story from Robb, but the characters aren't as good as normal.
JD Robb - Memory In Death
Much better.. good story, but more importantly, the 'magic' is back with the characters!
Clive Barker - The Hellbound Heart
Not too impressed with this. Gory, but not scarey, superficial.
Philippa Gregory - The Other Boleyn Girl
A fantastic historical novel, well written and researched.
Laurell K. Hamilton - Guilty Pleasures
I'm afraid I gave up on this too. (I think I'm getting fussy in my old age! lol)
Peter James - Host
Enjoyable book, despite being quite long!
Stephen King - Cell
Very enjoyable book, but lacking the usual depth of character and storyline that King includes.
Nicci French - Killing Me Softly
Interesting storyline, good ending, well written.
Robin Maxwell - The Secret Diary of Annr Boleyn
Written in a very different way to The Other Boleyn Girl, but still a very enjoyable read. Builds up to a good ending.
Maggie O'Farrell - After You'd Gone
Intriguing story, very well written.
Charlaine Harris - Dead Until Dark
A better vampire book, well written, enjoyable, and a page turner.
Jim Brown - 24/7
Great page-turning thriller!
Charlaine Harris - Dead In Dallas
Another enjoyable book, really enjoying the characters.
Dean Koontz - Velocity
An interesting story, but not one of his best.
Tess Gerittsen - Gravity
Setting most of this story in space made it more interesting. Didn't work for me as a 'thriller', but I did get involved in the characters.
Charlaine Harris - Club Dead
This is an enjoyable series, and I love the characters.
Kelley Armstrong - Broken
Enjoyable, but for me, not quite as good as previous books.
Graham Masterton - Innocent Blood
A good idea, but certain points make it less believeable.
Cathy Kelly - Someone Like You
Started well, lags a little in the middle, with a nice ending.
Graham Masterton - The Hidden World
An unusual idea.. an adult fairy tale which will stay with me.
Elizabeth Kostova - The Historian
A long book, which suits long reading sessions, rather than short ones. I'm glad I stayed with it though.

[Michelle]

At the moment I'm about half way through Dean Koontz Odd Thomas.
It started off very strangely, but wanting you to continue. Now the story is building up well, and the bit at the church actually made me feel a bit scared / nervous.

Looking forward to finishing this one.. it's good to find a good Koontz one again.

[Inanna]

I found Odd Thomas, slightly odd to begin with and actually put the book away for a bit, but when I got stuck back into it, I loved it and can't wait to read 'Forever Odd' now :mrgreen:

[Leah]

God I hope I can find time to read my Dean Koontz books, you just made me remember why I like him Michelle. He's unique and pulls you in that way.

[Michelle]

Odd Thomas was great - interesting new ideas from Koontz, well written story, nice development of characters.. you really started believing in them, and feeling for them.
Started strange (so don;t give up on it!), then picked up speed well. Some creepy/scary moments, some touching, sad ones.
A great offering from Koontz this time. :D

[Kell]

Have you ever read Lightning? It's my favourite Koontz - very well thought out on the theories of time travel & paradox. I loved it!

[Michelle]

I'm not sure where to go next...

The Tooth Fairy
Velocity
Clous Atlas

:?

[Inanna]

Have you ever read Lightning? It's my favourite Koontz - very well thought out on the theories of time travel & paradox. I loved it!

Its amazing just how many people list this as their favourite Koontz book :D

Whats 'Cloud Atlas' about :?

[Michelle]

Review (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=135)
In our recent awards, it won Best Fiction (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=549) and Best Book of the Year Over-All (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=560)

[Michelle]

Well, the first few pages of Cloud Atlas didn't grab me. I'll give The Tooth Fairy a try tonight, and see if that fairs better. (I often make choices this way!)

[Inanna]

I do that too Michelle, especially if I'm in one of my finecky moods. Good luck with Tooth Fairy :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

I have to have a good one picked by tomorrow. I take Beth and her friend to football (indoors, thank goodness!) - whilst the other mummys and daddys are watching, I'm usually sat on my bum reading! :oops: :lol:

[Inanna]

What better way is there to spend a sunday morning?

Except for lazing in bed with a good book of course :wink:

[Michelle]

Yep, the bed would be more comfortable than a hard floor in a chilly health centre! :roll:

[Inanna]

LOL I don't envy you that :shock:

Hopefully the book will keep you so oblivous to everything you won't even notice where you are or what you are sitting on :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

I started Tooth Fairy, and I'll be sticking with one.
But you were right, Kell.. it is a strange book! There's a real disturbing undertone to it.

[Kell]

But you were right, Kell.. it is a strange book! There's a real disturbing undertone to it.
Isn't there, though? It has a very strange, other-worldly quality to it which is quite disconcerting. I think it may be an acquired taste, that book, but it's worth perservering with it, even if, like me, you don't quite get the point of it in the end. ;)

[Maureen]

Well, the first few pages of Cloud Atlas didn't grab me. I'll give The Tooth Fairy a try tonight, and see if that fairs better. (I often make choices this way!)

I don't think I have ever done that....if they are both new, and I start with one, I think I would continue with it first.

[Maureen]

What better way is there to spend a sunday morning?

Except for lazing in bed with a good book of course :wink:

None!

[Inanna]

Isn't there, though? It has a very strange, other-worldly quality to it which is quite disconcerting. I think it may be an acquired taste, that book, but it's worth perservering with it, even if, like me, you don't quite get the point of it in the end. ;)

I think I spent the whole book waiting for something and then thinking 'oh ok' when it finished lol

[Michelle]

I can see how it wouldn't have a particular 'point' or ending. It's just the story of some boys growing up... and it going kinda wrong!

I was wondering whether this is an 'entity', or just his imagination.. but the incident in the church at midnight mass seems to make it clear. Of course, I may change my mind as I read more!

[Freewheeling Andy]

By the way, I hope you get back to Cloud Atlas. Even if you don't like the style at the beginning, I think it's worth persevering with because the style shifts and changes.

[Michelle]

I will Andy - it's just difficult to stick with something when I have another couple of books yelling at me! But I do intend to get back to it.

[Michelle]

Tooth Fairy certainly has me hooked. The author does seem to have strange ideas about sex...

[Inanna]

He has written a few more that look quite good, if weird too :mrgreen:

[Kell]

Tooth Fairy certainly has me hooked. The author does seem to have strange ideas about sex...
It's kind of compelling, isn't it? Some of the scenes feel almost wince-worthy, but you still can't look away...

[Michelle]

What a book! You have to 'go with it' instead of trying to dissect and understand it too much. I still say that the author has issues with sex, because the way he wrote those sections was just odd.. almost as if he hated it.

Trace turned up this morning, so I guess I should move on to that one now.

[Michelle]

Decided against Trace. (Anyone want to buy it?! lol)
Have started Masterton's Spirit, and I can't decide what I think. At the moment it feels like it's all going to be a bit predictable.. I hope there's some good surprises.

[Inanna]

I enjoyed 'Spirit' was a good book IMO, I'd not read too many 'ghost' stories before and I enjoyed his style.

[Michelle]

Ok, so Spirit seems to be veering away from 'predictable', so that's good. For some reason I'm not enjoying it quite as much as I should.. I think I enjoyed all of Kelley Armstrong's books so much, and then Odd Thomas, that nothing else is quite matching up right now.. iykwim?!

[Michelle]

I ended up really enjoying Spirit.. I liked the ending being a little unpredictable too. :)

[Michelle]

I've just started 'Child of Time' by Isaac Asimov - seems very interesting so far. :)

[Michelle]

Argh.. I'm in the middle of Child of Time, Devil In Grey has become our next reading circle book, and both American Gods and Forever Odd are waiting for me at the library!! Too many books, not enough hours! lol

[Michelle]

Child in Time has gone on hold for now, which is a shame, as I was enjoying it.

Devil In Grey is good, but I'm not sure if it's just a gory horror story, or if there will be more to it.

Then I have my 2 library books to pick up! Thanks for giving me a nudge to look into my library more, Inanna, and online ordering.. looks like when the system works, I can save myself some money! :D

[Inanna]

I generally use the library to get in all the new releases that are too expensive to buy and to try out an author, if I then like that author I'll buy the books, but I find the library is great if money is tight :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

DIG is going well, but I'm not going to say much until others have had a chance to read it first.

I've just picked up American Gods and Forever Odd from the library. :)

[Michelle]

Well... I'm not sure how long I'll get to keep the library books, and American Gods is so long.. so I started Forever Odd tonight. I'm not sure if I'll read both at the same time. Plus I desperately want to keep on with Child of Time....

Too many books, not enough time... :roll:

[Kell]

You can always get them out again if you don't finish them by the due date, 'Chelle. Whenever I get to the library, I take out a huge pile & then end up taking the last one or two out again when I take the rest back - LOL!

[Michelle]

You can renew unless someone else has requested them. As Forever Odd is fairly new, there's always that chance...

[Michelle]

Unfortunately I gave up on American Gods, as it just didn't grab me.
I'm about half way through Forever Odd.. although it's a good read, it's not as good as Odd Thomas.

[Inanna]

I'm about half way through Forever Odd.. although it's a good read, it's not as good as Odd Thomas.

See I found Forever Odd easier to get into than Odd Thomas, but I found the build up of the story better in Odd Thomas :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

Yep, as a 'story', Forever Odd starts well, and keeps flowing. But, I really enjoyed getting to know the character in Odd Thomas, and how his 'gift' affects him.

[Michelle]

Forever Odd was good, but the ending disappointed this time round.. whereas with Odd Thomas, I thought the ending was really good.

Finished Child Of Time last night.. an easy book to read, but some interesting concepts, and the 2 tales are well interwoven.

[Michelle]

Have started Nicci French's Killing Me Softly - a very interesting start, and it's really holding me. I'm fascinated to find out where she's going with the story.

[Michelle]

I love my library.. now I have more authors to look out for, I've just realised there's loads there! :D

I've just picked up Famine by Graham Masterton, and Regina's Song by David and Leigh Eddings. I've read a fantast book of theirs, which I really enjoyed. This one is described as 'part mystery, ghost story and psychological thriller'.

Oh.. and I got Gothika to watch too! :mrgreen:

[Inanna]

So you'll be a library regular like me now eh?

I love the library :D

[Michelle]

I've been expecting good things of Masterton now, but Famine has me disappointed. :(

[Michelle]

I took Famine back today - disappointing stuff.

I've picked up Isaac Asimov's Caves Of Steel, as I enjoyed Child Of Time.

I saw Labyrinth on the shelf, but it was on hold for someone else. Looking on my elibrary, I'm 3 of 4 waiting for it. The ladies there also said they'd had a message through saying how popular it was.

We got chatting, and I told them about the forum, and left a little flier with one of them. They've also said it's ok to leave some leaflets there. Kell.. did you get round to making anything leaflet sized? :D

[Kell]

Not yet - I haven't been able to increase the graphic size enough without it blurring, but I could do something along the lines of what's on the homepage with the graphic size increased just a little if you fancy. :)

[Michelle]

Which graphic do you want? I can send you the books at any size, but will need to redo the lettering.

[Kell]

If you wanted to send me a larger version of the banner, I can go with that - whatever you want.

[Michelle]

I'm really enjoying Caves of Steel. :) I like the older books that are set in the future.. they always have such good ideas.

[Michelle]

ooh.. Labyrinth is ready for me to pick up at the library!!

[Kell]

ooh.. Labyrinth is ready for me to pick up at the library!!
Enjoy it - it's excellent.

if anyone's interested in buying it, Waterstones is currently offering the paperback half price, so it's only £4 - an absolute bargain!

[Michelle]

I'm tempted to go down there and pick one up (any excuse to go to Bluewater! lol) That way I don't have to worry about how thick it is, and when it needs to go back! Oh hang on.. Waterstones website is basically Amazon.. do you know if they have it in store, Kell?

I'm enjoying it so far.. I just hope that, being such a big book, it keeps up all the way through, and doesn't start dragging.

[Kell]

Well, the Waterstones in Aberdeen has plenty copies, so I'd assume that most of their branches would - do you have one near you? And I'm certain it'll be available via Amazon, though I haven't chacked how much they're charging...

[Michelle]

It's £3.99 in Amazon, but their postage is horrendous. I did look at ordering a bunch of books to go over £15 and not pay postage.. then decided I shouldn't pay out yet another £15! lol

[Michelle]

Someone (I think it was our newest member :)) pointed out that Bol have it for £3.19 plus £1 postage. So I've ordered form there, so I can take my time.. then i can keep it, swap it or sell it. :)

Btw, BOL have some good prices on some books, so they're worth a look. :)

[Michelle]

Ok, so Labyrinth should be in the post, so I can slow down on that one. That means I can finish Caves Of Steel, and maybe get the Armstrong efiction read, so I can pass it on.

[Michelle]

Oh, I've also been reading a book about Victorian life with Bethany, and one about Mummies that I grabbed for myself! lol :D

[Michelle]

Caves of Steel was good, and I'm really enjoying Labyrinth.. the characters and story are so well written. :)

[Kell]

... I'm really enjoying Labyrinth.. the characters and story are so well written. :)
I'm glad you're enjoying it. I loved this one & really hope she carries on in the same vein with future books. Not necessarily the same kind of story, but I like her style a lot.

[Michelle]

Labyrinth was great - now moving onto origin In Death

[Anonymous]

I'm glad people are liking Labrinth, I shall be getting this at some point, as the reviews and opinions on it are all good !

[Michelle]

I've just read Origin In Death, and have quite mixed feelings... at the beginning I was quite disappointed, but then Robb starts to tell quite a story. I ended up really enjoying the storyline, but the 'magic' wasn't there with the characters. Is was starting to creep back in however, and the plotline for Murder In Death looks promising, so that's coming my way now. ;)

Somewhere, at some point, I spotted The Magicians' Guild by Trudi Canavan, and decided it looked good, so I ordered it at the library. I picked it up today, so it's my next to read.

[Inanna]

I loved that triology Michelle, it was a great read :D

[Michelle]

I'm at that funny stage again, where nothing is really grabbing me. I'm not in the right frame of mind for Magicians' Guild, but I may persevere because it's a library book. I took 'Host' to football, and that was enjoyable enough. And now I have Paradise from Kell, and I want to read it along with her.

I may end up reading which ever appeals to me at the time, and see how I get on.

In addition, I've finished Savage, and am about to move on to Ascension - that one gave me a good insight into why Clay is the way he is with Jeremy. :)

[Michelle]

Well, I'm going to get Magicians Guild out again at some point. I've read Savage and Ascension, and really enjoyed them. They'll be moving onto Inanna next. :)

I ordered Memory In Death from Bol, because I was too impatient with my library (and now I know my memberships is fulfiled). It arrived today... and then I found out the library book was there! :roll: However, that means I now have a brand new copy to put on ebay - they usually sell well, and there aren't any others there atm! :mrgreen:

So that's next...

[Michelle]

I've read one chapter of Memory In Death, and I'm already thinking 'much better'! I hope it continues!

[Michelle]

Not sure why I was calling it Murder in Death, when it's Memory! :roll:

[Inanna]

LOL soooo many books, such little memory space :D

[Maureen]

I've read one chapter of Memory In Death, and I'm already thinking 'much better'! I hope it continues!

There are a lot of murders involved, and your memory was better. :D

[Michelle]

After Memory In Death I'm having a funny time settling with something..
..I've read 'The Hellbound Heart'.. it was ok, but not too impressive.
..I have a book that's been sent to me by the authors. It's aimed at 10 - 12 year olds, I believe, but she said adults seem to enjoy it too. So far I'm not convinced.. I would really like to get the opinion of a child for them, but I'm also interested to see how it develops. http://www.j-a-k.com/
..I have 'We Need To Talk About Kevin' from the library, but I'm sure the style is going to hold me.
..I started 'The Other Boleyn Girl' because it was calling to me, and I have to say, that's the one that's gripping me most!

[Michelle]

Finished The Other Boleyn Girl.
I'm very tempted by The Queens Fool now, but I have Quilty Pleasures from the library.

[jake]

Quilty Pleasures - you thinking of making a quilt then :lol:

[Michelle]

Shh... I have a headache, and it stops my brain working!

:tongue:

[Inanna]

Quilty Pleasures - you thinking of making a quilt then :lol:

ROTFL

If thats the book I think it is, then theres nothing soft and fluffy about it :D

[Michelle]

I'm not getting into Guilty Pleasures as I hoped - I feel like there's too much being thrown at me straight away, trying to work out her rules about vampires, zombies, ghouls etc.

At the same time I started The Queen's Fool, because I simply couldn't stay away... good beginning! :) I think I'm going to be the same as Kell here, and work my way through alot of hers. (Someone kick me and remind me I have a huge pile of TBR upstairs! LOL)

[Kell]

*kick* You have a HUGE pile of TBR's upstairs, Michelle! Not unlike myself - LOL! I'm just about finished TQF, so I'll be starting Blindsighted this evening. After that, I'm heading back to Philippa Gregory & reading The Virgin's Lover - I just can't wait any longer than that to get started on it. opefully by the time I'm done with that, I'll have managed to get hold of a couple more of hers. I quite fancy reading The Constant Princess.

[Inanna]

I'm not getting into Guilty Pleasures as I hoped - I feel like there's too much being thrown at me straight away, trying to work out her rules about vampires, zombies, ghouls etc.



Guilty Pleasures wasn't the best of her books, IMO they have got better with each one, I actaully started with number 7 in the series and was so blwon away with it I had to start from the beginning.
Anita certainly does take some getting used to :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

The trouble with Guilty Pleasures (for me, anyhow) is that it doesn't feel like the beginning of a series. I feel like I've jumped in in the middle.. it's not confusing as such but something is off. However, it's holding me enough to want to keep going.

And as much as I'm enjoying The Queens Fool, I found myself drawn back to Host, as it's being talked about!

Strangely enough, I'm quite happy having all 3 books going, and just pick up whichever one I feel in the mood for! :D

[Michelle]

Finished Host, gave up on Guilty Pleasures. Then picked up Cell at the library, so that's my current one. :)

[Michelle]

I finished Cell a while back, but didn't realise I hadn't written in this section! I did do a mini review.. it was an enjoyable book, but without Kings usual depth. Both good and disappointing at the same time! lol

Host was quite good - some interesting ideas, and some scenes very well written!

Nikki French's Killing Me Softly was a good story about love, lust and obsession!

Then was The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn.. a very interesting read after reading The other Boleyn Girl. My interest in British history has truly been sparked now!

Half way through After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell.. I'm not sure what made me pick this up, but I'm glad I did.. very intriguing!

[Michelle]

Just finished After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell, which I really enjoyed.. very well written, and an interesting story.

I'm also a little way into The Virgin's Lover. They really were an interesting bunch, those Tudors! lol

[Maureen]

Host was quite good - some interesting ideas, and some scenes very well written!
!

Got this from the library, after your recommendation.

[Michelle]

Dead Until dark was available at the library, so I've just finished that. Very enjoyable, and I've just requested the next one. :)

[Kell]

Our library doesn't seem to have any of the Sookie Stackhouse books at any of their branches - I'm most disappointed. i've asked time & time again, but they seem unable (or unwilling!) to help. Grrrrrr!

[Michelle]

GreenMetropolis has them, if you're desperate.

[Kell]

It does? I've got the 1st 4 - it's the nextone I'm after - Dead as a Doornail - i've not seen it there. Maybe I missed it... I'll go check.

[Michelle]

Oh, I didn't realise you wanted the last one. Sorry Kell.

[Inanna]

I'm just waiting for number 6 to be released, not long now :mrgreen:

[Michelle]

I keep picking up The Virgin's Lover inbetween books.. I'll get there eventually!
Just got 2 books from the library.. Dead in Dallas and 24/7 - the latter was recommended by Inanna in her journal, and so far it's great! Thanks!

[Inanna]

Glad you like it Michelle :D

[Michelle]

24/7 was an excellent page-turner, and Dead In Dallas was also really enjoyable.. I love the characters, and have ordered the third one in the library! :)

Now reading Velocity by Koontz, and have just picked up Gravity (Tess Gerritsen) in the library.. I need to find out about the blue gooey stuff! lol

[Michelle]

Velocity was a good story, but I don't think it was one of his best.

Gravity was also enjoyable - the space point of view made it interesting, and I got quite involved with the main characters.

I've also read Club Dead - another good one, but it's time for a little break from Sookie! hehe

[Anonymous]

Clive Barker - The Hellbound Heart
Not too impressed with this. Gory, but not scarey, superficial.

Perhaps because it was not meant to be scary but a contemporary telling of Faust. Barker's early literary work was writing for theatre and the setting of this novella, a house with few rooms, proves claustrophobic enough for a tale and also sparse enough for stage should it ever be adapted. Which, of course, it was...but for film.

I think there's an expectation on a number of books found within the horror section of stores to be scary when they are solely placed there because of the author's reputation. I don't believe Barker's work is meant to be scary; granted, the earlier stuff uses horror archetypes but Barker is more about the worlds and philosophy than sending a shiver down your spine.

[Michelle]

Once again I'm all over the place! I started Tess Gerritsen's 'Body Double', but it wasn't grabbing me. I then moved to Cathy Kelly's 'Someone Like You'. Like the 1st one I read of hers, it started quite slowly, but is picking up nicely now. I'm also reading some Edgar Allan Poe short stories.

However, 'Broken' arrived at the library for me, so I'm reading that.. and I also picked up Graham Masterton's 'Innocent Blood'. Once I pick them up from there, I like to get them read, so 'Someone Like You' may have to wait.

[Michelle]

Broken was an ejoyable read, but somehow it wasn't as good as the previous books. I'll wait for a few more people to get it, then we can share views in the Kelley Armstrong thread.

Almost done with Innocent Blood - not quite what I expect from Masterton, I'm still waiting for that unusual twist he provides, but it may not come.

[Michelle]

Finally finished Someone Like You - despite being a little slow, it starts well, and ends well, but the middle does lag a little.

With Innocent Blood I couldn't decide if I liked it or not.. it had some good factors, but also parts which made it unbelievable.

[Michelle]

Ooh, I keep forgetting this thread!

I've also read Graham Masterton's 'The Hidden World', which was an interesting idea. However, I couldn't decide if it was a childrens book that was a bit too scarey for children, or an adult's fairy tale. I think it was meant to be the latter...

I'm now in the middle of 'The Historian', which is taking me a while, and 'Dracula'. :)

[steffee]

I haven't heard of most of the books or authors mentioned here in your book list / blog, Michelle, but read Velocity (by Dean Koontz?) earlier this year, my second Koontz, and thought it tedious to get through. Finished it only because I'd bought it in hard cover, and my first Koontz, Intensity, had been quite good.

[Michelle]

Hi steffee.. as you can see, I wasn't that keen on Velocity either. Some of his I have enjoyed, such as Odd Thomas, whereas others don't impress me that much. I do wonder if he's pushing out books too fast.

[Michelle]

Finished The Historian.. a long but good read. Still reading Dracula.. interesting to see the comparisons.

Needed something a bit different, so reading some short sci-fi short stories by Greg Bear.

[Michelle]

28 books completed in the first half of the year, not too bad. :) I actually have a few that I've started and put down, and I'm hoping to get back to them soon.

Moving to a new thread for July - Dec.