Shin's Reading Blog 2024

[Shin]

It's been a long time! I joined this forum 15 years ago and back then I read a lot. But since then other hobbies came along and also life got in the way. I think I did try and make a comeback about 7 years ago and failed. This time I would like to get back into reading as a way to ditch the doom scrolling and the constant chatter in my head when I am not on my phone. I didn't have a smart phone 15 years ago! 

 

As I am doing various courses, I will be adding some non-fiction books to my lists too. I really hope this will be an incentive to read them. 

 

I also have some books on Audible that I thought would be handy for when I do my other hobby which is crochet. And on that note I think I have only completed one book so far this year and it was on Audible. 

 

1. Friend, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing ~ Matthew Perry (Audible) 

2. False Witness ~ Karin Slaughter (August)

3. Ugly Love ~ Colleen Hoover (August)

4. It Ends with Us ~ Colleen Hoover (September)

5. It Starts with Us ~ Colleen Hoover (October)

6. The House Across the Lake ~ Riley Sager (October)

7. The Thursday Murder Club ~ Richard Osman (October)

8. A Court of Thorns and Roses ~ Sarah J. Mass (November)

9. Roses are Red ~ James Patterson (November)

 

Currently Reading: Voilets are Blue by James Patterson 

 

Edited November 7 by Shin
Update Read List

[Shin]

TBR List

I have to admit this isn't as long as it used to be and I donated a lot of books when I wasn't reading lots but kept a few. 

I have just added a few that a bought this weekend and will need to update the list when I make note of what is on my bookshelves. 

 

Fiction

Caine, Rachel: Carpe Corpus (6)

Caine, Rachel: Fade Out (7)

Caine, Rachel: Kiss of Death (8)

Cast, P.C. and Kristin: Burned (7)

Cast, P.C. and Kristin: Hunted (5)

Cast, P.C. and Kristin: Tempted (6)

Cavanagh, Steve: The Defence (1)

Coelho, Paulo: The Alchemist

Hunter, Alice: The Serial Killer’s Wife (1)

Jewell, Lisa: The Family Remains (2)

Lee, Geneva: Filthy Rich Vampire (1)

Maas, Sarah J: A Court of Thorns and Roses (1)            

McDermid Val: Killing the Shadows

McDermid, Val: Beneath the Bleeding (5)

McFadden, Freida: The Housemaid’s Secret (2)

Patterson, James: 4^th of July (4 – Women’s Murder Club)

Patterson, James: Four Blind Mice (8)

Patterson, James: Hide & Seek

Patterson, James: I, Alex Cross (16)

Patterson, James: London Bridges (10)

Patterson, James: Mary, Mary (11)

Patterson, James: Roses are Red (6)

Patterson, James: Step on a Crack (1 – Michael Bennett)

Patterson, James: Violets are Blue (7)

Reichs, Kathy: Cross Bones (8)

Slaughter, Karen: After That Night (11)

Slaughter, Karen: Pretty Girls

Vincent, Rachel: Stray (1)

Yarrows, Rebecca: Fourth Wing (1)

 

(What number in a series it falls in and I need to check where I am in the series)

Is first in the series or a stand alone novel

 

Non Fiction 

 

Edited November 7 by Shin
Updating List

[Shin]

Wish List - Fiction (Novels) 

Edited August 5 by Shin

[Shin]

Wish List - Fiction (Series)

 

*The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman*

1. The Thursday Murder Club

2. The Man Who Died Twice

3. The Bullet That Missed

4. The Last Devil to Die

5. 

 

*A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas*

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses 

2. A Court of Mist and Fury 

3. A Court of Wings and Ruin 

4. A Court of Frost and Starlight

5. A Court of Silver Flames

 

*Alex Cross by James Patterson

1. Along Came a Spider 
2. Kiss the Girls 

3. Jack and Jill 
4. Cat & Mouse 
5. Pop Goes the Weasel 
6. Roses Are Red 
7. Violets Are Blue 
8. Four Blind Mice 
9. The Big Bad Wolf 
10. London Bridges 
11. Mary, Mary 
12. Cross aka Alex Cross
13. Double Cross 
14. Cross Country 
15. Alex Cross's Trial (with Richard DiLallo)
16. I, Alex Cross
17. Cross Fire 
18. Kill Alex Cross

19. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross 
20. Alex Cross, Run
21. Cross My Heart
22. Hope to Die
23. Cross Justice 

Action (with Brent Gargan)
24. Cross the Line
24.4. Cross Kill 
24.5. Detective Cross
25. The People Vs. Alex Cross 
26. Target: Alex Cross 
27. Criss Cross 
28. Deadly Cross 
29. Fear No Evil 
30. Triple Cross 
Cross Down (with Brendan DuBois)
31. Alex Cross Must Die
32. The House of Cross 
33. Return of the Spider 

Edited November 7 by Shin

[Shin]

Wish List - Non-Fiction Books 

Edited August 5 by Shin

[Hayley]

6 hours ago, Shin said:

It's been a long time! I joined this forum 15 years ago

Welcome back!!! 😄

 

6 hours ago, Shin said:

As I am doing various courses

Oooh that sounds exciting, what are you going to be doing first!?

 

6 hours ago, Shin said:

my other hobby which is crochet

I am determined to learn how to crochet. My friend bought a kit for me for my birthday. It’s characters from Harry Potter, but I need to work out the basics first! I’d love to see your projects. Was the hobbies thread around when you were last here? I can’t remember how long it’s been going! 
 

6 hours ago, Shin said:

The Thurday Murder Club by Richard Osman

I just finished this, it’s really good!

[Madeleine]

I've been trying to get into crochet too, a bit stop start at the moment, well more stop than start!  I also got a kit for my birthday, of a sunflower in a pot, a bit complicated for a beginner who's still trying to master double crochet! Harry Potter sounds fun but as you say you need to master the basics first, good luck.

[muggle not]

I have read 3 of your books on the list. The 2 by Karin Slaughter and The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows. I thought The Fourth Wing was really great.

 

I may try reading The Thursday Murder Club as I see that Hayley also liked it.

[poppy]

Welcome back Shin, hope you really enjoy reading more again 😊

What do you like to crochet? ( I'm a crocheter too, I mostly make blankets).

[lunababymoonchild]

If it's any help at all the first thing I learnt to crochet was an amigurumi. It was a monster and I decided that I couldn't go wrong with that. It was just one stitch, double crochet and wasn't difficult at all.

 

I haven't crocheted in ages!

[France]

12 hours ago, muggle not said:

I have read 3 of your books on the list. The 2 by Karin Slaughter and The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows. I thought The Fourth Wing was really great.

 

I may try reading The Thursday Murder Club as I see that Hayley also liked it.

I  enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club too MN!

Shin, I was absent from the form for about 12 years I think, it was s nice that it was still here when I came looking!

I've only tried one Karin Slaughter and it was so gory that I've never been able to read another but  Fourth Wing is terrific (my daughters adored it too).

[Shin]

On 8/5/2024 at 7:56 PM, Hayley said:

Welcome back!!! 😄

Thank you. 😊  I do hope to stay a bit longer since my last comeback attempt.

 

On 8/5/2024 at 7:56 PM, Hayley said:

Oooh that sounds exciting, what are you going to be doing first!?

I have my eye on a few courses but they are more holistic based.  But at the moment I am focusing on retraining in Reiki, Mindfulness & Meditation and Canine Communication. 😂

 

On 8/5/2024 at 7:56 PM, Hayley said:

I am determined to learn how to crochet. My friend bought a kit for me for my birthday. It’s characters from Harry Potter, but I need to work out the basics first! I’d love to see your projects. Was the hobbies thread around when you were last here? I can’t remember how long it’s been going! 

Oooo, that would be hard to do if you haven't done the basics of crochet. I have been crocheting for probably about 13 years now and I have to say crocheting characters would not be my favourite to do. 😂  I'm not sure if the hobby thread was around.  If it was then I might not have started crochet back then as my main hobby was reading. 😂  But I can certainly have a look and post some pics.  I did make to sell at markets too and mainly it was baby items particulary hats but unfortunately I stopped enjoying crochet because I didn't see it as a hobby any longer and then aches in my hands started too.  So I have since quit doing the markets and only making for my own pleasure when I can. 

 

On 8/5/2024 at 7:56 PM, Hayley said:

I just finished this, it’s really good!

Oh that's good. I have to admit I kept seeing it on BookTok 🙈 and thought it would be good. I'm currently reading False Witness by Karin Slaughter so will probably pick this one up next. 

[Shin]

On 8/5/2024 at 8:38 PM, Madeleine said:

I've been trying to get into crochet too, a bit stop start at the moment, well more stop than start!  I also got a kit for my birthday, of a sunflower in a pot, a bit complicated for a beginner who's still trying to master double crochet! Harry Potter sounds fun but as you say you need to master the basics first, good luck.

100% 

 

As I mentioned above I have been crocheting for about 13 years and definitely would not recommend doing a kit like that until you know the basics.  I know when I started and it was with the basics that was just difficult.  But some tips...use YouTube and learn the basic stitches.  This depends on what terminology you want to learn in...US and UK are the most popular.  I taught myself in US terminology as I didn't know there was a difference.  So that means I work single crochet, double crochet but with UK the single crochet is know as double crochet. 😂

[Shin]

On 8/5/2024 at 11:55 PM, muggle not said:

I have read 3 of your books on the list. The 2 by Karin Slaughter and The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows. I thought The Fourth Wing was really great.

I do love Karin Slaughter books.  I have read all the Grant County Series and most of the Trent series.  I think I have a few to catch up on before I read the one on my list.  I am currently reading False Witness which so far is good.  

 

I have seen The Fourth Wing on BookTok lots so seen it in Tesco and nabbed it. 😂

[Madeleine]

6 minutes ago, Shin said:

100% 

 

As I mentioned above I have been crocheting for about 13 years and definitely would not recommend doing a kit like that until you know the basics.  I know when I started and it was with the basics that was just difficult.  But some tips...use YouTube and learn the basic stitches.  This depends on what terminology you want to learn in...US and UK are the most popular.  I taught myself in US terminology as I didn't know there was a difference.  So that means I work single crochet, double crochet but with UK the single crochet is know as double crochet. 😂

Yes, I did a basic intro to crochet course at Hobbycraft, and the teacher said the same thing about using You Tube tutorials.  Would obviously use UK terminology here.

[Shin]

On 8/6/2024 at 9:19 AM, poppy said:

Welcome back Shin, hope you really enjoy reading more again 😊

What do you like to crochet? ( I'm a crocheter too, I mostly make blankets).

Thanks Poppy.  I hope so too.  😊

 

Ah a fellow crocheter so not only is your house falling down with books but it also falling down with yarn? 😂

I have to admit my bookshelves store my yarn. 🙈

 

Well I did alot of making and selling my items over the last 4 years. It was mainly hats and earwarmers especially for babies but I also did rompers, cardigans, booties and the odd blanket.  It takes me forever to do a blanket but I have a few on the go at the moment.  I think I prefer to make things that don't have too much finishing to do like buttons so you can tell I hate sewing in ends. 😂  Would love to see some of your stuff sometime. 

[Shin]

On 8/6/2024 at 11:37 AM, lunababymoonchild said:

If it's any help at all the first thing I learnt to crochet was an amigurumi. It was a monster and I decided that I couldn't go wrong with that. It was just one stitch, double crochet and wasn't difficult at all.

 

I haven't crocheted in ages!

That's fantastic.  I have to say I hate doing amigurumi.  I have did a few but my fingers get sore.  😂

[Shin]

On 8/6/2024 at 12:57 PM, France said:

I  enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club too MN!

Shin, I was absent from the form for about 12 years I think, it was s nice that it was still here when I came looking!

I've only tried one Karin Slaughter and it was so gory that I've never been able to read another but  Fourth Wing is terrific (my daughters adored it too).

Maybe we were on together France back in the day. 🤣 

Yes it is nice to know it's still here and I really hope it is an incentive for me to get my mojo back. 

I do love Karin Slaughter books.  I have read all her Grant County Series and a good bit of the Trent series and a few novels. 

What book of her did you try? 

 

Really looking forward to giving Fourth Wing a go.  I don't think I have heard a bad word about that book. 

[Shin]

5 minutes ago, Madeleine said:

Yes, I did a basic intro to crochet course at Hobbycraft, and the teacher said the same thing about using You Tube tutorials.  Would obviously use UK terminology here.

I'm UK based and use US. 😂

 

But that's because when I started watching YT tuts I didn't know there was a difference until I bought a pattern book and wonder why everything was off and so asked in a crochet UK FB group and they told me that it was UK terminology.  That's why I always mention this to anyone who is thinking of learning so they don't make the mistake I did. 😂  But now I can read both UK and US terminology patterns. 

[friendofbooks]

35 minutes ago, Shin said:

Thanks Poppy.  I hope so too.  😊

 

Ah a fellow crocheter so not only is your house falling down with books but it also falling down with yarn? 😂

I have to admit my bookshelves store my yarn. 🙈

 

Well I did alot of making and selling my items over the last 4 years. It was mainly hats and earwarmers especially for babies but I also did rompers, cardigans, booties and the odd blanket.  It takes me forever to do a blanket but I have a few on the go at the moment.  I think I prefer to make things that don't have too much finishing to do like buttons so you can tell I hate sewing in ends. 😂  Would love to see some of your stuff sometime. 

I used to crochet too for a while. I usually made little animal figures. It's a shame I stopped, they turned out really cute!

[France]

1 hour ago, Shin said:

 

Really looking forward to giving Fourth Wing a go.  I don't think I have heard a bad word about that book. 

Apart from the sex scenes - too many, far too,detailed! Everyone I know who has read the book agrees even though they loved everything else about it.

[Madeleine]

2 hours ago, Shin said:

I'm UK based and use US. 😂

 

But that's because when I started watching YT tuts I didn't know there was a difference until I bought a pattern book and wonder why everything was off and so asked in a crochet UK FB group and they told me that it was UK terminology.  That's why I always mention this to anyone who is thinking of learning so they don't make the mistake I did. 😂  But now I can read both UK and US terminology patterns. 

I have a couple of books and they give both US and UK terminology,though the sunflower pattern is more US based.

[muggle not]

4 hours ago, France said:

Apart from the sex scenes - too many, far too,detailed! Everyone I know who has read the book agrees even though they loved everything else about it.

It got that I started skipping thru the sex scenes to get back to the real story which was fantastic.

Edited August 7 by muggle not

[PYX]

19 hours ago, muggle not said:

It got that I started skipping thru the sex scenes to get back to the real story which was fantastic.

I usually skip over those kinds of scenes in books. I think they're unnecessary fluff.

[poppy]

On 8/8/2024 at 4:24 AM, Shin said:

That's fantastic.  I have to say I hate doing amigurumi.  I have did a few but my fingers get sore.  😂

 

I find them too fiddly and my hands get sore too. Really admire people who have the patience for making them 😁

 

UK/US crochet terms are confusing to start with. I read that one way of telling which was which is that if there is single crochet (sc) in the pattern it's a US one.