Mount TBR Challenge 2023 discussion

Returning for my second year. Aiming higher but I'm going to take it a peak at a time this year. Hopefully I can continue to shrink that TBR pile a bit more during 2023.

6/6 Mt Wychproof reached 15/04/2023

Books bought in 2023: 13
*Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes: The Official Biography
*JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Part 1—Phantom Blood, Vol. 1
*First Founding
*Brutal Kunnin'
*Conquest Unbound: Stories from the Mortal Realms
*Archmage and other stories (can't find on Goodreads currently).
*Skarsnik
*Black Library Celebration 2023
*The Macharian Crusade: Angel of Fire
*Blood Noir
*The People vs. Alex Cross
*Witch Wraith
*The Elfstones of Shannara

Fran wrote: "Returning for my second year. Aiming higher but I'm going to take it a peak at a time this year. Hopefully I can continue to shrink that TBR pile a bit more during 2023."

Welcome back, Fran! And good luck!

1) The Last by Hanna Jameson
**

Started off with a book I was only 9% into at the end of last year. I felt the cover didn't match the story contained within and while it left me wanting to know about the fates of some of the characters after the story ended, it did feel very slow in places.

2) Little Black Dress by James Patterson with Emily Raymond
*

I usually enjoy the work of James Patterson but I honestly couldn't find a single positive about this story. The characters are dull and vapid, the plot is nonsensical and it really has an awful message. Avoid.

3) The Beasts of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs
***

An interesting read, you can feel how old this story is in it's use of language and certain attitudes but that doesn't stop it being an entertaining read. There is plenty of action to keep the book moving at a fair pace. The author does tend to rely on the same descriptions multiple times, for example he is constantly describing the jungles as verdure, which does become repetitive over the course of the book.

4) Nostalgia About Comics by Phil Clarke & Mike Higgs
**

With a focus on the 1940's and 1950's comics available in the UK, it's a very niche book. Had a few interesting facts but won't stick with me now it's been read.

5) Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs
****

When I first tried to read this several years back I gave up after about 20 pages. I'm glad I returned to it fresh, as this time it really clicked with me and I thoroughly enjoyed this debut Temperance Brennan novel. Being able to separate this from the Bones show this inspired helped as they are very different beasts, and the twists and turns in this kept my interest to the end.

6) Twins Of Evil by Shaun Hutson
****

This was an interesting adaption considering it was published in 2011 based on a 1971 film. Considering that time gap it does a really good job of creating a gothic ambience that is in keeping with the Hammer horror film it was based on.