2017 reading list

[Jazz]

27) Reimagining the Science Department by Wayne Melville, Doug Jones and Todd Campbell    A coworker put forth the thought that we are completely unproductive from 3-4, so it has become the professional reading time.  This is the first fruit of that set aside.  Really helpful and practical book that has made me feel much better about the work I am doing now as an administrator.

28) Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl  Suggested by my counselor.  The first 100 pages of 154 are a recollection of the author's time in various concentration camps.  Incredibly moving.  The final 54 are his synopsis of logotherapy, which he is the father of.  The basic tenet is that meaning is different for each individual, but can be found via action in the world, by experiencing something or encountering someone, and our attitude towards unavoidable suffering.  Incredibly thoughtful and a good way for me as a non-religious person to center myself when struggling.

1) Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray
2) Star Wars: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller
3) Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne
4) Grunt by Mary Roach
5) Red Star Rogue by Kenneth Sewell and Clint Richmond
6) Being a Beast by Charles Foster
7) Neuromancer by William Gibson
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
9) Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke
10) The STEM Leader Guide- Practical Advice for Creating a STEM School by Hans Meeder
11) Hyperion by Dan Simmons
12) The Universe Within by Neil Shubin
13) The Sea Wolf by Jack London
13) Eaarth by Bill McKibben
14) Oil and Honey by Bill McKibben
15) Grace Without God by Katherine Ozment
16) The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
17) Harness the Sun by Philip Warburg
18) SW: Aftermath: Empire's End by Chuck Wendig
19) SW: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
20) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein
21)  The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
22) A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
23) SW: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis
24) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
25) Watchmen by Alan Moore
26) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
27) Reimagining the Science Department by Wayne Melville, Doug Jones and Todd Campbell
28) Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

[Reigns]

So I read the next three C.E.Murphy books - Thunderbird Falls, Coyote Dreams and Walking Dead.  I liked all three, with Walking Dead being my favorite.  I'd throw them a 4, 4 and 4.5.  Been waiting on the next book after those for weeks now.  It's... annoying, as that will be the first one I've not read before.  So I'm reading some Kelley Armstrong now while I wait.

* = reread

1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *

[Jazz]

29) The Princess Bride by William Goldman  If you love the movie, and have never read the book, do yourself a favor and get it sometime.  Absolutely delightful with a twin narrative of the story line and author talk.  I actually giggled out loud numerous times while reading.

1) Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray
2) Star Wars: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller
3) Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne
4) Grunt by Mary Roach
5) Red Star Rogue by Kenneth Sewell and Clint Richmond
6) Being a Beast by Charles Foster
7) Neuromancer by William Gibson
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
9) Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke
10) The STEM Leader Guide- Practical Advice for Creating a STEM School by Hans Meeder
11) Hyperion by Dan Simmons
12) The Universe Within by Neil Shubin
13) The Sea Wolf by Jack London
13) Eaarth by Bill McKibben
14) Oil and Honey by Bill McKibben
15) Grace Without God by Katherine Ozment
16) The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
17) Harness the Sun by Philip Warburg
18) SW: Aftermath: Empire's End by Chuck Wendig
19) SW: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
20) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein
21)  The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
22) A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
23) SW: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis
24) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
25) Watchmen by Alan Moore
26) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
27) Reimagining the Science Department by Wayne Melville, Doug Jones and Todd Campbell
28) Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
29) The Princess Bride by William Goldman

[Reigns]

29) The Princess Bride by William Goldman  If you love the movie, and have never read the book, do yourself a favor and get it sometime.  Absolutely delightful with a twin narrative of the story line and author talk.  I actually giggled out loud numerous times while reading.

1) Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray
2) Star Wars: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller
3) Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne
4) Grunt by Mary Roach
5) Red Star Rogue by Kenneth Sewell and Clint Richmond
6) Being a Beast by Charles Foster
7) Neuromancer by William Gibson
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
9) Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke
10) The STEM Leader Guide- Practical Advice for Creating a STEM School by Hans Meeder
11) Hyperion by Dan Simmons
12) The Universe Within by Neil Shubin
13) The Sea Wolf by Jack London
13) Eaarth by Bill McKibben
14) Oil and Honey by Bill McKibben
15) Grace Without God by Katherine Ozment
16) The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
17) Harness the Sun by Philip Warburg
18) SW: Aftermath: Empire's End by Chuck Wendig
19) SW: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
20) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein
21)  The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
22) A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
23) SW: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis
24) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
25) Watchmen by Alan Moore
26) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
27) Reimagining the Science Department by Wayne Melville, Doug Jones and Todd Campbell
28) Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
29) The Princess Bride by William Goldman

You know, I've had that book sitting there waiting for me for literally years.  I'll have to move it up in the queue.  Currently I'm in the middle of the Urban Shaman series AND reread IT AND reading an anthology.  So... yeah.

[Reigns]

While waiting for the next Urban Shaman book to arrive from the shipping limbo it had been (and still is) lost in, I read the last book in the Cainsville series, by Kelley Armstrong: Rituals.  4/5.  It was nicely written as others were, but the end felt forced.  Honestly I liked it, but was left a bit unsatisfied.  I wasn't even sure that it WAS the last book until the very last pages.  But whatever - decent series with a hurried ending. 

September

* = reread

1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *
40. Rituals, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5

[syn]

up next, the fifth season by NK Jemisin.

that book was great, tentative 5/5. it won the hugo last year, and deserved it. book 2 in the series (the obelisk gate) was also very good. i actually went out and bought book 3 (the stone sky) rather than try and get it from the library. author published these things quickly... will update my list later on.

[Reigns]

So the latest Seanan McGuire book came out - The Brightest Fell, which is an October Daye novel.  It's a whole lot of fun and also contains a novella at the end focused on a minor character, April O'Leary, who is a Dryad who lost her tree and was grafted into a dying server along with pieces of said tree before either died - making a new species.  The novella was actually even more fun than the Novel.  5/5 for sheer fun.

* = reread
1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *
40. Rituals, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
41. The Brightest Fell, by Seanan McGuire - 5/5

[Reigns]

So I finished up an Anthology called Urban enemies.  The stories therein are all told from the point of view of the bad guys in popular urban fantasy series.  Authors include such favorites of mine as Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, Sean McGuire and Carrie Vaughn. It wasn't bad. Wasn't fantastic, but a small cut above the normal anthology drivel.  I'd hand this one a 3.5.
I also FINALLY got the next book in the Urban Shaman series.  Demon Hunts, by C.E. Murphy was a lot of fun, and I'd say it was slightly more well put together than the last of her books.  This one I'd hand a 4.5, the upgrade being mostly due to increased cohesiveness of the plot. 

And now that I have that book, I can read the other 3 Urban Shaman books I've had languishing in my library for months.  I'm well into the next one already.   

* = reread
1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *
40. Rituals, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
41. The Brightest Fell, by Seanan McGuire - 5/5
42. Urban Enemies, edited by Joseph Nassise - 3.5/5
43. Demon Hunts, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5

[Reigns]

Read the next in the series - Spirit Dances, by C.E. Murphy.  Liked it as much for the same reasons - 4.5/5
Yes, that's all I have to say.  I have a headache.   

* = reread
1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *
40. Rituals, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
41. The Brightest Fell, by Seanan McGuire - 5/5
42. Urban Enemies, edited by Joseph Nassise - 3.5/5
43. Demon Hunts, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
44. Spirit Dances, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5

[Reigns]

So I've read the next couple of The Walker Papers, by C.E. Murphy.  Raven Calls was a good read that took things in some slightly new but not unexpected directions.  Another solid 4.5.  Mountain Echoes wasn't as interesting to me, for a lot of reasons.  Still good, but more predictable than I'd like.  Down to a 4 for this one.  And then there was No Dominion: A Garrison Report, which was a novella and a bunch of short stories put together to make a book.  Most of it was told from the point of view of the main character's best friend, who is also an important character in the series.  Very nice change of pace and important to fill in some of the blank spots I think.  I'll also give this a 4 although it verges on that extra .5
The very last book is up next.  We'll see how we end up.

* = reread
1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *
40. Rituals, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
41. The Brightest Fell, by Seanan McGuire - 5/5
42. Urban Enemies, edited by Joseph Nassise - 3.5/5
43. Demon Hunts, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
44. Spirit Dances, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
45. Raven Calls, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
46. Mountain Echoes, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5
47. No Dominion: A Garrison Report, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5

[Jazz]

A bunch of titles, and not sure how I feel about counting the graphic novels as stand alone books.  Meh, they're published separate, so be it.

30) Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris  Finally completed the trilogy.  Morris is a gifted writer who helps you understand the times as well as the man.  The machinations in the Republican Party that led Roosevelt to found the Bull Moose party make the current news about the Democratic primary seem like child's play.  The force that was Teddy Roosevelt is in evidence throughout, including how he wielded his influence as a former president against a sitting president whom he completely disagreed with.  The larger historical context about the run up to WWI was fascinating.  In school it was "Archduke shot, Europe in Chaos, Lusitania sunk, US to the rescue."  No mention of the fact that it was over a year between the Lusitania and US entering, the concerns over Russia flipping sides with the Bolshevik revolution, or Japan using the opportunity to land grab.  Truly magnificent series.

31) Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison by Haden Blackman
32) Vader Down by Jason Aaron and Keiron Gillen
33) Darth Vader- The Shu-Torin War by Keiron Gillen
32) The Empire, Legends Vol 1 by Various
33) Kanan, the last Padawan by Greg Weisman    Here are the graphic novels.  I had heard from a friend there was some good stuff here.  Indeed, it was entertaining as hell to see Vader's power grow.  In one scene in Vader down he is surrounded by over a thousand rebel soldiers, advised to surrender, and responds "All I am surrounded by is fear.....and dead men." as he ignites his lightsaber.  I may read some more as they are fun, fast reads, and the artwork is excellent.  I don't know that I would ever read a graphic novel when a regular version is available, but as standalones, they were a blast.

34) Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson  Another new novel, told via flashbacks to Phasma's origins.  Perhaps not the greatest of the new books, but entertaining nonetheless and helps fill in how the First Order functions.

EDIT:  35)  Caesar's Last Breath by Sam Kean    IMHO, Kean is the best popular writer on science topics.  Fantastic accounting of how gases behave, the evolution of our atmosphere, and what it means for daily living.  The title premise is that in every breath, we likely inhale a molecule or two that Caesar exhaled in his last breath.  Stunning writing, combined with attempts to make the huge numbers understandable

1) Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray
2) Star Wars: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller
3) Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne
4) Grunt by Mary Roach
5) Red Star Rogue by Kenneth Sewell and Clint Richmond
6) Being a Beast by Charles Foster
7) Neuromancer by William Gibson
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
9) Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke
10) The STEM Leader Guide- Practical Advice for Creating a STEM School by Hans Meeder
11) Hyperion by Dan Simmons
12) The Universe Within by Neil Shubin
13) The Sea Wolf by Jack London
13) Eaarth by Bill McKibben
14) Oil and Honey by Bill McKibben
15) Grace Without God by Katherine Ozment
16) The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
17) Harness the Sun by Philip Warburg
18) SW: Aftermath: Empire's End by Chuck Wendig
19) SW: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
20) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein
21)  The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
22) A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
23) SW: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis
24) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
25) Watchmen by Alan Moore
26) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
27) Reimagining the Science Department by Wayne Melville, Doug Jones and Todd Campbell
28) Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
29) The Princess Bride by William Goldman
30) Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
31) Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison by Haden Blackman
32) Vader Down by Jason Aaron and Keiron Gillen
33) Darth Vader- The Shu-Torin War by Keiron Gillen
32) The Empire, Legends Vol 1 by Various
33) Kanan, the last Padawan by Greg Weisman
34) Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson
35)  Caesar's Last Breath by Sam Kean

[Reigns]

I've spent far too much time back and forth with my mom's health issues to do a ton of reading.  But I finished The Walker Papers at least.  Shaman Rises was about what was expected.  Enjoyable but not mindblowing.  I don't mind.  I started this series literally years ago and it was nice to read the conclusion.  It was even vaguely satisfying.  4/5

* = reread
1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *
40. Rituals, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
41. The Brightest Fell, by Seanan McGuire - 5/5
42. Urban Enemies, edited by Joseph Nassise - 3.5/5
43. Demon Hunts, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
44. Spirit Dances, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
45. Raven Calls, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
46. Mountain Echoes, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5
47. No Dominion: A Garrison Report, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5
48. Shaman Rises, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5

[Jazz]

36)  Rama II by Arthur C Clarke and Gentry Lee   A second Rama spacecraft approaches.  How will Earth respond?  The book gets bogged down in the first 160 pages with character development that is later unresolved, but the last 260 flies off the page.

1) Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray
2) Star Wars: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller
3) Star Wars: Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne
4) Grunt by Mary Roach
5) Red Star Rogue by Kenneth Sewell and Clint Richmond
6) Being a Beast by Charles Foster
7) Neuromancer by William Gibson
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
9) Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke
10) The STEM Leader Guide- Practical Advice for Creating a STEM School by Hans Meeder
11) Hyperion by Dan Simmons
12) The Universe Within by Neil Shubin
13) The Sea Wolf by Jack London
13) Eaarth by Bill McKibben
14) Oil and Honey by Bill McKibben
15) Grace Without God by Katherine Ozment
16) The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
17) Harness the Sun by Philip Warburg
18) SW: Aftermath: Empire's End by Chuck Wendig
19) SW: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn
20) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein
21)  The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
22) A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
23) SW: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis
24) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
25) Watchmen by Alan Moore
26) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
27) Reimagining the Science Department by Wayne Melville, Doug Jones and Todd Campbell
28) Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
29) The Princess Bride by William Goldman
30) Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
31) Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison by Haden Blackman
32) Vader Down by Jason Aaron and Keiron Gillen
33) Darth Vader- The Shu-Torin War by Keiron Gillen
32) The Empire, Legends Vol 1 by Various
33) Kanan, the last Padawan by Greg Weisman
34) Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson
35)  Caesar's Last Breath by Sam Kean
36)  Rama II by Arthur C Clarke and Gentry Lee

[Reigns]

So here is my last update for 2017
Stories of your Life and Others, by Ted Chiang, which I give a 4 out of five.  This anthology was fantastic... at first.  Then it hit a major low point with the title story, which was what was turned into the movie Arrival, which I loved.  However, the actual story was very thin.  Fascinating, but thin.  He followed it up with some more mediocre pieces and then a few more good ones.  So in truth this is a mix of 5* and 3* stories for me.  4 seems about right. 

I didn't hit the book a week tier that I always try and get to. 

* = reread
1. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien - 5/5 *
2. Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes - 4/5
3. The Haunting of Cassie Palmer, by Vivien Alcock - 2.5/5
4. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
5. Reckoning, by Lili St. Crow - 4/5
6. Unwind, by Neal Shusterman - 3/5
7. Magic for Nothing, by Seanan McGuire - 4.5/5
8. Silence Fallen, by Patricia Briggs - 4.5/5
9. The Calling, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
10. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams - 3/5
11. Norse Mythology, by Neil Gaiman - 3.5/5
12. The Rising, by Kelly Armstrong - 4/5
13. Jhereg, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
14. Yendi, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
15. Teckla, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
16. Taltos, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
17. Phoenix, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
18. Athyra, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
19. Orca, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
20. Dragon, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5 *
21. Issola, by Steven Brust - 5/5 *
22. Dzur, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
23. Jhegaala, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
24. Iorich, by Steven Brust - 4/5 *
25. Tiassa, by Steven Brust - 3.5/5 *
26. Hawk, by Steven Brust - 4.5/5
27. The First Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3.5/5 *
28. The Second Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhagen - 3/5 *
29. The Third Book of Swords, by Fred Saberhaen - 4/5 *
30. The Martian, by Andy Weir - 5/5
31. Spooky Little Girl, by Laurie Notaro, 3.5/5
32. Down Among the Sticks and Bones, by Seanan McGuire 3.5/5
33. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire - 4/5 *
34. Etched in Bone, by Anne Bishop - 4.5/5
35. Urban Shaman, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
36. Winter Moon, by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C.E. Murphy - 3/5*
37. Thunderbird Falls, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
38. Coyote Dreams, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5 *
39. Walking Dead, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5 *
40. Rituals, by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5
41. The Brightest Fell, by Seanan McGuire - 5/5
42. Urban Enemies, edited by Joseph Nassise - 3.5/5
43. Demon Hunts, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
44. Spirit Dances, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
45. Raven Calls, by C.E. Murphy - 4.5/5
46. Mountain Echoes, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5
47. No Dominion: A Garrison Report, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5
48. Shaman Rises, by C.E. Murphy - 4/5
49. Stories of your Life and Others, by Ted Chiang - 4/5