Mastodawn

#Reading #Books #Bookstodon #DanBrown

Jan 4

1. Deception Point - Dan Brown

Link to official author's page on the book 🔗 https://danbrown.com/books/novels/deception-point/

Link to Wikipedia page about the book 🔗
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deception_Point

After reading all 6 Robert Langdon series books in order, I wanted to read some more Dan Brown. So, I opened Deception Point...

The style is the same as the Langdon books. Mysterious, with some real info in it to make it all more credible (and creative), and slowly building to a surprising end!

Even though I had read the book several times before, it had been a while and most of the details were a little lost on me, making this read still a very exciting one.

I sometimes see this book, and Digital Fortress, mentioned with "Robert Langdon" series, and while it's a book by Dan Brown, there's nothing with Langdon's symbolism in it... 😊 But, if you love the style of the Langdon books, if you love mystery, some action, some deceit... Then you could probably enjoy this book as well! 😉

#Reading #HungerGames #SuzanneCollins

2. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Link to the official author's site 🔗 https://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Link to the Wikipedia page about the book 🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_(novel)

About the Book:
Published in 2008, The Hunger Games is a landmark of dystopian young adult literature. It is set in Panem, a post-apocalyptic North America divided into a wealthy Capitol and twelve impoverished surrounding districts.
The story follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the coal-mining District 12. When her younger sister is selected by lottery to participate in the "Hunger Games"—a televised annual death match forced upon the districts by the Capitol—Katniss volunteers to take her place. The mockingjay symbol, shown on the cover of the book, becomes a pivotal icon of hope and defiance as the narrative explores themes of survival, government control, and the ethics of entertainment.

I've loved the books since I've first read them. And I also enjoyed the movies they made, based on the books, as well. I re-read the books quite often. Last year, I started with the newest book, and then read the others again as well. This year, I am starting with the books again, in order of their publishing.

Some info on the books (and movies):

• 1. The Hunger Games (Sept 2008) - Movie: Mar 2012
• 2. Catching Fire (Sept 2009) - Movie: Nov 2013
• 3. Mockingjay (Aug 2010) - Movie: 2014/2015 (Two parts)
• 4. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Prequel, May 2020) - Movie: Nov 2023
• 5. Sunrise on the Reaping (Prequel, March 2025) - Movie: Scheduled for 2026

I've just started "Catching Fire", so that will be the 3rd book I've read, I guess, if I don't get distracted by another book...

To be continued...

Edit: forgot to add the links...

Jan 9

#Reading #Books #HungerGames #SuzanneCollins

3. Catching Fire (the Hunger Games series, book 2) - Suzanne Collins

Info about the book from WikiFandom 🔗
https://thehungergames.fandom.com/wiki/Catching_Fire

Picking up after the first book, the story follows Katniss Everdeen as she returns home to District 12. Her victory has unintentionally fueled a spark of rebellion across the oppressed districts of Panem. As the Capitol seeks to regain control, Katniss and Peeta are forced back into the spotlight for the 75th Hunger Games, a special "Quarter Quell" that changes the rules of survival forever.

For those who have only seen the movies, the books have some differences in them. Some are slight, some are bigger... I love the movies, but I also really like the books a lot. Some characters get a little more depth in the books, where (especially in the third book, Mockingjay) some characters get more attention in the movies than they had in the books (or vise versa).

The Hunger Games books are aimed at young-adults, so they don't use too much difficult words in them. They are a relaxing read, and even after reading them several times, and knowing the movies by heart, I still love to re-read them every now and then...

Some info on the books (and movies):

Onwards to Mockingjay!

Jan 12

#Reading #Books #TheHungerGames #SuzanneCollins

4. Mockingjay (the Hunger Games series, book 3) - Suzanne Collins

Link 🔗 to the Fandom wiki page about the book: https://thehungergames.fandom.com/wiki/Mockingjay

In this concluding chapter, Katniss Everdeen has survived the games twice, but the fight is far from over. She finds herself thrust into the heart of an all-out civil war between the districts and the Capitol. To win, she must decide if she is willing to truly become the "Mockingjay"—the official face of the rebellion. The story is a high-stakes exploration of the gritty reality of revolution, the power of propaganda, and the personal toll of fighting for freedom.

Although the books were aimed at young adults, I do think this one has some gory bits in it... Some deaths are just more horrid than others. Some are sad... Some aren't... 😉

The final book of the original trilogy about the Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen. After this book, two more books came out, although it took almost ten years before the 4th came, which tells the story of young Coriolanus Snow.

Some info on the books (and movies):

I've just started The Ballad... But it's a bigger one. The first three books had a bit more than 500 pages, this one has almost 800! So it will probably take me a bit longer to finish this one... According to my Kobo, I will probably need about 13½ hours to "get through" this one. 😊

Let's keep reading then....

Jan 17

#Reading #Books #JimButcher #HarryDresden

5. Storm Front (The Dresden Files 1) - Jim Butcher

Link 🔗 to the Fandom wiki page:
https://dresdenfiles.fandom.com/wiki/Storm_Front

Link 🔗 to the original author site:
https://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden

Many years ago, when bookstores were still a "thing", I always browsed the English books section. At some point, I stumbled on this book. It sounded interesting, so I bought it. And since then, I've collected a few of the books. 😊 I lent the first one to a "friend", but they ditched me, and never bothered to return my book. Anyway... Yay for ebooks. I started to re-read the Dresden Files, and in a few days, the 18th book in the series is being released: Twelve Months (Jan 20 2026).

Some info found online:
Storm Front, the book that kicked off one of the most popular urban fantasy series of the last few decades.

If you’re thinking about diving in, here is a breakdown of what to expect from the book and the world it builds.

The Story: "Storm Front"
In this first novel, we meet Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only "wizard-for-hire." Harry isn't hiding in a castle; he’s in the Yellow Pages under "Wizards," right between Window Cleaners and Women’s Apparel.

The Hook: Harry is struggling to pay his rent when the Chicago P.D. calls him in to consult on a gruesome double murder. The victims were killed using powerful black magic—their hearts literally exploded.

The Stakes: Because Harry is a wizard, he’s already under the watchful (and suspicious) eye of the "White Council," the ruling body of magic. If he can’t find the real killer, the Council might decide he’s the one responsible and execute him.

The Vibe: It feels like a classic 1940s noir detective story but set in modern-day Chicago with vampires, gangsters, and lightning bolts.

The Series: "The Dresden Files"
Jim Butcher has written 17 novels (and counting) in this series, plus several short story collections.
While it starts as a "monster-of-the-week" detective series, it eventually evolves into an epic, high-stakes saga.

The World: Magic is real, but the "normal" world chooses not to see it. Harry lives in a basement apartment, drives a beat-up Volkswagen Beetle (the "Blue Beetle"), and can’t use modern technology because his magical aura causes electronics to short-circuit.

The Supporting Cast: You’ll meet a cast of recurring characters, including Karrin Murphy (the tough-as-nails police lieutenant), Bob (a spirit of intellect who lives in a skull), and various factions of vampires and faeries.

Progression: Many fans agree that while the first two books are fun, the series truly "levels up" starting with book 3 (Grave Peril), where the world-building expands significantly and the consequences of Harry’s actions start to ripple across the entire globe.

Fun Fact: If you notice the hat on the cover, it’s a long-running joke among fans. Harry almost never wears a hat in the actual books, but the cover artists keep giving him one!

Next book in the series is: Fool Moon.

Jan 23

#Books #Reading #JimButcher #TheDresdenFiles

6. Fool Moon (the Dresden Files, book 2) - Jim Butcher

Link 🔗 to the Fandom wiki page: https://dresdenfiles.fandom.com/wiki/Fool_Moon

The second book is all about werewolves, all sorts, shapes and sizes... It was a good read, although it took me a little longer due to having less time to read, unfortunately. But, it was a good read, even though I've read it before (albeit a long time ago!).

Some info found online:

After the introduction to the world of Harry Dresden in "Storm Front", , "Fool Moon" is where things start to get a lot hairier—literally. This second installment dives deeper into the supernatural underbelly of Chicago.

The Story: "Fool Moon"
While the first book dealt with a rogue sorcerer, this novel pivots into the world of lycanthropy.

The Hook: A series of exceptionally brutal murders occurs during the full moon. The bodies are so badly mangled that the police initially suspect escaped zoo animals, but the nature of the wounds points to something much more ancient and hungry.

The Stakes: Harry is once again caught between a rock and a hard place. The police are under pressure to solve the case, a group of "Wolf-Slayers" has arrived in town looking for trouble, and Harry discovers that there isn't just one type of werewolf—there are several, and some are much harder to kill than others.

The Vibe: This book leans more into the "horror" side of urban fantasy. It’s faster-paced than the first, with a heavy emphasis on the physical danger Harry faces when his magic isn't enough to stop a 400-pound predator.

The Series: Expanding the World
Jim Butcher uses this book to show that the supernatural world is far more complex than just "wizards and monsters."

The Lore: You learn that the "Nevernever" (the spirit world) is connected to our reality and that various supernatural entities have their own laws and territories within Chicago.

Character Growth: This is where we see Harry’s relationship with the police department, specifically Lieutenant Karrin Murphy, start to experience real friction. As the "weird" cases pile up, the secrecy of the magical world becomes harder for Harry to maintain without losing the trust of his friends.

Escalation: If Storm Front proved Harry could survive a magical duel, Fool Moon proves he can survive a war. It sets the stage for the massive power shifts that define the later books in the series.

The "Hat" Update: Just like the first cover, Harry is wearing a hat here. In the text of this book, he actually spends a fair amount of time complaining about how much he dislikes wearing headwear!

Next up on the Dresden Files: Grave Peril!

Feb 1

#Reading #Books #TheDresdenFiles #JimButcher

7. Grave Peril (the Dresden Files, book 3) - Jim Butcher

🔗 to the Fandom wiki page: https://dresdenfiles.fandom.com/wiki/Grave_Peril

The third book in the Dresed Files series, which has just seen the release of book 18 on January 20 2026. I've never read them all... I have several in paperback versions, and I think I have read the first 5... 🤔 But due to brain fogs, I can't really recall... 😔 So, after I chatted with a sweet friend about the series, I converted my old epubs to kepubs, for better support, and I started reading the series again, from the start.

Most reviews I have seen in this series say that, after book 3, things changed a bit in the way the stories were being told... So, I guess I'll find out, as I start book 4, Summer Knight.

Some info found online:

The Story: "Grave Peril"
In this third installment, the world of Harry Dresden expands from urban detective work into high-stakes supernatural politics.

The Hook: The spirit world in Chicago has "gone postal". Ghosts are appearing with much more regularity than they should and are becoming increasingly violent and deadly.

The Stakes: Harry teams up with Michael Carpenter, a Knight of the Cross, to investigate a ghost haunting newborns at a hospital. Soon, Harry finds himself invited to a reception hosted by Bianca, a powerful Red Court vampire, where a simple invitation turns out to be a deadly trap.

The Vibe: This book leans more heavily into horror and high fantasy. It moves away from pure crime investigation as Harry deals with vengeful spirits and ancient vampire courts.

The Series: The Great Turning Point
Most fans and critics consider "Grave Peril" the point where the series truly begins its "epic" arc.

World Building: The story explores the "Nevernever" (the spirit world) more deeply and introduces the complex politics of different vampire courts.

Lasting Consequences: Unlike the first two books, which were largely self-contained, the events of this novel set off a massive global conflict that ripples through the rest of the 17-book series.

Expanding Cast: This book introduces Michael Carpenter, a fan-favorite character who wields a magical blade and serves as a moral anchor for Harry.

Fun Fact: This is the first cover where the "Harry’s hat" trend became a permanent fixture of the series' branding, despite Harry famously hating hats in the actual text.

Onwards with Summer Knight!

Author-ized L.J.Feb 1

@PlaystationPixy @bookstodon Heh that brings me back! My husband and I used to read the heck out of the Dresden Files and it was a lot of fun.