After a ridiculously long unplanned absence, I’m back again with Noob’s Book Club. In Dragons of Eternity Episode 1, I give a summary of the first eight chapters of the book. After that, I discuss world building, character profiles and development, how this particular series of “requels” gets it right where others maybe didn’t. Then, I wonder some about what comes next in the book.
Overall, a solid start to the final chapter in this story. Some might call it lazy writing to lean on the old in order to sell the new. But, it makes sense because you can introduce a whole new generation of fans and show them why so many people love your books and stories. Besides, they give us another good version of time travel. And, you can’t ever go wrong with that type of story.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to The Dragons of Eternity Episode 1. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
As promised, I finished The Poppy War in record time. So focused was I on getting the series done, I forgot to use one of my favorite words, penultimate, to describe the previous episode. Nevertheless, we arrive at the end of the book with The Poppy War episode 6. One thing I can say about the book is that it’s a hell of a ride.
After the usual summary, I talk about whether someone who commit mass genocide is redeemable, decide the answer to that is no. I then move on to other topics like one way that I think war develops as a solution to society’s problems. Then, some more discussion of gods. My liked least and best follow fairly predictably before I finish with a plea to reddit to tell me if the book is good or not. Not really, but it makes sense in the context of the discussion.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to The Poppy War Episode 6. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Three episodes in one week? No problem. I just need to take a week long vacation to Cape Cod every other week. I mean, I won’t complain. However it happened, The Poppy War Episode 5 comes only a couple of days after the previous episode. And the next episode will come only a couple of days after this one. Let’s see if I keep that schedule next week when I start Dragons of Eternity.
After the summary, I talk some about sibling rivalry, the nature of leadership, and several other topics all while I reckon with the absolute horror that awaited me in chapters 20 and 21. Be warned. It’s gruesome. Even, so I find something that I like best and a reason to keep reading (other than to finish the book and series). Come back in a couple of days for the final episode!
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to The Poppy War Episode 5. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
War erupts across Nikan and Rin calls the Phoenix god. When that goes horribly awry, they assign her to work with the Cike. How will she fit in with that rag tag group of misfits and outcasts? I discuss that and more in The Poppy War Episode 4. Another slightly longer episode because of the breakdown of chapters. But, I think, a good one.
After a brief introduction and summary provided by Super Summary, I talk about how my history with theology, my opposition to war, and thoughts on why mastery is overrated. Then, I talk about what I got right (not much), give more terrible predictions, and then what I liked least and best. I try to make up for my negativity with a positive finish, but I’m not sure how I succeeded.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to The Poppy War Episode 4. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
A trip to Boston and then summer school prevented me from getting The Poppy War Episode 3 out until now. But, as always, I put together a plan to finish the book (in record time for our little show) before Dragonlance arrives in August. This episode (and the other 3) comes in at just over a half an hour, approximately 10 minutes longer than previous episodes. In order to finish the book (in that record time), I need to read 5 or 6 chapters per episode. As luck would have it, the summary breaks down into just such a sequence to help make the episodes run more smoothly.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to The Poppy War Episode 3. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
The Schedule (for the rest of the year, pending changes if necessary):
“Jurassic Park” – Finished
“The Poppy War” – July
“Dragons of Destiny” – August
“The Dragon Republic” – September
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” – Halloween Season
“The Burning God” – November
“Dune” – December
Note: The schedule may change due to only being able to update twice a week until the end of the school year.
Note: If you want to read along, find a copy at your local (or multinational conglomerate) book store to purchase and add to the conversation. Summary provided by Super Summary.
Only two episodes this week. I tried to do three, but the notes part of it just takes so long. I think what I might do going forward is just read more chapters. That way, even thought I’m only doing two episodes, I’m covering more of the book in each episode. So, The Poppy War episode 2 might be the last one that contains only two chapters. I’m thinking about bumping it up to 4 for the next one. Stay tuned.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to The Poppy War Episode 2. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
The Schedule (for the rest of the year, pending changes if necessary):
“Jurassic Park” – Finished
“The Poppy War” – July
“Dragons of Destiny” – August
“The Dragon Republic” – September
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” – Halloween Season
“The Burning God” – November
“Dune” – December
Note: The schedule may change due to only being able to update twice a week until the end of the school year.
Note: If you want to read along, find a copy at your local (or multinational conglomerate) book store to purchase and add to the conversation. Summary provided by Super Summary.
After far too long to finish Jurassic Park, we return with The Poppy War Episode 1. I feel like I’ve been talking about this book for months. Actually, I have been talking about this book for months. But, finally, I got a chance to read the first 2 (now 4 to prepare for the next one) chapters and it hooked me already. I know, I know. I still need to record the Movie Vs. for Jurassic Park. Give me time to catch up and feel prepared. Hopefully this month. Until then, this book promises to be a blast.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to The Poppy War Episode 1. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
The Schedule (for the rest of the year, pending changes if necessary):
“Jurassic Park” – Finished
“The Poppy War” – July
“Dragons of Destiny” – August
“The Dragon Republic” – September
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” – Halloween Season
“The Burning God” – November
“Dune” – December
Note: The schedule may change due to only being able to update twice a week until the end of the school year.
Note: If you want to read along, find a copy at your local (or multinational conglomerate) book store to purchase and add to the conversation. Summary provided by Super Summary.
We’re back (so soon!) with Jurassic Park Episode 16, the finale episode for the books. I still have to do the Movie Vs., but I need to figure out when that can happen. I said last time that was my favorite part of the book. I’m already changing my mind. I absolutely loved this ending. A good ending can make me forgive nearly anything and that’s why I loved this book and movie series for so long.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to Jurassic Park Episode 16. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
The Schedule (for the rest of the year, pending changes if necessary):
“Jurassic Park” – Finish by the beginning of June
“The Poppy War” – June/July
“Dragons of Destiny” – August
“The Dragon Republic” – September
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” – Halloween Season
“The Burning God” – November
“Dune” – December
Note: The schedule may change due to only being able to update twice a week until the end of the school year.
Note: If you want to read along, find a copy at your local (or multinational conglomerate) book store to purchase and add to the conversation. Summary provided by Spark Notes.
Another nearly month hiatus. As I talk about in the episode, the end of the school year wrecked me this year. I just said to Christine that I think I finally let go of my stress from the school year because I had a crazy dream last night about school. Regardless, I finished up the sixth iteration with Jurassic Park Episode 15. That means only one more and the Movie Vs. and I’m on to The Poppy War next week. Started reading it already and it starts off good.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to Jurassic Park Episode 15. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
The Schedule (for the rest of the year, pending changes if necessary):
“Jurassic Park” – Finish by the beginning of June
“The Poppy War” – June/July
“Dragons of Destiny” – August
“The Dragon Republic” – September
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” – Halloween Season
“The Burning God” – November
“Dune” – December
Note: The schedule may change due to only being able to update twice a week until the end of the school year.
Note: If you want to read along, find a copy at your local (or multinational conglomerate) book store to purchase and add to the conversation. Summary provided by Spark Notes.
Another of our patented unscheduled two week hiatuses done and I’m back with Jurassic Park Episode 14. As a result of the time off, I updated the schedule. I should still be able to get through all of the books, just at different times than expected. In this episode, I start the sixth iteration. While they tranq’d Big Rex, the velociraptors wreak havoc on the park. Dr. Grant goes out to turn the power back on and a major character in now RIP in pieces.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What did I do right? What can be improved? I want to make this work and take constructive criticism well. With no additional delay, download and listen to Jurassic Park Episode 14. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
The Schedule (for the rest of the year, pending changes if necessary):
“Jurassic Park” – Finish by the beginning of June
“The Poppy War” – June/July
“Dragons of Destiny” – August
“The Dragon Republic” – September
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” – Halloween Season
“The Burning God” – November
“Dune” – December
Note: The schedule may change due to only being able to update twice a week until the end of the school year.
Note: If you want to read along, find a copy at your local (or multinational conglomerate) book store to purchase and add to the conversation. Summary provided by Spark Notes.