Fortnightly Update #36: Pain is Not a Gain

I haven't been that productive with blogging since my last update, but I guess that's what happens when your insurance stops covering a medication that you've been on for roughly 3 years. I had a massive pain flare due to the sudden absence of the one med that helps with my fibromyalgia pain, and I could barely even read books because it hurt to hold anything (even my cane) in my hands. My hands still hurt, but the worst of it was from going off of the medication and enduring storm systems moving through my area without it. Now that I've been acclimatized to some of the pain I'm used to having reduced, I just hope that once my insurance goes through its game of chicken with my doctors that once I have my medication again, it won't be suddenly cut off again.

Recent Acquisitions (or the Piling of the-Piles):

the-pile Additions:

None!

the-invisible-pile Additions:

Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1) by Jim Butcher
Since I've read and liked 6 of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, I would assume I might enjoy his foray into fantasy.

Woodwalker (Woodwalker #1) by Emily B. Martin
The Kindle edition of this one seems to still be on sale for $0.99 (Amazon US)- I bought it because I'm a sucker for deals, fantasy, and books with intriguing covers.

Currently Reading:

Firstborn & Defending Elysium by Brandon Sanderson

To be honest, it's a bit boring so far (especially for Sanderson). I have read that the second story is much better, but I'll have to see for myself.

Age of Swords (The Legends of the First Empire #2) by Michael J. Sullivan

I was trying to finish the previous book first (to get started on my Sci-fi Summer Reading Challenge) but I would like to read this and have it reviewed before I embark on a buddy read I've planned in July. This is one of the few 2017 books I was excited to read.

Finished These Books:

The Fire's Stone by Tanya Huff

I thought this would be a really good book, as I love most things that Tanya Huff writes. But the ending felt like the author was compromising (in a major way) that didn't work, especially given I went into this book knowing it was supposed to have a gay romance. If the ending were different, I'd rate this much higher, because all of the characters felt very realistic. I think if this had been written in 2017 instead of 1990, it would have a very different ending.

The Alabaster Hip (The Regency Romp Trilogy #3) by Maggie Fenton

This didn't quite garner the higher ratings of the previous books in the series, but it was enjoyable. Again, with this book, I felt the ending was missing a certain something, but I did love the characters.

White Hot (Hidden Legacy #2) by Ilona Andrews

I ordered this and the next book (Wildfire) in paperback, but since I was using my own account, I have to wait until Wildfire comes out to have them. Of course, I saw a promotion on Google Play that let you have a choice of digital books for a steep discount, so I bought it there and read it online. It did not disappoint, which was a big relief for me- it feels like I'm less likely to like things this year that I usually like.

In My Life:

I haven't been doing much because of the pain and a seeming increase in my legs falling out from under me and my hands dropping things. However, my mom wants to take me on several trips this summer, so I may not be on the blog too much. My University of Utah doctor was on vacation, so I may hear the results of my test soon (and her interpretation). The tech seemed to think there was nothing amiss, but again, he was the one shocking himself by not listening to my advice on not touching the active electrodes.

Happy Reading!