Welcome to Litsy!

Enjoying some reading time outside (finally) before it gets buggy out!

Just started this one today.

Blake Crouch can write a fantastic science fiction book that makes me want to read it. I enjoyed this book even through I found it at times to be on repeat. I loved the way the book started with an explosion and the main character Logan Ramsey in quarantine. I liked how his body was changing but we didn‘t know why. The back story was great but there were a part of the book I wish we could have explored more in since I love zombie stuff.

Every since I read Dark Matter, Blake Crouch is an autobuy for me. In this one you have a post-apocalyptic world ruined by the hazards of gene splicing. Logan gets his genes hacked to make him super human but starts losing his emotions and now he has to stop the spread of this upgrade 🧪

Upgrade is an action-packed and clever novel that also contains some pertinent messages and lessons about where we are headed as a society and as a planet. I really enjoyed the premise of the novel, as well as the characters. Logan is a sympathetic, likable character, and he is interesting as well. Upgrade is a fast-paced novel that kept me hooked with its twists and turns, as well as the science found throughout. Crouch has done it again!

Blake Crouch has become one of my favorite authors. Was excited to dig into this one and it didn‘t disappoint! It was a page turner and I flew through this one!

You know, I think what I like most about Blake Crouch's books that he takes super complicated scientific concepts and somehow distills them down into something that the average person can not only follow, but comprehend for the most part (😂), while at the same time not treating the reader like a total idiot. I was hooked 90% of the way through, but the ending let me down a smidge. Overall a successful #BOTM pick for a lazy Saturday! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book mail

Another SciFi thriller from Blake Crouch. This novel explores the use of genetic engineering to Upgrade humans - there‘s plenty of action and ideas. I enjoyed the audiobook and only put it down when I realized I had a chunkster to finish ASAP. I think I liked Recursion a bit more. But still highly recommend the audiobook- it‘s well read and well paced. 👍👍

My physical and audio holds came in at the same time so I ended up listening to this one. It was fine but not great. I adored Dark Matter and Recursion so maybe my expectations were too high? The narrator was good and I‘ve liked him before so I don‘t think it was just the audio. The story didn‘t feel as intricate and fleshed out as other works I‘ve read by Crouch.

Not my normal type of reading, but I enjoyed Dark Matter so went for it!

🎧 📚I really enjoyed this book. It‘s heavy on genetics so it might not be for everyone. There‘s a lot of social commentary. Otherwise, good story, good narration, not too improbable.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Look what came this morning from Goldsboro. My signed, numbered first edition of Upgrade. Yellow/orange block sprayed edges to match the author‘s name.

I like the UK cover more than the US edition underneath it. I removed the Mylar from the jacket … the glare was terrible but I love the added protection so it‘s going right back on!

Off to read Upgrade.

Another Blake Crouch book, another book that I greatly enjoyed 🙂 This one is in good keeping with “Dark Matter” and “Recursion”: suspenseful with a scientific plot and hook. Very fun!

BOOK MAIL! I listened to this audiobook after having ordered my signed edition. Blake Crouch is a must read for me. He is such an out of the box thinker, it's refreshing. I realize he's not for everyone, but I'm a fan.

#Movie2BookRecs @klou
Prompt: Lucy

Loved the latest book from Blake Crouch, Upgrade. When I was reading it, I thought about the similarities between it and the movie Lucy. Great book if you haven't read it yet.

August 2022
#bookspinbingo
#august2022

⭐️⭐️1/2
Not a bad book, it just wasn‘t for me. I was kind of bored and was happy when I finally finished it.

A taut, gripping speculative thriller. Engaging in a way only Blake Crouch can achieve — that delicate balance between page-turning and thoughtful.

I know I shouldn't complain, but why do library holds all come at the same time?! Where to start?

This book is making it very difficult to go teach a seminar 😂 so very good so far!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 . I started with Wayward Pines and haven‘t stop! What an interesting and fun author.

Upgrade is a wild ride from beginning to end. A lot of the concepts in this book and just an arms reach away from us in terms of what our further may be. Making this so near in the future it makes it all feel so probable.

If we could upgrade humans for the better would we? This is a pretty loaded questions. Read this and find out!

Though the story was entertaining, it didn't blow me away like Recursion did.

Huh.

It was okay.

I love science and I love Blake Crouch‘s books that are full of science. Logan‘s DNA has been upgraded by his geneticist mom. In the future world where genetic engineering is being controlled, Logan knows his DNA upgrade has surpassed all that has yet to be passed on in humanity. Loved this story once again by the best science writer of our time. 🧬 The last chapter after the epilogue is mind numbing.

My hold has come in and I‘m starting this audiobook- looking forward to another scifi thriller. I really enjoyed Recursion. Throwing in some flower photos. We had a cool wet spring perfect for summer flowers 🌺

Crouch can always be counted on for a propulsive SciFi thriller, and this is no exception! Always glad when he‘s in my #botm box.

Logan is an agent with the Gene Protection Agency. When he gets sent on a call, he becomes infected with a virus that begins upgrading his DNA to superhuman levels. All his senses are heightened, and his memory is perfect. Soon, the coming Gene War will tear apart his whole family and possibly the world.

“If there is a solution, it has to lie in rescuing us from our ambivalence. Our apathy.”

True words that apply to the world. Satisfying end.

"We don't have an intelligence problem. We have a compassion problem. That, more than any other single factor, is what's driving us toward extinction."

This book is a perfect blend of thriller, sci fi, dystopian and philosophy all rolled into one. I think the most unique thing about this book was the way that the battle between good and evil results in many shades of grey. Blake Crouch asks some of most important questions of our time, makes a real emotional connection between the characters and the reader, and uses smart writing to keep the pages turning.

Book and a buddy at bedtime. ❤️🐶📚🛌

Blake Crouch‘s latest science fiction thriller doesn‘t disappoint! Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#upgrade

Upgrade is fun twisty read tackling the subject of gene editing and the complicated ethics surrounding it amongst the backdrop of an intense cat and mouse game. I enjoyed this book immensely. Heavy on science but completely understandable from a layman‘s point of view and super interesting. Definitely makes one think of the upsides and downsides of tinkering with evolution. #NetGalley #Upgrade

This didn't disappoint! Great premise (I'm up for pretty much any genetics-related sci fi), lots of fun twists and action, obviously will translate really well to the big screen. I have very strong feelings about the ending - will note whether those feelings were positive or negative in a spoiler comment below in case anyone doesn't like knowing whether people loved or hated the ending (sometimes I'm the person that doesn't want to know! 😁).

I enjoy Crouch‘s writing & his latest- a #BOTM option for this month- makes for a fast-paced and exciting read! In the future, Logan Ramsey works for the GPA that prosecutes genetic crimes. His career is largely guilt-driven since his mom‘s scientific hubris caused a global food shortage. But a routine raid changes his life forever & sets him on a new path… fast-paced & engaging, this is a fun read for sure! Can‘t wait to see what he does next!

I went into this blind because Crouch is autoread for me, and I really enjoyed it! It didn‘t knock my socks like his last few books, but it was still a lot of fun.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Full review ScrappyMags.com The book is cerebral; you‘re going to need your brain and might lose some minutes (hours) Googling about genetics (fascinating!), but it‘s not so bogged down in science that it loses its thrill, and this I‘m discovering might be a Crouch trait because like Dark Matter, I was pulled in, churned and spun like a centrifuge, and spit out the other end contemplating , “What just happened?” And loved every minute!

What would be better than an entire human race upgraded to super beings? What possible bad could come of that? A lot, it would seem, if the small sample is any indication. And what of the consequences? How many dead is an acceptable number? Humans, it seems, cannot empathize on such a large scale. What, then, does one do? Nothing? This is the dilemma that is addressed in this fast paced, suspenseful novel. Dysfunctional family? Yes. 5⭐️

I really dig Crouch‘s particular brand of thrillers that make you think. Dark Matter had me pondering the multiverse, with Recursion it was time travel and now Upgrade looks at the possibilities and perils of gene editing.

I think Recursion is still my favorite, but look forward to whatever he comes up with next. The most recent #BOTM Virtual Book Tour podcast episode with Crouch was a fun listen.

More rock painting today. All this audiocrafting is paying off, I'm finally caught up with my Goodreads challenge.

#audiocrafting #rockpainting #litsycrafters

The first half of July has been as busy as the first half of June so far - my fiancé is home from work for 2 weeks, we‘ve had multiple out of town weddings to attend. I haven‘t had much time for reading, and I haven‘t even posted my June wrap up or July #BookspinBingo.

I‘m hoping that after the this weekend I‘ll be able to get back on track with reading and updates for Litsy. I am especially inspired after getting my July #BOTM box.

I admit, I finally caved. I wanted to read both these books badly, so when I saw they were both #botm options for July, I rejoined, but just for the month. I had them shipped to my mom‘s house, as it would be a shorter trip for them, and they were waiting for me when I arrived! I‘ve already started The It Girl—I‘m reading it to Mom.

Yay for new Blake Crouch! His books are always page-turners. I can't wait! 📚🎉

Now Available!! 🥳🎉📚
Blake Crouch

Book Review- https://www.boleybooks.com//upgrade/

#boleybooks #upgrade #blakecrouch #pubday #bookreview #bookbeast #bookjoy #NetGalley #bookbuds

Similar to Dark Matter & Recursion, Upgrade is a believable yet thrilling science fiction story. Taking place in a not so distant future where gene editing has become easy to accomplish but is illegal due to the dire consequences that can occur when doing so. Crouch does an excellent job mixing real science with fiction, causing the reader to really question our own knowledge and morals in a future world that may someday become our own reality.

Sorry book, it‘s me not you…I just don‘t appreciate #SciFiThrillers in print format. If this was a movie, I would have been HIGHLY amused but as a book it didn‘t land right. Towards the end I was more engaged and wanted to see how it would all play out. My biggest gripe though, was the not so subtle preaching from the author. So it‘s a light pick from me but that doesn‘t mean others will LOVE it. #ARC #NetGalley #PublishesTuesday

Making progress but I feel like the outlier- I‘m not really loving this book. It‘s definitely me as a reader not enjoying this genre #SciFiThriller - Blake Crouch creates high octane reading experiences but they‘re just so far fetched in my mind. It seems more made for the big screen 🍿Hope to finish today but honestly I don‘t have the drive to pick up my Kindle each time I set it aside.

If this was to be a film, Logan would be played by Tom Cruise. It just has that type of feel with lots of action set pieces, betrayal, double bluffs, & the plot moves at breakneck speed. You enjoy it at the time but wonder just how long you will actually remember it. 3.5🌟

Thanks to NetGalley & publisher, Pan Macmillan, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

#NetGalley

#UpNext #NetGalley #ARC #PublishesTuesday July 12th!
Lots of good buzz around the new Blake Crouch #ScienceIsCool 😎