66. Xenocide. Orson Scott Card. 1991. 592 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars]

First sentence: Today one of the brothers asked me: Is it a terrible prison, not to be able to move from the place where you're standing?

Xenocide is the sequel to Speaker for the Dead. (Speaker for the Dead is the sequel to Ender's Game. Ender's Game is my favorite, favorite book.) Xenocide is an intricately complex plot following the saga of characters (mainly) introduced in Speaker for the Dead. Speaker for the Dead concludes with the threat of the destruction of the planet of Lusitania. Which would mean the destruction of the pequeninos (piggies), the human colonists (including Andrew Wiggin, his wife, his stepchildren, etc.) and the Hive Queen (the Buggers). The Lusitania Fleet has been launched, and the order to destroy the planet using the M.D. Device (Little Doctor) has been given. If it wasn't for Jane, the life-force residing in the ansibles and computers, the impending doom would be absolutely, completely certain. As it is, it is only mostly certain that xenocide will occur once again. (Xenocide being genocide of an entire species. While the human colonists would lose their lives, the human race would go on in the other hundreds of worlds colonized. But xenocide is a very real threat to two alien species: the Hive Queen (and her workers, etc) and the Pequeninos.)

There are so very many characters to keep track of in Xenocide. As I mentioned, most were introduced in Speaker for the Dead. Andrew and Valentine. Andrew's wife, Novinha. Andrew's step-children: Miro, Ela, Quim, Olhado, Quaro, Grego. The piggies of utmost importance are Planter and Glass. (Not counting the fathertrees Human and Rooter, etc.) The Hive Queen of course. Jane, the character that pulls most of the book together. But there are three characters that are brand new to the story. Three people from the Chinese colony of Path: Han Fei-tzu, Han Qing-jao, and Si Wang-mu.

The plot is too intricate and complex to go into all the details. The book is all about life-and-death matters. The colonists are trying to figure out a way to kill the descolada before it destroys them. They hope that if they can destroy it, then perhaps they'll be saved as well. The Hive Queen is busy building star ships. She wants some for herself. But she's also building some for the Pequeninos. She doesn't want another alien species destroyed by human stupidity. But the humans know that while the Hive Queen may be intelligent enough to find a way to kill the descolada from tainting them and their DNA--the Piggies aren't nearly advanced enough to do so. (The descolada is essential for the Pequeninos to survive. It is linked to their DNA. It is how they procreate and continue on in the third life.)

Xenocide is an interesting novel. But one that doesn't stand on its own. It begins in the middle of things, and ends with no resolution. (Or very little resolution.) It's the middle book of a trilogy (in a way) and while it's important...crucial for the progression of the story...it isn't as satisfying in some ways as the others in the series.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

This week I read some books!


65. Westfallen. Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [MG speculative fiction, MG science fiction, MG dystopia, TIME TRAVEL, alternate history]
70. Turtle with a Toolbox. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Dudolf. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
71. Cheeky Book of Bear Butts. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
72. The Secret Life of Dog Toys. Kelly Dipucchio. Illustrated by Jennifer Harney. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]
73. Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie. Matthew Cordell. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction biography for young readers, 3 stars]

Century of Viewing #41

1950s

• 1953 It Came From Outer Space Was it new and thrilling and exciting and original in 1953? Maybe. Maybe not. It is according to wikipedia the first 3D from Universal International. A couple is stargazing when a "meteor" lands (it's rarely a meteor) and they discover an alien spaceship. But first contact may or may not go well. It was okay. Obviously I didn't watch in 3D. And so no 'fantastic sights' leapt at me.
• 1957 Beginning of the End Giant LOCUSTS threaten Chicago in this 1950s sci-fi horror movie. Is it over the top ridiculous? YES. Did I enjoy every minute of it? YES.

1960s

• 1963 X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes A little too much for me--visually. (Pun intended). It had its lighter moments--when he first discovers his ability to see through at a dance party. (He's terrible at the twist). But this scientist drama is very much into the mad scientist playing god camp. He is the only cause of all his suffering. It has vibes of Invisible Man and 57 Seconds. BUT I'm not sure any lesson was learned at all.

1990s

• 1990 Home Alone My first time watching Home Alone. Would I normally watch a Christmas movie in September? Probably not. Well, depending on the year. Some years anything goes. But it is most likely leaving Roku (it's currently free) by the end of the month. I enjoyed this one SO much more than I thought I would. Favorite scene was Kevin in church. Probably.

2000s

• 2003 Elf  I liked it more than I thought I would. Buddy the Elf learns that his father is on the naughty list...so he goes to meet the man he's never met. His adventures are many.
  

Alphabet Challenge Week #1

A
B Beginning of the End (1957)
C
D
E Elf (2003)
F
G
H Home Alone (1990)
I It Came From Outer Space (1953)
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Y
Z

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

65. Westfallen. Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [MG speculative fiction, MG science fiction, MG dystopia, TIME TRAVEL, alternate history]

First sentence: Let me ask you this: What's the worst thing you've ever done? Really think about it. Well, multiply your thing by a billion and you don't even get close. Sorry to brag. It's just...your thing? It's the Cheeto-dust thumbprint you left on the basement sofa. It's an ant's toe you stepped on. And then you said, "Sorry!" and the ant went, "No worries, mate!" Because the ant's British, I don't know. 

My thoughts (preview): Ever been HOOKED on a premise????? It doesn't happen all that often, though it does happen. This is the case with Westfallen. The premise had me at HELLO. Reading the synopsis raised my expectations immeasurably, and it did NOT, I repeat did NOT disappoint. 

Premise/plot: Six kids working together (with the best intentions)--separated by time--manage to destroy life as we know it. Shocked I was able to sum up an entire book in one sentence? Me too. 

Henry, Lukas, and Frances were at one time best, best, best friends though in recent years they've grown apart--far apart. Alice, Lawrence, and Artie are friends as well. These six friends become connected by a radio.

Alice "saves" her brother's radio from the trash. It's broken and her brother, Robbie, is gone--presumably for the war. Her two friends, Lawrence and Artie, are near by and interested in seeing if they can fix the radio.

Henry is burying his gerbil, Zeus, when he discovers a long-buried radio. His (former) friends are there for the funeral. All are interested in this buried "treasure" of sorts. 

All six kids are SHOCKED when the radio works. The two sets of friends refer to themselves as "Mars" and "Jupiter." It takes time for them to realize that the new friends they've made aren't living in the same year. Henry, Lukas and Frances are in 2023....and Alice, Lawrence, and Artie are in 1944. Both are in the same house, same street, same city. 

Will innocent casual conversation lead to the unwinding of the universe?????

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS ONE. Mostly. I will say that the CLIFF HANGER ending was while not a huge surprise a bit disappointing. If the cliff hanger leads to a book two, then YES PLEASE. If it does NOT lead to a book two then readers everywhere have been robbed. 

I loved the premise. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. This is one I could easily see myself reading again and again and again.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

In September, I read nine books. Will I read more in October? Maybe. Maybe not.

Books reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews

64. Speaker for the Dead. Orson Scott Card. 1986. 382 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, science fiction, sequel]

Books reviewed at Young Readers


68. Scaredy Squirrel. Melanie Watt. 2008. Kids Can Press. 42 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture book, emotions and feelings, animal fantasy]
69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the BIG Hungry Bear. Don and Audrey Wood. 1984. 32 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture books, animal fantasy]
70. Turtle with a Toolbox. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Dudolf. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
71. Cheeky Book of Bear Butts. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
72. The Secret Life of Dog Toys. Kelly Dipucchio. Illustrated by Jennifer Harney. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]
73. Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie. Matthew Cordell. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction biography for young readers, 3 stars]


Books reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

none

Bibles reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible


7. New American Standard Bible Reference Edition. 1971. Lockman Foundation. 1730 pages. [Source: Bought]

8. New Marked Reference Bible (KJV). God. 1983. Zondervan. 1753 pages. [Source: Bought]

Yearly Totals for 2026

Totals for 2026
Books Read in 2026	166
Pages Read in 2026	42442
January Totals
Books Read in January	21
Pages Read in January	5119
February Totals
Books read in February	24
Pages Read in February	4225
March Totals
Books read in March	18
Pages read in March	4099
April Totals
Books read in April	16
Pages read in April	6386
May Totals
Books Read in May	11
Pages read in May	4067
June Totals
Books read in June	26
Pages read in June	4767
July Totals
Books read in July	18
Pages read in July	3239
August Totals
Books read in August	23
Pages read in August	6965
September Totals
Books read in September	9
Pages read in September	4095

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

September I watched twenty-four things....but only two were five-star movies! I DID finish my Century of Viewing challenge!

My two five star movies were Beginning of the End and The Trespasser.

The four and four and half star movies I watched were:

• Leanne Season 2
• You Can’t Take It With You
• Our Dancing Daughters
• Zotz!
• Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
• Project Hail Mary
• Return to Babylon

Since I've finished the century of viewing challenge, I thought I'd share some of my favorites from each decade. If last year's century of viewing challenge focused on SILENT movies particularly silent comedies. This year's challenge I watched a good many k-drama series.

1920s:

I gave three five-stars for this decade. Metropolis. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The Trespasser.

1930s:

I gave one five-star for this decade. Modern Times.

1940s:

I gave two five-stars for this decade. Dance, Girl, Dance. Du Barry Was a Lady.

1950s:

I gave nine five-stars for this decade: Sunset Boulevard. Limelight. Call Me Madam. War of the Worlds. You Can't Run Away From It. No Time for Sergeants. 4D Man. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Incredible Shrinking Man.

1960s:

I gave three five-stars for this decade: Twilight Zone season 1. Music Man. If A Man Answers.

1970s

I gave two five-stars for this decade: Towering Inferno. The Sunshine Boys.

1980s

I gave six five-stars for this decade: Steel Magnolias. Overboard. Can't Buy Me Love. Clue. Back to the Future. Ivanhoe.

1990s

I gave twelve five-stars for this decade: What About Bob. Strictly Ballroom. Groundhog Day. Forrest Gump. While You Were Sleeping. Star Trek First Contact. You've Got Mail. Ever After. The Thirteenth Floor. Galaxy Quest. Frequency. Blast from the Past.

2000s

I gave six five-stars for this decade: Return to Me. Shrek. The Gospel of John. Bride and Prejudice. Shrek 2. Zathura.

2010s

I gave four five-stars for this decade: It's You I Like. Boss Baby. Lego Batman.

2020s

I gave five five-stars for this decade: The Moon. Strong Girl Nam-Soon. VHS Christmas Carols. Wonderfools. Teach You a Lesson.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews