Hey John! About The Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince, it is in fact in prequel novella. You can read it pretty much whenever you want but I recommend to read it before starting the Tawny Man trilogy, which comes after Liveship Traders and is the 3rd trilogy in the overarching Realm of the Elderlings. Hope that helps!
I went to Dragon Con in Atlanta over the weekend and got to meet John Scalzi, Richard Kadrey and Jim Butcher! You need to come down to Dragon Con some time. It is an absolute blast!
Hey John, I’m glad you got the correct cover from Blackwells. That was me that reached out about it. Kind of got a shout out. Lol. I agree with you and Jakob that the UK covers are way better than the US covers. I took your recommendation as well and got my dragon head ordered. Once it’s delivered, I’ll send you a photo.
What a haul! I just finished up The Mercy of Gods today and im more positive on it than others. Im a huge fan of the expanse and I think a lot of people just wanted more of that and Mercy of Gods is something very different.
If I thought you two were adorable when living together, seeing the banter with you apart is even cuter. Love it. You're reminding me that I should start reading Service Model this month.... :D
Excellent haul you got here John! Its nice to see you pick up Cage of Souls. It was my first Tchaikovsky and I enjoyed it very much so I'm looking forward to what you think of it. Also, kudos on getting on the TBB list! That Greenbone Saga is looking beautiful. I'd love to own some Broken Binding books but I've hoping they do a certain series first haha
@@marianneguevara8279 thanks so much. I was so happy to finally get off the BB waitlist. Awesome to hear that about Cage of Souls. I loved Service Model and look forward to getting back to him.
Er, totally agree about the amount of books. Just the right amount, especially when you have somewhere to put them. I simply have to use the library because I am living in emergency accommodation and there is nowhere to put them. I can only have bookshelf envy. All mine are packed. 😢
Great haul! I think you're gonna like The Book of Elsewhere. It's gotten a bit of a mixed reception but I absolutely love what it did with its form, themes, and ideas. A really phenomenal meditation on how art makes us and how stories are told. I haven't read the BRZRKR comics myself but the book was very easy to dive into without any context from the comics. As for Andy Davidson, I haven't read the one you got but I read his book The Boatman's Daughter and I was not a fan but maybe he's improved 😂
That's a lot of books there uncle. I have two books from Andy Davidson, The Boatman's Daughter and In The Valley of The Sun, which I'm planning to read as part of my spoopathon reading marathon during October where I pig out on horror. I also hope you enjoy Joe's books. I've read the first two books and they're quite good. Keep up the good work boys!
Oooh John, you are about to discover a new fave author with JCM Berne, I just know it! Partial Function is indeed a standalone right now, but it leaves room open for sequels if he ever wants to write them (which I am desperate for!!) And love to see The Genesis of Change here, Livia is incredible. If you look on the back of the novella, you'll see my blurb ;) Hope you can squeeze it in soon, I think it is actually something that Mrs. Talking Story might love as well ;) Oh and I suspect some other commenters might have told you so already, but I would personally recommend the Hobb novella between Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogy, because the lore in the novella ties most heavily into Tawny Man! Couldn't agree more on the Greenbone editions btw, idk why people got so salty over them, I love how they look! Enjoy all your beautiful new books 🔥
@@Lycan3303 usually don’t do links till I have read and am recommending but you are right to draw attention especially to the indie authors we will add them going forward. Thanks for the great feedback!
What a haul! So glad you are enjoying the Realm of the Elderlings & I say that because I am confident you’ll read them all. It is still top of my list for a re-read.
FEWER BOOKS?!? Oh the insult!😱 I'm with you with the bookhaul this month. Soon the big book fair is going off and I'm already planning on what to buy! 😁
Hey John, have you read The Will of the Many by James Islington yet? I'm only half way in and it's amazing I highly recommend it. Also do you have a GoodReads account we can follow?
@@dayman360 I have not read I do have it and am looking forward to it. My Goodreads is under John Minton. I don’t do reviews or anything I use it just to keep track of what I have read but feel free to give it a follow if you would like.
Reminds me of my wife when she asks for a "sip" of my drink 😂 Now stay tuned for the next episode where John and Jakob "Wildman/Sweetman" Minton send publishers boxes of Outshine bars in exchange for early copies from their (ok, John's) favorite authors ;)
Congrats on joining broken binding, can’t wait for the Dragonbone Chair editions! Also love the energy here, a bit unhinged, but I love it. But what were you drinking, was it Everclear in that bottle? 🤔🤣
I love how pulp-noir Sandman Slim is! So glad you are enjoying it! Also, you are so darn lucky to be getting all those amazing books! But you are getting to hit the same problem all of us, bookaholics have - too many books and not enough time!!! I have been searching for a space-time wizard to create a time bubble/pocket universe for me to deal with this issue. Happen to know anyone?😊
I am just now finishing up Liveship Traders and Robin Hobb is so awesome! Some of her chapters can drag, but then the next is pure bliss. Her first paragraph of Assassins Apprentice is one of my favorites that I go back and reread often. Forget "Call me Ishmael."
Congrats on your invite from The Broken Binding! I had an invite for Sci Fi and just got a tier 2 fantasy this weekend! Was soo excited! Congrats on 8k too! Getting pretty close to that 10k I predicted ;)
I would second 2 a month for indie reads. You've got all of the SPFBO, SPSFC, and SFINCS (just going with the ones who make it into the final tiers is a lot) contests going on each year on top of those fantastic indie books from these clever and conventionally handsome indie authors who send you their books. JCM would probably be a good person to get on for an interview once you get to his stuff as well. He's a funny guy and I'm sure would be a great convo.
I enjoyed Hollow Kind! Andy Davidson feels like a mashup of Guillermo del Toro with his supernatural/fantasy and H.P. Lovecraft with his slimy, slithery, eerie imagery. In fact, it's the imagery and atmosphere I think Andy does best.
I ordered malazan books of the fallen 1-3. The shipping pain is real! Then if you use a credit card at least visa you get an 8 dollar foreign transaction fee. I hope they expand and put a United States office somewhere lol. Praying the wife isn't home when they get delivered. If she sees that I'll be paying for a nice dinner as well! Lol
Hey, so Broken Binding is an independent company. It's not connected to any publisher, but they work with just about every publisher out there, be it Gollancz, Orbit, Angry Robot etc. Ohhhh, and you're another Hap and Leonard fan. Me too.
The choice of words in this video! "I can slide these in, so I can get a taste." "Makes me want to dig my teeth into it." "Some amazing stiff competition." 😂 jokes aside I love you guys! Great video and I do believe I second 2 indie reads a month! Also if you want to start that fantasy romance sometime soon I am down to read along!
@Talking_Story I'd say that can be accurate! I just like sharing my reading experiences with others. Definitely not dependent on genre. I'd read just about anything with anyone but i know romantasy isn't your usual, so possibly having someone to talk to about it might be fun!
Have you read Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon? The brothers Gwynne just reviewed it and given your theater background I think it'll be right up your alley. It's a quick read and for me wasn't in 5 star territory but quite good.
The paper is going suprisingly well. The sources that support supporting others and community involvement are manifold. I'll play around and see if there are other angles to come at this, but the social sciences are going to be the most straightforward. I can give my self a decorate title on this thing lol, but I was leaning towards Research Fellow, then we'll have to reach out to people with PhDs to "peer review" the paper.
This month, I kept telling myself I didn’t need anymore books, then seeing deals I couldn’t walk away from. I think I ended up getting like 30 books 😂😂
Nope, youre not allowed to start the new series of james sa corey without going through expanse first lol. And i cant wait to hear your assessments on all these where you expand my unfathomable tbr.
Hey John! About The Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince, it is in fact in prequel novella. You can read it pretty much whenever you want but I recommend to read it before starting the Tawny Man trilogy, which comes after Liveship Traders and is the 3rd trilogy in the overarching Realm of the Elderlings. Hope that helps!
Oh thanks for that yes it helps a lot.
I read Piebald Prince right after the 3rd book, Assassin’s Quest. You will finish it in one sitting.
@@heidi6281 I bet I will
Jumping in to agree - although it can be read at any time and is short and very high quality - best place is right before Tawny Man (after Liveship)
@@Corlwow thanks. I am gonna write that down so I don’t forget to slot it in there.
I went to Dragon Con in Atlanta over the weekend and got to meet John Scalzi, Richard Kadrey and Jim Butcher! You need to come down to Dragon Con some time. It is an absolute blast!
@@mangoman1616 I hope to go next year!
Great haul! I do love those Fonda Lee sprayed edges, probably the best I've seen :)
@@unlimitedreads sooooo cool!
Such a huge haul! 🤯And you got my book! Hope you enjoy it!
@@liviajelliot thanks so much for sending it my way and sharing your work with me. So special!
Hey John, I’m glad you got the correct cover from Blackwells. That was me that reached out about it. Kind of got a shout out. Lol. I agree with you and Jakob that the UK covers are way better than the US covers.
I took your recommendation as well and got my dragon head ordered. Once it’s delivered, I’ll send you a photo.
Would love to see a pic. So sorry I could not come up with your name Tyson. 😀
@@Talking_Story no problem at all. My name is flipped. Wes is my first name. I’m glad you got your book.
@@WesTyson Wes I really appreciate the heads up on that amazing deal.
AMAZING book haul! I know 100% you will love Hybrid Helix and buckle up for The Heroes... so good!
@@BrianBell7 thanks so much brother!
Thanks Brian!
What a haul! I just finished up The Mercy of Gods today and im more positive on it than others. Im a huge fan of the expanse and I think a lot of people just wanted more of that and Mercy of Gods is something very different.
@@TomOrange very different can be good. I always question an artist that wants to do the same thing over and over.
The Genesis of Change is a great little philosophical read! And Livia is quite the lovely person.
@@calumlott I think I can get to it quickly cause it is not a chonker.
If I thought you two were adorable when living together, seeing the banter with you apart is even cuter. Love it. You're reminding me that I should start reading Service Model this month.... :D
I really loved it!
Great haul, glad you got The Heroes version to match up! I can't wait for you to read that one and experience peak First Law 😂
I am excited to get back
I love how humorously self-deprecating you both are 🤣
@@nikk345 thanks so much you are very kind.
They're never enough books!! 😭😂
very very wise words there!
Excellent haul you got here John! Its nice to see you pick up Cage of Souls. It was my first Tchaikovsky and I enjoyed it very much so I'm looking forward to what you think of it. Also, kudos on getting on the TBB list! That Greenbone Saga is looking beautiful. I'd love to own some Broken Binding books but I've hoping they do a certain series first haha
@@marianneguevara8279 thanks so much. I was so happy to finally get off the BB waitlist. Awesome to hear that about Cage of Souls. I loved Service Model and look forward to getting back to him.
Er, totally agree about the amount of books. Just the right amount, especially when you have somewhere to put them. I simply have to use the library because I am living in emergency accommodation and there is nowhere to put them. I can only have bookshelf envy. All mine are packed. 😢
Libraries are so great for those moments though. So glad you have a good 1 to use!
What a great haul! I hope you enjoy The Justice of Kings and the sequels. I absolutely loved the series when I read it earlier this year.
Thanks for that. I am looking forward to it!
Great haul! I think you're gonna like The Book of Elsewhere. It's gotten a bit of a mixed reception but I absolutely love what it did with its form, themes, and ideas. A really phenomenal meditation on how art makes us and how stories are told. I haven't read the BRZRKR comics myself but the book was very easy to dive into without any context from the comics.
As for Andy Davidson, I haven't read the one you got but I read his book The Boatman's Daughter and I was not a fan but maybe he's improved 😂
@@TheWorldWithintheWord I will let you know what I think. Great info on Elsewhere thanks so much for that. Sounds great!
That's a lot of books there uncle.
I have two books from Andy Davidson, The Boatman's Daughter and In The Valley of The Sun, which I'm planning to read as part of my spoopathon reading marathon during October where I pig out on horror. I also hope you enjoy Joe's books. I've read the first two books and they're quite good.
Keep up the good work boys!
@@someokiedude9549 thanks nephew. I am sure Mr Berne’s book are gonna be great!
Oooh John, you are about to discover a new fave author with JCM Berne, I just know it! Partial Function is indeed a standalone right now, but it leaves room open for sequels if he ever wants to write them (which I am desperate for!!)
And love to see The Genesis of Change here, Livia is incredible. If you look on the back of the novella, you'll see my blurb ;) Hope you can squeeze it in soon, I think it is actually something that Mrs. Talking Story might love as well ;)
Oh and I suspect some other commenters might have told you so already, but I would personally recommend the Hobb novella between Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogy, because the lore in the novella ties most heavily into Tawny Man!
Couldn't agree more on the Greenbone editions btw, idk why people got so salty over them, I love how they look! Enjoy all your beautiful new books 🔥
I think you will be absolutely right about my love for JCM. Awesome to hear about the blurb I will go look for that right away!
amazon links for all the books would be great
@@Lycan3303 usually don’t do links till I have read and am recommending but you are right to draw attention especially to the indie authors we will add them going forward. Thanks for the great feedback!
So envious of that stack 😍
It is a great stack😀
Augustus is an absolute masterpiece
That is what I hear. Look forward to getting into it!
Also... that's some high quality H2O! Lol.
@@N.A.Summur the highest quality. Straight from the bestest waterboy😂
What a haul! So glad you are enjoying the Realm of the Elderlings & I say that because I am confident you’ll read them all. It is still top of my list for a re-read.
I am pretty positive I will get to them all
Totally understand all those books. Especially on your birthday month!
@@N.A.Summur actually that was months ago before my birthday. I am just lucky to have a job that gives out bonuses in the way of gift cards 😀
FEWER BOOKS?!? Oh the insult!😱 I'm with you with the bookhaul this month. Soon the big book fair is going off and I'm already planning on what to buy! 😁
Book Fair! Yes amazing!
So many great books! Absolutely love this Jade City editions, I definitely need to start that series
@@SpacedOutWizard me too!
@@SpacedOutWizard maybe we could time it for a buddy read!
@@Talking_Story I’d definitely be keen for that!
@@SpacedOutWizard awesome!
Hey John, have you read The Will of the Many by James Islington yet? I'm only half way in and it's amazing I highly recommend it.
Also do you have a GoodReads account we can follow?
@@dayman360 I have not read I do have it and am looking forward to it. My Goodreads is under John Minton. I don’t do reviews or anything I use it just to keep track of what I have read but feel free to give it a follow if you would like.
I love the enthusiasm and positivity! Congrats on the Broken Binding sub! I'm hopeful I get in some day
@@larrybdarts I hope you get in very soon my friend.
Awesome haul! I would agree the perfect amount 😎
@@Aaron.Winkler thanks my friend!
Reminds me of my wife when she asks for a "sip" of my drink 😂 Now stay tuned for the next episode where John and Jakob "Wildman/Sweetman" Minton send publishers boxes of Outshine bars in exchange for early copies from their (ok, John's) favorite authors ;)
@@gryftkin if I could figure out how to keep em frozen I would be on that 😀
So many pretty books!! I’m pumped for you to try out Mercy of Gods which I thought was just 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
@@BooksWithBenghisKahn I hope I am with you. I had such high hopes for it.
Congrats on joining broken binding, can’t wait for the Dragonbone Chair editions! Also love the energy here, a bit unhinged, but I love it. But what were you drinking, was it Everclear in that bottle? 🤔🤣
Truly just water. I am just excitable 😂
I love how pulp-noir Sandman Slim is! So glad you are enjoying it!
Also, you are so darn lucky to be getting all those amazing books! But you are getting to hit the same problem all of us, bookaholics have - too many books and not enough time!!! I have been searching for a space-time wizard to create a time bubble/pocket universe for me to deal with this issue. Happen to know anyone?😊
How I wish I knew someone if you find someone I will go in half to get that time bubble made.
I just finished the first book of the Green Bone saga yesterday. You are in for such a wild ride with it. It was so good!
@@taylorbowles9910 that is so wonderful to hear. Thanks!
I am just now finishing up Liveship Traders and Robin Hobb is so awesome! Some of her chapters can drag, but then the next is pure bliss. Her first paragraph of Assassins Apprentice is one of my favorites that I go back and reread often. Forget "Call me Ishmael."
She is special no 2 ways about it.
Glad you got the books! I hope you enjoy them!
@@jcmberne I am sure I will. Thank you so much! Which would recommend I start with Helix or Dino’s. I am kinda leaning Dinos 😀
Partial Function is a standalone. It's more pure fun and has a bit less thematic depth. Not a bad place to start!
@@jcmberne perfect thanks!
Murder on the interstellar express sounds 🔥🔥🔥
@@bookswithabel right?!!
Congrats on your invite from The Broken Binding! I had an invite for Sci Fi and just got a tier 2 fantasy this weekend! Was soo excited!
Congrats on 8k too! Getting pretty close to that 10k I predicted ;)
@@RLDesrochers I still say that is a crazy prediction. Awesome! We both got in. And before those Tad Williams beauties that are coming!
@@RLDesrochers also thanks so much for the kind words. Means the world to us.
@@Talking_Story You guys deserve it!
I would second 2 a month for indie reads. You've got all of the SPFBO, SPSFC, and SFINCS (just going with the ones who make it into the final tiers is a lot) contests going on each year on top of those fantastic indie books from these clever and conventionally handsome indie authors who send you their books.
JCM would probably be a good person to get on for an interview once you get to his stuff as well. He's a funny guy and I'm sure would be a great convo.
I just need more time!!!
@@Talking_Story That sounds like an excuse and you know what they say about those... ;)
@@christhewritingjester3164 Oh I am so busted😆😆
Thanks!
I’m trying to get into broken bindings sub for those memory sorrow thorn books-just so wanting them. Awesome you got in for Jade war
I hope they get you in asap!
I enjoyed Hollow Kind! Andy Davidson feels like a mashup of Guillermo del Toro with his supernatural/fantasy and H.P. Lovecraft with his slimy, slithery, eerie imagery. In fact, it's the imagery and atmosphere I think Andy does best.
@@alynam82 oh that sounds wonderful!
I ordered malazan books of the fallen 1-3. The shipping pain is real! Then if you use a credit card at least visa you get an 8 dollar foreign transaction fee. I hope they expand and put a United States office somewhere lol. Praying the wife isn't home when they get delivered. If she sees that I'll be paying for a nice dinner as well! Lol
@@bradschwartz9084 oh the pain is real. I would be happy to give them Jakob’s old room for a US office!
John Williams is the goat, man I wish he wrote more books, Could’ve been with the likes of Cormac, Pynchon, Morrison etc imo.
@@Aaarqhev I have read some Williams and have always enjoyed him.
I’d recommend reading Piebald Prince right before starting the Tawny Man trilogy, which is after liveship traders trilogy
Thanks! I will jot that down.
Hey, so Broken Binding is an independent company. It's not connected to any publisher, but they work with just about every publisher out there, be it Gollancz, Orbit, Angry Robot etc. Ohhhh, and you're another Hap and Leonard fan. Me too.
Love Hap and Leonard and sooo many others of Lansdale as well.
21:25 You could also do a special indie themed month where you read only indie books, if you got too many books waiting.
@@Zivilin great idea. I have a lot in all categories 😂
John, I need to know for my potential town square video, have you read Summer of Night by Dan Simmons? Thanks!
I absolutely have yes. I have a signed 1st printing I believe.
11:04 Did you read Raymond E. Feist's standalone novel «Faerie Tale» too, or just his Riftwar Cycle back then?
@@Zivilin I did read Fairy Tale when it first came out.
@@Talking_Story Nice!
Great book haul! 🥰
@@StoryGirl1128 thanks so much!
Great way to start the day
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads thanks and I know you give me a bite!
The choice of words in this video! "I can slide these in, so I can get a taste." "Makes me want to dig my teeth into it." "Some amazing stiff competition." 😂 jokes aside I love you guys! Great video and I do believe I second 2 indie reads a month! Also if you want to start that fantasy romance sometime soon I am down to read along!
@@eerie21911 great. Romantasy is always better if read together! Well that’s what I have heard.
@Talking_Story I'd say that can be accurate! I just like sharing my reading experiences with others. Definitely not dependent on genre. I'd read just about anything with anyone but i know romantasy isn't your usual, so possibly having someone to talk to about it might be fun!
@@eerie21911 absolutely! I read romantasy before it was called that. Was a huge fan of Sharon Shinn’s Angel series. But it has been a long while.
Have you read Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon? The brothers Gwynne just reviewed it and given your theater background I think it'll be right up your alley. It's a quick read and for me wasn't in 5 star territory but quite good.
@@dianneeagle4686 I do have that on my stack. I am excited to get to it.
Do you sell any of your old books on pango?
@@henri0215 I do have a Pango account search JAJ Minton and there u go. Not a lot on there though.
how do you find the time to read all these books?
@@SeyePhi just try to hit a 100 pages a day. I have more that I haven’t got to lately though that is for sure.
The paper is going suprisingly well. The sources that support supporting others and community involvement are manifold. I'll play around and see if there are other angles to come at this, but the social sciences are going to be the most straightforward.
I can give my self a decorate title on this thing lol, but I was leaning towards Research Fellow, then we'll have to reach out to people with PhDs to "peer review" the paper.
@@christhewritingjester3164 Dr Chase and hit up Jake at the channel Nerd Level Rising. He is a PHD candidate that wanted to be involved.
@@christhewritingjester3164 this is beyond awesome!!!
@@Talking_Story lol, will do. This is going to be epic.
@@christhewritingjester3164 Yesss!!!!
When I saw how much you like books, I sent you two more novellas. Oh yes, I had tingling in my fingers. 😂😀👍
Oh you 1 of the kindest thank you soo much my friend!
Strawberry outshine is a goated flavor
@@zackattack366 no doubt
Ok warp asylum sounds super cool
Right?!
These hauls are really getting out of control 😂 hoping I can get to this level someday!
@@NerdLevelRising count on it!
This month, I kept telling myself I didn’t need anymore books, then seeing deals I couldn’t walk away from. I think I ended up getting like 30 books 😂😂
@@tordawg69 damn that is a great haul but if the deals were great what can you do?
AWESOME! So many sexy books.
@@RekindledReader yesssss!
God there's more...That's what she said lol😂😂😂
@@Dragondarkness30 😂😂😂
You should give The Windsingers by Megan Lindholm/ Robin Hobb a try. Faster pace and more adventure than epic Fantasy.
I will add that to the list. Thanks!
Like book haul videos 🎥🍁🍃
Me too!
2 Indy books a month is a must. Also, not enough books for this haul.
You are right I am off to the book store!
Wow. Just imagine having that kind of disposable cash?? LOL
@@JohnAndrewMacDonald just lucky to have a job that pays bonus in Amazon gift cards 😀
@@Talking_Story LOL. Awesome. I have people calling me all the time looking for me to pay "debts" with gift cards, lol
@@JohnAndrewMacDonald oh no! 😂
John I’d let you take a bite 😂
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads that’s y Jakobs room is waiting for you.
If you're free on Saturday (the 14th) at 9 AM Central... I've got Adrian on ;)
@@gryftkin I will try to listen at work.
@@Talking_Story Work? Who is making you work on a Saturday? Anarchy!
@@gryftkin every Saturday!
Nope, youre not allowed to start the new series of james sa corey without going through expanse first lol. And i cant wait to hear your assessments on all these where you expand my unfathomable tbr.
@@jenn9027 I am aiming to expand it!
@@Talking_Story noooooo, you know I can't keep up with the reading, 2 months of a reading slump has gotten me nowhere
@@jenn9027 u will break out I know it!
23 books is like an entire lifetime for Jakob so I get where he’s coming from😂
Edit: almost forgot #teamtingle
@@theclassy4 he may actually finished a book this week! Can’t wait to hear!
@@Talking_Story tomorrow’s weekly reader could be a big one in that case!
@@theclassy4 yes!
Outshine Sponsor when??
I would sponsor them just for an Outshine bar😀
The book I sent must not have arrived in time. My bad.
@@Dennis_M_Myers got here today my friend. Thanks soooo much!
Alec Baldwin speaking with Ryan Gosling
😆We will take it!
There is not such a thing as 'too many books'
I love it when brilliant people leave comments
It’s never the exact amount of books…. You can always get more
@@idkstuffig8190 yes more!
Check email please John
Will do
Now Jakob has gone too far. Okay, what can I do to spite him? Oh, I know . . .
@@gedren_y8775 what? What?
@@Talking_Story You would have seen by now, but it got put on a sea container to Puerto Rico.
@@gedren_y8775 Puerto Rico noooooo!!
@@Talking_Story You can thank the Jacksonville, FL USPS distribution center for that. Hopefully the one in Catano, PR can do better.
@@gedren_y8775 that is mind boggling!