Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

2018 Reading Challenges


Ok, so this is the time of year that I sign up for a whole bunch of challenges that usually fall to wayside about May - but I always have good intentions!  They have become like my New Year's Resolutions - and every year I say this is going to be the year that I stick with them - so without further ado - here they are.

I found a HUGE list of challenges at Feed your Fiction Addiction so I attribute my picks to Nicole.  To see all of the challenges that she has found - go to this post.  I assure you, there are many many more than those I have chosen to participate in below.

Cover/Title-Based Challenges

12 Months, 12 (or 24) Covers @ The Hufflepuff Basement on Goodreads – Read books with certain items on the covers.
January: snow, feather = Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan  1/13/18   also Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick 1/20/18  
February: hearts, chocolate/cake  A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard 4/8/18
March: flowers, book/paper - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 4/28/18
April: rain, umbrella
May: clouds/fog, ship/boat - It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell 6/25/18
June: dog/cat, bicycle - Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor 5/9/18
July: water, stairs - Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman 10/6/18
August: sun, hat/crown
September: fire, chair/throne
October: moon, skull - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw - 9/4/18
November: leaves, lock/key
December: shoes, mask 
Color Coded Challenge @ My Reader’s Block – Read books that feature a specific color in the title or where the color is dominant on the cover.
*Read nine books in the following categories.
1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc) in the title/on the cover. 

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 4/28/18
2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc) in the title/on the cover.
3. A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.)in the title/on the cover.
4. A book with "Green" or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc) in the title/on the cover.
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman 5/21/18
5. A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown (Tan, Beige, Sand etc) in the title/on the cover.
6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc) in the title/on the cover. 
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick (1/20/18)
7. A book with "White" or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc)in the title/on the cover.
8. A book with any other color in the title/on the cover (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magneta, etc.).
9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.).
Monthly Keyword Reading Challenge @ My Reader’s Block – For this challenge, there are six keywords associated with each month in 2016. Your task is to read one book each month whose title includes one or more of the keywords for that month.

January - Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick (1/20/18)
February - Ophelia AND the Marvelous Boy (started in Feb - Finished 3/13/18)
March - Green Angel (didn't finish until May)
April - Turtles ALL the Way Down by John Green (4/28/18)
May - 
June - 
July - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (4/2/18)
August - House Arrest by K.A. Holt (7/11/18)
September - 
October - A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielson (7/19/18)
November
December
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge @ Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book – Read books with titles from every letter of the alphabet.
A - Alive by Scott Sigler (2/1/18)
B - Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage (1/19/18)
C - Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson (11/12/18}
D - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan (1/13/18)
E - Erased by Jennifer Rush (1/4/18)
F - The First Part Last by Angela Johnson 5/24/18
G - Geekerella by Ashley Poston - 4/26/18
H - The Hunt (Project Paper Doll #2) - 4/27/18
I -  It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell - 7/6/18
J -
K -
L -
M - Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater (4/29/18)
N - The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (1/29/18)
O - Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett (2/8/18)
P - Prized (Birthmarked 2) by Caragh O'Brien (4/6/18)
Q - A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard 4/8/18
R - The Rules by Stacey Kade (1/11/18)
S - The Saints by Lex Thomas (4/5/18)
T - Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum (1/19/18) - Audio
U - Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child (4/28/18)
V -
W - Wonder by R.J. Palaccio (3/19/18)
X -
Y -
Z - 
  1. What’s In A Name Challenge @ The Worm Hole – Choose a book to read from several categories (click on the link to see them).

  • The word ‘the’ used twice (The Secret By The Lake; The End Of The Day, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time)
  • A fruit or vegetable (The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society; The Particular Sadness Of Lemon Cake)
  • A shape (The Ninth Circle, The Square Root Of Summer, Circle Of Friends)
  • A title that begins with Z – can be after ‘The’ or ‘A’ (Zen In The Art Of Writing; The Zookeeper’s Wife, Zelda)
  • A nationality (Anna And The French Kiss; How To Be A Kosovan Bride; Norwegian Wood) Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Jaswal
  • A season (White Truffles In Winter; The Spring Of Kasper Meier; The Summer Queen; Before I Fall; The Autumn Throne)

Location-Based Challenges

Literary Escapes Challenge @ Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Try to read 1 book set in each of the 50 states + the District of Columbia. There will be prizes, which will be announced later.  I will be keeping track on a Google Map here.

Wisconsin - The Rules by Stacey Kade
New York - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan
Massachusetts - Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage
California - Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
Wyoming - Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick
Illinois - The Hunt by Stacey Kade
South Carolina - Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Indiana - Turtles all the Way Down by John Green
Oregan - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
Nebraska - Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman
Pennsylvania - Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
Idaho - Educated by Tara Westover
Ohio - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Oklahoma - The Outsider by Stephen King



Bingo or List Style
Popsugar Reading Challenge – A checklist of 40 different categories of books to read!  Download the printable list here.

 - The next book in a series you started - Erased (Altered Book 2) - Jennifer Rush
- A book by a local author - The Rules by Stacey Kade (Chicago Suburbs)
- A book by two authors - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan
- A book with a weather element in it's title - Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

- A book with song lyrics in the title - Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell (also a song from Sleeping Beauty) - 3/13/18
- A book that you meant to read in 2017 but didn't ge to - Wonder by R.J. Palaccio (3/19/18)
- A book with characters who are twins - Geekerella by Ashley Poston - 4/26/18
- A Book about mental health - Turtles all the way down by John Green - 4/28/18
 - A book about death or grief - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley - 4/28/18
- A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist - They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera 4/28/18
- A book with alliteration in it's title - Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater 4/29/18
- Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016 or 2017 PopSugar Reading CHallenges (A book with nonhuman characters) - Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer 5/2/18
- A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you - Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue 5/18/18

GWB 2017 Book Bingo @ Grand World of Books









A Library Book - The Rules
A Graphic Novel - Wires and Nerve (5/2/18)
A book that is becoming a movie in 2018 - Ready Player One (10/26/18)
A popular author's first book
A brand new book - This is Me by Chrissy Metz (5/27/18)
Read an own-voices book - Educated by Tara Westover (11/15/18)
A book over 500 pages
a Book with a one word title - Erased
A book about mental illness - Turtles all the way down (4/28/18)
A book about another culture - Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows (6/30/18)
A book set in a different country - The War That Saved My Life (4/14/18)
A book that brought you joy - Wonder by R.J. Palaccio (3/19/18)
A book set in a different world - Alive by Scott Sigler
A nonfiction book of your choice - Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi Ever After by Heather Harpham (6/16/18)
The oldest book on your TBR
A book you heard about on YouTube
A book that was translated into English
A used book
A book that made you cry - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 4/28/18
A book that made you angry
A classic
A book published in 2018 - The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart 9/19/18
A book a friend recommends - Behold the Dreamer by Imbolo Mbue 5/18/18
A book of short stories - You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfield 6/14/18



New to You Author - Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum (1/19/18)
First Person POV - Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick (1/20/18)
Fantasy - The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (1/29/18)
Science Fiction - Alive by Scott Sigler (2/1/2018)
Character with a Disability - A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard 4/8/18
Size in the Title - Stuart Little by E. B. White 4/9/18
Color in the title - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 4/28/18
Comic or Graphic Novel - Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer 5/2/18
Biography or Memoir - This is Me by Chrissy Metz 5/27/18
Written or set in the 14th century - The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (1386) (8/18/18)
A Ghost in the House - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw (9/4/18)
Strange or Unusual - The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart (9/19/18)
Author with your initials - House Arrest by K.Holt (7/11/18)


Super Hero
Debut Author
Contemporary - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan (1/13/18)
Over 500 pages
Norse Mythology
Robots - Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer (5/2/18)
Historical
Wolves - Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy (3/13/18)
Black Cover - Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick (1/20/18)
Set in Space - Alive by Scott Sigler (2/1/2018)
Dragons
Magic - The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (1/29/18)
Star Crossed Lovers - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 4/28/18
Witches - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw (9/4/18)
Not set in the USA - Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett (2/8/18)
Manga - 

 Challenges for Specific Genres
Romance
Literary Pickers Reading Challenge @ Delighted Reader – A scavenger hunt style romance book challenge where you see if you can find a list of items as you read. Can use romance books or any book with a strong romance.

Level 2 for me (25 items/places)
Around the House 
Patio Furniture
Walk-In Closet
Dust or Cobwebs
Gaming System
Grandmother’s China/any dishes past down
Porch light
Quilt
Area Rug
Candle
Pots and Pans
Fruit Trees/Orchard - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw 9/4/18
Keys - Erased (Altered #2) by Jennifer Rush 1/4/18
Rocking Chair
Bathroom Mirror
Attic - Geekerella by Ashley Poston 4/26/18
Toy Chest/bin
Mixing bowl
Barn - 
Curtain/Drapes
Napkin/serviette


Around the World
Japan
Italy
Africa
Caribbean
New Zealand

It Goes Zoom Zoom
Motorcycle
Navy Ship
Raft
Roller blades/skateboard
Carriage
Riding Horse - How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron (8/28/18)
Shuttle/small space ship
Classic Car
Surfboard
RV/Caravan/Camper

Elements to Factor
Friends to lovers/Bestfriend - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 4/28/18
Love at First Sight
Commitophobe
Arranged Marriage/Marriage of Convenience
Miscommunication
Threesome/Love Triangle
Gender bender/Role Reversal
Office Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Small Town
Rocker Romance
A Murder
Secret baby/accidental baby
Another dimension/fantasy world
Kink/BDSM
Post-apocalyptic/Dystopian/Futuristic - 
Historical
Humor/Comedy
First time author/narrator
On your TBR stack for more than a Year

All Terrain 
Lake
Volcano/Hot Spring
Blizzard or Polar Region - Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick (1/20/18)
City streets
Castle/Fortress - The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson - 8/18/18

Bon Appetit 
Pudding/Mousse
Vegetarian/Vegan fare
Ale
Campfire Cooking
Saute it (veggie or meat)
Fresh Catch (fish/seafood)
Waffles 
Tortilla/flat bread
Tropical Fruit
Specialty Tea or Coffee

Tools of the Trade
Fire hose
Hammer
Gas can/pump
Rifle
Scuba gear
Handcuffs
Toolbox
Shovel
Oven
Laptop Computer

Clothes                                                                                                             
Space suit - 
Uniform   Hammer
Costume/Disguise
High Heels - The Rules by Stacey Kade (1/11/18)
Engagement Ring
Belt
Boots - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares (1/13/18)
Skirt
Overalls
Trousers

Cover Clues
A number in the title - Tell Me Three Things (1/19/18)
Mostly Yellow
No people - A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard 4/8/18
A season in the title
No face/hidden features
Holiday theme
A hat
Just a guy
Just a gal
A paranormal or sci-fi element

Classics
The Les Misérables Chapter-a-Day Read-Along @ One Catholic Life – Did you know that Les Mis has exactly 365 chapters? Read a chapter a day and get the book read in 2018!  I have always wanted to read this book, but have found it quite daunting, so am excited that I found this Read-Along.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Paranormal
Science Fiction vs Fantasy Bingo @ Curiosity Killed the Bookworm – This fun challenge has a giveaway on the sign-up page and may have more throughout the year.




The Squares

Space - Alive by Scott Sigler 2/1/18
AI
Wibbly Wobbly Time Travel
It's the End of the World As We Know It - The Saints by Lex Thomas 4/5/18
Alien Invasion - The Rules by Stacey Kade 1/11/18
Plague
Dystopia - Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
Alternate Reality
Cyberpunk
This is Totally Going to Happen One Day
Asian
African
Rebellion
Independent
South American
Portal- Waste of Space by Gina D'amico 8/7/18
Fantastic Beasts - Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer 5/2/18
Haunted - The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw 9/4/18
Undead
Re-Telling - Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell
Bite Me
Kings, Queens and Long, Lost Relatives
Demonic- 
Immortal
Epic
Paranormal Reading Challenge @ Whole Latte Ideas
The Neverland Wars - Audrey Greathouse
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart
The Outsider by Stephen King
Kids/MG/YA Challenges
Picture Book Challenge @ Becky’s Book Reviews – Read at least 6 picture books, with an optional checklist of categories.
_1. Title beginning with A
_2. Author beginning with A
_3. Title beginning with B
_4. Author beginning with B
_5. Title beginning with C
_6. Author beginning with C
_7. Title beginning with D - Duck/Rabbit
_8. Author beginning with D
_9. Title beginning with E
_10. Author beginning with E
_11. Title beginning with F
_12. Author beginning with F
_13. Title beginning with G
_14. Author beginning with G
_15. Title beginning with H
_16. Author beginning with H
_17. Title beginning with I
_18. Author beginning with I
_19. Title beginning with J
_20. Author beginning with J
_21. Title beginning with K
_22. Author beginning with K
_23. Title beginning with L
_24. Author beginning with L
_25. Title beginning with M
_26. Author beginning with M
_27. Title beginning with N - The Nonsense Book by Eric Carle
_28. Author beginning with N
_29. Title beginning with O
_30. Author beginning with O
_31. Title beginning with P
_32. Author beginning with P
_33. Title or Author beginning with Q
_34. Title beginning with R
_35. Author beginning with R
_36. Title beginning with S - Seven Ate Nine
_37. Author beginning with S
_38. Title beginning with T
_39. Author beginning with T
_40. Title or Author beginning with U
_41. Title or Author beginning with V or W
_42. Title or Author beginning with X or “Ex”
_43. Title beginning with Y
_44. Author beginning with Y
_45. Title or Author beginning with Z
_46. An alphabet book
_47. A counting book
_48. A color word in the title
_49. A number word in the title
_50. Concept book of your choice— picture book
_51. Concept book of your choice — board book
_52. bedtime book —board book
_53. bedtime book — picture book
_54. book that rhymes —picture book
_55. book that rhymes — early reader OR board book
_56. holiday of your choice — board book or early reader
_57. holiday of your choice — picture book
_58. wordless picture book
_59. new to you author
_60. new to you illustrator
_61. favorite author
_62. favorite illustrator
_63. free choice
_64. fairy or folk tale adaptation
_65. fairy or folk tale traditional
_66. a title with the word “first” in it 
_67. a book set in the state you live
_68. a book set in a place you’d like to visit
_69. a book set in an imaginary place
_70. a book set in the past — fiction or nonfiction
_71. a book set in the present
_72. picture book for older readers — fiction
_73. picture book for older readers — nonfiction
_74. early reader — fiction
_75. early reader — nonfiction
_76. picture book with photographs
_77. one word title
_78. long title (four or more words)
_79. oversized book
_80. tiny book
_81. a book about playing (hide and seek, tag, or peekaboo, etc.)
_82. a book about school
_83. a book about hobbies (art, dance, music, crafts, sports)
_84. a title that is a question
_85. a title that is an exclamation
_86. an award winner or an honor book
_87. a collection (of poems OR stories) - A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
_88. a book with animals (fiction)
_89. a book with animals (nonfiction)
_90. a book about books or reading
_91. a book celebrating family
_92. first book in a series
_93. any book in a series
_94. book with an adventure or misadventure
_95. a book about a pet
_96. A title with the word “yes” or “no” in it
_97. A title with the word “big” or “little” in it
_98. a classic published before 1968
_99. a book you think should be considered a classic
_100. Out of print
_101. Library book
_102. Impulse Pick
_ 103. Board book published in 2018
_ 104. Picture book published in 2018 
Book Bingo Reading Challenge @ Fundamental Children’s Books – A Bingo-style challenge that works with picture books or chapter books. There will be a (reportedly huge) prize pack giveaway.  I didn't post the bingo page here, as they would like you to sign up to receive the Bingo page. 

-Read a book with a female main character - Erased (Altered #2) by Jennifer Rush 1/4/18
-Read a book by a female author - The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade 1/11/18
-Your Choice - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan 1/13/18
-Listen to an Audiobook - Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum (1/19/18)
-Read a book featuring monsters, fairies, or othe rmythical creatures - The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (1/29/2018)
-Read a book with a one word title - Alive by Scott Sigler (2/1/18)
- Read a book by an author who is no longer living - Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett (2/8/18)
 - Read a book by an author who is from a different country than your own - Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee (from Australia) (3/13/18)
- Read a book that has been made into a movie - Wonder by R.J. Palaccio (3/19/18)
- Read a book recommended by your teacher, librarian, or bookseller - The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (4/14/18)
- Read a book featuring a character who is differently-abled: A Quiet Kind of THunder by Sara Barnard. (4/8/18)
- Read a book set in another country - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (4/28/18)
- Read a book that is more than 25 years old - Mr. Popper's Penguins (1992) - 4/29/18)


YA Reading Challenge @ Whole Latte Ideas

1.  Erased (Altered #2) by Jennifer Rush 1/4/18
2.  The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade 1/11/18
3.  Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan 1/13/18
4.  Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage (1/19/18)
5. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum (1/19/18) - Audio
6. Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick (1/20/18)
7. The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (1/29/18)
8. Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett (2/8/18)
9. Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell (3/1/18)
10. Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1) by Caragh O'Brien (3/1/18)
11. Reborn (Altered #3) by Jennifer Rush (3/14/18)
12. Wonder by R.J. Palaccio (3/19/18)
13. The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith (3/21/18)
14. The Saints (Quarantine #2) by Lex Thomas (4/5/18)
15. Prized (Birthmarked #2) by Caragh O'Brien (4/5/18)
16. A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard 4/8/18
17. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (4/14/18)
18. Geekerella by Ashley Poston - 4/26/18
19. The Hunt (Project Paper Doll #2) by Stacey Kade 4/27/18
20. Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child 4/28/18
21. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green 4/28/18
22. Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 4/28/18
23. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera 4/28/18
24. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and FLorence Atwater - 4/29/18
25. Wires and Nerve (Wires and Nerve #1) by Marissa Meyer - 5/2/18
26. Green Angel by Alice Hoffman - 5/24/18
27. The First Part Last by Angela Johnson - 5/21/18
28. Green Witch by Alice Hoffman - 6/20/2018
29. House Arrest by K.A. Holt - 7/11/18
30. ONce and For All by Sarah Dessen 7/19/18
31. A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielson 7/19/18
32. Scythe by Neal Shusterman - 7/21/18
33. Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar - 7/26/18
34. Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans - 7/29/18
35. Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman - 7/29/18
36. Waste of Space by Gina D'amico - 8/7/18
37. The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson - 8/18/18
38. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw - 9/4/18
39. The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart - 9/19/18
40. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - 9/14/18
41. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia - 10/26/18
42. Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson - 11/12/18



Other Genres
The Second Star Society @ The Frozen Book Blog – This challenge is being run as an online book club. Each month you will read a retelling of a particular classic. You can either read the “official” retelling for that month or any other retelling of the classic.
January - The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (Or any Peter Pan retelling) - finished 1/29/18
February - Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell - finished 3/1/18
March - Geekerella by Ashley Poston - 4/26/18
TBR or Review Book Challenges
Review Writing Challenge @ Delighted Reader – Let’s get those reviews written!  I would like to write at least 1 review a week. . . 
New Release Challenges
2018 New Release Challenge @ (un)Conventional Book Views – Read and review books released in 2018. Link up quarterly for the giveaway
I am a New Release Newbie (1-30 books)
1. This is Me by Chrissy Metz 5/27/18
2. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw 9/4/18
3. The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart 9/19/18
4. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman 10/6/18
5. The Outsider by Stephen King 10/21/18
6. Educated by Tara Westover 11/15/18
Debut Author Challenge @ That Artsy Reader Girl – Read books from 2018 debut authors! There is a bi-annual giveaway.
1. This is Me by Chrissy Metz 5/27/18
2. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
3. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
4. Educated by Tara Westover
Format/Publisher Challenges
Audiobook Challenge @ Hot Listens & Caffeinated Book Reviewer – Listen to audiobooks! There will be two giveaways during the year.
Weekend Warrior - 5-10 Audiobooks

1. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum (1/19/18)
2. Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien (3/1/18)
3. Prized by Caragh O'Brien (4/6/18)
4. Promised by Caragh O'Brien
5. You Think it, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfield
6. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
7. The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
8. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
9. The Outsider by Stephen King
10. Confessions of a Murder suspect by James Patterson


Topical Challenges
What an Animal Reading Challenge @ Socrates’ Book Reviews – Read books that involve animals in some way.
Level 1 - 6 books
1. Stuart Little by E. B. White - 4/9/18
2. Turtles all the Way Down by John Green 4/28/18
3. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater 4/29/18
4. Shiloh by Phyllis Naylor Reynolds 


Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge @ Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or includes major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. There will be a giveaway at the end of the year.
Initiate - 1-5 Witchy Books
1. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
2. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

 Misc. Challenges
Share a Tea Reading Challenge @ Becky’s Book Reviews – Love drinking tea while you read? This challenge is for you!
1 - Erased (Altered 2) by Jennifer Rush - 1/4/18
2. - The Rules (Project Paper Doll 1) by Stacey Kade 1/11/18
3. - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan 1/13/18 (mostly drank coffee with this one)
4. Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage - 1/19/18
5. Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick - 1/20/18
6. The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (1/29/18)
7. Alive by Scott Sigler
8. The Saints (Quarantine 2) by Lex Thomas - 4/5/18
9. A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard 4/8/18
10. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - 4/14/18
11. Geekerella by Ashley Poston - 4/26/18
12. Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer 5/2/18
13. Behold the Dreamer by Imbolo Mbue 5/18/18
14. This is Me by Chrissy Metz 5/27/18
Reading Challenge Addicts 2018 @ Reading Challenge Addict – Enter and complete reading challenges!
Newbery Reading Challenge @ Smiling Shelves – Read Newbery and Caldecott books!
1. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan - 4/12/18 (Newbery)
2. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - 4/14/18 (Newbery)
3. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater (Newbery) 4/29/18
4. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Taylor (Newbery) 5/18/18
Book to Movie Reading Challenge @ Gather Together and Read – Read books that have been/are being made into movies and TV series!
Level 1a: 1-3 books

1.  Wonder by R.J. Palaccio (3/19/18)
2. The War with Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith (3/21/18)
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Kline
4. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
5. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
6. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
7. Scythe by Neal Shusterman





Library Love Challenge @ Angel's Guilty Pleasure
1 - Erased (Altered 2) by Jennifer Rush - 1/4/18
2 - The Rules (Project Paper Doll 1) by Stacey Kade - 1/11/18
3 - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan - 1/13/18
4 - Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage - 1/19/18
5 - Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum - 1/19/18
6 - Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick - 1/20/18
7 - The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse (1/29/18)
8 - Alive by Scott Sigler (2/1/18)
9 - Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett (2/8/18)
10 - Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell (3/1/18)
11 - Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien (3/1/18)
12 - Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee (3/13/18)
13 - Reborn (Altered 3) by Jennifer Rush (3/14/18)
14 - Wonder by R.J. Palaccio (3/19/18)
15 - The War with Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith (3/21/18)
16 - The Saints by Lex Thomas (4/5/18)
17 - Prized (Birthmarked 2) by Caragh O'Brien (4/6/18)
18 - A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard 4/8/18
19. - Stuart Little by E.B. White 4/9/18
20. - Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Machlachan 4/12/18
21. - The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 4/14/18
22. - Geekerella by Ashley Poston - 4/26/18
23. - The Hunt (Project Paper Doll #2) by Stacey Kade - 4/27/18
24. - Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child - 4/28/18
25. - Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - 4/28/18
26. - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley - 4/28/18
27. - They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera - 4/28/18
28. - Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater - 4/29/18
29. - A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson - 4/30/18
30. - Wires and Nerve (Wires and Nerve #1) by Marissa Meyer - 5/2/18
31. - Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Taylor 5/9/18
32. - Promised by Caragh O'Brien 5/9/18
33. - Behold the Dreamer by Imbolo Mbue 5/18/18
34. - Green Angel by Alice Hoffman 5/21/18
35. - The First Part Last by Angela Johnson 5/24/18
36. - This is Me by Chrissy Metz 5/27/18
37. House Arrest by K.A. Holt - 7/11/18
38. ONce and For All by Sarah Dessen 7/19/18
39. A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielson 7/19/18
40. Scythe by Neal Shusterman - 7/21/18
41. Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar - 7/26/18
42. Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans - 7/29/18
43. Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman - 7/29/18
44. Waste of Space by Gina D'amico - 8/7/18
45. The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson - 8/18/18
46. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw - 9/4/18
47. The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart - 9/19/18
48. How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron
49. It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell
50. Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi Ever After by Heather Harpham
51. Green Witch by Alice HOffman
52. Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Jaswal
53. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
54. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
55. The Outsider by Stephen King
56. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
57. How to Knit a Heart Back HOme by Rachael Herron
58. Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson
59. Educated by Tara Westover





Saturday, April 28, 2018

Readathon- Almost to hour 17

Well folks, my eyes are starting to blur so I think it is time to end for me.  This has been by far, my most successful Readathon.  I read 4 books and came it at 1005 pages.  The last book that I finished was They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera.  

In addition to it being a good readathon for me, April has been a great month for reading.  I finished 12 books this month!  This is really good for me, seeing as I have only read 27 all year.  

I may take a book to bed with me, but have a feeling even if I do, that I won't be reading it long.  Good night all!

Readathon - Beginning of Hour 13

Since I last posted I have read another book - Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley.  I really liked this one.  I had checked it out because it was one of this years YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominees.  So was Turtles All the Way Down, but that one had been on my TBR list for awhile.

My darling husband went out and bought me Arby's for dinner - I ate it before I thought to take a picture of it - but boy, was it good!

I am now reading They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera.  I was about 100 pages in to this one before today.  I had been listening to it on an audio player - but my time to listen was too infrequent so I had to check out the print version so I could read it faster.



Readathon Update - Middle of hour 8

Well, I have read Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child and Turtles All the Way Down by John Green.  Also took a 45 minute cat nap as I was so warm and cozy, the drowzies just took over. . . 
For snacks I had some fruit and dip and my husband grilled me some hot dogs for lunch - all I have had to drink is coffee and iced coffee - so definitely need to drink something else now to stay hydrated.  



My snack sort of matched the book I was reading. . . lol.


Books read.

Readathon Begins!

Hello readathoners!   I am a few minutes later than I wanted to be. . .  Didn't sleep the best last night - so I am starting with a children's book this morning while I drink my coffee - Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child.  It is on the 1000 books to read before you grow up list.   See you soon!

Opening Meme:  I am reading in a suburb of Chicago.  I am not sure which book I am looking forward to reading - just having fun reading what I want today.  I am looking forward to having some of the fruit and dip that my husband cut up for me last night!  Yum!  Now - a little about me.  I am a mother of 3, grandmother of 2 - but my youngest is still at home in 7th grade.  He spent the night at his sister's last night and will be there most of today so I can read!  I work in a PreK-2 school library and also am a sub at our public library in the Youth Department - so most of the books I will be reading today will be Children's books - no surprise there!  I have participated before but have burned out early, so am just trying to take it easy today.



Friday, April 27, 2018

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon

Everything is falling into place for me to be able to participate in this Spring's Readathon!  My 13-year-old son is going to my daughter's house tonight to spend the night so he won't be here most of tomorrow.  She and her husband are taking him disc golfing so I don't have to worry about trying to get him off the couch tomorrow!  I hurt my back earlier this week - wish I could say it was because I was outside doing all the spring gardening. . . but I don't know what I did to hurt it.  Went to the chiro on Wednesday and am going back this afternoon.  It is better today, but still not perfect.  I had a meeting I was supposed to go to tomorrow morning - but it is an hour drive there and an hour drive back - and didn't think that would be conducive to my back.  Fortunately, there were others who could not attend so it looks like it is going to be rescheduled.   And, with the hurt back, I don't have to feel guilty about not doing yard work tomorrow!  Yay!  So that means I can read all day!  I think this is the first time that I have participated that I didn't have some other obligation that I had to do during the day.

As for what I am reading. . .   I have lots of books checked out from the library right now - from juvenile fiction (I work in a children's library department) to teen fiction to adult fiction/non-fiction.  I also have my kindle all charged up and ready to read.  I read the first chapter of a book last night on it - The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay.  This might be the one that I start with tomorrow.  Otherwise, you can see my pics for my reading choices.

For snacks. . . I have bought some blocks of cheese for cheese and crackers.  Also, have the standby of pretzels and chip dip (favorite snack from when I was a kid).  I think I am going to buy a fruit tray when I get off work today, but for meal time food I have no idea.  Hoping my husband will offer to pick up lunch on his way home from golf tomorrow - so at least that will be covered. 

The best part is that it is finally warm enough for me to use our 3-season room!   It is my favorite room to sit out and read in.  So, until tomorrow!



Sunday, October 22, 2017

Readathon Update - Hour 19

Yay - finished another book.  The Sunshine Sisters by Jane French.  This would be classified as chick lit - but it was about family and what pushes them apart - and pulls them together - especially sisters.  Good book - look for a review soon.

Starting another ebook - My Sister's Bones by Nuala Ellwood.  I see a theme about sisters developing here.  I am sure that I will be asleep before I finish this one though!

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Readathon Update - Hour 15

Ok - so am 75% of the way through my second book - had a 2 hour break this morning for my son's soccer game.  Then tonight, went out to dinner and to a concert at the Genessee Theater in Waukegan.  We saw Led Zeppelin 2.  Good time was had by all.  But now - back to reading!




Readathon Update - Hour 3

So - just finished my first book (and yes - it was the one I had started already. . . )  so thought I would do some of the memes/challenges/updates etc. 

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?  I am reading in Northern Illinois
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?  Didn't prepare a stack this year, so just going to go to where I keep all my tbr books and see what strikes my fancy.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?  Chocolate, of course.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!  I am a mom of three, grandmother of two and work in a school library and a public library.  I also needlepoint, so might do some of that today while listening to an audio book!
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?  I have participated in a few of the read-a-thons and tend to get too caught up in the online stuff.  Going to try to read more today - but will be breaking for a soccer game this morning and a concert tonight. . . 


Hour 3 Challenge - 

  

Actually - this is the book I just finished - but like my Halloween cup?  :)

Friday, October 20, 2017

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon

It has been awhile since I posted - gonna try and change that in the future.  I have a stack of 6 books sitting next to the computer that need reviews - as well as some ebooks that need reviews.  But for now, I am going to post about Dewey's readathon which starts tomorrow!  Just another chance to read some more books that will need reviews!

I am not going to post a list of books, as I always do that and never seem to make a dent - which doesn't make me have a very accomplished feeling.  So this year we are going to start with the book I am currently reading (unless I finish it tonight. . . ) called Let It Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson.  I am enjoying it, so it might not make it until tomorrow.  But if it does, I will feel accomplishment very early as I am almost finished with it already!

So until tomorrow - my other reads are going to be a mystery - even to me!  Happy reading!

Monday, June 19, 2017

Book Review: Final Demand by Deborah Moggach

Title: Final Demand
Author: Deborah Moggach
Publisher: The Overlook Press
Publication Date: June 6, 2017 (originally published Jan 1, 2005)

About the book:  Praised as "extraordinarily skillful" by award-winning novelist Anita Brookner, Deborah Moggach delivers in Final Demand an extremely powerful novel about the consequences of greed and deceit.  Natalie is a girl who should be going somewhere.  Although beautiful, bright, and ambitious, she's stuck in a dead-end job in the accounts department of a telecommunications company, living her life through wild weekends and yearning for something more.  While processing the final notice payments on customer's accounts, Natalie devises a simple little scam that could change her life in a major way.  And since it's only a minor crime -- nobody's going to get hurt -- she doesn't hesitate to follow through her scheme.

But when Natalie's selfish actions have tragic consequences, she learns there's no such thing as a victimless crime.  Emotionally taut and beautifully written, Final Demand is a cautionary tale about misguided aspirations, the battle between love and envy, and our own frailty in the face of temptation.


My thoughts: When I was offered this book to read for review from the publisher, I didn't hesitate.  I had just finished Tulip Fever, which I had devoured.  Tulip Fever was not really my style of book, but I had read it because of the upcoming movie.  I fell in love with the author's style of writing, so knew that I wanted to read Final Demand.

I was reading some other reviews on this book and saw it called Chick Lit and "a light read".  I disagree.  This book is not a light read.  To me, it was more of a psychological drama.  There is not a lot of physical action in the book.  It is told from a few different points of view, with Natalie, the protaganist, being the main one.  She has heard of a scheme to pilfer customer's checks and thinks she has the perfect cover.  She will just divert some of the money from the larger companies bills to cover the individual customer's bills - so that the customer's bills appear to be paid, and she then deposits their checks into her own account.  The extent that she goes to get the scheme going is outrageous though, and you will have to read the book to find out what she does.

On one afternoon though, the computers go down before she has a chance to transfer money to cover the customer's bills.  She doesn't think anything of it and figures she will do it the next day - except that she forgets.   This is the small ripple that will affect not only her life, but the customer's lives as well.

I love the way that the author gets inside the heads of the characters.  In this way, you see all of their flaws - even the ones that they don't think or know that they have.  I also read my own meaning into the title - Final Demand.  I always like to try to figure out why the author used that title.  In this case, the obvious one is that Natalie was stealing the payments and this caused some customers to receive their final notice - or final demand for payment.  I also thought it could reference what some of the characters went through, and what the final demand in their lives were because of their actions, or inactions.  

Even though I generally like a book with a lot of action, I found this to be a very good read.  The characters were well developed, and I thought they were believable.  Someone in a review noted that this wasn't a believable crime - and I have to disagree.  This is very much a believable scenario, but one you just don't hear as much about because of the violent crimes that over shadow the white collar ones.

If you haven't read anything by Deborah Moggach - this is a good place to start!


~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lauren at The Overlook Press in exchange for my unbiased review.~





Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Book Review: Lazy Crafternoon by Stella Fields

Title: Lazy Crafternoon
Author: Stella Fields

About the book: Spend a lazy crafternoon with your friends. From pretty school supplies to colorful tech accessoriest to perfect party decor, Lazy Crafternoon guides tween crafters through simple steps to create amazing projects.

My Thoughts:  This would be a great book for teens and young adults for crafting.  The chapters inside are Accessories, Decorate, School Supplies, Celebrate, Food and Drink.  You use a variety of materials, but most projects should only cost around $10 or under. Supplies range from washi tape, beads, glue, embroidery floss, paper clips, etc.   I would recommend this book to fill a rainy afternoon with lots of fun projects.  

It teaches you how to make necklaces, wrapped headphones, infinity scarf, decorative flowerpots, fancy pencils, ribbon organizer, hanging flower balls, DIY cards and envelopes, cake banner and rainbow fruit in glitter cups.  So you see, it is quite a varied set of crafts suitable for everyone. 

~I received a complimentary Ecopy of this book through Edelweiss for review.~

Monday, May 15, 2017

Book Review: The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman

Title: The Garden of Small Beginnings
Author: Abbi Waxman
Publisher: Berkley

About the book: Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles Botanical Garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not…
 

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Lili.  Even though it starts out letting us know she is a widow, this book isn't so much a book about a widow as it is a book about a woman ready to let go of the past, but afraid to do so.  It also uses gardening to throw in some witty repartee in between each of the main chapters. 

You have to like Lili. She is now a single mom, just working on getting through a day with her and her kids, Annabel and Clare intact.  Her sister is a bastian of support for her, whether it is talking about the mistreatment they received as kids from their mom, taking care of the girls, or talking about the men in their lives.   And for Lili there is a new man - but he is the instructor of their Saturday morning gardening class, and he is Danish, and Lili can't stop thinking about the unexpected kiss they shared.  

There are a lot of lively characters in the book besides Lili and her sister.  The gardening class is filled with people from all walks of life and they come together and blend naturally.  As I mentioned earlier, in between each main chapter is a small one page chapter about a different vegetable.  It gives you many tips on how to grow them successfully, with some sarcasm thrown in.

I found this to be a quick, easy read - and perfect inspiration to go dig around in some dirt!

~I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for my unbiased review.~

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