Reading Challenge 2022

[willowsnn3]

3/20 We Are All The Same In the Dark by Julia Heaberlin
Very, twisty psychological plot. Struggled at times to finish it, as it was emotionally draining. 3 stars out of 5

I have 3 books that just came in the mail. Not sure what I’m going to start next. Maybe The Push by Ashley Audrain.

I love mysteries, suspense & thrillers but I have got to where I just cannot real & enjoy psychological novels anymore.

 

[bobbiwoz]

6/50 Catching Fireflies by Sherryl Woods
A Magnolia Series novel about High School Bullying. 3/5. Certainly an easier read than Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan!

 

[bobbiwoz]

3/75 Breach of Duty by J.A. Jance
I'm a huge fan of her books, especially the J.P Beaumont and Joanna Brady mysteries (they are set in places that I know).
This one was fantastic, and I don't know how I missed it! No spoilers, but alot happens in this one. In my opinion, it's one of her best. Loved the importance of the old Doghouse restaurant as I used to go there in the wee hours after a night out with friends. Loved the onion burger!
Highly recommended.

It had been a long time since I read J. A. Jance, but when I read your review, I knew i had to read this one. I enjoyed it a lot! 4/5

7/50. I’m home recovering from a shoulder strain, so I read it in one day!

 

[melk]

4/35 The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

In 1965 North Carolina Ellie Hockley goes against her family and friends and spends her summer school break helping to register black voters. In 2010 Kayla Carter moves onto the street where Ellie Hockley grew up, where there are dark buried secrets that come to light when it’s evident that someone doesn’t want her there.

I found this a difficult book to get into. It took a while before the connection was made between the 1965 characters and the 2010 characters. But then as I got into it I really enjoyed the last several chapters of the book. So ultimately I did like it.

 

[willowsnn3]

#6/50 The Walkaway by Scott Phillips

 

[threeboysmom]

3/20 We Are All The Same In the Dark by Julia Heaberlin
Very, twisty psychological plot. Struggled at times to finish it, as it was emotionally draining. 3 stars out of 5

I have 3 books that just came in the mail. Not sure what I’m going to start next. Maybe The Push by Ashley Audrain.

Ooooh, this one sounds like my kind of book! But only 3 stars?

 

[evilmommie]

Ooooh, this one sounds like my kind of book! But only 3 stars?

You’d probably love it! I liked it. My stars are off of my emotional reaction being dragged around a bit by the writing. Probably more of a 3 star rating for myself. LOL

 

[evilmommie]

4/20 Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Purchased this book from a library book sale for .25 a few years ago and saw it on my desk recently and picked it up this past weekend to read. I ended up finishing it up in 2 days. Historical fiction, set in 19th century China. When women were foot bound and lived in seclusion for the most part.
Secrets, sisterhood, heartbreaking and magical. 5 stars out of 5. ️️️️️

5/20 The Push by Ashley Audrian
This was a recent purchase. Finished last night at midnight. Psychological drama. Motherhood and all of its expectations. Maybe a predictable ending? Maybe the writer’s story was more about mothers fears being dismissed? hmmmm…4 stars out of 5 ️️️️

Might read the Nick Sparks that I got in the mail last week. Need a bit of romantic vibes after the last three books.

 

[bobbiwoz]

8/50 Swan Point by Sherryl Woods
Read it because I had it at home. 3/5 I need to read something than about Sweet Magnolias!

 

[MGMmjl]

2/30 - Against All Odds: The Atlanta Braves' Improbable Journey to the 2021 World Series by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

This is a book that collects various articles/photos from the AJC from the World Champion Atlanta Braves' 2021 season. I enjoyed reading it and reminiscing, and hoping for a baseball season this year!

 

[RUDisney]

1/25 - Just Checking Scores

2/25 - Go Tell the Bees that I Am Gone - Holy smokes! The ending of that book! I took my time reading this to savor it. Now I'm in a "Droughtlander" again until March 6th when the newest season starts. When I was reading it at the gym last night, it kept me on the elliptical for 58 minutes and I actually gasped out loud at one point. If you haven't read any of the Outlander books, you'll be doing yourself a favor in starting them.

 

[Fely the 1st]

1/24 James Harriot
Biografic Stories written by a vet in the UK during 1935 till 1950. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always heartwarming. If you like oldfashioned books and animals you will love it. It was also filmed at BBC.
2/24 Bloodless by D. Preston and L. Child
I read all of their books, the first ones really were fantastic, with a lot of tension, unexpected twists and brilliant developments. Just started this one about some mysterious murder in Savanna. Maybe a vampire? I like the beginning…
Also got FantasticLand recommended at this thread. Was really difficult to get. So this will be number 3 and I think I will upgrade my number of books to 50 this year.

 

[mrs. magoo]

3/30 The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

It was an excellent read and I highly recommend it.

 

[Walt's Dream]

6/75 Travels With Walt Disney by Jeff Kurtti. A Photographic Voyage Around the World
This is one for those interested in Walt. Not a whole lot of detail, but well worth it for the photographs. An enjoyable read and a nice addition to my collection of books on Disney. Recommended.

7/75 The Longest Night: The Bombing of London on May 19, 1941 by Gavin Mortimer
I am a fan of WW 2 history, especially the eyewitness accounts of events and the personal recollections of the Homefront - both in the U.S. and England. The London Blitz had been going on since Sept. of 1940, but it looked like the worst was over as London had not been bombed for 3 weeks. So on May 19, 1941 when the sirens went off, many did not take it seriously enough and did not go to shelters. But it turned out to be not an ordinary blitz, but a devastating Luftwaffe raid that almost brought Britain's military to collapse. Eyewitness accounts from policemen, bomb disposal experts, ordinary citizens of all ages, etc. give a first-hand view of this horrific night. Really shows the bravery and determination of the Londoners involved.
Very well-written and engrossing, this is a must for WW2 historians.

 

[melk]

5/35 Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards

Mira is flying home for the holidays but when her connecting flight is grounded by a blizzard she makes the mistake of accepting a ride from total strangers and each one seems to be hiding something dangerous.

This is a YA book that I had heard good things about. So while it was suspenseful and it had me guessing right to the end I found I was left with some still unanswered questions.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Update time!
4. " Salt to the Sea", R. Sepetys-4 stars-A variety of people escaping Germany during WW2 on a ship that's sunk. Fairly interesting read.
5. Haven Point. V. Hume-3 stars-OK Beginning, but it fell apart about half way through.
6. The Girl Behind the Wall, M. Robotham-4 stars-story of a part of the past not covered too much, the effects of the Berlin Wall on 2 sisters and their families separated by the building of the Wall.
7. "The Newcomer", Mary Kay Andrews-5 stars-a great combination of quirky "winter visitors" (where I live, they're called "Winter Texans"), suspense, and romance. Such an enjoyable read.

 

[threeboysmom]

1/25 - Just Checking Scores

2/25 - Go Tell the Bees that I Am Gone - Holy smokes! The ending of that book! I took my time reading this to savor it. Now I'm in a "Droughtlander" again until March 6th when the newest season starts. When I was reading it at the gym last night, it kept me on the elliptical for 58 minutes and I actually gasped out loud at one point. If you haven't read any of the Outlander books, you'll be doing yourself a favor in starting them.

Ooooh you're making me want to read the entire Outlander series again so that I can read her last one!

 

[threeboysmom]

Have read a few since my last update:

7/45 - A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah Maas (eBook) - gave me a Beauty & the Beast vibe which I really liked. Wasn't a 5-star for me, but I liked it well enough that I've already started on the 2nd one in the series.

8/45 - Black Chalk by Christopher Yates (eBook) - WHAT THE WHAT? Disappointed that I kept reading this one. Has anyone else read this before because I feel like I missed something with the ending? Waste of 6 days, in my opinion, when I could have been reading something else.

9/45 - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow (real book) - I so wanted to LOVE this book. The writing was beautiful - so many mesmerizing sentences, phrases & whole paragraphs - and the cover even more gorgeous (!) but I just couldn't 100% get into it like so many others. I adore books with parallel universes & time travel elements, but there wasn't enough of that for me. Still 4 stars though!

 

[RUDisney]

Ooooh you're making me want to read the entire Outlander series again so that I can read her last one!

I listen to the books sometimes while I’m working. They are on YouTube.

 

[willowsnn3]

I listen to the books sometimes while I’m working. They are on YouTube.

I did not know that! Thank You!