Reading Challenge 2022

[Walt's Dream]

9/75 Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts). I love the "in Death" series and always snap them up (especially since I'm getting a bit tired of Roberts' "Magick" books). This didn't disappoint. A child who was abandoned years ago, but with a bit of a twist. I liked that Dallas cuddles with Galahad (cat) on the bed and spends time petting him, and that she is concerned about what to get Rourke for their third anniversary. Not her usual tough self, and with every book, we see her growing. Recommended.

 

[virge]

Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Aristotle is an angry loner with a brother in prison. Dante figures he knows just about everything there is to know about the world. But when the two meet and start spending time together, they learn important truths about themselves—and about their feelings for each other.

I loved everything about this book.

Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton
I didn’t think it was possible to adore her more, but after listening to this audiobook, I do.


18/75

 

[bobbiwoz]

10/50. Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne
A light romance novel. Set at Christmas time. 3/5

 

[Disney_Alli]

Catching up 1-15:

1) Priest - Sierra Simone 10/10 not for everyone but I thought it was excellent

2) A Court of Frost and Starlight - Sarah J Maas 9/10 a novella in this series. Lighter than most of the others. Excellent

3) The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm - Hilarie Burton Morgan. I really enjoyed this. Charming a great look into her life. I feel like we’re besties now 10/10

4) Fantasy Lover - Sherrilyn Kenyon 8/10 re-reading the series in the hope of eventually catching up

5) Night Pleasures - Sherrilyn Kenyon 8/10 same as above

6) A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR book 4) - Sarah J Maas 10/10 this book broke me in the best way. I cannot wait for the next book but I’ll have to wait a year or two

7) Night Embrace - Sherrilyn Kenyon 8/10 the series reread

8) Dance with the Devil - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/10 continuing on. One of my favs in the series so far.

9) Collided - Lauren Asher. 9/10 second book in a series set in the world of F1

10) Games We Play - Dana Isaly 9/10 not for everyone

11) Kiss of the Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon 8/10 the series carries on

12) Good Girl Complex - Elle Kennedy 10/10 absolutely loved this and cannot wait for the next book in this series

13) Night Play - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/10 another old favorite in the series

14) Twisted Love - Ana Huang 9/10 I wanted to read a later book in the series but I can’t knowingly start in the middle of a series. Not for everyone

15) Seize the Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon 8/10 carrying on

 

[hollydolls]

1. The Vampire Diaries: The Fury (LJ Smith)
2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Newt Scamander = JK Rowling)
3. Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local, and Helped Save an American Town (Beth Macy)
4. The Vampire Knitting Club (Nancy Warren)
5. Stitches and Witches (Nancy Warren)
6. Crochet and Cauldrons (Nancy Warren)
7. Stockings and Spells (Nancy Warren)
8. Purls and Potions (Nancy Warren)
9. Fair Isle and Fortunes (Nancy Warren)
10. Lace and Lies (Nancy Warren)
11. Bobbles and Broomsticks (Nancy Warren)
12. Cat's Paws and Curses (Nancy Warren)
13. Popcorn and Poltergeists (Nancy Warren)
14. Garters and Gargoyles (Nancy Warren)
15. Diamonds and Daggers (Nancy Warren)
16. Herringbone and Hexes (Nancy Warren)
17. Ribbing and Runes (Nancy Warren)

I fell into the Vampire Knitting Club series and didn't stop until I finished them. The main character owns a knitting shop, but solves murders on the side. People just die everywhere she goes! It's a very cute premise with a touch of romance and they are easy reads. No knowledge of knitting needed.

 

[Disney_Alli]

16-23 catching up

16) Midnight Mass - Sierra Simone 8/10 a follow up novella to Priest. Excellent. Heavy! Not for everyone

17) Unleash the Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/10 next in the series. Another favorite

18) Sins of the Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/10. Not my favorite in the series but solid.

19) Games we Play - Dana Isaly 10/10 listened to it on audio this time. Excellent narrator.

20) Claimed by Cupid - Dana Isaly 9/10 fun novella valentines themed.

21) House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City Book 1) - Sarah J Maas 10/10 AMAZING! Loved it. Started a little slow but WOW! YA verging into NA.

22) Your Dad Will Do - Katee Robert a fun little novella.

23) Gifting Me to His Best Friend - Katee Robert another little novella so get me back into the frame of mind for Crescent City 2.

 

[bobbiwoz]

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.

This was my 11/50 and I highly recommend it too. 4.5/5

 

[MGMmjl]

4/30 - Walt Disney World: The First Decade by Walt Disney Productions

I always enjoy reading historical books about Walt Disney World. This book was published in 1982, and I liked seeing all of the great photos of the first decade of WDW. The text was nicely written, and it was nice to read about attractions that are no longer there, many of which I never got to experience.

 

[Caseheidi]

It has been several years since I followed this group and am glad I just found it again. I will make a goal of books, but have to admit that I am not always good at keeping track and updating. I really love the group for the recommendations!

so far this year I have done many re-reads, and been devouring a new to me series. I will try to list what I remember reading this far:

1: Born in Death - JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts)
2: Innocent in Death - JD Robb
3: Creation in Death - JD Robb
4: Strangers in Death - JD Robb
5: Salvation in Death - JD Robb
6: Promises in Death - JD Robb
7: Abandoned in Death - JD Robb
1-6 are #24-#29 of the In Death Series. Abandoned in Death is the series and is #54. If you are unfamiliar with this series, it is a Murder Cop series set in the future about 50 years (now maybe only 40). Eve Dallas is the central figure, and thru the series you discover about her past, much of which she doesn’t remember herself. She is a cop through and through, and lives the job, letting very few into her life. In the firs book she meets Roarke, who has a shady past and has become the richest man on the planet. Of course they fall in love, he cleans up what little shady business he has left, and often teams up with Dallas to solve murders. Through the series, Dallas grows and opens up her social group, struggling with all the changes to her life.

I have to admit that I love how Nora Roberts /JD Robb develops her characters.Seeing how Eve Dallas grows and develops over the course of this series keeps bring me back - as well as seeing how she solves each murder. There are usually 2-3 new books each year to devour.

8: Storm and Fury (Harbinger Series #1) -Jennifer L. Armentrout
The central figure is an 18 year old girl named Trinity. She is half human, and half something else that is not revealed until later in the book. She lives with a group of Wardens (who are gargoyles) and they fight against Demons. This girl is protected, yet trains with the Wardens and hides from most her special abilities. When a group arrives from DC to get new recruits, Trinity starts to question more and push for answers. I found this an interesting read. I think I will probably search out the next book to see if I want to continue. Some parts of the book were a little predictable for me and seemed to read young. We will see.

9.Written in Red (The Others #1) - Anne Bishop
10. Murder of Crows (The Others #2) -Anne Bishop
11. Vision in Silver (The Others #3) - Anne Bishop
12. marked in Flesh (The Others #5) Anne Bishop

This is a series of 5books (at least thus far - there are also more in the same world) about The Others. In this world, the others control the land and tolerate the Humans, who are pushing for more land and control. The Others are predators who are intelligent and adaptable. Many have taken shapes of other animals to survive, including learning how to shift into a human shape to work with the humans. The books starts with a human named Meg running from someone, and finding refuge withThe Others in the courtyard (the Others section of land in cities they keep in order to watch what the humans are up to). Human law does not apply in the courtyards. Meg is a Blood Prophet who has been “kept”by the Controller, who sells her prophecy’s .Simon, leader of this courtyard is an uncommon Other who is trying to figure out how the humans work and think, even allowing humans to work for them and shop in some of their stores. Thru the series, a human pack emerges with this group of others and they learn how they can co-exist. However, a group of humans is pushing to be the dominant group, and the Others are unhappy with Humans lying to them and not keeping their agreements.

I am devouring this series. Currentlyin the middle of book 4. While the first has been my favorite, I am still so engaged in the story that I can hardly put it down. The cast of characters has grown and sometimes I have to stop and figure out who is who. The story is complex and compelling.

 

[Caseheidi]

For those of you who have read the Sweet Magnolias series, how does it compare to the Netflix series based on it? I have really enjoyed the two seasons so far, and just wondered if they are the same stories, or bits and pieces, or totally different?

 

[willowsnn3]

 

[willowsnn3]

It has been several years since I followed this group and am glad I just found it again. I will make a goal of books, but have to admit that I am not always good at keeping track and updating. I really love the group for the recommendations!

so far this year I have done many re-reads, and been devouring a new to me series. I will try to list what I remember reading this far:

1: Born in Death - JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts)
2: Innocent in Death - JD Robb
3: Creation in Death - JD Robb
4: Strangers in Death - JD Robb
5: Salvation in Death - JD Robb
6: Promises in Death - JD Robb
7: Abandoned in Death - JD Robb
1-6 are #24-#29 of the In Death Series. Abandoned in Death is the series and is #54. If you are unfamiliar with this series, it is a Murder Cop series set in the future about 50 years (now maybe only 40). Eve Dallas is the central figure, and thru the series you discover about her past, much of which she doesn’t remember herself. She is a cop through and through, and lives the job, letting very few into her life. In the firs book she meets Roarke, who has a shady past and has become the richest man on the planet. Of course they fall in love, he cleans up what little shady business he has left, and often teams up with Dallas to solve murders. Through the series, Dallas grows and opens up her social group, struggling with all the changes to her life.

I have to admit that I love how Nora Roberts /JD Robb develops her characters.Seeing how Eve Dallas grows and develops over the course of this series keeps bring me back - as well as seeing how she solves each murder. There are usually 2-3 new books each year to devour.

8: Storm and Fury (Harbinger Series #1) -Jennifer L. Armentrout
The central figure is an 18 year old girl named Trinity. She is half human, and half something else that is not revealed until later in the book. She lives with a group of Wardens (who are gargoyles) and they fight against Demons. This girl is protected, yet trains with the Wardens and hides from most her special abilities. When a group arrives from DC to get new recruits, Trinity starts to question more and push for answers. I found this an interesting read. I think I will probably search out the next book to see if I want to continue. Some parts of the book were a little predictable for me and seemed to read young. We will see.

9.Written in Red (The Others #1) - Anne Bishop
10. Murder of Crows (The Others #2) -Anne Bishop
11. Vision in Silver (The Others #3) - Anne Bishop
12. marked in Flesh (The Others #5) Anne Bishop

This is a series of 5books (at least thus far - there are also more in the same world) about The Others. In this world, the others control the land and tolerate the Humans, who are pushing for more land and control. The Others are predators who are intelligent and adaptable. Many have taken shapes of other animals to survive, including learning how to shift into a human shape to work with the humans. The books starts with a human named Meg running from someone, and finding refuge withThe Others in the courtyard (the Others section of land in cities they keep in order to watch what the humans are up to). Human law does not apply in the courtyards. Meg is a Blood Prophet who has been “kept”by the Controller, who sells her prophecy’s .Simon, leader of this courtyard is an uncommon Other who is trying to figure out how the humans work and think, even allowing humans to work for them and shop in some of their stores. Thru the series, a human pack emerges with this group of others and they learn how they can co-exist. However, a group of humans is pushing to be the dominant group, and the Others are unhappy with Humans lying to them and not keeping their agreements.

I am devouring this series. Currentlyin the middle of book 4. While the first has been my favorite, I am still so engaged in the story that I can hardly put it down. The cast of characters has grown and sometimes I have to stop and figure out who is who. The story is complex and compelling.

Welcome back!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

#2 Ready Player 2 by Ernest Cline
Ready Player One was one of my favorite reads in recent years. Yes I would tell everyone its like popcorn reading but I love popcorn. What my love of popcorn often makes me forget is that the super size bucket can be to much. This book was still popcorn but it was that second part of that large bucket, where u regretted getting it, and now you were just ramming it down your throat in part because it was over ten dollars. You know the part that the butter substitute doesn't even get to... and the pieces half of them seem like broken and smaller than an actual popped kernal should be. Anyway the high five are all still there, except for the dead one and Og is still there. And even though Haliday is dead he comes back too. And there is no lack of 80 talk or exciting retro tasks to complete. Anyway aside from some indigestion and a weird after taste, thats all I got to say about the book.

Anyone is interested in reading any of my works I would gladly send kindle gift versions of any of them: “Written for You”, “Three Twigs for the Campfire”, “Cemetery Girl” or “Reigning”.
You can see them all reviewed on Goodreads (click on link to view books). If you are interested in reading any of them please message me here or at Goodreads. I would greatly appreciate the effort.

 

[Disney_Alli]

24) Challenge - Amy Dawes This is the first book in a series about a family of football (soccer) players. Dawes is a great rom-com writer with big emotions and bigger laughs. Enjoyed it a lot! The audiobook is a duet narration which was a first for me. While I know a lot of people love it, I definitely took a minute to get used to it but in the end I enjoyed it a lot.

 

[Toolulu22]

4/75 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Wow, just wow. This is an incredibly beautiful book. Well written and filled with figurative language that instantly brings scenes, feelings to your mind. Also I became very emotionally involved. A young girl lives in isolation, with her friends being the gulls that she feeds, on the coast of North Carolina. She is self reliant and is uncomfortable with people, town, society. Then 2 men enter the picture when she is older and she deals with first love and the need to be loved. A mystery occurs and the ending packed a bit of a wallop. I highly recommend this beautiful book.

5/75 Made in California by George Geary. "The California Born Burger Joints, Diners, Fast Food and Restaurants That Changed America". This was a fun, fairly quick read about the history of food places and/or companies that were started in Calif. Some are no longer around, but many are. We've got the biggies like Taco Bell, In-N-Out, IHOP, Jack in the Box, Wiernerschnitzel, See's Candies. And then there are the ones that are either gone, renamed, or with just a few remaining. Ones from my past included Round Table Pizza, Bob's Big Boy (remember the comic book?), Sizzler, Sambo's, Swenson's Ice Cream, Winchell's. A fun read.

I read Where the Crawdads Sing two summers ago and absolutely loved it! The setting, her history and ties (with people and nature) and the mystery all come together into a compelling story. I just saw that a movie based on this novel will be coming out later this year. I’m hoping they do justice to the story.

 

[Walt's Dream]

10/75 Anybody Can Do Anything by Betty MacDonald. After leaving the egg farm on the Olympic Peninsula (The Egg and I) and divorcing her husband, Betty (and her two young daughters) moves back to Seattle to live with her family. This is the story of her various employments during the Depression. Funny tidbits and a great description of Seattle during the Depression. She never gave up and some of her job descriptions are a hoot.

11/75 Chicken Every Sunday by Rosemary Taylor. Life in Tucson in the early 1900's as she grew up in her mother's boarding house. Her maiden name was Drachman, one of the founding families of Tucson. Fun read with some strangely interesting characters.

 

[mrs. magoo]

4/30 - Anne of Green Gables - I decided to listen to some classics on audible during my morning walk. I had never read this book and I greatly enjoyed it. Rachel McAdams was the narrator and she did a great job. I am currently on Tom Sawyer read by Nick Offerman. I enjoy listening to books on my morning walk.

 

[OKW8297]

3. The Devil May Dance by Jake Tapper second book involving a mystery to be unraveled by a Washington Congressman and his wife. Set in the early 60’s this one involves the Rat Pack. An entertaining read.

 

[willowsnn3]

#9/50 One Good Dog by Susan Wilson
From Goodreads:
Adam March is a self-made Master of the Universe. He has it all: the beautiful wife, the high-powered job, the glittering circle of friends. But there is a price to be paid for all these trappings, and the pressure is mounting—until the day Adam makes a fatal mistake. His assistant leaves him a message with three words: your sister called. What no one knows is that Adam’s sister has been missing for decades. That she represents the excruciatingly painful past he has left behind. And that her absence has secretly tormented him all these years. When his assistant brushes off his request for an explanation in favor of her more pressing personal call, Adam loses it. And all hell breaks loose.
Adam is escorted from the building. He loses his job. He loses his wife. He loses the life he’s worked so hard to achieve. He doesn’t believe it is possible to sink any lower when he is assigned to work in a soup kitchen as a form of community service. But unbeknownst to Adam, this is where his life will intersect with Chance.
Chance is a mixed breed Pit Bull. He’s been born and raised to fight and seldom leaves the dirty basement where he is kept between fights. But Chance is not a victim or a monster. It is Chance’s unique spirit that helps him escape and puts him in the path of Adam.

Dropped by the library the other day to return some items, didn't have time to really browse, so just picked this one up with plans to come back later with more time to look around. Didn't expect too much from it but turns out it is currently the best of what I have read so far this year & will be very close to the top of my faves for the year. As one reviewer put it: One Good Dog is One Good Book!

 

[Toolulu22]

1. The Vampire Diaries: The Fury (LJ Smith)
2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Newt Scamander = JK Rowling)
3. Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local, and Helped Save an American Town (Beth Macy)
4. The Vampire Knitting Club (Nancy Warren)
5. Stitches and Witches (Nancy Warren)
6. Crochet and Cauldrons (Nancy Warren)
7. Stockings and Spells (Nancy Warren)
8. Purls and Potions (Nancy Warren)
9. Fair Isle and Fortunes (Nancy Warren)
10. Lace and Lies (Nancy Warren)
11. Bobbles and Broomsticks (Nancy Warren)
12. Cat's Paws and Curses (Nancy Warren)
13. Popcorn and Poltergeists (Nancy Warren)
14. Garters and Gargoyles (Nancy Warren)
15. Diamonds and Daggers (Nancy Warren)
16. Herringbone and Hexes (Nancy Warren)
17. Ribbing and Runes (Nancy Warren)

I fell into the Vampire Knitting Club series and didn't stop until I finished them. The main character owns a knitting shop, but solves murders on the side. People just die everywhere she goes! It's a very cute premise with a touch of romance and they are easy reads. No knowledge of knitting needed.

This looks like a cute series- I just ordered the first book. I like some of the cozy series and need something light and easy right now. Thanks for your review, I’m going to check it out.