Cecil’s Comments (group member since Jan 07, 2020)

Cecil’s comments from the Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges (Formerly GXO) group.

Indy_Chick wrote: "Challenge complete.
Key word: beneath
Title: The Girl Beneath the Sea
Author: Andrew Mayne
New author to me, and I really enjoyed this mystery/crime/thriller-- so much so that I purchased the secon..."
If you enjoyed this one, you will love The Naturalist series, and the Jessica Blackwood series too! I enjoyed them all.

Challenge complete!
Key Word: Beneath
Book: The World Beneath by Rebecca Cantrell
This was a fun read, reminded me of Andrew Mayne’s writing a bit. Creative new take on a familiar thriller plot. Will be checking out the next three in the series.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

Challenge Complete!
Read The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
It was a fun ride, see my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Challenge Complete!
Key Word: Lake
Read: The Boy and the Lake by Adam Pelzman
Interesting take on the 60’s from a Jewish point of view, partial based on the politics of the time. But that’s only part of the picture, and main story line revolves more around what is deemed acceptable and what is not in the society in their neighborhood. And what people are willing to do to keep the status quo, protecting their lifestyle, their family, and their vision of the American dream. Nice twist in the end.

Kimberly wrote: "APRIL Key Words:

"Away, Wait, Book, Raven, Lake, Angel, Nine, Island"

--- Comment below with ---
(1) The name and author of the book you're reading for the challenge,
(2) CHALLENGE COMPLETE if yo..."
This says "April" keywords, wasn't that supposed to be May Keywords? They match the ones I wrote down, but just checking.... ;)

Challenge Complete!
Read two this month, my daughter (22, works at the library) insisted on choosing some for me, even though I had one picked out. (Who am I to argue?) One a classic, one I had not heard of before, but was a perfect fit.
1st read The Tale of Despereaux, which may be intended for slightly younger audiences than middle school, but a sweet classic none the less.
2nd read The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson. Perfect for this month, as May is also Mental Health Awareness month! The main character has severe OCD, but still becomes the hero in the end. Very engaging, finished it in two sittings! Would strongly recommend this as reading for middle grades, to raise awareness of at least one type of mental illness.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished last month by completing the Tamora Pierce series "Protector of the Small", 4 books that are so well written, as are all her books. Really enjoyed the Beka Cooper series also, read that a few years ago. I see why this author was my daughter's favorite.

Cecil wrote: "Reading by Lynn Cahoon. Wasn't planning on a cozy mystery initially, but so far so good. (Not my usual genre.) Got an early start on my challenge books this mont..."

Challenge Complete! See my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Reading by Lynn Cahoon. Wasn't planning on a cozy mystery initially, but so far so good. (Not my usual genre.) Got an early start on my challenge books this month, almost done with the second one already. Leaves time for more books this month, have to catch up on my yearly challenge number!

My choice was by Andrew Mayne. Went with "Girl" for the keyword. Actually started at the end of March, but finished in April. (Still qualifies, right?) Was a fun read, have always enjoyed mysteries by this author. See my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Kimberly wrote: "My book pick is "

Me too! I love his Naturalist and Jessica Blackwood series.

Key Word: Lost
Title: The Lost Man
Author: Jane Harper
Challenge Complete!
Very much enjoyed this one, learned more about living in the Australian outback than from any of the nature shows!
My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Challenge complete!
Read A Foreign Country by Charles Cummings, based in Britain, with trips to a number of other countries. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Well had to change plans, can’t find the one I was going to read! (It’s somewhere, but I’ll find it eventually.) Now switched to reading The Lost Man by Jane Harper instead, going with “lost” for keyword.

Key Word(s) - Rain, Come
Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate
Challenge Complete
Not especially my favorite, but a fairly good mystery. Gave it 3 stars.
Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Since I can’t stomach most straightforward romances, went for the humor angle. Somehow ended up being gifted Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen, so that seemed a likely option. Wasn’t sure what to expect, as I haven’t read an out and out humor based book in many years, but I was not disappointed! What a riot! Will be checking out his other books in the “Skink” series. Challenge complete!

Challenge Complete! I read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, using “Midnight” as my keyword.
Very much enjoyed the book, historical books like this always fascinate my sense of curiosity about the past. I like to look up the “real” details via Wikipedia or some other source, just to get the actual skinny in case details were enhanced. Actually going to watch the movie too, knowing some more details will be lost or embellished (as movies always do). My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Erica wrote: "Challenge complete!

Book: Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland

I LOVED this book! I've actually read several fantasy novels this month so far, but I chose to list this one here because it see..."

This sounds intriguing, I'm adding it to my TBR list!

Challenge complete! Finished Fire by Kristin Cashore. See my review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've lined up to read Bitterblue later in the challenges, but wondering if I need to reread Graceling first. (Just gotta have things in order, ya know!)
Off to my next book in the January Keyword challenge!

Cecil wrote: "Chose Library of Souls, third in the "Miss Peregrine's Home..." series. Have to read them fairly close together, so I don't forget the overarching plot line!"

Change of plan! Going to reread Fire by Kristin Cashore. I meant to read Bitterblue, but it's been so long since I read Fire, figured I need to be up to speed on the series first!

Here's some from my TBR and Read lists:
The Edge of Lost by Kristina McMorris
Rain Will Come by Thomas Holgate (uses two words!)
Harm None by Will North
Red War by Vince Flynn
The Red Hunter by Lisa Unger
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie