Yalonda’s Comments (group member since Feb 11, 2020)

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

Challenge complete! I read "In the Heart of the Fire" as a new to me series and I absolutely love it! Moving immediately on to the next book. What a wonderful modern mystery with a touch of the paranormal and a fascinating main character! You can read my review here.

I love seeing what everyone has planned :-)

I have planned my reading challenges for the year but usually pick books as I go. My goal is 75 books this year, split between 3 reading challenges & 1 reading group. I've got January going: Sharpe's Tiger (Audiobook+6Shooter) & In the Heart of the Fire (Monthly Motif+6Shooter). I've nominated a book for February read-along (TurtleRecall). I've also got my website ready for the coming year too.

Happy reading, y'all!

Challenge complete!

CHALLENGE COMPLETE! I read "The Captain's Nephew" for this month. I have to say that historical fiction is not really my preferred genre but Allan has a flavor I might grow to like.

Cecil wrote: "I'll be reading "

This one has been on my radar so I am going to add it to the TBR list and wait for your review. Have fun! :-)

Kimberly wrote: "I'll be reading The Shadows, Alex North. "

Looks good! Adding to my TBR list :-)

CHALLENGE COMPLETE :-) I read Gabriel Bryne's "Walking With Ghosts" - a very human look at a man I admire, no excuses or avoiding difficult topics. This was an easy read that served as a much needed reminder that everyone has issues and our difficult times do pass.

Challenge complete. I highly recommend this book, of short stories several of which fit this month's theme. The most prominent is "Secret Samantha" with "Sol Painting Inc." a close second. I love the diversity of cultures and viewpoints that when combined with the relatable YA characters bring us a powerful story. So many of these take time to remind our YA main characters that a parent's love is so much more than a trifle and often goes unseen during the throes of adolescence. A must-read that will be joining my personal library and most likely finding its way into my classroom.

Simon wrote: "Challenge completed. Stories of your life and others. Ted Chiang. To be totally honest, I hated it, maybe I’m just not intelligent enough to understand it but I really struggled and didn’t find any..."

I am sorry to hear that but I don't think your response is due to lack of intelligence. I have avoided this one because I get the impression a little Chiang goes a long way. Perhaps he is one of those authors that shines in a single short story (of which he has many & I plan to read one) but lacks appeal when those become a book. Thank you for the honest review!

Woo hoo! This motif is right up my alley :-) So many choices ...

COMPLETE: I chose to read the second Weather Warden Book - the world and magic system are unique enough to be fresh with a strong main character I love. I love how the elements are the heart of human magic which can combine with the other-worldly magic of the genies to make the wardens incredibly effective in protecting the world. Definitely similar to my beloved Dresden & while this is not a favorite, it was strong enough to make me want to read the next book.

Kimberly wrote: "Joosje wrote: " I read A run in the park and I loved it. It's a novella about a group of people who take up running, told from different perspectives, and give..."

Agreed - this one sounds interesting indeed!

Nice theme! I am going to take this chance to read Binti
by Nnedi Okorafor.

CHALLENGE COMPLETE:
There are simply no words right now for how much I enjoyed this book! When I first started reading I was sure this was yet another 'teen angst-teen finds specialness-teen saves world in some way' book. In a way it is but it isn't at the same time. Definitely worth a read!

Challenge complete! I read "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil". While it was not the best work I have ever read, I thoroughly enjoyed the 'non-fiction as a work of fiction' approach. I became interested in the characters and we never stayed with one long enough to get bored. And I'm still not sure whether it was murder or self -defense ~ well done!

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!

I read two this month and enjoyed them both.

An exceptionally rich historical fiction ... really, who can resist dinosaurs during the Civil War. I was only able to get access to this as an audiobook & was pleased that the narrator did an excellent job of bringing life to the various characters. Definitely a fun read with a message but I don't think it came through clearly from the audiobook. To truly hear the complete message I feel I should actually read the book.

I absolutely adore this book & plan to purchase a copy for my personal library. This is a truly believable middle grade book that makes one consider: do you believe in magic? I fell into Natasha's world & simply had to know the author of the notes. And the ending? Let's just say I wasn't expecting *that*.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Challenge complete

I adore Precious! A woman comfortable in her own skin and observant to boot. Her love of Botswana and Africa remind me of how I used to feel about my home state. The history and culture of her beloved land comes through clearly and I find it mesmerizing.

CHALLENE COMPLETE: Hummus and Homicide by Tina Kashian was an enjoyable mystery, had wonderful recipes, based around believable & cleverly written family dynamics, and gave some interesting cultural/ethnic insight. There was more "pre-romance" than I anticipated but I am hoping this is because it is important in later stories. Definitely will get to book 2 this summer to see what happens next.

CHALLENGE COMPLETE. I thoroughly enjoyed this water world with its multifaceted theologies and boat cultures. The magic of the sirens and the connection to their balances was fresh - it is not a form of magic I have seen in more than a passing glimpse. The relationships were plentiful and real - Nerene is my soul sister. The familial relationships, romance that wasn't sappy or in your face, minefield that is work relations, establishing yourself in a new place, and general human relationships that speak to our time show the entire gamut of relationships one experiences during life. I cannot express adequately in words how much this book touched me. I will be purchasing a copy for my collection and see it being a much loved, oft read favorite.

Tanya Patrice wrote: "Seriously - Wow! The book choices so far from everyone has such variety! And the descriptions - you guys are making me add more books to my TBR!"

So true! My TBR is going to out of control come summer :-D

Mary wrote: "Just joined the challenge. Super excited as last year was a bit of a bust for me - what I thought was cancer brain causing me to struggle through a book turned out to be simply a book that was just..."

I would count Prince as an acceptable spin on Princes :-) Honestly, I think I did exactly that in a past challenge.

CHALLENGE COMPLETE: Hirana's War by Britta Jensen

A coming of age, teen angst, magical teen saves world, love story set on a remote planet but oh the world building in this book! Such imagery especially for a novelist who has only just published her second full length novel. And there are two worlds in this book! Perhaps the two most fascinating twists are Leanora (our heroine) was visually impaired and her magic is based on music. In all the books I have read with a magic system, I don't recall one based on music! Ms. Jensen doesn't forget the importance of our animals companions. Gwynbees and ulsos fill key roles. Ms. Jensen give us all the feels - love, betrayal, joy, sorrow, despair, hate - and leaves us contemplating how far we would go to save those we love.