Reading Challenge of the month-August- Make your own list!

[Cheryl]

I know that you all have your own "list" of books that you would like to read every month, so I am giving you full control of the list. Here's the test though- you've got to make your list and then stick to it (so be sure to post your lists early on this thread). This can be hard for those of those that get tempted by different books at the library, etc. But can you do it!

Can you read all the books on your list? Good luck!

List 1- 1-2 books

List level 2- 3-4 books

List level 3- 5-8 books,

List level 4- 9-12 books

List Level 5- ( the masters of staying on task)- 13+ books

Good luck everyone and happy reading.

Tracker-https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Make Your Own List

1. Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin | 8/3/21 | DNF p. 80 (lead did not regret pre-marital affair; abusive ex-boyfriend)
2. Active Defense by Lynette Eason | 9/3/21
3. The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner | 8/20/21
4. Why We Fought: Inspiring Stories of Resisting Hitler and Defending Freedom by Jerry Borrowman | 8/23/21
5. Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti
6. Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham
7. In a Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem
8. The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston
9. Hostile Intent by Lynette Eason | 9/13/21
10. The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall | 9/2/21 DNF p.91

[Jenn]

I'm terrible at sticking to my lists of books to read, so hopefully I can read all of these.

✓ 1.
✓ 2.
✓ 3.
✓ 4. finished in Sept.
✓ 5.
✓ 6.
✓ 7.
✓ 8.
9.
✓ 10.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Oh my, this is a tough one. I make a buffet list each month and then add/delete so don't exactly stick to it. I'm in and will need to give this some thought before putting down my list. :-)

[Sarita]

List level 3- 5-8 books:

I'm going to do 2 subLists:

Focus on finish the series:
#1
#2
#3
#4

All my ARC which is published in Aug 2021:
#1
#2
#3
#4

And, if I still have time, Golden oldies:
#1
#2

[Brittany]

I'm in and will stick with my review books list. So, I hopefully will get all of these done and maybe a few extras, as well.

1. Then Came You ✔
2. An Engagement of Sorts ✔
3. The Wrangler's Ready-Made Family: Wyoming Legacy ✔
4. A Future to Fight For ✔
5. This Time Around ✔
6. Dual Power of Convenience ✔
7. In a Grove of Maples ✔
8. Dangerous Amish Showdown ✔
9. Lost and Found Faith ✔
10. The Gold in These Hills ✔
11. The Texas SEAL's Surprise: A Clean Romance ✔
12. The Merchant and the Rogue ✔
13. One Final Breath ✔
14. Matched and Married ✔
15. The Heart of Splendid Lake ✔

[Lila]

More Than Words by Heidi McCahan
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay
The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay
The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
Love Me in the Spotlight by Laura Burton

[Winter]

We'll see how well this goes... ;P

1.Rook Di Goo
2.Firefly Cove
3.Braking for Bodies
Clouds in my Coffee *Hidden Gems Challenge*
Waterfall
4.The Siren and the Scholar
Protection for Hire
5. The Rose and the Briar
A Tale of Two Cities *Hidden Gems Challenge*

[Hannah]

I’ll attempt this....

1. The Heart's Charge Witemeyer
2. The Silver Shadow Tolsma
3. Hostile Intent Eason
4. Yours is the Night Dykes
5. God's Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe Wallace (in progress)
6. On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor Wright
7. Pint of No Return Mentink (in progress)
8. Heartsease Hocking
9. Patsy Crockett
10. Coble (in progress)
11. Haven of Swans Coble
12. White (in progress)
13. Blackstock (in progress)
14. Peril on the Ranch Eason
15.

[Carissa]

I'm making my list of the books I need to read for review and for the two book clubs I'm in. (library book club work which I lead) and mine with my friends which we take turns leading.

Book club books
1. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton(work book club) mainstream mystery
2. Return to Love by Betsy St. Amant (personal book club)

Review books
3. Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel
4.The Chase by Lisa Harris
5. Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse

[Loraine]

Here's my list:
1. The Cryptographer’s Dilemma (finished)
2. Hostile Intent (finished)
3. The Bracelet (Finished)
4. Zoomer (Finished)
5. More Than a Carpenter
6. Critical Reaction (finished)
7. A King to Rule
8. Where Two Hearts Meet (finished)
9. This Wilderness Journey
10. Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World's Bestselling Devotional (Finished)
11. Aunt Bessie Considers (Finished)
12. Beloved Castaway (Finished)
13. To Write a Wrong (Finished)

[Christine]

I am catching up on my Christian Fiction reads tAmong the Godshis month and going to the beach and planning on reading!! MY list:
1.Between the Wild Branches
2. Wings of the Wind
3. Shadow of the Storm
4. Counted with the Stars
5. Among the Gods
6. Faith of My Fathers
7. Song of Redemption
8. The Strength of His Hand
9. Gods and Kings
10. Revival Season
11. A Piece of the Moon
12 A Girl’s Guide to the Outback
13. The Book of Lost Friends
14. Make You Feel My Love

[Missy]

I'm going to attempt:

1. - ✔ Read
2. ✔ Read
3.
4. ✔ Read

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I like making lists each month of possible reads, but pinning me down to committing to certain ones...that's a bit different.

Sarita has been my inspiration for finishing started series and I'm going to go along that vein.

My list is books the will complete a series:


I'm predicting I'll finish two of these, but we'll see... :-)

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

I don't know if anyone else has thought of this...

I jotted my list on a Post-It Note to put on my calendar. I'll likely see it often there. If it doesn't work there, then I'll put it on my bookmark. That should definitely work to keep me on task.

What tips do y'all have for sticking to our lists?

[Hannah]

I love the book mark idea. I may need to try that.

[Sarita]

@staci - yeah 🤗

[Missy]

Andrea you and I must think alike. I have my monthly reading list on a post-it note sitting under my monitor at work. Once I finish a book, I check it off. That way I can see what I want to read next and see what has been done for the month.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Awesome, Missy! I don't usually stick well to lists, but I'm trying extra hard the next couple of months, for this challenge, NetGalley, and a couple of other review books. I'll likely sneak in some extras, but I'm trying to be more disciplined about it. :)

[Jenn]

Great idea! This will help serve as a good reminder. I'll probably do a post-it, also.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

My approach has changed over time. The past couple of years, I've used a lined note card about half the size of a sheet of paper to write down possible reads for the month. I put them on the note card by genre and by format (physical book/Kindle) as I generally read one physical book and one Kindle book at the same time and from different genres. I mark them off as I read and erase and add regularly as my mood or plans change.

[Bonny]

I pile the books I want to read next (or that I'm in the middle of reading) by my bed, and then pick whichever one fits my mood or fits the theme of the other books I'm reading. But I think I'm going to let myself read whatever I want this month (with the exception of the word of the month and the cover challenge of course!).

[Christine]

Staci wrote: "My approach has changed over time. The past couple of years, I've used a lined note card about half the size of a sheet of paper to write down possible reads for the month. I put them on the note c..."
Staci I am totally different. I am a mood reader. Since I am going on vacation tomorrow I picked out 14 books on Scribd to read and I am going to stick with it. This is hard for me but am excited to read some of these great reads. I am focusing on Christian Fiction the last 2 months since I haven't read them in awhile. So wish me luck that I can stick to my list!!

[Lauri]

This almost seems harder than being given a theme and finding books to fit within that challenge. Now I have to decide for myself instead of having a direction laid out for me. Hmmm....

I think I will try to make my way through The Montana Marshall series by Susan May Warren (this will be a NTM author as well). I plan to read
finished 8/10
finished 8/13
finished 8/15
finished 8/16
finished 8/19
my preplanned list is complete, now I will just read books I randomly choose.

[Chris]

I will have fun with this!! Thanks for doing this list.
1. Poirot Investigates
2. The Promised Land
3. Last Days of Summer
4. Stranger in the Homeland
5. Long Ride Home
6. Siddhartha
7.
8. Dreams of Savannah
9. Olive Mabel and me
10. Dreamers
11. Into the Wilderness
12. Moon over Tokyo
13. The Homestead
14. Under a white sky
15. The shape of mercy

[Paula]

My list:
1. Three Little Things by Patti Stockdale
2. Under The Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse
3. Yours is The Night by Amanda Dykes
4. The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd Johnson
5. A Midnight Dance by Joanna Politano
6. The Cryptographers Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
7. Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden
8. Crossed Lines by Jennifer Delamere
9. Hostile Internet by Lynette Eason
10. Re read: The Promised Land by Katie Powener

[Sarita]

Andrea wrote: "I don't know if anyone else has thought of this...

I jotted my list on a Post-It Note to put on my calendar. I'll likely see it often there. If it doesn't work there, then I'll put it on my bookma..."

I try to do an award thing, like for every two books read on the list, I can deviate and read something else.

[Winter]

I like the reward thing as well; great for when there happens to be a new release you've been waiting for. ;)

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

I'm enjoying hearing about all the various ways y'all keep yourselves focused and motivated. I might have to try some of these ideas.

[Loraine]

I try to set up my list each month with the 3 to 4 Netgalley reviews I need to do for that month. Then add 5-6 books I need to read for monthly/yearly challenges. Finally 5-6 books from my Kindle TBR list and my regular TBR list or from my bookshelf. I know since I am retired I have more reading time than those of you who are working.

[Kattarina]

List level 2 , 3-4 books:

1.) The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer
2.) Radical by David Platt
3.) Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter
4.) Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

5.) Continue to read the Bible & The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

[Carissa]

The only books I plan to read and add to my list or any books I need to read for review and my two book club books. This allows me to keep my TBR list small and still allows me room to fit in other books I want to read as the mood strikes.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Unfortunately, my first one was a dud. DNFed at page 80. (It took me nearly a month to reach page 80, which is super slow for me.) Moving on to the next.

[Loraine]

Andrea wrote: "Unfortunately, my first one was a dud. DNFed at page 80. (It took me nearly a month to reach page 80, which is super slow for me.) Moving on to the next."

My first one was a dud also. DNFed at an explicit sexual scene, so I quickly stopped reading.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Aww! So sorry we're on that DNF track at the moment. I hope your next book is a winner.

[Loraine]

Andrea wrote: "Aww! So sorry we're on that DNF track at the moment. I hope your next book is a winner."

I'm sure the next one will be great as it is Lynette Eason's , and she never misses!

[Hannah]

I'm trying not to dnf a dud myself. Pushing through...

[Loraine]

Hannah wrote: "I'm trying not to dnf a dud myself. Pushing through..."

Sure hope you can make it!

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Good news is that we're getting those duds removed from our TBRs! Ooh, I'm reading Active Defense right now, Loraine, so you know Hostile Intent should be up soon for me too. :) Great minds certainly do think similarly!

[Loraine]

Yes we do!

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

#1

This wasn't on my original list but does align with the focus which is to read books that complete series. I started the Treacherous Beauty Series in January 2015 so it's good to complete it now. I enjoyed the first two books more than the third but all three were good.

[Lila]

I've finished 3 of my 5:
More Than Words by Heidi McCahan
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay
The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay



I still need:
The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay
Love Me in the Spotlight by Laura Burton

[Sarita]

List level 3- 5-8 books:

I'm going to do 2 subLists:

Focus on finish the series:
#1 - √ done
#2
#3 - √ done
#4

All my ARC which is published in Aug 2021:
#1 - √ done
#2 - √ done
#3 - √ done
#4 - √ done

And, if I still have time, Golden oldies:
#1 - √ done
#2

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I'm not finishing the series intended so far, but am finishing series so will count that as a win! Just finished series #2 this month by reading these two novellas:

[Lila]

I've finished all 5 of my 5:
1. More Than Words by Heidi McCahan
2. Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay
3. The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
4. The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay
5. Love Me in the Spotlight by Laura Burton was steamier than I like, so I counted it as a DNF and replaced it with a NetGalley of River of Lights by Melanie Dobson

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

I've only finished three (one DNF) so far. Still trying to get a few more checked off, but time is flying, so we'll see how this goes. Sticking to a specific reading list is really tough.

The two I finished all the way through:

[Loraine]

I've finished 8 of the 13 on my list. Am halfway through another one and hope to get 2 more finished before the end of the month.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Nice job Lila!

#3

[Carissa]

Finished

Book club books
1. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton(work book club) mainstream mystery
2. (personal book club)

Review books
3.
4.
5.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Well done, Carissa!