***Mary's Reading Group Challenge 2022

[Mary]

Hi All,

Here is my 12 + 4+ reading challenge for 2022.

1. A History of the Ancient Southwest
2. Tombland
3. The Luminaries
4. Almanac of the Dead
5. The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image
6. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
7. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms 11/15/22
8. Pope Joan 1/23/23
9. Howl’s Moving Castle
10. Zone One
11. Mistress of the Art of Death
12. Finding Sand Creek: History, Archeology, and the 1864 Massacre Site 12/25/22 completed

a) Crossroads of Change: The People and the Land of Pecos
b) False Ambassador
c) Charlotte Gray
d) The Crossing

[Lea]

This is a great list, Mary. I have many of the books on my TBR, but only read one. I liked The Luminaries, but it was certainly a long book. Enjoy your choices!

[Emily]

Good luck on your challenge, Mary!🐾

[John]

Quite a diverse list!

[Carolien]

I adore Howl's Moving Castle and I found Mistress of the Art of Death while tidying a shelf over the weekend. I should add it to my list as well. Enjoy your challenge!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Good luck - I haven't read any and only heard of two.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Any list with on it, is a great list, in my humble opinion!

I love Cormac McCarthy, and have not read a poor book from him yet. I still have to get one more book in the Border Trilogy before I can finish. I absolutely loved All the Pretty Horses. It broke my heart.

Good luck and happy reading

[Bill, Moderator]

Mistress of the Art of Death is a great intro to a fascinating, but short, series. I've been enjoying the Sansom series a lot as well but haven't read Tombland yet. I haven't read The Luminaries but thought The Rehearsal was kind of different. Enjoy all of your selections.

[Vikki, Moderator]

Good luck with your challenge

[Michelle]

I am unfamiliar with most of your books Mary but the one i recognize The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together was AWESOME!! I cannot praise the book enough. May all of your reads in 2022 be stellar!

[Denise]

I enjoyed The Luminaries. Wish you good luck on your challenge.

[Mary]

Alondra wrote: "Any list with on it, is a great list, in my humble opinion!

I love Cormac McCarthy, and have not read a poor book from him yet. I still have to get ..."

Hi Alondra, I like McCarthy too. I loved All the Pretty Horses and Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West is stunning. I expect no less with The Crossing

[Mary]

Michelle wrote: "I am unfamiliar with most of your books Mary but the one i recognize The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together was AWESOME!! I cannot praise the book..."

Cool! Thanks for the feedback, Michelle! I am ookig forward to reading it for sure.

[Mary]

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Mary wrote: "Hi Alondra, I like McCarthy too. I loved All the Pretty Horses and Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West is stunning. I expect no less with The Crossing..."

I just got a copy of The Crossing, so, I am ready. I've been looking forward to Blood Meridian. I think, because I haven't read any McCarthy in a while.

[John]

A challenging list!

[Ioana]

I've only read Pope Joan and loved it. Some of your other books are on my TBR, so I'll follow your reviews. Happy reading!

[Dawn]

Good luck on your challenge! Don’t think I’ve read any of them

[Mary]

Alondra wrote: "Any list with on it, is a great list, in my humble opinion!

Mistress of the Art of Death was fabulous! I will definitely continue with the series!

[Mary]

I really enjoyed The Fifth Season which inspired me to choose The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. It took a while for me to get it into, but once I did it was an enjoyable read. It shares many of the same themes as The Fifth Season like mother/daughter relationships, corrupt power, destruction and healing. I will definitely continue on with the series.

[Mary]

Pope Joan wasn't terrible but was a little predictable and cliche.