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2022 Independent Challenges
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Lillie's 2022 Individual Challenge
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Michelle wrote: "Great month Lillie! I enjoyed Thank you for Listening as well. Could the author have crammed one more romance trope into that book? And yet it worked. I just finished The Lost Ticket and enjoyed it..."I enjoy books where you can tell the author's had a good time writing it. This definitely fits that bill.
Bill wrote: "We had no trick or treaters.. Mind you we were exhausted from just flying back from Ontario.. lol.. You had a great month. I've got to start the JD Robb series. One for 2023... :)"I'm a little anxious when you say you want to start reading JD Robb 😬 I'd hate for you to be disappointed
Alondra wrote: "Kudos and a fantastic month, Lillie!I can't believe book 3 in the Checquy files is out. I loved book 1 and never got to book 2. I think I should reread book 1."
Thanks! You should definitely read Stiletto. I don't think anything can top The Rook but I haven't started Blitz so maybe 🤷🏻♀️
This month has started off strong. Maybe it's because I overloaded with random mystery audiobooks instead of sitting down and reading the print books I have on the table.Book #165
The Lost Ticket 3.5 stars audiobookI really enjoy these books that start off with a group of strangers who end up changing each other's lives. It's been a few days and my lingering thought is it's a sweet even though dementia and loneliness are some of the main themes. The story didn't trivialize those but the overall feeling gave me a warm feeling.
Book #166
The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries 3.5 stars audiobookThe first of my random mysteries. Went on libby and picked out some books I thought would be fun. This is a mystery set in Victorian London. An inspector's housekeeper (plus the staff) help the inspector solve a murder mystery while keeping him unaware of their help. A fun cozy mystery where I didn't guess the murderer.
Book #167
Holmes Coming 3.5 stars audiobookSherlock Holmes in the 21st century. The real Holmes, who put himself into "sleep" and hibernated for about 100 years. He had become bored in London after Moriarty's death and he wanted new challenges. As long as you can roll with that, it's a fun mystery set in modern day San Francisco.
Book #168
The Socialite's Guide to Murder 3 stars audiobookA little less successful in the mystery than the two previous books, but still a fun story. An agoraphobic hotel heiress, in the 1950s, gets embroiled into a murder mystery in the hotel. It's fun, I liked the interactions of the various hotel guests and staff. Will I read the next one whenever it comes out, most likely.
Mod
I'..."
Not to worry. Not every author pleases everyone. 😀
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I will. I think (??) that that will be part of my 12+4; catching up on series, making progress and making more progress by rereading 1st books in series. *sigh*
Alissa wrote: "The Lost Ticket sounds adorable!! Added =)"It really is. I also enjoyed her previous book The Last Chance Library as well.
Book #169
The Second Life of Mirielle West 2 stars audiobookInteresting topic, a leper colony in mainland US (Louisiana) set in the 1920s. A movie star's wife is diagnosed with leprosy and is whisked off to the colony. Never knew that there was another colony other than in Moloka'i. I'd read Moloka'i either last year or the year before and that captured me. This one, unfortunately, didn't. For me, I need to actually care about at least one person and there weren't any for me. What saved it was historical detail of the colony.
Book #170
The Bullet That Missed 4 stars audiobookAnother enjoyable entry in the Thursday Murder Club. If you enjoy cozy mysteries thrown in with spies in a retirement community then this series is for you.
*edited to add a book since I've essentially forgotten about it
Mod
The Bullet That Missed 4 stars audiobookAnother enjoyable entry in the Thursday Murder Club. If you enjoy cozy mysteries thro..."
I've got the first book. Looking forward to finally reading it.
Bill wrote: "I've got the first book. Looking forward to finally reading it. "Yay! I can't wait to see your review.
I really need to start the Thursday Murder Club series.
I just started reading The Bullet That Missed. That's great that you liked it. I had issues with the last one.
Lea wrote: "I just started reading The Bullet That Missed. That's great that you liked it. I had issues with the last one."Can totally understand that. I don’t think they’re the best mysteries out there but I do enjoy the interaction between the characters.
Lillie wrote: "Alissa wrote: "The Lost Ticket sounds adorable!! Added =)"It really is. I also enjoyed her previous book The Last Chance Library as well."
My bestie JUST chose The Last Chance Library as our December virtual book club pick, how funny!
Alissa wrote: "My bestie JUST chose The Last Chance Library as our December virtual book club pick, how funny!"I hope you enjoy it!
So, instead of reading one of the eleven books I still have on my challenge lists, I'm sitting here revising my 2023 list...
Book #171
Murder Lo Mein 3.5 stars audiobookAnother fun entry in the Noodle House mysteries with Lana Lee. This is her third outing and her third murder to solve. If you enjoy cozies with culinary themes set in the Midwest (Cleveland, Oh), then you should try this series.
Book #172
Mrs. Jeffries Dusts for Clues 3.5 stars audiobookSecond book in this Victorian London cozy series about a Scotland Yard Inspector's household staff helping him solve murders. He's not as competent as one would hope for an inspector but his staff is right there to prop him up without his knowledge. Really enjoying the characters and their interactions.
*edited to add that I'm on track to finish 3/11 of my remaining challenge by Wednesday
November wrap up: 12 books read
176 read for the year
Aiming for 8 more to finish up this challenge:
2 in Reading Group Challenge
1 in Reading Group Challenge +4
1 in RLF Book Club
1 in Historical
1 in Mystery/Thriller
1 in Fantasy
1 in Science Fiction
Best Book: The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America 5 stars
Fun Book: The Bullet That Missed 4 stars
Most Disappointing: Blitz 3.5 stars (I'll explain in a bit)
Worst Book: The Second Life of Mirielle West 2 stars
Book reviews for the last 4 books read:
Book #173 Woman of Light 3.5 stars print book
A story of a young Mexican-Indigenous woman, Luz, in the 1920's in Denver. Orphaned by both parents, she and her brother are raised by their aunt. We get to see a snippet of time after the brother is kicked out. Basically Luz's coming of age story. Good book.
Book # 174 The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America 5 stars print book
I love the author's writing style. This was not a dull history book but one that was chock full of information. So much so that I had to put it down several times so I could digest what I had read. Highly recommend it to everyone interested in history that's not taught in schools.
Book #175 The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries 3.5 stars audiobook
Another fun entry into the Mrs. Jeffries series. Like the narrator, like the storyline, like the comradery between the household staff. Easy listening.
Book #176 Blitz 3.5 stars print book
So disappointed in this follow up! I wanted and expected so much more. It's 2 stories in alternate chapters. Why couldn't the author release them as 2 separate books? Ended up reading each storyline on it's own. Would love to read another novel about Myfanwy Thomas from The Rook. Now that is one excellent fun book. Honestly, at this point, I look at The Rook as a standalone.
Mod
Thanks Bill! Hope you get to read The Rook soon. It really grabbed me all the way through.
Book # 177
The Honjin Murders 3.5 stars print bookEnjoyed this closed room mystery. A bride and groom are found murdered the day after their wedding in a room with no detectable way in or out of the room. A detective relays the information he's gathered. How did the murderer get in, how did they get out? Where did they disappear to?
Book #178
The Effort 3.5 stars print bookA comet is headed straight to Earth and scientists from across the globe gather together to try to change its path. As the news gets out to the general public, mass hysteria ensues and leads to massive shortages and other chaos. Don't read this if the recent/current pandemic has stressed you out.
Book #179
Our Man in Havana 3 stars print bookI feel slightly bad rating this a 3 when several people have rated it higher. I liked it, found it to be humorous at times. Think for me I found it unbelievable overall, especially how he was recruited. And that was fairly early in the book. Hung in there, and glad I did, cause like I said, it was good overall. But I might take my time in picking up another Graham Greene.
Mod
The Honjin Murders 3.5 stars print bookEnjoyed this closed room mystery. A bride and groom are found murdered the day after thei..."
I've got the Honjin Murders on my shelf. Looking forward to reading it. I've always enjoyed Our Man in Havana. I think I took it as more of a satire of the spy genre. I can see your point.
Bill wrote: "I've got the Honjin Murders on my shelf. Looking forward to reading it. I've always enjoyed Our Man in Havana. I think I took it as more of a satire of the spy genre. I can see your point."I think you'll enjoy The Honjin Murders. Saw that the next 3 books in the series have been translated as well. So books to look forward to :)
Book #180
A Very Punchable Face 4 stars audiobook/print bookI'm not going to lie, I really thought I'd hate this book. I'm not a big SNL fan. Don't watch it unless someone posts a clip. Which is how I've seen Colin Jost. Wasn't impressed. But, and this is a big but, I really enjoyed this book. Maybe it was that Colin Jost read his book and it came across as a bunch of self deprecating stories that were actually funny. And, it made me teary when he talked about his mother and 9/11 (she was among the first responders). The love and respect he has for her left a great impression. The print book had photos of his life. Glad I had both options. Real life book club book.
Thought I had added these 2 earlier but 🤷🏻♀️Book #181
Blackmail and Bibingka (Tita Rosie #3) 4 stars audiobookEnjoyable entry into the Tita Rosie series. Lila is back to detecting after her prodigal cousin returns to their hometown owning a vineyard. Of course, his main investor is murdered putting him in the hot seat. We follow Lila as she investigates while still running her new cafe business during the holiday season. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Book #182
Welcome to Night Vale 3.5 stars audiobookLet me get this out, this is one weird book. It's in the same category, for me, as Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently series and Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (though admittedly, I've only read one Pratchett). A little town in California seems live in its own bubble, no one leaves (not sure they can) and all kinds of strange things are in and around the town (angels, ufos, secret police, spies everywhere). I really can't say more cause I'm not sure it would make sense.
Apparently, there's a podcast of the same name. Will need to check it out.
Mod
So disappointed in this follow up! I wanted and expected so much more. It's 2 stories in alternate chapters..."
Yikes; but it's 3.5 stars, so not all bad, right??? I'm still going to reread book 1, read book 2 and contemplate book 3. *sigh*
LOL
Alondra wrote: "Yikes; but it's 3.5 stars, so not all bad, right??? I'm still going to reread book 1, read book 2 and contemplate book 3. *sigh*LOL "
Yeah, I did rate it that but only after I read one character’s story and then went back and read the other’s. If I’d continued alternating chapters I probably would’ve given it less stars. Still grumpy about it, lol
Book #183
When Christmas Comes 1 star audiobookDon’t know why I continued to listen to the audiobook. This has to be the absolute worst book for the entire year. The mystery is mediocre, was able to guess the twists chapters before they were revealed. Basically knew the ending halfway through. But most importantly, the misogyny and homophobia is outrageous in this day and age. I actually looked the publishing date up several times to double check. If it had been written 50 years ago, I’d deal with it. But it was published in 2021! This book is utter trash.
Book #184
The Spare Man 4 stars audiobookSci-fi murder mystery in space. This book combines the 2 genres I love to read the most. Fun murder mystery that I hope becomes a series. Also, cute dog featured.
Mid-December wrap up: 8 books read, 3 print, 4 audio and 1 print/audio comboI'm 4 books away from finishing this challenge (3 of them are from the 12+4 challenge) I'm determined to get them finished. I keep shaking my head at myself that I waited till now to read long books. I really should've read them in Jan/Feb. Next year, right?
The books I have remaining are:
Throne of the Crescent Moon
Kindred
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
The Eight
Mod
LOL "
Yeah, I did rate it that but only after I re..."
That makes sense. The author sounds like he went completely left on the writing style. Okay, thanks, Lillie!
Kindred and Yiddish Policemen both great books. Good luck!
Thanks everyone! I managed to finish one moreBook #185
Throne of the Crescent Moon 3.5 starsEnjoyable fantasy set in the Middle East with djenns and ghuls. It was meant to be the beginning of a series but the rest never came into fruition. Would've been fun to continue Doctor Abdoulla's ghul hunting adventures. Will look for the author's other books.
I'm trying to read Kindred this year also, but we'll see. It might end up in January, I feel like I'm reading way too much science fiction already this month.
Book #186
Kindred 4.5 stars print bookNo idea how to start this review other than wow! So intense, so emotional, so heart wrenching. Time traveling with Dana was harrowing to say the least. I had started it earlier but knew that I would need a couple of days to really dive into the book. So it was put off to now.
Had a couple of things that held me back from giving it a 5 star. The relationship between Rufus and Dana. Had to look up what their link was. And, what was it that called her back to Rufus time after time? I wanted that explored a bit more. I think I understand it (view spoiler)
Bottom line, if you haven't read it, put down whatever you're reading right now and pick it up today.
*reposted from 12+4 Challenge*
On to
Glad you got to Kindred! It's special.You can do it with your challenge! I left a 400 pager for one of my final books for the year. You have to wonder why we do it to ourselves!
Carolien wrote: "Glad you got to Kindred! It's special.You can do it with your challenge! I left a 400 pager for one of my final books for the year. You have to wonder why we do it to ourselves!"
It’s crazy, isn’t it? I have 2 books to read, a 400-pager and a 600-pager. 🤞🏼🤞🏼for both of us to finish
Book #187
The Yiddish Policemen's Union 3.5 stars print bookI don’t think I’m being fair to this book and had I read it in a different environment I probably would’ve given it a higher rating. As it stands, it was a bit more complicated than anticipated to be reading while waiting for a flight with delay after delay.
Thought the author really did a great job building his alternate reality, so complex and well thought out. Enjoyed the mystery and liked our flawed detective and his various complicated relationships. I’ll definitely be picking up another book by him in the near future.
*reposted from 12+4 challenge
It's definitely not a light read. Wonderful writing though.
Listened to 2 audiobooks begging while on vacation. Thought they were both fun in different ways.Book #188
Marple: Twelve New Mysteries 4 stars audiobook 12 short stories by a variety of authors writing a Miss Marple mystery. Enjoyed all the stories and am thinking of getting a print book because I’d like to reread it. Thought the authors captured Agatha Christie’s voice. Not perfect but fun.
Book #189
Better than Fiction 4 stars audiobook If you don’t like romance then I’d definitely skip this. But if you like romance and HEA then I’d recommend this one. Drew has been left her grandmother’s bookstore after her passing. She’s not a fan of reading but it’s a connection to her grandma. She meets a romance author who she falls for. Fun.
Mod
Kudos, Lillie and good luck in the new year.
Alondra wrote: "Finishing out with Miss Marple. She's a hoot!!Kudos, Lillie and good luck in the new year."
Thanks Alondra! One more to add to the 2022 read pile and then I need to double check my 2023 lists. Happy New Year!
Book #190
The Eight 4.5 stars print bookHave had this book on my shelf since the early 1990’s. Bought it on a friend’s recommendation. Finally starting reading this about a week ago and at first it was slow going. Wasn’t sure I was actually going to be able to finish it as it’s 600 pages. Usually wouldn’t be a problem but the holidays combined with flying to family. We got back last night and I had 400 pages to read. Guess what I did today, yup read for most of the day. And I finished! Woohoo!
Ok, on to why I rated it so high. It was pure fun and adventure. Duel timelines follow 2 women, one during the French Revolution and the other in the early 70’s, at the beginning of OPEC. There’s murder, spying, Freemasons, a chessboard and chess pieces, and the mystery of why this particular chessboard and pieces are so important to all. Fantastic way to end the year.
And, that’s it for 2022. Onward to 2023. Happy New Year!
December Wrap Up 14 books read (7 print books, 6 audiobooks, 1 print/audio combo)Best book of the month:
Lots of 4.5-3.5 books: great month
Worst book of the month:
2022 wrap up: 190 books read, I think it was an even distribution of print and audiobooks. Overall feeling is positive on the reading front.9 - 5 stars:
74 - 4-4.5 stars
89 - 3-3.5 stars
26 - 2-2.5 stars
1 - 1 star (Absolute worst book of the year, I don't know why I didn't dnf it)
And that's it for 2022. Happy New Year!
Congrats, it was a great year! Wishing you the same and more/better in 2023. Can't wait to see what you'll read in 2023!
190 books is a great year, especially with so many 4-5 star books! And only 1 1-star book. I had only 3 this year and was happy. Looks like I have only read 2 of your 5-star books, sounds like I need to do some adding/rearranging to my TBR. Looking forward to seeing what you read in 2023! Happy reading!
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Kindred (other topics)Inheritance: A Visual Poem (other topics)
Firekeeper’s Daughter (other topics)
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The Woman in the Library (other topics)
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I can't believe book 3 in the Checquy files is out. I loved book 1 and never got to book 2. I think I should reread book 1.