*LIST 2* Alissa's 2022 Reading Challenge

[Alissa]

Here's list #2!
I chose books that I have on hold at the library, or have bookmarked as buddy reads, or are on my shelf at home just giving me the evil eye.....

12/16 COMPLETED

1.) Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner COMPLETED 6/19/22- 3 STARS
2.) The Survivors by Jane Harper COMPLETED 7/19/22- 3 STARS
3.) All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy COMPLETED 7/25/22- 3 STARS
4.) Book Lovers by Emily Henry COMPLETED 7/4/22- 4.5 STARS
5.) Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger COMPLETED 8/12/22- 3 STARS
6.) Sula by Toni Morrison COMPLETED 10/12/22- 3.5 STARS
7.) Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases by Paul Holes COMPLETED 7/31/22- 4 STARS
8.) Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover COMPLETED 7/30/22- 2.5 STARS
9.) The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter COMPLETED 7/8/22- 3 STARS
10.) The Maid by Nita Prose COMPLETED 7/20/22- 4 STARS
11.) The Huntress by Kate Quinn
12.) The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager COMPLETED 10/9/22- 2.5 STARS

Alternates:
1.) The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
2.)Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley COMPLETED 9/15/22- 4 STARS
3.) Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
4.) Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

[〰️Beth〰️]

Happy Reading Alissa. Congratulations 🎉📚🎉 on finishing your first list. I have only read one on your new list but it looks like some good reads for the rest of the year.

[Bill, Moderator]

Good luck on List 2. You're having a great year.

[Lea]

I kind of want to read this list. I haven't read anything on it besides The Song of Achilles. Of course, we'll read All the Pretty Horses and Sula together. Let me know when you are into Firekeeper's Daughter, that one is also officially on my list. I'm also interested in many of the other books, this will be a fun list to watch.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Woot-Woot!!!

Sula by Toni Morrison is really good, and more "readable" than her later works. A friendship tested. I don't think I would have passed.

Kudos for a 2nd list!! 🤗🤗🤗

[Carolien]

Enjoy the second list! I really enjoyed The Survivors,

[Faouzia]

Congratulations on finishing your first list Alissa! This is really great :)

Nice list! I have some of the books in your list in my TBR, i would be looking forward to seeing your reviews!

[Denise]

Reminders of Him was so good and I also enjoyed The Maid.

[Patricia]

Congrats on finishing your first list & starting a second! I've read five on your list & have a few others to read. Have fun!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Wow, good luck with your second list. I don't think I've read any

[Lindsey]

Girl you are kicking some major butt on this challenge!! I know we are set to read The Survivors next month. I also have The Huntress and The Good Daughter that I'd love to buddy read sometime wirh you. Just let me know when you want to get to those.

[Lindsey]

I loved Firekeeper's Daughter!!! Such a great book and I learned so much about Native American culture too. Can't wait to hear how you like it!

[Alissa]

Lindsey wrote: "Girl you are kicking some major butt on this challenge!! I know we are set to read The Survivors next month. I also have The Huntress and The Good Daughter

Sounds good! I am planning on maybe one of those in July so I'l let you know- we'll see how we fare after The Survivors

[Alissa]

First book up will be

[Alissa]

Completed Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner



3 STARS

This one was a head-scratcher for sure. Don't be fooled by the cartoony cover. It's actually more of a murder mystery novel rather than the lovely chick lit that I am used to Jennifer Weiner writing/ I read this with my bestie and we both were a little confused on the plot as it felt like it was allllllllllll over the place. What started off as her usual chick lit with the bad ass plus-size main character like Weiner normally writes suddenly turned down a different path. It's not that it was a bad book because it certainly wasn't!! There were definitely hiccups with the flow of the novel but overall it was a decent story about body positivity and how people can change/not change from high school.

[Alissa]

Started book #2-

[Martha]

Your 2nd list!! Congrats!! I really enjoyed The Survivors & The Maid. Enjoy your selections!

[Alissa]

Martha wrote: "Your 2nd list!! Congrats!! I really enjoyed The Survivors & The Maid. Enjoy your selections!"

I plan on reading the Survivors with Lindsey next month, looking forward to it!

[Ioana]

Nice list! Ordinary Grace and Born a Crime are both very good. I have a few others on my TBR, so please report back 🤗

[Lillie]

Congrats on your second list!! I've read several on your list (The Survivors, Book Lovers, Song of Achilles, Born a Crime and most recently, Firekeeper's Daughter) and enjoyed them, hope you do too.

I really need to get cracking on my first list 😬

[Bonnie]

looks good- lots of fun summer reads and some more serious. I just finished and loved The Maid, loved Born a Crime long ago, and hope my library bookclub choses Ordinary Grace for August (still voting.)

[Alissa]

Starting the audiobook of

[Faouzia]

I've been seeing this book around here a lot but I'm still hesitating to read it. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of it Alissa :D

[Alissa]

Completed Book Lovers by Emily Henry.



4.5 STARS

This. Book. Was. ADORABLE! I absolutely loved this book. I loved the almost tongue-in-cheek stab at Hallmark movies that both made fun of and honored those movies. The love story in this one was both hilarious and touching, and steamy at times. Emily Henry writes couples banter so well.

For me though, what made this novel was the sister relationship between Nora and Libby. Their relationship was so special but I loved that Emily Henry shows the small cracks in their foundation, and their journey throughout the novel is just wonderful. Highly recommend!

[Alissa]

Completed The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter



3 STARS

Trigger warning: brutal description of rape of a minor

Karin Slaughter is one of my go-to authors when I need a taste of something dark and demented and twisty. This one definitely fits the bill. There are two storylines happening- a present day school schooling (which is extremely hard to read about given the current events here in the US) and a past history of two sisters, Charlotte and Samantha, who witness their mother's brutal murder and are forced into the woods by gunpoint. The story moves back and forth to tell the story of What Happened to Sam/ What Happened to Charlie.

Fair warning, this one was BRUTAL, esp since I mention the trigger warning above. I listened to it on audio, and even though I have a high tolerance on hard scenes, even I had to skip ahead for a bit because I was close to tears.

[〰️Beth〰️]

Alissa wrote: "Completed Book Lovers by Emily Henry.



4.5 STARS

This. Book. Was. ADORABLE! I absolutely loved this book. I loved the almost to..."
Have this on my TBR but was debating, so glad you liked it and will definitely move it up my list. Going to stay clear of The Good Daughter for the time being

[Lea]

You're doing great on your List 2! You might finish two lists before I get through one!

I'm excited to read Book Lovers and definitely not going to read The Good Daughter. Thanks for the trigger warning.

[Ioana]

Alissa wrote: "Completed The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter



3 STARS

Trigger warning: brutal description of rape of a minor

Karin Sl..."

This is on my TBR, but knowing all this now, I don't think I'd rush to read it...

[Alissa]

I completed Book #4 on my list, The Survivors by Jane Harper



3 STARS

I received this book as a BOTM choice months ago, but was finally able to read it as a buddy read with the lovely Lindsey =)

The book itself was fine, but I definitely don't think it's a good book club book/ buddy read book./ Mostly because, nothing really happens =) There is a story here- two mysteries in a small sea town in Australia and how they are connected- but this is a slow burn to end all slow burns and there's not a lot of action or things going on. The ending was pretty good, but don't go in expecting lots of action.

[Alissa]

Book #5 on my list, The Maid by Nita Prose



4 STARS

I felt this was a fabulous debut! Molly is a maid at a higher-up hotel and gets shoved right into the middle of the death of a VIP of one of her guests. This book was equal parts whodunit and hilarity as Molly is a bit of a character. While it is never stated, she is most likely on the spectrum. She narrates the whole book and I loved seeing the world as she sees it (as well as be dismayed and saddened with how the world sees her). I loved the cast in this book and thought this was very well done!

[Alissa]

Book #6 done!

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy



3 STARS

The descriptive writing is stunning!! The story, not so much haha. But I was here for the atmosphere of the novel, which is super important on a novel where there's a lot of talking and horse riding and not much else.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Alissa wrote: "Book #6 done!

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy



3 STARS

The descriptive writing is stunning!! The story, not so muc..."

Aaww, glad you at least enjoyed it. I need to read the entire border trilogy because everything I am currently reading is irritating me.

[Lea]

Alondra wrote: "Aaww, glad you at least enjoyed it. I need to read the entire border trilogy because everything I am currently reading is irritating me."

Oh! I hope you do! I'm hoping to read The Crossing mid August...maybe a buddy read or we can at least compare our thoughts on it? :-)

[Lindsey]

Alissa wrote: "I completed Book #4 on my list, The Survivors by Jane Harper



3 STARS

I received this book as a BOTM choice months ago, but wa..."

Good review!! On to our next buddy read... 🤣

[Lillie]

Wow! You’re really ripping through the books and it looks like you’ve been enjoying them.

So excited to see your review of The Maid, I’ve been going back and forth on whether to add it to next year’s list.

[Alissa]

Lillie wrote: "Wow! You’re really ripping through the books and it looks like you’ve been enjoying them.

So excited to see your review of The Maid, I’ve been going back and forth on whether to ad..."

It's up! See message 30. Go read it, I loved it!

[Alissa]

Book #7- Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover



2.5 STARS

I'd hate to say anything about Colleen Hoover books because her fans are loyal and rabid (go see my review for - them CoHo fans are not happy with me lol

This one was better but I still wasn't blown away by it. I did enjoy Verity by the same author but that was a thriller. CoHo romances just may not be my jam.

[Alissa]

Book #8- Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases by Paul Holes



4 STARS

As a true crime fan, I'm embarrassed to admit I had never heard of Paul Holes until the hashtag #HotforHoles was a thing. I looked him up and.. . Damn... hello.. lol

But reading this book made me love his brilliant mind more than that million-dollar Blue Steel stare. His dedication to helping others and cracking cold cases is very impressive, and I couldn't believe how many cases he was involved in- Jaycee Dugard, Laci and Conner Peterson, The Golden State Killer. I highly recommend this book for any NF/true crime fans!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Lea wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Aaww, glad you at least enjoyed it. I need to read the entire border trilogy because everything I am currently reading is irritating me."

Oh! I hope you do! I'm hoping to read [boo..."

My shelves say that I own it; so depending on my mood, I may pick it up and let you know. Right now, I am completely depleted and am looking for some excitement in my reads.

[Lillie]

Alissa wrote: "Lillie wrote: "Wow! You’re really ripping through the books and it looks like you’ve been enjoying them.

So excited to see your review of The Maid, I’ve been going back and forth o..."

Put it on my list for next year :)

[Lea]

Alondra wrote: "My shelves say that I own it; so depending on my mood, I may pick it up and let you know. Right now, I am completely depleted and am looking for some excitement in my reads."

If you are looking for excitement, this is not the book for your current mood. There's a whole lot of detail, this time about wolves...

[Kristine]

Alissa~Very Impressive~starting another Challenge. I really like the books you’ve picked. Loved and and .

Good Luck 👍 with this Challenge.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Lea wrote: "If you are looking for excitement, this is not the book for your current mood. There's a whole lot of detail, this time about wolves....."

Ahh; noted. I love his work; so, maybe by fall my head will be in a good space.... mmm

[Alissa]

Completed Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger



3 STARS

I listened to the audiobook on this one. It was a pretty good coming-of-age tale about a family and the hardships that their town begins to deal in, including a mysterious death of one of their own. Ot wasn't as character driven as This Tender Land but I still enjoyed it!

[Bonnie]

Alissa wrote: "Completed Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger



3 STARS

I listened to the audiobook on this one. It was a pretty good coming-..."

our library bookclub just did this book and we all liked it. I thought it dragged a bit in the middle, but really liked the beginning and ending.

[Ioana]

Alissa wrote: "Completed Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger



3 STARS

I listened to the audiobook on this one. It was a pretty good coming-..."

I liked This Tender Land more, but this one was pretty good, too.

[Lindsey]

Alissa wrote: "Book #7- Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover



2.5 STARS

I'd hate to say anything about Colleen Hoover books because her fan..."

I CANNOT STOP LAUGHING at your review for It Ends with Us!!!!!!! Girl you are too much!! I love how blatantly honest you were. And just for the record - who cares if you didn't finish it. Obviously if it had grabbed your attention then you would have. You have the right to review any book you want however you want. Why in the world were people getting so mad? Holy S#&%!!
Now, sadly i have that book to read before Christmas. I like some of CoHo's books and my niece wants this one for Christmas. So I went ahead and bought but want to read it before i give it to her. Sounds like it may not take too long to read. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Lindsey]

Alissa wrote: "Book #8- Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases by Paul Holes



4 STARS

As a true cr..."

This one is on my list. Glad its a good one. You are kicking butt on your lists!!!!!

[Alissa]

Lindsey wrote: "Alissa wrote: "Book #7- Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover



2.5 STARS

I'd hate to say anything about Colleen Hoover books ..."


People absolutely love this one, and i believe i even tell people- i am happy for them that they loved it so much. But maaaaaaaan people are just ruthless!

Also, people telling me "i didn't understand it" does not make me want to pick it up again. Neeeeeeext lol

[Alissa]

Starting the audiobook of today!