Denise R's 2024 3rd Annual Reading Challenge - Completed

[Denise]

Here are my selections as of right now. I have chosen to go with one book from my favorite authors that I have not had the chance to read yet.

Subject to change before the end of the year.

1. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredick Backman Completed 3/14/2024

2.The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
Completed 7/31/2024
3. Sword Catcher (Sword Catcher, #1) by Cassandra Clare

4. Book Lover by Emily Henry
Completed 9/10/2024
5. The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Completed 1/11/2024
6. The House at the End of the World by Dean Koontz
10/5/2024
7. The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid, #2) by Nita Prose
Completed 5/6/2024
8. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Completed 2/10/2024
9. Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
Completed 12/26/2024
10. My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon
Completed 11/11/24
11. The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins Completed 4/9/2024

12. Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum #30) by Janet Evanovich
Completed 1/26/2024

Alternates:
1. Hell Bent (Alex Stern, #2) by Leigh Bardugo
Completed 6/5/2024
2.Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

3.How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

4.Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom

[Denise]

Reserved

[Bill, Moderator]

A few authors I enjoy there and some I haven't tried yet. I want to start the Alex Stern series next year.

[Jackie]

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry took me a while to get into it, but it ended up as a 4-star read for me. Good luck.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

The Book of Cold Cases looks so good. I may throw that on my list too.

Good luck and happy reading. 📚📚

[Denise]

I have enjoyed several of these. I thought #30 was the best Stephanie Plum in a few years. If you read How to Sell a Haunted House, you should jump back into the book discussion of that book in this group. Wait until you're done though...there are spoilers.
Enjoy!

[Denise]

Bill wrote: "A few authors I enjoy there and some I haven't tried yet. I want to start the Alex Stern series next year."

I enjoyed the first book, meant to read the second one this year, just didn't get to it.

[Denise]

Denise wrote: "I have enjoyed several of these. I thought #30 was the best Stephanie Plum in a few years. If you read How to Sell a Haunted House, you should jump back into the book discussion of that book in thi..."

Will do, Thanks!

[Denise]

Jackie wrote: "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry took me a while to get into it, but it ended up as a 4-star read for me. Good luck."

Thanks Jackie!

[Lea]

What a great list Denise. I enjoyed My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, Book Lovers and Hell Bent. I have got to get back to Stephanie Plum too. Happy reading!

[Bonnie]

I've read several of these and liked or loved them- plus have a few on my current tbr. Hope you share how you like them as the year goes on.

[Denise]

Lea wrote: "What a great list Denise. I enjoyed My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, Book Lovers and Hell Bent. I have got to get back to Stephanie Plum too. Happy reading!"

Thanks Lea

[Denise]

Bonnie wrote: "I've read several of these and liked or loved them- plus have a few on my current tbr. Hope you share how you like them as the year goes on."

Thanks Bonnie

[Denise]

Alondra wrote: "The Book of Cold Cases looks so good. I may throw that on my list too.

Good luck and happy reading. 📚📚"
Thanks Alondra. I really wanted to read it in 2023 but work got too hectic.

[Ruth, Moderator]

I haven't read any of these, but I read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See last year and it was in my top 10 books, loved it.
Best of luck Denise, happy reading 😊

[Denise]

Ruth wrote: "I haven't read any of these, but I read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See last year and it was in my top 10 books, loved it.
Best of luck Denise, happy reading 😊"

Thanks Ruth!

[Denise]

Started this challenge with , liking it so far.

[Denise]

Finished , gave it 4 stars. Once again Elin Hilderbrand delivers another good story. It had an engaging storyline that was easily relatable. The characters were developed well, I personally liked Dru-Ann the most. It is an interesting concept of having a weekend with your best friends from different stages of your life. If you are a fan of HIlderbrand, then this is a must read.

[Cecilia]

I loved My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. It was so lovely. I did the audio so it was fun to hear the characters voices

[Denise]

Cecilia wrote: "I loved My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. It was so lovely. I did the audio so it was fun to hear the characters voices"

Thanks Cecilia, I look forward to reading that one.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Kudos on completing the first book!!

[Denise]

Alondra wrote: "Kudos on completing the first book!!"

Thanks Alondra!

[Denise]

Completed book #2. , gave it 4 stars.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning partly because of the crazy/funny adventures that Stephanie goes on and because of the trouble her and her sidekick Lulu seem to attract. This book did not disappoint. The ending has a surprised twist that I look forward to having answered in the next book.

[Denise]

Completed book #3 , gave it 4 stars. Loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning and felt just as torn as the character Emma was in the story. The more that I read books from Taylor Jenkins Reid, the more I want to read by her. Have the DVD on hold at the library, curious how much it will follow the book.

[Alissa]

Denise wrote: "Completed book #3 , gave it 4 stars. Loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning and felt just as torn as the character Emma was in the story. The more that ..."

I loved this book too!! It was so good!

[Denise]

Finished , gave it 4 stars. I enjoyed this book. It wasn't as good a story as A Man Called Ove. There are alot of kooky characters in this book but I think my favorite was Elsa and her Grandmother was a close second.

[Bonnie]

Jackie wrote: "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry took me a while to get into it, but it ended up as a 4-star read for me. Good luck."

4 star for me, too.

[Denise]

Finished , gave it 4 stars. The story kept me guessing up until the very end. The ending was a little abrupt but overall a good read. I have enjoyed her previous books, and this one did not disappoint.

[Denise]

Finished , gave it 4 stars. I enjoyed this one, but the first one was a little better. It seemed that the story was a little rushed and short compared to the first one. I will definitely continue to read this series if there are more that come out.

[Denise]

7th one completed. FInished , gave it 4 stars. Liked it more than the first book, it kept me guessing. Thought this one was going to be the last in the series, but nope, it will continue on. Look forward to reading the next one to see where it goes.

[Lea]

I'm glad you liked Hell Bent also, Denise! I hope the next book comes out soon. I want to know where this is going.

[Denise]

Finished , gave it 4 stars. The Book of Cold Cases is another great read from Simone St. James, the author of the Sun Down Motel. I don’t typically like to read books that jump around in time, but St. James does such a good job of keeping everything straight that it was easy to follow. I also enjoy that her books are spooky without being so scary that I can’t sleep after reading them. Fans of St. James will definitely want to add The Book of Cold Cases to their list.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Denise wrote: "Finished , gave it 4 stars. The Book of Cold Cases is another great read from Simone St. James, the author of the Sun Down Motel. I don’t typically like t..."

Reading this now, and love it. I don't like Shea; but Beth is intriguing. I know I'm twisted, but I can't help it.

Glad you enjoyed it!

[Denise]

Completed , gave it 5 stars. I just love Emily Henry's books. This one I couldn't put down once I started it. Loved the characters, the storyline and even the ending!

Only 3 more left to completed this challenge.

[Denise]

Completed , gave it 4 stars. Another good book by Dean Kootnz.

2 books left and this challenge is complete.

[Denise]

Finished , gave it 4 stars. The more books I read by Jennifer McMahon, the more I love her stories. This one kept me on the edge of my seat and had a cliffhanger ending.

1 more book left and this challenge is done.

[Bill, Moderator]

You've had a very successful year.

[Denise]

Bill wrote: "You've had a very successful year."

Thank you Bill. I had hoped to finish this challenge early this year, but life has gotten in the way of my reading this year.

[Denise]

Finished reading , gave it 4 stars. I have always enjoyed reading books by Nicholas Sparks and this one definitely did not disappoint. I was surprised by the twist at the end but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey getting to the end.

Challenge complete!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Woot!! Congratulations, Denise!!!! 🙌🏾🥳🥳