★★★Newbie John's 2024 Reading Challenge★★★

[John]

Triumphum. I plan to read all the Reading Challenge topics in order, but since I'm in several book discussion groups with monthly selections, I may need to complete future topics if these books don't satisfy a current topic.

Progress: 52/52

✅1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (ebook)
✅2. A book connected to something you read in 2023City of Endless Night by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Audiobook)
✅3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn’t make the final list
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose (A book set mostly in or around a building)
✅4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
(The World at Night by Alan Furst ("dark sacred night") (e-book)
✅5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world
The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong (Edinburgh) (Audiobook)

✅6. A book with wings on the cover
Homecoming by Kate Morton (Audiobook)
✅7. A book with a pronoun in the title
Close Your Eyes by Iris Johansen (ebook)
✅8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia or New Zealand
Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel (Canada)
✅9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads
All The Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow (1584 as of 1/28/24)

✅10. A history or historical fiction book
The Women by Kristin Hannah
✅11. A book with an X connection
The End of Her by Shari Lapina (ex-lover as protagonist)
✅12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year
The Flight of the Silvers by Daniel Price (On my TBR list since May 6, 2014)
✅13. A book that is on a Five Books List; reader’s choice of which list
The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier (ebook)

✅14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
✅15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (audiobook)
✅16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
✅17. A book involving intelligence
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

✅18. A book with a botanical cover
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
✅19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
The Lady Matador's Hotel by Cristina Garcia (Outside of North America flavor: Barenaked Ladies if I had 1,000,000 Flavours)
✅20. A book with a single word title
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
✅21. A book with a title containing 6+ words
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
✅22. A book by an author from an African country
The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu

✅23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett
To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip José Farmer (This will be a reread from my youth. I have been wanting to revisit Riverworld.)
✅24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple)
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (green)
✅25. A book involving a crime other than a murder
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
✅26. A book by an author known by their initials
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

✅27. A book related to land
Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner
✅28. A book related to sea
The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier
✅29. A book related to air
The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal
✅30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea
The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín
✅31. A book related to “Going for the Gold”
Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis
✅32. A book with a number in the title
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
✅33. A book involving travel
The Night Shift by Natalka Burian
✅34. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs
Sleepy: What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson
✅35. A science or science fiction book
I Will Fear No Evil by Robert A. Heinlein

✅36. A book featuring a character in education
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
✅37. A book that is part of a series
The Outsider by Stephen King
✅38. Two books with similar covers: Book 1
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogara
✅39. Two books with similar covers: Book 2
Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong

✅40. A book involving a wild animal or endangered species, in the content, title, or on the cover
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
✅41. A book with a chilling atmosphere
The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson
✅42. A book with a sound-related word in the title
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
✅43. A book by an Edgar Award-winning Author
Holly by Stephen King
✅44. A book with a touch of magic
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

✅45. A book that is not a novel
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
✅46. A book related to night
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
✅47. A book with a two-word title beginning with THE
The Humans by Matt Haig
✅48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt (Single word book title)James by Percival Everett
✅49. A book with a senior citizen character
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
✅50. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2023 or 2024
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen
✅51. A book published in 2024
The Ministry of Time by Kalianne Bradley
✅52. A cozy mystery
Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

[John]

As much as I can and interweave with ATY, I will be participating in the following group's monthly reads:
-The Reading for Pleasure Book Club
-Group Fiction Read
-Group Nonfiction Read
-Group Classic Read
-On the Southern Literary Trail
-Play Book Tag
-Local Community Library Monthly Monday Night Book Discussion Group

[John]

2024 5 Star Reads:

1. The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín
2. All The Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
3. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
4. The Women by Kristin Hannah
5. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
6. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
7. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
8. Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
9. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
10. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
11. James by Percival Everett
12. The Adult by Bronwyn Fischer

[John]

2024 1 Star Wish I Hadn't Read Reads:

1. I Will Fear No Evil by Robert Heinlein

[John]

2. A book connected to something you read in 2023. (1/52)

City of Endless Night by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Finished 1/5/24)
★★★★
(Audiobook)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2263945245#_=_.

This fit the prompt since I read the two preceding novels of the Pendergast series in 2023.

[John]

4. A book related to something mentioned in the lyrics of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

The World at Night by Alan Furst (2/52)
★★★

For my review, please click here.

The lyrics reference in the prompt included the phrase, "dark, sacred night," which is why I chose this novel.

[John]

Book selection changes for prompts:

-06. Homecoming by Kate Morton for All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
-09. All The Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow for The Adult by Bronwyn Fischer
-10. The Women by Kristin Hannah for The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmal.
-11. The End of Her by Shari Lapena replaces Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
-15. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin for The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox
-18. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow for The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.
-24. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett for The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
-27. Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner for The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat.
-29. The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal for The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber
-30. The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín for Jerusalem Maiden by Talia Carner.
-31. Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis replaces Horse by Geraldine Brooks
-32. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin replaces V2 by Robert Harris
-34. What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson for Anna O. by Matthew Blake for Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King and Owen King.
-36. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo for My Dear Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
-41. The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson is replacing The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
-42. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving is replacing I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
-48. James by Percival Everett replaces Shutter by Ramonna Emerson
-49. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman replaces Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourne
-51. The Ministry of Time by Kalianne Bradley for The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard.
-52. Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong replaces A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Rayburn.

[John]

5. A book set in one of the 25 most beautiful cities in the world, e.g., Edinburgh

The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong (Finished 1/16/24)
★★★★
(Audiobook)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6133068807.

This fit the prompt because Edinburgh is one of the 25 beautiful cities listed.

[John]

30. A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea

The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín
★★★★★ and ❤
(Audiobook)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6175553854.

This book is set in Israel, which borders the Mediterranean Sea.

[John]

3. A book that fits a suggestion that didn't make the final list. ((A book set mostly in or around a building)
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6090889176.

Much of this book occurs at the Regency Grand Hotel.

[John]

1. A book with a title that ends in A, T or Y
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
★★★★

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5993232149.

[John]

45. A book that is not a novel
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
★★★

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5938145451#_=_.

[John]

9. A book with fewer than 2024 ratings on Goodreads. For example, this one at 1590 as of 1/28/2024.
All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6028866205.

[John]

7. A book with a pronoun in the title.

Close Your Eyes by Iris and Roy Johansen
★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3887982671#_=_.

[John]

6. A book with wings on the cover

Homecoming by Kate Morton
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5261801202#_=_.

[John]

12. A book that has been on your TBR for over a year.

The Flight of the Silvers by Daniel Price
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/930120353#_=_.

I have had this book on my TBR shelf for approximately ten years.

[John]

8. A book by an author from Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel
★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1868360676.

[John]

26. A book by an author known by their initials.

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6198772648.

[John]

27. A book related to land.

Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6243899051.

[John]

11. A book with an X connection, i.e., ex-lover.

The End of Her by Shari Lapena
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6285241050.

[John]

49. A book with a senior citizen character.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6277657167.

[John]

10. A history or historical fiction book

The Women by Kristin Hannah
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6063146212.

[John]

41. A book with a chilling atmosphere.

The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6240453944

[John]

13. A book that is on a Five Books List

The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6305333758.

[John]

14. A book with a main character who is Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color

Deacon King Kong by James McBride
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6038272745.

[John]

16. A book related to the phrase "It's Raining Cats and Dogs"

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5667587454.

I chose this book for this prompt because it was on my TBR pile and it was included within the link. But, I question why it was there. Maybe someone who read it can explain it to me. There were two pages which included an insignificant reference to dogs but neither reference really added to the story. There were no rain downpours included in the book as an alternative. I can only imagine that it was chosen for a metaphorical reason but that reason escapes me.

[John]

15. A book whose author’s name includes one of the 4 least used letters in the alphabet (JQZX)

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5993232506.

[John]

19. A book connected in some way to any of the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (One of the outside of the North American's flavors was "Barenaked Ladies if I had 1,000,000 Flavors." Therefore, my choice.)

by Cristina Garcia
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/414511758.

[John]

22. A book by an author from an African country

The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu (Zimbabwe)
★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4041166890.

[John]

17. A book involving intelligence

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6365799397.

[John]

20. A book with a single word title

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5787034365.

[John]

18. A book with a botantical cover

by Alix E. Harrow
★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2787530710.

[John]

23. A book related to Boats, Beaches, Bars, Ballads, or Jimmy Buffett

To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip José Farmer
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6436967937

Some of this book takes place on a bamboo-constructed boat.

[John]

21. A book with a title containing 6+ words

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5976936556.

[John]

24. A book with a secondary color on the cover (orange, green or purple)

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3517661166.

The color for this prompt included on the cover was green.

[John]

28. A book related to sea

The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier
★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3046114935.

[John]

29. A book related to the sky

The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal
★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6485617145

[John]

32. A book with a number in the title

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6485663855.

[John]

25. A book involving a crime other than murder

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mendel
★★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3268375543.

The crime involved investment fraud through a Ponzi scheme.

[John]

33. A book involving travel

The Night Shift by Natalka Burian
★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4859224603.

[John]

52. A cozy mystery

Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6042493665.

[John]

51. A book published in 2024.

The Ministry of Time by Kalianne Bradley
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6254992507

[John]

36. A book featuring a character in education

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3037297933.

[John]

35. A science or science fiction book

I Will Fear No Evil by Robert Heinlein
★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6526323464.

[John]

34. A book related to the name of one of Snow White's seven dwarfs (Sleepy).

What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson
★★★★

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6550184426.

[John]

37. A book that is part of a series (Holly Gibney series by Stephen King)

The Outsider by Stephen King
★★★★

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6589052515.

[John]

38. Two books with similar covers: Book 1

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
★★★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3285601155

[John]

42. A book with a sound-related word in the title

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6624117535.

[John]

39. Two books with similar covers: Book 2

Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong
★★

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6616896288.

[John]

40. A book involving a wild animal or endangered species, in the content, title, or on the cover

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
★★★★★ and ❤

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6088687184.