Kristine’s Definitely Will Complete 12 + 4 Challenge

[Kristine]

I need to add my books In. Will Do Shortly, I Promise

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Take your time. You have 12 months. LOL

[Kristine]

Alondra wrote: "Take your time. You have 12 months. LOL"
Alondra~I am thinking of doing 2, one regular and 1 of books I did not complete from last year’s Challenge and a couple out of the 16 from 2022. So, adding more books makes No Sense~LOL~Easy to Pick, Hard to Complete. You should see my house and Computer!

[Kristine]

My List
1. The Wind Knows My Name, Isabel Allende
2. The Fury, Alex Michaelides
3. Diva, Daisy Goodwin
4. Yellowface, R.F. Kuang
5. Tom Lake, Ann Patchett
6. Symphony of Secrets, Brendan Slocomb
7. Blackouts: A Novel, Justin Torres~ Maybe, try another time. Just could not get into this one. DNF
8. The Collected Regrets of Clover, Mikki Brammer
9. The Covenant of Water, Abraham Verghase
10. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride
11. Looking for Jane, Heather Marshall
12. Our Share of Night, Mariana Enriquez
4 Additional:
13. I Have Some Questions For You, Rebecca Makkai
14. Horse, Geraldine Brooks
15. The Alice Network, Kate Quinn
16. Stay with Me, Ayobami Adebayo

[Jackie]

Lots of good books. Good luck with your challenge.

[Lea]

I've read The Covenant of Water and The Alice Network recently, both were very interesting. I have Yellowface on my list this year. Best wishes!

[Martha]

I haven't read any of these, but they look so interesting! Enjoy!

[Ioana]

I've only read (and enjoyed) The Alice Network, but I have 9 others on my TBR. I'll watch for your reviews, happy reading!

[Alissa]

The Collected Regrets of Clover was my favorite book last year, I thought it was great!!

[Kristine]

Jackie wrote: "Lots of good books. Good luck with your challenge."
Jackie~Thanks So Much❣️

[Kristine]

Lea wrote: "I've read The Covenant of Water and The Alice Network recently, both were very interesting. I have Yellowface on my list this year. Best wishes!"
Lea~ I am glad you enjoyed the Covenant of Water and The Alice Network. AN is from last year’s list that I didn’t finish, so added it for this year. I will need to check out your list soon. 💕

[Kristine]

Martha wrote: "I haven't read any of these, but they look so interesting! Enjoy!"
Martha~They are a mix of books I didn’t get to from last year’s challenge, 2023 Bs I own, but also didn’t read, and then a few 2024 New Releases. Tried to mix it up a bit, hope they are all interesting. Thanks 😊

[Kristine]

Ioana wrote: "I've only read (and enjoyed) The Alice Network, but I have 9 others on my TBR. I'll watch for your reviews, happy reading!"
Ioana~Glad we enjoy the same books. The Alice Network, I have had for 6 years and was on last year’s list, but I didn’t get to it. I am determined. Heard it is really great. I will check out your list, too. Happy Reading 📚

[Kristine]

Alissa wrote: "The Collected Regrets of Clover was my favorite book last year, I thought it was great!!"
Alissa~Thanks for letting me know that. Glad it was a favorite 💕 That was the one book I haven’t heard much about and decided to give it a try. Let you know how I like it.

[Kristine]

Ok, I am starting off well. I have wanted to read , Geraldine Books for 2 years and added it to last year’s Challenge. I really wanted to make sure I finally read it and so glad I did. Especially, loved the Historical Fiction and all I learned about a beautiful horse, his trainer, the Antebellum South, and just an Epic Book.

[Laurel]

Kristine wrote: "Ok, I am starting off well. I have wanted to read , Geraldine Books for 2 years and added it to last year’s Challenge. I really wanted to make sure I finally read it and s..."

That was one of my top reads last year.

[Karol]

Kristine, I have just added Horse to my to read list. It sounds great!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Kristine wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Take your time. You have 12 months. LOL"
Alondra~I am thinking of doing 2, one regular and 1 of books I did not complete from last year’s Challenge and a couple out of the 16 from 2..."

That sounds like a great plan; and you've completed the first book!! Kudos, Kristine!!

I really need to do 2 lists, but i'll just let the individual list catch all those leftovers. LOL

[Kristine]

Alondra wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Take your time. You have 12 months. LOL"
Alondra~I am thinking of doing 2, one regular and 1 of books I did not complete from last year’s Challenge and a couple out..."
Alondra, It was a plan, but decided instead just to use my +4 as unread ones from past. I want to actually Finish. I get ahead of myself at the beginning of the year~LOL.

Best of Luck with all your Challenges and thanks for all the work you do on this Site. Much Appreciated!

[Kristine]

I just finished , Alex Michaelides on Audio 🎧. I really enjoyed it, lots of twists and turns. The first 1/3 was too slow paced though, so gave it 4*. If you liked The Silent Patient, would recommend this one.

[Kristine]

Laurel wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Ok, I am starting off well. I have wanted to read , Geraldine Books for 2 years and added it to last year’s Challenge. I really wanted to make sure I fina..."
Laurel~I am glad you loved it so much, too 🥰 It was such an interesting look at history and one I knew nothing about.

[Kristine]

Karol wrote: "Kristine, I have just added Horse to my to read list. It sounds great!"
Karol~I hope you really enjoy it❣️

[Jackie]

Kristine wrote: "Ok, I am starting off well. I have wanted to read , Geraldine Books for 2 years and added it to last year’s Challenge. I really wanted to make sure I finally read it and s..."

One of my favorites from last year!

[Jackie]

Karol wrote: "Kristine, I have just added Horse to my to read list. It sounds great!"

Karol, after you read the book, go to the Kentucky Horse Park and in the Museum there you will find Lexington's skeleton. I did this in June and was so glad that I did.

[Ann at the Beach]

Kristine wrote: "Ok, I am starting off well. I have wanted to read , Geraldine Books for 2 years and added it to last year’s Challenge. I really wanted to make sure I finally read it and s..."

Horse was one of my favorite books last year -- i enjoy all of Geraldine Brooks works. I always learn something interesting while enjoying a good read. I added some of your other books to my TBR

[Bill, Moderator]

I haven't read any of your selections. I do have Poppy War by R.F. Kuang but have yet to read. I look forward to your thoughts on your selection.

[Karol]

Jackie wrote: "Karol wrote: "Kristine, I have just added Horse to my to read list. It sounds great!"

Karol, after you read the book, go to the Kentucky Horse Park and in the Museum there you will find Lexington's skeleton. I did this in June and was so glad that I did..."

Yes, I will do that! Thanks for the tip.

[Kristine]

Bill wrote: "I haven't read any of your selections. I do have Poppy War by R.F. Kuang but have yet to read. I look forward to your thoughts on your selection."
Bill, Poppy War sounds interesting. I just started Yellowface. So far I’m finding it interesting. The MC certainly is deceptive and will be interesting to see how far she goes.

Happy Reading 📚

[Kristine]

I am off to a much better start this year. Actually, have had of Reading Time 😊 the last couple of weeks. I just finished , by Ann Patchett. Loved that this Audio was read by Meryl Streep. I really loved the story so much.

Now, I just started Yellowface and also Diva. See if I can finish one this weekend.

[Kristine]

I am so happy to have Reading time again. I just finished and really liked it. It is both fast paced, a thriller, but also makes you think a lot about the pitfalls of being a writer, publisher, and what makes a book special.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Kristine wrote: "I am so happy to have Reading time again. I just finished and really liked it. It is both fast paced, a thriller, but also makes you think a lot about the pitfalls o..."

Really??? mmmmm, maybe I need to add this to my tbr??

[Kristine]

Alondra wrote: "Kristine wrote: "I am so happy to have Reading time again. I just finished and really liked it. It is both fast paced, a thriller, but also makes you think a lot abo..."
Alondra~I Really Liked It. I am sure you need another book on your TBR for sure.

[Kristine]

So, I finished another. , Daisy Goodwin. About Opera Singer, Maria Callus. I didn’t know anything about Opera and also the time period, 1950’s-1960’s found interesting. Maria was a Strong Woman at a time when that was difficult. I was entertained, but also learned so much.

[Kristine]

Finished , Isabel Allende. 4 Stars. Heartbreaking Story at times for many of the characters. Loved young girl, Anita who is separated at the border from her mother. She keeps her spirits up with stories and fairy tales. Isabel Allende is bold, mixing many tragic events together, but somehow showing peace and love should win out.

[Ioana]

Kristine wrote: "Finished , Isabel Allende. 4 Stars. Heartbreaking Story at times for many of the characters. Loved young girl, Anita who is separated at the border from h..."

So glad you enjoyed it. It's on my TBR and I generally like Isabel Allende for the story, character and the historic context of each book. Hope to get to it soon.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Kristine wrote: "Alondra~I Really Liked It. I am sure you need another book on your TBR for sure..."

.... yeah, what's one more about 3500.... 🤦🏾

[Kristine]

I love Kate Quinn’s books. I finally read and think this was my favorite in her series of her War Spy Novels. It was such an ode to the keen insight of a woman spy during WWI, which also enters into a 2nd narrative in the 1940’s, just after WWII. It was such a clever way to weave all the characters together. That was also a theme in the book, how it was so important to think fast and be clever since one could never guarantee safety. 5 ⭐️

[Kristine]

Alissa wrote: "The Collected Regrets of Clover was my favorite book last year, I thought it was great!!"
Alissa~ Wow 🤩 I just finished listening to the Audio 🎧 of Clover book. I really liked it. I thought it was so uplifting and loved Clover. She really is a great person and loved seeing her change.

[Kristine]

, Mikki Brammer I just finished on Audio 🎧. I really enjoyed listening to this one. It was a great story and found it inspiring, which I needed this week!

[Kristine]

Trying to figure out what to read next. I have 3 of the books out from my library, so probably should chose one of those. Have to see what I’m in the mood for. The Rest I own already b/c well they were on Sale and I really wanted them and was definitely going to read them right away! Yes, I did that last year! I think 1 bought 3 years ago. Luckily, my Dad wants to read a couple and only reads Physical Copy Books, so I can share. I am a very good at rationalizing 🙂

[Kristine]

I just finished , by Rebecca Makkai. I knew this was a thriller that also looked into how women and especially murdered women are treated. That was about it though. I ended up loving this one. Listened on Audio and found it so interesting with many twists and turns. Took me a day to listen and loved it.

[Kristine]

I got , Heather Marshall in. Really good book. Well Researched. I have so many books I need to catch-up on, so I finished this book. Had Audio 🎧 for most of book, but last 30%, Libby returned it. I liked reading the book more since several characters and timelines, but was great with Audio, too.

[Kristine]

So, I Read , Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ in a day. This book really did affect me. It has Stayed with Me. Loved getting into the heads of the young Nigerian couple Yejide and Akin. It made me feel transported to Nigeria and felt the immense cultural pressure on them to have children. Yet, 4 years into their marriage this has not happened. From there many secrets and lies threaten their Union. It is often heartbreaking, but hope always is somehow lying beneath the surface. A very unusual story. Short-Listed for Women’s Prize for Fiction, so that is why I originally got it. Glad I finally read it.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Whoop-Whoop; only 1 more to go!! :)

[Kristine]

Alondra wrote: "Whoop-Whoop; only 1 more to go!! :)"
Alondra~I know! I think I will probably read all 16. I own 4 out of the 5, so might as well try. Hope yo7 are enjoying your Sumner! Hot, 🥵 but think I am finally getting used to North Carolina Weather. We were famous again with The US Open, but I never even got close and was in my Air Conditioned Car.

[Kristine]

So, I finished , The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store James McBride

I had both the book and the Audio and enjoyed it this way. The only problem I had was when just listening to Audio, sometimes lost my way with the story as there were so many minor characters. Yet, think overall it probably added to the story and sense of community it is about.

Now, will read all 16 books. I just broke my foot, and have to really stay off it, so might be a good time to start and I am so glad I am a reader, since not sure what else one would do. It just happened, so it hurts, but hopefully will stop soon and can just relax and read lots of books this month. 😌 🦶

[Ioana]

Kristine wrote: "So, I finished , The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store James McBride

I had both the book and the Audio and enjoyed it..."

Glad you enjoyed it, it's my book club's selection for September.

[Jackie]

Sorry about the broken foot, but more time to read!

[Kristine]

Jackie wrote: "Sorry about the broken foot, but more time to read!"
Jackie, Thanks about my foot 🦶, but yes will get through lots of books.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

When we say "Break a Leg"; this is NOT what we mean, Kristine!! LOL

I am so glad you are on the mend.

Also; belated Congratulations and Woot; for completing your list. I like that you are trying to finish all 16! Woot!!