Friday, December 30, 2022

2023 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge

I have been debating for awhile whether I should join this challenge and have finally decided to give it a try. It is hosted by the Escape with Dollycas Blog. The Rules are simple. 

  • By December 31, 2023 our bowls must be filled with one book (title) for each letter of the Alphabet. 
  • Each letter should begin the book title--except for those pesky Q, X, and Z letters. For those 3 letters the word that begins with the challenge letter may appear anywhere in the title
  • Each letter = one spoonful. 
  • You can sign up any time. 
  • The challenge runs the 2023 calendar year
  • Reviews do not have to be posted
  • Books can come from any genre
  • Children's books and novellas are OK but they must be over 50 pages
  • Crossovers are OK
  • You can drop the "A" and "The" in the title if the first main word is the letter you are counting
I will be linking my blog post reviews on the challenge Facebook page. The group name is "Alphabet Soup Challenge."

My Life in Books


Here is another great book title meme.  This one is from Booker Talk blog.  Just pick a title from the books you read in 2022:

Links in the titles below will take you to my reviews where they exist.

In high school I was: Among the Innocent by Mary Alford

People might be surprised by: The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda Brunstetter

I will never be: The American Adventuress by C. W. Gortner

My life post-lockdown was: I'm Still Alive by Roberto Saviano

My fantasy Job is: Royal Heir by P. K. Adams

At the end of a long day I need: Thanksgiving by Janet Ivanovich

I hate being: The Thorn by Beverly Lewis

I wish I had: Nine Lives by Peter Swanson

My family reunions are: Iced in Paradise by Naomi Hirahara

At a party you’d find me Double Blind by Sara Winokur

I’ve never been to Paris by Edward Rutherford

A happy day includes: The Taste of Ginger by Mansi Shah

Motto I live by: Always Never by Jordi Lifetree

On my bucket list is: London by Edward Rutherford

In my next life, I want to have: A Billion Years by Mike Rinder

Thursday, December 29, 2022

In 2022 . . .

 

Shellyrae at the Book'd Out blog came up with this cool meme. Complete the prompts using titles from the books you have read in 2022


2022 was the year of: Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels (don't ask why)

In 2022 I wanted to be: In a Kingdom by the Sea by Sara McDonald

In 2022 I was: The American Adventuress by C. W. Gortner

In 2022 I gained: Nine Lives by Peter Swanson

In 2022 I lost: Trust by Sharon Mitchell

In 2022 I loved: The Orange Lilies by Nathan Dylan Goodwin

In 2022 I hated: that Royal Heir by P. K. Adams

In 2022 I learned: My Wife is Missing by D. J. Palmer

In 2022 I was surprised by: The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda Brunstetter

In 2022 I went to: London by Edward Rutherford

In 2022 I missed out on: A Billion Years by Mike Rinder

In 2022 my family were: Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

In 2023 I hope (for a): The Perfect Home by Kevin Lynch

Monday, December 26, 2022

Top Ten Books of 2022


I read 141 books in 2022 from several genres. I read mysteries, historical fiction, historical mysteries, cozies, religion, non-fiction, science and graphic novels. Most of my reading was equally split between mysteries, historical fiction and graphic novels. My top ten list has been chosen from among all of these genres. Let the countdown begin!


10.  The Fugitive Colours by Nancy Bilyeau (historical fiction)

9.  19 Yellow Moon Road by Fern Michaels (mystery)

8.  The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart (mystery)

7.  Putin's Russia by Darryl Cunningham (graphic novel)

6.  Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim (historical fiction)

5.  The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks (historical fiction)

4.  Kaikeyi by Vaishneva Patel (historical fiction)

3.  Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay (suspense)

2.  Nine Lives by Peter Swanson (suspense)

And the number 1 book for 2022 is:  

1.  Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu (historical fiction)

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Top Ten Books I Want in 2023


I haven't heard much about books that will be published in 2023. I checked my post from last year and noticed that I read nine of my top ten wanted books for 2022. John Grisham's The Judge's List was the book I neglected to read. I struggled with my research but below are new books coming soon from my favorite authors.

  • The Last Masterpiece by Laura Morelli, June 6, 2023 publication date
  • Honey Drop Dead by Laura Childs, August 8, 2023 publication date
  • The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey, July 11, 2023 publication date
  • Terror in Topaz by A. M Stuart, publication date not set (final installment of the Harriet Gordon Mysteries)
  • The Secrets We Keep by S. D. Sykes, publication date not set 
  • Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See, June 6, 2023 publication date
  • Lion by Conn Iggulden, February 2, 2023 publication date
  • The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang, February 21, 2023 publication date 
  • The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi, March 28, 2023 publication date
  • The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson, March 7, 2023 publication date

Friday, December 23, 2022

Top Ten Book Covers of 2022


I started a regular monthly post this year on the best book covers of the month. In the middle of the year I decided it would be fun to highlight the artist who created the cover, when the artist can be found online.  It is one of my favorite posts to write. Below are my favorite book covers from first to last.





book design artist is Lisa Marie Pompilio

Illustrators Pius Bak and Roman Titov


book design artist is Will Staehle

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Top Ten New Authors of 2022


Last year I read 99 new authors. In 2022 I only read 78 new (to me) authors. Below are my favorite new authors whose future books I am looking forward to reading.

10) Erica Ferencik (suspense thriller)

9)  Katie Tallo (psychological thriller)

8)  Peng Shepherd (magical realism)

7)  Alaina Urquhart (historical mystery)

6)  Karen Brooks (historical fiction)

5)  Juhea Kim (historical fiction)

4)  Vaishneva Patel (historical fiction)

3)  Linwood Barclay (suspense)

2)  Peter Swanson (psychological suspense)

1)  Melissa Fu (historical fiction)

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Color Coded Reading Challenge


I participate every year in the Color Coded Reading Challenge. It is a fun way to find new books and new authors.  I must admit, though, that finding a book with "brown" in the title is impossible. I only read 9 books though. I missed finding titles with the colors brown and white in them.  Here is what I read:

Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dao Randel
Blue Murder by Emma Jameson
The Orange Lilies by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Black Ice by Brad Thor
19 Yellow Moon Road by Fern Michaels
Purple Lotus by Veena Rao
Mandarin Plaid by S. J. Rozan
Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
A Patchwork Past by Leslie Gould

Favorite Book: 19 Yellow Moon Road
2nd Favorite Book:  Evil in Emerald
Least Favorite Book:  Mandarin Plaid

Monday, December 19, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge

A year ago I signed up to participate in the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge by reading 10 books. I am happy to say that I was able to meet the challenge with 15 books.  I read the following:

Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle

Bitter Roots by Ellen Crosby

Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier

Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart

The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda Brunstetter

A Catered St. Patrick's Day by Isis Crawford

Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle

Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier

Blue Murder by Emma Jameson

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs

The Apple Creek Announcement by Wanda Brunstetter

Iced in Paradise by Naomi Hirahara

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich


Favorite Book:  Evil in Emerald

2nd Favorite Book:  Honey Roasted

Least Favorite Book:  Thanksgiving

Wrap-Up of the 2022 What's in a Name Challenge


This year's installment of the long-running What's in a Name Challenge required participants to find books with the following in the title:

  • A compound word
  •  Speed
  • A Person and their description
  • A mythical being
  • A season
  • A color
I finished the challenge early in the year and read the six books by March.

The Spyglass File by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Why Mermaids Sing by C. S. Harris
Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
Purple Lotus by Veena Rao
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks

Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring
2nd Favorite Book:  The Good Wife of Bath
Least Favorite Book: None but if I have to pick, Purple Lotus

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 New Release Reading Challenge


I agreed to read between 1 and 30 books for this challenge and finished the year with 48 books. There were only 5 that I didn't care for so this was a very successful challenge this year.

A Taste of Ginger by Mansi Shah
Nine Lives by Peter Swanson
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu
The Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
Bitter Roots by Ellen Crosby
Black Ice by Brad Thor
Threads of Hope by Leslie Gould
Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik
The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda Brunstetter
The Opus Dictum by Gary McAvoy
The New Girl by Ruth Heald
The Perfect Home by Kevin Lynch
Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle
Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle
The Cleopatra Cipher by L. D. Goffigan
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins
Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
Among the Innocent by Mary Alford
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
The Fugitive Colours by Nancy Bilyeau
Kaikeyi by Vaishneva Patel
My Wife is Missing by D. J. Palmer
One Girl Missing by Carla Kovack
Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay
Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner
The Omega Factor by Steve Berry
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor
The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes
A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs
The Applecreek Announcement by Wanda Brunstetter
Revenge by Tom Bower
Not In It To Win It by Andy Stanley
William at 40 by Robert Jobson
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson
The Nanny by Ruth Heard
A Billion Years by Mike Rinder
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
Dust Child by Nguyen Pham Que Mai
Granite Kingdom by Eric Pope

Favorite Book:  Nine Lives
2nd Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring
Least Favorite Book:  A Taste of Ginger

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Wrap-Up of the Graphic Novel and Manga Challenge


I pledged to read 52 graphic novels or comic books this year. However, I only read 47.  A disappointment for sure since I came so close to my goal
. Check out my reviews below:

Days of Sand by Aimee de Jongh
Roofstompers by Alex Paknadel 
.Self by Christopher Sebela
River of Sin by Kelly Williams
Memoria by Curt Pines
Policing the City by Didier Fassin
Bootblack by Mikael
Django by EFA
Olympia by Vives
Flake by Matthew Dooley
Eat the Rich by Sarah Gailey
Swine by Jesus Some
The Delicacy by James Albion
Billionaires by Darryl Cunningham
Putin's Russia by Darryl Cunningham
Night of the Ghoul by Scott Snyder
Trashed by Derf Backderf
The Realist by Asaf Hanuka
Saga #55 by Brian Vaughn
We Only Kill Each Other by Stephanie Phillips
Red Tag by Rafael Albuquerque and Rafael Scavone
The Panic by Neil Kleid
Cold Iron #1 by Andy Dingle
Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez
After Lambana by Eliza Victoria
Always Never by Jordi Lifetree
Welcome to St. Hell by Lewis Hancox
Amazona by Canizales
A Visit to Moscow by Rafael Grossman
Georgia O'Keefe by Marie Hereros
World Record Holders by Guy Delisle
In the Flood by Ray Fawkes
Moms by Yeong Shin Mei
Palimpsest by Lisa Wool-Rem Sjoblom
Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte
Acting Class by Nick Drnaso
Alice Guy: First Lady of Film by Jose-Luis Bocquet
Invisible Wounds by Jess Ruliffson
I'm Still Alive by Roberto Saviano
Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo
Hotell by John Lees
Barnstormers by Scott Snyder
Beatrix Rose Vigilante by Stephanie Phillips

Favorite Book:  Olympia
2nd Favorite Book:  Trashed
Least Favorite Book:  After Lambana

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge


The Monthly Key Word Challenge asks participants to read at least one book per month where a key word is in the title.  I fell off the wagon two months ago so I only was able to read 9 books.

The Girl in the Painting by Renita D'Silva
Never by Ken Follett
Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
The Thorn by Beverly Lewis
In a Kingdom by the Sea by Sara McDonald
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay
Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner 

Favorite Book:  Take Your Breath Away
2nd Favorite Book:  The Girl in the Painting
Least Favorite Book:  Star Spangled Murder

Friday, December 16, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Calendar of Crime Challenge


When I signed up for this challenge a year ago, I agreed to read 12 books, one for each month of the year. The challenge was to read a mystery that took place in the given month, was published in that month or was the author's birth month. I selected books that had holidays taking place in each month.  However, I got bogged down in reading and slowed down in October. I was only able to read 10 books for the challenge.

Double Blind by Sara Winokur
Valentine by Tom Savage
Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Dark August by Katie Tallo
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich

Favorite Book:  The Butcher and the Wren
2nd Favorite Book:  Valentine
Least Favorite Book:  Thanksgiving

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge


I signed up for this challenge at the Ancient History level which required that I read 25 historical novels.  I met the challenge with 27 books.  This is a big reduction in reading for me as in 2021 I read 50 books for the challenge.  I am having problems concentrating lately but I did read some excellent books.

Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
Royal Heir by P. K. Adams
The Fugitive Colours by Nancy Bilyeau
The Girl in the Painting by Renita D'Silva
The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton
The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dao Randel
London by Edward Rutherford
Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu
The Opus Dictum by Gary McAvoy
Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
Hotel Portofino by J. P. O'Connell
Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle
The Vivaldi Cipher by Gary McAvoy
In a Kingdom by the Sea by Sara McDonald
Why Mermaids Sing by C. S. Harris
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
Kaikeyi by Vaishneva Patel
The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes
Paris by Edward Rutherford
Children of Sugarcane by Joanne Joseph
The American Adventuress by C. W. Gortner
Dust Child by Nguyen Phan Que Mai 
Granite Kingdom by Eric Pope

Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring
2nd Favorite Book:  Kaikeyi
Least Favorite Book:  Hotel Portofino

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge


When I signed up for this challenge a year ago, I agreed to read 26 -35 books. I more than met the challenge with 42 books! Many of the novels that I read were from my favorite authors such as Cleo Coyle, Ellen Crosby, Alison Stuart, James Rollins, Dan Palmer, Ruth Heald and Laura Childs.  I also found some new (to me) authors:  Peter Swanson and Peng Shepherd, 

Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle
Bitter Roots by Ellen Crosby
Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
The Spyglass File by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Double Blind by Sara Winokur
Mandarin Plaid by S. J. Rozan
The Vivaldi Cipher by Gary McAvoy
Never by Ken Follett
Valentine by Tom Savage
Trust by Sharon Mitchell
Nine Lives by Peter Swanson
The Cartographers by Peng Shepard
Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
Black Ice by Brad Thor
Girl in Ice by Erica Frenetic
The Opus Dictum by Gary McAvoy
The New Girl by Ruth Heald
The Perfect Home by Kevin Lynch
The Orange Lilies by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
19 Yellow Moon Road by Fern Michaels
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle
The Cleopatra Cipher by L. D. Goffigan
Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins
Among the Innocent by Mary Alford
One Girl Missing by Carla Kovach
Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Blue Murder by Emma Jameson
My Wife is Missing by D. J. Palmer
Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay
Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner
The Omega Factor by Steve Berry
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor
Dark August by Katie Tallo
A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
The Nanny by Ruth Heald
Iced in Paradise by Naomi Harihara

Favorite Book:  Nine Lives
2nd Favorite Book:  19 Yellow Moon Road
Least Favorite Book:  Iced in Paradise

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Chunkster Reading Challenge


This year's chunkster challenge did not have any reading requirements other than books needed to have 450+ pages.  I read 15 books for the challenge:

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
London by Edward Rutherfod
Never by Ken Follett
Valentine by Tom Savage
The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton
The Girl in the Painting by Renita D'Silva
Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
Kaikeyi by Vaishneva Patel
The Omega Factor by Brad Thor
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor
Salt by Mark Kurlansky
Paris by Edward Rutherford
Revenge by Tom Bowers

Favorite Book:  Kaikeyi
2nd Favorite Book:  The Good Wife of Bath
Least Favorite Book:  Salt