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

The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel

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

Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

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

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva

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

The American Adventuress by C. W. Gortner

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

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

Regarding the Matter of Oswald's Body by Christopher Cantwell

Welcome to St. Hell by Lewis Hancox

Amazona by Canizales

A Visit to Moscow by Rafael Grossman

Georgia O'Keefe by Marie Hereros

Ducks: 2 Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton

World Record Holders by Guy Delisle

In the Flood by Ray Fawkes

Vann Nath:  Painting the Khmer Rouge by Matteo Mastragostino

Moms by Yeong Shin Mei

Palimpsest by Lisa Wool-Rem Sjoblom

It Won't Always Be Like This by Malaka Gharib

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

The Girl in the Ground by Stacy Green

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

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

A Catered St. Patrick's Day by Isis Crawford

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

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

Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

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 Girl in the Ground by Stacy Green

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

A Catered St. Patrick's Day by Isis Crawford

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

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Dan Silva

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

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

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Library Love Reading Challenge

When I signed up for this year's Library Love Challenge I agreed to read 24 books.  My expectations were low because I was still afraid of catching COVID-19.  I still am. However, I did find a few excellent reads.

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

Black Ice by Brad Thor

Girl in Ice by Erika Ferencik

Hotel Portofino by J. P. O'Connell

London by Edward Rutherford

Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart

Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels

Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins

My Wife is Missing by D. J. Palmer

The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks

The Omega Factor by Steve Berry

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva

Rising Tiger by Brad Thor

Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler

Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs

World Record Holders by Guy Delisle

The Woman From Valencia by Annie Perrault

William at 40 by Robert Jobson

Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Ducks by Kate Beaton

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

The Nanny by Ruth Heald

A Billion Years by Mike Rinder

Iced in Paradise by Naomi Harihara

Acting Class by Nick Drnaso

Alice Guy: First Lady of Film by Catel and Bocquet

The American Adventuress by C. W. Gortner

Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring

2nd Favorite Book:  My Wife is Missing

Least Favorite Book:  Hotel Portofino

2023 What's in a Name Reading Challenge

The 2023 What's in a Name Reading Challenge (WIAN) will once again be hosted by Andrea at the Carolina Book Nook Blog.  This is an easy and fast challenge to complete as there are only 6 books that you need to read. 

The Rules:

    1)    The challenge runs from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

    2)    Read a book in any format (hard copy, ebook, audio) with a title that fits into each category.

    3)    Don’t use the same book for more than one category.

    4)    You can choose your books as you go or make a list ahead of time.

You can sign up using at the WIAN challenge page/post and use the challenge badge on your post. The categories below are also links to each category sign up link.  Add your book review for each category so we can see what you’ve read and discover ideas as needed.

Choose 6 books with titles that contain:

• Punctuation
• 7 Deadly Sins
• You or Me
• Chess Piece
• Celebration
• Q, X, Z

Beatrix Rose Vigilante

Beatrix Rose Vigilante is a 5 part Comixology Original written by Stephanie Phillips and it is fantastic. Beatrix Rose was working for British intelligence when her team turned on her and killer her husband and kidnapped her daughter. Beatrix went underground for awhile but resurfaced in Hong Kong. She became trapped by the Triad in Hong Kong and is forced to work for them. Her job is to protect them as there is another killer, called Yaomo or Demon, who has targeted the Triad's bosses.  Beatrix sets out to find Demon and kill him. 

The comic is a fun read with no sex or foul language, if that bothers you. Lots of killing, though but that didn't stop me from enjoying the comic.  5 out of 5 stars.

Hotell

Hotell is a graphic novel about an off the beaten track hotel. If you drive down Route 66 in the middle of the night and you are desperate for shelter, sanctuary or secrecy, you will see its battered sign on the side of the road. The Pierrot Courts Hotel is where the tormented made their last stand as well as the demons that haunt them. It's where customers check in but few check out. 

Some of the characters include Jack Lynch, the hotel check-in clerk, who gives his customers more than enough evidence that he is much more than a strange man. The first customer is a pregnant woman named Alice who is running away from a physically abusive boyfriend. Alice is the reason why I found this horror story compelling. As she sleeps in her room, she has nightmares about the boyfriend which is understandable. She also has dreams about her unborn child who comforts her as much as she comforts him. Hearing noises from an adjoining room, Alice knocks on the door and meets a man intent on killing his wife, but she does not know that. Going back to her room Alice tries to convince herself to leave the hotel but she is just too tired and needs another night's sleep. The story then moves on to the tenant next door. Several more storylines concerning other tenants follow and all are gripping.

While I am not a horror or noir fan, Hotell had me captivated. I couldn't put it down and though it is only 96 pages in length, I felt like I had read a full length novel. 5 out of 5 stars.

Barnstormers 1, 2 and 3

Barnstormers is a 3 part Comixology Original about a pilot named Hawk Baron. Barnstormers is an adventure romance story set in the 1920s when airplanes were just coming on the scene and barnstormers traveled throughout the country giving air shows and rides for a fee. 

Baron is an attractive war hero from WWI who flies his plane in the Southeastern part of the U. S.  After convincing a telephone operator to call ahead to other towns, Baron always finds a crowd waiting for him, which is the only way he can make money. One day, he flies to Barnville and instead of seeing a crowd of townspeople waiting for him, he accidentally crashes into a wedding. The wedding party and guests are angry but the bride-to-be, Claire, uses Baron to flee a marriage that she does not want. Along the way, they have adventures and begin to form bonds of their own. 

This is an entertaining story that I hated to see end. 5 out of 5 stars.

Ballad for Sophie

Ballad for Sophie is a cute graphic novel about a fictional French pianist Julian DuBois. Born in the late 1920s Julian, the heir of a wealthy family, meets Francois Samson, a janitor's son, at a piano contest in Cressy-la-Valoise. Julian wins because his mother bribed the judges but Julian knows that Francois was a better player. It bothers him his whole life. Julian has phenomenal success and is adored in France, selling many records and playing to sold out crowds. He even meets Francois' wife and has an intimate affair with her. The plot then moves to 1997 with an old and bitter Julian meeting a journalist from Le Monde named Adeline Jourdain who wants to interview him. She arrives at his home, a huge mansion that he inherited from his mother, and prods him to talk about his life.  He begins to tell his story but when she reveals that she is Francois' daughter, Julian composes his first score, a ballad for her.

I enjoyed the book but it was a little boring in the middle. It was a beautiful story, though, and quickly picked up when Julian began to understand his accomplishments, failures and how to behave as a good person. The characters were fully developed which gave the story depth. It was a fun read that transported me to France in my comfy chair and I highly recommend for anyone who wants to relax for a while and forget the present.

4 out of 5 stars.