CHÈLI'S MUSICAL SELECTIONS IN 2013 CATEGORY CHALLENGE DISC 2

My first "DISC" was getting long so I thought that 40 "tracks"/books would be a nice clean place to split and go to the next part of my Challenge.
I have indicated both on the message for the category and here in the opening posts which categories have been "COMPLETED". Four at the end April puts me about on track to finish, and hopefully I will really progress on moving along on reading the series that I have started. 10 series so far are current, but with new books being published, they may fall behind again.









Hi everyone, this is my 5th category challenge but this one I'm going to be handling a bit differently. I really enjoyed 2009 when I met the challenge twice but in 2010 I just barely reached my goals, 2011 I fell one short (darn!) and 2012 I had to cheat - allowing myself 32 overlaps - 20-12 - so knowing my own limitations as well as my other obligations in life besides reading, here's how 2013 is going to go.

I will have 13 categories - all designated by a song title which will have something to do with each of the books - example Magical Mystery Tour is the song title for the Category with foreign locales.

There will be no specific number of books per category but the category will not be complete until enough stars have been awarded for books to reach 33 pts = 20+13. Ratings/explanation will award points as follows:

★★★★★ stars = 10 points truly exceptional
★★★★½ stars = 9 points tremendous
★★★★ stars = 8 points excellent
★★★½ stars = 7 points very good
★★★ stars = 6 points good
★★½ stars = 5 points could have been better
★★ stars = 4 points hard to get through
★½ stars = 3 points didn't like it
★ stars = 2 points not worth finishing/possibly abandoned
½ stars = 1 points lowest possibly rating/worthy of abandonment

So if the books average 3-3½ stars, 5-7 books will complete a category (averaging the total of 78 to complete the entire challenge). If I'm lucky enough to get a bunch 3½-4 star books I could finish a category with just 5 books. Extra books can be read in any category, but for the challenge to be considered successfully completed, all categories need at least 33 points awarded.

In 2013 I'll be continuing the following formal challenges:

The 75 Book Challenge This is where I spend most of my time.
US Presidents Challenge So far I'm finished through James Garfield. I'm hoping to reach up to Teddy Roosevelt so I can read WWI in 2015. Needless to say, this challenge has been extended to 2020 at least.
European Challenge - I still have 2/3 of Europe to explore. Hopefully, I'll reach some of those exotic destinations on my magical Mystery tour.
50 States challenge - Only ten states left on the itinerary.
TIOLI monthly Challenges in the 75 book Challenge - these change every month and actually make reading more fun because I usually find something new that I want to read because of it.

Then there are also several personal challenges that I will be endeavoring to work on in 2013.

Bookshelf Bootie Many book bloggers telegraph to each other what new books we receive each week with a meme called Mailbox Monday. Usually these books are received free for review or won in a giveaway. In my version (Bookshelf Bootie) I'm trying to remind myself that when books come into to my house they need to be read soon. Hopefully, that will include the books that I actually purchased as well as downloaded to my Nook so that those books that show in my acquisition ticker will be read in timely manner. I want to dwindle down my TBRs by reading old books as well as all the new acquired. This will be tough. Books marked with % are sitting on my shelf and should get priority.
ROOT Challenge is my effort to read 105 books off my own shelves (This includes books on my Nook/Kindle, ER & ARCs I receive for review, and audiobooks that I've downloaded in the past.) Bookshelf Bootie should help this challenge.
Series Catchup - Each year I try to choose several series that I will definitely be current on by the end of the year. There are others where I have several books to read to get to the most recent so I purposely select 3-5 to concentrate on. I don't like to read them all in a row, so I will spread them out over the months.

Now that you see where I'm coming from, you can understand better the categories that I have designated for this challenge.

That said, here are my categories designated by their hit tunes:

I. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack) - first in a series
II. Second Hand Rose (Barbra Streisand) - second in a series COMPLETED
III. Catch A Falling Star (Perry Como) - catching up on a series COMPLETED
IV.Save the Last Dance for me (The Drifters) - last book currently for a series COMPLETED
V. This Magic Moment - (Drifters) - Fantasy/Young Adult
VI. Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) - settings designated for visitation (travel challenges)
VII. I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances
VIII. You Make Me Feel Brand New (The Stylistics) books released in the last 12 months COMPLETED
IX. Let's get Together (Hayley Mills) - Shared (TIOLI AND BOOK CLUB) and Group Reads/LT
X. Yesterday (Beatles) - History
XI. We shall be free! (Garth Brooks) - Books received for no cost
XII. I heard it through the grapevine (Gladys Knight&Pips) - Audiobooks
XIII. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross)- TBRs

So, 2013 should be easier because of less pressure in the number of books, but more fun because I'll definitely be visiting books that I've been wanting to read for a while.

Be sure and let me know if you think of any books for my Group Reads categories and if you see any books on my candidates list that you have read and think I should move up.

WELCOME TO MY 2013 CATEGORY CHALLENGE!

I. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack) - first in a series


Even though I already have over 100 series started, I know that I will not be able the resist reading books that start new series especially since I already own the books. So this category will record the new series that I start.
I blame all of you here at LibraryThing. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have heard about these series. I'm actually thinking about identifying who should get the blame credit.

1. Bring on the Blessings 1/24/13...................................9.5 PTS.
2. Iron Lake 2/3/13.........................................................7 PTS
3. Death of a Kitchen Diva 2/20/13.........................................................8 PTS
4. Family Tree 5/29/13 ..................................................................4.5 pts
5. Cake on a Hot Tin Roof 6/29/13...................................6 pts.

CATEGORY COMPLETED
Total points..................................................35 pts.

Top Candidates: (★= top contender)
★Beauty to Die For %
✔★Bring on the Blessings % 1/24/13
A Plateful of Murder %
★Mind Over Murder (A Raven's Nest)
✔★Iron Lake: A Novel
A Murderous Glaze
★A Beautiful Blue Death
★Murder on the Rocks %
✔Longboat Blues %

Additional Candidates:
Too Close to Home %
✔A Killer Read %
The Alexander Cipher %
A Taste For Murder
A Timely Vision (A Missing Pieces Mystery) %
✔Cake on a Hot Tin Roof (A Piece of Cake Mystery) %
Deadly Sanctuary (Kendall O'Dell Mystery series)
Death at Bishop's Keep (Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries, No. 1) %
Fatal Judgment (Guardians of Justice, Book 1) %
Ghost a la Mode (Thorndike Mystery) %
Grace Under Pressure
Greatest Knight %
Hearse and Buggy (An Amish Mystery)
Heiress (Daughters of Fortune) %
In the Garden of Temptation (The Garden Series Book 1) %
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor: Being the First Jane Austen Mystery %
Larceny and Old Lace
Murder on the Mind %
One Deadly Sister (Sandy Reid Mystery Series) %
Sabriel ♫ %
Stuck in the Middle (Sister-to-Sister, Book 1) %
Sup with the Devil (An Abigail Adams Mystery) %
The Crown in the Heather (The Bruce Trilogy) %
The Hanover Square Affair %
The Ninth Daughter
✔The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel %
The Warden ♫ %
Them Bones
Until Proven Guilty (J. P. Beaumont Mysteries) %
You've Got Murder

II. Second Hand Rose (Barbra Streisand) - second in a series


I swore to myself that I was going to work diligently to clear my bookshelves and at the same time work on the continuation of series that I already started. So, thanks to FictFact, I have the list of books that are second in series that I started sometime along the way, and that I really want to continue. So I'm lining them up and getting them ready to go.

1. A Fatal Appraisal ★★★½ 1/1/13...............................7 pts.
2. Staying Home is a Killer ★★★ 2/7/13............................6½ pts
3. Dead Men Don't Crochet ★★★½ 3/20/13...............................6¾ pts.
4. Death Threads ★★★½ 3/25/13...............................7 pts.
5. Let's Play Dead ★★★¼ 3/28/13...............................6½ pts.
6. Lost and Fondue ★★★¼ 5/6/13...............................6½ pts.
7. Stitch Me Deadly ★★★½ 5/8/13...............................7 pts.
8. The Diva Takes the Cake ★★★★ 6/7/13....................8 pts.

CATEGORY COMPLETED
Total points..................................................55¼ pts.

But I still have more for this category.

The main candidates in this category are: (★= top contender)

★A Deadly Cliché %
✔★A Fatal Appraisal % 1/1/13
★Catching fire %
✔★Death Threads %
Dragonfly in Amber ♫ %
★Knit Fast, Die Young %
Knit Two ♫ %
Mayhem in Miniature %
One Good Turn ♫ %
✔★Staying Home Is a Killer %
✔★Stitch Me Deadly %
✔★The Diva Takes the Cake %
✔★Lost and Fondue %

Additional candidates:

✔Let's Play Dead %
Dead Letters %
Dead Men Don't Crochet %
A Farewell to Yarns
A Home for Christmas
A Light in the Window %
Advent of Dying
Bone to Pick
Bookmarked For Death
Corpse in the Crystal Ball
Design for Murder %
Drop Shot
Finger Lickin' Dead
I Will Repay
Inked Up
Killer View
Last Puzzle and Testament
Murder Between the Covers
Murder By the Glass
Murder By The Slice
Payment In Blood
Round Robin
String of Lies
The Best Defense
The Cluttered Corpse
The Devil's Cradle (Kendall O'Dell Mystery series)
The Lucifer Code %
The More the Terrier
The Red Dahlia
The Shattered Rose
The Virgin's Secret
The Walled Flower
Tippy-Toe Murder
To Pleasure a Prince
To See Your Face Again
Triple Witch
Trouble in the Town Hall
Vacations Can Be Murder
What Happens in London
White Lies
Witches' Bane

III. Catch A Falling Star (Perry Como) - catching up on series


I love series and I blame all of you here at LibraryThing. I studied my list of books read since I came here in late 2008 and compared it to 2004 and before when I didn't keep records of actual dates but knew which books I read, and I started 120+ series since coming here.
I have 182 series that I've marked an interest in, some I'm all caught up on (36), some I haven't started yet 21 - I have the book just haven't read it - leaving me 125 series that I need to catch up on. (And where do you think I get the ideas for these?) Each year I try to choose several series that I will definitely be current on by the end of the year. Several (17) I'm only one book behind so those I will definitely get current. But there are others where I have several books to read to get to the most recent so I purposely select 3-5 to concentrate on.

1. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon ★★★½ 1/23/13 ....................................6¾ pts.
2. Birds of a Feather ★★★★¼ 3/5/13........................................................................8½ pts.
3. Pardonable Lies ★★★★ 3/8/13........................................................................8 pts.
4. Shifting Tide 3/12/13.................................................................................9 pts.
5. Cinnamon Roll Murder 3/14/13......................................................................6 pts.
6. Blood from a Stone 3/20/13......................................................................6½ pts.
7. Red Velvet Cupcake Murder 7/7/13......................................................................7pts

Total points..................................................51.75 CATEGORY COMPLETED but will continue because I really need to catch up on these series.

EVEN THOUGH THIS CATEGORY HAS THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF POINTS TO BE COMPLETE, I WILL STILL BE READING BOOKS IN THIS CATEGORY BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGE TO GET CURRENT WTH THESE 5 SERIES.

This year the series that designated as top priority are:

✔Hannah Swensen Mysteries (2/2) This series is done!
Maisie Dobbs (2/7)
Commissario Guido Brunetti (1/9)
William Monk (1/5)
Meg Langslow (1/12)

The candidates books are: (★= highest priority)

★✔Hannah Swensen Mysteries

✔Cinnamon Roll Murder
✔Red Velvet Cupcake Murder

William Monk

✔The Shifting Tide % ♫
✔Dark Assassin %♫
Execution Dock %♫
Acceptable Loss % ♫
A Sunless Sea

★ Guido Brunetti

✔14. Blood from a Stone % ♫
✔15. Through a Glass Darkly %♫
16. Suffer the Little Children %♫
17. The Girl of His Dreams % ♫
18. About Face %♫
19. A Question of Belief % ♫
20. Drawing Conclusions
21. Beastly Things

★ Maisie Dobbs

✔Birds of a Feather % ♫
✔Pardonable Lies % ♫
✔Messenger of Truth % ♫
An Incomplete Revenge % ♫
A Lesson in Secrets % ♫
Elegy for Eddie
Leaving Everything Most Loved

Meg Langslow

✔4. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
5. We'll Always Have Parrots
6. Owls Well That Ends Well
7. No Nest for the Wicket
8. The Penguin Who Knew Too Much
9. Cockatiels At Seven
10. Six Geese A-slaying
11. Swan for the Money
12. Stork Raving Mad
13. The Real Macaw
14. Some Like It Hawk % ♫
15.Hen of the Baskervilles

IV. Save the Last Dance for me (The Drifters) - last book currently for a series

This year I'm trying to catch up on some of my series, especially the ones that only have one that I haven't read.
This the category for the last book currently in a series. There may be more next year but for now I would like stop waiting for the next one, rather than falling farther behind.

1. Sweet Tea Revenge 3/16/13...........................................7.5 pts
2. A Deadly Dealer 3/20/13................................................6.5 pts
3. Book, Line, and Sinker 4/8/13.........................................7.0 pts
4. Night Watch 4/15/13.....................................................7.5 pts
5. The Rope 4/25/13........................................................7.5 pts.

Total Pts = 36 CATEGORY COMPLETED
but will continue because I really need to catch up on series and bring them current.

These are the candidates for the Last Dance: (★= top contender)
✔★Sweet Tea Revenge (#14) - latest Tea Shoppe Mystery
✔★Book, Line and Sinker #3 - last Library Lover's so far
Away in a Manger
★Beyond Seduction (#6)
✔★Night Watch % ♫
★Rivals in the City
Sacrilege (#3)
The Borgia Mistress (#3)
✔★The Rope % ♫
✔★The Wedding Trap (#3) %

V. This Magic Moment - (Drifters) - Fantasy/Young Adult


Several years ago I started reading Young adult books - Harry Potter to be specific. After Harry I found that there were so many great YA books, and that I was depriving myself of the pleasure of these tales simply because of the moniker of YA. No more, I read whatever I want no matter what the classification. I even have my very own consultant to recommend books for this category. What's even more fun, most are on audio.

1. Crucible of Gold 2/10/13 ....................................6.5 pts
2. The Invention of Hugo Cabret 4/6/13....................7.0 pts.
3. The Enchantress 5/1/13.....................................6.75 pts
4. A Game of Thrones 7/22/13................................7.00 pts
5. Discovery of Witches.........................................7.0 pts

Total Pts = 34.25 CATEGORY COMPLETED

Here are the candidates I'm dying to read in this category: (★= top contender)
★The Son of Neptune (#2) % ♫
★The Throne of Fire (#2) % ♫
✔★Crucible of Gold (#7) % ♫
✔A Discovery of Witches % ♫
✔★The Enchantress (#6) % ♫
✔★A Game of Thrones % ♫
★Golden Compass % ♫
Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon %
★Peter and the Starcatchers % ♫
The graveyard book % ♫
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon (Starcatchers Series) % ♫
Peter and the Shadow Thieves (Starcatchers Series) % ♫
Peter and the Sword of Mercy (Starcatchers Series) % ♫
A Clash of Kings % ♫
A Storm of Swords % ♫
A Feast for Crows % ♫
A Dance with Dragons % ♫
Emerald Atlas

VI. Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) - Foreign settings


A great deal of the historical fiction that I read is set outside the United States. Hopefully, those settings that I visit in this category will also help with my European Challenge. I am also working on the 50 State Challenge. 10 states are still on the itinerary.

1. Night Circus 1/30/13.........................................6¾ pts
2. Deadly Decisions 2/15/13....................................6 pts
3. His Majesty's Hope 5/27/13.................................7.5 pts
4. The Song of Achilles 6/13/13................................9 pts.
5. Daughter of the Sea 7/11/13................................6 pts.

Total Pts = 35¼ CATEGORY COMPLETED

The candidates are:(★= top contender)
✔★Deadly Decisions (#3)
The Devil's Gold #7
★An Irish Country Village (#2) % ♫
Sign of the Cross (#2)
★Emperor's Tomb % ♫
Royal Flush
The Intrigue at Highbury: Or, Emma's Match
★The Curse of the Pharaohs
My Cousin Caroline
A Promise of Spring
Beware a Scot's Revenge
★The Sherlockian
★Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles
★A Freak of Freedom
Them Bones

VII. I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances

Ever since I can remember choosing my own books, I've been a sucker for romances. Maybe it started because I went to an all girl high school and I didn't have a lot of exposure to boys until I went to college and met my husband. But he's not a real romantic, he's an accountant. He treats me like a princess but rarely do I get a birthday card or flowers, or anything that many would classify as romantic. So I always tease him when I'm reading a romance novel/bodice ripper whatever you care to call them, that I'm getting my dose of romance. Before LT, romances were a good 75% of my reading, now maybe 10%. But still I can't do without them.
FYI - The photo was taken by my beautiful niece who is a professional photographer in New Orleans. She does such beautiful wedding and engagement photos, I had to use one.

1. Rose Harbor in Bloom 5/10/13...........................8.75 pts.
2. Imperfect Pairings 6/8/13................................5 pts.
3. Lord Carew's Bride 6/26/13...............................6 pts
4. Fireworks Over Toccoa 7/1/13.............................6 pts.
5. The Day the Falls Stood Still 7/5/13........................6 pts
6. The Greatest Knight 8/31/13................................7 pts.

Total Pts = 38¾ pts.
CATEGORY IS COMPLETED

The candidates this year are:(★= top contender)

Where the Heart Leads
★22 Britannia Road: A Novel %
★44 Charles Street: A Novel %
★A Bride in the Bargain %
A Duke's Temptation: The Bridal Pleasures Series %
A Good Yarn (Blossom Street, No. 2) %
A Husband's Wicked Ways %
A Necessary Husband %
An Unlikely Countess: A Novel of the Malloren World %
Beware a Scot's Revenge (#3) %
✔★Bond of Passion %
Dancing at Midnight (#2) %
Everlasting %
His Every Kiss %
His Favorite Mistress: A Novel %
His Lady Mistress %
Home to Holly Springs % ♫
Kiss of Fate % ♫
★✔Lord Carew's Bride (#2) %
★A Night Like This %
Never Less Than a Lady %
★Never Seduce a Scoundrel (The School for Heiresses, Book 1) %
No Choice But Seduction (Malory Family) % ♫
Only a Duke Will Do (The School for Heiresses, Book 2) %
Priceless %
★Red Hook Road %
Shameless (Banning Sisters Trilogy) %
★Talk of the Ton (Berkley Sensation) %
Ten Things I Love About You
★The Greatest Lover in All England %
The Lady Most Likely… %
The Magic Of You %
The Marriage Bed %
The Perfect Mistress %
The Princess and the Pea %
The Ravenscar Dynasty
The Rebel Bride %
The Runaway Princess %
The School for Brides (A School For Brides Romance)
The Second Mrs. Darcy: A Novel %
★The Secret Mistress (#3) %
The True Darcy Spirit: A Novel %
The Truth About Lord Stoneville % (Hellions of Halstead Hall)
Yesterday & Forever %

VIII. You Make Me Feel Brand New - books released in the last 12 months

Ongoing series seem to produce a new book just about every year and for those favorites we have to read the newest as soon as possible. These books are new or will make me current with an ongoing series.

The picture is my granddaughter Stella who likes to read

1. Fonduing Fathers 1/5/13.......................................9½ pts.
2. The Beautiful Mystery 1/31/13...............................7¼pts.
3. Stake and Eggs 2/11/13........................................7¼ pts
4. The Lifeboat 2/14/13.............................................7¼ pts
5. Threaded for Trouble 4/2/13..................................7½ pts
CATEGORY COMPLETED
Total points..................................................38.75

The Candidates are:(★= top contender)
A Casual Vacancy - J.K. Rowling's new book
★Bianca %
✔★ Fonduing Fathers (#6) - latest White House Chef mystery
✔★Garment of Shadows (#12) - newest Mary Russell mystery
✔★Stake & Eggs (#4) - newest Cackleberry Club mystery
✔★The Beautiful Mystery - latest Three Pines mystery %
✔Threaded for Trouble (#2)
✔★The Lifeboat %

IX. Let's get Together (Hayley Mills) - Shared and Group Reads


In the last few years I have joined a book club, started another and shared books in the category challenge as well as in other groups at LT such as TIOLI and HRBG. This category will be where those books that are shared get recorded.
I will update with candidates as times are decided and as each month something new will be suggested.

1. When Christ and His Saints Slept 1/18/13 2013 Category group..............................9¾ pts.
2. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel 2/26/13 Local Book group %..........................5½ pts
3. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - 3/12/13 2013 Category group.................6 pts.
4.Time and Chance 4/27/13 2013 Category Group ................................................8 pts.
5. Rebecca 5/28/13 Local Book group................................................................7 pts.

CATEGORY COMPLETED

Total Pts = 36¼

✔When Christ and His Saints Slept (January) % 1/18/13
✔Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel (February) Local Book group %
✔A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - March %
✔Time and Chance (April)
✔Rebecca - May
✔Song of Achilles - June
✔Devil's Brood (August)
✔Ivanhoe - September %
Lionheart (October)
The Path between the Seas - October %
Frozen Heat - November
In the shadow of Wounded Knee : the untold final chapter of the Indian Wars - November

X. Yesterday (Beatles) - History


1. Chester Alan Arthur 1/28/13....................................5½ pts.
2. Manifest Injustice: The True Story of a Convicted Murderer and the Lawyers Who Fought for His Freedom 5/22/13.........................................................7½ pts
3. The White House: An Illustrated Architectural History 6/4/13..........................................................................6¼ pts
4. Lady Liberty : a biography 7/3/13..................................6 pts
5. Forgotten Presidents 7/19/13 .......................................5 pts
6. Devil's Brood 8/20/13 ...................................................8½ pts.

CATEGORY COMPLETED

Total Pts = 38¾ pts.

For the last 4 years I have been working on a personal challenge to read biographies of all the Presidents. When I started the challenge, the goal was to finish by the end of 2012, but since I decided that I also wanted to read books about other historical events that occurred during those presidencies, I've been delayed in the completion of that Challenge. I've set a new end date of 2020. (It took me 2 years with the Civil War and I anticipate that as I move forward I will also need extra time for WWI, the depression, WWII, etc.) Even though I only need 33 pts. to finish the category officially, I will continue in this category as much as I can.

Candidates for the next segment of history (end of 19th century) are: (★= top contender)

✔★Chester Alan Arthur by Karabell, Zachary
Grover Cleveland : a study in character / Alyn Brodsky.
A secret life : the sex, lies and scandals of President Grover Cleveland / Charles Lachman
✔Lady Liberty : a biography (1886)
The presidency of Benjamin Harrison / Homer E. Socolofsky and Allan B. Spetter
Age of betrayal : the triumph of money in America, 1865-1900
The president is a sick man
1898 : the birth of the American century
★The President and the assassin : McKinley, terror, and empire at the dawn of the American century
Photographs : George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
The war lovers : Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898

Mornings on horseback
Guest of honor : Booker T. Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and the White House dinner that shocked a nation
America, 1908 : the dawn of flight, the race to the Pole, the invention of the Model T, and the making of a modern nation
1912 : Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft & Debs-- the election that changed the country
An age of extremes
The lion's pride : Theodore Roosevelt and his family in peace and war
Colonel Roosevelt
the Big Burn %
★The king and the cowboy : Theodore Roosevelt and Edward the Seventh : secret partners

XI. We shall be free! - (Garth Brooks) - Books received for no cost

Ever since I got my Nook and Nook Touch/Kindle for PC, I've been acquiring free books as if they were going out of style or there really was going to be a Worldwide Book Famine. In 2012 I got over 100. I need to start reading them.
The candidates in this category need to have cost NOTHING and were not a gift. They can have been a prize or been received for review.

1. Joy for Beginners 1/30/13 ...........................................7 pts.
2. Dream Eyes 5/13/13..................................................7¼ pts.
3. One Step Too Far 5/18/13.............................................5¾ pts
4. Saturday Night Widows 6/17/13.....................................7 pts.
5. The Second Rule of Ten 6/22/13....................................7 pts.

Total points..................................................​34 pts

CATEGORY COMPLETED

As you can see from the list, I've gone a bit berserk with the freebies!

The top 25 Candidates on the list are: % (★= top contender)
French Pressed (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 6)
★The Golden Door
The Temple Mount Code (Thomas Lourds, Book 3)
All Sales Fatal (Mall Cop)
★The Third Secret
★Murder On The Mind
Amberville: A Novel (P.S.)
Around the World in 80 Days
✔Daughter of the Sea
Daughter of Time: A Time Travel Romance
Married By Mistake
★Murder on the Cote d'Azure: A Maggie Newberry Mystery
Murphy's Law (Molly Murphy)
Napoleon's Pyramids
★The Stolen Crown: The Secret Marriage that Forever Changed the Fate of England
A Summer Affair: A Novel
The Billionaire Wins the Game: Billionaire Bachelors
★First, There Is a River
Black Out: An Inspector Troy Thriller
Love and Murder on the Queen Anne
Pretense for Murder

These other 130+ are also qualified candidates: %
The Outcast
1936--ON THE CONTINENT
212: A Novel (Ellie Hatcher)
44 Charles Street: A Novel
A Family Affair
A Fool Again: A Novella
A Hidden Fire
Accused (Pacific Coast Justice)
An Autumn Wedding
Anne of Green Gables (Modern Library Classics)
Birdman
BLACK DIAMOND DEATH
Blue
Bridesmaid Lotto (McMaster the Disaster)
Brothers Grimm Household Tales. 200 tales.
Cake Icing, Butt Budder and Tea Lids
Canterbury Tales
Carved in Bone: A Body Farm Novel
Classic Mythology
Colters' Wife
Dare to Die (Death on Demand Mysteries)
Dark Legacy
David Copperfield
Dawn of War (Blood War Trilogy)
Dead Politician Society: A Clare Vengel Undercover Novel
Dead Tease (Lake Loon Mystery) #12
Deadly Stillwater
Divine
Donovan's Angel (The Donovans of the Delta)
Eight Cousins
Fairy Tales
Footsteps in the Dark
For Love of Livvy,
Fortuna
From the Ashes
Front Porch Prophet: A Novel
Gabriel's Angel
Grace
Green Grow the Rushes
Gulliver's Travels
Heartfire (Search For Love)
Hide in Plain Sight
His Lady Mistress (Harlequin Historical Series)
Hose Monkey
Hostile Witness
Hour of the Hunter
I HAVE A SECRET
Indecent Proposal
Irresistible Forces (Kimani Romance)
Just Deceits: A Historical Courtroom Mystery
Justice in June
Kiss Me Deadly (Silhouette Nocturne)
Knight of Pleasure (All the King's Men)
Lady Chatterley's Lover
Lady of Hay: Two Women, Eight Hundred Years, and the Destiny They Share
Laid to Rest (Theatre Mysteries)
Leaving Before It's Over: A Novel
Little Dorrit
Love's Magic: Book One in the Boadicea Series
Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia
Maid for Love: McCarthys of Gansett Island
March
My Lady Gisborne: A Love Story
My Reading Life
Natural Causes (The Inspector McLean Mysteries)
Never Buried
Oh, Cherry Ripe
Order of the White Feather: The Sword of Dalamar
Peaches
Pillow Talk
Priced to move : a novel
Provincetown Follies, Bangkok Blues
Red Hook Road
Robinson Crusoe
Safe Haven
Sarah's Diary
Shadow Of Doubt: A Kali O'Brien Mystery
Sheltering Hearts
Silent Kills
Silver Lies: A Silver Rush Mystery
SINNERMAN
Solomon vs. Lord
Stress Fracture: Book One in the Dub Walker Series
The Age of Innocence
The Amersham Rubies
The Arabian Nights
The Beauty Bride: The Jewels of Kinfairlie
The Billionaire's Curse (The Archer Legacy)
The Bride's Baby
The Deal
The Duchess of Love
The Entitled
The Fairy Tale Bride (Once upon a Wedding)
The French Maid
The Ghost and Jacob Moorhead
The Glades
The Hunt: A Novel (Hunt Country Suspense)
The Inside Ring: A Joe DeMarco Thriller
The Journey Home
The Jungle Books
The Killing Room
The Magnificent 12: The Call
The Maine Event (Josh & Dana)
The Master of Verona
The Murder at the Vicarage: A Miss Marple Mystery
The Name Game
The One You Love
The Pearl at the Gate
The Prince and the Pauper
The Princess & the Penis
The Retribution
The Scarlet Letter
The Three Skirts
The Time Machine :Classic book
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook
The Unsuspecting Mage: Book One Of The Morcyth Saga
The Wary Widow: The Wetherby Brides, Book 3
Through a Glass Darkly
Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes (A Rose Gardner Mystery)
Twin Passions
Untouchable
Wedded to War (Heroines Behind the Lines)
What's a Girl Gotta Do? (A Robin Hudson Mystery)
Wild Angel
Winston's War: A Novel of Conspiracy
Yorkshire (Richard and Rose)

XII. I heard it through the grapevine (Gladys Knight&Pips) - Audiobooks



I frequently listen to books on audio. They give me the opportunity to get other tasks completed without giving up my reading time. Hopefully, I'll actually be able to get at least 100 pts. worth of books.

1. Knit the Season 1/5/13.....................................................6 pts
2. The Johnstown Flood 2/16/13............................................7¾ pts
3. Heat Rises 5/13/13..........................................................6¾ pts
4. Garment of Shadows 8/3/13..........................................6½ pts
5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks 8/27/13.......................6½ PTS.

CATEGORY COMPLETED
Total pts. 33½


The main candidates are: (★= top contender)
✔★The Johnstown flood %
★Packing for Mars ♫
I Shall Not Want
★Cloud Atlas ♫ (September)
?The Calligrapher's Daughter: A Novel ♫
The Pillars of the Earth ♫
The Air We Breathe
★The Sisters
✔★Knit the Season: A Friday Night Knitting Club Novel
Size 12 Is Not Fat
Size 14 Is Not Fat Either

A Distant Magic (Guardians (Del Rey))
A Secret Kept
A Taste for Death
All Over Creation
An Irish Country Courtship: A Novel
An Irish Country Girl: A Novel
DAYS OF GOLD
Heartstopper
Heavenly Pleasures
Home to Holly Springs
Honor Thyself
Life Sentences
Miss Julia Delivers the Goods
No Choice But Seduction (Malory Family)
No Good Deeds
On the Run
One False Move
Over Sea, Under Stone (AUDIOBOOK) CD (Dark is Rising Sequence)
PLAYING THE GAME
Queen of the Flowers
Safe Haven
Sarah's Key
Shark River
Started Early, Took My Dog: A Novel
State of Wonder
Sweetwater Creek
The Bonesetter's Daughter
The First Lady
✔The Gods of Newport
The Heretic's Daughter ♫
The House I Loved
The Lace Reader ♫
The last place
The Magicians: A Novel
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Ritual Bath CD
The Swan Thieves ♫
The Tiger's Wife: A Novel
The Vendetta Defense
What Came Before He Shot Her

+56 additional at the bottom of the candidates.

XIII. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross)- TBRs


MOUNT TBR %

I can't even begin to get a handle on the mountain of books that have been collecting on my shelves and filling the memory on my Nook. I can only try to whittle the peak down a little at a time. The ROOT Challenge should help me to clear some of these books and others that have been moved to appropriate categories. I've never been a good skier so sliding down this mountain will be tricky.

1. Getting Away is Deadly 2/17/13........................................7¾ pts
2. There is a Season 2/28/13 ...............................................10 pts.
3. Anna Karenina 3/29/13.........................................6 pts.
4. The Fountainhead 4/20/13.....................................4½ pts.
5. The Pigeon Pie Mystery 6/26/13................................6 pts.

Total points..........................................................34¼ pts

CATEGORY COMPLETED

The books that are gathering on the peak are:
✔★Fireworks Over Toccoa
Larceny and Old Lace (Den of Antiquity)
✔★There is a Season
The Queen's Bastard (The Inheritors' Cycle, Book 1)
★I Shall Not Want
Hanging by a Thread
Decaffeinated Corpse
✔★Heat Rises
★The Lies That Bind
Who Left That Body in the Rain?
The Vintage Vendetta
Death by the Dozen
✔★A Deadly Dealer

These others are still on the mountain:

"J" Is for Judgment
1936--ON THE CONTINENT
20 YEARS AFTER
A Deadly Yarn
A Face at the Window: A Home Repair Is Homicide Mystery (Home Repair Is Homicide Mysteries)
A Killer Stitch
A Wedding Story
A Wicked Lord At the Wedding
An Autumn Wedding
An Indecent Proposition (Signet Eclipse)
✔Anna Karenina:
Anne of Green Gables (Modern Library Classics)
Around the World in 80 Days
Back Spin (Myron Bolitar)
Believe (Heartspell)
Ben Hur
Blackout
Bridge Cardplay Pb
Brunswick Gardens
Calypso Magic (Onyx)
Candle in the Window
Chandra (Signet)
Darcy's Temptation: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Dare to Die
Deadly Sanctuary (Kendall O'Dell Mystery series)
Death on Demand/Design for Murder
Devil's Cradle
Devil's Daughter
Devil's Embrace (Signet)
Earth Song (Signet)
Elizabeth the Great
Emma (Penguin Classics)
Fairy Tales (Nook Version)
Fascinated
Fed Up (Gourmet Girl)
Fire Song (Onyx)
First, There Is a River
Fools Rush In (Weddings by Bella, Book 1)
For Whom the Bell Tolls
French Pressed (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 6)
Frill Kill
Ft-Blue Bayou
Getting Away Is Deadly (Ellie Avery Mysteries)
Gilt By Association (A Den of Antiquity Mystery)
Gone
Great Detectives
Hanging By A Thread
Happy Are the Meek (Blackie Ryan Novels)
Happy Hour
Harry Potter's Bookshelf: The Great Books behind the Hogwarts Adventures
Heartstopper
Heirs and Graces (2013)
Hose Monkey
Irresistible (Berkley Sensation Historical Romance)
It Happened One Season
✔Ivanhoe: A Romance (Timeless Classic Books)
Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances)
L Is for Lawless (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)
Lady Rogue
Lavender Morning (Edilean)
Little Women
Lord of Falcon Ridge
Lord of Hawkfell Island
Lord of Raven's Peak
Lovesong
Madame Bovary
Main Street
Mallets Aforethought (Home Repair Is Homicide Mysteries)
Mayhem in Miniature (#2)
Middlemarch (Oxford World's Classics)
Midnight Angel
Midnight Star
Midsummer Magic (Onyx)
Moonspun magic
Muggles and Magic: An Unofficial Guide to J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter Phenomenon
Murder at Wrigley Field
Murder Game: There's a $10,000 Reward for Solving the Crime. It Could Be Yours
Murder on Washington Square
Nail Biter (Home Repair Is Homicide Mysteries)
Naughty In Nice (2011) (Lady Georgy)
Naughty Neighbor
Night Shadow
Night Storm
Nightsong
Noble House : A Novel of Contemporary Hong Kong
Northern Lights
Of Human Bondage
One Deadly Sister (Sandy Reid Mystery Series)
One Was a Soldier
Pendragon
Plain Truth
PLAYING THE GAME
Plum Spooky
Pretense for Murder
Provincetown Follies, Bangkok Blues
Remembering the Ladies
Repair to Her Grave (Home Repair Is Homicide)
Royal Blood (2010) (Lady Georgy)
Royal Flush (2009) (Lady Georgy)
Season of the Sun (Signet Historical Romance)
Secret Song (Onyx)
Sense and Sensibility
Set Sail for Murder (Henrie O Mysteries)
Shakespeare's Trollop (Lily Bard, Book 4)
Shark River
Shepherds Abiding UNABRIDGED CD (Audiobook) (Book 8, The Mitford Series)
Ship of Destiny (The Liveship Traders, Book 3)
Showboat
Sinister Sprinkles
Sleeping With Anemone
South of Broad
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Stiffs and Swine
Still Alice
Stolen Crown
Sweet Savage Love
Sweetwater Creek
The Angry Tide
The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle
The Chocolate Snowman Murders: A Chocoholic Mystery
The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain
The Deerslayer or the First War-Path
The Duke
The Enchanted Land
✔The Fountainhead
The Grand Finale,
The Guardian
The last place
The Last Precinct
The Lies That Bind
The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia
The Mists of Avalon
The Offer
The Penwyth Curse
The Setting Trick: Practical Problems in Bridge Defense
The Sorcerer's Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter
The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel
The Third Secret
The Vintage Vendetta (#5)
The Virgin's Secret
The Vow on the Heron
The Wild Baron
They Thought for Themselves: Ten Amazing Jews
To Be the Best (Emma Harte Saga)
To Taste the Wine
Tool & Die: A Home Repair Is Homicide Mystery
Triple Witch: A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery
Tunnel Vision
Uncommon Clay
Under Orders
Unhinged: A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery
Unmasked
Untouchable
Vanity Fair : A Novel Without A Hero
Warrior's Woman
Water for Elephants (movie tie-in, mass market)
Wedding of the Season: Abandoned at the Altar
Wicked Fix: A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery
WINDSONG
Winston's War: A Novel of Conspiracy
Works of Baroness Emmuska Orczy. Incl: The Scarlet Pimpernel,
Wreck the Halls

All set to record the second Disc of "songs" in the challenge.
Great books waiting to be read!

Great second thread, Cheli, and a big tip of my hat to how organized you are!

Nice new thread Cheli and congratulations on having completed four of your categories already!

Great job so far finishing 4 categories already. I'm ready to follow along.

New shiny thread. Nicely organized - glad to see I'm not the only one with a looong Mt. TBR-list! :)

Happy new thread! :) So organized!

Looks good, Cheli.

Looks like a lot of good reading still to come!

I certainly hope so!

April Recap

April was filled with books that were considered chunksters (over 400 pages) (♫ is for audio books ß is for e-books) I also completed category #8 You Make Me Feel Brand New - books released in the last 12 months - with 5 books I reached the goal of 33+ pts.
I read my first "graphic novel", at least that's how the library categorized it, but from chats with others it really wasn't a full fledged graphic novel, so I'll have to keep looking for one.
At the beginning of the month, I had 12 books on the list to read with 6 chunksters, knowing full well I'd never get them all done, I said I'd be happy with 75% but I only managed 62% but 2 more books should be finished before the end of the week.

Number of series brought current this month/year 4/10

Here are the books that I read this Month

Threaded for Trouble (series current) new one due in June 320pgs
The invention of Hugo Cabret 525pgs
Book, Line, and Sinker (series current) new one due out July 292pgs
Night Watch (series current) New one due out in November 496pgs
Fountainhead 754pgs
The Rope (series current) 579pgs
Time and Chance 548pgs

Best of the Month: The Rope
Worst of the Month Fountainhead

Categories:
Acquisition: (New: 1 Pre-owned before 2013: 3 Borrowed: 3 ARC/ER: 0 Total:7)
TIOLI - Books read : 7 Books read for TIOLI Challenges:7 100%
E-books 3
ARDs (paperbooks) 2
Audiobooks 2

Non-Fiction
History 0
Biography/Memoir 0
Religion 0

Fiction
General Fiction 2
Cozy Mystery 2
Mystery 2
Young Adult/Fantasy 0
Historical Fiction 1

Personal Cataloging:

The book that kept me breathless: The Rope
The mystery that I enjoyed reading the most: The Rope
Biggest disappointment: Fountainhead
Book that gave the most smiles/laughs: Threaded for Trouble
Book I wish I'd read sooner: The Rope
Best Recommended book: Time and Chance
The book with the most surprises: The Rope
Most thought provoking book:Night Watch
Series book that has me wanting the next one NOW!: Threaded for Trouble
Best Audio book: The Rope
Book I am still working on: The Enchantress
Book I'm glad I finished: The Fountainhead

Projected May Reads: (Again, I have to get real!)
This time I'm shooting for 75% since I still have a few real chunksters!
22 books is really beyond my abilities but we'll see how many I can manage. ★ indicates priority
★Lost and Fondue
★The Enchantress (chunkster)
★Heat Rises
Stitch me Deadly
★Game of Thrones (chunkster)
★Manifest Injustice
★Dream Eyes
The Golden Door
★Fireworks Over Toccoa
★Saturday Night Widows
★The House at Riverton (chunkster)
The Second Rule Of Ten: A Tenzing Norbu Mystery
★Rebecca
Heretic's Daughter
Rose Harbor in Bloom (chunkster)
Family Tree
★His Majesty's Hope
One Step Too Far
the Day the Falls Stood Still
★The Map of True Places LP
★Any Bitter Thing: A Novel
Crossing Places

With all the activities that are planned this month, I wonder how far I'll get. Here's the non-reading agenda for May:

May 4th Country Club 50th anniversary Dinner/Dance (I'm working on the slide presentation)
May 8th - Member Council mtg - Country Club - I'm the minute taker
May 10th - (happy birthday, tutu) bridge club
May 11th Family Feud at the Country Club (my husband and I are coordinators)
May 12th - Mother's Day - drive up (1 hr) to see Mom and take her to dinner
May 16th - BUNCO charity event (I'm the coordinator)
May 17th weekend -Family event in Pittsburgh
May 25th - our wedding anniversary
Memorial Day Weekend
May 29th - book club (my birthday)

WISH ME LUCK!

Good luck to you on your May reading. I have Game of Thrones on my list for June.

Nice new thread!

Starred!

Wow, Cheli! Amazing new thread! You are so organized . . .

Sounds like a busy month, Cheli. Enjoy your activities and your reading!!

TITLE: The Enchantress ★★★½
AUTHOR: Michael Scott
DATE READ: April 26 - May 1
Book type: audiobook
Category: This Magic Moment - (Drifters) - Fantasy/Young Adult

The end of the series is always a let down, because you know that there won't be any more tales with these characters. But the adventures themselves kept you wanting more. Goodbye Nicolas and Perenelle, I will miss you.

Challenge Book #42

TITLE: Lost and Fondue ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Avery Aames
DATE READ: April 29 - May 6
Book type: audiobook
Category: Second Hand Rose (Barbra Streisand) - second in a series


How could a cheese lover fail to enjoy a cozy set around a cheese shop? I think I ate a whole brick of cheddar while I was reading this one. Both were delicious!

Challenge Book #43

TITLE: Stitch me Deadly ★★★½
AUTHOR: Amanda Lee
DATE READ: May 6 - May 8
Book type: e-book
Category: Second Hand Rose (Barbra Streisand) - second in a series


Being a needlework enthusiast this cozy was really fun because of the background setting. It was nice that the needlework part actually was incorporated into the mystery.

Challenge Book #44

TITLE: Rose Harbor in Bloom ★★★★½
AUTHOR: Debbie Macomber
DATE READ: May 8 - May 10
Book type: e-book
Category: I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances


I couldn't put it down!

The characters were so real - Annie's grandparents reminded me so much of my own parents - always bickering but underneath loving each other unconditionally. And Mary Smith- you think with a name like that the character would be flat but no, she grabbed me and held on tight right to end.

When is the next one coming?!

LOL - I believe that Macomber book should be arriving this week at the library. I'll have to go in to work to get the shipment out, but I'll just go in and do it quickly when they arrive. I'll get to it eventually, but it may not be this month.

I liked the first Avery Aames mystery much more than the second. Can't ever have too much cheese.

I wasn't very impressed with the first Avery Aames mystery. I only gave it 2 stars, so I'm scared to think what I'd think of the second one if Linda thinks it was worse than the first.

My bad. Lost and Fondue, the one that Cheli just read, IS the second one in the series. I didn't like it nearly as much as the first. First one was a 4 star book for me and the second one, the one that she just read, was a 3-star book. Maybe, someday, I'll read the third one.

I've just recently read the first one, but n sure I'll get to the next one this year. Sorry to see it's not as good. I agree you can't have too much cheese.

Challenge Book #45

TITLE: Dream Eyes ★★★½
AUTHOR: Jayne Ann Krentz
DATE READ: May 10 - May 13
Book type: e-book
Category: We shall be free! - (Garth Brooks) - Books received at no cost

I don't remember requesting this book from the ER program and maybe because I'm not normally a "paranormal" reader I kept putting it off, but when I finally sat down to read it, I was totally captivated by the writing and the story. So if I did request it, how smart of me, if I got it by accident - lucky me!

Challenge Book #46

TITLE: Heat Rises ★★★½
AUTHOR: Richard Castle
DATE READ: Aprl 26 - May 13
Book type: audiobook - OverDrive
Category: I heard it through the grapevine (Gladys Knight&Pips) - Audiobooks


I have so much fun with these books because of the tie-in with the TV series CASTLE. When I'm reading the book I can picture Nikki and Rook andI laugh just like with the TV show. (Rook=Castle, get it?)

Challenge Book #47

TITLE: One Step Too Far ★★★
AUTHOR: Tina Seskis
DATE READ: May 13 - May 18
Book type: e-book
Category: We shall be free! - (Garth Brooks) - Books received for no cost

An unusual book about the life of twins, their differences and how they affected each other. Wasn't ever sure where the story was going until it seems a standard ending. Didn't thrill me.

Challenge Book #48

TITLE: Manifest Injustice: The True Story of a Convicted Murderer and the Lawyers Who Fought for His Freedom ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Barry Siegel
DATE READ: May 13 - May 22
Book type: ARD
Category: Yesterday (Beatles) - History


This book was thoroughly captivating even though the outcome was already revealed, but the story and this man's spirit, were astonishing.

Challenge Book #49

TITLE: His Majesty's Hope ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Susan Elia MacNeal
DATE READ: May 22 - May 27
Book type: ARD
Category: Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) - Foreign settings


Maggie is really stepping up her involvement in the war effort and his installment really hits close to home.
There were a few twists that were expected but it still was exciting to the very end.

Manifest Injustice sounds really good! I looked at your review on the home page -- good review!

I started The Alchemyst a while back but gave up on it - putting it back on the list for when I'm more in the mood.

Challenge Book #50

TITLE: Rebecca ★★★½
AUTHOR: Daphne du Maurier
DATE READ: May 19 - May 28
Book type: e-book
Category: Let's get Together (HayleyMills) - Shared and Group Reads

Another classic, but this one I enjoyed - don't know if it was the writing or the fact that it was a mystery. Some of the situations I did foresee, but it was still fun.

Suddenly, it seems like a lot of people are reading Rebecca. Maybe I ought to give it a try as I've never read it.

Linda> You should definitely read it if you never have done so.

Challenge Book #51

TITLE: Family Tree : Better to Wish ★★¼
AUTHOR: Ann M Martin
DATE READ: May 27 - May 29
Book type: ARD
Category: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack) - first in a series

I've read a few other Ann Martin books and really enjoyed them, but this one left me flat.
The writing was okay but the characters just didn't do anything for me.
I won't be continuing this series.

MAY Recap - better late than never

May was designated ER/ARC month since I was falling horribly behind on reading those books that I had received for review, but first I needed to finish up the books that were in progress from April. (♫ is for audio books ß is for e-books) I also completed category #8 Save the Last Dance for Me - books that are the last currently in a series and Category #9 Let's get together - Group Reads - each with 5 books I reached the goal of 33+ pts.
I had 22 books on the list but knew I wouldn't get them all done - ½ would be great because there are a few chunksters. Whatever doesn't get finished, I'm hoping to squeeze them in with June's readings.

Number of series brought current this month/year 3/11

Here are the books that I read this Month

The Enchantress ♫ (series complete) 517
Lost and Fondue ß 320
Stitch me Deadly ß 336
Rose Harbor in Bloom ß (series current) 432
Dream Eyes 325
Heat Rises♫ 336
One Step Too Far 260
Manifest Injustice 382
His Majesty's Hope (series current) 354
Rebecca 428
Family Tree 226


Best of the Month: Rose Harbor in Bloom
Worst of the Month Family Tree

Categories:
Acquisition: (New: 0 Pre-owned before 2013: 3 Borrowed: 2 ARC/ER: 6 Total: 11)
TIOLI - Books read : 11 Books read for TIOLI Challenges: 11 100%
E-books 5
ARDs (paperbooks) 4
Audiobooks 2

Non-Fiction
History 0
Biography/Memoir 1
Religion 0

Fiction
General Fiction 4
Cozy Mystery 2
Mystery 2
Young Adult/Fantasy 1
Historical Fiction 1

Personal Cataloging:

The book that kept me breathless: His Majesty's Hope
The mystery that I enjoyed reading the most: His Majesty's Hope
Biggest disappointment: Family Tree
Book that gave the most smiles/laughs: Rose Harbor in Bloom
Book I wish I'd read sooner: Dream Eyes
Best Recommended book: Rebecca
The book with the most surprises: Dream Eyes
Most thought provoking book: Manifest Injustice
Series book that has me wanting the next one NOW!: His Majesty's Hope
Best Audio book: The Enchantress
Book I am still working on: The White House
Book I'm glad I finished: One Step Too Far

Projected June Reads:
I have now come to realize that I make a long list each month (knowing that I can't get them all done) but in this way I can pick and choose what I'm in the mood for as I am ready to start a new book.
22 books is really beyond my abilities but we'll see how many I can manage.
Imperfect Pairings
The White House
Song of Achilles
Saturday Night Widows
Game of Thrones chunkster
The Second Rule Of Ten: A Tenzing Norbu Mystery
The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel %
The Golden Door
Crossing Places
Diva Takes the Cake
Daughter of time
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
The School for Brides
Cake on a Hot Tin Roof %
A Bride in the Bargain
Lord Carew's Bride
Heretic's Daughter
Daughter of the Sea
The Marriage Bed

Well, I didn't finish May's list but I had a great time trying. Expect June will be the same.

Quite a few books with cake in the title for June, Cheli.

I do something similar with TIOLI, listing every book I might conceivably read and then scaling back and getting to some, or sometimes, most of them.

Enjoy The Song of Achilles!

Challenge Book #52

TITLE: The White House: An Illustrated Architectural History ★★★
AUTHOR: Patrick Phillips-Schrock
DATE READ: May 31- June 4
Book type: ARD
Category:Yesterday (Beatles) - History

I found it interesting to see the changes that have been made over the years as well as differences to the exterior that I had never seen before. However, IMO the book was a bit jumpy because of the layout of text versus diagrams/pictures and felt it would have been better served to have all text together and then reference the diagrams. Often I lost my place in the text because of the placement of the diagrams/pictures on the pages.

Challenge Book #53

TITLE: The Diva Takes the Cake ★★★★
AUTHOR: Krista Davis
DATE READ: June 5 - June 7
Book type: e-book
Category: Second Hand Rose (Barbra Streisand) - second in a series

Loved the 1st one, loved the second!
This series is quickly becoming a favorite, the characters are so much fun and the writing has me laughing frequently. Can't wait for the next one.

I "hate" it when someone says a cozy series is becoming a favorite. I feel like I should take the BBs and start acquiring them - like now! I really need to get going on the ones I've already got. Going to put these in my recommended category for now so I don't loose track.

Challenge Book #54

TITLE: Imperfect Pairings ★★½
AUTHOR: Jackie Townsend
DATE READ: June 5 - June 9
Book type: e-book
Category: I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances

I kept wondering why Jamie hung on to Jack when he never seemed to think about her feelings and what she wanted. Definitely not something I would recommend unless one is looking for great descriptions of living in a small village area in Italy with no translations or how to get a green card.

Challenge Book #55

TITLE: The Song of Achilles ★★★★½
AUTHOR: Madeline Miller
DATE READ: June 9 - June 13
Book type: e-book
Category: Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) - Foreign settings

I knew about Achilles and Hector and the Trojan War but the way that the characters were fleshed out seemed so real. I loved it.

I always been fascinated by mythology and this story combined a touch of history along with the wrath of the gods.

Character that seem real is what I need when I read something like The Song of Achilles. All the great reviews - and your comment - have convinced me to add this one to the future reading list.

Challenge Book #56

TITLE: Saturday Night Widows ★★★½
AUTHOR: Becky Aikman
DATE READ: June 11 - June 17
Book type: ARD
Category: We shall be free! - (Garth Brooks) - Books received for no cost

I have over the years had this great fear that my husband will die before I do. I can't imagine what I would do or how I would handle that if it ever happened. This book showed me that it is possible to survive and move on.

I suspect husbands have fears both ways -- that they'll die first, leaving their wives without support and that they'll be the survivor and not have the wife around. Of course, men are more likely to remarry than women (or, at least that's what the statistic used to be).

I've told Monsieur that he better not leave me with the house in this condition. That would be very rude!

Challenge Book #57

TITLE: The Second Rule Of Ten ★★★½
AUTHOR: Gay Hendricks, Tinker Lindsay
DATE READ: June 18 - June 22
Book type: e-book
Category: We shall be free! - (Garth Brooks) - Books received for no cost

I've gotten this book (second in the series) and the first through NetGalley and really enjoyed both. The central character is an ex-Tibetan monk/ex-homicide detective and it's really interesting to see how he uses his previous experiences and practices in his investigations as a PI. Hope to see another one soon.

Challenge Book #58

TITLE: The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel ★★★
AUTHOR: Julia Stuart
DATE READ: June 16 - June 25
Book type: ARD
Category: Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross)- TBRs

The premise sounded entertaining but the execution fell a bit flat for me.
I didn't really care for the characters (Mink was too flighty and snobby, others too 1 dimensional) in this book and the writing seem to lack a steady flow.

Challenge Book #59

TITLE: Lord Carew's Bride ★★★
AUTHOR: Mary Balogh
DATE READ: June 25 - June 26
Book type: ARD
Category: I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances

A thoroughly enjoyable romance showing that love forms not from the appearance on the outside but the compatibility of the spirits within.

Challenge Book #60

TITLE: Cake on a Hot Tin Roof ★★★
AUTHOR: Jacklyn Brady
DATE READ: June 27 - June 29
Book type: ARD
Category: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack) - first in a series

Using the backdrop of preparations for the annual Mardi Gras to increase the stress of the unexpected visit from her relatives, Rita's investigation to clear her Uncle in the murder at her party, keeps Rita hopping and the reader. FUN!

JUNE Recap

JUNE was filled with travels as well as doctor appointments but I did managed to get a few books read. I completed Category #1 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack) - first in a series, category #11 We shall be free! - (Garth Brooks) - Books received for no cost and Category #13 Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross)- TBRs - each with 5 books I reached the goal of 33+ pts. I now have more than half the categories completed and another that is near completion!

I didn't even get close to reading half of what was on the list to start the month, but, I'm still happy with what I did accomplish. Reaching 60 by the end of June was my goal and I got there so 75 is attainable in the near future especially when I'm laid up after surgery on my knee - won't I have to sit still?

Number of series brought current this month/year 1/12

Here are the books that I read this Month

The White House.....................................189
Diva Takes the Cake................................320
Imperfect Pairings...................................387
Song of Achilles.......................................416
Saturday Night Widows.............................334
The Second Rule Of Ten(current).................340
The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel.................313
Lord Carew's Bride..................................282
Cake on a Hot Tin Roof ............................297

Best of the Month: Song of Achilles
Worst of the Month Imperfect Pairings

Categories:
Acquisition: (New: 1 Pre-owned before 2013: 3 Borrowed: 0 ARC/ER: 4 Total:8)
TIOLI - Books read : 8 Books read for TIOLI Challenges: 8 100%
E-books........................................4
ARDs (paperbooks).........................5
Audiobooks...................................0

Non-Fiction
History........................................1
Biography/Memoir.........................1
Religion.......................................0

Fiction
General Fiction..............................1
Cozy Mystery................................3
Mystery.......................................1
Young Adult/Fantasy.......................0
Historical Fiction............................2

Personal Cataloging:

The book that kept me breathless: Diva Takes the Cake
The mystery that I enjoyed reading the most: The Second Rule of Ten
Biggest disappointment: The Pigeon Pie Mystery
Book that gave the most smiles/laughs: Diva Takes the Cake
Book I wish I'd read sooner: Song of Achilles
Best Recommended book: Song of Achilles
The book with the most surprises: The White House
Most thought provoking book: Saturday Night Widows
Series book that has me wanting the next one NOW!: Diva Takes the Cake
Best Audio book: Didn't finish one this month
Book I am still working on: Game of Thrones
Book I'm glad I finished: Imperfect Pairings

Projected July Reads:
I have now come to realize that I make a long list each month (knowing that I can't get them all done) but in this way I can pick and choose what I'm in the mood for as I am ready to start a new book.
17 books is really beyond my abilities but we'll see how many I can manage.
Game of Thrones
the Day the Falls Stood Still
★Fireworks Over Toccoa
A Discovery of Witches % ♫
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
Daughter of time
Forgotten Presidents
Enon
Storyteller
Garment of Shadows
Lady Liberty
The House at Riverton
Heretic's Daughter
Daughter of the Sea
Firefly Lane
The Golden Door
Seraphina

...And these are the books that I think will be enough to finish my challenge.

V. This Magic Moment - (Drifters) - Fantasy/Young Adult
A Game of Thrones % ?
Discovery of Witches

VI. Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) - Foreign settings
Garment of Shadows (#12) - newest Mary Russell mystery♫
The Storyteller

VII. I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances
★Fireworks Over Toccoa
A Bride in the Bargain %
Bond of Passion %

X. Yesterday (Beatles) - History
The Day the Falls Stood Still
Lady Liberty : a biography (1886)
Forgotten Presidents

XII. I heard it through the grapevine (Gladys Knight&Pips) - Audiobooks
Dark Assassin %♫
Execution Dock %♫
Packing for Mars ?
Cloud Atlas ? (September)

Not that I'd wish knee surgery on anyone, but, yes, a fantastic opportunity for reading!! :)

Good luck with the surgery! Looks like a good pile of books to help you with your recovery :)

I'm a bit behind you. In July, I'll be reading the new Macomber book that you loved in May, as well as the new book in the Maggie Hope series, His Majesty's Hope.

I read the first Krista Davis book, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme and liked it, too, though I may not get to the next one immediately, as I've got the new Carolyn Hart Annie Darling book, the new donut shop mystery, and a couple of other new ones in favorite series.

Challenge Book #61

TITLE: Fireworks over Toccoa ★★★
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Stepakoff
DATE READ: June 30 - July 1
Book type: ARD
Category: I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances

Nothing really special in this little story about a young woman who falls in love with a fireworks maker while waiting for her husband to return from the war.

Challenge Book #62

TITLE: Lady Liberty ★★★
AUTHOR: Doreen Rappaport
DATE READ: July 3
Book type: ARD
Category: Yesterday (Beatles) - History

A crisp little children's book which tells the story of how the French people gave the Statue of Liberty to America. A great read for the 4th of July.

Challenge Book #63

TITLE: The Day the Falls Stood Still ★★★
AUTHOR: Cathy Marie Buchanan
DATE READ: July 1 July 5
Book type: ARD
Category: I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances

Not exactly what I expected, I was looking for info concerning the time when Niagara Falls froze, but basically I was just a romance set at the early 20th century in Niagara Falls area, okay but not what I wanted.

Darn, for Category #3 I just finished what I thought was the latest book in the Hannah Swensen series and now I found out that a new one is coming out in February. Well, at least I'm current this year!

>73 cyderry:: If you have a "keeping current with series" category next year, that series will be a shoe-in! :)

That's an idea I'm going to have to add to 2014 under development. Thanks!

Challenge Book #64

TITLE: Red Velvet Cupcake Murder ★★★½
AUTHOR: Joanne Fluke
DATE READ: July 5 - July 7
Book type: ARD
Category: Catch A Falling Star (Perry Como) - catching up on series

I really enjoy this series - between the romantic indecision/competition and the yummy recipes I just get a big smile while I'm reading.

You and all these Joanne Fluke bookcovers I've been seeing on threads lately are making me hungry.

The stuffed Red velvet cupcakes in this one really sounded good especially since there was a red velvet cake at a barbecue this past week and I can still taste it!

Challenge Book #65

TITLE: Daughter of the Sea ★★★
AUTHOR: Mira Zamin
DATE READ: July 8 - July 11
Book type: E-book
Category: Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) - Foreign settings

This was one of those freebie books that I thought sounded interesting because of my interest in Mythology. It was a definite surprise winner - a trip to Atlantis!

Challenge Book #66

TITLE: The Forgotten Presidents: Their Untold Constitutional Legacy ★★½
AUTHOR: Michael J. Gerhardt
DATE READ: July 5 - July 19
Book type: E-book
Category: Yesterday (Beatles) - History

Yes, there are Presidents that are better known than others, while these "forgotten" ones made contributions to the benefit of their successors. It might have been more interesting with a bit more editing.

The Pigeon Pie Mystery is on my TBR list. I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't a stand out.

The Forgotten Presidents sounds interesting. I'll have to add that to my list. I have Major Pettigrew, Pigeon Pie, and His Majesty's Hope already on my to be read list. Sorry to hear Major Pettigrew and Pigeon Pie didn't seem to measure up. At least the latest Maggie mystery sounds like it's going to be fun!

83>> Pigeon Pie wasn't bad, it just seem to be missing a little excitement for a mystery. I could have just been in too much pain from my knee to see it.

Major Pettigrew I read with my ladies book club, everyone else loved it. I just wasn't thrilled by the character.

Maggie Hope now, that one I can't wait until the next book comes out!

Challenge Book #67

TITLE: Game of Thrones ★★★½
AUTHOR: George R. R. Martin
DATE READ: May 14 - July 28
Book type: Audiobook
Category: This Magic Moment - (Drifters) - Fantasy/Young Adult

I'd heard so much about this series, especially with the HBO adaption, that I guess I was a bit disappointed, maybe not because of the book itself but because it was so long and a bit hard to follow with all the strange names. I'm not going to dive into the next one right away, but I will read the next one sometime soon.

Sorry you didn't enjoy Major Pettigrew more. I loved that book.

TITLE: The Storyteller ★★★
AUTHOR: Jodi Picoult
DATE READ: July 23 - July 29
Book type: ARD
Category: Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles) - Foreign settings

The ladies in my book club rave about Jodi Picoult so we selected this one for July. I had read My Sister's Keeper but was not impressed so I was hoping that this one would be better. The story was okay but I felt that the characters were a bit stereotypical and lacked originality.

Challenge Book# 69

TITLE: Enon ★★★
AUTHOR: Paul Harding
DATE READ: July 29 - July 31
Book type: ARD
Category: We shall be free! - (Garth Brooks) - Books received for no cost

I guess I was hoping that this would be an uplifting story of a father's love for a child lost too early in life. Bu, I only found a whiny character and a depressing story.

JULY Recap

I really thought that I would get loads of books read in July since I would be laid up after knee surgery but I forgot to factor in visiting relatives/nurses that distracted me from my reading and drug induced sleep didn't help my reading either.
But I did finally finish Game of Thrones (swore to myself I wasn't carrying that one forward again. I also had few highly rated books this month, I don't know if that was because of the pain or drugs.

Number of series brought current this month/year 1/13

Here are the books that I read this Month

Fireworks Over Toccoa 260
Lady Liberty 40
the Day the Falls Stood Still 298
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder 328
Daughter of the Sea 679
The Forgotten Presidents: Their Untold Constitutional Legacy 336
Game of Thrones 694
Enon 256
Storyteller 460

Best of the Month: Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
Worst of the Month Enon

Categories:
Acquisition: (New: 2 Pre-owned before 2013: 0 Borrowed: 6 ARC/ER: 1 Total: 9)
TIOLI - Books read : 9 Books read for TIOLI Challenges: 9 100%
E-books 2
ARDs (paperbooks) 6
Audiobooks 1

Non-Fiction
History 2
Biography/Memoir 0
Religion 0

Fiction
General Fiction 3
Cozy Mystery 1
Mystery 0
Young Adult/Fantasy 1
Historical Fiction 2

Personal Cataloging:

The book that kept me breathless: Daughter of the Sea
The mystery that I enjoyed reading the most: Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
Biggest disappointment: Enon
Book that gave the most smiles/laughs: Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
Book I wish I'd read sooner: none
Best Recommended book: none
The book with the most surprises: Daughter of the Sea
Most thought provoking book: Storyteller
Series book that has me wanting the next one NOW!: none
Best Audio book: Game of Thrones (only one)
Book I am still working on: Garment of Shadows
Book I'm glad I finished: Game of Thrones

Projected August Reads:

August will see the completion of not just my 75 book challenge but also my Category Challenge. I have only 6 books which works for both. The list to choose from is as long as usual, hopefully it is full of great reads. 15 books is really beyond my abilities but we'll see how many I can manage. ** are the ones that will finish my challenges.

The Arrangement
A Bride in the Bargain
A Deadly Cliché %
**A Discovery of Witches % ♫
Daughter of time
**Devil's Brood
**Garment of Shadows
The Golden Door
Heretic's Daughter
**The House at Riverton
**The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (LILIES)
The Marriage Bed
Seraphina
Strike from the Deep
**Through a Glass Darkly %♫

->85 cyderry:
I'm in the middle of that one and am enjoying it a lot, but I have seen the beginning of the TV-series, so keeping track of the many, many characters isn't too difficult.

Wow, only 6 books to go? Congratulations!

Wow Cheli, only six books to go, that's great! Lol, I can attest to the drug induced sleep, a year and half ago when I had my appendix out, I just knew that I would read a lot in the three weeks I was home from work, but I think I only read three books if that. Those Percocets had me going nighty night and when I woke up all I wanted to do was watch really bad tv.

Hope your recovery is going well.

Hope the knee feels better and good luck with those last few books! :)

I join with everybody else.....hope your knee heals quickly and you feel better soon.

Challenge Book# 70

TITLE: Garment of Shadows ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Laurie R. King
DATE READ: July 30 - August 3
Book type: audiobook
Category: I heard it through the grapevine (Gladys Knight&Pips) - Audiobooks

I love anything that pairs Russell and Holmes together. The plot was a bit light but it was thoroughly enjoyable anyway.

Oh, this is on my TBR pile, just haven't gotten to it yet. Hope it's better than The Pirate King. I didn't care for that one at all.

Challenge Book# 71

TITLE: Devil's Brood ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Sharon Kay Penman
DATE READ: August 2 - August 20
Book type: e-book
Category: Yesterday (Beatles) - History


This time in history has always fascinated me and this book definitely has contributed to my desire to read the next book as well as another by a new author to me. Even though this book is technically fiction, because of the meticulous historical research I am including it in my History category.

Challenge Book# 72

TITLE: Discovery of Witches ★★★½
AUTHOR: Deborah Harkness
DATE READ: August 3 - August 22
Book type: audiobook
Category: This Magic Moment - (Drifters) - Fantasy/Young Adult

An entertaining new Young Adult series that combines Witches and Vampires and Demons in a modern setting. I normally don't like the vampire things but in this book, Matthew the vampire is a civilized vampire. I can go for that.

I do like that cover for Garment of Shadows! You must be really close to finishing your challenge, Cheli, well done!

I normally don't like the vampire things but in this book, Matthew the vampire is a civilized vampire. My thinking exactly, either be traditionally evil (Mephisto, anyone ?) or be at least civilized :)

Challenge Book# 73

TITLE: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks ★★★½
AUTHOR: Rebecca Skloot
DATE READ: August 23 - August 27
Book type: audiobook
Category: I heard it through the grapevine (Gladys Knight&Pips) - Audiobooks

Very informative related to the medical community and the steps that have gone into making some of the great medical advances in the last 50 years.

Challenge Book# 74

TITLE: The Greatest Knight: The Unsung Story of the Queen's Champion ★★★½
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Chadwick
DATE READ: August 22 - August 31
Book type: e-book
Category: I will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - romances

This was a great fill-in after the Penman trilogy about Eleanor of Aquitaine giving William Marshall a bit of romance as well as depth behind the struggles of Henry's sons.

I HAVE COMPLETED MY CHALLENGE WITH EACH CATEGORY GETTING AT LEAST 33 (20+13) POINTS!

I will continue on trying to reach 46 points - 20+13+13

I still have some great books waiting on my lists.

Challenge Book# 75

TITLE: My Brother's Book ★★★
AUTHOR: Maurice Sendak
DATE READ: August 31 - August 31
Book type: ARD
Category: This Magic Moment - (Drifters) - Fantasy/Young Adult

This tiny little book was filled with remarkable illustrations and a thoughtful and moving poem dedicated to the writer's brother.

Congratulations!! :D

congrats on completing!

Congrats on finishing, Cheli

Congratulations, Cheli!

That's excellent - congrats!!!

Yeah for you!!

Hmm, I have The Greatest Knight on my shelves...looks like I should add it to my possibilities for 2014!

Cheli, are you going to do a mini challenge for the rest of the year?

I've done that the past few years, usually from Oct or Nov until I start the following year's challenge. I've got my mini challenge categories all set.

I hadn't thought about that... maybe.

'grats on completing your challenge.

Well, Lindapanzo talked me into new categories for the last 4 months, so here they are with the books that I want to read in these categories. Hopefully I can get most of these read but at least 2-3 books a category.

1. Anne Perry Mysteries

✔Dark Assassin %♫
Execution Dock %♫
Acceptable Loss % ♫

2. Donna Leon mysteries COMPLETED

✔Through A Glass Darkly
✔Suffer the Little Children %♫
Girl of His Dreams % ♫
Question of Belief % ♫

3. Rick Riordan books COMPLETED

✔Son of Neptune % ♫
✔Throne of Fire % ♫

4. Borrowed from friends

House at Riverton
Reliable Wife

5. Historical events COMPLETED

✔Disaster! : the great San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906
✔Path between the Seas - October %
1898 : the birth of the American century
A honest president
Presidency of Benjamin Harrison

6. Group reads COMPLETED

✔Ivanhoe %
✔Gods of Newport♫
✔Lionheart (October)

7. Physical ARCs

Golden Door
Hope Factory
I'll be seeing you

8. E-book ARCs

Daughter of Time: A Time Travel Romance
✔The King's Hounds
Seraphina

9. Donna Andrews mysteries

No Nest for the Wicket
Owls Well That Ends Well
Penguin Who Knew Too Much
We'll Always Have Parrots
Chesapeake Crimes

10. New to me Author COMPLETED

Killer Read %
✔Bran New Death
✔Strike from the Deep
Murder on the Rocks %
✔Longboat Blues %

11. Starts with a Vowel

About Face %♫
Age of betrayal : the triumph of money in America, 1865-1900

12. Next in series COMPLETED

Bookmarked For Death
✔Bond of Passion %
Deadly Cliché %
Lies That Bind
✔Wedding Trap %

13. Maisie Dobbs

✔Messenger of Truth % ♫
An Incomplete Revenge % ♫
Lesson in Secrets % ♫

Wow, more ambitious than me. For the last two months, roughly, I'm thinking of a one book, a three book, a five book, and a seven book category.

Good luck!!

13 categories 2 - 3 books is about right for the last 4 months.

Now to get to work on my 2014 theme and categories.

Sounds good. I'll be eager to see what you pick for 2014.

Is there an "I'm finished" thread so you can tell everyone? I couldn't find it.

>118 lindapanzo: - sounds like you should start one ;-)

#119 Done

http://www.librarything.com/topic/158586

Congrats, Cheli! I'm impressed with your new goals, too.

Congratulations on both your completion of your first category challenge and on starting a new one!

Challenge Book# 76
Through a Glass Darkly ★★★
AUTHOR: Donna Leon
DATE READ: August 30 - September 6
Book type: audio
Category: Donna Leon Mysteries

Another Commissario Brunetti mystery where the author ceners the mystery around a "political" issue - this time pollution and its possible cause of birth defects.

Challenge Book# 77

TITLE: Strike From the Deep ★★★¾
AUTHOR: Bob Branco
DATE READ: September 1 - September 11
Book type: audio
Category: New to me Author

I had conflicts with this one - I loved the story but had trouble at the beginning because of the style and pace. But overall, I couldn't put it down at the end.

Challenge Book# 78

TITLE: The Arrangement ★★★★
AUTHOR: Mary Balogh
DATE READ: September 11 - September 13
Book type: audio
Category: Starts with a Vowel

This was an unusual romance because one of the main characters had a physical handicap (blindness) and how support and love aided in adjustments to this difficulty.

Challenge Book# 79

TITLE: Ivanhoe ★★★
AUTHOR: Sir Walter Scott
DATE READ: September 12 - September 13
Book type: E-book
Category: Group Reads

I really expected this book to be a bit more "special" but it seemed to be a flat historical fiction. Not bad, but nothing special.

I need to get back to Ivanhoe. I'm with you. It's not really cutting it for me. At least Louise Penny was a good distraction.

Challenge Book#80

TITLE: Longboat Blues ★★★¼
AUTHOR: H. Terrell Griffin
DATE READ: September 14 - September 15
Book type: E-book
Category: New to me Author

I got one of this series from NetGalley and I enjoyed it so I thought I'd track down the earlier installments. The story was very good but the editing left something to be desired.

The story was very good but the editing left something to be desired.

I'm encountering that more and more these days, Cheli.

Challenge Book#81

TITLE: Dark Assassin ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
DATE READ: September 14 - September 19
Book type: audiobook
Category: Anne Perry Mysteries

I'm not sure what to say about this installment in the Monk series.
I'm glad that he finally realized that he should go back to the police force, so that Hester can continue her good works now that Lady Callandra is no longer supporting them. I liked seeing the change not only in Monk but also Runcorn.

Challenge Book#82

TITLE: Bond of Passion ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Bertrice Small
DATE READ: September 16 - September 20
Book type: ARD
Category: next in a series

Bertrice never disappoints if you are looking for a steamy romance, however the plot was a bit bland. However, that won't stop me from reading more of her books.

Challenge Book#83

TITLE: A Killer Read ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Erika Chase
DATE READ: September 21 - September 24
Book type: ARD
Category: new to me author

A cute new cozy series about a mystery book club that actually talks about other series by other authors. Loved it!

I've got the Chase book sitting around to read, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Maybe your review will motivate me to bump it up. I need some light reads soon. I've got a whole bunch of NetGalleys that I need to make my way through soon though. Some of those will be light reads; others won't. I wish Ivanhoe had been much shorter.

October has 6 NetGalleys on the list, so I understand.

Challenge Book#84

TITLE: The Gods of Newport ★★½
AUTHOR: John Jakes
DATE READ: September 18 - September 25
Book type: audiobook
Category: new to me author

I thought this book would be a little bit better because John Jakes is known for his historical novels, but the characters were stereotypical and the story predictable.

Challenge Book#85

TITLE: The Wedding Trap ★★★
AUTHOR: Tracy Anne Warren
DATE READ: September 24 - September 30
Book type: ARD
Category: next in a series

The last in the Trap series was fun, the story the same old story where the man falls in love without realizing it and the girl won't say anything because she doesn't want the guy to be forced into anything but he has to face the truth when the girl is in peril. Still FUN!

Adding my congratulations (a bit late) on finishing your challenge!

Challenge Book#86

TITLE: Bran New Death ★★★★
AUTHOR: Victoria Hamilton
DATE READ: September 29 - October 4
Book type: E-book
Category: New to me Author

This book set in a hidden little town in upstate NY was filled with quirky characters and unusual events. With these "special" personalities I envision loads of stories to come!

I should be getting to Bran New Death within the next couple of weeks. It's one of the books I want to read after I finish my challenge.

I have Bran New Death from NetGalley. I should get to it this month.

Challenge Book#87

TITLE: Messenger of Truth ★★★½
AUTHOR: Jacqueline Winspear
DATE READ: September 30 - October 5
Book type: Audiobook
Category: Maisie Dobbs

This Maisie Dobbs mystery is interesting but the best part is the personal interactions and the comparisons of the victim's family and their emotions to Billy Beale and his family as they work through financial and emotional difficulties.

Challenge Book#88

TITLE: Gilt Trip
AUTHOR: Laura Childs
DATE READ: October 4 - October 8
Book type: ARC from author
Category: Physical ARCs

This was the latest in the Scrapbooking series and I have to say it is the best so far. The main characters (Carmela and Ava) continue to bring New Orleans to life while chasing after the bad guys!

I'm glad someone likes Childs' scrapbooking series. I gave up on it after a few books. I just didn't like the main characters.

Challenge Book#89

TITLE: The King's Hounds ★★★½
AUTHOR: Martin Jensen
DATE READ: October 9 - October 12
Book type: E book
Category: E-book ARCs

This start of a series was entertaining and unexpected. I've rarely read anything before the Norman invasion but this was a good setup and a fun mystery.

Challenge Book#90

TITLE: Peach Pies and Alibis ★★★★½
AUTHOR: Ellery Adams
DATE READ: October 13 - October 13
Book type: E book
Category: Next in series

This is fast becoming one of my favorite series. I love the regular characters and the situations that Ella Mae can cook her way into or out of. The Charmed Pie Shoppe series has definitely charmed me!

I haven't started that series yet. I think the first one is on my list to look for at the used bookstore, but I haven't run across it yet.

@ 144 -- The King's Hounds sounds like fun! While I love my Victorian-set mysteries, it's always nice to read a book set in a less common historical period.

Challenge Book#91

TITLE: Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World ★★¾
AUTHOR: Alison Weir
DATE READ: October 14 - October 26
Book type: E book
Category: E-book ARCs

I was really looking forward to reading about Elizabeth's life and I did get some of what I was expecting but the writing was inundated with list after list of expenses, people, places so much so that he narrative was frequently disrupted.

Disappointing, so I can't recommend it.

Challenge Book#92

TITLE: The Path Between The Seas ★★★½
AUTHOR: David McCullough
DATE READ: October 7 - October 31
Book type: Audio Book
Category: Historical Events

What a fascinating project and thoroughly enlightening story told by a master storyteller.

149> I think I liked it a bit more than you did, Cheli!

Challenge Book#94

TITLE: Lionheart ★★★½
AUTHOR: Sharon Kay Penham
DATE READ: October 29 - November 14
Book type: E Book
Category: Historical Events

Very interesting to see his part of Richard the Lionheart's life, rarely is it told and probably never as well.

Agreed, I found it really interesting to read about Richard during his Crusade years. Most of my knowledge of his reign is from "the ransom years".

Challenge Book#94

TITLE: Suffer the Little Children ★★★
AUTHOR: Donna Leon
DATE READ: November 1 - November 9
Book type: Audiobook
Category: Donna Leon mysteries

The typical Brunetti mystery - a bit of moralizing about a criminal issue.
Love to listen to Guido and his feelings about the problems in the world.

Challenge Book#95

TITLE: Son of Neptune ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
DATE READ: November 11 - November 18
Book type: Audiobook
Category: Rick Riordan books

Percy Jackson reappears still missing his memories but working with other demigods to save the world. Great fun!

I've changed category #9 to holiday themed books.
The Christmas books grab me every year.

Challenge Book#96

TITLE: Light Between the Oceans ★★★★½
AUTHOR: M. L. Stedman
DATE READ: November 14 - November 20
Book type: E - book
Category: Group Reads

This story was so profound that often though I couldn't stay awake to read it, I couldn't go to sleep either. It was beautiful written with welldefined character and situations hat were very believable.

My favorite of the year!

I've had Light Between the Oceans on my list for awhile. I need to make sure I get to it in 2014.

Challenge Book#97

TITLE: In the Shadow of Wounded Knee ★★½
AUTHOR: Dan Kurzman
DATE READ: November 16 - November 29
Book type: ARD
Category: Historical events

This book recapped the final era of the Indian Wars before the Indians were placed on the reservations permanently. The information was there but difficult to digest.

I bought Light Between the Oceans from a sale table and now I really want to get to it! Unfortunately, it will have to wait.

Challenge Book#98

TITLE: Throne of Fire ★★★
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
DATE READ: November 23 - December 11
Book type: Audiobook
Category: Rick Riordan books

Not as much fun as the Percy Jackson or the Heroes of Olympus series possibly because the Greek and Roman gods are more recognized, but still fun.

Challenge Book#99

TITLE: Disaster!: The Great San Francisco Earthquake & Fire of 1906 ★★★½
AUTHOR: Dan Kurzman
DATE READ: December 1 - December 12
Book type: ARD LIBRARY
Category: Historical events

This book really had my attention with the small stories telling of various survivors at the same time telling of the devastation - 490 city blocks, 28,000 buildings were leveled.

Challenge Book#100

TITLE: Good King Wenceslas ★★★★
AUTHOR: Jane Seymour
DATE READ: December 12 - December 12
Book type: ARD picture book
Category: New to me author

This was a picture book that showed the story surrounding the Christmas Carol "Good King Wenceslas". The bonus was the DVD with Jane Seymour reading the book with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing. This will be a re-read for me every Christmas.

162> Now you have me singing the song.

Challenge Book#101

TITLE: A Nantucket Christmas ★★★★
AUTHOR: Nancy Thayer
DATE READ: December 12 - December 14
Book type: e-book
Category: E-book ARCs

A lovely little Christmas story where a divorced father remarries and has his married pregnant daughter and her son and spouse to his home in Nantucket. When a Christmas Eve storm pops up and Maddox, the little boy disappears, well, you can imagine.

Challenge Book#102

TITLE: Angels at the Table ★★★½
AUTHOR: Debbie Macomber
DATE READ: December 13 - December 17
Book type: audiobook
Category: group reads

A cute little Christmas story with reminders of two Cary Grant films centered at the holidays. We have angels helping a relationship that may be in danger (Bishop's Wife) and miscommunications/meeting at the Empire State Building (An Affair to Remember). Love always prevails at Christmas.

Challenge Book#103

TITLE: Murder on the Rocks ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Karen MacInerney
DATE READ: December 15 - December 19
Book type: e-book
Category: new to me author

The first installment in a new series - the characters and location were very enjoyable, however story was a bit ordinary. I'll try the second soon to see if it was just the intro of the characters and setting that held off the story.

Challenge Book#104

TITLE: Reunion with Death ★★★¼
AUTHOR: Sheila Connolly
DATE READ: December 22 - December 28
Book type: e-book
Category: e-book ARC

A great new story of a girl's school reunion in Tuscany which results with the death of the professor who hit on all the girls. Very good story.

Challenge Book#105

TITLE: Good Night, Maryland ★★★★
AUTHOR: Adam Gamble
DATE READ: December 28 - December 28
Book type: ARD
Category: new to me author

This was a board book that showed a number of items of interest for the kids - paddle boats in the harbor, the Baltimore Oriole bird, blue crabs, National Aquariam, RR museum. All things that I can show my grandchildren when they come to visit. The book will be a good reminder of what they can see until they get here!

Cheli> You liked A Nantucket Christmas better than I did when I read it. It scared me off from reading other books by the author. Is the Connolly book a new series? How many series is she writing anyway?

I'm not sure whether the Connolly book will be a series, the characters and background makes it a possiblity.
I've read other books by Nancy Thayer and have enjoyed them.

Well, I finally got all my numbers together.

RECAP OF 2013

Total books read in 2013: 105
Total pages read in 2013: 38,331
READ OUR OWN TOMES Challenge: 83/105
Euro Challenge: 2
US State Challenge: 0
Presidential Challenge: 1

CLASSICS: 5
MYSTERIES: 47
FANTASY: 8
GENERAL FICTION: 15
HISTORY: 7
HISTORICAL FICTION: 8
MEMOIR: 1
GRAPHIC NOVELS: 2
ROMANCE: 8
NON-FICTION: 4


AUDIO: 32
E-BOOK: 38
ARDs: 35

First in a series: 11
Second in a series: 16
Third in a series: 5
Continuing a series: 18
Number of series brought current: 13

TBRs 1/1/2013:..................434
Books read from TBR:...........83
Books added to TBR:............90
New books read:.................22
Balance:..........................419


Librarybooks/borrowed Books read: 16
Free Books: 23
GroupReads: 14


The book that kept me breathless: Light Between The Oceans
The mystery that I enjoyed reading the most: Peach Pies and Alibis
Biggest disappointment: Elizabeth of York
Book that gave the most smiles/laughs: Bring on the Blessings
Book I wish I'd read sooner: There is a Season recommended by tututhefirst
Best Recommended book: Good King Wenceslas recommended by whisper1
The book with the most surprises: Manifest Injustice: The True Story of a Convicted Murderer
Most thought provoking book: Light Between The Oceans
Series book that has me wanting the next one NOW!: Peach Pies and Alibis
Best Audio book: The Shifting Tide
Book I am still working on: An Honest President
Book I'm glad I finished: Game of Thrones

Most memorable Read Good Night, Maryland - read with my Grandson and granddaughter
Prettiest Cover A Nantucket Christmas


FAVORITE OF THE YEAR: Light Between The Oceans

Well, now I can officially close out 2013. Now onto 2014.

Wait - before you go....you might be the first person I've come across whose TBR went down. Who's better than you?? I think I would have put that in BIG CAPITAL LETTERS, right at the top :) Great summary BTW.

I love your wrap-up meme. I may try to create my own version of that later, but I have a feeling that How the Light Gets In will be the answer to many of them!