April catches up in 2024 - the Third Quarter

Hi, I am April. I joined LibraryThing in 2015 and the Category Challenge in 2018. This year my themes are 6 LibraryThing created challenges (Random KIT, MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT, PrizeCAT, CalendarCAT, and BingoDOG) and my 9 personal challenges.

In the next post, I will evaluate my reading year so far and make necessary adjustments to my goals.

My reading goal is 170 books this year. I am on _target having read 45 books in the first quarter and 49 books in the second quarter for a total of 94 books for the year.

Half Year Evaluation and Reassessing Goals

I read 45 books in the first quarter and 49 books in the second quarter. This makes a total of 94 of my goal of 170 books for the year. 55% of the goal is met.

I am all caught up on my LibraryThing challenges with 6 of 12 books read in each category. RandomKIT, MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT, CalendarCAT, and PrizeCAT. BingoDOG, I have finished 22 of 25 books, leaving 3 squares left.

For my personal challenges:
1. Read and discard 12 Kindle books. I have read and discarded 6 of 12. Right on _target.
2. I had 60 Book Bullets before 2024. My goal was to read one title from each of the 23 contributors. I have read 9, leaving me behind by 3. I need to focus on this challenge instead of being distracted by the 2024 bullets, which I have read 6 of the 49 new bullets I have taken.
3. Reese's Book Club challenge, read all this year's selections and 3 from previous years before I joined. I have read 6 (Dec 2023, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, and May) and 1 from previous years. The June selection and the YA Summer pick are on library holds. I own the 2 additional books from previous years that I hope to read. I am happy with where I am in the challenge.
4. Finish the series challenge. I want to catch up on the Alex Cross series. I have 15 books left to read before the new one releases in November. I am behind in this challenge and need to focus more on the books since they are usually 1-2 day reads.
5. It's time to claws the book on these series challenge. I have finished one series and need to read more of these. 2 of these series have new releases in the last quarter of the year.
6. It's a purrfect time to read a mystery challenge. I have only read a couple of these books and am deferring the challenge to next year so I can focus on finishing the above series.
7. Just read the Thing already. This challenge is for my SantaThing and Thingaversary books. I have made good progress on the Thingaversary books, but need to focus more on the SantaThing books.
8. In the Door challenge. I set a goal of reading all books brought into the house this year, except library book sales. I am breaking this challenge into 3 parts, physical books, Kindle books and a post to log library sale reads. I will reset my goals in the posts.
9. Pick a book challenge. Pick the 24th book on the shelf on the 24th of the month. I have finished 5 of the 12 books, while currently reading the June selection. This challenge is helping me clear books off the shelf that I may never have chosen to read. The only adjustment I am making is picking the book at the beginning of the month to enable me to read it during that month.

RandomKIT - hosting April

January (Early Birds) - Birds Do The Strangest Things by Leonora and Arthur Hornblow
February (Escape or Rescue) - The Elephant Girl by James Patterson and Ellen Banda-Aaku
March (World Wildlife Day) - Still Alive by Forrest Galante
April (Enchanting Garden Visitors) - Fairies: Real Encounters with Little People by Janet Boyd
May (Art or Architecture) - Borobudur by Bedrich Forman
June (Initials) - The Special Guest by Lee & Donna Allen
July (Favorites) - You Never Know by Tom Selleck
August (Titles) - Death of a Country Fried Redneck by Lee Hollis
September (It's Raining Men (Weather)) - Hidden in Snow by Vivica Sten
October (Tis the Season)
November
December

MysteryKIT

January (short stories) - Mystery Cats edited by Cynthia Manson
February (True Unsolved Mysteries) - Murder At Teal's Pond by David Bushman
March (Historical Mysteries) - The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert
April (Series) - Cross Fire by James Patterson
May (Golden Age) - The Boomerang Clue by Agatha Christie
June (An Author New To You) - The Appeal by Janice Hallett
July (Cross Genre Mysteries) - Dark, Witch & Creamy by H.Y. Hanna
August (Amateur Sleuths) - Getaway With Murder by Diane Kelly
September (Upstairs/Downstairs) - Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
October (Not-too-scary mysteries)
November
December

ScaredyKIT - hosting September (Stephen King and family) and November (Things with a Bite - Vampires and Werewolves)

January (Psychological Thrillers) - The Wives by Tarryn Fisher
February (Gothic) - Greygallows by Barbara Michaels
March (True Crime) - The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson
April (Witches, Evil Spirits, and Black Magic) - Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
May (Graphic Novels and Short Works) - Vlad the Impaler by Sid Jacobson
June (Serial Killers) - Please Tell Me by Mike Omer
July (The Corporeal Undead) - Pay Me In Flesh by K Bennett
August (Middle Grade and YA Horror) - Miss Peregrine's Museum of Wonders by Ransom Riggs
September (Stephen King and family) - Horns by Joe Hill
October (Contemporary Horror Authors)
November
December

CalendarCAT

January - A Chosen Destiny by Drew McIntyre - Burns Night, January 25th.
February - Uncle John's Bathroom Reader: Book of Love by The Bathroom Reader's Institute - Valentine's Day, February 14th.
March - Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe - Rob Lowe's 60th birthday, March 17th.
April - What You Are Looking For Is In The Library by Michiko Aoyama - National Library Day, April 6th.
May - J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World Movie Magic: Curious Creatures by Ramin Zahed - International Harry Potter Day, May 2nd.
June - A Little Bit of Fairies by Elaine Clayton - International Fairy Day, June 24th.
July - Death Is Like A Box of Chocolate by Kathy Aarons - World Chocolate Day, July 7th.
August - What-the-Dickens by Gregory Maguire - National Tooth Fairy Day, August 22nd.
September
October
November
December

PrizeCAT

January (Long-running prizes) - The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1959 Newberry Award)
February (A prize from your own country) - The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden (1961 Newberry Award)
March (A prize that's new to you) - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (2017 Costa Debut Novel Award)
April (Women's Writing) - Circe by Madeline Miller (2019 Women's Prize for Literature - shortlist)
May (Doubling Up) - American Gods by Neil Gaiman (2002 Hugo, Nebula and Bram Stoker awards)
June (Booklists) - To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1001 Books to Read Before You Die)
July (Prize From A Country Other Than Your Own) - The Five by Hallie Rubenhold (2019 Baillie Gifford Award for Non-Fiction, Great Britain)
August (Genre Prizes) - Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (2006 World Fantasy Award)
September (A September CAT/KIT that won a prize) - Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (2007 YALSA Best Book for Young Adults)
October (Missed It By That Much)
November
December

BingoDOG

✔ 01. Featuring twins - Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
✔ 02. Epistolary or diary - The Appeal by Janice Hallett
✔ 03. Featuring water - Murder At Teal's Pond
✔ 04. Written in another cultural tradition - A Man and His Cat 02 - written in the Manga fashion
✔ 05. Current or recent bestseller - The Woman In Me (number #11 on the NYT bestseller list when read)
✔ 06. Topic about which you have specific knowledge - How To Train Your Humans
✔ 07. Person's name in title - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
✔ 08. Ugly cover - Don't Open This Book
✔ 09. Under 100 copies on LT - Let the Snow Begin (1 copy on LT)
✔ 10. "Big" or "little" in title - A Little Bit of Fairies
11. Paper-based item in plot
✔ 12. Food or cooking - An Invitation To Tea
✔ 13. Read a CAT - The Elephant Girl - February RandomCAT
✔ 14. Author 65 or older - Cat Under Fire (author was 68 when book was written)
✔ 15. Short story collection - Mystery Cats
✔ 16. POC (person of color) author - Redwood Court
✔ 17. Three-word title - First Lie Wins
✔ 18. Book from LT "similar library" (listed on your profile page) - Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (in the library of MelodyCrim)
✔ 19. Set in a city - The Wives (set in Seattle and Portland)
✔ 20. Involves warriors or mercenaries - Vlad the Impaler
✔ 21. Re-read a favorite book - The Witch of Blackbird Pond
✔ 22. About friendship - Before We Were Innocent
✔ 23. Takes place in multiple countries - Still Alive
✔ 24. Only title and author on cover - George Orwell: Complete & Unabridged
✔ 25. Publication year ending in 24 - Anita de Monte Laughs Last

Kindle Challenge - Read and discard 12 books off my Kindle. Books will not count towards the challenge if they are kept.

1. Cutthroat Cupcakes by Cate Lawley read and discarded January
2. Murder At Teal's Pond by David Bushman read and discarded February
3. My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood read and discarded in March
4. The Animal: Party At Kelly's by Chad Nicholas read and discarded in April
5. Midnight Prince by Aisha Urooj read and discarded in May
6. Please Tell Me by Mike Omer read and discarded in June
7. Houdini: A Life Worth Reading by Higher Read read and discarded in July
8. The Bare Witch Project by Celeste Hall read and discarded in August
9. Hidden In Snow by Vivica Sten read and discarded in September

Book Bullet Challenge As of December 2023, I have 60 books on this list. The goal is to read one from each person (23 contributors). My top 3 contributors were JayneCM (11 books), christina_reads (6 books), and DeltaQueen50 (5 books).

1. The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill from rabbitprincess - read in January
2. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot from DeltaQueen50 - read in January
3. A Man and His Cat 01 by Umi Sakurai from JayneCM - read in January
4. I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel from cyderry - read in February
5. The Dinner by Herman Koch from VivienneR - read in February
6. Hunted by Meagan Spooner from christina_reads - read in March
7. A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong from lkernagh - read in April
8. Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey from scaifea - read in June
9. The Appeal by Janice Hallett from majkia - read in June
10. Wintering by Katherine May from threadnsong - read in July
11. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James from mstrust - read in August
12. Gracie the Lighthouse Cat by Ruth Brown from thornton37814 - read in September
13. Rewild Yourself by Simon Barnes from Jackie_K - read in September



Book Bullets taken and read in 2024 - there is no goal for these books. I am just noting the ones I have read.

1. Cackle by Rachel Harrison from sturlington - read in February
2. Chouette by Claire Oshetsky from staci426 - read in March
3. Vexed To Nightmare by Macabre Monday from mstrust - read in April
4. What You Are Looking For Is In The Library by Michiko Aoyama from charl08 - read in April
5. Pemberly: Mr. Darcy's Dragon by Maria Grace from JayneCM - read in May
6. The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence from majkia - read in June

Reese's Book Club Challenge I joined Reese's book club last year. The books were an average of 4 stars, so I am continuing the challenge. I get all the books from my library, so they are not necessarily read in order.
I also want to read at least 3 books from the years before I joined the club.

✔ December 2023 - Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman read in January
✔ January 2024 - First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston read in January
✔ February 2024 - Redwood Court by Delana R.A. Dameron read in March
✔ March 2024 - Anita De Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez read in April
✔ April 2024 - The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo read in May
✔ May 2024 - How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang read in June
✔ June 2024 - The Unwedding by Ally Condie read in August
✔ Summer YA pick 2024 - Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth read in July
✔ July 2024 - The Cliffs by J Courtney Sullivan read in August
✔ August 2024 - Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell read in September
September 2024 - The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl
Fall YA pick 2024 -Looking For Smoke by K. A. Cobell

Books read from previous selections
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman the first ever pick in May 2017 - read in March

Let's finish the series challenge I am focusing on finishing the Alex Cross series this year.

Alex Cross series by James Patterson - remaining books as of July 1st.

Alex Cross, Run read in July
Cross My Heart - read in August
Hope To Die - read in September
Cross Justice
Cross Kill (Bookshot)
Cross the Line
Detective Cross (Bookshot)
The People vs. Alex Cross
_target: Alex Cross
Criss Cross
Deadly Cross
Fear No Evil
Triple Cross
Cross Down
Alex Cross Must Die
The House of Cross releases November 2024

Adding the Ali Cross series which I will read when I get to them in publication order of the Alex Cross books.
Ali Cross read after Criss Cross
Ali Cross: Like Father, Like Son read after Deadly Cross
Ali Cross: The Secret Detective read after Fear No Evil

It's time to claws the book on these series challenge I have so many cat cozy mystery series started. I hope to finish these series. Updated as of July 1st.
I finished the Sassy Cat Mysteries last quarter.

A Bad Luck Cat Mystery by Kay Finch
Black Cat Crossing #1
The Black Cat Knocks On Wood #2
The Black Cat Steps On A Crack #4
Black Cat Breaks A Mirror #5

Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley
Ashes To Ashes, Crust To Crust #2 read in August
Public Anchovy #1 #3
Sleep In Heavenly Pizza #4 - releases October 22nd.

Witch Way Librarian Mysteries by Angela M Sanders
Witch and Famous #3
Witch Upon A Star #4
Gone With The Witch #5
The Witch Is Back #6 - releases November 26th

Just read the Thing already challenge This challenge is for all my SantaThing and Thingaversary (April 7th, 2015) books. I hope to read at least 1 from each subsection this quarter. Updated as of July 1st.

2023 SANTATHING GIFTS
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami read in September
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

UNREAD SANTATHING GIFTS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
The Crime That Binds by Laurie Cass (2022)
Getaway With Murder by Diane Kelly (2022)
Ghost of a Chance by Simon R Green (2018)
Heist Society by Ally Carter (2016)
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (2017)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (2016)
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (2017)
A Trip With Trouble by Diane Kelly (2022)

UNREAD THINGAVERSARY BOOKS
All Around Town by Mary Higgins Clark (2021)
The Secrets of Dumbledore by J.K. Rowling (2023)
What the Cat Saw by Carolyn Hart (2022)
Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf by Kathryn Lasky (2022)

2024 THINGAVERSARY BOOKS
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang
Cats: A Very Peculiar History by Fiona Macdonald read in July
Cross Justice by James Patterson
How To Keep A Werewolf by Fiona Bowron
How Witchcraft Saved My Life by Vincent Higginbotham
Pay Me In Flesh by K. Bennett - read in July

Read the books as they come through the door challenge - Physical books This challenge is to help me read my new books as I receive them. All books given or bought (except for library sales) will need to be read this year. As of July 1st, I have divided this challenge into 3 parts (Physical, Kindle, and Library Sales). The goal for physical books is read all Early Review books received and at least 1 from each other subsection, this quarter. Updated as of July 1st.

CHRISTMAS 2023 GIFTS
Answers in the Form of Questions by Claire McNear
Being Henry by Henry Winkler
Miss Peregrine's Museum of Wonders by Ransom Riggs - read in August

BIRTHDAY 2024 GIFTS
Cat About Town by Cate Conte
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

PURCHASES 2024
Archy and Mehitabel by Don Marquis
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons From The Cat by Amy Newmark
Cross The Line by James Patterson
How To Be More Shrek by Barbara Layman read in July
Public Anchovy #1 by Mindy Quigley
_target: Alex Cross by James Patterson
Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan
The Twelve Topsy-Turvy Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson and Tad Safran
Witch Upon A Star by Angela M Sanders
You Never Know by Tom Selleck - read in July
You Like It Darker by Stephen King

3RD QUARTER PURCHASES
Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book by Terry Jones added 7/13/2024
Deadly Cross by James Patterson added 7/13/2024
The Chef by James Patterson added 7/13/2024
The Red Book by James Patterson added 7/13/2024
Frosty the Snowman by Annie North Bedford added 7/13/2024 - read in July
Jingle Bells by Kathleen N Daly added 7/13/2024 - read in July
Tom and Jerry's Merry Christmas by Peter Archer added 7/13/2024 read in July
Disney's Beauty and the Beast by Teddy Slater added 7/13/2024 read in July
Magical Sleigh? Snow Way! by Diana Manning added 7/22/2024 - read in July
There's Snow Stopping Us Now! by Cheryl Hawkinson added 7/22/2024 - read in July
There's Snowbody Like You by Barbara Loots added 8/6/2024 - read in August
Rex Snows The Way to Grandma's by Diana Manning added 8/6/2024 - read in August
Criss Cross by James Patterson added 8/7/2024
Snow Letter Left Behind by Keely Chace added 8/7/2024 - read in August
This Is Snow Time for Sleeping by Andrew Blackburn added 8/7/2024 - read in August
What's Shakin' In Snowflake City? by Cheryl Hawkinson added 8/7/2024 - read in August
Proverbs For Young People by Jack Levin added 9/3/2024
When I Was Your Age by Kenan Thompson added 9/3/2024
The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin added 9/7/2024 (Buy A Book Day)
That Mistletoe Moment by Cat Johnson, Kate Angell and Allyson Charles - added 9/7/2024 (Buy A Book Day)

EARLY REVIEWER WINS
June 2024 - Body On Ice by Alan Kessler - read in July

Read the books as they come through the door challenge - Kindle Edition This challenge is to help me read my new books as I receive them. I have divided this challenge into 3 parts (Physical, Kindle, and Library Sales). The goal for Kindle books is all purchased, and at least 1 from each other subsection this quarter. Updated as of July 1st.

KINDLE PURCHASES 2024
The Five by Hallie Rubenhold read in July
Longbourn: Dragon Entail by Maria Grace
The Witches of New York by Julia Whelan added 8/26/24

FREE KINDLE BOOKS 2024
Be Careful What You Witch For by Tee Harlowe
Beauty and the Blade by SC Grayson
Books and Bribes by Lucinda Race
Bookshop Witch by T. Thorn Coyle
The Buttercross Dragon by Maria Grace
A Dragon For Elizabeth by Maria Grace
Dragon Lost, Dragon Found by Maria Grace
Feed the Birds by Dakota Wilde
The Forty-Year-Old Virgin Witch by Raven Storm
Frost & Fury by Lizzy Prince
I Never Knew Myself by Melanie Rachel
Isabelle and the Beast by Olivia Rian
Lady Beast's Bridegroom by Jude Knight
A Life Worth Choosing by Anngela Schroeder
The Messenger by Pamela DuMond
Moonlight Beauty by Anna Santos
Pebble Cove by Eryn Scott
Risky Bisqueness by Elizabeth Rain
Side By Side Apart by Ann Galvia
Spellbound in The Stacks by K Iwancio
Tea Is For Trouble by Karen Sue Walker
A Twisted Riposte by Alyn Troy
Witchy Whiskers by Danielle Garrett
NEW THIS QUARTER
Snow So White by C. Cockel added 7/19/2024
Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple added 7/25/2024
Lifestyles of the Witch and Ageless by Shea MacLeod added 7/25/2024
Marriage Spells Murder by Bella Colby added 7/25/2024
Pit Perfect Murder by Renee George added 7/25/2024
The Return of Betty Snickerdoodle by Pepper Frost added 7/25/2024
The Secret of Poppyridge Cove by Rimmy London added 7/25/2024
Slay Bells Ring by Mona Marple added 7/25/2024
Turkeys and Thanksgiving by Leena Clover added 7/25/2024
Butter, Sugar, Magic by Jessica Rosenberg added 7/27/2024
Charms & Chocolate by Jenny Swan added 7/27/2024
Chaos and Ash by Carrie Pulkinen added 7/27/2024
Cookie Calamity by Cindy Stark added 7/27/2024
First Time's A Charm by Laura Greenwood added 7/27/2024
The First Yule: Paranormal Witch Novella by TJ Green added 7/27/2024
Her Name Is Murder by A.C. Merkel added 7/27/2024
Later Gator by Julia Mills added 7/27/2024
Lattes and Spirits by Alyn Troy added 7/27/2024
Love Cursed by Leisl Leighton added 7/27/2024
The Mabon Feast by CM Nascosta added 7/27/2024
Next Of Twin by LA Boruff and Lorraine Cooke added 7/27/2024
Seashells, Spells & Caramels by Erin Johnson added 7/27/2024
Spell Shocked by Jenna Rivers added 7/27/2024
Teacup and Sorcery by Rosie Reed added 7/27/2024
Wicked Moons by Ruby Raine added 7/27/2024
The Witch Club by Felicity Green added 7/27/2024
Witching You A Charmed Christmas by Jenna Collett added 7/27/2024
Pumpkin Spice And All Things Nice by Laura Greenwood added 9/22/2024
Tree in a Heather Field by Theresa Biehle added 9/22/2024 - no touchstone
The Unicorn Herd by Arizona Tape added 9/22/2024

AMAZON PRIME FREE READS (My Amazon Prime membership allows me to receive one or two books a month for free)
January - Last Night by Luanne Rice
February - The Canopy Keepers by Veronica G Henry
March - What Is Love? by Jen Comfort
April - The Vacation Rental by Katie Sise
May - Meet Me On The Bridge by Sarah J Harris
June - Still The Sun by Charlie N Holmberg
July - In Any Lifetime by Marc Guggenheim
July - Silly Boobies: A Love Story by Ame Dyckman read in July
August - The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie
August - Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand
September - Remember Me Tomorrow by Farah Heron

The UNOFFICIAL Read the books as they come through the door challenge - library sales books These are all the book sale purchases I have purchased this year that have not been read. There is no goal for these books, I am just keeping track of what I read. Updated as of July 1st.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SALE (FEBRUARY)
The Best of Mr. Food: Quick and Easy Recipes by Art Ginsburg
The Best of Mr. Food: Weeknight Quickies by Art Ginsburg deleted in September - only 2 good reciped
Bodyguard by Jessica Linden
Cat Laughing Last by Shirley Rosseau Murphy
The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney
Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
The Mr. Food Cookbook by Art Ginsburg
No Escape Claws by Sofie Ryan
The True Tails of Baker and Taylor by Jan Louch
Walk The Blue Line by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann

STILLWATER SPRING LIBRARY BAG SALE (APRIL)
Breath of Magic by Teresa Medeiros
Chicken Soup For the Soul: Life Lessons From the Cat by Amy Newmark read in July
The Christmas Day Murders by J.B. Smith
Karma by Nancy Deville
Life With the Little People by Robert Johnson Perry
The Neighborhood by Debbie Williams
The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans
Savage Dawn by Cassie Edwards
Spencer's Mountain by Earl Hamner, Jr

Pick a book, any book challenge I have 6 bookcases full of unread books. I hope to read 2 per bookcase. For the last half of the year, I will pick the 24th unread book from the bottom of the shelf after I have chosen that month's challenge books. This will allow me time to read the book in the chosen month.

FIRST HALF (24TH BOOK FROM THE TOP OF THE SHELF)
January (case 5) The Presence by John Saul - read in February
February (case 1) Mysterious Menagerie by Cynthia Manson - read in March
March (case 6) Emma's Secret by Barbara Taylor Bradford - read in April
April (case 3) Stories From Other Lands by Walt Disney - read in May
May (case 4) Once Upon A Time by Arthur Rackham and Margery Darrell - read in June
June (case 2) Grace by Richard Paul Evans - read in July

NOTE: Having finished the first half of the year, I have kept one and discarded 5 books from my shelves with this challenge.

SECOND HALF (24TH BOOK FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SHELF)
July (case 4) The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson - read in August
August (case 5) Pursuit by Gene Hackman
September (case 1) American Pharoah by Joe Drape
October (case 2)
November (case 6)
December (case 3)

JULY

Congratulations on meeting your mid-year reading _target. The Read Books as They Come Through the Door Challenge is a good idea. I'm trying to buy only books I want to read right now, which is similar.

Happy new thread. Your mid year review is impressive.

Happy new thread. Love all those memes about not buying more books...

Happy new thread! Good on you for midterm goals!

>21 pamelad: Thank you. I am finding that this challenge is helping me to read my new books, instead of them getting lost on the shelves.
>22 Helenliz: Thank you for taking the time to read it.
>23 MissWatson: Thank you. I couldn't resist the little monkey and his laugh.
>24 Tess_W: Thank you.

Happy new thread. You are doing well with your reading goals - I bet you can see those shelves shrinking! Book buying is a difficult thing to control, I especially find it difficult to stop pushing buttons and adding to my Kindle!

>18 lowelibrary: Pick-a-book, any book challenge - June pick


95. Grace by Richard Paul Evans ★★★★½

Grace is the story of a young runaway girl and the boy who hides her from a frightening world too large and unfathomable for him to comprehend. Eric is having a hard time adjusting to his family’s move from California to Utah. Then he meets Grace—his classmate and a runaway—dumpster diving behind the burger joint where he works. Eric decides the only thing to do is to hide Grace in the clubhouse in his backyard. With the adults concerned about the looming Cuban Missile Crisis and his father recovering from an immune disorder, Eric grows closer to Grace but can their new relationship survive the harsh realities of life? In this poignant, sensitive, and realistic narrative, Richard Paul Evans shares Grace’s heartbreaking predicament and Eric’s realization that everything is not as simple as it might appear.

I loved this heartfelt story of friendship. While the story is told in a gentle manner that keeps the reader interested, it does not stray from the realities of life. This could be considered a retelling of The Little Match Girl.

>26 DeltaQueen50: Thank you. I could probably be better with book-buying if I didn't call it book rescuing (especially used books). I am also having issues with all the free books offered by Kindle.

>28 lowelibrary: Oh yes, book-rescuing is definitely a worthy effort. I am always happy to do so at the charity bookshop.

>28 lowelibrary: >29 MissWatson: I definitely relate to "book rescuing" as well; when I see a book I love at a used bookstore or library sale, I always want to buy it even though I already own a copy!

>29 MissWatson:, >30 christina_reads: I am glad I am not the only book rescuer.

>15 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Physical Books


96. How To Be More Shrek by Barbara Layman ★★★★½

An illustrated guide to embracing your inner ogre and living your truth, mud, farts, and all. With bite-sized advice that feels attainable rather than exhausting, How to Be More Shrek will teach you how to set boundaries, peel back your layers, learn to love your inner (and outer) ogre, fill your swamp with all the right fairytale creatures, and make your own happily ever after.

A very cute book on living life to the fullest, with quotes and pictures from the movie series. The advice is the same advice these style of books give you, but with the charm of Shrek, I even heard his voice in my head while reading it.

>17 lowelibrary: UNOFFICIAL In The Door Challenge (Library sales)


97. Chicken Soup For The Soul Life Lessons From The Cat by Amy Newmark ★★★½

Lessons come in all shapes and sizes, like our feline friends. In these true-life stories, cat lovers, both lifelong and reluctant, share their tales about life, love, and lessons learned from their furry companions.

A small sampler of stories from Chicken Soup For the Soul: The Cat Did What? that I read to Little One. These were quirky and enjoyable tales. We will be purchasing this book next to continue reading these tales.

>4 lowelibrary: MysteryKIT - Cross Genre


98. Dark, Witch & Creamy by HY Hanna ★★★★

Caitlyn's world changes when she learns that she was found as an abandoned baby and adopted by her American family. Now, her search for answers takes her to a tiny English village where a man has been murdered - and where a mysterious shop selling enchanted chocolates is home to the "local witch"... Soon Caitlyn finds herself fending off a toothless old vampire, rescuing an adorable kitten and meeting a modern-day Mr Darcy... not to mention discovering that she might have magical blood in her veins! When she's dragged into the murder investigation and realizes that dark magic is involved, Caitlyn is forced to choose. Can she embrace her witchy powers in time to solve the mystery and save those she loves?

This first book in the Bewitched by Chocolate series does not overly focus on the murder but instead introduces Caitlyn and the other characters in the series. I loved the characters (especially the Widow Mags) in this cozy and will be back to visit as soon as I can.

>32 lowelibrary: I love that this book exists. Glad that it captures Shrek's voice!

>35 rabbitprincess: I had to get it the moment I saw it on the bookstand. I could use more advice from Shrek.

>15 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Physical Books - Early Review Win June 2024 review here


99. Body On Ice by Alan S Kessler ★★★½

1919. A Year of Violence. Race, riots, anarchist bombings, and lynchings. Red Summer and the Red Scare. Boston’s Great Molasses Flood. And in a small Vermont town—Murder. A young woman is strangled, her naked body left in a frozen backyard just a few streets from her home and her husband’s church. Pastor’s wife, Red Cross volunteer, and the loving mother who read scripture to her three children before kissing them goodnight, Rose on Saturday evenings met men for dates at a bordello. On her last walk toward home, death waited for her in the cold, fog-covered night. Her story, one of sex, infidelity, and corruption, gripped the nation. But seen now, over a hundred years later, Rose’s murder and its aftermath are more than the titillating tale—thinly veiled for polite consumption as a cautionary moral lesson—newspapers reported at the time about this “sporting” woman. Rose wasn’t a “loose” woman, but a liberated one who the murderer made sure never told her secret. He silenced her voice. Until now.

A quick read of 105 pages. This book does not dwell on facts not related to the case.

>6 lowelibrary: CalendarCAT - World Chocolate Day (July 7th)


100. Death Is Like A Box of Chocolates by Kathy Aarons ★★½

Whether it’s to satisfy a craving for chocolate or pick up the hottest new bestseller, the locals in charming West Riverdale, Maryland, are heading to Chocolates and Chapters, where everything sold is to die for… Best friends Michelle Serrano and Erica Russell celebrate the sweet rewards of their combined bookstore and chocolate shop by hosting the Great Fudge Cook-off during the town’s Memorial Day weekend Arts Festival. But success turns bittersweet when Main Street’s portrait photographer is found dead in their store, poisoned by Michelle’s signature truffles. As suspicion mounts against Michelle, her sales crumble and her career seems whipped. With Erica by her side, Michelle must pick through an assortment of suspects before the future of their dream store melts away…

Written in the first person from Michelle's point of view, other than being a suspect, they did not have much to do with the crime solving. Very unlikeable characters, I will not be continuing the series.

>32 lowelibrary: "embrace your inner ogre"!

>39 Tess_W: My ogre is more outer than inner.

>3 lowelibrary: RandomKIT - Favorites
>15 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Physical Books


101. You Never Know by Tom Selleck ★★★★★

Frank, funny, and open-hearted, You Never Know is an intimate memoir from one of the most beloved actors of our time, the highly personal story of a remarkable life and thoroughly accidental career. In his own uniquely unpretentious style, the famed actor brings readers on his uncharted but serendipitous journey to the top in Hollywood, his temptations and distractions, his misfires and mistakes, and, over time, his well-earned success. Along the way, he clears up misconceptions and shares dozens of never-told stories from all corners of his personal and professional life. His rambunctious California childhood. His clueless arrival as a good-looking college jock in Hollywood. What it was like to emerge as a mega-star in his mid-thirties and remain so for decades to come, an actor whose authenticity and ease in front of the camera connected with audiences worldwide while embodying and also redefining the clichés of onscreen manhood. Selleck recounts his friendships with a vivid army of A-listers. Magnum fans will be fascinated to learn how Selleck put his career on the line to make Thomas Magnum a more imperfect hero and explains why he walked away from a show that could easily have gone on for years longer.

This memoir was written during the SAG strike and Tom reminisces about his career up to the ending of Magnum PI. I can not wait for him to write another memoir covering Quigley and Frank Reagan. As a huge fan, I loved the stories about Magnum and now want to rewatch the show. A great read for any fan.

>8 lowelibrary: BingoDOG - features twins
>11 lowelibrary: Reese's Book Club- Summer YA pick

102. Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth ★★★½

Viola Reyes is annoyed. Her painstakingly crafted tabletop game campaign was shot down, her best friend is suggesting she try being more “likable,” and her school's star running back Jack Orsino is the most lackadaisical Student Body President she’s ever seen, which makes her job as VP that much harder. Vi’s favorite escape from the world is the MMORPG Twelfth Knight, but online spaces aren’t exactly kind to girls like her—girls who are extremely competent and have the swagger to prove it. So Vi creates a masculine alter ego, choosing to play as a knight named Cesario to create a safe haven for herself. But when a football injury leads Jack Orsino to the world of Twelfth Knight, Vi is alarmed to discover their online alter egos—Cesario and Duke Orsino—are surprisingly well-matched. As the long nights of game-play become discussions about life and love, Vi and Jack soon realize they’ve become more than weapon-wielding characters in an online game. But Vi has been concealing her true identity from Jack, and Jack might just be falling for her offline…

It's a standard YA romance trope, with a current twist of using a video game to attract YA readers. While the book was well written, I (as an adult) knew where the story was going. I gave it an extra half-star because Vi's attitude was mine in high school. I wonder where that girl went?

>42 lowelibrary: I'm not reading much YA these days, but I am intrigued by a modernized retelling of Twelfth Night!

>43 christina_reads: For a YA romance it was better than most.

>7 lowelibrary: PrizeCAT - Prize from a country other than your own - 2019 Baillie Gifford Award for Non-Fiction, Great Britain
>16 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Kindle


103. The Five by Hallie Rubenhold ★★★★

Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Mary-Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhampton, Sweden, and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffee houses, lived on country estates; they breathed ink dust from printing presses and escaped people-traffickers. What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women. For more than a century, newspapers have been keen to tell us that "the Ripper" preyed on prostitutes. Not only is this untrue, as historian Hallie Rubenhold has discovered, but it has prevented the real stories of these fascinating women from being told. Now, in this devastating narrative of five lives, Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, revealing a world not just of Dickens and Queen Victoria, but of poverty, homelessness, and rampant misogyny. They died because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time - but their greatest misfortune was to be born a woman.

While the little-known details of the victims' lives were interesting, I was much more fascinated by all the details of life in Victorian England for the underprivileged. I now have a better understanding of what it would have been like to have lived in those times.

>15 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Physical Books


104. Frosty The Snowman by Annie North Bedford ★★★
Adapted from the song of the same name. The first real snow of the winter had fallen the night before. All night that snow had fallen, white and soft and deep. The children then build a snowman that magically comes to life.


105. Jingle Bells by Kathleen N Daly ★★★★★
A bear family takes some of the village animals out for a spin in a one-horse open sleigh and ends up helping Santa deliver his toys!

I recently found copies of these Little Golden books I loved as a child. Jingle Bells held up and was still enjoyable. Frosty the Snowman has great illustrations, but better versions of the tale have since been written.

>5 lowelibrary: ScaredyKIT - The Corporeal Undead
>14 lowelibrary: Just Read the Thing Already Challenge - Thingaversary 2024


106. Pay Me In Flesh by K Bennett ★★★½

Meet Mallory Caine. Attorney at law. Zombie at large. She's not like those "Living Dead" losers you see in the movies. She doesn't slobber, drool, or lurch - she's smart, stylish, and sexy. Sure, she's a zombie and a lawyer but, hey, a girl's got to eat. When Mallory's not in the courtroom, going head to head with her ex-boyfriend, killer-prosecutor Aaron Argula, she's in the seedy streets of Hollywood, hunting brain after brain. That is until some psycho starts hunting zombie after zombie.. The undead are decapitated, the letter "Z" carved in their flesh. Mallory doesn't want to lose her head, but she's worried. Like many lawyers in L.A., she doesn't have a soul - a side effect of being a zombie, not a defense attorney. If Mallory dies before she gets her soul back, she goes straight to hell. No appeals. Objection overruled. If the killer isn't stopped, its case closed for zombies everywhere. But Mallory is an undying champion of justice, and she won't go down - without a bite...

I had read the second book in the series in 2022, which I enjoyed enough to want to read the series. This is the first book, which introduces Mallory and other characters from the series. The book was just as enjoyable as the other book, although it had a much slower start than the other book.

>9 lowelibrary: Kindle Challenge


107. Houdini: A Life Worth Reading by Higher Read ★★½

Houdini was a man of magic and mystery. He was also a pilot, an author, an actor, and a rabid opponent of the Spiritualist movement. He was impatient with charlatans and imitators and was loving to his family. He had an impressive ego. If any of these facts are new to you, then Houdini: A Life Worth Reading is the perfect primer on the man who was known only as Houdini by the end of his life. From his Nude Cell Escape (yes, that is exactly how it sounds) to his methodical debunking of mediums, Houdini orchestrated his talent, persona, and career with care, enthusiasm, and determination. With an easy-to-read biography, writings from Houdini himself, and quick-fact introductions to each chapter, Houdini: A Life Worth Reading will tell you what you want most to know about the King of Handcuffs, also known as Ehrich Weisz, also known as the great Houdini.

This book is written and reads like a middle school essay. Here is what you will learn in each chapter, then a short summary of each statement. It is not well written, although it provides interesting information on Houdini's life.

>15 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Physical Books


108. There's Snow Stopping Us Now by Cheryl Hawkinson ★★★½
Every year, the little town of Snowbelt hosts the world's greatest snow race, bringing in competitors from all across the world. This year, everyone's in for a surprise when an unusual racer shows up, candy cane skis in hand, determined to win the trophy!


109. Magical Sleigh? Snow Way! by Diana Manning ★★★★★
It's the holidays and everyone is busy, including snowkid Freezy McBrr. One day, while Freezy is helping his dad fix sleighs in the family shop, something magical happens! Will it bring the fun back to Chill Valley in time for Christmas?

Two more additions to my Hallmark Christmas Collection. Shout out to Mike Esberg for the great illustrations in both books. Magical Sleigh? Snow Way has the wonderful magical combination of rhyming poetry and matching illustrations that I love from the series. There's Snow Stopping Us Now! has great illustrations but the story is missing the magic.

>14 lowelibrary: Just Read the Thing Already Challenge - Thingaversary 2024


110. Cats: A Very Peculiar History by Fiona Macdonald ★★★★

Loved and worshipped, praised and admired, hated and feared: more than any other domesticated creature, cats provoke extremes of feeling, and this Peculiar History title reveals why. Feline fans will love the information on cat origins, cat biology, cats in different cultures, cats as pets, cat characters, and more.

A very interesting book on cat history from the pre-dinosaur days to the present. The book does focus more on the mistreatment of cats than the positive aspects, but I learned some new history.

>12 lowelibrary: Let's finish the series challenge - Alex Cross


111. Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson ★★★★½

Top plastic surgeon Elijah Creem is renowned for his skills in the operating room and for his wild, no-expense-spared "industry parties," bringing in underage exotic dancers and models for nights of drugs, champagne, and sex. That is until Detective Alex Cross busts one of Creem's lavish soirees and ruins his fun. Now Creem is willing to do anything to avoid going to jail. But Alex doesn't have time to dwell on that case. A beautiful woman has been found murdered with a lock of her hair viciously ripped off. Then a second woman is found hanging from a sixth-floor window with a brutal scar slashed across her stomach. When a third mutilated body is discovered, rumors of three serial killers on the loose send Washington D.C. into an all-out frenzy. Under intense pressure to solve these three grim cases Alex doesn't notice that someone is investigating him- someone so obsessed and twisted that they'll do anything to get the vengeance they desire.

This is one of the better books in the series. Alex is stretched thin working on 3 different cases and dealing with a major incident involving his family.

>10 lowelibrary: Book Bullet Challenge bullet from threadnsong


112. Wintering by Katherine May ★★★

Sometimes you slip through the cracks: unforeseen circumstances like an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a break-up, or a job loss can derail a life. These periods of dislocation can be lonely and unexpected. For May, her husband fell ill, her son stopped attending school, and her own medical issues led her to leave a demanding job. Wintering explores how she endured this painful time and embraced the singular opportunities it offered. A moving personal narrative shot through with lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, May's story provides instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat. Illumination emerges from many sources: solstice celebrations and dormice hibernation, C.S. Lewis and Sylvia Plath, swimming in icy waters and sailing arctic seas. Ultimately Wintering invites us to change how we relate to our own fallow times. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the peaceful beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear. A secular mystic, May forms a guiding philosophy for transforming the hardships that arise before the ushering in of a new season.

This book would have made a larger impression on me if I had read it during one of my own Winters. However, it was a good story with some advice that made me think.

>16 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Kindle Books


113. Silly Boobies: A Love Story by Ame Dyckman ★★★★★

Blue-footed boobies live on one rock. Red-footed boobies live on another. Blues and Reds keep apart…until one day a pair runs into each other and falls in love. Their families don’t approve. Silly boobies! But when something wonderful happens, can everyone finally agree?

An adorable love story. Not a new trope, but well told. Aimed at 3-6 year olds.

>48 lowelibrary: disappointed, had been pondering about reading this book for sometime.

>52 lowelibrary: that looks interesting.

>31 lowelibrary: I love this!

>38 lowelibrary: The cover of Death Is Like A Box Of Chocolates is beautiful, what a pity that the story was so disappointing.

>45 lowelibrary: The Five is already on my wishlist and your review confirms that!

>54 Tess_W: I was excited to read it when I downloaded it, unfortunately, this is not a well-written book.
>55 Helenliz: It was an interesting book. I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for it when I read it.
>56 MissBrangwen: Thank you. The Five is worth the time. I also loved the cover for Death Is Like A Box of Chocolates and had high hopes for the book. I have probably read too many good cozies that my standards are higher than most.

>15 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Physical Books


114. Tom and Jerry's Merry Christmas by Peter Archer ★★★½

Jerry Mouse and his friend Tuffy try to get past Tom Cat in order to get some Christmas goodies.

A typical Tom and Jerry tale with a happy Christmas ending.

>15 lowelibrary: In The Door Challenge - Physical Books


115. Disney's Beauty and the Beast by Teddy Slater ★★★

Come be our guest in the Beast’s castle where teapots talk, spoons dance, and beautiful Belle discovers that things are never quite as they seem. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is retold in the classic Little Golden Book format.

A very condensed version of the Disney movie. Some of the best parts of the movie are skipped, although the basic story of the movie is told. I will most likely pass this on to my granddaughter when she is old enough.

JULY ROUND-UP

I will not be finishing any more books tonight. I am currently reading my July pick-a-book The Book of General Ignorance (very informative) and the July Reese's Book Club pick The Cliffs. I tend to have a physical and Kindle book going at the same time.

I read 21 books in July - 4 Kindle, 2 Library loan, and 14 from my shelves. I discarded 2 Kindle and 1 physical book.
I added 10 physical books and read 6 of them. See >15 lowelibrary: for the new titles.
I added 29 Kindle books (all free) this month and read 1 of them. I have admitted defeat to being able to read all of them before the end of the year. See >16 lowelibrary: for the new titles.
I filled 1 Bingo square this month, leaving only 2 left.

This month's books (in alphabetical order)

★★★★★
Jingle Bells
Magical Sleigh? Snow Way!
Silly Boobies: A Love Story
You Never Know
★★★★½
Alex Cross, Run
Grace
How To Be More Shrek
★★★★
Cats: A Very Peculiar History
Dark, Witch & Creamy
The Five
★★★½
Body On Ice
Chicken Soup For The Soul Life Lessons From The Cat
Pay Me In Flesh
There's Snow Stopping Us Now
Tom and Jerry's Merry Christmas
Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
★★★
Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Frosty the Snowman
Wintering
★★½
Death Is Like A Box of Chocolates
Houdini: A Life Worth Reading

Best Book of the Month - You Never Know
Worst Book of the Month - Houdini: A Life Worth Reading

AUGUST

This month is supposed to be hotter than last month. A refreshing snack for the dog days of summer.

>13 lowelibrary: It's time to claws the book on these series challenge - Deep Dish Mysteries


116. Ashes To Ashes, Crust To Crust by Mindy Quigley ★★★★

Newly single pizzeria owner Delilah O’Leary is determined to keep her restaurant afloat in the picturesque resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. To boost her bottom line, she sets her sights on winning the hefty cash prize in the town’s annual “Taste of Wisconsin” culinary contest. In her corner, she’s got her strong-willed, “big-boned” cat Butterball, her wisecracking BFF, her cantankerous great-aunt, and a nearly-flawless recipe for Pretzel Crust Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza. But while Delilah and her team have been focused on pumping out perfect pizza, her ex-fiancé has cozied up to a new squeeze, juice bar owner Jordan Watts―Delilah’s contest rival. When one of Jordan’s juice bar customers is poisoned by a tainted smoothie, Delilah lands deep in the sauce. Accusations fly, suspects abound, and a menacing stranger turns up with a beef over some missing dough. Between kale-juicing hipsters and grudge-bearing celebrity chefs, Delilah must act quickly before another one bites the crust.

First, let me say how much I love the covers of these mysteries. Butterball and pizza with a setting that matches the story. The characters are great and these cozies do not disappoint. The book kept me taking all the same wrong turns as Delilah, although I quickly figured out the identity of the bratwurst thief. Like many culinary mysteries, there are recipes at the end. What makes these different is the fact that they are written in the characters' voices. Very unique and enjoyable, even though I am not a cook at heart. These books should be read in order since each builds on the characters' previous stories.

>18 lowelibrary: Pick-A-Book, Any Book Challenge - July


117. The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchison ★★★★★

Think Magellan was the first man to circumnavigate the globe, baseball was invented in America, Henry VIII had six wives, and Mount Everest is the tallest mountain? Wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong again. Misconceptions, misunderstandings, and flawed facts finally get the heave-ho in this humorous, downright humiliating book of reeducation. Challenging what most of us assume to be verifiable truths in areas like history, literature, science, nature, and more. Revealing the truth behind all the things we think we know but don’t, this book leaves you dumbfounded about all the misinformation you’ve managed to collect during your life, and sets you up to win big should you ever be a contestant on Jeopardy! or Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Besides righting the record on common (but wrong) myths like Captain Cook discovering Australia or Alexander Graham Bell inventing the telephone, The Book of General Ignorance also gives us the skinny on silly slipups to trot out at dinner parties (Cinderella wore fur, not glass, slippers, and chicken tikka masala was invented in Scotland, not India). You’ll be surprised at how much you don’t know!

This was a great book of knowledge for trivia buffs like me. I learned a lot of things I did not know and even more things I thought I knew.

>11 lowelibrary: Reese's Book Club Challenge - July 2024


118. The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan ★★★½

On a secluded bluff overlooking the ocean sits a Victorian house, lavender with gingerbread trim, a home that contains a century’s worth of secrets. When Jane Flanagan discovers the house as a teenager, it has long been abandoned. The place is an irresistible mystery to Jane. There are still clothes in the closets, marbles rolling across the floors, and dishes in the cupboards, even though no one has set foot there in decades. The house becomes a hideaway for Jane, a place to escape her volatile mother. Twenty years later, now a Harvard archivist, she returns home to Maine following a terrible mistake that threatens her career and marriage. Jane is horrified to find the Victorian is now barely recognizable. The new owner, Genevieve, a summer person from Beacon Hill, has gutted it, transforming the house into a glossy white monstrosity straight out of a style magazine. Strangely, Genevieve is convinced that the house is haunted—perhaps the product of something troubling Genevieve herself has done. She hires Jane to research the history of the place and the women who lived there. The story Jane uncovers—of lovers lost at sea, romantic longing, shattering loss, artistic awakening, historical artifacts stolen and sold, and the long shadow of colonialism—is even older than Maine itself. Enthralling, richly imagined, filled with psychic mediums and charlatans, spirits and past lives, mothers, marriage, and the legacy of alcoholism, this is a deeply moving novel about the land we inhabit, the women who came before us, and how none of us will ever truly leave this earth.

The story started good and led you to believe the book was about Jane and the house. However, the author never quite settled on a direction. Is it a haunted house, is it the story of Jane or is it about reclaiming Indigenous land? The writing is well-done but the bouncing from topic to topic and then back to Jane's life was confusing and made me lose interest about halfway through the book.

>63 lowelibrary: LOL a lot of people (LT members excluded) have read that book and mastered it!;)

>65 Tess_W: I have others in the series on my Amazon wish list.

>6 lowelibrary: CalendarCAT - National Tooth Fairy Day (August 22nd)


119. What-The-Dickens by Gregory Maquire ★★★★

A terrible storm is raging, and Dinah is huddled by candlelight with her brother, sister, and cousin Gage, who is telling a very unusual tale. It’s the story of What-the-Dickens, a newly hatched orphan creature who finds he has an attraction to teeth, a crush on a cat named McCavity, and a penchant for getting into trouble. One day he happens upon a feisty girl skibberee working as an Agent of Change — trading coins for teeth — and learns of a dutiful tribe of tooth fairies to which he hopes to belong. However, as his tale unfolds, both What-the-Dickens and Dinah see that the world is richer and far less sure than they ever imagined.

As Gage tells the story, you will quickly become engaged with What-The-Dickens and his adventures. I found myself drawn in and not wanting his story to end. The rest of the book about Gage and the children and how they came to be in the storm is not well-formed and felt more of a disruption than part of the tale.

>9 lowelibrary: Kindle Challenge


120. The Bare Witch Project by Celeste Hall ★★★

Morgan is a wannabe witch with a fear of cats and a traumatic history that puts her straight into the path of trouble. When a large black cat races into her house to escape a dog attack, she considers it another example of how bad her luck has become. But this was no ordinary cat. Her life was about to be turned upside down by an ultra-sexy beast with a few dark secrets of his own. Can a secretive werecat shifter protect her from a dangerous stalker? Or will she be forced to rely upon the pagan magic her grandmother so strongly believed in, which Morgan feels insecure using?

I really wanted to like this book. The writing was good and flowed easily. I thought the plot was only a subtext for a book that read more like a fanfiction version of a romance than an introduction to a series.

>3 lowelibrary:. RandomKIT - Titles


121. Death of a Country Fried Redneck by Lee Hollis ★★★

As a single mom, Hayley Powell already has a full plate—she’s got deadlines to make and a teenage daughter with eyes for an aspiring singer-songwriter. But when country music superstar Wade Springer rolls into town, Hayley spies an irresistible side gig: personal chef to her all-American idol. After he tries her home cooking, Wade’s so impressed that he hires her on the spot—and invites her to dine with him alone. Hayley and Wade are hitting all the right notes . . . until a body turns up. Wade’s tour bus was torched overnight and a roadie named Mickey Pritchett came out well-done. But the real cause of death isn’t barbecue: Mickey was shot, his mouth stuffed with one of Hayley’s trademark chicken legs. An ornery drunk, Mickey had already made plenty of enemies in town, but Wade’s reputation is on the rocks. Hayley reckons it’s up to her to settle this mess—a charbroiled mystery with all the fixin's.

This started well, but then Hayley began jumping to conclusions and from suspect to suspect without evidence. I love cozy mysteries, but not really the ones where they don't investigate but just go from suspect to suspect. Also, this town's sheriff arrested each of Hayley's suspects without any investigations of his own.

>8 lowelibrary: BingoDOG - Ugly cover


122. Don't Open This Book edited by Marvin Kaye ★★★

The lure of the forbidden is a powerful force. It makes the strong do strange and wonderful things and leads fools into madness, misery, and death. Call it curiosity, mankind's urge to ferret out the darkest secrets of existence. Or blame it on the perversion of human nature. In 39 tales of weird fantasy, taboo science, and science in torment, Don't Open This Book tells what happens when men women, and children blunder into things they were not meant to know.

Like most short story collections, these are mostly okay stories with some losers and a few winners. I found 4 5-star reads in this book. There are no touchstones for these stories.
I want to recommend Repeating Echo by J Timothy Hunt to everyone. The ending of this story changes the whole tale and I had to sit and rethink the entire thing. I would give it 6 out of 5 stars.
The Sins of the Father by Carole Bugge is a Poe-esque tale that is reminiscent of The Cask of Amontillado.
Never Again the Same by L Jagi Lamplighter is a tale of a boy who hates reading
The Green Thumb by John Gregory Betancourt is a tale of warring neighbors and their local beautiful yard competition.

>5 lowelibrary: ScaredyKIT - Middle Grade/YA Horror
>15 lowelibrary: In the Door Challenge (physical) - Christmas 2023


123. Miss Peregrine's Museum of Wonders by Ransom Riggs ★★★★★

A deluxe companion to the #1 bestselling Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series. Everything you need to know about the peculiar world, written by Miss Peregrine herself. Gloriously rich and utterly delightful, Miss Peregrine’s Museum of Wonders is an indispensable guide to the peculiar world, perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike. Covering everything from how to blend in with suspicious normals to the most popular time loops to visit as a temporal tourist, this essential volume is ideal for anyone curious about the world of Miss Peregrine: its strange history, curious practices, fascinating places, most famous (and infamous) names, and much more. Written in Miss Peregrine’s inimitable style, it’s also a dramatic expansion of the universe fans have already come to love, introducing countless new peculiars, enemies, time loops, stories, and secrets, in addition to hundreds of never-before-seen vintage found photographs and select illustrations.

A great companion read for fans of the series. I loved the personal notes from Miss Peregrine to Jacob since the book you are reading is his copy.

>11 lowelibrary: Reese's Book Club - June pick


124. The Unwedding by Ally Condie ★★½

Ellery Wainwright is alone at the edge of the world. She and her husband, Luke, were supposed to spend their twentieth wedding anniversary together at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California. Where better to celebrate a marriage, a family, and a life together than at one of the most stunning places on earth? But now she’s traveling solo. To add insult to injury, a wedding is scheduled at Broken Point during her stay. Ellery remembers how it felt to be on the cusp of everything new and wonderful, with a loved and certain future glimmering just ahead. Now, she isn’t certain of anything except her love for her kids and her growing realization that this place, though beautiful, is unsettling. When Ellery discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool in the rain, she realizes that she is not the only one whose future is no longer guaranteed. Before the police can reach Broken Point, a mudslide takes out the road to the resort, leaving the guests trapped. When another guest dies, it’s clear something horrible is brewing. Everyone at Broken Point has a secret. And everyone has a shadow, including Ellery.

I felt this book was all over the place, and I was never able to understand the point of most of the story. From Ellery's flashbacks (which I felt were unnecessary) to nobody trying to solve the mystery believably. Even the solving of the murder towards the end of the book was trite and most of the solutions had no context throughout the book. Not recommended.

>15 lowelibrary: In the Door Challenge - Physical books


125. Snow Letter Left Behind by Keely Chace ★★★★★
When a letter to Santa slips out of the postman’s bag, it takes a little love, some friendly help from snowpeople of years past, and a lot of Christmas magic to get it to the North Pole!


126.This is Snow Time For Sleeping by Andrew Blackburn ★★★½
It's time to go to bed, but Chill Bill isn't tired -and besides, he has some magical friends to visit first. But when he and his family go exploring, they don't find quite what they imagined.


127. What's Shakin' In Snowflake City? by Cheryl Hawkinson ★★★
No one knows why the weather in Snowflake City is so blustery. Why does the ground shake and why does the snow blow in all directions? Even though the storms always seem to disrupt the Snowfarkle family's holiday preparations, they don't mind - as long as they're together, who cares about the weather?


128. Rex Snows The Way To Grandma's by Diana Manning ★★★★½
Christmas at Grandma's is an Icesnickle family tradition. When they must take a detour, pup Rex thinks his nose knows the way. But is that aroma really Grandma's cooking?


129. There's Snowbody Like You" by Barbara Loots ★★★
Chillbert was little as snowchildren go. Too small to play hockey or hang Christmas lights, he felt left out of the fun. To cheer up his son, Chillbert's dad takes him and a few friends to a tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree. But when Blizzhisy strays too far out on the ice and becomes stranded. Chillbert discovers his size might be just what's needed. Will his rescue plan work?

These were the missing five books in my Hallmark Holiday story collection. As always great illustrations by Mike Esberg. Snow Letter Left Behind is a great story of what happens to a letter to Santa. Very enjoyable. Rex Snows the Way to Grandma's follows a dog's nose to Grandma's cooking. The others are not great stories but are cute enough for a winter read.

>4 lowelibrary: MysteryKIT - Amateur Sleuths
>14 lowelibrary: Just Read the Thing Already Challenge - SantaThing 2022


130. Getaway With Murder by Diane Kelly ★★★★

As if hitting the half-century mark wasn't enough, Misty Murphy celebrated her landmark birthday by amicably ending her marriage and investing her settlement in a dilapidated mountain lodge at the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the old inn teetering on both a bluff and bankruptcy, she must have lost her ever-loving mind. Luckily, handyman Rocky Crowder has a knack for rehabbing virtual ruins and for doing it on a dime, and to Misty's delight, the lodge is fully booked on opening night, every room filled with flexible folks who'd slipped into spandex and ascended the peak for a yoga retreat with plans to "namastay" for a full week. Misty and her guests are feeling Zen - at least until the yoga instructor is found dead. With a killer on the loose and the lodge's reputation hanging in the balance, Misty must put her detective skills to the test. Only one thing is as clear as a sunny mountain morning - she must solve the crime before the lodge ends up, once again, on the brink.

A well-written cozy. Yes, she solves the mystery. Yes, she suspects everyone. Yes, there is a cat, a beautiful Himalayan, named Yeti. No, the cat is not the amateur sleuth. The most unique part of this mystery is that while Misty suspects everyone, she does not go around accusing everyone out loud. Here accusations and thoughts are mostly in her mind, and since the book is written in the first person, the reader gets to hear them. The characters are likeable and I already own the second book, so I will be reading it shortly.

>10 lowelibrary: Book Bullet Challenge bullet from mstrust


131. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James ★★★½

Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the ones too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall, and local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears. Vermont, 2014. Twenty years ago, journalist Fiona Sheridan's elder sister’s body was found in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. Although her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of the murder, Fiona can’t stop revisiting the events, unable to shake the feeling that something was never right about the case. When Fiona discovers that an anonymous benefactor is restoring Idlewild Hall, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during renovations links the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past—and a voice that won’t be silenced.

I am not sure how I felt about this book. I thought it was a ghost story, but then it changed into a murder mystery. I enjoyed the 1950 tale and the unexpected resolution (I can't say more without spoilers). The modern story was more convoluted and confusing in parts. Overall a good read and I did learn some new historical facts.

>12 lowelibrary: Let's finish the series challenge - Alex Cross


132. Cross My Heart by James Patterson ★★★★½

The stakes are higher than ever for Alex Cross as he faces his most personal enemy yet: a criminal who threatens his family. Detective Alex Cross is a family man at heart: nothing matters more to him than his children, his grandmother, and his wife Bree. His love of his family is his anchor and gives him the strength to confront evil in his work. One man knows this deeply and uses Alex's strength as a weapon against him in the most unsettling and unexpected novel of James Patterson's career. When the ones Cross loves are in danger, he will do anything to protect them. But if he does anything to protect them, they will die.

This is one of the better books in the series, which I finished in one day. A very emotional journey into kidnappings and murder. The final chapters are nonstop and after being invested so long in this series (this is book 20), I felt everything along with Alex and took the roller coaster ride of emotions with him. I immediately had to begin the next one Hope To Die, and am glad (at least in this case) that I did not have to wait for the release of the next book.

AUGUST ROUND-UP

I am late in posting my last books and recap since I took a much-needed day off from everything and just relaxed with my cats yesterday.

I read 17 books in August - 1 Kindle, 3 Library loans, and 13 from my shelves. I discarded 1 Kindle and 2 physical books.
I added 6 physical books and read 5 of them. See >15 lowelibrary: for the new titles.
I added 3 Kindle books (2 free) this month. See >16 lowelibrary: for the new titles.
I filled 1 Bingo square this month, leaving only 1 left.

This month's books (in alphabetical order)

★★★★★
The Book of General Ignorance
Miss Peregrine's Museum of Wonders
Snow Letter Left Behind
★★★★½
Cross My Heart
Rex Snows the Way to Grandma's
★★★★
Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust
Getaway With Murder
What-the-Dickens
★★★½
The Broken Girls
The Cliffs
This Is Snow Time for Sleeping!
★★★
The Bare Witch Project
Death of A Country Fried Redneck
Don't Open This Book
There's Snowbody Like You
What's Shakin' In Snowflake City?
★★½
The Unwedding

Best Book of the Month - The Book of General Ignorance
Worst Book of the Month - The Unwedding

SEPTEMBER


My husband loves breakfast and can eat it all day long. I am posting a breakfast charcuterie in honor of our anniversary this month.

>78 lowelibrary: Yum! My husband is also a breakfast guy and he is always ready to go out for brunch. Happy September!

>76 lowelibrary: You might be interested to know (if you don't already) that we're getting another screen adaptation of Alex Cross this fall. We've had three movies already (two with Morgan Freeman, one with Tyler Perry); now Amazon's trying it as a TV series, starring Aldis Hodge. Coming in November, and already renewed for a second season.

>79 DeltaQueen50: What is it with men and breakfast?
>80 KeithChaffee: I did know about the series since I am a huge Aldis Hodge fan. I cannot wait for it. I have seen the Tyler Perry movie, but have not seen the Morgan Freeman ones yet.

Happy September, April! I love your breakfast charcuterie :-) I am also a breakfast/brunch fan and could eat it for every meal.

I will chime in with the minority opinion: I don't really like breakfast and, when going out to brunch, I always order a lunch option rather than a breakfast one! I think it's because I'm very picky about eggs; the wrong texture or temperature completely ruins them for me.

>82 susanj67: Happy September to you.
>83 christina_reads: You are in my minority. I also dislike most breakfast foods and am super picky about how they are cooked.

>10 lowelibrary: Book Bullet Challenge bullet from thornton37814


133. Gracie, The Lighthouse Cat by Ruth Brown ★★★★½

When Gracie discovers her kitten is missing from their lighthouse home, she goes out into a terrible storm to rescue him.

The illustrations are amazing, with the facial expressions of a scared kitten and a worried mother being almost human. The story is simple and not at all complicated, but the book is aimed at 4 and 5-year-olds so this works perfectly. I am buying myself a copy of this book solely for the realistic illustrations.

>11 lowelibrary: Reese's Book Club -August pick


134. Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell ★★★★★

Back in high school, everybody thought Shiloh and Cary would end up together . . . everybody but Shiloh and Cary. They were just friends. Best friends. Allies. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They would leave north Omaha—Shiloh would go to college and become an actress, and Cary would join the Navy. They promised each other that their friendship would never change. Well, Shiloh did go to college, and Cary did join the Navy. And yet, somehow, everything changed. Now Shiloh’s thirty-three, and it’s been fourteen years since she talked to Cary. She’s been married and divorced. She has two kids. And she’s back living in the same house she grew up in. Her life is nothing like she planned. When she’s invited to an old friend’s wedding, all Shiloh can think about is whether Cary will be there—and whether she hopes he will be. Would Cary even want to talk to her? After everything? The answer is yes. And yes. And yes. Slow Dance is the story of two kids who fell in love before they knew enough about love to recognize it. Two friends who lost everything. Two adults who just feel lost. It’s the story of Shiloh and Cary, who everyone thought would end up together, trying to find their way back to the start.

This was my first Rainbow Rowell book and if this is how she writes, it will not be my last. The whole time I was reading the movie, I could not stop thinking "I am reading a Hallmark movie" (my guilty pleasure). I was fully invested in the story of Shiloh and Cary, both in the present and in the past. Books like this could turn me into a romance fan.

>86 lowelibrary: Oh, I love Rowell! She's written both YA and adult romances. My favorite of hers is her debut novel, Attachments.

>12 lowelibrary: Let's finish the series challenge - Alex Cross


135. Hope To Die by James Patterson ★★★★★

Detective Alex Cross is being stalked by a psychotic genius, and forced to play the deadliest game of his career. Cross's family-his loving wife Bree, the wise and lively Nana Mama, and his precious children have been ripped away. Terrified and desperate, Cross must give this madman what he wants if he has any chance of saving the most important people in his life. The stakes have never been higher: What will Cross sacrifice to save the ones he loves? Widely praised by the greatest crime and thriller writers of our time, Cross My Heart set a jaw-dropping story in motion. Hope to Die propels Alex Cross's greatest challenge to its astonishing finish, proving why Jeffery Deaver says "nobody does it better" than James Patterson.

The breathtaking finale to the previous book in the series Cross My Heart, this book is non-stop action from start to finish. This is the Alex Cross I love.

Today is Buy A Book Day so I bought a book That Mistletoe Moment and then I bought that book a friend The Last Close Call

>10 lowelibrary: Book Bullet Challenge bullet from Jackie_K


136. Rewild Yourself by Simon Barnes ★★★½

This book is the ideal companion for readers who want to get closer to nature and bring it back into focus in their lives. We're not just losing the wild world; we're forgetting it, no longer noticing it, and losing the habit of looking, seeing, listening, and hearing. But we can make hidden things visible, and this book features numerous spellbinding ways to bring the magic of nature much closer to home. Mammals you never knew existed will enter your world. Birds hidden in treetops will shed their cloak of anonymity. With a single movement, you can make reptiles appear before you. Butterflies you never saw before will bring joy to every sunny day. Creatures of the darkness will enter your consciousness. And as you take on new techniques and a little new equipment, you will discover new creatures and, with them, new areas of yourself that had gone dormant. Once put to use, they wake up and start working again. You become wilder in your mind and heart. Once you know the tricks, the wild world begins to appear before you.

This book would probably received more stars if I had been more familiar with Britain and its wildlife. The book did make me wish I lived in Britain and could experience these animals. However, the book has good suggestions, that with a little research into local wildlife, I can put to use and rewild myself a little more.

>5 lowelibrary: ScaredyKIT - Stephen King and family


137. Horns by Joe Hill ★★★★½

Merrin Williams is dead, slaughtered under inexplicable circumstances, leaving her beloved boyfriend Ignatius Perrish as the only suspect. On the first anniversary of Merrin's murder, Ig spends the night drunk and doing awful things. When he wakes the next morning he has a thunderous hangover, . . . and horns growing from his temples. Ig possesses a terrible new power to go with his terrible new look - a macabre gift he intends to use to find the monster who killed his one true love. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. Now it's time for a little revenge. . . . It's time the devil had his due. . . .

I have the movie tie-in cover since the movie introduced me to the book and the book introduced me to Joe Hill. I still enjoyed this reread, although the book was much slower at the beginning than I remembered from the first time I read it. Still, once it gets going, you get to examine the dark side of people and the things they do or think of doing.

>91 lowelibrary: Like Joe Hill. This one goes on my WL!

>92 Tess_W: After reading the book, you must see the movie. Danielle Radcliffe is perfect as Iggy. It is one of the few movies that does not steer far from the book.

>4 lowelibrary: MysteryKIT - Upstairs/downstairs


138. Cocktails & Chloroform by Kelley Armstrong ★★★★

For modern-day detective Mallory Atkinson, being trapped in the body of a Victorian housemaid means overcoming endless obstacles. Her current challenge is winning over the suspicious young parlormaid, Alice. Mallory’s plan starts with teaching the girl to make Molotov cocktails, which is a valid science experiment and not a desperate ploy to gain Alice’s attention. Before the lesson can begin, though, Alice receives a letter that has her slipping off in the night. Concerned for her safety—and naturally curious—Mallory follows. Mallory finds Alice at what seems like a simple dance hall, watching young men and women flirting and whirling in pretty dresses and dapper suit coats. But nothing here is what it seems, and what starts as a simple surveillance exercise turns into a full-scale spy mission with Mallory’s boss, Dr. Duncan Gray, at her side. Before the evening is done, those Molotov cocktails are probably going to come in handy.


139. Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong ★★★★½

Victorian Scotland is becoming less strange to modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson. Though inhabiting someone else’s body will always be unsettling, even if her employers know that she’s not actually housemaid Catriona Mitchell, ever since the night both of them were attacked in the same dark alley 150 years apart. Mallory likes her job as assistant to undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray and is developing true friends—and feelings—in this century. So, understanding the Victorian fascination with death, Mallory isn't that surprised when she and her friends are invited to a mummy unwrapping at the home of Sir Alastair Christie. When their host is missing when it comes time to unwrap the mummy, Gray and Mallory are asked to step in. And upon closer inspection, it’s not a mummy they’ve unwrapped, but a much more modern body.

I love this series that was introduced to me with a bullet from lkernagh. Cocktails & Chloroform was a short novella that I wanted to be longer. I felt the story was rushed and would have benefitted from being more detailed. Distrubing the Dead was another great addition to the series. I am glad I began this series with the first book since the characters and their relationships have grown with each book. Even the one-off characters are an interesting lot. I was as shocked as Mallory when she wound up back in her time and happy with the way the novel ended. Unfortunately, now I have to wait since the next novella (a Christmas story) does not come out until December.

>7 lowelibrary: PrizeCAT - A September CAT/KIT (SFFKIT - Gods, godlike beings and mythology) that won a prize - 2007 YALSA Best Book for Young Adults


140. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan ★★★★½

After a summer spent trying to prevent a catastrophic war among the Greek gods, Percy Jackson finds his seventh-grade school year unnervingly quiet. His biggest problem is dealing with his new friend, Tyson―a six-foot-three, mentally challenged homeless kid who follows Percy everywhere, making it hard for Percy to have any “normal” friends. But things don’t stay quiet for long. Percy soon discovers there is trouble at Camp Half-Blood: the magical borders that protects Half-Blood Hill have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and the only safe haven for demigods is on the verge of being overrun by mythological monsters. To save the camp, Percy needs the help of his best friend, Grover, who has been taken prisoner by the Cyclops Polyphemus on an island somewhere in the Sea of Monsters, the dangerous waters Greek heroes have sailed for millennia―only today, the Sea of Monsters goes by a new name…the Bermuda Triangle. Now Percy and his friends―Grover, Annabeth, and Tyson―must retrieve the Golden Fleece from the Island of the Cyclopes by the end of the summer, or Camp Half-Blood will be destroyed. But first, Percy will learn a stunning new secret about his family―one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon’s son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.

I enjoyed this one more than the first book, mostly because I was not distracted by comparisons to a movie. It is a well-told story with Percy starting to grow into himself and discovering what is most important to him.

>95 lowelibrary: This was my choice for this month's SFFKIT, too, although I won't get to it in the days remaining. I still hope to read it at one point in the remainder of this year. Your review makes me even more eager to pick it up!

>96 MissBrangwen: It was good and made me eager to continue the series.

>7 lowelibrary: PrizeCAT - Genre Prizes (2006 World Fantasy Award)
>14 lowelibrary: Just Read the Thing Already Challenge - SantaThing 2023


141. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami ★★★

Here we meet 15-year-old runaway Kafka Tamura and the elderly Nakata, who is drawn to Kafka for reasons he cannot fathom. As their paths converge, acclaimed author Haruki Murakami enfolds readers in a world where cats talk, fish fall from the sky, and spirits slip out of their bodies to make love or commit murder, in a truly remarkable journey.

I was so confused by the jumping between each character's story and the connection between Nakata and Kafka. I thought the book was starting to point in a direction that would put it all together at the end, but it didn't and I ended the book still confused at what I read. I had to stop several times to think about what I had read, although the writing was good and the individual stories had some interest, it took me 2 months to finish the book.

>3 lowelibrary: RandomKIT - It's Raining Men (weather)
>9 lowelibrary: Kindle challenge


142. Hidden in Snow by Vivica Sten ★★★½

On the day Stockholm police officer Hanna Ahlander’s personal and professional lives crash, she takes refuge at her sister’s lodge in the Swedish ski resort paradise of Åre. But it’s a brief comfort. The sudden vanishing of a local teenage girl shakes the entire village. Hanna can’t help but investigate, and while searching for the missing girl, she lands a temporary job with the local police department. There she joins forces with Detective Inspector Daniel Lindskog, tasked with finding the girl—their only lead: a scarf in the snow. As subzero temperatures drop even further, a treacherous blizzard sweeps toward Åre. Hanna and Daniel’s investigation is getting more desperate by the hour. Lost or abducted, either way, time is running out for the missing girl. Each new clue closes in on something far more sinister than either Hanna or Daniel imagined.

A great story, that I was drawn to. Very realistic in the emotions of the missing girl's family, I felt this was one of the best parts of the book. The crime itself was heading in several different directions and ending with an anti-climatic reveal. Too quick of an ending based on the pace of the total book.

>99 lowelibrary: I read Hidden in Snow awhile back and really enjoyed it. Sten's Sandhamn series is good also (at least the first in the series). At some point I'd like to continue with both.

>99 lowelibrary: - I have that on my kindle and have put it on a reading list more than once but haven't gotten to it yet.

>100 NinieB: I may give the second book a chance, but not this year.
>101 dudes22: I needed something to fit RandomKIT and this is one of the few weather books I had

SEPTEMBER ROUND-UP

I will not finish Carrie tonight, which is my September CalendarCAT read, but hopefully tomorrow.
September was a slow reading month since I am back at my regular job and had almost 100 hours of overtime during the month.

I read 10 books in September - 1 Kindle, 6 Library loans, and 4 from my shelves. I discarded 1 Kindle and 2 physical books.
I added 4 physical books and read none of them. See >15 lowelibrary: for the new titles.
I added 4 Kindle books (all free) this month. See >16 lowelibrary: for the new titles.
I have 1 Bingo square left, which did not get read this month.

This month's books (in alphabetical order)

★★★★★
Hope To Die
Slow Dance
★★★★½
Disturbing the Dead
Gracie, the Lighthouse Cat
Horns
Percy Jackson & The Sea of Monsters
★★★★
Cocktails & Chloroform
★★★½
Hidden in Snow
Rewild Yourself
★★★
Kafka on the Shore

Best Book of the Month - Slow Dance
Worst Book of the Month - Kafka on the Shore

THIRD QUARTER SUMMARY

I have read 49 books this quarter, making 143 for the year. This is 84% of my yearly goal of 170.

I will be all caught up on my LibraryThing challenges with 6 of 12 books read in each category once I finish Carrie tomorrow. RandomKIT, MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT, CalendarCAT, and PrizeCAT.
BingoDOG, I have finished 24 of 25 books, leaving 1 square left.

For my personal challenges:
>9 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: Read and discard 12 Kindle books, I have read and discarded 9 of 12.
>10 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: Book Bullets read one title from each of the 23 contributors. I have read 13
>11 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: Reese Witherspoon Reading Club, read all this year's selections and 3 from previous years before I joined. I have read 11 (Dec 2023, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, and the Summer YA pick) and 1 from previous years.
>12 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: Finish the Alex Cross series. I have read 8 of the remaining 20 books in the series.
>13 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: Finish reading the Cat Cozy series. I will be happy to finish one more series.
>14 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: Just read the Thing already. This challenge is for my SantaThing and Thingaversary books. I have read 2 of the 3 2023 SantaThing books, 1 of the 8 previous year SantaThing books, 5 of the 9 previous Thingaversary books, and 6 of the 2024 Thingaversary books.
>15 lowelibrary: and >16 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: In the Door challenge. I set a goal of reading all books brought into the house this year, except library book sales (which I have attended 2). I have read 4 of 6 Christmas gifts, 2 of 4 birthday gifts, 1 of 1 just because gift, 2 of 8 Amazon Free Reads, 1 of 3 purchased Kindle books, and 22 of 40 newly purchased books. I have also read the 1 Early Review book I have won and received.
While not part of the challenge I have read 6 of the 24 books from the library sales listed in >17 lowelibrary:
>18 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: Pick a book challenge. Pick the 24th book on the shelf on the 24th of the month. I have finished 7 of the 12 books,

The best books were Quarter 1 Chouette, Quarter 2 A Rip Through Time , and Quarter 3 Slow Dance with the winner being Slow Dance.
The worst books were: Quarter 1 Cutthroat Cupcakes, Quarter 2 The Animal: Party at Kelly's,and Quarter 3 Houdini: A Life Worth Reading with the loser being The Animal: Party at Kelly's.

I will be starting a new thread for the 4th quarter tomorrow.

See you in the fourth quarter.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/364682