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Fresh new year, fresh new challenge. Always look forward to this, and to seeing all of your lists.
This list may still be subject to change, because it's so darn hard to commit when so many books are calling me to cast my eyes their way. LOL.


1. Marple: Twelve New Mysteries 4.5 stars All but 2 stories were excellent renditions of the old dear.
2. Redwall 3 stars well written but really just one noble sword fight after another.
3. The Ruin of Kings 4 stars
4. The Appeal 4.5 stars - really unique presentation, enjoyed a lot, will definitely read more from this author.
5. The Cold Dish 4.5 stars
6. All the Windwracked Stars 2.75 stars just not a format that I enjoy
7. You Let Me In 3.75 stars
8. Threadneedle 4 stars
9. Sabriel DNF
10. The Decagon House Murders 3.75 stars
11. The Rage of Dragons dnf
12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles 3 stars

Alternates:
1. Wrong Place Wrong Time 4.25 stars Imaginative and fun unravelling the past.
2. Death at Greenway DNF. Expected a mystery with the title and being set in Agatha Christie's house...but, no...
3. The Spare Man 4.25 stars This was fun, and an original setting, I enjoyed it a lot.
4. Things in Jars 4.25 stars The characters and world were fascinating! But, I really dislike reading books written in present tense. Still, really looking forward to reading more from this author.

Yay re Marple, YAY re Capote, Yay re Tess. Also I just read Wrong Place Wrong Time and once I figured out its angle, it was pretty riveting!

Jennifer wrote: "Yay re Marple, YAY re Capote, Yay re Tess. Also I just read Wrong Place Wrong Time and once I figured out its angle, it was pretty riveting!"

Sounds like I've got some good reading next year :)

You seem to have a nice mix, Linette. I hope you enjoy your first exposure to Longmire. I have to get back to that series. I've enjoyed other books by Hardy, still have to read Tess. I've also got Death at Greenway on my bookshelf. Enjoy your ultimate selections.

There are a few of us here who is going to cheer you on with the Longmire, so like Bill, enjoy that one.

Take your time with Tess. It needs to be done in small bites and then you'll enjoy it.

I recently read The Decagon House Murders & the only other one I've read is Tess, so I look forward to hearing what you think about your picks. Enjoy!

Linette, I agree with Carolien regarding Tess. The only other book on your list that I've read is Breakfast at Tiffany's and Three Stories. The book is different from the movie, so prepare yourself. That said, I really enjoyed it, hope you like it too.

Bill wrote: "You seem to have a nice mix, Linette. I hope you enjoy your first exposure to Longmire. I have to get back to that series. I've enjoyed other books by Hardy, still have to read Tess. I've also got ..."

Thanks, Bill. I want to actually visit Greenway, it's bucket list for me as I love Agatha Christie's books, but for now at least I can visit it in this book :D

Carolien wrote: "There are a few of us here who is going to cheer you on with the Longmire, so like Bill, enjoy that one. Take your time with Tess. It needs to be done in small bites and then you'll enjoy it."

I enjoyed the Longmire shows, hoping the books are good as well - we know that they usually are better :)


Patricia wrote: "I recently read The Decagon House Murders & the only other one I've read is Tess, so I look forward to hearing what you think about your picks. Enjoy!"

Decagon House seems to have almost a cult following, I'm looking forward to seeing what the fuss is about.

Lea wrote: "Linette, I agree with Carolien regarding Tess. The only other book on your list that I've read is Breakfast at Tiffany's and Three Stories. The book is different from the movie, so prepare yourself..."

Good to know, Lea - thanks for the warning, I won't be confused when things aren't how I remember them, lol.

I have not read Tess yet and I have the original paperback, very yellowed and tiny print. Good luck!

I have a few of these in my sights, and added The Ruin of Kings. I added it because even with the mixed reviews, it seems that the books get progressively better. I love that.

I will lurk you list a little more, later; as I always do.

Good luck and happy reading, Linette!!

I've only read Tess of the D’Urbervilles, and that was too many years ago for me to remember more than a very general book outline, but I remember linking it. I hope all others are good too, happy reading.

Jackie wrote: "I have not read Tess yet and I have the original paperback, very yellowed and tiny print. Good luck!"

Haha, I have some books like that, very good description.

Alondra wrote: "I have a few of these in my sights, and added The Ruin of Kings. I added it because even with the mixed reviews, it seems that the books get progressively better. I love that.

I will lurk you lis..."

Good to know, if I am on the fence with the first book, I'll push on and see what happens. Thanks, Alondra.

Ioana wrote: "I've only read Tess of the D’Urbervilles, and that was too many years ago for me to remember more than a very general book outline, but I remember linking it. I hope all others are good too, happy ..."

It seems like maybe I'm the last person to read Tess - good thing I'm getting to it finally. Glad you liked it, hope I do too.

Linette wrote: "It seems like maybe I'm the last person to read Tess"

Well, growing up in Romania our choices in book titles were limited. Classics were generally safe, so those got printed. Romance novels were not, so they were not published. Maybe that's why I don't read them even now. I don't recall much HF, maybe because the history they were teaching us was not the real history, but there were some SF books. No "serious" fiction, that would make you think either.

I've only read Tess Of The D'Urbervilles which I enjoyed. Good luck with your choices

Nice list! You aren't the only one who hasn't read Tess. I haven't either so I will be watching for your review. Hope you enjoy everything on your list.

I always like seeing your list Linette. I will be eager to see your recommendations. I like Thomas Hardy's work even though it can be emotionally hard. He writes beautifully. Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

What a great mix of genres! I added #5 to my TBR; had no idea the Longmire tv show was based on a book! 😳. Happy reading in 2023!!

Mary wrote: "I always like seeing your list Linette. I will be eager to see your recommendations. I like Thomas Hardy's work even though it can be emotionally hard. He writes beautifully. Happy New Year and Hap..."

Thanks, Mary. I first read his Hardy when I inherited a tiny little book of his from my Grandmother. It had been hers when she was 15 years old, according to a note she wrote inside - that would have been about 1923. Knowing she loved his books makes me look forward to reading them.

Andrea wrote: "What a great mix of genres! I added #5 to my TBR; had no idea the Longmire tv show was based on a book! 😳. Happy reading in 2023!!"

Haha - so many great tv shows or movies that we never knew began as books. Usually the books are even better, I'm looking forward to finding out if that's the case with these.

I haven't read any from your list. Wish you good luck with it.

Challenge finished!
Some I loved!
Some were okay.
Some I didn't finish - my dnf threshold gets lower as I get older, lol.
Pleased on the whole, there are at least 4 that were new authors for me that I loved, looking forward to reading more from them.

Congratulations!

Congrats!

Linette wrote: "Challenge finished!
Some I loved!
Some were okay.
Some I didn't finish - my dnf threshold gets lower as I get older, lol. "

Congrats!!
I agree with the dnf threshold, I'm in the same boat and I make no apologies 😉

Linette wrote: "Challenge finished!
Some I loved!
Some were okay.
Some I didn't finish - my dnf threshold gets lower as I get older, lol.
Pleased on the whole, there are at least 4 that were new authors for me th..."

Congratulations Linette!! Woot-woot!

Congratulations Linette!

Congratulations, Linette! :-)

Congrats, Linette!

Congratulations, Linette!

Thanks everyone!
Almost got my list for 2024 ready...just some tweaking to do. :)
You, too?

Linette wrote: "Thanks everyone!
Almost got my list for 2024 ready...just some tweaking to do. :)
You, too?"

I've got my 12 + 4 set up and a rough idea of my individual challenges. Exciting, eh?

Linette wrote: "Thanks everyone!
Almost got my list for 2024 ready...just some tweaking to do. :)
You, too?"

Say, what???

**Leaves the chat**

Haha...I can always count on you two, one has 3 lists made up, and the other is in denial that the new year is coming. :D
I might have my individual challenge lists mostly set up too. Yes, it IS exciting, haha.
Sorry Alondra. ;)