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2023 Independent Challenges
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Karol's COMPLETED 2023 Independent Challenge
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Good luck Karol!
Good luck with your challenge. Looking forward to seeing what books you end up reading.
Good luck! I hope you enjoy all your selections!
Just increased my books from 60 to 75 for more of a stretch this year. I hit 70 books last year, and became semi-retired in April. Plus, the first book I read post-retirement was War and Peace. So it seems like 75 should be fairly comfortable.
Good plan, Karol! I like your subdivisions.
Jackie wrote: "Good plan, Karol! I like your subdivisions."Thanks, Jackie!
One quarter of the year has passed, and I'm happy with my progress: 22 books read so far this year. I should make it to the 75 I'm aiming for, even with a couple of long tomes in the mix for sometime this year.
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You've had a great quarter. Good luck with the rest of the year.
Bill wrote: "You've had a great quarter. Good luck with the rest of the year..."Thanks, Bill! I will definitely keep it going.
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22 is nothing to sneeze at. Kudos on your progress; you've been doing great!
Alondra wrote: "Karol wrote: "One quarter of the year has passed, and I'm happy with my progress: 22 books read so far this year. I should make it to the 75 I'm aiming for, even with a couple of long tomes in the ..."Thanks!
1/3 of the way through the year . . . and a little more than a third of the way through my challenge. (29 of 75 books total) It has been a good reading year for me so far.
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It has been a good reading year for me so far."
Congrats on your progress.
Mid-year summary: 43 books so far this year is good considering my overall goal was to read 75.The amount of time available to read will be considerably less in the next 6 - 8 weeks as my husband and I are moving 450 miles from our current home. (From Michigan to Kentucky). We decided to move a bit further south after our recent retirement. Once we are settle in I'll be able to pick up the pace again.
Wow, good luck on the move
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Wow, good luck on the move"Thanks, Desley. It really is a challenge!
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The amount of time available to read will be considerably less in the next 6 - 8 weeks as my husband..."
Nice. Kudos on your reading, and Congrats on the move!!! Whoop!!
Took a break from challenges and read something off the library shelves in my new town (and state): Frontiersman: Daniel Boone and the Making of America, by Meredith Mason Brown. I give it 5 stars.The reasons I loved this book were its readability and the fact that it was very well researched. Many of the notes at the end show that the author drew much of the information presented from original documents of the time.
I believe I have a better feel for the early history of Kentucky (where I now live) and a much better understanding of Daniel Boone himself. As a plus, I learned that I live right in the area where Boone originally settled. Boonesborough is about 25 minutes away from my home, and the town of Irvine is closer than that. Although Boone didn't name the place, it was one of the first where he camped as he was getting to know Kentucky.
I also learned that the Blue Grass was already here before Boone arrived!
Added to my tbr. I'm glad you moved to Kentucky. I hope you continue to read inspiring books!
Jackie wrote: "Added to my tbr. I'm glad you moved to Kentucky. I hope you continue to read inspiring books!"Thanks, Jackie!
Henry Clay: The Essential American, by David Stephen Heidler This was another book relevant to the history of the area I live in. For me, it was a little long at nearly 500 pages. I certainly learned a lot, though.
4/5 stars
Publishable By Death, by A.C.F. Bookens
Just finished this cozy mystery today. I liked the characters and the setting - and the bit of history mixed in with the mystery made it quite interesting. This is the first book in a series and because I bought the first three books as a boxed set I will definitely move on to the next two.
4/5 stars
Entitled To Kill, by A.C.F. BookensBound To Executem by A.C.F. Bookens
Enjoyed both of these, but there were a few things that bugged me so I guess a 3/5 star for me.
Now for a change in pace! I've been trying to read books that were on my "to read" list before the beginning of this year, but I think it's high time to get to some that I've learned about from fellow Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ folks in this group. I have either already picked up or have requested from my local library:
Murder in an Irish Village, by Carlene O'Connor - Completed!
The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly - Completed!
Tragedy at Law, by Cyril Hare - Completed!
Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt - Completed!
A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers - Completed!
Chasing Fireflies, by Charles Martin - Completed!
The Venetian Affair, by Helen MacInnes - Completed!
These should keep me going for a while!
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Bound To Executem by A.C.F. Bookens
Enjoyed both of these, but there were a few things that..."
Excellent mix there.
Finished and loved Murder in an Irish Village, by Carlene O'Connor. It did take me a few chapters to really be immersed in the story but after that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Completed The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly. Like it a lot. Oftentimes when I read a page turner it's not all that interesting because I figure things out too soon. But this one did surprise me. A very enjoyable read.4/5 stars
Karol wrote: "Completed The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly. Like it a lot. Oftentimes when I read a page turner it's not all that interesting because I figure things out too s..."That's a good series, glad you enjoyed it.
Two more books - one I learned about from a personal friend, the other one from this group. I liked them both very much.Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals, by Laurie Zaleski
The author shares her life story - she had a dark family situation that her mother, her siblings and herself had to overcome. Part of her upbringing taught her how to take care of animals, and she has continued along that track as an adult with wonderful results.
4/5 stars
A Psalm for the Wild-Built. by Becky Chambers
I don't read much science fiction but I do enjoy the genre on occasion. I loved this book and I found the two main characters (one human, one robot) engaging. When I checked this book out from my library, the young man who scanned my books told me that Wild-Built was "one of the best books" he had ever read. Today when I returned the book he helped me find the sequel that I am anxious to read.
Now I have 15 books yet to go to finish this challenge. I think I will make it or at least get very close.
I've started Murder in an Irish Churchyard, the third book in the series. I started it on Hoopla and then it disappeared. My library has one copy of it, so I just got it. I know I could have just read the next book in the series, but after starting it, I wanted to continue.Congrats on your progress!
Thanks, Patricia. I will probably return to the series next year.
Read two more that I just loved.A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers, 4/5 stars
I read this book all in one day - partly because it was short at < 150 pages, and partly because I didn't want to set it down.
When I turned in book #1 in the "Monk and Robot" series, the librarian told me that the second book was even better. I hadn't planned on reading it right away, but he was so enthusiastic about it that I let him find it for me on the shelves and I took it home. I did enjoy it a lot. The author packs a lot of things to think about in her short pages, and writes characters that are immediately interesting and likeable.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt, 5/5 stars
When I finished this book I told my husband, "The world needs to stop having new writers who write books I love, or I will never finish my To Read list!"
This book was a strong 5-star read for me. Great characters, and an interesting plot. I was very absorbed in the story as I read it and I find myself continuing to think about some of the key characters. What is unusual to me is actually liking a book where an animal speaks in human words - usually I hate that and it keeps me from enjoying the overall story. In this case, I didn't mind it at all and as a matter of fact found myself totally charmed by Marcellus the octopus.
I decided to follow this author on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Remarkably Bright Creatures came out in 2022, and I am hoping that we will see another book from this author before long (but hopefully not a sequel - this story was so complete).
The Venetian Affair, by Helen MacInnes, 4/5 stars, 10/29/2023Great cold war spy novel. I enjoyed it.
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Great cold war spy novel. I enjoyed it."
I've read 3 of her spy novels now, including the Venetian Affair. I'm glad I discovered her work. She knows (knew) how to write an excellent spy novel.
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A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers, 4/5 stars
I read this book all in one day - partly because it was short at < 150 ..."
So satisfying when you read 4 and 5 star books. That means enjoyment through and through.
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A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers, 4/5 stars
I read this book all in one day - partly because it was short at < 150 ..."
I enjoyed the Monk and Robot duology (is that a word?) so very much. I hope she might continue the series. I'm hoping to start her other series this year or early next.
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That is a word!
I hear good things about that series/duology.
Pre-Thanksgiving check-in . . . and it looks like I will make or possibly surpass my goal of 75 books read this year.I'm at 70 . . .
Lessons in Chemistry, which I've been anxiously awaiting, has just become available for me at the library so I'll pick that one up today. It will certainly be one of the 5 more I need.
In addition, I am currently part of the way through 3 non-fiction books:
1. Money, Possessions, and Eternity: A Comprehensive Guide to What the Bible Says about Financial Stewardship, Generosity, Materialism, Retirement, Financial Planning, Gambling, Debt, and More
2. The Noom Mindset: Learn the Science, Lose the Weight
3. True North: Discovering God's Way in a Changing World).
Finally, I've been reading through an electronic "boxed set" of three books by Angela Castillo. These are light and short reads and the first two were fun to read. So the third one of these, Inn Dependence should round out the 5.
For a while there, I didn't think I'd make it. But I believe now I will.
You're reading some interesting books and fingers crossed, it looks like you will be able to make your challenge this year!
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I'm at 70 . . .
Lessons in Chemistry, which I've been anxious..."
I have no doubt that you will meet your goal. We have more than a month to go! You've got this!!
Lessons in ChemistryI am sorry to say that I hated this book. It felt completely unreal to me from beginning to end. I was dismayed more than once by vulgarity, and I was frustrated by the author's descriptions of the characters which made me think of Anime characters and not real people.
I tried to hard to like this one but guess it just didn't strike me the way it did most people. I stuck with it to the end hoping to find something more positive . . . but it wasn't there for me.
Karol wrote: "Lessons in ChemistryI am sorry to say that I hated this book. It felt completely unreal to me from beginning to end. I was dismayed more than once by vulgarity, and I was frustrat..."
Don't feel bad, you're not alone. 🤗
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I'm at 70 . . .
Lessons in Chemistry, which I've been anxious..."
I got mine from the library on 23rd Nov! I'm over half way through, not loving it either....
Karol wrote: "Lessons in ChemistryI am sorry to say that I hated this book. It felt completely unreal to me from beginning to end. I was dismayed more than once by vulgarity, and I was frustrat..."
Definitely not alone! It is frustrating when a book sounds like something you would like (and many others do), but you just don't. I didn't even finish it!
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I am sorry to say that I hated this book. It felt completely unreal to me from beginning to end. I was dismayed more than once by vulgarity, and I was frustrat..."
Yikes; a lot of folks are not liking this book! I might have to take it off my tbr.
Patricia wrote: "It is frustrating when a book sounds like something you would like (and many others do), but you just don't. I didn't even finish it!"Patricia, Ruth, and Ioana - thanks for your comments. It's sort of a relief to see I'm not alone. I think the reason I stuck with it to the end was because of all the positive reviews elsewhere and the fact that it was made into a TV series (Netflix? Amazon?). Yep - disappointing all the way through at least for me.
Acquitted, by Kyle RittenhouseI was anxious to hear Kyle's voice because I figured that the media distorted everything. And I believe truly that it has.
I believe Kyle's voice to be genuine. Kyle was NOT a privileged teenager. He was naive. He was a kid in rough circumstances trying to help, trying to do something good but drawn into something terrible by what I would consider to be a lack of wisdom.
This book reflects a true American tragedy. Nobody comes out the winner except maybe the press, and the "legal advisors" who used Kyle for their own gain. But in the end I suspect they will become losers, too.
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Completed: 75 of 75
From my shelves or Kindle:
1. The Bookshop on the Corner, by Jenny Colgan, 4/5 stars, 1/6/2023
2. Til He Come: Communion Meditations and Addresses, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 5/5 stars, 1/9/2023
3. Photo, Snap, Shot, by Joanna Campbell Slan, 3/5 stars, 1/9/2023
4. Make, Take, Murder, by Joanna Campbell Slan, 4/5 stars, 1/28/2023
5. Ready, Scrap, Shoot, by Joanna Campbell Slan, 2/5 stars, 1/30/2023
6. Crooked House, by Agatha Christie, 4/5 stars, 2/14/2023
7. Ordeal by Innocence, by Agatha Christie, 5/5 stars, 2/19/2023
8. Ten Women, by Marcela Serrano, 2/28/2023, 2/5 stars
9. The Price of Paradise, by Susana López Rubio, 4/5 stars, 3/18/2023
10. Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, 4/5 stars, 3/26/2023
11. Marked for Mercy, by Alton Gansky, 4/5 stars, 4/8/2023
12. Death in the English Countryside, by Sara Rosett, 5/5 stars, 4/12/2023
13. The Mysterious Affair at Styles, by Agatha Christie, 4/5 stars, 5/12/2023
14. Toward A New Beginning, by R. William Rogers, 2/5 stars, 5/15/2023
15. 3 Seconds in Bogotá: The gripping true story of two backpackers who fell into the hands of the Colombian underworld., by Mark Playne, 3/5 stars, 5/18/2023
Read for a Challenge or Group Read:
16. Blue Nights, by Joan Didion, 3/5 stars, 1/10/2023
17. The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O'Farrell, 4/5 stars, 1/20/2023
18. The Book Woman's Daughter, by Kim Michele Richardson, 3/5 stars, 1/24/2023
19. Humility: True Greatness, by C.J. Mahaney, 5/5 stars, 1/27/2023
20. The Seven Dials Mystery, by Agatha Christie, 4/5 stars, 2/1/2023
21. Where Leads The Heart, by Colleen Coble, 2/5 stars, 2/4/2023
22. Murder Simply Brewed, by Vannetta Chapman, 3/5 stars, 2/9/2023
23. The Layover, by Lacie Waldon, 3/5 stars, 2/22/2023
24. The Murmur of Bees, by SofÃa Segovia, 4/5 stars, 3/8/2023
25. The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek, by Jane Myers Perrine, 5/5 stars, 3/12/2023
26. The Figaro Murders, by Laura Lebow, 5/5 stars, 3/30/2023
27. Road Trip of Delusion, by Jean Ann Williams, 3/5 stars, 4/12/2023
28. Elusive, by Sara Rosett, 5/5 stars, 4/17/2023
29. The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler, 4/5 stars, 4/18/2023
30. Love in the Time of Bertie, by Alexander McCall Smith, 3/5 stars, 4/25/2023
More from my shelves and Kindle and/or challenges::
31. The Wife Between Us, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, 4/5 stars, 4/30/2023
32. The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek, by Jane Myers Perrine, 5/5 stars, 5/4/2023
33. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg, 4/5 stars, 5/7/2023
34. The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek, by Jane Myers Perrine, 4/5 stars, 5/18/2023
35. Chronicles: The Library of Illumination, by C.A. Pack, 4/5 stars, 5/23/2023
36. Land of My Heart, by Tracie Peterson, 5/29/2023, 4/5 stars
37. Godforsaken: Bad Things Happen. Is There a God Who Cares? Yes. Here's Proof., by Dinesh D'Souza, 6/7/2023, 4/5 stars
38. Daughter of Joy, by Kathleen Morgan, 6/12/2023, 3/5 stars
39. Counting on You, by Lisa Bork, 6/13/2023, 4/5 stars
40. A Cry for Justice, by Shelley Hundley, 6/17/2023, 3/5 stars
41. The Presence, by T. Davis Bunn, 6/20/2023, 2.5 / 5 stars
42. The Black Cat, by Martha Grimes, 6/27/2023, 5/5 stars
43. Vertigo 42: A Richard Jury Mystery, by Martha Grimes, 7/6/2023, 4/5 stars
44. Boost Your Memory: 52 Brilliant Ideas You Won't Forget, by Darren Bridger, 7/10/2023, 3/5 stars
45. The Great Passage, by Shion Miura, 7/14/2023, 5/5 stars
46. Adventures in Appreciation - Standard Second Edition, editors: Walter Loban Luella B. Cook, H. A. Miller, 7/22/2023, 4/5 stars
47. The House by the River, by Lena Manta, 8/3/2023, 1/5 star
48. Secrets, by Kristen Heitzmann, 8/14/2023, 3/5 stars
49. Publishable By Death, by A.C.F. Bookens, 9/10/2023, 4/5 stars
50. Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, 9/11/2023, 3/5 stars
51. Entitled To Kill, by A.C.F. Bookens, 9/19/2023, 4/5 stars
52. Bound To Execute, by A.C.F. Bookens, 9/23/2023, 4/5 stars
53. Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals, by Laurie Zaleski, 10/10/2023, 4/5 stars
54. The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God's Best Version of You by John Ortberg, 10/14/2023, 3/5 stars
55. When You Pray - Bible Study Book with Video Access: A Study of Six Prayers in the Bible, by Kelly Minter, 4/5 stars, 10/28/2023
56. Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs: The Truth About Weight, Why We're Sick, and How to Stay Alive, by David A. Kessler, 4/5 stars, 11/15/2023
57. Secondhand Secrets, by Angela C. Castillo, 4/5 stars, 11/17/2023
58. Blessed Arrangements, by Angela C. Castillo, 4/5 stars, 11/19/2023
59. Inn Dependence, by Angela C. Castillo, 3/5 stars, 11/23/2023
60. Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus, 1/5 stars, 11/30/2023
Absolutely Anything:
61. Insights on Hebrews, by Charles R. Swindoll, 5/5 stars, 2/28/2023
62. Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness, by David A. Powlison, 7/15/2023, 4/5 stars
63. Frontiersman: Daniel Boone and the Making of America, by Meredith Mason Brown, 8/20/2023, 5/5 stars
64. Henry Clay: The Essential American, by David Stephen Heidler, 9/7/2023, 4/5 stars
65. Murder in an Irish Village, by Carlene O'Connor, 10/2/2023, 5/5 stars
66. The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly, 10/8/2023, 4/5 stars
67. A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers, 10/11/2023, 4/5 stars
68. Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt, 10/22/2023, 5/5 stars
69. A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers, 10/23/2023, 4/5 stars
70. The Venetian Affair, by Helen MacInnes, 10/29/2023, 4/5 stars
71. Tragedy at Law, by Cyril Hare, 11/2/2023, 4/5 stars
72. Chasing Fireflies, by Charles Martin, 11/6/2023, 4/5 stars
73. The Noom Mindset: Learn the Science, Lose the Weight, 12/6/2023, 3/5 stars.
74. Acquitted, by Kyle Rittenhouse, 12/8/2023, 3/5 stars
75. The Christmas Shoppe, by Melody Carlson, 12/9/2023, 3/5 stars