Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

So, my 2022 individual challenge was about letting go of reading goals and hold lists and just moving from one good book to another. It worked so well that I'm going to take it a step further in 2023. I'm still going to count books and pages just for fun but I'm not going to use those to quantify my goal. Instead, I'm going to see how many good books I can read. My goal in 2023 is to read at least 5 5-star books, 30 4-star books, and 20 3-star books. I'm going to shoot for an average star rating for the year of 3 stars or above. I'm going to post my Decade(or longer) President's Challenge on this thread but I'm not setting a goal for a certain number read. Instead I'm going for quality. However, many presidents I read this year I'm aiming for an average star rating of 4 stars or above. Let the good times roll!

Decade (or longer) American Presidents Challenge

1. George Washington 1. The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon completed 3/16/20 2. Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy completed 3/31/22
2. John AdamsFirst Family: Abigail and John Adams completed 8/6/20
3. Thomas Jefferson
4. James Madison
5. James Monroe
6. John Quincy Adams
7. Andrew Jackson
8. Martin Van Buren
9. William H. Harrison
10. John Tyler
11. James K. Polk
12. Zachary Taylor
13. Millard Fillmore
14. Franklin Pierce
15. James Buchanan
16. Abraham LincolnTeam of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln completed 9/25/20 And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle completed 4/18/23
17. Andrew Johnson
18. Ulysses S. Grant Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant: All Volumes Volumes 1 & 2 only completed 10/11/22
19. Rutherford B. Hayes
20. James Garfield
21. Chester A. Arthur
22. Grover Cleveland
23. Benjamin Harrison
24. Grover Cleveland
25. William McKinley
26. Theodore RooseveltThe Rise of Theodore Roosevelt completed 11/15/21
27. William H. Taft
28. Woodrow Wilson
29. Warren G. Harding
30. Calvin Coolidge The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge: Authorized, Expanded, and Annotated Edition completed 12/30/21
31. Herbert Hoover
32. Franklin D. Roosevelt No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II completed 11/7/23
33. Harry S. Truman
34. Dwight D. Eisenhower
35. John F. Kennedy
36. Lyndon B. Johnson
37. Richard M. Nixon All the President's Men completed 6/9/23
38. Gerald R. Ford
39. Jimmy CarterHis Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life completed 1/5/23
40. Ronald ReaganAn American Life completed 4/28/22
41. George H. W. Bush
42. Bill Clinton
43. George W. Bush
44. Barack ObamaA Promised Land completed 2/17/21
45. Donald TrumpThe Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir completed 4/6/21
46. Joe Biden

Interesting challenges. I hope you enjoy all of your selections.

Nice approach, Michelle!

The one thing I decided to change about my reading this year was to try to get all my annual challenges that start this month done before 11/30. Every year December is a rush of reading books I'm sick of looking at. This year I'd like December to be me getting to read any darn thing I please!

I hope you enjoy your challenge this year and get many many 5 star books that we all will have to read also! I've been lucky to get one presidential book read each year, and last year, did I even do that? I am going to have to pick up the pace at some point. Maybe after I read the books you've read!

Great idea, Michelle.

Jennifer, I know what you mean about being tired of looking at some of the books on your lists. I have way too many of those. Good luck.

Bill wrote: "Interesting challenges. I hope you enjoy all of your selections."

Thanks Bill!!

Jennifer wrote: "Nice approach, Michelle!

The one thing I decided to change about my reading this year was to try to get all my annual challenges that start this month done before 11/30. Every year December is a ..."

I know right? I always start January with a bang but I end the year with a bunch of leftovers. I haven't figured out how to avoid it.

Lea wrote: "I hope you enjoy your challenge this year and get many many 5-star books that we all will have to read also! I've been lucky to get one presidential book read each year, and last year, did I even d..."

Thanks Lea! Hopefully the only thing that will keep me from meeting my 3- and 4-star goals will be the fact that everything I read was 5-star. Then you guys can stuff your TBRs with great books.

Jackie wrote: "Great idea, Michelle.

Jennifer, I know what you mean about being tired of looking at some of the books on your lists. I have way too many of those. Good luck."


Thanks Jackie!

First book of the year complete!!!

#1 His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life An excellent biography of Jimmy Carter. It shines a light on his many accomplishments, before, during and after his presidency, but does not ignore his faults or mistakes. This unbiased accounting highlights the true contributions of this good man and a life well lived. Because I had read several of Jimmy Carter's books I thought that there wouldn't be anything new here. Not true. So much I did not know or had forgotten. It really put that era of history in perspective for me. 5 Peace-maker stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction-Biography/President Challenge.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 1

Interesting approach, intrigued to see how you manage it.

Great idea and congrats on knocking out the first book!!

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your reading. :)

Thanks Desley! Thanks Alondra! New year New books all good.

#2 Mad Honey A mother struggles against public opinion and her own past in an attempt to save her son. There were a lot of really great twists in this one and, as ever, Jodi Picoult deals expertly with some controversial issues. The bee trivia was also a great addition. I just really enjoyed this one. I'm thinking maybe I need to look for more by Picoult. 4 stars. Audiobook. Contemporary Fiction.

#3 The Serpent in Heaven A new one in the Gunnie Rose series by Charlaine Harris. This book was all from the perspective of Rose's sister. While it was entertaining, I didn't enjoy this POV as much as Rose's. 3 stars. Audiobook. Fantasy/Alternative History.

#4 Lights Out in Lincolnwood It's January so I have to read at least one apocalypse novel. A modern family struggles to understand what has happened when an apparent apocalyptic event puts an end to their comfortable suburban life. I alternated between thinking that this was really funny or really sad. I think that was what the author intended. I debated about the star rating for this one. It wasn't the most moving or the most significant apocalyptic novel that I have read. It didn't even have a ton of great action. Most of the main characters were basically inept and clueless. It was, however, enjoyable, often funny and definitely sharp commentary on our modern plugged in lives. Soooo... 4 why is my phone not working apocalyptic stars. Audiobook. Contemporary Fiction/Apocalypse Novel.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 1
4 stars - 2
3 stars - 1


Currently Reading
A Suitable Boy ebook. Only a few pages a day but I'm determined to finish it.
The Golem and the Jinni Paperback. I want to have enough reading time to get lost in this one.
The Liar's Dictionary Audiobook. Not sure what to make of this one yet.

Wow, you started out the year strong. Sometimes I like to begin the year with the tomes, and take my time reading them throughout the entire year. Like A Suitable Boy. I really want to read it, but it may take me some time!

Lea wrote: "Wow, you started out the year strong. Sometimes I like to begin the year with the tomes, and take my time reading them throughout the entire year. Like A Suitable Boy. I really want to read it, but..."

It definitely is taking some time but slow and steady wins the race. I think it is just too soon after plodding through Cloud Cuckoo Land. Also my actual reading time seems so fragmented I'm having a hard time working my way through weighty tomes. I end up with a lot of audiobooks. That's OK I guess. I enjoy audiobooks too.

Reach for those stars Michelle! Love this idea!

Thanks Alissa!! I think it's going to be fun.

I really like your approach, good luck! I have a similar one, no list just what I hope are good books that are easily abandoned if they are not. It works for me, I hardly ever have any 1-star books.
But I want to get better about the presidents. This year I really don't care about the number of books, so I am ok with huge tomes, which these tend to be.

Thanks Ioana! Those presidents do generate big books. I'm listening to audio books whenever possible.

Great update and progress.

I miss The Golem and the Jinni. Hope you enjoy it. I am not sure about book 2, but we shall see.

Alondra wrote: "Great update and progress.

I miss The Golem and the Jinni. Hope you enjoy it. I am not sure about book 2, but we shall see."

I'm loving it so far Alondra but book 2 gets so much negativity on GR I'll probably have to think about that one a while.

Michelle wrote: "I'm loving it so far Alondra but book 2 gets so much negativity on GR I'll probably have to think about that one a while."

I could not get into it...and I really wanted to like it. Let me know if you read it if I should give it a 2nd chance.

#5 The Liar's Dictionary. This story flipped back and forth between two different employees for the same dictionary in two different timelines. The dictionary stuff was clever and some of the dialog was witty but I have to say neither storyline really grabbed me. I was mostly glad to be done with this one. 2 nonplussed stars. Audiobook. General Fiction/Boring Fiction.

#6 Gideon the Ninth I had a love/hate relationship with this book (a very appropriate reaction if you have read the story). Very detailed world building, great characters, nice concept but waaaaaaay too complicated. And for gosh sakes limit each character's list of names and titles to two max. I don't need to know their nicknames etc. I was going to give it 2 stars just because it was so difficult to follow but I asked myself "Would you read the next installment?" and the answer was "yes" so I added one star. 3 stuck with a new series stars. Audiobook. Fantasy.

#7 The Golem and the Jinni Wow! This was a terrifically original tale. Fantasy and historical fiction meld together beautifully for a soft magical story that I will think about for a long time. 5 bittersweet fantasy stars. Paperback. Historical Fiction/Fantasy.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 2
4 stars - 2
3 stars - 2
2 stars - 1

Currently reading:
A Suitable Boy ebook. Still and always.
The Book Eaters audiobook. Delightfully weird.

I like that these are on your 12+4. What a way to knock out these books!

Kudos, Michelle!

Alondra wrote: "I like that these are on your 12+4. What a way to knock out these books!

Kudos, Michelle!"

Thanks Alondra! I need all the encouragement I can get. I'm trying to stick to the lists as much as possible. But you know - shiny new books.....

#8 The Book Eaters This book was incredibly weird but in the best of ways. The book eaters are an interesting twist on the vampire trope and their dragons?? Well, I don't want to spoil it. And at its heart the story is all about the things you do for the ones you love. Read this one if you are up for something really out-of-the-box. 4 you are what you eat stars. Audiobook. Fantasy/Horror??? Yes, maybe, a little.

#9 I Must Betray You A fictional account of a Romanian teenager who lives through the fall of communism in his country. Excellent! Love this author. Loved this book. Really makes history come to life. 5 freedom stars. Audiobook. Historical Fiction.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 3
4 stars - 3
3 stars - 2
2 stars - 1

Currently Reading:
A Suitable Boy ebook. I may make this book a year long project.
Hunt the Stars audiobook. Another from the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ choice 2022 nominee list.
Hell Bent ebook. Just started.

#10 Hunt the Stars A bounty hunter and her crew are hired by an alien enemy to recover a stolen item. Romance ensues. As a romance book this was fine as SciFi it was a waste. Good ideas but too much time spent pairing everybody off and thinking about how hot everyone is. Surely there are better things to do on a spaceship but then again maybe not. 3 stars. Audiobook. Romance/SciFi (I'm beginning to think those do not go together).

#11 The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America's Wildlands Really fascinating nonfiction. The author uses the search for one missing person to explore the phenomena of people who go missing in the wild. This book covers everything from types of search and search and rescue dogs to cults and bigfoot legend. Really interesting. I highly recommend it to those of you who enjoy true crime reading. 4 Sasquatch stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction.

#12 Fallen 13th in the Kate Burkholder series. This one is probably one of the ones I enjoyed most. Quick, straight-forward and entertaining. One thing though, I don't know if Painters Mill, Ohio is a real place but if it is don't go there. The crime rate has to be off the charts. 4 stars. Audiobook. Mystery/Thriller.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 3
4 stars - 5
3 stars - 3
2 stars - 1

Currently:
Hell Bent ebook. Enjoying this one.
A Suitable Boy ebook. Virtually no progress.
The Lincoln Lawyer audiobook. Checking it off the list.

Michelle wrote: "The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America's Wildlands..."

This looks really interesting. I'm going to add it!!

Have you read The River?? It is a really good book. 2 friends who go on fishing trips, find themselves in the middle of a mystery and possible murder. It was about the adventure and surviving, than the other stuff; but well balanced. IMO

Do try Vanish. It covers a lot of interesting topics. Yes I read the River. Glad you liked it enough to recommend it. I love Peter Heller's writing. There's a sequel you should definitely check it out.

Michelle wrote: "#10 Hunt the Stars A bounty hunter and her crew are hired by an alien enemy to recover a stolen item. Romance ensues. As a romance book this was f..."

I'm looking forward to reading Hell Bent. I've ordered the first book to get started.

Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "#10 Hunt the Stars A bounty hunter and her crew are hired by an alien enemy to recover a stolen item. Romance ensues. As a romanc..."

Just finished it Bill. I think I enjoyed it even more than the first one. Both are good. Loved that the real-world stuff really exists it just isn't all part of a magical society. Well hopefully it isn't. Happy reading.

#13 Hell Bent Leigh Bardugo outdoes herself in this second book in the Alex Stern series. This book goes deeper into the characters. Some of the world building might be a bit vague but the characters and the action are spot on in this series. I enjoy the play of real world against fantasy. 4 stars. Audiobook. Fantasy.

#14 The Lincoln Lawyer. My first dip into this series and Michael Connelly did not disappoint. This one was chock full of great characters including the larger-than-life Mickey Haller. Nice plot too. I couldn't wait to see how he got out of that mess. A new series for me no doubt. 4 stars. Audiobook. Legal Thriller.

#15 Someone Else's Shoes A mix up at the gym creates trouble and shakes up the lives of two middle aged women. I struggled to rate this one. The first half or so of the book was depressing but not at all uninteresting. The last half was less depressing and more action oriented. The final chapters I couldn't put it down. So, 4 couture stars. Audiobook. Contemporary Fiction/Chick Lit

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 3
4 stars - 8
3 stars - 3
2 stars - 1

Currently:
A Suitable Boy ebook. Always.
Three to Get Deadly paperback. I'm just feeling like paperback is the way to read Stephanie Plum. It really takes me back to the 80's. It makes me want to get out my mousse, hot rollers, lip gloss, and shoulder pads.
Sandy Hook ebook. Wow! I can't stop listening. I had no idea.

Oh, good. I'm so glad you liked Hell Bent. I'm really hoping to squeeze that in this year. You're picking some good books and making me rearrange my TBR, and that's a good thing!

Lea wrote: "Oh, good. I'm so glad you liked Hell Bent. I'm really hoping to squeeze that in this year. You're picking some good books and making me rearrange my TBR, and that's a good thing!"

I think I liked Hell Bent better than the first one. Maybe it will come to the top on your TBR shuffle.

I just picked up Someone Else's Shoes at the post office. No idea when I will get to it, but am looking forward to it. You're making great progress!!

I hope you enjoy it Martha. I should have added above that it ends on a positive note. Well worth reading .

#16 Three to Get Deadly I'm loving Stephanie Plum and her zany cast of characters. I also love that the number of the book in the series is actually in the title. That saves a lot of time. These are light funny reads and its great to have a little book candy to turn to when things get too serious. Four stars. Paperback. Mystery/Suspense.

#17 Sandy Hook Wow!!! This was a recommendation from Ioana and I'm so glad I checked it out. This book begins with the Sandy Hook school shooting but focuses not on the original event but on the internet rumor/myth/falsehood that began to circulate almost immediately that the shooting did not really happen. The so-called hoaxers who promoted this rumor began a phenomenon that started at Sandy Hook and culminated in the January insurrection. One of the biggest promoters of the hoax theory and one who benefitted from it was Alex Jones, who was recently and successfully sued by some of the victims' families for his part in the debacle. There was nothing in the book that I had not heard of before, but the book brought all the separate pieces together and showed what a devastating effect it has wrought on so many people and on our country. Really glad I read this one. I won't laugh off the conspiracy theorists in the future. Not because I believe they are right but because I now see how dangerous they can be. 5 anti-conspiracy stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction.

#18 Razorblade Tears Two very different fathers join together to avenge the deaths of their two sons. This book was brutal yet stunning. I have become such a fan of S.A. Cosby. 4 stars. Audiobook. Contemporary Fiction/Thriller.

#19 Four to Score Stephanie Plum gets her ticket and breaks up a counterfeit ring in the process. I took my own prescription after the previous two heavy hitters and laughed through another Stephanie Plum. Who is better Grandma Mazer or Lula? I can't decide. 4 stars. Audiobook. Mystery/Thriller.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 4
4 stars - 11
3 stars - 3
2 stars - 1

Current:

The Heart Principle Audiobook. This one is melting my earbuds! Whew!
Call Us What We Carry ebook. Very good.
A Suitable Boy ebook. I'm just resigned to living with this one a while.
Verity Paperback. I really don't know about this one. More later.

Michelle wrote: "Sandy Hook by Elizabeth Williamson Sandy Hook Wow!!! This was a recommendation from Ioana and I'm so glad I checked it out. "

I'm glad you loved it, but...I don't think it was me who recommended it, it's still on my TBR, I haven't read it yet. Maybe it was Columbine that you're thinking of? Or maybe A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy? Sadly, too many books on this topic already...

Michelle wrote: "#16 Three to Get Deadly I'm loving Stephanie Plum and her zany cast of characters. I also love that the number of the book in the series is actually ..."

The Stephanie Plum series is always good fun.

oops! Sorry Ioana I thought it was you. You are always a good source for excellent Nonfiction recommendations. Anyway whoever it was it was good. Less about the school shooting and more about the internet rabbit hole in the aftermath. Thanks GR friend who was not Ioana for the reccomend.

It is consistently good Bill and can occasionally make me laugh out loud when reading.

Michelle wrote: "#16 Three to Get Deadly I'm loving Stephanie Plum and her zany cast of characters. I also love that the number of the book in the series is actually ..."

Great update, and I added Razorblade Tears and another book from this author because of you and another GR friend. Glad you enjoyed.

I think you will enjoy S A Crosby. I'll be watching for your review.

#20 Verity This book was not terrible, I just didn't like it. From the first line I didn't like it. I didn't like the maybe unreliable narrator. I didn't like the creepy wife in a coma. I didn't like the either sinister or ridiculously stupid (depending on how you read it) leading male. I didn't like all the gratuitous sex scenes thrown in randomly. I didn't like the strange little boy running around in the middle of it all. I didn't like all the dead children. This is the second Colleen Hoover that I have found very disappointing. Maybe I am just over Colleen Hoover. It's a shame because I have enjoyed some of her books so much. 2 (maybe it should have been 3 but I just didn't like it) stars. Paperback. Suspense/Romance??

#21 The Heart Principle I enjoyed this sweet love story. I was just a little put off by the very graphic sex scenes. I didn't appreciate the message I felt it sent about women. I don't think the message I got was the one intended by the author. This was the third in this series that I have read. I don't think I will read a fourth if there is one. The trope is wearing thin for me. 3 stars. Audiobook. Romance.

#22 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow A beautiful book about friendship, love and gaming. It wasn't a book with a perfect fairy tale ending but it was a book that made you happier for having read it. Well deserving of the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Best Fiction of 2022 award. 5 stars. Audiobook. Contemporary Fiction

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 4
4 stars - 12
3 stars - 4
2 stars - 2

Current
A Suitable Boy ebook. Of course.
Call Us What We Carry ebook. I'm slowly working through these poems. So good.
Killers of a Certain Age audiobook. Just started.
One Last Gift Paperback. Sweet and sad.

#23 One Last Gift A story about a young woman's grief for her brother after his death; a posthumously delivered christmas gift and an old friend who helps her overcome it. This was a sad but sweet story. There was romance but I wouldn't call it a romance exactly. The characters didn't always react in ways that I thought were realistic but that is my main criticism. Did I mention it was sad. 3 stars. Paperback. Contemporary Literature.

#24 Killers of a Certain Age An all-female assassin team has miraculously reached the golden age only to find their well-deserved retirement interrupted by someone trying to kill them. Only one thing to do. Go back to work. This book was a hoot. 4 menopausal murder stars. Audiobook. Mystery/Thriller.

#25 Call Us What We Carry A beautiful poetry collection by Amanda Gorman centered around the events of 2020. This poetry does not shy away from the ugliness but it can help heal and inspire compassion. A must read. 5 no better compass than compassion stars. ebook. Poetry.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 5
4 stars - 13
3 stars - 5
2 stars - 2

Current
A Suitable Boy ebook. Now and forever.
Running Blind Paperback. I'm such a Reacher fangirl now.
The Grace of Kings Audiobook. Just settling into this one.

Michelle wrote: "Call Us What We Carry A beautiful poetry collection by Amanda Gorman centered around the events of 2020. This poetry does not shy away from the ugliness but it can help heal and inspire compassion. A must read. 5 no better compass than compassion stars."

You too? I'm not a poetry reader, but everybody raves about Call Us What We Carry. I need to see for myself...

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Call Us What We Carry A beautiful poetry collection by Amanda Gorman centered around the events of 2020. This poetry does not shy away from the ugliness but it can help heal and in..."

This is not the poetry of your high school English class. I think you would find it easy to read and interesting since it references something we all lived through.

It was high school Romanian class, but probably same difference when it comes to poetry.
Funny thing though, I used to love reading poetry and plays (in prose or verse). But we had a wonderful teacher who explained the poetry to us, I was fascinated...