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Vero’s 2024 First Challenge Buffet

Finally succumbed to the lure of all these challenges :O)
Here are the ones I’m looking at:

Challenge #3 - Decade
Challenge #4 - Members Choice
Challenge #5 - Short Story 24
Challenge #7 - Expand Your Horizon with New Authors (6)
Challenge #12 - Series Books � Start, Continue, Complete
Challenge #14 - Rereading Some do Some don’t (choose 5, re-read at least 2)

Personal Challenge - Persephone Challenge

Challenge #3 - Decade

Not sure yet which decade...
1920s / 1930s / 1940s / 1950s

x0
x1
x2
x3
x4
x5
x6
x7
x8
x9

Challenge #4 - Members Choice

1. 19th Century,
2. 20th Century - The Enchanted April 5* review (Mar)
3. 21st Century - Meet Me at the Museum 4.5* review (Jan)
4. A book originally written in a language other than your own - Polish Solaris: The Definitive Edition 4* review (Mar)
5. An Author never read before - Foster 4.5* review (Feb)
6. Diversity Classic, read a book from a religion, culture, country, or race different than yours.
7. Science Fiction/Fantasy - Ship of Magic 4.75* review (Feb)
8. Action/Adventure - Shards of Honor 4* review (Mar)
9. Childrens/Young Adult,
10. Nonfiction Memoir/Biography,
11. Mystery/Thriller - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 4.5* review (Feb)
12. Horror or Humor,

Challenge #5 - Short Story

I have way too many short stories collections and anthologies, in a variety of genres. This would allow me as well to try new authors.



1. The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs (read 12/01 - review - 4*)
2. Babette’s Feast by Karen Blixen (read 15/01 - review - 4.25*)
3. Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (read 26/01 - review - 4.5*)
4. A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell (read Feb - 5*)
5.
6.
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8.
9.
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12.
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15.
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21.
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24.

Challenge #7 - Expand Your Horizon with New Authors

Really looking forward to trying authors I’ve been meaning to for ages.

1. Karen Blixen
2. Claire Keegan
3.
4.
5.
6.

Challenge #12 - Series Books � Start, Continue, Complete

Really up for this one :O) Hope to do most of them, crossing fingers...


* Carry on with The Realm of the Elderlings by reading The Liveship Traders trilogy (and perhaps the next one too):
Ship of Magic read 29/02 (review)
The Mad Ship
Ship of Destiny


* Carry on with the Barchester series with at least one title:
Doctor Thorne


* Finish The Expanse series by reading the last novel and book of short stories:
Leviathan Falls
Memory's Legion


* Read The Long Price Quartet for its amazing character portrayal and development:
A Shadow in Summer
A Betrayal in Winter
An Autumn War
The Price of Spring


* Continue and finish The Children of Time Trilogy:
Children of Ruin
Children of Memory

Challenge #14 - Rereading Some do Some don’t

I re-read a lot so this shouldn’t be too difficult :O)

1. Shards of Honor
2. The Enchanted April
3.
4.
5.

Personal Challenge - Persephone Project

I’ve been collecting Persephone books for quite a few years, which has been lovely. What has been less so is the fact that I haven’t read them, only a handful in fact. Therefore, my goal for 2024 is to read at least 6 of them. Should be feasible?

1. The Winds of Heaven by Monica Dicken - read 19/04 - review - 4.25*
2.
3.
4,
5.
6.

I'm really happy to see you have finally succumbed! Welcome to the buffet, Vero! Happy reading, and enjoy your planning.

Matt wrote: "Good luck on your challenges Vero!"

Shaina wrote: "I'm really happy to see you have finally succumbed! Welcome to the buffet, Vero! Happy reading, and enjoy your planning."

Thank you Matt and Shaina :O)
So many titles out there tempting me. I’m trying to gather quite varied ones so that they’ll fit whatever mood I find myself. Well, that is my plan.

Ah, variety is an excellent plan, Vero. Have a wonderful time with this!

Have fun with your planning. Many of your series are new to me, and I love your Persephone challenge -- I look forward to seeing what you think of these books!

Wobbley wrote: "Have fun with your planning. Many of your series are new to me, and I love your Persephone challenge -- I look forward to seeing what you think of these books!"

Thanks Wobbley :0)
It’s probably because most of those series are speculative fiction. I’m a geek at heart. As for Persephone, I am a huge fan and cannot wait to read more of them.



Kathleen wrote: "Ah, variety is an excellent plan, Vero. Have a wonderful time with this!"

Thanks Kathleen :0)

I read the Persephone novels any time I can get my hands on one. I am going to love watching your progress there!

Sara wrote: "I read the Persephone novels any time I can get my hands on one. I am going to love watching your progress there!"

:O)
I was lucky to be able to go to the shop quite often when they were in London. Would love to go to Bath one day and check their new shop. My first Persephone was back in 2008 but I started ‘collecting� them in 2015.
Decided not to plan which 6 titles I shall read but instead, when the time comes, just pick one and go (lol).

Lucky you! What fun to actually visit the shop. I'll be watching for which ones make the cut.

Welcome Vero!

Welcome, glad you were finally tempted into the buffet. Enjoy!!

Veronique, I'm so glad you mentioned the Persephone novels! I had not heard of them before you and Sara talked about them. I now have the list and am starting to figure out where I can get some of the books to read this year. Surprisingly, I have read eleven of them without even knowing they were on the list! I'm looking forward to this new reading journey. Thanks for the info!

Lynn wrote: "Welcome Vero!"
Bob wrote: "Welcome, glad you were finally tempted into the buffet. Enjoy!!"

Thank you Lynn and Rob. I am very much looking forward to all this :O)


Terris wrote: "Veronique, I'm so glad you mentioned the Persephone novels! I had not heard of them before you and Sara talked about them. I now have the list and am starting to figure out where I can get some of ..."

I’m so pleased, Terris. :O)
Persephone books are wonderful, bringing back all those gems, and has pretty much a ‘cult' following. Looking forward to seeing which titles you go for.

A month gone already. Thankfully, I did get to read some books that fit my many challenges :O)

Challenge #4 - Members Choice

3. 21st Century - Meet Me at the Museum 4.5* review (Jan)
11. Mystery/Thriller - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 4.5* review (Feb)


Challenge #5 - Short Story

1. The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs (read 12/01 - review - 4*)
2. Babette’s Feast by Karen Blixen (read 15/01 - review - 4.25*)
3. Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (read 26/01 - review - 4.5*)

Wow, what a great month -- all your reads here are 4-star or better! I, too, really liked the Ted Chiang book; he's very creative.

Congrats, Vero. Something so charming for me in Babette’s Feast. I have never read Chiang, so I'll have to add that one.

Wobbley wrote: "Wow, what a great month -- all your reads here are 4-star or better! I, too, really liked the Ted Chiang book; he's very creative."

Thanks :0)
Chiang is so talented. Really need to get to his second book of short stories.

Sara wrote: "Congrats, Vero. Something so charming for me in Babette’s Feast. I have never read Chiang, so I'll have to add that one."

I loved Babette’s Feast. So much so that I bought a copy of Out of Africa. As for Chiang, I recommend his most famous story, Story of Your Life. Then you can watch the movie adaptation, which is different but as good and haunting.

Veronique wrote: "As for Chiang, I recommend his most famous story, Story of Your Life. Then you can watch the movie adaptation, which is different but as good and haunting."

I give this a hearty second! Both the story and the movie (Arrival) are very good, though quite different.

Wobbley wrote: "I give this a hearty second! Both the story and the movie (Arrival) are very good, though quite different. ..."

:O)
Have you seen Villeneuve’s adaptation of Dune? It is breath-taking. I re-read Dune a couple of months ago, 25 years after my first, and it was such a better experience, getting the story but also all the thought-provoking elements. Cannot wait for the next film. Considering reading the next book too, Dune Messiah.

I have Out of Africa, but haven't got a copy of Babette's Feast. I'd love to read it--glad you enjoyed it! Great reading so far, Vero.

Good luck on your challenge Veronique : )

Rora wrote: "Good luck on your challenge Veronique : )"

Thank you Rora :O)

Kathleen wrote: "I have Out of Africa, but haven't got a copy of Babette's Feast. I'd love to read it--glad you enjoyed it! Great reading so far, Vero."

Thanks. It is very short :O)

Monthly update :O)

Challenge #4 - Members Choice

7. Science Fiction/Fantasy - Ship of Magic 4.75* - review (Feb)
-> So good! Am enjoying my journey and shall read the next one later this month. I do believe this author would appeal to readers that don’t usually visit the fantasy genre. Hobb not only has a beautiful and surprisingly easy writing style, but she excels at creating characters that are complex, layered and develop. They will frustrate the hell out of you too in their realistic behaviours.
This counts also for Challenge #12 - Series Books � Start, Continue, Complete

5. An Author never read before - Foster 4.5* review (Feb)
-> Finally understand Keegan’s appeal and writing style. I’ve just bought 2 more of her books, Antarctica and Small Things Like These that I look forward to reading.
This counts also for Challenge #7 - Expand Your Horizon with New Authors


Challenge #5 - Short Stories

4. A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell (read Feb - 5*)
-> I love this one so much. I listened to the play, Trifles, and then read the short story. I do prefer the latter one. Also need to read more of Glaspell. Not sure what. Any recommendations?

You are reading several authors that I like, Vero. I have also recently discovered Claire Keegan and enjoy her! Besides Foster and Small Things Like These, I have read So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men. They were good! I look forward to more from her. Let me know if you recommend Antarctica. I had not heard of it.

Also, I recently read (re-read?) A Jury of Her Peers, and loved it (again)! And when you mentioned Trifles I bought it on Amazon for $.22!! It also included the plays: The Outside, The Verge: A Play In Three Acts, and Inheritors: A Play In Three Acts. So, I'll see what I think about those also. I looked at ratings to see what else of hers is highly rated and Fidelity gets 3.94*s. I think I'll put that one my list. I really like her writing and would like to see where she takes me!

Happy Reading and continued success on your Challenges :)

The Ship of Magic is not my usual genre but it has excellent reviews. You’ve sold it in your comments. It’s very long so that was a commitment! Wow great job, Vero!

I just bought Fidelity for $2.99! I thought it was worth it since I can't get it through my library system :)

Terris wrote: "You are reading several authors that I like, Vero. I have also recently discovered Claire Keegan and enjoy her! Besides Foster and Small Things Like These, I have read ..."

Thanks Terris :O)
I wonder if some of the short stories in the anthology you have are also in Antartica. I’ll definitely let you know what I think of them.

Never heard of those plays but I do have Fidelity (nice bargain you found), and also Her America: "A Jury of Her Peers" and Other Stories. Just need to remember to read them.

Lori wrote: "The Ship of Magic is not my usual genre but it has excellent reviews. You’ve sold it in your comments. It’s very long so that was a commitment! Wow great job, Vero!"

Thanks Lori :O)

If I may, don’t start with Ship of Magic. Well, try Assassin's Apprentice first (review). It is much shorter and will give you an idea whether Hobb is for you.

If it works, welcome to the beginning of your journey in the Realm of the Elderlings, 16 books divided into four trilogies and one tetralogy. If it doesn’t work for you, then you can try Ship of Magic, which is the beginning of the second trilogy, but which also works as a trilogy on its very own. Hope I haven’t scared you off?

That’s what I’m doing, reading all these books but taking my time, focusing on one trilogy, having a rest before moving to the next one. Let me know how it goes :O)

Glad to see you liked A Jury of her Peers. One of my favorites and a short story that I wouldn't have read if not for Bob.

Ila wrote: "Glad to see you liked A Jury of her Peers. One of my favorites and a short story that I wouldn't have read if not for Bob."

:O) Was it? Nice!
I discovered it while studying English Lit. It was an incredible module with Glaspell, but also Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wall-Paper (another WOW), Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls, Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, and Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll's House. Mind blowing...

Wow, great progress and all books you loved! I'm going to need to check out A Jury of her Peers...

Wobbley wrote: "Wow, great progress and all books you loved! I'm going to need to check out A Jury of her Peers..."

Thanks :0) Hope you like it.

You can read the story here -

Some great reading, Vero. So nice to find new authors. I haven't read Keegan yet either--maybe Foster is a good place to start. And Susan Glaspell is a new author for me I should get to--thanks for the nudge!

Veronique wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "Wow, great progress and all books you loved! I'm going to need to check out A Jury of her Peers..."

Thanks :0) Hope you like it.

You can read the story here - ..."

Thanks for the link Veronique -- I enjoyed the story!

Wobbley wrote: "Thanks for the link Veronique -- I enjoyed the story!.."

:O)

Mini update

Personal Challenge - Persephone Books

1. The Winds of Heaven by Monica Dickens (read 19/04 - review - 4.25*)
Very readable, and although dealing with a somewhat sad situation, full of humour. Totally recommend.


Challenge #14 - Rereading Some do Some don’t

1. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold (read 10/03 - review - 4.25*)
I’ve enjoyed all of Bujold’s Penric & Desdemona series and felt I really should give her Vorkosigan Saga another go. I did read the first 3 or 4 and enjoyed them, so not sure why I stopped. Anyway.
This counts also for Challenge #4 - Members Choice (8. Action/Adventure)

2. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (read 15/03 - review - 5*)
Enchanting really is the word. I just love returning to this one, and this time I watched the film adaptation too, and it was very good.
This counts also for Challenge #4 - Members Choice (2. 20th century)


Challenge #4 - Members Choice

4. A book originally written in a language other than your own - Polish Solaris: The Definitive Edition (read 28/03 - review - 4*)
Went for this audio as it was the recommended translation (direct from Polish to English).
This is really two types of narratives: one very personal and compelling, the other, scientific and distancing. This push and pull renders the whole rather puzzling, to me. I reckon I need to re-read and mull some more...

Thank you for the introduction to Monica Dickens, Vero! And I too just love Enchanted April. Some good reading!

Kathleen wrote: "Thank you for the introduction to Monica Dickens, Vero! And I too just love Enchanted April. Some good reading!"

Thank you Kathleen :O)
I very much want to read Mariana and One Pair of Hands

Well done Veronique!

I'm actually in the middle of Mariana by Monica Dickens, and really enjoying it so far. This is my first Monica Dickens, and I appreciate your thoughts on The Winds of Heaven.

I've read Solaris, and had about the same reaction as you. And it sounds like Enchanted April should be on my list.

Great progress!

Wobbley wrote: "I'm actually in the middle of Mariana by Monica Dickens, and really enjoying it so far. This is my first Monica Dickens, and I appreciate your thoughts on The Winds of Heaven...."

Thanks Wobbley! Small world :O)
I totally would recommend The Enchanted April. It is pure delight. Well, I hope it is for you too. And it is very funny too.

Another wonderful writer and book, The Enchanted April. You are having a stellar reading year, Vero.