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2022 Independent Challenges
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Alissa's 2022 Challenges
Book #52- The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
3.5 Stars
Lindsey and I are both proud members of the Book of the Month Club, where they send you a new book every month. Do we always read our choices during the month we receive them? manical laughter What do you think??
However, when we both happen to choose the same book for April, we try and see if we can read it together. When we both chose the new book by Ms. St. James, we were all too eager to dive in!
This was a fun spooky hit for both of us. If you like true crime and crotchety old ladies and a good ole fashioned whodunit, then give this one a try! But take the ending with a grain of salt as Lindsey and I both may have gotten headaches from all of the eye-rolling....
Mod
Alondra wrote: "You've been so consistent; and really knocking these books out!! Go, Alissa; Go, Alissa!! 🙌🙌🙌"I'm trying!!! 2022's been good to me so far, I hope it stays!
BTW I'm halfway done with Hawkes Harbor. My heart is rooting for Jamie.
Book #53- Tampa by Alissa Nutting
3 STARS
Trigger Warning: Child Abuse, Pedophilia
Ew...ew.... EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. That's all.
This is the story of a teacher who sexually abuses and starts a physical relationship with her student, but to flip the script, this is about a female teacher and a 14 year old male student. I listened to this audiobook because it's based on the real-life story or Florida teacher Debra Lafave. The author went to high school with her and got the idea for her book from the ordeal. I can't really recommend this book unless you have a strong stomach because the sex scenes are graphic! But overall the story was fast paced and the audiobook had a great narrator. But now I feel like I need to read a happy little story with unicorns and rainbows. ::shudder::
Book #54- Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton
3 STARS
I picked this up after
, and I had no idea she wrote a horror-type novel. I agree with Alondra that this is slow-flow horror so if you're particularly squeamish about scary, you can definitely handle this one.
Book #55- The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and The Glory of Growing Up by Evanna Lynch
4 STARS
Trigger Warning: Anorexia
I picked this one up because Evanna Lynch plays my most favorite Harry Potter character from the books in the last few films. Evanna is the actress who plays Luna Lovegood. Keep in mind, while she does talk about her time with the movies and the cast, this section is approximately 15-20% of the actual memoir. This book focuses on her suffering from an eating disorder starting at age 11, and goes through her many trials and tribulations with hospitalizations, doctor's visits, and a last-ditch effort to save her life in a rehab center.
I listened to the audiobook, which she herself narrated, and it was heartbreaking but also so powerful to hear her story in her own words. Do not sleep on this memoir.
Mod
I'm trying!!! 2022's been good to me so far, I hope it stays!
BTW I'm halfway done w..."
Ugh, I know, right!!?? Like, how did that happen?? That book is bipolar, but I really liked it. *sigh*
Alondra wrote: "Alissa wrote: "Alondra wrote: "You've been so consistent; and really knocking these books out!! Go, Alissa; Go, Alissa!! 🙌🙌🙌"I'm trying!!! 2022's been good to me so far, I hope it stays!
BTW I'm..."
The ending bummed me out girl!!
Book #56, from my 12+4 challenge, Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
3.5 STARS
This book was SO interesting! A historical fiction/science fiction collabo written by an African- American woman. This book was so ahead of its time as it was written in the 1970s. There were some parts that felt a bit muddled but overall the premise of a African-American woman in the 70s time-traveling back to pre-Civil War times and dealing with her family (as well as her white slave owning relative) was so good. Highly recommended!
APRIL RESULT 11 Total Books read:
3 Books
5 Audiobooks
3 Ebooks
A tad bit of a "lighter" month in terms of books finished, but we have officially moved out of our rental house and into our hopefully forever home. Plus I had squirrel brain and couldn't focus on a book (hence why I currently have 6 currently-reading lol)
1 star- 0
2/2.5 Stars- 0
3/3.5 Stars- 7
4/4.5 Stars- 3
5 Stars- 0
# of Books Completed Per Challenge:
12+4: 9/16
#1 in Series: 5/15- I need to show this category more love!!
Continuing: 8/15
Library RorR- 1 quarter complete
Nonfiction/Memoir: 6/30 , 1 DNF, 1 currently reading
40th Bday- 5/41
Best Book: Fractured. I can't wait to see divulging into the Will Trent saga
Worst Book: Beach Club. Definitely forgettable
Biggest Surprise: Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, definitely the one I would recommend from the choices this month.
Currently Reading/Listening:
Since We Fell- audiobook. I was bored for the first 20% of it but then something happens and I was like ah nowwwww we're getting somewhere! (On a side note, this was Dennis Lehane's last novel and it was published in 2017. What the heck man??)
Elantris- audiobook. I'm usually not a fan of this type of fantasy but I am digging it so far.
Razorblade Tears - physical book, a former BOTM choice that I'm finally getting around to. If this tale of two former ex-cons, one white, one black, decide to seek vigilante justice over the deaths of their gay married sons DOESN'T get made into a film I will be shocked...
To Kill a Mockingbird-physical book- was in the mood to revisit an old friend.
The Poisonwood Bible- ebook. I'm starting to see what all of the fuss is about and I don't know why I waited to long to read it!
On my May List:
The Blue Bistro- Buddy read!
These Violent Delights
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot
Ordinary Grace
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Small Favor
Mod
11 Total Books read:
3 Books
5 Audiobooks
3 Ebooks
A tad bit of a "lighter" month in terms of books finished, but we have officially moved out of our rental house and into our hope..."
Excellent month. I revisit Mockingbird too once in awhile. Still love it. Nice to hear you're enjoying Poisonwood. It surprised me too. I'll be interested to see what you think of World War Z. I've got his next book on my shelf.
Congratulations on the move. I am impressed that you managed time to read, when I moved I was brain dead and even though reading is relaxing I was to tired to try.
Mod
Same here. I actually enjoyed this book. I remember reading this is like 2 days, because it was so good. Thats just me though... 😬
Book #57: Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane
4 STARS
Any interesting slow burner about an agoraphobic who has to face the facts that the man she married may have some dark secrets she will have to face.
This book was recommended to me by a person in my TBR To Be Referred ŷ group where people choose books off one of your tbr shelves. I was glad this was chosen for me, as this was written in 2017 and even though I love Lehane's books I feel like this one slipped under the radar.
This was an interesting one, because to be honest the audio version was boring in the beginning and I kept waiting for it to pick up. But when it did..... ooohhhhhhh boy. This didn't have as much as the dirty grit we come to know and love from Lehane's novels but I still enjoyed it.
However, the giant travesty that I must discuss is that it was written in 2017. This is Lehane's latest novel.... comeeeeeeeeeeee onnnnnnnnnnnnn Dennis I neeed new Lehane material =)
Alissa wrote: " APRIL RESULT 11 Total Books read:
3 Books
5 Audiobooks
3 Ebooks
A tad bit of a "lighter" month in terms of books finished, but we have officially moved out of our rental house and into our hope..."
11 books in the month that you were moving? That’s fantastic! When I helped my dad move in February, I ended up reading 1 book. Just 1, lol
Happy May reading
Lillie wrote: "11 books in the month that you were moving? That’s fantastic! When I helped my dad move in February, I ended up reading 1 book. Just 1, lol."LOTS of audiobooks lol
Mod
4 STARS
Any interesting slow burner about an agoraphobic who has to face the facts t..."
Great review. I have not read him yet (surprise, surprise!!), but I do have his work on my TBR. Of course, this is the same author who wrote Mystic River, which is still so heart breaking for me after watching the movie. Shutter Island, too. I just can't. Maybe, I will read this one.
Mod
5 STARS
A re-read.
Hey Boo."
I agree.
Alissa wrote: "Book #58- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee5 STARS
A re-read.
Hey Boo."
I've loved that book since we read it at school as a teenager
Mod
😂😂🤣🤣🤣
Book #59 The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman
4 STARS
I won this book in a ŷ Giveaway.
You guys. Words can't express how much joy this book gave me. I LOVE grandmother-granddaughter stories and this book was a shining example of the special bond between the family bond.
This story is told in alternating timelines, between Sara, a Jewish immigrant coming to America at the beginning of a new century with her family at age 10, and discovering early on her special gift- she can see soulmates (literally a beam of light will appear only to her when two people meet). Her father advises her she has a special gift to become a matchmaker. This was an actual paid service/job at the turn of the century and I was fascinated learning about this while reading.
Then we are introduced to Abby. Her granddaughter who became a divorce lawyer after a tumultuous childhood where her parents splitting up erased any ideals she had on marriage. Her story is told in 1994 as she mourns the death of her grandmother. She is bequeathed her grandmothers journals and quickly discovers there is more to her grandmother than initally thought .
I devoured this book in days and it left me with such warmth in my soul. This book doesn't come out until September 2022 but do yourself a favor and add it to your To Be Read shelf. You will not regret it.
Sounds like a fantastic book! Putting it on my tbr
Lillie wrote: "Sounds like a fantastic book! Putting it on my tbr"It was SO good! And i praised it on my IG page and the author responded. So neat!
Book #60: The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand
3 STARS
This is another early work of Elin Hilderbrand and it shows a different side of Nantucket. Instead of the quirky mom-and-pop restaurant or a dive bar, we are introduced to fine dining within the Blue Bistro.
Don't read this book while hungry, you will regret it =) Overall, the story was fine, but I felt like the main character should not have been Adrienne, the new-to-Nantucket, fish out of water trying to find her place in the world. I wanted Fiona, the gruff, tiny but mighty chef of the Bistro who had so many layers to her. Adrienne seemed more one-dimensional to me, and I wanted less of her and more of Fiona.
Book #61: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
4 STARS
The friendship of a 17 year old girl with a terminal illness and and 83 year old elderly woman in a hospital who decide to celebrate turning 100 (17+83) together by doing drawings/paintings of every year of their collective lives.
Oh my heart. The story just got better and worse at the same time for each chapter. I devoured this book and also savored it simultaneously. It was so amazing.
Book #62: Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
3 STARS
Two gay married men, one white, one black, are gunned down in cold blood, and the police have no leads or ideas on who is responsible. Enter their fathers- Ike, a black former gang member, and Buddy Lee, a racist white down-on-his-luck former prisoner, who have decided enough is enough and decide to seek vigilante justice.
This story was fine but I almost felt like the author tried too hard to turn some of the characters "woke" in a short amount of time. Changing a matter of opinion takes time, although I do understand the notion of "too little too late" and "I should have told him when I had the chance". And the ending was so ridiculously over the top . But overall, the writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the journey this book took me on.
Finished another book off my Birthday list.Book #63: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
3.5 STARS
I listened to the audiobook and I loved it. I love interview-type novels (Sleeping Giants, Daisy Jones & The Six) and while this one wasn't as glorious and those two, it was still pretty good!
Reading/listening to it in 2022 however, you can't help but make comparisons to how the government/social media reacted to the zombie war and compare it to the covid pandemic. Pretty eye-opening/ depressing.
Alissa wrote: "Finished another book off my Birthday list.Book #63: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
3.5 STARS
I listened to the audiobook and I loved i..."
I think we share a passion for the interview style audiobook. I liked WWZ too. So much better than the lame movie. Glad you enjoyed it!
Mod
Book #63: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
3.5 STARS
I listened to the audiobook and I loved i..."
I liked the format and the story on the whole. So much better than the movie, which was still entertaining. If you like this style of book, try War Day by Whitley Streiber.
Bill wrote: "Alissa wrote: "Finished another book off my Birthday list.Book #63: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
3.5 STARS
I listened to the audioboo..."
Just added it! Thanks Bill!!
Finished another book off my Birthday list.Book #64: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
4 STARS
I'm pretty sure Ioana has been bugging me to read this for years. Girl, I finally did it lol
This book is the definition of a saga for sure. A Christian family sent to Africa via a mission trip and all the trials and tribulations along the way. The daughters were so different, and I loved that each chapter is a different point of view. This one takes time to get through it, but it was definitely worth it!!
Mod
Book #64: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
4 STARS
I'm pretty sure Ioana has been bugging me to read this for ye..."
Nice to see that you liked it. I was pleasantly surprised by it when I tried it. I do like a well-written wandering sort of story.
Mod
Book #63: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
3.5 STARS
I listened to the audiobook and I loved i..."
Yay, glad you enjoyed this Alissa!! I love interview type stories, and letters, news clippings. Makes it feel more real... the next pandemic will probably be zombies. 🧟♀️🧟♀️🧟♀️🧟♀�
Alissa wrote: "Alissa (friend)5028 books | 445 friends
see comment history Finished another book off my Birthday list.
Book #63: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
3.5 STARS
I listened to the audiobook and I loved it. I love interview-type novels (Sleeping Giants, Daisy Jones & The Six) and while this one wasn't as glorious and those two, it was still pretty good!"
I tried reading this book but maybe I need to listen to it because the 2 books you mentioned were the ones I loved in audio format. Off to add another book to my list :)
Completed another off my birthday list.Book #65: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
3 Stars
An epic fantasy this was. If I would have picked up the physical book, it would have tipped the scales at 622 pages. However, I opted for the audiobook version which is why finishing this took me forever!
I usually shied away from Brandon Sanderson, merely because I wasn't sure if his fantasy world was the same as my ideal fantasy world. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Good vs evil, a mysterious illness, comedic sidekicks, a princess who is anything but a damsel in distress and takes no crap from anyone? Sign me up! I would definitely like to try more of his works.
Book #66- Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
3 STARS
This book was recommended by me, and I was fascinated with the story of Pheby Brown, who was promised her freedom from slavery on her 18th birthday and instead was sold and forced into becoming the mistress of the conniving and terrible jail owner of the Devil’s Half-Acre, a jail where slaves are broken, tortured, and sold every day. This is based on a true place- Lumpkin's Jail- which I had never heard of but was humbled to learn of its history.
This was an overall good story but be warned as there are very graphic scenes of rape, torture and deaths of infants. However, it's still an extremely important part of history that needs to be told.
Book #67: Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me by Adrienne Brodeur
3 STARS
This is a tough memoir to critique. I liked it. Sort of. Considering not a lot really happens, I still needed to keep reading it. The title of the book basically says it all. At 14, Adrienne is woken up by her mother after a get -together with parents good friends, Ben & Lily, to excitably exclaim "Ben kissed me!". Adrienne's manipulative shrew of a mother then pulls her 14 year old daughter as her confidante as she starts an illicit affair with her neighbor and husband's best friend.
This mother was so infuriating, and many times I wanted Adrienne to say Enough is Enough! This story read pretty well, but there's not too much happening with it.
I may have a problem. As it'll be June, aka 6th month of the year, aka 2022 is half over, I may be working on what lists to have for my Individual Challenge for 2023.So far I have check lists 6-7 challenge ideas......
teehee
Alissa wrote: "I may have a problem. As it'll be June, aka 6th month of the year, aka 2022 is half over, I may be working on what lists to have for my Individual Challenge for 2023.So far I have check lists 6-7 challenge ideas......"
Haha, you're almost as bad as me. (I have been working on filling in the gaps for my Individual Challenge since the beginning of the year...and many ideas for the next two years also...with some space for new books...
You two are terrible!! Now I’m starting to think about next year’s list 😂
Lillie wrote: "You two are terrible!! Now I’m starting to think about next year’s list 😂"Nooooooo Lillie, resist the dark side…😈�
〰️ٳ〰️ wrote: "Nooooooo Lillie, resist the dark side…😈�"🏃🏻♀� 🏃🏻♀�
I'm trying but it's so haaaaard!! 📚📝 are my kryptonite
I can only think how to catch up on my 12+4, never mind next year!!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "I can only think how to catch up on my 12+4, never mind next year!!"Me too! I’m just scratching my head thinking why did I pick these books�. Late spring hits and my interest wanes�.😏
That's why I try and align mine with my themed months, but the last two months haven't worked, so in August, I'm going to use my wildcard month and catch up on it.
〰️ٳ〰️ wrote: "Lillie wrote: "You two are terrible!! Now I’m starting to think about next year’s list 😂"Nooooooo Lillie, resist the dark side…😈�"
The dark side is the beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeest, we have the best snacks ;-)
Book #68- Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close
3.5 STARS
This book was a BOTM choice that I did not choose for my monthly Book of the Month, but the premise- a family drama involving the local family restaurant, and the comradery/complexity of having a close-knit family- made me go ahead and request this at the library. I really enjoyed this one.
On The Same Page
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Every Summer After (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Christina Lauren (other topics)Kennedy Ryan (other topics)
John Boyne (other topics)
Holly K. Dunn (other topics)
Jennifer Finney Boylan (other topics)
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4.5 STARS
This is the second book in the Will Trent series, and boy was it a doozy!! I could not listen to this audiobook fast enough, and I had a range of emotions listening to it. I love perfectly imperfect characters, and Will Trent is a great example of this, being a cop that doesn't look nor act like a cop, but gets the job done.