Fairywings returns to try again in 2019

Hi my name is Adrienne, I am 47, live in Brisbane Australia, have 18 yr old twin boys living at home who just graduated High School. I am a Teacher Aide, I work with special needs kids on the primary school level and I work at a small primary school on the Gold Coast.

I love reading a wide range of books but my favourite is paranormal.

October last year was my 10th anniversary as a librarything member. Unfortunately I was MIA last year but I'm hoping to be online a lot more this year.

One of my goals for this year is to clean up the books on my tablet a bit. I keep downloading free books but never get around to reading them, so my challenge is to not purchase or download before I've read some already there.

BOMS 17
BOMT 12
LIB 64

Purchases
I'm only going to record physical books here, since it would take up way to much space to detail all the e-books I download for free on my tablet.

January
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Maximum Ride: Max by James Patterson
Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk

March
Less by Andrew Sean Greer

April
Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between by Jennifer E. Smith
Love and Friendship: In which Jane Austen's Lady Susan Vernon is entirely vindicated by Whit Stillman
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory
The Ask And The Answer by Patrick Ness
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare
The Plus One by Sophia Money-Coutts
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

May
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
Reflection: A Twisted Tale by Elizabeth Lim
As Old As Time: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell

June
The First Confessor by Terry Goodkind
The Book Ninja by Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus
The Fractured Life Of Jimmy Dice by Ronan Ryan

September
The Heart of the Ritz by Luke Devenish. This one was actually a free give-away by Simon and Schuster Australia through Goodreads
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Poison Studyby Maria V. Snyder
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
The Stone Demon by Karen Mahoney
The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman. Another Simon and Schuster give-away through Goodreads

January
1 Chance Encounter: A Chance and A Hope Book 1 by SJ McCoy On my Tablet
2 That Guy by Belle Brooks On my Tablet
3 Surviving the Evacuation: London by Frank Tayell On my Tablet
4 Zombies vs The Living Dead by Frank Tayell On my Tablet
5 Dangerous Voices by Rae Carson On my Tablet
6 Belgareth The Sorcerer by David Eddings Off my Shelves
7 The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling Off my Shelves
8 Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings Off my Shelves
9 The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson Libraray
10 Tears Of The Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith Off my Shelves
11 Queen Of Sorcery by David Eddings Off my Shelves
12 Persuasion by Jane Austen Off my Shelves
13 Magician's Gambit by David Eddings Off my Shelves
14 Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian Library
15 To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han Library
16 Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings Off my Shelves
17 Enchanter's End Game by David Eddings Off my Shelves

February
18 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Off my Shelves
19 The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare Library
20 The Governess Game by Tessa Dare Library
21 Smart Tass by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff On my Tablet
22 The Final Piece by Maggi Myers On my Tablet
23 The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su Off my Shelves
24 Always The Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk Off my Shelves
25 Emma by Jane Austen Off my Shelves
26 The Nanny by Melissa Nathan Library/ Audio
27 Pride by Ibi Zoboi Library
28 The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff Library
29 They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera Library
30 Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren Library/ Audio
31 Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card Library/ Audio
32 Red Prophet (Tales of Alvin Maker, book 2) by Orson Scott Card Library/ Audio
33 The Problem with Forever (Harlequin Teen) by Jennifer L. Armentrout Library/ Audio
34 Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits by Mary Jane Hathaway Library
35 The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells Library/ Audio

March
36 Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Off my Shelves
37 The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice by Abigail Reynolds Library
38 Mr Darcy's Obsession by Abigail Reynolds Audible Audio loan
39 The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen Library/ Audio
40 Mr Darcy's Undoing by Abigail Reynolds Library
41 Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld Library/ Audio
42 Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson Library/ Audio
43 An Eligible Bachelor by Veronica Henry Library/ Audio
44 The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris Library/ Audio
45 Venetia by Georgette Heyer Library/ Audio
46 The Princess Bride by William Goldman Library/ Audio
47 Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer Library/ Audio
48 The Book Of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdoch Library
49 A Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer Library/ Audio

April
50 Graceling by Kristin Cashore Off my Shelves
51 Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett Library/ Audio
52 Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd Library/ Audio
53 Lizzie & Darcy by Alyxandra Harvey On my Tablet
54 The Miser of Mayfair by M. C. Beaton Library
55 Prentice Alvin by Orson Scott Card Library/ Audio
56 Only Mr Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise Library
57 Less by Andrew Sean Greer Off my Shelves
58 Mr Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton Library
59 Alvin Journeyman by Orson Scott Card Library/ Audio
60 Mr Darcy's Bite by Mary Lydon Simonsen Library
61 Plain Jane by M C Beaton Library/ Audio
62 Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise Library
63 The Perfect Bride for Mr Darcy by Mary Lyndon Simonsen Library
64 The Wicked Godmother by M. C. Beaton Library/ Audio
65 Rake's Progress by M. C. Beaton Library/ Audio

May
66 The Watchmaker's Daughter by C. J. Archer Library/ Audio
67 Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Library/ Audio
68 The Mapmaker's Apprentice by C. J. Archer Library/ Audio
69 The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah Maclean Library/ Audio
70 Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews Library/ Audio
71 A Scot in the Dark by Sarah Maclean Library/ Audio
72 The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn Library/ Audio

June
73 Never Too Late by Robyn Carr Library/ Audio
74 Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Library/ Audio
75 Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn Library/ Audio
76 We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist Library/ Audio
77 As Old As Time by Liz Braswell Off My Shelves
78 The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith Library/ Audio
79 Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippencott Library/ Audio

July
80 Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M. C Beaton Library/ Audio
81 A Country Escape by Katie Fforde Library
82 Pride and Premiership by Michelle Gayle Library/ E-Book
83 Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn On My Tablet
84 Jared's Quest by Chanda Hahn On My Tablet

August

September
85 Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Rigaud Library/ E-Book
86 Fix her up by Tessa Bailey Library/ Audio
87 Wrong About the Guy by Claire LaZebnik Library/ E-Book
88 Only You by Denise Grover Swank Library/ Audio
89 Anatomy Of A Misfit by Andrea Portes Library/ Audio
90 The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer Library/ Audio

October
91 Working Vacation by Annabelle Love On My Tablet
92 Fairest by Chanda Hahn On My Tablet
93 Fairest by Gail Carson Levine Library/ E-Book

I'm going to give the popsugar challenge a go this year, not organised enough to already have books chosen but will update the list as I read them and mark it off.

1. A book becoming a movie in 2019
2. A book that makes you nostalgic - The Princess Bride by William Goldman
3. A book written by a musician
4. A Book that should be turned into a movie
5. A Book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads
6. A Book with a plant in the title or cover
7. A reread of a favourite book - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
8. A book about a hobby
9. A book you meant to read in 2018 - The Tales of Beadle the Bard by J. K. Rowling
10. A book with "pop," "sugar," or "challenge" in the title
11. A Book with an item of clothing on the cover - Always The Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk
12. A book inspired by mythology, legend, or folklore - Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
13. A book published posthumously - Persuasion by Jane Austen
14. A book you see someone reading on a TV or a movie
15. A retelling of a classic - The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su
16. A book with a question in the title
17. A book set on a college or university campus - Smart Tass by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
18. A book about someone with a superpower
19. A book told from multiple POV - An Eligible Bachelor by Veronica Henry
20. A book set in space
21. A book by two female authors
22. A book with a title that contains "salty" "sweet" "bitter" or "spicy"
23. A book set in Scandinavia
24. A book that takes place in a single day - They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
25. A debut novel - The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson
26. A book that's published in 2019
27. A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature - Mr Darcy's Bite by Mary Simonsen (werewolf)
28. A book recommended by a celebrity you admire - Emma by Jane Austen
29. A book with "love" in the title - To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
30. A book featuring an amateur detective - Tears Of The Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
31. A book about a family - Mansfield Park by Jande Austen
32. A book written by an author from Asia, Africa, or South America
33.A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in the title
34. A book that includes a wedding - Only Mr Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise
35.A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter - That Guy by Belle Brooks
36. A ghost story
37. A book with a two word title -Magician's Gambit by David Eddings
38. A novel based on a true story - The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
39. A book revolving around a puzzle or game
40. freebie - Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings

Advanced section of the popsugar challenge, had to move some posts around as this section wasn't showing up with the rest of the challenge

Advanced
41. A "Cli-Fi" (Climate Fiction) book - Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
42. A choose your own adventure book
43. An own voices book - We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist
44. Read a book during the season it is set in
45. A LitRPG book - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
46. A book with no chapters, unusual chapter headings or unconventionally numbered chapters - Surviving the Evacuation: London by Frank Tayell
47. Two books that share the same title (1) - Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
48. Two books that share the same title (2) - Fairest: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 2 by Chanda Hahn
49. A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom (eg: Big Brother from 1984)
50. A book set in an abbey, cloister, monestary, vicerage or convent.

Welcome back!

>10 drneutron: Thanks Jim. Hopefully nothing goes wrong this year and I can hang in there till the end

1. Chance Encounter: A Chance and A Hope book 1 by SJ McCoy.

Bit of angsty chic lit to start the year, nice ending to this story but there are two more books in the series.

2. That Guy by Belle Brooks

This is a hilarious read, chic lit sure but super funny.

3. Surviving the Evacuation: London by Frank Tayel.

The first book in a Zombie apocalypse series.

Pretty good read, the story unfolds as journal entries. The main character is stuck in a house in London because of a broken leg and was unable to join the evacuation. Turns out that was a good thing, but he's been left alone to fend for himself. The entries follow his struggle to become fit enough to leave the house and try to get out of the city.

Happy New Year!

Happy reading in 2019, Adrienne!

Happy 2019
A year full of books
A year full of friends
A year full of all your wishes realised

I look forward to keeping up with you, Adrienne, this year.

>15 The_Hibernator:, Happy New Year to you too Rachel.
>16 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita. Happy reading to you too.
>17 PaulCranswick: Happy New Year Paul, I will try very hard to keep up with you this year.
I will also work harder to stay online this year and keep up my reading log

4. Zombies vs The Living Dead by Frank Tayell

This is a quick read, a companion to Surviving the Evacuation; London, the events happen at the same time as the London book. This takes place in a nursing home in a small village outside London.

5. Dangerous Voices by Rae Carson

A short story that was a bit confusing because there is no beginning or end really, no details to explain why they are doing the things they are.

Looks like your reading year is off to a good start, Adrienne!

>21 alcottacre:. Hi Stasia, Yes I'm pretty happy with my start to the year, much better than the last couple of years. Hopefully the momentum will continue when I go back to work.

So today I had to take one of the twins laptops to get fixed and they said it would take an hour to reboot it, so I went for a walk around the shops to kill some time. Ended up walking out with a new book and still had to wait an extra 30 minutes for the laptop to finish updating.

So far this year I've bought more books than I've read, hmmm.

So far this year I've bought more books than I've read, hmmm.

Story of my life... 😀

>24 drneutron: I think I've described most of us here Jim.

I try to keep track of the books I buy every year but usually I end up forgetting to add them here or in the case of the annual visit to the Lifeline Bookfest the haul of books usually make it a little overwhelming.

6. Belgareth The Sorcerer by David Eddings

This book was written after the Belgariad series (as most prequels tend to be) but is the prequel to the series. If you haven't read the series before I wouldn't start with this one.

This series is a re-read for me. It's been around 20 years or so since I read it and it's been sitting on my shelves calling out to me for a while now.

7. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K.Rowling

Nice quick little read with stories that are the wizarding worlds version of fairy tales.

8. Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings

This is the first book of the Belgariad series.

9. The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson

This was a fun enemies to lovers story. Set in a private school for gifted or genius teenagers. Trixie and Ben have been enemies since the first grade but in their senior year their respective best friends become a couple and they are forced into each others company all the time. The friend group forces them to be nice to each other and eventually they discover each others virtues.

10. Tears Of The Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith

This is the second book in the The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

Hope your weekend has been a good one, Adrienne.

Thanks Paul, it was filled with lots of quite time and reading :)

11. Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings

This is book 2 of the Belgariad series.

>26 fairywings: I enjoy the Belgariad series quite a bit. I think I re-read the entire series either last year or the year before. That series was pretty much my introduction to the fantasy genre. I read it before The Lord of the Rings even.

>29 fairywings: That one sounds fun. I will have to see if I can get hold of a copy.

Happy Monday, Adrienne!

>34 alcottacre: Stasia to this day I still haven't actually read The Lord of the Rings, I know *gasp in horror*. My dad read the Hobbit to me when I was little (wonderful bedtime reading for 6yr olds lol). The Belgariad was one of the first I read as a teen also, decided I was due for a re-read.

I forgot to mention there are lots of geek or nerd references in The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You which greatly add to the entertainment, also they are calling it a modern day telling of Much Ado About Nothing.

12. Persuasion by Jane Austen

As well as my re-read of the Belgariad series, I will be reading one Austen novel each month. Normally I only do a re-read of Pride and Prejudice every year, and Persuasion a little less often. However this year I decided to read them all again.

13. Magician's Gambit by David Eddings

Book Three in the Belgariad series

14 Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian

This would have to be one of the most emotional books I have ever read. It covers the really hefty topic of mental illness and teen suicide.

Since Ava lost Kelly, things haven't been going so well. Even before she gets thrown out of school for shouting at the principal, there's the simmering rage and all the weird destructive choices. The only thing going right for Ava is her job at Magic Kebab.

Which is where she meets Gideon. Skinny, shy, anxious Gideon. A mad poet and collector of vinyl records with an aversion to social media. He lives in his head. She lives in her grief. The only people who can help them move on with their lives are each other.

15. To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

After the intensity of Beautiful Mess I wanted to read something light and fluffy. This was a fun read but probably not as light and fluffy as I was expecting.

16. Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings

Book Four in the Belgariad series.

17. Enchanter's End Game by David Eddings

Book Five in the Belgariad series. This is the final book in this story line. The next book is the prequel Belgareth The Sorcerer which I read first (not recommended if you haven't already read the series since it is riddled with spoilers to the series).

18. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A re-read of one of my favourite novels.

>42 fairywings: One of my favorites. Though I prefer Sense and Sensibility.

>43 The_Hibernator: I haven't read any other Austen, besides Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion for a few years now. Those two are my favourites so I do read them usually once a year. But this year I am planning on reading the rest of them again along with trying to read (or re-read in some cases) other classics already in my library. I was aiming for one a month but I struggle to stretch things out and could end up reading them more frequently.

19. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

20. The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

I'm really enjoying this little series of Dare's, I will probably be waiting impatiently for the third book to be released and picked up by my library.

The characters in both The Duchess Deal and The Governess Game are wonderfully funny, mostly intelligent and oh so complicated.

21. Smart Tass by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Well I finally got around to another owned book from my tablet.

This is a friends to enemies to lovers book with some funny moments. She's a nerd, he's a jock. Very entertaining.

>35 fairywings: Not read Lord of the Rings?!

Adrienne, I am still catching my breath.

>48 PaulCranswick: I know, I know Paul. I spent a lot years trying to wheedle a really beautiful copy of the book my father had out of him, so convinced he would finally give in I never thought of buying my own copy. Sadly that copy was lost to a flooded garage with all of my parents boxed up things that had not been unpacked yet. I have since bought my own copy of the trilogy but just never got to it. I'm hoping to get to it soon. Also thinking that a read of the Hobbit now would surely have a different affect on me than when I was a child.

22. The Final Piece by Maggi Myers

This is a very powerful and emotional read. I have read plenty of books in my time that made me feel something or even shed a few tears while reading, but this one had me totally heart broken and ugly crying so many times.

Beth Bradshaw has spent her life hiding from her tragic past. From the moment a trusted family friend steals her innocence until the moment another rescues her, she struggles to just survive. Surrounded by the comfort and protection of her extended family, Beth embarks on a journey of healing far from the horrors of her home.

23. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su

This one covers the retelling of a classic for the popsugar challenge.

It's a modern day telling of Pride and Prejudice. The concept is great but I think if you're going to modernise the story you have to update all of the language aswell. Some scenes felt like they were back in the Regancy era, while the rest of the story is set in modern day California.

Even so it was still a fun read, especially for a P and P fan.

24. Always The Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk

The comedy of errors it this book were cringeworthy in some places. Daily Express called it hilarious but honestly I did not find it so. It was tolerable to read but it has taken me a while to finish it since I kept putting it down after a couple of chapters in favour of the many other books I've read so far this year.

25. Emma by Jane Austen

26. The Nanny by Melissa Nathan

Still churning out the books, I see, Adrienne.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Yes Paul, I'm trying to keep up the pace.

Thanks I hope your Sunday is lovely too.

27. Pride by Ibi Zoboi

This is another retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Well maybe not retelling as such since there are so many things different and interesting about this book, maybe more inspired by would suit better.

Zuri Benetiz is from Haitian/ Dominacan decent living with her family in a Brooklyn Ghetto neighbourhood. The old rundown house/estate across the road has been bought by rich people and renovated into a mini mansion that is totally out of place in this "hood". The Darcy family move in, all beautiful African American and totally stuck up.

This was a wonderful take on P and P, very fresh and edgy and showing that the whole class system that Austen wrote about 2 centuries ago still holds true today.

28. The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

Grace Healey is rebuilding her life after losing her husband during the war. One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, she finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station.

Grace soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, leader of a ring of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. Twelve of these women were sent to Occupied Europe as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home, their fates a mystery. Setting out to learn the truth behind the women in the photographs, Grace finds herself drawn to a young mother turned agent named Marie, whose daring mission overseas reveals a remarkable story of friendship, valor and betrayal.

This book is classed as historical fiction, while characters and some of the events are fictional this work is based on real events of WWII, female agents were sent in to Europe to assist the resistance and many of them did not make it home.
I love books like this. This one was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it if you enjoy this type of fiction.

29. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

I almost stopped reading this after only a couple of pages because the beginning was so strange with no context, or previous knowledge to draw on it was a little confusing and pretty weird.

I guess it's a bit dystopian with the premise being that for the past few years there has been a service pop up called Death Cast. This service calls people between midnight and three am to tell them that in the next twenty-four hours they will die. No one knows how they know who is going to die, but they all know that without exception every one who get's the call dies by the end of that day. It's a little weird to be following around a couple of kids on their "end day" as it's called but I'm glad I kept reading. The story had some great moments to it, and even thought the title says as much and you know it's coming, it was still heart breaking when the end finally came.

30. Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren

Ellie and Carter meet at a party thrown by mutual friends. They are both talent agents in LA and married to their jobs with little time for relationships. They start to form a tentative relationship when their respective companies wind up merging and they are forced into competing with each other for Ellie's job. They spend the majority of the book with a lot of miss-communication and sabotaging each other trying to avoid the sexual tension running rampant between them.

It wasn't a bad read, pretty entertaining in some places.

31. Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card

First book in the Tales of Alvin Maker series.

32. Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card

Book 2 in The Tales of Alvin Maker series.

>44 fairywings: I often try to read lots of classics - one a month if I can. But I always end up tapering off to one every couple of months. Oh well.

>64 fairywings: Yeah sometimes it's hard to read classics when there are so many shiny new things to read

33. The Problem with Forever (Harlequin Teen) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Growing up, Mallory Dodge learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it's been four years since her nightmare ended, she's beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime. Now, after years of homeschooling, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at a public high school. But she never imagined she'd run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn't seen since childhood, on her very first day.

This was another enjoyable story that tugs at the heart strings a little.

I've been trying to read The Zookeepers Wife because it was very highly praised but I'm struggling so much to connect to this book. I can't seem to connect the way I can with historical fiction normally, maybe it's that it isn't a fictionalised version of true events, maybe it's the way the authors voice is everywhere with snippets of actual conversation or events, or maybe it's the hugely long winded descriptions about everything. So since seeing other members struggle and then give up on highly praised books I don't feel bad about doing the same. I think this might be one of those rare cases where the movie will be much better than the book.

>66 fairywings: You are not the only one, Adrienne, I didn't like it either.

>67 FAMeulstee: Oh I'm so glad it wasn't just me Anita.

34. Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits by Mary Jane Hathaway

After the disappointment of my last book, I'm so glad I read this one today. So my obsession with Pride and Prejudice aside this book was a wonderful modern day take on all things Austen-esk. It is not a straight sort of retelling like so many before, this is one more loosely based with an enemies to lovers story line without the same level of hostility between them as Darcy and Lizzie had. There are fantastic quotes from P and P, especially since Shelby's room mate is an English professor on campus with a passion for Austen.

Blurb from the book

Shelby Roswell, a Civil War historian and professor, is on the fast track to tenure --- that is, until her new book is roasted by the famous historian Ransom Fielding in a nationl review. With her career stalled by a man she's never met, Shelby sturggles to maintain her composure when she discovers that Fielding has taken a visiting professorship at her small Southern college.

Ransom Fielding is still struggling with his role in his wife's accidental death six years ago and is hoping that a year at Shelby's small college near his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, will be a respite from the pressures of Ivy League academia. He never bargained for falling in love with the one woman whose career -- and pride --he injured, and who would do anything to make him leave.

35. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

This was a full cast recording, similar to the 70's musical album recording without the music. Very short listen, I didn't enjoy it as much as the album though.

So far, my favorite re-read of Wells' are his short stories. Which is funny, because I'm not a fan of short stories, generally.

>71 The_Hibernator: I like short stories well enough as long as they are good. I will have to keep an eye out for that collection.

This week saw Riley attend his firs week of UNI, he is loving every minute of it (even though his timetable is all over the place with lots of gaps in-between classes right now). He is however pretty exhausted at the end of it, probably because he hasn't done much for the last three months since they graduated high school.

Declan is still looking for a job and has finally come to the conclusion that he might just have to look for an apprenticeship, problem now being what trade to go into. He has finally understood that he can do that and still change career and join the police force later down the track when he reaches the age they will accept him.

It is finally raining today, we've been waiting for it for about three weeks now, the sky keeps promising but nothing has eventuated, apparently it's the driest summer we've had in a decade. Should be a great day for just sitting and reading today.

36. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

It seems I've been reading a lot more Pride and Prejudice themed books closer together than I intended to. Oh well, can't beat comfort reads I suppose. My obsession seems to be taking over this year. Anyway on that note here is my next read.

37. The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice by Abigail Reynolds. Also known as Pemberley by the Sea

Marine biologist Cassie Boulton has no patience when a modern-day Mr. Darcy appears in her lab on Cape Cod. Proud, aloof Calder Westing III is the scion of a famous political family, while Cassie's success is hard-won in spite of a shameful family history.
When their budding romance is brutally thwarted, both by his family and by hers, Calder tries to set things right by rewriting the two of them in the roles of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice....but will Cassie be willing to supply the happy ending?

I really enjoyed this book, there are more out there by this author and I am looking forward to reading as many as I can get my hands on.

38. Mr Darcy's Obsession by Abigail Reynolds

Another Pride and Prejudice variation, was a fairly interesting variation of the story.

I will try to read some other types of books now. Although I've had a pretty tumultuous week and really need some comfort reads right about now.

39. The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

40. Mr Darcy's Undoing by Abigail Reynolds

An interesting variation set in the original P and P world.

41. Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

P and P set in modern times.

42. Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson

43. An Eligible Bachelor by Veronica Henry

44. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Loved this one, such a terrible part of world history, but an absolutely wonderful story of love.

I listened to the audio book read by Richard Armitage.

45. Venetia by Georgette Heyer

Really nice regency era story, first time I've read/ listened to anything by Heyer, must say I think I will be a convert.

Another audiobook read by Richard Armitage. I could listen to him read all day.

46. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Abridged audio version. I absolutely love the movie but had never read the book before.

47. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Excitement over being able to see an asteroid hit the moon soon turns to a fight for survival as the asteroid being denser than was realised hits the moon and knocks it out of it's orbit and closer to earth. This causes massive changes to the earth, tsunami's, earthquakes and eventually volcanic eruptions and sever changes to the weather.

This is the story of one families journey through the disaster and their will to survive.

48. The Book Of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdoch

49. A Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer

50. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

51. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

I listened to the audio version which is a full cast recording, was highly entertaining and the blooper reel at the end is a little bit funny too. I don't think I would have enjoyed as much if I had read it instead of listening to it.

52. Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd

As a variation on a classic I guess it's ok, but where the Pride and Prejudice variations follow a certain pattern and the characters still seem to feel the same and everything usually ends the same way, this book flipped all the characters on their heads. Fanny Price is not the sweet tempered daughter of the poor sister, she is richer than her cousins and is not a very nice person. I was really disappointed with the total character turn around.

53. Lizzie & Darcy by Alyxandra Harvey

A modern day variation on Pride and Prejudice. A favourite so far.

Adrienne, your impressive reading continues unabated. I reckon 200 books is safely on the cards this year.

Have a lovely weekend.

Thanks Paul, but I had a lot of time to read up until now. I was only working two days a week, then I got transferred and now I am finally full time so it will hinder my reading time a bit, plus I'm now working 10 minutes from home instead of nearly an hour so no audio books in the car anymore. But audiobooks are still good for listening and cleaning the house.

54. The Miser of Mayfair by M. C. Beaton

55. Prentice Alvin by Orson Scott Card

56. Only Mr Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise

A Pride and Prejudice variation.

Her worst fears come true...….
After her fathers death, Elizabeth Bennet goes to work as a governess. Little does she know the Willstones are social acquaintances of the Bingleys and the Darcys, and Elizabeth finds herself once again drawn into Mr Darcy's orbit. To make matters worse, Mrs Willstone's sister sets her sights on Mr Darcy. With Elizabeth's social status even lower than it was before, she knows she must abandon all hope of Darcy renewing his proposals, even as she begins to see him in a completely different light....

I really liked this variation, I think it will become one of my favourites.

57. Less by Andrew Sean Greer

Blurb from the cover:
Arthur Less is a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the post: it is from an ex-boyfriend of nine years who is engaged to someone else. Arthur can't say yes - it would be too awkward, he cant say no - it would look like defeat. So he begins to accept the invitations on his desk to half-baked literary events around the world.

From France to India, Germany to Japan, Arthur almost falls in love, almost falls to his death and puts miles between hi and the plight he refuses to face. Less is a novel about mishaps, misunderstandings and the depths of the human heart.

I absolutely loved this book, heartbreaking in some places, laugh out loud funny in others, but oh what a journey of self discovery does our protagonist take. It ended far too soon, I would have loved at least one more chapter to make it a much more satisfactory ending.

>97 fairywings: I'm glad you liked it!

58. Mr Darcy and the Secret to Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton

Another well executed Pride and Prejudice variation.

59. Alvin Journeyman by Orson Scott Card

Number four in the Alvin Maker series.

60. Mr Darcy's Bite by Mary Lydon Simonsen

Ok so Pride and Prejudice variation with a supernatural twist, Mr Darcy is a werewolf!!!! This will be another new favourite of mine, I think it was very well executed and we get to see some character development of cousin Anne, which was lovely.

61. Plain Jane by M C Beaton

Book 2 in the House for a season series

62. Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise

63. The Perfect Bride for Mr Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen

64. The Wicked Godmother by M. C. Beaton

Book 3 in the House for a Season series

Birthday haul

Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between by Jennifer E. Smith
Love and Friendship: In which Jane Austen's Lady Susan Vernon is entirely vindicated by Whit Stillman
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory
The Ask And The Answer by Patrick Ness
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare
The Plus One by Sophia Money-Coutts
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

65. Rake's Progress by M. C. Beaton

Book 4 in the House for a Season series.

66. The Watchmaker's Daughter by C. J. Archer

India Steele is desperate. Her father is dead, her fiancé took her inheritance and no one will employ her despite years of working for her watchmaker father. Indeed, the other London watchmakers seem frightened of her. Alone, poor and at the end of her tether, India takes employment with the only person who'll accept her, an enigmatic and mysterious man from America. A man who possesses a strange watch that rejuvenates him when he's ill. Mathew Glass must find a particular watchmaker, but he won't tell India why any old one won't do. Nor will he tell her what he does back home, and how he can afford to stay n a house in one of London's best streets. So when she reads about an American outlaw known as the Dark Rider arriving in England, she suspects Mr Glass is the fugitive. When danger comes to their door she's certain of it. But if she notifies the authorities, she'll find herself unemployed and homeless again, and she will have betrayed the man who saved her life.

This is the first book in the Glass and Steele series. Very enjoyable read.

67. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A re-read for me to fit into my popsuga challenge.

Adrienne, you are really chewing up the books this year.

Have a lovely weekend.

Thanks Paul. Long weekend for us this weekend so another short week next week.

I'm pretty shocked with myself actually, have barely made 60 in a year before now. I think that having decent online apps for my library has helped a great deal, borrowing a lot of audio books this year has helped push my numbers up

68. The Mapmaker's Apprentice by C. J. Archer

Book 2 in Glass and Steele.

When an apprentice from the Mapmaker's Guild goes missing, Matt and India are employed to find him. Going undercover as a married couple they discover that not everyone at the guild is what they seem, and the lad's unearthly maps caused jealousy, suspicion and fear. With one of the apprentice's magic maps in their possession India and Matt must use their wits and India's fledgling, untried magic to find him. But the more they investigate, the more sinister plots they uncover, including a link between the Mapmaker's and Watchmaker's Guilds and an ancient magical treasure buried beneath the streets of London. As the net of suspicion widens and enemies draw closer it's not just the apprentice's life that's in danger, but Matt's too. Someone will go to great lengths to prevent him discovering the name of the man who can fix the watch keeping him alive. Great lengths indeed.

69. The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah Maclean

Book 1 of Scandal and Scoundrel series.

Book blurb.

Lady Sophie's Society Splash!

When Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside first in a goldfish pond in front of all society she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London vowing to start a new life far from the aristocracy. Unfortunately the carriage in which she stows away isn't saving her from ruin... it's filled with it.

Regency Romance. A pretty good listen with lots of misunderstandings.

70. Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

Book blurb.

Greer Hennessy needs palm trees.
As a movie location scout, picture-perfect is the name of the game. But her last project literally went up in flames, and her career is on the verge of flaming out. Greer has been given one more chance, if she can find the perfect undiscovered beach hideaway for a big-budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida panhandle town called Cypress Key. There's one motel, a marina, along stretch of pristine beach and an old fishing pier with a community casino which will be perfect for the film's explosive climax.

There's just one problem. Ebon Thibadeaux,, the town mayor, completely objects to Greer's plan. Ebon wants the town to be revitalized, not commercialized. After a toxic paper plant closed the bay has only recently been reborn and Eb has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again. But Greer has a way of making things happen regardless of obstacles. And Greer and Eb are way to attracted to each other for either of them to see reason.

This was a fun read. Lots of miscommunications and some angsty antics.

71. A Scot in the Dark by Sarah Maclean

Book 2 of Scandal and Scoundrel series.

Book blurb.

Lonesome Lily turned Scandalous Siren
Miss Lillian Harwood has lived much of her life alone in a gilded cage, longing for love and companionship. When an artist offers her pretty promises and begs her to pose for a scandalous portrait Lily doesn't hesitate... until the lying libertine leaves her in disgrace. With the painting now going public Lily has no choice but to turn to the one man who might save her from ruin.

A pretty good read, I enjoyed The Rogue Not Taken better than this one but it was still a quick fun read.

72. The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

Book 2 in the Rokesbys series

73, Never Too Late by Robyn Carr

Book blurb

Clare Wilson is starting over. She's had it with her marriage to a charming serial cheater. Even her own son thinks she's given his father too many chances. With the support of her sisters, Maggie and Sarah, she's ready to move on. Facing her fortieth birthday Clare is finally feeling the rush of unadulterated freedom.
But when a near fatal car accident lands Clare in the hospital her life takes another detour. While recovering Clare realizes she has the power to choose her life's path.

Together the sisters encourage each other to seek what they need to be happy. Along the way they all learn that it's never too late to begin again.

74. Heroes Are My Weakness Susan Elizabeth Phillips

75. Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Book 1, Rokesbys series.

Blurb.
Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbours for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband.....someday.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom but he's arrogant, annoying and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient as she can't stand the sight of hi either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humour.

I read the second book in this series first, not realising it was part of a series, but that didn't seem to matter too much. Yes I knew the outcome because of the end of the other one but it was still fun finding out how it came about. It really didn't detract from the story at all.

The series is a fun and enjoyable read/ listen.

Congrats on hitting the goal!

Congrats on reaching 75 books!

Congrats on 75! And I'm enjoying Apothecary's Daughter!

>120 drneutron: >121 figsfromthistle: >122 The_Hibernator: Thank you.

>122 The_Hibernator: I'm so glad you're enjoying it Rachel

76. We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist

A pretty funny story about the authors failures in love from a teenager to now.

Belate congratulations on reaching 75, Adrienne!

>125 FAMeulstee: Thank you Anita :)

77. As Old As Time: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell

What if Belle's mother cursed the Beast?

The tale of Beauty and the Beast with a few twists, and not quite the happily ever after we've come to know. In the first part of this book we are thrown back and forward in time with each chapter, going between the story we know and the time before Belle was born when Maurice first moved into the kingdom and met Rosalind, a powerful enchantress. Witches, fauns, trolls, ogres, giants and other magic creatures (Les Charmantes) live openly in the kingdom, but dark times are ahead for Les Charmantes. Cut to Belle being imprisoned by the Beast and she finds out that her mother, who has been missing for the past decade was the one who cursed the prince. Belle and Beast start working together to find a way to either find her mother or reverse the curse.

I love all things Beauty and the Beast, the whole idea of a twist to the story intrigued me. I really liked having a backstory in this tale, it was not only interesting but quite a plausible addition to the story.

If you like variations, you will love this book.

78. The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith

79. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippencott

80. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M. C Beaton

81. A Country Escape by Katie Fforde

Blurb

Fran has made the brave decision to move into a beautiful but run-down farm in the Cotswolds.
She has one year to make a success of it, and to prove to herself and to the old lady who owns it that she can manage on her own.
But can she? She's going to need a lot of help. Not least from her very eligible neighbour next door...

Katie Fforde is one of my favourite chick lit authors and this is another fun filled HEA read.

82. Pride and Premiership by Michelle Gayle

83. Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn

Book 1 of Unfortunate Fairy Tales series.

Mina Grime is unlucky, unpopular and uncoordinated; until she saves her crush's life on a field trip, changing her High School status from loser to hero overnight. But with her new found fame brings misfortune in the form of an old family curse come to light. For Mina is descended from the Brothers Grimm and has inherited all of their unfinished fairy tale business. Which includes trying to outwit a powerful Story from making her it's next fairytale victim.

To break the fairy tale curse on her family and make these deadly occurrences stop, Mina must finish the tales until the very Grimm end.

84. Jared's Quest by Chanda Hahn

An unfortunate fairy tale short story.

Mina Grime is a Grimm, bent on sending Jared and his Fae kind back to their own world to end the curse on her family.

Jared is her Fae protector and all around pain in the neck. Then the wheels of fate turn on Jared and he is given his own quest to complete against his will. Jared has his hands full as he tries to save a bunch of spellbound boys, capture a beautiful shape-changing Fae, all while keeping Mina in the dark about it. He'll need all the help he can get, and will have to recruit one of his old Fae friends to help.

>134 fairywings: Haha why was it unfortunate?

Have a great Sunday, Adrienne.

>135 PaulCranswick: That's the name of the series lol.

>136 fairywings: Hope your weekend has gone well, Adrienne and that you are enjoying your reads both the fortunate and the unfortunate!

85. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Rigaud

An interesting P&P variation.

86. Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

87. Wrong About The Guy by Claire LaZebnik

This book kind of reminded me of the movie Clueless. Was a fun read even if I could see exactly where it was going every step of the way.

88. Only You by Denise Grover Swank

89. Anatomy Of A Misfit by Andrea Portes

90. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Number 2 in The Last Survivors series.

Even though this book is number 2 in the series it doesn't follow on from Life As We Knew It, it's a companion novel. Life As We Knew It followed a family trying to survive through an apocalyptic event in a small American town, The Dead and the Gone follows a family in New York going through the same apocalyptic event and doing their best to survive.

Blurb

When life as Alex Morales had known it changed forever, he was working behind the counter at Joey's pizza. He was worried about getting elected as senior class president and making the grades to land him in a good college. He never expected that an asteroid would hit the moon, knocking it closer in orbit to the earth and catastrophically altering the earth's climate.

He never expected to be fighting just to stay alive.

91. Working Vacation by Annabelle Love

92. Fairest by Chanda Hahn

Book 2 of An unfortunate Fairy Tale series

In the sequel to Unenchanted, Mina Grime discovers that all is not fair when it comes to the Fae and their tales, especially when they don't all play by the rules. Barely surviving the Story's first quest, Mina still has hundreds to go before she can end the curse on her family. But a new player arises to challenge Mina while new rules revamp the game she has just barely begun to understand.

All the while people are mysteriously disappearing, including Jared, whom Mina must finally determine to be friend or foe. And with the loss of her greatest weapon Mina must try to outwit a lethal hunter. Can Mina survive the most difficult quest yet while protecting those she loves from falling victim to one of the deadliest tales of all? Or will she become a pawn when she strikes a bargain with the Queen of the Fae?

Reading up a storm, Adrienne, but I must say I am unfamiliar with most of the books read.

Have a lovely weekend.

>146 PaulCranswick: A fair amount of chick lit in there so I'm not really surprised Paul. A lot of downloads from the library system too, most of which will not be searched out to become part of my library.

I'm also trying to cull what's on my tablet so trying to read some of the free downloads I've come across over the years (not very successfully either).

93. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

Once upon a time, there was a girl who wanted to be pretty....

Aza's singing is the fairest in all the land, and the most unusual. She can "throw" her voice so it seems to come from anywhere. But singing is only one of the two qualities prized in the Kingdom of Ayortha. Aza doesn't possess the other: beauty. Not even close. She's hidden in the shadows in her parents inn, but when she becomes lady-in-waiting to the new queen, she has to step into the light, especially when the queen demands a dangerous favour. A magic mirror, a charming prince, a jealous queen, palace intrigue and an injured king twine into a maze that Aza must penetrate to save herself and her beloved kingdom.

I read this to meet one of the pop suga challenges.

It's a fairly interesting take on the Snow White fairy tale, quick and easy to read.

Dropping by to wish you a wonderful weekend, Adrienne.

Thank you for keeping me company in 2019.......onward to 2020.

Another resolution is to keep up in 2020 with all my friends on LT. Happy New Year!