Crazy4reading is crazy busy but hopes to read in 2021 (Monica Lynn)

Hello & Welcome to my thread!! I look forward to sharing my reading in 2021! My reading for 2020 was not as good as I had hoped. My goal was 75 books and I didn't make it.

The best thing that happened in 2020 was the birth of my granddaughter Ruby! With everything that happened in 2020, her birth has made the pandemic bearable. I was home working for 3 months and didn't get as much reading done as I could have.

My son moved to Chicago in June with his partner, Christian. They moved for a job and both are doing wonderfully! I miss them but I am happy that they are doing well. Who knows maybe I will make it to Chicago at some point.

My trackers are here:

75 Books Ticker:


ROOTS 2021:

POPSUGAR CHALLENGE 2021:

Goodreads link to my post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21774593-post-your-2021-reading-list?page=8...

REGULAR
1. A book that published in 2021
2. An Afrofuturist book
3. A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover
4. A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign
5. A dark academia book
6. A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title
7. A book where the main character works at your current or dream job
8. A book that has won the Women’s Prize for Fiction
9. A book with a family tree
10. A bestseller from the 1990s
11. A book about forgetting A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
12. A book you have seen on someone’s bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.)
13. A locked-room mystery
14. A book set in a restaurant
15. A book with a black-and-white cover
16. A book by an indigenous author
17. A book that has the same title as a song
18. A book about a subject you are passionate about
19. A book that discusses body positivity
20. A book on a Black Lives Matter reading list
21. A genre hybrid
22. A book set mostly or entirely outdoors
23. A book with something broken on the cover
24. A book by a Muslim American author
25. A book that was published anonymously
26. A book with an oxymoron in the title
27. A book about do-overs or fresh starts A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
28. A magical realism book
29. A book set in multiple countries
30. A book set somewhere you’d like to visit in 2021 A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
31. A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality
32. A book whose title starts with “Q,” “X,” or “Z”
33. A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child)
34. A book about a social justice issue
35. A book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels)
36. A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads Captive of My Desires
37. A book you think your best friend would like
38. A book about art or an artist
39. A book everyone seems to have read but you
40. Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

ADVANCED
41. The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list
42. The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list
43. The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover
44. The book on your TBR list with the ugliest cover
45. The book that’s been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time
46. A book from your TBR list you meant to read last year but didn’t
47. A book from your TBR list you associate with a favorite person, place, or thing
48. A book from your TBR list chosen at random
49. A DNF book from your TBR list
50. A free book from your TBR list (gifted, borrowed, library)

I know I will be continuing the POPSUGAR Challenges. I am trying to make it through all of them. Here is the list of all the challenges:

POPSUGAR CHALLENGES:

2015
1 More than 500 pages Insurgent by Veronica Roth
2 Classic romance
3 Became a movie Insurgent by Veronica Roth
4 Published in 2015
5 Number in the title
6 Written by someone under 30
7 Nonhuman characters
8 Funny
9 Female author
10 Mystery or thriller
11 One word title
12 Book of short stories
13 Set in a different country
14 Nonfiction
15 Popular author's first book
16 A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet
17 Recommended by a friend
18 Pulitzer Prize winner
19 Based on a true story
20 At the bottom of your to-read list
21 A book your mom loves
22 A book that scares you
23 A book more than 100 years old
24 A book based entirely on its cover
25 A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
26 Memoir
27 A book you can finish in a day
28 Antonyms in the title
29 Set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
30 Published the year you were born
31 A book with bad reviews
32 Trilogy
33 From your childhood
34 A book with a love triangle
35 Set in the future
36 Set in high school
37 Color in the title
38 A book that made you cry
39 Magic
40 Graphic novel
41 Author you've never read before
42 A book you own but never read
43 Hometown
44 Originally written in another language
45 Set during Christmas
46 Written by an author with my initials
47 A Play
48 Banned book
49 Based on or turned into a TV show
50 A book you started but never finished

2016
1 Based on a fairy tale
2 National Book Award winner
3 YA bestseller
4 Haven't read since high school
5 Set in your home state
6 Translated into English
7 Romance set in the future
8 Set in Europe
9 Less than 150 pages
10 NYT bestseller
11 Becoming a movie this year
12 Recommended by someone you just met
13 Self-improvement
14 Can finish in a day
15 Written by a celebrity
16 Political memoir
17 At least 100 years older than you
18 More than 600 pages
19 from Oprah's Book Club
20 Science fiction
21 Recommended by a family member
22 Graphic novel
23 Published in 2016
24 Protagonist with your occupation
25 Takes place during summer
26 A book plus its prequel
27 Murder mystery
28 Written by a comedian
29 Dystopian
30 Blue cover
31 Poetry
32 First book you see in a bookstore
33 Classic from 20th Century
34 From the library
35 Autobiography
36 Road trip
37 Culture you're unfamiliar with
38 Satirical
39 Takes place on an island
40 Guaranteed to bring joy

2017
1 recommended by a librarian
2 on my TBR list for way too long
3 book of letters
4 audiobook
5 A book by a person of color
6 one of the four seasons in title
7 a story within a story
8 multiple authors
9 espionage thriller
10 cat on the cover
11 by an author who uses a pseudonym
12 bestseller from a genre I don't normally read (Western)
13 by or about a person with a disability
14 book involving travel
15 book with a subtitle
16 published in 2017
17 involving a mythical creature
18 a book I've read before that never fails to make me smile
19 book about food
20 book with career advice
21 from a nonhuman perspective
22 steampunk
23 red spine
24 set in the wilderness
25 a book I loved as a child
26 author from a country I've never visited
27 title that is a character's name
28 set during wartime
29 unreliable narrator
30 a book with pictures
31 main character is a different ethnicity than me
32 a book about an interesting woman
33 set in two different time periods
34 month or day of the week in title
35 set in a hotel
36 written by someone I admire
37 becoming a movie in 2017
38 set around a holiday that's not Christmas
39 first book in a series I haven't read yet
40 a book I bought on a trip
41 recommended by an author I love
42 bestseller from 2016
43 family-member term in title
44 takes place over a character's life span
45 about an immigrant or refugee
46 from a sub-genre I've never heard of ("cli-fi")
47 book with an eccentric character
48 more than 800 pages
49 from a used book sale
50 book mentioned in another book
51 about a difficult topic
52 based on mythology

2018
1 A book made into a movie you've already seen
2 True Crime
3 The next book in a series
4 A book involving a heist
5 Nordic noir
6 A novel based on a real person
7 A book set in a country that fascinates you
8 A book with a time of day in the title
9 A book about a villain or antihero
10 A book about death or grief
11 A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12 A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13 A book that is also a stage play or musical
14 A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
15 A book about feminism
16 A book about mental health
17 A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
18 A book by two authors
19 A book by a local author
20 A book about or involving a sport
21 A book with your favorite color in the title
22 A book with alliteration in the title
23 A book about time travel
24 A book with a weather element in the title
25 A book set at sea
26 A book with an animal in the title
27 A book set on a different planet
28 A book with song lyrics in the title
29 A book about or set on Halloween
30 A book with characters who are twins
31 A book mentioned in another book
32 A book from a celebrity book club
33 A childhood classic you've never read
34 A book published in 2018
35 A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36 A book set in the decade you were born
37 A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
38 A book with an ugly cover
39 A book that involves a bookstore or library
40 Your favorite prompt from a previous Popsugar Challenges
41 A bestseller from the year you graduated high school
42 A cyberpunk book
43 A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
44 A book tied to your ancestry
45 A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
46 An allegory
47 A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
48 A microhistory
49 A book about a problem facing society today
50 A book recommended by someone else

2019
1. A book becoming a movie in 2019
2. A book that makes you nostalgic The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
3. A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction)
4. A book you think 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 on the cover
7. A reread of a favorite book
8. A book about a hobby
9. A book you meant to read in 2018
10. A book with POP, SUGAR, or CHALLENGE in the title
11. A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
12. A book inspired by myth/legend/folklore
13. A book published posthumously
14. A book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie
15. A retelling of a classic
16. A book with a question in the title
17. A book set on college or university campus
18. A book about someone with a superpower
19. A book told from multiple POVsOne week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy
20. A book set in space
21. A book by two female authorsA House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
22. A book with SALTY, SWEET, BITTER, or SPICY in the title
23. A book set in Scandinavia
24. A book that takes place in a single day
25. A debut novel
26. A book that's published in 2019
27. A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature
28. A book recommended by a celebrity you admire
29. A book with LOVE in the title
30. A book featuring an amateur detective The Secret of Shady Glen by Carolyn Keene
31. A book about a family
32. A book author from Asia, Africa, or South America
33. A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in title
34. A book that includes a wedding The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
35. A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter
36. A ghost story
37. A book with a two-word title
38. A novel based on a true story
39. A book revolving around a puzzle or game
40. Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading challenge
41. A "cli-fi" (climate fiction) book
42. A "choose-your-own-adventure" book
43. An "own voices" book
44. Read a book during the season it is set in
45. A LitRPG book
46. A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters
47. Two books that share the same title
48. Two books that share the same title
49. A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom
50. A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent

2020
1. A book that's published in 2020
2. A book by a trans or nonbinary author
3. A book with a great first line
4. A book about a book club
5. A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics
6. A bildungsroman The Boston Girl
7. The first book you touch on a shelf with your eyes closed
8. A book with an upside-down image on the cover
9. A book with a map
10. A book recommended by your favorite blog, vlog, podcast, or online book club
11. An anthology
12. A book that passes the Bechdel test Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
13. A book with the same title as a movie or TV show but is unrelated to it
14. A book by an author with flora or fauna in their name
15. A book about or involving social media
16. A book that has a book on the cover
17. A medical thriller
18. A book with a made-up language
19. A book set in a country beginning with "C"
20. A book you picked because the title caught your attention
21. A book published the month of your birthday Why a Son Needs a dad by Gregory E. Lang
22. A book about or by a woman in STEM
23. A book that won an award in 2019
24. A book on a subject you know nothing aboutAll you can ever Know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung
25. A book with only words on the cover, no images or graphics
26. A book with a pun in the title
27. A book featuring one of the seven deadly sins
28. A book with a robot, cyborg, or AI character
29. A book with a bird on the cover
30. A fiction or nonfiction book about a world leader
31. A book with "gold," "silver," or "bronze" in the title
32. A book by a WOC
33. A book with at least a four-star rating on Goodreads Winter Garden by Kristin
34. A book you meant to read in 2019Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
35. A book with a three-word title The Boston Girl
36. A book with a pink cover
37. A Western
38. A book by or about a journalist The Boston Girl
39. Read a banned book during Banned Books Week
40. Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
41. A book written by an author in their 20s
42. A book with "20" or "twenty" in the title
43. A book with a character with a vision impairment or enhancement (a nod to 20/20 vision)
44. A book set in the 1920s The Boston Girl
45. A book set in Japan, host of the 2020 Olympics
46. A book by an author who has written more than 20 books
47. A book with more than 20 letters in its title All You can ever Know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung
48. A book published in the 20th century
49. A book from a series with more than 20 books
50. A book with a main character in their 20s All You can ever know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung

Links to MY Goodreads Challenges:

Murder She Wrote: Cozy Mystery Only
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21828150-murder-she-wrote-monica

Hooray For Technology E Reader January Challenge (5-8 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21820418-hooray-for-technology-e-reader-cha...

Alphabet Author Challenge:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21773219-2021-alphabet-author-challenge#com...

Popsugar 2021 thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21774593-post-your-2021-reading-list?page=7...

Bingo DOG 2021 List:

1. Book less than 200 pages
2. Time word in title or time is the subject (I'd include time travel in this square!)
3. Set in or author from the Southern Hemisphere
4. Book with or about magic
5. Arts and recreation (would cover the original suggestions "focus on art", "features a theatre", "games and sports", and "about a writer")
6. Classical element in title (Western: earth, air, wind, fire, aether/void. Chinese: wood, fire, earth, metal, water)
7. Book with the name of a building in the title
8. By or about a marginalized group
9. Senior citizen as the protagonist
10. Suggested by a person from another generation
11. A book about nature or the environment (includes the sea)
12. A book that made you laugh
13. Book you share with 20 or fewer members on LT
14. Book about history or alternate history
15. Book with a title that describes you
16. Book you heartily recommend
17. Author you haven’t read before
18. Impulse read!
19. One-word title
20. Book with a character you think you'd like to have as a friend
21. Dark or light in title
22. Set somewhere you’d like to visit
23. Book by two or more authors
24. Book with a love story in it
25. Read a CAT or KIT

My Card:

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List of books completed:

1. A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
2. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
3. Captive of My Desires by Johanna Lindsey

Welcome back. Have you checked out the Category Challenge BingoDog for 2021? There are some really fun challenges this year.

>14 DeltaQueen50: I have not checked the BingoDog for 2021 yet. I will take a look! Thanks for the suggestion. And it is good to be back!

Good luck with your 2021 reading.

>16 Tess_W: Thank you Tess! You too!

Oh... Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter! Wishing you a wonderful year of reading in 2021!

>18 lkernagh: Thank you Lori!

So I finished a book already! Well, I did start it in November of 2020... Here is my review:

1. A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey

I love Johanna Lindsey's Malory Family, and A Loving Scoundrel did not disappoint! A Loving Scoundrel is the story of Jeremy Malory, confirmed bachelor. He hires Danny as his upstairs maid and that is when things start getting interesting.

Danny is an ex -thief who has masqueraded as a boy for 15 years. She wants to change her life from street urchin to a respectable lady. Jeremy wants her as his mistress. I love the interactions that Danny and Jeremy have.

Johanna does it again of growing the relationship and drawing you in to wanting to learn all about Danny and who she really is. I love this series and will be continue reading the next book

5 stars

I am still reading the following:

Captive of my Desires by Johnna Lindsey
Everything is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine

Hurray for your first book of the year! Looks like you're off to a good start :)

Happy New Year - and enjoy your reading. :)

My boss has a Final Jeopardy daily calendar and the question for Sunday was about books. I took a guess and I was correct. The category is BOOKS OF THE 1940s Here is the Answer:

IN CHAPER 1 OF THIS BETTY SMITH MOVEL, WE'RE TOLD THAT THE ONE IN FRANCIE NOLAN'S YARD "WAS NEITHER A PINE NOR A HEMLOCK"

Anyone want to take a guess?

>23 crazy4reading: I think I know! What is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?

>24 christina_reads: You are.......correct! (that is the first time I have used spoiler!!)

I'll look at the spoilers after posting but am guessing it is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Couldn't resist guessing, lol. :-) What a fun daily calendar, though I'd probably struggle with some of the other questions.

Well, I forgot to phrase it in the form of a question. Drats. ;-)

>26 This-n-That: & >27 This-n-That: You are .....correct I won't worry about wording it in the form of a question. It is a really fun challenge to do at work. I love just trying to guess the answers.

>23 crazy4reading: - What a fun daily calendar!

>23 crazy4reading: I received that calendar for Christmas from my mom. I am enjoying it immensely. I did get that one correct.

>29 lkernagh: It is! I am loving it and actually want to get one now.

>30 lowelibrary: That is an awesome Christmas gift! I will have to look for something like that next year for my son.

So I have a SNOW DAY today!!! I still have to dig my way out so I can get to work tomorrow (if I have to go in). I finished a book this morning. I have not been reading like I want to. Here is my second finished book of 2021!!

#2. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

I listened to this story. I decided to listen because I have had trouble concentrating on books like this lately. I enjoyed the story and I also feel that this helped me understand the story better. Some of the names and places that I am not sure of how to pronounce makes it hard to understand the story at times. Listening really helped with that.

This was a book club read for February. I am glad our library book club picked this book. I felt that I learned more about life during the Taliban and how things were for women and people in Pakistani culture.

I am not well versed or educated about life in Pakistan besides from what I read or watch on television. So I went into this book not knowing a lot so was not predisposed to have a positive or negative thought about this book.

Being from America and not experiencing the challenges that Malala and other girls and women in Pakistan experience was eye opening. It makes me think about how us as Americans can forget what we really have here and should not forget that we have more freedoms then other places.

4 stars

I am still reading the following books (or plan to start):

Captive of my Desires by Johanna Lindsey
Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh
Daring the Demigod by Maria Shield

Woo hoo, snow day! Perfect conditions for reading ;)

>33 rabbitprincess: Yes it is and I have another one tomorrow!! I will be working and trying to get some reading done too.

>32 crazy4reading: Glad you liked that one, it's on my ereader waiting to be read. Yeah for snow days (retired teacher)!

>35 Tess_W: I love snow days, but sadly they may be a thing of the past with the new technology of virtual classes. Our Superintendent is nice and likes the kids to have fun in the snow! (I also think he wants to be able to play with his kids in the snow too!!)

I finished another book. My reading has slowed down. I am now selling Pampered Chef, Avon and working my full time job. I have also started working the games again, as things start opening up again.

#3. Captive of My Desires by Johanna Lindsey

I love Johanna Lindsey's Malory Novels, and this one I enjoyed. Captive of My Desires was not my favorite of the Malory-Anderson series, but I did still enjoyed it. This book is about Drew Anderson and Gabrielle Brooks.

Gabrielle Brooks is the daughter of a pirate! When she finds her father and sailing with him for 3 years, he decides it is time for Gabby to look for a respectable husband in London, because that is what her mother would want. Gabby's father is old friends with James Malory.

James and his wife are put to the task of finding a husband for Gabby. I enjoyed the balls and the interaction between Drew and Gabby from the beginning. I got a little bored with how they both would think after spending time together about how they felt and would deny it.

The ending was nice but a little of a let down. I felt that the book spent most of the time trying to convince Gabby and Drew that they loved each other, but couldn't figure it out until both were in danger of being killed. I did laugh a lot and I enjoyed the interaction of all the characters. I will continue with this series.

3 stars

I am now reading:

Five total Strangers by Natalie Richards
Cross her Heart: Bree Taggert #1 by Melinda Leigh
Daring the Demigod by Maria Shield
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee

I finished another book!

#4. Five Total Strangers by Natalie Richards

WOW, is all I can say about this book. I was drawn into Five Total Strangers from the beginning! It all starts with Mira and Harper meeting on a flight from California to Pennsylvania! I didn't even know this book was taking place in Pennsylvania!!

The flight has some excitement when landing since a blizzard is moving in. Harper is all cool and relaxed and Mira cannot believe how calm she is with the turbulence. The other passengers are getting anxious and some are crying and letting out little screams.

The fights are grounded and Harper is renting a vehicle so she can get home. She meets Brecken, Kayla and Josh. Harper invites Mira to come along so she doesn't have to wait in the airport until her next flight is not grounded.

No one really knows each other. They are all strangers. The characters are so interesting because they don't reveal much about themselves and yet they do just by what they say and act. Mira is the center of the story and she is the one that does the narrating. She feels something is off and yet cannot figure out what it is. She senses someone is watching her and yet doesn't know who it could be.

The ending was interesting and as I was reading I was saying no, don't do that. And Oh no could it be him/her??? I do plan to read more books by Natalie Richards!

5 stars

I am still reading the books listed above.

I have finished 2 books.

5. The Escape (US Marshals) by Lisa Harris

I received this book as an Early Reviewer book from LibraryThing. I enjoy Mystery, suspense and thriller books. This book delivered on the suspense part.

US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are tasked with a prison transport across the country to Denver. The pilots make a crash landing in the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest. Once the marshals regain consciousness they discover the pilots and one prisoner dead and one has escaped. This is the start of the chase.

Madison and Jonas start tracking the fugitive. This fugitive is charming and able to evade the marshals. As the story progresses you start to also see Madison and Jonas growing closer to each other.

I enjoyed this book and I will look to read the next book in this series.

4 stars

6. Cross her Heart (Bree Taggert #1) by Melinda Leigh

I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up as a Prime Reading and it didn't disappoint. Now I have added another series to my ever growing list of series to read.

This is the first book in the Bree Taggert series. Bree is a Philadelphia Homicide Detective with a family history of violence that she has kept tucked away until she received a call from her younger sister Erin.

The Taggert family's history is that Bree, Erin and Adam's father abused and shot and killed their mother before killing himself. Bree was the oldest at the time. Adam was just a baby. I really enjoyed the characters as I met them in the book.

Bree her police partner Dana, ex deputy Matt, Adam, Erin's children Luke and Kayla are just some of the characters we meet. I fell in love with all of them and they way they interacted with each other.

Bree receives a phone call from her sister Erin and decides that she has to go back to her home town when her sister doesn't answer her phone. Bree knows something is wrong and learns that her sister has been murdered also brings up her childhood memories that her sister's death is similar to that of their mother's.

I loved how Matt and Bree work together to find Justin and who murdered Erin. Are they both after the same thing or is Bree really wanting to find Justin thinking that he is the one who murdered Erin?

I couldn't put this book down! I wanted to find out who did it and why!! I love books like that! I will be reading the next book in this series.

5 stars

I am still reading the books listed above.

I finished another book today! I love being off from work because then I take the time to read. I still need to do some chores but I plan to read some more today. I just need to find a book to read.

#7. The Pineville Heist by Lee Chambers

I received this book from Lee Chambers. I am late on reading this book and doing my review. I really wish I had read it earlier!

The Pineville Heist was a very quick and fun read! Aaron Stevens is the son of the man that is going to destroy Pineville. Bank robbers decide to hit the local bank and steal 5 million dollars. Aaron, Mike and Steve discover a campsite and then hear gun shots in the woods. This is when things get interesting.

Aaron, Mike and Steve all hide once they hear the gun shot. Mike and Steve leave their hiding spot after the one robber is shot. Aaron is still hiding and finds the duffel bag filled with money. Aaron goes to the one place he feels is the safest, school.

This book just kept moving and I didn't want to put it down. I love when a book keeps me interested and not wanting to stop reading. The Pineville Heist did not disappoint.

5 stars

I need to to finish these books still:

Everything here is beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine
Daring the Demigod by Maria Shield

Another book down!

#8. Fudge.A.Mania by Judy Blume

I loved Judy Blume growing up! I enjoyed this story about Fudge Hatcher and his brother Peter. These are timeless books even now.

Fudge is back and being his usual exuberant child. I would say many of us know or have known a child just like Fudge at some point in their life. I cannot wait to read these books to my granddaughter and to share them with her.

4 stars

I am reading the following:

Everything here is beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine (need to find this book)
Daring the Demigod by Maria Shield
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

#9. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

I believe I started this book once before but never finished it. I enjoyed this story.

There are Mae, her husband Tuck and their boys Jesse and Miles who are either doomed or blessed with eternal life after drinking water from a spring. Winnie is a 10 year old girl who learns the Tuck family secret.

Winnie learns the secret when she spies Jesse drinking from the ground in the woods her family owns. She wants a drink because she is parched. This is when Jesse's mother and brother show up. Winnie is taken to their home so Tuck can explain why the spring must be kept secret.

This story was an easy read and I enjoyed it and did tear up out at the end.

5 stars

I am still reading

Everything here is beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine (need to find this book)
Daring the Demigod by Maria Shield
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

>42 crazy4reading: I remember Tuck Everlasting. It seems like one of those books that can really expand a kid's consciousness if they read it at the right time, and is solid for an adult as well. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

You've made some excellent reading choices with five 5-star-reads already! Hoory for that! :)

>43 pammab: That is so true. I love to see a kid read and just see their reaction and how their mind just grows.

>44 Chrischi_HH: I have needed some. The book club I am in for our library has had some books that just haven't grabbed me right away. That has turned my reading progress into a snail. Now these 5 star reads are getting me back into reading again!!

I received a bag of books today! There were a total of 16 books in the bag! Out of 16 I only read one of them and possibly own another one. I will post a list of the books tomorrow!

#10 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

I enjoyed this story. I love to read books based on historical events and this was one of those books. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is the story of two boys that meet at a fence and become friends.

Bruno moves from Berlin to a new town that he calls Outs With. He is only 9 years old and doesn't understand why he has to move. He also doesn't understand what is going on in the world. Bruno does some exploring and meets another boy who lives on the other side of the fence. His name is Shmuel.

Bruno and Shmuel almost talk on a daily basis. They learn about each other. Bruno doesn't always understand what Shmuel is talking about. Bruno thinks that the people in the fence are happy and have fun while he has no friends on his side of the fence.

The ending of the book was something I thought could happen but didn't think it would.

5 stars

Still reading the books listed above.

Here is the list of books:

1. Hounded (Andy Carpenter #12) by David Rosenfelt
2. Play Dead (Andy Carpenter #6) by David Rosenfelt
3. Woman of God by James Patterson
4. A Match Made in Bed (Spinster Heiresses #2) by Cathy Maxwell
5. Dead Center (Andy Carpenter #5) by David Rosenfelt
6. Oliver Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
7. Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella
8. Demon from the Dark (Immortals After Dark #9) by Kresley Cole
9. The Duke that I Marry (Spinster Heiresses #3) by Cathy Maxwell
10. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
11. The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
12. The House of Tides by Hannah Richell
13. New Tricks by David Rosenfelt
14. A Husband's Wicked Ways (Cavendish Square #3)

>48 crazy4reading: Enjoy!

>48 crazy4reading: Nice haul!

>48 crazy4reading: My mum just read Olive Kitteridge and really liked it, so I hope you do too :)

>49 MissWatson: >50 VivienneR: Thank you! I love free books!

>51 rabbitprincess: I hope I enjoy it too!

I am so far behind on the books I have finished. I will be posting reviews the next couple of days.

#11. America for Beginners by Leah Franqui

I enjoyed the premise of this story but found that it did not draw me in from the beginning. I felt the story dragged on before we got to the traveling. I know that there is supposed to be character development and yet I didn't feel like I truly knew the characters.

I felt the traveling was a bit rushed once we reached that section. This was a book club book and I think I can getting a little tired of reading the same kind of books in our library book club.

3 stars

#12. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

I love Harry Potter and every time I read, listen to them I love them even more. This book was not one of my favorites the first time I read it but I am starting to love it more each re-read.

This is the 3rd year in the HP books. Harry learns things about his parents. I always find it interesting with the Marauders map. I love it and always wonder how no one knew about it and how the Weasley Twins were able to get it to work.

I love how Ron, Harry and Hermione's friendship gets tested and yet they are still able to move forward.

5 stars

#13. Splintered by A. G. Howard

I read this book as a buddy read on a Discord group. I don't know if I would have picked it up if not for the buddy read. I enjoyed this book and I might continue with the series.

Splintered is a book that follows Alyssa Gardner and her family. Alyssa hears bugs and flowers the same affliction of her mother and grandmother. The females are thought to be mental and have been placed in an Asylum in the past.

Alyssa's mother is in a mental placement and Alyssa doesn't let her mother know that she can hear the bugs and flowers. Alyssa doesn't want to wind up in a mental institution like her mother. Alyssa is a frightened young girl and remembers things.

We follow Alyssa and her best friend Jeb into Wonderland. I enjoyed the play on Alice in Wonderland in this book. I did tear up during one part of this book which is a good sign that the book drew me into the story.

4 stars

#14. Theirs to Protect by Stasia Black

This is my first book by Stasia Black and I really enjoyed meeting these characters. And this is my first Polyamorous book. And I believe my first Erotica book (not positive on that though).

Theirs to Protect is after the Extermination. There are fewer females then males in this new Apocalytic world which takes place in Texas. (I am just picturing some hot cowboys right now). The main focus of this book is Audrey, Nix, Graham, Clark, Mateo and Danny.

In this New Republic each woman must marry 5 men. Audrey is 'kidnapped' or she feels this way because she was brought to this place against her will. Her and her brother Charlie were heading to an area called Nomansland, where there are no men just women. Since there are so few women the women are abused and tortured by some men.

I enjoyed learning about each character in this book. Learning what each of Audrey husbands have been through since this new world has started to develop. On to the next book!!

4 stars

#15. Their Honeymoon by Stasia Black

This Novelette is a very short story about the Nix Clan. You follow Audrey and her husbands as they go on a honeymoon. Audrey is upset because she is not pregnant and of course Nix thinks she needs a get away. And has planned this trip to hopefully get her pregnant.

I enjoyed how Audrey, Nix and the rest of the clan can sense each other's feelings and are in tune with each other.

4 stars

#16 Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

I listened to the audio this time and I still loved this book. I know many love POA but I really love this book because of all the dragons and being introduced to other wizarding schools. As I listened I was picturing parts of the movie and also noticing things that were missing from the movie that were in the book.

5 stars

#17. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

I listened to this book for our June Library book club. I enjoyed the book but I found myself getting confused at times because of the back and forth in the time periods and everything. I enjoyed the details of the landscapes and the characters interactions with each other. It has been awhile since finished this book so some of the details are foggy.

4 stars

#18 Unhinged by A. G. Howard

This book continues the Splintered series. Alyssa has gone down the rabbit hole. She has learned more about her past and that she is a descendent of the Red Queen.

I enjoyed this book for the take on Alice in Wonderland and the darker side. Alyssa has to juggle Morpheus and Jeb. Trying to keep things from Jeb from memories he doesn't remember.

The love triangle is interesting and I found myself chuckling and cringing at the same time.

4 stars

#19 Ensnared by A. G. Howard

The final book in the Splintered Series. Now Alyssa is the one in the Asylum after her prom fiasco. Where is everyone else? Now she has to go to places to rescue her mother, Jeb, and Morpheus. She turns to her father.

Alyssa has a plan and it is giving her father back his memories. I enjoyed when he got his memories back. Things came back to him and made him more complete.

Alyssa keeps feeling pain in her body. She doesn't know what is wrong but she starts to realize that Red did something to her. When she learns what Red did to her she realizes she could die and Wonderland would be gone for good...

I liked the ending but I did feel it was a little to Happily Ever After which left me feeling blah. I still enjoyed this series and would tell others to take a leap of faith and to give it a try.

4 stars

I am listening to:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, & Half Blood Prince & Imaginary Friends.

I am reading:
The Girl who drank the Moon
There's someone inside your house
The Secret History

#20. Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

I am confused by this book. I was enjoying it at first and then I was confused. I did listen to the audio so not sure if that made it more confusing to me or if the story was just lost. I had trouble trying to figure out if he was dreaming, being held captive, or was dead.

I also felt the book dragged on and one in the end. I did enjoy the premise of the book and some of the story.

3 stars

#21. Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

This book is for my September Library Book Club meeting. I also listened to the audio for this book. I am not too familiar with Cuba's history. I was intrigued by this story of a grandmother and granddaughter and their love for Havana, Cuba.

I learned a little bit about the history of Cuba and the political unrest in 1958. I will have to do some research to learn more.

4 stars

I am behind on posting the books I have read. I hope to get some up this weekend and/or week.
Here is a Challenge I plan to try next year.

Book Chain Challenge:

Rules

1. Choose your first book for the chain
Suggestion: Choose a book with a lot of words in the title… you’ll see why at the end

2. Read first book. Last word in the book needs to be in the title of your next book.

3. Read second book. Again… last word in this book needs to be in the title of your next book.

4. Repeat until the last word of your current book is in the title of any of the books in the chain.

>61 crazy4reading: That's an interesting idea!

>61 crazy4reading: Indeed, very interesting idea!

>61 crazy4reading: & >62 rabbitprincess: I found it on a Discord group I belong to and I thought the same thing. This might help me get through a lot of my TBR stacks!

So I have another challenge to do for next year. Here is the link to the web page if anyone is interested:

https://www.the52book.club/2022-reading-challenge/

>65 crazy4reading: That looks like a fun one!

>65 crazy4reading: I like this one too! You've been finding some good ones :)

I've already committed to "Around the Year with 52 Books", a Goodreads challenge, but this one looks like a fun one and I will save the link.

>65 crazy4reading: Oh, nice one.

>66 christina_reads: >67 rabbitprincess: >68 DeltaQueen50: >69 MissWatson: It does look interesting. I am finding all these new ones and yet I haven't even completed any of my current ones.

So my total number of books read is 33. I know I have some books that I read but I haven't added them to my list yet. I have a few more books that I am reading. Now the question is will I reach my goal of 75 books?

I will be posting some books tomorrow.

#22. Killer Blonde by Laura Levine

I enjoyed this story. It was a cute fun story. I will look into reading some more of this series. I enjoy a few laughs when I read a book.

4 stars

#23 The Monster at the end of this book by Jon Stone

I bought this book for my granddaughter and learned that she already had this book. I read the book and passed it on to my co-worker for her granddaughter. I enjoyed this book and hope to read the book to my granddaughter soon. I did read the book to my granddaughter and I love that I get to spend time with her doing this.

5 stars

#24. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

I love HP and enjoy doing a re-read every few years. This also helps me to remember things that were left out of the movies and cherish the books for how they were written and not just by the movies

5 stars

#25 Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming

I read this book to my granddaughter on Halloween for her bedtime story. I love getting this time with her when I visit.

5 stars

#26 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

No matter how many times I read or listen to these books I just discover new things and loose myself in them. This is the start of the good versus evil. This is one of my most favorite books of the series. The characters grow and you start to see the strength they have in themselves.

I love this book because Snape has such an integeral part in this story. Draco also plays a huge part in this book. The turmoil Draco goes through. His father in Azkaban. The life of his family in his hands.

Now I can't wait to read the last book in the series.

5 stars

#27 Where's The Ladybug by Nosy Crow

Cute book that I read to my granddaughter.

5 stars

Here is the final list of all the books I read in 2021:

When Moo Met Floral by Natalie Condello
Santa Baby by Cassie Mint
Deep in the Jungle of Doom by R. L. Stine
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Sampler by Ransom Riggs
I am Brave! A book about having courage by Kim Mitzo Thompson
Everyday Super Heroes! A book about helping others by Kim Mitzo Thompson
Do the Right Thing! A book about integrity by Kim Mitzo Thompson
Eyes & Nose and Fingers & Toes by Sesame Workshop
Nighty, Night by Sesame Workshop
I can do Anything! A book about self-confidence by Kim Mitzo Thompson
Exes & Ho, Ho, Hos by Pippa Grant
Followers by Megan Angelo
D. W. Thinks Big by Marc Brown
Love is a Truck by Amy Novesky
The Holiday Wishing Well by Neci Perkins
The Hope of Spring by Wanda E. Brunstetter
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My Little Brave Girl by Hilary Duff
Peek-a-Flap Who by Jaye Garnett
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
There's Someone Inside your house by Stephanie Perkins
Where's the Ladybug by Nosy Crow
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming
The Monster at the end of the book by Jon Stone
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Killer Blonde by Laura Levine
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Imaginary Friend by Stephan Chbosky
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling
Ensnared by A. G. Howard
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Unhinged by A. G. Howard
Their Honeymoon by Stasia Black
Theirs to protect by Stasia Black
Splintered by A. G. Howard
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui
The boy in the stripped pajamas by John Boyne
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbett
Fudge a mania by Judy Blume
The Pineville Heist by Lee Chambers
Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh
The Escape by Lisa Harris
Five Total Strangers by Natalie Richards
Captive of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
A loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey

Total of 50 books!