1donan
This is my 7th year participating in Category Challenge. I love this community and its passion for books. I'm looking forward to another year of 100+ books.
Total: 107
Milestones
25: 4/2/2022
50: 6/4/2022
75: 9/17/2022
100: 12/12/2022
Total: 107
Milestones
25: 4/2/2022
50: 6/4/2022
75: 9/17/2022
100: 12/12/2022
2donan
RandomKIT
I love participating in this challenge. I usually read 3/4 of the months.
January: a book about home. The House of the Scorpion
Feburary: read Strange Planet: The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature which is a picture book. I enjoyed it but feel strange about counting it here. Oh well. Going to do it anyway! :)
March: Paperback Crush as a nod to my love of young adult fiction
April
May: flowers.... A Muddied Murder
June
July:
August: Canadian author so Margaret Atwood with The Testaments. Enjoyable but not Handmaid's Table.
September: for harvest/angels/autumn, I read The House of Broken Angels which was a sweeping novel of a Mexican immigrant family. A powerful story about siblings and love.
October: read a book with a name in the title. The Book of Ruth-- wow! Beautifully written-- compelling characters, thought-provoking religious imagery.
November: city in the title or the name of a city-- maybe The City We Became
December: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
I love participating in this challenge. I usually read 3/4 of the months.
January: a book about home. The House of the Scorpion
Feburary: read Strange Planet: The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature which is a picture book. I enjoyed it but feel strange about counting it here. Oh well. Going to do it anyway! :)
March: Paperback Crush as a nod to my love of young adult fiction
April
May: flowers.... A Muddied Murder
June
July:
August: Canadian author so Margaret Atwood with The Testaments. Enjoyable but not Handmaid's Table.
September: for harvest/angels/autumn, I read The House of Broken Angels which was a sweeping novel of a Mexican immigrant family. A powerful story about siblings and love.
October: read a book with a name in the title. The Book of Ruth-- wow! Beautifully written-- compelling characters, thought-provoking religious imagery.
November: city in the title or the name of a city-- maybe The City We Became
December: A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
3donan
BingoDOG
Planning
11. One Thousand White Women: The Journal of May Dodds Too many racist tropes to read in good conscience. Trying One Day in December
Completed
1. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
2. The Weight of Blood-- from my Mock Printz 2023 group. Ah! So good!
3. So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix-- loved the historical elements. Didn't like the Little Women premise-- too attached to those characters to reimagine them and their plot lines.
4. Drama-- I think this would make a better movie than graphic novel. Can't believe Netflix hasn't tried this yet!
5. Because of Winn-Dixie
6. Merci Suarez Changes Gears
7. Avalon High
8. Where the Light Fell-- love Yancy and loved this book. Honesty. Depth. Beauty. Pain.
9. Fool's Errand
11. One Day in December-- pivoted for a rom com read
12. Instructions for a Heatwave-- historical fiction. England + Ireland. Complication (and loud!) family. Plus a touch of mystery and the Catholic Church. Couldn't ask for much more in my ideal book.
13. The House of the Scorpion-- compelling characters and plot.
14. Goose Girl-- loved the audiobook.
15. The Lincoln Highway
16. The Chicken Sisters was delightful chick-lit. Nothing special yet full of women figuring out their lives in the midst of communities.
17. The Language of Flowers
18. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay
19. Necessary Endings: recommended by my therapist. Fine read. Not 'fun' but important.
20. Murder on Astor Place-- main character named Sarah.
21. A Curious Beginning-- I enjoyed this Veronica Speedwell mystery. Delightful main character. Beautiful setting. Intriguing plot. Recommend it.
22. White Bird-- graphic novel recommended by my daughter
23. A Great and Terrible Beauty-- audiobook pulled from TBR list.
24. The House in the Cerulean Sea-- world-building was beautiful. Believable characters. Highly recommend.
25. Goldie Vance-- Nancy Drew like
First bingo: 5/9
Second bingo: 5/14
Third bingo: 10/15
Fourth and Fifth: 10/18
Sixth: 10/19
Seventh and Eighth: 11/16
Planning
Completed
1. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
2. The Weight of Blood-- from my Mock Printz 2023 group. Ah! So good!
3. So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix-- loved the historical elements. Didn't like the Little Women premise-- too attached to those characters to reimagine them and their plot lines.
4. Drama-- I think this would make a better movie than graphic novel. Can't believe Netflix hasn't tried this yet!
5. Because of Winn-Dixie
6. Merci Suarez Changes Gears
7. Avalon High
8. Where the Light Fell-- love Yancy and loved this book. Honesty. Depth. Beauty. Pain.
9. Fool's Errand
11. One Day in December-- pivoted for a rom com read
12. Instructions for a Heatwave-- historical fiction. England + Ireland. Complication (and loud!) family. Plus a touch of mystery and the Catholic Church. Couldn't ask for much more in my ideal book.
13. The House of the Scorpion-- compelling characters and plot.
14. Goose Girl-- loved the audiobook.
15. The Lincoln Highway
16. The Chicken Sisters was delightful chick-lit. Nothing special yet full of women figuring out their lives in the midst of communities.
17. The Language of Flowers
18. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay
19. Necessary Endings: recommended by my therapist. Fine read. Not 'fun' but important.
20. Murder on Astor Place-- main character named Sarah.
21. A Curious Beginning-- I enjoyed this Veronica Speedwell mystery. Delightful main character. Beautiful setting. Intriguing plot. Recommend it.
22. White Bird-- graphic novel recommended by my daughter
23. A Great and Terrible Beauty-- audiobook pulled from TBR list.
24. The House in the Cerulean Sea-- world-building was beautiful. Believable characters. Highly recommend.
25. Goldie Vance-- Nancy Drew like
First bingo: 5/9
Second bingo: 5/14
Third bingo: 10/15
Fourth and Fifth: 10/18
Sixth: 10/19
Seventh and Eighth: 11/16
4donan
TBR Plan
Last year, I broke my list into fiction and non-fiction. This worked well. I found I read about 3 fiction books for every 1 non-fiction book. In an attempt to read broadly across the list, I picked books from the beginning, middle, and end of the TBR list. I might pull books from this list for other challenges.
Fiction
The Fishermen
The Last Verdict
Fool's Errand-- used for BingoDog #9. Kindle book deal
The Marrow Thieves-- recommended by a local bookshop. Thought-provoking and powerful. Upbeat ending provided hope.
Blasphemy
Rebecca
The Thief of Always used for nwbookbingo2022
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler-- used in bingodog
Shadowland-- all the things that I love about Meg Cabot and perfect in October.
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix-- used in bingodog
The Princess Bride
A Great and Terrible Beauty-- used in bingdog. Such promise in the first 2/3 but the end was underwhelming.
The Secret of Platform 13
The Cuckoo's Calling
Here Be Dragons
The Good Lord Bird
Non-fiction
Strong and Weak-- left over from 2021.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek--own
Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics
Resurrecting the Wounds: Living in the Afterlife of Trauma
Aging: The Fulfillment of Life
The Unity of the Bible
The Dignity of Difference
Creativity, Inc.
Churching of America
Heart Berries
The Gospel Comes with a House Key-- at KCLS
An Everyone Culture-- Fuller
Last year, I broke my list into fiction and non-fiction. This worked well. I found I read about 3 fiction books for every 1 non-fiction book. In an attempt to read broadly across the list, I picked books from the beginning, middle, and end of the TBR list. I might pull books from this list for other challenges.
Fiction
The Last Verdict
Fool's Errand-- used for BingoDog #9. Kindle book deal
The Marrow Thieves-- recommended by a local bookshop. Thought-provoking and powerful. Upbeat ending provided hope.
The Thief of Always used for nwbookbingo2022
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler-- used in bingodog
Shadowland-- all the things that I love about Meg Cabot and perfect in October.
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix-- used in bingodog
The Princess Bride
A Great and Terrible Beauty-- used in bingdog. Such promise in the first 2/3 but the end was underwhelming.
The Secret of Platform 13
The Cuckoo's Calling
Here Be Dragons
The Good Lord Bird
Non-fiction
Strong and Weak-- left over from 2021.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek--own
Resurrecting the Wounds: Living in the Afterlife of Trauma
Aging: The Fulfillment of Life
The Unity of the Bible
The Dignity of Difference
Creativity, Inc.
Churching of America
Heart Berries
The Gospel Comes with a House Key-- at KCLS
An Everyone Culture-- Fuller
5donan
Printz Award
Planned
Finished
Ain't Burned All the Bright-- beautiful, moving book
I Must Betray You
A Thousand Steps Into Night -- magical and moving. Strong female protagonist and beautiful themes about the nature of family
All My Rage
Hollow Fires-- my current fav
The Silence that Binds Us
Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe
The Weight of Blood
This Golden State
Inheritence: A Visual Poem
Lawless Spaces
My Good Man
Planned
Finished
Ain't Burned All the Bright-- beautiful, moving book
I Must Betray You
A Thousand Steps Into Night -- magical and moving. Strong female protagonist and beautiful themes about the nature of family
All My Rage
Hollow Fires-- my current fav
The Silence that Binds Us
Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe
The Weight of Blood
This Golden State
Inheritence: A Visual Poem
Lawless Spaces
My Good Man
6donan
ReadHarder 2022
Finished: 17 of 24
1. Read a biography of an author you admire: Wrapped in Rainbows was exquisite. I learned so much about Zora Neale Hurston, the fascinating life of a renaissance woman constrained by the realities of being a Southern black woman in the pre-Civil Rights era.
2. Read a book set in a bookstore: The Diary of a Bookseller was a delightful read, inspiring my own wanderlust. Nothing outstanding here but will recommend to those who love Scotland and books.
3. Read any book from the Women’s Prize shortlist/longlist/winner list: Half of a Yellow Sun
4. Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma: New Kid
5. Read an anthology featuring diverse voices: Marvel Voices. Identity-- beautiful! I discovered some awesome new comics.
6. Read a nonfiction YA comic: Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 1 - The Birth of Humankind was a beautiful graphic novel. Not so sure about the central argument of the book.
7. Read a romance where at least one of the protagonists is over 40.: listened to The Lost Ticket which was delightful
8. Read a classic written by a POC.Jesus and the Disinherited
9. Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest: SuperMutant Magic Academy was not what I expected
10. Read a political thriller by a marginalized author (BIPOC, or LGBTQIA+): American Spy was excellent! Great writing.
11. Read a book with an asexual and/or aromantic main character: The Reckless Kind
12. Read an entire poetry collection.
13. Read an adventure story by a BIPOC author.: Pet is available in all forms at WWCL
14. Read a book whose movie or TV adaptation you’ve seen (but haven’t read the book).: notVirgin River so maybe Sweet Magnolias Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods which WWCLS has on audiobook
15. Read a new-to-you literary magazine (print or digital).
16. Read a book recommended by a friend with different reading tastes: Heir to the Empire-- glad that I read it but I can't imagine myself reading the next one.
17. Read a memoir written by someone who is trans or nonbinary:
18. Read a “Best _ Writing of the year” book for a topic and year of your choice: The Best Women's Travel Writing, Volume 12
19. Read a horror novel by a BIPOC author.-- using Weight of Blood here as well
20. Read an award-winning book from the year you were born.
21. Read a queer retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, folklore, or myth.: Great or Nothing
22. Read a history about a period you know little about: Revolution in Our Time
23. Read a book by a disabled author: not The Pretty One so back to the drawing board Breathe and Count Back From Ten had some interesting plot points but needed more depth in characters
24. Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat!
-- maybe from 2021 Read a book with a cover you hate: A Severe Mercy--ebook at WCCLS
2019 An #ownvoices book set in Mexico or Central America: maybe Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Finished: 17 of 24
1. Read a biography of an author you admire: Wrapped in Rainbows was exquisite. I learned so much about Zora Neale Hurston, the fascinating life of a renaissance woman constrained by the realities of being a Southern black woman in the pre-Civil Rights era.
2. Read a book set in a bookstore: The Diary of a Bookseller was a delightful read, inspiring my own wanderlust. Nothing outstanding here but will recommend to those who love Scotland and books.
3. Read any book from the Women’s Prize shortlist/longlist/winner list: Half of a Yellow Sun
4. Read a book in any genre by a POC that’s about joy and not trauma: New Kid
5. Read an anthology featuring diverse voices: Marvel Voices. Identity-- beautiful! I discovered some awesome new comics.
6. Read a nonfiction YA comic: Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 1 - The Birth of Humankind was a beautiful graphic novel. Not so sure about the central argument of the book.
7. Read a romance where at least one of the protagonists is over 40.: listened to The Lost Ticket which was delightful
8. Read a classic written by a POC.Jesus and the Disinherited
9. Read the book that’s been on your TBR the longest: SuperMutant Magic Academy was not what I expected
10. Read a political thriller by a marginalized author (BIPOC, or LGBTQIA+): American Spy was excellent! Great writing.
11. Read a book with an asexual and/or aromantic main character: The Reckless Kind
12. Read an entire poetry collection.
13. Read an adventure story by a BIPOC author.: Pet is available in all forms at WWCL
14. Read a book whose movie or TV adaptation you’ve seen (but haven’t read the book).: not
15. Read a new-to-you literary magazine (print or digital).
16. Read a book recommended by a friend with different reading tastes: Heir to the Empire-- glad that I read it but I can't imagine myself reading the next one.
17. Read a memoir written by someone who is trans or nonbinary:
18. Read a “Best _ Writing of the year” book for a topic and year of your choice: The Best Women's Travel Writing, Volume 12
19. Read a horror novel by a BIPOC author.-- using Weight of Blood here as well
20. Read an award-winning book from the year you were born.
21. Read a queer retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, folklore, or myth.: Great or Nothing
22. Read a history about a period you know little about: Revolution in Our Time
23. Read a book by a disabled author: not
24. Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat!
-- maybe from 2021 Read a book with a cover you hate: A Severe Mercy--ebook at WCCLS
7donan
Summer Book Bingo
released May 18th
finished August 30
1. A SAL speaker: Sing Unburied Sing
2. Sci-fi or fantasy by a BIPOC author: Noor
3. Recommended by a local bookstore: Keeping Two
4. Debut author: Such a Fun Age had delightfully complex characters, pitch-perfect for this moment in time.
5. Blue cover: Glass Houses
6. Banned or challenged book: The Giver
7. Set south of the equator: Circling the Sun on audiobook
8. Unreliable author: The Talented Mr. Ripley
9. A book about books: I will judge you by your bookshelf
10. Recommended by library staff or peak picks: Counterfeit by Kristin Chen
11. Latina/Latino/Latinx author: Breathe and Count Back from Ten-- also in ReadHarder
12. Been meaning to read: Hollow Fires from Prinz reading
13. FREE
14. Health or healthcare workers: On Rotation
15. Set somewhere you'd like to visit: The War That Saved My Life
16. Read Outside: Liar & Spy
17. Hobby or Skill: Take Back Your Power: 10 Rules for Women at Work
18. Non-binary/genderqueer author or character: Beneath the Sugar Sky
19. Reread a childhood favorite: Rite of Passage
20. Recommended by a friend or neighbor: The Thief of Always had an interesting premise but didn't resolve with quite the bang I hoped to read!
21. Outside of your comfort zone: The Game by Ken Dryden
22. Book to screen: Shadow and Bone
23. First book by an author: The Serpent King not as well-written as In the Wild Light but intriguing religious characters.
24. Most recent book by an author: Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee
25. LGBTQ+ love story:How it All Blew Up
released May 18th
finished August 30
1. A SAL speaker: Sing Unburied Sing
2. Sci-fi or fantasy by a BIPOC author: Noor
3. Recommended by a local bookstore: Keeping Two
4. Debut author: Such a Fun Age had delightfully complex characters, pitch-perfect for this moment in time.
5. Blue cover: Glass Houses
6. Banned or challenged book: The Giver
7. Set south of the equator: Circling the Sun on audiobook
8. Unreliable author: The Talented Mr. Ripley
9. A book about books: I will judge you by your bookshelf
10. Recommended by library staff or peak picks: Counterfeit by Kristin Chen
11. Latina/Latino/Latinx author: Breathe and Count Back from Ten-- also in ReadHarder
12. Been meaning to read: Hollow Fires from Prinz reading
13. FREE
14. Health or healthcare workers: On Rotation
15. Set somewhere you'd like to visit: The War That Saved My Life
16. Read Outside: Liar & Spy
17. Hobby or Skill: Take Back Your Power: 10 Rules for Women at Work
18. Non-binary/genderqueer author or character: Beneath the Sugar Sky
19. Reread a childhood favorite: Rite of Passage
20. Recommended by a friend or neighbor: The Thief of Always had an interesting premise but didn't resolve with quite the bang I hoped to read!
21. Outside of your comfort zone: The Game by Ken Dryden
22. Book to screen: Shadow and Bone
23. First book by an author: The Serpent King not as well-written as In the Wild Light but intriguing religious characters.
24. Most recent book by an author: Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee
25. LGBTQ+ love story:How it All Blew Up
8donan
Work
I work for a non-profit with a publishing arm so I regularly receive books. This is the one reading goal I have yet to meet in the past six years. In 2021, I read 7. Aiming for 12!!
1. Finding Messiah-- might write a proper review for this one!
2. Enhancing Christian Life: How Extended Cognition Augments Religious Community
I work for a non-profit with a publishing arm so I regularly receive books. This is the one reading goal I have yet to meet in the past six years. In 2021, I read 7. Aiming for 12!!
1. Finding Messiah-- might write a proper review for this one!
2. Enhancing Christian Life: How Extended Cognition Augments Religious Community
9donan
Miscellaneous
For all those books that don't fit anywhere else...
1. The Cross and the Lynching Tree which I read for class.
2. The Mediation of Christ which was short, dense and profound
3. Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit read for church small group.
4. Emotional Agility
5. The Wisdom of Your Body-- PF501
6. From Generation to Generation-- PF501
For all those books that don't fit anywhere else...
1. The Cross and the Lynching Tree which I read for class.
2. The Mediation of Christ which was short, dense and profound
3. Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit read for church small group.
4. Emotional Agility
5. The Wisdom of Your Body-- PF501
6. From Generation to Generation-- PF501
10thornton37814
Welcome back and good luck on your 2022 reading.
12MissWatson
Happy reading!
14DeltaQueen50
Enjoy your 2022 challenge!
16rabbitprincess
Welcome back and have a great reading year! I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Marrow Thieves; it's on my radar but hasn't quite made its way to my to-read list.
18mathgirl40
Good luck with your reading this year!
19donan
Mid-year 5 stars books
Life has been crazy so I'm a little late with this annual post. My 5 star books from January-June 2022.
1. Where the Light Fell-- Yancey is a favorite author of mine and I appreciated his vulnerability in this memoir. In an era where so many question the purpose of faith, Yancey writes an authentic story of struggle and hope.
2. New Kid-- beautifully drawn and powerfully written graphic novel.
3. All My Rage-- read for my 2023 Printz potential group. A story about dreams, immigration, love and impossible choices. Beautifully written.
4. American Spy-- recommended by a friend when I asked for something good to read. Surprising plot. Compelling characters.
5. The House in the Cerulean Sea-- I know that I'm late to this party but this book was as good as everyone told me! A coming-of-age story for the young and old!
6. Such a Fun Age-- I felt like the book was reading me.
7. Hollow Fires
Life has been crazy so I'm a little late with this annual post. My 5 star books from January-June 2022.
1. Where the Light Fell-- Yancey is a favorite author of mine and I appreciated his vulnerability in this memoir. In an era where so many question the purpose of faith, Yancey writes an authentic story of struggle and hope.
2. New Kid-- beautifully drawn and powerfully written graphic novel.
3. All My Rage-- read for my 2023 Printz potential group. A story about dreams, immigration, love and impossible choices. Beautifully written.
4. American Spy-- recommended by a friend when I asked for something good to read. Surprising plot. Compelling characters.
5. The House in the Cerulean Sea-- I know that I'm late to this party but this book was as good as everyone told me! A coming-of-age story for the young and old!
6. Such a Fun Age-- I felt like the book was reading me.
7. Hollow Fires
20mathgirl40
>19 donan: I'm even later to the party with The House in the Cerulean Sea. Glad to hear that it didn't disappoint you, and I'll have to add it to my own reading list soon.
21donan
2nd Half of 2022 5 stars
1. The Silence that Binds Us-- I appreciated the sister character in this story. And, I really appreciated an honest assessment of grief.
2. The Weight of Blood-- I do not usually read horror and I loved this book. I appreciated the way it played with ALL my expectations. Twists as the end which take what could feel like Carrie fanfic and turn plot into something memorable.
3. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
4. This Golden State
5. The Book of Ruth
1. The Silence that Binds Us-- I appreciated the sister character in this story. And, I really appreciated an honest assessment of grief.
2. The Weight of Blood-- I do not usually read horror and I loved this book. I appreciated the way it played with ALL my expectations. Twists as the end which take what could feel like Carrie fanfic and turn plot into something memorable.
3. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
4. This Golden State
5. The Book of Ruth
