April's Ultimate Reading Challenge 2023 - Part 2

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April's Ultimate Reading Challenge 2023 - Part 2

1lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 3, 2023, 10:52 pm



Hello, I am April. This is my 5th reading challenge. I took the name of this challenge from a book I received from my mom for Christmas. The Ultimate reading challenge is a list of 25 topics. You complete the challenge and open the envelope to receive a bookish gift. See the next post >2 lowelibrary: for details.
I will be posting my 16 categories. These will include the CATs and personal reading goals. I have based my categories on the idea of clearing books off Mount TBR. Books can and will count for more than one challenge.
My previous years were a monthly book log, this year I am following the lead of several others on this site, and listing the books as I read them (listing the categories they match). This method seems more efficient and cleaner. Thank you to all I stole the idea from.
I am loving the new format and will continue on with this.

My goal this year is to hit a record high of 150 books. Currently at 35 books out of 150.

2lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 26, 2023, 7:26 pm


The Ultimate Reading Challenge. I received this book for Christmas from my mom. There are 25 envelopes as shown. You finish the challenge and open the envelope to receive a bookish gift.

✔ 1. Read a novella or short novel under 200 pages - Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings 48 pages --- PRIZE (a hanging tag that says "There are a lot of books in here")
✔ 2. Find and read a book that is much longer than your usual reads - The Ink Black Heart 1012 pages --- PRIZE (gift tags with books and book-themed photos)
3. Read a book you selected purely on its cover design
4. Read a book about a person with a disability
5. Re-read a classic you hated in high school
✔ 6. Re-read a book you loved as a child - Pippi Longstocking --- PRIZE (2 book darts - with a note that says Book Darts...because dog-eared books are too controversial)
✔ 7. Read a graphic novel - Everything Is OK --- PRIZE (a light blue post-it notepad with "Books > Everything Else" across the top)
✔ 8. Read a book by an author whose ethnicity is different from yours - This Is How We Do IT: A Pep Talk - Kevin Hart ---PRIZE (some "this book belongs to" labels)
9. Read a new book that is intended primarily for children
✔ 10. Read a book in a genre you've never read before - Cold Cuts a Tartan Noir --- PRIZE (a paperclip with a tea cup attached to the top)
✔ 11. Read a book published this year - The Vanishing at Castle Moreau --- PRIZE (2 sets of paper tabs 1 says brilliant thought here, the other says noteworthy)
✔ 12. Read a book currently on the bestseller list - The House of Eve ---PRIZE (a pencil engraved with a Shakespeare quote "Brevity is the soul of wit")
✔ 13. Read a book that features an indigenous person - Native American Night Before Christmas --- PRIZE (small pink bookmark with books, glasses, and cups of tea on it)
✔ 14. Read a book that's been sitting on your shelf, unread, for more than a year - The Year Of Eating Dangerously on shelf when I joined in 2015 --- PRIZE (a mini notebook that says reading notes)
15. Go to your favorite section of the library or bookstore: blindly take a book off the shelf and take it home to read.
16. Visit your local bookstore and ask the bookseller to recommend a book based on your recent favorites
17. Ask a family member what book made a lasting impression on them. Find and read that book.
✔ 18. Participate in a book club, in person or virtually - Reese Witherspoon's Book Club - The House in the Pines ---PRIZE (note pad that looks like a library check-out card)
✔ 19. Read in a place you have never read before - Noah's tee ball game - The Ex Hex --- PRIZE (typewriter keychain)
20. Listen to a reading-themed podcast
21. Attend an author event - in person or virtually
22. Make (or order) a snack or meal described in a book you've read
✔ 23. Gift a copy of your favorite book to a friend or family member - a special occasion not required - gave my grandson a copy of Clifford, the Big Red Dog --- PRIZE (2 gift tags - one with a cat on it and one with books)
24. Write down a favorite quote or passage from a beloved book. Display it in your home.
✔ 25. Write a letter to someone who has influenced your reading life. This could be a parent, teacher, author, bookstore owner, or friend. It's okay to make it anonymous. -wrote a letter to my mother thanking her for teaching me to read. ---PRIZE (3 small blank notes - with bookish themes on the covers)

4lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 10, 2023, 6:51 pm



ScaredyKIT hosting June and October

January (Comedy Horror)
The Year of Eating Dangerously by K Bennett
February (Historical Horror)
The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon
March (Indie author or small press)
Shiners by John T Biggs
April (food horror)
Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets by Kay Frydenborg
Thinner by Stephen King
May (surviving the horror)
Superstitious by R L Stine
June (Stephen King and family)
Black Phone: Stories by Joe Hill
July
August
September
October
November
December

5lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 19, 2023, 1:38 pm



MysteryKIT hosting January and December

January (TV/Movie Detectives)
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
Four Blind Mice by James Patterson
February (Classic Settings)
Ten Little Indians by Agatha Chhristie
March (Paranormal)
Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton
April (Tartan Noir)
Cold Cuts by Douglas Lindsay
May (true unsolved mysteries)
Hollywoods's Unsolved Mysteries by John Austin
June (Vintage)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
July
August
September
October
November
December

6lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 30, 2023, 7:05 pm



KiddyCAT hosting June

January (Picture books/Graphic Novels) -
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Somebunny Loves You by Melinda Lee Rathjen
February (Mysteries)
Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham
March (YA Historical fiction)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
April (Middle Grade and YA Fantasy)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
May (YA/children's classics)
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
June (animals as main characters)
The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Zootopia Junior Novelization by Suzanne Francis
July
August
September
October
November
December

7lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 1, 2023, 2:01 pm


Continuing my read of the Alex Cross series in order. Hope to read one a month.

1. Four Blind Mice --- read in January
2. The Big Bad Wolf --- read in April
3. London Bridges - read in May
4. Mary, Mary - read in May
5. Cross
6. Double Cross
7. Cross Country
8. Alex Cross's Trial
9. I, Alex Cross
10. Cross Fire
11. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
12. Alex Cross, Run

8lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 3, 2023, 10:53 pm



I have a large collection of books about cats. The goal is 6 fiction and 3 non-fiction.

Fiction
1. Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings by Ursula K Le Guin
2. Buy A Whisker by Sofie Ryan

Non-fiction
1. The Cat and the Tao by Kwong Kuen Shan

9lowelibrary
Edited: Jul 24, 2023, 3:49 pm


I have decided to join Reese Witherspoon's book club. This category is for her monthly choices. This will help me read more current books. The book is announced on the first Tuesday of the month.

✔ January - The House In The Pines by Ana Reyes
✔ February - The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
✔ March - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
✔ April - Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
✔ May - Did You Hear About Kitty Karr by Crystal Smith Paul
✔ June - Cassandra In Reverse by Holly Smale
July
August
September
October
November
December

10lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 29, 2023, 5:23 pm



My husband bought me Harry Potter: A Magical Year last year, a book of daily quotes from the book series. This has prompted me to re-read the Harry Potter series this year. I have decided to do the re-read as a "new " read of the illustrated versions of the books.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- read in March
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- read in April

11lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 12, 2023, 7:31 pm



I hope to read 6 books on my Kindle this year.
1. Witch Hearts by Liz Long - read and deleted in January
2. This Is How We Do It: A Pep Talk by Kevin Hart - read in February
3. Dear Coca-Cola by Terry Ravenscroft- read and deleted in March
4. Truth or Poop: Amazing Animals by James Warwood - read and deleted in May
5. Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single by Jessica Simpson - read and deleted in June

12lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 26, 2023, 6:43 pm


I am participating in the historical fiction challenge as posted by @Tanya-dogearedcopy
The bonus will only be met if one of the books qualifies.

1. Read a work of historical fiction set in the country you are from
The Rail Splitter by John Cribb
2. Read a work of historical fiction set in a different country than the one you're from
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
3. Read a work of historical fiction set in your favorite historical time period to read about
4. Read a work of historical fiction set in a time period you're less familiar with
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
5. Read a work of historical fiction with a speculative element
The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon
6. Read a work of Historical fiction about a real historical figure or specific historical event
Dear America: Voyage on the Titanic by Ellen Emerson White
The Rail Splitter by John Cribb
7. Read a classic work of historical fiction

8. Bonus: Read a work of historical fiction over 500 pages.
The Book Thief
The Wolf's Hour
The Nightingale

15lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 19, 2023, 2:11 pm



This is for all my favorite authors with unread books on my shelf. The books were on my shelf prior to 2023. I hope to read at least one from each.

✔ Mitch Albom
The Stranger in the Lifeboat
Dan Brown
✔ Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
Ten Little Indians
Lisa Gardner
✔ John Grisham
Theodore Boone: The Abduction
✔ Joe Hill
Black Phone: Stories
✔ Stephen King
The Dark Man: An Illustrated Poem
Thinner
Barbara Michaels
✔ James Patterson (not counting Alex Cross)
Give Please A Chance
Things I Wish I Told My Mother

16lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 30, 2023, 7:14 pm


These are all the books I have been gifted this year (including Christmas gifts and Early Review books)

SantaThing 2022
A Whisker of A Doubt by Cate Conte
A Trip With Trouble by Diane Kelly
Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley
Getaway With Murder by Diane Kelly
The Crime That Binds by Laurie Cass

Previously unread SantaThing gifts (I have 5 left)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (SantaThing 2016)
Heist Society by Ally Carter (SantaThing 2016)
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (SantaThing 2017)
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara {SantaThing 2017)
Ghost of a Chance by Simon R Green (SantaThing 2018)

Christmas gifts 2022
The Black Phone: Stories by Joe Hill - read in June
Everything I Need to Know I Learned From Dolly Parton by Editors of Media Lab Books
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith - read in January
The Answer is.... by Alex Trebek
Who Is Alex Trebek? by Lisa Rogak
Who Was Alex Trebek? by Pamela Pollack
I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider - read in January
Everything Is OK by Debbie Tung - read in January
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill read in December 2022

Birthday gifts 2023
I Love You Like No Otter by Rose Rossner - read in March
The Witch's Path by Thorn Mooney - read in June

ER books I have won and received
December 2022 - Somebunny Loves You by Melinda Lee Rathjen - read in January
January 2023 - True Crime Trivia by Michelle Tooker -read in February
February 2023 - The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright - read in March
March 2023 - The Funny Moon by Chris Lincoln - read in April
May 2023 - The Rail Splitter by John Cribb - read in June

17lowelibrary
Edited: May 6, 2023, 10:44 pm

18lowelibrary
Apr 3, 2023, 11:06 pm

19MissWatson
Apr 4, 2023, 3:26 am

Happy new thread! It's nice to revisit all the pretty pictures.

20Jackie_K
Apr 4, 2023, 6:59 am

Happy new thread!

21christina_reads
Apr 4, 2023, 9:37 am

I enjoyed seeing all your lovely pictures again!

22lowelibrary
Apr 4, 2023, 6:47 pm

>19 MissWatson:, >20 Jackie_K:, >21 christina_reads: Thank you for the kind words. I usually spend all of December finding the pics for my thread. Glad the effort is appreciated.

24rabbitprincess
Apr 5, 2023, 11:32 am

Happy new thread! Looks like you had a great first quarter of the year!

25DeltaQueen50
Apr 5, 2023, 8:11 pm

Happy new thread, looks like the books have been good to you so far this year!

26lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 6, 2023, 8:12 pm

>24 rabbitprincess:, >25 DeltaQueen50: Thank you. It has either been a good year or I have been pickier in my selections. I have been trying to make the books I want to read fit the challenges.

27VivienneR
Apr 7, 2023, 3:38 pm

>23 lowelibrary: I have to commend you for taking on the chunkster Ink Black Heart!

28lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 8, 2023, 11:51 pm


36. The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson
Alex Cross #9
Bingo - Author shares your zodiac sign (Aries)
RandomKIT - Seven stages of (wo)man

Alex Cross battles the most ruthless and powerful killer he has ever encountered: a predator known only as the Wolf. Alex Cross's first case since joining the FBI has his new colleagues baffled. Across the country, men and women are being kidnapped in broad daylight and then disappearing completely. These people are not being taken for ransom, Alex realizes. They are being bought and sold. And it looks as if a shadowy figure called the Wolf-a master criminal who has brought a new reign of terror to organized crime-is behind this business. Even as he admires the FBI's vast resources, Alex grows impatient with the Bureau's clumsiness and caution when it's time to move. A lone wolf himself, he has to go out on his own in order to track the Wolf and try to rescue some of the victims while they are still alive. As the case boils over, Alex is in hot water at home too. His ex-fiancee, Christine Johnson, comes back into his life and not for the reasons he might have hoped.

The crime itself is new and intriguing and the hunt for a new killer begins. This is what I consider a filler book in a series. It begins new stories without concluding all of them.

29lowelibrary
Edited: Aug 8, 2023, 3:24 pm


37. Give Please A Chance by Bill O'Reilly and James Patterson
Favorite Authors

In this inspired collaboration, bestselling authors Bill O'Reilly and James Patterson remind us all that a single word -- "Please?" -- is useful in a thousand different ways. From finding a lovable stray dog to needing a partner on a seesaw, from reading a bedtime story to really, really needing a cookie, Give Please a Chance depicts scenes and situations in which one small word can move mountains. With a vivid array of illustrations by seventeen different artists, this charming, helpful book is a fun and memorable way for children to learn the magic power of one simple word: please.

A simple easy reader with colorful pictures. This is a good book to use to teach the proper usage of the word "please". I plan on sharing it with the grandchildren on their next visit.

30MissBrangwen
Apr 9, 2023, 2:57 am

Happy New Thread! It looks like you have had a very good first quarter with many five star reads. And I really like your categories and the pictures!

31lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 9, 2023, 12:05 pm

>30 MissBrangwen: Thank you

Friday, April 7th, was my 8th Thingaversary. I joined the site in 2015, not knowing how big a part of my life it would become. I am thankful for everyone who visits my page and takes the time to respond. I am especially thankful for how many duplicates this site has saved me from purchasing. Yesterday alone, I picked out at least a dozen books I wanted to read, only to discover I already owned them.

This year's gifts to myself.
1. The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig Albert - book bullet from @marell
2. The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan - book bullet from @dudes22
3. A Whisker of Trouble by Sofie Ryan - the next book I need to read in the Second Chance Cat series
4. Seven-Year Witch by Angela M Sanders - the second book in the Witch Way Librarian Mystery series - I received the first book as a 2021 SantaThing gift
5. Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J Chow - the second book in the Sassy Cat Mystery series - I received the first book as a 2021 SantaThing gift
6. How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino - we have over 2 dozen of them in the house and yard so this book is a must read
7. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden - a childhood favorite. I remember watching the movie every year.
8. The Secrets of Dumbledore by J.K. Rowling - the screenplay of the third Fantastic Beasts movie
AND ONE TO GROW ON
9. The Wives by Tarryn Fisher - an autographed copy that sounds like a very interesting read

32lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 9, 2023, 11:57 am


38. Cold Cuts by Douglas Lindsay
MysteryKIT - Tartan Noir
Ultimate Reading Challenge - Read a book in a genre you've never read before (see >2 lowelibrary: for the prize)

Tartan Noir Never Tasted So Good. There's something funny about the sandwich meat at a small town deli, and when it's sent for analysis the authorities make a grim discovery. There's been a murder, and the killer found a macabre way to dispose of the body. The victim is quickly identified, and detectives DI Pereira and DS Bain find their way to the meat processing factory where the human meat entered the food chain. A media frenzy quickly takes hold, with Pereira’s boss demanding immediate results. But no one is talking, some of the players have gone missing, and it seems unlikely that the butcher’s work is done. COLD CUTS introduces DI Pereira and DS Bain, Glasgow detectives on the trail of a killer, through a strange and absurd underworld of deceit, vengeance, low-budget pornography, and murder.

The whole book is low-budget. Unbelievable detectives, unlikeable characters, and a quick rush from start to finish. At 127 pages, the book took no time to establish the crime or the suspects. This was my first foray into Tartan Noir and not a good introduction.

33christina_reads
Apr 10, 2023, 12:17 pm

Happy Thingaversary! I hope you enjoy your new books!

34DeltaQueen50
Apr 10, 2023, 12:45 pm

Happy Thingaversary! And good luck with the garden gnomes. :)

35Tess_W
Apr 10, 2023, 3:59 pm

Happy thingaversary. Looks like some good reading ahead!

37lowelibrary
Apr 11, 2023, 6:13 pm


39. The Chocolate Rabbit by Maria Claret

Robby Rabbit badly wants to help Poppa, but things always seem to go wrong. Then he inadvertently helps his father create a chocolate rabbit.

A sweet little read for Easter of the first chocolate rabbit.

38pamelad
Apr 11, 2023, 7:17 pm

Happy Thingaversary!

39VivienneR
Apr 12, 2023, 2:26 pm

Happy Thingaversary!

40MissWatson
Apr 14, 2023, 4:02 am

Happy Thingaversary!

41lowelibrary
Apr 14, 2023, 7:52 pm

42lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 26, 2023, 7:33 pm


40. The Funny Moon
Gifts - Early Review March 2023 - review here
RandomKIT - Seven ages of (wo)man

Claire is a massage therapist who can communicate with animals and talk to people on the Other Side. Wally is a burned-out adman and wannabe novelist avoiding reality by obsessing over his golf game. After twenty-five years of marriage, she still loves him, but lately doesn't like him. When Wally moves out after a fight, Claire faces her fears, flaws, and fantasies, while dealing with her man-eating best friend, a wealthy older suitor, her tai chi master, and a wisecracking dog. Meanwhile, above his friend's garage, Wally imagines literary glory as he struggles to keep his one remaining client. When things unexpectedly turn in his favor, he is eager to win Claire back. But will she give up her newfound freedom to give their rocky relationship another chance?

The story does not live up to its premise or potential.

43lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 20, 2023, 9:48 pm


41. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Bingo - switched/stolen identity
Historical fiction - A time period you are not familiar with
RandomKIT - Seven ages of (wo)man
Reese's Book Club - March pick

With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion, and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France. This heartbreakingly beautiful novel celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.

As the book progressed, I found myself asking what I would do in that situation. The book does a good job of making you feel like you are there living that life right along with the characters. While I was familiar with the treatment of the Jews, I knew nothing about the French resistance until reading this novel.

44christina_reads
Apr 20, 2023, 9:55 am

>43 lowelibrary: This book has been languishing unread on my shelves...your review has definitely nudged it up the list!

45lowelibrary
Apr 22, 2023, 2:24 pm

>44 christina_reads: This was my first Kristin Hannah, although I have several on my shelf. I will be moving them up the list.

46lowelibrary
Apr 22, 2023, 2:42 pm


42. Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets by Kay Frydenborg
Bingo - STEM topic
Nonfiction
ScaredyKIT- Food Horror

Chocolate hits all the right sweet--and bitter--notes: cutting-edge genetic science whisked in with a strong social conscience, history, and culture yields one thought-provoking look into one of the world's most popular foods. Readers who savored Chew on This and Food, Inc. and lovers of chocolate will relish this fascinating read.

I found this book on my shelves when I was looking for a STEM read to get my first Bingo. I found the book to be well-written and easy to comprehend. From the history of the plant to the current (at the time of the book) DNA profiling of the trees to improve and save the cacao industry. You will even learn the difference between cacao, cocoa, and coca.
I also enjoyed that the dust cover looks like a candy bar and the book itself is chocolate brown. I even had the perfect bookmark, a chocolate scented one, which made the read even more enjoyable.

47lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 26, 2023, 9:19 pm


43. The Medicine Wheel by Sun Bear and Wabun
Bingo - a topic you don't usually read
Nonfiction
Thingaversary gift

In The Medicine Wheel, Sun Bear and Wabun put forth a whole new system of earth astrology to help guide people in their daily lives and their life paths. In the authors' own words, this book was written to "help all people relate better to our Earth Mother...and find a kinship with the universe."

There are much better books that describe Native American astrological signs with much better guidance.

48lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 27, 2023, 7:26 pm


44. Thinner by Stephen King
Favorite Authors
RandomKIT - seven ages of (wo)man
ScaredyKIT -Food Horror

Attorney Billy Halleck seriously enjoys living his life of upper-class excess. He’s got it all­—an expensive home in Connecticut, a loving family…and fifty extra pounds that his doctor repeatedly warns will be the death of him. Then, in a moment of carelessness, Halleck commits vehicular manslaughter when he strikes a jaywalking old woman crossing the street. But Halleck has some powerful local connections, and gets off with a slap on the wrist…much to the fury of the woman’s mysterious and ancient father, who exacts revenge with a single word: “Thinner.” Now a terrified Halleck finds the weight once so difficult to shed dropping effortlessly—and rapidly—by the week. Soon there will be nothing left of Billy Halleck…unless he can somehow locate the source of his living nightmare and reverse what’s happened to him before he utterly wastes away…

Even your favorite authors have a bad day. I absolutely disliked this book. There is not one character I liked or wanted to invest in. The plot was slow and anticlimactic. I am blaming this book entirely on Richard Bachman.
I do want to share this bit. "I'd like 3 Big Macs, 2 large orders of french fries, and a coffee milkshake." "Any dessert" "Sure, a cherry pie and a box of McDonaldland cookies" "Your order comes to $6.90, sir". You can't even get a Big Mac for that price anymore and I miss McDonaldland cookies.

49lowelibrary
Edited: Apr 29, 2023, 5:22 pm


45. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: The Illustrated Edition by JK Rowling and Jim Kay
Harry Potter re-read - book 2
RandomKIT - Seven ages of (wo)man

Award-winning artist Jim Kay illustrates year two of Harry Potter's adventures at Hogwarts, in a stunning, gift-ready format.
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. And strike it does. In Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seems a minor annoyance when the real trouble begins, and someone -- or something -- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself?

Once again the re-read does not disappoint. And I was excited to be reintroduced to Dobby (my favorite character throughout the series). The illustrations in the book are magnificent and bring more life to the story.

Touchstone does not go to the correct edition. https://www.librarything.com/work/683408/book/235042086

50VivienneR
May 1, 2023, 2:13 pm

>48 lowelibrary: My reading of Stephen King is not extensive but I didn't think it was possible for him to get a two-star review. And your summary sounds so tempting.

51lowelibrary
May 1, 2023, 8:02 pm

>50 VivienneR: I kept waiting for the book to get better, I know there are some slow-starting King books that pay out in the end and make it worth the effort. This was not one of them. About half way through the book I asked my Stephen King aficionado husband "When does it get better?" He said, "It doesn't".

52lowelibrary
Edited: May 1, 2023, 9:22 pm


46. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Bingo - features music or musician
Reese's book club - April pick
RandomKit - Seven ages of (wo)man

Sally Milz is a sketch writer for The Night Owls, a late-night live comedy show that airs every Saturday. With a couple of heartbreaks under her belt, she’s long abandoned the search for love, settling instead for the occasional hook-up, career success, and a close relationship with her stepfather to round out a satisfying life.
But when Sally’s friend and fellow writer Danny Horst begins dating Annabel, a glamorous actress who guest-hosted the show, he joins the not-so-exclusive group of talented but average-looking and even dorky men at the show—and in society at large—who’ve gotten romantically involved with incredibly beautiful and accomplished women. Sally channels her annoyance into a sketch called the Danny Horst Rule, poking fun at this phenomenon while underscoring how unlikely the reverse would ever happen for a woman. Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models, who signed on as host and musical guest for this week’s show. Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder if there might actually be sparks flying. But this isn’t a romantic comedy—it’s real life. And in real life, someone like him would never date someone like her . . . right?

This book is divided into 4 sections, with the first being The Night Owls show and the best part of the book for me. I loved the glimpse behind the scenes of the thinly veiled SNL show and the details of how it functions and produces the shows in less than a week. The second section is where the romance begins and the rest of the book continues in that theme.

53mathgirl40
May 1, 2023, 10:03 pm

>44 christina_reads: I've loved most of the Stephen King books I'd read but I've heard that some are real duds, so I'll take your warning and avoid this one. That description of the McDonald's meal and its cost does make the book seem very dated!

54lowelibrary
Edited: May 2, 2023, 8:21 pm


47. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Bingo - author under 30
KiddyCAT - Middle grade and YA fantasy

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future. With high-stakes action and a smart, resourceful heroine, Cinder is a Cinderella retelling that is at once classic and strikingly original.

I deducted 1/2 point from my rating because I can not stand books that end in cliffhangers. I understand that the author intends the book to be part of a series, but you can end the book completely and still make a series.
The story itself follows the Cinderella story with the mistreated child, the wicked stepmother, two stepsisters, the prince, and the ball. That is where the comparison ends. The story itself is an original sci-fi fantasy that kept me coming back for more.

55lowelibrary
Edited: May 2, 2023, 8:22 pm

APRIL RECAP

I read 12 books this month and discarded 0 Kindle books.

The best read was The Chocolate Rabbit
The worst read was Thinner

Ratings
5 stars - 2 books
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets re-read disqualified from best read
The Chocolate Rabbit
4 1/2 stars -2 books
Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets
Romantic Comedy
4 stars - 3 books
The Big Bad Wolf
Cinder
The Nightingale
3 1/2 stars - 1 book
Give Please A Chance
2 1/2 stars - 2 books
Cold Cuts
The Medicine Wheel
2 stars - 2 books
The Funny Moon
Thinner

56lowelibrary
May 6, 2023, 10:41 pm


48. How To Survive A Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino
Random - Royal Names
Thingaversary book - 2023

There’s a new threat in town—and it's only twelve inches tall. How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack is the only comprehensive survival guide to help you prevent, prepare for, and ward off an imminent home invasion by the common garden gnome. Once thought of as harmless yard decorations, evidence is mounting that these smiling lawn statues are poised and ready to wreak havoc. The danger is real. And it’s here.

As a garden gnome collector, I found this parody amusing. The concept is that these creatures are psychotic and only out to kill the humans in the neighborhood. While reading the book I made a deal with my gnomes, they leave me be and I won't ask questions about the neighbors.

57lowelibrary
May 7, 2023, 10:00 pm


49. Truth or Poop: Amazing Animals by James Warwood
Kindle
Nonfiction

Inside this wild and wacky book, you’ll discover 50 amazing animal facts. Some will sound stupid, some will seem obvious, and some may even sound familiar. But you’ve got to think long and hard to work out which are real and which are complete nonsense. That’s right, some are the TRUTH and others are POOP!

Written for upper elementary/lower middle school students, the question and answer format allows time to guess truth or poop? before turning the page and reading the answer, as well as some facts behind the answer. I did learn a few new facts like a hippo can run faster than a human. They can run 30 miles an hour while the average human can run 15 miles an hour. The good news is that they can only sustain that speed for 30 seconds.

58lowelibrary
Edited: May 11, 2023, 11:55 pm


50. Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson, Susan DiLallo and James Patterson
Favorite authors
RandomKIT - Royal names

A mother and daughter on vacation in Paris unpack a lifetime of secrets and hopes—with a giant Pattersonian twist at the end! Every daughter has her distinctive voice, inimitable style, and secrets. Laurie is an artist and a collector of experiences. She travels the world with a worn beige duffel bag. Every mother has her distinctive voice, inimitable style, and secrets. “Dr. Liz,” Laurie’s mother, is an elegant perfectionist who travels the world with a matched set of suitcases.
When Laurie surprises her mother with a dream vacation, it brings an unexpected sparkle to her eyes. So begins Things I Wish I Told My Mother.

Very few books make me cry. This is one of them. Highly recommended to all daughters who ever had a mother. It is a three-star story easily, but that ending earned it more.

I read this book as a gift for my mother. I left notes at the end of most chapters, to try to mend a bridge as broken as the one in the book. I am giving it to her this weekend for Mother's Day/her 75th birthday which coincide this year.

Ultimate Reading Challenge - write a letter to someone who has influenced your reading life. This could be a parent, teacher, author, bookstore owner, or friend. It's okay to make it anonymous. (see >2 lowelibrary: for the prize) - I wrote a letter to my mother who taught me to read at the age of 2 when she was pregnant with my sister. That gift changed my life forever.

59lowelibrary
May 11, 2023, 11:44 pm


51. London Bridges by James Patterson
Cross #10
RandomKIT - Royal names

Alex Cross must face the world's most dangerous agents, criminals, and assassins. The fate of the world rests in his hands. In broad desert daylight, a mysterious platoon of soldiers evacuates the entire population of Sunrise Valley, Nevada. Minutes later, a huge bomb detonates a hundred feet above the ground and lays waste to homes, cars, and playgrounds: a town annihilated in an instant. The Russian supercriminal known as the Wolf claims responsibility for the blast. Alex Cross is on vacation in San Francisco with his girlfriend, Jamilla Hughes, when he gets the call. World leaders have just four days to prevent an unimaginable cataclysm. Racing down the hairpin turns of the Riviera in the most unforgettable finale James Patterson has ever written, he confronts the truth of the Wolf's identity, a revelation that even Cross himself may be unable to survive.

Not one of the better Alex Cross books in my opinion. If you are reading the series, read it because it does cover events in Alex's life. It had tons of potential and was built up to be a true Cross, but the ending is rushed and uninspiring. I hope the next book explains why this happened.

60Tess_W
May 15, 2023, 11:12 am

>58 lowelibrary: I am touched by your letter to your mother. My mother also taught me to read before I entered school, but not as young as you--maybe 4ish. It indeed gave me a great head start and have always been years ahead of my peers as far as understanding literature and being able to figure out words from the context.

61lowelibrary
Edited: May 21, 2023, 5:42 pm


52. Superstitious by RL Stine
ScaredyKIT - Surviving the Horror

Liam O'Connor cuts a dashing, romantic figure on the small Pennsylvania college campus. The Irish-born professor of folklore has good looks, a sweet charm, and a host of Old World superstitions - all of which dazzle beautiful graduate student Sara Morgan. Plunging headlong into a sudden love affair, Sara barely has time to notice the dark drama unfolding on the campus. Four murders have been committed, each more gruesomely horrifying than the one before, each committed by someone, or something, with terrible fury and strength. Suddenly Sara is receiving crank phone calls, warning her to stay away from Liam ... fearing her ex-boyfriend Chip's next angry outburst ... wondering why Liam's unmarried sister, Margaret, is so suffocatingly close to them ... and trying to escape the lecherous stares of her boss, Milton Cohn, the dean of students and the owner of a murderous-looking knife collection. When Liam proposes marriage, Sara accepts, making love by the light of sixteen candles, one of Liam's superstitions. Somehow, that final step seals her fate. The police begin to close in on a killer, the death toll mounts, and Sara is caught in an ever-tightening web. At its center, behind the most innocent superstitions, waits the greatest terror of all...

RL Stine writes horror books for children, and other than the adult themes here (nudity, sex, and brutal murder) this could be one of them. The book is simply written and easily figured out, with just a touch of horror. Yet I feel it lacks too much to be enjoyable as an adult book.

62lowelibrary
May 22, 2023, 9:07 pm


53. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
KiddyCAT - YA/Children's classic
Ultimate Reading Challenge - Re-read a book you loved as a child (see >2 lowelibrary: for the prize)

Tommy and his sister Annika have a new neighbor, and her name is Pippi Longstocking. She has crazy red pigtails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and a flair for the outrageous that seems to lead to one adventure after another!

When I first started re-reading this childhood favorite, I wondered how the shy, solemn child I was could have loved this loud outrageous creature called Pippi. But even before the end of the first chapter, I was back in love with Pippi and her freedom. Her antics are so beyond any imagination that they immediately sweep you up into the adventure and wonder that is Pippi. I can not wait to find and re-read the others in the series.

63Tess_W
May 23, 2023, 11:01 am

>62 lowelibrary: Love Pippi as a child. Must revisit!

64lowelibrary
May 23, 2023, 7:44 pm

>63 Tess_W: You really must. You may start the book as an adult, but I promise by the end of the book you will be a child again.

65lowelibrary
Edited: May 24, 2023, 12:33 am


54. Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries by John Austin
MysteryKIT - True Unsolved Mysteries
Nonfiction

The real stories behind the 10 most celebrated Hollywood mysteries ... from Marilyn Monroe to Natalie Wood, and beyond.

Instead of being called Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries, the book should be titled Hollywoods's Biggest Conspiracy Theories. While there are a couple of true unsolved mysteries, most of the stories here are reiterated the conspiracy theories around the celebrities' deaths, usually with nothing to go on other than friends and families finding the suicides and overdoses unbelievable.

66lowelibrary
May 25, 2023, 7:43 pm


55. Dear America: Voyage on the Titanic by Ellen Emerson White
Bingo - set on a plane, train, or ship
Historical fiction - about a real historical figure or a specific historical event

In her diary in 1912, thirteen-year-old Margaret Ann describes how she leaves her lonely life in a London orphanage to become a companion to a wealthy American woman, sails on the Titanic, and experiences its sinking.

While we all know what happened on the Titanic, this book will introduce the tragedy to young readers in a good fashion. Written as a diary of a young girl, it will give details of how she came to be on the Titanic and the tragedy that is to follow. The book provides real details and pictures of the Titanic at the end of the book. Recommended for pre-teens.

The book provided enough detail that I now want to pull out and read The Story of the Titanic: As Told by Its Survivors.

67lowelibrary
Edited: May 30, 2023, 12:41 am


56. Mom Always Said... by Carol Kelly-Gangi

Mom Always Said is for mothers and about mothers. Part literary reader, part handbook, and part scrapbook, the book contains more than fifty stories, poems, recipes, and personal accounts.

The book is divided into three sections, section one is the best with literary sections and author stories about their mothers or being a mother. Section two is condensed fairy tales and childhood songs and section three is a small recipe section. Each section has a spot for your own memories. The first section is worth reading, but you can skip the rest.

68lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 2, 2023, 7:46 pm


57. An Introvert's Survival Guide by Psych2Go
Nonfiction

This book was a downloadable PDF that I received from the website, https://psych2go.net. It is a series of essays about what it is like being an introvert, with a few added articles for those that have to live with us.

69lowelibrary
May 30, 2023, 11:40 pm

Ultimate Reading Challenge - gift a copy of your favorite book to a friend or family member - a special occasion not required. (see >2 lowelibrary: for prize)

I gifted a copy of Clifford, the Big Red Dog to my grandson.

70mnleona
Jun 2, 2023, 6:58 am

Great posts. I love >3 lowelibrary: the best.

71lowelibrary
Jun 2, 2023, 7:38 pm


58. Mary, Mary by James Patterson
Cross #11
Random - Royal names

Someone is murdering Hollywood's A-list, and Alex Cross's family vacation is cut short as he navigates a mysterious world of luxury, gossip, and hidden secrets.
FBI Agent Alex Cross is on vacation with his family in Disneyland when he gets a call: a well-known actress was shot outside her home in Beverly Hills. Shortly afterward, an editor for the Los Angeles Times receives an email describing the murder in vivid detail. Alex quickly learns that this is not an isolated incident. The killer, known as Mary Smith, has done this before and plans to kill again. Right from the beginning, this case is like nothing Alex has ever been confronted with before. Is this the plan of an obsessed fan or a spurned actor, or is it part of something much more frightening? Now members of Hollywood's A-list fear they're next on Mary's list, and the case grows by blockbuster proportions as the LAPD and FBI scramble to find a pattern before Mary can send one more chilling update.

This is what I expect from James Patterson and his Alex Cross series. Well written, catches your attention immediately, comes to a complete close (no cliffhanger), and has an unexpected reveal and a great ending. After the last few books, I thought the series had lost its edge, but this book renews my faith in the series and the character.

72lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 2, 2023, 7:48 pm

MAY RECAP

I read 11 books this month and discarded 0 Kindle books.

The best read was Mary, Mary.
The worst read was Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries.

Ratings
5 stars - 2 book
Mary, Mary
Pippi Longstocking
4 stars - 2 books
Things I Wish I Told My Mother
How To Survive A Garden Gnome Attack
3 1/2 stars - 3 books
London Bridges
An Introvert's Survival Guide
Dear America: Voyage on the Titanic
3 stars - 1 book
Truth or Poop
2 1/2 stars - 2 books
Superstitious
Mom Always Said...
2 stars - 1 book
Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries

73lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 19, 2023, 1:43 pm


59. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
KiddyCAT - animal as main character

Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

I loved this book. It made me sad, angry, happy, and joyful. Simple paragraphs make this book easy to read, and the manner of using Ivan's perspective makes the flow of the book unique. I dare anyone to read the book and not fall in love with Ivan, Stella, Bob, and especially baby Ruby.
Best read of the year to date.

74Jackie_K
Jun 8, 2023, 7:05 am

>73 lowelibrary: That sounds lovely!

75lowelibrary
Jun 10, 2023, 6:42 pm

> It is a lovely book and well worth the time.

76lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 26, 2023, 6:46 pm


60. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul
Random - Walls
Reese's book club- May pick

When Kitty Karr Tate, a White icon of the silver screen, dies and bequeaths her multimillion-dollar estate to the St. John sisters, three young, wealthy Black women, it prompts questions. Lots of questions. A celebrity in her own right, Elise St. John would rather focus on sorting out Kitty’s affairs than deal with the press. But what she discovers in one of Kitty’s journals rocks her world harder than any other brewing scandal could—and between a cheating fiancé and the fallout from a controversial social media post, there are plenty. The truth behind Kitty's ascent to stardom from her beginnings in the segregated South threatens to expose a web of unexpected family ties, debts owed, and debatable crimes that could, with one pull, unravel the all-American fabric of the St. John sisters and those closest to them. As Elise digs deeper into Kitty's past, she must also turn the lens upon herself, confronting the gifts and burdens of her own choices and the power that the secrets of the dead hold over the living. Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? is a sprawling page-turner set against the backdrop of the Hollywood machine, an insightful and nuanced look at the inheritances of family, race, and gender—and the choices some women make to break free of them.

I am of two minds on this story. The modern story of Elise St. John and her family was just a so-so story, that would have earned this book 2 1/2 stars. However, Kitty's story was fascinating and I did not want it to end. (4 1/2 stars).

77DeltaQueen50
Jun 11, 2023, 2:17 pm

Your review of The One and Only Ivan has totally sold me on the book and it is being added to my wishlist. :)

78lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 12, 2023, 7:29 pm


61. Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single by Jessica Simpson
Kindle
Nonfiction

In 2006, after the end of her marriage to the first man she ever loved, Jessica Simpson wonders who she is. Exploring what she truly wants in a relationship, Jessica begins dating again. This time her only vow is not to leap for the fairy tale. Don’t overthink. Just enjoy the moment. But when an A-list childhood crush invites her on a romantic getaway, it’s impossible for Jessica not to swoon.

I would not have been able to finish this short story if it had been longer than 28 pages. Jessica sees herself as an irresistible woman whom everyone wants to date just because she is Jessica Simpson.

79lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 13, 2023, 11:37 pm


62. Black Phone: Stories by Joe Hill
Favorite Authors
Gifts
ScaredyKIT - Stephen King and family

Jack Finney is thirteen, alone, and in desperate trouble. For two years now, someone has been stalking the boys of Galesburg, stealing them away, never to be seen again. And now, Finney finds himself in danger of joining them: locked in a psychopath’s basement, a place stained with the blood of half a dozen murdered children. With him in his underground cell is an antique phone, long since disconnected . . . but it rings at night anyway, with calls from the killer’s previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney. “The Black Phone” is one of fifteen stories in Joe Hill’s first story collection, originally published as 20th Century Ghosts—the inventive and chilling compendium that established this award-winning, critically acclaimed, and bestselling author as “a major player in 21st-century fantastic fiction”

I went back and saw that I initially read this book as 20th Century Ghosts and rated it 3 1/2 stars. I am rating this 4 stars. The stories I remembered liking were still great and a lot of the others improved on this second reading. I re-read this edition because I did not remember the title story after seeing the movie of the same name. This is a rare instance of the movie being better than the book (story). The best stories are 20th Century Ghost, Last Breath and The Widow's Breakfast.

80lowelibrary
Jun 19, 2023, 1:48 pm


63. Zootopia: Junior Novelization by Suzanne Francis
KiddyCAT - animal as main character

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it's a melting pot where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn't so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde, to solve the mystery.

This book is great for introducing reading to children. The book follows the movie and would be easy for young fans of the movie to read. I chose the book for a quick read to finish a Kindle challenge.

81lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 19, 2023, 2:11 pm


64. Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
Favorite Authors
MysteryKIT - Vintage

Christmas Eve and the Lee family reunion is shattered by a deafening crash of furniture and a high-pitched wailing scream. Upstairs, the tyrannical Simeon Lee lies dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed. When Hercule Poirot offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. It seems everyone had their own reason to hate the old man. . . .

A locked room mystery with a family that has no love for each other. None of the characters (except Hercule Poirot) are lovable and all of them could easily be believable as the killer. Though I did not remember reading this book, I did know who the killer was once the character was introduced, so this must be a re-read.

82lowelibrary
Edited: Jul 2, 2023, 3:03 pm


65. Chocolate: The Sweet History by Beth Kimmerle
Nonfiction

This richly illustrated celebration of our favorite indulgence is beautifully presented with photographs, vintage packaging, and candy graphics that bring to life the truly sweet history of an age-old delicacy. Delve into the detailed stories of well-loved chocolate companies as Kimmerle profiles America's top chocolate makers and discovers some new chocolatiers creating a stir in the industry. Learn the history, discover the European roots, and read the fabled stories behind this American obsession. Whether you prefer dark or white, truffles or cupcakes, enthusiasts will delight in this delicious diary of all things chocolate.

The book contains photos of old candy packaging and advertisements, but the history of the candy companies is brief and more information could be received by googling the companies. It reads more like an advertisement than a history.

83lowelibrary
Edited: Jun 25, 2023, 3:16 pm


66. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Ultimate Reading Challenge - Read in a place you have never read before - (see >2 lowelibrary: for the prize) - I read part of this book at my grandson's first tee ball game.

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two. That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all. Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed-off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off-the-charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

A cute little paranormal romance. The characters are great and the storyline is interesting. Could have used fewer sex scenes, but otherwise a good quick read.

84lowelibrary
Edited: Aug 8, 2023, 2:55 pm


67. The Rail Splitter by John Cribb
Gifts - Early Review May 2023 - review here
Historical Fiction Challenge - Read a work of historical fiction set in the country you’re from

The Rail Splitter tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's remarkable journey from a log cabin to the threshold of the White House—a journey that makes him one of America's most beloved heroes. The story begins with Lincoln's youth on the frontier, where he grows up with an ax in one hand and a book in the other, determined to make something of himself. Part coming-of-age story, part adventure story, part love story, and part rags-to-riches story, The Rail Splitter is the making of Abraham Lincoln. The story of the rawboned youth who goes from a log cabin to the White House is, in many ways, the great American story. The Rail Splitter reminds us that the country Lincoln loved is a place of wide-open dreams where extraordinary journeys unfold.

I did not enjoy this book, I found the "conversations" unrealistic and the situations manipulated for the author's benefit.

85lowelibrary
Edited: Aug 8, 2023, 2:55 pm


68. The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
KiddyCAT - animal as main character

Return to the unforgettable world of the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling novel The One and Only Ivan in this incredible sequel, starring Ivan’s friend Bob! As a hurricane approaches and time is running out, Bob finds courage he never knew he had and learns the true meaning of friendship and family.

This sequel to The One and Only Ivan is another adventure in emotions. This time the book is from the narrative of Bob the dog. I repeatedly found myself reading this in the hyper mannerism of all movie dogs. This book does not disappoint and lives up to the first novel.

86lowelibrary
Jun 28, 2023, 5:14 pm


69. Bright Spots and Landmines by Adam Brown
Nonfiction

Adam Brown’s acclaimed diaTribe column, Adam’s Corner, has brought life-transforming diabetes tips to over 1 million people since 2013. In this highly actionable guide, he shares the food, mindset, exercise, and sleep strategies that have had the biggest positive impact on his diabetes – and hopefully yours too!
Bright Spots & Landmines is filled with hundreds of effective diabetes tips, questions, and shortcuts, including what to eat to minimize blood sugar swings; helpful strategies to feel less stressed, guilty, and burned out; and simple ways to improve exercise and sleep. Along the way, Adam argues that the usual focus on problems and mistakes in diabetes (Landmines) misses the bigger opportunity: Bright Spots. By identifying what’s working and finding ways to do those things more often, we can all live healthier, happier, and more hopeful lives.

A lot of information that is mainly geared toward those that are insulin dependent. There is some good advice and lots of helpful hints to figure out what works best for you.

87lowelibrary
Jun 30, 2023, 7:37 pm


70. The Witch's Path by Thorn Mooney

The Witch's Path is about raising your Witchcraft practice to the next level—whether you're a beginner who feels overwhelmed, a disillusioned adept, a jaded coven leader, or anyone in between. This book shares specific, hands-on tips for what you can do to move forward spiritually today, no matter what your starting point. Join on an exploration of the most common themes practitioners need to look into when they're feeling stagnant or stuck: sacred space, devotion, ritual and magic, personal practice, and community. Every chapter features four separate exercises, designed for four different types of readers, so you can come back to this book as you grow and discover fresh techniques and activities. The Witch's Path helps renew your sense of engagement with the Craft so you can continue evolving your spirit, your practice, and yourself.

I found this book to be more of a reference. The author points you towards further reading and has a take the advice or leave it attitude. The author is clearly pushing a religious tone with the book and has no interest in whether you find the information useful.

88lowelibrary
Jun 30, 2023, 7:45 pm

JUNE RECAP

I read 12 books this month and discarded 1 Kindle book.

The best read was The One and Only Ivan.
The worst read was Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single

5 stars - 2 books
The One and Only Ivan
The One and Only Bob
4 1/2 stars - 1 book
The Ex Hex
4 stars - 1 book
Black Phone: Stories
3 1/2 stars - 2 books
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr
3 stars - 2 books
Zootopia: Junior Novelization
Bright Spots and Landmines
2 1/2 stars - 3 books
The Rail Splitter
The Witch's Path
Chocolate: The Sweet History
1 1/2 stars - 1 book
Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single

89VivienneR
Jun 30, 2023, 8:05 pm

You've had a lot of fun reading this month!

90lowelibrary
Jun 30, 2023, 8:16 pm

In the first half of the year, I read 70 books.

The best read of the first quarter was Everything Is OK by Debbie Tung
The best read of the second quarter was The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The worst read of the first quarter was The Dark Side of Apple Pie, Baby Food and Bunnies by Ken Lytle
The worst read of the second quarter is Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single by Jessica Simpson

The books are ranked from best to worst.
5 star - 16 books
The One and Only Ivan
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -re-read so disqualified from the best read
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The One and Only Bob
Everything Is OK
The Book Thief
Mary, Mary
The House of Eve
I Love You Like No Otter
Ten Little Indians
Pippi Longstockings
Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings
The Chocolate Rabbit
The Story of Ferdinand
Somebunny Loves You
Native American Night Before Christmas
4 1/2 stars - 7 books
The Stranger in the Lifeboat
The Ex Hex
Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets
Romantic Comedy
The House in the Pines
Theodore Boone: The Abduction
Disney Family Storybook Collection
4 stars -13 books
Addams and Evil
Things I Wish I Told My Mother
Black Phone: Stories
Four Blind Mice
The Big Bad Wolf
The Ink Black Heart
Cinder
The Nightingale
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
This Is How We Do It: A Pep Talk
How To Survive A Garden Gnome Attack
Laughing With Obama
The Feud
3 1/2 stars - 13 books
The Wolf's Hour
Buy A Whisker
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf
The Year of Eating Dangerously
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?
Aunt Dimity's Death
London Bridges
Give Please A Chance
The Dark Man: An Illustrated Poem
True Crime Trivia
An Introvert's Survival Guide
Dear America: Voyage on the Titanic
3 stars- 5 books
Zootopia: Junior Novelization
The Cat and the Tao
Shiners
Truth or Poop
Bright Spots and Landmines
2 1/2 stars - 10 books
Superstitious
The Rail Splitter
The Vanishing at Castle Moreau
Cold Cuts
The Witch's Path
Witch Hearts
Chocolate: The Sweet History
The Medicine Wheel
A Little Book of Love Stories and Recipes
Mom Always Said...
2 stars - 4 books
Funny Moon
Dear Coca-Cola
Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries
Thinner
1 1/2 stars - 1 book
Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single
1 star - 1 book
The Dark Side of Apple Pie, Baby Food and Bunnies

The best book of the year so far is The One and Only Ivan
The worst book of the year so far is The Dark Side of Apple Pie, Baby Food and Bunnies

91lowelibrary
Edited: Jul 1, 2023, 1:14 pm



Thanks to everyone who visited. Please come join the me in the third quarter