April's 10th Thingaversary Challenge - The Fourth and Final Quarter
Talk 2025 Category Challenge
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Welcome to the fourth and last quarter of the year. Thank you for joining me during my 10th anniversary category celebration.
I am a mom to one human and two senior fur babies. I am also the grandmother of four (ages 2 to 23) and great-grandmother to a 2-year-old. I currently live in Oklahoma, but hope to move closer to the grandbabies within the next two years.
I am falling behind in my personal challenges and will place notes and expectations in the next post.
This year, I based my challenges around my 10th Thingaversary (I joined LibraryThing on 7 April 2015).
I have 5 CAT/KIT categories and 5 personal categories. And just like the Thingaversary, I have one to grow on, with a special commentator.
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I am caught up on most of my CAT/KIT challenges and expect to finish them all. I am doing MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT, RandomKIT, CoverCAT, and ColourCAT.
Currently reading my September MysteryKIT - Nemesis by Agatha Christie, the only one I am behind on.
It's A Romantic Thing - Beauty and the Beast books and retellings --- I am about halfway through this challenge and hope to finish
It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books --- I have read about half of the books on this large list. I will finish the 2024 Birthday and 2025 Thingaversary books. I hope to read 4 others (1 from each section)
It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started before 2025 --- I need to buckle down and finish the Alex Cross series. In the other series portion, I only have one left to finish the challenge.
It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets --- I have read 20 of my 32 contributors. This is a never-ending category since I add more than I read, but the challenge reminds me to read these books. My top two reads of the year so far, The House on Needless Street and The Fur Person, are from this category.
It's a Shelf-ish Thing - Read one book per shelf --- Read a book from each of my 36 bookshelves with unread books. The reading order was selected randomly at the beginning of the year, and the books for each month are selected randomly after that month's category books are selected. I am not even halfway through this challenge, but I already have a plan to include them in next year's challenge to finish reading the selections.
It's A Nightly Thing and a "Little One" to grow on --- This "extra" challenge has no limit.
I have already begun working on my theme and category ideas for 2026.
Currently reading my September MysteryKIT - Nemesis by Agatha Christie, the only one I am behind on.
It's A Romantic Thing - Beauty and the Beast books and retellings --- I am about halfway through this challenge and hope to finish
It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books --- I have read about half of the books on this large list. I will finish the 2024 Birthday and 2025 Thingaversary books. I hope to read 4 others (1 from each section)
It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started before 2025 --- I need to buckle down and finish the Alex Cross series. In the other series portion, I only have one left to finish the challenge.
It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets --- I have read 20 of my 32 contributors. This is a never-ending category since I add more than I read, but the challenge reminds me to read these books. My top two reads of the year so far, The House on Needless Street and The Fur Person, are from this category.
It's a Shelf-ish Thing - Read one book per shelf --- Read a book from each of my 36 bookshelves with unread books. The reading order was selected randomly at the beginning of the year, and the books for each month are selected randomly after that month's category books are selected. I am not even halfway through this challenge, but I already have a plan to include them in next year's challenge to finish reading the selections.
It's A Nightly Thing and a "Little One" to grow on --- This "extra" challenge has no limit.
I have already begun working on my theme and category ideas for 2026.
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January (Winter Mysteries) - Chill Factor by Sandra Brown
February (Vintage Mysteries) - Murder For Christmas by Francis Duncan
March (Spies, Lies, and Ciphers) - Inferno by Dan Brown
April (Paranormal Mysteries) - Aunt Dimity and the Duke by Nancy Atherton
May (Not My Country) - The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown by Vaseem Khan
June (LGBTQ+ mystery) - Oscar Wilde and A Death of No Importance by Gyles Brandreth
July (Series Sleuths) - The Running Grave by Robert Galbriath
August (Legal Thrillers) - A Time To Kill by John Grisham
September (Silver Age Mysteries) - Nemesis by Agatha Christie
October (Police Procedurals) - Fear No Evil by James Patterson
November (Psychological Thrillers) - All Around Town by Mary Higgins Clark
December (Cozy Mysteries) - Tea Is For Tarot by Karen Sue Walker
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January (Diverse Prospectives) - The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
February (Haunted Houses & Haunted Locations) - 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
March (Real Life Monsters) - The Christmas Day Murders by J.B. Smith
April (Spiders, Insects, and Reptilia) - The Animal-Lover's Book of Beastly Murders by Patricia Highsmith
May (Out In The Wild) - Deliverance by James Dickey
June (Graphic Novels) - American Vampire #1 and American Vampire #2 by Scott Snyder and Stephen King
July (Ghosts) - Ghosts by Fiona Dalwood
July (Ghosts) - Coldheart Canyon by Clive Barker
August (Female Authors) - Flowers In The Attic by VC Andrews
September (Stephen King and family) - Hansel and Gretel by Stephen King and Maurice Sendak
September (Stephen King and family) - The Shining by Stephen King
October (Gothic) - Witch by Barbara Michaels
November (Psychological Thrillers) - Tattoo: The Most Dangerous Game by Kenny Sills
December (Your favorite trope) - Scary Book of Christmas Lore by Tim Rayborn
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January (Eat, Drink, and Be Merry) Bite Me: A Gingerbread Shifter Story by Ariel Dawn
February (Playing With Time) Beauty by Sherri S Tepper
March (Wishes) - The Wishing Jar by Penelope J Stokes
April (Prime) - The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
May (Punctuation) - I'm Not Dead...Yet! by Robby Benson
June (Invasion) - Edge of Tomorrow by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
July (The Hills are alive...) - Holy Fools by Joanna Harris
August (A Writer) - James Patterson by James Patterson
September (Cardinal direction in title) - Talons: North American Birds of Prey by Millie Miller
October (When I Was A Child) - Mr. Monk Goes To Germany by Lee Goldberg
October (When I Was A Child) - Germany: A Panorama in Color by --John Dornberg
November (Villains) - The Legacy of Villains by Juliet Lockwood
December (Endings & Beginnings) - Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
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All the books will be selected from my Kindle collection
January -hosted (Let's Have A Tea Party) - Tea Is For Trouble by Karen Sue Walker
February (a tree on the cover) - Grave Talk by Nick Spalding
March (farm animals on cover) - Turkeys and Thanksgiving by Leena Clover
April (A road on the cover) - I Never Knew Myself by Melanie Rachel
May (More than one element on the cover) - Timeless: Book 1 by Jacqueline Hopkins
June (Something with wheels) - Murder at Mile Marker 18 by Denise Jaden
July (fruit on the cover) - Snow So White by C Gockel
August (Photography) - Maids of Misfortune by M Louisa Locke
September (cats and/or dogs on the cover) - Risky Bisqueness by Elizabeth Rain
October (will it fit in your pocket?) - The Man In The Box by Christina Gaudet
November (Celestial Objects on cover) - Starfall by Paul A Dixon
December (Something You'd Like For Christmas or Equivalent Gift-Giving Tradition) - Longbourn: Dragon Entail by Maria Grace
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January (Green) - Ghost of A Chance by Simon R Green
February (Gold) - The Golden Book of Fortune-Telling by KC Jones
March (Pink) - The Murder of the Cat's Meow by Denise Swanson
April (Brown) - Teepee Tales of the American Indian by Dee Brown
May (Red) - The Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
June (Yellow) - A Beginner's Guide to the Universe by Mike Dooley
July (White) - A Body To Die For by Kate White
August (Gray) - Our Cats Are Plotting To Kill Us by Jim Tilberry
September (Silver) - The Silver Rose by Jane Feather
October (Black) - How To Read People Like A Book by Chase Hill
November (Blue) - Blue Moon by Lori Handeland
December (Purple) - Lavendar Morning by Jude Deveraux
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It's A Romantic Thing -Beauty and the Beast books and retellings
My shelves (goal is to read all 15)
1. Disney's Beauty and the Beast by Michael Teitelbaum
2. Beauty and the Beast: A Story about Trust by Meredith Rusu
3. Beauty and the Beast: Treasury of Illustrated Classics by Madame le Prince de Beaumont
4. Beauty by Sherri S Tepper
5. The Beauty of the Wolf by Wray Delaney
6. Beauty and the Beast: The Only One Who Didn't Run Away by Wendy Mass
7. Beauty and the Beast: Lost in A Book by Jennifer Donnelly
8. The Silver Rose by Jane Feather
Kindle (at least 4) - CHALLENGE FINISHED
1. Isabelle and the Beast by Olivia Rian
2. Enchant by Demelza Carlton
3. Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson
4. Moonlight Beauty by Anna Santos
EXTRAS
5. The Legacy of Villains by Juliet Lockwood
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It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books
Read all the books gifted this year and finish catching up on previous years. These are the books remaining to read as of October 1st.
New goal is to read one from each section
UNREAD SANTATHING GIFTS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
Heist Society by Ally Carter (2016)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (2016)
The Crime That Binds by Laurie Cass (2022)
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (2017)
2024 SANTATHING GIFTS
Janis: Her Life and Music by Holly George Warren
Murder Is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
UNREAD THINGAVERSARY BOOKS
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang (2024)
How Witchcraft Saved My Life by Vincent Higginbotham (2024)
The Secrets of Dumbledore by J.K. Rowling (2023)
What the Cat Saw by Carolyn Hart (2022)
Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf by Kathryn Lasky (2022)
CHRISTMAS GIFTS 2024
Cher: The Memoir Part One by Cher
Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Cat's Life by Jack Canfield
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cat Really Did That? by Amy Newmark
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Wednesday's Library by Calliope Glass
UNREAD BIRTHDAY 2024
Cat About Town by Cate Conte
THINGAVERSARY BOOKS 2025
Cross Down by James Patterson
SANTATHING 2025
Fable by Adrienne Young
Lending A PAw by Laurie Cass
CHRISTMAS 2025
Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Cat by Amy Newmark
Return of the Spider by James Patterson
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Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross in the current Amazon Prime series - Cross
It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started prior to 2025
Alex Cross by James Patterson
1. Cross The Line
2. Detective Cross
3. The People vs. Alex Cross
4. Target: Alex Cross
5. Criss Cross
6. Deadly Cross
7. Fear No Evil
Next in line:
Alex Cross #29 Triple Cross
Ali Cross SERIES DONE
1. Ali Cross
2. Ali Cross: Like Father, Like Son
3. Ali Cross: The Secret Detective
Other Series -CHALLENGE FINISHED
1. A Man and His Cat 04 by Umi Sakurai
2. A Trip With Trouble by Diane Kelly
3. Inferno by Dan Brown
4. Aunt Dimity and the Duke by Nancy Atherton - will not continue this series.
5. A Man and His Cat 05 by Umi Sakurai
6. The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown by Vaseem Khan
7. Schemes & Scandals by Kelley Armstrong
8. Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong
9. Joe Victim by Paul Cleave - series currently finished.
10. The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith
11. Snow Place For Murder by Diane Kelly - series currently caught up
12. At Death's Dough by Mindy Quigley - series currently caught up
EXTRAS
13. Kirkyards & Kindness by Kelley Armstrong
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It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
Read at least one from each of my 32 contributors. My top contributors are @DeltaQueen50 and @JayneCM with 13 bullets each.
1. Making Rounds With Oscar by David Dosa from @dudes22 - 5 stars
2. Hunger by Roxanne Gay from @lsh63 - 4 1/2 stars
3. Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey from @mathgirl40 - 4 stars
4. We'll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida from @jlshall- 5 stars
5. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice For Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto from @thornton37814 - 4 1/2 stars
6. See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt from @JayneCM - 2 1/2 stars
7. A Council Of Dolls by Mona Susan Power from @cbl_tn - 3 1/2 stars
8. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll from @RidgewayGirl - 4 stars
9. The Beauty of the Wolf by Wray Delaney from @avatiakh - 4 stars
10. Five Little Indians by Michelle Good from @lkernagh - 4 1/2 stars
11. Cold Crematorium by Jozsef Debreczeni from @lindapanzo - 4 1/2 stars
12. The Fur Person by May Sarton from @DeltaQueen50 - 5 stars
13. James by Percival Everett from @capybara_99 - 3 1/2 stars
14. Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel from @LibraryCin - 4 1/2 stars
15. Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum from @rabbitprincess - 2 1/2 stars
16. In The Pines by Grace Elizabeth Hale from @sallylou61 - 3 stars
17. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley from @charl08 - 3 stars
18. All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay from @threadnsong - 4 stars
19. Ultra-Processed People by Chris Van Tulleken from @Jackie_K - 3 1/2 stars
20. The House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward from @Charon07 - 5 stars
21. Don't Swipe Right by L.M. Chilton from @susanj67 -3 stars
22. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery from @staci426 - 5 stars
23. The Great Witches Baking Show by Nancy Warren from @LadyoftheLodge- 4 stars
24. Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson from @christina_reads- 4 stars
25. The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve from @whitewavedarling - 4 stars
While not an official part of the challenge, I have read the book bullets listed below, taken in 2025. As of October 1st, I have 89 new bullets.
1. The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu from @JayneCM - 3 1/2 stars
2. The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki from @avatiakh and @JayneCM - 4 1/2 stars
3. The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill from @GraceCollection - 4 1/2 stars
4. How We Learn to Be Brave by Mariann Edgar Budde from @susanna.fraser - 3 stars
5. The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths from @susanj67 - 4 stars
6. Instant Karma by David Michie from @robertgreaves - 3 1/2 stars
7. Somebody To Love by Matt Richards and Mark Langthorne from @threadnsong - 3 stars
8. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood from @Tanya_dogearedcopy- 3 1/2 stars
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It's a Shelf-ish Thing - Read one book per shelf
Last year, I did a pick-a-book challenge where I chose a book from each of my bookcases. I loved the randomness of this challenge and decided to expand it this year. I have 36 shelves with unread books on them. I listed all the shelves in a randomizer, and that set the reading order for the year (3 shelves per month).
I will roll 1 or 2 20-sided dice each month (depending on the number of books on the shelf) to select the books. These books will be selected after the CAT/KIT books are chosen. The only change that can be made to the selection is if the chosen book is part of a series, I can substitute the first or next unread in the series, if I own it.
As of September 30th, I have read 16 books and only kept 3, so this category is doing wonders in clearing my shelves.
JANUARY (selected January 2nd)
Case 4 shelf 4 - A Promised Land by Barack Obama DONE
Case 5 shelf 1 - Small World by Tabitha King DONE
Case 1 shelf 1- Familiar Motives by Delia James - this is book 3 in the series, so I will read book 1 A Familiar Tail instead. DONE
FEBRUARY (selected February 1st)
Case 6 shelf 7 - Innocent In Death by J D Robb DONE
Case 1 shelf 3 - Fifty Common Birds of Oklahoma by George Miksch Sutton DONE
Case 7 shelf 6 - Snow Angels by Fern Michaels DONE
MARCH (selected February 28th)
Case 4 shelf 7 - Told Under The Christmas Tree by Frances Cavanah DONE
Case 3 shelf 2 - Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak DONE
Case 7 shelf 3 - Micah by Laurell K Hamilton - this is book 13 in the series, so I will read book 1 Guilty Pleasures instead. DONE
APRIL (selected April 1st)
Case 7 shelf 7 - Frosty the Snowman by Carol North DONE
Case 6 shelf 5 - Read On Arrival by Nora Page DONE
Case 7 shelf 4 - Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber DONE
MAY (selected April 27th)
Case 8 shelf 1 The Psychology of Harry Potter by Neil Mulholland DONE
Case 5 shelf 2 Duma Key by Stephen King DONE
Case 2 shelf 2 The Book of Books by Jessica Allen DONE
JUNE (selected June 1st)
Case 6 shelf 2 Jackaby by William Ritter
Case 5 shelf 4 The Chef by James Patterson
Case 6 shelf 3 When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
JULY (selected June 28th)
Case 1 shelf 2 Silvery Trace by Tomihiro Hoshino DONE
Case 4 shelf 2 The Complete Illustrated Guide to Cat Care & Behavior by Bruce Fogle DONE
Case 5 shelf 5 The Beach House by James Patterson
AUGUST (selected July 27th)
Case 4 shelf 8 When I Was Your Age by Kenan Thompson
Case 4 shelf 5 Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly
Case 6 shelf 6 Lily White by Susan Isaacs
SEPTEMBER (selected August 30th)
Case 7 shelf 5 The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere
Case 4 shelf 1 The Malleus Maleficarum by Henrich Kramer and James Sprenger
Case 6 shelf 4 Thurber on Crime by James Thurber
OCTOBER (selected September 28th)
Case 4 shelf 3 I Am Spock by Leonard Nimoy
Case 7 shelf 1 One Last Dance by Eileen Goudge
Case 6 shelf 1 Prime Evil by Douglas E Winter
NOVEMBER (selected October 25th)
Case 4 shelf 6 The Life and Writings of Abraham Lincoln by Philip VanDoren Stern
Case 2 shelf 4 Sex, Drugs and Bon Jovi by Rich Bozzett DONE
Case 5 shelf 3 The Green Mile Book 2: The Mouse on the Mile - this is the second book, so I will read The Green Mile Book 1: The Two Dead Girls instead
DECEMBER (selected November 20th)
Case 5 shelf 6 The Red Book by James Patterson - this is book 2 in the series, so I will read book 1 The Black Book instead.
Case 7 shelf 2 The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George
Case 3 shelf 1 Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatians by Disney's Wonderful World of Reading - mine https://www.librarything.com/work/32437280/210554912 DONE
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L
Get well soon, my precious Little One
It's A Nightly Thing and a "Little One" to grow on
I read a chapter or story a night to Little One. We read about 4 books a year. This year, he is sharing his opinions on the books we read.
1. The Devious Book for Cats by Fluffy & Bonkers
2. I Knead My Mommy by Francesco Marciuliano
3. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Lessons Learned From My Cat by Amy Newmark
4. The Fur Person by May Sarton
5. Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Cat Lover's Companion by The Bathroom Readers' Institute
Currently reading - Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Cat's Life
Get well soon, my precious Little One
It's A Nightly Thing and a "Little One" to grow on
I read a chapter or story a night to Little One. We read about 4 books a year. This year, he is sharing his opinions on the books we read.
1. The Devious Book for Cats by Fluffy & Bonkers
2. I Knead My Mommy by Francesco Marciuliano
3. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Lessons Learned From My Cat by Amy Newmark
4. The Fur Person by May Sarton
5. Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Cat Lover's Companion by The Bathroom Readers' Institute
Currently reading - Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Cat's Life
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OCTOBER
Come and sit for a "spell"
Books read this month that are not part of any challenges.
1. The Retirees by Leah Orr - September Early Reviewers win
2. Boo the Library Ghost by Becky Paige
Come and sit for a "spell"
Books read this month that are not part of any challenges.
1. The Retirees by Leah Orr - September Early Reviewers win
2. Boo the Library Ghost by Becky Paige
16susanj67
Happy new thread, April! Sorry to read that your Little One is poorly and I hope he improves soon.
17RidgewayGirl
Happy new thread! And I hope your fine tabby is feeling better soon. My eighteen-year-old tabby went off his food yesterday, which gave me a panic, but he was back to being early and enthusiastic about breakfast this morning.
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>16 susanj67: and >17 RidgewayGirl: Thank you. I saw some improvement today, but he still has a long way to go. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, and it has caused a heart murmur. Even though he is 12, he is still my youngest cat and my baby.
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Today was my local Friends of the Library member book sale, and my I got 13 books for under $10.
A Bug's Life by T J Steiner
Bad Day at the Vulture Club by Vaseem Khan
Fauci Expect the Unexpected by National Geographic
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Hush by James Patterson and Candice Fox
I Funny School of Laughs by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Michael Hague's Treasury of Christmas Carols by Michael and Kathleen Hague
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Quick & Easy Dump Dinners by Cathy Mitchell
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans
The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans
A Bug's Life by T J Steiner
Bad Day at the Vulture Club by Vaseem Khan
Fauci Expect the Unexpected by National Geographic
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Hush by James Patterson and Candice Fox
I Funny School of Laughs by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Michael Hague's Treasury of Christmas Carols by Michael and Kathleen Hague
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Quick & Easy Dump Dinners by Cathy Mitchell
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans
The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans
20DeltaQueen50
It's lovely to start the month off with sweet nibbles and tea. I am sending good wishes along to Little One in hope of a health improvement soon.
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>20 DeltaQueen50: Help yourself to all the nibbles you want. I will pass you good wishes along.
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158. Nemesis by Agatha Christie ★★★½
In utter disbelief, Miss Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr. Rafiel—an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. He had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was he had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing. Soon, she is faced with a new crime—the ultimate crime—murder. It seems someone is adamant that past evils remained buried. . . .
One of the last of the Miss Marple books, this one started slowly as Miss Marple (and the reader) tried to discover what the crime was and why she was on this journey. Once the crime was revealed, the story picked up quickly and ended in a proper Christie style.
This book was read for the September >3 lowelibrary: Mystery KIT
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159. Ali Cross: Like Father, Like Son by James Patterson ★★★★
I'm always watching. Always listening. I'm Detective Alex Cross's son. One day, I walked right into a crime scene. Suddenly, I'm an eyewitness. I know that I'm just a kid. But whoever said a kid can't solve a mystery? Especially if the kid's name is Ali Cross.
This had a much better flow than the first book in the series. As fast-paced as the Alex Cross novels, I finished it in one sitting.
This book was read for >10 lowelibrary: It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started prior to 2025
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160. Instant Karma by David Michie ★★★½
What if we all woke one day to discover that every act of generosity was followed, soon after, by an unexpected windfall? If theft or betrayal led to rapid calamity? Within minutes, the effects of instant karma would be felt by each one of us. Within hours, it wouldn’t just be ordinary folks trying to figure out the new order—it would be everyone from the President down. Instant Karma is the story of that day. An extraordinary vision, by turns hilarious and poignant, early adopters are quick to capitalize on the new dynamics while karma change deniers vehemently dig in their heels. A food poisoning contagion arising from factory farming sees the world go vegetarian by lunchtime. A little-known Buddhist monk, Lama Tashi, suddenly becomes TV’s go-to man, sought out for the wisdom he imparts with such oceanic benevolence.
I enjoyed the concept of the book, but I found myself disbelieving some of the happenings. It went a little too far in the windfalls and consequences in my opinion. I, however, learned more about how karma works and the lessons behind it.
I read this book was a 2025 bullet from @robertgreaves and is listed in >11 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
25threadnsong
Hi April! I am catching up on some of my messages and saw that you were kind enough to @ mention me on your previous thread for All That is Mine I Carry With Me. I'm so very glad you liked this book (if "liked this book" is correct for a rather difficult read) and that you gave it 4 stars. And that ending - OMG!!
26MissWatson
Happy new thread, April. I hope everything is well with your Little One?
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>25 threadnsong: It was an interesting book. Another book with a unique perspective that I recommend is The Last House on Needless Street
>26 MissWatson: Thank you. We are going on Saturday for our follow-up, but I am seeing improvement. He is back to wanting his nightly story.
>26 MissWatson: Thank you. We are going on Saturday for our follow-up, but I am seeing improvement. He is back to wanting his nightly story.
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161. The Man In The Box by Christina Gaudet ★★★
When Lou’s gran passes away, she inherits a small wooden box—nothing like the flashy car her sister, Cindy, receives. But hey, it’s better than Gran’s creepy collection of toenail clippings…or so Lou thinks. That is, until she opens the box and a guy the size of a stick of gum falls out. Suddenly, the toenails don’t seem so bad. From the moment he arrives, Lou’s life spirals into chaos. The pint-sized stranger spills secrets that turn her world upside down: Gran was a powerful sorceress, Cindy is a witch, and they’ve been hiding Lou’s own magical abilities “for her protection.” Now, with her magic awakened, Lou is caught in a dangerous game. Without it, she’s defenseless against the shadowy forces hunting her. With it, she’s marked for something far worse than death. Can Lou survive the secrets her family kept locked away, or will this unexpected gift be her undoing?
The story was interesting, but too many situations and events were unexplained.
I read this book for >6 lowelibrary: CoverCAT
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162. Fear No Evil by James Patterson ★★★★
Dr. Alex Cross and Detective John Sampson venture into the rugged Montana wilderness—where they will be the prey. They’re not on the job, but on a personal mission. Until they’re attacked by two rival teams of assassins, controlled by the same mastermind who has stalked Alex and his family for years. Darkness falls. The river churns into rapids. Shots ring out through the forest. No backup. No way out. Fear no evil.
The synopsis for the book is such a small portion of the actual tale that I was actually wondering if it was going to ever happen. Otherwise, an old antagonist returns to torture Cross. Although the end of the book reveals this mastermind to the reader, Alex still has no clue. I can't wait for the collision to happen in future books.
I read this book for >10 lowelibrary: It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started prior to 2025, and it fits this month's >3 lowelibrary: MysteryKIT
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163. Mr. Monk Goes To Germany by Lee Goldberg ★★★★½
Adrian Monk has actually been doing well lately. He's solving murders as fast as they come, and heÂ's been noticeably less compulsive. Monk knows he owes it all to his therapist, Dr. Kroger. So when Kroger attends a conference in Germany, Monk hits the skids, reverting to his OCD habits full-time. Desperate, Monk follows his shrink to Germany. And that's when he sees the man across a crowded town square. A man with six fingers. Monk knows it could be the man responsible for his wife's death.
This book made me nostalgic for the TV show (one of my all-time favorites). Very true to the series and the characters. I will be finding the rest of these books.
I read this book for >5 lowelibrary: RandomKIT
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164. Germany: A Panorama in Color by John Dornberg ★★★★
This hardcover book features 90 color pictures by German photographers. This book, part of the Panorama in Color Series by the World Tourism Organization Staff, offers a visual journey through Europe, specifically Germany, capturing the essence of the country in stunning detail.
While it is an older book (1969), the pictures are beautiful and made me nostalgic for the years I lived in Germany.
This was a second read for >5 lowelibrary: RandomKIT
32lowelibrary
165. Don't Swipe right by L.M. Chilton ★★★
Gwen Turner has made a bloody mess of her life. She recently broke up with the best man she’s ever known for reasons she can’t even admit to herself, and quit a lucrative job to open her own coffee shop. To top it all off, her best friend is getting married and leaving her behind in singlehood. Along with too much cheap wine and bad reality TV, Gwen turns to a dating app to help fill the void in her life. Swiping through the few eligible bachelors left in town, she spends her evenings out on one disastrous date after another. But when a string of murders suddenly occurs in her small coastal English city, she’s shocked by the connection between each of the victims—they’ve all been on a date with her. Before she knows what’s happening, Gwen finds herself the main suspect in a serial killer’s murderous spree, and the only way she can clear her name is to track down her former dates (even those that have ghosted her) and unmask a killer before it’s too late.
While I did not guess who the killer was, I disliked the main character so much that I hoped it turned out to be her. A decently written book that was targeted for a much younger audience.
This was a bullet from @susanj67 and read for >11 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
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166. The Retirees by Leah Orr ★★★½
Disco is dead, there's a serial killer on the loose, the coffin dodgers are solving cold cases, and only the neighborhood cat knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried. When sharp-tongued sugar heiress Diana is ousted from the empire she helped build, she retreats to a posh 55+ paradise expecting peace, maybe even a pool boy. Instead, she finds a ragtag group of retirees with a knack for solving cold cases—and a disturbing knack for attracting new ones. She quickly finds herself entangled with this quirky yet capable team of senior sleuths: a psychic, tarot-reading twin duo, a retired detective, a conspiracy-minded tech guru, and a nurse who might just talk to animals. Among tarot cards, a talking cat, and dark web dives, this misfit crew uncovers more than just bingo night secrets. Because in a place this sunny, the shadows run deep, and someone at The Ocean's Edge has blood on their hands. As the group begins investigating cold cases, darker truths emerge, uncovering clues that tie back to mysterious pasts, hidden traumas, and residents with more secrets than memories. Hilarious, heartwarming, and deliciously twisted, The Retirees is a witty, tightly woven, charming, cozy mystery that reminds us it's never too late for redemption, reinvention, or revenge-and that sometimes the most unexpected heroes come with walkers, wisdom, and wildly colorful personalities.
My review: I enjoyed the writing and the characters so much that I wanted to love this book. However, there was not enough crime-solving by the characters for me to consider it a mystery. It is a charming book about the interactions of elderly retirees, a humorous tale of friendship and life, a tale of meeting and bonding. There are too many gaps that left me wanting more. We introduce the crime in one chapter, and go elsewhere in the story, then wrap up the crime without any investigations.
This book was a September Early Reviewers win and listed in >15 lowelibrary:
34lowelibrary
167. Boo the Library Ghost by Becky Paige ★★★★
The library is Poppy’s favorite place to go, but it’s haunted by a ghost named Boo who loves to frighten visitors away. Boo casts eerie shadows, rips out pages, and knocks books off the shelves. However, brave Poppy refuses to leave—she just wants to read in peace! Poppy soon realizes why Boo is acting out, and she knows just how to help him. Boo the Library Ghost is an adorable picture book that follows one rambunctious ghost who really just wants to learn how to read. Poppy is there to teach Boo how to read, and soon enough, he becomes the friendliest library ghost around! This sweet story is the perfect read all year long and is a celebration of the joy of reading and a love of books.
A very cute picture book that also proves that reading soothes the wildest soul.
This was an impulse purchase and read. It is listed in >15 lowelibrary:
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168. How To Read People Like A Book by Chase Hill ★½
Do you ever wish you could read the minds of other people, so you’d know exactly how to respond or act around them? How many times have you met someone and thought they’d be a good friend, only to discover that they were a complete liar? Have you ever gotten into a conflict with someone because you inadvertently misunderstood or misinterpreted what they said? We’ve always been told that actions speak louder than words and, apparently, there is wisdom behind this timeless saying. The good news is, you don’t have to be a communication expert, detective, or superhero to learn how to recognize and decode social cues. All you need to do is know exactly what to look for and what they really mean. Fortunately, this book contains everything you need to know about deciphering other people’s silent messages.
This well-known information is stated in such a boring way that I found myself skimming pages to locate interesting points.
I read this book for >7 lowelibrary: ColourCAT
36lowelibrary
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37lowelibrary
169. The Shining by Stephen King ★★★★½
Jack Torrance’s new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he’ll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.
I loved the pace of the book, and the story itself kept me interested. The only thing I knew about the book was the snippets of the movie that are shown everywhere. The book contained none of those. Pleasantly surprised.
I read this book for September ScaredyKIT >4 lowelibrary:
38lowelibrary
170. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery ★★★★★
In pursuit of the wild, solitary, predatory octopus, popular naturalist Sy Montgomery has practiced true immersion journalism. From New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, she has befriended octopuses with strikingly different personalities—gentle Athena, assertive Octavia, curious Kali, and joyful Karma. Each creature shows her cleverness in myriad ways: escaping enclosures like an orangutan; jetting water to bounce balls; and endlessly tricking companions with multiple “sleights of hand” to get food. Scientists have only recently accepted the intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees, but now are watching octopuses solve problems and are trying to decipher the meaning of the animal’s color-changing techniques. With her “joyful passion for these intelligent and fascinating creatures”, Montgomery chronicles the growing appreciation of this mollusk as she tells a unique love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about the meeting of two very different minds.
This book was so good. I laughed, I cried, I was thoroughly amazed. I am not a marine animal fan, but I am now planning a trip to an aquarium to find an octopus.
This book bullet is from @staci426 and read for >11 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
39dudes22
>37 lowelibrary: - When I was in my 20s, living in my first apartment, I read this. I still say it's one of the scariest books I ever read. (And probably why I don't read this type of book very often now.) I still remember that I got so scared, I had to close the book and wait to read more until it was daytime. World of Curiosities by Louise Penny affected me much the same way recently for some reason.
>38 lowelibrary: - I've had this on my TBR for a couple of years now. Every time I see someone post about it, I think I should really move it up the pile.
>38 lowelibrary: - I've had this on my TBR for a couple of years now. Every time I see someone post about it, I think I should really move it up the pile.
40lowelibrary
OCTOBER NOTES
Another busy month, with not a lot of reading time, although on a positive note, Little One seems to be slowly improving. He is still tired a lot, but his numbers are improving (we have to get the dosage right).
I only read 13 books this month. This brings me to 170 for the year.
1 library loan, 4 Kindle, and 8 books from my shelves. This month's reading allowed me to discard 4 Kindle and 0 physical books.
I added 7 new Book Bullets this month, bringing the year's total to 96. I have managed to read 6 of them.
I read 2 impulse books that were not part of categories.
I am currently still reading my >4 lowelibrary: ScaredyKIT book, Witch. I hope to finish this weekend.
I had 12 books rated 3 stars or above and 1 book below 3 stars.
My only 5-star read was The Soul of an Octopus
Another busy month, with not a lot of reading time, although on a positive note, Little One seems to be slowly improving. He is still tired a lot, but his numbers are improving (we have to get the dosage right).
I only read 13 books this month. This brings me to 170 for the year.
1 library loan, 4 Kindle, and 8 books from my shelves. This month's reading allowed me to discard 4 Kindle and 0 physical books.
I added 7 new Book Bullets this month, bringing the year's total to 96. I have managed to read 6 of them.
I read 2 impulse books that were not part of categories.
I am currently still reading my >4 lowelibrary: ScaredyKIT book, Witch. I hope to finish this weekend.
I had 12 books rated 3 stars or above and 1 book below 3 stars.
My only 5-star read was The Soul of an Octopus
41lowelibrary
>39 dudes22: I kept reading positive reviews for The Soul of an Octopus that I began listening to the audiobook while on a road trip. It was read by the author, and her feelings come through, making the book even more emotional and providing much more depth to the story.
42lowelibrary
NOVEMBER
My perfect day after breakfast, a cup of tea and leftover pie.
Books read this month that are not part of any challenges.
1. A Cat Story by Ursula Murray Husted
2. The Newest Gnome by Lauren Soloy - October Early Reviewers win
3. There's Snow Place Like Home by Joey Benevento
My perfect day after breakfast, a cup of tea and leftover pie.
Books read this month that are not part of any challenges.
1. A Cat Story by Ursula Murray Husted
2. The Newest Gnome by Lauren Soloy - October Early Reviewers win
3. There's Snow Place Like Home by Joey Benevento
43dudes22
>41 lowelibrary: - I have a physical copy but maybe I'll see if the library has an audio version.
44Tess_W
>38 lowelibrary: A BB for me!
45GraceCollection
>38 lowelibrary: So glad to hear you enjoyed this one! It was certainly a treat for me when I read it.
46VivienneR
>42 lowelibrary: That looks like a fabulous pie! A good omen for your reading this month.
47lowelibrary
171. Witch by Barbara Michaels ★★★
For Ellen March, the secluded old house nestled in the pine woods is more than the dream home she's long been searching for. It's an escape, a chance to start over, to forget the pain of her failed marriage and enjoy the restful pace of small-town living. Here, too, is a golden opportunity to get to know Norman McKay, her handsome and worldly new neighbor. But after dark in Ellen's "perfect" house, strange visions invade her restless mind: silent strangers moving through the twilight shadows, the ghostly figure of a woman, and a spectral white cat. Ellen came here hoping to bury the past, but something terrifying has taken its place. Her safe haven has become her prison, and there is no escape.
While the story started good, about halfway through I figured out where it was heading, and then it quickly became predictable.
I read this for October ScaredyKIT >4 lowelibrary:
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172. Sex, Drugs and Bon Jovi by Rich Bozzett ★★★
Since its very beginning, there has been an impenetrable CIRCLE of secrecy surrounding Bon Jovi that no outsider has ever been able to penetrate. But now there's the inside story of Bon Jovi from their very first gig as an unknown opening act, through their ascent to unimaginable superstardom, told by the only person who was inside the circle with them every minute of the time, Bon Jovi tour manager Richard Bozzett. Whether you're a die-hard Bon Jovi fan, grew up listening to their music, or have ever attended one of their concerts, this is the ONE book that will actually take you inside the circle and bring you closer to the band than ever before!
I had originally read this book when I first received it, but I could remember nothing about it. This time around, although I still loved the original photos, I didn't enjoy the story. The book seemed to be written by a bitter man who wrote the book to place blame and make a buck of personal photos.
This was a November selection for >12 lowelibrary:
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173. Ali Cross: The Secret Detective by James Patterson ★★★★
Ali Cross has always looked up to his father, the famous detective Alex Cross. And after helping to solve two big cases, Ali knows he has what it takes to follow in his father's footsteps. Eager to keep solving crimes, Ali and his friends hack into police calls and go to crime scenes to watch the detectives at work—and try to crack the cases themselves. But when Ali witnesses something horrible, he has to grapple with tough questions about what it means to be a detective and a detective's son. Will Ali find a way to follow in his father’s footsteps, or will he be the one in danger’s path?
This was the best of the three books in the series. While not as crime-related as the previous books, it was more focused on Ali and his growth, both as a young man and as the son of the top cop.
I read this for >10 lowelibrary: It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started prior to 2025
50lowelibrary
174. A Cat Story by Ursula Murray Husted ★★½
Cilla and Betto are two friends who need a place to call home. The docks in Valletta are too wet, and the scraps of
food too scarce. The city’s streets are too busy, and the humans too unreliable. But what about the quiet garden from old kitten tales—a place where all cats are welcome, and the humans are always kind? Could the stories really be true? As Cilla and Betto embark on a grand adventure to find out, they begin to spin a tale of their own—one that will take them through the art and stories of many journeyers who came before, and that will bring them to a surprising destination.
A short graphic novel that had elaborate art renditions that had nothing to do with the tale. The story was too simple for the artwork.
This was an impulse read based on the cover and listed in >42 lowelibrary:
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175. The Legacy of Villains by Juliet Lockwood ★★★★½
Peter Pan meets Beauty and the Beast in this darkly enchanting enemies-to-lovers retelling. Jolie Hook knew better than to make a deal with the shadowy and charismatic Peter Pan. Not only had he been her father's mortal enemy since the days of the Merfolk War, but he'd also had a hand in her mother's brutal murder ten years ago. So when Pan lures her father to a peace-treaty meeting only to kidnap him instead, Jo has to fight back her violent urges to strike a bargain with her foe: if she makes it to his castle within three days, he will let her father go. All that stands in her way is the Neverwoods, the ancient forest teeming with Peter's beautifully dark magic. As he sends illusions and nightmarish games meant to torment her into defeat, Jolie begins to unravel the mysteries of Peter Pan, including the secrets behind his dangerous shadow magic and his obsession with trapping her in his realm forever. Battling an otherworldly girl from Peter’s past, the vicious truths of the Hook legacy, and her own treacherous attraction to the enemy, Jo races against the clock to save her father and secure themselves as the winners of Neverland’s fiercest, unending war.
A delightful YA Beauty and the Beast retelling featuring Captain Hook's daughter and Peter Pan. This retelling is more of a what happens years after Peter Pan ends. I was immediately drawn into Jolie and Peter's stories and interactions. The appearances of other beloved characters only add to the uniqueness of the story.
I highly recommend this for fans of both tales.
I read this book for >5 lowelibrary: RandomKIT and it also fits >8 lowelibrary: It's A Romantic Thing -Beauty and the Beast books and retellings
52lowelibrary
176. The Great Witches Baking Show by Nancy Warren ★★★★
Poppy Wilkinson is thrilled to be chosen as a contestant on The Great British Baking Contest. As an American with English roots, winning the crown as Britain’s Best Baker would open doors she’s dreamed of in more ways than one. Appearing on the reality show is her chance to get into Broomewode Hall and uncover the secrets of her past. But strange things are happening on the show’s set: accusations of sabotage, a mysterious death, suspiciously unsociable residents at Broomewode Hall—and the judges can be real witches. There are murmurs that Broomewode is an energy vortex. It certainly makes Poppy see and do things that aren’t exactly normal, and it seems to draw interesting characters to the neighborhood. When a fellow contestant dies in mysterious circumstances, Poppy has more to worry about than burned pies and cakes that won’t rise. There’s a murderer on the loose, and it’s up to Poppy and her new friends to solve the crime before it becomes a real show-stopper.
I needed another cozy series like I needed a bullet to the head. But I instantly fell for Elspeth and Poppy. Quick-paced and witty. The only downside is that the story did not answer all the questions, but it made it necessary to read the next book to discover more of Poppy's past. I am also a secret lover of baking shows, although I have no baking skills at all.
This book was a bullet from @LadyoftheLodge and read for my >11 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
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177. Somebody To Love by Matt Richards and Mark Langthorne ★★★
A biography examining the final days of Freddie Mercury in the dawn of AIDS and the legacy he left behind. For the first time, the final years of one of the world's most captivating rock showmen are laid bare. Including interviews from Freddie Mercury's closest friends in the last years of his life, along with personal photographs, Somebody to Love is an authoritative biography of the great man. Here are previously unknown and startling facts about the singer and his life, moving details on his lifelong search for love and personal fulfilment, and of course his tragic contraction of a then killer disease in the mid-1980s. Woven throughout Freddie's life is the shocking story of how HIV came to hold the world in its grip, was cruelly labelled "The Gay Plague" and the unwitting few who indirectly infected thousands of men, women, and children—Freddie Mercury himself being one of the most famous. The death of this vibrant and spectacularly talented rock star shook the world of medicine as well as the world of music. Somebody to Love finally puts the record straight and pays detailed tribute to the man himself.
While I did not learn much more about Freddie Mercury than I already knew, I did learn quite a bit about the AIDS virus and how it established its hold and its origins. I was a teenager during the initial AIDS scare of the 80s and well remember the shock of Freddie's death. Mine was the expanded version and was much too long.
I read this book was a 2025 bullet from @threadnsong and is listed in >11 lowelibrary: lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
54lowelibrary
178. At Death's Dough by Mindy Quigley ★★★★
It’s February in the ritzy lakeside resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love is in the air. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with hunky police detective Calvin Capone, great-grandson of the infamous Chicago mobster. But their romance is put on ice when a shocking discovery plunges them into a century-old crime with ties to Capone’s notorious forefather. As old secrets surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town—from Capone’s cagey cousin to her own quirky customers—has something to hide. With the pressure mounting and the past closing in, Delilah must help Capone follow a trail of clues that could lead them to a priceless treasure... or into a deadly trap. Can Delilah serve up justice before history repeats itself? Or will she and Capone end up sleeping with the anchovies?
I love this series and how Delilah forces her way into the investigations (well, the bodies do seem to find her) and then stumbles her way into the solution. This edition is as enjoyable as the rest.
I read this book for >10 lowelibrary: It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started prior to 2025
55lowelibrary
179. The Newest Gnome by Lauren Soloy ★★★★★
Grolly Maru is The Pocket's newest inhabitant. They are learning all about their new home and all the things the gnomes do to care for it. But what will their job be? As each gnome shares their role in The Pocket, Grolly is less and less sure about what they should do. But by the light of the full moon, inspiration strikes!
This gorgeous homage to nature, beauty, mindfulness, and community is a reminder to be present and to care for and appreciate the world around us, but it's also just a delightful stroll through a special and strange yet ultimately familiar place first introduced in The Hidden World of Gnomes.
My review: The illustrations for this book are just as amazing as the first book. All the beloved gnomes are back as they introduce themselves to the newest gnome to appear in the pocket. The story itself is geared to children, in that each page covers a different activity so that the book can be started or stopped at any page, according to the child's attention span. I found the book to be full of positivity, showing how you can find joy in your daily life. The book reads great for parents to share with smaller children, but it would take an older child (8 or 9 years old) to read it themselves.
This book was an Early Reviewers win for October and listed in >42 lowelibrary:
56lowelibrary
180. There's Snow Place Like Home by Joey Benevento ★★★★★
Snophia, Joeflake, and Nate are super-excited for their family's Christmas trip to Snowronto - getting out of Snopeka is going to be snow magical! But when the family ends up stuck at home for the holidays, the kids find fun in an unexpected winter wonderland.
This year's edition of the Hallmark Holiday series is snow punny and delightful. The rhythm and rhymes flow easily, very reminiscent of Dr. Seuss. And the illustrations are stunning as always.
A seasonal buy, this read is listed in >42 lowelibrary:.
57lowelibrary
181. Starfall by Paul A Dixon ★★★½
Ninth grade was off to a promising start for Samantha Greaves — especially with Starfall as her best friend. But Starfall isn't your typical companion; she's a Star Wolf from the Ethereal realm, a creature who consumes meteors, communicates telepathically, and, when she chooses, soars through the skies. Just as Sam begins to embrace the wonders of her newfound magical reality, a shadow from her past emerges. An old adversary of her parents — the very man responsible for her mother's mysterious disappearance — returns with a sinister agenda: to harness Starfall's magic for his own. Determined and unwavering, Sam realizes she'll do whatever it takes to protect her friend.
This YA book is definitely geared towards the preteen in the writing style and settings. This did not distract from the story. I loved Samantha and Starfall, although the ending definitely let you know there is another book, since this one created questions that were left unanswered.
I read this book for >6 lowelibrary: CoverCAT
58lowelibrary
182. Tattoo: The Most Dangerous Game by Kenny Sills ★★★
In the shadowed depths of young Arthur Allen’s life, a malevolent darkness quietly festers beneath his fragile innocence, guiding him toward a terrifying descent into obsession, violence, and unspeakable horror. Born into wealth yet shrouded in loneliness, his childhood fixation on comic books and hunting twist into a morbid fascination with death itself, awakening a ghostly presence from within that whispers malevolent commands from the void, its voice seeping into Arthur’s mind and distorting reality into a waking nightmare. As he grows, Arthur spirals further into the psychotic abyss and becomes both predator and prey. Consumed by visions of a shadowy, spectral figure, a dark, ancient force whispers promise of unspeakable rewards, luring Arthur to surrender, to comply, and to become forever lost in a realm where all of his dreams will become his reality.
I am a huge fan of Kenny and his books, but this one was such a disappointment. Standard serial killer background novel that could have been written by anyone. I am giving a generous 3-star rating, since even Stephen King has a bad book now and then.
I read this book for >4 lowelibrary: ScaredyKIT.
59lowelibrary
NOVEMBER NOTES
The best news of the month is that Little One is almost back to normal. We are even mouse hunting again, and for the first time in months, he has wanted a bedtime story. I didn't read a lot this month, due to some books that I had trouble getting interested in.
I only read 12 books this month. This brings me to 182 for the year.
3 library loans, 2 Kindle, and 7 books from my shelves. This month's reading allowed me to discard nothing.
I added 6 new Book Bullets this month, bringing the year's total to 102. I have managed to read 7 of them.
I read 3 impulse books that were not part of categories.
I had 11 books rated 3 stars or above and 1 book below 3 stars.
My only 5-star reads were The Newest Gnome and There's Snow Place Like Home
For the next month, I am focusing on my CATs and KITs. I am currently reading my November ColourCAT and still need to read my November MysteryKIT. I am also need to finish reading 2 library books (both book bullets).
Then I will read my December choices before I attempt to finish any other challenges.
The best news of the month is that Little One is almost back to normal. We are even mouse hunting again, and for the first time in months, he has wanted a bedtime story. I didn't read a lot this month, due to some books that I had trouble getting interested in.
I only read 12 books this month. This brings me to 182 for the year.
3 library loans, 2 Kindle, and 7 books from my shelves. This month's reading allowed me to discard nothing.
I added 6 new Book Bullets this month, bringing the year's total to 102. I have managed to read 7 of them.
I read 3 impulse books that were not part of categories.
I had 11 books rated 3 stars or above and 1 book below 3 stars.
My only 5-star reads were The Newest Gnome and There's Snow Place Like Home
For the next month, I am focusing on my CATs and KITs. I am currently reading my November ColourCAT and still need to read my November MysteryKIT. I am also need to finish reading 2 library books (both book bullets).
Then I will read my December choices before I attempt to finish any other challenges.
60lowelibrary
DECEMBER
A festive table for a festive month.
Books read this month that are not part of any challenges.
1. The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise by Riel Nason
2. The Joy of Cookies by Cookie Monster
3. How To Catch a Yeti by Adam Wallace
A festive table for a festive month.
Books read this month that are not part of any challenges.
1. The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise by Riel Nason
2. The Joy of Cookies by Cookie Monster
3. How To Catch a Yeti by Adam Wallace
61Charon07
>59 lowelibrary: I’m so glad to hear that Little One is doing better! Give him a snuggle for me!
62VivienneR
>59 lowelibrary: Happy news that Little One is feeling better and ready for more bedtime stories!
63DeltaQueen50
>60 lowelibrary: Lovely, welcoming and very Christmas-y!
64lowelibrary
>61 Charon07: and >62 VivienneR: - Little One says "how sweet, kitty kisses for both of you"
>63 DeltaQueen50: Thank you. I was afraid it was too brightly red.
>63 DeltaQueen50: Thank you. I was afraid it was too brightly red.
65lowelibrary
183. The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise by Riel Naon ★★★★
The little ghost quilt loves being out in the cold. For once, he doesn't overheat, and he likes how the snowflakes make his patches look polka-dotted. His friends, who are sheets, get too cold in the winter weather and have to stay inside, but the little ghost quilt doesn't mind. He enjoys slowly drifting along on his own. On one of his frosty flights, he sees something happening in the town. People are putting up warm, twinkling lights, and there's a fun, festive feeling everywhere — like Halloween, his favorite season, but with snowmen and wreaths and candles in windows instead of pumpkins. He is filled with excitement and happiness, looking at all the beautiful decorations and joyous people, yet he can't help but feel sad that his friends can't be there. But then, after almost getting caught in a blizzard, the little ghost quilt is struck by inspiration.
My review: As with the first book, the illustrations are fantastic, very realistic, and you can feel the emotions in them. The story this time is much better, and I enjoyed watching Little Ghost Quilt discover the joys of Christmas
This book was an August Early Reviewers win that I just received and is listed in >60 lowelibrary:
66lowelibrary
184. Blue Moon by Lori Handeland ★★★
The summer I discovered the world was not black-and-white, but a host of annoying shades of gray, was the summer a lot more changed than my vision. Call me Jessie, or better yet, Officer McQuade. On the night the truth began, our usually shy wolf population near my hometown of Miniwa, Wisconsin, attacked. At the scene of the first crime, I found a wolf totem, which led me to Professor Will Cadotte, an expert in Native American mythology, particularly of his tribe, the Ojibwe.
From day one, he annoyed me. Tall, dark, and gorgeous, he’s also funny, smart, and nearly as sarcastic as I am. I felt things when I looked at him. I wanted to keep feeling them longer than was healthy for a woman like me. I know what I am. Better off alone. Nevertheless, we began to work together in an attempt to determine what was rotten in Miniwa. We were getting nowhere until the arrival of Edward Mandenauer, a self-proclaimed werewolf hunter. Sure, I laughed, and then one of our dead bodies walked out of the morgue. After that, things got really strange. Now a rare Blue Moon approaches, making me wonder: Who can I trust when the moon is full?
Not a bad written paranormal romance story, I quite enjoyed the tale and did not figure out who the culprit was. However, I am lowering the rating due to the unnecessary and overly placed sex scenes. Not as graphic as some, but still distracting by the ill-timed "sessions".
This book was read for >7 lowelibrary: November ColourCAT
67dudes22
>60 lowelibrary: - Very welcoming for December. Those green stockings in the back have given me an idea for a project for next year. (maybe)
68lowelibrary
>67 dudes22: I am glad it was inspiring for you.
69lowelibrary
185. Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson ★★★★
Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some are just unfortunate. I’m Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I’d killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it’s a little more complicated than that. Have I killed someone? Yes. I have. Who was it? Let’s get started.
A very original method to write a mystery, and it kept my interest throughout the story. Small twists throughout with a big reveal at the end (which I did not see coming) kept me riveted. I already have the next one scheduled for next year.
This book was a bullet from @christina_reads and read for >11 lowelibrary:. It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
70christina_reads
>69 lowelibrary: Glad you enjoyed it! I've liked the whole series so far.
71dudes22
>69 lowelibrary: - I have every intention of getting to this series next year.
72lowelibrary
>70 christina_reads: I am glad to hear the rest of the series is just as good.
>71 dudes22: Can't wait to hear what you think
>71 dudes22: Can't wait to hear what you think
73lowelibrary
186. Tea Is For Tarot by Karen Sue Walker ★★★
It's said that your future can be foretold in the tea leaves at the bottom of your cup. But when the tarot cards warn of murder, is it a warning? Or a threat? April May has turned her tearoom into a psychic fair for the day. Visitors are having their palms read and fortunes told, while April bakes up plenty of flaky scones and buttery shortbread. It's all fun and games until a mysterious stranger turns up dead. With the cards stacked against her, April must find the culprit if she’s going to keep the wrong person from going to jail.
This book in the series is not as good as the others. The solution seemed rushed, and the culprit really had nothing to do with the story. I would call this book a filler as it pointed to directions that the characters may take in the future, but served no other purpose.
I read this book for >3 lowelibrary: MysteryKIT
74lowelibrary
187. All Around Town by Mary Higgins Clark ★★★
When Laurie Kenyon, a twenty-one-year-old student, is accused of murdering her English professor, she has no memory of the crime. Her fingerprints, however, are everywhere. When she asks her sister, attorney Sarah, to mount her defense, Sarah in turn brings in psychiatrist Justin Donnelly. Kidnapped at the age of four and victimized for two years, Laurie has developed astounding coping skills. Only when the unbearable memories of those lost years are released can the truth of the crime come out—and only then can the final sadistic plan of her abductor, whose obsession is stronger than ever, be revealed.
This much-used trope was neither surprising nor twisty. Figured it out halfway through.
This book was read for November >3 lowelibrary: MysteryKIT, and >9 lowelibrary: It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books
75lowelibrary
188. Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatians by Disney's Wonderful World of Reading ★★½
There are more than 101 things to love about Disney’s 101 Dalmatians! This book retells all the tail-wagging excitement of the film.
A very simplified version of the movie that skips a lot of major scenes.
I read this book for >12 lowelibrary: It's a Shelf-ish Thing - Read one book per shelf
76lowelibrary
189. The Joy of Cookies by Cookie Monster ★★★★★
In life, there is one thing we can all agree on: cookies. And there is no greater expert on this endless source of joy, warmth, and crumbs than Cookie Monster. In The Joy of Cookies, Cookie Monster offers deep thoughts on life, friendship, baking, and the love of cookies. He serves as our guide to all things cookie and shares how best to fully experience the joy cookies bring us.
Cookies, cookies, and more cookies. What else would Cookie Monster write about? The book is so good it arrived with a bite already taken from it.
I picked this up while Christmas shopping, and it is listed in >60 lowelibrary:.
77susanj67
>169 I love your review of this one :-) And yum, cookies. Cookie Monster is my favourite Sesame Street muppet.
I'm glad to read Little One is doing well.
I'm glad to read Little One is doing well.
78lowelibrary
>77 susanj67: I could not think of any other way to describe it.
Little One says thank you and gives you a kitty wink.
Little One says thank you and gives you a kitty wink.
79lowelibrary
190. Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein ★★★★
You'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout, who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist. Shel Silverstein's masterful collection of poems and drawings stretches the bounds of imagination and will be cherished by readers of all ages.
A lot of these poems are quirky and odd. perfectly matching my sense of humor. There were a few duds, as in most poetry collections.
I read this book for >5 lowelibrary: RandomKIT
80lowelibrary
191. Longbourn: Dragon Entail by Maria Grace ★★★★★
Fitzwilliam Darcy finds caring for a baby dragon more of a fraught guardianship than anticipated. Little Pemberley may have survived a perilous hatching and still successfully imprinted on humans, but she’s pining for one particular human to the point she is fast becoming a danger to herself and others. Elizabeth Bennet may yearn for baby Pemberley, but she has her own share of misfortunes to manage. Her cousin Mr. Collins, heir to the Longbourn entail, has decided that marrying her will add very greatly to his future happiness. While the estate dragon agrees--and insists she accept him--Elizabeth and the rest of Longbourn's dragons insist he is the last man in the world whom she could ever be prevailed on to marry--a better dragon's dinner than a husband.
I forgot how good these books were. In this one, I immediately fell in love with Pemberley and her toddler tantrums. And these versions of Elizabeth and Darcy is very true to the original. I have the next in the series planned for January.
I read this book for >6 lowelibrary: CoverCAT
81lowelibrary
192. The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve ★★★★
What would you do if you could spend an hour in your past? Four strangers in the beach town of Ventura, California, are about to find out. Elizabeth aches for one more precious hour with her son, who died in a senseless accident. Andy is desperate to find his first love, who vanished after a whirlwind romance. Logan craves the rush of surfing and mountain climbing, yearning to reclaim the freedom he lost after a misstep landed him in a wheelchair. Brooke is looking for an hour of relief from the guilt of an unforgivable mistake. Enter Aeon Expeditions, the groundbreaking time travel invention of Mark Saunders, which allows some lucky clients the chance to spend an hour in their past. Even though Aeon’s technology ensures time travel can’t alter the future, all four clients, including Mark’s ex-wife Elizabeth, yearn to revisit the hour that changed their lives forever. But when their “hour” extends beyond sixty minutes, they find themselves stranded in the past. As their paths intertwine unexpectedly, they unearth shocking secrets hidden in the shadows of their shared history: All their lives were shattered the same night on a secluded highway by the beach. As they delve into the hidden truths of that pivotal hour, a startling revelation emerges. They were not alone. Someone else was present, harboring deadly intentions.
I found the book to be interesting in dealing with emotions from grief and loss in the beginning of the book to acceptance and reconciliation with the past in the latter part of the book. The book made me stop and think about what moments I would relive, and also allowed me to reflect on how the past has affected me now.
This was a book bullet from @whitewavedarling and read for >11 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
82lowelibrary
193. Kirkyards & Kindness by Kelley Armstrong ★★★★½
A year ago, twenty-first-century detective Mallory found herself in 1869 Edinburgh, in the body of Catriona Mitchell, a housemaid working for Dr. Duncan Gray, a pioneer in forensic science. Shortly after she arrived, she made the unfortunate acquaintance of Catriona’s former criminal mentor, Davina, an entanglement that nearly got Mallory killed. Now she’s about to meet Davina again. Greyfriars Bobby has disappeared. The little terrier is already a legend, and Davina has made a tidy living showing him off on graveyard tours…while picking the pockets of her guests. When the elderly dog vanishes, Davina calls in a favor from her old student. Mallory agrees to help find Bobby in return for the one thing she’s been unable to get from Davina—the mysterious Catriona’s life story.
A short novella to fill the time waiting for the release of the next novel. This book does fill in some of the gaps in Catriona's story, but does nothing for other storylines. I enjoyed the change of pace with a simple dognapping instead of another murder.
This book was read for >10 lowelibrary: It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started prior to 2025
83lowelibrary
194. Scary Book of Christmas Lore by Tim Rayborn ★★★½
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…but do you recall the most petrifying Christmas figures of all? Not all children fear just a lump of coal in their stockings. Discover the terrifying Yuletide fables, folktales, and folklore that have horrified kids (and adults) for generations during the holiday season. He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake. This lighthearted song is a bit more ominous in the context of other Christmas traditions. From beasts that threaten to cook children into stew to sinister crones who snatch little ones from their beds, you won’t find any dancing sugar plums here. Outside of the heartwarming Christmas tales we all know and love, there are an abundance of frightening stories to chill all who hear them to the bone. Discover folklore from all corners of the world.
There are some familiar tales like Krampus, Gryla, and La Befana, but most of these tales and creatures were new to me.
I read this book for >4 lowelibrary: ScaredyKIT.
84VivienneR
>81 lowelibrary: That book looks interesting, and intriguing. I'm sure most people have a longing for one hour that's been denied.
85threadnsong
>37 lowelibrary: I love this book above almost all the other Stephen King books, except maybe "The Stand." I read it in a rush when I was about 15 on Thanksgiving Day, which made the hair on the back of my neck stand up more than once.
>53 lowelibrary: Yay! Glad you read this, and found out more about how AIDS was seen in the early-to-mid 80's. It was a tough time, and such a tragedy for so many. I knew about Freddie Mercury's life, at least what was talked about in the fan magazines (there weren't many that spoke highly of him, BTW), and I found knowing the details of how Queen came together through the different tour dates more enlightening at an older age. So glad you read this book bullet!
>53 lowelibrary: Yay! Glad you read this, and found out more about how AIDS was seen in the early-to-mid 80's. It was a tough time, and such a tragedy for so many. I knew about Freddie Mercury's life, at least what was talked about in the fan magazines (there weren't many that spoke highly of him, BTW), and I found knowing the details of how Queen came together through the different tour dates more enlightening at an older age. So glad you read this book bullet!
86lowelibrary
>84 VivienneR: It is a good read that makes you stop and wonder what you would do.
>85 threadnsong: I am planning to read the sequel Doctor Sleep while it is still fresh in my head. My favorite King so far is The Dark Half.
Thanks for the book bullet.
>85 threadnsong: I am planning to read the sequel Doctor Sleep while it is still fresh in my head. My favorite King so far is The Dark Half.
Thanks for the book bullet.
87lowelibrary
My 2026 thread is finally posted, but I will not post there until the first.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/376870
https://www.librarything.com/topic/376870
88lowelibrary
My Christmas book haul - I received 2 gift cards for books. One will be used this week and listed under new books in my 2026 thread, the other will be saved for my Thingaversary in April.
These books are listed under >9 lowelibrary: It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books, and the unread ones will become part of my Unfinished Business in 2026.
SANTATHING 2025
Fable by Adrienne Young
Lending A PAw by Laurie Cass
35 years as a autistic celebrity in the bay area by Ava Romero
CHRISTMAS 2025
Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Cat by Amy Newmark
Merry Christmas, My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards
Return of the Spider by James Patterson
You're My Little Christmas Cookie by Nicole Edwards
These books are listed under >9 lowelibrary: It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books, and the unread ones will become part of my Unfinished Business in 2026.
SANTATHING 2025
Fable by Adrienne Young
Lending A PAw by Laurie Cass
35 years as a autistic celebrity in the bay area by Ava Romero
CHRISTMAS 2025
Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Cat by Amy Newmark
Merry Christmas, My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards
Return of the Spider by James Patterson
You're My Little Christmas Cookie by Nicole Edwards
89lowelibrary
195. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood ★★★½
Discovered in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children. Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. A recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Although she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, she must first eliminate their canine tendencies. But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to civilize the Incorrigibles in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?
An adorable series, although it does not answer all the above questions, it does set them up to be answered in future issues. I read this to see if my grandson would enjoy it, and I think he will. I enjoyed it enough to read the next in the series.
This book was a 2025 bullet from @Tanya_dogearedcopy and listed in >11 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets
90lowelibrary
I received 2 of my new favorite children's books for Christmas and have already read them. Both books were read for >9 lowelibrary:. It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books
196. Merry Christmas, My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards ★★★½
Merry Christmas, My Little Cuddle Bug is an adorable board book to share with your little one at Christmastime. The rhyming text runs alongside Natalie Marshall’s adorable and festive illustrations.
A sequel to the original You're My Little Cuddle Bug, the Christmas illustrations are the best part of the book, all cuddle bug themed. The rhymes are not the best in the series.
197. You're My Little Christmas Cookie by Nicola Edwards ★★★★★
You’re My Little Christmas Cookie is an adorable board book to share with your little one this holiday season. With sweet, rhyming text paired with holiday character favorites, children will love the interactive features as you read the story. Whether it’s snuggly snowmen, sweet gingerbread cookies, or sparkling snowflakes, parents and children alike will appreciate the endearing sentiments with a festive twist. This special holiday book in the best-selling You’re My Little series makes a touching gift for Christmas for the little ones in your life.
Very cute and great rhymes all with winter themes.
196. Merry Christmas, My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards ★★★½
Merry Christmas, My Little Cuddle Bug is an adorable board book to share with your little one at Christmastime. The rhyming text runs alongside Natalie Marshall’s adorable and festive illustrations.
A sequel to the original You're My Little Cuddle Bug, the Christmas illustrations are the best part of the book, all cuddle bug themed. The rhymes are not the best in the series.
197. You're My Little Christmas Cookie by Nicola Edwards ★★★★★
You’re My Little Christmas Cookie is an adorable board book to share with your little one this holiday season. With sweet, rhyming text paired with holiday character favorites, children will love the interactive features as you read the story. Whether it’s snuggly snowmen, sweet gingerbread cookies, or sparkling snowflakes, parents and children alike will appreciate the endearing sentiments with a festive twist. This special holiday book in the best-selling You’re My Little series makes a touching gift for Christmas for the little ones in your life.
Very cute and great rhymes all with winter themes.
91lowelibrary
198. Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux ★★★★
Jocelyn Minton is a woman torn between two worlds. Her mother grew up attending private schools and afternoon teas, but she married the local handyman. After her mother died when Joce was only five years old, her father remarried into his own class, and Joce became an outsider—until she met Edilean Harcourt. Although she was sixty years Joce's senior, Miss Edi was a kindred soul who understood her like no one else ever had. When Miss Edi passes away, she leaves Joce all her worldly possessions, including an eighteenth-century house and a letter with clues to a mystery that began in 1941. In the letter, Miss Edi also mentions that she has found the perfect man for Joce—a handsome young lawyer. Joce is shocked to learn that the mystery, the house, and the future love of her life are all in Edilean, a small town in Virginia that Miss Edi never told her about. Hurt that the woman who meant so much to her kept so many secrets, Jocelyn moves to this tight-knit village in an attempt to understand the legacy that has been left to her. As she begins to dig into Miss Edi's mystery, she soon discovers some shocking surprises about her family's history and her own future—and she meets a man with his own mysterious past.
I had not read a Jude Deveraux book since my teens and had forgotten how much I enjoyed her books. A well-written romance without all the smutty smut the new romance writers think is necessary. I will have to find the next book, as one secret was left unrevealed, and the next book's blurb hints that it will be revealed in it.
I read this book for >7 lowelibrary: ColourCAT
92lowelibrary
199. 35 years as a autistic celebrity chef in the bay area by Ava Romero ½
welcome to the chef ava maries life of culinary jounery from spsecial education student to a culinary superstar. as you read my story you will find intresting stories through my recipes and expernices and more and as always muah.
I knew when I read the backof the book (the above is the actual book back), that this book would not be good. Sorry, I judged the book by the cover. I was not wrong. There is no editing at all in the book. Several of the mistakes could have been corrected by a simple Grammarly or spellcheck program. To try to give the author the benefit of the doubt. I looked up her social media, but that is edited better than this book. No story at all, it reads mostly as an outline created for a book rather than an actual story. Thank god it was short, or I would not have been able to finish.
This book was read for >9 lowelibrary: It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books
94lowelibrary
>93 VivienneR: I'm glad you found several books to read. I am starting my bullet challenge in 2026 with a bullet from you.
95lowelibrary
And my final book of the year was a quick grab since I was at 199, and my current read would not be finished tonight.
200. How To Catch A Yeti by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
Legend has it, there's a beast we really want to meet! So grab your friends and set your traps to catch those fuzzy feet!
A simple rhyming tale about the search for a yeti. The illustrations add to this tale as you see the yeti watching the kids and how close some encounters were.
I will be passing this down to my grandkids who are the perfect age for this series.
This book is listed in >60 lowelibrary:
200. How To Catch A Yeti by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
Legend has it, there's a beast we really want to meet! So grab your friends and set your traps to catch those fuzzy feet!
A simple rhyming tale about the search for a yeti. The illustrations add to this tale as you see the yeti watching the kids and how close some encounters were.
I will be passing this down to my grandkids who are the perfect age for this series.
This book is listed in >60 lowelibrary:
96lowelibrary
DECEMBER NOTES
A lot of good reading this month and a great Christmas haul.
I read 18 books this month. This brings me to a very respectable 200 for the year.
4 library loans, 2 Kindle, and 12 books from my shelves. This month's reading allowed me to discard 6 physical books.
I added 3 new Book Bullets this month, bringing the year's total to 105. I have managed to read 8 of them.
I read 3 impulse books that were not part of categories.
I had 16 books rated 3 stars or above and only 2 books below 3 stars.
My 5-star reads were:
Longbourn: Dragon Entail
The Joy of Cookies
You're My Little Christmas Cookie
A lot of good reading this month and a great Christmas haul.
I read 18 books this month. This brings me to a very respectable 200 for the year.
4 library loans, 2 Kindle, and 12 books from my shelves. This month's reading allowed me to discard 6 physical books.
I added 3 new Book Bullets this month, bringing the year's total to 105. I have managed to read 8 of them.
I read 3 impulse books that were not part of categories.
I had 16 books rated 3 stars or above and only 2 books below 3 stars.
My 5-star reads were:
Longbourn: Dragon Entail
The Joy of Cookies
You're My Little Christmas Cookie
97lowelibrary
YEAR END STATS
I finished all my LibraryThing challenges: MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT, RandomKIT, CoverCATand ColourCAT.
My personal challenges stats were as follows:
>7 lowelibrary: It's A Romantic Thing - Beauty and the Beast books and retellings--- The goal was to read all 15 of the books on my shelf and at least 4 from my Kindle. I read 5 Kindle books, but only 8 from my shelf. I finished the challenge at 53% done.
>8 lowelibrary: It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books --- The goal was to read all my gifts received this year and catch up
on my SantaThing/Thingaversary gifts from prior years. I finished the year at 53%, having read 27 of 51 books. Finishing only my 2025 Birthday books.
>9 lowelibrary: It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started before 2025 --- I am at 67% of the Alex Cross series, having read 10 of the
remaining 15 books (the newest one was announced to release in November and has been added to the challenge). This total includes the 3 Ali Cross books (which I finished), related to the series. I completed the challenge for other series, with 13 of 12 done.
>10 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets --- I started the year with over 100 bullets from 32 different contributors. I set this challenge to read 1 from each
contributor. I am at 78% with 25 books read. I have taken 105 new bullets so far this year and have read 8 of them. You will see in my 2026 challenge that I have removed some older recommendations that I am no longer interested in reading.
>11 lowelibrary: It's a Shelf-ish Thing - Read one book per shelf --- Read a book from each of my 36 unread bookshelves. The reading order was selected randomly at the beginning of the year, and the books for each month are selected randomly after that month's category books are selected. I ended at 53% with 19 of 36 done.
>12 lowelibrary: It's A Nightly Thing and a "Little One" to grow on --- This "extra" challenge has no limit. We have finished 5 books so far this year.
I have read a total of 43 books this quarter, with 3 of them being impulse reads not fitting any category challenge. My reading this quarter allowed me to clear my shelves of 6 books and my Kindle of 2 books.
For the year, I finished my reading with a very respectable 200 books. 37 library, 3 Audible, 34 Kindle, and 126 from my shelves. I have discarded a total of 19 Kindle books and cleared my shelves of 62 books and 1 Audible. This means all Audible books I had from my former membership have been completed.
The best book I read this quarter is The House On Needless Street
The best book I read in the second quarter is The Fur Person
The best book I read in the first quarter is We'll Prescribe You A Cat.
The best book I read in the fourth quarter is The Joy of Cookies.
The winner for this year is The House On Needless Street
My ratings for the year are:
5 stars - 29
4 1/2 stars - 27
4 stars - 35
3 1/2 stars - 34
3 stars - 40
2 1/2 stars - 21
2 stars - 8
1 1/2 stars -5
1/2 star -1
I am extremely pleased with my reading since 83% (165 of 200) of my books rated 3 stars or over.
I finished all my LibraryThing challenges: MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT, RandomKIT, CoverCATand ColourCAT.
My personal challenges stats were as follows:
>7 lowelibrary: It's A Romantic Thing - Beauty and the Beast books and retellings--- The goal was to read all 15 of the books on my shelf and at least 4 from my Kindle. I read 5 Kindle books, but only 8 from my shelf. I finished the challenge at 53% done.
>8 lowelibrary: It's The Gift of The Thing -Gifts (Christmas/Birthday) and SantaThing/Thingaversary books --- The goal was to read all my gifts received this year and catch up
on my SantaThing/Thingaversary gifts from prior years. I finished the year at 53%, having read 27 of 51 books. Finishing only my 2025 Birthday books.
>9 lowelibrary: It's A Continuing Thing - Catch up with the Alex Cross and other series started before 2025 --- I am at 67% of the Alex Cross series, having read 10 of the
remaining 15 books (the newest one was announced to release in November and has been added to the challenge). This total includes the 3 Ali Cross books (which I finished), related to the series. I completed the challenge for other series, with 13 of 12 done.
>10 lowelibrary: It's A Recommended Thing - Book Bullets --- I started the year with over 100 bullets from 32 different contributors. I set this challenge to read 1 from each
contributor. I am at 78% with 25 books read. I have taken 105 new bullets so far this year and have read 8 of them. You will see in my 2026 challenge that I have removed some older recommendations that I am no longer interested in reading.
>11 lowelibrary: It's a Shelf-ish Thing - Read one book per shelf --- Read a book from each of my 36 unread bookshelves. The reading order was selected randomly at the beginning of the year, and the books for each month are selected randomly after that month's category books are selected. I ended at 53% with 19 of 36 done.
>12 lowelibrary: It's A Nightly Thing and a "Little One" to grow on --- This "extra" challenge has no limit. We have finished 5 books so far this year.
I have read a total of 43 books this quarter, with 3 of them being impulse reads not fitting any category challenge. My reading this quarter allowed me to clear my shelves of 6 books and my Kindle of 2 books.
For the year, I finished my reading with a very respectable 200 books. 37 library, 3 Audible, 34 Kindle, and 126 from my shelves. I have discarded a total of 19 Kindle books and cleared my shelves of 62 books and 1 Audible. This means all Audible books I had from my former membership have been completed.
The best book I read this quarter is The House On Needless Street
The best book I read in the second quarter is The Fur Person
The best book I read in the first quarter is We'll Prescribe You A Cat.
The best book I read in the fourth quarter is The Joy of Cookies.
The winner for this year is The House On Needless Street
My ratings for the year are:
5 stars - 29
4 1/2 stars - 27
4 stars - 35
3 1/2 stars - 34
3 stars - 40
2 1/2 stars - 21
2 stars - 8
1 1/2 stars -5
1/2 star -1
I am extremely pleased with my reading since 83% (165 of 200) of my books rated 3 stars or over.
98lowelibrary
This thread is officially closed. Please join me at my 2026 thread https://www.librarything.com/topic/376870
