Bookworms Anonymous discussion

Challenge's Rules

1. The USA has 50 states read 1-4 books per month
2. Authors don't need to be American however the setting of the books do
3. The books do not need to match the month
3. You must read the book in that month. All Genres, however, try and read outside your comfort zone
4. Discuss the books you are reading with other members of the group and if you like to buddy read - contact Sarah or me.


List your books here

Participants


Carol
Denise
Jenny
Sarah

I don't think I understand. They have to be set in America, but where do the states come in? Also, what do you mean by 'the books do not need to match the month'? I'm just not getting it. Sorry.

Denise wrote: "I don't think I understand. They have to be set in America, but where do the states come in? Also, what do you mean by 'the books do not need to match the month'? I'm just not getting it. Sorry."

Hi, Denise - have a look at my selection. The idea of the challenge is to allow everyone to learn about America by reading one book per month that is set in a state of USA.

For example The Risk-Taker by Kira Sinclair set in South Carolina

I had to change the order of my list again, as I have to read a book with a cat in it for my blog about cats. LOL

February

The Witches Of Enchanted Bay: Ax To Grind by Amelia Morgan set in California - Finished

March

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris set in Colorado Finished

April

"Hammered" by Belle Knudson set in Pennsylvania Finished

May

Split Second by David Baldacci set in Virginia Finished

June

Dead Wrong by Leighann Dobbs set in Maine Finished

July

Whisper Cape by Susan Griscom set in Oregon Finished

August

Bones & Boxes by Anne Drake in

September

Girl Jacked by Christopher Greyson set in Washington

October

Something Magical by Leighann Dobbs set in North Carolina

November

The 7th Month by Lisa Gardner
in Massachusetts

December

Fractured by Catherine McKenzie set in Ohio


Anyone want to buddie up on these?

Fantastic Denise!

Here are my selections. I stole a few titles from you, Jenny, to move out of my comfort zone a bit. I usually go for Literary.

Anyone want to buddy up with me for these reads?


February

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin set in California

March

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

April
A Long Time Gone by Karen White set in Mississippi

May

From a Paris Balcony by Ella Carey set in Massachusetts

June

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

July
Surviving the Applewhites
set in Rhode Island

August

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson set in Idaho

September

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee set in Alabama

October

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit by Sloan Wilson set in Connecticut

November

The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields set in Indiana

December

Montana Rose by Mary Connealy set in Montana

Carol wrote: "Here are my selections. I stole a few titles from you, Jenny, to move out of my comfort zone a bit. I usually go for Literary.

Anyone want to buddy up with me for these reads?


February

[book:Ta..."

Welcome to the challenge Carol. I will like to buddy read with you - Montana Rose and one of your choices from your list.

Jenny wrote: "Carol wrote: "Here are my selections. I stole a few titles from you, Jenny, to move out of my comfort zone a bit. I usually go for Literary.

Anyone want to buddy up with me for these reads?


Febr..."

Great, Jenny! I'll let you decide which other month you'd like to join me. Looking forward to this challenge, have just downloaded Maupin's "Tales of the City".

Let's get travelin' around the US!

February - Alabama Mended by Kayla Marie

March - Texas No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

April - New York The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

May - Florida Paper Towns by John Green

June - Michigan Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell

July - Iowa The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson

August - Utah The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

September - Idaho The Promise of Rayne by Nicole Deese

October - Alaska Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

November - Virginia The Reservoir by John Milliken Thompson

December - Pennsylvania The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Sarah - You have some very interesting titles here! I would like to read, The Year We Left Home and The Promise of Rayne. They sound good.

Have fun! I look forward to all the discussions here.

Sarah wrote: " February - Alabama Mended by Kayla Marie

March - Texas No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

April - New York [book:The Princ..."

I agree with Carol incredible selection of books Sarah!

Carol wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Carol wrote: "Here are my selections. I stole a few titles from you, Jenny, to move out of my comfort zone a bit. I usually go for Literary.

Anyone want to buddy up with me for these..."

Carol, I have decided to buddy read your May Selection - The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon. I am also excited to start this challenge, and I am looking forward to buddy-read with you.

My selection:

February

South Dakota Hold Me Againby Rory Church

March

California Cause of Death by Renee Benzaim

April

South Carolina The Risk-Taker by Kira Sinclair

May

Minnesota The St. Paul Conspiracy by Roger Stelljes

June

Texas Harris Estate: Some secrets can't be buried... by Stacey Cotter

July

Portland The Girl on the Bridge by James Hayman

August

New York - The Kill Room by Jeffery Deaver

September

New Orleans - Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler - 5 ★

October

State of New York - Secrets in Death by J.D. Robb - 5 ★

November

Florida Now You See Her by James Patterson 4 ★

December

Montana - Montana Rose by Mary Connealy

Can anyone tell me is South Dakota has beautiful even with snow cover mountains has my first book for this challenge describes? Hold Me Again by Rory Church

"Survey the dusty rock-strewn far bank of the gulch - pine and juniper shrubs, bull thistle and buckthorn" page 1109.

Wow - I justed finished my first book for this challenge. I learn a lot from reading this book about South Dakota. I did not realise that Mount Rushmore and the Statue of the American presidents were in South Dakota. Also, like Europe animals need to be placed under cover during winter due to all that snow.

Hold Me Again by Rory Church
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jenny wrote: "Wow - I justed finished my first book for this challenge

Hold Me Again by Rory Church

Review will follow

"

Kudos to you, Jenny!! I'm just getting starting with my Feb book.
Carol

Thanks Carol!

I've replaced my Feb. read of Tales in the City with Susan Wiggs, The Apple Orchard. I just couldn't get into TOTC, I usually give a book more time but gave up on this title. Nothing was happening.

So here's my new pick for February, which by almost sheer luck also takes place in CA:

The Apple Orchard

Carol wrote: "I've replaced my Feb. read of Tales in the City with Susan Wiggs, The Apple Orchard. I just couldn't get into TOTC, I usually give a book more time but gave up on this title. Nothing was happening...."

Not to worry Carol. Sometimes you can not finish a book.

Carol wrote: "I've replaced my Feb. read of Tales in the City with Susan Wiggs, The Apple Orchard. I just couldn't get into TOTC, I usually give a book more time but gave up on this title. Nothing was happening...."

Hi Carol, how are you going with The Apple Orchard? Apple Orchard looks interesting by the information I read about the book.

I'm only about 30 pgs in (very busy), but so far it's engaging reading. I'm enjoying it. Going to read more tonight.

How was South Dakota?
Cheers!

Carol wrote: "I'm only about 30 pgs in (very busy), but so far it's engaging reading. I'm enjoying it. Going to read more tonight.

How was South Dakota?
Cheers!"


In Australia, we do not learn a lot about the culture and beliefs of Native Americans. Also, I gained knowledge about the Black Hills and beautiful state of South Dakota. I hope my March book will continue my quest to learn about the United States of America.

That's wonderful, Jenny! So glad you enjoyed the book. Yes, many native American Indians from SD. Especially the Sioux.

Carol wrote: "That's wonderful, Jenny! So glad you enjoyed the book. Yes, many native American Indians from SD. Especially the Sioux."


I enjoy learning about the Sioux beliefs and culture. Also, I did not realise that Mount Rushmore was in South Dakota

I've changed my March read, and updated my list.

by Kathleen Rooney.

I'm excited about this book. A woman takes a walk through Manhattan (NY), encountering all types of people.

Publishers Weekly says this: "Extraordinary…hilarious…Elegantly written..."

Carol wrote: "I've changed my March read, and updated my list.

by Kathleen Rooney.

I'm excited about this book. A woman takes a walk through Manhattan (NY), ..."

The book looks interesting Carol. I will be interested in your thoughts when you finish the book.

I have started to read my March book Cause of Death by Renee Benzaim

I, too, changed my March read from Holiday in Death to Glory in Death. I'll wait until the holidays to read Holiday in Death.

I am going to read something for febuary but I will let you know what it is. I still have not made it through that book even though Ive been reading it for months. I listen to mainly audiobooks right now because I am so busy to actually sit down and read. I'm always on the go.

I'm enjoying my March read so far. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk.
Am about 1/3 of the way through. Beautifully crafted prose by Kathleen Rooney.

I'll post a review when finished.

Carol wrote: "I'm enjoying my March read so far. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk.
Am about 1/3 of the way through. Beautifully crafted prose by Kath..."

I have read the description of the book - is the story funny?

I certainly pick a good book for March Cause of Death by Renee Benzaim Serial Killer who kills young girls with Black Widow Spiders. I let you know if I can finish this book.

Oh hell no. Spiders are literally one of my biggest phobias. That killer is sick and demented.

I do not like spiders either Sarah! I hope I will not have nightmares about spiders!

Jenny wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'm enjoying my March read so far. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk.
Am about 1/3 of the way through. Beautifully crafted..."

No, the story isn't funny. It's more the literary storyline about an older woman's musings as she wanders around Manhattan. Not exactly a compelling read, but the style and voice keeps me reading. Lillian's quirky, and has an opinion about everything. :-)

Finish my March book - California - Cause of Death by Renee Benzaim - 4 ★

"Cause of Death" is book one of the Det. Annie Avants series. The Cause of Death follows Det. Annie Avants investigation to find a serial killer who killed young girls using Black Widow Spiders. I enjoy reading Cause of Death once I forgot about the spiders and got involved with the story. I learnt about the different law enforcement and their roles which are very different to Australia law enforcement.

I don't know if I need to let you know if I change the books I am reading, but here goes:

March
Real Murders by Charlaine Harris in Colorado

April Hammered by Belle Knudson in Pennsylvania

June Whisper Cape by Susan Griscom in Oregan

That's fine. I may change a couple if you need to change some that's fine.

How is everyone going - need help?

I'm moving slowly - but moving - through "Lillian Boxfish". I have an anxiety disorder which often prohibits reading. It's really quite frustrating, as I absolutely love to read. Just want to explain why I don't post much. I often buy the audio book alone or to accompany the print or Kindle - helps me a lot. Also, I'm getting better, so hopefully soon I'll be able to read lots more. That is one of my truest wishes. :-)

Anyway, enjoying the read, even though she (Lillian) has a rather haughty voice. It's part of her NYC character. I love the literary style of this book.

I think I will change my April read to: The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
It sounds terrific.

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

I finished my March book. My review is on my blog.
http://dsbookshelves.blogspot.com/201...

Excellent review Denise! I would like to read this book it looks fascinating. Could you tell me what I could learn about Georgia by reading Real Murders?

No. It's in Colorado. They don't go into the town, state or the geographic area.

Denise wrote: "No. It's in Colorado. They don't go into the town, state or the geographic area."

Thank you Denise.

I've changed/updated my list for April. See my master list above. :-)

Carol wrote: "I've changed/updated my list for April. See my master list above. :-)"

A Long Time Gone sounds like a good book Carol.

Started to read my March book called The Risk-Taker set in South Carolina. I am looking forward to seeing what I can learn about South Carolina in this book. I have been very luck so far in my quest to learn about The United States.

Jenny wrote: "Started to read my March book called The Risk-Taker set in South Carolina. I am looking forward to seeing what I can learn about South Carolina in this book. I have been very luck s..."

Hope you enjoy the book, Jenny. :-)

Carol wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Started to read my March book called The Risk-Taker set in South Carolina. I am looking forward to seeing what I can learn about South Carolina in this book. I have be..."

Thanks Carol!