2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

197 views
ARCHIVE 2018 > Megan's 115 in 2018

Comments Showing 1-50 of 134 (134 new)    post a comment »
« previous 1 3

message 1: by Megan (last edited Jan 03, 2019 05:50AM) (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments 1. The Eight by Katherine Neville - completed January 2018 - 4.5 stars

2. Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig - completed January 2018 - 4 stars

3. Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah - completed January 2018 - 4.5 stars

4. Guilty Wives by James Patterson - completed January 2018 - 3.5 stars

5. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterley - completed January 2018 - 2.5 stars

6. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - completed January 2018 - 4.5 stars

7. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay - completed January 2018 - 5 stars

8. The Dead Duke, His Secret Wife, and the Missing Corpse: An Extraordinary Edwardian Case of Deception and Intrigue by Piu Marie Eatwell - completed January 2018 - 4 stars

9. The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor - completed January 2018 - 4 stars

10. The Sellout by Paul Beatty - completed February 2018 - 3 stars

11. The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander - completed February 2018 - 4.5 stars

12. American Street by Ibi Zoboi - completed February 2018 - 4.5 stars

13. Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld - completed February 2018 - 4 stars

14. A Crown for Cold Silver by Alex Marshall - completed February 2018 - 3 stars

15. Still Me by Jojo Moyes - completed February 2018 - 4.5 stars

16. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - completed February 2018 - 4 stars

17. The Last Girls by Lee Smith - completed February 2018 - 4 stars

18. Before the Fall by Noah Hawley - completed February 2018 - 4.5 stars

19. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - completed March 2018 - 3.5 stars

20. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo - completed March 2018 - 4 stars

21. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (re-read) - completed March 2018 - 5 stars

22. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari - completed March 2018 - 4.5 stars

23. The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens - completed March 2018 - 3 stars

24. The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman - completed March 2018 - 3.5 stars

25. Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper - completed March 2018 - 4 stars

26. The Freemason's Daughter by Shelley Sackier - completed March 2018 - 2 stars

27. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton - completed March 2018 - 4.5 stars

28. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah - completed March 2018 - 5 stars

29. Fly Away by Kristin Hannah - completed April 2018 - 4.5 stars

30. Bullseye by James Patterson - completed April 2018 - 3 stars

31. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - completed April 2018 - 4.5 stars

32. Dodgers by Bill Beverly - completed April 2018 - 4 stars

33. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas - completed April 2018 - 4 stars

34. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo - completed April 2018 - 5 stars

35. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas - completed April 2018 - 4 stars

36. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas - completed April 2018 - 4.5 stars

37. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena - completed April 2018 - 3.5 stars

38. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben - completed April 2018 - 4 stars

39. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon - completed April 2018 - 4 stars

40. The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead - completed April 2018 - 3.5 stars

41. Once and for All by Sarah Dessen - completed May 2018 - 3.5 stars

42. Two Nights by Kathy Reichs - completed May 2018 - 2 stars

43. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas - completed May 2018 - 4 stars

44. Something Old by Dianne Christner - completed May 2018 - 2 stars

45. The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert - completed May 2018 - 4.5 stars

46. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - completed May 2018 - 4.5 stars

47. Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton - completed May 2018 - 4 stars

48. Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton - completed May 2018 - 4 stars

49. The Simplicity of Cider by Amy Reichert - completed May 2018 - 3.5 stars

50. The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey - completed May 2018 - 4.5 stars

51. Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis - completed June 2018 - 2 stars

52. War Storm by Victoria Aveyard - completed June 2018 - 4.5 stars

53. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate - completed June 2018 - 4.5 stars

54. Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King - completed June 2018 - 4 stars

55. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen - completed June 2018 - 4.5 stars

56. Chase by James Patterson - completed June 2018 - 3 stars

57. The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen - completed June 2018 - 3 stars

58. The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen - completed July 2018 - 3.5 stars

59. The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley - completed July 2018 - 3 stars

60. The Murder House by James Patterson - completed July 2018 - 3 stars

61. The Lying Game by Ruth Ware - completed July 2018 - 4.5 stars

62. Artemis by Andy Weir - completed July 2018 - 4.5 stars

63. The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine - completed July 2018 - 3.5 stars

64. Seduced By The Heart Surgeon by Carol Marinelli - completed July 2018 - 2 stars

65. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng - completed July 2018 - 5 stars

66. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares - completed July 2018 - 4 stars

67. Falling into Place by Amy Zhang - completed July 2018 - 3.5 stars

68. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer - completed July 2018 - 3.5 stars

69. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - completed July 2018 - 4.5 stars

70. Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead - completed August 2018 - 3.5 stars

71. Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken - completed August 2018 - 3.5 stars

72. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid - completed August 2018 - 5 stars

73. Brother’s Ruin by Emma Newman - completed August 2018 - 3.5 stars

74. Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles - completed August 2018 - 4 stars

75. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks - completed August 2018 - 4.5 stars

76. Lucky in Love by Kasie West - completed August 2018 - 3.5 stars

77. White Oleander by Janet Finch - completed August 2018 - 5 stars

78. All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda - completed August 2018 - 3 stars

79. Roomies by Christina Lauren - completed September 2018 - 4 stars

80. Dear Martin by Nic Stone - completed September 2018 - 5 stars

81. Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah - completed September 2018 - 3.5 stars

82. After The Shot Drops by Randy Ribay - completed September 2018 - 3.5 stars

83. In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken - completed September 2018 - 3 stars

84. Wicked Like a Wildfire by Lana Popovic - completed September 2018 - 4 stars

85. As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner - completed September 2018 - 4 stars

86. Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty - completed September 2018 - 3 stars

87. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - completed September 2018 - 5 stars

88. The Breakdown by B.A. Paris - completed October 2018 - 3.5 stars

89. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson - completed October 2018 - 4 stars

90. The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter - completed October 2018 - 4.5 stars

91. The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje - completed October 2018 - 4 stars

92. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - completed October 2018 - 4.5 stars

93. Iron Gold by Pierce Brown - completed October 2018 - 4 stars

94. Final Girls by Riley Sager - completed October 2018 - 4 stars

95. Woman of God by James Patterson - completed October 2018 - 4 stars

96. Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor - completed October 2018 - 4.5 stars

97. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White - completed October 2018 - 4.5 stars

98. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - completed October 2018 - 4.5 stars

99. Night Road by Kristin Hannah - completed November 2018 - 4 stars

100. Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward - completed November 2018 - 4.5 stars

101. Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott - completed November 2018 - 5 stars

102. Mrs. Bridge by Evan Connell - completed November 2018 - 3.5 stars

103. The Marriage Lie by Kimberley Belle - completed November 2018 - 3.5 stars

104. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas - completed November 2018 - 5 stars

105. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol - completed November 2018 - 4 stars

106. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell - completed November 2018 - 2.5 stars

107. Fierce Like a Firestorm by Lana Popovic - completed November 2018 - 3.5 stars

108. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith - completed November 2018 - 4 stars

109. Heavyweight by M.B. Mulhall - completed November 2018 - 4 stars

110. The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward - completed November 2018 - 3.5 stars

111. The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer - completed December 2018 - 4 stars

112. His Favorites by Kate Walbert - completed December 2018 - 3.5 stars

113. The Angels' Share by J.R. Ward - completed December 2018 - 3.5 stars

114. Devil's Cut by J.R. Ward - completed December 2018 - 4 stars

115. Becoming by Michelle Obama - completed December 2018 - 5 stars

116. The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh - completed December 2018 - 3.5 stars

117. A Place for Us by Fatima Fahreen Mirza - completed December 2018 - 3 stars

118. The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere by Pico Iyer - completed December 2018 - 4.5 stars

119. Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein by Jamie Bernstein - completed December 2018 - 2.5 stars

120. How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid - completed December 2018 - 3.5 stars

121. Broken Angels by Gemma Liviero - completed December 2018 - 4 stars

122. The Devoted by Blair Hurley - completed December 2018 - 1 star

122/115 - challenge completed!!!


message 2: by Lisa (new)

Lisa Grønsund | 6163 comments Good luck Megan :)


message 3: by Winter, Group Reads (new)

Winter (winter9) | 5012 comments Good luck Megan! That's a big goal, I hope you discover a ton of great books! I need to settle on a number myself ^^


message 4: by Bill (new)

Bill Aldred (bill_coach) | 4 comments good idea hope you find a way to do it. !!!


message 5: by Susy (new)

Susy (susysstories) Impressive goal Megan! Wishing you the best of luck and happy reading!


message 6: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12955 comments Best of luck in the coming year!


message 7: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments First book in 2018 - The Eight by Katherine Neville. I love books that make me think and books that teach me something. It's even better when it's entertaining. This book accomplished all three! My only critique is that there were portions that were confusing and could have been edited a touch better. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Clear Shelves, Personalities, Places

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, Leftovers


message 8: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Second book in 2018 - Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig. I work with foster children in the juvenile system every day. I would love to say that Ginny's story is an anomaly, but it isn't. The novel is very well-done, and the subject matter and point of view make it a difficult but rewarding read. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: Leftovers


message 9: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Third book in 2018 - Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah. An interesting, well-written book about a woman being brave enough to fight for her happiness. Good, complex characters and some nice twists along the way. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Author, Clear Shelves, Personalities, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 10: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Fourth book in 2018 - Guilty Wives by James Patterson. Entertaining, if a bit repetitive. I enjoyed the mystery of the story. The main characters were well-written and complex. And the portrayal of life in prison was pretty accurate - don't for a minute think that similar events don't happen in American prisons every day. Worth reading. 3.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Author, Personalities, Places

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, CTS S List


message 11: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Fifth book in 2018 - Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterley. I am conflicted about this book, so I'm going to separate my review into three categories. For content, this book is amazing. The women discussed in the book were groundbreaking not only for their race but also their gender. For research, this book is well-founded and appears thoroughly vetted. For writing, the author was not up to the task of her research or subjects. Her writing is boring, repetitive, and not cohesive. The timeline she uses is non-linear and leads to her characters being confused between time and space within the narrative. And her forays into the greatness of math and NASA detracts for her characters themselves. The only reason my rating is as high as three stars was for the amazing women the book discusses. The writing alone would be 1.5 stars. Overall, not worth reading. 2.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Clear Shelves, Personalities, Places

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, Group Reads that Didn't Win, CTS S List


message 12: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Sixth book in 2018 - Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Once again, I've been sucked into another amazing Maas universe! Her characters are interesting and complex, particularly her main character Celaena. Maas is a wonderful storyteller, in that she doesn't hit you with the particulars of her universe all at one time, but allows the world to unfold naturally through the story. And she doesn't hold back important bits to frustrate the reader. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Author, Serial, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, CTS S List


message 13: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Seventh book in 2018 - Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay. This memoir is incredibly brave and raw. There was so much truth I had to take it in small pieces to full digest. Really amazing and every person should read this! 5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S list


message 14: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Eighth book in 2018 - The Dead Duke, His Secret Wife, and the Missing Corpse: An Extraordinary Edwardian Case of Deception and Intrigue by Piu Marie Eatwell. For nonfiction, this book was quite entertaining. I found the writing clear and concise. The story was related in a narrative fashion. The content appeared quite well-researched. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: Popsugar, Clear the Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: Leftovers


message 15: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Ninth book in 2018 - The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor. Overall, this was an easy, suspenseful read. Kept me guessing in parts. The writing is clear and straightforward. The characters have nice bits of complexity. Overall, an entertaining murder mystery. Worth reading. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest opinion. 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: 2018 Goodreads Choice, CTS S List


message 16: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Tenth book in 2018 - The Sellout by Paul Beatty. I had a difficult time getting through this book. I did not find it an enjoyable read. The language and use of the n-word disturbed me, though, I acknowledge that it's use was meant to do so. It was overused to the point of normalization, which might have also been the intent. While the book contained truths about our society, I felt it could have been done in a better way. I'm glad I read the book and even happier that it is finished. 3 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Places

Personal challenges: WPB Women's Bookclub, Monthly Reads that Didn't Win, CTS S List


message 17: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Eleventh book in 2018 - The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander. Excellent motivational read! Perfect for children or teens interested/involved in sports! Quick read. I especially appreciated the format - images mixed with quotes mixed with stories. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Places

Personal challenges: Leftovers


message 18: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12955 comments You are doing great keep up the great reads!


message 19: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twelfth book in 2018 - American Street by Ibi Zoboi. Well-done YA novel! The main character is wonderfully complex, and I loved that the author incorporated so much about Haiti into the character herself. Good writing! My only criticism was that the first half was a bit long. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Places, Library

Personal challenges: CTS R list


message 20: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirteenth book in 2018 - Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. This is an entertaining audiobook! The narrator did a good job with the voices. That being said, I felt like a bit of editing would have taken out some of the extraneous bits that detracted from the main story. Also, the prose was a touch repetitive. Overall, definitely worth reading (and listening)! 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Serial, Places, Library

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, CTS S List


message 21: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Fourteenth book in 2018 - A Crown for Cold Silver by Alex Marshall. While there were parts of this book I enjoyed, the book would have benefited from some serious editing. There were certain sections that were just too odd, and then for all the verbosity of the author, other sections were too vague. For the ambition and the parts I enjoyed, I'm rating this 3 stars. I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Unless you love grimdark literature, this is not one I would recommend. I will not be continuing the series.

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Serial, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 22: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Fifteenth book in 2018 - Still Me by Jojo Moyes. Thoroughly enjoyed this next chapter in Louisa Clark's saga. And Moyes' writing, as ever, contains beautifully poignant moments punctuated by really funny scenes. My only tiny critique is that at time Moyes can be a touch obtuse in conveying a meaning. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Serial, Places, Library Lovers

Personal challenges: Goodreads Choice, CTS S List


message 23: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Sixteenth book in 2018 - Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. Good follow-up to the first book in the series. This book was not quite as enjoyable, simply because the storyline is becoming more complex. I appreciate how she's trying to make the characters more interesting and complex as the story progresses. Definitely worth reading. 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Author, Serial, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 24: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Seventeenth book in 2018 - The Last Girls by Lee Smith. Lovely writing. I appreciate the author's perspective in capturing the unique privilege and sheltered expectations of the white southern female. With the book being set partially in the mid-60's, she shows how some of those expectations were shifting, while others did not. I really enjoyed the characters - they were not perfect, nor were their lives fixed by the end of the book. But they seemed realistic. My only criticism was I did not like how the author eluded to other women being involved in the adventure, then never really mentioned them until little synopses at the end. It was disconnected, and I didn't know who they were really or where they fit into the adventure. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 25: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Eighteenth book in 2018 - Before the Fall by Noah Hawley. This is a gorgeously written and presented book! One of my favorite reads of the year thus far. The characters are interesting, and some of them present a nice parody of some real-life jerks in the media. I love how the author broke up the plot and unfolded the whole thing slowly. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, CTS S List


message 26: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Nineteenth book in 2018 - Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I was not a fan of this book for the first 30%. The beginning was terrible, the characters seemed irredeemable, and I just couldn't connect with the world. However, slowly, the characters started to flesh out and become more likeable. I started to understand the world better and care about the plot. Nice cliffhanger at the end. Worth reading, but the beginning needed better editing. 3.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 27: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12955 comments Two months down ten to go! I hope March is a success for you. You are doing so well.


message 28: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twentieth book in 2018 - Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. I liked this book much better than the first in the duology. It got straight to the story without the distractions that plagued the first book. Good character development and plot was on point. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: Places

Personal challenges: CTS N List


message 29: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-first book in 2018 - A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Read this for the umpteenth time, but the first time as an adult. I remember the book being longer. Maybe there were just some big concepts in the book for me when I was a kid. I forgot how spiritual the book was - not religious but definitely spiritual. But the lovely writing was the same, as were the really smart characters. Definitely worth reading and can't wait to see the movie! 5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Places, March Group Read, Page to Screen

Personal challenges: Books and movies, CTS M List


message 30: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-second book in 2018 - Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari. Loved so much about this audiobook! I highly recommend listening as Aziz is the narrator and throws in lovely little asides and rude comments about listening to his book - it was hilarious! It was well thought out and supported by research. I especially appreciated the contrasts between romance in the previous decades and now. Good conclusions. My only slight criticism was a touch of repetitive commentary towards the end. Good length and highly entertaining! Definitely worth listening and reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 31: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-third book in 2018 - The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens. Entertaining read, but the action sequences were highly unrealistic. While I appreciated some character development over the realization that a criminal is innocent so now we treat him like a person, it shouldn't require innocence to treat someone with cancer like a person, regardless of their past. Writing was simplistic. Not bad but not great either. Worth reading if you need something light and unrealistic. 3 stars

Challenges: Serial, Places

Personal challenges: WPB Women's Book Club, CTS R List


message 32: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-fourth book in 2018 - The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I liked how the author blended very depressing topics, like death and unemployment, with everyday humor. The characters were interesting too. However, there were just a few things that didn't quite come together. Worth reading! 3.5 stars

Challenges: Places

Personal challenges: Book Cellar Book Club, CTS N List


message 33: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-fifth book in 2018 - Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper. I really appreciated Cooper's insights into Black Feminism. She added her life experiences to explain her positions, along with research and statistics to support her arguments. While I didn't agree with all of her conclusions, I did appreciate her approach. There seemed to be a little lack of recognition there is a big difference between white feminists and white women as a whole. The vast majority of white women in America do not identify themselves with the feminist movement, so it's difficult to take responsibility for failing the country by not getting all white women to vote for the feminist choice, when most white women revel or at least accept their role in the white male patriarchy. However, I do agree that white feminists should acknowledge and support our black sisters much more than we do. I especially identified with Cooper's struggles in romance, as I find it impossible to locate a man worth dating that is not afraid of my intellect and my job without dumbing myself down, which I refuse to do. While some of the romantic struggles she identified are particular to black women, the romantic struggles for smart feminists are broader applied. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Places

Personal challenges: Goodreads Choice 2018, CTS S List


message 34: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-sixth book in 2018 - The Freemason's Daughter by Shelley Sackier. Not a fan, especially at the end. The historical facts were inaccurate, the plot twists didn't make any sense, and the ending was nonexistent. Not to mention the author tried to create an intelligent, strong character that was constantly having to be saved - a contradiction that didn't help the book. Not worth reading. 2 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 35: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-seventh book in 2018 - Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton. I understand now why this book won a Goodreads Choice award. The writing is well-done, clear, and concise. It's a quick read without resorting to dumbed down language. The hero is incredibly relatable, being a scared kid who doesn't fully understand herself or the world. The fantasy world Hamilton created is different enough to be fantasy but close enough to reality to be easy to accept. It took me a bit to get into this book, which is why I docked it half a star, but overall, really good! Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Color, Serial, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, CTS S List


message 36: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-eighth book in 2018 - Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. This is one of those books and a set of characters that will stick with me for awhile. Anyone who has had formative, life-long friendships will be able to relate to the main characters. I especially love how their friendship was layered over the changing view of women in our country, from the 70's-2000's. And the musical references were great too. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Author, Clear Shelves, Places

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 37: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Twenty-ninth book in 2018 - Fly Away by Kristin Hannah. Not as good as the first book, but it was still well-done! A continuation of the first in a signature Hannah style. Nice character development. My only criticism is that, while I appreciate that her characters don't always have good things happen to them, this seemed a bit extreme. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Author, Clear Shelves, Bibliophile, Similar

Personal challenges: CTS N List


message 38: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirtieth book in 2018 - Bullseye by James Patterson. Not my favorite book in this series. The improbable events all seemingly happening to involve a single detective is stretching the bounds of credulity at this point. And to keep stringing along the nanny after all she's been through and being oblivious to the troubles of his own kids is just annoying now. I'm really hoping the next book returns to the original snap of the series, or I might be through. Kinda worth reading. 3 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Author, Serial, Bibliophile, Similar

Personal challenges: CTS R list


message 39: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-first book in 2018 - Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. Another really fantastic book in this series! I don't know how Maas manages to come up with interesting ideas and plot twists, but I love them! Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: Author, Serial

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 40: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12955 comments A book is a dream that you hold in your hand. I hope that April brings you many more five star reads. Do you have a stand out book so far this year?


message 41: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-second book in 2018 - Dodgers by Bill Beverly. This book was incredibly honest. It honestly portrayed the life of a black boy born into gang life in the inner city. It honestly portrayed how a black child is perceived by white privileged America. It was written well. That being said, it was difficult to read. The subject matter is not easy. But it's an important truth. Definitely worth reading. 4 stars

Challenges: Clear Shelves, Similar

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, WPB Women's Book club, CTS P List


message 42: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-third book in 2018 - Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas. Overall, I enjoyed this book. However, some of the plot twists are predictable, particularly after I read Maas' last series, Court of Thorns. There were a few interesting characters added, and I particularly like the witches. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Serial, Author

Personal challenges: CTS R List


message 43: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-fourth book in 2018 - The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. I've never been a huge fan of poetry and have never read a narrative poem outside of an English class. This book was excellent! I loved how the author connected each poem but gave each one its own identity as well. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

Challenges: Bibliophile, Similar

Personal challenges: 2018 Goodreads Choice, CTS P list


message 44: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-fifth book in 2018 - Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas. Overall, I liked this book. It was a good continuation of the story, and I liked some of the twists. However, what I've found with Maas' writing is that when she's in the midst of bringing her stories together deep in the series, she sometimes forgets to make connections between events. That can be frustrating for the reader. I hope the next book is a bit clearer during the action. Overall, definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: Author, Serial

Personal challenges: CTS O List


message 45: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-sixth book in 2018 - Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas. Really enjoyed this addition to the series. I might have been a tad annoyed if I had waited a year for the next book, as it doesn't quite pick up from the last book. But this book returned to the charm and wonder of the first book in this series. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Author, Serial, Bibliophile

Personal challenges: CTS O List


message 46: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-seventh book in 2018 - The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. I was lukewarm on this book for about 70%. I figured out almost everything before it happened. And I wasn't really connected with any of the characters. Writing was ok, and the pace picked up a bit towards the end. 3.5 stars

Challenges: Similar, Readathon

Personal challenges: Group Reads that Didn't Win, CTS R List


message 47: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-eighth book in 2018 - Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben. Good, solid suspense. I love Coben's descriptions of his characters - he really paints a picture. Quick read. Worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Readathon

Personal challenges: Books and Movies, CTS S List


message 48: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Thirty-ninth book in 2018 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Enjoying this book is not quite right, as there are several parts of this book that are not enjoyable to read (dead dog on page 1 being a perfect example). However, I appreciated this book. The author did an amazing job of portraying the thoughts of an extremely intelligent, autistic boy and others' reactions to him. The book was authentic. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

Challenges: PopSugar, Readathon

Personal challenges: WPB Women's Book Club, CTS P List


message 49: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Fortieth book in 2018 - The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead. Good, solid book. Entertaining but there was a measure of incredulity too that kept me from fully connecting. Worth reading. 3.5 stars

Challenges: Color, Serial, Clear Shelves, Readathon

Personal challenges: CTS S List


message 50: by Blagica , Challenges (new)

Blagica  | 12955 comments April Showers bring May flowers I hope May brings lots of great reads and sunshine!


« previous 1 3
back to top