2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
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Alissa's 100 Book Challenge
Best wishes for a wonderful reading year in 2020, Alissa!
Book 1:
by Steve CavanaughRating: 3.5 stars
I love me some serial killers, especially highly intelligent ones. I hadn't realized until I looked up this author that this book is technically in a series but I felt it read just fine as a stand alone. The chapters go back and forth between Eddie Flynn, a defense attorney gearing up to defend his client accused of murdering his wife and his head of security in "The Trial of the Century ", and Joshua Kane, a sadist serial killer incapable of feeling physical pain. The cat and mouse game in this tale is that Cain has infiltrated the jury in Flynn 's case, and that he's a serial killer who no one is even looking for. Flynn was okay but the true star is Kane in this one .
Book 2:
by Kim Michele RichardsonRating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed this book. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I love reading about history I know nothing about. I have never heard of the blue-skinned people of Kentucky or the Pack Horse Library project from the 1930s. I loved the program as a whole, and how it literally changed people's lives with literacy. The story itself is decent, and I did enjoy Cussy the main character.... although Junia the mule was my favorite lol
Book 3:
by Sally HepworthRating: 3 Stars
A decent thriller, I was hoping for more craziness/ back-stabbiness but this one was okay. I did like the alternating chapters between Lucy, the daughter in law and Diana, the mother in law. I just wish there was more conflict with them, I feel it would have made the story more compelling.
Book 4:
by Ruth WareRating: 3 stars
This one was probably one of my favorites from Ware. I LOVE creepy house stories and I loved the combined creepiness of old houses mixed with the "horror" of smart technology of today's world (automated everything, cameras everywhere, apps to control items). Add on the isolation aspect, weird kids and a ghost backstory? Excellent!! The ending fell a bit flat for me but overall I enjoyed it
Lisa wrote: "Wishing you the best of luck, Alissa!"thank you!!
Book 5:
by Alafair BurkeRating: 2 stars
Definitely not one of Burke's best. The Wife absolutely blew me away but this one was underwhelming. I didn't get enough of the two sisters relationship dynamic, and the main character, Chloe, was extremely unlikable in my opinion. By the end, I didn't really care who the killer was. Forgettable for me.
Book 6:
by Leigh BardugoRating: 2 Stars
Ugh. I was so disappointed in this one!! It's indeed a slow-burner type of novel and I really did like the MC Galaxy Stern. But it was too slow for me and I won't be continuing with the series.
Book 7:
by Margaret Atwood Rating: 4 Stars
This was a re-read so I can get into The Testaments. Just as good/awful as it was when I read it back in 2014.
Book 8:
by Joshilyn JacksonRating: 3.5 Stars
This one was a slow-burner and more of a character study novel than a fast-paced thriller but I enjoyed it. But that ending?? Yikes, so good and unexpected but BLARGH I needed a shower after lol
Book 9:
by Heather MorrisRating: 2 Stars
I was very underwhelmed by this, and found it a struggle to get through. Definitely not of the best books pertaining to the Holocaust, I definitely preferred The Tattooist of Auschwitz over this.
Book 10:
by Liane MoriartyRating: 3 stars
This was a decent audiobook, but the story itself was not one of her best. She does do a great job dealing with a multitude of characters and I loved the scene at the Anniversary Party. The MC Sophie was "alright" but I was rooting for Grace and her storyline as she struggled with PPD. I wish we heard more from her.
Book 11:
by Harlan CobenRating: 4 Stars
My first Harlan Coben, and definitely not my last!! This was a fun mystery to try and figure out
Book 12:
by Judy ChristieRating: 3 Stars
I did like this nonfiction account of the true stories behind the incredible novel Before We Were Yours. It's just so heartbreaking how many families were destroyed because of that horrible woman.
Book 13:
by Sarah DessenRating: 3 Stars
This YA novel was both adorable and so sad, and it was a great choice for February/Valentine's Day. Dessen certainly didn't disappoint.
Book 14:
by Chelsea HandlerRating: 3 Stars
This was my first Chelsea Handler and it was pretty decent. Her babysitting story was by far my favorite; the story with her dad in Costa Rica was just bizarre. Her voice is a bit grated but overall it was a quick audiobook. I needed something light with a few chuckles.
Book 15:
by Elin HilderbrandRating: 3 Stars
I love Elin Hilderbrand and will read anything she writes. This was a novel that doesn't take place in her normal Nantucket, but in her "second" home of St. Johns. I loved reading about the different families and how they are coping with the death of Russell, the family patriarch, as well as the where, how and WHO he died with. I'm looking forward to the second one.
Book 16:
by Alex NorthRating: 4 Stars
Holy creep-fest, Batman!! This made me so uneasy (in a good way!!) throughout the entire book. What I loved most about it is that it's not just a serial-killer-hunting-kids story. There are a few different layers to it, one being a grieving dad trying to comfort his 7 year old while trying to keep it together himself over the sudden loss of his wife. I really liked this one!!
Book 17:
by Chloe BenjaminRating: 3.5 Stars
I really liked the overall plot of this story, with a fortune teller telling a group of siblings when they are going to die. It really made me think- how would you live your life knowing when you would die? Would you live your life a different way if you knew you were going to die at age 20 vs age 80? Would you be more cautious or more daring? Would you build up strong relationships or push people away? The siblings relationships are such an interesting aspect of this story. I liked this one
Book 18:
by Lyssa Kay AdamsRating: 4 Stars
This one was stupidly charming. I love the originally of the story, with having these macho men reading romance novels to try and repair their relationships. The book club scenes were hilarious, but I also found myself rooting for Gavin and Thea
Book 19:
by Kristan HigginsRating: 4 Stars
From the cover, I thought this was going to be a foofy, chick lit type novel. Boy, was I wrong. This one packed a lot of emotional punches that I wasn't ready for but welcomed with open arms. Highly recommend if you like dyfunctional-but-loving- famlilies
Book 20:
by Helen HoangRating: 2 stars
I did not enjoy this at all. I'm no prude but jaysus.....I was expecting more from this. I did enjoy that the main characters were a highly functioning autistic successful career woman and a half-Asian male who is an escort with a heart of gold (the male Pretty Woman??) but I didn't enjoy the storyline at all. Definitely will not be continuing with the series. I know the second one has different characters in it, but meh. No thanks
Book 22:
by Elin HilderbrandRating: 4 Stars
love this author!! This series is beyond adorable and I love rooting for these characters. And that cliffhanger???
Book 23:
by Caitlin DoughtyRating: 2 Stars
Ehh.. I was expecting more from this. It was cute and slightly informative but . meh.,
Book 24:
by Tayari JonesRating: 4 Stars
This book has so many terribly sad parts but i was riveted the entire time I listened to it. Just very well done, loved the audiobook.
Book 25:
by Debbie HowellsRating: 2 Stars
I got this book from a Little Free Library in my neighborhood, so I decided to give it a shot. I've never heard of this book or this author so why not? Sadly, it did not deliver. This book has such promise, but the writing itself was poor and the build up wasn't executed well. I will definitely be returning it to the library once this coronavirus blows over *fingers crossed* so hopefully someone else will enjoy it.
Book 26:
by Taylor AdamsRating: 3 Stars
This definitely started out uber creepy- stuck in a highway rest stop with a bunch of strangers when Darby realizes that one of them is a child kidnapper who has a young girl in a dog cage in their van... but who? And why? There were really 3 "big" twists and I guessed 2 of 3 so that stunk, but overall this was a decent read.
Book 27:
by Victor LaValleRating: 3 stars
This short novella takes a bit to get going, but once it does? YIKES. It's disturbing and slightly gruesome and I am still not 100% on what the flip was going on haha. But I dug it!
Book 28:
by Jojo MoyesRating: 3 Stars
I enjoyed this story but I preferred
more. I did love the tough-as-nails but good-hearted Margery, even though the main character was Alice. I found her a bit annoying and would have rather had Margery as the MC.
Book 29:
by Lisa JewellRating: 3 Stars
Overall, I liked it but the 3 interconnecting storylines were really confusing. I would have much rather have had more about the cult because that was way more interesting. I do like Lisa Jewell's books and will continue to read more of her work!
Book 30:
by Megan AbbottRating: 3 Stars
I've heard lots of things about Megan Abbott, and how her books push the envelope. This one definitely does, as it discusses a lot of interesting topics that pertain to high school- best friends, frenemies, guys, backstabbing, gossip, etc all whole discussing a mysterious illness that affects only teenage girls. This felt like the movie Mean Girls if it was a thriller/horror flick.
This one peaked my interest in Abbott, so I'll definitely continue to read her stuff.
I've reached 30 books out of 100 & over 10,000 pages read!! (10,019)
Book 31:
by Jussi Adler-OlsenRating: 3.5 Stars
I'll be the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of the Scandanavian "crime noir" - type books. I don't really like Jo Nesbo and i attempted to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo five (yes, FIVE) times before I gave up.
Luckily for me, I DID enjoy this one. I started off with the audio and I just couldnt get into it, so I switched gears and got the ebook for it. SO glad I did, as I read it much faster with more enthusiasm. I will definitely continue with this series! :-)
Book 34:
by Rachael LippincottRating: 3 stars
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic trait that runs in my family and I was happy to see it represented in YA. This was a cute story and I really enjoyed it.
Book 36:
by Jessica SimpsonRating: 4 Stars
I am in awe of her strength and determination. I was always a fan of her music and I'm so happy that she is doing well.
Book 37:
by William Kent KruegerRating: 3 Stars
This book was alright- I definitely felt some "Huckleberry Finn" vibes with it, and now I want to read Huckleberry Finn lol It had some slow parts but overall it was an enjoyable read
Book 38:
by Maria HummelRating: 1 Star
So.... I listened to the audiobook and got to 60% and it went back to the library. I was pretty bored with it. Then my friend read it, and I allowed her to tell me the "who dun it" and I don't even recall that character in the book. Ha! So yep, no thank you I'm done with this book.
Book 39:
by Stephen KingRating: 2 Stars
I love Uncle Stevie. I did not like this one. Other than The Raft, the others just didn't speak to me. ::hides::
Book 40:
by Simone St. JamesRating: 4 Stars
Creepy as shit. I kind of saw the ending but also didn't. People I trusted I shouldn't have and people I suspected were safe. This was a trip!! This would make a great Netflix film.
Book 41:
by Tarryn FisherRating: 3 Stars
Thought this was an interesting ride. It kind of fell off the rails a bit at the 60% mark, in a good way. Unreliable narrator for the win, I wasn't sure WHO to believe! I didn't like the ending but overall this was a good story.
Book 42:
by Tiffany JenkinsRating: 4 Stars
I devoured this book in days. It reads like a crazy novel and you have to keep telling yourself "This is real! This is what happened!". I admire her courage for being so honest, because there are definitely some parts that are hard to read.
Book 44:
by John Grisham3 stars
I haven't read a Grisham novel in quite a while. This one was equal parts trial/crime story and war story. The trial is where Grisham really shines.
Book 45:
by Chelsea Handler3 Stars I needed something to make me laugh and something light-n-frothy. This had the perfect amount of froth.
2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge
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122 out of 100
Pages Read: 40,935
48 Books
39 Audiobooks
36 Ebooks
3 Novellas
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