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2023 Independent Challenges
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Alissa's Independent Challenges- 2023 Edition
"Old as Fack" I joined Goodreads in December 2013 and have 19 books on my TBR from 2013. I did a number generator and 10 of those 19 are on this list to be read and chisel the 2013 books away! (& yes there is lots of SK lol)
CURRENTLY READING
2. The Bay At Midnight by Diane Chamberlain
3. Roadwork by Richard Bachman
7. The Regulators by Richard Bachman
10. Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
Children's Books CURRENTLY READING
5. Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
6. The Borrowers by Mary Norton
7. Heidi by Johanna Spyri
9. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
12. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
13. Two Moons in August by Martha Brooks
#1 in Series Upped it to 15 this year
CURRENTLY READING
1. The Rook by Daniel O'Malley (Checquy Files)
2. Crank by Ellen Hopkins
3. The Awakening by Caroline Peckham (Zodiac Academy)
5. The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun
8. Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
10. Patriot Games by Tom Clancy (Jack Ryan)
11. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson)
14. Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
CONTINUE SERIES?
YES
The Boyfriend Project
The Inheritance Games
Naked in Death
Heartstopper
Postmortem
Thursday Murder Club
NO/UNSURE
may try #2 in Eddie Flynn to see
Continuing Series This will 20 books- 10 will be #2s since I tend to neglect those and 10 are #3 in series and above. I hope to end a few series this year!
CURRENTLY READING
1. Game by Barry Lyga (#2, I Hunt Killers)
2. Like Lions by Brian Panowich (#2, Bull Mountain)
3. Secrets She Left Behind by Diane Chamberlain (#2, Before the Storm)
6. Daughter of Moloka'i by Alan Brennert (#2, Moloka'i)
9. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella (#2, Shopaholic)
10. The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey (#2, Girl with all the Gifts)
11. The Trespasser by Tana French (#6/end of series, Dublin Murder Squad)
12. You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes (#3, You)
13. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas (#4, ACOTAR)
19. The Vanishing Season by Dot Hutchison (#4/end of series, Butterfly Garden)
Nonfiction/ Memoirs Last year I had chosen 30. This year I decided to add more because.... why the heck not?? 40 this year =)
CURRENTLY READING
1.
Spare by Prince Harry2.
The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery by Sam Kean3.
And I Don't Want to Live This Life: A Mother's Story of Her Daughter's Murder by Deborah Spungen4.
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore5.
Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman by Alan Rickman6.
Girl in the Woods: A Memoir by Aspen Matis7.
Death at Seaworld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity by David Kirby8.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
On the Farm by Stevie Cameron 10.
We Are Never Meeting in Real Life. by Samantha Irby
People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges by Jen Mann12.
Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy13.
The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster by Sarah Krasnostein14.
Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by Patricia Hruby Powell15.
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke16.
Reading Behind Bars: A True Story of Literature, Law, and Life as a Prison Librarian by Jill Grunenwald
Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalván18.
The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience, and the Secret World of Sleep by Guy Leschziner19.
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who's Been There by Tara Schuster
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
How Y'all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived by Leslie Jordan24.
Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by Jessica McDiarmid25.
We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys by Erin Kimmerle26.
The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West27.
Hell in the Heartland: Murder, Meth, and the Case of Two Missing Girls by Jax Miller
A Haunted Road Atlas: Sinister Stops and Dangerous Destinations, and True Crime Tales by Christine Schiefer
Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery by Catherine Gildiner
When the Moon Turns to Blood: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and a Story of Murder, Wild Faith, and End Times by Leah Sottile 31.
An Immense World by Ed Yong32.
Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer33.
Our Voice of Fire: A Memoir of a Warrior Rising by Brandi Morin34.
The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans by Denise Alvarado
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson36.
She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan37.
The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth by Sam Quinones38.
Somebody I Used to Know: A Memoir by Wendy Mitchell39.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain40.
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
Missed Books by Favorite Authors I chose 10 male & 10 female authors of books I've loved and chose 3 books at random on my TBR for each author (so this list by itself has 60 books on it lol).
CURRENTLY READING
Male Authors:
Chris Bohjalian
The Red Lotus
Hour of the Witch
The Sandcastle Girls
John Boyne
A Ladder to the Sky
This House Is Haunted
Harlan Coben
Fool Me Once
Run Away
The Boy from the Woods
Michael Crichton
Timeline
Congo
Disclosure
John Grisham
A Time to Kill
The Pelican Brief
Grady Hendrix
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
Joe Hill
Full Throttle
20th Century Ghosts
David Joy
The Weight of This World
The Line That Held Us
When These Mountains Burn
John Marrs
The Passengers
When You Disappeared
Paul Tremblay
Disappearance at Devil's Rock
Growing Things and Other Stories
Female Authors:
Cecelia Ahern
Love, Rosie
How to Fall in Love
The Book of Tomorrow
Diane Chamberlain
The Good Father
Summer's Child
The Last House on the Street
Mary Higgins Clark
Stillwatch
On the Street Where You Live
The Cradle Will Fall
Sarah Dessen
The Rest of the Story
Kristin Hannah
Magic Hour
Distant Shores
Elin Hilderbrand
Summer People
Silver Girl
Joshilyn Jackson
Gods in Alabama
Between, Georgia
Someone Else's Love Story
Christina Lauren
The Unhoneymooners
Roomies
Twice in a Blue Moon
Megan Miranda
The Perfect Stranger
Such a Quiet Place
Fragments of the Lost
Jacqueline Woodson
Another Brooklyn
Brown Girl Dreaming
Red at the Bone
BOTM Neglected Reads Since I joined the Book of the Month subscription box 2 years ago, I have a lot of books just sitting and glaring me in the face. I did a number generator and added 10 to this list to try and tackle!
CURRENTLY READING:
1. Upgrade by Blake Crouch
4. The Winter Sister by Megan Collins
6. The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan
7. Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
8. A Little Hope by Ethan Joella
9. White Ivy by Susie Yang
Mod
OMG! The organization!! My son is a recent SK fan and loved Firestarter. :-) Heidi!! I need to read this one again. It is a favorite from my childhood. I'm putting Upgrade on my 12+4 challenge along with several others from BOTM. I loved Killers of a Certain Age! Happy reading!
Karol wrote: "Ambitious challenge! Wow!"I won't come close to finishing it but it will be fun trying! =)
Martha wrote: "OMG! The organization!! My son is a recent SK fan and loved Firestarter. :-) Heidi!! I need to read this one again. It is a favorite from my childhood. I'm putting Upgrade on my 12+4 challenge alon..."I've been organizing it for a while... I need help haha
Alissa you amaze me with your organization and these are all great ideas! But so many books I know I couldn't read them all, especially with all the books from Netgalley and their deadlines. Good luck in your endeavor! I know these will bring you many hours of joy and fascination!P.S. OCD?
Judy wrote: "Alissa you amaze me with your organization and these are all great ideas! But so many books I know I couldn't read them all, especially with all the books from Netgalley and their deadlines. Good l..."No worries I KNOW I will never get to them all but it's fun to try lol
Girl, you are ON TOP OF IT!!! Stamp me uber impressed! This is the first year I don't have any lists written out. Need ro get on that pronto, and then I'll come back and comment on some of yiur lists. Lots of good books. And several buddy reads for next year!!!!
Mod
Good luck, Alissa!
Alondra wrote: "I love these categories; but the NF is by far my favorite. I have a few, but might add some more to my own TBR. Good luck, Alissa!"
Thank you! <3
Wow! I should've known....so many good books, and I've only read a few of them.I love your NF category, I'll watch your progress. Happy reading!
Very ambitious list! And so organized. My list is minuscule compared to it, lol.I’m looking forward to your thoughts on The Rook, Naked in Death and The Thursday Mystery Club. Also, your NF books look great. I’ve read and enjoyed a few. Have Leslie Jordan’s memoir on my list for 2023. Pretty sure it’ll be the first one of the year.
I've got a bunch of the same categories, but (so far) I'm still limiting myself to 12 choices for each. Good luck!
This might be the most dangerous list ever. :-)I have wanted to re-read The Boxcar Children, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Heidi, and Little House in the Big Woods, I remember liking all of those books as a child, but who knows what I would think now.
I've read Isla and the Ever After, Heartstopper, Patriot Games, Presumed Innocent (before GR, I need to re-read), The Thursday Murder Club, A Court of Silver Flames, Turn Coat, The Radium Girls, Hidden Figures, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, A Time to Kill, The Pelican Brief, and The Truth About Forever. I hope you like them too.
I'm looking forward to reading The Hero Two Doors Down, The Inheritance Games, Daughter of Molaka'i, You Love Me, Silver Girl, The Unhoneymooners, and Lessons in Chemistry sometime soon - we've got some great buddy reading/comparing notes ahead.
I had decided to pass on The Boy on the Bridge, but I will reconsider if you really like it!
Ooh, wish I'd looked at this before posting mine, might have to pinch the Missed books by Favourite authors next year
CURRENTLY READING/LISTENING:Audiobook: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Ebook: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Physical Book: West with Giraffes
Alissa wrote: "CURRENTLY READING/LISTENING:Audiobook: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Ebook: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Physical Book: West with Giraffes"
Alissa, I like the variety of ways to read that you have listed. In addition to your 3, I also have library books/recordings. I found that I was not listening to my audible books, so I have made sure that each month I will have at least one on my monthly list.
BOOK #1 The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
5 STARS
Ebook
First book of 2023, first completed buddy read of 2023, first 5-star read= check.
I do NOT care that this is considered a "Middle Grade" novel (which apparently is geared towards 9-12 year olds). This book. Oh my heart. This book had more heart and soul in it than so many adult books I've read over the years.
As kooky as the storyline is (a girl and her hippie dad drive around the country in a school bus, pick up people along the way, hilarity ensues), the heart of the book- about soul-ending grief and what it does to the people left behind after a tragedy- was so raw and real and I found myself wiping away tears many many times. This book was so well written and I loved Coyote's journey throughout the book. She was by far my favorite character.
Honorable mention goes to Gladys. She's a goat. =)
Sorry, my honorable mention goes to Ivan. What an adorable kitten and what a time to get his voice! Have you read everyone's favorite book in this book? I feel as though we need to also read The One and Only Ivan (but of course it's a series, so all the rest of the books too) to see what it is all about. Such a wonderful book, so many great lessons in it. We set a high bar for all future buddy reads this year!
Alissa wrote: " BOOK #1 The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
5 STARS "
Yes! It was a 5 star read for me as well. I may need to go and reread it now.
Lea wrote: "Sorry, my honorable mention goes to Ivan. What an adorable kitten and what a time to get his voice! Have you read everyone's favorite book in this book? I feel as though we need to also read [boo..."
I was JUST thinking that, I have never read The One and Only Ivan but now I want to!
And I need to know all of YOUR three pieces of information before getting onto the bus-
1.) Favorite book?
2) Favorite place in the entire world?
3) Favorite sandwich
Alissa wrote: "I was JUST thinking that, I have never read The One and Only Ivan but now I want to!And I need to know all of YOUR three pieces of information before getting onto the bus-
1.) Favorite book?
2) Favorite place in the entire world?
3) Favorite sandwich"
Oh, I'm on the bus. :-)
But I'll still answer the questions.
1. Anne of Green Gables
2. Yosemite National Park
3. Ice Cream Sandwich at Diddy Riese; Chocolate White Chocolate cookies with strawberry ice cream.
And you?
1.) The Secret History2.) beginning of Main Street at Magic Kingdom when you turn the corner and see Cinderella Castle for the first time
3.) Holiday turkey from Earl of Sandwich - Turkey, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce & mayonnaise
1) Yes2) YES!!!!!!!!!! (I'd say Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland, but same idea)
3) Yum
BOOK #2 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
3.5 STARS
Audiobook
I avoided this classic for so long because frankly, I was scared of it =) It was discussed many times as a Must-Read for feminism and an important piece of African American literature, but that the book was hard to follow so try the audiobook.
I am not sure if people who have read this as an actual book or ebook can atest to this, but I didn't find the audiobook hard to follow at all, and it may have helped pass the time of telling the story of Janie Crawford and following her life through many trials and tribulations as she simply seeks to be loved but also to love herself.
Alissa wrote: " BOOK #2 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
3.5 STARS
Audiobook
I avoided this classic for so long ..."
The audiobook is the trick to this classic in my opinion. It is hard to understand in print, but not very hard to comprehend when you listen to it. :-)
Alissa wrote: "1.) Favorite book?2) Favorite place in the entire world?
3) Favorite sandwich"
How can you pick just one???? I have a ton of favorite books and places and sandwiches/foods....I'd never be able to do that. Maybe that's why I can't pick a list of 12+4 either, I can't decide...
Ioana wrote: "Alissa wrote: "1.) Favorite book?2) Favorite place in the entire world?
3) Favorite sandwich"
How can you pick just one???? I have a ton of favorite books and places and sandwiches/foods....I'd n..."
It was just knee-jerk reactions, and goes along w the book. Before you are allowed to board the bus, Rodeo insists you answer these questions promptly ;-)
Lea wrote: "Sorry, my honorable mention goes to Ivan. What an adorable kitten and what a time to get his voice! Have you read everyone's favorite book in this book? I feel as though we need to also read [boo..."
Do you guys think my 10 yr. old son would like this book? And yes, read [book:The One and Only Ivan|35906643] and The One and Only Bob. Jack read both of those and LOVED them!!!! I'm hoping she will continue, my son wants her to write The One and Only Ruby next. I told him he should write the author a letter.
BOOK #3 Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
3 STARS
Audiobook
The plot of this book says it all:
"First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the “Transition.” Now, eating human meat—“special meat”—is legal. "
Um. yeah. This book was gross. But I liked it, it had a very interesting societal theme to it that really made me think. But yeah. So gross. Haha!!
BOOK #4 Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
3.5 STARS
Ebook
Better late than never! =) This was a December buddy read and since this book is HUGE (845 pages) I was afraid of its size. But I should not have feared- #1 it's very
- like, which is one of my overall favorites. and #2- Chuck Wendig doesn't steer me wrong. He is a wonderful vivid storyteller. This may seem like another end-of-the-world apocalypse, but the characters are rich and eclectic and the slow breakdown of society and humanity is painful at times but also wonderful at building up the story.
Mod
Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
3.5 STARS
Ebook
Better late than never! =) This was a December buddy read and since this book ..."
Darn! I'll have to find this.
Alissa wrote: " BOOK #4 Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
3.5 STARS
Ebook
Better late than never! =) This was a December buddy read and since this book ..."
I just wish my library will bring it as an audiobook...it's size it's killing me. But it's on my TBR 😄
BOOK #5: West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
3 STARS
Book
This was a buddy read with Lindsey (hey girl!) about a "ripped from the headline" historical fiction novel about the tale of two giraffes who survived a hurricane crossing the ocean to then make a road trip across the US in the late 1930s to get to the San Diego Zoo. It was a huge deal because this was the first pair of breeding giraffes that arrived, and it was during the Great Depression, as well as the onslaught of WWII, so the chance to view these magnificent animals was an uplifting experience as well as a temporary escape from the harsh reality of America at this time.
This story was a bit slow, and the alternating timelines was a bit messy, but overall this was a fascinating story and the ending gave me allllllllllllllll the feels.
My first stinker of the year!BOOK #6
Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson
1 STAR
Audiobook
I don't even want to waste my time or space outlining the premise of the book. Oof, this was rough. It was actually a 2.5-3 star read up until Part 3 and the last part made me so angry I swore at my ereader after the audiobook finished. Blargh.
Oh, no! I loved reading The Almost Sisters with you, but for some reason, the premise of this book seemed hinky and now you've confirmed it. Thanks for reading this so I don't have to. :-)
Lea wrote: "Oh, no! I loved reading The Almost Sisters with you, but for some reason, the premise of this book seemed hinky and now you've confirmed it. Thanks for reading this so I don't have ..."It's all good they cant all be winners! This would have been fine if she stopped at Part 2 haha
Alissa wrote: " BOOK #4 Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
3.5 STARS
Ebook
Better late than never! =) This was a December buddy read and since this book ..."
Glad you liked the Wanderers. I enjoyed it a lot, although I felt the ending got a little messy. I enjoyed the cult and the rockstar. Those portions of the book were especially vivid for me somehow. I would compare it to The Stand too and I love that stuff.
I was also intimidated by Their Eyes Were Watching God and ended up being really glad that I read it. A memorable book.
Mod
Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
3.5 STARS
Ebook
Better late than never! =) This was a December buddy read and since this book ..."
This is staying on my TBR. Tender is the Flesh, I am still hinky about.
Kudos on your progress!!! Woot!!
BOOK #7 It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
5 STARS
Ebook
This was one of the first books I added to Goodreads when I joined in 2013, and I continuously just passed it because #1- ooh shiny new books and #2- this is a YA book that deals with mental illness, suicidal thoughts and makes it somewhat humorous? Huh?
But that is exactly what Ned Vizzini did. He based this book on a real-life situation he was in where he checked himself into a mental health facility for 5 days after experiencing suicidal thoughts. In this book, Craig is a 15 year old boy struggling with his inner thoughts and outside pressure and decides to call the Suicide Hotline when he contemplates jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge.
This book gave me so many emotions. The other patients in the hospital were so funny but also so real. I didn't personally feel that the author made the discussion of mental health "too cartoony" or silly but realistic and eye-opening.
This book begins with a foreword from Rachel Cohn, where she mentions that unfortunately Ned Vizzini passed away in 2013 from suicide.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. <3
BOOK #8From my Old as Fack category, added to GR in 2013
Desperation by Stephen King
2.5 STARS
Audiobook
The triumph here is that I got a large tome off my list that's been sitting there for 10 years. While I didn't hate I didn't love it either. The beginning of the story I was so invested but for me it fell off the rails in the middle.
On The Same Page
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White Oleander (other topics)
Romantic Comedy (other topics)
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Emma Lovewell (other topics)Christopher Golden (other topics)
Jasmine Guillory (other topics)
Janet Fitch (other topics)
Lisa Unger (other topics)
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Names of Challenges: THAT'S A WRAP ON 2023
Final Tallies
Old As Fack 5/10
Children's Books 9/15
#1 in Series 7/15
Continuing Series 8/20
Nonfiction/Memoirs 11/40
Missed Books by Favorite Authors 11/60
BOTM Neglected Reads 4/10
Book Total: 149/145
Genres:
Middle Grade/Realistic Fiction: 3
Classics: 6
Horror: 15
Science Fiction: 6
Historical Fiction: 7
Mystery/Thriller: 27
YA: 8
Fiction : 14
Nonfiction/Memoir: 17
Childrens: 7
Graphic Novels: 7
Romance: 13
Short Story: 2
Fantasy: 6
Legal / Political Thriller: 2
Chick Lit: 7
DNF: 4
CURRENTLY READING/LISTENING:
Audiobook:
Ebook:
Physical Book:
Graphic Novel: