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Hi

Hi everyone

My ANNUAL CHALLENGE 12+4:

1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 1/28/2023
2. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson 03/25/2023
3.The Ferryman by Justin Cronin 06/17/2023
4. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
5. The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hildebrand 05/23/2023
6. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 05/12/2023
7.The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell 06/27/2023
8. Cuba: An American History by Ada Ferrer
9. The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy.
10. Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
11.Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
12.Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Plus 4:

1. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
2.Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
3. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
4. The Family Remains by Lisa Jewel 03/20/23

Good start! I have a few of these I want to read next year as well. I read Black Cake this year & enjoyed it.
Happy Reading!

I loved The Lincoln Highway, but not everyone did. There were quite a few people in my book club that preferred A Gentleman in Moscow.

Olga Dies Dreaming is very good

Veronica wrote: "My ANNUAL CHALLENGE 12+4:

1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
2. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
3.The Wife Stalker by Liv ..."

I liked Black Cake and have Demon Copperhead on my tbr list. Hope you like them both.

I've read one of these so far, but others are on my tbr. Good luck!

So far, so good IMO.

I keep wondering if I should add that first book. It looks really interesting. I will wait to see what you think of it.

The Passenger is first book in another Cormac McCarthy series. Sheesh. Am I ready???

Good luck and happy reading. I'll check back later! LOL

Nice list. I think The Lincoln Highway is much better than A Gentleman in Moscow, did you read that one?
I love Kingsolver, and I hope to read Demon Copperhead soon.
Happy reading!

I never read either of these books. And have both. Smh

I read The Road and that messed me up.. I have to get myself ready for The Passenger.
I am looking forward to Olga Dies Dreaming

I haven't read any of your selections. I've read other books by Kingsolver and McCarthy and enjoyed them both. The Passenger sounds very interesting.

Good luck with your challenge

I could copy your list and would be perfectly happy!

Amy wrote: "I could copy your list and would be perfectly happy!"

Oh wow.. Thank You. Makes me feel good

Vikki wrote: "Good luck with your challenge"

Thank you

Cloud Cuckoo Land was one of my favorite reads of 2022. Hope you enjoy your list!!

I just read Wife Stalker last week and liked it...... wait -- Shantaram! Shantaram! Oh that was just an amazing read. I listened to it on audio -- it's a honker of a book size-wise so audio was the way to go -- but WOW what a ride!

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow was one of my top books this year and Cloud Cuckoo Land was a fave from 2021, but it’s not for everyone probably because of the alternating stories and timelines. Both are terrific, in my opinion! Happy reading in 2023! 📚

Pam wrote: "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow was one of my top books this year and Cloud Cuckoo Land was a fave from 2021, but it’s not for everyone probably because of the alternating stories and timeline..."

I love books like that..

Jennifer wrote: "I just read Wife Stalker last week and liked it...... wait -- Shantaram! Shantaram! Oh that was just an amazing read. I listened to it on audio -- it's a honker of a book size-wise so audio was the..."

I am looking so forward to reading it. I need a great mega book to read and get lost in.

I read Black Cake and loved it!!! Alissa, Lea and I are buddy reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow at the end of January. Want to join?

I have a few of these on my TBR. Wish you the best of luck with your challenge.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.. 4.5 stars.

Excellent. Friendship, Intimacy, and Love supported by gaming. I love certain video especially TheSims. If you dont like gaming, read the book as a friendship and a love story

The Family Remains: A Novel by Jewel Lisa.

This the sequel to The Family Upstairs. This family is a mess. The first book was about the abuse and trauma of family members in 16 Cheyne Walk.

Book 2 is about the family finding answers and healing from the trauma. Its a story of redemption. Also, a murder is solved.

Black Cake . This book was amazing. I love the history of surfing and swimmingwith African Americans. And the Black Cake recipe... Yum, yum. I love Black Cake. My sister in law' mom makes it soooo good.

The story of so many African Americans are not told. This reminds me of my grandmother.. So many secrets told before she passed away..

Veronica wrote: "Black Cake . This book was amazing. I love the history of surfing and swimmingwith African Americans. And the Black Cake recipe... Yum, yum. I love Bl..."

I loved the Caribbean history parts of this book, but was just so-so on the modern in America part.

Bonnie wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Black Cake . This book was amazing. I love the history of surfing and swimmingwith African Americans. And the Black Cake recipe... Yu..."

Agreed. I loved to hear about the surfing. The fact the MC was a master was incredible. And she was soo brave. She refused to be a victim and had full control of her life. I love it.

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Trembley 3.0

Um well.. The book was fast moving and hyped until the end. I dont want to give anything away at all. But I need answers.. I would love to have a discussion on this one.. I will watch the movie next

Veronica wrote: "Black Cake . This book was amazing. I love the history of surfing and swimmingwith African Americans. And the Black Cake recipe... Yum, yum. I love Bl..."

Glad you enjoyed this. I added it to my TBR.

I have never really enjoyed Paul Trembley; so, even though this is one of his more popular books, I will not be adding it. Everything I read by him is 2-3 stars. I just don't get it.

Alondra wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Black Cake . This book was amazing. I love the history of surfing and swimmingwith African Americans. And the Black Cake recipe... Yu..."

I gave it a 3 also. Really a 2.5 because of the ending

Demon Copperhead 05/12/2023

This was good, small view on the plight of Appalachia America in regards to the economy and drug epidemic in these areas ( so much different from the NYC). You feel sad for Demon but not pity. You see his hardships and applaud when he finds his way out. I love all the characters in the book. Its like I know each and every person.. A book on perseverance, hope, and anything is possible...Beautifully written

OH! Question...Does he ever get to see the ocean and the girl?

Veronica wrote: "Demon Copperhead 05/12/2023

This was good, small view on the plight of Appalachia America in regards to the economy and drug epidemic in these ..."

and it won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction this year.

I've recently read and enjoyed Demon Copperhead and I have Black Cake on my TBR. Sounds like another good one, yay!

Oh ok... I am almost finished with The Ferryman . This one is different. This is another one I dont want to give away the plot. I dont know how i feel about this book yet. Absorbing it in... So far its ok

book:The Marriage Portrait|60353768] . OMG.. This story was sooo sad. Beautifully written. You felt Lucrezia demise. At one point I was like maybe she was paranoid. But no. The Duke was a sociopath and impotent and a privileged coward. Always the woman's fault... smh. I was feeling for her as a mother. I wanted get into the book and go get her..

A realistic fairytale.. No happy ending

Veronica wrote: "Oh ok... I am almost finished with The Ferryman. This one is different. This is another one I dont want to give away the plot. I dont know how i fee..."

Mmmm; I will still keep this on my list, unless you absolutely hate it.

Veronica wrote: "book:The Marriage Portrait|60353768]. OMG.. This story was sooo sad. Beautifully written. You felt Lucrezia demise ... I was feeling for her as a mother. I wanted get into the book and go get her."

Veronica, I happened to read this book earlier in the year. I had a very similar reaction as yours.

Kudos for knocking out 7 books, Veronica! I know you've had a busy year. 🤗