Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges (Formerly GXO) discussion

“Read a book set in a country other than the one you live in OR read a book that takes place in space or on another planet.”

Comment below with the name of the book you read this month and what you thought of it

I read The Rake by Suzanne Enoch which takes place in the UK.

It was a quick romance read that was middle of the road. I have read better regency romance novels but I have also read way worse ones too.

Currently reading The Girl With The Dragón Tattoo more so listening to it via Audible but supplemented with spark notes. Since it was translated from Swedish, it’s a bit hard for me to follow along with the audio due to foreign names etc)

I finished the book I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith. Takes place in England. Romance book, which isn't my favorite genre, but this book was recommended by a friend so I thought I would give it a go.

Challenge Complete: Planet B by Jasper T. Scott

An interesting premise that I felt was a bit overdone. There was just too much going on for the writer to give any one scenario its due. Same with the characters, of which there are more than are needed. I never felt as if I got to really know any of them. And what I did get to know was to their detriment. None were likable. Wasn’t taken with the fact that the two characters of color are, of course, the convicts, either.

I hung in there, though, hoping that things would get better, that it would all come together. It never really did, and you have to read two more books to hopefully get there. But I don’t think I’ll be going along for the ride.

Read The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (Yes, was able to use the same book for both Motif and Keyword challenges!)
A fun twisty mystery, see my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

CHALLENGE COMPLETE: I read a book set in Pratchett’s Discworld - absolutely fabulous! “The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents” was a Pied Piper twist that was all Pratchett. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to read it!

I’ve read a bunch of books like that (it’s my favorite genre) Project Hail Mary, All Systems Red, Hooky, and I’m currently reading Renegades.
The last two are more like “alternate universe”

Challenge Complete: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides set in London
I am in complete disbelief after reading this book. The ending plot twist was unexpected and shocking. I loved reading this psychological thriller and I highly recommend it!!!!

I read The Hike by Susi Holliday and liked the twists in the book.

In a rare moment of synchronicity, I read a book for the monthly key word challenge that works for the motif challenge! I read Pancakes in Paris: Living the American Dream in France and it was a fun read. I learned so much about starting a business in another country - I can't imagine! It was a fun book and definitely made me want to go to Paris for some pancakes! :)

The books I read in November that take me around the world are the following: (I'll review later)
The Paris Daughter
The Woman in White
A Caribbean Mystery
Los Herederos de la Tierra
Sparrow
Paris for One and Other Short Stories
The Paris Seamstress
Our Woman in Moscow
Sword Catcher
Tales from the Perilous Realm
The Realms Thereunder
The Haunting of Ashburn House
Gallows Hill

Challenge Complete!
Read Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict, which met both challenges this month.
Set in Paris and London. Very interesting historical fiction on the woman who was instrumental in discovering the double helix structure of DNA, but didn't get the credit she deserved.

Around the world in 80 days by Jules Verne