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2025 Independent Challenge
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Lillie's 2025 Independent Challenge
Standalones:In this challenge I'd like to read at least 3 of each category. Ultimate goal will be to finish them all.
Contemporary:
✔Erdrich, Louise. The Mighty Red 2.75* 4/8
✔Hall, Sarah. The Wolf Border DNF for now
✔Ruiz-Grossman, Sarah. A Fire So Wild 3* 5/12
Shafak, Elif. There Are Rivers in the Sky
✔Wang, Weike. Rental House 1* 1/28
Historical:
Emmerson, Miranda. A Little London Scandal
✔Keegan, Claire. Small Things Like These 3.25* 3/2
Mayr, Suzette. The Sleeping Car Porter
Nathan, Patrick. The Future Was Color
✔Reichl, Ruth. The Paris Novel 3.5* 9/24
Mystery/Thriller:
✔Chua, Amy. The Golden Gate 4.25* 5/11
✔Gagnon, Michelle. Killing Me 4* 9/24
✔Johnson, Maureen. Death at Morning House 3.5* 9/3
✔Owens, Kristin. Elizabeth Sails 3.75* 2/14
Sivinski, Stacy. The Crescent Moon Tearoom
Fantasy:
✔Grossman, Lev. The Bright Sword 4* 3/1
✔Kingfisher, T. Nettle & Bone 4* 9/4
Rice, Waubgeshig. Moon of the Crusted Snow
✔Rio, M.L. Graveyard Shift 2.5* 8/17
Rushdie, Salman. The Satanic Verses
✔ Wang, M.L. Blood Over Bright Haven DNF for now
Sci-Fi:
✔ Curtis, Grace. Floating Hotel DNF for now
✔Gilpatrick, Brennan & Gregory Lane. Battery Life 1* 2/26
✔Howard, Scott Alexander. The Other Valley DNF
✔Kitasei, Yumi. The Stardust Grail 3.5* 8/23
✔Okungbowa, Suyi Davies. Lost Ark Dreaming 2* 1/11
✔ Peynado, Brenda. Time's Agent DNF for now
Non-Fiction:
✔Coates, Ta-Nehisi. The Message 5* 10/6
✔Dickie, Gloria. Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future 3.25* 8/15
✔Goldberg, Whoopi. Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me 4.25* 4/17
✔Ward, Jesmyn. Navigate Your Stars 4.5* 2/28
Wong, Jane. Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City
Published in 2025:
Challenge - read all unless publication date (in the US) changes or is unavailable at the library
✔ Backman, Fredrik. My Friends 4* 5/29
✔Davis, Fiona. The Stolen Queen 3.5* 1/24
✔Desamours, Channelle. Needy Little Things [2/4] 4.5* 4/23
Hibbert, Talia. Skybriar [8/15] - To finish one of my 12+4 from 2024 - publication date has changed to Jan '27
✔Knapp, Florence. The Names [5/6] DNF for now
✔Kuang, R.F. Katabasis [8/6] 3.75* 9/16
✔McConaghy, Charlotte. Wild Dark Shore [3/4] 5* 3/15
Steven, Laura. Our Infinite Fates [3/4]
Real Life Book Club:
✔January ~ Yamashita, Iris. City Under One Roof 3.5* 1/14
✔February ~ Shaffer, Meg. The Wishing Game 3.25* 2/11
✔March ~ Haynes, Natalie. Stone Blind 3.75* 3/11
✔April ~ Harvey, Samantha. Orbital 3* 4/9
✔ May ~ Quinn, Kate. The Briar Club 4* 5/13
✔ June ~ Garten, Ina. Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir 3.25* 6/10
✔ July ~ Goodhand, James. The Day Tripper 1* 7/8
✔August ~ Everett, Percival. James 4.5* 8/11
✔September ~ Cash, Wiley. When Ghosts Come Home 3* 9/9
✔October ~ Alderman, Naomi. The Power 3* 10/11
✔November ~ Gramazio, Holly. The Husbands 1* 11/12
December ~ Espach, Holly. The Wedding People
Latest Releases in Series:
Have caught up with the series except for the latest/upcoming release
Challenge - to read everything listed (unless I run into an accessibility issue)
Mysteries:
✔Alder-Olsen, Jussi. Locked In Department Q #10 3.5* 10/1
Archer, C.J. Murder on the Brighton Express Cleopatra Fox #9
Cates, Bailey. Rituals and Rolling Pins Magical Bakery #11 [4/1]
Emerson, Ramona. Exposure Rita Todacheene #2
✔Gómez-Jurado, Juan. White King Antonia Scott #3 3* 3/28
✔Hastings, Anastasia. Of Hoaxes and Homicide Dear Miss Hermione #2 3.5* 4/2
Hirahara, Naomi. Evergreen Clark and Division #2
Hollis, Lee. Poppy Harmon and the Shooting Star Poppy Harmon #5
✔Horowitz, Anthony. Marble Hall Murders Susan Ryeland #3 4.25* 6/12
Huber, Anna Lee. A Deceptive Composition Lady Darby #12
✔Huber, Anna Lee. The Cold Light of Day Verity Kent #7 3.75* 1/9
Ide, Joe. Fixit IQ #6
✔Miller, C.L. The Antique Hunter's Death on the Red Sea Antique Hunter #2 3.75* 3/13
Neubauer, Erica Ruth. Homicide in the Indian Hills Jane Wunderly #6
O’Connor, Carlene. Murder in an Irish Garden Irish Village #11 [2/25]
✔O’Connor, Carlene. Murder in Connemara Home to Ireland #2 3.5* 2/1
✔Osman, Richard. The Impossible Fortune Thursday Murder Club #5 4* 10/8
Pandian, Gigi. The Library Game Secret Staircase #4
✔Perrin, Kristen. How To Seal Your Own Fate Castle Knoll Files #2 3.25* 11/13
Pitts, Delia. Death of an Ex: A Vandy Myrick Mystery Vandy Myrick #2
Prose, Nita. The Maid's Secret Molly the Maid #3
Rozan, S.J. & John Shen Yen Nee. The Railway Conspiracy Dae & Lao #2
Smirnoff, Karin. The Girl in the Eagle's Talons Millennium #7
✔Stevenson, Benjamin. Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret Ernest Cunningham #3 3* 10/12
✔Sutanto, Jesse Q. Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man Vera Wong #2 4* 8/9
✔Thomas, Sherry. A Ruse of Shadows Lady Sherlock #8 3.25* 11/13
✔Thorogood, Robert. Murder on the Marlow Belle: A Novel Marlow Murder Club #4 3.5* 9/20
✔Weaver, Ashley. A Deception at Thornecrest Amory Ames #7 3.25* 10/4
Fantasy:
✔ Armstrong, Kelley. Death at a Highland Wedding A Rip Through Time #4 3.75* 6/4
Bennett, Robert Jackson. A Drop of Corruption Shadow of the Leviathan #2
✔Faizal, Hafsat. A Steeping of Blood. A Tempest of Tea 2 Blood and Tea #2 DNF
✔Fawcett, Heather. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales Emily Wilde #3 3.75* 3/19
Fforde, Jasper. Dark Reading Matter Thursday Next #8
Ibrahim, Maiya. Serpent Sea Spice Road #2
Islington, James. The Strength of the Few Hierarchy #2
✔McGuire, Seanan. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear Wayward Children #10 3.5* 1/8
Sci-Fi:
✔Ashton, Edward. Antimatter Blues Mickey7 #2 2.5* 4/28
Lafferty, Mur. Infinite Archive The Midsolar Murders #3
Older, Malka Ann. The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses Mossa & Pleiti #3
Willis, Connie. The Spanner in the Works Oxford Time Travel #5
Next Up in the Series:
Challenge - to read everything listed (unless I run into an accessibility issue)
Mysteries:
Andrew, Sally. Death on the Limpopo Tannie Maria #3
✔Ashley, Jennifer. Scandal Above Stairs Below the Stairs #2 3.5* 4/6
✔Barr, Nevada. Borderline Anna Pigeon #15 3.25* 2/21
✔Brightwell, Emily. Mrs. Jeffries and the Three Wise Women Mrs. Jeffries #36 3.5* 7/7
✔Cambridge, Colleen. A Trace of Poison Phyllida Bright #2 3.5* 2/23
✔Chien, Vivien. Fatal Fried Rice Noodle Shop #7 3.5* 3/6
Frear, Caz. Stone Cold Heart Cat Kinsella #2
Gilmore, Dorothy. Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer Mrs. Pollifax #12
Glass, Ava. The Traitor Ava Glass #2
✔Golden, S.K. The Socialite’s Guide to Death and Dating Pinnacle Hotel #2 3.5* 6/17
Gray, Claudia. The Late Mrs. Willoughby Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney #2
Hall, Rachel Howzell. Trail of Echoes Detective Elouise Norton #3
Hollis, Lee. Murder At The Bake Sale Maya & Sandra #2
Hutton, Callie. Death and Deception: A Victorian Book Club Mystery Victorian Book Club #4
✔Khavari, Kate. A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets Saffron Everleigh # 3.25* 2/25
✔Manansala, Mia. Guilt and Ginataan (Tita Rosie's Kitchen #5) 2.75* 7/224
✔Montclair, Allison. A Rogue's Company (Sparks & Bainbridge #3) 3.25* 6/14
✔Moore, Ian. Death in le Jardin Follet Valley #4 3.25* 10/4
Mukherjee, Abir. A Necessary Evil Sam Wyndham #2
Muller, Marcia. Ice and Stone Sharon McCone #34
Neely, Barbara. Blanche Among the Talented Tenth Blanche White #2
✔Quartey, Kwei. Sleep Well, My Lady Emma Djan #2 2* 7/11
Quartey, Kwei. Children of the Street Darko Dawson #2
Schellman, Katharine. The Last Drop of Hemlock Nightingale Mysteries #2
✔Schellman, Katharine. Silence in the Library Lily Adler #2 3.5* 3/2
✔Smith, Alexander McCall. To the Land of Long Lost Friends No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #20 4* 10/5
✔Weaver, Ashley. Playing It Safe Electra McDonnell #3 3.5* 2/6
✔Williams, T.A.: Murder in Chianti Armstrong & Oscar #2 3.5* 3/4
✔Winspear, Jacqueline. A Dangerous Place Maisie Dobbs #11 4.25* 9/26
Fantasy:
Aaronvitch, Ben. The Hanging Tree Rivers of London #6
Bennett, Robert Jackson. Shorefall The Founders #2
Huchu, T.L. The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle Edinburgh Nights #3
Mayberry, Jonathan. The King of Plagues Joe Ledger #3
Lawrence, Mark. The Book That Broke the World The Library Trilogy #2
✔Utomi, Moses Ose. The Truth of the Aleke Forever Desert #2 2.75* 3/9
Whitwell, Tracy. Gin Palace The Accidental Medium #2
Sci-Fi:
Cho, Elaine U. Teo's Durumi The Alliance #2
✔Taylor, Jodi. No Time Like the Past The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #5 4.25* 3/14
Start the Series:
Challenge - to read at least 3 of each genre
Mysteries:
Angoe, Yasmin. Her Name Is Knight Nena Knight #1
Ayatsuji, Yukito. The Decagon House Murders House of Murders #1
Biswas, Damyanti. The Blue Bar Blue Mumbai #1
✔Brennan, Allison. The Sorority Murder Regan Merritt #1 3.25* 4/18
✔Casarett, David. Murder at the House of Rooster Happiness Ethical Chiang Mai Detective Agency #1 3.25* 4/4
Coombs, Amelia Diane. Drop Dead Sisters The Finch Sisters #1
Davison, Anita. Death On Board Flora Maguire #1
✔Davison, Anita. Murder in the Bookshop Miss Merrill & Aunt Violet #1 3.5* 4/14
✔Hendy, Hannah. The Dinner Lady Detectives Dinner Lady Detectives #1 2.5* 2/17
Korelitz, Jean Hanff. The Plot The Book Series #1
Ledford, Deborah J. Redemption Eva “Lightning Dance Duran #1
May, Peter. Extraordinary People Enzo Files #1
✔Morrissey, Hannah. Hello, Transcriber Black Harbor #1 2* 7/22
Riley, Vanessa. Murder in Westminster Lady Worthing #1
Rothschild, Peggy. A Deadly Bone to Pick Molly Madison #1
✔Sandler, Rosie. Seeds of Murder The Gardener Mysteries #1 3.25* 4/12
Smith, Fiona Veitch. The Picture House Murders Miss Clara Vale Mysteries #1
Swann, Leonie. The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp Miss Sharp Investigates #1
Walsh, Bridget. The Tumbling Girl Variety Palace #1
Wheatcroft, Dan. The Road to Eden is Overgrown Leveller #1
Fantasy:
✔Armstong, Kelley. Murder at Haven's Rock Haven’s Rock #1 4* 2/18
Bancroft, Josiah. The Hexologists Hexologists #1
Lacelle, Pascale. Curious Tides Drowned Gods #1
Romero-Lacruz, Gabriela. The Sun and the Void The Warring Gods #1
Smyth, Courtney. The Undetectables The Undetectables #1
Vee, Julia. Ebony Gate Phoenix Hoard #1
Sci-fi:
Butler, Octavia. Parable of the Sower Earthseed #1
Leckie, Ann. Ancillary Justice Imperial Radch #1
O'Keefe, Megan E. The Blighted Stars The Devoured Worlds #1
O’Rourke, Erica. Dissonance Dissonance #1
Sagas, L.M. Cascade Failure Ambit's Run #1
Taylor, Dennis E. We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Bobiverse #1
Not sure but I'd like to add one more challenge here. Maybe one of those BINGO cards out there? Will get to this last.
Mod
Mod
Alondra wrote: "Great idea and categories, Lillie. I always try to incorporate series in my individual challenge; but maybe, I will just stick to that, as well. Since we started that series challenge and realized ..."So overwhelming, isn't it? I didn't realize I had jumped around from series to series so much.
Bill wrote: "Great challenges. I hope you enjoy your 2025 reading choices."Thanks Bill
Love your organization! Looks like a fun reading year!
Patricia wrote: "Love your organization! Looks like a fun reading year!"Thanks! I keep tweaking it, adding some, deleting some. This is my favorite time of year, making lists :)
I love making the lists! We have quite a bit of crossover in our books an TBRs. Here's some unsolicited advice: We Solve Murders is very different from Thursday Murder Club. Try to forget you know anything about that author. I ended up liking it, but I was really trying to make it into a TMC book or find the similarities for the first few chapters.
Denise wrote: "I love making the lists! We have quite a bit of crossover in our books an TBRs. Here's some unsolicited advice: We Solve Murders is very different from Thursday Murder Club. Try to forget you know anything about that author. I ended up liking it, but I was really trying to make it into a TMC book or find the similarities for the first few chapters."Thanks for the heads up! I'll be reading We Solve Murders soon and, I guess, in the back of my mind, I've been expecting it to be very similar to TMC books. Ok, I'm kind of excited now.
Mid-January update (a little late):12 books read this month
12 books read this year
Best Book so far:
Most Boring Book so far:
Most Disappointing Book so far:
I'll write up little "reviews" in the next post(s).
On deck:
Audiobooks on my phone:
Physical Books on my nightstand:
1.
Secrets of a Scottish Isle 3.5*Jane Wunderly #5
Started this series and binged the series in the last week of December. Fun detective/spy adventure starring Jane Wunderly, a young American widow between the two WW. Settings have been varied (Egypt, England, on a ship, Istanbul and now Scotland). I'll be reading the next one when it gets published.
2.
Marion Lane and the Raven's Revenge 3*Marion Lane #3
Coming back to this series after a 2 year break was a bit hard. I couldn't recall the events of the past couple of books in the beginning. Finally remembered them by the midway point. The book was fine, there were several enjoyable moments. But overall, I was left feeling relief that I can finally cross this off of my list.
3.
Good Girls Don’t Die 3*Three very different stories that do come together in the end. First story was about a woman waking up and not recognizing anyone in her life and feeling like she's woken up in an alternate reality. The second story is about a young woman in college whose birthday getaway has been subverted by her friend's boyfriend. They end up at a cabin in the woods instead of the beach. And there's a killer on the loose. The third story is of a woman kidnapped and coerced into a Hunger Games scenario. If you're looking for a mindless beach read/thriller, this is fun.
#4
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear 3.5*Wayward Children #10
This one surprised me cause I'm so used to this series being a bit more on the horror side. The story was very sweet, which is not a mark against it. I can say that I'm ranking this high on the series list. Very quick read. As in every book, there's a door to a different world (different for each child) where a child falls through and experience a sense of belonging in. Hope another in the series gets published this year.
#5
The Cold Light of Day 3.75*Verity Kent #7
Verity Kent and her husband, Sidney, English spies, are back in another adventure, this time in 1920 Ireland. Their friend has been missing after his assignment to infiltrate the IRA and they're worried he's been found out and killed. They go there to find him but get waylaid to help investigate an "incident" that resulted in the possible suicide of a young woman. I like this series, though I admit that I enjoy her other series, which I'm also reading, just slightly better.
6.
We Solve Murders 4.25*We Solve Murders #1
Denise, I took your advice! Went into this repeating over and over again that this will be very different than Osman's Thursday Murder series. Thank you because you were so right. This one follows Amy Wheeler, a body guard, and her father-in-law, Steve Wheeler, a retired cop turned small town PI, on their globe trotting adventure full of assassins, money laundering, and murder. Was not expecting it to be so fun.
#7
Lost Ark Dreaming 2*Fantastic premise, flat execution imo. I was bored overall.
#8
Hell Bent 2*Alex Stern #2
Read the first book last year and liked it, I was hoping I'd feel the same with the follow up. Unfortunately, I didn't connect at all with the story, with the characters. I don't know. Will probably be a long time before I pick up another Leigh Bardugo book. Which makes me sad because she's gotten so much praise and I don't like that I can't connect. Oh well.
#9
City Under One Roof 3.25*Cara Kennedy #1
A small town in Alaska where basically all live in one building. The police station is there, the "motel", the school, etc. One of the only ways to get there is through a tunnel which routinely shuts down due to snow. That's where this begins, body parts have been found and a big city (Anchorage) detective is there to help solve the possible murder with no way out. What made this even more interesting is that it's based on a real town. First book read for RL Book Club.
#10
Village in the Dark 3.25*Cara Kennedy #2
We liked the first book enough that we, as a book club, decided to read the next one in addition to next month's book. There was an ongoing mystery that gets resolved in this one. Will read the next one whenever it comes up. Yes, another series to add to my big list. sigh.
#11
The Author's Guide to Murder 3.5*Gave into the hype and got on the audiobook hold list asap. Was it worth it? Yes, mostly. I think I was expecting more. Still good. It's authored by 3 well known authors (Beatriz Williams, Karen White, Lauren Willig) writing a book about 3 authors writing a murder mystery together. It's a murder mystery, both historical and present day and a romance(s). At first I was very confused because it felt chaotic but by the end I enjoyed myself. I wonder what the experience would've been like if I'd read it in written format.
#12
How to Kill Your Family 3.25*A young woman is determined to kill the family members that have denied her existence her whole life, after her mother dies of cancer. She systematically goes about planning their deaths. No conscience whatsoever. Was sure I was going to rate this book at least a 4.5* but I had a couple of gripes about the direction of the story. They were like going through a door and having an ice bucket fall on your head. Took me out and I resent that, lol. I'd love to see what others think of this one and if they have a similar reaction. Debut author, will read her next book.
Mod
Off to a great start, Lillie! Glad you liked the Osman book. My book club is reading it later this year. I've read all 4 from the other series & look forward to this new series.I've only read one of the Verity Kent series & did not like it as well as her Lady Darby series. However, I do want to try to read another one at some point. Jumping into the middle of the series was probably not the best way to start. (I won the 4th or 5th one in a goodreads win).
Happy Reading!
You've really been reading some interesting books Lillie. Glad to see you liked We Solve Murders. I loved that one.
Oof. Sorry you didn't enjoy Hell Bent. I liked it, but did not love it. The book was all action, and not enough characterization for my taste, and it did take me awhile to get into. That said, I suppose I'll read the next one, when it eventually comes out, if it appears to be the last one. If I hear that it ends on another cliffhanger, I may abandon the series without remorse also. I need to look into the Osman book, but I'm waiting until I forget the Thursday Murder series a little bit more. Happy reading!
Lea wrote: "Oof. Sorry you didn't enjoy Hell Bent. I liked it, but did not love it.I need to look into the Osman book, but I'm waiting until I forget the Thursday Murder series a little bit more. Happy reading!"
I have a feeling Leigh Bardugo isn't the author for me. Was going to say I don't really enjoy urban fantasy but that's not true. Unfortunately, it was her writing I didn't connect with. Luckily, there are so many other authors out there.
Keep forgetting that the Thursday Murder series isn't your jam. I can see why even while I enjoyed it quite a bit. We Solve Mysteries is very different than his first series. More adventure, faster paced though it does stretch credibility at times. If you can suspend reality, you're good to go. You know, similar to those spy/James Bond/Bourne Identity type action books.
Michelle wrote: "You've really been reading some interesting books Lillie. Glad to see you liked We Solve Murders. I loved that one."Yes, We Solve Murders really did work for me. Had fun reading it. Depending on how the next book is, it might top his Thursday Murder series for me.
Just realized today that I really need to manage my expectations a little bit better. Need to go back to the days where I just picked up books without looking too much into them other than the blurb on the back. We'll see, lol
Patricia wrote: "Off to a great start, Lillie! Glad you liked the Osman book. My book club is reading it later this year.I've only read one of the Verity Kent series & did not like it as well as her Lady Darby series."
I hope you and your book club enjoy We Solve Murders. As Denise said upthread, just go into it knowing it'll be completely different than Osman's first series. It was the best advice I got regarding it.
About Verity Kent vs Lady Darby, I'm not sure why I find the Verity Kent ones a bit harder to read. Maybe Verity and Sidney's relationship vs Kiera and Sebastian's? I find that I get more annoyed with Sidney and then that starts coloring the book for me. Idk, lol. Will continue to read both series.
Bill wrote: "You have had an excellent start to the year, Lillie. Congrats. I am looking forward to finally getting into a Richard Osman mystery."Thanks Bill! Will you start with the Thursday Murder Club series or We Solve Murders?
Mod
Thanks Bill! Will you start with the Thursday Mur..."
Thursday Murder Club. I've got the 1st book in the series already
Lillie wrote: "I have a feeling Leigh Bardugo isn't the author for me. Was going to say I don't really enjoy urban fantasy but that's not true. Unfortunately, it was her writing I didn't connect with. Luckily, there are so many other authors out there."I've only read her The Familiar, and while I enjoyed the story, I was not crazy about her writing style either, so I get what you're saying. I'm going to give her one more chance...we'll see.
Ioana wrote: "I've only read her The Familiar, and while I enjoyed the story, I was not crazy about her writing style either, so I get what you're saying. I'm going to give her one more chance...we'll see."Phew! I'm not alone, lol. I so wanted to love her stories and I did like Ninth House, but the second one. Oh well. I'm going to be looking to see what you think of whichever LB book you pick up next.
13.
The Mercy of Gods 3*The Captives War #1
New series from the authors of The Expanse series, which I loved. And because I loved that series, I was willing to give this one a try. But I'll admit that it took me awhile to get into it and I'm not really sure I'll be continuing with it. Was continually confused as the story went between the past and the future while in a totally new world that hadn't really been explained. Hard for me to follow at times.
14.
Murder in Highbury 3.75*Emma Knightley #1
New historical cozy mystery set in Regency England countryside. Emma Knightley nee Woodhouse from Jane Austen's novel Emma, is now involved in helping her husband solve the murder of the vicar's wife. Fell into the story and was able to relax into the mystery. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
15.
The Treasure Hunters Club 4.25*This is a perfect beach read. A failed author from NYC moves to a seaside small town in Canada. There she discovers that there's a treasure that was lost over 150 years ago. And that there's a small group of people who've been looking it for decades. Fun mystery with a couple of unexpected twists. A pleasurable way to spend an afternoon.
16.
The Stolen Queen 3.5*A young archeologist in the 1930's, Charlotte Cross is on a dig of a great discovery. In the 1970's, she's working at the Met as a curator, her part in the discovery is forgotten. There, the now elder Charlotte meets a young Annie Jenkins when a theft at the Met takes place. From there they join forces to recover the stolen goods. A fun historical adventure story.
17.
Divine Rivals 4*Letters of Enchantment #1
Two young reporters are vying for the same position on a newspaper. They come from different classes in society in a world that 2 gods are fighting for supremacy. Lots of adventure, fantastical elements and a sweet romance. I immediately borrowed the second in the duology.
18.
Ruthless Vows 3*Letters of Enchantment #2
Action takes place almost immediately after the end of the first book. This time there was a lot more background on the 2 gods. Too much so, imo. I read the first one as a romance set in a fantasy land and I was hoping to get a lot more of that. One number rating difference. Glad I read it, glad it's a duology.
19.
Booked for Murder 3.25*Old Juniper Bookstore #1
Madeline Brimley returns to the small town in Georgia that she left asap after graduating high school to be an actor in NYC. She's come back because her aunt has left Madeline her home in her will. On the day she comes back to the house, someone tries to burn down the house. And then someone tries to kill her. Who and why? Start of a new cozy mystery series, like I really need another series...
20.
The Clementine Complex 2.5*Gary Thorne #1
No idea why I borrowed this one except I recognized the author as a comedian I've watched. The level of writing is exactly what you'd expect, it was ok. But I didn't hate it and am interested enough to see where the author takes this character. An average bland man becomes embroiled in a conspiracy and meets a woman. Who he promptly falls for and she disappears.
21.
Rental House 1*A young couple rent a summer home and have their parents come out to stay with them, one week after the other. This delves into the couple's relationship and their relationships with their parents and in-laws. Went into this excited to explore the relationships instead I was left annoyed at their childish behavior. The whining took me out. Kept hoping it'd get better but it never did. I'm hoping someone else has read this and has a very different take.
22.
Frankie 5*I've enjoyed Graham Norton as a comedian and as an author. This book tops everything he's done. Love the way that he writes with such a light hand as he covers deep subjects. Damian, a young caregiver, has come into Frankie's life to help her while her broken leg is healing. Over the time they spend together, Frankie takes Damian and us on a journey through her life. I listened to Graham Norton on the audiobook. Now I'd like to read the print version.
Mod
Lots of good and interesting books, Lillie!
Alissa wrote: "Awesome job!! I own Divine Rivals and hope to get to it this year!!"I hope you enjoy it as well! I went into it not expecting much and I was pleasantly surprised.
Ioana wrote: "Lots of good and interesting books, Lillie!"Thanks! It's been fun so far.
Alondra wrote: "Kudos on your progress Lillie! 👏🏽"Thanks :)
January wrap up: I know it's mid-February but I was away for about 2 weeks so doing both the Jan wrap up and mid-Feb one today. Then I'll do little mini reviews for Feb.
Read 22 books in January with 11 of them off of various challenges. Which seems about right to me, since I tend to get distracted and go down rabbit holes 50% of the time, lol. Had my first 5* and my first 1* in January. Would like more 5* please!
Best Book:
Tied for 2nd Best Books:
Tied for Most Disappointing:
Absolute Worst:
Mid-February wrap up:8 books read, 3 from challenges and 5 free reads
Nothing I've read has been rated lower than 3.25* and nothing rated higher than 3.75*. Have been happy with my selections so far.
3.75*
3.5*
3.25*
Currently reading:
On Deck:
Set Aside/May Come Back To Later:
Thanks for the quick update, Lillie. Hope you find some more 5 star books too!
23.
Murder in Connemara 3.5*Home to Ireland #2
The second in a series of an American woman who moves to Ireland after her mother's death, her mother's homeland. Though not a detective, she's instrumental in helping solve various murders. The author has 3 mystery series set in Ireland and they're very different from each other. I'm enjoying all three.
24-26
3.5*, 3.25*, 3.5*Fogg Lake trilogy
I used to read Jayne Ann Krentz quite a bit when I was in my romance book era. Now I revisit certain romance authors every so often because I know the "happily ever after" will be there. This trilogy is set between the cities of Seattle and Las Vegas and each is a paranormal romance. To me they were like drinking a hot chocolate on a cold day.
27
The Wishing Game 3.25*A real life book club pick that got mixed reviews. Those of us who listened to the audiobook had significantly more issues with the story than those who read the print version. An aging reclusive author, that has written a magical series (think Narnia, Harry Potter), has set up a contest for his most ardent fans. The winner walks away with a significant cash prize. There are 4 contestants and we follow Lucy Hart's journey. I liked the book but I wonder if I would've loved the book had I read the print version.
28.
Bonded in Death 3.75*In Death #60
A rare lower rated book in the series for me. I think part of it is that I love the interactions between the various characters of previous books and we got very little of that. This was more of a Summerset story than an Eve and Roarke one. Still good. Will definitely read the next one.
29.
Nosy Neighbors 3.25*A story about the tenants of a condemned apartment building. When one beloved tenant dies, whether by accident or murder, the rest of the tenants come together to find out the cause. Overall a sweet book but be warned that there are a couple of darker moments.
30.
Elizabeth Sails 4*Beth Schiff, a ghostwriter, is left a mystery to solve by her Aunt Ethel, to find Ethel's will on the cruise ship she passed away on. Beth is to follow the clues left and has a set number of days to solve this puzzle otherwise Ethel's money will go to her stepson. I expected this to be a straightforward cozy but it's much more than that. Beth is thrown in a world that she's not accustomed to, after having withdrawn from the world at large. It's a fun scavenger hunt along with a finding yourself book. Enjoyed it quite a bit and hope the author's decided to make this a series.
31.
Strange Pictures 5*My second 5* of the year! Sometimes browsing airport shops is the absolute right thing to do because they occasionally have gems in them, this was one. On any other day, I wouldn't have picked it up cause it says it's a horror book and it's not usually my genre of choice. It is horror in the non-bloody psychological way (mostly). It's also a mystery. It kept me intrigued to the point where I was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. Every time I thought I understood what had happened, it took me on another tangent. If you're going to read this (and I highly recommend you do), the only way to do so is to read the print version. I really have no idea how this would translate into an audiobook. I've already pre-ordered the author's next release.
Mod
Lillie wrote: "Thanks Lea! I read my second 5*, Strange Pictures. Made my month :)"I'm sure I need that on my TBR too. Thanks for the tip to get the print version. I love finding hidden gems at the bookstore.
Bill wrote: "I keep wanting to try JD Robb but I think I'll have to wait until I finish a few more series.. It does look interesting."I hope you do get to the series however, honestly, if faced with a 60 book series (so far) I'd feel overwhelmed, lol
Lea wrote: "Lillie wrote: "Thanks Lea! I read my second 5*, Strange Pictures. Made my month :)"I'm sure I need that on my TBR too. Thanks for the tip to get the print version. I love finding hidden gems at the bookstore."
I'd love to hear what you end up thinking of it
32.
The Dinner Lady Detectives 2.5*Dinner Lady Detectives #1
A supervisor of a group of dinner ladies (in the US cafeteria ladies) is found dead and a couple of the ladies set out to find out who murdered her. Thought the story was ok but I had a hard time connecting with the writing. I think I'm going to put this series on the back burner.
33-35
4*, 3.75*, 4*Haven's Rock #1-3
This is really the continuation of the series Rockton which I devoured the last couple of years. The premise is that a town is set up in the Yukon Territory to help people escape from a variety of traumas/dramas in their past. Casey Duncan is a young police detective from a large Canadian city who is on the run from gangsters. She's able to get herself into the secret town as the new police detective. And the story goes from there. Enjoyed the first series and am enjoying this one. Waiting on a short story from Libby that I believe is the transition between the series.
36.
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies 3.5*The Vacation Series #1
A couple of people here on goodreads reviewed this book and it sounded like a nice little breather from the darker mystery I was reading. Sometimes I like to read a little of one book and a little of another and so forth. A mystery author, Eleanor Dash, is on book tour with her sister, blackmailer, 2 ex-lovers, crazy stalker, a several other authors who may or may not like her. When one ex-lover seems to be the target of the a murder plot, Eleanor sets out to find out which one of people on tour is the perpetrator.
37.
Borderline 3.25*Anna Pigeon #15
Anna Pigeon is a Park Ranger and throughout the series we've followed her to various National Parks in the US. It has gotten darker the deeper we've gotten into the series. Anna and her husband, Paul, are on a river rafting trip on the Rio Grande, a little vacation after the brutality of the previous book. They are there purely as tourists when they (along with other tourists) stumble of a young pregnant woman left in the river. Shots are fired, the tide is rising, stranded cows and a baby are involved. (view spoiler) Don't want to stray into politics on here so I'll leave it with the spoiler. Lower rating only because I don't think I'm in the headspace to read anything too dark right now. But I do like the series and will continue it.
Lillie wrote: "31. Strange Pictures by Uketsu Strange Pictures 5*My second 5* of the year! Sometimes browsing airport shops is the absolute right thing to do because they occasionally have gems in them, this was one. On any other day, I wouldn't have picked it up cause it says it's a horror book and it's not usually my genre of choice. It is horror in the non-bloody psychological way (mostly). It's also a mystery. It kept me intrigued to the point where I was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. Every time I thought I understood what had happened, it took me on another tangent. "
This sounds interesting, I love puzzles and mysteries that I don't see the solution for from the first pages. Thanks for the print book recommendation.
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12+4:
Completing the Series:
✔1. Bardugo, Leigh Hell Bent 2/2 2* 1/11
✔2. Brennert, Alan. Daughter of Moloka'i 2/2 2.5* 8/24
✔3. Cline, Ernest. Ready Player Two 2/2 2.75* 4/23
4. Ford, Jackson. A Sh*tload of Crazy Powers 4/4
✔5. Gemeinhart, Dan. Coyote Lost and Found 2/2 3* 5/7
✔6. Hackwith, A.J. The God of Lost Words 3/3 1* 11/16
✔7. MacNeal, Susan Elia. The Last Hope 11/11 3.5* 8/27
✔8. McManus, Karen M. One of Us Is Back 3/3 4* 3/8
✔9. Martine, Arkady. A Desolation Called Peace 2/2 1* 3/9
✔10. Marske, Freya. A Power Unbound 3/3 2* 3/9
✔11. Sharpe, Tess. The Girl in Question 2/2 3.75* 8/29
✔12. Wilberg, T.A. Marion Lane and the Raven's Revenge 3/3 3.25* 1/4
Starting a Series (aka Alternates):
✔1. Corey, James S.A. The Mercy of Gods 3* 1/20
✔2. Morning, Karin Marie. The House at Watch Hill 2.5* 8/26
✔3. Osman, Richard. We Solve Murders 4* 1/10
✔4. Ross, Rebecca. Divine Rivals 4* 1/25