2018 Reading Challenge Roundup - Failed

Not too many challenges left uncompleted this year. I’m very happy with my progress.

Perpetual Reading Lists Challenge
Goal: 28/30 books 93.3%

1. The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels (1/12/18)

2. Arabian Nights (1/19/18)

3. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning (3/17/18)

4. The Dark Tower by Stephen King (1/25/18)

5. The History of Love by Nicola Krauss (3/16/18)

6. Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (7/31/18)

7. Ramses 2 by Anne Rice (3/7/18)

8. Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (2/7/18)

9. The Selection by Kiera Cass (6/6/18)

10. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (5/26/18)

11. Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter (4/20/18)

12. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (2/9/18)

13. The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon (4/7/18)

14. Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman (4/13/18)

15. The Radium Girls by Kate Moore (4/27/18)

16. Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund (6/15/18)

17. A History of the Wife by Margaret Yalom (6/24/18)

18. The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan (6/26/18)

19. College Girls by Lynn Peril (8/28/18)

20. Pox Americana by Elizabeth Fenn (9/8/18)

21. Cocktails Across America by Diane Lapis and Anne Davis-Peck (9/11/18)

22. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer (10/23/18)

23. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (9/29/18)

24. Dracula by Bram Stoker (10/24/18)

25. Looking for Alaska by John Green (12/12/18)

26. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (11/24/18)

27. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (12/7/18)

28. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (11/27/18)

29. TBD

30. TBD

TBR Pile
Goal: 9/12 Books 66.7%

1. Nefertiti by Michelle Moran (1/23/18)

2. The Bostonians by Henry James (1/30/18)

3. Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (9/12/18)

4. The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman (5/4/18)

5. School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins (DNF)

6. Parasite by Mira Grant (6/20/18)

7. The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie (DNF)

8. Birthmarked by Carah O'Brien (5/23/18)

9. A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

10. Stealing Fire by Jo Graham

11. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant (3/21/18)

12. Little Bee by Chris Cleave (8/24/18)

13. The Firemaster's Mistress by Christie Dickason

14. An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin (10/20/18)

Reading Assignment
Goal: 11/12 Books  91.7%

1. January - Arabian Nights (1/19/18)

2. February - Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (2/7/18)

3. March - Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning (3/17/18)

4. April - The Words We Live By by Linda Monk

5. May - Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery (5/30/18)

6. June - A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom (6/24/18)

7. July - How to Fall in love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson (7/31/18)

8. August - The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (8/25/18)

9. September - The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (9/29/18)

10. October - Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (10/31/18)

11. November - The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (11/20/18)

12. December - Strange Weather by Joe Hill (12/22/18)

Finishing the Series
Goal: 6/10 Series 60%

1. Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor

   • #5 No Time Like the Past (1/16/18)

   • #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong (10/6/18)

   • #6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings (10/9/18)

   • #7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History (11/13/18)

   • #7.5 The Great St. Mary's Day Out (11/17/18)

   • #7.6 My Name is Markham (11/28/18)

   • #8 And the Rest is History

   • #8.5 A Perfect Storm

   • #8.6 Christmas Past

   • #9 An Argumentation of Historians

2. Witchcraft Mystery by Juliet Blackwell ✓

   • #6.5 A Haunting is Brewing (1/24/18)

   • #7 Spellcasting in Silk (1/26/18)

   • #8 A Toxic Trousseau (2/9/18)

   • #9 A Magical Match (11/14/18)

3. Fairwick Chronicles by Juliet Dark ✓

   • #3 The Stone Angel (2/4/18)

4. Bedwyn Saga by Mary Balogh ✓

   • #0.2 A Summer to Remember (3/10/18)

   • #1 Slightly Married (4/25/18)

   • #2 Slightly Wicked (4/25/18)

   • #3 Slightly Scandalous (4/25/18)

   • #4 Slightly Tempted (5/16/18)

   • #5 Slightly Sinful (5/16/18)

   • #6 Slightly Dangerous (5/16/18)

5. Cemetery of Forgotten Books by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

   • #2 The Angel's Game

   • #3 The Prisoner of Heaven

6. Strain by Guillermo del Toro

   • #2 The Fall

   • #3 The Night Eternal

7. Ramses the Damned by Anne Rice ✓

   • #2 The Passion of Cleopatra (3/7/18)

8. Hex Hall ✓

   • #1 Hex Hall (2/9/18)

   • #2 Demonglass (3/8/18)

   • #3 Spell Bound (3/14/18)

9. The Glamourist by Mary Robinette Kowal

   • #1 Shades of Milk and Honey (2/26/18)

   • #2 Glamour in Glass (3/30/18)

   • #3 Without a Summer

   • #4 Valour and Vaniety

   • #5 Of Noble Family

10. Edwardian Brides by Carrie Turansky ✓

    • #1 The Governess of Highland Hall (1/8/18)

    • #2 The Daughter of Highland Hall (1/9/18)

    • #3 A Refuge at Highland Hall (1/10/18)

Seasonal Series Summer
(June 21st - September 21st)
Goal: 24/25 Books 96%

1. Read a book from a fantasy series - Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire (7/20/18)
2. Read a book while drinking a cool drink - The Anomaly by Michael Rutger (6/29/18)
3. Read a book from a really hyped series - Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire (7/21/18)
4. Read a book with yellow on the cover - Give Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell (7/18/18)
5. Read while eating ice cream - Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley (8/15/18)
6. Read a book that's set in summer - The Stolen Bride by Jo Beverley (8/10/18)
7. Read a book from a YA series - Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco (8/14/18)
8. Read while having a picnic - Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell (6/28/18)
9. Read a book with LGBT+ characters - Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (7/14/18)
10. re-read a favorite book
11. Read a book that has blue on the cover - Symbiont by Mira Grant (7/4/18)
12. Read a book from a series that has four or more books - The Heir by Kiera Cass (6/23/18)
13. Free Space: read any book of a series - Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (9/15/18)
14. Read a book while eating fruit - Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan (8/26/18)
15. Read a book that you're sure you'll love - A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell (7/25/18)
16. Read a book where someone travels -The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (8/25/18)
17. Read a book while on the go - Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine (8/4/18)
18. Read a book from a contemporary series - Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready (9/13/18)
19. Read by a pool/ sea/ lake... - How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson (8/8/18)
20. Read a book that features an OTP or great love story - The Crown by Kiera Cass (6/24/18)
21. Finish a trilogy - Chimera by Mira Grant (7/13/18)
22. Read a book during 24 hours - Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass (6/22/18)
23. Read a book someone recommended to you - Little Bee by Chris Cleave (8/24/18)
24. Read a book while wearing sunglasses - Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire (7/6/18)
25. Read a second book in a series - Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley (7/10/18)

Seasonal Series Spring
(March 20th - June 20th)
Goal: 22/25 Books 88%

1. Take a walk while listening to an audiobook - A Mad Zombie Party by Gena Showalter (6/4/18)
2. Read a book while drinking lemonade - Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman (4/13/18)
3. Read the first book in a series - If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell (4/4/18)
4. try to unhaul a book you've lost interest in
5. Read a book that's been on your shelves way too long - Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien (5/23/18)
6. Read with rain in the background -> real rain or sounds - NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (4/17/18)
7. Read a book with pink on the cover - Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell (4/6/18)
8. read a book from a middle grade series
9. Read a series with a new book coming out in 2018 - A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas (6/3/18)
10. Read a book of a series where the parents of the MC aren't dead - The Selection by Kiera Cass (6/6/18)
11. Read a book with character growth - Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter (4/20/18)
12. Read a book while eating chocolate - Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter (5/6/18)
13. Free Space: read any book of a series - For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (5/26/18)
14. read a book where only the first book of a series is out
15. Read a book set in the real world - Parasite by Mira Grant (6/20/18)
16. Read a book with a spring colors on the cover - Home for the Haunting by Juliet Blackwell (6/16/18)
17. Finish a duology - Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund (6/15/18)
18. Use a flower as a bookmark - The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman (5/4/18)
19. Read a book with great friendship - The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter (5/18/18)
20. Read a second book in a series - Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal (3/30/18)
21. Read a book while sitting outside - The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King (4/13/18)
22. Read a book that is (partly) set in spring - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (5/29/18)
23. Read a book with green on the cover - Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (5/30/18)
24. Read a book that includes an animal - Murder on the House by Juliet Blackwell (6/2/18)
25. Read a book under 300 pages - River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey (4/24/18)

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

Title: An Object of Beauty

Author: Steven Martin

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 2010

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 295

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile

Lacey Yeager is young, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the NYC art world by storm. Groomed at Sotheby's and hungry to keep climbing the social and career ladders put before her, Lacey charms men and women, old and young, rich and even richer with her magnetic charisma and liveliness. Her ascension to the highest tiers of the city parallel the soaring heights--and, at times, the dark lows--of the art world and the country from the late 1990s through today.

This book has been sitting on my shelves for a few years and now I know why. It’s not a bad book. In fact, I think the right person would love this book. I am not that person. I just felt ambivalence toward the book and characters the entire time I was reading it. I wasn’t rushing to read the next page or staying up for one more chapter. I thought about abandoning it at one point, but pushed through to find out the end of Lacey’s story. My main issue is with the characters. None are likable or relatable. I just couldn’t get behind anyone and ultimately didn’t care what happened to them.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Title: Their Eyes were Watching God

Author: Zora Neale Hurston

Publisher: 1937

Genre: Classics

Pages: 219

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Popsugar - Different Ethnicity; MMD - Different Ethnicity

One of the most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, Their Eyes Were Watching God brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Out of print for almost thirty years—due largely to initial audiences’ rejection of its strong black female protagonist—Hurston’s classic has since its 1978 reissue become perhaps the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature.

A very powerful story featuring a fascinating female protagonist. I really fell into reading about Janie's struggles and triumphs. At times I had to put the book down because it was so intense. But that intensity is what made the book so amazing. Hurston's book was ahead of its time. I could see this book being published today. It feels so current and modern. This book is not a light fun read, but was definitely enjoyable. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Title: Little Bee

Author: Chris Cleave

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 2009

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 290

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Seasonal Series - Recommendation

We don’t want to tell you too much about this book. It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this: It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific. The story starts there, but the book doesn’t. And it’s what happens afterward that is most important. Once you have read it, you’ll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don’t tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. It was a fascinating look at refugees. The storyline had some interesting twists and turns. I really liked that the characters were flawed making them much more realistic. But the writing just bugged me. I couldn't really get behind the first person narration. It was just too stifled for me. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Parasite by Mira Grant

Title: Parasite (Parasitology #1)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2013

Genre: Sciences Fiction

Pages: 502

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Share a tea; Seasonal Series -- Set in the real world

We owe our good health to a humble parasite -- a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the Intestinal Bodyguard worm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system -- even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.
But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives . . . and will do anything to get them.

Why did I leave this book sitting on my shelf for this long? I loved Mira Grant's Newflesh series and couldn't wait to read this newer series, but somehow it just got shoved to the back. I finally picked this one up and holy cow! I love love loved it! Love Grant's mix of science and fiction. In this series, we follow a seemingly normal girl on her journey to find out what's really going on in the world. Had my suspicions about what was really going on and it turns out I was right. And yet, I didn't care. I was along for the ride and loved every minute of it. I'm ready to read the next in the  series!

Parasitology

• #1 Parasite
• #2 Symbiont
• #3 Chimera

Next up on the TBR pile:

Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien

Title: Birthmarked

Author: Caragh O'Brien

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press 2010

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 361

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Popsugar - Ugly Cover; Seasonal Series - On My Shelf For Years

Sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone and her mother faithfully deliver their quota of three infants every month. But when Gaia's mother is brutally taken away by the very people she serves, Gaia must question whether the Enclave deserves such loyalty. A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish.

Overall a real disappointment for me. I usually like post-apocalyptic fantasies, but this one was just way too familiar. A world ravaged by climate change? Check. Society divided for the "good fo the people"? Check. Clothes colored for position in society and fertility issues a la The Handmaid's Tale? Check. The future of the society hinging on one young girl? Check. The result was fairly boring. I just didn't connect to any of the characters. I wasn't on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next. I just didn't really care. I'm sure there are people out there that loved this one. I just found it very boring and won't be continuing the series. At least, I got one more book off my unread shelves. 

Birthmarked

• #1 Birthmarked
• #1.5 Tortured
• #2 Prized
• #2.5 Ruled
• #3 Promised

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman

Title: The Dress Lodger

Author: Sheri Holan

Publisher: Grove 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 322

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Popsguar - Given as a gift; Seasonal Series - Flower as bookmark

In Sunderland, England, a city quarantined by the cholera epidemic of 1831, Gustine, a defiant fifteen-year-old beauty in an elegant blue dress rented from her pimp-landlord, sells her body to feed her only love: a fragile baby boy. When she meets surgeon Henry Chiver, who has recently been implicated in the Burke and Hare killings, in which beggars were murdered so the corpses could be sold for medical research, Gustine begins working for him by securing cadavers for his ill-equipped anatomy school. It is a gruesome job that will soon threaten the very things she’s working so hard to protect.

One of those books that has been on my shelf for years it feels like. I finally dove in and it's middle of the road. It's not a bad book, but I found myself fairly bored by it. I wasn't super connected to any of the characters. The setting and background story is interesting, but not enough to carry me through the entire book. I was not a fan of the weird third person narration and jumps between stories and characters. The book felt unconnected. Overall a very meh historical fiction novel.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

Title: The Birth of Venus

Author: Sarah Dunant

Publisher: Random House 2003

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 426

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Popsugar - Set in a country that fascinates me; 

Alessandra Cecchi is not quite fifteen when her father, a prosperous cloth merchant, brings a young painter back from northern Europe to decorate the chapel walls in the family’s Florentine palazzo. A child of the Renaissance, with a precocious mind and a talent for drawing, Alessandra is intoxicated by the painter’s abilities.

But their burgeoning relationship is interrupted when Alessandra’s parents arrange her marriage to a wealthy, much older man. Meanwhile, Florence is changing, increasingly subject to the growing suppression imposed by the fundamentalist monk Savonarola, who is seizing religious and political control. Alessandra and her native city are caught between the Medici state, with its love of luxury, learning, and dazzling art, and the hellfire preaching and increasing violence of Savonarola’s reactionary followers. Played out against this turbulent backdrop, Alessandra’s married life is a misery, except for the surprising freedom it allows her to pursue her powerful attraction to the young painter and his art.

Hmmm... So I think this is a perfectly fine book with a fine plot and gorgeous setting. I just couldn't find myself connecting to anything or anyone in the book. I finished it, hoping to make a connection t some point, but I just didn't. Possibly this book just wasn't for me. I must say that the setting in Florence is perfect! I usually love stories set in Italy. I just didn't love this one.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Bostonians by Henry James

Title: The Bostonians

Author: Henry James

Publisher: 1886

Genre: Classic

Pages: 496

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Modern Mrs Darcy - Classic I've Been Meaning to Read; A to Z - B

The Bostonians is a bittersweet tragicomedy that centers on an odd triangle of characters: Basil Ransom, a political conservative from Mississippi; Olive Chancellor, Ransom's cousin and a Boston feminist; and Verena Tarrant, a pretty, young protegee of Olive's in the feminist movement. The story-line concerns the struggle between Ransom and Olive for Verena's allegiance and affection, though the novel also includes a wide panorama of political activists, newspaper people, and quirky eccentrics.

Hmmm... so I wanted to like this novel as it deals with some interesting themes, but I just couldn't get over James's seeming derision of the feminist movement. I was very interested in the dichotomy between the Basil and Olive's cultures. The novel is a fascinating look at the North/South divide, the conservative/progressive struggle, and in general men and women. I was fully into the premise of setting the two main characters up as competitors for Verena's affections and loyalty. What I wasn't too keen on is the portrayal of the feminists and as silly and even caricatures of people. In the end, Verena's choice is presented as a possible mistake, but James plays it coy. So I felt like James wasn't really taking either side in the debates he set up on the book. Overall, a bit of a disappointment for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

Title: Nefertiti (Nefertiti #1)

Author: Michelle Moran

Publisher: Three Rivers Press 2007

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 474

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Popsguar - Based on a real person; A to Z - N

Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped that her strong personality will temper the young ruler’s heretical desire to forsake Egypt’s ancient gods.

From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people but fails to see that powerful priests are plotting against her husband’s rule. The only person brave enough to warn the queen is her younger sister, Mutnodjmet.

Observant and contemplative, Mutnodjmet has never shared her sister’s desire for power. She yearns for a quiet existence away from family duty and the intrigues of court. But remaining loyal to Nefertiti will force Mutnodjmet into a dangerous political game; one that could cost her everything she holds dear. Teeming with love, betrayal, political unrest, plague, and religious conflict, Nefertiti brings ancient Egypt to life in vivid detail.

One of those books that I was super excited to read, but let it sit on my shelves for years. Don't know why I waited so long as this was a very good book. I really enjoyed diving into ancient Egypt and the life of Nefertiti and Mutnodjmet. The book started slow, but quickly drew me into the world. I loved Mutnodjmet and many of the side characters. Nefertiti is portrayed as a major bitch, however I'm not completely certain that she wasn't. Either way, the book kept me under its spell. After finishing it, I realized that Moran wrote a sequel! I must pick that one up for February.

Nefertiti

• #1 Nefertiti
• #2 The Heretic Queen
• #3 Cleopatra's Daughter

Next up on the TBR pile:

2018 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

From Roof Beam Reader:

The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).

Specifics:

1. Each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. This means the book cannot have a publication date of 1/1/2017 or later (any book published in the year 2016 or earlier qualifies, as long as it has been on your TBR pile). Caveat: Two (2) alternates are allowed, just in case one or two of the books end up in the “can’t get through” pile.

2. To be eligible, you must sign-up with the Mr. Linky below. Link to your list (so create it ahead of time!) and add updated links to each book’s review. Books must be read and must be reviewed (doesn’t have to be too fancy) in order to count as completed.

3. The link you post in the Mr. Linky below must be to your “master list” (see mine below). This is where you will keep track of your books completed, crossing them out and/or dating them as you go along, and updating the list with the links to each review (so there’s one easy, convenient way to find your list and all your reviews for the challenge). See THIS LINK for an idea of what I mean. Your complete and final list must be posted by January 15th, 2018.

4. Leave comments on this post as you go along, to update us on your status. Come back here if/when you complete this challenge and leave a comment indicating that you CONQUERED YOUR 2018 TBR LIST! Every person who successfully reads his/her 12 books and/or alternates (and who provides a working link to their list, which has links to the review locations) will be entered to win a $50 gift card from Amazon.comor The Book Depository!

5. Crossovers from other challenges are totally acceptable, as long as you have never read the book before and it was published before 2017!

*Note: You can read the books on your list in any order; they do not need to be read in the order you have them listed. Audiobooks count. Graphic novels count. Poetry collections? Essay collections? All good!  As you complete a book – review it, go to your original list and turn that title into a link to the review. This will keep the comments section here from getting ridiculously cluttered. For an example of what I mean, Click Here.

Monthly Check-Ins: On the 15th of each month, I’m going to post a “TBR Pile Check-In.” This will allow participants to link-up their reviews from the past month and get some recognition for their progress. There will also be small mini-challenges and giveaways to go along with these posts (Such As: Read 6 books by the June Check-in and be entered to win a book of your choice!) I’m hoping this will help to keep us all on track and make the challenge a bit more engaging/interactive. I started these mini-challenges in 2014, and I think they were a great success, so I am continuing them this year!

Chat: On Social Media, please use #TBR2018RBR

I'm joining this year hoping to knock off some reads from my unread shelves.

1. Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
2. The Bostonians by Henry James
3. Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
4. The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman 
5. School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
6. Parasite by Mira Grant
7. The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie
8. Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
9. A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
10. Stealing Fire by Jo Graham
11. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
12. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
13. The Firemaster's Mistress by Christie Dickason
14. An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

Becoming Mona Lisa by Donald Sassoon

Title: Becoming Mona Lisa

Author: Donald Sassoon

Publisher: Harcourt 2001

Genre: Nonfiction - Art

Pages: 337

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; TBR Pile; 52 books - W35; Well Rounded Reader - Art/Design

The Mona Lisa is widely recognized as the most famous painting in the history of art--and an undeniable icon of pop culture. Her celebrated face is used to sell everything from champagne to automobiles, and appears on ashtrays, mouse pads, and refrigerator magnets. More than any other art object, the Mona Lisa demonstrates that something can be high art and pop, classic and cool. Likewise, Donald Sassoon's elegant narrative is as much the story of one painting's ascendance to the status of global icon as it is the popularization of serious and distinguished art. A professor and acclaimed writer, Sassoon provides a fascinating account of Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance genius who created the picture; who the mysterious subject was; why it gained its unrivalled position in the art world; and how it has come to be used and abused by other artists and the international advertising industry. Lavishly illustrated, Becoming Mona Lisa is at once social, cultural, and art history of the highest order.

Meh!  I thought this would be a great look into why the Mona Lisa is so popular.  And while it is, I felt that the writing and overall book construction left much to be desired.  It was just so clunky.  I had a lot of trouble paying attention to the pages.  I gave it 3 stars because the subject matter is interesting and there were interesting bits.  I was just bored through a majority of it...

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

Title: Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey #1)

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Publisher: Mira 2006

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 511

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Monthly Motif -- March; 52 Books -- W27; New Author; Lucky 14 -- Visit the Country

"Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave."

These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, he collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests.

Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that her husband was murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers damning evidence for herself, and realizes the truth.

Determined to bring the murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward's demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.

I don't know why it took me this long to finally start this series.  It was an absolute delight.  Right away I was taken in with the mystery of Lady Julia and her husband's death.  Then we get the entrance of Nicholas Brisbane and a whole host of interesting side characters.  I love that the reader is right along with Lady Julia in finding the truth in the case.  She holds nothing back from the reader even if she does keep things from other characters.  I loved how the truth eventually came out and the story ends.  Or at least this chapter of Lady Julia's life is ended.  I can't wait to read the next story.

Lady Julia Grey

• #1 Silent in the Grave
• #2 Silent in the Sanctuary
• #3 Silent on the Moor
• #3.5 Midsummer Night
• #4 Dark Road to Darjeeling
• #5 The Dark Enquiry
• #5.5 Silent Night
• #5.6 Twelfth Night
• #5.7 Bonfire Night

Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk

Title: Stranger Than Fiction

Author: Chuck Palahniuk

Publisher: Anchor 2005

Genre: Nonfiction life stories

Pages: 256

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Well-Rounded Reader -- Short Stories; TBR Pile; Monthly Motif -- April; New Author

Chuck Palahniuk’s world has always been, well, different from yours and mine. In his first collection of nonfiction, Chuck Palahniuk brings us into this world, and gives us a glimpse of what inspires his fiction.At the Rock Creek Lodge Testicle Festival in Missoula, Montana, average people perform public sex acts on an outdoor stage. In a mansion once occupied by The Rolling Stones, Marilyn Manson reads his own Tarot cards and talks sweetly to his beautiful actress girlfriend. Across the country, men build their own full-size castles and rocketships that will send them into space. Palahniuk himself experiments with steroids, works on an assembly line by day and as a hospice volunteer by night, and experiences the brutal murder of his father by a white supremacist. With this new direction, Chuck Palahniuk has proven he can do anything.

I really wanted to like this collection, but I found that I just couldn't.  The stories all seemed disjointed and abrupt.  I couldn't really sink my teeth into any of them.  By the time I would start, the story would be over.  Plus, some the material was really hard to connect to.  Just not a fan...

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

Title: Summer Rental

Author: Mary Kay Andrews

Publisher: Whodunnit 2011

Genre: Women's Fiction

Pages: 402

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Well-Rounded Reader; What's in a Name -- Weather; TBR Pile; 52 Books -- W22; Women Authors

Ellis, Julia, and Dorie. Best friends since Catholic grade school, they now find themselves, in their mid-thirties, at the crossroads of life and love. Ellis, recently fired from a job she gave everything to, is rudderless and now beginning to question the choices she's made over the past decade of her life. Julia--whose caustic wit covers up her wounds--has a man who loves her and is offering her the world, but she can't hide from how deeply insecure she feels about her looks, her brains, her life. And Dorie has just been shockingly betrayed by the man she loved and trusted the most in the world…though this is just the tip of the iceberg of her problems and secrets. A month in North Carolina's Outer Banks is just what they each of them needs.

Ty Bazemore is their landlord, though he's hanging on to the rambling old beach house by a thin thread. After an inauspicious first meeting with Ellis, the two find themselves disturbingly attracted to one another, even as Ty is about to lose everything he's ever cared about.

Maryn Shackleford is a stranger, and a woman on the run. Maryn needs just a few things in life: no questions, a good hiding place, and a new identity. Ellis, Julia, and Dorie can provide what Maryn wants; can they also provide what she needs?

A light breezy beach bag book.  Thank goodness!  This hit the spot!  I needed a little levity to get me back on track.  I'm excited about the coming summer reading season.  While this novel was fairly predictable, I enjoyed taking the journey with the four main characters.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Title: Peter Pan

Author: J.M. Barrie

Genre: Children's Classic

Pages: 162

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; TBR Pile; Book to Move; Well-Rounded Reader; Back to the Classics -- Adapted into a Movie

Somehow I've never gotten around to actually reading Peter Pan.  Sure, we all know the story.  There have been so many movie adaptations.  But I've never actually read it.  I enjoyed the storyline, but I must say the writing style is a bit off putting.  The sentences are often stilted and oddly constructed.  I can't say that it was the worst "classic" that I've ever read, but the book just didn't grab me like I thought it would.

Movie:

For my movie selection, I rewatched Disney's Peter Pan.  I really enjoy this film.  I love the music.  I love Captain Hook.  I love Smee.  I love the fun and frivolity of the movie.  This is the classic edition to me.  That said, I really want to watch Neverland with Rhys Ifans.  It looks amazing!

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

Title: Lessons in French

Author: Laura Kinsale

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2010

Genre: Historical romance

Pages: 446

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Well Rounded Reader -- Historical Romance; TBR Pile; Women Author; 52 Books -- W5; Lucky No. 14 -- Bargain All the Way

Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and, in a furious frenzy, drives Trevelyan away in disgrace. Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie discovers that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with excitement, but he can't give her the one thing she wants more than anything—himself.

For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last goodbyes, he's determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them.

Started out a bit slow for my tastes, but got really good towards the end.  This book is a nice mix between a fluffy romance, a mystery, and an adventure story.  We get a couple of twists and turns that threw me for a couple of pages.  They were interesting twists that added to the fun of the story.  The characters are good, although I wished to see a stronger female lead.  Callie was a bit to much of a wilting flower until the last 100 pages or so.  Trevelyan was the stereotypical rogue male lead, but I still really liked him.  One of the best characters was Trevelyan's mother the Duchess.  She was interesting and always knew more than she let on.  Overall, I really enjoyed reading Lessons in French.  I will have to add Kinsale to my authors to watch for at clearance sales list.

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

From Bookish:

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 - Dec 31, 2014.
2. Anyone can enter! You don't have to be a blogger, as long as you review the book you've read! (On your blog, Amazon, Random Buzzers or Goodreads/Shelfari!)
3. Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is a book that's been sitting on your shelf for some time now. Short stories and novellas are OK, too! Only books released in 2013 and earlier! NO  2014 ARCs and 2014 fresh-off-the-press releases allowed!
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 TBRPILE Reading Challenge. (If you don't have a blog, post about it on Facebook or Tweet!)
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2014, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
8. On the 20th of each month we will post a wrap-up post, here, on BOOKISH. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. The giveaway will be open until the next wrap up post goes up! (i.e. the entire month)
9. If you miss a wrap-up post + giveaway, you can link up your reviews next month. Do not, however, try to link up one review twice - we will be checking ;)
10. December is a wrap-up for the whole year. All the book reviews you linked up January-November + the ones you'll link up in December will be entered into a GRAND PRIZE giveaway.
11. You don't have to follow Bookish Blog to join the challenge, but you do have to follow us to be entered in giveaways!

Levels:

1-10 - A Firm Handshake 11-20 - A Friendly Hug 21-30 - First Kiss 31-40 - Sweet Summer Fling 41-50 - Could this be love? 50+ - Married With Children

What's New:

1. 2014's edition of the TBR Pile Reading Challenge will be hosted EXCLUSIVELY on Bookish. Co-hosting with other awesome bloggers was fun, but due to too many hiccups along the way, our Bookish Team has decided to take over to ensure that everything goes smoothly this time.
2. For your convenience and to ensure you won't miss any important posts / wrap-ups / updates / contests, we have created a mailing list! We invite you to sign up to receive all the important news in the mail (no more searching the web for wrap-up posts and missing out on all the fun!). You can sign up here: !!JOIN 2014 TBR PILE READING CHALLENGE MAILING LIST!! !!
3. To help you tackle your TBR Piles, we will also be hosting monthly Read-A-Longs with prizes! And this time, you'll get to VOTE on the book we'll read together! Join the mailing list mentioned above to never miss out on the fun! Please note: You don't have to take part in our read-a-longs to participate in the TBR Pile challenge - or you can just take part in some of them, and skip the rest - participation is optional, tho we would certainly love to discuss the books with you!
4. We have sponsors! Which of course means more fun prizes!! YAY!

This year I am going for the First Kiss level of 30 books.  I want to have a goal within reach, but still challenge myself to read from my owned piles.  I'm on a mission to get rid of the boxes of books in the closet!

1. Becoming Mona Lisa
2. The Emperor of Maladies
3. Peter Pan
4. The Hobbit
5. Summer Rental
6. The Beautiful and the Damned
7. Stranger Than Fiction
8. Lessons in French
9. Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
10. Duchess of Aquitaine by Margaret Ball
11. Tales of the Brothers Grimm
12. TBD
13. TBD
14. TBD
15. TBD
16. TBD
17. TBD
18. TBD
19. TBD
20. TBD
21. TBD
22. TBD
23. TBD
24. TBD
25. TBD
26. TBD
27. TBD
28. TBD
29. TBD
30. TBD

2013 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Completed Edition

Look at all these finished challenges!  I did good this year...

Goal: 35/35 books   DONE!!!!!

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
2. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
3. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)
5. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
6. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
7. Gulliver’s Travel’s by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
8. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
9. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
10. Her Ladyships Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
11. The Sandman Vol. 11 (9/27/13)
12. The Sandman Vol. 12 (9/27/13)
13. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
14. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (9/29/13)
15. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
16. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
17. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
18. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
19. Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
20. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
21. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
22. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
23. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
24. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
25. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
26. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
27. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
28. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
29. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
30. Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)
31. Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
32. B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
33. Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)
34. Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
35. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)

Goal: 10/10 books  DONE!!!!!!

The Required Categories:

1. 19th Century Classic — Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (12/18/13)
2. 20th Century Classic — The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
3. Pre-18th or 18th Century Classic — Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
4. Classic that relates to the African-American Experience – The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
5. Classic Adventure — The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
6. Classic that prominently features an Animal - Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne(9/10/13)

Optional Categories:

1. Re-read a Classic — Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
2. Classic Non-Fiction title –The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
3. Classic Children’s/Young Adult title — The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
4. Classic Short Stories – The Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!

1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
2. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
3. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
5. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
6. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
7. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
8. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
9. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
10. Sandition by Jane Austen (12/18/13)

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!!!

1. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
2. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
3. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)
4. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
5. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)

Goal: 60/60 Books   DONE!!!!!!!!

1. Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
2. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
3. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
4. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
5. Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
6. Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
7. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
8. Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
9. Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
10. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
11. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
12. Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
13. Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
14. Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
15. One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
16. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
17. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
18. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
19. Locke and Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (1/4/13)
20. Locke and Key Vol 2: Head Games (1/4/13)
21. Locke and Key Vol 3: Crown of Shadows (1/5/13)
22. Locke and Key Vol 4: Keys to the Kingdom (1/6/13)
23. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
24. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
25. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
26. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
27. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
28. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
29. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
30. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
31. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
32. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
33. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
34. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
35. Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
36. Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
37. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
38. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
39. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
40. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
41. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
42. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
43. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
44. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
45. Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
46. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
47. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
48. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
49. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
50. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
51. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
52. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
53. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
54. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
55. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
56. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
57. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
58. Boneshaler by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
59. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
60. Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)

Goal: 52/52 books DONE!!!!!

1. Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
2. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
3. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
4. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
5. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
6. Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
7. Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
8. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
9. The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
10. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
11. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
12. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
13. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
14. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
15. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
16. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/13/14)
17. Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
18. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
19. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
20. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
21. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
22. The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
23. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
24. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/13/13)
25. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/22/13)
26. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
27. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
28. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
29. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
30. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (7/24/13)
31. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
32. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
33. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
34. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
35. The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
36. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
37. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
38. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
39. The Sandman Vol. 11: The Dream Hunters (9/27/13)
40. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
41. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
42. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
43. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
44. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
45. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
46. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
47. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
48. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
49. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)
50. Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
51. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
52. Sandition by Jane Austen  (12/18/13)

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!!

1. History- US, World, European – Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
2. Autobiography, Biography, Memoir – A Long Way Gone by Ishamel Beah (1/21/13)
3. Food – Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
4. Family, Relationships, Parenting, Dating, Love – MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
5. Music, Film, TV – Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
6. Health, Medicine – Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
7. Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy – The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
8. Anthropology, Archaeology – Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
9. How To – A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman (9/10/13)
10. Cultural Studies – Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
11. Business, Finance, Management – The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
12. Home – Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
13. Crafts – B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
14. Technology – Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
15. Government – Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)

Goal: 12/12 Books  DONE!!!!!

• January (cold) – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
• February (family) – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
• March (valley) – Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
• April (garden) – The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
• May (name) – Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
• June (never) – Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
• July  – Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
• August – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
• September (shadow) – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
• October (witch) – Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
• November (number) – The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
• December – The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)

Goal: 20/20 movies/books  DONE!!!!

1. The Reader (1/24/13)
2. Mansfield Park (2/3/13)
3. A Game of Thrones (1/9/13)
4. One Day (1/29/13)
5. The Secret Garden (4/30/13)
6. Emma (5/22/13)
7. Never Let Me Go (6/20/13)
8. Coraline (3/21/13)
9. Stardust (4/11/13)
10. Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
11. 300 (2/12/13)
12. Warm Bodies (6/13/13)
13. The Color Purple (6/24/13)
14. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (6/26/13)
15. Guns, Germs, and Steel (8/12/13)
16. The Host (8/24/13)
17. Pride and Prejudice (8/28/13)
18. The Count of Monte Cristo (11/22/13)
19. Gulliver’s Travels (10/3/13)
20. The Road (12/6/13)

Goal: 10/10 books  DONE!!!!!

1. Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
2. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
3. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
4. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
5. Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
7. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
8. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
9. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
10. Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)

Goal: 20/20 books   DONE!!!!

1. 300 (2/12/13)
2. Cowboys and Aliens (2/9/13)
3. The Walking Dead Book 5 (5/14/13)
4. Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
5. Wanted (1/2/13)
6. Chicken with Plums (1/2/13)
7. Locke and Key Vol. 1 (1/4/13)
8. Locke and Key Vol. 2 (1/4/13)
9. Locke and Key Vol. 3 (1/5/13)
10. Locke and Key Vol. 4 (1/6/13)
11. Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
12. A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel (3/1/13)
13. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
14. The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
15. The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
16. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
17. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
18. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
19. American Vampire Vol. 1 (8/21/13)
20. Hyperbole and Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!

1. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
2. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
3. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
4. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
5. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)

Goal: 6/6 books  DONE!!!!!

1. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
2. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
3. The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
4. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
5. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
6. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)

Goal: 12/12 books  DONE!!!!!

1. Translated fiction – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
2. Historical mystery – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
3. Romantic suspense – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
4. Made into a movie – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
5. New Adult – Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker Smith (11/7/13)
6. Urban Fantasy –London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
7. Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
8. Memoir – Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
9. LGBT – Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)
10. Action Adventure –The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
11. Humour– Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
12. Published in 2013 – And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!

1. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
2. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
3. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
4. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
5. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)

Goal: 15/15 books DONE!!!!!

1. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
2. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
3. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
4. The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
5. Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
6. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
7. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
8. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
9. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
10. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
11. Gulliver’s Travel by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
12. Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
13. Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
14. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
15. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!!!

ROMANCE

1. Contemporary – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
2. Historical – Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
3. Paranormal – Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)

HORROR

1. Science Fiction – London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
2. Psychological – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
3. Young Adult – Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)

THRILLER/SUSPENSE

1. Historical – A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
2. Action – Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
3. Supernatural – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)

SCIENCE/FANTASY

1. Vampire – Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
2. Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
3. Epic Fantasy – A Game of Thrones by George Martin (1/9/13)

MYSTERY/CRIME

1. Historical – The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
2. Romantic – Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
3. Classic Whodunit – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King (2/26/13)

Goal: 25/25 Ebooks  DONE!!!!!

1. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
2. The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson (2/26/13)
3. Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
4. Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
5. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
6. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (3/21/13)
7. 300 (2/12/13)
8. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
9. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
10. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
11. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
12. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
13. The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
14. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
15. Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
16. Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)
17. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)
18. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
19. Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
20. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (9/10/13)
21. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
22. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
23. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (9/20/13)
24. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
25. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)

Goal: 8/8 series DONE!!!!

Started in 2012

1. Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series (6,7,8,9,10,11,12) (9/27/13)
2. Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series (3) (7/24/13)
3. Kendare Blake’s Anna Dressed in Blood series (2) (3/11/13)

Started in 2013

1. Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) (10/5/13)
2. Jennifer Armintrout’s Lightworld/Darkworld series (1,2,3) – DNF’d
3. Nora Robert’s Morrigan’s Cross series (1,2,3) (3/17/13)
4. Ally Condie’s Matched series (1,2,3) (7/12/13)
5. Susan Wiggs’ Chicago Fire series (1,2,3) (6/13/13)
6. Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles (1,2,3,4,5) (9/5/13)

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!

1. Neverwhere (3/30/13)
2. Good Omens (1/10/13)
3. Coraline (3/21/13)
4. Stardust (4/11/13)
5. M is for Magic (9/1/13)
6. Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
7. Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
8. Sandman Vol 8 (8/29/13)
9. Sandman Vol 9 (8/29/13)
10. Sandman Vol 10 (8/29/13)
11. Sandman Vol 11 (9/27/13)
12. Sandman Vol 12 (9/27/13)
13. Anansi Boys (10/7/13)
14. The Graveyard Book (9/20/13)
15. The Ocean at the End of the Lane (9/29/13)

Goal: 30/30 books  DONE!!!!!

1. Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
2. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
3. The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
4. Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
5. A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
6. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
7. Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
8. Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
9. Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
10. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
11. Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
12. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
13. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
14. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
15. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
16. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
17. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
18. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
19. The Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
20. The Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
21. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
22. The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
23. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
24. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (8/24/13)
25. The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
26. The Sandman Vol. 9 (8/29/13)
27. The Sandman Vol. 10 (8/29/13)
28. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
29. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
30. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)

Goal: 6/6 Books  DONE!!!!!!

1. Up or Down: Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
2. Kitchen Find: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
3. Party or Celebration: The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
4. Fire: Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
5. Emotion: Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
6. Lost or Found: Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)

Goal: 18/18 Books  DONE!!!!!!

1. Contemporary – One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
2. Historical – The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
3. Paranormal – Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
4. Fantasy – A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
5. Romance – The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
6. Thriller – The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/12)
7. Nonfiction – The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
8. Women’s Fiction – The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
9. Chick Lit – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/1713)
10. Dystopian – Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
11. Horror – Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
12. Biography – Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
13. Fairy Tales – The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
14. Classics – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
15. SciFi – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
16. Short Stories – The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
17. Erotica – Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
18. Epic Fantasy – A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors  DONE!!!!!

1. Jane Austen (1/21/13)
2. Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
3. Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
4. Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
5. Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
6. Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
7. Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
8. Ally Condie (3/1/13)
9. Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
10. Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
11. Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
12. Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
13. Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
14. Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
15. Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
16. Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
17. Paula McLain (7/7/13)
18. Kate Morton (2/14/13)
19. Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
20. Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
21. Lynne Thomas (2/3/13)
22. Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
23. Alice Walker (6/24/13)
24. Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
25. Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors   DONE!!!!!!

1. Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
2. Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
3. Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
4. Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
5. David Brin (5/27/13)
6. Ally Condie (2/21/13)
7. Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
8. Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
9. Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
10. Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
11. Steven Harper (5/4/13)
12. Joe Hill (1/4/13)
13. Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
14. Laurie King (2/26/13)
15. Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
16. David Levithan (8/15/13)
17. George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
18. Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
19. David Nicholls (1/29/13)
20. Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
21. Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
22. Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
23. Darren Shan (4/14/13)
24. Steve Tally (1/14/13)
25. Jen Turano (1/3/13)

Goal: 24/24 books  DONE!!!!!

1. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
2. Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
3. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
4. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
5. A Game of Thrones: Graphic Novel Vol. 1 (3/1/13)
6. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
7. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
8. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
9. The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
10. Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
11. London Eye by Time Lebbon (3/15/13)
12. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
13. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
14. Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
15. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
16. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
17. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
18. The Walking Dead Book Five (5/14/13)
19. The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
20. The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
21. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
22. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/113/13)
23. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
24. Reached by Ally Condie (7/12/13)

The Dragon Men by Steven Harper

Title: The Dragon Men (Clockwork Empire #3)

Author: Steven Harper

Publisher: Roc 2012

Genre: Steampunk

Pages: 365

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Steampunk; TBR Pile

How I Got It: Library Loan

Gavin Ennock has everything a man could desire—except time. As the clockwork plague consumes his body and mind, it drives him increasingly mad and fractures his relationship with his fiancée, Alice, Lady Michaels. Their only hope is that the Dragon Men of China can cure him.

But a power-mad general has seized the Chinese throne in a determined offensive to conquer Asia, Britain—indeed, the entire world. He has closed the country’s borders to all foreigners. The former ruling dynasty, however, is scheming to return the rightful heir to power. Their designs will draw Gavin and Alice down a treacherous path strewn with intrigue and power struggles. One wrong step will seal Gavin’s fate…and determine the future of the world.

Love this series!  It's just so much fun!  Love the steampunk inventions. Love the action sequences.  Love the romance.  Love the general adventure.  This volume sends us to China and in the midst of a power struggle.  Cixi is such a fun character.  She added another fun layer to this adventure story. I warn readers that the main story arc ends with this volume, but the series seems to go on to a fourth book.  I wonder what it will be about? Even though Alice and Gavin's story seems to be ending, I'll pick up the next volume.  Steven Harper writes such great adventure stories; he's on my must-read list.

Clockwork Empire

• 1. The Doomsday Vault
• 2. The Impossible Cube
• 3. The Dragon Men
• 4. The Havoc Machine