Saturday, 1 January 2022

Wrap-Up of Colour Coded Reading Challenge 2021

 Colour Coded Reading Challenge

I definitely didn't do well on this one, 

The challenge is hosted here: https://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2020/10/color-coded-reading-challenge-2021.html

You have to read nine books in the following categories
* A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue in the title or on the cover
* A book with "Red" or any shade of Red in the title or on the cover
    The Woman in Red by Diana Giovinazzo. Finished April 22
* A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow in the title or on the cover
    Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. Finished March 27
* A book with "Green" or any shade of Green in the title or on the cover
* A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown in the title or on the cover
* A book with "Black" or any shade of Black in the title or on the cover
    The Blackhouse by Peter May. Finished December 1
* A book with "White" or any shade of white in the title or on the cover
    Two White Queens and The One-Eyed Jack by Heidi Von Palleske. Finished May 12
* A book with any other colour in the title or on the cover (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, etc.)
* A book with a word or image that implies colour in the title or on the cover (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Shadow, Paint, Ink, etc.)
    The Blondes by Emily Schultz. Finished January 4

Wrap-Up of Novelist Reading Challenge for 2021

 Novelist Reading Challenge 

I definitely got sidetracked from this one, and didn't complete as many as I'd hoped. I had trouble with the TV one, as I don't really watch television, and although I did start reading a pandemic book, it felt too close to reality at the time, and I set it aside. 

Book Challenge Beginners  

  • Read an own voices memoir. (Tip: search for AP own voices AND GN autobiographies and memoirs to find titles) The Poetry of Strangers by Brian Sonia-Wallace. Finished July 23
  • Read a novel with an unreliable narrator.  In Another Light by A.J. Banner. Finished December 22.
  • Read a book described as being gritty, atmospheric, or having a strong sense of place.  Snow by John Banville. Finished February 4
  • Read a historical novel that takes place anytime except during World War II.  Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. Finished February 5
  • Read a romantic comedy by a BIPOC author.  Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson. Finished April 29
  • Read a book recommended by a NoveList staff member.  (Tip: Browse through our NoveList Staff Faves Recommended Reads list)  Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. Finished February 5 [on recommended list of Amie Reno]
  • Read a book recommended for fans of a TV show you like.  
  • Read a book that features a global pandemic.  
  • Read a book recommended by someone who works at your local library.  
  •  Read a book described as feel-good, heartwarming, or hopeful.  Twenty-One Wishes by Debbie Macomber. Finished February 9
  •  Read a graphic novel with minimally colored illustrations.  
  •  Listen to an audiobook featuring multiple narrators.  

Book Challenge Afficionados

  •  Read a locked room mystery.  
  •  Read an epistolary novel.  
  •  Read a short story collection written by a woman.  Season of Fury and Wonder by Sharon Butala. Finished March 28
  •  Read a speculative novel with the theme “Vengeance is mine.”  
  •  Read a novel by a trans author.  (Tip: Search AG transgender
  •  Read a book with an unconventional or nonlinear storyline.  Tell Me Everything by Cambria Brockman. Finished February 17
  •  Read a book selected as a best of 2020 title by NoveList staff.  Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Finished November 30
  •  Read a book that is an adaptation, retelling, or spin-off of a classic.  If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy. Finished June 11
  •  Read a nonfiction book about antiracism.  
  •  Read a book about celebrating identity. (Tip: Search TH celebrating identity
  •  Read a book starring a main character with a disability.  Float Plan by Trish Doller. Finished February 27
  •  Read a book that has been or will be made into a movie.  Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Finished January 28

Wrap-Up of 2021 Book Bingo Reading Challenge

 Book Bingo hosted here: https://carolinabooknook.wordpress.com/2021-challenges/book-bingo-2021/

I achieved two Bingo lines for this challenge.


Bingo card:


In Support of Indie Publishers:  Victory Colony, 1950 by Bhaswati Ghosh. Finished January 3
A Book You've Been Meaning to Read but Haven't: The Blondes by Emily Schultz. Finished January 4
The Start of a Series: What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan. Finished January 5 (Jim Clemo, #1)
Herstory: Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce. Finished January 10
Your Choice: Her Aussie Holiday by Stefanie London. Finished January 13
A Book that Everyone Has Been Talking About. The Push by Ashley Audrain. Finished January 22
A Book Where a Dancer is a Protagonist: The Other Me by Saskia Sarginson. Finished January 31
Once Upon a Time: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. Finished February 5
Hobby Lobby: Improper Cross-Stitch by Haley Pierson-Cox. Finished February 6
In Love with the Typography on the Cover: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams. Finished February 12
A Book by an Author from My Country: Midnight Cab by James W. Nichol. Finished February 18
A Book by a South Asian Author: Your Truth or Mine? by Trisha Sakhlecha. Finished March 14
Ravaged by War: The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally. Finished March 18
A Book Released in 2021: Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. Finished March 27
Special Interest: Double-Running or Back-Stitch by Louisa F. Pesel. Finished May 6
An Eagerly Anticipated Release: If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy. Finished June 11
Recommended by your favourite blogger (or friend): The Dutch Wife by Eric McCormack. Finished June 13
A Genre You Don't Normally Read: It's Getting Scot in Here by Suzanne Enoch. Finished October 26

Wrap-Up of A-Z Reading Challenge 2021

 A-Z Reading Challenge. I did pretty good on this one, only missing X and Z for it.

I also did most of the monthly mini-challenges, except for the three spring months. 


It is hosted: https://bookstacksngoldenmoms.com/2021-atoz-reading-challenge/

The challenge is to read a book starting with each letter of the alphabet.

Armadillo by William Boyd. Finished January 7
The Blondes by Emily Schultz. Finished January 4
Chances Are by Kellie Coates Gilbert. Finished March 25
The Dog Who Saved Me by Susan Wilson. Finished January 16
Everything At Last by Kimberly Lang. Finished April 7
Float Plan by Trish Doller. Finished February 27
Gravity Is the Thing by Jaclyn Moriarty. Finished March 14
Hearts of Stone by Simon Scarrow. Finished January 3
Improper Cross-Stitch by Haley Pierson-Cox. Finished February 6
Juliet's Answer by Glenn Dixon. Finished April 8
Keep Saying Their Names by Simon Stranger. Finished December 9
L  The Lost Love Song by Minnie Darke. Finished February 13
Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce. Finished January 10
Nowhere Is a Place by Bernice McFadden. Finished February 2
The Other Me by Saskia Sarginson. Finished January 31
The Push by Ashley Audrain. Finished January 22
Quakeland by Kathryn Miles. Finished August 29
Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane. Finished February 16
Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruley. Finished January 16
Twenty-One Wishes by Debbie Macomber. Finished February 9
The Usual Santas. Finished January 16
V  Victory Colony, 1950 by Bhaswati Ghosh, Finished January 3
What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan. Finished January 5
X
Your Truth or Mine? by Trisha Sakhlecha. Finished March 14
Z

Here are the mini-challenges: 
JANUARY – A book you purchased in 2020 but didn’t read
    Her Aussie Holiday by Stefanie London. Finished January 13

FEBRUARY – A book with non-romantic love (siblings, parent-child, friendships)
    Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane. Finished February 16
MARCH – A book written by a person of a different race than you
    Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. Finished March 27
APRIL – A book with an Autistic main character (April is Autism Awareness)
MAY – A book about a nurse (Nat. Nurses Week 2021 is May 6-12)
JUNE – A co-written book (2 authors)
JULY – A Christmas book (Christmas in July!)
    Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah. Finished July 9
AUGUST – A book by an Indie author (self-published or independent)
    By the Light of the Crescent Moon by Ailsa Keppie. Finished August 26
SEPTEMBER – A memoir/biography
    This Is The Night Our House Will Catch Fire by Nick Flynn. Finished September 3
OCTOBER – A book written by a new-to-you author
    The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie. Finished October 10
NOVEMBER – A book outside your normal genre
    Autumn Bridges by Kathryn Springer, Katie Ganshert, and Beth Vogt. Finished November 4
DECEMBER – A backlist title (published BEFORE Jan 1, 2021)
    The Blackhouse by Peter May. Finished December 1

Wrap-Up of What's In a Name Reading Challenge 2021

 What's in a Name Challenge

I completed this challenge in July, but somehow missed doing a post about it until now. 


It is hosted: https://carolinabooknook.wordpress.com/2020/12/26/whats-in-a-name-2021-sign-up/

Choose 6 books that have titles that contain a:

* One / 1
     Victory Colony, 1950 by Bhaswati Ghosh. Finished January 3 
* Doubled word 
    Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade. Finished June 8
* Reference to outer space
    The Last Stargazers by Emily Levesque. Finished May 18
* Possessive noun
    Swallow's Dance by Wendy Orr. Finished February 24
* Botanical word
    Heart of Palm by Laura Lee Smith. Finished June 5
* Article of clothing
    The Dress in the Window by Sofia Grant. Finished July 18

Wrap-Up of Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge 2021

 Pick Your Poison: 

Hosted here: http://gregoryroad.blogspot.com/2020/01/new-years-resolutions.html



There are a variety of levels. I aimed for Fortnightly level. I read the required number of books, but didn't manage to get one from each grouping. I always have trouble with ones around favourites, as I don't have definite favourites in authors, colours, etc. 


1.  Challenges: A Book about Overcoming Obstacles: Victory Colony, 1950 by Bhaswati Ghosh. Finished January 3 
2. Those Bodies: A Book with a Picture of the Ocean on the Cover: Hearts of Stone by Simon Scarrow. Finished January 3
3. TBR Burners: A Book That Has Been on Your TBR List More than a Year: The Blondes by Emily Schultz. Finished January 4
4. The Tools of Writing: A Paperback Book: What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan. Finished January 5
5. That Creepy Feeling: A Book with an Insect on the Cover: Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce. Finished January 10
6. TBR Burners: Anything You Want: Her Aussie Holiday by Stefanie London. Finished January 13
7. Picture This: A book by a journalist or news photographer. Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruley. Finished January 16
8. Shapes and Colours: A Book with a Shape on the Cover that Reminds You of a Rorschach Test. The Push by Ashley Audrain. Finished January 22
9. Reflections: A Book with a Mirror on the Cover: The Other Me by Saskia Sarginson. Finished January 31
10. Weather: A Book with the word "Snow" in the title: Snow by John Banville. Finished February 4
12. Drinking Game: A Book Title That Could Be a Drinking Game: Twenty-One Wishes by Debbie Macomber. Finished February 9
13. Reflections: A Memoir: Uncharted by Kim Brown Seely. Finished February 10
14. Shh: A Book with the word "secret" in the title: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams. Finished February 12
15. Occupations: A Book Written by a College Professor: Breathless by Nancy K. Miller. Finished February 14
16. Wildcards: A Book by Two or More Authors: The Deadly Hours by Susanna Kearsley, C.S. Harris, Anna Lee Huber and Christine Trent. Finished February 21
17. Borrowing: A Book Borrowed from the Library: Dig by A.S. King. Finished February 25
18. Wildcard: A Book Published in 2021: Float Plan by Trish Doller. Finished February 27
19. Challenges: A Book Over 500 Pages: The Brothers York by Thomas Penn. Finished March 5
20. That Creepy Feeling: A Horror Story or Thriller. Foe by Iain Reid. Finished March 6
21. Shapes and Colors: A Book with a Primarily Black Cover: The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman. Finished March 8
22. Favourites: A Book in Your Favourite Genre: Gravity Is the Thing by Jaclyn Moriarty. Finished March 14
23. Borrowing: A Book Written by an Author with a Pseudonym: Malice Aforethought by Francis Iles. Finished March 16 
24. Where You Sleep at Night: A Book with the Word "House" in the title: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. Finished March 18
25. Drinking Game: A Book with a Picture of an Alcoholic Beverage on the Cover: Finbar's Hotel by Dermot Bolger, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright, Hugo Hamilton, Jennifer Johnston, Joseph O'Connor, and Colm Toibin. Finished March 31
26. Ways to Die: A Book with a Knife on the Cover: Block 46 by Johana Gustawsson. Finished April 4
27. Shhh: A Book with a Peaceful Cover: Everything at Last by Kimberly Lang. Finished April 7
28. Those Bodies: A Book with a Dead Body on the Cover: The Blood Card by Elly Griffiths. Finished April 10
29. Make 'Em Laugh" A Book with a Pun in the Title: Worth the Weight by Mara Jacobs. Finished May 4
30. Crossing Boundaries: A Book about an Interracial Romance: Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory. Finished May 14
31. Occupations: A Book about a Scientist. The Last Stargazers by Emily Levesque. Finished May 18
32. Borrowing: A Book with a Character from a Different Book: Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams. Finished May 22 (This is the third in a series, so several characters were in the previous books)
33. Weather: A Book with a Picture of Clear Blue Sky on the Cover: Heart of Palm by Laura Lee Smith. Finished June 5
34. Bringing the World Into Your Home: A Book about Taking in a Stranger: The Dutch Wife by Eric McCormack. Finished June 13
35. Borrowing: A Fairytale or Myth Retelling in a Modern Setting: If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy. Finished June 11 
36. Occupations: A Book about a Librarian or a Bookseller: The Widening Stain by W. Bolingbroke Johnson. Finished June 16
37. Bringing the World Into Your Home: A Book about Radio, Television, or the Internet has Changed Us: Because Internet by Gretchen McCulloch. Finished July 1
38. The Tools of Writing: A Book with a Typewriter on the Cover: The Poetry of Strangers by Brian Sonia-Wallace. Finished July 23
39. It's All Relative: A Book Set in Your Grandparents' Era: Hannah's War by Jan Eliasberg. Finished July 30.
40. Wildcards: A Collection of Essays: Crazy Salad by Nora Ephron. Finished August 10
41. Putting 2020 Behind Us: A Book Set After a Major World Event: Reset by Sarina Dahlan. Finished August 31
42. It's All Relative: A Book You'd Share with Your Child: Outside, You Notice by Erin Alladin, illustrated by Andrea Blinick. Finished September 3
43. Reflections: A Fiction Book about Reminiscing: Last Impressions by Joseph Kertes. Finished September 6
44. TBR Burners: A Book You're Excited to Read: Molly of the Mall by Heidi L.M. Jacobs. Finished September 17
45. Swashbuckling: A Book with a Map on the Cover: The Mapmaker's Dream by James Cowan. Finished October 15
46. Things We Don't Talk About: A Book About Oppression: The Book Collectors by Delphine Minoui. Finished October 16
47. Plaids: A Book with a Kilt on its Cover: It's Getting Scot in Here by Suzanne Enoch. Finished October 26
48. Things We Don't Talk About: A Book About Terminal Illness. Crow by Amy Spurway. Finished October 28
49. The Tools of Writing: A Book with "Words" in the Title: The Saddest Words by Michael Gorra. Finished November 9
50. Shapes and Colors: A Book by an Author Whose Name is a Color: Easy Crafts for the Insane by Kelly Williams Brown. Finished November 12
51. Plaids: A Book written by Someone from Scotland: The Blackhouse by Peter May. Finished December 1
52. Where You Sleep at Night: A Book About a Haunted House: Keep Saying Their Names by Simon Stranger. Finished December 8
53: Wildcard: A Book by an Author under 30: Dirty Work by Anna Maxymiw. Finished December 16

Wrap-Up of 2021 Aussie Author Reading Challenge

Aussie Author Reading Challenge

This challenge is hosted at: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/reading-challenges/aussie-author-challenge-2021-australian-writers-book-reviews

I went for the Wallaroo level again this year, and I met the challenge.

WALLAROO
Read and review 6 books written by Australian authors, of which at least 2 of those authors are female, at least 2 of those authors are male, and at least 2 of those authors are new to you; Fiction or non-fiction, at least 2 different genre.

1. Her Aussie Holiday by Stefanie London. Finished January 13 (female, new to me)
2. The Lost Love Song by Minnie Darke. Finished February 13 (female)
3. Gravity Is the Thing by Jaclyn Moriarty. Finished March 14 (female, new to me)
4. The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally. Finished March 21 (male, new to me)
5. Shiver by Allie Reynolds. Finished March 18 (female, new to me)
6. The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton. Finished September 7 (female)
7. The Mapmaker's Dream by James Cowan. Finished October 15 (male, new to me)