It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Not only is it Monday, but it's the last day of 2018, too! What better day to sit back and take a look at what we'll all be reading this week to end the old year and start the new.

And just between us, I could not be happier to see the end of 2018 — not the worst year I've seen, but not much about it I really want to remember, either. So I'm definitely ready for a shiny new year and lots of great books to read.

This week, though, I'm actually going to be finishing up one of the books I started this month....

Educated: A Memoir, by Tara Westover (Random House, February 2018)

Since I have more than half the book to go, I'm counting it as my first read of 2019. Then if I actually get that finished (and that's very iffy — I have some dental adventures coming up this week), I'll be moving on to an ARC of a book that's coming out next month....

The Water Tower Club, by B.K. Mayo (Fir Valley Press, January 2019)

And that should be enough to keep me occupied for a week. Especially this week, with dentist visits to get through, and Christmas decorations to take down and store away. (Yes, we always leave everything up until after the New Year.) But we've got some nasty winter weather predicted for later in the week — terrible for getting out and about, but great for curling up with a good book.

So, happy reading and a Happy New Year, everyone!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. If you want to let the world know what you're going to be reading this week, head on over to her blog and leave your link. It's also a great way to discover new books and new blogs.

Wrapping Up 2018: The Rest of the Challenges

2018 is FINALLY over! Well, almost, anyway. And since it's pretty unlikely I'll be doing a huge amount of reading over the next couple of days, I guess it's time to go ahead and wrap up the last few un-wrapped-up reading challenges I had going during the year. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

2018 Family Tree Reading Challenge

Host: Becky @ Becky's Book Reviews
Dates: January - December 2018
See my original post about the challenge HERE.

The goal of the challenge was to read a book from the birth year of each of your selected family members (at least three). I planned to read four books, corresponding to the birth years of my four cousins — 1949, 1950, 1952, and 1960 — but only managed two (1950 and 1960):

1. A Murder Is Announced (Miss Marple #5). Agatha Christie (pub. June 1950)
2. Give the Boys a Great Big Hand (87th Precinct #11). Ed McBain (pub. 1960) 

Even though I didn't make it to the finish line, it was still a fun challenge and I'm giving some thought to signing up for next year's version (see guidelines and sign-ups here). Thanks to Becky for hosting!

2018 Nonfiction Reading Challenge

Host: Katie @ Doing Dewey
Dates: January - December 2018
See my original post about the challenge HERE.

For this one, participants set their own goals. I hoped to read at least four books, but only managed two, and only reviewed one of those:

1. Balthus: Cats and Girls. Sabine Rewald (2013; art/art history; 176 pages)
2. Just Kids. Patti Smith (2010; memoir; 304 pages)

Another enjoyable challenge, even though (again) I didn't do as well as I'd have liked. Thanks so much to Katie for hosting. (She's hosting the Nonfiction Challenge again for 2019. Click HERE for guidelines and signups.)

2018 Picture Book Reading Challenge

Host: Becky @ Becky's Book Reviews

Dates: January - December 2018

See my original post about the challenge HERE.

The goal of the 2018 Picture Book Reading Challenge was "To have adults read more picture books," and there was a minimum of six books. I went with Becky's option to use her checklist for coming up with selections, and read these six books:

1. Checklist #10. Author beginning with E: Feathers for Lunch, by Lois Ehlert (1996; illus. by author)
2. Checklist #34. Title beginning with R: The Rabbit and the Shadow, by Mélanie Rutten (2013; illus. by author)
3. Checklist #40. Title or Author beginning with U: Umbrella, by Taro Yashima (1958; illus. by author)
4. Checklist #70. a book set in the past – fiction or nonfiction: The Gardener, by Sarah Stewart; illus. by David Small (fiction; set in 1930s, during the Great Depression)
5. Checklist #77. one word title: Golem, by David Wisniewski (1996; illus. by author)
6. Checklist #104. Picture book published in 2018: Outside My Window, by Linda Ashman; illus. by Jamey Christoph

I love reading children's lit, so this is always one of my favorite challenges. Thanks so much to Becky for hosting. She'll be hosting a new edition of the challenge in 2019 — click HERE for guidelines, checklists, and signups.

AND, I think that's it. Now it's time to get ready for all those brand new reading challenges out there. Hoping to do sooo much better next year. As usual.

Happy New Year, everyone! And Happy Reading in 2019!

2018 Monthly Key Word Challenge: The Wrap-Up

2018 Monthly Key Word Challenge

Host: Bev @ My Reader's Block
Dates: Throughout 2018
See my original post about the challenge HERE.

I loved this challenge!

The goal was to read at least one book each month, with a title that includes one or more of that month's key words, and I actually did manage to read a qualifying book every month. In fact, in May I read two! Somewhere along the line I stopped doing reviews, so in that respect I was sort of a failure. But I really enjoyed finding the books every month — and, of course reading the books (some more than others) — and I'm hugely grateful to Bev for hosting. Haven't decided about joining next year's challenge (click here for details and sign-ups), but I'm definitely considering it. Anyway, here's what I read:

List of Monthly Key Words:

My Reading List:

JANUARY:
• If Morning Ever Comes. Anne Tyler (See Review)

FEBRUARY:
• Miss Zukas and the Library Murders (Miss Zukas #1). Jo Dereske (See Review)

MARCH:
• Give the Boys a Great Big Hand (87th Precinct #11). Ed McBain (See Review)

APRIL:
• Time Out of Joint. Philip K. Dick (See Review)

MAY:
• At the Mountains of Madness. H.P. Lovecraft (See Review)
• Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels. Katherine Anne Porter (See Review)

JUNE:
• When You Reach Me. Rebecca Stead (See Review)

JULY:
• The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot #6). Agatha Christie (See Review)

AUGUST:
• The Dead House. Billy O'Callaghan (See Review)

SEPTEMBER:
• Call for the Dead (George Smiley #1). John le Carré (See Review)

OCTOBER:
• The Night She Died (Inspector Thanet #1). Dorothy Simpson

NOVEMBER:
• Broomsticks Over Flaxborough (Flaxborough Chronicles #7). Colin Watson

DECEMBER:
• The Red Book of Primrose House (Potting Shed Mystery #2). Marty Wingate

Back to the Classics Challenge 2019

Hosted by: Karen K @ Books and Chocolate
Dates: 1 January - 31 December, 2019

Click here for full guidelines and sign-ups.

I really thought I'd finished signing up for next year's reading challenges, but you know how it is.

This year I read almost nothing but whodunnits and thrillers. Nothing wrong with that, of course — but I'd like to read some of the classic lit I've always intended to read but just never got around to. So, here I go again....

The 2019 Back to the Classics Challenge is composed of twelve categories. I probably won’t plan to complete all twelve, but I think I should be able to manage six. And at the moment, I'm thinking I might choose from these:

1. 19th Century Classic - Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë

2. 20th Century Classic - Where Angels Fear to Tread, by E.M. Forster

3. Classic By a Female Author - Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell

4. Classic in Translation - Demian, by Hermann Hesse

5. Classic Comic Novel - The Code of the Woosters, by P.G. Wodehouse

6. Classic Tragic Novel - The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton

7. Very Long Classic - The Wings of the Dove, by Henry James

8. Classic Novella - The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka

9. Classic From the Americas (includes the Caribbean) - Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys

10. Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania (includes Australia) - The Grass Is Singing, by Doris Lessing (Africa)

11. Classic From a Place You've Lived - Horseman, Pass By, by Larry McMurtry (Texas)

12. Classic Play - Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde

But those plans are definitely subject to change, and I’ve got a long list of alternate choices over on my challenge blog. And that’s where I’ll track my progress during the year.

Book Beginnings: The Appleton Case

The Appleton Case, by Diana Xarissa (2015). These are the first lines of Chapter 1:

"Where are we exactly?" Joan asked in a calm voice.
"We're right here," Janet answered, waving the map in the air. "At least I think we are."

About the Book:

The Markham sisters — Janet and Joan — have just purchased a small bed and breakfast in Derbyshire. But very soon after acquiring Doveby House, Janet finds herself doing some sleuthing. Just how did the previous owner, Margaret Appleton, die? Margaret's son isn't happy that he was left out of his mother's will, but what's he so desperate to get inside Doveby House to find? And are there really ghosts in Janet's bedroom, the library and the coach house? 

Initial Thoughts:

I love that opening because it sounds so much like the hubby and myself when we're traveling. I'm really bad at directions, never know where we are, and have a terrible time reading maps. And yet I'm always the one doing the navigating.

I picked up this cozy mystery mainly because I needed an author whose last name starts with X for one of the Library Thing challenges I've got going. Never have read anything by Diana Xarissa before, but so far I'm enjoying this one. It's the first book in a series, which is nice since I usually jump into a series in the middle and have trouble figuring out relationships, etc.

And it's very short — just over 100 pages — so should be a quick read. Which is also good, since I'm still several books away from my 50-book goal for this year and still hoping to get there.

How about you? Do you do much reading during the holidays? Or have you abandoned all things bookish for all things merry-merry? I usually don't get a lot of reading done during December, but I'm hoping to improve on my record this year....so, back to the books.

Happy Friday, everyone! And have a lovely weekend.

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday.  As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc.  It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.

Print Only 2019 Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Tina @ As Told By Tina
Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2019

Click here for guidelines and sign-ups.

Goal of the challenge: To read as many physical books as you can. These can be books you’ve purchased, been sent, or borrowed. As long as it's a physical book, then it counts.

************

I have thousands of print books in my house. Real, physical books. I love 'em. I'm addicted to them. Love the way they smell and the way the paper feels in my hand. But more and more I just don't read physical, printed books. In fact, this year only eight of the books I read were actual physical books — the major part of my reading was done on various e-readers.

Now, I don't think there's anything wrong with e-readers. In fact, I love them too. And I do believe I read much faster on them than I do when I'm reading paper books. But I don't want to abandon print for electronic, and that looks like where I'm headed.

So the Print Only Reading Challenge has come along at a really good time. I'm signing up at Level One ("Out of Print" / 1-10 books), but would really love to do a little better than that. During the year I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists on my challenge blog (HERE).

2019 European Reading Challenge

Host: Rose City Reader
Dates: January 1, 2019 - January 31, 2020

Click HERE for guidelines and sign-ups.

Signing up for the 2019 European Reading Challenge, hosted by Gilion over at her Rose City Reader blog — always one of my favorite challenges. For 2019 I'm stretching just a teensy bit and signing up at the Four-Star Level ("Honeymooner") — four books. During the year, I'll be tracking my progress over on my challenge blog.

2019 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge

Hosted by: Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!
 and Barb @ Booker T's Farm

Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2019

Click here for all the guidelines and sign-ups.

Always one of my favorite challenges. So happy to see it back for next year.

For the 2018 challenge I signed up at the basic level ("Amateur Sleuth" / 5-15 books), and actually read a few more books than I thought I could manage. So in 2019 I'm signing up at the second level — "Detective" (16-25 books) — and hoping to get to 25 books that qualify.

I read a lot of mysteries — they're probably my favorite type of fiction. Even so, I'm such a slow reader, 25 books might be pushing it a little. But it's supposed to be a challenge, right?

During the year, I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

Wrapping Up 2018: Reading Challenges (Part 1)

I know December is just getting started, but it's such a busy month, I really don't know how much time I can expect to have for reading. So I'm going to go ahead and wrap up a few of the reading challenges I've had going in 2018. As usual, I didn't do as well as I'd hoped -- I did get some reading done but didn't get a lot of reviews written. I could go into all the reasons, but that would drain years from all our lives. So, without further ado....

1. 2018 European Reading Challenge.

This was hosted by Gilion @ Rose City Reader, and I signed up for a total of three books (the "Business Traveler" level). Here's what I read, with links to a couple of reviews:

1. United Kingdom: How to Be Human. Paula Cocozza
2. Ireland / Irish Author: The Dead House. Billy O'Callaghan
3. Italy: A Long Time Coming. Aaron Elkins (set in Milan)

If I had to choose a favorite from these three, I think it would be How to Be Human. A real surprise and not at all what I was expecting. Actually, all of the authors were new to me, and I enjoyed them all. That's one of the things I like about these reading challenges -- the little nudge they give me to try new things.


2. 2018 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.

Hosted by Amy @ Passages to the Past. My goal was five books ("Victorian Reader"), and I managed to get six read, but didn't review them all. My list:

1. Holmes Entangled. Gordon McAlpine (2018; set in early 20th Century)
2. The Cottingley Secret. Hazel Gaynor (2017; set in early 20th Century)
3. Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels. Katherine Anne Porter (1939; pre-WWI setting)
4. When You Reach Me. Rebecca Stead (2009; set in 1970s) 
5. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael #1). Ellis Peters (1977; set in Medieval Wales)
6. A Shadow on the Wall. Jonathan Aycliffe (2000; set in Victorian England)

Of the group, I'd probably pick A Shadow on the Wall as my favorite (nice and spooky), but I enjoyed all the others too. Hard to believe I've gone this long without reading one of the Brother Cadfael books, but now I've got another mystery series started.


3. 2018 Mount TBR Reading Challenge.

This annual challenge is hosted by Bev @ My Reader's Block. I signed up at the first level ("Pike's Peak") and wanted to read at least 12 books from my various must-read stacks and shelves. I did pretty well, and actually read 15 books, although I didn't get them all reviewed. What I read:

1. Five Children and It. E. Nesbit 
2. Just Kids. Patti Smith 
3. A Murder Is Announced (Miss Marple #5). Agatha Christie  
4. Vintage Murder (Roderick Alleyn #5). Ngaio Marsh 
5. Time Out of Joint. Philip K. Dick 
6. The Cottingley Secret. Hazel Gaynor 
7. The Quiet American. Graham Greene  
8. Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels. Katherine Anne Porter 
9. At the Mountains of Madness. H.P. Lovecraft 
10. When You Reach Me. Rebecca Stead 
11. The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot #6). Agatha Christie 
12. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael #1). Ellis Peters 
13. The Night She Died (Inspector Thanet #1). Dorothy Simpson 
14. Last Bus to Woodstock (Inspector Morse #1). Colin Dexter 
15. Last Seen Wearing (Inspector Morse #2). Colin Dexter 

Some really good stuff there, and it would be hard to pick a favorite. I'm very happy the challenge gave me the push I needed to get back to the Inspector Thanet and Inspector Morse books, a couple of the mystery series I've read and enjoyed in the past.

..........

I have a few more challenges I need to wrap up, but I'll save that for a later post. Thanks so much to all the hosts for keeping these going, and to all the other participants for giving me lots of great ideas about what to read next.

2019 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

To sign up:
See the Challenge announcement/sign-up post HERE.

Host: Amy @ Passages to the Past
Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2019

Guidelines:

• Choose your level.
• Read any sub-genre of historical fiction (Historical Romance, Historical Mystery, Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, etc.)
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• There will be a monthly link for reviews.

Levels:

1. 20th Century Reader - 2 books
2. Victorian Reader - 5 books
3. Renaissance Reader - 10 books
4. Medieval - 15 books
5. Ancient History - 25 books
6. Prehistoric - 50+ books

My goal: "Victorian Reader" (5 books).

During the year I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2019 Picture Book Reading Challenge

See the Announcement/Sign-up post HERE.

Host: Becky @ Becky's Book Reviews

Dates: January - December 2019

Goal: "To have adults read more picture books.
To celebrate the fact that picture books are for everyone!"

Minimum number of books: Six

Option 1: Read six picture books of your choice.
Option 2: Read at least six books from one of the checklists on the announcement page.


I'll be signing up for Option 1, but hope to read more than six picture books. During the year I'll be tracking my progress and keeping all my lists over on my challenge blog (HERE).

2018 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge: The Wrap-Up

The 2018 Cloak and Dagger Challenge was hosted by Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and Barb @ Booker T's Farm. I signed up at the "Amateur Sleuth" level (5-15 books) and actually read 15 books that qualified for the challenge. Didn't manage to get them all reviewed, but that's not unusual for me — I'll still be trying to add a few more reviews before the end of the year.

Books I read for the challenge (with links to reviews):

1. Intruder in the Dark (Chief Inspector Littlejohn #43). George Bellairs (1966; police procedural)
2. A Murder Is Announced (Miss Marple #5). Agatha Christie (1950; mystery)
3. Vintage Murder (Roderick Alleyn #5). Ngaio Marsh (1937; police procedural)
4. My Sister's Bones. Nuala Ellwood (2017; psychological thriller)
5. Miss Zukas and the Library Murders (Miss Zukas #1). Jo Dereske (1994; cozy mystery, amateur sleuth)
6. Coffin, Scarcely Used (Flaxborough Mysteries #1). Colin Watson (1958; police procedural)
7. Holmes Entangled. Gordon McAlpine (2018; mystery; historical mystery)
8. Give the Boys a Great Big Hand (87th Precinct #11). Ed McBain (1960; police procedural)
9. Murder in the Meadow (DI Hillary Greene #7). Faith Martin (2008; police procedural; originally published as Beside a Narrow Stream)
10. Tailspin. Sandra Brown (2018; romantic suspense; thriller)
11. The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot #6). Agatha Christie (1928; mystery)
12. A Long Time Coming. Aaron Elkins (2018; mystery; art-related)
13. Last Song Sung (Cullen & Cobb #3). David A. Poulsen (2018; mystery; private investigator)
14. Call for the Dead (George Smiley #1). John le Carré (1961; mystery/espionage)
15. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael #1). Ellis Peters (1977; mystery; historical mystery)

Of the fifteen, I think my favorite was probably A Murder Is Announced — I love Miss Marple!

Thanks so much to the challenge hosts. This is always one of my favorite challenges.