Challenge: 50 Books discussion

I took a few years off from the challenge but since increasing reading has been one of my goals for the last year, I thought this would be a fun way to get going! And, this has always been a fun challenge and way to increase reading in prior years. While I think 50 is ambitious for me, I would be pleased and proud to read half of that! :)

1. The Woman in Blue
2. The Chalk Pit - Great addition to the series that I have grown to depend on to get me out of reading slumps. It felt like a nice return to the earlier books while progressing the characters and plot lines.
3. The Nightingale - In Progress

Emma wrote: "I took a few years off from the challenge but since increasing reading has been one of my goals for the last year, I thought this would be a fun way to get going! And, this has always been a fun ch..."

Good luck, Emma, and welcome back!

3. The Nightingale - A harrowing read that details the dark day-to-day existence of French women in WWII. This was something in my education I felt I missed - the history, impact, and involvement of France and especially the day-to-day impact that war and Nazi occupation had on those at home.

4. When Gods Die - Well, Goodreads said I read this back in 2012, but it must not have made much of an impression since it took me until page 200 to realize it sounded familiar. I finished it for a second time, but it's not a book I'd deliberately read twice. While a solid installment to the series, if you're not in-the-know on 1800's England and history, it's often hard to follow the names and details.

5. Sharpe Mind Got this as a free Kindle book and didn't realize it was the third in the series. But it was pretty good so I'm going back to Book 1. It was light and a cozy mystery (by my standards) so made for a nice read while watching the rain this week.

6. Sharpe Shooter - I don't know what it is about this series, but I've really taken to it. It's a nice escape after a long day or in between tasks. I like the characters and the town and while it's cutesy at times, it's not nauseating. I don't like that it's gone from $.99 to $2.99 for the rest of the series....

7. Sharpe Edge - Another good one! I must be in need of an escape a lot this month...

8. Sharpe Turn - Yep, another. And still good!

I tried to pick up The Walworth Beauty today for a change of pace, but I found myself missing Deena Sharpe and the mysteries she falls into! After 10 pages, I went back to my Kindle and bought the next in the series....

9. Sharpe Point

10. Not the Killing Type I love this series but this one bugged me a lot. There was so much emphasis on weight, eating, and the mystery revolved around Chubby Chasers. Felt weird....

In Progress
The Lying Game For my bookclub
Sharpe Cookie

11. Sharpe Cookie

12. The Lying Game I probably would not have picked this book up if it weren't for book club...and I would have missed out! I loved her style, I loved the setting as a character of its own, and just the right amount of resolution in the end to not feel like it was tied up too neatly. I'll be checking out her other 2 books soon!

13. Cloche and Dagger A very cute series. Likable characters, witty dialogue, and great setting!

In progress - Lilac Girls and Death of a Mad Hatter (to balance it out :)).

14. Death of a Mad Hatter Love this series!

15. Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay This was a super cute read and I really like Jill Mansell's style. It was chick lit but it wasn't too syrupy or annoying. And it tied up nicely without feeling forced. I will definitely read more of hers!

In progress Surprise Me Liking it so far although the complex Sylvie has around her father is getting a bit tiresome.

16. Surprise Me A nice read with a little twist at the end. Easy reading.

17. Mini Shopaholic Finished this on audio, which enhanced the experience, I think. Very funny and a sweet ending.

In progress -
A Wilder Rose I'm really getting immersed in this book. Wittig Albert does a wonderful job of infusing the emotion of the character with the setting (both time and place).
The Husband's Secret Listening on audio for my bookclub. So far, it's interesting with the parallel story lines. Interested to see how/if they come together.

18. A Wilder Rose I love this book! It was so well written that I was sunk into it every time after just a few paragraphs. I could feel everything she felt, which is the mark of a great writer.

19. At the Drop of a Hat I will be sad to see this series end, but at least I have 3 more books!

Still reading The Husband's Secret and started The Wedding Date . Not what I expected, but still entertaining.

20. Assault & Beret This was the last one in the series! I thought I had a couple more to go but alas, it was not to be. But! I did accidentally skip a book so I am catching up on Copy Cap Murder .

I'll admit, I had no idea how I would do this year but I am pretty happy with my progress so far.

Still working on my Book Club books, The Husband's Secret and The Wedding Date .
Headed out on vacation in a couple days and I think I may take Tumbleweeds .
Any suggestions for great vacation book? They don't necessarily have to be summer or beach reads, but good stories to sink into?

21. The Clockmaker's Daughter Now my favorite book. Atmospheric, affecting, soulful. I got completely lost in this one.

22. Destination: Simple - Rituals and Rhythms for a Simpler Daily Life The edition I have has a more beautiful cover, but this was a very quick, succinct read with a clear, SIMPLE plan for simplifying that also has plenty of flexibility and customization. I also enjoyed the brief chapter at the end where she discusses the myth that is "balance."

23. The Lake House Ahh, Kate Morton... :)

Currently reading The Dark Angel My go-to summer series, so glad this just came out!

Next up Still Life This series has been on my TBR list for over a decade. I think it's time to get started! But why is book 2 so hard to find in libraries...? I am already anticipating needing it on hand. :)

24. The Dark Angel Still loving this series. Wish it wasn't always such a quick read tho. :(

25. Still Life For a first book, the mystery didn't draw me in and the characters were a bit flat. I went on to the second book because I was ensured by everyone that it gets better.

26. A Fatal Grace And it does. The mystery in this one was way more intriguing although the murderer was a bit obvious. The character development was good and I liked that Three Pines featured again. I am not sure the trajectory of the series and if all the books take place here (that's a lot of murder for one small town!) but if they do I'll be happy. :)

27. The Cruelest Month So far the setting and characters keep intriguing me. Different characters are highlighted each time, getting to know the "townspeople" more intimately with each book. I now know what the hype is about.

28. A Rule Against Murder It took me a while to get through this one and I think it's because the family dynamics and the psychological warfare they played against each other was a lot to process some days. :)

29. Artemis I would not have picked this up on my own but read for a Book Club and actually really enjoyed it! I felt like it was written for readers skeptical or unsure of science fiction because although it included scientific descriptions and explanations most of it was done kind of flippantly and with the protagonist giving the layman's terms.
The only thing that bothered me was the fact that the main character was so obviously written by a man, and not very well. It seemed like she was more of a man's fantasy than someone that would actually exist. But that was minor and the story was still enjoyable.

30. A Killer Crop This was a fun, cozy fall mystery to break up my reading of Radium Girls. I always have to suspend belief when reading dialogue of Sheila Connolly's characters, but the mystery was interesting and I like the harvest/apple picking/autumn atmosphere of the story.

In Progress - The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women Another book that I wouldn't have picked up without the urging of my Book Club but one that I am glad I did! It is a topic I never even knew about and reads a bit like fiction, so it's "enjoyable" (as enjoyable as reading about jaw bones falling out can be). Enlightening so far and reminds me of so many health crises we have going on today in terms of industry and money-making versus health of the people.

31. Her Royal Spyness I forgot about this quick mystery I read a couple weeks ago. It was pretty good, I liked the main character and it was a nice twist on the set up and background of the character. The mystery was a bit light, but it was entertaining.

32. A Royal Pain The second in the series. Again, light on the mystery, but still amusing. I'll probably come back to these when I need a light read.

33. The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women Very good read and not one I would have picked up on my own.

34. Prose and Cons Nice for the fall weather!

35. Crime and Poetry

36. Dead and Berried Also nice for fall!

37. Literally Dead

38. Literally Murder

39. Literally Gone

40. Deeply Holistic: A Guide to Intuitive Self-Care--Know Your Body, Live Consciously, and Nurture Your Spirit

41. How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease

42. The Whole Foods Diet: The Lifesaving Plan for Health and Longevity

43. A Simple Favor

Currently Reading:
Winter Stroll
Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition

44. Winter Stroll

45. Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition

46. Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care

47. Nutrition Counseling and Education Skill Development

Currently Reading
Winter Storms

48. Winter Storms

49. The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force That Undermines Health and Happiness

50. The Postnatal Depletion Cure: A Complete Guide to Rebuilding Your Health and Reclaiming Your Energy for Mothers of Newborns, Toddlers, and Young Children

51. A Little Bit of Mindfulness: An Introduction to Being Present

Whew! I didn't know if I was going to make it this year, but wonders never cease! I loved almost every book I read this year and found some real treasures. I also stepped out of my comfort zone with a few and ended up being exposed to some great reads.

Emma wrote: "Whew! I didn't know if I was going to make it this year, but wonders never cease! I loved almost every book I read this year and found some real treasures. I also stepped out of my comfort zone with a few and ended up being exposed to some great reads."

Ooh, congratulations! Sounds like a successful year!

Managed to sneak in 1 more before the end of the year!

52. Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford - LOVED it! It's staying on my bedside for a bit while I incorporate it into my life.