Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges (Formerly GXO) discussion

NOVEMBER Key Words:

Again, Loud, Star, Stay, Air, When, Since, Race

--- Comment below with ---
(1) The name and author of the book you're reading for the challenge,
(2) CHALLENGE COMPLETE if you've finished reading the book.
(3) Did you like the book? What did you love (or not love) about it?! Let's help each other find great books to read!

Comment here or share your reads on social media with the hashtag #monthlykeywordgxo

Challenge Complete (2 books)
Keyword--Since
Title--Since We Fell
Author--Dennis Lehane
Mystery/thriller about a successful journalist who suffers from agoraphobia. The plot takes unexpected turns, but the protagonist Rachel seems almost an entirely different person in the last 3rd of the novel. Strong plot, so-so characterization.

Challenge Complete
Keyword--When
Title--When Breath Becomes Air
Author--Paul Kalanithi
Beautifully written memoir about finding meaning in life while facing death. One of my few 5 star ratings this year.

Challenge Complete
Key word: star
Title: Children of the Stars
Author: Mario Escobar

Story of young Jewish brothers escaping Paris, France during WWII. Not a bad book, but not the best I've read of the genre. It seemed too unrealistic, but I want to believe there were many French people helping Jews and others escape the Nazis.

I read Starry skies over the chocolate pot café and I loved it. It's the story of a lonely young woman who's been hurt by people close to her and bravely decides to finally let people in again. Some of the most wonderful scenes take place at Christmas, and the pain is offset by so much love and friendship. I'll be rereading this book.

The stars are fire by Anita Shreve ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Forgot to post my read for the month, challenge completed on November 26:
Word - Since
Book - Since We Fell by Dennis LeHane
Did not review, but it was almost a two part book, where the central character seemed VERY different from the first half to the second half. I enjoy a good twist, but the direction the book took towards the end was a bit of a stretch, considering where it started. Not what I would call a satisfying end.