Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges (Formerly GXO) discussion

OCTOBER - Murder or Magic

"Read a murder mystery book or a magical realism book."

--- 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 #monthlymotifgxo

--- 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 #monthlymotifgxo

I’ll be reading Revelator by Daryl Gregory. Actually buying this one, want to share it with my daughter, who got me started on a podcast called “Old Gods of Appalachia”. It is a creepy tale of mysterious events and strange beliefs in the backwoods of hills and mines. This sounds similar in tone, hoping it’s good!

October Challenge Complete:

I highly recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune.

My review can be found here.

https://gilda-elise.livejournal.com/2...

Challenge Completed!

I read Ghost of a Potion by Heather Blake.
This is the 3rd book in the cozy mystery series Magic Potion.
I love the "Witches" in this series. There are both dark and light magic by two cousins who have a developing relationship with each book. Of course, these are cozy mysteries, so it's not like it is a dark storyline/plot. Just enough magic to keep the story entertaining. Highly recommend this series to any cozy lover who likes the paranormal.

Challenge completed!

I read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. I really enjoyed this one-- lot's of suspense, well-written characters, and a page turner.

Challenge complete!

I read The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie. (I'm trying to read my way through the Poirot series.) I enjoyed this book. It has more than the usual number of twists.

Challenge complete!
Read The Revelator by Daryl Gregory
An interesting supernatural tale with some good creep value, along with some lessons on the hazards of those misguided folks trying to use a religion for personal gain. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

I read The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. Although the paranormal aspect of the narrative felt underdeveloped, I didn’t mind it at all. I liked how the characters and the psychological tension surrounding their secrets and true intentions were built up. The dual perspective (now-then) aided this process very well. It was a deliciously moody read with an open and bittersweet ending. Unfortunately the pace was uneven throughout and I wasn’t really surprised at how the story unfolded. Still 4/5 stars from me because of the lingeringly dark atmosphere.

Niki wrote: "CHALLENGE COMPLETE

I read The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. Although the paranormal aspect of the narrative felt underdeveloped, I didn’t mind it at all. I liked how the ch..."

Niki- Your review is exactly how I felt about the book. Loved it but it could have been better because of the reasons you listed above.

just lori wrote: "Challenge complete!

I read The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie. (I'm trying to read my way through the Poirot series.) I enjoyed this book. It has more than the usual number of twists."

Reading through all the Poirot books sounds fun!

Julia wrote: "Challenge completed!

I read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. I really enjoyed this one-- lot's of suspense, well-written characters, and a page turner."

I liked this one too but I'm not sure if I'll continue on in the series.

Cecil wrote: "Challenge complete!
Read The Revelator by Daryl Gregory
An interesting supernatural tale with some good creep value, along with some lessons on the hazards of those misguided folks ..."

Sounds interesting!

Tina wrote: "Challenge Completed!

I read Ghost of a Potion by Heather Blake.
This is the 3rd book in the cozy mystery series Magic Potion.
I love the "Witches" in this series. There are both dark and light mag..."

I used to read cozies all the time but haven't picked one up in awhile. I do love them so much. This series sounds like a lot of fun.

Gilda wrote: "October Challenge Complete:

I highly recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune.

My review can be found here.

https://gilda-elise.livejournal.com/2..."

Agree!! Soo good.

More Bedside Books wrote: "Picking the first book in the Turkish Delight mystery series The Kiss Murder by Mehmet Murat Somer which features a drag queen sleuth styled after Audrey Hepburn.

Fun and colorful!
..."

Love that! Sounds like a good pick.

I read The Library of the Dead which had a bit of murder and magic in it.

I read Pet Sematary by Stephen King.

Samantha wrote: "I read Pet Sematary by Stephen King."

I still have never read a Stephen King horror book.

CHALLENGE COMPLETE: Holly Black’s “Book of Night” This was a delightful read for magical realism. This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite genres.