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Archived Reading Challenges 2023 > Hidden Gems | December

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message 1: by Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator (new)

Andrea Cox (andreacox) | 6243 comments Mod
Welcome to this month's Hidden Gems challenge!

Hidden Gems is a fantastic way to plow through those mountains of books claiming space in your house or e-reader. I have found that this challenge produces some fun group interaction as well, because someone else chooses which book you’ll read next.

If you sign up, you'll be matched up with a Hidden Gems partner. You will choose a book from the list your partner designates which you have already read and cannot believe your partner hasn’t read yet. Your partner will do the same for you with the list you designate. The point is to find that “Hidden Gem” that you think they’ll love… because you adored it when you read it!

Let us know which books you choose for each other. When you finish reading your gem, let us know what you thought about it. Perhaps your Hidden Gem might find its way to someone else’s wish list!

Match-ups will be created on the 10th of the month. Please choose books for each other by the 13th.

Sign up by telling us which list you’d like your partner to choose from.

Happy reading, friends!


message 2: by Staci, Book Awards Specialist (new)

Staci | 3860 comments Mod
I'm in! Please choose 3-4 from my "want to read" and/or "tbr-physical-books" shelves.


message 3: by Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor (new)

Kate (liahonagirl) | 3519 comments Mod
I'm in! Please give me at least 2 options from my e-christmashg shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...


message 4: by Missy (new)

Missy | 935 comments I am in (even though I have yet to read my November HG)! Please choose 2-3 from my hidden gems shelf.


message 5: by Jenn (last edited Dec 01, 2023 07:20PM) (new)

Jenn | 591 comments I'm in! Please choose 3-4 titles from my christmas shelf.


message 6: by Deanne (new)

Deanne Patterson (cnnamongirlaolcom) | 33 comments Please choose 3-4 from my pick it for me shelf. Thank you.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...


message 7: by Karen (last edited Dec 07, 2023 12:38PM) (new)

Karen | 1310 comments I'm in! Please choose 4-5 titles from my books up next shelf

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...


message 8: by Brittany (new)

Brittany  | 546 comments I'm in! Please choose 3-4 books from my "temp read soon list"

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...


message 9: by Hanna (last edited Dec 03, 2023 12:24PM) (new)

Hanna | 95 comments Against my better judgment, I'll participate this month. If the Christmas season proves too hectic for reading, I'll just have to finish my Hidden Gem in January. ;)

Choose a couple from my Hidden Gems shelf.


message 10: by Sarita (new)

Sarita | 2287 comments I'm in. Please choose 3-4 book from any of my unread books.

To Read
To buy or borrow
To read kindle free
Reading next


message 12: by Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator (new)

Andrea Cox (andreacox) | 6243 comments Mod
Sign-ups are now closed. Match-ups are being created.


message 13: by Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator (new)

Andrea Cox (andreacox) | 6243 comments Mod
Here are this month's match-ups. Happy reading and merry Christmas!

Jenn (5) - Deanne (6)
Missy (4) - Charlene (11)
Staci (2) - Karen (7)
Hanna (9) - Sarita (10)
Brittany (8) - Kate (3)


message 14: by Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor (new)

Kate (liahonagirl) | 3519 comments Mod
Hey Brittany!
You've got some interesting books on your list, but I've not actually read any of them yet! So, I picked out 4 that were on my TBR, written by authors I've read, and looked really intriguing:
The Juliet Code The Juliet Code (A Freddie and Grace Mystery Book 3) by Pepper D. Basham , Christmas Forevermore Christmas Forevermore by Sally Britton , Merry Ex-Mas Merry Ex-Mas by Courtney Walsh , The Secret Amish Admirer: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance The Secret Amish Admirer An Uplifting Inspirational Romance by Virginia Wise
I look forward to your picks for me!


message 15: by Jenn (new)

Jenn | 591 comments Hi Deanne, there are lots of great options on your list! Here are my choices for you:

Man of Shadow and Mist (Of Monsters and Men, #2) by Michelle Griep Long Way Home by Lynn Austin A Louisiana Christmas to Remember by Morgan Tarpley Smith Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson

I've read and enjoyed the first two, and I've been wanting to read the other two. Enjoy!


message 16: by Deanne (new)

Deanne Patterson (cnnamongirlaolcom) | 33 comments Jenn wrote: "Hi Deanne, there are lots of great options on your list! Here are my choices for you:

Man of Shadow and Mist (Of Monsters and Men, #2) by Michelle Griep Long Way Home by Lynn Austin [bookcover:A Louisiana Christma..."


Great choices Jenn and these are all books I've really been wanting to read. I think this'll be just the push I need to get them off my shelf. I've already started reading the Louisiana Christmas one so how perfect is that? Thanks for the great choices.


message 17: by Deanne (new)

Deanne Patterson (cnnamongirlaolcom) | 33 comments You have so many lovely choices on your Christmas shelf Jenn. I hope you enjoy them and Merry Christmas.

Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale by Amanda Dykes

The Christmas Tree Bride by Susan Page Davis

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

I've read all but Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale and can highly recommend them. I love Melody Carlson's Christmas books.


message 18: by Brittany (new)

Brittany  | 546 comments Hi Kate! Thanks for the choices. I am not sure which one I will read yet, but will come back and update once I do.

Here are my choices for you:
A Pony Express Christmas (Love Inspired Historical) by Rhonda Gibson A Western Christmas Yuletide Lawman / Yuletide Reunion by Renee Ryan Mountain Christmas Brides Nine Historical Novellas Celebrate Faith and Love in the Rocky Mountains by Susan Page Davis Under the Texas Mistletoe A Trio of Christmas Historical Romance Novellas by Karen Witemeyer


message 19: by Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor (new)

Kate (liahonagirl) | 3519 comments Mod
These are great choices, Brittany! I'm going to go with A Pony Express Christmas A Pony Express Christmas (Love Inspired Historical) by Rhonda Gibson .
Happy Reading!


message 20: by Jenn (new)

Jenn | 591 comments Thanks, Deanne, I might go with The Christmas Tree Bride (The 12 Brides of Christmas #8) by Susan Page Davis and possibly also The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson .


message 21: by Staci, Book Awards Specialist (new)

Staci | 3860 comments Mod
Karen picked for me:
Love at First Bark (Love Unleashed, #0.5) by Dana Mentink

I picked for Karen:
My True Love Gave to Me by Karen Witemeyer

Happy reading all!


message 22: by Sarita (new)

Sarita | 2287 comments Hi Hanna

Here is the only three on your list I have read :-)

The Rose Legacy (Diamond of the Rockies, #1) by Kristen Heitzmann Her Daughter's Dream (Marta's Legacy, #2) by Francine Rivers Winning the Schoolmarm Wyoming Legacy (Wind River Hearts #14) by Lacy Williams


message 23: by Hanna (new)

Hanna | 95 comments Hi Sarita, thanks for the recommendations! It's hard to pick, but I think I'll start with Her Daughter's Dream.

On your shelves, these are the books I've read and really enjoyed:
Waves of Mercy (Waves of Mercy, #1) by Lynn Austin Once upon a Summer (Seasons of the Heart, #1) by Janette Oke Blue Skies Tomorrow (Wings of Glory, #3) by Sarah Sundin Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar


message 24: by Missy (new)

Missy | 935 comments Hi Charlene -

I picked the following for you. The first three I have read and enjoyed, the last is one I want to read soon:

Undercurrent of Secrets, Hidden Among the Stars, Catching Christmas, A Wish Book Christmas (I can't find the link for it.)


message 25: by Charlene (new)

Charlene | 595 comments Hey Missy,

I pick The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin and hopefully I will also read Undercurrent of Secrets (Doors to the Past) by Rachel Scott McDaniel or Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson if not December, early January.

It looks like we have similar books on our selves which means I have only l read one book on your shelf. But I didn’t enjoy that book, so I have picked based on favourite authors

1. J'nell Ciesielski - The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski
2. Charles Martin - The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening #1) by Charles Martin
3. Angela Elwell Hunt - Daughter of Cana (Jerusalem Road, #1) by Angela Elwell Hunt
4. Robin Lee Hatcher - Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher

Happy reading :)


message 26: by Missy (last edited Jan 02, 2024 07:30AM) (new)

Missy | 935 comments Hi Charlene -

I will probably go with Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher as I already have that on my December list to read, if not that then The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski .


I read Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for picking it for me!


message 27: by Brittany (new)

Brittany  | 546 comments Wonderful! I have decided to go with Christmas Forevermore by Sally Britton


message 28: by Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator (new)

Andrea Cox (andreacox) | 6243 comments Mod
Great job getting those picks in fast, friends! Looks like there are lots of Christmas reads to get everyone in the mood for the upcoming holiday. Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of their reads.


message 29: by Alice (new)

Alice Chittock | 53 comments I didn't get in fast enough this month, but wanted to just say a big thank you to Andrea for organising the hidden gems this year. I've really enjoyed participating most months xxx


message 30: by Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor (new)

Kate (liahonagirl) | 3519 comments Mod
Alice, if you wanted to still participate, I'm more than willing to give you a few picks from your chosen shelf/shelves! 😊


message 31: by Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator (new)

Andrea Cox (andreacox) | 6243 comments Mod
You’re welcome, Alice! Please do take Kate up on her offer. ☺️


message 32: by Sarita (new)

Sarita | 2287 comments Hanna wrote: "Hi Sarita, thanks for the recommendations! It's hard to pick, but I think I'll start with Her Daughter's Dream.

On your shelves, these are the books I've read and really enjoyed:
[bookcover:Waves..."


Hi Hanna

Thanks, I think I will go with Lynn Austin since she is the author of the month.


message 33: by Karen (new)

Karen | 1310 comments I finished My True Love Gave to Me by Karen Witemeyer . Thanks to Staci for a great pick! I was also able to use it for several challenges I am trying to wrap up.


message 34: by Jenn (last edited Dec 18, 2023 01:04PM) (new)

Jenn | 591 comments Deanne, I ended up reading Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson Christmas at Harrington's, and I enjoyed it! Thanks for choosing that one :)


message 35: by Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor (last edited Dec 20, 2023 07:53PM) (new)

Kate (liahonagirl) | 3519 comments Mod
Brittany! I just finished A Pony Express Christmas A Pony Express Christmas (Love Inspired Historical) by Rhonda Gibson and really enjoyed it! Thanks for selecting it for me!


message 36: by Staci, Book Awards Specialist (new)

Staci | 3860 comments Mod
Karen wrote: "I finished My True Love Gave to Me by Karen Witemeyer. Thanks to Staci for a great pick! I was also able to use it for several challenges I am trying to wrap up."

Glad you enjoyed it Karen!


message 37: by Staci, Book Awards Specialist (new)

Staci | 3860 comments Mod
Thanks to Karen for my HG! It was good to add the novella to the three books in the series I had already read.

Love at First Bark (Love Unleashed, #0.5) by Dana Mentink


message 38: by Sarita (new)

Sarita | 2287 comments Finished and really enjoyed Waves of Mercy (Waves of Mercy, #1) by Lynn Austin


message 39: by Hanna (new)

Hanna | 95 comments I managed to finish Her Daughter's Dream not long after December ended! It's a mighty book for sure, but I really enjoyed it -- not the usual time period I read.


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