Reading Challenges 2022 November Update

Here is what I read for my reading challenges in October: 

                             

After I finished  my reread of Keeper of the Lost Cities and read the newest book Stellarlune, I did read If it Rains by Jennifer L Wright for my October challenge. I then read The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron for the November challenge. This book has three separate time lines, and in one of them, the main character was a part of the French resistance during WWII. 

I am reading In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon.

Originally I planned to read the final book in Lisa T. Bergren's River of Time series, Deluge. My father's family is from Italy and I've always wanted to visit there, as I have been to England quite a few times. England is where my mom is from. Unfortunately, I was running out of time, so I decided I would count The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambrom for this challenge as well because I have also wanted to go to France.

I originally chose The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron for this challenge as it was recommended earlier this year by Jocelyn Green. 

Plus someone in my Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group came up with this challenge:

Pick which level you want to do and choose from these prompts! Happy reading!

Level 1: 12 books- success!

Level 2: 25 books- success!

Level 3: 50 books- success!

Level 4: All 75!

I read 7 books in January for this challenge.

I read 7 books in February for this challenge. 

I read 9 books in March for this challenge (I can't count Keturah or Veiled in Smoke yet as I haven't finished them.)

I read 10 book in April for this challenge.

I read 8 book in May for this challenge (I can't count The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus yet as I finished it in June)

I read 7 books in June for this challenge (I can't count When Twilight Breaks as I haven't quite finished it yet.)

I read 5 books in July for this challenge. (It's getting harder to fit all the books I read each month into these different challenge categories.)

I read 11 books in August for this challenge.  (though one is an extra on the teacher/principal prompt)

I read 3 books in September for this challenge.

I read 1 book in October for this challenge.

I read 1 book in November for this challenge.

Red: No clue

Blue: Have a book in mind 

Green: Read

Orange: Can be for more than one, need to choose

Read a book...

1. With a verb in the title: Lost in the Land of the Midnight Sun by Christina Cattane (my thoughts)

2. With an infant or child on the cover: Then Sings My Soul by Amy K Sorrells (my thoughts)

3. With a tree on the cover: Forsaken Island by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

4. With a pink cover: The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

5. Set in the mountains: Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

6. Set during your favorite season: Firefly Diaries by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

7. That includes your favorite holiday: Holly Jolly Christmas by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

8. With a building on the cover: Captives by Jill Williamson (my thoughts)

9. Published the month you were born: Bookshop by the Sea (my thoughts)

10. That has a dual timeline: The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jamie Jo Wright (my thoughts)

11. Recommended by an author you enjoy: The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron (my thougths)

12. With little to no romance: Crossed Off by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

13. Published in 2022: Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn (my thoughts)

14. That is a debut novel: The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello (my thoughts)

15. Written in first person POV: Luminary by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

16. By a male author: Hangman's Curse by Frank Peretti

17. Written by multiple authors: Cast the First Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

18. By an author who writes with a pen name: Sticks and Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

19. By an author who has multiple award winning books Relative Silence by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

20. That is also a movie or tv series: Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

21. That you choose because of the cover: Dust by Kara Swanson (my thoughts)

22. Reread a favorite: Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund (my thoughts)

23. That makes you laugh: Meet me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson (my thoughts)

24. A genre outside your comfort zone: Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette (my thoughts)

25. That has been on your tbr list for a long time: Unknown Threat by Lynn H. Blackburn (my thoughts)

26. A book with multiple POV: The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis (my thoughts)

27. Less than 250 pages long: Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

28. Written before the year 2000.

29. That has a number in the title: A Hundred Crickets Singing by Cathy Gohlke (my thoughts)

30. Set in Asia or Africa: Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry (my thoughts)

31. Based on a true story or event: Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green (my thoughts)

32. That is part of a series: Revolutionary by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

33. With a title that doesn't include the word "the": Injustice for All by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

34. Set during WWII: Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

35. That is considered fantasy: Magnify by Stefanie Lozinski (my thoughts)

36. A novella of a series you enjoyed: Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

37. With a main character that is a POC: Imperfect Justice by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

38. Set somewhere you've been: A Mosaic of Wings (first part set in Ithaca NY) (my thoughts)

39. Over 400 pages long: Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke (my thoughts)

40. Featuring a teacher or principal: The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright (my thoughts) also Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

41. With a main character over the age of 50: Who Murdered Mr. Malone by Hope Callaghan (my thoughts)

42. A book that could be considered scary or intimidating: The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright (my thoughts)

43. That features a game (chess, tag, board game, etc) or sport

44. By an indie author: Cross the Line by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

45. With a title or story element that relates to the ocean: Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

46. Featuring a coffee shop or cafe

47. With a musician, singer, or songwriter: A Song Unheard by Roseanna White (my thoughts)

48. With a dystopian or utopian theme or element: Anomaly by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

49. That is historical fiction: A Name Unknown by Roseanna M White (my thoughts)

50. With a main character that has red hair: Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

51. With a character that has a mental or physical disability: Cross Fire by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

52. A feel good book: The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson (my thoughts)

53. A beach read: Turtle Box Memories by Chandra Lynn Smith (my thoughts)

54. By an author who shares your last initial: Outcasts (my thoughts)

55. Featuring an artist, writer, or photographer: Fragments of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

56. That includes dance: Hidden Current by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

57. That has your favorite color on the cover: No Unturned Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

58. With a rainbow or multicolored cover: The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

59. Set at a tavern, inn, or hotel: A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble (my thoughts)

60. By an author you’ve never read before: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

61.That is a graphic novel or has illustrations: Chosen Graphic Novel by Ted Dekker

62. A book that involves a fortune or treasure: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

63. With a fruit or vegetable on the cover

64. That involves a family feud: In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh (my thoughts)

65. With the enemies to lovers trope: Raspberries and Vinegar by Valeria Comer (my thoughts)

66. A book that is a best seller: When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

67. With royal or noble characters: Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

68. By an author who is no longer writing

69. That is considered women’s fiction: The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel (my thoughts)

70. That is a tearjerker: Jennifer by Dee Henderson (my thoughts)

71. Featuring a character that is in politics: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

72. With a women in a STEM career field: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

73. With a sun or moon on the cover: Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

74. A book with a one word title: Rebels by Jill Williamson (my thoughts)

75. Written by a European author

Friday Fun - November 25, 2022 (a few days late)

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with two different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays and the Friday 56.

This week I have a few books to share with you. I am not sure how I forgot about Friday Fun on the 18th, but I do know how I missed it this past Friday. We've been dealing with sickness since last Tuesday. Unfortunately Thursday and Friday were my turn. 

I finished my reread of Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger on November 15th. I then dove right in to the newest book, Stellarlune, and I finished it in a day. 

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unlocked is actually book 8.5. About two-thirds of the book contains awesome information about the Keeper world, and the last third of the book is a novella told from both Sophie's and Keefe's point of view. 

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Stellarlune 

                                                                                                                                                                     

I also read The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron for two, maybe three, of my reading challenges this month.

Book Beginnings on Fridays

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

Here is my book beginnings for the novella part of Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unlocked by Shannon Messenger:

From the Preface:

"'I can't do this.'
The words felt desperate and terrifying-but Keefe could taste the truth behind them. So he didn't lie or take them back or try to twist them into a joke."

Coming from Keefe, this is actual very terrifying and heartbreaking as he is always the one who will turn things into a joke.

From Chapter 1:

"'So. . . how do we access the memory?' Sophie asked, pulling free from the deal-sealing handshake to uncover the clear, marble-size gadget that had been pressed between her palm and Councillor Oralie's."

Well, that is the question they've been trying to answer for a while. Finally we were getting an answer, but not quite the way we thought we would. And yay, it starts off right where Legacy left off.

Here is my book beginnings for Stellarlune by Shannon Messenger:

From the Preface:

"'There's nothing here.' Sophie wasn't sure who'd said it-but all her friends had to be thinking the same thing as they trudged through the long moonlit grass, which seemed to stretch endlessly into the darkness."

Well, that sounds disappointing. But, knowing these books, I was sure it would be revealed there was something there. And probably something disastrous will happen.

From Chapter 1:

"'Are you okay?'
Grady had asked the question three times, and Sophie still didn't have an answer. All she could do was stare at the crumpled note she'd found waiting for her in her bedroom, hoping she'd somehow misread it."

Had to wonder if the author was asking the reader this question as well. Knowing how she ended Unlocked. Because, no, no we were not okay with that cliffhanger. 

Here is my book beginnings for The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron:

From the Preface:

"Crumbling walls were rare, beautiful things. 

They could display vulnerabilities without shame, for they'd already proven their worth in surviving generations-deep fractures and a multitude of fallen stones."

Hmm, never thought of crumbling walls this way. Interesting.

From Chapter 1:

"The letter recounted devastating news: Baron le Roux had been shot dead."

Quite the devastating sentence to start the book on, especially after way the preface started.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is hosted over at Freda's Voice.

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections.

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unlocked by Shannon Messenger:
 

"Elwin laughed. 'I almost want to give you guys a bag and see what kind of chaos ensues. But I'm guessing I'd end up regretting that. And thankfully there's an easy fix. Tilt your head back Keefe, and try to open your mouth as much you can."

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Stellarlune by Shannon Messenger:

"He snorted a bitter laugh. 'You expect me to trust you after you've admitted to experimenting on our son, scheming against the Council, erasing my memories, and hiding an ability?'"

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron

"Fortune had intervened before it was too late, catching her attention in the form of an old wooden sign peeking from the overgrowth on the side of the road. It boasted lovely names--in white-painted letters and accent marks near faded from the sun."

Friday Fun - November 11, 2022

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with two different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays and the Friday 56.

This week I have a couple of books to share with you. 

I'm continuing my reread of Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger in anticipation of being able to read the newest book, Stellarlune, which released this past Tuesday. This past week I read book seven, and I just started book eight. 

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Flashback

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Legacy 

                                                                                                                                                                     

Book Beginnings on Fridays

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

Here is my book beginnings for Keeper of the Lost Cities: Flashback by Shannon Messenger:

From the Preface:

"This time we win. 

It was Sophie's only thought, even as the world around her fell into shadow and chaos."

Well, that didn't sound good.

From Chapter 1:

"'So is it strange coming here and not being the one on trial?' Keefe asked, checking his expertly styled blond hair in a shiny facet on one of the jeweled walls before he followed Sophie into Tribunal Hall. 'Because I'd be happy to help you break a few laws if  you're felling left out.'"

Figured I knew who it was that was on trial, knowing how Nightfall ended. And I love Keefe's humor.

Here is my book beginnings for Keeper of the Lost Cities: Legacy by Shannon Messenger:

From the Preface:

"We can't keep doing this. The words pulsed through Sophie's mind. Gaining volume-gaining momentum-as the arguments raged around her."

Another instance coming up where everyone is going to be debating the best thing to do to defeat the enemies. 

From Chapter 1:

"'You look confused.' Mr. Forkle said, and the lilt of his tone made Sophie wonder if his lips were twitching with a smile-but she couldn't pull her eyes away from the round, gilded door he'd brought her to, tucked into the side of a rolling, grassy hill."

I admit, I wasn't sure where exactly this book would start off, knowing how Flashback ended. This was sort of unexpected and sort of cool because of how this description sounded a bit like a Hobbit hole.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is hosted over at Freda's Voice.

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections.

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Flashback by Shannon Messenger:
 

"Sophie fought off her smile as Fitz kicked the sand, stirring up a coppery cloud. He was so determined to be angry that it was honestly kind of adorable."

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Legacy by Shannon Messenger:

"His jaw locked with a furious click. 'What has that boy done now?'
'Nothing.' All of her bodyguards looked dubious-which was fair, considering the amount of chaos that Keefe had caused over the year. 'I'm serious.'"

Reading Challenges 2022 October Update

Here is what I read for my reading challenges in October: 

                             

I haven't actually read my book for this challenge yet as I had to start my reread of Keeper of the Lost Cities to get ready for the release of the newest book next week. However, I plan to read If it Rains by Jennifer L Wright.

I read Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund. I reread it because I finally had a chance to read book two, Never Leave Me. Then I realized the book takes place in the spring, so, perfect. 

I read The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans. Here's my review.

I read A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin. I shared my thoughts on Goodreads.

Plus someone in my Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group came up with this challenge:

Pick which level you want to do and choose from these prompts! Happy reading!

Level 1: 12 books- success!

Level 2: 25 books- success!

Level 3: 50 books- success!

Level 4: All 75!

I read 7 books in January for this challenge.

I read 7 books in February for this challenge. 

I read 9 books in March for this challenge (I can't count Keturah or Veiled in Smoke yet as I haven't finished them.)

I read 10 book in April for this challenge.

I read 8 book in May for this challenge (I can't count The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus yet as I finished it in June)

I read 7 books in June for this challenge (I can't count When Twilight Breaks as I haven't quite finished it yet.)

I read 5 books in July for this challenge. (It's getting harder to fit all the books I read each month into these different challenge categories.)

I read 10 books in August for this challenge. 

I read 3 books in September for this challenge.

I read 1 book in October for this challenge.

Red: No clue

Blue: Have a book in mind 

Green: Read

Orange: Can be for more than one, need to choose

Read a book...

1. With a verb in the title: Lost in the Land of the Midnight Sun by Christina Cattane (my thoughts)

2. With an infant or child on the cover: Then Sings My Soul by Amy K Sorrells (my thoughts)

3. With a tree on the cover: Forsaken Island by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

4. With a pink cover: The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

5. Set in the mountains: Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

6. Set during your favorite season: Firefly Diaries by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

7. That includes your favorite holiday: Holly Jolly Christmas by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

8. With a building on the cover: Captives by Jill Williamson (my thoughts)

9. Published the month you were born: Bookshop by the Sea (my thoughts)

10. That has a dual timeline: The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jamie Jo Wright (my thoughts)

11. Recommended by an author you enjoy

12. With little to no romance: Crossed Off by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

13. Published in 2022: Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn (my thoughts)

14. That is a debut novel: The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello (my thoughts)

15. Written in first person POV: Luminary by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

16. By a male author: Hangman's Curse by Frank Peretti

17. Written by multiple authors: Cast the First Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

18. By an author who writes with a pen name: Sticks and Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

19. By an author who has multiple award winning books Relative Silence by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

20. That is also a movie or tv series: Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

21. That you choose because of the cover: Dust by Kara Swanson (my thoughts)

22. Reread a favorite: Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund (my thoughts)

23. That makes you laugh: Meet me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson (my thoughts)

24. A genre outside your comfort zone: Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette (my thoughts)

25. That has been on your tbr list for a long time: Unknown Threat by Lynn H. Blackburn (my thoughts)

26. A book with multiple POV: The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis (my thoughts)

27. Less than 250 pages long: Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

28. Written before the year 2000.

29. That has a number in the title: A Hundred Crickets Singing by Cathy Gohlke (my thoughts)

30. Set in Asia or Africa: Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry (my thoughts)

31. Based on a true story or event: Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green (my thoughts)

32. That is part of a series: Revolutionary by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

33. With a title that doesn't include the word "the": Injustice for All by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

34. Set during WWII: Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

35. That is considered fantasy: Magnify by Stefanie Lozinski (my thoughts)

36. A novella of a series you enjoyed: Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

37. With a main character that is a POC: Imperfect Justice by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

38. Set somewhere you've been: A Mosaic of Wings (first part set in Ithaca NY) (my thoughts)

39. Over 400 pages long: Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke (my thoughts)

40. Featuring a teacher or principal: The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright (my thoughts)

41. With a main character over the age of 50: Who Murdered Mr. Malone by Hope Callaghan (my thoughts)

42. A book that could be considered scary or intimidating: The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright (my thoughts)

43. That features a game (chess, tag, board game, etc) or sport

44. By an indie author: Cross the Line by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

45. With a title or story element that relates to the ocean: Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

46. Featuring a coffee shop or cafe

47. With a musician, singer, or songwriter: A Song Unheard by Roseanna White (my thoughts)

48. With a dystopian or utopian theme or element: Anomaly by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

49. That is historical fiction: A Name Unknown by Roseanna M White (my thoughts)

50. With a main character that has red hair: Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

51. With a character that has a mental or physical disability: Cross Fire by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

52. A feel good book: The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson (my thoughts)

53. A beach read: Turtle Box Memories by Chandra Lynn Smith (my thoughts)

54. By an author who shares your last initial: Outcasts (my thoughts)

55. Featuring an artist, writer, or photographer: Fragments of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

56. That includes dance: Hidden Current by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

57. That has your favorite color on the cover: No Unturned Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

58. With a rainbow or multicolored cover: The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

59. Set at a tavern, inn, or hotel: A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble (my thoughts)

60. By an author you’ve never read before: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

61.That is a graphic novel or has illustrations: Chosen Graphic Novel by Ted Dekker

62. A book that involves a fortune or treasure: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

63. With a fruit or vegetable on the cover

64. That involves a family feud: In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh (my thoughts)

65. With the enemies to lovers trope: Raspberries and Vinegar by Valeria Comer (my thoughts)

66. A book that is a best seller: When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

67. With royal or noble characters: Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

68. By an author who is no longer writing

69. That is considered women’s fiction: The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel (my thoughts)

70. That is a tearjerker: Jennifer by Dee Henderson (my thoughts)

71. Featuring a character that is in politics: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

72. With a women in a STEM career field: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

73. With a sun or moon on the cover: Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

74. A book with a one word title: Rebels by Jill Williamson (my thoughts)

75. Written by a European author