Friday Fun - December 29, 2023

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

This week I have four books to share with you.

I recently finished The Confession by Beverly Lewis. I chose to read this book for a couple of my reading challenges. This is a book I read quite a few years ago, back in the late 90's. I realized the author had a new book that was recently published that is a prequel to this series, so I needed to refresh my memory on what happened in the original trilogy. 

I'm currently reading Water from my Heart by Charles Martin. This is my first book by this author and I am also reading this for a couple of my challenges.

I'm also reading Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. This is also for a reading challenge.

Finally, I am also reading A Persevering Heart by Lisa M. Prysock. Yes, this one is also for one of my reading challenges. I am trying really hard to get all my challenges finished.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  The Confession by Beverly Lewis:

"I remember everything about my first glimpse of Cousin Lydia's kitchen."

I remembered from the first book that Katie, now Katherine, was fascinated by her cousins home because they were Mennonites and not Amish.

Water from my Heart by Charles Martin:

"I throttled down through Stiltsville, the reflection of the moon shimmering off Biscayne Bay."

I was confused at first at where exactly he was and what mode of transportation he was using. This was cleared up quickly.

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis:

"Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, and it has been told in another book called The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe how they had a remarkable adventure." 

I was so glad to see the four children from the first book.

A Persevering Heart by Lisa M. Prysock:

"Miss Pepper Anne Barrington gripped the steering wheel of her vintage, red Aston Martin convertible as she pointed the remote at the iron gates to her property."

Okay, so she has some money.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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.

The Confession by Beverly Lewis:
 

"The tall, deep window was the same one where she'd pressed her fingertips on that sad, sad day just last month when Katie had come to see why she'd not attended Sunday preaching. Not being allowed to speak to her friend, the loving, yet agonizing gesture was all Mary knew to do, hoping against hope that Katie would see with her own eyes how very helpless she felt."

Water from my Heart by Charles Martin:

"The old man would never sell that coffee. And everyone knew that. We all knew it. That had been the goal the entire time. To leave that man sitting in a pile of his own coffee beans."

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis:

"After this, Caspian and his tutor had many more secret conversations on the top of the Great Tower, and at each conversation Caspian learned more about Old Narnia, so that thinking and dreaming about the old days, and longing that they might come back, filled nearly all his spare hours."

A Persevering Heart by Lisa M. Prysock

"Whoever it was, they'd apparently had no interest in the antique pocket watch, which led her to believe it might've been a woman who'd taken the watch. Maybe this particular woman hadn't much interest in keeping a man's pocket watch, so she'd decided to return it."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. If you'd like to read my reviews, I invite you to click on the links below. 

Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard

An Unexpected Arrival by Penny Zeller

Bidding on a Second Chance by Emily Conrad Review

 

Bidding on a Second Chance by Emily Conrad was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it very much. This story takes place in a small town in Colorado called Redemption Ridge during the holiday season.

Piper Wells is supposed to be restoring furniture to be donated to a auction to help a local family. However, she is injured in an injury and finds herself needing help fulfilling this commitment. Enter Graham Lockhart, her old boyfriend who also happens to be a police officer. He offers to help and is hoping to maybe rekindle their relationship. He never could understand WHY she had declined his marriage proposal.

There were fears to be overcome and healing to be received along with forgiveness. But I loved this second chance Christmasy romance. I loved the small town setting and seeing the residents come together. And the addition of a little puppy sure added some humorous scenes.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

I received this book for free from the author as a part of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own, honest thoughts.

When Love Comes by Penny Zeller Review

 

When Love Comes by Penny Zeller is the third full length novel in her Wyoming Sunrise series. This story focuses on Charlotte Eliason and Tobias Hallman who we first meet as children in Forgotten Memories, the first book of the series. As children they got on each others’ nerves something fierce, and they both would have rather not had anything to do with the other now that they are adults and out on their own. Unfortunately God seems to have different plans for their lives.

Charlotte has traveled to Prune Creek to be with her great aunts as she had just had her heart broken. Tobias has been living there, working as the blacksmith. They were shocked and not at all happy when they found themselves in close proximity. After all this years, may they be able to actually develop a relationship that isn’t based on annoying one another? Will tragedy bring them together?

I also love that in the background of Charlotte and Tobias’s story, we see possible relationships developing for the aunts who had decided love was not going to be in their futures. And there is danger in the form of outlaws, because this is the wild west of course. And mixed in with all this is figuring out how to care for his niece, with some unexpected twists, that quite frustrated me and kept me turning the pages so I could find out what was going to happen. Above all, we see the characters putting their trust in the Lord. I do love the way the author weaves faith into her stories.

This is definitely a book I highly recommend, but make sure to read the books and novellas that come first.

Friday Fun - December 22, 2023

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

This week I have two books to share with you.

I am currently reading Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard. I chose to read this book for one of my reading challenges. I needed a book set in a cold climate. 

I'm also reading An Unexpected Arrival by Penny Zeller. This is a novelette from the Wyoming Sunrise series. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  Cold Light of Day by Ellizabeth Goddard:

"I never should have come."

But why? And, what is going to happen? And who is thinking this?

An Unexpected Arrival by Penny Zeller:

"Millicent Popplewell certainly hadn't intended to ever visit the Wyoming Territory."

So, why is she there?

And I just have to share the second sentence:

"And she definitely hadn't anticipated being a stagecoach driver." 

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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.

Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard:
 

"'I get it. I'm not working for you. And yet, I'm diving with you today.' This could have fallen to the Coast Guard, at least, but she had her reasons for looking into things herself, and he didn't blame her."

An Unexpected Arrival by Penny Zeller:

"'Yes, I have seen some of this in his daily work at the mercantile.' She recalled the sorrow in his eyes when she requested she return to the boardinghouse after such a short time of discussion with him at the creek earlier that day. If only Millicent had expressed her thoughts and reassured him."

Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun post. If you'd like to read my review, I invite you to click on the links below. 

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen Review

 

I read The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen for a couple of my reading challenges. I needed a book set during the Regency Era.

Wow, just wow! This book drew me in from the start and wouldn't let go. I loved that each chapter began with a quote about governesses or something else that had to do with that time period. I loved the mystery and intrigue and the twists and reading about life in a manor in regency era England. And I was wondering how the author would bring Olivia and Edward together, as the book IS labeled as a romance after all. I loved seeing their relationship evolve. Wonderful story.

It was my second book by this author. However, it has been years since I read Lady of Milkweed Manor. I'm trying to decide which of her books I want to read next.

Friday Fun - December 15, 2023

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I am currently reading The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen. This is the second book I have read by this author, but it has been many years since I read the first, The Lady of Milkweed Manor. I chose to read this book for one of my reading challenges.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen:

"For years, I could not recall the day without a smoldering coal of remorse burning within me."

I really wanted to know what happened on that day that was so bad for Olivia. 

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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 is my Friday 56 selection.

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen:
 

"The idea of consigning Miss Keene to the nursery also appealed to him. High on the top floor, eating and sleeping separately from all the servants save a nurserymaid and old Nurse Peale, who had been his own nurse and was loyal to him to the last."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. If you'd like to read the reviews of those books, I invite you to click on the links below. 

When Love Comes by Penny Zeller

Bidding on a Second Chance by Emily Conrad

Friday Fun - December 8, 2023

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

This week I have two books to share with you.

I am currently reading When Love Comes by Penny Zeller. This is the third book in her Wyoming Sunrise series and it just released this past Tuesday. Stay tuned for my review.

I am also reading an ARC Bidding on a Second Chance by Emily Conrad. I am on the launch team for this book, plus it works for one of my reading challenges. This book releases next week. So, stay tuned for my review.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  When Love Comes by Penny Zeller:

"Ma was right."

Now don't all mothers want to hear this? 

Bidding on a Second Chance by Emily Conrad:

"The moment Graham Lockhart glanced at his phone, all his experience navigating crises failed him."

Hmm, is someone calling that he doesn't want to speak to? Or did he receive bad news in a text or something?

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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.

When Love Comes by Penny Zeller:
 

"Charlotte peered over at Aunt Myrtle and Aunt Fern who stood not far from Quimby with a sheet of stationery in Aunt Myrtle's hand. The two carried on a conversation and pointed toward the audience. ' They are extremely suspicious,' said Charlotte."

Bidding on a Second Chance by Emily Conrad:

"Her heart soared like the basketball had a moment ago but then fell short. She'd be a fool to think a single basket was a sign God was about to turn her life around."

Reviews:

Last week I shared three books in my Friday Fun post. If you'd like to read the reviews of those books, I invite you to click on the links below. 

Dreams of the Heart by Penny Zeller

The Shunning by Beverly Lewis

The Hart of Christmas by Latisha Sexton

Also, I hadn't finished The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green in order to write a review, but you can now read my review for that book.

The Hart of Christmas by Latisha Sexton Review

 

I have loved all the books I have read by Latisha Sexton. Suspense, women's fiction, and now a rom-com. Love the range of genres she writes in. I always thought I wouldn't be a huge fan of romance and rom-com, but I have discovered that I actually do enjoy romance. And this rom-com was amazing. 

Here we have a friends to perhaps more to enemies to friends to maybe hopefully more story. Dex and Millie's relationship started in high school, but ended with them on far-from-friendly terms. Millie would have preferred to never have seen Dex again, unfortunately they end up snowed in at her best friend's house, who happens to be Dex's step-sister. 

I absolutely loved seeing their relationship evolve. And the banter was awesomely hilarious. The story is told in first person, alternating between Dex and Millie, and also between current day and their time in high school. Slowly we start to learn what happened to end their former relationship. Though it may have been a bit predictable, I loved discovering what actually happened, and having the truth come out which impacted their current relationship. 

I also loved that they are both Christians and that they trust in God and lean on him. 

When I first learned about this book, I did not realize this was the beginning of a series and now I can't wait to read more of this series.

Definitely a book I highly recommend. 

I was given an ARC as a part of the launch team but was not required to write a positive review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Reading Challenges 2023: November Update

Here is what I read for my challenges in November:

I was reading The Shunning by Beverly Lewis for another challenge when I realized it would work for this challenge as there is a fall tree in the background. Here are my thoughts.

I am currently reading The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green.

I read The Shunning by Beverly Lewis.

I read three of the novellas in the Christmas in Garland collection by A.M. Heath.I was on the launch team for the newest book, Movie-Made Romance and I wanted to read the prior books as well. I had read the first book last month. Book two is titled The Engagement Cover and book three is titled, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Here are my thoughts on the collection of the first three. And here are my thoughts on the newest book, Movie-Made Romance.

I also used The Shunning by Beverly Lewis for this challenge. My October book took place in the 1800's, and The Shunning takes place in the 1990's.

In January I read books that are set in the following states:

California: Taken in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard

Ohio: Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

Oregon: Innocent Lives and Innocent Voices by Julie Bonn Blank

Pennsylvania: The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis 

South Carolina: Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams/Lynette Eason

Washington: The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson

In February I read books that are set in the following states:

Colorado: In the Midst of the Storm and In the Midst of the Darkest Hour by Latisha Sexton.

Indiana: Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana by Melanie Dobson

Texas: The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, and The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

In March I read books that are set in the following states:

Illinois: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

Michigan: Dark of Night by Colleen Coble

Tennessee: Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch

Utah: The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Vermont: The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans

In April I read books that are set in the following states:

Florida: The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant (one of the novellas in the A Very Bookish Easter collection)

Iowa: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

Montana: Blue Skies, Blue Eyes by Cali Black 

In May I read books that are set in the following states:

Alaska: In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

Oklahoma: The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck (You can read my thoughts here.)

Washington DC: In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer (Not an actual state, but a game we play counts it as a state, so I thought I would include it.)

West Virginia: Neverending Mercy by Latisha Sexton 

Wisconsin: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

In June I read books that are set in the following states:

Kentucky: This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles 

Maine: The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green (You can read my thoughts here.)

Virginia: Rescue in the Wilderness by Andrea Byrd (You can read my thoughts here.)

In July I read books that are set in the following states:

Idaho: Over the Horizon by Penny Zeller (You can read my thoughts here.)

Minnesota: The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer 

New York: Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White (You can read my thoughts here)

In August I read books that are set in the following states:

Missouri: Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl

Nebraska: Falling Between the Pages  by A.M. Heath

In September I read a book set in the following state:

Wyoming: The Secrets Beneath by Kimberley Woodhouse (You can read my thoughts here)

In October I read a book set in the following state:

Kansas: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold. (You can read my thoughts here)

In November none of the books I read were set in any of the states I still need to complete for this challenge. 

In January I read books that are set in the following European Countries:

England: An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White

Switzerland: Heidi by Johanna Spyri

In May I read a book set in:

Denmark: The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

In August I read a book set in:

Greece: The Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar

In October I read a book set in:

Germany: The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

In November I read a book set in:

Poland: The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt (my thoughts)

I also decided I was going to read one Christmas book each month. 

In January I read The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson. 

In March I read The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans and The Mistletoe Inn also by Richard Paul Evans

In April I read The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans 

In May I read A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson (my thoughts)

In July I read The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson (my thoughts)

In October I read a couple of books. I read Twice Loved by Wanda E. Brunstetter (my thoughts) and Project Scrooge by A.M. Heath (my thoughts)

In November I read The Engagement Cover (my thoughts), It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (my thoughts), and Movie-Made Romance by A.M. Heath.

Finally, someone in my Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group came up with a 55 book challenge:

In January I read 10 books for this challenge

In February I read 7 books for this challenge

In March I read 9 books for this challenge

In April I read 8 books for this challenge

In May I read 5 books for this challenge

In June I read 2 books for this challenge

In July I read 3 books for this challenge

In August I read 2 books for this challenge

In September I read 2 books for this challenge

In October I read 2 books for this challenge.

In November I read 1 book for this challenge.

Read a book...

1-With a pink spine: The Heavens Before by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow (the entire spine isn't pink as it changes as you go from bottom to top, but I was thinking it could work.)

2- By an author whose name starts with an  A: Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson (my thoughts)

3- 450 pages or longer: The Perfect Storm by Cali Black (my thoughts)

4- Published in 2023: Remember Me by Tracie Peterson (my thoughts)

5- That has won a Christy award: A Portait of Loyalty by Roseanny M. White (my thoughts)

6- With multiple people on the cover: Lethal Intentions by Jennifer Chastain (my thoughts)

7- With a car or truck on the cover: Murder Goes Glamping by Malissa Chapin (my thoughts)

8- That is the third book in a series: An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White (my thoughts)

9- That has a map inside: A Divine Romance by Ifueko Ogbomo (my thoughts)

10- A debut novel: In the Midst of the Storm by Latisha Sexton (my thoughts)

11- By an author you’ve never read before: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham (my thoughts)

12- That has food on the cover

13- Featuring a woman from the Bible: The Prophetess: Deborah's Story by Jill Eileen Smith (my thoughts)

14- With flowers on the cover: In Her Sights by Karen Witemeyer (my thoughts)

15- Featuring a child or teen as the main character: Innocent Voices by Julie Bonn Blank (my thoughts)

16- That you got for free: Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White (my thoughts)

17- Featuring an athlete: The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

18- That you pick because of the cover: Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

19- Recommended by someone you know: Her Deepest Secret by Jessica R. Patch (my thoughts)

20- Set in a cool climate

21- Set during the Great Depression: Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse (my thoughts)

22- Featuring friends to lovers: Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams/Lynnette Eason (my thoughts)

23- Published the month you were born: The Game by Cali Black (my thoughts)

24- With a blue cover: Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella (my thoughts)

25- With a main character with blonde hair: Innocent Lives by Julie Bonn Blank (my thoughts)

26- Set on an island: King of the Crown Imperials by Joanna Alonzo (my thoughts)

27- Set in a different country than you: Heidi by Johanna Spyri (my thoughts)

28- That takes place more than 200 years ago: Stay With Me by Jody Hedlund (my thoughts)

29- That features a member of the military: A Battle Worth Fighting by Sarah Hanks (my thoughts)

30- Set in South or Central America

31- By a male author: The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans (my thoughts)

32- Written in first person POV: The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans (my thoughts)

33- Featuring a single parent: Dark of Night by Colleen Coble (my thoughts)

34- With a title that starts with B: Break of Day by Colleen Coble (my thoughts)

35- That is a love inspired book: Taken in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard (my thoughts)

36- That involves a wedding: Wait for Me by Jody Hedlund (my thoughts)

37- With an L in the title: Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana by Melanie Dobson (my thoughts)

38- By an author from a different country than you: The Cost of the Crown by Joy Crain (my thoughts)

39- With a black cover

40- With a title that has 5 or more words: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner (my thoughts)

41- With an illustrated cover: Neverending Mercy by Latisha Sexton (my thoughts)

42- From a genre outside your comfort zone: The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

43- Written by multiple authors: Written by multiple authors: A Very Bookish Easter by Kelsey Bryant, Abigayle Clarie, Sarah Holman, and Kate Willis (my thoughts)

44- Set on a farm: The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis (my thoughts)

45- By an author that has also written nonfiction: This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles (my thoughts)

46- By an indie author: In the Midst of a Starry Night by Latisha Sexton (my thoughts)

47- Published in 2012: Blood of Adam by Rachel S. Neal (my thoughts)

48- With a sunset on the cover

49- That has cowboys: Blue Skies, Blue Eyes by Cali Black (my thoughts)

50- Without any people on the cover: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright (my thoughts)

51- By an author who uses a three part name (C.C. Warrens, Ann H. Gabhart): The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White (my thoughts)

52- That features a hobby or skill you’d like to learn: In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse (my thoughts)

53- With a nanny, babysitter, or governess: The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson 

54- An author with the same two initials: Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill (my thoughts)

55- With a pet that isn’t a dog: The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson (my thoughts)

My Goodreads goal was to read 100 books this year. Last year I had set it at 75 and I ended up reading 115. I have actually surpassed my goal. I hit 100 books on November 11th. I've now read 107 books this year. 

It sure seemed like a lot, but I was able to combine challenges at times.