Reading Challenges 2023: January Update

Here is what I read for my challenges in January:

I read the third, and final book of the Shadows Over England series by Roseanna M. White, An Hour Unspent. This is my favorite book in the series. I was sad to say goodbye to this family, but then I learned I can see them again in the Codebreakers series, so I put the first book on hold. 

I read a couple of books that fit the challenge: A Book with Spies. I read Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill. Plus I realized another book I read, Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams/Lynette Eason, would count for this challenge. 

I read several books in January by authors I had never read before. Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill, Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams/Lynette Eason, Innocent Lives by Julie Bonn Blank, Taken in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard, Unplugged by Donna Freitas, and The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson. Plus I read Heidi by Johanna Spyri to the children as our read aloud.

I read The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis for this challenge. It was listed on the cover that she is a "New" York Times Bestselling Author. 

I read Taken in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard. 

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 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

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

In January I read The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson. 

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

Read a book...

1-With a pink spine

2- By an author whose name starts with an A

3- 450 pages or longer

4- Published in 2023

5- That has won a Christy award

6- With multiple people on the cover

7- With a car or truck on the cover

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

9- That has a map inside

10- A debut novel

11- By an author you’ve never read before

12- That has food on the cover

13- Featuring a woman from the Bible

14- With flowers on the cover

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

16- That you got for free: 

17- Featuring an athlete

18- That you pick because of the cover

19- Recommended by someone you know

20- Set in a cool climate

21- Set during the Great Depression

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

23- Published the month you were born

24- With a blue cover: Unplugged by Donna Freitas (my thoughts)

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

26- Set on an island

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

28- That takes place more than 200 years ago

29- That features a member of the military

30- Set in South or Central America

31- By a male author

32- Written in first person POV

33- Featuring a single parent

34- With a title that starts with B

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

36- That involves a wedding

37- With an L in the title

38- By an author from a different country than you

39- With a black cover

40- With a title that has 5 or more words

41- With an illustrated cover

42- From a genre outside your comfort zone

43- Written by multiple authors

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

45- By an author that has also written nonfiction

46- By an indie author

47- Published in 2012

48- With a sunset on the cover

49- That has cowboys

50- Without any people on the cover

51- By an author who uses a three part name (C.C. Warrens, Ann H. Gabhart)

52- That features a hobby or skill you’d like to learn

53- With a nanny, babysitter, or governess

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 is to read 100 books this year. Last year I had set it at 75 and I ended up reading 115. I think I will be able to meet my 100 book goal. 

I know this seems like a lot, but like last year, I hope to be able to combine challenges where possible. And when I pick books for the monthly challenges, I will try to choose books that take place in different states or countries.