Monday, November 27, 2017

Reading Challege 2017...

Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2017
1.Read a book about sports~The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbaugh~4 stars The baseball of my childhood.
2. Read a debut novel~My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh ~4 stars
3. Read a book about books~Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan~4 stars So much fun to read, a romp.
4. Read a book set in Central or South America, written by a South or Central American author~#
5. Read a book about an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative~Brooklyn by Colm Toibin~4 stars
6. Read an all-ages comic~The Mouse Guard by David Peterson~3 stars Beautiful art but not much story.
7. Read a book published between 1900-1950~The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett~ 3stars 1910
8. Read a travel memoir~A Walk in The Woods by Bill Bryson~3 stars I did not get his humor...
9. Read a book you've read before~Shot Gun Love Songs by Nickolas Butler 5 stars~Loved it again.
10. Read a book set within 100 miles of your location~The Hearts of Men by Nickolas Butler~ 3 stars Eau Claire, Wisconsin Rock on, Wisconsin!
11. Read a book set more than  5000 miles from your location~Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan~4 stars Singapore
12. Read a fantasy novel~Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor~3 stars Dessert of a read!
13. Read a non-fiction book about technology~To Siri With Love by Judith Newman~4 stars A witty tribute to a son with Autism.
14. Read a book about war~Code Name Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein~4 stars Friendship, sacrifice, WWII.
15.Read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+ Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard ~4 stars
16. Read a book that has been banned or frequently challenged in your country~A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J Gaines~5 stars Must read.
17. Read a classic by an author of color~Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup~4 stars Inhumanity of slavery.
18. Read a super hero comic with a female lead~Runaways by Brian K. Vaughn~2 stars Artwork so good, story not so much.
19. Read a book in which a characer of color goes on a spiritual journey~The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas~5 stars Starr Carter's journey takes her from teen to political activist.
20. Read an LGBTQ+ romance novel~All I Love and Know by Judith Frank~5 stars Compelling love story amidst the fallout from a devastating act of terrorism.
21. Read a book published by a micro press~Men Among Sirens by Jennifer Olmstead~(Titian Press) Author with local ties.
22. Read a collection of stories by a woman~Bobcat and Other Stories by Rebecca Lee~4 stars
23. Read a collection of poems in translation on a theme other than love~Silent Flowers Japanese Haiku~3 stars Meh.
24. Read a book wherein all point-of-view characters are people of color~LaRose by Louise Erdrich
5 stars Erdrich writes with overwhelming humanity.


I have two books marked with # yet to finish. Another year of great reads. LaRose, All I Love and Know, The Hate U Give were exceptional books. There are a few genre's I would not choose for myself, nonfiction tech, for example. But I liked, To Siri, With Love. I wish I would pace myself better. December is so busy. Feeling a little rushed.  Tomorrow I will post my Pop Sugar challenge.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Reading on the porch...


I am making myself crazy or maybe I don’t have to work at this crazy business at all. I just am. I have waited til the last month to finish up my book challenges for 2017. Who knew Underground Railroad wasn’t a classic because it was just published. So I am now reading 12 Years a Slave to satisfy my “Classic by an author of color.” I have at least 6 books to finish up by December 31st.

Then of course my Christmas craziness. Cards, calendars, gifts for 10 grands, candy cane cookies, clique party, downstate family party, Nedeau dinner... I can only get anything done under great pressure. It is how I roll. Eighteen, 18, XVIII, people will be eating, sleeping and be entertained in my house for a week. I love the people so much and I don’t get to see them enough during the year. So I am going to enjoy. I just hope I get the cookies baked and the house cleaned before Christmas Eve.