Behold, the thing that reads a lot!
On this final day of 2015, I am wrapping up all the reading I’ve done this is year. It’s a lot.
First, an update on my 4th Quarter TBR:
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I could just as easily have re-watched the film version since, as far as I could tell, it was unabridged. Witty and charming, as expected.
- Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This has always been one of my favorite books from one of my favorite series. It shows its age poorly in a few places (racism) but I love it nonetheless. Patty’s Place, Phil, Aunt Jimsie, and the cats are all wonderful additions to Anne’s world.
- Emma by Jane Austen.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Probably my least favorite Austen heroine and hero. Emma is a brat and Mr. Knightley is a creeper. The hilarious supporting characters are what earn this one four stars.
- The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allen Poe.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I can appreciate all the hallmarks of the genre that Poe created in this story, but the far-fetched solution is rather ludicrous.
- Wicked Autumn by G. M. Malliet.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Max Tudor, MI-5 operative turned Anglican priest (nominative determinism?), is an interesting character. The village and its inhabitants were okay, as was the mystery itself. This one is definitely all about the detective.
- Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights? by Lemony Snicket.
POSTPONED
- Spinning Starlight by R. C. Lewis.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Rounded up from 4.5 stars. R. C. Lewis has done it again! Like Stitching Snow, Spinning Starlight is a brilliant fairytale retelling interwoven with a fully realized a sci-fi world, and a teeny bit of a love story.
- Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I’m torn about this one. Strike and Robin are great characters. I’m attached to them and I want to continue reading their stories. The crimes / mysteries are ancillary. However, the books just keep getting more profane and violent (I didn’t think that was possible after The Silkworm, but Galbraith / Rowling managed it). I will probably continue to read the series, but I will NOT be re-reading nor will I buy any of the subsequent books. I can wait for a library copy.
- Beastly Bones by William Ritter.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Jackaby is still delightfully Wholock (this time with a significant dash of Harry Potter thrown in). This series is charming, although too derivative for a five star rating.
- All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark.
⭐ ⭐ 1/2 Decent entry in the series knocked down from 3.5 stars for the eye-roll inducing deus ex machina in the climatic scene.
Now, on to the challenges (unless otherwise noted, my specific challenge books are listed here):
- Goodreads Challenge – Read at least 365 books. Surpassed! I read 475 books this year (or I will by the end of today 😉 ). See them all here.
- Birthday Month Reading Challenge hosted by Lois @ You, Me, and a Cup of Tea – Read a book each month by an author whose birthday is in that month. Achieved!
- Hard Core Re-Reading Challenge hosted by Lois @ You, Me, and a Cup of Tea – Re-read a bunch of books. I entered at Level 3 30-40 Re-reading fever. Surpassed! I re-read 75 books this year.
- Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge hosted by Yvonne at Socrates’ Book Reviews – Read cozy mysteries. I entered at Level 3 -Super Sleuth – read 13 or more books. Surpassed! I read 85 cozies this year.
- Back to the Classics Challenge hosted by Books and Chocolate – Read classics in 12 particular categories. The rules of the challenge state the a classic must be at least 50 years old. Achieved!
- Personal Classics Challenge – Read (or re-read) classics that I currently own. For this personal challenge I am defining classics as books that are at least as old as I am. I read 42 books from my list this year.
- Poirot Challenge – I am attempting to read all of Agatha Christie’s Poirot novels and short stories in original publication order. I read 10 novels and 18 short stories this year.
- Reading My Library Challenge co-hosted by Stefani @ Caught Read Handed – Read lots of library books in April. I read 50! Wrap-Up post here.
- 20 Books of Summer Challenge hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books – Read 20 books between June 1 – September 4. Achieved!
- Pop Sugar Reading Challenge – Read books in 50 different categories. Achieved!
Like this:
Like Loading...
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. Recommended by Stefani @ Caught Read Handed – my review.
Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu. Recommended by Stefani @ Caught Read Handed and Katie @ Bookish Illuminations – my review.
Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Recommended by Katie @ Bookish Illuminations – my review.
Once Was a Time by Leila Sales. Recommended by Katie @ Bookish Illuminations.
Jackaby by William Ritter. Recommended by Maricel @ My Closet Catalogue.
The Rook by Daniel O’Malley. Recommended by Stephanie @ Don’t Be Afraid of the Dork.
The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. Recommended by Stephanie @ Don’t Be Afraid of the Dork.
The Incorrigble Children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood. Recommended by Stephanie @ Don’t Be Afraid of the Dork.
The Hamish Macbeth series by M. C. Beaton. Recommended by Dagny @ Vauquer Boarding House.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. Recommended by my mom. 😀
A BIBLIOPHILE'S STYLE 