2017 Reading Challenge

Ok, so last year I had a HUGE list of points that I had to hit with my reading challenge. I am afraid that I only made it about 66% of the way through the list. However, I DID read a much wider variety of books last year than I ever have. Going by the numbers I read and reviewed 78 books in 2016. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. I had a blast diving into new genres, reading new authors, and experiencing new settings. So overall, the reading challenge was a success, it got me out of the box and into a much broader world of books. 

2016 Reading Challenge - Keep Calm and Carry On...to 2017

While I started the year with good intentions, I am afraid that my obsession with a few new releases overruled this Reading Challenge. However, there are books on this list that I really want to read. So, I will be carrying over the unfinished slots into 2017. I have completed 25 out of 38 so I am at 66%, which I don't think is very bad. Considering my overall count for the year is 61 books right now. This does include a few coloring books and kids books...But I have reviewed all of them. 

2016 Reading Challenge:

• A book based on a fairy tale
• The Golden Braid - Melanie Dickerson (Review)
• A National Book Award winner
• 
  
• A Young Adult novel

Reading Challenge - The Year is HALF Over...WHAT???

I have become dreadfully behind on my personal reading challenge. Although, I am so excited about the books that I have discovered and devoured through this. Books I normally wouldn't pick up that have become among my favorite! Several new authors and genres to explore. So much fun! I hope you are having fun with whatever reading challenge you have for 2016.

The Ringmaster's Wife - Kristy Cambron

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

When that which that Lady Rosamund loves most is threatened to be taken away from her, she stepped on a train and changed the course of her life forever.

"You could never fit in, Rose.
You were made to stand out."

The Ringmaster's Wife
(Location 1403)

About the Book
With the family estate in financial difficulties, Lady Rosamund's father saw fit to sell that which was closest to her heart, Ingénue, her beautiful Arabian mare. Colin Keary set out to acquire the Arabian for the Ringling circus. Little did he know that he would find an incredible talent in the owner. Colin persuades Lady Rosamund to join them in America, to see Ingénue safely settled. With dreams as vast as the ocean, she agrees. Will Lady Rosamund give up a

Reading Challenge 2016 - Update

I had every intention of posting this update at the beginning of the month...However, life happened! Myself and our oldest son came down with a cold. (Only the second time I have been sick in over 2 years!) In turn, our son Ezra had his first, really REAL cold EVER!!! If you know any of our story, you will know that sickness in our house is not good! But Ezra's immune system is beginning to function and he was able to kick it with minimal extra medication! Yay! 

Have you set a reading goal for this year? I am about 38% complete with mine! If you haven't set a goal yet, it's not too late. You can jump into this challenge or create your own. But I encourage you to try branching out  a bit this year. I have had so much fun diving into other genres and authors! So much so, I completed two series in the last month and a half! (Leviathan and The Selection) I am struggling to come up with ideas for the last few slots though. I would love to hear your recommendations! 

As always,

Happy Reading! 

2016 Reading Challenge:

• A book based on a fairy tale
• The Golden Braid - Melanie Dickerson (Review)
• Cinder  - Marissa Meyer

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey - Audiobook - The Countess of Carnarvon - Read by Wanda McCaddon

As a Downton Abbey enthusiast, I enjoyed this book immensely! Full of romance, sorrow and drama! Just like the beloved show, Downton Abbey. Only, these people, really lived! 

About the Book

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration and setting for Julian Fellowes's Emmy Award-winning PBS show, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants: Lady Almina, the fifth Countess of Carnarvon. Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and photographs, the current Lady Carnarvon has written a transporting story of this fabled home on the brink of war. Much like her Masterpiece Classic counterpart Lady Cora Crawley, Lady Almina was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Alfred de Rothschild, who married his daughter off at a young age, her dowry serving as the crucial link in the effort to preserve the Earl of Carnarvon's ancestral home. Throwing open the doors of Highclere Castle to tend to the wounded of World War I, Lady Almina distinguished herself as a brave and remarkable woman. This rich tale contrasts the splendor of Edwardian life in a great house against the backdrop of the First World War and offers an inspiring and revealing picture of the woman at the center of the history of Highclere Castle. (Description from Amazon.)

My Thoughts

I admit without shame, that I am an avid Downton Abbey fan. Having been sucked into it by the time the third season aired, I have been in love ever since. As some of you may know I have an obsession with finding out the real history behind stories that I love.

Behemoth & Goliath - Leviathan Trilogy Books 2 & 3 - Scott Westerfeld (Illustrated by Keith Thompson)

As the world plunges into The Great War, the Leviathan travels to the Ottoman Empire in hopes of keeping the peace with the Emperor. Follow Deryn and Alek as they travel around the world. These books abound with secret missions, new beasts and machines, hidden lies and truths that are (FINALLY) revealed and many historical figures encountered. 

***Please note that these books do not stand alone...My review for the first book in the series Leviathan can be found HERE***

Behemoth - Book 2

About the Book

The Behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker Powers. Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory. Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead. (Description from the back of the book.)

MyThoughts

As you may have guessed, I have a problem with binge reading. When I find a series that I am IN LOVE with, I won't stop until I am finished! However, most of the time I need to wait six months to a year before the next installment.
Thankfully that was not the case with Mr. Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan Trilogy. My favorite beastie by far is the perspicacious loris. This picture is pretty close to how I envisioned it. I want one!!! It was so much fun reading this alternate history of WWI. Learning a few interesting details about the war that did in fact happen along the way. Although Mr. Westerfeld has

The Selection - Book 1 (And Novellas) - Kiera Cass

The Queen & The Prince

I started this series by reading the novellas The Queen and The Prince. Once I started reading The Selection I was very glad I did. The Queen is Queen Amberly's story (the current Queen in The Selection) and gives us much insight into her character. Learning about her made me love her even more while reading The Selection. The Prince is written from Prince Maxon's point of view. While a few of the scenes overlap in The Selection, I don't think it gave away anything crucial. If anything, it enhanced my view of Prince Maxon. I feel like I understood him better going into The Selection and was grateful for that. The Selection is written solely from Lady America's viewpoint and therefore the novellas definitely added the much needed insight into the other characters. 

The Selection

Set many years into the future The US has undergone drastic change. Under the rule of a monarchy once again. Prince Maxon, only child and heir to the throne, is ready to find his future queen. In a lottery type draw, one young lady (between the ages of 16 and 20) from each province is selected as candidates for the throne, and for Maxon's heart. Among them is America Singer. A Five in the caste system (There are eight total). Although her becoming a part of the selection was an accident, of sorts...Will she be able to forget her past and embrace her future? There are 35 girls, and only 1 prince. Who will emerge as Queen? 

It has been a long while since I have been so engrossed in a book that I couldn't put it down to go to sleep. I finally had to, as my eyes wouldn't stay open any longer, with only two chapters remaining! I kept having dreams about the book! I finished it as soon as I woke up this morning and am now anxiously awaiting to check out The Elite from the library. Since this is a book about a prince finding a wife, you can expect to have romance with a mild dystopian flair. Although I personally think the emotions are slightly intense for a YA book, it is still clean and decent. Prince Maxon is an honorable man. Parents, please use your own discretion. (For more about content go here.)  Kiera Cass has done a fabulous job imagining a new world of castes, monarchy, fashion, rebellion and love. (It's like The Bachelor, but way better!) Please be advised that these books do not stand alone. And once you finish The Selection you are going to want to start The Elite immediately (so do what I didn't do and place a hold on BOTH)! This book ends well, but definitely leaves you wanting more. I have also heard that The Selection is being made into a movie. Although all I could find out was that it is in pre-production. I am thoroughly enjoying this series, but I know that it won't be to everyone's taste. Keep in mind that it is a Young Adult novel and is written for that level. Happy reading! And may the odds be ever in your favor....wait....

I found The Selection Series and The Selection Stories at my local library. All opinions expressed are mine alone. The Selection Series is published by HarperTeen.

Purchase Options:
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Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell

In 1861, Scarlett O'Hara is the belle of Georgia. Young, passionate and full of life. But when war comes, she is faced with hardships that she never even dreamed possible.

"Hardships make or break people."

Follow Scarlett O'Hara and her family through the destruction and despair of the Civil War and the years that followed in Reconstruction. With the old way of life dead and gone, will she wilt away along with many others of her previous status and class? Or will she find the gumption to press on and strive for survival, no matter the cost? Her love for one man blinds her to the truth about herself and those around her. After everything she has been through, will she lose the one thing she desires above all else?

"After all, tomorrow is another day."

**If you are not familiar with this story please be aware of a few minor spoilers**

The Golden Braid (Hagenheim #6) - Melanie Dickerson

A classic fairy tale, re-imagined like you would never believe! Experience the story of Rapunzel through new eyes. 

Rapunzel is an accomplished artist and can throw a dagger better than anyone, however, she longs to learn how to read. When yet another young man proposes marriage to Rapunzel, Mother Gothel whisks them away to the city of Hagenheim. And her dream of learning to read might actually become a reality. When the handsome knight, Sir Gerek, saves them on the road, her opportunity to learn may be here at last! But Rapunzel has been brought up to fear everyone and everything in life. Especially men, claiming that none can be trusted. Despite this fact, Sir Gerek agrees to teach Rapunzel to read. As the story unfolds, truths are revealed, and everything Rapunzel has come to believe about herself changes. Will she find her "Happily Ever After?" Or will she allow fear to consume her as it does for so many.

The Golden Braid is not your typical "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" re-telling of this classic fairy tale. There are deep truths and weighty lessons that resonate deep within your soul. We have all faced fears.

Until the Dawn - Elizabeth Camden

Mystery surrounds the great estate of Dierenpark. Will science be able to explain the strange happenings? Or is there a supernatural power at work?

Quentin Vandermark is of the belief that if you can't see it or touch it, then it doesn't exist. This includes God and the supernatural power his grandfather, Nickolaas Vandermark, believes is cursing Dierenpark. A tragedy occured 60 years ago and the Vandermark's left Dierenpark abandoned ever since. The family returns without notice, only to see it destroyed. Nickolaas is determined to tear down Dierenpark in hopes of demolishing the "curse" that seems to have haunted the family for centuries. Widowed and injured, Quentin brings his son Pieter with him to Dierenpark to tear down the beautiful home. He is just doing his grandfather's bidding when his life is drastically changed. At Dierenpark he meets Sophie van Riijn, Sophie is a volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau. For the last nine years she has used the roof of Dierenpark for her weather station, without the permission of the owners. Pieter immediately takes to Sophie, not having a mother of his own, he craves a motherly figure. While Quentin is all cynicism, doubt, gloom and depression. Sophie exudes life, hope, joy and faith in every ounce of her being. The past is finally brought to light, but is it in time to save Dierenpark and Quentin? Will science be able to prove the strange goings on? Will Quentin open himself up to love? Or will he brood in his misery until his last breath? 

"Above all else, love one another."

The progressive era is a fascinating time period to read. So many scientific advances and discoveries take place in this era. I am currently watching Murdoch Mysteries (Netflix). It is set in the same time as this book and the scientific progress that is witnessed is

2016 Reading Challenge

2016 Reading Challenge

Last year I read anything and everything that struck my fancy. I made it to my goal of 52 book reviews (with an extra one in there) but without much rhyme or reason. When I started seeing some reading challenges that allowed me to pick my own books, but had fun goals to meet, I immediately started my search for the perfect challenge! So I combined a couple of reading challenges that I came across and made a few personal edits to the lists. The originals can be found on Pinterest and at Bethany House Fiction. I also included the books that I am planning on reading to meet some of these goals. I set my goal a little lower this year at 36 books, but there are several books that will meet more than one goal on this list. I hope this gives you some ideas for the coming year. I have filled in several of the slots with books that I hope to read this year.