ŷ������

I've decided to start a 2nd list, made up of books that have been on my "To Read" list the longest. Most are on my Kindle.

I still have two from the "+4" on my first list that I want to read. This second list will start on June 1. I think I will need the flexibility of the "+4" to get through this list reading just 12 books.

I was especially intrigued by #7 when I got it on Kindle . . . but I keep forgetting to read it.

1. Godforsaken: Bad Things Happen. Is There a God Who Cares? Yes. Here's Proof., by Dinesh D'Souza Finished 6/7/2023, 4/5 stars

2. The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God's Best Version of You, by John Ortberg Finished October 12, 2023, 3/5 stars

3. Daughter of Joy, by Kathleen Morgan Finished 6/12/2023, 3/5 stars

4. Counting on You, by Lisa Bork Finished 6/13/2023, 4/5 stars

5. Money, Possessions, and Eternity: A Comprehensive Guide to What the Bible Says about Financial Stewardship, Generosity, Materialism, Retirement, Financial Planning, Gambling, Debt, and More, by Randy Alcorn Finished 12/26/2023, 4/5 stars

6. A Cry for Justice, by Shelley Hundley Finished 6/17/2023, 3/5 stars

7. Boost Your Memory: Brilliant Ideas You Won't Forget, by Darren Bridger Finished 7/10/2023, 3/5 stars

8. The Presence, by T. Davis Bunn Finished 6/20/2023, 3/5 stars

9. The Black Cat, by Martha Grimes Finished 6/27/2023, 5/5 stars

10. Vertigo 42, by Martha Grimes Finished 7/6/2023

11. Started, DNF. The Silver Music Box, by Mina Baites

12. The House by the River, by Lena Manta Finished 8/3/2023

Plus 4:

1. Secrets, by Kristen Heitzmann Finished 8/14/2023, 3/5 stars

2. The Great Passage, by Shion Miura Finished 7/14/2023, 5/5 stars

3. Started, DNF. Hope's Peak, by Tony Healey

4. Started, DNF. The Secret Healer, by Ellin Carsta

I like it! Plus good for you for going for a second list, and for being enough of a realist to say "tidying up a little" because let's face it.... 12 books will make a difference but not an actual dent for each of us! :)

I added four of my oldest books to my Individual Challenge, and it's going to be a challenge. I picked up one, but not yet in the mood for it. Maybe later this month. I keep saying, maybe there's a reason I haven't picked up these books yet. I hope you have better luck with yours and read some winners here! I haven't read any of yours either. :-)

Jennifer wrote: "I like it! Plus good for you for going for a second list, and for being enough of a realist to say "tidying up a little" because let's face it.... 12 books will make a difference but not an actual dent for each of us..."

You've got that right, Jennifer! I'm really trying to motivate myself to get through some of the "oldies" on my list. So if I can accomplish that I will be happy.

Lea wrote: "I added four of my oldest books to my Individual Challenge, and it's going to be a challenge. I picked up one, but not yet in the mood for it. Maybe later this month. I keep saying, maybe there's a reason I haven't picked up these books yet..."

I hear you! It may be that I don't actually read all of them. I have a 50-page rule - if I'm not into a book by then I let it go. I just hope I find that 12 are worth reading. If not . . . maybe I'll have to put together a 3rd list and hope it goes better!

Look at you, with a whole other list!! Kudos to you on a great reading year so far. Woot!!

Great job with a second list! You should be proud!

Godforsaken: Bad Things Happen. Is There a God Who Cares? Yes. Here's Proof., by Dinesh D'Souza

This non-fiction book is basically a philosophical argument. I found it most interesting. The author raised several points on both sides of the argument that I had never thought of before. An enlightening book.

4/5 stars

Daughter of Joy, by Kathleen Morgan

This was a free Kindle book - I went through a stage where I got so many of those!

This one was OK, a bit better than some lighter Christian romance fiction as it touched on some serious themes. Overall, though, it felt more like an accomplishment than a joy to reach the end.

3/5 stars

Counting on You, by Lisa Bork

Oh, my goodness. It has been a long time since I have read an entire book in one day. I got into this one early in the day yesterday and found times throughout the day to finish it. Obviously, I was really captivated by it.

Interesting mystery taking place in the Marshall Islands; unique characters and situations. I would love to read this author again

4/5 stars.

A Cry for Justice, by Shelley Hundley

This book got down to raw emotions as the author described why she personally cried for justice. It also got very real about having an authentic friendship with Christ. It gave me a lot to think about and I am left with a lot of internal questions to grapple with.

Wasn't sure how to rate it . . . almost got to 4 stars because of how much it made me think, but ultimately I don't feel confident about rating it quite that high.

3/5 stars

The Presence, by T. Davis Bunn

I had a hard time getting through this novel, and I don't really know how to rate it. I am surprised that overall, the average rating on ŷ������ exceeds 4 stars.

On the one hand, the author is very skilled and he makes a compelling argument for the Christian to grow deeper in faith and more active in service through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The argument is made, however, in a series of sermons from fictional prayer meetings and church services - with a little bit of a storyline in between.

As an interesting novel about corruption in Washington D.C., I'd give it 1 star. As an argument for living a life of faith, I'd give it 4 or 5 stars. Ending in the middle is maybe the answer.

2.5 / 5 stars

The Black Cat, by Martha Grimes

I absolutely love this series. This is actually a re-read for me . . . I originally read The Black Cat when it was newly published. It was the first time I had read Martha Grimes. I liked the book so much that I decided to go back to the beginning of the series. And now I have read all of the first 22 books!

Given that this story led me to go back and read the whole series, how could I give it anything but 5 stars as a rating? Great characters, an interesting mystery, and some great humor around Jury's friends and neighbors makes this book and the others in the series very enjoyable indeed.

5/5 stars

Vertigo 42, by Martha Grimes

Another great read - interesting mystery. Dark characters abound in this one. Includes discussion of animal cruelty and in particular dog fights - a bit triggering for me.

I haven't read Martha Grimes in a good while. I really enjoyed her back in the day. Glad to hear she holds up well! Have you read Deborah Crombie's series? I recently finished A Bitter Feast & enjoyed being with the characters again. The characters are quite different, but I think you might enjoy it as a similar type series.

Hi, Patricia. I haven't read the Deborah Crombie series - will certainly look into that. Thank you for the recommendation.

By the way, if you see this message (I hope you will), I have been offline due to a move from Michigan to Kentucky. Just got up and running at our new place today!

Managed to squeeze in two of my books during the packing up and moving across a couple of states from Michigan to Kentucky.

Boost Your Memory: 52 Brilliant Ideas You Won't Forget

This was a fairly interesting book. There are some tips I can use . . . but I found a lot of reassurance in discussions about how healthy lifestyle impacts memory. I'm doing the best I can and feel encouraged to keep going.


The Great Passage

I absolutely loved this book. It must be the nerd in me, but I loved all the ponderings of the nuances of words, and have given much thought to the power of the words I use. Could I express myself better by paying closer attention to nuance?

My favorite quote: "Words were necessary for creation. Kishibe imagined the primordial ocean that covered the surface of the earth long ago. Only when that ocean was struck by the lightning of words could all come into being. Love, the human heart . . . Words gave things form so they could rise out of the dark sea."

Karol wrote: "Hi, Patricia. I haven't read the Deborah Crombie series - will certainly look into that. Thank you for the recommendation.

By the way, if you see this message (I hope you will), I have been offlin..."
Congrats on the move! Never easy but usually worth it. We moved four years ago next week &, hopefully, this is the last one! (Though we always say that!)

I enjoyed "The Great Passage" as well!

Eight books into this second challenge, I found what to me was a real klinker. Still, I hung in there until the end . . . maybe hoping it would get better.

The House by the River, by Lena Manta, 1/5 stars

Talk about melodrama. Five young and totally selfish women are featured in this novel that is much longer than it needs to be.

***Spoiler Alerts***

The "story" is about five selfish and unfeeling sisters and how they decide to leave home. Each one completely thumbs her nose at her family and the entire home town. Each falls into ruin and returns home to their mother. Seriously, all 5 stories, told one at a time, are nearly identical.

Add to this the fact that apparently in the author's world, boys are not meant to live long enough to become adults. Does she hate men? Maybe. But given the 5 stories she told I wonder if she has only known appallingly bad and/or weak men in her life. It seems those types are all she is capable of writing.

I am not sure why I read this overly long book in its entirety. But I did, and I'd have to say it is among the worst I've taken the time to read.

I've completed 11 of 12 with this:

Secrets, by Kristen Heitzmann

A long novel that for me was quite interesting for the first 1/3 or 1/2. But as the story grew in complexity, it seemed less realistic to me and I began to lose interest. It's probably my overall cynicism that leads me to dislike complex stories that have all the loose ends tied up so very neatly.

Still, the writing interesting enough for at least a 3/5 star rating.


Now, I think I will take a break from this challenge. I recently moved to Kentucky, in an area that has a lot of historical significance: the stomping grounds of both Daniel Boone, and Henry Clay (influential as a Senator, and Secretary of State; also a 5-time presidential candidate). I am anxious to get to know the history of my new home. Browsing the local library shelves I found great-looking biographies for both of these men. So I believe I will dive into those next and then perhaps come back to finish at least one more book of this second 12 + 4 challenge.

Karol wrote: "I've completed 11 of 12 with this:

Secrets, by Kristen Heitzmann

A long novel that for me was quite interesting for the first 1/3 or 1/2. But as the story grew in com..."

Enjoy your new home, Karol!

Congrats on your move Karol!

Great job and good luck with the move and history of the place.

Alondra wrote: "Great job and good luck with the move and history of the place."

Thank you, Alondra. So far, so good.

I've read two books on the earlier U.S. history of this area, and have been to 3 historic sites so far. Not bad, given all the work there is in settling into a new home!

Both Frontiersman: Daniel Boone and the Making of America and Henry Clay: The Essential American Deckle Edge have been informative and surprising to me.

Karol wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Great job and good luck with the move and history of the place."

Thank you, Alondra. So far, so good.

I've read two books on the earlier U.S. history of this area, and have been t..."

I hate moving, but at least yours has a little history to liven things up.

Finally finished this challenge, with the completion of a book I ready very slowly over the course of the last 6 - 8 weeks.

Money, Possessions, and Eternity: A Comprehensive Guide to What the Bible Says about Financial Stewardship, Generosity, Materialism, Retirement, Financial Planning, Gambling, Debt, and More goes into a lot of detail based on Biblical interpretation. I thought the book was very good overall. It challenges me to re-think many things. I would have given in 5/5 stars were it not for some considerable repetition between some of the chapters.

Congrats on finishing! Looks like you got through some interesting (and possibly difficult) reads. Look forward to seeing your reads for next year.
Happy Reading!

Congratulations on completing your challenge #2 list, Karol!! 👏🏽👏🏽