2014 Completed Reading Challenges


2014 Reading Challenges

 



Dusty Books:  Nat King Cole - 10 Books


  1. Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
  2. The Twelve - Justin Cronin
    The Road to Rome - Ben Kane
  3. Tenth Stone - Bodie Thoene  
  4. The Sorceress - Michael Scott 
  5. Falls the Shadow - Sharon Kay Penman 
  6. Dragonfly in Amber - Diana Galdadan  
  7. Jonathan Norrell and Mr. Strange - Susanna Clark  
  8. Hollow Man - Dan Simmons 
  9. Rapture - J.R. Ward


Chunky Books: Good Golly Miss Molly - 8 books 


  1. Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami (607)  (1/14)
  2. Ice Hunt - James Rollins (656)  (1/20)
  3. The Passage - Justin Cronin (766) (1/27) 
  4. Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman (704) (2/12) 
  5. Amazonia - James Rollins (624) (3/4)
  6. Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (714) (4/7)
  7. Monuments Men - Robert Edsell (640) (5/26)
  8. False Memory - Dean Koontz  (768)  (6/8)

Around the World

  1. Japan - Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
  2. England/Wales - Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
  3. Italy - The Road to Rome - Ben Kane
  4. Israel - Tenth Stone - Bodie and Brock Thoene
  5. Brazil - Amazonia - James Rollins
  6. Ireland - Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llywelyn
  7. China - When Red is Black - Qui Xiaolong
  8. Middle East - I Own the Dawn - M.L. Buchman
  9. Canada - Exit Strategy - Kelley Armstrong
  10. Antarctic - An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne
  11. Istanbul - Scribe - Elizabeth Hunter



Faith Reads



1.  Sacred Reading  - Michael Casey
2.  Seeds of Contemplation - Thomas Merton
3.  Three Philosophies of Life - Peter Kreft
4.  Toward God: Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer
5. The Bible




Centuries Challenge

12th (1101-1200):  Tale of Genji - Lady Murasaki
13th (1201-1300):  Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
14th (1301-1400):  Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco
15th (1401-1500):  The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer
16th (1501-1600):  Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llewelyn
19th (1801-1900):  Apothecary's Daughter - Julia Klassen


A to Z Challenge
A: An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne
B: Ben Kane - The Road to Rome
C: Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
D: Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
E: Elizabeth Hunter - Elemental Mysteries series
F: The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer
G: Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell
H: Haven - Kay Hooper
I: Grania: She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llwelyn
J: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel - Susanna Clark
K: Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh
L: Shiver of Light - Laurell. K. Hamilton
M: Night is Mine - M.L. Buchman
N: Tangle of Need - Nalini Singh
O: I own the Dawn - M.L. Buchman
P: Poison Promise - Jennifer Estep
Q: Qui Xiaolong - When Red is Black
R: Rapture - J.R. Ward
S: Exit Strategy - Kelley Armstrong
T: The Twelve - Justin Cronin
U: Umberto Eco - Name of the Rose
V: Vengeance in Death - J.D. Robb
W: Written in Red - Ann Bishop
X: Qui Xiaolong - When Red is Black
Y: New York Dead - Stuart Woods
Z: Nicole Zoltack - Woman of Honor 



Complete List for the Year 


  1. An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne: 1839 Antarctic 184p eb)
  2. Black Arts (JY#7) - Faith Hunter:  (20th C, New Orleans, 336p  eb)
  3. Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami (20th C, Japan 607p)
  4. Ice Hunt - James Rollins (20th C, Arctic, 656p) 
  5. The Tale of Genji (volume 1) - Lady Murasaki (12thC, Japan, 210p eb)
  6. The Passage - Justin Cronin (20thC, US and various, 766p) 
  7. Fury of the Demon - Diana Rowland (20thC, Paranormal, 416p eb)
  8. Dead Man's Deal (#2 Asylum Tales) - Jocelyn Drake (20thC paranormal, 384p eb) 
  9. House of Cards (#2 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 447p eb) 
  10. Here Be Dragons (#1 Welsh) - Sharon Kay Penman (13th, England/Wales, 704p) 
  11. Hands of Flame (#3 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC, paranormal, 384p, eb)
  12. The Twelve - Justin Cronin (dystopian U.S., 568 p)  
  13. Coyote Dreams (#3 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy  (20thC paranormal, 416p, eb)
  14. Walking Dead (#4 Walker Papers - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 384p, eb)
  15. Concealed in Death (#38 In death) - J.D. Robb (futuristic New York, 402p)
  16. The Road to Rome (#3 Forgotten Legion) - Ben Kane (46BC, Italy, 513p)
  17. Scribe - Elizabeth Hunter (Instanbul-290p)
  18. Tenth Stone (#10 AD Chronicles)- Bodie Thoene (Ancient Israel, 352p)
  19. Amazonia - James Rollins (Brazil, 624p)
  20. A Hidden Fire (#1 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter  (US/Italy, Paranormal, 274p, eb)
  21. This Same Earth (#2 Elemental Mysteries - Elizabeth Hunter (290p, eb)
  22. The Sorceress (#3 Nicholas Flamel) - Michael Scott (US/France, Fantasy, 514p)
  23. At the River's Edge (Chesepeake Diaries) - Mariah Stewart (US Romance, 434p)
  24. The Force of Wind (#3 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (414, eb)
  25. A Fall of Water (#4 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (360, eb)
  26. Shifting Dreams (#1 Cambrio Springs Mystery) - Elizabeth Hunter (US Paranormal, 270, eb)
  27. City of Fallen Angels (#4 Mortal Instruments) - Cassandra Clare (US Paranormal 434, eb)
  28. Demon Hunts (#5 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (US Paranormal 366, eb)
  29. Black Heart Loa (#2 Hoodoo) - Adrian Phoenix (US Paranormal 437 eb)
  30. Night Broken (#8 Mercedes Thompson) - Patricia Briggs (US Paranormal 353 eb)
  31. Dark Witch (#2 Cousin O'Dwyer) - Nora Roberts (Paranormal 352)
  32. The Chance (#4 Thunderpoint) - Robyn Carr (347, eb)
  33. Spirit Dances (#6 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (366, eb)
  34. Raven Calls (#7 Walker Papers) - C.E.Murphy (365, eb)
  35. Mountain Echoes (#8 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (348, eb)
  36. Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (Israel, Paranormal 717) 
  37. The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer (15thC England, 240, eb)
  38. Across the Nightingale Floor - Lian Hearn (medieval Japan, 305, eb)
  39. Falls the Shadow (#2 Welsh Trilogy) - Sharon Kay Penman  (13thC England/Wales, 580)
  40. The Collector - Nora Roberts (496) 
  41. Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco (14thC, Italy, 536)
  42. Written in Red (Novel of the Others) - Anne Bishop (US Paranormal, 496)
  43. Grass for his Pillow (#2 Otori) - Lian Hearn (Medieval Japan 332 eb)
  44. Espresso Shot - Cleo Coyle (Us mystery 380)
  45. Haven (Bishop/special Crimes series)  - Kay Hooper (US psychic mystery 359)
  46. The Apothecary's Daughter - Julia Klassen (19thC Regency Romance 416 eb)
  47. The Crystal Cave - Mary Stewart ( Wales, fantasy 529)
  48. The Fallen Angel (Gabriel Allon series) - Daniel Silva (Italy mystery 417 eb)
  49. Monuments Men - Robert Edsel (NF, Europe, 640)
  50. Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llywelyn (16thC Ireland historical 420 eb)
  51. The Genius and the Muse - Elizabeth Hunter (US, Romance 224 eb)
  52. False Memory - Dean Koontz (US, psychological thriller 768)
  53. Her Sky Cowboy - Beth Ciotta (Italy, steampunk eb 352)
  54. Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack - Mark Hodder (dnf - creepy)
  55. Something More Than Night - Ian Tregellis (dnf - annoying noir)
  56. Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry series) - Laurell K. Hamilton (paranormal 384 eb)
  57. I Own the Dawn  (#2 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman  (Middle East Military Romance 418 eb)
  58. Night is Mine (#1 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 418 eb) 
  59. Wait Until Dark (#4 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 384 eb) 
  60. Take Over at Midnight (#8 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 382 eb)
  61. Slave to Sensation (#1 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, paranormal, 352 eb)
  62. Visions of Heat (#2 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356 eb)
  63. Caressed by Ice (#3 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 388 eb)
  64. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell - Susanna Clark (England, 1024)
  65. Hostage to Pleasure (#5 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356, eb)
  66. Branded by Fire (#6 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 372, eb)
  67. Blaze of Memory (#7 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 386, eb)
  68. Bonds of Justice (#8 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 359 eb) 
  69. Play of Passion (#9 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 356, eb) 
  70. Kiss of Snow (#10 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 433, eb)
  71. Tangle of Need (#11 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 432, eb) 
  72. Exit Strategy - Kelly Armstrong  (Canada, US, 512)
  73. Poison Promise (#11 Elemental Assassin) - Jennifer Estep (US 416, eb) 
  74. Bitten - Kelly Armstrong (Canada, 544) 
  75. Rapture (#4 Fallen Angels) - J.R. Ward (US, 513 eb)
  76. Bastion(#5 Collegium Chronicles) - Mercedes Lackey (Paranormal, 353 )
  77. Frankenstein: City of Night (#2) - Dean Koontz UW =480)
  78. Hollow Man - Dan Simmons (US - 352)
  79. Blood Magick (#3 Odwyer series) - Nora Roberts (Ireland, 336) 
  80. Storm Front (#1 Dresden Files) - Jim Butcher (Paranormal 322) 
  81. City of Lost Souls (#5 Mortal Instruments)- Cassandra Clare (Paranormal 560)
  82. When Red is Black (#4 Inspector Chen) - Qui Xiaolong (China 320)
  83. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein)- Dean Koontz
  84. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz
  85. The Way Home (#2 One Eyed Jacks) - Cindy Gerard (Afghanistan and US, eb)
  86.  Black Widow (#11 Elemental Assassins) - Jennifer Estep (eb)
  87. Possession (#5 Fallen Angels) -  J.R. Ward  (Paranormal 545 eb)
  88. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 352)
  89. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 416)
  90. House Immortal (#1 HI) - Devon Monk (Paranormal 350 eb)
  91. Sweet Dreams (#2 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 678 eb)
  92. The Gamble (#1 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 679 eb)
  93. Lady Luck (#3 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 664 eb)
  94. Breath (#4 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 649 eb)
  95. Kaleidoscope (#6 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 406 eb)
  96. Rock Chick - Kristen Ashley (US 398 eb)
  97. Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley (US 400 eb)
  98. Forged in Ash (Seal #2)  - Trish McCall (US 445 eb)
  99. Born Wild (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 385 eb)
  100. Hell for Leather (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 375 eb)
  101. Full Throttle (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 380 eb)


  1. Reread entire J.D. Robb's In Death Series (1-39)
  2. Reread Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series (1-8)

2015 Reading Challenges

2015 Reading Challenges

My challenge at the beginning of any new year is to whittle down the number of books on my shelves since my books have had many babies throughout the year.  I am going to institute a buying ban for the beginning of the year through April and plan to read only books I own.  Always easier said than done.  

Once again I will be hosting Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks  and have many fun mini challenges and readalongs to keep everyone inspired.   

I'm going to do a 3/5/15 challenge which is 3 books in 5 categories for the year 2015.  My categories are  Dusty, Chunky, Translated, Study of St. Luke, Spiritual/Philosophical.  

I'll also do another round of A to Z and Around the World, keeping track of countries and centuries.  

Completed Reads for 2014

2014 Completed Reads


  1. An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne: 1839 Antarctic 184p eb)
  2. Black Arts (JY#7) - Faith Hunter:  (20th C, New Orleans, 336p  eb)
  3. Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami (20th C, Japan 607p)
  4. Ice Hunt - James Rollins (20th C, Arctic, 656p) 
  5. The Tale of Genji (volume 1) - Lady Murasaki (12thC, Japan, 210p eb)
  6. The Passage - Justin Cronin (20thC, US and various, 766p) 
  7. Fury of the Demon - Diana Rowland (20thC, Paranormal, 416p eb)
  8. Dead Man's Deal (#2 Asylum Tales) - Jocelyn Drake (20thC paranormal, 384p eb) 
  9. House of Cards (#2 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 447p eb) 
  10. Here Be Dragons (#1 Welsh) - Sharon Kay Penman (13th, England/Wales, 704p) 
  11. Hands of Flame (#3 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC, paranormal, 384p, eb)
  12. The Twelve - Justin Cronin (dystopian U.S., 568 p)  
  13. Coyote Dreams (#3 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy  (20thC paranormal, 416p, eb)
  14. Walking Dead (#4 Walker Papers - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 384p, eb)
  15. Concealed in Death (#38 In death) - J.D. Robb (futuristic New York, 402p)
  16. The Road to Rome (#3 Forgotten Legion) - Ben Kane (46BC, Italy, 513p)
  17. Scribe - Elizabeth Hunter (Instanbul-290p)
  18. Tenth Stone (#10 AD Chronicles)- Bodie Thoene (Ancient Israel, 352p)
  19. Amazonia - James Rollins (Brazil, 624p)
  20. A Hidden Fire (#1 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter  (US/Italy, Paranormal, 274p, eb)
  21. This Same Earth (#2 Elemental Mysteries - Elizabeth Hunter (290p, eb)
  22. The Sorceress (#3 Nicholas Flamel) - Michael Scott (US/France, Fantasy, 514p)
  23. At the River's Edge (Chesepeake Diaries) - Mariah Stewart (US Romance, 434p)
  24. The Force of Wind (#3 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (414, eb)
  25. A Fall of Water (#4 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (360, eb)
  26. Shifting Dreams (#1 Cambrio Springs Mystery) - Elizabeth Hunter (US Paranormal, 270, eb)
  27. City of Fallen Angels (#4 Mortal Instruments) - Cassandra Clare (US Paranormal 434, eb)
  28. Demon Hunts (#5 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (US Paranormal 366, eb)
  29. Black Heart Loa (#2 Hoodoo) - Adrian Phoenix (US Paranormal 437 eb)
  30. Night Broken (#8 Mercedes Thompson) - Patricia Briggs (US Paranormal 353 eb)
  31. Dark Witch (#2 Cousin O'Dwyer) - Nora Roberts (Paranormal 352)
  32. The Chance (#4 Thunderpoint) - Robyn Carr (347, eb)
  33. Spirit Dances (#6 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (366, eb)
  34. Raven Calls (#7 Walker Papers) - C.E.Murphy (365, eb)
  35. Mountain Echoes (#8 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (348, eb)
  36. Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (Israel, Paranormal 717) 
  37. The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer (15thC England, 240, eb)
  38. Across the Nightingale Floor - Lian Hearn (medieval Japan, 305, eb)
  39. Falls the Shadow (#2 Welsh Trilogy) - Sharon Kay Penman  (13thC England/Wales, 580)
  40. The Collector - Nora Roberts (496) 
  41. Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco (14thC, Italy, 536)
  42. Written in Red (Novel of the Others) - Anne Bishop (US Paranormal, 496)
  43. Grass for his Pillow (#2 Otori) - Lian Hearn (Medieval Japan 332 eb)
  44. Espresso Shot - Cleo Coyle (Us mystery 380)
  45. Haven (Bishop/special Crimes series)  - Kay Hooper (US psychic mystery 359)
  46. The Apothecary's Daughter - Julia Klassen (19thC Regency Romance 416 eb)
  47. The Crystal Cave - Mary Stewart ( Wales, fantasy 529)
  48. The Fallen Angel (Gabriel Allon series) - Daniel Silva (Italy mystery 417 eb)
  49. Monuments Men - Robert Edsel (NF, Europe, 640)
  50. Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llywelyn (16thC Ireland historical 420 eb)
  51. The Genius and the Muse - Elizabeth Hunter (US, Romance 224 eb)
  52. False Memory - Dean Koontz (US, psychological thriller 768)
  53. Her Sky Cowboy - Beth Ciotta (Italy, steampunk eb 352)
  54. Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack - Mark Hodder (dnf - creepy)
  55. Something More Than Night - Ian Tregellis (dnf - annoying noir)
  56. Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry series) - Laurell K. Hamilton (paranormal 384 eb)
  57. I Own the Dawn  (#2 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman  (Middle East Military Romance 418 eb)
  58. Night is Mine (#1 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 418 eb) 
  59. Wait Until Dark (#4 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 384 eb) 
  60. Take Over at Midnight (#8 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 382 eb)
  61. Slave to Sensation (#1 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, paranormal, 352 eb)
  62. Visions of Heat (#2 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356 eb)
  63. Caressed by Ice (#3 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 388 eb)
  64. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell - Susanna Clark (England, 1024)
  65. Hostage to Pleasure (#5 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356, eb)
  66. Branded by Fire (#6 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 372, eb)
  67. Blaze of Memory (#7 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 386, eb)
  68. Bonds of Justice (#8 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 359 eb) 
  69. Play of Passion (#9 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 356, eb) 
  70. Kiss of Snow (#10 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 433, eb)
  71. Tangle of Need (#11 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 432, eb) 
  72. Exit Strategy - Kelly Armstrong  (Canada, US, 512)
  73. Poison Promise (#11 Elemental Assassin) - Jennifer Estep (US 416, eb) 
  74. Bitten - Kelly Armstrong (Canada, 544) 
  75. Rapture (#4 Fallen Angels) - J.R. Ward (US, 513 eb)
  76. Bastion(#5 Collegium Chronicles) - Mercedes Lackey (Paranormal, 353 )
  77. Frankenstein: City of Night (#2) - Dean Koontz UW =480)
  78. Hollow Man - Dan Simmons (US - 352)
  79. Blood Magick (#3 Odwyer series) - Nora Roberts (Ireland, 336) 
  80. Storm Front (#1 Dresden Files) - Jim Butcher (Paranormal 322) 
  81. City of Lost Souls (#5 Mortal Instruments)- Cassandra Clare (Paranormal 560)
  82. When Red is Black (#4 Inspector Chen) - Qui Xiaolong (China 320)
  83. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein)- Dean Koontz
  84. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz
  85. The Way Home (#2 One Eyed Jacks) - Cindy Gerard (Afghanistan and US, eb)
  86.  Black Widow (#11 Elemental Assassins) - Jennifer Estep (eb)
  87. Possession (#5 Fallen Angels) -  J.R. Ward  (Paranormal 545 eb)
  88. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 352)
  89. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 416)
  90. House Immortal (#1 HI) - Devon Monk (Paranormal 350 eb)
  91. Sweet Dreams (#2 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 678 eb)
  92. The Gamble (#1 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 679 eb)
  93. Lady Luck (#3 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 664 eb)
  94. Breath (#4 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 649 eb)
  95. Kaleidoscope (#6 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 406 eb)
  96. Rock Chick - Kristen Ashley (US 398 eb)
  97. Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley (US 400 eb)
  98. Forged in Ash (Seal #2)  - Trish McCall (US 445 eb)
  99. Born Wild (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 385 eb)
  100. Hell for Leather (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 375 eb)
  101. Full Throttle (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 380 eb)

  1. Reread entire J.D. Robb's In Death Series (1-39)
  2. Reread Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series (1-8)

52 Books 2014 Wrap Up

 Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks 2014 Wrap Up


 

How many books did you read and did you meet your own personal goal?

My goal was 100 books and I read 148. (link to books) Of course, 47 of those books were rereads (J.D. Robb's In Death series (39) and Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series (8) so if I didn’t count those, the total would be 101.

The statistical breakdown is 90 physical books and 58 Ebooks.  Last year it was 50/50 split and I was determined to read more ‘real’ books versus ‘virtual.’   I read a lot of series so the breakdown of male to female was 14 males to 34 females.  Out of those 16 were new to me authors.

Challenge wise  (link to books) I cleared my shelves of 10 dusty books, 8 chunky books, and 5 faith reads. Also completed A to Z except for Y and Z which will do within the next week.

I visited 11 countries including Israel, Japan, China, England, Italy, Wales Istanbul, Brazil, United States, and Afghanistan and made it through several centuries including 46BC, 10ad, 12th – 16th and the 19th Century. So did better than I thought.
 

Most thrilling, oh my goodness, I want to read it again, unputdownable book?

It would have to be Cindy Gerard’s The Way Home.  The story was a romantic suspense set in the U.S. and Afghanistan and involved a U.S. Military soldier injured and trapped as a POW in the middle east.  The ending was so poignant it left me in tears. That doesn’t happen very often.

Top 5 favorite stories?  So hard to choose, especially when my mind and mood changes each time I look at the list.   Besides J.D. Robb’s In Death series which I just read for the umpteenth time again, I think Across the Nightengale Floor by Lian Hearn, Cindy Gerard’s The Way Home, Dean Koontz's False Memory, Qui Xiaolong’s When Red is Black and Sharon Kay Penman’s Here Be Dragons.


Least favorite book?  It would be The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder.  I’ve read some pretty graphic, creepy stories but this one I just couldn’t handle.

Are you ready to do it all over again?  Certainly!  

Do you have any goals to check out different genres or authors, read translated books or stories in another language for 2015

I always bite off more than I can chew with the mini challenges and overextend myself so for the new year besides the dusty, chunky, and A to Z, I’ll do the 5/5/15 - 5 Books in 5 Categories in 2015.  My categories will be translated books, classics, centuries, 1001 books and inspirational.




I had so much fun this year hosting Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks and look forward to doing it all over again in 2015.