2024 Yuletide Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon Wrap Up Post!!

 

I love reading, so I enjoyed participating in the 2024 Yuletide Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon this year!

I read a total of 5 books between November 25th through December 31st. Below is a list of all the books I read during this timeframe. Click on link to read my reviews for each book.

1. The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

2. The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

3. A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

4. A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril

5. Jake & the Gingerbread Wars by E. G. Foley (review to come)

Three of the books I read were Christmas themed books and I enjoyed reading them all!

2024 Yuletide Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon

I do like reading holiday themed books! Seasons of Reading is hosting both a reading challenge and read-a-thon beginning November 25th through December 31st, 2024.

You can participate in both the reading challenge and the read-a-thon or only one or the other. It's your choice!

I am going to participate in both the reading challenge and the read-a-thon. I plan to read only one holiday themed book for the reading  challenge, which falls into the Candy Cane level.

There's even a bingo reading challenge!! Plus, there's even prizes!!

Click on the above link to learn more about Seasons of Reading 2024 Yuletide Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon.

March of the Mammoths 2023 Readathon Event Announcement!

 Until yesterday, I'd never even heard of the March of the Mammoths Readathon before!! The term 'mammoth' refers to books with 800 pages or longer in length.

The goal of this readathon is to read a book that's 800+ pages in length. This is a stress free reading challenge where one can read one (or more) 800+ page book(s) during the month of March. You don't even have to finish reading the book you chose during the month of March... That's how stress free this readathon is!!

I use to read 500+ page books regularly many moons ago, but typically read books that are less than 400 pages these days. Sadly, I have many lengthy books that I want to read, but have postponed reading them for shorter books. 

This year, I've decided to participate in the March of the Mammoths by listening to the audio version of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and narrated by actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Does the March of the Mammoths 2023 Readathon sound like a fun reading event to you? If so, please join me next month by reading an 800+ page book of your own choosing! Both fiction and nonfiction books are allowed. Afterward, post a review of what you read on your blog and your thoughts on participating in the March of the Mammoths 2023 Readathon.

Below is a YouTube video with more information about the March of the Mammoths 2023 Readathon.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Tangerine by Christine Mangan

I've read mixed reviews regarding Tangerine by Christine Mangan. The reviews have been so mixed that I wasn't sure I even wanted to read Tangerine despite the fact that it sounded like an intriguing/must read novel. However, when I came across the paperback edition of Tangerine by Christine Mangan at a Free Little Library in Solana Beach, California, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give it a try. After all, what did I really have to lose?

If you love psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, two female protagonists, toxic female friendships, and a novel set in an exotic locale, then Tangerine by Christine Mangan may be the next novel you'll want to read!

Overall, I enjoyed reading Tangerine by Christine Mangan. I liked the alternating chapters featuring the point of view of either Alice or Lucy. Each alternating chapter added an element of suspense as Tangerine unfolded slowly. The storyline's tension slowly builds to reveal what the 'big secret' is between Alice and Lucy that ended their friendship in college. 

Additionally, both women appear mentally/emotionally unstable/damaged in some way throughout Tangerine. Alice is the most fragile of the two women and is easily manipulated, while Lucy is a strong, confident, independent, and manipulative woman. Do I dare write that Lucy seems to be a sociopath? 

Tangerine by Christine Mangan is multifaceted. It contains elements from 19th century Gothic novels/literature with references of Jane Eyre being particularly hinted at in Tangerine. There is also the focus on such "classic Gothic tropes as tyrannical husbands" (page 311, author's note). 

Additionally, Elle magazine is quoted as saying "Fans of The Talented Mr. Ripley will love this fast-paced thriller." I was also reminded of the unstable character Glenn Close played in the movie, 'Fatal Attraction', while reading Tangerine.

The city of Tangier itself plays a major role in Tangerine and can even be considered a character as well.

I enjoyed Christine Mangan's writing style very much and her way of describing characters, scenes, and emotions. I look forward to seeing what she writes in the future.

The epilogue for Tangerine was a bit of a disappointment though... It wasn't horrible, but I felt it could have gone out with a bang instead of the mild mannered way in which it did.

The following is a plot summary for Tangerine by Christine Mangan from Amazon:

The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the accident at Bennington, the two friends—once inseparable roommates—haven’t spoken in over a year. But there Lucy was, trying to make things right and return to their old rhythms. Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy—always fearless and independent—helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country.

But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice—she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice’s husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind. 

Tangerine is a sharp dagger of a book—a debut so tightly wound, so replete with exotic imagery and charm, so full of precise details and extraordinary craftsmanship, it will leave you absolutely breathless.

I am giving Tangerine by Christine Mangan a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

March 2018 Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge ~ My Sign-up Post

Kimberly over on Caffeinated Reviewer is hosting a month long reading challenge during March 2018 called the Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge!! This is the 6th year this challenge will be taking place.

Below is a quick blurb about the March 2018 Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge from the Caffeinated Reader website:

The rules are simple: for the entire month of March, you focus on reading/listening to books in your TBR pile released before March 1, 2018. They can be eBooks, physical books or audiobooks. Let’s clean off those shelves and finish those series and trilogies!

This is one of my favorite events as my to-be-read pile is often neglected. For those with a backlist of ARCs have no fear, as long as they have already published you can count them!

I will provide motivation with a grand prize of a new release of your choice. I am giving you time to clear your calendars and sort through your TBR piles by posting early, so no excuses..we can do this! Open to all participants as long as Book Depository ships to your address.

Are you ready to accept the Challenge?

Click on the above link to read the official rules for March 2018 Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge and to sign up!

This will be the first time I will be participating in the Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge. I look forward to reading some of my older books during the month of March.

I plan to read five books by five different women writers as March is Women's History Month. I will not be choosing books that focus specifically on women's history or women's issues, but at least I am choosing to read books written by women during the month of March.

Here are the five books I plan to read in March 2018:

1. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker (Advance Reader Edition)
2. Where The Lost Girls Go by R. J. Noonan (Received for FREE through Goodreads)
3. Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People & Dogs by Caroline Knapp (I need to finish reading this book)
4. The Devil, The Lovers, & Me: My Life In Tarot by Kimberlee Auerbach (I need to finish reading this book)
5. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee (I need to finish reading  this book)

I hope you'll be joining me in reading books from your tbr pile in March!

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The 2016 Authors A-Z Reading Challenge

This year, I've been participating in the 2016 Authors A-Z Reading Challenge. For  the 2016 Authors A-Z Reading Challenge, the goal is to read books by 26 different authors throughout the year. The name of the authors (you can choose the author's first name or last name) starts on each letter in the alphabet (A to Z). One author, one letter and you can ONLY count each author once, by using the first letter in the first name OR the first letter in the last name. The letters "Q" and "X" can be anywhere in the author's name. 

I've had fun participating in the 2016 Authors A-Z Reading Challenge and have recently completed this reading in the past couple of days!!

Below is a list of authors and their books I've read to complete the 2016 Authors A-Z Reading Challenge:

A - Alender, Katie ~ Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/marie-antoinette-serial-killer-by-katie.html

B - Bradford, Laura ~ Deadly Readings
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/deadly-readings-by-laura-bradford.html

C - Claflin, Stacy ~ Gone
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/gone-by-stacy-claflin.html

D - Dodwell, Liz ~ Bird Brain (Polly Parrett Pet-Sitter Cozy Murder Mysteries #3)
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/bird-brain-polly-parrett-pet-sitter.html

E - Eggers, Dave ~ We Like You So Much and Want to Know You Better
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/we-like-you-so-much-and-want-to-know.html

F - Fleming, Sarah Lyons ~ So Long, Lollipops (An Until the End of the World Novella)
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/so-long-lollipops-by-sarah-lyons-fleming.html

G - Grace Buchele Mineta ~ My Japanese Husband Thinks I'm Crazy
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/my-japanese-husband-thinks-im-crazy-by.html

H - Hendricks, Gay ~ The Broken Rules of Ten
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/the-broken-rules-of-ten-by-gay.html

I - Irving, Washington ~ Rip Van Winkle
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/rip-van-winkle-by-washington-irving.html

J - Jeffrey Archer ~ Only Time Will Tell
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/only-time-will-tell-by-jeffrey-archer.html

K - King, Greg ~ The Assassination of the Archduke: Sarajevo 1914 and the Romance That Changed the World
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/the-assassination-of-archduke-by-greg.html

L - Lee, Harper ~ Go Set A Watchman
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/go-set-watchman-by-harper-lee.html

M - Maya Angelou ~ Letter To My Daughter
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/letter-to-my-daughter-by-maya-angelou.html

N - Nisula, L. A. ~ Killing at the Carnival (Cassie Pengear Mysteries Book 1)
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/killing-at-carnival-cassie-pengear.html

O - Oyeyemi, Helen ~ Mr. Fox
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/mr-fox-by-helen-oyeyemi.html

P - Pearl-McPhee, Stephanie ~ Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/13491484

Q - Quinn, Ryan ~ The Good Traitor
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-good-traitor-by-ryan-quinn.html

R - Robb, J. D. ~ Thankless In Death
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/thankless-in-death-by-j-d-robb.html

S - Sullivan, Michael J. ~ The Jester
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/the-jester-by-michael-j-sullivan.html

T - Tuomainen, Antti ~ The Healer
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/13923987

U - Umrigar, Thrity ~ The Space Between Us
http://www.bookcrossing.com/---/11281124

V - Vanessa Grant ~ Seeing Stars
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/seeing-stars-by-vanessa-grant.html

W - Wilkes, Rick ~ 5 EFT Tapping Scripts to Help You Have Deep Restful Sleep
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/5-eft-tapping-scripts-to-help-you-have.html

X - Roxie Rivera ~ Nikolai (Her Russian Protector, Book # 4)
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/nikolai-her-russian-protector-book-4-by.html

Y - Yousafzai, Malala ~ I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/i-am-malala-girl-who-stood-up-for.html

Z - Zante, Lily ~ The Proposal
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/---/the-proposal-by-lily-zante.html

Until my next post, happy reading!!

2015 Audiobook Challenge!!

Yes, I'm totally excited about participating in the 2015 Audiobook Challenge in the new year as I had so much fun participating in this event this year!!

Thank you to The Book Nympho & Hot Listens for hosting the Audiobook Challenge for the 3rd year in a row! It's a super fun event and I hope others decide to join too.

Challenge Details:

• Runs January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015. You can join at anytime.
• The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2015 than you did in 2014.
• Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
• ANY genres count.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Shelfari, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
• If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.

Levels:

• Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
• Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
• Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
• Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
• Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
• My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I'm hoping to reach the Marathoner Level in 2015!!

2014 Audiobook Challenge Wrap Up Post!!

First off, I'd like to thank The Book Nympho & Hot Listens for hosting the 2014 Audiobook Challenge. I had a blast participating in this challenge as I've seriously become addicted to listening to audiobooks in the past few years. This year I came across some really awesome audiobooks and even discovered some new to me authors in the process!! What more could I ask for?

I listened to 48 audiobooks this year, which far exceeded my expectations as to how many I'd actually listen to in 2014. So, needless to say, I reached the "My Precious" level!!

So, which audiobooks made my top ten list of favorite listens in 2014?? That's a difficult question to answer as I enjoyed listening to so many audiobooks this year. Somehow I managed to narrow down my list favorite audiobooks for 2014 in no specific order as follows:

1. The Soloist by Steve Lopez
2. The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
3. The Selkie Spell by Sophie Moss
4. Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz
5. Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert.
6. Steinbeck's Ghost by Lewis Buzbee
7. Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad by M. R. James
8. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
9. Scent of a Mate by Milly Taiden
10. The Pluto Files by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Runner up/honorable mention is Sold by Patricia McCormick!