2019 Reading Challenges

Hang tight! Here's a list of reading challenges I'm signing up for in 2019...


Here at In the Bookcase, you'll find the Louisa May Alcott challenge during June:




I also host A Literary Christmas during November/December:




Please join me for these 2 annual events in 2019! We always have a ton of fun, setting our own goals, connecting with other readers, and getting really good book recommendations. :)



Now, for all the other challenges I'm joining too...




The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your "to be read" pile (within 12 months).

Note to self: Monthly check-in on the 15th.
When finished, leave comment on original post.

My 2019 TBR Pile Challenge List:
1.  A Horse Called Hero by Sam Angus
2.  Almost Perfect by Diane Daniels Manning
3.  As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley
4.  Light in My Darkest Night by Catherine Marshall
5.  Anon, Sir, Anon by Rachel Heffington
6   Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
7.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
8.  Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery
9.  Swept to Sea by Heather Manning
10.  Louisa and the Missing Heiress by Anna Maclean
11.  Doc Susie by Virginia Cornell
12.  The Wizard of Oz FAQ by David J. Hogan

Alternates:
1.   The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
2.   The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne






The Goal: To read 12 classics that fit within 12 specific categories.

Note to self: Link up each review as I finish it.
When finished, write a wrap-up post.

19th Century Classic: The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott
20th Century Classic: His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle
Classic By A Woman: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Classic in Translation: The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
Classic Tragic Novel: The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier
Classic Comic Novel: My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
Very Long Classic: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
Classic Novella: Village Diary by Miss Read
Classic From the Americas or Caribbean: The Horse and Buggy Doctor by Arthur E. Hertzler
Classic From Africa, Asia, or Oceania: Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Classic From A Place You've Lived: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Classic Play: Macbeth by William Shakespeare






The Goal: Read book titles that start with all the letters of the alphabet, one book for each letter.

Note to self: Link up each review as finished. Monthly mini challenges, quarterly read-a-thons.

A.  As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

B. Busted! by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim LaHaye

C. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

D.  Doc Susie by Alan Bradley
.
F.  Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

G.  Glinda of Oz by Frank L. Baum

H.  His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle

I.  Icebreaker by Lian Tanner

J.  Jamie MacLeod: Highland Lass by Michael Phillips & Judith Pella

K. The Khipu and the Final Key by Gertrude Chandler Warner

L.  The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables by Catherine Reid

M.  My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

N. No Way Out by Dan Poblocki

O. Only Gossip Prospers by Lorraine Tosiello

P.  Paw Prints on My Soul by Jane Biehl
.
R.  Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer Nielsen

S.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

T.  The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum

U. The Underground by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim LaHaye

V. Village Diary by Miss Read

W. West from Home by Laura Ingalls Wilder
.
Y.  You Can't Hide by Dan Poblocki
.





The Goal: Bronze – 10 NetGalley books

Note to self: Monthly link-up on the 1st.

April: 2 books
August: 3 books
October: 5 books
December: 7 books

TOTAL: 17




The Goal: Group together 5 reads that share something specific in common, as often as possible.

Note to self: New link-up every 2 months

March: 5 books from Goosebumps: Horrorland series
May: 5 books by R.L. Stine, any series
October: 5 books with Louisa May Alcott theme
December:  5 books that take place in Scotland, 5 books that take place in England, 5 books with "Christmas" in the title, 5 books related to the Wizard of Oz, 5 last books of a series, 5 books with modes of transportation on the cover







The Goal: Read older books that have been piling up in my TBR pile/list [I'll try for 100+ books!].

Note to self: Books must be published before 2018 & already be in my TBR pile/list.
Link up on review linky as I finish each book.


Feb: 10
Aug: 12
Oct: 27
Dec: 44

TOTAL: 92




The Goal: Library Addict - 48 books

Note to self: Link up on review linky as I finish each book.
Mid-Year Library Check-in, during June/July.

Jan: 4
Dec: 15





The Goal: Amateur Sleuth - 5-15 books

Note to self: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Crime genres, 100+ pages.
Quarterly link-ups (Jan-March, April-June, July-Sept and Oct-Dec).
Giveaway at halfway mark and at end.

Jan-Mar: 1
Jul-Sep: 6
Oct-Dec: 8

TOTAL: 15




The Goal:

1. Read at least 125 books, from all formats.
2. Review, review, review! -- Make sure to review every book I read this year.
3. In with the old! -- Read at least 25 books that are published before the year 2000.
4. Listen while I "work"! -- Listen to at least 35 audio books.
5. Increase my NetGalley feedback ratio -- Finish at least 10 NetGalley books.
6. Read more titles from indie authors this year -- at least 12.
7. Tackle something big! -- Read 2 books that have 500+ pages each. (Yes, I must try.)
8. Complete at least 8 year-long reading challenges (to doubly make sure I finish them off!).
9. Finish what I start! -- Finish off at least 4 different book series.
10. All formats of books combined, conquer reading 25,000 pages (according to Goodreads stats).

Note to self: Checkpoints on May 1st, September 1st, and in December.

TOTAL: 5/10




The Goal: Creative Conversationalist - 11-20 blog posts

Note to self: Monthly link-ups on the 1st.

Back to the Classics 2018: My Final 12

This year I joined the Back to the Classics challenge (for the second time... yes, it was just THAT fun!).

This is a look back at the 12 books I chose to read for the challenge.

That's 3 entries in the end-of-year giveaway! 

All titles are linked back to my reviews. Please, feel welcome to comment on any of them. I love chatting about old, classic books.


 .......... Karen, if by any chance you need to contact me about a prize (hey, I can hope!) you can click over to my Contact Me page. Thanks! >>>



And here's my list!

19th Century Classic: Oliver Twist

20th Century Classic: The Keys of the Kingdom

Classic by a Woman Author: Village School

Classic in Translation: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Children's Classic: Swiss Family Robinson

Classic Crime Story: The Valley of Fear

Classic Travel or Journey: A Long Fatal Love Chase

Classic With a Single-Word Title: Siddhartha

Classic With a Color in the Title: Pat of Silver Bush

Classic By a New-To-You Author: Magnificent Obsession

Classic That Scares You: Moby Dick

Re-Read a Favorite Classic: Anne of Green Gables

Book Review: Magnificent Obsession

Magnificent Obsession

written by Lloyd C. Douglas

434 pages // published in 1929 // religious classic literature

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When Robert Merrick's life is saved at the expense of the life of an eccentric but adored surgeon, the carefree playboy is forced to reevaluate his own path. Merrick embarks on a course of anonymous philanthropy, inspired by reading the doctor's private papers. An engaging and dramatic story of personal redemption and private sacrifice, this spiritual tale has served as an inspiration for both the stage and screen.

A wonderful, thought-provoking book. Makes a fantastic read in November/December around the holidays. Part of the storyline takes place around that time on the calendar. Due to the nature of the story, it's a very giving book, providing the reader with such good principles on living a well-spent life... So the "giving" themes presented run true at Christmastime even moreso than usual, maybe even placing you directly in Dr. Hudson's footsteps, just like it does young Bobby Merrick.

What the story boils down to is a non-believer of religion finding God by scientifically executing generosity, and through that, learning to feel empathy for others' plights. After young, spoiled Bobby Merrick finally catches sight of the meaning behind abundant living, he glimpses the shining light of glory ahead, and chases it down with all his might. He ends up making discoveries about life that he never thought possible before. He espies a legacy that is worth duplicating as his own... and maybe we all should too.

The book just gleams with the polish of a master storyteller. No doubt about it. As the chapters flew by for me, I could just feel the intensity of the tale smoldering right off the copy in my hand. There's many layers to the plot too, which is why it feels eternally intense, abysmally deep.

Note to the discerning reader: There is mild swearing and saying God's name in vain; due to the frequency of this, I have to drop a star off my rating, regretfully.

Personally, for me? I don't quite agree with all the religious type of logic illustrated in the story... it's not always clearly shown as following Christ. Instead the acts of kindness portrayed are referred to as "expanding one's personality" (it is better to give than to receive)... but it's still inspirational, nonetheless, and was written in an effort to reach the harvest fields of the world.

Overall? I rejoice in the fact that I got to read Magnificent Obsession at this point in my life. It's one to remember and reflect upon. (Plus, I think I need to go re-watch the old film version of it again. I remember just loving it as well.)

EXCEPTIONAL.

paperback // e-book // hardcover

This is book #12 for me in the Back to the Classics 2018 challenge.
[CATEGORY: New-To-You Author]




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Book Review: A Christmas by the Sea

A Christmas by the Sea

written by Melody Carlson

169 pages // published in 2018 // contemporary Christian fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist.

Join award-winning author Melody Carlson for a Christmas story that will warm your heart and have you dreaming of your own enchanted seaside holiday.

What I love:
• The beautiful, vibrant winter scene on the cover. (It's so inviting... I want to go there!)
• The title... it really drew me in.
• The plot about inheriting a beach cottage and needing to fix it up... The ideas are limitless!
• Wendy's son, Jackson. He is such a sweet teenager, and should be the role model for kids everywhere.
• The ocean.
• Sea shells.
• Sand dollars. (Very inspirational element in the story. Right after both my mom and I both read this book, we had a similar experience to Wendy and Jackson's beach-combing... Which we instantly christened "Our Sand Dollar Moment".)
• Intriguing business endeavors. (The craftiness of inventive ideas.)
• The loveliness of the overall story.

What I didn't care for:
• The too-quick romance. (I feel like the would have been better without it, to be honest.) Or the romance could have been done better if it felt like the two characters in "love" had taken the time to deeply get to know each other.

Overall?
I'm a sucker for Melody Carlson's Christmas books. And it's a clean read. So I enjoyed the book greatly!

e-book // audio

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Are you sharing about any Christmas books? (on your blog, Goodreads, Instagram, etc?) Share it below!

'Tis the season for merry reading...
Please link to your sign-up posts, book reviews, and other Christmas book posts here:

Book Review: Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist

written by Charles Dickens

608 pages // published in 1838 // British classic literature

BOOK DESCRIPTION

One of Dickens’s most popular novels, Oliver Twist is the story of a young orphan who dares to say, "Please, sir, I want some more." After escaping from the dark and dismal workhouse where he was born, Oliver finds himself on the mean streets of Victorian-era London and is unwittingly recruited into a scabrous gang of scheming urchins. In this band of petty thieves Oliver encounters the extraordinary and vibrant characters who have captured readers’ imaginations for more than 150 years: the loathsome Fagin, the beautiful and tragic Nancy, the crafty Artful Dodger, and perhaps one of the greatest villains of all time—the terrifying Bill Sikes.

Rife with Dickens’s disturbing descriptions of street life, the novel is buoyed by the purity of the orphan Oliver. Though he is treated with cruelty and surrounded by coarseness for most of his life, his pious innocence leads him at last to salvation—and the shocking discovery of his true identity.

The rawness of humanity. The lowest scum on the streets. A boy thrown ito the mix, tossed and turned, this way and that. Oliver Twist.

Before taking on this novel, I had certainly forgotten how humorous that Dickens is in his writing. Even though the story may be so sorrowful, filled with the lowest of emotions, the basest of human actions, and the darkest of hopeless thoughts... he still infuses comedy into the commonplace and he knows just how to poke fun at the characters to make them appear ridiculous in their own peculiarities. Renewed again, I love reading Dickens for this reason.

This is an ideal Victorian novel, that shows both sides of the coin in terms of social status. Little Oliver gets the chance to experience it all. He gets thrown back and forth a bit between lives, but as the reader, we can really take in the contrast. It makes for an excellent historical study about England too.

Note to the discerning reader: May contain some mild swear words, and many are crossed out (only showing the first letter).

What memorable characters and heart-rending scenes this classic boasts. I enjoyed every page.

paperback // e-book

This is book #11 for me in the Back to the Classics 2018 challenge.
[CATEGORY: 18th Century Classic]




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.

WINNER of A Literary Christmas giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for the lovely Christmas Ball Ornament made from book pages! ... Today it's time to announce the WINNER!

What literary-minded person wouldn't want one of these?

And... if you're not the special winner to be blessed with this gift, you can get these ornaments from the Etsy shop Sweet Berry Gifts -- for any of your book-lovin' friends (and yourself, of course!).


So!


Here's the big announcement!


WHO WON???


>  >  >


Congratulations to Antoinette M!

(I've already sent you an email, Antoinette. Please reply soon.)


- - - - - - - -


And in other news...

A Literary Christmas reading challenges continues!


If you're reading any holiday-themed books this month, please join us.

#LASTCHANCE to win this Christmas book ornament!

Today is the VERY LAST DAY to win this adorable Book Page Ornament! Just a few hours left...

ENTER NOW... and get EXTRA BONUS points if you sign up for A Literary Christmas reading challenge too! *hint~hint*

2 brand new Christian Fiction Christmas releases! >> #GIVEAWAY

Authors Rebekah Morris and Faith Blum have teamed up for a fun Christmas Duet Blog Tour!

Why Christmas Duet? Because both books have titles that have to do with a Christmas song! Be sure to check out all of the other participating blogs, as well as the GIVEAWAY!!! Find out more below.

His Law is Love

by Rebekah A. Morris

Will hate and fear drown the song of Christmas love?

Amelia is eagerly anticipating her first Christmas in the west, but she soon finds that her brother-in-law's worry and her sister's exhaustion reach far deeper than the cares of a ranch and a family. A rash of fires and cattle thefts is plaguing the area, and the three young orphans they've sheltered are under suspicion from their prejudiced neighbors.

As hostilities mount, Amelia seizes every opportunity to help and encourage, but how much can one girl do? Will Reverend Brown win the community over to the true spirit of love? And will help arrive before everything they hold dear is destroyed?

Read an excerpt!

            Her attention was arrested by the minister’s deep baritone voice. “Christmas is only a little more than two weeks away, and at this time of year I am reminded of the words of my favorite Christmas song.” He stepped to the side of the pulpit and began to recite the words, but before he had reached the third line, the melody rolled from him and filled the church.

            “Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
            Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
            A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices,
            For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;”

            A thrill–was it of hope?–raced through Amelia, and she caught her breath as the voice seemed to shake the rafters of the church as the minister launched into the refrain.

            Not a sound was to be heard when the minister, having finished the first stanza and chorus resumed his place and looked around on his congregation.

            “Have you fallen on your knees before the King lately? Have you realized that your soul is not the only soul to have worth? Is not the soul of your neighbor worth as much as your own? Did not our Savior come to save his soul too? As this holy night, this night divine, approaches, let us remember why Christ came.”

 

Author Bio:

Rebekah A. Morris is a homeschool graduate, an enthusiastic freelance author and a passionate writing teacher. Her books include, among others, Home Fires of the Great War, The Unexpected Request, Gift from the Storm, the Christmas Collection series, and her best selling Triple Creek Ranch series.

Some of her favorite pastimes, when she isn’t writing, include reading, playing with her seven nieces and nephews, and coming up with dramatic and original things to do. (Sometimes with the nieces and nephews!) The Show-Me state is where she calls home.

 

 

O Come All Ye Faithful & other short stories

by Faith Blum

O Come All Ye Faithful

Edwin wanted to be home, but instead he crouched in a trench. The English on one side of No Man’s Land and Germans on the other. What a way to spend Christmas. Could anything make it better?

Peace on Earth

Emmie and Elana are estranged sisters, torn apart by an old boyfriend five years earlier. Will they survive a night in the same hotel room after a blizzard forces them together or will peace on earth go out the window?

Silent Night

Christmas decorating had never gone this wrong. Jenna had just started when a crazy, gun-waving woman, walks right in the front door and ties her up in her own Christmas lights. Will Jenna even see her family this Christmas?

The Gift Goes On

Four friends and a year to reflect on. The year had been good for Carlotta, but Priscilla, Remus, and Newton all had at least one trial through the year. A mysterious giver the previous year had helped them all out, though. What would this year’s gifts bring?

O Christmas Tree

Gareth loves Christmas. But more than that, he loves Christmas tree hunting. As the family prepares for their annual trip, Gareth can barely contain his excitement. But what are all the spray bottles for?

Read an excerpt!

Edwin blinked against the dim light of the dawn. What had awakened him this time? A dull boom in the distance startled him. Distant or not, that boom was much too close for comfort. Who had fired their artillery and where? It was far enough away to not be a danger to him or his men, but if it was the Germans, that meant another company was getting artillery shells lobbed at them. 

Not for the first time, Edwin wished he lived back during the days of King Arthur. Boulders catapulting toward him would be preferable to the devastation from a shell. He had always imagined boulders would be easier to see and move away from. If he couldn’t, then being crushed had to be better than shrapnel. He shuddered as memories of the army hospital tents came back.

The captain shouted orders to them and Edwin bit back a groan. Another day, another fight, another depressing… Wait, it was Christmas Eve. Not that it mattered, but being gloomy on this holiday was not something his sister would approve of. A smile flitted across his grim face. It didn’t stick, but that tiny seed of hope lifted his spirits just a little.

Author Bio:

Faith Blum is a small-town Wisconsin girl. She’s lived in, or outside of, small towns her whole life. The thought of living in a city with more than 60,000 people in it scares her, especially after some interesting adventures driving through big cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Faith currently resides in the middle of the state of Wisconsin with her husband and their cat, Smokey. She is blessed to be able to have writing as her full-time career with household work and cooking to do on the side. She loves to paint walls as long as she doesn’t have to do hallways or ceilings.

When not writing, you can find her cooking food from scratch due to food allergies (fun), doing dishes (meh), knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, or spending time with her husband (yay!). She is also a Community Assistant for the Young Writers Workshop and loves her work there. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her on her website.

 

Just like Rebekah and Faith teamed up for this tour, they have also teamed up on the giveaway!

Grand Prize: Paperback of each (US only)

1st Prize: eBook of each (International and US)

2nd Prize: eBook of choice (International and US)

Enter here >>>
kingsumo.com/g/ocz29j/the-christmas-duet-giveaway

 

Tour Schedule:

November 26

Bookish Orchestrations – Introductory Post

Cover Lover Book Review – Book Spotlights

November 27

Read Another Page – Book Spotlight

Kaylee's Kind Of Writes – Two Book Reviews

Jaye L. Knight – Excerpts

November 28

Lit Aflame – Book Review and Excerpt

Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections – Book Review of His Law is Love

Jenny Berlin – Excerpts

November 29

Frances Hoelsema's Blog – Two Book Spotlights

Rebekah Ashleigh – Review of His Law is Love and Book Spotlights

Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors – Book Review and Spotlight

Salsa And Tea – Author Interviews

November 30

Purely by Faith Reviews – Two Book Reviews

Once Upon An Ordinary – Author Interview and Book Spotlights

In the Bookcase - Excerpts

December 1

Books, Life, and Christ – Two Book Reviews

Maidens for Modesty – Two Book Reviews

Chosen Vessels – Two Book Reviews

Harvest Lane Cottage – Two Book Reviews

Jessica Greyson – Book Spotlights

Twin Thoughts – Book Spotlights

Heart of the Rose – Two Book Reviews

Read Another Page – Book Spotlight and Review

December 3

Bookish Orchestrations – Giveaway winner

The Power of Storytelling for Christ

C. S. Lewis, Madeleine L’Engle, and the Power of Storytelling

article by Warren Cole Smith

"Artists such as Madeleine L’Engle and C. S. Lewis help us remember that the Bible is more than just a collection of stories. The bible is itself a magnificent story of the creation, fall, redemption, and ultimate restoration of all things...."

— Continue reading at rabbitroom.com

Let's discuss it!

Who are some of your favorite Christian storytellers?

What kind of storytelling do you think is missing from the market today?

Best deals + freebies in Christian Indie Books! >> Giveaway, Exclusive Interview ++

Welcome! I wanted to tell you about a HUGE sale that is going on this weekend! There are over 150 titles available and they are all either $.99 or FREE! There are also a long list of paperbacks for sale at incredibly discounted prices as well! And the good news is they are all clean reads! Be sure to go check out this amazing sale HERE. <<<<<<<<

There is also an amazing giveaway going on! Grand Prize winner receives 20 paperbacks and the 2^nd place winner gets 20 e-book titles from the sale for free! 



Angie Thompson is one of the authors featured in this sale and giveaway... and also in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW here on the In the Bookcase blog!

Let's start the interview!


Hi, Angie! I've heard great things about your books. I'm excited to read some of your titles soon. What is your favorite genre to write in?

Angie Thompson: Ugh…this is payback for all the times I’ve asked this question, isn’t it? At least you asked about writing, not reading… No, I take it back; that’s still such a hard question!

Since I bounced back and forth like a ping-pong ball trying to answer this, I decided to go to the official source—my story files. And the answer is…historical! Which is funny, since only one of my published stories so far has been historical. But I’ve started more historical stories than any other genre, so there you have it! (If anyone is curious, contemporary appears to be my second favorite, followed by sci-fi/futuristic, kingdom adventure, and random things like allegory that defy me to put them into a genre.)


What kind of research have you found yourself involved in by writing? Is there anything you're researching now for your next story?

Angie Thompson: I definitely think there should be some sort of official author status on Google, just to let anyone who’s monitoring my internet searches know not to put me on a watch list! I was seriously a little spooked about what kind of red flags I might be raising when I started searching for pictures/layouts of the airports my characters were supposed to fly into/out of. 😊

I also have a bad habit of injuring my characters or making them sick, so I’ve ended up doing a lot of medical research for different stories. That’s especially difficult for historical fiction, because when I want to know about the treatment for scarlet fever, I’m not looking for fifty articles advising me to go to the hospital immediately… On the other hand, I decided not long ago to create a fictional medical condition for a futuristic story and suddenly found myself with piles of research on how to actually make it work in a convincing way. Did I mention I had also saddled myself with a main character who was a doctor? Oh, dear…

The good news is that my next story has passed the plotting stage and is into rewriting/editing, so hopefully I get a break from the random research for a while. Except that in the back of my mind, I’m still plugging away at that new medical condition…


What are some of the biggest inspirations you have regarding your writing? (Are there certain people, or books, or TV shows, etc.. that impact what you put into your writing?)

Angie Thompson: I get inspiration literally everywhere. One of the most bizarre (although also one of the most prolific) is dreams. If I have an interesting dream and enough time to mold it into something that halfway makes sense the next morning, watch out, world! My next book (or at least the one I plan to publish next) was inspired by a conversation my family was having one night, a movie I watched part of the same night, and the dream that melded them together the next morning. The idea for my first published book, Bridgers, was sparked by an episode of an audio drama. Other recent inspirations have been a Bible study, a kids’ movie, a favorite name, and—I kid you not—the most cliched opening line in history.



Since we're nearing the end of the year, tell us... what has been the most surprising book you've read in 2018? And (on a slightly different note) what is your favorite read of 2018 (granted you don't end up finding another favorite by year's end)? :D

Angie Thompson: Seriously?!? Favorite genre was unfair; this is just cruel! *sighs and goes to dig through my massive pile of favorite books*

Okay, there are several good candidates for the most surprising book, but I think I have to go with Castaways by Jes Drew. I volunteered to read it pre-release because I love survival stories, but I had no idea it would be so hilarious! Much better than I was even hoping for!

Now…if I’m counting my favorite read as a book I read for the first time in 2018, I think I have to give it to Becoming Nikki by Ashley Elliot. (It’s such a narrow margin, though!) If re-reads count, The Rivers of Judah by Catherine Farnes would be my hands-down favorite. Whew—that was grueling! Now I need chocolate. 😊

--- Find Angie online! ---

www.quietwaterspress.com

Goodreads

 

You can sign up for the giveaway in the Rafflecopter entry form at the bottom of THIS post!

Giveaway runs from November 22^nd till November 26^th @12AM ET Grand prize open to US winners only. 2^nd place prize is open Internationally. 

 

2nd Place Winner Receives 20 E-books

Gather Round the Fables by Erika Matthews

The Case of the Tabloid Tattler by Perry Kirkpatrick AudioBook

The Twelve Cats of Christmas by Perry Kirkpatrick Audiobook

Coffee Shop Christmas Ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

The Land of Cotton ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

Entertaining Angels, Entertaining Angels Book 1 by Emerald Barnes

Secret’s Kept by Jennette Mbewe

The Firethorn Crown by Lea Doue

Beyond Broken Pencils by Julie C. Gilbert

Ashlynn's Dreams by Julie C. Gilbert

Soldier On by Vanessa Rasanen

Burning Rose by Hope Ann

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

Imani Earns Her Cape by Bokerah Brumley

October by J. Grace Pennington

Disowned by Sarah Addison Fox

My Compass Home by Michaela Bush

Summer Shadows and Necessary Evil by Killarney Traynor

Grand Prize Winner Receives 20 Paperbacks

Mythical Doorways by Jenelle Schmidt

Faith is the Victory by Faith Blum

Kiera by Kate Willis

Because Anonymous Diana L. Sharples

After: Book One in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Specter: Book Two in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Leandra’s Enchanted Flute by Katy Huth Jones

Eagle Eyes by Tammy Lash

London in the Dark by Victoria Lynn   

When Beauty Blooms by Victoria Lynn

Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset by Sarah Ashwood

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

There Was Always Laughter in Our House by Sarah Holman

Bridgers: A Parable (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Love Blind (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Code by Angie Thompson

Christmas Eve at the Backdoor by Rebekah Morris

The Seven Drawers by Kendra E. Ardnek

He's Making Diamonds: A Teen's Thoughts on Faith Through Chronic Illness by Sara Willoughby

Participating Authors

Kate Willis

Hope

C.B. Cook

Vincent Trigili

Malachi Cyr

E. J. Willis

Diana L. Sharples

Sarah Addison-Fox

Annie Douglass Lima

Marc Secchia

Katy Huth Jones

Savannah Jezowski

Kandi J Wyatt

Joan Lightning

Angela Watts

Ava Mallory

Sara Bourgeois

Jaye L. Knight

Sarah Ashwood

Killarney Traynor

Zanna Mackenzie

Valerie Howard

Bokerah Brumley

Kat Bellemore

Faith Blum

RJ Conte

Abigayle Claire

Tayla Alexandra

Kristen Iten

Emily Selby

Stephanie Damore

Erika Mathews

Frances Hoelsema

J. Grace Pennington

Rebekah A. Morris

Frankie Bow

Martha Fuller

Lena Karynn Tesla

Allison Tebo

Sarah Monzon

Victoria Lynn

Sonia Parin

T.I. Lowe

Lia London

Tammy Lash

maria grazia swan

Deany Ray

Paige Sleuth

Jenny Berlin

Annie Louise Twitchell

Jordaina Sydney Robinson

Kelsey Gietl

Kendra E. Ardnek

Frances Hoelsema

Stacy Juba

Laura Guenot

Michaela Bush

Tricia Mingerink

Hailey Rose

Ryana Lynn Miller

Angie Thompson

Nadine C. Keels

Kellyn Roth

Angie Thompson

Vanessa Rasanen

Julie C. Gilbert

Jennette Mbewe

C. S. Johnson

Amy Williams

April Lynn Newell

Lauren Lynch

Lea Doue

Kelsey Bryant

Avery Daniels

Sarah Holman

R.M. Archer

Emerald Barnes

Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

Cathy Perkins

Laura Jackson

P.D. Workman

Emily Hinkle

Hannah Loviisa

Claire Banschbach

Rebekah Jones

Faith Potts

Sara Willoughby

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Check out my own giveaway and A Literary Christmas reading challenge!