Closing the book on A Literary Christmas 2019

Dear readers,

Now that 2019 is ending, A Literary Christmas 2019 reading challenge ends too.

I was able to read a few good holiday books myself (my total is 11)! I hope you all did well too. I certainly enjoyed seeing all your Christmas selections, and have added some new titles to my Christmas reading list for next year -- probably too many new titles, as I'll never get them all read. *wink*

Be sure to comb through the link-up below, and see if there's any books you need to add to your reading list for next year (or add to your Goodreads shelf). The link-up will still be open in January, in case anybody still has some holiday book posts/reviews to share. Feel free to share wrap-up posts!

(Hey, I hope you'll all be back for 2020's Christmas challenge!) We'll be starting up again in mid-November.


In the meantime... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Link to your sign-up posts & reviews!

* If the linky isn't showing up for you, try refreshing your page. Or just leave your post links in the comments section, and I can add your post to the linky for you, if needed.

2020 Book Reading Challenges

Hang tight! Here's a list of reading challenges I'm signing up for in 2020...


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 2020! We always have a ton of fun, setting our own goals, connecting with other readers, and getting really good book recommendations, and usually there's a prize in store you all. :)

I'm also signing up for the following challenges, which I'm excited about! This post will be updated with my booklists throughout the year.





The Goal:
Professor Genre: Historical Fiction // Genre Beginner Class (credits: 1)

Professor Mix-It-Up // Mix-It-Up Beginner Class (credits: 1)

Mix-It-Up Reading List:
An Endless Christmas, The Christmas Sisters, Heartless, Operation Trinity, Twig the Collie

Note to self: Spring report card: the second week of May.
Register in April for summer classes (May-August).

Giveaway: Two $5 Amazon gift cards (end of the semester).

 



The Goal:

1. 19th Century Classic.
     (ideas: Malcolm)

2. 20th Century Classic.
     (finished: The Beasts of Tarzan)

3. Classic by a Woman Author.
     (ideas: Storm in the Village)

4. Classic in Translation.
     (finished: War and Peace)

5. Classic by a Person of Color.
     (ideas: The Tunnel, Memoirs of a Woman Doctor, Passing --Larsen)

6. A Genre Classic. (fantasy, science fiction, Western, romance, crime, horror, etc.)
     (finished: The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes)

7. Classic with a Person's Name in the Title.
     (finished: Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal)

8. Classic with a Place in the Title.
     (finished: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

9. Classic with Nature in the Title.
     (finished: The Apple Tree)

10. Classic About a Family.
     (finished: Behind a Mask)

11. Abandoned Classic.
     (finished: Around the World in 80 Days)

12. Classic Adaptation.
     (finished: The Return of Tarzan)


Note to self: Books must be published no later than 1970. Finish 6, 9, or 12 categories.

Giveaway: $30 Amazon gift card (end of the year).





The Goal:

1. A book with an emotion in the title
     (finished: Unyielding Hope)

2. A young adult novel
     (finished: Allegiant)

3. A book translated from another language:
     (finished: Around the World in 80 Days)

2. A book that's centered around a holiday
     (finished: Gingerbread Treasures)

5. A novel based on a true story
     (finished: Psalm at Journey's End)

6. A book with song lyrics in the title
     (ideas: I Love to Tell the Story)
 
7. A book that’s been on your shelf for more than a year
     (finished: Nowhere to Be Found)

8. A book with a non-human narrator
     (finished: Toto's Tale and True Chronicle of Oz)

9. A book with a month in the title
     (finished: March)
 
10. A book you heard about on TV/Radio/a podcast
     (finished: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd)

11. A book set in the state you live in
     (finished: Marked)

12. A romance novel
     (finished: Follow the Dawn)

Note to self: When finished, send in final booklist.

Giveaway: Amazon gift card (end of the year).





The Goal:
1. Read a classic over 500 pages
2. Read a classic by a POC and/or with a POC as the main character
3. Read a classic that takes place in a country other than where you live
4. Read a classic in translation
5. Read a classic by a new to you author
6. Read a book of poetry
7. Read a classic written between 1800-1860
8. Read a classic written by an LGBT author and/or with an LGBT main character
9. Read a classic written by a woman
10. Read a classic novella
11. Read a classic nonfiction
12. Read a classic that has been banned or censored

Note to self: Books must have been first published 50+ years ago. Books may be used for up to two prompts. Only finish as many categories as you want/can.
On the 1st of the month, a review link-up will be posted.

Giveaway: Three book giveaways: January 1 – April 30, May 1 – August 31, September 1 – December 31.



HarmoniousGoat.com/blog
2020 Book Challenge
{Bee of the Earth}

The Goal: Push yourself to read anything and everything that you need to read.

Note to self: Update list, halfway through/when finish/if more finished.






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

A: The Apple Tree
B: The Black Dog Mystery
D: Dead Man's Switch
E: An Endless Christmas
F: Follow the Dawn
H: Heartless
N: Nowhere to Be Found
O: Operation Trinity
P: The Pink Bonnet
R: The Return of Tarzan
S: Snoopy, First Beagle in Space
T: Titanic: The Long Night


Giveaway: Win a book of your choice (end of the year). Each book review submitted to the link-up will be entered into a drawing.





The Goal: Library Addict - 48 books

Note to self: Link up on review linky as I finish each book.

Giveaway:  Monthly.





The Goal: Read older books that have been piling up in my TBR pile/list [I'll try for 80+ books!].

Note to self: Books must be published before 2019 & already be in my TBR pile/list.
Link up on review linky as I finish each book.
Wrap-up linky will be available.

Giveaway: $15 Amazon gift card (end of the year), possibly others. Each book review submitted to the link-up will be entered into a drawing.





The Goal: Amateur Sleuth - 5-15 books

Note to self: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Crime genres, 100+ pages.
Monthly linky.

Giveaway:  2 prizes (half-way & end of the year).






The Goal: Robert Burns - 6-10 Books

Note to self: Books must be set in Scotland, about Scotland, or written by a Scot (by birth or immigration).
Link up reviews in the discussion as I finish each book.





The Goal: 1-10 – Discussion Dabbler

Note to self: Discussions can be about whatever you want as long as it’s relevant to books or book blogging.

Giveaway: Monthly book prizes.





The Goal:
1. Read at least 90 books, from all formats.
2. At least 25% of my reads must be published before 2000. [17 as of 12/10]
3. Listen to 20 audiobooks.
4. Read 5 non-fiction titles.
5. Try 20 new-to-me authors.
6. Get my Netgalley percentage up to 55%.
7. Read at least one novel that is 500+ pages long.
8. Review every single book I read this year.  
9. Read 20,000 pages (tracked by Goodreads stats).  

Note to self: 2 check-ins: May 1st and September 1st. The last update will be the wrap-up post.

Giveaway: Two $5 Amazon gift cards (end of the year).
For each goal you complete you get one entry.





The Goal: Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20

Note to self: Updates & giveaway will be posted twice.
First update: June 30. Last update: December 15.






The Goal: Conquer this literary behemoth by year's end. 1 chapter a day.
(Schedule)

Book Review: Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express
Hercule Poirot #10

by Agatha Christie

347 pages // published in 1934 // British crime mystery

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside.

Isolated and with a killer in their midst, detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.

Now, THAT is a murder mystery for the books! Whew! Agatha sure knew how to write 'em. Now I understand why this title is such a popular classic. (If you haven't read Murder on the Orient Express, you just should.) ... What a flabbergasting, jaw-dropping solution -- by none other than Mr. Hercule Poirot.

As is the case of many Christie plots... a murder takes place, an entire cast of witnesses and suspects is produced, and Poirot uses his little gray cells for all they're worth, until a suitable answer appears as to the murderer's identity. This murder event just happens to take place on a snowbound train in Europe. With no footprints in the snow leading away, it's safe to surmise that the killer is still roaming among the locomotive's society. (Except, of course, that's not safe at all, for the living!)

The book is set up in an ever-so-precise way of each chapter corresponding to an individual witness's report. It's done in a way of tallying up the evidence from every angle, very categorically. (It makes for a fun, yet strategic, read.)

Overall, this one is pretty amazing. Also, it's unforgettable.

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // hardcover // e-book // audio

Book #12 completed // Classic By A Woman




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

Book Review: Village Diary

Village Diary
Fairacre #2

by Miss Read

220 pages // published in 1955 // British historical fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

From the author of 'Village School', this novel describes the people of Fairacre with exactitude, a sense of comedy and sharp observation. Here, the characters include dictatorial Amy, an old college friend, Mr Mawne, whom the village sees as a possible husband for the unwilling Miss Read, and the earnest new infants teacher.

Miss Read is a lady after my own heart.

Her "polite" (cleverly hidden) sarcasm is a wonderful treat after a tiring day of work. Lifts the spirits up just like a good cuppa.

She is a member of the Grammar Police, of which I may be affiliated with myself.

She keeps her classroom of kids in order, even when the odds are stacked against her, and when the wind whistles through the roof at her all of the school day. She makes the most of each experience that she can.

I love when she speaks her mind about a certain topic in her diary, usually about the education system or everyday village life. She speaks simply, but eloquently enough, and most importantly, always from the bottom of her heart.

I was enchanted with each and every happening that Miss Read shared in her diary.

Mr. Mawne has moved into town, and the most of the villagers seem to be trying to matchmake Miss Read with the newcomer. She will have none of it, obviously.

Things really come to a head with cantankerous Mrs. Pringle, as she forfeits her post of keeping the school clean while cooling her heels at home (for a record-breaking time period).

This one is a favorite, for sure. Miss Read books are an especial treasure.

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // e-book

Book #11 completed // Classic Novella (shorter than 250 pages)




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

Wrapping up my 2019 challenges

The Goal:

1. Read at least 125 books, from all formats. *Only made it to 116.

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. *Only listened to 32.
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). *Only made it to 24,078.

The Accomplishment: 5/10






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

The Accomplishment: Yes, I finished all 12 titles on my list, plus the 2 alternatives!


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.

The Accomplishment:  Yes, I read all 12 classics! 3 points for the challenge.
(Karen, here's my easily accessible CONTACT page)  :-D


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

Book Review: Capital Gaines

Capital Gaines
Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff

by Chip Gaines

224 pages // published in 2017 // business memoir

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The funny and talented Chip Gaines is well known to millions of people as a TV star, renovation expert, bestselling author, husband to Joanna, and father of 4 in Waco, Texas. But long before the world took notice, Chip was a serial entrepreneur who was always ready for the next challenge, even if it didn’t quite work out as planned. Whether it was buying a neighborhood laundromat or talking a bank into a loan for some equipment to start a lawn-mowing service, Chip always knew that the most important thing was to take that first step.

In Capital Gaines, we walk alongside him as he relives some of his craziest antics and the lessons learned along the way. His mentors taught him to never give up and his family showed him what it meant to always have a positive attitude despite your circumstances. Throw in a natural daredevil personality and a willingness to do (or eat!) just about anything, and you have the life and daily activity of Chip Gaines.

Capital Gaines is the perfect book for anyone looking to succeed not only in business but more importantly in life.

Get to know Chip Gaines all the better in his own business memoir. Find out about some of his wacky ideas and crazy schemes that got him to where he is today. Hey, no matter what his stories sound like, I'd vouch that he's made it somewhere good in life.

Chip and Joanna are both honest, authentic people. Chip is a bit crazy, but that's okay, because that's why we like him. He's a comedian -- literally. His book is filled with so much laugh-out-loud humor. Every time I sat down to read a bit of this book, it brightened my day exponentially -- and that's what I love the most about it. It made me happy just to read a few pages and relax.

This guy has a great approach to business and entrepreneurship. He thinks fast on his feet, and he's done so many types of jobs... so he knows what he's talking about. Through this book, he is really trying to persuade YOU to chase down your dreams too. Make it happen!

The Gaines family can only go up from here. I'm always excited to hear of the next Magnolia venture. I would recommend Capital Gaines as an inspirational and motivational read.

BUY YOUR COPY!
hardcover // e-book // audio

Book #12 completed




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

Book Review: Anon, Sir, Anon

Anon, Sir, Anon

by Rachel Heffington

284 pages // published in 2014 // historical mystery

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The 12:55 out of Darlington brought more than Orville Farnham's niece; murder was passenger. In coming to Whistlecreig, Genevieve Langley expected to find an ailing uncle in need of gentle care. In reality, her charge is a cantankerous Shakespearean actor with a penchant for fencing and an affinity for placing impossible bets. When a body shows up in a field near Whistlecreig Manor and Vivi is the only one to recognize the victim, she is unceremoniously baptized into the art of crime-solving: a field in which first impressions are seldom lasting and personal interest knocks at the front door. Set against the russet backdrop of a Northamptonshire fog, Anon, Sir, Anon cuts a cozy path to a chilling crime.

I immensely enjoyed this book! It's on par with any YA/adult historical mystery best-selling book out there -- for anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned British murder (with a splash of comedy). Definitely for fans of the Flavia de Luce series.

Author Rachel Heffington is obviously a lover of words, a grammar aficionado, and a learned student/fan of Shakespeare himself. Her writing style is brilliant, pithy, and keeps a lovely British banter going for ages. The wittiness of it all is divine.

Farnham himself pops off Shakespearean proverbs as if they provide Biblical wisdom in any and all instances. I can't help from seeing the Holmes and Watson type of similarities too, found in Farnham and his doctor friend, Breen.

It's such a cozy type story. I feel like I've truly met and talked with these characters, and feel like I've visited Whistlecrieg a few times in person -- and would be excited to go back.

I naively assumed there would be a sequel -- the characters lend themselves easily to the making of more stories about them. However, upon my online research, I found no such sequel. (Yet.) I will hold out hope that Miss Heffington will supply us with a sequel at a later date. Also, I'll be waiting on a future movie to appear -- because this would make for an entertaining movie, for sure.

Contains some grammatical errors, but I looooove the story so much, I can overlook that flaw.

Content: Fairly clean, with subtle hints at mature topics, hints of impropriety. Mild swearing/euphemisms.

Minimum age to read: 15 and up.

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // e-book

Book #11 completed




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

Book Review: The Horse and Buggy Doctor

The Horse and Buggy Doctor

Arthur E. Hertzler, M.D.

322 pages // published in 1938 // medical memoir

BOOK DESCRIPTION

"The Horse and Buggy Doctor follows no conventional lines. In larger part it is a book rich in anecdotes, a lively and somewhat rough-and-ready depiction of the country physician's experiences in general and Dr. Hertzler's in particular. In part it is descriptive of medical methods of the period." -New York Times

"This is almost an autobiography. Certainly it is the complete picture of a man. And the man is worth looking at." -Saturday Review of Literature

An interesting autobiography written by a country doctor, many decades back. The book is just filled with his wittiness, anecdotes, some surprising medical tales, and plenty of facts about the mundane day-to-day life of a gritty doctor who's been around the block a few times.

I couldn't believe some of his stories about kitchen surgeries, and his high success rates even in dingy surroundings. One of my favorite things he mentioned was how glad he was of the invention of automobiles, so that if surgery was desperately needed during the nighttime, they could park the automobile outside the window and utilize its bright lights.

You'll learn much of the backroad Kansas people -- their ideals, culture, opinions, and medicine. The standards of becoming a certified doctor back then weren't that high -- and Hertzler knew it, especially as the decades passed. He sure spent a good lifetime in tending to his patients well and expanding his curiosity and knowledge whenever he could -- or whenever unique specimens presented themselves for his continual research.

This doctor was dedicated to his patients and always performed his best for them. His autobiography is worth a perusal for readers who have an interest in either the historical or medical aspects of the book.

Minimum age to read: 15 and up.

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // hardcover // e-book

Book #10 completed // From the Americas or Caribbean




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

Book Review: The Mysterious Island

The Mysterious Island

by Jules Verne

723 pages // published in 1865 // classic adventure

BOOK DESCRIPTION

After hijacking a balloon from a Confederate camp, a band of five northern prisoners escapes the American Civil War. Seven thousand miles later, they drop from the clouds onto an uncharted volcanic island in the Pacific. Through teamwork, scientific knowledge, engineering, and perseverance, they endeavour to build a colony from scratch. But this island of abundant resources has its secrets. The castaways discover they are not alone. A shadowy, yet familiar, agent of their unfathomable fate is watching.

What unfolds in Jules Verne’s imaginative marvel is both an enthralling mystery and the ultimate in survivalist adventures.

What do you get when you have a cyclone, a hot air balloon, five men, and a dog? Lost castaways on... The Mysterious Island!

What a great amount of imagination was poured into this story! -- While many elements of the plot may seem fantastical, it all comes out rather quite natural... With a giant wave of creative thinking splashed upon it, that is.

And... What remarkable feats of engineering these men concoct with limited tools and resources! -- Their ingenuity quite reminds me The Swiss Family Robinson.

The novel works as a sequel (of sorts) to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea -- since eventually we catch up with Captain Nemo, and find what has happened with him ever since.

Epic. Adventure.

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // e-book // audio

Book #9 completed // Classic in Translation




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