Joy's 2019 Category Challenge
Discussie2019 Category Challenge
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1jlshall
So here we go again. Hard to believe this will be my 8th Category Challenge here at Library Thing. I still have some reading to do to finish up my 2018 Challenge, but thought I'd go ahead and start planning for next year.
For 2018, I used a monthly format for my Category Challenge and that worked pretty well. It wasn’t terribly exciting, but it was a good way to keep track of my reading for the year and also spur me on to read more. So I’m planning to keep that same basic format for 2019. I’m not setting any definite numerical or genre goals or targets, but I always hope to read at least two or three books per month. (Well, I always hope to read more than that, but you know how it is.)
I also tried AlphaKIT (unofficially) for the first time in 2018, and loved it. I say “unofficially” because I never added any of my reads to the Wiki page or joined in any of the discussions (I’m really bad about lurking), but in 2019 I hope to come out into the open with the Alpha. It really helped me with decisions about what to read. And I knew I’d be reading at least a couple of books each month because I wanted to keep updating my AlphaKIT list.
Well, I think that's everything for now. More later...maybe.
(Posted December 14, 2018)
For 2018, I used a monthly format for my Category Challenge and that worked pretty well. It wasn’t terribly exciting, but it was a good way to keep track of my reading for the year and also spur me on to read more. So I’m planning to keep that same basic format for 2019. I’m not setting any definite numerical or genre goals or targets, but I always hope to read at least two or three books per month. (Well, I always hope to read more than that, but you know how it is.)
I also tried AlphaKIT (unofficially) for the first time in 2018, and loved it. I say “unofficially” because I never added any of my reads to the Wiki page or joined in any of the discussions (I’m really bad about lurking), but in 2019 I hope to come out into the open with the Alpha. It really helped me with decisions about what to read. And I knew I’d be reading at least a couple of books each month because I wanted to keep updating my AlphaKIT list.
Well, I think that's everything for now. More later...maybe.
(Posted December 14, 2018)
2jlshall
Here’s where I’ll keep track of my AlphaKIT reading.
Planning Thread: AlphaKIT
Wiki Page: AlphaKIT Wiki
January: Q, A ... (January Thread)
• Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin #1), by M.C. Beaton
February: K, O ... (February Thread)
• O Pioneers!, by Willa Cather
March: U, L ... (March Thread)
• The Uninvited, by Dorothy Macardle
April: B, M ... (April Thread)
• The Magic Bedknob, by Mary Norton
May: H, V ... (May Thread)
• The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin #2), by M.C. Beaton
June: J, D ... (June Thread)
• Mrs. Everything, by Jennifer Weiner
• Good Rosie!, by Kate DiCamillo; illus. by Harry Bliss
July: C, P ... (July Thread)
• Recursion, by Blake Crouch
• The Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin #2), by M.C. Beaton
August: N, I ... (August Thread)
• Be Brave Little Noddy, by Enid Blyton (illus. unknown)
September: F, W ... (September Thread)
• The Man in the White Linen Suit (Stewart Hoag #11), by David Handler
• Fake Like Me, by Barbara Bourland
October: G, T ... (October Thread)
• Who Goes There?, by John W. Campbell, Jr.
• The Shape of Night, by Tess Gerritsen
November: S, Y ... (November Thread)
• Sorry for the Dead (Josephine Tey #8), by Nicola Upson
December: E, R ... (December Thread)
•
Yearlong: X, Z:
• The Appleton Case (Markham Sisters #1), by Diana Xarissa (read in April)
● Yearlong: X - Possibilities:
The Appleton Case (Markham Sisters #1), by Diana Xarissa
Aunt Bessie's Holiday (Isle of Man #8), by Diana Xarissa
Beautiful Days, by Teng Xiaolan
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
I Am Madame X, by Gioia Diliberto
Miss Chopsticks, by Xinran
● Yearlong: Z - Possibilities:
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
The Dead Zone, by Stephen King
Doorways in the Sand, by Roger Zelazny
Hidden Camera, by Zoran Živković
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People, by Farahad Zama
The Prisoner of Heaven (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #3), by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey
A Rose for Ecclesiastes, by Roger Zelazny
Towards Zero (Superintendent Battle #5), by Agatha Christie
Zuckerman Unbound, by Philip Roth
Any of the Miss Zukas mysteries by Jo Dereske
Planning Thread: AlphaKIT
Wiki Page: AlphaKIT Wiki
January: Q, A ... (January Thread)
• Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin #1), by M.C. Beaton
February: K, O ... (February Thread)
• O Pioneers!, by Willa Cather
March: U, L ... (March Thread)
• The Uninvited, by Dorothy Macardle
April: B, M ... (April Thread)
• The Magic Bedknob, by Mary Norton
May: H, V ... (May Thread)
• The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin #2), by M.C. Beaton
June: J, D ... (June Thread)
• Mrs. Everything, by Jennifer Weiner
• Good Rosie!, by Kate DiCamillo; illus. by Harry Bliss
July: C, P ... (July Thread)
• Recursion, by Blake Crouch
• The Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin #2), by M.C. Beaton
August: N, I ... (August Thread)
• Be Brave Little Noddy, by Enid Blyton (illus. unknown)
September: F, W ... (September Thread)
• The Man in the White Linen Suit (Stewart Hoag #11), by David Handler
• Fake Like Me, by Barbara Bourland
October: G, T ... (October Thread)
• Who Goes There?, by John W. Campbell, Jr.
• The Shape of Night, by Tess Gerritsen
November: S, Y ... (November Thread)
• Sorry for the Dead (Josephine Tey #8), by Nicola Upson
December: E, R ... (December Thread)
•
Yearlong: X, Z:
• The Appleton Case (Markham Sisters #1), by Diana Xarissa (read in April)
● Yearlong: X - Possibilities:
The Appleton Case (Markham Sisters #1), by Diana Xarissa
Aunt Bessie's Holiday (Isle of Man #8), by Diana Xarissa
Beautiful Days, by Teng Xiaolan
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
I Am Madame X, by Gioia Diliberto
Miss Chopsticks, by Xinran
● Yearlong: Z - Possibilities:
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
The Dead Zone, by Stephen King
Doorways in the Sand, by Roger Zelazny
Hidden Camera, by Zoran Živković
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People, by Farahad Zama
The Prisoner of Heaven (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #3), by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey
A Rose for Ecclesiastes, by Roger Zelazny
Towards Zero (Superintendent Battle #5), by Agatha Christie
Zuckerman Unbound, by Philip Roth
Any of the Miss Zukas mysteries by Jo Dereske
4jlshall
JANUARY
Books Read in JANUARY:
1. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin #1). M.C. Beaton ✭✭✭✭
2. Educated: A Memoir. Tara Westover ✭✭✭✭
3. The Janus Stone (Ruth Galloway #2). Elly Griffiths ✭✭✭
4. The Water Tower Club. B.K. Mayo ✭✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for JANUARY AlphaKit (Q, A):
Afternoon Men. Anthony Powell (1931; 221 pages)
After the Quake: Stories. Haruki Murakami (2000; 182 pages)
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin #1). M.C. Beaton (1992; abt 200 pages)
Ask the Right Question (Albert Samson #1). Michael Z. Lewin (1972; 192 pages)
The Ice Queen. Alice Hoffman (2005; 211 pages)
Jumping The Queue. Mary Wesley (1983; 208 pages)
The Man in the Queue (Inspector Alan Grant #1). Josephine Tey (1929; 258 pages)
Murder in the Queen's Armes (Gideon Oliver #3). Aaron Elkins (1985; 208 pages)
A Murder of Quality (George Smiley #2). John le Carré (1962; 176 pages)
Northanger Abbey. Jane Austen (1818)
Quartet in Autumn. Barbara Pym (1977; 193 pages) (This would be a re-read.)
Queen of the Falls. Chris Van Allsburg (2011; 38 pages)
A Question of Inheritance (A Very English Mystery #2). Elizabeth Edmondson (2015; 288 pages)
A Question of Proof (Nigel Strangeways #1). Nicholas Blake (1935; 290 pages)
The Quick and the Dead. Louis L'Amour (1973; abt 300 pages)
The Quick and the Thread (An Embroidery Mystery #1). Amanda Lee (2010; 324 pages)
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (Inspector Morse #3). Colin Dexter (1977; 308 pages)
The Winter Queen (Erast Fandorin Mysteries #1). Boris Akunin (1998; 264 pages)
….
Something by Anna Quindlen
Books Read in JANUARY:
1. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin #1). M.C. Beaton ✭✭✭✭
2. Educated: A Memoir. Tara Westover ✭✭✭✭
3. The Janus Stone (Ruth Galloway #2). Elly Griffiths ✭✭✭
4. The Water Tower Club. B.K. Mayo ✭✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for JANUARY AlphaKit (Q, A):
Afternoon Men. Anthony Powell (1931; 221 pages)
After the Quake: Stories. Haruki Murakami (2000; 182 pages)
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin #1). M.C. Beaton (1992; abt 200 pages)
Ask the Right Question (Albert Samson #1). Michael Z. Lewin (1972; 192 pages)
The Ice Queen. Alice Hoffman (2005; 211 pages)
Jumping The Queue. Mary Wesley (1983; 208 pages)
The Man in the Queue (Inspector Alan Grant #1). Josephine Tey (1929; 258 pages)
Murder in the Queen's Armes (Gideon Oliver #3). Aaron Elkins (1985; 208 pages)
A Murder of Quality (George Smiley #2). John le Carré (1962; 176 pages)
Northanger Abbey. Jane Austen (1818)
Quartet in Autumn. Barbara Pym (1977; 193 pages) (This would be a re-read.)
Queen of the Falls. Chris Van Allsburg (2011; 38 pages)
A Question of Inheritance (A Very English Mystery #2). Elizabeth Edmondson (2015; 288 pages)
A Question of Proof (Nigel Strangeways #1). Nicholas Blake (1935; 290 pages)
The Quick and the Dead. Louis L'Amour (1973; abt 300 pages)
The Quick and the Thread (An Embroidery Mystery #1). Amanda Lee (2010; 324 pages)
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (Inspector Morse #3). Colin Dexter (1977; 308 pages)
The Winter Queen (Erast Fandorin Mysteries #1). Boris Akunin (1998; 264 pages)
….
Something by Anna Quindlen
5jlshall
FEBRUARY
Books Read in FEBRUARY:
1. O Pioneers! Willa Cather ✭✭✭✭½
2. Murder Theory (The Naturalist #3). Andrew Mayne ✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for FEBRUARY AlphaKit (K, O):
Appointment in Samarra. John O’Hara (1934; abt 250 pages)
The Beckoning Fair One. Oliver Onions (1911; abt 100 pages)
The Clue in the Old Album (Nancy Drew #24). Carolyn Keene (1947; 218 pages)
Identity. Milan Kundera (1997; 168 pages)
Immortality. Milan Kundera (1990; 368 pages)
Keep the Aspidistra Flying. George Orwell (1936; 277 pages)
King, Queen, Knave. Vladimir Nabokov (1928; 275 pages)
A Kiss Before Dying. Ira Levin (1953; 288 pages)
Knock Knock (The Skillute Cycle #1). S.P. Miskowski (2011; 303 pages)
Los Alamos. Joseph Kanon (1997; 403 pages)
The Man Who Knew Too Much. G.K. Chesterton (1922; abt 140 pages)
Metamorphosis. Franz Kafka (1915; abt 100 pages)
The Message in the Hollow Oak (Nancy Drew #12). Carolyn Keene (1935; 181 pages)
The Old Devils. Kingsley Amis (1986; abt 400 pages)
The Old Fox Deceiv'd (Richard Jury #2). Martha Grimes (1982; abt 300 pages)
Olive Kitteridge. Elizabeth Strout (2008; 270 pages)
The Once and Future King. T.H. White (1958; 600+ pages; re-read)
Once in a Lifetime. Moss Hart & George S. Kaufman (1930; play; re-read?)
O Pioneers!. Willa Cather (1913; abt 180 pages)
Oracle Night. Paul Auster (2004; 260 pages)
Origin (Robert Langdon #5). Dan Brown (2017; 461 pages)
Our Man in Havana. Graham Greene (1959; abt 225 pages)
Overture to Death (Roderick Alleyn #8). Ngaio Marsh (1939; 277 pages)
The Ritual Bath (Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #1). Faye Kellerman (1986; 356 pages)
The River King. Alice Hoffman (2000; 344 pages)
What Maisie Knew. Henry James (1897; abt 275 pages)
When We Were Orphans. Kazuo Ishiguro (2000; 352 pages)
Winesburg, Ohio. Sherwood Anderson (1919; abt 250 pages)
Books Read in FEBRUARY:
1. O Pioneers! Willa Cather ✭✭✭✭½
2. Murder Theory (The Naturalist #3). Andrew Mayne ✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for FEBRUARY AlphaKit (K, O):
Appointment in Samarra. John O’Hara (1934; abt 250 pages)
The Beckoning Fair One. Oliver Onions (1911; abt 100 pages)
The Clue in the Old Album (Nancy Drew #24). Carolyn Keene (1947; 218 pages)
Identity. Milan Kundera (1997; 168 pages)
Immortality. Milan Kundera (1990; 368 pages)
Keep the Aspidistra Flying. George Orwell (1936; 277 pages)
King, Queen, Knave. Vladimir Nabokov (1928; 275 pages)
A Kiss Before Dying. Ira Levin (1953; 288 pages)
Knock Knock (The Skillute Cycle #1). S.P. Miskowski (2011; 303 pages)
Los Alamos. Joseph Kanon (1997; 403 pages)
The Man Who Knew Too Much. G.K. Chesterton (1922; abt 140 pages)
Metamorphosis. Franz Kafka (1915; abt 100 pages)
The Message in the Hollow Oak (Nancy Drew #12). Carolyn Keene (1935; 181 pages)
The Old Devils. Kingsley Amis (1986; abt 400 pages)
The Old Fox Deceiv'd (Richard Jury #2). Martha Grimes (1982; abt 300 pages)
Olive Kitteridge. Elizabeth Strout (2008; 270 pages)
The Once and Future King. T.H. White (1958; 600+ pages; re-read)
Once in a Lifetime. Moss Hart & George S. Kaufman (1930; play; re-read?)
O Pioneers!. Willa Cather (1913; abt 180 pages)
Oracle Night. Paul Auster (2004; 260 pages)
Origin (Robert Langdon #5). Dan Brown (2017; 461 pages)
Our Man in Havana. Graham Greene (1959; abt 225 pages)
Overture to Death (Roderick Alleyn #8). Ngaio Marsh (1939; 277 pages)
The Ritual Bath (Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #1). Faye Kellerman (1986; 356 pages)
The River King. Alice Hoffman (2000; 344 pages)
What Maisie Knew. Henry James (1897; abt 275 pages)
When We Were Orphans. Kazuo Ishiguro (2000; 352 pages)
Winesburg, Ohio. Sherwood Anderson (1919; abt 250 pages)
6jlshall
MARCH
Books Read in MARCH:
1. The Stranger Diaries. Elly Griffiths ✭✭✭✭
2. Run Away. Harlan Coben ✭✭✭✭
3. The Uninvited. Dorothy Macardle ✭✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for MARCH AlphaKit (U, L):
Something by Lisa Unger
The Last Romantics. Tara Conklin
Books Read in MARCH:
1. The Stranger Diaries. Elly Griffiths ✭✭✭✭
2. Run Away. Harlan Coben ✭✭✭✭
3. The Uninvited. Dorothy Macardle ✭✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for MARCH AlphaKit (U, L):
Something by Lisa Unger
The Last Romantics. Tara Conklin
7jlshall
APRIL
Books Read in APRIL:
1. The Light at Tern Rock. Julia L. Sauer ✭✭✭✭
2. Flat Stanley (Flat Stanley #1). Jeff Brown ✭✭✭✭
3. The Magic Bedknob. Mary Norton ✭✭✭✭
4. The Appleton Case (Markham Sisters #1). Diana Xarissa ✭✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for APRIL AlphaKit (B, M):
The A.B.C. Murders (Hercule Poirot #13). Agatha Christie (1936; abt 250 pages)
Barry Lyndon. William Makepeace Thackeray (1844; abt 300 pages)
Betsy-Tacy and Tib (Betsy-Tacy #2). Maud Hart Lovelace (1941; abt 145 pages)
Bitter End (a Nero Wolfe novella). Rex Stout (1940; abt 90 pages)
Black As He's Painted (Roderick Alleyn #28). Ngaio Marsh (1973; abt 260 pages)
The Black Prince. Iris Murdoch (1973; abt 400 pages)
Brandy and Bullets, by Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote #4). Donald Bain (1995; 275 pages)
Death at the Bar (Roderick Alleyn #9). Ngaio Marsh (1940; abt 285 pages)
Great British Family Names and Their History: What's in a Name? John Moss (2019; ?pages)
Hanging by a Thread (Needlecraft Mystery #6). Monica Ferris (2003; 263 pages)
The Haunted Bookshop. Christopher Morley (1919; ?pages)
The House of Mirth. Edith Wharton (1905; abt 350 pages)
The Magnificent Ambersons. Booth Tarkington (1918; abt 200 pages)
Manhattans & Murder, by Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote #2). Donald Bain (1990; 304 pages)
Might As Well Be Dead (Nero Wolfe #27). Rex Stout (1956; 223 pages)
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Robin Sloan (2012; 288 pages)
Murder by the Book (Nero Wolfe #19). Rex Stout (1951; 257 pages)
Murder is Binding (Booktown Mystery #1). Lorna Barrett (2008; 288 pages)
The Red Box (Nero Wolfe #4). Rex Stout (1937; 189 pages)
The Rubber Band (Nero Wolfe #3). Rex Stout (1936; 209 pages)
Some Buried Caesar (Nero Wolfe #6). Rex Stout (1938; 287 pages)
So Much Blood (Charles Paris #2). Simon Brett (1976; abt 150 pages)
They May Not Mean To, But They Do. Cathleen Schine (2016; 306 pages)
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd (Flavia de Luce #8). Alan Bradley (2016; abt 350 pages)
Too Many Cooks (Nero Wolfe #5). Rex Stout (1938; 205 pages)
We Were Killers Once (Brigid Quinn #4). Becky Masterman (June 2019; 320 pages)
Something by Barbara Michaels
Books Read in APRIL:
1. The Light at Tern Rock. Julia L. Sauer ✭✭✭✭
2. Flat Stanley (Flat Stanley #1). Jeff Brown ✭✭✭✭
3. The Magic Bedknob. Mary Norton ✭✭✭✭
4. The Appleton Case (Markham Sisters #1). Diana Xarissa ✭✭✭✭
......
Possibilities for APRIL AlphaKit (B, M):
The A.B.C. Murders (Hercule Poirot #13). Agatha Christie (1936; abt 250 pages)
Barry Lyndon. William Makepeace Thackeray (1844; abt 300 pages)
Betsy-Tacy and Tib (Betsy-Tacy #2). Maud Hart Lovelace (1941; abt 145 pages)
Bitter End (a Nero Wolfe novella). Rex Stout (1940; abt 90 pages)
Black As He's Painted (Roderick Alleyn #28). Ngaio Marsh (1973; abt 260 pages)
The Black Prince. Iris Murdoch (1973; abt 400 pages)
Brandy and Bullets, by Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote #4). Donald Bain (1995; 275 pages)
Death at the Bar (Roderick Alleyn #9). Ngaio Marsh (1940; abt 285 pages)
Great British Family Names and Their History: What's in a Name? John Moss (2019; ?pages)
Hanging by a Thread (Needlecraft Mystery #6). Monica Ferris (2003; 263 pages)
The Haunted Bookshop. Christopher Morley (1919; ?pages)
The House of Mirth. Edith Wharton (1905; abt 350 pages)
The Magnificent Ambersons. Booth Tarkington (1918; abt 200 pages)
Manhattans & Murder, by Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote #2). Donald Bain (1990; 304 pages)
Might As Well Be Dead (Nero Wolfe #27). Rex Stout (1956; 223 pages)
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Robin Sloan (2012; 288 pages)
Murder by the Book (Nero Wolfe #19). Rex Stout (1951; 257 pages)
Murder is Binding (Booktown Mystery #1). Lorna Barrett (2008; 288 pages)
The Red Box (Nero Wolfe #4). Rex Stout (1937; 189 pages)
The Rubber Band (Nero Wolfe #3). Rex Stout (1936; 209 pages)
Some Buried Caesar (Nero Wolfe #6). Rex Stout (1938; 287 pages)
So Much Blood (Charles Paris #2). Simon Brett (1976; abt 150 pages)
They May Not Mean To, But They Do. Cathleen Schine (2016; 306 pages)
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd (Flavia de Luce #8). Alan Bradley (2016; abt 350 pages)
Too Many Cooks (Nero Wolfe #5). Rex Stout (1938; 205 pages)
We Were Killers Once (Brigid Quinn #4). Becky Masterman (June 2019; 320 pages)
Something by Barbara Michaels
8jlshall
MAY
Books Read in MAY:
1. The Invited. Jennifer McMahon ✭✭✭✭
2. Light from Other Stars. Erika Swyler ✭✭✭✭
3. Little Darlings, Melanie Golding ✭✭✭½
4. The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin #2). M.C. Beaton ✭✭✭✭½
......
Possibilities for MAY AlphaKit (H, V):
Something by Victoria Holt
The Beautiful Visit. Elizabeth Jane Howard (1950; abt 365 pages)
Death Of A Hollow Man (Chief Inspector Barnaby #2). Caroline Graham (1989; 308 pages)
Demian. Hermann Hesse (1919; abt 150 pages)
Grand Hotel. Vicki Baum (1929; abt 300 pages)
Hanging by a Thread (Needlecraft Mystery #6). Monica Ferris (2003; 263 pages)
The Hanging Valley (Inspector Banks #4). Peter Robinson (1989; abt 340 pages)
Hawksmoor. Peter Ackroyd (1985; abt 290 pages)
Her Infinite Variety. Louis Auchincloss (2000; 252 pages)
Hopjoy Was Here (Flaxborough Chronicles #3). Colin Watson (1962; 160 pages)
The House of Stairs. Barbara Vine (1988; abt 280 pages)
The House of Velvet and Glass. Katherine Howe (2012; abt 400 pages)
Human Voices. Penelope Fitzgerald (1980; abt 200 pages)
The Long View. Elizabeth Jane Howard (1956; abt 380 pages)
Our Man in Havana. Graham Greene (1958; abt 220 pages)
A Pale View of the Hills. Kazuo Ishiguro (1982; abt 200 pages)
Prater Violet. Christopher Isherwood (1945; abt 130 pages)
The Transit of Venus. Shirley Hazzard (1980; abt 350 pages)
The Valley of Horses (Earth's Children #2). Jean M. Auel (1982; 500+ pages)
The Various Haunts of Men (Simon Serrailler #1). Susan Hill (2004; about 440 pages)
The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin #2). M.C. Beaton (1993; 224 pages)
A View of the Harbour. Elizabeth Taylor (1947; abt 300 pages)
Books Read in MAY:
1. The Invited. Jennifer McMahon ✭✭✭✭
2. Light from Other Stars. Erika Swyler ✭✭✭✭
3. Little Darlings, Melanie Golding ✭✭✭½
4. The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin #2). M.C. Beaton ✭✭✭✭½
......
Possibilities for MAY AlphaKit (H, V):
Something by Victoria Holt
The Beautiful Visit. Elizabeth Jane Howard (1950; abt 365 pages)
Death Of A Hollow Man (Chief Inspector Barnaby #2). Caroline Graham (1989; 308 pages)
Demian. Hermann Hesse (1919; abt 150 pages)
Grand Hotel. Vicki Baum (1929; abt 300 pages)
Hanging by a Thread (Needlecraft Mystery #6). Monica Ferris (2003; 263 pages)
The Hanging Valley (Inspector Banks #4). Peter Robinson (1989; abt 340 pages)
Hawksmoor. Peter Ackroyd (1985; abt 290 pages)
Her Infinite Variety. Louis Auchincloss (2000; 252 pages)
Hopjoy Was Here (Flaxborough Chronicles #3). Colin Watson (1962; 160 pages)
The House of Stairs. Barbara Vine (1988; abt 280 pages)
The House of Velvet and Glass. Katherine Howe (2012; abt 400 pages)
Human Voices. Penelope Fitzgerald (1980; abt 200 pages)
The Long View. Elizabeth Jane Howard (1956; abt 380 pages)
Our Man in Havana. Graham Greene (1958; abt 220 pages)
A Pale View of the Hills. Kazuo Ishiguro (1982; abt 200 pages)
Prater Violet. Christopher Isherwood (1945; abt 130 pages)
The Transit of Venus. Shirley Hazzard (1980; abt 350 pages)
The Valley of Horses (Earth's Children #2). Jean M. Auel (1982; 500+ pages)
The Various Haunts of Men (Simon Serrailler #1). Susan Hill (2004; about 440 pages)
The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin #2). M.C. Beaton (1993; 224 pages)
A View of the Harbour. Elizabeth Taylor (1947; abt 300 pages)
9jlshall
JUNE
Books Read in JUNE:
1. The Last Romantics. Tara Conklin ✭✭✭½
2. Good Rosie!. Kate DiCamillo; Harry Bliss (illus.) ✭✭✭✭
3. Mrs. Everything. Jennifer Weiner ✭✭✭
4. Old Baggage. Lissa Evans (reading now)
5.
......
Possibilities for JUNE AlphaKit (J, D):
Any of the Miss Zukas mysteries by Jo Dereske
Something by Jeanne M. Dams
Something by Joan Didion
Something by John Dickson Carr
The Cold Dish (Walt Longmire #1). Craig Johnson (2004; 354 pages)
Dark Sister. Graham Joyce (1992; abt 300 pages)
The Dead of Jericho (Inspector Morse #5). Colin Dexter (1981; 324 pages)
James and the Giant Peach. Roald Dahl (1961; abt 150 pages)
Jerusalem the Golden. Margaret Drabble (1967; abt 220 pages)
Judgment Day. Penelope Lively (1980; 288 pages)
The Pattern in the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws. Margaret Drabble (2009; 368 pages)
Tales for a Dark Evening (Stories). Graham Joyce (2011; 166 pages)
Talking About Detective Fiction. P.D. James (2009; abt 200 pages)
Books Read in JUNE:
1. The Last Romantics. Tara Conklin ✭✭✭½
2. Good Rosie!. Kate DiCamillo; Harry Bliss (illus.) ✭✭✭✭
3. Mrs. Everything. Jennifer Weiner ✭✭✭
4. Old Baggage. Lissa Evans (reading now)
5.
......
Possibilities for JUNE AlphaKit (J, D):
Any of the Miss Zukas mysteries by Jo Dereske
Something by Jeanne M. Dams
Something by Joan Didion
Something by John Dickson Carr
The Cold Dish (Walt Longmire #1). Craig Johnson (2004; 354 pages)
Dark Sister. Graham Joyce (1992; abt 300 pages)
The Dead of Jericho (Inspector Morse #5). Colin Dexter (1981; 324 pages)
James and the Giant Peach. Roald Dahl (1961; abt 150 pages)
Jerusalem the Golden. Margaret Drabble (1967; abt 220 pages)
Judgment Day. Penelope Lively (1980; 288 pages)
The Pattern in the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws. Margaret Drabble (2009; 368 pages)
Tales for a Dark Evening (Stories). Graham Joyce (2011; 166 pages)
Talking About Detective Fiction. P.D. James (2009; abt 200 pages)
10jlshall
JULY
Books Read in JULY:
1. Recursion. Blake Crouch ✭✭✭✭
2. The Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin #3). M.C. Beaton ✭✭✭✭½
3. The Lady in the Lake. Laura Lippman (reading now)
......
Possibilities for JULY AlphaKit (C, P):
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin, #3). M.C. Beaton (1994; 256 pages)
The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild #25). Katherine Hall Page (2019; 240 pages)
The Book of the Dead (Pendergast #7). Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (2006; abt 450 pages)
The Case Is Closed (Miss Silver, #2). Patricia Wentworth (1937; abt 250 pages)
The Cater Street Hangman (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #1). Anne Perry (1979; 288 pages)
The Catherine Wheel (Miss Silver #15). Patricia Wentworth (1949; abt 380 pages)
The Clock Strikes Twelve (Miss Silver #7). Patricia Wentworth (1944; abt 300 pages)
The Codex. Douglas Preston (2003; 400 pages)
Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1). Elizabeth Peters (1975; 262 pages)
Death in a Tenured Position (A Kate Fansler Mystery #6). Amanda Cross (1981; 208 pages)
July and August. Nancy Clark (2008; 336 pages)
Miss Silver Comes to Stay (Miss Silver #16). Patricia Wentworth (1949; abt 300 pages)
One Corpse Too Many (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #2). Ellis Peters (1979; 292 pages)
The Pale Horse (Ariadne Oliver #5). Agatha Christie (1961; 240 pages)
The Patience of a Dead Man. Michael Clark (2019; ARC; abt 380 pages)
The Pattern in the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws. Margaret Drabble (2009; 368 pages)
Peril at End House (Hercule Poirot #8). Agatha Christie (1932; abt 290 pages)
Poetic Justice (A Kate Fansler Mystery #3). Amanda Cross (1970; abt 225 pages)
The Possession (The Anomaly Files #2). Michael Rutger (2019; ARC; abt 400 pages)
The Prestige. Christopher Priest (1995; 360 pages)
Puppet for a Corpse (Inspector Thanet #3). Dorothy Simpson (1983; 243 pages)
The Rock Pool. Cyril Connolly (1947; 150 pages)
The Seville Communion. Arturo Pérez-Reverte (1995; 400 pages)
Six Characters in Search of an Author. Luigi Pirandello (1921)
The Titian Committee (Jonathan Argyll #2). Iain Pears (1991; 230 pages)
The Vacillations of Poppy Carew. Mary Wesley (1986; abt 325 pages)
Something by Barbara Pym (this would be a re-read)
Books Read in JULY:
1. Recursion. Blake Crouch ✭✭✭✭
2. The Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin #3). M.C. Beaton ✭✭✭✭½
3. The Lady in the Lake. Laura Lippman (reading now)
......
Possibilities for JULY AlphaKit (C, P):
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin, #3). M.C. Beaton (1994; 256 pages)
The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild #25). Katherine Hall Page (2019; 240 pages)
The Book of the Dead (Pendergast #7). Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (2006; abt 450 pages)
The Case Is Closed (Miss Silver, #2). Patricia Wentworth (1937; abt 250 pages)
The Cater Street Hangman (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #1). Anne Perry (1979; 288 pages)
The Catherine Wheel (Miss Silver #15). Patricia Wentworth (1949; abt 380 pages)
The Clock Strikes Twelve (Miss Silver #7). Patricia Wentworth (1944; abt 300 pages)
The Codex. Douglas Preston (2003; 400 pages)
Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1). Elizabeth Peters (1975; 262 pages)
Death in a Tenured Position (A Kate Fansler Mystery #6). Amanda Cross (1981; 208 pages)
July and August. Nancy Clark (2008; 336 pages)
Miss Silver Comes to Stay (Miss Silver #16). Patricia Wentworth (1949; abt 300 pages)
One Corpse Too Many (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #2). Ellis Peters (1979; 292 pages)
The Pale Horse (Ariadne Oliver #5). Agatha Christie (1961; 240 pages)
The Patience of a Dead Man. Michael Clark (2019; ARC; abt 380 pages)
The Pattern in the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws. Margaret Drabble (2009; 368 pages)
Peril at End House (Hercule Poirot #8). Agatha Christie (1932; abt 290 pages)
Poetic Justice (A Kate Fansler Mystery #3). Amanda Cross (1970; abt 225 pages)
The Possession (The Anomaly Files #2). Michael Rutger (2019; ARC; abt 400 pages)
The Prestige. Christopher Priest (1995; 360 pages)
Puppet for a Corpse (Inspector Thanet #3). Dorothy Simpson (1983; 243 pages)
The Rock Pool. Cyril Connolly (1947; 150 pages)
The Seville Communion. Arturo Pérez-Reverte (1995; 400 pages)
Six Characters in Search of an Author. Luigi Pirandello (1921)
The Titian Committee (Jonathan Argyll #2). Iain Pears (1991; 230 pages)
The Vacillations of Poppy Carew. Mary Wesley (1986; abt 325 pages)
Something by Barbara Pym (this would be a re-read)
11jlshall
AUGUST
Books Read in AUGUST:
1. The Patience of a Dead Man. Michael Clark ✭✭✭
2. Be Brave Little Noddy!. Enid Blyton ✭✭✭½
......
Possibilities for AUGUST AlphaKit (N, I):
The Iceman Cometh. Eugene O'Neill
Death Is Now My Neighbour (Inspector Morse #12). Colin Dexter
It Can't Happen Here. Sinclair Lewis
Mr Norris Changes Trains (The Berlin Novels #1). Christopher Isherwood
Never Let Me Go. Kazuo Ishiguro
The Pursuit of William Abbey. Claire North
The Shape of Night. Tess Gerritsen
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (Inspector Morse, #3). Colin Dexter
Takes One to Know One. Susan Isaacs
Books Read in AUGUST:
1. The Patience of a Dead Man. Michael Clark ✭✭✭
2. Be Brave Little Noddy!. Enid Blyton ✭✭✭½
......
Possibilities for AUGUST AlphaKit (N, I):
The Iceman Cometh. Eugene O'Neill
Death Is Now My Neighbour (Inspector Morse #12). Colin Dexter
It Can't Happen Here. Sinclair Lewis
Mr Norris Changes Trains (The Berlin Novels #1). Christopher Isherwood
Never Let Me Go. Kazuo Ishiguro
The Pursuit of William Abbey. Claire North
The Shape of Night. Tess Gerritsen
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (Inspector Morse, #3). Colin Dexter
Takes One to Know One. Susan Isaacs
12jlshall
SEPTEMBER
Books Read in SEPTEMBER:
1. The Man in the White Linen Suit (Stewart Hoag #11). David Handler ✭✭✭✭½
2. Fake Like Me. Barbara Bourland ✭✭✭
Children's Books:
1. The Whispering Rabbit and Other Stories. Margaret Wise Brown (illus. by Garth Williams and Lillian Obligado) ✭✭✭✭
2.
......
Possibilities for SEPTEMBER AlphaKit (F, W):
An Artist of the Floating World. Kazuo Ishiguro
The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild Mysteries #25). Katherine Hall Page
Bramton Wick. Elizabeth Fair
Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven. Fannie Flagg
Dream When You’re Feeling Blue. Elizabeth Berg
Ethan Frome. Edith Wharton
The Food of the Gods. H.G. Wells
Framed in Lace (Needlecraft Mystery #2). Monica Ferris
Full Wolf Moon (Jeremy Logan #5). Lincoln Child
In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1). Tana French
Lady Windermere’s Fan. Oscar Wilde
The Man Who Would Be F. Scott Fitzgerald (Stewart Hoag #3). David Handler
Put Out More Flags. Evelyn Waugh
Save Me The Waltz. Zelda Fitzgerald
Something Fresh (Blandings Castle #1). P.G. Wodehouse
The Waiting Room. F.G. Cottam
Wandering Ghosts. Francis Marion Crawford
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Henry Farrell
What Rose Forgot. Nevada Barr
Where Angels Fear to Tread. E.M. Forster
White Fire (Pendergast #13). Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Widow of Pale Harbor. Hester Fox
Wings of Fire (Inspector Ian Rutledge #2). Charles Todd
The Woman Who Fell from Grace (Stewart Hoag #4). David Handler
Books Read in SEPTEMBER:
1. The Man in the White Linen Suit (Stewart Hoag #11). David Handler ✭✭✭✭½
2. Fake Like Me. Barbara Bourland ✭✭✭
Children's Books:
1. The Whispering Rabbit and Other Stories. Margaret Wise Brown (illus. by Garth Williams and Lillian Obligado) ✭✭✭✭
2.
......
Possibilities for SEPTEMBER AlphaKit (F, W):
An Artist of the Floating World. Kazuo Ishiguro
The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild Mysteries #25). Katherine Hall Page
Bramton Wick. Elizabeth Fair
Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven. Fannie Flagg
Dream When You’re Feeling Blue. Elizabeth Berg
Ethan Frome. Edith Wharton
The Food of the Gods. H.G. Wells
Framed in Lace (Needlecraft Mystery #2). Monica Ferris
Full Wolf Moon (Jeremy Logan #5). Lincoln Child
In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1). Tana French
Lady Windermere’s Fan. Oscar Wilde
The Man Who Would Be F. Scott Fitzgerald (Stewart Hoag #3). David Handler
Put Out More Flags. Evelyn Waugh
Save Me The Waltz. Zelda Fitzgerald
Something Fresh (Blandings Castle #1). P.G. Wodehouse
The Waiting Room. F.G. Cottam
Wandering Ghosts. Francis Marion Crawford
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Henry Farrell
What Rose Forgot. Nevada Barr
Where Angels Fear to Tread. E.M. Forster
White Fire (Pendergast #13). Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Widow of Pale Harbor. Hester Fox
Wings of Fire (Inspector Ian Rutledge #2). Charles Todd
The Woman Who Fell from Grace (Stewart Hoag #4). David Handler
13jlshall
OCTOBER
Books Read in OCTOBER:
1. Who Goes There? John W. Campbell, Jr. ✭✭✭✭
2. The Shape of Night. Tess Gerritsen ✭✭
3. We Were Killers Once (Brigid Quinn #4). Becky Masterman ✭✭✭✭½
4. The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild #25. Katherine Hall Page ✭✭½
......
Possibilities for OCTOBER AlphaKit (G, T):
Back When We Were Grownups. Anne Tyler (2001)
The Cricket in Times Square. George Selden (1960)
A Garden Lost in Time. Jonathan Aycliffe (2004)
The Gods Themselves. Isaac Asimov (1972)
The Golden Tresses of the Dead (Flavia de Luce #10). Alan Bradley (2019)
The Goldfinch. Donna Tartt (2013)
A Guilty Thing Surprised (Inspector Wexford #5). Ruth Rendell (1970)
The Man Who Was Thursday. G.K. Chesterton (1908)
The Shape of Night. Tess Gerritsen (2019)
Takes One to Know One. Susan Isaacs (2019)
The Third Gate (Jeremy Logan #3). Lincoln Child (2012)
Time After Time. Lisa Grunwald (2019)
Travels with My Aunt. Graham Greene (1969)
Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World. Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone (1997)
The Wedding Group. Elizabeth Taylor (1968)
Who Goes There? John W. Campbell Jr. (1938)
The Woman Who Fell from Grace (Stewart Hoag #4). David Handler (1991)
Books Read in OCTOBER:
1. Who Goes There? John W. Campbell, Jr. ✭✭✭✭
2. The Shape of Night. Tess Gerritsen ✭✭
3. We Were Killers Once (Brigid Quinn #4). Becky Masterman ✭✭✭✭½
4. The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild #25. Katherine Hall Page ✭✭½
......
Possibilities for OCTOBER AlphaKit (G, T):
Back When We Were Grownups. Anne Tyler (2001)
The Cricket in Times Square. George Selden (1960)
A Garden Lost in Time. Jonathan Aycliffe (2004)
The Gods Themselves. Isaac Asimov (1972)
The Golden Tresses of the Dead (Flavia de Luce #10). Alan Bradley (2019)
The Goldfinch. Donna Tartt (2013)
A Guilty Thing Surprised (Inspector Wexford #5). Ruth Rendell (1970)
The Man Who Was Thursday. G.K. Chesterton (1908)
Takes One to Know One. Susan Isaacs (2019)
The Third Gate (Jeremy Logan #3). Lincoln Child (2012)
Time After Time. Lisa Grunwald (2019)
Travels with My Aunt. Graham Greene (1969)
Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World. Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone (1997)
The Wedding Group. Elizabeth Taylor (1968)
The Woman Who Fell from Grace (Stewart Hoag #4). David Handler (1991)
14jlshall
NOVEMBER
Books Read in NOVEMBER:
1. Sorry for the Dead (Josephine Tey #8). Nicola Upson ✭✭½
......
Possibilities for NOVEMBER AlphaKit (S, Y):
1066 and All That. W.C. Sellar, and Robert Julian Yeatman (1930)
Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss (1990)
One Hundred Years of Solitude. Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1967)
Plot It Yourself (Nero Wolfe #32). Rex Stout (1959)
Safely to the Grave. Margaret Yorke (1986)
The Shadow Year. Jeffrey Ford (2008)
So Long As You Both Shall Live (87th Precinct #31). Ed McBain (1976)
Sorry for the Dead (Josephine Tey #8). Nicola Upson (2019)
Year of the Monkey. Patti Smith (2019)
Books Read in NOVEMBER:
1. Sorry for the Dead (Josephine Tey #8). Nicola Upson ✭✭½
......
Possibilities for NOVEMBER AlphaKit (S, Y):
1066 and All That. W.C. Sellar, and Robert Julian Yeatman (1930)
Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss (1990)
One Hundred Years of Solitude. Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1967)
Plot It Yourself (Nero Wolfe #32). Rex Stout (1959)
Safely to the Grave. Margaret Yorke (1986)
The Shadow Year. Jeffrey Ford (2008)
So Long As You Both Shall Live (87th Precinct #31). Ed McBain (1976)
Sorry for the Dead (Josephine Tey #8). Nicola Upson (2019)
Year of the Monkey. Patti Smith (2019)
15jlshall
DECEMBER
Books Read in DECEMBER:
1.
2.
3.
......
Possibilities for DECEMBER AlphaKit (E, R):
Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham (Agatha Raisin #8). M.C. Beaton (1999)
Claws and Effect (Mrs. Murphy #9). Rita Mae Brown (2001)
The Rules of Engagement. Anita Brookner (2003)
A Stir of Echoes. Richard Matheson (1958)
A Wreath of Roses. Elizabeth Taylor (1949)
Books Read in DECEMBER:
1.
2.
3.
......
Possibilities for DECEMBER AlphaKit (E, R):
Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham (Agatha Raisin #8). M.C. Beaton (1999)
Claws and Effect (Mrs. Murphy #9). Rita Mae Brown (2001)
The Rules of Engagement. Anita Brookner (2003)
A Stir of Echoes. Richard Matheson (1958)
A Wreath of Roses. Elizabeth Taylor (1949)
18mysterymax
Love your pictures!
19rabbitprincess
Welcome back and have fun with the AlphaKit! Great selection of pictures to illustrate your categories :)
20MissWatson
The pictures are lovely! Happy reading!
23DeltaQueen50
Enjoy your 2019 Category Challenge - and I also love the pictures you used here.
24thornton37814
Your pictures are lovely!
26jlshall
>17 Tess_W: Thank you! I think I'll need some luck if I'm going to get this much reading done. Good luck with your reading, too!
27jlshall
>18 mysterymax: Thanks! Hoping the pictures will inspire me.
28jlshall
>19 rabbitprincess: Thank you! I really enjoyed playing along with this year's AlphaKIT, so I'm looking forward to doing it "for real" in 2019.
29jlshall
>20 MissWatson: Thank you! Happy reading to you, too!
30jlshall
>21 VivienneR: Thanks! It was fun finding the photos -- I always love pictures of people reading. Good luck with your reading, too!
31jlshall
>22 lkernagh: Thank you! I'm looking forward to getting started on a brand new challenge, although it seems like 2018 went by awfully fast!
32jlshall
>23 DeltaQueen50: Thanks! I'm looking forward to the new challenge -- hoping to do a little better than I did with this year's.
33jlshall
>24 thornton37814: Thank you! I had a lot of fun finding them and matching them up with different months.
34jlshall
>25 mstrust: Thanks so much. And happy reading to you, too!
35LisaMorr
Lovely ladies reading! Good luck with your challenge and with the AlphaKIT. I'm planning on using it more in 2019 as well.
36The_Hibernator
Beautiful setup! Happy New Year!
39christina_reads
Love your setup and pictures! I also used pics of women reading, but they're all different -- so many to choose from! Happy reading in 2019.
40jlshall
>36 The_Hibernator: Thank you! And Happy New Year to you as well!
41jlshall
>37 thornton37814: Thank you. Happy New Year to you, too! Love that image!
42jlshall
>38 Tess_W: Thanks for the fireworks! And a Happy New Year to you!
43jlshall
>39 christina_reads: Thank you! Yes, there are sooo many great images of women reading -- I had a lot of fun finding these. Happy New Year and Happy Reading to you, too!
44jlshall
September is here! The year is two-thirds gone! How did that happen? Time is zipping right by and real life has really been interfering with my reading plans. As usual.
And my AlphaKIT reading has been especially hard hit this year — I only managed one book for the August Alpha, and it was very short kiddie lit. I’m planning (well, I’m hoping) to do much better for the rest of the year. So I thought maybe I’d start trying to do a post each month, specific to the Alpha, and try to nudge myself along.
The letters for the month are F and W. When I can, I like to find titles that combine both letters, either in the title or author's name, or a combination of the two; and I’ve got several classic works on my long-time TBR lists/stacks that would fit:
Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton
The Food of the Gods, by H.G. Wells
Lady Windermere’s Fan, by Oscar Wilde
Put Out More Flags, by Evelyn Waugh
Save Me The Waltz, by Zelda Fitzgerald
Something Fresh (Blandings Castle #1), by P.G. Wodehouse
Wandering Ghosts, by Francis Marion Crawford
Where Angels Fear to Tread, by E.M. Forster
And looking at that list, I’m actually a little embarrassed that I haven’t already read more of those.
Or if I want to tackle something more recent, I’ve got loads of titles to choose from (including a few ARCs that I need to read and review asap):
An Artist of the Floating World, by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild Mysteries #25), by Katherine Hall Page
Bramton Wick, by Elizabeth Fair
Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg
Dream When You’re Feeling Blue, by Elizabeth Berg
Framed in Lace (Needlecraft Mystery #2), by Monica Ferris
Full Wolf Moon (Jeremy Logan #5), by Lincoln Child
In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1), by Tana French
The Man Who Would Be F. Scott Fitzgerald (Stewart Hoag #3), by David Handler
The Waiting Room, by F.G. Cottam
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, by Henry Farrell
What Rose Forgot, by Nevada Barr
White Fire (Pendergast #13), by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Widow of Pale Harbor, by Hester Fox
Wings of Fire (Inspector Ian Rutledge #2), by Charles Todd
The Woman Who Fell from Grace (Stewart Hoag #4), by David Handler
So many possibilities, so little time....
And my AlphaKIT reading has been especially hard hit this year — I only managed one book for the August Alpha, and it was very short kiddie lit. I’m planning (well, I’m hoping) to do much better for the rest of the year. So I thought maybe I’d start trying to do a post each month, specific to the Alpha, and try to nudge myself along.
The letters for the month are F and W. When I can, I like to find titles that combine both letters, either in the title or author's name, or a combination of the two; and I’ve got several classic works on my long-time TBR lists/stacks that would fit:
Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton
The Food of the Gods, by H.G. Wells
Lady Windermere’s Fan, by Oscar Wilde
Put Out More Flags, by Evelyn Waugh
Save Me The Waltz, by Zelda Fitzgerald
Something Fresh (Blandings Castle #1), by P.G. Wodehouse
Wandering Ghosts, by Francis Marion Crawford
Where Angels Fear to Tread, by E.M. Forster
And looking at that list, I’m actually a little embarrassed that I haven’t already read more of those.
Or if I want to tackle something more recent, I’ve got loads of titles to choose from (including a few ARCs that I need to read and review asap):
An Artist of the Floating World, by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Body in the Wake (Faith Fairchild Mysteries #25), by Katherine Hall Page
Bramton Wick, by Elizabeth Fair
Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg
Dream When You’re Feeling Blue, by Elizabeth Berg
Framed in Lace (Needlecraft Mystery #2), by Monica Ferris
Full Wolf Moon (Jeremy Logan #5), by Lincoln Child
In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1), by Tana French
The Man Who Would Be F. Scott Fitzgerald (Stewart Hoag #3), by David Handler
The Waiting Room, by F.G. Cottam
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, by Henry Farrell
What Rose Forgot, by Nevada Barr
White Fire (Pendergast #13), by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Widow of Pale Harbor, by Hester Fox
Wings of Fire (Inspector Ian Rutledge #2), by Charles Todd
The Woman Who Fell from Grace (Stewart Hoag #4), by David Handler
So many possibilities, so little time....
45jlshall
Wow, the last couple of months have been sort of a blur for me. Just when you think everything's going smoothly and you're all set to curl up with your reading for a while, life jumps up and smacks you good and proper. And there go all your bookish intentions. I did pretty well in September and October, but only managed one book in November -- and that one took so long, I had to keep going back and reminding myself of what I'd already read. Sad, right?
Anyhoo, hard as it is to believe, here we are in December and it's pretty obvious I'm not going to be reading much more before the end of the year. But I just might have time for one or two books, which means I should at least be able to get in some AlphaKIT reads. So I'm not going to admit defeat just yet -- but I have started making plans for my 2020 Category Challenge now that 2019 is almost outta here.
Anyhoo, hard as it is to believe, here we are in December and it's pretty obvious I'm not going to be reading much more before the end of the year. But I just might have time for one or two books, which means I should at least be able to get in some AlphaKIT reads. So I'm not going to admit defeat just yet -- but I have started making plans for my 2020 Category Challenge now that 2019 is almost outta here.
46rabbitprincess
I hope you have some good reads to fill out the rest of the year! A new year will be the perfect opportunity for a new challenge.
