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Category: Reading Challenges

Blood on the Tracks

Blood on the Tracks

Review: Blood on the Tracks by Barbara Nickless For my fourth novel in the R.I.P. Challenge, I read The Raven Boys. In case you missed my earlier post and reading lineup, here is the concept behind this challenge: Started by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, R.I.P. is a reading challenge in which imbibers come “together to enjoy the literature most associated with the darkening days and cooling temperatures of Autumn:” Mystery Suspense Thriller Gothic Horror Dark Fantasy Blood on the Tracks features…

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The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater For my third novel in the R.I.P. Challenge, I read The Raven Boys. In case you missed my earlier post and reading lineup, here is the concept behind this challenge: Started by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, R.I.P. is a reading challenge in which imbibers come “together to enjoy the literature most associated with the darkening days and cooling temperatures of Autumn:” Mystery Suspense Thriller Gothic Horror Dark Fantasy As I read The Raven…

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The Red House Mystery & Northanger Abbey

The Red House Mystery & Northanger Abbey

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne I was surprised when I learned that the author of the Winnie-the-Pooh series had penned a mystery novel, and not just a mystery, but a murder mystery. Perfect for the R.I.P. Challenge. (In case you missed my earlier post and reading lineup, here is the concept behind this challenge:) Started by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, R.I.P. is a reading challenge in which imbibers come “together to enjoy the literature most associated with the…

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R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XI

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XI

“Now Autumn’s fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt.” –William Allingham (1824-1889) Yes, autumn is here again! And you know what that means. It’s time for… R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XI! Started by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, R.I.P. is a reading challenge in which imbibers come “together to enjoy the literature most associated with the darkening days and cooling temperatures of Autumn:” Mystery Suspense Thriller Gothic Horror Dark Fantasy Carl says…

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Erin’s Book Challenge Check-in # 2

Erin’s Book Challenge Check-in # 2

Erin’s Book Challenge Check-in Greetings Readers! It’s time for a check-in on my reading progress for Erin’s Book Challenge that runs July 1 to October 31. Here’s what I’ve read since last time: Death Is Now My Neighbor by Colin Dexter For the five word title category, I enjoyed revisiting the lives of Morris and Lewis in Death Is Now My Neighbor as they investigate a murder on the Oxford campus with professorial connections. The lives of scholarly educators are perhaps…

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Erin’s Book Challenge Check-in

Erin’s Book Challenge Check-in

Erin’s Book Challenge Check-in Greetings Readers! It’s time for a check-in on my reading progress for Erin’s Book Challenge that runs July 1 to October 31. Here’s what I’ve read so far. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness in the “Book into Movie” Category. Finished this in one night. A Monster Calls was an incredible and thought-provoking coming of age novel exploring a teen’s struggle with his mother’s life-threatening illness. I could see this used in a high school psych course….

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Erin’s book challenge

Erin’s book challenge

Erin’s Book Challenge I’m now surfacing at Pen In Her Hand after two months of pretty intensive writing, including Blogging A to Z (thank you for hanging in with those 30 blog posts!) and online seminars. Later this month I’ve scheduled a conversation with the incomparable Tasha Duncan-Drake to discuss a Korean ghost movie called A Tale of Two Sisters, so watch for that. For now I’m catching up on writing and marketing tasks. I never even mentioned I released a…

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Ghost Novel: The Face

Ghost Novel: The Face

The Face by Dean Koontz Publisher: Random House Audio Format: Audio Recording Source: Pleasanton Library The Face is my second reviewed novel of The R.I.P. Reading Challenge hosted by The Estella Society. What it’s about: The Face is a poignant but darkly comic novel of suspense. The primary setting of Koontz’s book is the Southern California mansion Palazo Rospo where ten-year-old Aelfric (Fric) resides with a house full of staff but rarely his father, and never his mother. The title…

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The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz

The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz

The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz by June Kearns Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Format: Ebook Source: Purchased What it’s about: Gerry is desperate for money. Her late aunt thought nothing of leaving their English village and sailing to parts unknown or taking up with a new love at the drop of a feathered silk hat. Along with mounting debt, Gerry has inherited her aunt’s stunning wardrobe and old bookstore. Unfortunately, Aunt Leonie ransacked the bookstore for valuable…

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R.I.P X is here!

R.I.P X is here!

(image courtesy Abigail Larson) It’s that time of year. Or as Shakespeare put it: That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. (Image courtesy flikr creative commons via photopin) In the gray mood yet? Good, because R.I.P. X (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril) is here, the brainchild of Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, this year…

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International Authors’ Day + Giveaway

International Authors’ Day + Giveaway

It’s time to celebrate International Authors’ Day! Cheers for the first annual International Authors’ Day Blog Hop hosted by Debdatta Dasgupta Sahay over at b00kr3vi3ws. Participating bloggers (like me!) will discuss their reading habits or favorite books, recognize an author of merit, and provide a giveaway to blog visitors. My Reading Habits I read fiction every day. On my way to work, I listen to audiobooks. I’m currently listening to Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. And loving it! During…

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Armchair BEA Introduction

Armchair BEA Introduction

Hello there, fellow book lovers! Today begins Armchair BEA. I think this is my third year to participate in Armchair BEA, so you may be familiar with it. If not, click here to learn all about it. I love the concept of joining a book conference without traveling to New York (although at some point I’d love to do that, too). The folks at ABEA have asked participants to answer five questions as a sort of introduction. Here are my five…

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Read an Ebook Week 2015

Read an Ebook Week 2015

Dear Readers, Did you know it was Read an Ebook Week? I know, it caught me off guard as well. Basically, this means that it’s time for you to join the fun by reading an ebook. Rita Toews from Smashwords founded Read an Ebook Week seven years ago. You can find more information on Read an Ebook Week on this Smashwords post as well as links to some participating authors’ books. I love the graphic Smashwords created for this event. You…

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