2020 Re-read Challenge

Challenge Basics:

Name: The Re-Read Challenge
Starts: January 1, 2020
Ends: December 31, 2020
Eligible Books: Books you've already read.

Why I'm Interested:

Whether it's re-reading for comfort or to revisit old favorites, I want to make sure I enthusiastically dive into re-reading whenever I feel the urge.

Some books I'm considering:

My Special Shelf favorites, of course. Also, books I liked enough or am curious enough to re-listen to on audio.

Books Completed:

Comments

Book Review: The Poison Thread by Laura Purcell

Pages: 351 Publisher: Penguin Released: June 18, 2019 Received: ARC from publisher Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Goodreads Last year I read and enjoyed Laura Purcell's creeping Gothic horror The Silent Companions and, while I didn't love it, I did enjoy it and I've been looking forward to reading more from this author. The Poison Thread follows a similar pattern of alternating perspectives, one character telling their story, another character learning the tragic and horrifying events of the past. The narrative device worked very well here, building tension, intrigue, and mystery. I felt for Ruth, the character telling her story as she waits in prison for her murder trial, and while I didn't love Dorothea (she's a little too naive self-righteous do-gooder for me) I was interested in the events of her life (though, I think, she picked the wrong man). Characters and place felt real and drew me into the story. I felt for them. I felt like I was there (early Victorian E...

2018 in Review: July through September

I made a really big list It's that time of year again! I started making these lists because I'm a list kind of person, but they've become so much more. I've found myself returning to them time and again almost like a scrapbook. It's been a nice way to reflect, remember, and reminisce. The Little Book of Pooh-isms A review book. Hardly a "book" in the reading challenge sense, this was a quick read filled with quotes from the Pooh books and movies. Sweet, charming, and somewhat silly, this book was nice because it reminded me of the other books and movies. My husband and I read through the quotes together while making dinner one night. Which, really does make this book a good way to spend some time. Emily Goes to Exeter by M. C. Beaton Belinda Goes to Bath by M. C. Beaton I wasn't ready to let go of this author yet, so I picked her her Traveling Matchmaker series. These books have the best covers yet, but not the best stories. Oh they're great, a...

Book Review: Mother Knows Best by Serena Valentino

Pages: 400 Released: August 7, 2018 Publisher: Disney Received: Finished copy from publisher Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Goodreads These books are wacky. I've now read three of these Disney Villain origin stories ( Ursula , The Queen from Snow White) and I'm noticing a pretty consistent pattern. Basically: Intriguing plot. I get hooked by these stories. I want to know what happens next. I wouldn't say they're well-plotted stories, since they're actually pretty ridiculous. But I can't help enjoying them . So-so writing. The writing is pretty stilted. The dialogue is sometimes painful. I feel like I'm reading fan fiction. Sympathetic villain. The origin stories turn the villains into saccharine sweet victims of horrible circumstances. It's a little much , but it's also pretty effective. I liked Gothel, I wanted her to win, and my heart broke for her every time her situation got worse and worse. Side characters. There's usually at least one side char...

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