IF at first you don’t succeed at maintaining your objectives and goals of reading challenges and/or readathons per year – each New Year is a new chapter of HOPE!

I cannot say the years of 2013-2017 yielded the best results for what I was hoping to accomplish per reading challenge I attempted, but throughout my eagerness to read new authors & stories, I had the best of intentions at heart. I simply ran out of the hours necessary to complete the challenges per month and whilst I had twelve months in 2014 to play with, I must confess they evaporated before I could even pick up a farthing of the stories I aimed to have read! Therefore, I am re-defining this section of my blog as re-focusing on personal reading challenges with a few added challenges which truly interest me! This worked for me during [2018] and it is a tread I intend to maintain in [2019] and beyond!

Uniquely enough, this declaration from last year still resonates with me now. I’ve been undergoing a Renaissance on my blog to downgrade from my commitments in blog tours and/or review requests (from authors/publishers) to a more manageable level of interest to where I can not only re-address the challenges I set for myself in INSPY & Classical Literature but feel a better freedom to explore writing Features & Memes, participate in book blogosphere and/or #booktube events (ie. reading challenges and/or readathons or readalongs) whilst also finding more dexterity of interests in my own readerly life!!

I’ve been striving for a better *balance!* if you will – between the reader I was prior to being a book blogger and the reader I’ve developed into as a book blogger. Life is a wicked #awesomesauce journey but without balance we can feel like we’re losing ground on what we want to be doing! Thereby, I’m capitalising on what I accomplished in [2017] by looking forward to re-participating in new events throughout the year whilst selecting those yearly challenges which befits me right now as a reader whose a book blogger.

I want [2019] to be the year I finally *get it!* right as a reader whose constantly expanding her literary horizons and finding herself a guilt-free reader once her backlogue of reviews is erased! Wouldn’t that be lovely!? Ahh,… a New Year, full of stories and bookish memories – eek! I literally can’t wait to DIVE IN!

{ written: December, 2018}

Master List of [2019] Reading Challenges | links to more Lists

Read-A-Longs (RALs), Readathons,
and Reading Challenges

Archive of Past RALs & Challenges:

{ 2013 } { 2014 } {2015} {2017} {2018}

2019 Reading Challenges & Readathons

~ let the journey begin! +

to make this more interesting this year, I also joined the #Librarything group: [2019] Category challenge which is in effect a personal guide towards what I will be reading throughout the year! come geek out with me!

Join me and my fellow Clubbers | The Classics Club

1. The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton
2. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin

I’ve been tracking how much #HistoricalFiction I am reading on Jorie Loves A Story for a few years now, however, I haven’t had the joy of participating in this challenge directly [2018]. I am sharing my reviews as they alight on my blog through the monthly link exchange via passagestothepast.com whilst following behind those shares with my own visits to the book bloggers and readers who are sharing their insightful Historical ruminations on the stories they are reading themselves. I look forward to seeing what everyone else is reading and getting to visit bloggers I might not have visited if we hadn’t participated in the same challenge.

On a personal note, I hadn’t realised how much Historical Fiction I read per year until I became a book blogger as I noted I truly do feel these are the stories I am most addicted to reading! There is something to be said for disappearing through time – travelling through countries and eras, alighting where a writer’s character has taken us to traverse and seeing the world a bit differently for our time spent with a character whose journey is moving alongside History’s known time-line.

Be sure to see which stories of #HistoricalFiction I read during [2018]!!

Hosted by Passages to the Past | Info Page

I always attempt the Pre-Historic Challenge | reading more than 50+ as I quite literally *devour!* Historical Fiction throughout the year – one year, I might see if I can read 250+ HistFic novels but I have the tendency of averaging somewhere between 150 to 200 novels per year! The only difference being – their not all Historical Fiction! (smiles) I’m shooting for at least 75 Historicals in 2019! Even though, yes, technically I set the bar higher to reach at 100!

Kindly visit with me this year, as this list of stories populates & share your comments & thoughts
with me as I continue to discover the Historical authors I love reading!

1. Waltzing with the Earl by Catherine Tinley
2. Lost in the Light by Mary Castillo
3. The Mariage of Miss Jane Austen : Volume Two by Collins Hemingway
4. The Gift of the Seer by K.B. Laugheed
5. The Chef's Secret by Crystal King
6. We Shall See The Sky Sparkling by Susana Aikin
7. The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley
8. Claiming My Place by Planaria Price
9. The Parting Glass by Gina Marie Guadagnino
10. The Girl From Oto by Amy Maroney
11. The Girl in the Pink Raincoat by Alrene Hughes
12. A Knife in the Fog by Bradley Harper
13. Repentance by Andrew Lam
14. Blog Book Tour | “The Strongman and the Mermaid” [The Donora Story Collection: Book Two] by Kathleen Shoop with reflections on behalf of reading the first novel in the series “After the Fog”
15. Blog Book Tour | “The Strongman and the Mermaid” [The Donora Story Collection: Book Two] by Kathleen Shoop with reflections on behalf of reading the first novel in the series “After the Fog”
16. Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse
17. Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse
18. The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke
19. Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries
20. Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor
21. A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman
22. A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman
23. Death in Desert Land by Andrew Wilson
24. The Undertaker's Assistant by Amanda Skenandore
25. Sign of the White Foal by Chris Thorndycroft
26. The Fire of Winter by D.K. Marley
27. No Stone Unturned by Pam Lecky
28. Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark
29. The Body in Griffith Park by Jennifer Kincheloe
30. The Butterfly Conspiracy by Vivian Conroy
31. Queen's Gambit by Bradley Harper
32. Enduring Promises of the Heart by Valerie Loveless
33. Wanders Far by David Fitz-Gerald
34. My Fair Spinster by Rebecca Connolly
35. The Merry Lives of Spinsters by Rebecca Connolly
36. An Abiding Fire by M.J. Logue
37. The First Lady and the Rebel by Susan Higginbotham
38. A Nest of Vipers by Richard Storry
39. Royal Beauty Bright by Ryan Byrnes
40. The Duke's Second Chance by Jen Geigle Johnson
41. The Emperor's Assassin by Autumn Bardot
42. The Boy with Blue Trousers by Carol Jones
43. Christmas is for Children by Rosie Clarke
44. The Mariage of Miss Jane Austen by Collins Hemingway

I started working on my reading list for this INSPY Fiction Challenge in [2013] however, I haven’t made much progress with my readings until now. I went conservative and approximated I’d read [210] novels by the authors I’ve chosen to read as some of their stories are short stories in anthologies and not every author will have five novels published. Therefore, I estimated I might be able to read [three] novels per each author on my List. I might read more by some of the authors or less if there are only a few published whilst I’m focusing on their back-list and front-list releases.

As I re-set my Classics Club List to reflect a new beginning of August, 2018 and ending in 2023, I’ve decided to re-set this challenge to run side by side my Classics Club readings as the two were meant to be synchronised from the beginning!

1. A Reason to Stay by Kellie Coates Gilbert
2. #SummerReads | Jorie endeavours to read a heap of #INSPY Lit (whilst consuming copious amounts of #AudioReads!) and re-tackles her #20BooksOfSummer challenge of [2017]!
3. Sweet on You by Becky Wade
4. The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck

Hosted by A Novel Knight | Info Page

1. Waltzing with the Earl by Catherine Tinley
2. The Rancher's Fake Fiancee by Amy Vastine
3. No Safe Place by Sherri Shackelford
4. The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirai
5. Lost in the Light by Mary Castillo
6. The Rancher's Homecoming by Anna J. Stewart
7. The Mariage of Miss Jane Austen : Volume Two by Collins Hemingway
8. Silver Hollow by Jennifer Silverwood
9. Blog Book Tour | “Dominic’s Ghosts” (Book One: #CityQuartet) by Michael Williams
10. The Girl From Oto by Amy Maroney
11. The Certain Hope by E.C. Jackson
12. Mountains Apart by Carol Ross
13. A Case for Forgiveness by Carol Ross
14. If Not for a Bee by Carol Ross
15. A Family Like Hannah's by Carol Ross
16. Bachelor Remedy by Carol Ross
17. The Awakening by Maggie Lynch
18. A Knife in the Fog by Bradley Harper
19. Witchiest Circus on Earth by Leanne Leeds
20. Nebula Awards Showcase: 2016 by Mercedes Lackey
21. Heir to the Lamp by Michelle Lowery Combs
22. #EnterTheFantastic with #WyrdAndWonder | Book Review of the Magical Midway Series [book two] “Life on the Lion” by Leanne Leeds
23. Tiger Lily by Abigail Drake
24. #EnterTheFantastic with #WyrdAndWonder | Book Review of the Magical Midway Series [book three] “Unbearable Magic” by Leanne Leeds
25. Blog Book Tour | “The Strongman and the Mermaid” [The Donora Story Collection: Book Two] by Kathleen Shoop with reflections on behalf of reading the first novel in the series “After the Fog”
26. Lost on the Water by D.G. Driver
27. Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse
28. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
29. Assault and Pepper by Leslie Budewitz
30. Summer by Summer by Heather Burch
31. A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman
32. Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark
33. The Butterfly Conspiracy by Vivian Conroy
34. DawnSinger by Janalyn Voigt
35. WayFarer by Janalyn Voigt
36. Hall-o-ween by Tia Perkiin
37. The Merry Lives of Spinsters by Rebecca Connolly
38. Death on the River by Clare Chase
39. A Nest of Vipers by Richard Storry
40. The Mariage of Miss Jane Austen by Collins Hemingway

Hosted by Cornerfolds | Info Page

After having spent October planning my #Mythothon selections for November and realising I needed more time to read the stories (during #Mythothon, 2.0 I shall do better!) – I was happily charmed to see this readathon happening during 2019! It literally came at the best possible time as I *knew!* I would be reading a heap more Mythos this New Year! I can’t wait to see where the stories lead me and which Mythological origins I find are my beloved favourites!!

I decided to attempt Fairest of them All (21-25+ read) as I’m reading my selections from #Mythothon 1.0 and am eagerly awaiting #Mythothon 2.0 (tentatively in September) thereby I know I’ll be reading *loads!* of retellings based off Myths; giving me a bit of an edge on seeking out some of the choices for this readathon. However, in recent years I’ve noticed I read quite a rather diverse group of re-tellings per annum and am encouraged by what I shall be seeking out in 2019!! Even if I end the year as a High Fae (16-20 read), I’ll be wicked happy!

squares I’ve read:

• Greek Mythology | “Sea of Lost Souls” by Emerald Dodge
• Shakespeare | “The Fire of Winter” *retelling of MacBeth

1. Sea of Lost Souls by Emerald Dodge
2. The Fire of Winter by D.K. Marley

1. The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirai
2. Silver Hollow by Jennifer Silverwood

Hosted by Angel’s Guilty Pleasures | Info Page

GOAL: Library Card on Fire | 60+ books / audiobooks borrowed

1. Mountains Apart by Carol Ross
2. A Case for Forgiveness by Carol Ross
3. If Not for a Bee by Carol Ross
4. A Family Like Hannah's by Carol Ross
5. A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce
6. Christmas Once Again by Jina Bacarr

Hosted by (un)conventional bookworms | Info Page

Being a book blogger, I’ve had the chance to *devour!* a lot of lovely new releases per year whilst hosting blog tours and/or accepting books for review directly from authors & publishers. However, as I move towards my Sixth Year as a Book Blogger in March, 2019 – the second half of my Renaissance on Jorie Loves A Story is shifting towards reading more new releases (by print or audiobook) through my local libraries and/or by listening to audiobooks via Scribd / Audible as well. I want to maintain my Scribd subscription in 2019 but I’m hoping by mid-year I might be able to re-acquire my Audible script as well as between the two scripts, I’d have all the audiobooks I’d ever desire to listen to in combination with my libraries who have OverDrive access.

Ergo, I was contemplating – should I go with a reachable goal of New Release Pro (31-60 books read) which is not just doable its below my yearly average! OR, should I really max out my girth of readerly bliss this year and strive towards New Release Veteran (61-100 books read) which is honestly a more realistic goal?

Locking in my choice of : New Release Veteran for the win! (smiles with mirth)

I will be tracking my reviews for this challenge monthly and sharing them quarterly with the hosts of the challenge! I can’t wait to see where this leads me and which stories will become my favourites of the year!!

1. Winning the Cowboy's Heart by Karen Rock
2. The Gift of the Seer by K.B. Laugheed
3. The Chef's Secret by Crystal King
4. His Honor, Her Family by Tara Randel
5. After the Rain by Brandy Bruce
6. Standing Up Against Hate by Mary Cronk Farrell
7. We Shall See The Sky Sparkling by Susana Aikin
8. Bridge to Burn by Rachel Amphlett
9. The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley
10. Carrying the Greek Tycoon's Baby by Jennifer Faye
11. The Parting Glass by Gina Marie Guadagnino
12. Being A Witch And Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara Pascoe
13. A Lily in the Light by Kristin Fields
14. A Rancher to Remember by Karen Rock
15. The Girl in the Pink Raincoat by Alrene Hughes
16. Repentance by Andrew Lam
17. The Cowboy's Perfect Match by Cathy McDavid
18. Blog Book Tour | “The Strongman and the Mermaid” [The Donora Story Collection: Book Two] by Kathleen Shoop with reflections on behalf of reading the first novel in the series “After the Fog”
19. Hers to Protect by Catherine Lanigan
20. To Court A Queen by H.L. Burke
21. Sea of Lost Souls by Emerald Dodge
22. The Royal Secret by Ms Lucinda Riley
23. Adrift by Isabelle Adler
24. The Sun and Moon Beneath the Stars by K. Parr
25. Sweet on You by Becky Wade
26. Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse
27. Claiming the Drakos Heir by Jennifer Faye
28. The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke
29. The Wonkiest Witch by Jeannie Wycherley
30. The Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe
31. Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries
32. Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor
33. A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman
34. Death in Desert Land by Andrew Wilson
35. Sweet Home Alaska by Beth Carpenter
36. Reunited with the Cowboy by Claire McEwen, Ms Claire McEwen
37. The Undertaker's Assistant by Amanda Skenandore
38. Sign of the White Foal by Chris Thorndycroft
39. The Gossamer Mage by Ms Julie E. Czerneda, Julie E. Czerneda
40. Single Dad to the Rescue by Cari Lynn Webb
41. The Fire of Winter by D.K. Marley
42. No Stone Unturned by Pam Lecky
43. Trusting Her Heart by Tara Randel
44. Falling for Her Bodyguard by Amy Vastine, Ms Amy Vastine
45. A Family for Jason by Virginia McCullough
46. Mind of Mine by C.F.E. Black
47. Fatal Memories by Tanya Stowe
48. Sweet Melody by Heidi McCahan
49. The Body in Griffith Park by Jennifer Kincheloe
50. Refuge at Pine Lake by Rose Chandler Johnson
51. Rational Creatures by (Editor) Christina Boyd
52. Angels Among Us by Perry Stone
53. Queen's Gambit by Bradley Harper
54. Enduring Promises of the Heart by Valerie Loveless
55. Wanders Far by David Fitz-Gerald
56. Wearing the Greek Millionaire's Ring by Jennifer Faye
57. My Fair Spinster by Rebecca Connolly
58. An Abiding Fire by M.J. Logue
59. Forget My Name by J.S. Monroe
60. The First Lady and the Rebel by Susan Higginbotham
61. As The Light Fades by Catherine West
62. Cradle to Grave by Rachel Amphlett
63. Royal Beauty Bright by Ryan Byrnes
64. Her Christmas Pregnancy Surprise by Jennifer Faye
65. Keeping Her Close by Carol Ross
66. The Duke's Second Chance by Jen Geigle Johnson
67. The Cowboy's Christmas Baby by Cathy McDavid
68. The Why-entist and the Wild Weather by Jane Lowry
69. The Emperor's Assassin by Autumn Bardot
70. Home for Christmas by Catherine Lanigan
71. In Love by Christmas by Cari Lynn Webb
72. The Boy with Blue Trousers by Carol Jones
73. A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce
74. The Christmas Kiss by Virginia McCullough
75. Christmas Once Again by Jina Bacarr

Ever since I first started truly listening to audiobooks in [2016] I’ve been wicked addicted to them! However, if you look back at my blog’s archives most of the audiobooks I’ve been able to listen to were for review or blog tours. I would love to expand on this new bookish joy of mine to be more inclusive of audiobooks I’ve either won in an audio bookaway, purchased myself or have access to by having subscriptions to Scribd and/or Audible. I also want to check-out more audiobooks from my local libraries which have access to OverDrive.

All things considered, I’d love to attempt to listen to a certain amount of audiobooks over and beyond the ones I might seek for review purposes. Therefore, I’m taking this challenge a bit differently – I’ll count every audiobook I listen to throughout the year for the challenge but I’m hoping at the end of December I’ll have at least the Binge Listener amount (20-30) audiobooks I’ve consumed ‘more than’ the grand total of audiobooks I’ve heard!

Co-Hosted by Caffeinated Bookreviewer | Hot Listens | Info Page

1. Lost in the Light by Mary Castillo
2. The Chef's Secret by Crystal King
3. Bridge to Burn by Rachel Amphlett
4. The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley
5. Claiming My Place by Planaria Price
6. Being A Witch And Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara Pascoe
7. The Awakening by Maggie Lynch
8. A Knife in the Fog by Bradley Harper
9. The Wonkiest Witch by Jeannie Wycherley
10. Rational Creatures by (Editor) Christina Boyd
11. Death on the River by Clare Chase
12. A Nest of Vipers by Richard Storry
13. Cradle to Grave by Rachel Amphlett

Hosted by The Perks of Being Noura | Info Page

I’ve been seriously attempting to read more Classics since I first joined The Classics Club – however, it would appear I had an #epicfail first five years, which is why this past August [2018] I decided to re-queue my tCC List to re-start in 2018 and end in 2023, I’ve found a weight of failure lift from my shoulders. If my health hadn’t been as afflicted as it become this Autumn and early Winter, I would have put a small dent in the stories I wanted to be reading! Starting of course with finishing Jane Eyre which is why my *first!* selection in January is going to be EYRE! From there?

I would imagine I might select a few Classic Science Fiction stories for participating in the readathon #VintageSciFiMonth (during January) but outside of that secondary focus in January, I will simply see what interests me throughout the year as each new month arrives! I decided to shoot for a solid 12 Classics – one per month, but if one month I read extra Classics or one month I read none, it will be interesting to see how many are read by next New Year’s Eve!

None yet!

Officially known as “Blogger Shame Challenge” | on #JLASblog “2019 Backlogue Reviews”

Hosted by Herding Cats and Burning Soup

It wasn’t until I saw this tweet did I understand where the Info Page went!
I feel so bad for the blogger as losing so much of your blog has to be heart wrenching!

I’ve been trying to erase my backlogue of reviews since [2016] – the following year was incredible I even had focus at all considering it was the first year after my father’s stroke and his hospitalisation. Throughout [2018] I struggled with my personal health and wellness, to where it really was getting me down, especially in the Spring & Autumn months where it felt like I was perpetually dealing with one affliction after another. My migraines were also a big issue in [2017/18] which set me back quite a bit as well. Prior to [2016] it was more or less due to ‘life and tides’ – regularly bits and bobbles which can disrupt a reader’s life and thereby, moving into [2019] I have a lovely stack of books (and a few audiobooks!) I need to re-address for review purposes!

I’ve never lost my itch to read or listen to the stories – I only accept stories I truly want to read and therefore, this is one of my most critical focuses for [2019] as I’d like to have a clean slate. It would be lovely to drop the guilt and finally stand on solid ground. It will most likely be a surprise to the authors along the journey I take into the backlogue, but I’d rather be seriously late like Alice’s rabbit than to never have the chance to read them.

I also elected to change how the challenge will be seen on my blog throughout the year as ‘Blogger Shame’ I think would be anxiety triggering as I have ENOUGH guilt on my heart just for falling behind *each year!* with either the same stack of books or adding several to the load. I am hoping the bloggers participating will check-in with each other and we can all rally + cheer for each other to read more of our backlogue whilst making [2019] a rather pro-positive year for us all.

Backlogue List | on my blog | on LibraryThing *still modifying/editing

1. Heir to the Lamp by Michelle Lowery Combs
2. Tiger Lily by Abigail Drake
3. Summer by Summer by Heather Burch
4. The Butterfly Conspiracy by Vivian Conroy
5. The Merry Lives of Spinsters by Rebecca Connolly
6. Death on the River by Clare Chase
7. A Nest of Vipers by Richard Storry

[a guide for reading diversely throughout the year – provided by Doing Dewey]

January – Biracial Awareness
February – Black History Month
March – Women’s History Month
April –  Arab Heritage Month
May – Asian/Pacific Islander History Month
​June – LGBT Pride Summer
July – LGBT Pride Summer
August – Mental Health Awareness
September – Hispanic History Month
October – Physical Disability Awareness Month
November – Native American History Month
​December – Religious Minorities

Twitter Chats | you know Jorie loves them!

Feb 3rd at 1pm EST/10am PST –
Introductions, how you’re planning your challenge, what books you’re most excited to read, etc

June 16th at 1pm EST/10am PST –
check in, how’s your challenge going, favorite book read so far, any changes to your plans, etc

Dec 15th at 1pm EST/10am PST –
wrap-up, how did it go, favorite books read, any changes in how you feel about nonfiction, etc

Hosted by Doing Dewey | Info Page

I literally was seeking out a reading challenge focused on #NonFic | #NonFiction reads as I have quite a heap of lovelies in my [Backlogue] but I also, have found selections over the years I never had the pleasure of actually reading! I wanted to find reading challenges this year which would allow me to not just remain accountable of my reading goals but to move through a) the stories I never the chance to read previously and b) make enroads towards finishing [2019] with a clean slate in regards to past owed reviews.

Outside of this purpose, I want to use the guide Katie @ Doing Dewey provided to seek out titles that would carry me further along with my #diverselit wanderings. I also want to engage and visit with other Non-Fiction readers – seeing what they’re reading and sharing our Non-Fiction adventures throughout the year. The fact there are three planned Twitter chats is beyond #awesomesauce and I am looking forward to the linky shares each month as well!

1. Standing Up Against Hate by Mary Cronk Farrell
2. Claiming My Place by Planaria Price
3. Angels Among Us by Perry Stone

Details forthcoming!

I’m still sorting out what I want to do throughout [2019] in regards to RALs and Challenges overall – as I tried to participate in several during [past years] finding the hours ran out before I could address them properly. Therefore, this is an evolving list of the challenges I’ll be participating in as I am truly trying to focus on my main three interests this year: Classical Lit, INSPY Fiction and my Backlogue of Reviews. There will be a few overlaps between them, I am sure, however, these are the stories which interest me the most to focus on this year in-between the rest of the stories I’ll be drawn towards reading outside of these concentrations.

Monthly Readathons | Readalongs | and other monthly on the spur challenges

JANUARY

#commonorbit RAL co-hosting with Lisa | deargeekplace.com
First chapter break: 13th January for the Twitter chat

#octoberdaye RAL [Rosemary & Rue, book one] co-hosting with Lou | @foxesfairytale
Book One deadline: 25th January (or thereabouts)

#ReadingValdemar RAL co-hosted by Jackie (Info Page) + Melanie (Info Page)
1st Novel: Arrows of the Queen (via audiobook) by 14th of January (or thereabouts)
2nd Novel: Arrows Flight by 25th January (or thereabouts)

#LateAThon | Hosted by Howling Libraries | Info Page

ALL of these count for my #2019BacklogueReview showcases:

• Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde | #ContemporaryJanuary
• The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop
• Trans-Continental: Girl in the Gears by E. Chris Garrison, narrated by ? (audiobook)
• Trans-Continental: Mississippi Queen by E. Chris Garrison
• Far Orbit: Apogee (anthology) edited by Bascomb James
• 2016 Nebula Awards Showcase (anthology) published by Prometheus Books
• The Robot in the Next Cubicle by Larry Boyer
• Almost a Millennium by Jeanbill
• All Hallows at Eyre Hall by Luccia Gray
• Twelfth Night at Eyre Hall by Luccia Gray
• A Turn of Light by Julie E. Czerneda

And, the lovely Mysteries I was attempting to read for #cloakanddaggerchristmas before my illness took over the joy of being able to read! If your sick at Christmas and can barely enjoy *food* its extremely difficult to read | blog!

• The Butterfly Conspiracy (A Merriweather and Royston Mystery) by Vivian Conroy
• Murder at the Mill (an Iris Grey Mystery) by M.B. Shaw
• See Also Proof (a Marjorie Trumaine Mystery) by Larry D. Sweazy
• As Death Draws Near (a Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber
• A Nest of Vipers (Ruritanian Rogues series) by Richard Storry (on audiobook)
• Death on the River (a Tara Thrope Mystery) by Clare Chase (on audiobook)
• The Tesla Gate (series of the same name) by John D. Mimms (on audiobook)

+/- a few others,…

• The Rancher’s Fake Fiancée by Amy Vastine | #ContemporaryJanuary

1. The Rancher's Fake Fiancee by Amy Vastine
2. Lost in the Light by Mary Castillo

https://twitter.com/thebookishchick/status/1079857491071123466

Just when I thought I couldn’t find ONE more event or reason to READ more books during *January* – I saw this tweet whilst listening to a Year in Review (on a world scale) for 2018 as I await the best part of #NewYearsEve : the ball dropping in Times Square! All the joyful expressions of goodwill – its a magical time of the year where the “best of us” is shown and how we all embark together into a New Year – with Hope, Optimism and the Joy of a ‘new chapter’,…

Contemporary January is co-hosted by:

The Bookish Chick and Classy Book Reviews | Info Page

#ContemporaryJanuary | selections:

The PoetX – RAL with Fanna (@fanatality) +Amber (@BooksofAmber)
To All The Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han – RAL with Fanna
Pride (carry-over from #Mythothon)
A Woman of Fortune by Kellie Coates Gilbert (#lateathon, #2019BacklogueReviews)

*previously mentioned:
Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The Rancher’s Fake Fiancée by Amy Vastine

1. The Rancher's Fake Fiancee by Amy Vastine
2. No Safe Place by Sherri Shackelford
3. The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirai
4. The Rancher's Homecoming by Anna J. Stewart

JULY

The Christian & Clean Fiction Summer Reading Safari

My TBR for the INSPY reading challenge 2019

AUGUST

#AustenInAugust

SEPTEMBER

#Mythothon, 2.0

More details forthcoming!

NOVEMBER

#RRSciFiMonth

#NovNov (Novella November) | #NonFicNov (Non-Fiction November)

the Thanksgiving Readathon

DECEMBER

#cloakanddaggerchristmas | #cozmas

In addition to continuing to a supportive team member of the #blogging4books community, I regretted I had an #epicfail attempt @ the 365 Day Comment Challenge in [2018] – I just couldn’t stay connected to the challenge & ironically, only a few people visited me in the initial weeks of the challenge – so apparently, it didn’t work overall for a lot of bloggers! It wasn’t until I saw this lovely post about a NEW comment exchange challenge for [2019] I felt like I had finally found a better fit for me regarding this kind of book blogosphere event! Clearly, there are others who’d rather take a different approach to the same idea! Happily I’ll be joining this lovely challenge instead!

Comment 4 Comment Challenge 2019 | #C4CC | Info Page

I also signed on for the Bloggers Comment Junction which works under the same principles of visiting | chattering | commenting & engaging with fellow book bloggers whilst you are engaging with them as they visit your own blog as well. #winwin

I’ve always wanted conversations under my posts and it has taken me awhile to find readers & bloggers who want to actively communicate with me on my posts. I have a well read blog & do receive comments (privately) but I am hoping I can continue to build a community of chatters who love sharing our bookish lives whilst having open-minded discussions about what we’re reading. For this reason, my blog is OPEN to new commentary – just scroll the archives – as well as open discussions, whether we agree / disagree or have neutral opinions – all convos are welcome!

{SOURCES: Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Heaven is a book & a cup of tea badge provided by Squeesome Designs. Retelling Reading Challenge Bingo Card created by Cornerfolds (blog) and is used with permission. 2019 New Release Challenge created by mylimabeandesigns.com for unconventionalbookworms.com and is used with permission. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: 2019 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge and my INSPY Fiction badge for my 70 Authors Challenge. The Infographic List of the 2019 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge. The Audiobook Challenge, A Classic A Month Reading Challenge, #NonFicReads19 and Library Love Challenge banners. As well as The Classics Club banner (Photo Credit: Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story (© jorielovesastorycom).}