Carol's Notebook

Another challenge I really enjoyed this past year was Karen at Books and Chocolate's Back to the Classics Challenge, so I'm signing up again for 2019. I haven't posted my wrap-up for this year yet because I'm hoping to finish Rebecca. Presuming I finish that one, I'll have complete all 12 categories, so I'm hoping to do the same next year. From Books and Chocolate: THE CATEGORIES:  (My potential reads are in italics, but they're open to change.) 1. 19th Century Classic. Bleak House by Charles Dickens 2. 20th Century Classic.  The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham 3. Classic by a Woman Author. Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson 4. Classic in Translation. We by Yevgeny Amyatin 5. Classic Comic Novel.  Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse 6. Classic Tragic Novel. The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad 7. Very Long Classic. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre D\umas 8. Classic Novella. Double Indemnity by James M. Cain 9. Classic From the Americas (includes the Caribbean). The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith 10. Classic From Africa, Asia, or...

The Nonfiction Reading Challenge was one of my favorites of last year. I am so glad that Katie at Doing Dewey is hosting again this year. From Doing Dewey: Suggested Goals Rather than suggest particular levels for this challenge, I’ve got a couple ideas for different nonfiction reading goals you could set for yourself. Read X nonfiction booksRead X% nonfictionRead nonfiction in certain categories – I’ve put together checklists for reading diversely and for reading one book for each century in the Dewey Decimal system, or you could make your ownRead X books from a list, such as buzzfeed’s important nonfiction you should be reading, the winners of the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction, or any of these goodreads lists Twitter Chats Feb 3rd at 1pm EST/10am PST – Introductions, how you’re planning your challenge, what books you’re most excited to read, etcJune 16th at 1pm EST/10am PST – check in, how’s your challenge going, favorite book read so far, any changes to your plans, etcDec 15th at 1pm EST/10am PST –...

Of course, I'm signing up for the Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge again. I do love mysteries and crime novels. Our hosts are Stormi at Books, Movies, Review! Oh My! and Barb at Booker T's Farm. Thanks ladies! Challenge Rules: You can read any book that is from the mystery/suspense/thriller/crime genres. Any sub-genres are welcome as long as they incorporate one of these genres.You don’t need a blog to participate but you do need a place to post your reviews to link up. (blog, goodreads, booklikes, shelfari, etc.)Make a goal post and link it back here with your goal for this challenge.Books need to be novellas or novels, please no short stories. (At least 100 pages +)Crossovers into other challenges  are fine.The Challenge will  be from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st. (Sign up ends April 15th) There will be a quarterly link up so that others can check out your progress and look at your reviews. At the halfway mark and at the...

I actually met my goal for the 2018 Audiobook Challenge. My goal was 30+. Last year I listened to 26. One of the goals of the challenge is to "outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2018 than you did in 2017," which I definitely accomplished. Thanks again to our hosts, Hot Listens and Caffeinated Reviewer. Here’s my list. I think the titles should link to my reviews. Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules VerneAnatomy of a Scandal by Sarah VaughanStrangers on a Train by Patricia HighsmithThe Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleJust One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi TaylorEnter a Murderer by Ngaio MarshDear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World by Jennifer PalmieriThe Innocents Abroad: Or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress by Mark TwainThe Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska OrczyArtemis by Andy WeirI'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer...