Carol's Notebook

I know I said the Nonfiction Challenge was my last for 2018, but apparently I forgot to actually post this one. It was still in my drafts. It falls into the second category of challenges, too, one that I actually have to go out of my way to read books for. I read several classics in 2017, thanks in part to the Back to the Classics Challenge hosted at Books and Chocolate, so I'm signing up again this year. Here’s how it works: The challenge will be exactly the same as last year, 12 classic books, but with slightly different categories. You do not have to read 12 books to participate in this. Complete six categories, and you get one entry in the drawing at the end of the year Complete nine categories, and you get two entries in the drawing Complete all twelve categories, and you get three entries in the drawing Here are the categories for the 2018 Back to the Classics Challenge. Some of...

I do two types of challenges/read-a-thons through the year. Some are easy; they're about genres or types of books I tend to read any way. Others are more of a true challenge, pushing me outside of my usual zone, and sometimes those lead me to amazing books that I might not have picked up on my own. The Nonfiction Reading Challenge hosted at Doing Dewey falls into the second category. I think I only read 2 nonfiction books last, both faith-related, and I think I'd like to make it a point this year to read more. This will definitely be the last of my year-long challenges though. 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 books Read X% nonfiction Read nonfiction in certain categories – I’ve put together checklists for reading diversely and for reading one book for each century in the Dewey...

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 monthly link up so that others can check out your progress and look at your reviews. At...

I completed the Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge. I just made my goal of 36 books, Special Agent level. Thanks to our great hosts, Stormi at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and Barb from Booker T’s Farm. The titles should link to my reviews. Cozy Christmas Shorts by Gemma Halliday, Leslie Langtry, Kelly Rey, Jennifer L. Hart, Gin Jones, T. Sue VerSteeg, Traci Andrighetti, Anna Snow, Jennifer Fischetto, Janel Gradowski Two Days Gone by Randall Silvis Game of Mirrors by Andrea Camilleri The Patience of the Spider by Andrea Camilleri In the Bag by Emery Harper Motion for Murder by Kelly Rey Kill and Run by Lauren Carr Earthly Remains by Donna Leon A Fine Year for Murder by Lauren Carr Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Shelton Penance by Kanae Minato The Secrets of Wishtide by Kate Saunders Dead Tide by Leighann Dobbs A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro The Freedom Broker by K.J. Howe Six Wakes by Mur...

I'm signing up for the Audiobook Challenge again this year, hosted by Hot Listens and Caffeinated Reviewer. The Details: Runs January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018. You can join at anytime. The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2018 than you did in 2017. Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.) ANY genres count. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc. If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge. Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. First update in June 30, 2018 and last update in December 15, 2018. Levels: Newbie (I’ll give it...