Tag: 2019 Reading Challenge

Review: The Mystery of Nevermore

~ Theodora Vanyar ~ 3 Comments

By: C.S. Poe

Available on: Amazon, Audible, and Barnes and Noble.

Overview:

Blurb: Sebastian Snow didn’t think Christmas would bring a break in to Snow’s Antique Emporium and a handful of murders. With his boyfriend, Detective Neil Millett so far in the closet he has to pass Narnia their relationship was strained even before Sebastian found a heart under his floorboards. Thankfully, there may be help available in the form of one smoking hot detective by the name of Calvin Winter.

Trigger Warnings:

Ableism, Blood, Bullying, Death, Drug Use (Prescription), Emotional Abuse, Food, Gore, Gun Violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Internalized Homophobia, Murder, Off Screen Infidelity, On Screen Sex, Sexism, PTSD, Toxic Masculinity, Violent Imagery, War (mentioned)

Body Count: 3

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Review: Bakeries and Bones: A Westford Bay B&B Cozy Mystery Prequel

~ Theodora Vanyar ~ 2 Comments

By: Nic Roberts

Available on: Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Overview:

Blurb: This novella is the kickoff point for the Westford Bay B&B Series! Ten chapters of Ally Wescott going from nearly-wedded bliss with her very French fiancé to investigator! Two letters bring about loss, but as this is book zero on the series, I assume they bring Ally much more!

Trigger Warnings:

Death, Emotional Abuse, Food, Murder

Body Count: 1

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Review: The Mermaid and Mrs. Handcock

~ Theodora Vanyar ~ Leave a comment

By: Imogen Hermes Gowar

Available on: Amazon, Audible, and Barnes and Noble.

Overview:

Blurb: An elegant tale told in three acts: a twist of fortune changes the lives of many as one Mr. Jonah Hancock comes into possession of the corpse of an honest-to-god baby mermaid. The novelty attracts the attention of the Madame of a so-called nunnery, where ladies are handsomely compensated for their company and far more physical acts. One of Mrs. Chappell’s former star girls is recently returned to the social scene after the untimely demise of her previous patron. Her name is well known amongst the Ton: Mrs. Angelica Neal. She is fickle and flighty; she struggles to readjust to the return to her life before. All is not lost for Angelica as she is reunited with her old friend, and fellow pupil of Mrs. Chappell, Bel Fortescue. But lust, love, loss, and folly drive Angelica from the path of professional mistress and towards the haunted Mr. Hancock. She demands another mermaid from him in return for her affections. But the realities of obtaining said creature are far from what either expected. With her lifestyle in upheaval and friends betraying her, Angelica falls from hedonistic opulence into spirited but ordinary.

Trigger Warnings:

Bullying, Child Abuse, Death (mentioned), Drug Use (Illicit), Emotional Abuse, Food, Infidelity, Mental Abuse, Miscarriage, Non-Consensual Touching, Off Screen Infidelity, Off Screen Sex, Poor Coping Mechanisms, Prostitution, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Systemic Racism, Time Period True Racism, Toxic Masculinity, Unsafe Lifestyle, Unsafe Sex

Body Count: 0

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Review: Cocaine Blues

~ Theodora Vanyar ~ 1 Comment

By Kerry Greenwood9124En-B9L.SR160240_BG243243243

Available on: Amazon, Audible, and Barnes and Noble.

Overview:

Blurb: When she finds herself rather bored with hum-drum England, the Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher decides to jump ship, a bit literally, to return to her homeland: Australia. Once there, she finds herself a few friends and a new maid. And then she finds a couple of communists, a few new and one old enemy, and nearly gets herself slightly murdered for being just a little curious about the king of cocaine in Melbourne. It’s the first book in a series and one I desperately wish to continue reading.

Trigger Warnings:

Bloodshed, Child Abuse,  Death, Drug Use (Illicit), Drug Use (Non-Consensual), Drug Use (Prescription), Gun Violence, Infidelity, Murder, Non-Consensual Sex, Non-Consensual Touching, Off Screen Sex, On Screen Sex, Physical Abuse, Sexism, Sexual Abuse (mentioned), Sexual Assault (mention of), Unsafe  Sex, Violence, Violent Imagery, War (Discussion of)

Body Count: 0

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2019 Reading Challenge: Craving for Cozies

~ Theodora Vanyar ~ 1 Comment

I love me a good, fluffy, cozy mystery book. It’s like a cartoon in print. Plucky heroine, Scooby-Doo style mystery, and usually a plot that could be getting you blitzed if you were playing an adapted version of the Hallmark Christmas Movie Drinking Game.

So what am I doing? Adding to my to-read pile with EscapeWithDollyCas.com’s 2019 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge!

Not mine! Straight from Dolly Cas’ Website.

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2019 Reading Challenge: The Golden Trio Reading Challenge

~ Theodora Vanyar ~ 8 Comments

This is an interesting one for my fellow book-addled Potterheads.

I originally thought I was just going to use this as a cross-challenge, rather than an additional challenge. Instead, I am going to use it as a possible way to clear off a few books from the ‘To Be Read” shelf.

I’m not sure what level I will manage, though.

Sourced from Instagram!

The Challenge and my reading decisions:

  1. Harry: re-read a Harry Potter Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
  2. Ron: read a book under 200 pages: Wishful Thinking by Mindy Klasky
  3. Hermione: read a book over 500 pages: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
  4. Ginny: read a poetry book: Poetry of the Supernatural
  5. Luna Lovegood: read a book about creativity or something unusual: Born Creative by Harry Hoover
  6. Fred & George: read a book with twins in it: Double Exposure by Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt
  7. Fleur Delacour: read a book translated from another language: Legends of Gods and Ghosts: translated from the Hawaiian  by W.D. Westervelt
  8. Dumbledore’s Army: read a book about social justice or a current issue: There Were No Cats in America by Adam M. DeSimone
  9. Professor McGonagall: read a book with a strong female lead: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
  10. Dumbledore: read a book involving a school or teacher: Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban by JK Rowling
  11. Gilderoy Lockhart: read a book from a celebrity book club: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
  12. Umbridge: read a book with a pink cover: Bohemian RhapsoDIE by Pearl Goodfellow
  13. Snape: read a book that includes page 394: Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire by JK Rowling
  14. Newt: read a book containing a fantastic beast: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
  15. Bathilda Bagshot: read a book written by a woman: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
  16. Godric Gryffindor: read a book that represents this founder’s values: A Courageous Quest: Fables Of the Forgotten by Valmore Daniels
  17. Helga Hufflepuff: read a book that represents this founder’s values: Murder of a Friend by Shelley Gustman
  18. Rowena Ravenclaw: read a book that represents this founder’s values: The Riddle of the Three Rings by Guy Hadleigh and Joseph W. Gavan
  19. Salazar Slytherin: read a book that represents this founder’s values: Teaching Frankenstein by Victor James
  20. The Chosen One: read a book that mentions Harry Potter in it: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
  21. He who must not be named: read a book with a character that shares a name with a character from Harry Potter-verse: The Wild Hunt by Ron C. Nieto
  22. Deathly Hallows: read a book with a symbol on the cover: The Symbolon by Delia Colvin
  23. Gryffindor: read a book recommended by a Gryffindor: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  24. Hufflepuff: read a book recommended by a Hufflepuff: Persuasion by Jane Austen
  25. Ravenclaw: read a book recommended by a Ravenclaw: Emma by Jane Austen
  26. Slytherin: read a book recommended by a Slytherin: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
  27. House Cup: read a book that has won an award: The Afterlife of Walter Agustus by Hannah Lynn
  28. Quidditch: read a book involving a sport: First Light by Bethanee Rajchman
  29. Wizarding Radio: listen to an audiobook: TBD
  30. Hogwarts Library: read a book you checked out from the library or borrowed from a friend: Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson
  31. Herbology: read a book related to nature: The Plant Paradox by Steven R. Gundry
  32. Potions: read a book with potions, alchemy, or chemistry in it: Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets by JK Rowling
  33. Astronomy: read a book with a star on the cover or in the title: Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt
  34. Defense Against the Dark Arts: read a book about Good vs. Evil: Silenced by Fear by Nicholas Jordan
  35. Transfiguration: read a book about a huge change: The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey
  36. History of Magic: read a historical fiction: Murder at Hartigan House by Lee Strauss
  37. Charms: read a book with a charming cover: Seven Devils and a Rose by Alexia Praks
  38. Care of Magical Creatures: read a book with an animal on the cover: Lucas by V.A. Dold
  39. Arithmancy read a book with a number in the title: Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
  40. Ancient Runes: read a book set before you were born: A King Ensnared by J.R. Tomlin
  41. Flying: read a book with a bird on the cover: Gift of the Raven by Angela Fiddler
  42. Divination: read a book that includes prophecy or fortune telling: The Tucson Prophesy by C.L. Wells
  43. Muggle Studies: read a memoir or biography: Robin Williams: The Biography by Joy Lincoln
  44. Apparition: read a book set somewhere you want to travel (Rome): Cold Tuscan Stone by David P Wagner
  45. Restricted Section: read a banned book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  46. Durmstrang: read a book with a boat in it: The Tide by Anthony J. Melchiorri
  47. Beaubatons: read a book by a French author: The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo
  48. Ilvermorny: read a book by an American author: Lethargy by Sonya Writes
  49. Gringotts: read a book with gold foiling: Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
  50. Flourish and Blotts: read a 2019 release: TBD
  51. The Dark Mark: read a book with a dark cover: The Stepmother by Cordelia Castel
  52. Hogwarts-A History: read a book that intimidates you: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Levels:

  • Ron: complete 12 prompts
  • Harry: complete 24 prompts
  • Hermione: complete 52 prompts

Now, I’ve told myself I only need to do twelve of them. But if I can, I’d like to hit all fifty-two possible. But, with all of these lists, I have 208 books to read on my 2019 Reading List. Hopefully, I’ll be able to knock all of them out!

As ever, progress will be posted on my Goodreads account. Individual reviews will be posted as well.

What are you reading? What prompt level would you do?

2019 Reading Challenge: Diversify Your Reading Challenge

~ Theodora Vanyar ~ 3 Comments

Another reading challenge I’ve chosen to do this year is MonganMoments.com’s Diversify Your Reading Challenge! It has a category a month for a total of twelve books over the year.

The Books

  • January: Memoir and Autobiography: Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh
  • February: Romance: The Witch and the Warlock by Elisa Covey
  • March: Science and Technology: Alice in Virtuality by Norman Turrell
  • April: Graphic Novels & Comics: Twilight Lady by Blake J.K. Chen (No review).
  • May: History and Biography: History of the Donner Party by C.F. McGlashan
  • June: Middle Grade & Children’s: Seamus Tripp & The North Star Witch by John Garett and Richard Walsh
  • July: Humor: Hero in a Halfling by William Tyler Davis
  • August: Science Fiction: Claus: Legend of the Fat Man by Tony Bertauski
  • September: Nonfiction: The Universe Doesn’t Give a Flying Fuck About You by J. Truant
  • October: Young Adult: Initiate: The Unfinished Song by Tara Maya
  • November: Poetry: Fairy Tale Destruction: A Book of Dark Poetry by Erik Straker
  • December: Fantasy: The Final Formula by Becca Andre

As ever, I will be striving to review every book that I read. I’ll post to my Goodreads profile as to my progress and the reviews themselves.