2016 Challenges: RIP XI

R.I.P (Readers Imbibing Peril)
Host: Stainless Steel Droppings (sign up) (reviews)
# of Books: Peril the First (4 books)
Dates: September - October 2016

What I Read:

1) Snow White. Matt Phelan. 2016. Candlewick. 216 pages. [Source: Review copy]
2) The Night Gardener. Jonathan Auxier. 2014. Abrams. 350 pages. [Source: Bought]
3) The Heart of Betrayal (Remnant Chronicles #2) Mary E. Pearson. 2015. Henry Holt. 470 pages. [Source: Library]
4) The Beauty of Darkness (Remnant Chronicles #3) Mary E. Pearson. 2016. Henry Holt. 679 pages. [Source: Library]
5) The Stars Never Rise. Rachel Vincent. 2015. 368 pages. [Source: Review copy]
6) The Flame Never Dies. Rachel Vincent. 2016. 343 pages. [Source: Review copy]
7) Hansel and Gretel. Neil Gaiman. Illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti. 2014. Toon. 54 pages. [Source: Review copy]
8)  Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd. (Flavia de Luce #8) 2016. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]
9) The Last One. Alexandra Oliva. 2016. 304 pages. [Source: Library]
10)  Mystery in White. J. Jefferson Farjeon. 1937/2014. 211 pages. [Source: Review copy]
11) The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Robert Louis Stevenson. 1886. 144 pages. [Source: Library]
12) Weighed in the Balance. Anne Perry. 1996. 373 pages. [Source: Library]
13) The Singing Bones. Shaun Tan. 2016. 208 pages. [Source: Library]

© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Paris in July

Paris in July
Host: Thyme for Tea (sign up)
Duration: July 2016
My goal: 5 posts

What I Watch:
 1) Cyrano de Bergerac in French with English Subtitles (1990)

What I Listen To:
1) BBC Radio 3 Cyrano de Bergerac 
2) Cyrano de Bergerac soundtrack by Jean Claude Petit 
3) Paris in July Playlist, my top three French composers

What I Read:
1) Cyrano de Bergerac. Edmond Rostand. Translated by Lowell Blair. 1897. 240 pages. [Source: Library]
2)  Twenty and Ten. Claire Huchet Bishop. Illustrated by William Pene du Bois. 1952/1978. 76 pages. [Source: Bought]'
3) The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Saved Jews During the Holocaust. Karen Gray Ruelle. Illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix. 2009. Holiday House. 40 pages. [Source: Library]
4) Cyrano. Geraldine McCaughrean. 2006. HMH. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]
5) The Journey That Saved Curious George. Louise Borden. 2016. HMH. 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]



© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Classic Children's Lit Event

Name: Classic Children's Lit Event
Host: Simpler Pastimes (sign up here)
Duration: All of April
# of Books: I'm hoping for 4

What I Read:

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4.

© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Once Upon a Time X

Name: Once Upon a Time X
Host: Stainless Steel Droppings (sign up here)
Dates: March 21-June 21 2016
# of Books: Signing up for Quest the First; five books from any of these categories (fantasy, folklore, fairy tales, mythology)
All reviews should be linked to the review site.

So excited to sign up for this. I've participated since 2007!

Here's what I actually read and reviewed:

1) The Silver Chair. (Chronicles of Narnia #4) C.S. Lewis. 1953. HarperCollins. 243 pages. [Source: Bought] [fantasy, children's classic]
2) The Fellowship of the Ring. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1954/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 423 pages. [Source: Bought] [YA/Adult fantasy]
3) The Two Towers. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1954/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 352 pages. [Source: Bought] [YA/Adult fantasy]
4) Return of the King. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1955. 590 pages. [Source: Bought]
5) The Girl in the Tower. Lisa Schroeder. 2016. Henry Holt. 256 pages. [Source: Library] [Middle grade fantasy]
6) The Toymaker's Apprentice. Sherri L. Smith. 2015. 400 pages. [Source: Library] [MG/YA Fantasy]
7) The Children's Homer. Padraic Colum. 1918/1982. 256 pages. [Source: Bought] [MG Fantasy, Children's Classic]
8) Mary Poppins. P.L. Travers. Illustrated by Mary Shepard. 1934/2015. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 224 pages. [Source: Review Copy] [J/MG Children's Fantasy; Children's Classic]
9) The World of Winnie the Pooh. A.A. Milne. Illustrated by Ernest Shepard. 1926. 353 pages. [Source: Library]
10) A Midsummer Night's Dream. William Shakespeare. 1596. 181 pages. [Source: Library]
11) James and the Giant Peach. Roald Dahl. Illustrated by Quentin Blake. 1961. 146 pages. [Source: Library]
12) Fantastic Mr. Fox. Roald Dahl. Illustrated by Quentin Blake. 1970. 96 pages. [Source: Library]
13)  The BFG. Roald Dahl. Illustrated by Quentin Blake. 1982. 199 pages. [Source: Library]
14) Gudgekin, The Thistle Girl. John Gardner. 1976. 55 pages. [Source: Bought]
15)  Socks. Beverly Cleary. 1973. 160 pages. [Source: Library]


Since this is the TENTH year for the challenge. I thought I would do a top ten list for books I've read and would recommend:

From 2015: The Cottage in the Woods. Katherine Coville. 2015. Random House. 400 pages. [Source: Library]
From 2014: The False Prince. Jennifer A. Nielsen. 2012. Scholastic. 342 pages. [Source: Review copy] also the two sequels The Runaway King and The Shadow Throne.
From 2013: The Annotated Hobbit. Revised and Expanded Edition. J.R.R. Tolkien. Annotated by Douglas A. Anderson. 2002. (1937, original Hobbit pub. date). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 416 pages.
From 2012: The Light Princess. George MacDonald. 1864. 110 pages.
From 2011: The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic. Jennifer Trafton. With illustrations by Brett Helquist. 2010. Penguin. 352 pages.
From 2010: Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse. Marilyn Singer. Illustrated by Josee Masse. 2010. Penguin. March 2010. 32 pages.
From 2009: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. 1986. 329 pages. [Source: Library]
From 2008: Dragon Flight. Jessica Day George. Bloomsbury USA. 272 pages. [Source: Library]
From 2007: Cupid. Julius Lester. 2007. HMH. 208 pages. [Source: Library]
Best (Qualifying) Book Not Read for the Challenge: The Castle Behind Thorns. Merrie Haskell. 2014. HarperCollins. 336 pages. [Source: Library]


© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: March Take Control of Your TBR Pile

Take Control of Your TBR Pile (March)
Host: Caffeinated Book Reviewer (sign up here)
Dates: March 1-31
# of Books: I'm hoping to read 12 books

I'll be creating a shelf on Goodreads to keep me honest so that it is books I READ in March, not just those I review in March. I'll also list the books below on this page, but, reviews will probably not be posted in March--at least not all of them! I like to keep about two weeks ahead.

What I *read* in March 2016 that qualifies for this challenge. All books must have been published before March 1, 2016.

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6.

© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Mad Reviewer

The Mad Reviewer 2016 Reading Challenge
Host: The Mad Reviewer (sign up)
Dates: January - December 2016
# of books: I'm signing up for 'Mad Reviewer' 104 books in one year.

1. The Face of a Stranger. (William Monk #1) Anne Perry. 1990. 352 pages. [Source: Library] REGENCY (Adult)
2. Silent Nights. Edited by Martin Edwards. 2015. Poisoned Pen Press. 298 pages. [Source: Review copy] SHORT STORIES (Adult)
3. Alas, Babylon. Pat Frank. 1959/2005. Harper Perennial Modern Classics. 323 pages. [Source: Bought] SCIENCE FICTION (Adult)
4. Joan of Arc. Mark Twain. 1895/1896. 452 pages. [Source: Library] HISTORICAL (Adult)
5. The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1) Rick Riordan. 2015. Disney Hyperion. 528 pages. [Source: Library] FANTASY and MYTHOLOGY MG/YA
6. Anne of Green Gables. L.M. Montgomery. 1908. 448 pages. [Source: Bought] COMING OF AGE (MG, YA, Adult)
7. Mouse Scouts. Sarah Dillard. 2016. Random House. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy] ANIMAL FANTASY
8. Mouse Scouts: Make A Difference. Sarah Dillard. 2016. Random House. 144 pages. [Source: Review copy] ANIMAL FANTASY
9. Hana's Suitcase. Karen Levine. 2002/2016. Crown Books. 144 pages. [Source: Review copy] WORLD WAR II NONFICTION (MG, YA, Adult)
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© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Victorian Reading Challenge

2016 Victorian Reading Challenge
Host: Belle's Library (sign up)
Dates: January - December 2016
# of books: I hope to read 8

What I Read for the Challenge:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Back to the Classics

Back to the Classics 2016 Reading Challenge
Books and Chocolate (sign up)
January - December 2016
# of Books at least six

What I Read for the Challenge:

1. A Volume of Classic Short Stories: Silent Nights. Edited by Martin Edwards. 2015. Poisoned Pen Press. 298 pages. [Source: Review copy]
2. A classic by a woman author: North and South. Elizabeth Gaskell. 1854-1855. 452 pages. [Source: Bought]
3. A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic. Alas, Babylon. Pat Frank. 1959/2005. Harper Perennial Modern Classics. 323 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. A 19th Century Classic. Joan of Arc. Mark Twain. 1895/1896. 452 pages. [Source: Library] HISTORICAL (Adult)
5. A classic which has been banned or censored.  Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury. 1953/1991. Del Rey. 179 pages. [Source: Bought] *This one wasn't "banned" but censored in some editions--with certain words taken out.
6. A classic which includes the name of a place in the title. The Pastures of Heaven. John Steinbeck. 1932. 207 pages. [Source: Library] [short stories]
7. A classic in translation.   Doctor Zhivago. Boris Pasternak. Translated by John Bayley. 1957. 592 pages. [Source: Library]
8. An adventure classic. The Children's Homer. Padraic Colum. 1918/1982. 256 pages. [Source: Bought]
9. A 20th Century Classic: The Fellowship of the Ring. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1954/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 423 pages. [Source: Bought]
10. Classic detective novel: Murder in the Museum. John Rowland. 1938. Poisoned Pen Press. 250 pages. [Source: Review copy]
11. Classic by a non-white author. The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Paul Laurence Dunbar. 290 pages. [Source: Library]
12. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain. 1884. 327 pages. [Source: Library]

The Categories:

1.  A 19th Century Classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899.

2.  A 20th Century Classic - any book published between 1900 and 1966. Just like last year, all books MUST have been published at least 50 years ago to qualify. The only exception is books written at least 50 years ago, but published later.

3.  A classic by a woman author. 

4.  A classic in translation.  Any book originally written published in a language other than your native language. Feel free to read the book in your language or the original language.

5.  A classic by a non-white author. Can be African-American, Asian, Latino, Native American, etc.

6.  An adventure classic - can be fiction or non-fiction. Children's classics like Treasure Island are acceptable in this category. 

7.  A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic. Dystopian could include classics like 1984, and children's classics like The Hobbit are acceptable in this category also. 

8.  A classic detective novel. It must include a detective, amateur or professional. This list of books from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction is a great starting point if you're looking for ideas.

9.  A classic which includes the name of a place in the title.  It can be the name of a house, a town, a street, etc. Examples include Bleak House, Main Street, The Belly of Paris, or The Vicar of Wakefield.

10. A classic which has been banned or censored. If possible, please mention why this book was banned or censored in your review. I used this list for the possibilities:

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Stowe 
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison
Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
Sons and Lovers, by D.H. Lawrence
Women in Love, by D.H. Lawrence

11. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college).  If it's a book you loved, does it stand the test of time?  If it's a book you disliked, is it any better a second time around?

12. A volume of classic short stories. This must be one complete volume, at least 8 short stories. It can be an anthology of stories by different authors, or all the stories can be by a single author. Children's stories are acceptable in this category also.

© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Charity Reading Challenge (Signing up for my own challenge)

Charity Reading Challenge
Host: Becky's Book Reviews Sign up
Duration: January 2016-December 2016
 # of books: 24 (I'm hoping for two a month!)

The majority of the books I read will have been purchased at my local charity bookshop which supports the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. A few may come from library book sales as well.

January's Charity Books: 0
February's Charity Books: 2

1. Hans Brinker, Or, The Silver Skates. Mary Mapes Dodge. 1865. 244 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. First Love. 14 Warm and Glowing Stories Selected by Gay Head. 1963. Scholastic Book Services. 188 pages. [Source: Bought] 

March's Charity Books: 3

1. Ann Likes Red. Dorothy Z. Seymour. Illustrated by Nancy Meyeroff. 1965. 28 pages. [Source: Bought] 
2. The Screwtape Letters. C.S. Lewis. 1942. HarperCollins. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]  [adult fiction, christian classic]
3. The Sins of the Wolf (William Monk #5). Anne Perry. 1995. 436 pages. [Source: Bought]

April's Charity Books: 1

1. Much Ado About Nothing. William Shakespeare. 1599/2004. SparkNotes. 256 pages. [Source: Bought]

May's Charity Books: 4

1. The Children's Homer. Padraic Colum. 1918/1982. 256 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. Happy Little Family. Rebecca Caudill. 1947. 107 pages. [Source: Bought]
3. The Fellowship of the Ring. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1954/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 423 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. The Two Towers. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1954/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 352 pages. [Source: Bought]

June's Charity Books: 6

1. Gidget. Frederick Kohner. 1957. 154 pages. [Source: Bought] 
2. By the Great Horn Spoon! Sid Fleischman. 1963. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]
3. Dragon, Dragon and Other Tales. John Gardner. Illustrated by Charles J. Shields. 1975. 73 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. Gudgekin, The Thistle Girl. John Gardner. 1976. 55 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. Best In Children's Books. Volume 6. 1958. Nelson Doubleday. 160 pages. [Source: Bought]
6. Best in Children's Books, Volume 31. 1960. Nelson Doubleday. 160 pages. [Source: Bought]

July's Charity Books: 2

1. Hill of Fire. Thomas P. Lewis. Illustrated by Joan Sandin. 1971. 64 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. The House on the Strand. Daphne du Maurier. 1968. 352 pages. [Source: Bought]

August's Charity Books: 6

1.  Amigo. Byrd Baylor. Illustrated by Garth Williams. 1963. 48 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. The Day You Were Born. Evelyn Swetnam. Illustrated by Muriel Wood. 1971. 30 pages. [Source: Bought]
3. The Crate Train. Dorothy Z. Seymour. 1966. 25 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. Ballerina Bess. Dorothy Jane Mills and Dorothy Z. Seymour. 1965. 25 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. God Is Good. Mary Alice Jones. Illustrated by Elizabeth Webbe. 1955. 30 pages. [Source: Bought]
6. God Loves Me. Mary Alice Jones. Illustrated by Elizabeth Webbe. 1961. 30 pages. [Source: Bought]  

September's Charity Books:

1. Emily's Runaway Imagination. Beverly Cleary. 1961. 288 pages. [Source: Bought]

October's Charity Books:
November's Charity Books:
December's Charity Books:

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Edwardian Bingo Challenge (Joining my own challenge)

Edwardian Bingo Challenge; The Edwardian Era is 1901-1910 officially, or, unofficially 1901-1914
Hosted by Becky's Book Reviews
Sign up 
Duration: November 2015 - December 2016
Goal: My goal is to get at least two bingos on my card.

The 16 categories:

a British author,
a non-British author,
a book that you wish had been made into a movie,
reread of your choice,
a male author,
a female author, 
a book that has been made into a movie,
a movie set during the Edwardian era,
a book under 180 pages,
any book published 1901-1910,
 nonfiction book about Edwardian Era,
an "orphan" book,
a book over 300 pages,
any book published 1910-1914,
fiction book set during the Edwardian era,
a fantasy novel.

Becky's Fulfilled Categories

A Fantasy Novel: The Wind in the Willows. Kenneth Grahame. Illustrated by David Roberts. 1907/1983. Simon & Schuster. 244 pages. [Source: Library]
A Female Author: (Beatrix Potter)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Beatrix Potter. 1902. [Source: Bought]
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. Beatrix Potter. 1904. [Source: Bought]
Fiction Book Set During the Edwardian Era:
The Tale of Hill Top Farm. Susan Wittig Albert. 2004. 286 pages. [Source: Bought]
A Book Over 300 Pages
 Anne of Green Gables. L.M. Montgomery. 1908. 448 pages. [Source: Bought] COMING OF AGE (MG, YA, Adult)
Any book published 1901-1910
Anne of Avonlea. L.M. Montgomery. 1909. 304 pages. [Bought] [children's classic, series book]
Nonfiction book about Edwardian Era
Churchill: The Power of Words. Winston S. Churchill. Edited by Martin Gilbert. Da Capo Press. 536 pages. [Source: Library]

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: World at War (Joining my own challenge)

World At War Reading Challenge
Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Sign up
Duration: December 2015 - December 2016
Goal: My goal is to get at least two bingos on my card; I'd love to fill the whole card though!!!

The categories:

• Any book published 1914-1918
• Any book published 1918-1924
• Any book published 1925-1930
• Any book published 1931-1938
• Any book published 1939-1945
• A nonfiction book about World War I
• A nonfiction book about 1910s and 20s
• A nonfiction book about 1920s and 30s
• A nonfiction book about 1930s
• A nonfiction book about World War II
• A fiction book set during World War I
• A fiction book set 1918-1924
• A fiction book set in the 1920s
• A fiction book set in the 1930s
• A fiction book set during World War II
• A book set in the United States or Canada
• A book set in England, Ireland, or Scotland
• A book set in Europe
• A book set in Asia or Middle East
• A book set elsewhere (a country/continent not already read for the challenge)
• A book focused on "the war"
• A book focused on "the homefront"
• Watch any movie released in 1940s
• Watch any movie released in the 1930s
• Watch any movie about either war 

Becky's Fulfilled Categories:

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: Victorian Bingo (Signing up for my own challenge)

Victorian Reading Challenge
Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January - December 2016
Goal: Get at least one bingo, five books minimum
Sign up

The categories:

• American male author
• Anthony Trollope
• Book That Has Been Adapted Into A Movie
• Charles Dickens
• American female author
• Book published 1871-1880
• Book about property, inheritance, economics
• Children's book of your choice
• Mystery, suspense, sensation
• Book published 1837-1849
• Book published 1881-1890
• Wilkie Collins
• Book by a European Author
• Book with a name as the title
• Book published 1861-1870
• Book published 1891-1901
• Book about courtship or marriage
• Book of your choice
• Speculative Fiction (Fantasy, Science Fiction, Time Travel, etc.)
• Book published 1850-1860
• British Female Author
• Fiction book set during the Victorian era
• Book or Movie about Queen Victoria
• Nonfiction book about the Victorian era
• British Male Author  

 Becky's Fulfilled Categories:

American Male Author: 

Joan of Arc. Mark Twain. 1895/1896. 452 pages. [Source: Library] MEDIEVAL FRANCE (Adult)

Book or Movie About Queen Victoria:

My thoughts on Young Victoria 

British Female Author

North and South. Elizabeth Gaskell. 1854-1855. 452 pages. [Source: Bought] ADULT, CLASSIC, ROMANCE  

American Female Author

Hans Brinker, Or, The Silver Skates. Mary Mapes Dodge. 1865. 244 pages. [Source: Bought]  MG ADVENTURE, COMING OF AGE

Fiction book set during the Victorian era

The Sins of the Wolf (William Monk #5). Anne Perry. 1995. 436 pages. [Source: Library] [historical mystery, series book] 

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Reading Challenges: Hard Core Re-Reading

Title: Hard Core ReReading
Host: You, Me, and A Cup of Tea (sign up)
Duration: January - December 2016
# of Books: I'm signing up for Level 2, 16-25 books

Books Reread in 2016

1. Anne of Green Gables. L.M. Montgomery. 1908. 448 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. Anne of Avonlea. L.M. Montgomery. 1909. 304 pages. [Bought]
3. Anne of the Island. L.M. Montgomery. 1915. 272 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. Much Ado About Nothing. William Shakespeare. 1599/2004. SparkNotes. 256 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. Persuasion. Jane Austen 1818/1992. Knopf Doubleday. 304 pages. [Source: Bought]
6. A Midsummer Night's Dream. William Shakespeare. 1596. 181 pages. [Source: Library]
7. The Fellowship of the Ring. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1954/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 423 pages. [Source: Bought]
8. The Two Towers. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1954/1965. Houghton Mifflin. 352 pages. [Source: Bought]
9. Return of the King. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1955. 590 pages. [Source: Bought]
10. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain. 1884. 327 pages. [Source: Library]
11. The World of Winnie the Pooh. A.A. Milne. Illustrated by Ernest Shepard. 1926. 353 pages. [Source: Library] 
12. The City of Ember. Jeanne DuPrau. 2003. 270 pages. [Source: Library]
13. Frog and Toad Are Friends. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1970. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [Source: Library]
14. Frog and Toad Together. Arnold Lobel. 1972. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [Source: Library]
15. Frog and Toad All Year. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1976. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [Source: Library]
16. Days with Frog and Toad. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1979. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [Source: Library]
17. Bedtime for Frances. Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Garth Williams. 1960/1996. HarperCollins. 32 pages.
18. Bread and Jam for Frances. Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. 1964/1992. HarperCollins. 32 pages. [Source: Library]
19. A Birthday for Frances. Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. 1968/1995. HarperCollins. 32 pages. [Source: Library]
20. Best Friends for Frances. Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. 1969/1994. HarperCollins. 32 pages. [Source: Library]
21. A Bargain for Frances. Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. 1970/1992. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [Source: Library]
22. Not Without My Daughter. Betty Mahmoody. 1987. 432 pages. [Source: Library]
23. Alas, Babylon. Pat Frank. 1959/2005. Harper Perennial Modern Classics. 323 pages. [Source: Bought]
24. Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury. 1953/1991. Del Rey. 179 pages. [Source: Bought] [dystopia, science fiction]
25. Bleak House. Charles Dickens. 1852-1853. 912 pages.  [Source: Bought]
26. Matilda. Roald Dahl. Illustrated by Quentin Blake. 1988. 240 pages. [Source: Library]
27. Life As We Knew It. Susan Beth Pfeffer. 2006. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 352 pages. [9 hours, read by Emily Bauer] [Source: Review copy]
28. Cyrano de Bergerac. Edmond Rostand. Translated by Lowell Blair. 1897. 240 pages. [Source: Library]
29. Twelfth Night. William Shakespeare. 1601. 220 pages. [Source: Library]
30. Interrupting Chicken. David Ezra Stein. 2010. Candlewick. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]
31. The Day You Were Born. Evelyn Swetnam. Illustrated by Muriel Wood. 1971. 30 pages. [Source: Bought]
32. Ballerina Bess. Dorothy Jane Mills and Dorothy Z. Seymour. 1965. 25 pages. [Source: Bought]
33. The Crate Train. Dorothy Z. Seymour. 1966. 25 pages. [Source: Bought]
34. Between Shades of Gray. Ruta Sepetys. 2011. Penguin. 352 pages. [Source: Library] 
35. The Journey That Saved Curious George. Louise Borden. 2016. HMH. 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]
36. My Cat Copies Me. Yoon-duck Kwon. 2007. Kane/Miller. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]
37. Turtle in Paradise. Jennifer L. Holm. 2010. Random House. 177 pages. [Source: Library]
38. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Robert Louis Stevenson. 1886. 144 pages. [Source: Library]
39. Half Magic. Edward Eager. 1954/2016. HMH. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
40. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain. 1876. 225 pages. [Source: Bought]
41. Anne of Windy Poplars. L.M. Montgomery. 1936. 288 pages. [Source: Bought]
42. Anne's House of Dreams. L.M. Montgomery. 1919. 227 pages. [Source: Bought]
43. Anne of Ingleside. L.M. Montgomery. 1939. 274 pages. [Source: Bought]
44. Rainbow Valley. L.M. Montgomery. 1919. 256 pages. [Source: Bought]
45. Rilla of Ingleside. L.M. Montgomery. 1921. 277 pages. [Source: Bought]
46. The Knife of Never Letting Go. Patrick Ness. 2008. Candlewick. 479 pages. [Source: Library]
47. The Ask and the Answer. Patrick Ness. 2009. 536 pages. [Source: Library]
48. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. Brandon Sanderson. 2007. Scholastic. 308 pages. [Source: Library]
49. Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones. Brandon Sanderson. 2008. Scholastic. 322 pages. [Source: Library]
50. Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia. Brandon Sanderson. 2009. Scholastic. 299 pages. [Source: Library]
51. Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens. Brandon Sanderson. 2010. Scholastic. 294 pages. [Source: Library]

Some books I want to reread:

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
• Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
• Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery
• Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery
• Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
• Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery
• Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
• Les Miserables (The Wretched) by Victor Hugo 
• Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell
• North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
• Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
• Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
• Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
• Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Sci-Fi Experience (Completed)

Art by Chris Goff

Sci-Fi Experience
Host: Stainless Steel Droppings (sign up) (share reviews)
Duration: December 2015 - January 2016
# of Books: I hope to read at least 4 books, maybe more!

# of books actually read: 1

Alas, Babylon. Pat Frank. 1959/2005. Harper Perennial Modern Classics. 323 pages. [Source: Bought]APOCALYPTIC ADULT

I must admit the Sci-Fi Experience is one of my favorite non-challenges to participate in. There is just something so comfy-cozy right about settling in with a good sci-fi.

My list of "planned" reads:

Wool, Hugh Howey
Shift, Hugh Howey
Dust, Hugh Howey
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

There are so many books I want to reread, like many Orson Scott Card novels, for example. But I'm not sure which I'll actually get to!

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Victorian Bingo Challenge (Sign-Up)

Victorian Reading Challenge
Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January - December 2016
Goal: Get at least one bingo, five books minimum
Sign up in the comments

There is a new card for 2016! If you participated in the 2015 challenge, and you're super-attached to the categories on that card, I won't mind if you stick with it. But I wanted to make a new card, I think it will keep it fun to have a new card each year. The new categories appear in bold. If there is enough interest, I can compose a list of examples/suggestions for each category. Or if there is a particular category that puzzles you, and you want suggestions, I could answer your specific question.

The categories:

• American male author
• Anthony Trollope
• Book That Has Been Adapted Into A Movie
• Charles Dickens
• American female author
• Book published 1871-1880
• Book about property, inheritance, economics
• Children's book of your choice
• Mystery, suspense, sensation
• Book published 1837-1849
• Book published 1881-1890
• Wilkie Collins
• Book by a European Author
• Book with a name as the title
• Book published 1861-1870
• Book published 1891-1901
• Book about courtship or marriage
• Book of your choice
• Speculative Fiction (Fantasy, Science Fiction, Time Travel, etc.)
• Book published 1850-1860
• British Female Author
• Fiction book set during the Victorian era
• Book or Movie about Queen Victoria
• Nonfiction book about the Victorian era
• British Male Author  

Rules:

• Fiction or nonfiction.
• Books, e-books, audio books all are fine.
• Books and movies can be reviewed together or separately.
• You can create a reading list if you want, but it's not a requirement
• If you do make a list, consider adding a list of five books you'd recommend to others
• If possible try to try a new-to-you author! I know it can be really tempting to stick with familiar favorites.
• Children's books published during these years should not be forgotten!
• Rereads are definitely allowed if you have favorites!
• A blog is not required, a review is not required, but, if you don't review please consider sharing what you read in a comment with one or two sentences of 'reaction' or 'response.' 
• Any qualifying book reviewed in 2016 counts towards the challenge. If you're like me, perhaps you try to schedule posts a week ahead of time. So if it's reviewed in 2016, it counts. Even if you finished the book the last week or two of 2015! 

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Charity Reading Challenge (Sign Up)

Charity Reading Challenge
Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016
 # of books: You decide! Though I'd suggest a minimum of 4 books.

Sign up by leaving a comment.

Read for a good cause! Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge. You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc. (For example, you might want to donate $1 for each paperback you read, or, $3 for every hardback you read. You can work out the details yourself.)

Rules:

• Books and audio books, so long as purchased from a charity shop, count. E-books count if you donate a certain percentage of money to the charity of your choice. (You may read ANY book you choose if you donate your set amount.) Brand new books, old-and tattered out-of-print books. Both are welcome!
• You do not need a blog to participate. You can comment on this post or any challenge-related post to update others on your progress. 
• Any qualifying book finished in 2016 can count towards the challenge.
• Books can be of any length and be written for any audience. This challenge does not exclude picture books. 
• Qualifying books can be books you've intended to read for ages, or, impulse buys!
• No list is required, but, you can make one as you go if you like. The fun thing about this challenge is that everyone's list is going to be unique!
• You may read for more than one charity if you like.

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

World at War Reading Challenge (Sign Up)

World At War Reading Challenge
Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: December 2015 - December 2016
Goal: Get at least one bingo! (more are welcome, of course!)
Sign up in the comments!

The categories:

• Any book published 1914-1918
• Any book published 1918-1924
• Any book published 1925-1930
• Any book published 1931-1938
• Any book published 1939-1945
• A nonfiction book about World War I
• A nonfiction book about 1910s and 20s
• A nonfiction book about 1920s and 30s
• A nonfiction book about 1930s
• A nonfiction book about World War II
• A fiction book set during World War I
• A fiction book set 1918-1924
• A fiction book set in the 1920s
• A fiction book set in the 1930s
• A fiction book set during World War II
• A book set in the United States or Canada
• A book set in England, Ireland, or Scotland
• A book set in Europe
• A book set in Asia or Middle East
• A book set elsewhere (a country/continent not already read for the challenge)
• A book focused on "the war"
• A book focused on "the homefront"
• Watch any movie released in 1940s
• Watch any movie released in the 1930s
• Watch any movie about either war 

The rules:

• Books, audio-books, e-books--all qualify
• Books for any age group qualify--children's books/middle grade, young adult, adult
• Rereads are allowed
• Reviews are not required but if you do get the chance to review, please leave a link! 
• You can create a reading list if you want, but it's not a requirement
• If you do make a list, consider adding a list of five books you'd recommend to others
• "Nonfiction" includes biography, autobiography, memoirs, diaries, letters, etc. Also "general" nonfiction--focus on a subject instead of one individual. For the 1920s and 1930s, you might for example read about the Depression, FDR, the Dust Bowl, Prohibition, jazz, harlem renaissance, early film-making, organized crime, Scopes Trial, Hindenburg, 1936 Olympics, etc. Any subject will do essentially.
• Fiction can be "general" fiction, or, from a genre. For example, the "any book published..." could be fiction or nonfiction for any age group and from any genre. And fiction set during the specified times could be historical fiction, historical romance, historical mystery, historical fantasy, historical science fiction. For example, Connie Willis has two books where characters from the future time-travel back to World War II. These would qualify. 

For your convenience:

World War I

Most Popular Books Published in 1914
Most Popular Books Published in 1915
Most Popular Books Published in 1916
Most Popular Books Published in 1917
Most Popular Books Published in 1918

Between World Wars

Most Popular Books Published in 1919
Most Popular Books Published in 1920
Most Popular Books Published in 1921
Most Popular Books Published in  1922
Most Popular Books Published in 1923
Most Popular Books Published in  1924
Most Popular Books Published in 1925
Most Popular Books Published in 1926
Most Popular Books Published in  1927
Most Popular Books Published in 1928
Most Popular Books Published in  1929
Most Popular Books Published in 1930
Most Popular Books Published in  1931
Most Popular Books Published in 1932
Most Popular Books Published in  1933
Most Popular Books Published in   1934
Most Popular Books Published in  1935
Most Popular Books Published in   1936
Most Popular Books Published in  1937
Most Popular Books Published in 1938

World War II

Most Popular Books Published in  1939
Most Popular Books Published in  1940
Most Popular Books Published in 1941
Most Popular Books Published in  1942
Most Popular Books Published in  1943
Most Popular Books Published in  1944
Most Popular Books Published in 1945

© 2014 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Edwardian Bingo Challenge (Sign Up)

Edwardian Bingo Challenge; The Edwardian Era is 1901-1910 officially, or, unofficially 1901-1914
Hosted by Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: November 2015 - December 2016
Goal: Get one bingo on the card; you can get more if you like
Sign up by leaving a comment! Also, would you be interested in occasional read-a-longs? Let me know when you sign up. 

The 16 categories:

a British author, a non-British author, a book that you wish had been made into a movie, reread of your choice, a male author, a female author, a book that has been made into a movie, a movie set during the Edwardian era, a book under 180 pages, any book published 1901-1910, nonfiction book about Edwardian Era, an "orphan" book, a book over 300 pages, any book published 1910-1914, fiction book set during the Edwardian era, a fantasy novel.

The rules:

• Fiction or nonfiction.
• Books, e-books, audio books all are fine.
• Books and movies can be reviewed together or separately.
• You can create a reading list if you want, but it's not a requirement
• If you do make a list, consider adding a list of five books you'd recommend to others
• If possible try to try a new-to-you author! I know it can be really tempting to stick with familiar favorites.
• Children's books published during these years should not be forgotten!
• Rereads are definitely allowed if you have favorites!
• A blog is not required, a review is not required, but, if you don't review please consider sharing what you read in a comment with one or two sentences of 'reaction' or 'response.'
• for the 2016 challenge, any qualifying book FINISHED November 2015 through December 2016 counts. OR any qualifying book REVIEWED November 2015 through December 2016 counts.

*The image for the reading challenge is Giséle, by Elizabeth Shippen Green, 1908

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Reading Challenges: women's classic literature event

Women's Classic Literature EVENT
The Classics Club (sign up here)
November 2015 - December 2016
About: We’ll check in January 2016, April 2016, July 2016, October 2016, & December 2016, just to have a little fun & see how everyone’s doing. These check-ins will be very casual: just a place to say hello, compare notes, & maybe mention some of our favorite reads so far. It would be fun to discover some new titles through the check-ins!

I hope to read these authors

Christina Rossetti
Louisa May Alcott
E. Nesbit
L.M. Montgomery
Elizabeth Gaskell
Margaret Oliphant
Georgette Heyer
Agatha Christie
Dorothy Sayers
Josephine Tey
Charlotte Bronte (and maybe some other Bronte sisters as well)
Maria Edgeworth
Emily Eden
Jane Austen
Ann Radcliffe
Fanny Burney
George Eliot
???

What I've read for this challenge:

1) Eight Cousins. Louisa May Alcott. 1874. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]
2) Let the Hurricane Roar. Rose Wilder Lane. 1932. 118 pages. [Source: Borrowed]
3) Goblin Market and Other Poems. Christina Rossetti. 1862. 208 pages. [Source: Bought]
4) Verses, 1847. Christina Rossetti. [Source: Bought]
5) Complete Tales by Beatrix Potter. 1986/2006. 400 pages. [Source: Library]

Introduce yourself. Tell us what you are most looking forward to in this event.

I'm Becky. I read books. A lot of books. A bit of everything. Including classics. I am looking forward to reading Christina Rosetti (I just discovered her this year) and Margaret Oliphant (another this-year discovery).

Have you read many classics by women? Why or why not?

Some definitely. I've read everything Austen, multiple times. And Jane Eyre? Well, I couldn't begin to say how many times I've read that one. I ADORE absolutely adore Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South and her Ruth. I may not have read everything she's ever written--but I certainly hope to at some point! I just keep getting distracted!!!

Pick a classic female writer you can’t wait to read for the event, & list her date of birth, her place of birth, and the title of one of her most famous works.

Christina Rossetti. 5 December 1830 - 29 December 1894. She was born in London. Goblin Market is her most famous work.

Think of a female character who was represented in classic literature by a male writer. Does she seem to be a whole or complete woman? Why or why not? Tell us about her. (Without spoilers, please!)

 This one's tricky. If only I'd read fewer classics maybe something would come to mind. I love Anthony Trollope, for example, and he can write fascinating characters of both genders. Some of his characters I love, love, love. Some I do not. Decidedly do not. I do think Trollope does write women characters better than Charles Dickens. Just my opinion!

Favorite classic heroine? (Why? Who wrote her?)

This question is torture!!! Why would one ever have to choose? I love Anne Elliot from Persuasion (Austen), not to mention, Anne Shirley (Blythe) (L.M. Montgomery). I love also Valancy from Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. And then there is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

We’d love to help clubbers find great titles by classic female authors. Can you recommend any sources for building a list? (Just skip this question if you don’t have any at this point.)

A Celebration of Women Writers  I have been visiting this site off and on since my early college years. I was an English major. I wasn't always so very much focused on women writers as British writers. I took a good many courses in women writers however!

Recommend three books by classic female writers to get people started in this event. (Again, skip over this if you prefer not to answer.)

Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant

Will you be joining us for this event immediately, or will you wait until the new year starts?

NOW, of course! I've already finished one that will count for the challenge that I've read this month, Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Do you plan to read as inspiration pulls, or will you make out a preset list?

I have a general list of authors I'm aiming to read. But I don't think I'll make a list of specific titles by each author. I imagine I'll be adding to my list as I go. Especially if I see reviews for the event! I always tend to want to read what other people are talking about.

Are you pulling to any particular genres? (Letters, journals, biographies, short stories, novels, poems, essays, etc?)

Novels, I imagine. With some poems maybe. Or a few short stories.

Are you pulling to a particular era or location in literature by women?

Maybe British authors :) But not to the exclusion of everyone else!!!

Do you hope to host an event or readalong for the group? No worries if you don’t have details. We’re just curious!

I haven't really thought about it. I was planning on hosting a Victorian challenge again next year. So perhaps something might come to mind. If I were to do a readalong, I'd probably want it to be for a book I've read before! Maybe Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell??? Or Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant. Or Elizabeth Gaskell's The Life of Charlotte Bronte. We'll have to see if there is any interest in Victorian women writers :)

Is there an author or title you’d love to read with a group or a buddy for this event? Sharing may inspire someone to offer.

Sure. I *like* to do buddy reads. It's just tricky for me to find someone who wants to read what I do when I want to! Elizabeth Gaskell, Margaret Oliphant, Christina Rossetti, Georgette Heyer, etc. (see above) There are so many books I haven't read yet, and quite a few I'd love to reread. (Sometimes it's hard to see which list is longer. The ones I want to reread because they were oh-so-good, or, the ones I hope to read someday "soon."

Share a quote you love by a classic female author — even if you haven’t read the book yet.

You say that you suspect I have formed a large circle of acquaintance by this time. No: I cannot say that I have. I doubt whether I possess either the wish or the power to do so. A few friends I should like to have, and these few I should like to know well. ~ Charlotte Bronte, 1850 (quoted in The Life of Charlotte Bronte)

Finally, ask the question you wish this survey had asked, & then answer it.

Do you reread books? Why or why not?

I'm a big, big, BIG believer in rereading books. I can't help it. I honestly don't think I could go a full month without rereading something. Granted, I'm not rereading the same book each and every month. But there are books I do visit each year.


© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2016 Challenges: 12 Month Classics Challenge

Name: 12 Month Classics Challenge
Host: You, Me, and A Cup of Tea
Sign Up Here
Dates: January - December 2016
# of Books: 12


January- A classic you've always wanted to read- Start the year off with a bang!
February- A classic you've always dreaded reading- Get that book out of the way... and who knows! You may end up loving it!
March- A classic you've been recommended- We all have those
April- A classic you've seen the movie/miniseries/TV show of- If you're like me you've probably seen quite a few film versions before being able to read the book. It's time for that book to get read!
May- An American classic
June- A British classic
July- A European classic (non-British)
August- A modern classic- Up to your interpretation
September- A children's classic
October- A classic by a female author
November- A classic by a male author
December- A classic written under a pseudonym- If you don't know which books were written under pseudonyms here's a few names to help you out. Jane Austen wrote her books under a pseudonym (by a lady) as did the Bronte sisters (published their books under male pseudonyms), George Elliot (real name Mary Ann Evans) and Agatha Christie also wrote a few books under the Pseudonym Mary Westmacott.  Men who also have written under Pseudonyms are Mark Twain (real name Samuel L. Clemens) and Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Lutwidge Dodgson). I'm sure there's more out there but there's a few to start you out.

What I Plan To Read:

January -- Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope
February --  Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo OR East of Eden by John Steinbeck OR Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz OR Ben Hur by Lewis Wallace
March --East of Eden by John Steinbeck OR Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank OR Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
April -- Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens OR Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
May -- East of Eden by John Steinbeck OR something by Pearl Buck or Mark Twain
June -- Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien OR Once and Future King by T.H. White
July -- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo OR Doctor Zhivago by Boris Leonidovich Pasternak OR The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio OR Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes OR The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
August -- The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman OR ???
September -- something by Edward Eager, or, a Newbery award winner pre-1966
October -- something by Margaret Oliphant or Elizabeth Gaskell
November --something by Anthony Trollope, Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins,
December --something by one of the Bronte sisters or possibly George Eliot

What I Actually Did Read:

January Alas, Babylon. Pat Frank. 1959/2005. Harper Perennial Modern Classics. 323 pages. [Source: Bought] SCIENCE FICTION (Adult)
February Hans Brinker, Or, The Silver Skates. Mary Mapes Dodge. 1865. 244 pages. [Source: Bought]  MG ADVENTURE, COMING OF AGE
March Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury. 1953/1991. Del Rey. 179 pages. [Source: Bought] [dystopia, science fiction]
April Doctor Zhivago. Boris Pasternak. Translated by John Bayley. 1957. 592 pages. [Source: Library]
May The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain. 1884. 327 pages. [Source: Library]
June Bleak House. Charles Dickens. 1852-1853. 912 pages.  [Source: Bought]
July Cyrano de Bergerac. Edmond Rostand. Translated by Lowell Blair. 1897. 240 pages. [Source: Library]
August The Night Gardener. Jonathan Auxier. 2014. Abrams. 350 pages. [Source: Bought]
September The Borrowers. Mary Norton. Illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush. 1952/2006. HMH. 192 pages. [Source: Library]
October Anne of Windy Poplars. L.M. Montgomery. 1936. 288 pages. [Source: Bought]
November Half Magic. Edward Eager. 1954/2016. HMH. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
December The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain. 1876. 225 pages. [Source: Bought]


© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews