How I did with the Winter Reading Challenge
I did much better with the Fall Bingo card than I did with my Summer TBR reading challenge. Although I didn’t get a Bingo, I ended up reading six books! I think it helped me have choices for which to complete, and when I accepted I didn’t need to get a Bingo, it was a much more enjoyable experience.
What I Read
A book under 250 pages:
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard is a 111-page memoir. I thought it would have advice, but it was really just a reflection of her writing habits, so it wasn’t exactly what I had wanted to read. At least it was very short, and now it’s off my TBR.
A blue cover:
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum is a 368-page debut thriller. It was not what I had expected from the book blurb, but I found it an interesting read. I also liked the alternate chapters between Benny’s POV and excerpts from Joy’s manuscript draft.
A chilling thriller:
59 Minutes by Holly Seddon is a 320-page thriller. The novel explores an apocalyptic scenario: what would you do if you only have 59 minutes before a nuclear missile touched down in your town? This was very thrilling to read. I liked the chapters were a countdown minute-by-minute; it made it very easy to binge read.
A debut novel:
Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino is a 288-page debut thriller/horror novel commentating on how far someone will go to secure their dream house during the Covid-19 housing crisis. It quickly crossed into an outlandish scenario where I felt it muddied the point of the novel, so I wasn’t really a fan.
A book published in winter (Dec-Feb):
One & Only by Maurene Goo is a 368-page romance novel with a splash of magical realism. The novel poses the question of logic vs. feelings. Do you go with the safe bet that makes sense on paper or do you go with the person who doesn’t really make sense, but your heart tells you to try anyway?
I’m realizing I read quite a few debut novels for this challenge, which I’m not mad about.
Current Physical TBR
I’ve gotten quite a few limited edition books recently as well as some extras from Book of the Month, so my physical TBR is now at 162. I keep adding more books than I had before the last challenge, but it’s still fun to try the challenge. Maybe this season will be different since I have more time to read now. I’m not necessarily aiming to get a bingo, but I hope to read at least eight books for this seasonal challenge.
Spring TBR Bingo
I’ll be applying this challenge from mid-March until the end of May. Once again, I’m not necessarily going for a bingo. I’m just going for reading more than this last challenge, so 6 at the bare minimum, but hoping for at least eight books. I’m currently reading Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett and The East Wind by Alexandria Warwick, so those two will be applied to this bingo card, but besides those, I’m leaving it open to see what calls to me.
Join the Challenge
Download your copy for free and join in on the fun! Drop your picks in the comments or tag me on socials @notesfromtheshelf.
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