Friday, January 8, 2021

2020 Reading Challenge Recap: Library Love


Ever since the Great Reading Slump of 2018, us Weres have been a little worried about how our yearly reading challenges would go. Add in a pandemic and we really weren't sure if we would read any books, let alone read books that would count for our challenges. We did way better than we thought we would! We did so well that we're setting high expectations for 2021. To see which challenges we're doing this year, check out this post.

Over the next week, we're going to be wrapping up how we did with each of our challenges. Today, Gretl is going to be wrapping up her 2020 Library Love challenge and sharing her favorite reads from it.

Library Love Challenge 


The Library Love Challenge is hosted by Angel's Guilty Pleasures and Books of My Heart. It encourages participants to read more library books. There are five different goal levels, giveaways and a monthly review link up.


Levels:

Dewey Decimal: Read 12 books

Thrifty Reader: Read 24 books

Overdrive Junkie: Read 36 books

Library Addict: Read 48 books

Library Card on Fire: Read 60+ books 


My goal was Overdrive Junkie, 36 library books, for the year. I read 120! (That includes the 24 borrowed through Hoopla.) That’s about half of my total books read. I was able to check out the entire In Death series including the novellas, which accounts for about half of that 120. I had 2 books I had to read out of order because of wait lists, but I was so excited to be able to get them all.


Our Favorite Reads of Library Love

In Death series by JD Robb

Treasure Hunter Security series by Anna Hackett 

Katie Ruggle’s entire catalog

Moti on the Water by Leyla Attar

Inferno Rising series by Abigail Owen

Hollywood Homicide by Kelley Garrett

What have you discovered at your library?



Thursday, January 7, 2021

2020 Reading Challenge Recap: Beat the Backlist 2020

Ever since the Great Reading Slump of 2018, us Weres have been a little worried about how our yearly reading challenges would go. Add in a pandemic and we really weren't sure if we would read any books, let alone read books that would count for our challenges. We did way better than we thought we would! We did so well that we're setting high expectations for 2021. To see which challenges we're doing this year, check out this post.

Over the next week, we're going to be wrapping up how we did with each of our challenges. Today, the Weres are wrapping up their Beat the Backlist 2020 challenge and sharing their favorite reads from it.
 
Gretl 
I read 158 backlist books in 2020. (Yay!) That was more than half of my total books read, which is great. But I didn’t do a great job on my bingo card. I tried to fill the big one because 158, but it didn’t happen. I did fill the smaller one except for one square. The book I had in mind for 600+ pages was actually 555. Here’s my bingo card. You can see the whole list on my Beat the Backlist Goodreads shelf.


-Genre Mash-Up- Erstwhile by HE Trent
-Shocking Plot Twist- Nothing to Fear by Juno Rushdan
-One Word Title- Tamed by Rebekah Weatherspoon
-A Top Ten Book of the Year- Moti on the Water by Leyla Attar
-The 4+ Book in a Series- Untraveled by Anna Hackett
-Genre You Rarely/Never Read- The Deal by Elle Kennedy
-Own Voices Author- The Ultimate Pi Day Party by Jackie Lau
-Book with 600+ Pages
-Wish It Had a Sequel- Tikka Chance on Me by Suleika Snyder 
-Released in the 2010s- Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle
-Book Rec From a Friend- In Her Sights by Katie Ruggle
-Owned for Over Two Years- Lover’s Instinct by Katie Reus
-New-To-You Author- Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan
-Wish You Had Read Sooner- Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
-Book with Less Than 200 Pages- Fit by Rebekah Weatherspoon
-Written Before 2010- Night Shift by Nora Roberts
-Book You Never Finished Before- Romancing the Werewolf by Gail Carriger
-Bought it for the Cover- A Match Made For Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau
-Cover Redesign Was Better- Naked in Death by JD Robb 
-Book That Shares Your Zodiac Sign-Her Halloween Treat by Tiffany Reisz
-Author That Writes Multiple Genres- Sweet Revenge by Zoe Archer
-Indie Book- Mission: Her Protection by Anna Hackett
-Book by International (To You) Author- Something Blue by Emma Jameson
-Author You Want to Meet - Unexplored by Anna Hackett

Rose Red

Last year, my official goal for Beat the Backlist was to read 12 books but my unofficial goal was to fill in the small Bingo card for a total of 24 books. Y'all! I read 165 backlist books this last year! I can't believe it! I unintentionally blew my goal out of the water for 2020! Part of that was the increased reading time I gained in lock down and with not traveling this last summer. 2020 was a dumpster fire but I can't deny that it was the best reading year I've had in years. 

I'm not going to list every single book I read for the BTB challenge but these are the ones I read to fill in my Bingo card.
 

Beat the Backlist Bingo
-Genre Mash-Up-This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar
-Shocking Plot Twist- A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner
-One Word Title- Truth by Kiki Burrelli
-A Top Ten Book of the Year- The Necromancer's Dance by S.J. Himes
-The 4+ Book in a Series- Mastering the Flames by S.J. Himes
-Genre You Rarely/Never Read- Cold Hard Cash by K.L. Hiers
-Own Voices Author- The Gentleman Attraction by Connor Peterson
-Book with 600+ Pages- Will and Patrick Wake Up Married by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths 
-Wish It Had a Sequel- Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
-Released in the 2010s- The Gilded Scarab by Anna Butler
-Book Rec From a Friend- Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
-Owned for Over Two Years- Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
-New-To-You Author- The Replacement Husband by Eliot Grayson
-Wish You Had Read Sooner- A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat Sebastian
-Book with Less Than 200 Pages- His Bride for the Taking by Tessa Dare
-Written Before 2010- Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
-Book You Never Finished Before- Jailmates by Lesli Richardson 
-Bought it for the Cover- Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
-Cover Redesign Was Better- Trifles and Folly by Gail Z. Martin
-Book That Shares Your Zodiac Sign- Owned by Fate by Sean Michael
-Author That Writes Multiple Genres- All Systems Red by Martha Wells
-Indie Book- Loose Ends by Morgan Brice
-Book by International (To You) Author- Witchmark by C.L. Polk
-Author You Want to Meet- Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian   

Our Favorite Reads of Beat the Backlist 2020 

Gretl

The In Death series by JD Robb
I read most of this series in a single month so don’t ask me to pick a favorite book. 
Moti on the Water by Leyla Attar
Tikka Chance on Me by Suleika Snyder 

The Treasure Hunter Security series by Anna Hackett
In Her Sights by Katie Ruggle
Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle

The Rogue King by Abigail Owen
Moonlighter by Sarina Bowen
Romancing the Werewolf by Gail Carriger

Rose Red

I read a lot of excellent backlist books in 2020 but I'm going to choose my favorites from the Bingo card challenge. The following are my top six backlist books I read for Beat the Backlist ranked in order from my most favorite favorite to my least favorite favorite.

A Ferry of Bones and Gold (Soulbound #1) by Hailey Turner
The Necromancer's Dance (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #1) by S.J. Himes
This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score (Seducing the Sedgewicks #2) by Cat Sebastian
Hither, Page (Page & Sommers #1) by Cat Sebastian
Cold Hard Cash (Cold Hard Cash #1) by K.L. Hiers

What were your favorite backlist books you read in 2020?

and

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Reading Challenge Recap: Gretl's Romanceopoly 2020

Ever since the Great Reading Slump of 2018, us Weres have been a little worried about how our yearly reading challenges would go. Add in a pandemic and we really weren't sure if we would read any books, let alone read books that would count for our challenges. We did way better than we thought we would! We did so well that we're setting high expectations for 2021. To see which challenges we're doing this year, check out this post.

Over the next week, we're going to be wrapping up how we did with each of our challenges. Today, Gretl is going to be wrapping up her Romanceopoly 2020 challenge and sharing her favorite reads from the challenge.

I read 70 books for Romanceopoly in 2020. That sounds great until you realize that I was trying to read 78. I kind of took December off from reading and watched Netflix and played Animal Crossing. But since no new challenge has been announced, I'm going to keep going and finish my boards.

Here's what I accomplished in 2020. The red prompts are the ones I haven't finished and bold titles are my favorite reads of the challenge.

Moon Board


✔️Sleuth Street- Mystery with an Amateur Sleuth MC
Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett

✔️Library #1- Read Any Book
Mission: Her Justice by Anna Hackett
✔️Killer Crescent: Read a Thriller Where a Serial Killer is on the Loose
Ceremony in Death by JD Robb

✔️The Bar- Read a Book Where You and the Author Share at Least One Initial
How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger
✔️Winter- Read a Book with Snow on the Cover
Unmapped by Anna Hackett
✔️Flirt's Corner- Read a Contemporary Romance With Mature Characters (40+)
Low Down Dirty by Holley Trent

✔️BFF's House- Read a Best Friends Sibling Romance
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

✔️Amour Avenue - Read a Second Chance Romance
Superfan by Sarina Bowen

✔️Passion Place- Read an Erotic Romance with a Menage or Reverse Harem
 Gifting Me to His Best Friend by Katee Robert

✔️Post Office: Read an Epistolary Romance
 Well Played by Jen DeLuca

✔️Courtship Row- Historical Where the H/H is a Spy or Soldier
Defy or Defend by Gail Carriger

✔️Burger Joint -Read a Book on UTC's Book Girlfriends List
Naked in Death by JD Robb
-The Cobbles: Read a Historical Romance Not Set in London
Let Them Burn by Alyssa Cole

✔️Outer Space- Read a Sci-Fi Book with an Alien or Cyborg Character
When She Dances by Ruby Dixon

✔️Spring: Read a Book with Green or Yellow on the Cover
Gone Too Deep by Katie Ruggle

✔️Fanged Alley- Read a PNR with a Vampire or Shifter H/H
 You Had Me at Wolf by Terry Spear

✔️Library #2 - Read Any Book
Memory in Death by JD Robb

✔️Fated Folly- Read a Fated Mates PNR
The Rogue King by Abigail Owen

✔️The Vault- Read the PNR That Has Been on Your TBR for the Longest
Lover's Instinct by Katie Reus

✔️Drive-in Movie: Read a Romance That Develops From a One Night Stand
 A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee

✔️Soldier Street- Read a Book Where the H/H is in an Action Pose on the Cover
In Her Sights by Katie Ruggle

✔️Farmer's Market- Read a Romance Where the H/H Works in the Food Industry

The Ultimate Pi Day Party by Jackie Lau
✔️Rainbow Row - Read a M/M Romance
 Romancing the Werewolf by Gail Carriger
✔️Lover's Lane - Read a LGBT Romance Which Isn't Contemporary
Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger
✔️Summer- Read a Book Where It Has a Brightly Colored or Multicolored Cover
Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue

✔️Action Avenue- Read an Urban Fantasy with a Kick Ass Heroine on the Cover
 
Summoned by CP Rider

✔️City Lane- Read an Urban Fantasy Published in the Last Five Years

 Family and Honor by Kristen Banet
✔️The Gym - Read a Book that has a Gorgeously Dressed Person on the Cover
Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle

-Journey's End- Read a Fantasy with the Chosen One Trope  

✔️Emergency Services - Read a Romance Where the H/H is a Fireman or Police Officer
Rapture in Death by JD Robb

✔️Campus Corner- Read a New Adult Where the H/H is a Jock 
Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen

✔️New View- Read a Friends-to-Lovers New Adult Romance
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
✔️Library #3: Read Any Book You Want
Shadows in Death by JD Robb

-Beau Boulevard- Read a Young Adult Novel Considered a Classic
✔️Autumn- Read a Book That is a Spooky or Halloween Read
Her Halloween Treat by Tiffany Reisz

✔️The Office- Read a Romance Where the Couple Meet at their Place of Work
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
-Lady Lane: Read a Women’s Fiction Novel

✔️Coffee Shop - Read a Book That has Either Food or Drink on the Cover or a Foodie Word in the Title
 Man vs Durian by Jackie Lau

✔️Past Eaves: Read a Historical Fiction Novel
Duke I'd Like to F. . . anthology

Sun Board


✔️Sleuth Street- Read A Mystery Where the Title of the Book Includes Any Words Associated with Death
Glory in Death by JD Robb
✔️Library #1- Read Any Book
 The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
✔️Killer Crescent- Read a Thriller Where the Main Character is a Detective or PI
Something Blue by Emma Jameson
✔️The Bar- Read a Book Set Where You Live or Have Lived
Oath Sworn by Kristen Banet
✔️Winter- Read a Book that has Blue or White
Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross
✔️Flirts Corner- Read a Contemporary Romance that has a Nerdy Hero or Heroine
Mission: Her Freedom by Anna Hackett
✔️BFF's House- Read a Friends to Lovers Romance
That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert
✔️Amour Avenue- Read a Book With An Age Gap Romance
Can I Come Over by Whitney G
✔️Passion Place- Read an Erotic BDSM Romance
Tamed by Rebekah Weatherspoon
✔️Post Office- Read a Romance That Started Online
Fake It Til You Make It by Anne Harper
✔️Courtship Row- Read a Historical Romance where the H/H is a Wallflower
 My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid
✔️Burger Joint- Read a Book on UTC/PLB's Book Boyfriend List
 The Score by Elle Kennedy
✔️The Cobbles- Read a Historical Romance where the Title is Longer than 5 Words
 If I Only Had a Duke by Lenora Bell
✔️Outer Space- Read a Sci-Fi Set on an Alien Planet or Spaceship
Gladiator by Anna Hackett
✔️Spring- Read a Book that has a Green or Yellow Cover
A Bad Day For Sunshine by Darynda Jones
✔️Fang Alley- Read a PNR with a Magic User or Paranormal Creature (Not Vampire or Shifter) H/H
Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues by Molly Harper
✔️Library #2- Read Any Book
Broken Loyalty by Kristen Banet
✔️Fated Folly- Read a PNR Where the H/H is Part of a Pack/Coven/Band/Paranormal Group
Alpha Night by Nalini Singh
✔️The Vault- Read a PNR Where the Author is New-To-You in this Genre
Touch of Magic by DD Chance
-Drive In Movie- H/h in the film industry
Boy Toy by Nicola Marsh
✔️Soldier Street- Read a Romantic Suspense Where the H/H is in the Military
Ride the Tide by Julie Ann Walker
✔️Farmer's Market- Read a Romance Where the H/H is a Farmer/Rancher/Cowboy
 Cowboy Wolf Trouble by Kait Ballenger
✔️Rainbow Row- Read a F/F Romance
Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis
✔️Lovers Lane- Read an LGBT Romance Set in College 
 Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon
✔️Summer- Read a Book that has a Brightly Colored or Multicolored Cover
 Moti on the Water by Leylah Attar
✔️Action Avenue- Read an Urban Fantasy with a Dark Cover
Don't Tempt Me by Jackie May
✔️City Lane- Read an Urban Fantasy on Any of Our Urban Fantasy Recommendations Lists
 Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
-The Gym- Read the Longest Book on Your TBR
-Journey's End- Read a Fantasy Where the Main Character is a Magic User
✔️Emergency Service-  Read a Romance Where the H/H is in the Medical Profession
Selkies are a Girl's Best Friend by Molly Harper
✔️Campus Corner- Read a New Adult Where the H/H is a Nerd
The Hookup Handbook by Kendall Ryan
✔️New View- Read an Enemies-to-Lovers New Adult Romance
Love Machine by Kendall Ryan
✔️Library #3- Read Any Book
Malfunction by Nina Croft
-Beau Boulevard- Read a Young Adult Novel by a New-To-You Author
✔️Autumn- Read a Book Where It Has an Orange, Gold or Yellow Cover 
 A Match Made For Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau
✔️The Office- Read a Non-Contemporary Romance Where the Couple Meet at Their Place of Work
Never Kiss a Duke by Megan Frampton
-Lady Lane- Read a Women's Fiction Novel
✔️Coffee Shop- Read a Book Recommended to You by a Friend
Tikka Chance on Me by Suleika Snyder
✔️Past Eaves- Read a Historical Fiction Novel
Blame It on the Duke by Lenora Bell

Did you participate in Romanceopoly? How did you do?


Tuesday, January 5, 2021

2020 Reading Challenge Recap: Tackle My TBR 2020

 

Ever since the Great Reading Slump of 2018, us Weres have been a little worried about how our yearly reading challenges would go. Add in a pandemic and we really weren't sure if we would read any books, let alone read books that would count for our challenges. We did way better than we thought we would! We did so well that we're setting high expectations for 2021. To see which challenges we're doing this year, check out this post.

Over the next week, we're going to be wrapping up how we did with each of our challenges. Today, Rose Red is going to be wrapping up her Tackle My TBR 2020 challenge.
 
A few years ago, I participated in a challenge called Rock My TBR before we started doing Beat the Backlist. It was great because it made me focus on downsizing the number of unread books I had on my shelves. Unfortunately, that was the last year Rock My TBR happened. I then begin looking around for a new TBR challenge to replace it. I wanted a challenge that would help me focus on reducing the number of unread books I own but let me include new releases and not just backlist titles.  
 
I'm so glad that I found the Tackle My TBR 2020 Challenge hosted by Kim from KimberlyFaye Reads. I had so much fun participating in this challenge and I kicked some serious TBR butt doing it! I loved how low-key and chill it was which was a definite plus for a year like 2020. I got to go at my own pace and it made a huge difference in how I felt about this challenge. I also loved how there was a monthly theme to help you choose a TBR book if you got stuck! I can't praise this challenge enough! But enough backstory, let's talk about how I did with the Tackle My TBR Challenge.
 

Tackle My TBR Challenge

My original goal at the first of 2020 was to read 12 physical books from my TBR to achieve the Safety level of the challenge. After successfully completing the Safety level early in the year, I upped my goal a couple times until I decided to set my final goal for the challenge at 30 Books I Own for the First Down (25-36) level. I'm so happy with how I did! I'm happy to report that my number of unread books on my shelves dropped by 36 this year! Holy cow! That was three times my original goal!
 

I also tried to complete all the TBR theme challenges and I was successful with finishing them all except for December's theme of a Holiday Read. I apparently had no unread holiday books on my TBR. Who would have thought that was possible?

The best thing about this challenge was the fact that I adored every single book but one I read for it! That is really unheard of for me! With the books I've collected on my shelves, I usually DNF one for every four books I read or the book will be a two, maybe three star read at most. None of the books I read were less than four star reads. I'm going to list all the books I read with covers and I will make sure to list the monthly theme in parentheses if it was the one I read for it.

 The books I read for Tackle My TBR 2020 were:
 
Loose Ends by Morgan Brice (Published in 2019)
Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian
The Pale Light in the Black by K.B. Wagers (Diverse Read)
 
Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs (Favorite Genre)
Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs
Alpha Night by Nalini Singh 
 
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score by Cat Sebastian
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
Slippery Creatures by K.J. Charles 


Check, Please! Book Two: Sticks and Scones by Ngozi Ukazu
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Network Effect by Martha Wells  

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner (New-to- Me Author)
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (TV/Movie Adaptation)
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (LGBTQIA Book)

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (Summery Read)
Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha
Archangel's Sun by Nalini Singh

The Necromancer's Dance by S.J. Himes (Back-To-School)
The Necromancer's Dilemma by S.J. Himes
The Necromancer's Reckoning by S.J. Himes
 
Mastering the Flames by S.J. Himes
Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
Better Than People by Roan Parrish
 
Acsquidentally in Love by K.L. Hiers
Huntsman by Morgan Brice
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
 
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner (Been on Your TBR the Longest)
All Souls Near & Nigh (Spooky/Suspenseful Read)
 

A Crown of Iron & Silver by Hailey Turner
A Vigil in the Mourning by Hailey Turner
On the Wings of War by Hailey Turner
 

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
The Sugared Game by KJ Charles (Unfinished Series)

What were your favorite books you read from your TBR last year?
 

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