The Book That Slay Me

January of last year I took up the 26 Books in 2015 Challenge by Bringing Up Burns. I read 25 of 26 books of the challenge. I actually read 101 books in 2015, alas you would think I could have found ONE to fill the final category. One simply was not meant to be. (Note: if you've read any of my earlier posts about this challenge, you may notice that I originally intended a book for one category, but in the end moved it to another. Reader's prerogative.)

#1 A book you own but haven’t read

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

A WWII story about flying nurses and medics in North Africa. Fascinating piece of history I was not familiar with and an enjoyable read.

#2 A book that was made into a movie

Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

The book is good, however I must confess that I also really enjoyed the movie. I would watch the movie again; the book I would not. Hardy is always a bit of a slog to read, but **SPOILER ALERT** this one actually has a happy ending.

#3 A book you pick solely because of the cover

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Thoroughly enjoyed this entire trilogy, but you can read more of my thoughts in an earlier blog post.

#4 A book your friend loves

Lord of the Fading Lands by C. L. Wilson

Another enjoyable series, this in the first book. A fantasy romance with magic, shape shifters, political intrigue, and soul mates. Read more in my first post.

#5 A book published this year

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Book #4 in The Selection series. It's a not-so-guilty pleasure.

#6 A book by an author you’ve never read before

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Very imaginative and engrossing retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. It's the start of a series; I've read the second (Princess of Glass), and I can't wait to read more.

#7 A book by an author you love

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Klassen writes Regency Christian fiction…always with a mystery and a twist of some sort. Good clean, enjoyable read.

#8 A book at the bottom of your “to-read” pile

The House Bast Made: Reid Cannon, Archaeologist by Lisa M. Collins

Too short, but really good. You can read more in my Goodreads review.

#9 A book with a color in the title

One Lavender Ribbon by Heather Burch

A mystery that spans two different time periods; the past reunites in the future. But you can read more of my thoughts in an earlier blog post.

#10 A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit

I Love Capri by Belinda Jones

Capri has always seemed such a glamorous little island. Perhaps that is simply the Hollywood version, but one day I'd like to visit.

#11 A book you started but never finished

A War Like No Other: How the Athenians & Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War by Victor Davis Hanson

Good read if you want to know more about the Peloponnesian wars. If not, then don't bother. Helps is you know something about this time period in Grecian history before reading.

#12 A book with a lion, a witch, or a wardrobe

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Hadn't planned to like this book (or the trilogy) but it sucked me in like Lightening Sand.

#13 A book with a female heroine

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin

Depression-era Christian fiction about a librarian who ends up in the Appalachians.  Read more in an earlier post.

#14 A book set in the summer

Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey

Part of Lackey's Elemental Masters series. I'd recommend them all. Read more in this blog post.

#15 A book of poems

Love Poems by Emily Dickinson

Thankfully, poetry books are typically short…unless it's a complete works.

#16 A book you learned about because of this challenge

The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall

Quirky characters and mystery. 'Nough said.

#17 A book that will make you smarter

Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S. C. Gwynne

Interesting look at the end of the Comanches told more from the Comanche viewpoint. A little biased in some places, seeming to kowtow at times to the current need to vilify the whites and glorify the 'noble savages', but all-in-all a well-researched book, well-written historical narrative.

#18 A book with a blue cover

Servant of the Crown by Melissa McShane

Couldn't put this book down. Here's the description. Choose for yourself if you think you would enjoy it, but beware! If you pick it up, you will have a hard time putting it down.

#19 A book you were supposed to read in school, but didn’t

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

I just couldn't do it. I didn't read it in senior A.P. English, and I didn't read it this year. There are so many books out there that I want to read, why read one that I don't?

#20 A book “everyone” but you has read

Not Off Limits: Questions You Wish You Could Ask at Church by Ross Cochran

Everyone in Searcy, that is.

#21 A book with a great first line

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

“She’s buried beneath a silver birch tree, down towards the old train tracks, her grave marked with a cairn.”

#22 A book with pictures

The Day the Crayons Quit by by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers

LOVE this book. Love, love, love!

#23 A book from the library

Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

A WWI story of redemption. And spies.

#24 A book you loved…read it again!

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

An old favorite. I chose it as my book recommendation for the summer Faculty Favorite READ poster.

#25 A book that is more than 10 years old

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Originally published in 1978. Imaginative and darn good retelling of the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast.

#26 A book based on a true story

The Doctor’s Lady by Jody Hedlund

Based on true story of New York school teacher Narcissa Prentiss and Dr. Marcus Whitman who agreed to marry to follow their calling to be missionaries to Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest. They traveled with fellow missionaries, Henry and Eliza Spalding. Narcissa and Eliza became the first white women to cross the Continental Divide in 1836.