April's Ultimate Reading Challenge 2023 - The Final Stretch (Part 4)

Hello, I am April.
This is my 5th reading challenge and this year I am making a thread for each quarter.
I took the name of this challenge from a book I received from my mom for Christmas. See >2 lowelibrary: for details.
I started the year with 16 categories. I have completed 3 and am on track to finish most of them.
My previous years were a monthly book log, this year I am following the lead of several others on this site, and listing the books as I read them. Thank you to all I stole the idea from. I am loving the new format and will continue on with this.

My goal this year is to hit a record high of 150 books. With only 33 books left and an average of over 12 books a month, this goal will be met.

The Ultimate Reading Challenge. I received this book for Christmas from my mom. There are 25 envelopes as shown. You finish the challenge and open the envelope to receive a bookish gift. When I finish this challenge I will take and post a photo of all the prizes.

✔ 1. Read a novella or short novel under 200 pages - Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings 48 pages --- PRIZE (a hanging tag that says "There are a lot of books in here")
✔ 2. Find and read a book that is much longer than your usual reads - The Ink Black Heart 1012 pages --- PRIZE (gift tags with books and book-themed photos)
✔ 3. Read a book you selected purely on its cover design - Beast ---PRIZE (magnetic bookmark with books on it)
4. Read a book about a person with a disability
✔ 5. Re-read a classic you hated in high school - 1984 --- PRIZE (wooden bookmark with quote "Each BOOK was a world unto itself, and in it I took REFUGE")
✔ 6. Re-read a book you loved as a child - Pippi Longstocking --- PRIZE (2 book darts - with a note that says "Book Darts...because dog-eared books are too controversial")
✔ 7. Read a graphic novel - Everything Is OK --- PRIZE (a light blue Post-it notepad with "Books > Everything Else" across the top)
✔ 8. Read a book by an author whose ethnicity is different from yours - This Is How We Do It: A Pep Talk - Kevin Hart ---PRIZE (some "this book belongs to" labels)
✔ 9. Read a new book that is intended primarily for children - The Hidden World of Gnomes --- PRIZE (stickers of bookshelves and other items in a home library)
✔ 10. Read a book in a genre you've never read before - Cold Cuts a Tartan Noir --- PRIZE (a paperclip with a tea cup attached to the top)
✔ 11. Read a book published this year - The Vanishing at Castle Moreau --- PRIZE (2 sets of paper tabs 1 says "brilliant thought here", the other says "noteworthy")
✔ 12. Read a book currently on the bestseller list - The House of Eve ---PRIZE (a pencil engraved with a Shakespeare quote "Brevity is the soul of wit")
✔ 13. Read a book that features an indigenous person - Native American Night Before Christmas --- PRIZE (small pink bookmark with books, glasses, and cups of tea on it)
✔ 14. Read a book that's been sitting on your shelf, unread, for more than a year - The Year Of Eating Dangerously on the shelf when I joined in 2015 --- PRIZE (a mini notebook that says "reading notes")
✔ 15. Go to your favorite section of the library or bookstore: blindly take a book off the shelf and take it home to read - Secret Smile taken blindly from the mystery shelves at Half-Price Books ---PRIZE (doorknob hanger that says "shhhhh...I'm reading right now")
16. Visit your local bookstore and ask the bookseller to recommend a book based on your recent favorites
✔ 17. Ask a family member what book made a lasting impression on them. Find and read that book. - The Secret of Inner Strength a book that inspired my son --- PRIZE (four coasters with book related sayings on them)
✔ 18. Participate in a book club, in person or virtually - Reese Witherspoon's Book Club - The House in the Pines ---PRIZE (notepad that looks like a library check-out card)
✔ 19. Read in a place you have never read before - Noah's tee ball game - The Ex Hex --- PRIZE (typewriter keychain)
✔ 20. Listen to a reading-themed podcast - Velshi's Banned Book Club --- PRIZE (a pin that says "The book was better")
21. Attend an author event - in person or virtually
✔ 22. Make (or order) a snack or meal described in a book you've read - Double Stuf Oreos in Death of A Neighborhood Witch ---PRIZE (an ink stamp of reading glasses)
✔ 23. Gift a copy of your favorite book to a friend or family member - a special occasion not required - gave my grandson a copy of Clifford, the Big Red Dog --- PRIZE (2 gift tags - one with a cat on it and one with books)
24. Write down a favorite quote or passage from a beloved book. Display it in your home.
✔ 25. Write a letter to someone who has influenced your reading life. This could be a parent, teacher, author, bookstore owner, or friend. It's okay to make it anonymous. -wrote a letter to my mother thanking her for teaching me to read. ---PRIZE (3 small blank notes - with bookish themes on the covers)

RandomKIT hosting October

January (Hidden Gems)
Witch Hearts by Liz Long
The Year of Eating Dangerously by K Bennett
February (Second or Two)
Buy A Whisker by Sofie Ryan
Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham
March (Water, Water, everywhere)
The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
April (Seven ages of (wo)man)
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson
The Funny Moon by Chris Lincoln
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Thinner by Stephen King
May (Royal Names)
How To Survive A Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino
London Bridges by James Patterson
Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson, Susan DiLallo and James Patterson
Mary, Mary by James Patterson
June (Walls)
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul
July (The Muppets)
The Diva Code by Miss Piggy
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
August (Tell Me Something Good)
A Whisker of A Doubt by Cate Conte
September (The Wild, Wild West)
Zeke and Ned by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana
October (Treats not Tricks)
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Clifford Gets A Job by Norman Bridwell
Clifford Takes A Trip by Norman Bridwell
Clifford's Halloween by Norman Bridwell
Clifford's Tricks by Norman Bridwell
Clifford the Small Red Puppy by Norman Bridwell
Death of A Neighborhood Witch by Laura Levine
The Witches: The Graphic Novel by Roald Dahl and Penelope Bagieu
November (A Little Light)
A Light In The Attic by Shel Silverstein
December

ScaredyKIT hosting June and October

January (Comedy Horror)
The Year of Eating Dangerously by K Bennett
February (Historical Horror)
The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon
March (Indie author or small press)
Shiners by John T Biggs
April (food horror)
Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets by Kay Frydenborg
Thinner by Stephen King
May (surviving the horror)
Superstitious by R L Stine
June (Stephen King and family)
Black Phone: Stories by Joe Hill
July (Beach Reads)
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
August (Favorite Scary Trope)
Necroscope III: The Source by Brian Lumley
September (Haunted Houses)
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
The Endless House by M H Shamim
October (Tricks not treats)
Howling Mad by Peter David
The Pram by Joe Hill
November (I Don't Like Spiders and Snakes!)
Scary Stories 3 by Allen Schwartz
December

MysteryKIT hosting January and December

January (TV/Movie Detectives)
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith
Four Blind Mice by James Patterson
February (Classic Settings)
Ten Little Indians by Agatha Chhristie
March (Paranormal)
Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton
April (Tartan Noir)
Cold Cuts by Douglas Lindsay
May (true unsolved mysteries)
Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries by John Austin
June (Vintage)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
July (Police Procedurals and Private Detectives)
Cross by James Patterson
Double Cross by James Patterson
August (Past and Future)
The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig Albert
September (College/University setting)
File M For Murder by Miranda James
October (Locked Room Mystery)
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
November (Senior Sleuths/Kid Sleuths)
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan
December

KiddyCAT hosting June

January (Picture books/Graphic Novels) -
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Somebunny Loves You by Melinda Lee Rathjen
February (Mysteries)
Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham
March (YA Historical fiction)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
April (Middle Grade and YA Fantasy)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
May (YA/children's classics)
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
June (animals as main characters)
The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Zootopia Junior Novelization by Suzanne Francis
July (Arts and Crafts)
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
The Official Harry Potter Baking Book by Joanna Farrow
August (Series)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling and Jim McKay
September (History and Biography)
Who Was Alex Trebek by Pam Pollack
October (Siblings)
The Story of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins by Mary Carey
November (Fairy Tales, Myths & Legends)
Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales by Gordon Jarvie
December

Continuing my reading of the Alex Cross series in order. I hope to read one a month.

1. Four Blind Mice --- read in January
2. The Big Bad Wolf --- read in April
3. London Bridges - read in May
4. Mary, Mary - read in May
5. Cross - read in July
6. Double Cross - read in July
7. Cross Country - read in October
8. Alex Cross's Trial
9. I, Alex Cross
10. Cross Fire
11. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
12. Alex Cross, Run

I have a large collection of books about cats. The goal is 6 fiction and 3 non-fiction.

Fiction
1. Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings by Ursula K Le Guin
2. Buy A Whisker by Sofie Ryan
3. How To Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting To Kill You by The Oatmeal
4. Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff
5. No One Noticed the Cat by Anne McCaffrey

Non-fiction
1. The Cat and the Tao by Kwong Kuen Shan
2. Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Cat Did That! by Jack Canfield
3. Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul by Jack Canfield

I have decided to join Reese Witherspoon's book club. This category is for her monthly choices. This will help me read more current books. The book is announced on the first Tuesday of the month.

✔ January - The House In The Pines by Ana Reyes
✔ February - The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
✔ March - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
✔ April - Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
✔ May - Did You Hear About Kitty Karr by Crystal Smith Paul
✔ June - Cassandra In Reverse by Holly Smale
✔ July - Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
✔ August - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
✔ September - Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
✔ October - Starling House by Alix E Harrow
November - Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major
December

CHALLENGE FINISHED

My husband bought me Harry Potter: A Magical Year last year, a book of daily quotes from the book series. This has prompted me to re-read the Harry Potter series this year. I have decided to do the re-read as a "new " read of the illustrated versions of the books. The touchstones do not go to the correct editions.


1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- read in March
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- read in April
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - read in July
4.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - read in August
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - read in September

Year 6 and Year 7 are not yet released in the Illustrated Edition. So I am currently finished with this challenge.

I hope to read 6 books on my Kindle this year.
1. Witch Hearts by Liz Long - read and deleted in January
2. This Is How We Do It: A Pep Talk by Kevin Hart - read in February
3. Dear Coca-Cola by Terry Ravenscroft- read and deleted in March
4. Truth or Poop: Amazing Animals by James Warwood - read and deleted in May
5. Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single by Jessica Simpson - read and deleted in June
6. The Apology Project by Jeanette Escudero - read and deleted in August

CATEGORY FINISHED
Extra reads.

1. It Will All Work Out by Kevin Hart - read in August
2. The Endless House by M H Shamim - read in September
3. A Night at the Tropicana by Chanel Cleeton - read and deleted in September
4. The Ultimate Diabetes Book by Ahmet Ergin - read and deleted in November

I am participating in the historical fiction challenge as posted by Tanya-dogearedcopy
The bonus will only be met if one of the books qualifies.

1. Read a work of historical fiction set in the country you are from
The Rail Splitter by John Cribb
Zeke and Ned by John McMurtry and Diana Ossana
2. Read a work of historical fiction set in a different country than the one you're from
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
3. Read a work of historical fiction set in your favorite historical time period to read about

4. Read a work of historical fiction set in a time period you're less familiar with
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
5. Read a work of historical fiction with a speculative element
The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon
6. Read a work of Historical fiction about a real historical figure or specific historical event
Dear America: Voyage on the Titanic by Ellen Emerson White
The Rail Splitter by John Cribb
Zeke and Ned by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana
7. Read a classic work of historical fiction

8. Bonus: Read a work of historical fiction over 500 pages.
The Book Thief
The Wolf's Hour
The Nightingale

Nonfiction reading. I hope to read 12 books this year.

1. The Feud: The Hatfields & McCoys by Dean King
2. This Is How We Do It: A Pep Talk by Kevin Hart
3. Laughing With Obama by M. Sweeney
4. Dear Coca-Cola by Terry Ravenscroft
5. The Dark Side of Apple Pie, Baby Food, & Bunnies by Ken Lytle and Katie Corcoran Lytle
6. Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets by Kay Frydenborg
7. The Medicine Wheel by Sun Bear and Wabun
8. Truth or Poop: Amazing Animals by James Warwood
9. Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries by John Austin
10. An Introvert's Survival Guide by Psych2Go
11. Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single by Jessica Simpson
12. Chocolate The Sweet History by Beth Kimmerle

CATERGORY FINISHED

EXTRAS
13. Bright Spots and Landmines by Adam Brown
14. The Answer Is by Alex Trebek
15. It Will All Work Out by Kevin Hart
16. Who Is Alex Trebek? by Lisa Rogak
17. Who Was Alex Trebek by Pam Pollack
18. The Ultimate Diabetes Book by Ahmet Ergin

01. Romantic Comedy
02. Summon The Keeper
03. Buy A Whisker
04. Four Blind Mice - Alex Cross series
05. The Big Bad Wolf - James Patterson is an Aries
06. The Answer Is
08. Aunt Dimity's Death
09. The Nightingale
10. True Crime Trivia
11. I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf
12. The Cat and the Tao
13. The Story of Ferdinand -January KiddyCAT
14. The Feud: The Hatfields & McCoys
15. Chocolate: Sweet Science & Dark Secrets
16. Disney Family Story Collection
17. Shiners
18. The Stranger in the Lifeboat
19. Cross Country
20. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
21. The Medicine Wheel - Native American astrology
22. Ten Little Indians
23. Cinder
24. Dear America: Voyage on the Titanic
25. Theodore Boone: The Abduction

This is for all my favorite authors with unread books on my shelf. The books were on my shelf prior to 2023. I hope to read at least one from each.

✔ Mitch Albom
The Stranger in the Lifeboat

Dan Brown

✔ Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
Ten Little Indians

Lisa Gardner

✔ John Grisham
Theodore Boone: The Abduction
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

✔ Joe Hill
Black Phone: Stories
The Pram

✔ Stephen King
The Dark Man: An Illustrated Poem
Thinner

✔ Barbara Michaels
Patriot's Dream

✔ James Patterson (not counting Alex Cross)
Give Please A Chance
Things I Wish I Told My Mother

These are all the books I have been gifted this year (including Christmas gifts and Early Review books)

SantaThing 2022
A Whisker of A Doubt by Cate Conte - read in August
A Trip With Trouble by Diane Kelly
Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley - read in July
Getaway With Murder by Diane Kelly
The Crime That Binds by Laurie Cass

Previously unread SantaThing gifts (I have 5 left)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (SantaThing 2016)
Heist Society by Ally Carter (SantaThing 2016)
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (SantaThing 2017)
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara {SantaThing 2017)
Ghost of a Chance by Simon R Green (SantaThing 2018)

Christmas gifts 2022
The Black Phone: Stories by Joe Hill - read in June
Everything I Need to Know I Learned From Dolly Parton by Editors of Media Lab Books - read in June
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith - read in January
The Answer is.... by Alex Trebek - read in July
Who Is Alex Trebek? by Lisa Rogak - read in August
Who Was Alex Trebek? by Pamela Pollack - read in September
I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider - read in January
Everything Is OK by Debbie Tung - read in January
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill read in December 2022

Birthday gifts 2023 - DONE
I Love You Like No Otter by Rose Rossner - read in March
The Witch's Path by Thorn Mooney - read in June

Scholastic Employee Appreciation Gifts 2023 - DONE
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henke - read in October
The Witches: The Graphic Novel by Roald Dahl and Penelope Bagieu - read in October

ER books I have won and received
December 2022 - Somebunny Loves You by Melinda Lee Rathjen - read in January
January 2023 - True Crime Trivia by Michelle Tooker -read in February
February 2023 - The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright - read in March
March 2023 - The Funny Moon by Chris Lincoln - read in April
May 2023 - The Rail Splitter by John Cribb - read in June
June 2023 - The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy - read in August
July 2023 - A Ray of Hope by Stephen Gordin - read in August
August 2023 - Love You Snow Much by Melinda Lee Rathjen - read in September
September 2023 How To Give Your Cat A Bath: In Five Easy Steps by Nicola Winstanley - read in October
October 2023 - Magic By Any Other Name by Alison Levy - read in November

I first heard about Thingaversary in 2021 and began celebrating mine. I joined on April 7th, 2015.
I have 6 books left to read before this year's haul.

My 2021 Thingaversary books
All Around Town by Mary Higgins Clark
Patriot's Dream by Barbara Michaels - read in July
The Medicine Wheel by Sun Bear and Wabun - read in April

My 2022 Thingaversary books
Disney's Family Story Collection by Sheryl Kahn - finished in February
Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf by Kathryn Lasky
What the Cat Saw by Carolyn Hart

This year's (2023) Thingaversary books
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino - read in May
Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J Chow
The Secrets of Dumbledore by J.K. Rowling
Seven-Year Witch by Angela M Sanders
The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig Albert -read in August
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan - read in November
A Whisker of Trouble by Sofie Ryan
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

Happy new thread, and congrats on being on track to finish your yearly goal!

> 19 Thank you. I hope your reading year has been great.

Happy New Thread! I must have missed the book challenge "gift" on your previous thread. I like it!

Happy New Thread!

>17 lowelibrary: - This is a good idea, April. I should go make a list and keep track of which Thingaversary books I have left to read. Maybe while I watch football this afternoon.

>21 Tess_W: Thank you. In the last thread, I had shortened all my lists, so it was not as obvious. That idea did not work, since I kept having to return to my previous thread for notes.
>22 dudes22: I find it is helping me read the books I receive and not throw them on Mt TBR to be forgotten forever.

Happy new thread. You have done a great job with your yearly reading goals!

>24 DeltaQueen50: Reading has always been my greatest joy. I have tried to focus more on it and less on social media this year. I must admit I am not missing the phone at all.

As an employee appreciation gift for our Customer Service Appreciation Week I received 2 books (added to my Gifts challenge)
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henke
The Witches: The Graphic Novel by Penelope Bagieu and Roald Dahl

I was so excited to see The Witches. It is one of my favorite books and movies.

I am lucky to work for Scholastic Book Clubs.

118. Secret Smile by Nicci French
Ultimate Reading Challenge - Go to your favorite section of the library or bookstore: blindly take a book off the shelf and take it home to read see >2 lowelibrary: for prize

You have an affair. You finish it. You think it's over. You're dead wrong ...Miranda Cotton thinks she's put Brendan out of her life for good. But two weeks later, he's intimately involved with her sister. Soon what began as an embarrassment becomes threatening - then even more terrifying than a girl's worst nightmare. Because this time Brendan will stop at nothing to be part of Miranda's life - even if it means taking it from her.

The book had the potential to be a great psychological thriller, but it could not sustain the suspense or the character development. I disliked the whininess of the narrator so I could not be invested in her perception of the story.

My local Friends of the Library Book Sale began today. I made a great haul for $25. This will most likely be the last book sale of the year for me. I only managed to make it to two (boo hoo hoo).

Fiction
The Next Person You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom - been looking for this sequel
Aunt Dimity and the Buried Treasure by Nancy Atherton
Aunt Dimity and The King's Ransom by Nancy Atherton
Aunt Dimity and the Summer King by Nancy Atherton
Just Take My Heart - Mary Higgins Clark
My Gal Sunday by Mary Higgins Clark
Flesh and Blood by Patricia Cornwell
Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe
The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid - this one sounded too interesting to pass on
Dead But Not Forgotten by Charlaine Harris
Cat Chase The Moon by Shirley Rosseau Murphy
Edge of Tomorrow by Hiroshi Sakurazaka - I loved the movie
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
The Fall of Crazy House by James Patterson
A Game of Fox & Squirrels by Jenn Reese
Dance of The Gods by Nora Roberts
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Beast by Brie Spangler - blurb sounds like a Beauty and the Beast retelling
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead - heard a lot of great things about this book

Non-Fiction
Booky Wook 2 by Russell Brand
The Not-So-Nude Ride of Lady Godiva by David Haviland
The Far Side Gallery 4 by Gary Larson this one has a foreword by Robin Williams
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
Killing England by Bill O'Reilly
Silent Thunder by Katy Payne

>28 lowelibrary: Looks like a great haul, April. I love Charlaine Harris's books.

>28 lowelibrary: Wow, congrats on that haul! Very impressive for $25!

>28 lowelibrary: That's an impressive haul for $25. Well done!

That is a great haul for only $25. Most of our FOL sales take place in late spring/early summer so I think there's only one more I know of in the fall. Think I'll go look and see when it is.

ETA: Glad I looked - it's only in a couple of weeks. YEAH!

>29 NinieB: >30 christina_reads: >31 VivienneR: >32 dudes22: Thank you all. I was very happy with being able to stay below budget on both of my library sales this year.

>28 lowelibrary: Nice book haul! I'm impressed you got all that for $25, though I do have to remember that 25 in USD is much more than in Canadian dollars. 😄

>34 mathgirl40: Thank you. It helps when the books are priced low.

RandomKIT - Treats, not tricks

119. Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Meet Clifford & Emily Elizabeth in the original Clifford book! Clifford is big. Clifford is red. But most of all, Clifford knows how to be a good friend! Like other dogs, Clifford sometimes chases cars; unlike other dogs, Clifford catches them. Like other dogs, Clifford digs in the garden; but while other dogs may dig up a few flowers, Clifford can dig up a whole tree. Also like other dogs, Clifford chases cats—big cats, like lions! When Clifford messes up, he messes up big time!
This is how it all began—in 1963, Norman Bridwell published his very first Clifford book, and kids have loved Clifford ever since. He's an adorable dog whose well-meaning bumblings have great kid appeal. Clifford is Emily Elizabeth's, and everyone's, favorite big red dog!

120. Clifford Gets A Job by Norman Bridwell
While Clifford is a great pet to have around, there's one little problem... he has quite an appetite! In order to pay for his dog food, Clifford decides to get a job.

121. Clifford Takes A Trip by Norman Bridwell
Summer vacation means one thing—more time for Emily Elizabeth to play with Clifford! Until this summer, that is. The family is going far away, so far that Clifford can't come. Or can he? Everyone's favorite big red dog gets a bit lonely when his family goes on vacation without him. But fear not! Clifford overcomes wet cement, traffic jams, and toll bridges to rejoin them in the mountains. Follow along as Clifford sniffs, swims, and tiptoes to find his best friend—just in the nick of time!

122. Clifford's Halloween by Norman Bridwell
Emily Elizabeth and Clifford are ready for the spookiest day of the year! They make the most of their Halloween: bobbing for apples, listening to ghost stories, and trick-or-treating. But when it's time to dress up, there are too many costumes to choose from! Zebra, Witch, Knight—what should Clifford be?

123. Clifford's Tricks by Norman Bridwell
When a new girl and her pet dog move next door, the battle of the pooches begins! Find out what happens when Clifford and Emily Elizabeth innocently let their vanity get the best of them, trying to outdo the other couple in a series of challenges. But no worry! Ultimately, peace is made and the day comes to an end on a positive note.

124.Clifford the Small Red Puppy by Norman Bridwell
How did Clifford become such a big red dog? Read and find out how a simple wish from Emily Elizabeth led to Clifford's amazing growth.

I initially selected Clifford's Halloween as one of my treats to read for RandomKIT, but since this was an original bagged set from the 1970s (6 Cliffords in a bag for $3.99), I decided to read all of them. While I enjoyed the books again, not all of them were as beloved as I remember.

Glad you could re-read the Clifford Books. I bought my granddaughter a 6-pack of Clifford books and going to give them to her at Christmas. I might just read them before gifting!

>37 Tess_W: It was a nice trip down memory lane. Like the little girl I was the first time, I enjoyed the illustrations more than the words.

125. Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
MysteryKIT - Locked Room Mysteries

Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer. Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man’s enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.

This is not one of my favorite Christie books. I find the cast of characters full of themselves and Hercule is not at his best in this one.

>39 lowelibrary: I thought I was the only one who found Murder on the Orient Express overrated! It's famous because of its memorable ending, but aside from that, I don't think it's one of Christie's best.

>40 christina_reads: Glad I am not the only one.

126. Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
Reese's Book Club - September pick

High-powered businesswoman Lana Rubicon has a lot to be proud of: her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire she’s built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is stuck counting otters instead of square footage—and hoping that boredom won’t kill her before cancer does. Then Jack—tiny in stature but fiercely independent—happens upon a dead body while kayaking. She quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. She’ll pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power.
With Jack and Beth’s help, Lana uncovers a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes lurking beneath a community populated by folksy conservationists and wealthy ranchers. But as their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing they’ve always resisted: depend on each other.

The Rubicon women are strong women and are an asset to the book. I enjoyed reading about them and their dynamics. I wanted to rate the book higher but I couldn't. The mystery is predictable and I had it solved before they even settled on a suspect and I am very bad at predicting killers.

127. The Story of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins by Mary Carey
KiddyCAT - Siblings

Mary Poppins is the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Lane. Things are not going well for the family, the children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny. Jane and Michael have their own ideas about what sort of caretaker they should have, while their parents—and in particular Mr. Banks—are insistent on someone strict for the job. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that she’s the answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones she has a profound effect on. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “anything can happen if you let it.”

This is not the PL Travers novel but the book adaptation of the Walt Disney classic. I found the book enjoyable as I was picturing each scene as I read it. A great read, you could even say it was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. The book however is missing some of the magical charm of the movie.

128. Death of A Neighborhood Witch by Laura Levine
RandomKIT - Treats, not tricks
Ultimate Reading Challenge - Make (or order) a snack or meal described in a book you've read - see >2 lowelibrary: for the prize

When Jaine Austen's beloved cat Prozac unwittingly scares to death a parakeet belonging to the neighborhood's resident curmudgeon, Jaine finds herself knee-deep in toil and trouble. The cantankerous Hollywood has-been once played Cryptessa Muldoon, television's fourth most famous monster mom. Now she spends her days making enemies with everyone on the block. So when the ornery D-lister is murdered with her own Do Not Trespass sign on Halloween night, the neighborhood fills with relief--and possible culprits. With a killer on the loose, Jaine hardly has time to fall under the spell of her yummy new neighbor, Peter. As the prime suspect, she summons her sleuthing skills to clear her name and soon discovers that everyone has a few skeletons in their closets. . .

This was my first Jaine Austin mystery but definitely not my last. Jaine's quirkiness and unapologetic attitude for her size and manners are so satisfying to this plus-sized girl. She talks of Double Stuf Oreos so much that I had to have them. I have the first book in the series somewhere in the house.

129. The Witches: The Graphic Novel by Roald Dahl and Penelope Bagieu
Gifts
RandomKIT - Treats, not tricks

Witches are real, and they are very, very dangerous. They wear ordinary clothes and have ordinary jobs, living in ordinary towns all across the world -- and there's nothing they despise more than children. When an eight-year-old boy and his grandmother come face-to-face with the Grand High Witch herself, they may be the only ones who can stop the witches' latest plot to stamp out every last child in the country! This full-color graphic novel edition of Roald Dahl's The Witches adapted and illustrated by Eisner Award winner Pénélope Bagieu, is the first-ever Dahl story to appear in this format. Graphic novel readers and Roald Dahl fans alike will relish this dynamic new take on a uniquely funny tale.

This graphic novel is bright and colorful. It has the true gist of the novel, but like both movies, changes things in the story. Still a great read.

130. The Pram by Joe Hill
Favorite Authors
ScaredyKIT - Tricks, not treats

Willy and Marianne’s farmhouse in Maine has acres of meadow and fresh air, and a lonesome bridle path in the forest along which Willy daydreams and ambles. When he’s loaned a decrepit old baby stroller to cart his groceries home, the rickety squeak of the wheels comforts him. So do the sweet coos of a baby Willy knows can’t be real. Can it? In this twisted thicket, wishes come true—with a price.

I read this Amazon Prime Original since I am a huge Joe Hill fan. I might even like his books more than his father's. The story reminded me of It's Alive. It was a decent read but needed a stronger ending.

131. How to Give Your Cat a Bath In Five Easy Steps by Nicola Winstanley
Gifts - Early Reviewer September 2023 - review here

Step one: fill the bath Step two: put the cat in the bath Seems simple, right? One problem: the cat has no intention of doing ANY of these things! Watch as the steps keep changing, the cat keeps escaping, the girl keeps eating cookies and the mess escalates. Soon it's not just the cat who needs a bath — it's the whole house! This spoof on an instruction manual features an increasingly bewildered human, a nonchalant cat, and a know-it-all narrator . . . who really doesn't know it all. How DO you give a cat a bath? Read on to find out!

Love the illustrations and the fact that the story can be told in the pics for younger children, while older ones can read along.

132. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Gifts

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. "You're named after a flower!" teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?

Cute drawings in a story of a little mouse who loved her name until others made fun of it. Then she no longer has confidence in her name or herself. Very realistic in how children treat each other at school.

133. Penguins of America by James Patterson, Jack Patterson and Florence Yue
Favorite Authors

Learn why humans and penguins are similar and find laughter in everyday life with this beautifully illustrated book from the world's #1 bestselling writer and his son. Penguins -- our cute, formally dressed, and flightless friends -- have always made us smile. As we shuffle through life one day at a time, it's easy to take things far too seriously, but when we see penguins taking a walk in our shoes it's impossible not to recognize how silly we can actually be. Featuring humorous illustrations and captions that show penguins navigating everything from a relaxing day at the beach to a stressful morning commute, Penguins of America is a hilarious and charming send-up of daily life.

This book needs a shoutout to the fabulous illustrations by James Madsen. The book would be nothing without them. The illustrations fully complete the puns and humor of the book. From a line outside the coffee shop to a wrong tattoo "I said Tina, not Tuna" the book covers everyday occurrences with penguins. A must-have book for all penguin fans.

134. Howling Mad by Peter David
ScaredyKIT - Tricks, not treats

We all know what happens when a man is bitten by a werewolf. Every full moon he turns into a wolf. Of course. But what happens when a wolf is bitten by a werewolf? And what if this wolf is snatched up by unsuspecting zookeepers and dragged off to the urban wilderness of New York City? And - most intriguing of all - what happens when the full moon is over his cage?

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Written in a humorous manner, yet with enough gore to make it a horror book.

135. Cross Country by James Patterson
Bingo - features journalist or journalism
Cross #14

When the home of Alex Cross's oldest friend, Ellie Cox, is turned into the worst murder scene Alex has ever seen, the destruction leads him to believe that he's chasing his most dangerous enemy yet. As Alex and his girlfriend, Brianna Stone, become entangled in the deadly Nigerian underworld of Washington D.C., what they discover is shocking: a stunningly organized gang of lethal teenagers headed by a powerful, diabolical man - the African warlord known as the Tiger. Just when the detectives think they're closing in on the elusive murderer, the Tiger disappears into thin air. Tracking him to Africa, Alex knows that he must follow. Alone.

A great addition to the series. Mr. Patterson pulls no punches in the horrors that exist in Africa and Alex encounters them all.

136. Beast by Donna Jo Napoli
Ultimate Reading Challenge - Read a book you selected purely on its cover design see>2 lowelibrary: for prize

Meet the Beast -- before there was Beauty. Orasmyn is the prince of Persia and heir to the throne. His religion fills his heart and his mind, and he strives for the knowledge and leadership his father demonstrates. But on the day of the Feast of Sacrifices, Orasmyn makes a foolish choice that results in a fairy's wretched punishment: he is turned into a beast, a curse to be undone only by the love of a woman. Thus begins Orasmyn's journey through the exotic Middle East and sensuous France as he struggles to learn the way of the beast, while also preserving the mind of the man. This is the story of his search, not only for a woman courageous enough to love him but also for his own redemption.

This book captured me from the beginning with the story of Orasmyn and his curse. I immediately became captured and enthralled with the Beast he became and the realistic portrayal of that character. This book drew me in and I was so invested that by the time we met Belle, it was like reading the story for the first time, with the same heartbreaks and surprises. If you love Beauty and the Beast, don't skip this wonderful book.

OCTOBER RECAP

I read 19 books this month.

The best read was Beast
The worst read was Clifford's Tricks

Ratings

5 stars - 3 books
Beast
Penguins of America
Clifford, the Small Red Puppy

4 1/2 stars - 3 books
Cross Country
Death of A Neighborhood Witch
Clifford the Big Red Dog

4 stars - 4 books
How To Give Your Cat A Bath In Five Easy Steps
The Witches: The Graphic Novel
The Story of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins
Clifford Gets A Job

3 1/2 stars - 3 books
Howling Mad
The Pram
Clifford Takes A Trip
Chrysanthemum
Clifford's Halloween

3 stars - 3 books
Mother-Daughter Murder Night
Secret Smile
Clifford's Tricks

137. A Light In The Attic by Shel Silverstein
RandomKIT - A Little Light

A Light in the Attic delights with remarkable characters and hilariously profound poems in a collection readers will return to again and again.

In the attic, you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel. Come into the attic of Shel Silverstein and let the light bring you home.

A collection of poems aimed at young readers, some of which are quite enjoyable.

138. Scary Stories 3 by Allen Schwarz
ScaredyKIT - I don't like Spiders and Snakes

This is a new edition of the complete original book. Stephen Gammell’s artwork from the original Scary Stories 3 appears in all its spooky glory. Read if you dare!
Scary Stories 3 is a timeless collection of chillingly scary tales and legends, in which folklorist Alvin Schwartz offers up some of the most alarming tales of horror, dark revenge, and supernatural events of all time.

The illustrations are spookier than the stories. The stories are modern renditions of mostly classic horror stories, but since this is a children's book, it probably serves as an introduction to that age of reader.
The story, Bess, contains a snake, and the story, The Red Spot, is about spiders. The Red Spot is the creepier of the two.

139. Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales by Gordon Jarvie
KiddyCAT - Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends

This collection of Scottish fairy tales, folk tales, and legends has been passed on from generation to generation and brought together in this one volume. In the early stories, we meet the magical creatures: brownies, kelpies, fairies, and mermen - some unique to Scotland, some familiar to all. We are then introduced to giants and monsters, witches, 'good folk" and many more spellbinding characters.

The stories had potential but were presented in a boring manner. Very few held my attention.

140. Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Reese's Book Club - October pick

Opal is a lot of things—orphan, high school dropout, full-time cynic, and part-time cashier—but above all, she's determined to find a better life for her younger brother Jasper. One that gets them out of Eden, Kentucky, a town remarkable for only two things: bad luck and E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author of The Underland, who disappeared over a hundred years ago. All she left behind were dark rumors—and her home. Everyone agrees that it’s best to ignore the uncanny mansion and its misanthropic heir, Arthur. Almost everyone, anyway. Opal has been obsessed with The Underland since she was a child. When she gets the chance to step inside Starling House—and make some extra cash for her brother's escape fund—she can't resist. But sinister forces are digging deeper into the buried secrets of Starling House, and Arthur’s own nightmares have become far too real. As Eden itself seems to be drowning in its own ghosts, Opal realizes that she might finally have found a reason to stick around.

I really liked this book and thought it was going to be a 4-star read, but towards the end of the book, the story became rushed and convoluted.

141. The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan
MysteryKIT - Senior Sleuths/Kid Sleuths
Thingaversary

On the day he retires, Inspector Ashwin Chopra inherits two unexpected mysteries. The first is the case of a drowned boy, whose suspicious death no one seems to want solved. And the second is a baby elephant. As his search for clues takes him across the teeming city of Mumbai, from its grand high rises to its sprawling slums and deep into its murky underworld, Chopra begins to suspect that there may be a great deal more to both his last case and his new ward than he thought.
And he soon learns that when the going gets tough, a determined elephant may be exactly what an honest man needs.

I loved the baby elephant and hope his role grows in the series' next book (which I already ordered). This mystery is not quite a cozy, but a straightforward simplistic style that allows the story to grow with the case. A little rushed in the finish, but the storytelling allows the reader to forgive that. The character of Inspector Chopra is very precise (reminiscent of Poirot) and little Baby Ganesh is heartwarming.

This book was a bullet from dudes22. Thank you.

>58 lowelibrary: This one goes on my WL!

>58 lowelibrary: - I'm glad you liked it, April. You've reminded me that I should add the next one to my reading list for next year.

142. The Ultimate Diabetes Book by Ahmet Ergin
Kindle
Nonfiction

This book was written to serve as a beacon of light, a ray of hope, and a trusted guide to help you manage and overcome your diabetes. No matter what type of diabetes you may have, you will find invaluable knowledge and expertise on every page. These pages are not just filled with tips and advice from a diet guru or general practitioner. As an Endocrinologist and Diabetes Educator, I’ve spent my entire career as a physician working with diabetic patients. On a daily basis, I saw firsthand the problems my diabetic patients were facing and the many challenges they had to overcome which became the inspiration for this book.

This book does provide some new information, such as what exactly why each type of medication is prescribed and how it helps your body. The book is mainly the same information found in all diabetic books (testing needs, medications that you may be on, insulin, and complications of the disease). I could not get over the "pushing" of his own vitamin mixture throughout the book.

143. The Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges

In a perfect pairing of talent, this volume blends twenty illustrations by Peter Sís with Jorge Luis Borges's 1957 compilation of 116 "strange creatures conceived through time and space by the human imagination," from dragons and centaurs to Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat and the Morlocks of H. G. Wells's The Time Machine. A lavish feast of exotica brought vividly to life with art commissioned specifically for this volume, The Book of Imaginary Beings will delight readers of classic fantasy as well as Borges's many admirers.

This is a collection of known and unknown creatures. I enjoyed reading about the creatures I was familiar with, but I feel like something was missing from the translator. The creature on the cover is a Buraq.

144. 1984 by George Orwell
Ultimate Reading Challenge - re-read a book you hated in high school (see >2 lowelibrary: for the prize)

In this dystopian masterpiece, Orwell presents a chilling future where the Party controls every aspect of life, rewriting history and manipulating reality to maintain its iron grip on power. Meet Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the Party who dares to question the suffocating conformity and propaganda-fed lies. As Winston embarks on a treacherous journey of rebellion and self-discovery, he finds himself entangled in a forbidden love affair and drawn into a secret resistance movement. Together with his enigmatic ally, Julia, Winston dares to defy Big Brother, risking everything for a sliver of freedom in a world where individual thoughts and desires are deemed thoughtcrime.

I had to read this book in 1984 for my junior AP English class and compare it to 1984. I hated it at the time. Re-reading it now with the current political situation, the book hits a lot closer to home. Orwell wrote about a future that he found scary, yet in 2023, the book seems closer to reality than is comfortable -also his idea of Newspeak, where words are shortened or eliminated, reminded me of the new text talk where all words are abbreviated.

>63 lowelibrary: I use Orwell's Animal Farm in my World History Class when we study communism. I have also read four other Orwell's. This is the ONLY one I did not like and I have DNF'd it at least three times.

>64 Tess_W: This was the only Orwell I had read and I probably would not have reread it if it had not been part of my challenge. I was surprised that I enjoyed it. I plan on reading Animal Farm for the first time in January.

145. The Secret of Inner Strength by Chuck Norris
Ultimate reading challenge - Ask a family member what book made a lasting impression on them. Find and read that book (see >2 lowelibrary: for prize)

The athlete and movie star's explanation of his personal philosophy of positive force and the psychology of self-improvement is interspersed with anecdotes about international karate competitions, training with Bruce Lee, and Norris's acting career

As I read this book, I completely understood why it has made an impression on my son. He has always been a Chuck Norris fan and I bought him this book when he was in his teens. I found the book to be interesting since I was not familiar with Mr. Norris's karate career.

146. Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul by Jack Canfield
Cat books

From playful and hilarious accounts of life with cats to heartwarming tales of cat courage, healing, and learning, each touching story in Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul celebrates our special bond with our cats.

This rendition had very few memorable stories. I am quite sure there are a lot of reprinted stories from previous editions.