Books I've Read this Year

Back in January of so, PJ Hoover issued a challenge to read at least 52 books this year. I said I was on board with that. But I never made any public list of what I'd read so far this year. I do keep track at goodreads, and people are welcome to friend me there and if they're interested.

With minimal commentary here's what I've read so far. (Ideally this should be 50 books never read before, but some of the books I list here I have read more than once)

1) Don't Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson. This is one of several in a very fun series about magic and love and New York (usually, obviously this last one was in Texas)

2) Heidi's Children (1939) by Charles Tritten. Written by one of the translators of the original Heidi by Johanna Spyri, this is actually a follow-up to Heidi Grows Up, also by Charles Tritten. Although the story is interesting it is not nearly as charming as the original. I read it because it was on the bookshelf downstairs and I wasn't sure if I'd actually ever read it before.

3) Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve. This was one of my daughter's Christmas presents, but I snatched it up to read because I love a good Arthurian story. This was a re-imagining of the tale, and a good one. It was a little darker than I expected, but very well done.

4) Schooled by Anisha Lakhani. A look into the lives of the children of Manhattan's socialites, and how they are all tutored to success.

5) Practically Perfect by Katie Fford. I first picked up a Katie Fford romance when I was looking for a new book by Jasper Fford. Very different types of books, but I'm glad I discovered Katie. She spins fun tales of strong British women who get themselves into unusual situations, and end up finding love.

6) Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway. I'd heard a lot of buzz about this book and wasn't disappointed. Audrey is a very likeable character and the whole 'unreal' situation spins itself out naturally.

7) Forever in Blue: the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brasheres. I'd read the other books in the series, so felt more or less obligated to read this one. But I did not enjoy it as much as the first; can't quite put my finger on why.

8) The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. This was another book I'd heard a lot about before I read it and again, was not disappointed. Very enjoyable.

9) Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. I love historical fiction and this one did a great job with characters and place and story. I can't wait for the sequel.

10 & 11) Into the Wild and Out of the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst. I'm sorry it took me as long as it did to read these books. They are among my daughter's favorites and had been sitting on her bookshelf for quite a while before I picked them up. What treasures. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of both of these books.

I'll post more later, I think this is enough for now.