december bookshelf.001

 

I've completed nine tasks since my last update. They were all as much fun to do as reading the books has been. What more could I ask for?

 

angelDoor 16 - Task 1 - Readers' Charters - two for you to choose between

 

This was an attempt at humour, at least on the Devil side of things.

 

 

3oldDoor 16 - Task 2 - Books about old people

 

As an old person myself, although not quite old enough to count for this challenge, I guess it's no surprise that I had a few books in my TBR pile to choose from.

 

I don't know if it's a sign of the current demographics but my local Waterstone's was offering a variety of magnifying glass devices for readers this Christmas.

 

prophecies.001

Door 7 Task 1 - Book Prophecies for 2019

 

It turned out to be nice to take the time to think about my reading in the upcoming year. I'm sure these will be self-fulfilling prophecies.

 

 


Festive Bibliomancy

Festive Bibliomancy - Door 18, Task 1

 

Woah, bibliomancy turned out to be a very spooky experience. I mean, I talk to books. Who doesn't? But I'm not used to them talking back.

 

 

giphy24 Festive Tasks Door 19 Task 1 - my five most disappointing reads of 2018

 

I guess, if you read a lot of books, some of them will disappoint. It doesn't make the disappointment any less real. When I gathered these together, I was surprised at how much disappointment I still felt. Still, there were only five of them, just over3%.

 

molly 2.001

 

24 Festive Tasks - Hogswatch Night Task 1 - Create a Goddess

This one captured my imagination and was tremendous fun to do.

 

 

 

 

thg24 Festive Tasks Door 24 Task 1 my favourite trilogy

This was a no-brainer but I'm happy to have the opportunity to promote this trilogy

 

 

 

hex story.001Door 23 Task 4 : A short history of the Personal Clacks Revolution

 

This task grew and grew until I had to write something to get it out of my head. It reminded me that it's been way too long since I spent time writing fiction. It was also my first fan fiction. It was surprisingly satisfying.

 

20181224_165521Door 20 Task 1 Our first Christmas Tree since we moved back to England

 

So, this is Christmas. Couldn't resist the John Lennon quote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

december tasks.001

 

I've read seven books for the 24 Festive Tasks Challenge since my last update.

 

binti home61zqeLxe4QL._SL500_c1ji-square-orighogfather-4-1512G-3AjQKL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_The Mistletoe MurderThe-Devil_s-Apprentice_l

 

 "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd"was excellent, definitely the best Agatha Christie I've read so far. "Hogfather" was like revisiting an old friend and finding they've grown more interesting since you last met but are still the same person you've always enjoyed. "Ways To Hide In Winter" was an unexpected pleasure, a debut novel, published in November. "The Mistletoe Murder" has made me hungry for P. D. James. "The Devil's Apprentice"was... different, original and a little challenging but fun young adult story. "Kissing Christmas Goodbye" was a smile and"Binti Home" was one of those make-a-bridge-to-the-final-book second book in a trilogy.

 

I'm part way through three very different types of books at the moment:

 

519zOii-1RL._SL300_"Somewhere Inside Of Happy" starts with Maisie Brennan standing on a podium on the twentieth anniversary of the death of her son, trying to find the first breath that will help her start talking to a room full of strangers. As her talk begins we move back to Ireland on the first of January 1995 and watch as events unfold around Maisie and her family.

 

This is a beautifully written book that I stepped back from over Christmas as it's so sad. It's also set on New Year's Eve so finishing it next week seems appropriate. I'm using it for Door 11, Russian Mother's Day.

 

scribe-683x1024

"Scribe" is a newly published post-apocalyptic dystopian novel centred around a lone strong woman, making her way on in this fractured world through skill and willpower.

 

I'm using it for Door 16,  70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6184fT1OE6L"Bleeding Empire" is a bit of an experiment.

 

It's about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse arriving at Christmas to end the world and having difficulty getting anyone's attention.

 

It's written by identical twins who write under the name C. j. Raven and, of course, the story features identical twins.

 

I'm hoping the humour stands up and this one is a smile from beginning to end.

 

I'm reading it for Door 22, Happy New Year.