2018 Reading Challenge

For last years reading challenge  the goal was to read 5 books. I thought this was going to be a bit hard to achieve since I was going to be in school. But at the start of the year I was able to join a book club. granted I wasnt sure how well I would do in the book club because again I wasnt sure what the reading was going to be like for my classes. However I am very proud to report that not only did I meet my 5 books read challenge but I exceeded it by 11 books. I think I was the most surprised by this, but at the same time I am very excited about meeting this goal. I am continuing my schooling so my goal for 2019 is going to remain light, but I am hoping to reach this years goal. Here's a list of the books I read in 2018:

• Christmas Eve 1914
• My Master's Touch
• A Christmas Carol
• Death Comes to Pemberley
• The Scarlet Pimpernel
• The Book Thief
• The Last Olympian
• The Secret Garden
• The Man Who Broke into Auschwitz
• Jonathan Livingston Seagull
• The Battle of the Labyrinth
• The Titans Curse
• Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
• Sea of Monsters
• The Lightning Thief
• Chasing the Prophecy

Christmas Eve 1914

Christmas Eve 1914 By: Charles Olivier

This was a Christmas gift from audible, its a dramatization so it took awhile to get used to but once I did it was a wonderful story to listen to. It was from a surviving officers point of view, who is writing a letter to the mother of a fallen comrade. I really enjoyed listening to it.

My Masters Touch

My Master's Touch  By: Lynda M. Nelson

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!! Seriously I love reading this book every Christmas season and I cry at the end ever time without fail. SERIOUSLY LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!
It's the story of Meshak a little burro that was born the same night as Jesus. He tells the story of growing up with Jesus and traveling with him. Meshak tells of the Saviors ministering time here on the earth through his eyes. It's such a sweet and innocent perspective. This is the book I chose for our book club this month and I am really looking forward to talking about it and seeing what everyone thought. 

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol By: Charles Dickens

I have always been intimidated by this book, like I am with most of Charles Dickens books. I'm not exactly sure why. I am use to reading classics and old English, from Jane Austen, Mary Shelly, and even Shakespeare. But for some reason Charles Dickens books always make me pause before I read them. However I am glad I did. I am definitely familiar with this story through the countless movies that have been made. However reading it was different and interesting. It seemed to me that Charles Dickens was so excited about this book and getting his message across. At least that's what I felt while I was reading it. I did thoroughly enjoy this book and I can see it becoming a tradition every Christmas season to re-read it.

Death Comes to Pemberley

Death Comes to Pemberley By: P.D. James

This book started out a little harsh for me. Being a fan of Jane Austin and loving Pride and Prejudice. I felt that this story started out turning Elizabeth into a villain. Upon reading more I realized that it was just doing a back story of the book Pride and Prejudice but from an outsiders perspective. Once I understood that it made continuing a little easier. I loved being able to re-visit Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, along with Jane and Mr Bingley. This book had my attention almost from the very start, it moved really well and had me believing I knew what the outcome would be and merely kept reading to see how the Darcy's would handle it. Then a twist was thrown in that made my head spin and made it so I didn't want to put the book down. Such an fun and adventurous story. I really enjoy it.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel By: Baroness Orczy

This book hit the ground running, it actually took me by surprise. I had to make sure I wasn't starting in the middle of the chapter. But once I got oriented I really got into this book. I cant believe I had never even heard of this classic book before. It was amazing. It always had me thinking and "on my toes" Such a great read. If you love classic books this one is for you!

During the French Revolution a daring young British noblemen with a few of his comrades dare to defy the rebellion by sneaking into France to smuggle out French nobles and aristocrats out of the country and to Great Britain. Calling himself the scarlet pimpernel after a flower he communicates with his comrades using the red flower as his signature. The french rebellion want his head and will do anything to get it. Spies are sent to England to discover who he; one of these spies thinks he has discovered the identity of this elusive creature. Blackmailing a notable English woman who was a former french actress. He tries to unlock the mystery, only to realize by trying to blackmail this woman he has sealed his own fate.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief  By: Markus Zusak

I went into this book with a faint idea of what it was about. I find it best to read books that way, no spoilers or already watched movies to go off of. This was our book club book for September. This book had me from the very beginning when the narrator was introduced as Death. He talked a little about himself but mostly wanted to relate the story of a young girl named Liesel Meminger. Liesel was brought to a family in Munich Germany during the beginning years of World War II. Herfather not around and their family so poor that there was no food, shelter or way for her mother to properly care for her and her brother. She decided to give them up so they could have a better life. Her brother however never made it to Munich. That was the beginning of Liesel Meminger's career as a book thief.

I find I am a little mixed about this book. I really enjoyed listening to it and getting a different perspective of WWII; from the German civilians perspective. I fell in love with the characters; Liesel, Papa, Mama, Rudy, Max and more. Even though Death (being the narrator) often told of the outcome or the future of some of these characters. It still came as a shock or an ah-ha moment when it occurred. Which is funny when you technically already knew that outcome.