Our daughter's visit is winding down. Jenn is planning to take Anthony back to Kye Bay for a final walk along the seaside one more time. Yesterday she volunteered to work at the annual Florence Filberg festival and enjoyed herself. Anthony stayed with us. He seems to be getting used to it. We're all enjoying watching the Commonwealth Games and have hooked Jenn on 25 Words or Less. 😎 It's been a nice visit.
Today I thought I'd provide a list of the next books I plan to read as I work on my various challenges. I don't necessarily follow it religiously but it helps set a target.
1.
12 + 4 Challenge - Short Stories. So far, I've completed 9 books in this challenge. I'm currently reading Cobra Trap by Peter O'Donnell, a collection of Modesty Blaise adventures. Enjoying so far. Next in line is a collection by an author I've been exploring quite a bit, John Buchan. He wrote the John Hannay series, starting with The 39 Steps. The Strange Adventures of Mr. Andrew Hawthorn & Other Stories was initially published in 1932. It contains 18 stories by Buchan
2. 12 + 4 Challenge - Graphic Novels. I completed this challenge in April, graphic novels being usually nice quick reads. My favorite was Botticelli's Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted, beautifully drawn and an excellent YA / Historical Fiction story.
3.
12 + 4 Challenge - Shiniest and Newest Books. These were the last 16 books that I added to my bookshelves before 31 Dec 2025. I've completed 8 books so far and am working on Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood. I'm enjoying so very much. My next book in this challenge, oddly enough is a graphic novel, a new series for me; Killadelphia, Volume 1 by Rodney Barnes, a horror series.
4.
12 + 4 Challenge - Dustiest Books. The 16 books that were the earliest I added to my Goodreads TBR list. One of my slower challenges. I've completed 6 so far and am currently enjoying Tess of the d'Urbervilles by William Thackeray. My next book will be a murder mystery, Wycliffe and the Tangled Web by W.J. Burley (Wycliffe #15). It's one of my comfort mystery series... one of many.
5.
12 + 4 Challenge - Shorter Books. This was the challenge I added after completing my Graphic novels challenge. They are, for the most part, books of less then 200 pages, with just a couple of exceptions. I've completed 9 so far and am reading The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny (Sci Fi / 1966) It's different so far. Next book is one of a trilogy by one of the early Sci Fi authors, The Humanoid Touch by Jack Williamson (Humanoids #2 / 1980.)
The next three challenges are part of my individual reading challenge group and there is some overlap with the above ones. I generally choose the books via random number challenge. I basically divided my TBR by 3 and broke it down to 3 challenges.
6.
Individual Reading Challenge - Dustiest Books (#17 - 416). I've read 8 books in this challenge although 2 were DNFs. I'm not reading anything yet as I'm reading more than one if another challenge. But my next book will be a George Eliot classic. I've read 3 or 4 of her books and she was such a great author. My next book will by Romola (1863). I think I've avoided it so far because I'm already reading a Classic and thought it might be hard to keep track of each story.
7.
Slightly Dusty Books (#417 - 832). I've read 5 so far with one being a DNF. I'm currently reading Sepulchre by James Herbert, one of my favorite horror authors. My next book will be American War by Omar el Akkad, a dystopian future, published in 2017.
8.
Newest, Shiniest Books (#833 - Present). I find myself easily distracted by the newest books and this has been my most successful challenge. I have read 27 thus far and have 3 on the go; Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Fan), Inspector West Alone by John Creasey (Mys / Inspector West #9) & Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes (Sci Fi / YA). My next book in this challenge will be The Furies by Keith Roberts (Hor / 1966). I've read one other of Roberts' books and enjoyed very much.
So there you go. Back to normal programming in the coming days. Looking forward to my August reading. Enjoy your month.
