Favorite Authors & Thoughts on Books 2020

The end of 2020 marked 10 years of doing reading challenges. Each year since 2011, I have had a goal of 100 books. Some years have had addition goals, such as reading award-winning books, reading so many books from different genres, or, like this year, monthly reading challenges from different facebook groups. Three different years, I have made it to 100 or more. In 2020, I was close with 97 books read, which isn't bad! As usual, I like to look back on the books I've read during the year and give my thoughts on the books and authors. Here are the stats and thoughts for my 2020 book list:

Total books read: 97

Favorite book: The House at the End of the Moor (Michelle Griep)

Total authors: 55 (counts by book/novella, not co-authors or author/editor)

Which authors I read the most: Grace Livingston Hill was my most-read author, which is not surprising since one of my monthly reading challenges was all Grace books! I read 22 of her books in 2020. Second place goes to Jen Turano. I read 5 of her full-length novels and 1 novella.

Favorite authors list: I've had a list of 10 for a number of years, but that list has grown this past year. In no particular order, my top 20 favorite authors (and I'll probably add more than that this coming year) are: Melanie Dickerson, Karen Witemeyer, Elizabeth Camden, Jen Turano, Julie Klassen, Sarah E. Ladd, Erica Vetsch, Michelle Griep, Rachel Fordham, Tamara Leigh, Tamera Alexander, Regina Jennings, Rachel Scott McDaniel, Jaime Jo Wright, Siri Mitchell, Grace Livingston Hill, Mary Connealy, Kristi Ann Hunter, Lynn Austin, and Roseanna M. White. If I were to take it to 25, I'd add Carolyn Miller, Regina Scott, Julianna Deering, Heidi Kimball, and Cathy Marie Hake. My list might rearrange itself based on the books I have on my TBR in 2021 and based on reading more than one or two books by the authors I already mentioned.

Re-reads: 33, including all the Grace Livingston Hill books, 2 Christian fiction books I read in my teens, 1 other Christian fiction, 5 children's books, 2 non-fiction, and a Jane Austen.

Favorite reread and why: The Laird's Inheritance by George MacDonald (as edited by Michael Phillips). I read this one in my upper teens in the late 80s; in fact, I read several of these editions of MacDonald's edited books. This one was my favorite because of the mystery, the romance, and the finding of treasure (always cool). In rereading it as a middle-aged adult, I enjoyed those things all over again, but I also took in the spiritual lessons, and I was blown away by how deep and yet simple the teachings are in these books, and in this one in particular. My other favorite reread book (which is also my favorite nonfiction) was The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. More on that later.

New-to-me authors: 28

Favorite new-to-me authors: Regina Scott, Kristi Ann Hunter, Erica Vetsch, Carolyn Miller, Heidi Kimball, Roseanna M. White, Rachel Scott McDaniel, Ronie Kendig, Jaime Jo Wright, and Julianna Deering

Total Christian fiction: 80, most of which were historical fiction/historical romance, which is my genre of choice.

Total Contemporary Christian fiction: 5 (plus one that is futuristic)

Total Split-Time Christian fiction: 4 (historical/contemporary)

Favorite Christian fiction this year (top 15, in no particular order except the first 2): The House at the End of the Moor (Michelle Griep), The Bridge to Belle Island (Julie Klassen), Forevermore (Cathy Marie Hake), A Noble Masquerade (Kristi Ann Hunter), The Lost Lieutenant (Erica Vetsch), The Number of Love (Roseanna M. White), At Love's Command (Karen Witemeyer), A Gilded Lady (Elizabeth Camden), A Life Once Dreamed (Rachel Fordham), The Peasant's Dream (Melanie Dickerson), The Gentleman Spy (Erica Vetsch), Storing Up Trouble (Jen Turano), Aiming for Love (Mary Connealy), Above the Fold (Rachel Scott McDaniel), and The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus (Jaime Jo Wright). It's so hard to pick favorites. If I could add some honorable mentions, which I also really loved, it would include the following: A Distance Too Grand (Regina Scott), Where the Stars Meet the Sea (Heidi Kimball), The Thief of Lanwyn Manor (Sarah E. Ladd), To Wager Her Heart (Tamera Alexander), The House on Foster Hill (Jaime Jo Wright), Diamond in the Rough (Jen Turano), In Good Company (Jen Turano), Out of the Ordinary (Jen Turano), A Talent for Trouble (Jen Turano), and Rules of Murder (Julianna Deering).

Christian children’s/YA: 12

Favorite Christian children’s/YA: I already listed Melanie Dickerson's The Peasant's Dream as a top 15 favorite, and it's YA. However, my favorite in this category was the Viking Quest Series by Lois Walfrid Johnson. I LOVED this series! My favorite was, of course, the last one, The Raider's Promise, which concluded the saga with a lovely romance. I would reread this series!

Non-Christian fiction (not children's/YA): 11--This includes several mysteries (mostly Agatha Christie), four classics (I read 3 with my daughter for school), and one other, which I'll mention next.

Favorite non-Christian fiction: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows). Written all in letters, this story held my attention and was a superb delight! I had seen the movie a few years ago and fell in love with it, and the book was not a disappointment! The history, the location, and the romance all appealed to me strongly, and it was very well-written.

Non-Christian children’s/YA: 3 (or 6 if you count The Chronicles of Narnia as non-Christian. They were published by a non-Christian company, but the author C.S. Lewis was a Christian author, so I did count the 3 I read in 2020 as Christian).

Favorite non-Christian children’s/YA: It's hard to choose a favorite. My 19-year-old son bought 2 new books this year that are part of popular series, and I read both because I also have enjoyed both series. One was Nightshade by Anthony Horowitze, and the other was The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Colllins. The third was an old favorite of mine since 4th grade, the Newbery Award winner Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien. While I enjoyed all 3, I found Collins' prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy very sad and Nightshade (part of the Alex Rider series) thrilling (like the whole series is). I would probably stick with Mrs. Frisby as my favorite, though.

Total nonfiction: 3

Favorite nonfiction: I'm just not really into nonfiction unless it tells a story. It really has to grab me! I read 3. Two were rereads, and I really enjoyed both. The third I didn't really like. I got some really good stuff out of it, and some parts I just disagreed with, but I guess it wasn't a total loss. Anyway my favorite was The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Even if the true-story nonfiction wasn't my favorite type of nonfiction, I'd still pick it. I had read it years ago, and I've also read a few of Corrie's other books in recent years. I've seen the  movie, and I've even toured the ten Boom house, location of the actual hiding place, in Haarlem, Netherlands. All I can say is that everyone should read The Hiding Place. I don't know if I can find the words to describe why, but it has history, miracles, and life lessons that are applicable for anyone in any age. With the future unknown, who knows but what we might someday find ourselves in Corrie's situation. With her faith, her determination, her mercy, her courage, and her ability to shine for Jesus in any circumstance, she's a heroine any Christian woman (or man) can look up to. Corrie is a true hero of the faith!

Total classics: 4

Favorite classic: While I'm always a fan of Jane Austen (I read Northanger Abbey this year), I'm going to have to pick a new-to-me classic this year. My daughter and I read The Scarlet Pimpernel (Baroness Emmuska Orczy) this year for her high school literature, and we both agreed that it was our favorite. My son also read it in 10th grade, and he said it was his favorite out of all his high school literature (and our homeschool high school curriculum requires a LOT of literature). It was a fun story, full of adventure,and we very much admired the hero's courage and intelligence as he and his men risked their lives to rescue others.

A word about novellas. Novellas are short novels, but I count them because they are still chapter books. However, I've never been sure how to count them if they appear in a collection. So, this year, at least, I counted separate novellas each as a book on my list, but I counted novella collections as 1 book because the novellas were contained in one book! I did count authors of these separately for my author count. I read 3 novella collections (1 by the same author and 2 featuring different authors). I also read 4 novellas on their own (not part of a collection).

That's it for 2020! The challenges I took part in pushed me to read some new authors and new genres, which was great. I already have a HUGE list of TBR books (both in book form and on kindle), and I have many more I'm looking forward to buying!

2020 Book Log

This begins my 10th year of doing the 100-book reading challenge. My rules? Books must be chapter books (or long books of plays, poetry, short stories, etc.), and my list may not include any books I read in 2019.

In addition to the 100-book challenge, I have 4 lists of books I wish to read this year. One list is my own TBR list. The other 3 are monthly challenges put out by facebook groups I am a part of. I will keep a log of all books read, followed by logs of books I have read for these challenges.

2020 Book Log
1.  A Daughter's Devotion (George MacDonald/Michael Phillips)
2.  Exit Betty (Grace Livingston Hill)
3.  Christmas Love & Joy (Alexa Verde)
4.  Remembering Dresden (Dan Walsh)
5.  Cloudy Jewel (Grace Livingston Hill)
6.  A Distance Too Grand (Regina Scott)
7.  A Heart Most Worthy (Siri Mitchell)
8.  Diamond in the Rough (Jen Turano)
9.  The Tryst (Grace Livingston Hill)
10.  The City of Fire (Grace Livingston Hill)
11.  The Bride of Ivy Green (Julie Klassen)
12.  Duplicate Death (Georgette Heyer)
13.  The Merchant's Daughter (Melanie Dickerson)
14.  Tomorrow About This Time (Grace Livingston Hill)
15.  Pearl Maiden (H. Rider Haggard)
16.  The Big Blue Soldier (Grace Livingston Hill)
17.  The Bridge to Belle Island (Julie Klassen)
18.  In Good Company (Jen Turano)
19.  Among the Fair Magnolias (Tamera Alexander, Shelley Gray, Dorothy Love, Elizabeth Musser)
20.  Mrs. McGinty's Dead (Agatha Christie)
21.  Forevermore (Cathy Marie Hake)
22.  Peril at End House (Agatha Christie)
23.  A Most Inconvenient Marriage (Regina Jennings)

24.  A Lady of Esteem (Kristi Ann Hunter)
25.  A Noble Masquerade (Kristi Ann Hunter)
26.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows)
27.  Re-Creations (Grace Livingston Hill)
28.  Not Under the Law (Grace Livingston Hill)
29.  Waterfall: A Novel (Lisa T. Bergren)
30.  Raiders from the Sea (Lois Walfrid Johnson)
31.  Mystery of the Lost Coins (Lois Walfrid Johnson)

32.  A Woman's High Calling (Elizabeth George)

33.  The Invisible Friend (Lois Walfrid Johnson)

34.  Ariel Custer (Grace Livingston Hill)

35.  The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom)

36.  A New Name (Grace Livingston Hill)

37.  Heart of Courage (Lois Walfrid Johnson)

38.  Always Green (Patti Hill)

39.  The Raider's Promise (Lois Walfrid Johnson)

40.  Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Robert C. O'Brien)

41.  The Lost Lieutenant (Erica Vetsch)

42.  Winning Miss Winthrop (Carolyn Miller)

43.  The Scarlet Pimpernel (Baroness Emmuska Orczy)

44.  An Awakened Heart (Jody Hedlund)

45.  Where the Stars Meet the Sea (Heidi Kimball)

46.  Storing Up Trouble (Jen Turano)

47.  The House at the End of the Moor (Michelle Griep)

48.  The Number of Love (Roseanna M. White)

49.  Coming Through the Rye (Grace Livingston Hill)

50.  Nightshade (Anthony Horowitz)

51.  The Beloved Stranger (Grace Livingston Hill)

52.  Stealing Adda (Tamara Leigh)

53.  At Love's Command (Karen Witemeyer)

54.  The Thief of Lanwyn Manor (Sarah E. Ladd)

55.  The Honor Girl (Grace Livingston Hill)

56.  A Gilded Lady (Elizabeth Camden)

57.  The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)

58.  Catching Katie (Robin Lee Hatcher)

59.  A Life Once Dreamed (Rachel Fordham)

60.  Serving Up Love (Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Jen Turano)

61.  The Peasant's Dream (Melanie Dickerson)

62.  Out of the Ordinary (Jen Turano)

63.  A Work in Progress (Staci Stallings)

64.  A Talent for Trouble (Jen Turano)

65.  The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Suzanne Collins)

66.  To Wager Her Heart (Tamera Alexander)

67.  Easy to Kill (Agatha Christie)

68.  The Major's Daughter (Regina Jennings)

69.  Revival Fire (Wesley Duewel)

70.  The Centurion's Wife (Davis Bunn and Janette Oke)

71.  Cat Among Pigeons (Agatha Christie)

72.  Aiming for Love (Mary Connealy)

73.  Above the Fold (Rachel Scott McDaniel)

74.  Crimson Roses (Grace Livingston Hill)

75.  Brand of Light (Ronie Kendig)

76.  The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus (Jaime Jo Wright)  

77.  The House on Foster Hill (Jaime Jo Wright)

78.  The White Flower (Grace Livingston Hill)

79.  Found Treasure (Grace Livingston Hill)

80.  The Gentleman Spy (Erica Vetsch)

81.  Les Misérables (Victor Hugo)

82.  Blue Ruin (Grace Livingston Hill)

83.  An Ivy Hill Christmas (Julie Klassen)

84.  Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen)

85.  Christmas at Whitefriars (Elizabeth Camden)

86.  Duskin (Grace Livingston Hill)

87.  Rules of Murder (Julianna Deering)

88.  Death in the Air (Agatha Christie)

89.  Out of the Storm (Grace Livingston Hill)

90.  Brentwood (Grace Livingston Hill)

91.  The Prodigal Girl (Grace Livingston Hill)

92.  The Printed Letter Bookshop (Katherine Reay)

93.  The Magician's Nephew (C.S. Lewis)

94.  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)

95.  The Horse and His Boy (C.S. Lewis)

96.  The Laird's Inheritance (George MacDonald/Michael Phillips)

97.  Job's Niece (Grace Livingston Hill)

Avid Readers of Christian Fiction 2020 Challenge
1.  January: Indie published author you have never read before: Christmas Love & Joy (Alexa Verde)
2.  February: A book with hearts on the cover or in the title: A Heart Most Worthy (Siri Mitchell)
3.  March: An author that has a last name that starts with the first letter of your first name: The Merchant's Daughter (Melanie Dickerson)
4.  April: A book with water (of any form) in the title: Waterfall: A Novel (Lisa T. Bergren)
5.  May: A book that features a garden, planting, bulbs, or flowers: Always Green (Patti Hill)

6.  June: Wedding-themed story: The Beloved Stranger (Grace Livingston Hill)

7.  July: A book that features the making of a nation, political change or reformation: Catching Katie (Robin Lee Hatcher)

8.  August: An independently published book that features college students or students: A Work in Progress (Staci Stallings)

9.  September: Biblical fiction that is about a lesser-known biblical character: The Centurion's Wife (Davis Bunn and Janette Oke)

10. October: CF with speculative elements: Brand of Light (Ronie Kendig)

11. November: Story told from a male point of view as the main character: The Laird's Inheritance (George MacDonald/Michael Phillips)

12. December: Christmas historical fiction set before the 1950s: An Ivy Hill Christmas (Julie Klassen)

The Posse 2020 Challenge (Karen Witemeyer)
1.  January: A book written by an author with the same first name initial as you: Remembering Dresden (Dan Walsh)
2.  February: A book you own but have never read: A Heart Most Worthy (Siri Mitchell)
3.  March: A book set outside the United States: The Bridge to Belle Island (Julie Klassen)
4.  April: A young adult or children's book: Waterfall: A Novel (Lisa T. Bergren)
5.  May: A book published the year you were born: The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom) AND Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Robert C. O'Brien)

6.  June: A book with a cowboy on the cover: At Love's Command (Karen Witemeyer)

7.  July: A nonfiction book on a topic of interest to you: Revival Fire (Wesley Duewel)

8.  August: A book with a verb in the title: To Wager Her Heart (Tamera Alexander)

9.  September: A book with a main character who has the same last-name initial as you: Aiming for Love (Mary Connealy), Character is Jo Nordegren

10.  October: A classic novel you've never read: Les Misérables (Victor Hugo)

11.  November: A book published in 2020: The Gentleman Spy (Erica Vetsch)

12.  December: A book with a Christmas theme: Christmas at Whitefriars (Elizabeth Camden)

Grace Livingston Hill 2020 Challenge
1.  January: Exit Betty
2.  January: Cloudy Jewel
3.  February: The Tryst
4.  February: The City of Fire
5.  March: Tomorrow About This Time
6.  March: The Big Blue Soldier
7.  April: Re-Creations
8.  April: Not Under the Law 

9.  May: Ariel Custer 

10. May: A New Name

11. June: Coming Through the Rye

12. July: The Honor Girl

13. August: Job's Niece

14. September: The White Flower 

15. September: Found Treasure 

16. October: Crimson Roses 

17. October: Blue Ruin

18. November: Duskin

19. November: Out of the Storm 

20. December: The Prodigal Girl

21. December: Brentwood

Favorite Authors of 2019

It's that time of year again, when I look back over my reading log to see what I read most, which authors I read a lot of, which new authors I've discovered, and so on. I like doing this so I can get ready for a new year of reading! I like to think about what books I want to read and to challenge myself to read authors and genres I have read very little or not at all. So, I'm going to tally up this year's results, list my favorite authors of the year, and make comments as I go.

To start off, which authors did I read the most this year?

Agatha Christie wins! I read 21 Agatha Christie murder mysteries this year. This is, I think, very unusual for me, considering my normal reading habits. I'm an enormous fan of historical romance, and here I am gorging myself with murder mysteries of all things! I first read Christie when I found one of her books left in a house my parents bought--I was a young teen at the time. Years later, I went through stages of checking Christie's books out of the library where we lived in England. This year, I have become addicted. Agatha Christie paperbacks, and I like vintage ones the best, are very easy to find at used bookstores and thrift stores, and they are very cheap to buy. I have started collecting them...because that's the sort of thing I do...collect books. I can't say I've enjoyed all her books. A few I've found very depressing, but generally, I like them very much...almost like a guilty pleasure. And, to be honest, they're not so far off my normal genres. They're historical in the sense that she wrote them during a period which is now historical--the early 1920s-early 1970s (I personally prefer the earlier books). Many of them even have a little romance, so they fit quite well with what I like.

Second place in the "author I read the most" contest is a tie between Sarah E. Ladd and Elizabeth Camden, two of my favorite authors. I have now read every book those two authors have written, with the exception of a novella Elizabeth Camden JUST published (and Sarah has a new one coming out in about a week). I read 4 of each author's books this year.

Third place goes to Jen Turano, an author I discovered last year. I intend to read all of her books as I am able to acquire them. Set during the Gilded Age, they are laugh-out-loud historical romances. Seriously, they are so hilarious...I really do laugh out loud. I must have more! I read 3 of Jen's books this year.

Have my favorite authors changed? No, but I have added some. A few favorite authors only got 0-2 books read by me this year, but that's simply because I'd already read all but one or two of their books, or I have some saved for next year because I simply didn't get to them this year.

I did discover a few new favorites. One is Rachel Fordham. Rachel is a fairly new author, with 2 books published and a third in the works. After hearing about her first book repeatedly on my favorite Christian fiction facebook page (Avid Readers of Christian Fiction), I finally decided to try it. The Hope of Azure Springs has earned top spot on my favorite reads of the year...I loved it THAT much! Not long afterward, I read her second book Yours Truly, Thomas. Rachel is from my state (my new home state), which is really cool. Her books are mostly set in Iowa in the 1800s.

The second new-to-me author is Becky Wade. Becky writes contemporary Christian romance. I am not normally a fan of contemporary. I will read one and find it either disappointing or just okay, nothing that makes me want to read more. I read one Becky Wade book this year, after having her recommended to me on the same facebook page I mentioned previously. True to You was enjoyable enough that I want to read all of her books...maybe next year! I will now put Becky Wade as my favorite author of contemporary romance.

I mentioned that Rachel Fordham's book The Hope of Azure Springs is #1 on my favorite books read this year. Second place goes to She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell. I highly recommend both books!

I impressed myself this year by reading 3 nonfiction books and 3 classics. The nonfiction were all Christian books, and I really enjoyed them (I'm not normally a nonfiction reader). These were Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge, Jesus Revolution by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn, and The Blessed Life by Robert Morris. The classics were Frankenstein (Mary Shelley), A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens), and Ben Hur (Lew Wallace). I'm surprised how much I enjoyed Frankenstein. I had never read it before. It's a very tragic story, but well-written and interesting...in a very tragic sort of way.

So, here are my top 10 favorite books that I read this year:
1. The Hope of Azure Springs (Rachel Fordham)
2. She Walks in Beauty (Siri Mitchell)
3. A Daring Venture (Elizabeth Camden)
4. Flights of Fancy (Jen Turano)
5. The Spice King (Elizabeth Camden)
6. The Noble Guardian (Michelle Griep)
7. The Weaver's Daughter (Sarah E. Ladd)
8. The Piper's Pursuit (Melanie Dickerson)
9. Yours Truly, Thomas (Rachel Fordham)
10. The Princess (Lori Wick)

Current favorite Christian authors:
1. Melanie Dickerson
2. Elizabeth Camden
3. Karen Witemeyer
4. Jen Turano
5. Julie Klassen
6. Sarah Ladd
7. Michelle Griep
8. Rachel Fordham
9. Tamara Leigh
10. Tamera Alexander

I also still love Grace Livingston Hill, so she has to fit in that list somewhere. The only differences between her and the others is that she's not current, and her books are shorter.

Favorite...how do I put this...no-long-living authors of clean fiction that is not specifically Christian:
1. Georgette Heyer
2. Emilie Loring
3. Jane Austen
4. Agatha Christie
5. Clare Darcy
6. JRR Tolkien


What do I have ahead for 2020? Well, I have a to-be-read pile and also a to-be-bought list. My to-be-read pile has several books by Tamara Leigh, one by Tamera Alexander, another one by Siri Mitchell, and several new-to-me authors, including Carolyn Miller and Kristi Ann Hunter. My to-be-bought list includes new books by almost all of my favorite authors, either recently released or to-be-released in 2020, as well as some books I've been wanting for years...and I'm sure some more Agatha Christie!

2019 Book Log

As usual, I am attempting to reach 100 books this year. The last 3 years have been so hectic (with two gigantic moves) that I'm surprised I read as many as I did, though I didn't reach 100. Here's to 2019 and reading lots of books!

Rules: Books must be chapter books (no children's picture books count, no short novellas unless they're part of a collection), and I don't reread any books from the previous year.

1. Bachelor's Puzzle (Judith Pella)
2. Dawn at Emberwilde (Sarah E. Ladd)
3. A Stranger at Fellsworth (Sarah E. Ladd)
4. The Body in the Library (Agatha Christie)
5. Murder in Mesopotamia (Agatha Christie)
6. Love Came Laughing By (Emilie Loring)
7. The Warrior Maiden (Melanie Dickerson)
8. Towards Zero (Agatha Christie)
9. Cards on the Table (Agatha Christie)
10. To the Farthest Shores (Elizabeth Camden)
11. Captivating (John & Stasi Eldredge)
12. The Moving Finger (Agatha Christie)
13. Jesus Revolution (Greg Laurie & Ellen Vaughn)
14. The Man in the Brown Suit (Agatha Christie)
15. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (Agatha Christie)
16. The Princess (Lori Wick)
17. Sad Cypress (Agatha Christie)
18. The Clocks (Agatha Christie)
19. Gingham Mountain (Mary Connealy)
20. Flights of Fancy (Jen Turano)
21. A Daring Venture (Elizabeth Camden)
22. The Weaver's Daughter (Sarah E. Ladd)
23. A Daring Sacrifice (Jody Hedlund)
24. True to You (Becky Wade)
25. Murder in Three Acts (Agatha Christie)
26. They Came to Baghdad (Agatha Christie)
27. Behind the Scenes (Jen Turano)
28. The Governess of Penwythe Hall (Sarah E. Ladd)
29. More Than Words Can Say (Karen Witemeyer)
30. The Noble Guardian (Michelle Griep)
31. With Every Breath (Elizabeth Camden)
32. The Hope of Azure Springs (Rachel Fordham)
33. Appointment With Death (Agatha Christie)
34. The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Agatha Christie)
35. Evil Under the Sun (Agatha Christie)
36. Hercule Poirot's Christmas (Agatha Christie)
37. Lord Edgware Dies (Agatha Christie)
38. Murder After Hours (Agatha Christie)
39. Remembered Death (Agatha Christie)
40. Murder on the Links (Agatha Christie)
41. She Walks in Beauty (Siri Mitchell)
42. The Spice King (Elizabeth Camden)
43. A Most Peculiar Circumstance (Jen Turano)
44. Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
45. Yours Truly, Thomas (Rachel Fordham)
46. A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)
47. Ben Hur (Lew Wallace)
48. A Desperate Hope (Elizabeth Camden)
49. The Piper's Pursuit (Melanie Dickerson)
50. Elephants Can Remember (Agatha Christie)
51. The Mystery of the Blue Train (Agatha Christie)
52. The Blessed Life (Robert Morris)
53. Astra (Grace Livingston Hill)

Add to the two giant moves in 3 years that I mentioned at the beginning of this post. Half-way through this year, we moved a 3rd time. So, I'm proud of reading as many books as I did!

Favorite Authors of 2018

I love looking back over my year of reading to see which authors I've read the most of, which new authors I've discovered, and what types of books I tend to pick up. I still have my favorites, but I did add some new ones this year.

So, which author did I read the most in 2018???

Her books are short, easy reads, and I've read them over and over and over since I was 13. Grace Livingston Hill was the author I read the most, and she remains a lifelong favorite! I read 19 of her books this year, including some I read aloud to my teen daughter.

Second place was Agatha Christie--I read 5. Over the years, I've taken spells of reading several Christie books in a row, and then I seem to take breaks for a long time. This year, I've grown to enjoy her crime novels more than ever. It helps that her books are very easy to find at libraries and used bookstores. A few of hers I have not enjoyed, but most of them I really do. I'm looking forward to finding and reading more!

Third place, with 4 books apiece, was Elizabeth Camden, Georgette Heyer, and Mary Connealy (a new-to-me Christian author I just discovered this year.) I also read 4 stories by Karen Witemeyer, another of my top 3 favorite Christian authors, but 3 of those were novellas in collections that included other authors as well.

Elizabeth Camden is one of my top 3 all-time favorite Christian authors. I have loved every single one of Elizabeth's books so far. Her books are primarily set in America, mostly in the late 1800s. I love that all her heroines are independent women with interesting careers. Her characters have flaws, but they overcome to get where they're at. I honestly think Elizabeth Camden is one of the best authors ever. Everything about her books literally tick every box for me: believable, likeable, round characters, unique plots, all kinds of fascinating historical details, often set around intriguing events, exciting adventure and mystery, and incredible romance. I still have 3 of her books left to read, not counting her upcoming release!

Georgette Heyer is a favorite of many years now. I discovered her Regency novels while living in England and bought them all. I reread one of her Georgian novels this year, and I also read 3 of her mysteries (which I'm now trying to collect). 

I bought a few collections of Christian novellas this year because they featured Karen Witemeyer. However, I also enjoyed the other authors who contributed to those collections, including Mary Connealy. I decided to go to my local library and checked out one of her books, and I was hooked. I've read three so far this year and intend to read more. Her books are set in the Old West. Another author in a few of those collections was Regina Jennings. After reading her novel At Love's Bidding, I think I'll be reading more of hers in the future.

Three of my favorite Christians authors got only two reads this year, though I am highly anticipating reading their new releases. They are Melanie Dickerson, Tamara Leigh, and Julie Klassen. Melanie and Tamara both write medieval novels, one of my favorite time periods to read stories from. Melanie is one of my top 3 favorite authors, as well as my teen daughter's (she won't hardly read anything else). Interestingly enough, one of Melanie's that I read this year was set in 1800s Alabama, a completely new setting for her. That didn't change the fact that it was a great book! My daughter and I are excited for her new Mulan story (The Warrior Maiden) coming out February 2019. Tamara just released a new book (Merciless), which I am eager to buy, and Julie Klassen also recently released the third book in her Tales From Ivy Hill series. I'm sure those will be on 2019's book list!

How about new authors? Aside from Mary Connealy, I discovered two new-to-me authors I really liked. The first was Jen Turano. I WON her newest release in a facebook giveaway and read it almost as soon as it came in the mail. How exciting! And, I found out that historical fiction can be laugh-out-loud funny as well as dramatic. The book was Caught By Surprise, and I LOVED it! I read two more of her books toward the end of the year, and I'm planning to buy more for sure.

Another new-to-me author is Lynn Austin. I checked two out of the library and loved both. However, the first one I read is probably my favorite read this year! A Proper Pursuit takes place during the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and does a superb job of showing the heroine's growth, as far as her character. It was a very enjoyable read, and I'm definitely going to have to get my own copy.

What about nonfiction? Sigh. I'm not a fan, really, of nonfiction, and a book really has to grab me. I don't know...certain writing styles hold my interest better. I keep trying, because my husband has challenged me to read 10 Christian nonfiction books (for a reward of $5...but hey, I can spend that on a used fiction book). I haven't made it to 10 yet...in 2 years...but anyway. I read two that really impacted me this year. The first is The Fire of Delayed Answers (Bob Sorge) and the second is Boundaries (Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend). Both were very timely and just what I needed to read, but Boundaries was probably my favorite. I would honestly recommend both those books to anyone!

I have a huge pile of books to begin 2019 with; in fact, I've already read several while travelling from Missouri to Washington, where we just moved. Once I get bookshelves in my new home, I can organize the hundreds of books I have, most of which have been in storage for years. So, between old books and new, I'm set to read, read, read!

Favorite Authors of 2017

This past year, I tended to stay with authors I knew well.  I discovered a few new ones, but my favorites remain the same as in past years!

Authors I read the most in 2017 include:

1.  Emilie Loring:  I acquired 46 of her 50 books in fall of 2016.  I bought 2 more in 2017, so I have only 2 left to find and read! 

2.  Clare Darcy:  Darcy is one of my favorite Regency-era authors, and I am trying to complete my collection.  I managed to find 8 this year and read the ones I hadn't read yet.  I believe I still have a few to find.

3.  Grace Livingston Hill:  I read 3 of these to my 13-year-old daughter this year, and I read another on my own.  So far, these are my favorite mother-daughter read-alouds.

4.  Melanie Dickerson:  She had 3 new releases this past year, and I ordered and read all 3!  Dickerson is my current favorite author and has been for the past few years.

5.  Georgette Heyer:  Heyer is my favorite Regency-era author, but this year I read 3 of her mysteries.  Fun!  My favorite was Why Shoot a Butler?

I also read new releases from some of my favorite authors:  Julie Klassen, Karen Witemeyer, Tamara Leigh, Elizabeth Camden (that one wasn't a new release but new to me), and Anthony Horowitz.

I read only a few children/young adult books (Kate DiCamillo and Anthony Horowitz), but I will be starting 2018 off with one I haven't read since I was little!

I tried a few new authors.  One is Catherine Tinley, a new author whose inspiration is Georgette Heyer.  Her book was one I read an excerpt from years ago and had anticipated for a while!  I was not disappointed.

A few other new authors I tried out were in genres of fiction that I rarely read, and I wanted to challenge myself to read something different.  Three of these were contemporary Christian romances, and while I liked them, I wouldn't say they are favorites.  I also tried a short Gothic novel and found it surprisingly enjoyable.

Finally, my husband challenged me to read more Christian nonfiction.  I managed 3, which is good for me.  All three were excellent, and I have a nonfiction reading list for 2018!

2018 Book Log

I have just finished my 7th year doing the 100-book reading challenge! I haven't always made it to 100, but I love trying. In 2017, I beat my 2016 record by only 1 book!  Here are my books lists for the past 7 years:

2011 Book Log
2012 Book Log
2013 Book Log
2014 Book Log
2015 Book Log
2016 Book Log
2017 Book Log

My rules are simple:

1. The books must be chapter books (or at least long, such as a Shakespeare play or book of poetry--no children's picture books will count).
2. The books must not include any I read last year (though re-reads from previous years are fine).

2018 Book Log

1.  Brentwood (Grace Livingston Hill)
2.  The Phantom Tollbooth (Norton Juster)
3.  Monster (Frank Peretti)
4.  A Gamble with Hearts (Barbara Cartland)
5.  The White Lady (Grace Livingston Hill)
6.  The Awakening (Tamara Leigh)
7.  The Goose Girl (Shannon Hale)
8.  Kissing Adrien (Siri L. Mitchell)
9.  Miranda (Grace Livingston Hill)
10. Lady of Milkweed Manor (Julie Klassen)
11. With This Ring? (Witemeyer, Connealy, Jennings, Jagears)
12. The Lady of Bolton Hill (Elizabeth Camden)
13. Against the Tide (Elizabeth Camden)
14. Behold, Here's Poison (Georgette Heyer)

15. They Found Him Dead (Georgette Heyer)
16. Ordeal by Innocence (Agatha Christie)
17. Head of the House (Grace Livingston Hill)
18. The Mystery of Mar Saba (James H. Hunter)
19. From This Moment (Elizabeth Camden)
20. For Love & Honor (Jody Hedlund)
21. The Fire of Delayed Answers (Bob Sorge)
22. Stray Affections (Charlene Ann Baumbich)
23. Regency Brides (Kimberley Comeaux)
24. Consider Lily (Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt)
25. The Innkeeper's Daughter (Michelle Griep)
26. Homing (Grace Livingston Hill)
27. A Dangerous Legacy (Elizabeth Camden)
28. The Isaac Project (Sarah Monzon)
29. Coming Through the Rye (Grace Livingston Hill)
30. The Best Man (Grace Livingston Hill)
31. The Raveling (Tamara Leigh)
32. Iron Cast (Destiny Soria)
33. Duskin (Grace Livingston Hill)
34. White Orchids (Grace Livingston Hill)
35. The Orphan's Wish (Melanie Dickerson)
36. Not Under the Law (Grace Livingston Hill)
37. Sweet's Folly (Fiona Hill)
38. Grace Livingston Hill (Robert Munce)
39. April Gold (Grace Livingston Hill)
40. The Ladies of Ivy Cottage (Julie Klassen)
41. The Strange Proposal (Grace Livingston Hill)
42. Job's Niece (Grace Livingston Hill)
43. The Painter's Daughter (Julie Klassen)
44. Rose Galbraith (Grace Livingston Hill)
45. The Secret of Chimneys (Agatha Christie)
46. The Seven Dials Mystery (Agatha Christie)
47. The Secret to Happiness (Billy Graham)
48. The Talisman Ring (Georgette Heyer)
49. The Curiosity Keeper (Sarah E. Ladd)
50. Kerry (Grace Livingston Hill)
51. More Than Meets the Eye (Karen Witemeyer)
52. A Match Made in Texas (K. Witemeyer, M. Connealy, R. Jennings, C. Cox)
53. Caught By Surprise (Jen Turano)
54. Happiness Hill (Grace Livingston Hill)
55. Magnolia Summer (Melanie Dickerson)
56. Montana Rose (Mary Connealy)
57. To Win Her Favor (Tamera Alexander)
58. A Proper Pursuit (Lynn Austin)
59. The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Elizabeth George Speare)
60. Crooked House (Agatha Christie)
61. The Husband Tree (Mary Connealy)
62. Wildflower Bride (Mary Connealy)
63. Hidden Places (Lynn Austin)
64. Out of the Storm (Grace Livingston Hill)
65. Death in the Stocks (Georgette Heyer)
66. Boundaries (Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend)
67. At Love's Bidding (Regina Jennings)
68. After a Fashion (Jen Turano)
69. Lady Pamela (Clare Darcy)
70. How Can the Heart Forget? (Emilie Loring)
71. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Agatha Christie)
72. The Substitute Guest (Grace Livingston Hill)
73. Patricia (Grace Livingston Hill)
74. The Christmas Heirloom (K. Witermeyer, K.A. Hunter, S.L. Thomas, B. Wade)
75. Playing the Part (Jen Turano)

Favorite Authors of 2016

I'm rather late in writing this post because most of my favorite authors of 2016 were the same as the ones from previous years!

My favorite authors remain:
1.  Melanie Dickerson
2.  Georgette Heyer
3.  Emilie Loring
4.  Grace Livingston Hill
5.  Karen Witemeyer
6.  Julie Klassen
7.  Elizabeth Camden
8.  Sarah Ladd
9.  Tamara Leigh
10. Clare Darcy

So, what authors did I read the most this past year?

1.  The author I read the most was Emilie Loring!  I wrote about her in last year's post, at which time I had only read two of her fifty books.  Last fall, I was lucky to place a winning bid on a lot of 46 Loring books online, and I've been reading them ever since.  In fact, I was recently invited to write a guest post on The Emilie Loring Collection blog (Patti Bender).  You can read that post HERE.  In return for the post, Patti sent me one of the four books I was missing!  My post discusses the reasons why I love Emilie Loring's books, so I won't go into any more detail here!

2.  Second place was a tie between four authors--I read three books each.  The first is Melanie Dickerson, my current favorite author.  My pick of the year, though every single one of her books is awesome in my opinion, was The Beautiful Pretender. I pre-order all her books as soon as I can and have already read one this year.

3.  The second is Lori Wick.  I've known of Lori Wick for years but never bought any of her books.  The only reason I have read several of her books in the past few years is because a friend of mine gave me quite of few!  Some of Wick's books I like, and others I'm not that crazy about.  There are definitely a few keepers.  Sophie's Heart has been one of my favorites.

4.  Karen Witemeyer is one of my all-time favorite Christian novelists (probably a close second to Melanie Dickerson).  Stealing the Preacher was my favorite this year, though I loved all three of the novels I read.  What made this one special was that I won an autographed copy in a blog giveaway!  I had to complete a short writing assignment in order to enter the giveaway.  Writing is my hobby. While I may or may not ever publish, I have written over 300 story ideas, with 70 of those edited as short stories (mostly for my own enjoyment, though I've let a very few people read one or two).  I'm constantly editing and seeking to improve my writing, so this was a fun and instructive lesson and was a lot more effort than simply writing a blog comment.  Anyway, my entry won me a book, so it was well worth the effort!

5.  I read The Hunger Games trilogy probably 4-5 years ago; of course that's the series Suzanne Collins is known for.  A few years ago, however, I discovered her lesser-known Gregor the Overlander series.  I read all five of the books in that series before passing them to my teenage son. He loves them!  I read three of Collins's books this past year.

Did I discover any new authors in 2016 that blew me away?  No, not really.  Just my regular favorites!  Emilie Loring was pretty much my star author last year and will probably be this year as well!  As soon as I finish reading Loring's books, I do have a large pile of books by other authors, just waiting to be read at some point this year.  So, maybe, just maybe, I'll find a new gem in 2017!

2017 Book Log

I have just finished my 6th year doing the 100-book reading challenge! I haven't always made it to 100, but I love trying. In 2016, I did well to finish 53, as we moved country! Here are my books lists for the past 6 years:

2011 Book Log
2012 Book Log
2013 Book Log
2014 Book Log
2015 Book Log
2016 Book Log

My rules are simple:

1. The books must be chapter books (or at least long, such as a Shakespeare play or book of poetry--no children's picture books will count).
2. The books must not include any I read last year (though re-reads from previous years are fine).

2017 Book Log

1. It's a Great World! (Emilie Loring)
2. Give Me One Summer (Emilie Loring)
3. High of Heart (Emilie Loring)
4. Uncharted Seas (Emilie Loring)
5. A Viscount's Proposal (Melanie Dickerson)
6. With Banners (Emilie Loring)
7. As Long as I Live (Emilie Loring)
8. The Tale of Despereaux (Kate DiCamillo)
9. With This Ring (Emilie Loring)
10. Forever and a Day (Emilie Loring)
11. Lighted Windows (Emilie Loring)
12. Hilltops Clear (Emilie Loring)
13. Waltzing With the Earl (Catherine Tinley)
14. Gay Courage (Emilie Loring)
15. Swift Water (Emilie Loring)
16. The Fully Funded Missionary (Rob Parker)
17. Rolande (Clare Darcy)
18. Cressida (Clare Darcy)
19. A Blunt Instrument (Georgette Heyer)
20. The Noble Servant (Melanie Dickerson)
21. Allegra (Clare Darcy)
22. The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel)
23. The Solitary Horseman (Emilie Loring)
24. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill (Julie Klassen)
25. A Certain Crossroad (Emilie Loring)
26. Spring Always Comes (Emilie Loring)
27. Here Comes the Sun! (Emilie Loring)
28. A Key to Many Doors (Emilie Loring)
29. Love with Honor (Emilie Loring)
30. The Enchanted Barn (Grace Livingston Hill)
31. No Time for Love (Emilie Loring)
32. Forsaking All Others (Emilie Loring)
33. The Shining Years (Emilie Loring)
34. The Unfinished Clue (Georgette Heyer)
35. Why Shoot a Butler? (Georgette Heyer)
36. The Story of a Whim (Grace Livingston Hill)
37. The Vexing (Tamara Leigh)
38. Georgina (Clare Darcy)
39. A Dangerous Engagement (Melanie Dickerson)
40. Letty (Clare Darcy)
41. Breaking the Stronghold of Food (Michael L Brown and Nancy Brown)
42. Caroline and Julia (Clare Darcy)
43. Beyond the Sound of Guns (Emilie Loring)
44. Beyond All Dreams (Elizabeth Camden)
45. Heart on the Line (Karen Witemeyer)
46. Eugenia (Clare Darcy)
47. Pièce de Rèsistance (Sandra Byrd)
48. Hip to Be Square (Hope Lyda)
49. The Honor Girl (Grace Livingston Hill)
50. Astra (Grace Livingston Hill)
51. Partners (Grace Livingston Hill)
52. Truffles by the Sea (Julie Carobini)
53. Mansion of Evil (Caroline Farr)
54. Alex Rider: Never Say Die (Anthony Horowitz)

END OF 2017 READING LOG

2016 Book Log

I have just finished my 5th year doing the 100-book reading challenge! I haven't always made it to 100, but I love trying. Here are my books lists for the past 5 years:

2011 Book Log
2012 Book Log
2013 Book Log
2014 Book Log
2015 Book Log

My rules are simple:

1. The books must be chapter books (or at least long, such as a Shakespeare play or book of poetry--no children's picture books will count).
2. The books must not include any I read last year (though re-reads from previous years are fine).

2016 Book Log
1. The Secret of Pembrooke Park (Julie Klassen)
2. A Worthy Pursuit (Karen Witemeyer)
3. Wicked and Wonderful (Valerie King)
4. Little One, Maid of Israel (Bill Harvey)
5. Rabbit Hill (Robert Lawson)
6. A Spy's Devotion (Melanie Dickerson)
7. I Dared to Call Him Father (Bilquis Sheikh)
8. Ghost Town Treasure (Clyde Robert Bulla)
9. Dauntless (Dina L. Sleiman)
10. The Black Moth (Georgette Heyer)
11. The Great Escape (Paul Brickhill)
12. Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)
13. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (Suzanne Collins)
14. Mockingjay (Suzanne Collins)
15. Sophie's Heart (Lori Wick)
16. Li Lun, Lad of Courage (Carolyn Treffinger)
17. A Bear Called Paddington (Michael Bond)
18. The Beautiful Pretender (Melanie Dickerson)
19. Divergent (Veronica Roth)
20. A Medal for Leroy (Michael Morpurgo)
21. Wings of the Morning (Lori Wick)
22. The Hunger Games Companion (Lois H. Gresh)
23. The Jewelled Snuff Box (Alice Chetwynd Ley)
24. A Song for Silas (Lori Wick)
25. There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale (Sean Astin)
26. No Other Will Do (Karen Witemeyer)
27. For All Your Life (Emilie Loring)
28. Stealing the Preacher (Karen Witemeyer)
29. What Then Is Love (Emilie Loring)
30. I Take This Man (Emilie Loring)
31. My Dearest Love (Emilie Loring)
32. Look to the Stars (Emilie Loring)
33. Behind the Cloud (Emilie Loring)
34. The Shadow of Suspicion (Emilie Loring)
35. To Love and to Honor (Emilie Loring)
36. Abraham Lincoln (Anne Colver)
37. I Hear Adventure Calling (Emilie Loring)
38. Throw Wide the Door (Emilie Loring)
39. Beckoning Trails (Emilie Loring)
40. Bright Skies (Emilie Loring)
41. There is Always Love (Emilie Loring)
42. Stars in Your Eyes (Emilie Loring)
43. Keepers of the Faith (Emilie Loring)
44. Where Beauty Dwells (Emilie Loring)
45. Follow Your Heart (Emilie Loring)
46. The Silent Songbird (Melanie Dickerson)
47. Rainbow at Dusk (Emilie Loring)
48. When Hearts Are Light Again (Emilie Loring)
49. Today is Yours (Emilie Loring)
50. Across the Years (Emilie Loring)
51. Brentwood (Grace Livingston Hill)
52. A Candle in Her Heart (Emilie Loring)
53. We Ride the Gale! (Emilie Loring)
54. The Christmas Bride (Grace Livingston Hill)

Favorite Authors of 2015

Last year, I wrote a list of my favorite authors from 2014. Some were old favorites, and others were new discoveries. This year, after looking over my 2015 book log, I have a new list! Of course, last year's list still contains some of my favorites authors, and I read several more books by Grace Livingston Hill and Georgette Heyer. I also read a few more by Elizabeth Camden, and she is quickly becoming a favorite author. Here are some new favorite authors I read this year:

1. Clare Darcy--Very similar to my favorite Regency author Georgette Heyer, I discovered Clare Darcy through the same friend who introduced me to Heyer. While Heyer is probably a slightly better author, I loved Darcy's books! They are very similar to Heyer's, and they are all very clean. I mean to begin collecting them at some point. Darcy is an American author, and her books are rare in England; however, you can order them online in America. This past year, I read seven of Darcy's books.

2. Melanie Dickerson--This is my new favorite author! I actually discovered her last year when I read one of her books, but I read all her other books this past year. She is a Christian writer of both young adult and adult historical romance fiction. Her current books are all based on fairy tales, but she writes them as if they could really have happened (no magic, no fairies) in medieval Germany and England. Dickerson is also working on a new series of Regency fiction (the first will be out in February 2016). I have read all of her books, and I can truly say that I LOVE all of them! Most of Dickerson's books belong to a series involving the same family (or at least connected to the same family). So far she has written stories based on Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Prince, and Rapunzel. Another book, which is the first of a new series, is based on Swan Lake/Robin Hood. Dickerson has several more of these books in the works, and I can't wait to see how both series play out (one will be based on Princess and the Pea/Beauty and the Beast and another on Little Mermaid). I have already pre-ordered two of her books, coming out in February and May 2016.

3. Emilie Baker Loring--I discovered Loring when someone mentioned her on a Grace Livingston Hill facebook page. Her books are written in the same general time period as Hill's, only they are not Christian books. They are similar to Hill's stories, and they are very clean. I've only read two so far, and I intend to buy more because I loved the two I read. They are out of print and not easily found in used book stores, and only one is available on Kindle. You can buy older copies online.

4. Tamara Leigh--I discovered this author through a free book I downloaded on Kindle. It was the first of a series of five, and I have read them all. Not all of Leigh's books are Christian. Some of her older books I'm not sure of (may or may not be clean reads), but the series I read are Christian and mostly clean. Having said that, everyone's opinion differs on what "clean" is, and Leigh's books, even these Christian ones, are sort of on the border line. Sex takes place (between married couples), but is not explicitly described. In one case, a woman loses her virtue to a man she is not married to, but this is only mentioned. A few of the male heroes have a lust problem, which is referred to a few times, but they resist temptation during the story. This is why I put this series on a borderline of "clean." There are no descriptions of the sex scenes themselves--only the before/after, and even those aren't explicit (though nudity is mentioned). I don't care for books with sex scenes, but I felt the instances in these books were tastefully written without describing anything--you just know that characters experience their wedding night. I say all of this to warn anyone who is particular about books being "clean." Despite these issues (as well some very difficult situations that are almost painful to read about), I fell in love with the characters and kept wanting to read more about them. The books focus on a family of 3 brothers and 2 sisters and their love stories. They are not overly Christian in a preachy sense, but there are references to trust in God, etc. I enjoyed the books, but I can't say whether I would recommend them. Some people will love them, and some will not.

5. Sarah Ladd--Sarah is a Christian novelist from America. I have read only 3 of her books, but I like them very much. Her stories mostly take place in Regency England, and I found them very enjoyable to read.

6. Tamera Alexander--Alexander is a Christian novelist, and most of her stories take place in America in the 1800s. I downloaded two of Alexander's books free on kindle, and I finally read them. I enjoyed them enough to want to buy more!

7. Cathy Marie Hake--I discovered this Christian novelist this year (thanks to a friend), and I've read four. Most of her books (and she's written several) seem to take place in the 1800s American West. I have thoroughly enjoyed the books I read, and I intend to read more of them!

So, those are my new favorite authors (to add to last year's list)! I did manage to work my way through a few books I did NOT like, but most of the 100 books I read in 2015 were good reads. What's up for 2016? As a Christmas gift, I downloaded two books I can't wait to start on. One is by Julie Klassen and the other by Karen Witemeyer, two of my favorite Christian novelists. My son got a Gregor the Overlander book (by Suzanne Collins), the only one of the set we never could find at the library. He's already finished it, so I'll be reading it soon. The same friend who introduced me to Georgette Heyer, Clare Darcy, and Cathy Marie Hake, has informed me that she got some new books for Christmas...lovely stories that she's going to loan me. I can't remember the author's name, but I hadn't heard of her. Of course, I'll be reading Melanie Dickerson's books that I pre-ordered. After that, I don't know. I have some books I'd like to reread, and I always have several waiting on my Kindle. Several of my favorite authors have new books out, so I'm hoping I can buy those at some point.

Did you find any new favorite authors in 2015?

Favorite Authors of 2014

Just looking through my 2014 reading log, I noted that I had some favorite authors that I read again and again. Some were new, and some were old favorites. Here are some of the authors I enjoyed to a huge degree this past year.

1. Georgette Heyer--Heyer was a British author of both romance and mystery. Her romances were mostly set in Regency England, but several were set in earlier time periods. She wrote from the 1921-1972. I had read a few of Heyer's books a few years ago, but my love for her books really took off in 2014, and I couldn't stop! I mostly read the romances. She was not a Christian author, but her books are clean (other than a small number of curse words common to the era), and the dialogue is superb. I read 29 of her books in 2014.

2. Grace Livingston Hill--Hill was an early 20th-century American author of mostly Christian romance. She wrote over 100 books, and I've been reading them since I was 13. Her romances are very sweet, old-fashioned, and clean, and most of them have a strong Christian message. I got out my collection when we returned to America for 4 months, and I read as many as I could (which ended up being around 22).

3. Agatha Christie--I can't say I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, but when I'm in the mood for a good "who-done-it" book, I check one of hers out of library. I've read a few of her books that I definitely did NOT like, but most of them have been fun reads. I read 7 of Christie's books this past year. If you're not familiar with this author (always that chance), she was a very famous English crime novelist who wrote from about 1919 through the early 70s.

4. Anthony Horowitz--Horowitz is a current British author who writes for adults, teens, and children. I've only read his Alex Rider series (spy novels written for young adults), which my 13-year-old son and I are both huge fans of. We've only read 9 of the 10 novels, the last one being published in 2013 and more of a side story than part of the series about Alex (we haven't read it yet). His stories (which are probably unrealistic but still really cool) are very exciting and hard to put down.

5. Julie Klassen--Klassen is a current American author of inspirational Regency romance novels. Yes, I can't help loving the Regency era (yes, I'm a fan of Jane Austen)! Klassen is one of my best discoveries of the year--I haven't yet read a novel of hers I didn't like. I read 5 of them this year, and I have another one waiting on my Kindle.

6. Karen Witemeyer--Witemeyer is another of my favorite discoveries of the year. She's an American author of Christian novels that are set in the 1800s American West. I've read 4 of her books this year and look forward to reading more.

7. Miranda Dickinson--Dickinson is a newer British romance author. She is a Christian, but her books are not. However, they are clean, and the stories are lovely. I've read 3 of her books and would definitely read more.

8. Elizabeth Camden--I discovered Camden when I downloaded a free novel to my Kindle. She's a newer American author of inspirational romance novels. I've only read 2 of her books, but I enjoyed them enough to read more (she's only written 5 so far).

There were other authors that I read more than once, but those eight were my favorites. This coming year, I have some more new authors to discover (as in, I already have the books, but I didn't get them read in 2014).

One author I just read is Fiona Hill/Ellen Pall. Pall's information was hard to track down, but she's a current American author who happened to write Regency romances in the 1970s and 80s under the pen name of Fiona Hill. I loved the book I read and found it very much like a Georgette Heyer romance.

I also have several Christian novels waiting to be read, and they're by authors I haven't tried out yet--Tamera Alexander, Laura Frantz, Tamara Leigh, and Sarah E. Ladd. If I enjoy them, I'll write about them next year!

2015 Book Log

Welcome to my personal book log for 2015. This is my 5th year attempting the 100-book challenge. I more than beat my goal this past year. Thanks to discovering new authors and rereading old favorites, I managed to read 127. If you're interested in what I read, here's the link: Book Log 2014

I will keep the same rules I had last year, for my 2015 challenge. Basically, the books on my list must be chapter books and can't include any repeats from 2014. This year, I'm going to keep one running book log and will not list books by genre. However, I will still list books of the Bible separately.

January 1, 2016 update: I read exactly 100 books this year. After I reached my goal, I worked on reading the Bible. Though I read my Bible frequently, I didn't read any full books until the last few days of the year (except Revelation, which I read in the spring). I chose several short books, as you will see, but I also managed to read Matthew. This year, I endeavor to improve!

2015 Book Log

1. The Tryst (Grace Livingston Hill)
2. Daphne Deane (Grace Livingston Hill)
3. The Country Gentleman (Fiona Hill)
4. The Wedding Portrait (Fiona Hill)
5. The Unveiling (Tamara Leigh)
6. Dawn of the Morning (Grace Livingston Hill)
7. The Fairest Beauty (Melanie Dickerson)
8. The Merchant's Daughter (Melanie Dickerson)
9. The Princess Spy (Melanie Dickerson)
10. Viscount Vagabond (Loretta Chase)
11. Bride of Paradise (Katie Crabapple)
12. Too Close to Home (Lynette Eason)
13. The Tale of Despereaux (Kate DiCamillo)
14. The Trail of Conflict (Emilie Baker Loring)
15. The Spanish Bride (Georgette Heyer)
16. Gregor the Overlander (Suzanne Collins)
17. Charlotte's Web (E.B. White)
18. Mary Arden (Grace Livingston Hill)
19. The Healer's Apprentice (Melanie Dickerson)
20. Ariel Custer (Grace Livingston Hill)
21. Re-Creations (Grace Livingston Hill)
22. Resilient (Ron Luce)
23. Sunken Treasure (Katy Lee)
24. The Railway Children (E. Nesbit)
25. In Times Like These (Emilie Loring)
26. Katharine's Yesterday (Grace Livingston Hill)
27. Healed of Cancer (Dodie Osteen)
28. The Yielding (Tamara Leigh)
29. Claiming Mariah (Pam Hillman)
30. Pistols for Two (Georgette Heyer)
31. The Quiet Gentleman (Georgette Heyer)
32. The Foundling (Georgette Heyer)
33. Russian Roulette (Anthony Horowitz)
34. A Civil Contract (Georgette Heyer)
35. When I Fall in Love (Miranda Dickinson)
36. The Heiress of Winterwood (Sarah Ladd)
37. Cousin Kate (Georgette Heyer)
38. Charity Girl (Georgette Heyer)
39. Lydia (Clare Darcy)
40. Elyza (Clare Darcy)
41. Georgina (Clare Darcy)
42. The Headmistress of Rosemere (Sarah E. Ladd)
43. The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest (Melanie Dickerson)
44. A World of Winnie-the-Pooh (A.A. Milne)
45. The Longing (Tamara Leigh)
46. The Governess of Highland Hall (Carrie Turansky)
47. Mayday at Two Thousand Five Hundred (Frank E. Peretti)
48. Full Steam Ahead (Karen Witemeyer)
49. Where the Red Fern Grows (Wilson Rawls)
50. Sweet Mercy (Ann Tatlock)
51. The Duchess and the Dragon (Jamie Carie)
52. Sanditon (Jane Austen and Another Lady)
53. Victoire (Clare Darcy)
54. Eugenia (Clare Darcy)
55. Allegra (Clare Darcy)
56. Regina (Clare Darcy)
57. Stars Collide (Janice Thompson)
58. Hello, Hollywood! (Janice Thompson)
59. The Director's Cut (Janice Thompson)
60. Mountain Born (Elizabeth Yates)
61. Simon the Coldheart (Georgette Heyer)
62. The Redeeming (Tamara Leigh)
63. The Conqueror (Georgette Heyer)
64. The Female Correspondent (Eva Deverell)
65. The Fellingham Minx (Lynn Messina)
66. Song of Erin (BJ Hoff)
67. Bel Ria (Sheila Burnford)
68. Brentwood's Ward (Michelle Griep)
69. Striker: Sudden Death (Nick Hale)
70. Messenger (Lois Lowry)
71. The Family From One End Street (Eve Garnett)
72. Mary Poppins (P.L. Travers)
73. Gathering Blue (Lois Lowry)
74. Son (Lois Lowry)
75. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (Suzanne Collins)
76. Squanto: Friend of Pilgrims (Clyde Robert Bulla)
77. Gregor and the Marks of Secret (Suzanne Collins)
78. Gregor and the Code of Claw (Suzanne Collins)
79. Take a Look at Me Now (Miranda Dickinson)
80. Serendipity (Cathy Marie Hake)
81. The Dancing Master (Julie Klassen)
82. A Lady at Willowgrove Hall (Sarah E. Ladd)
83. The Inheritance (Tamera Alexander)
84. Balto and the Great Race (Elizabeth Cody Kimmel)
85. Whirlwind (Cathy Marie Hake)
86. That Certain Spark (Cathy Marie Hake)
87. Letter Perfect (Cathy Marie Hake)
88. The Golden Braid (Melanie Dickerson)
89. Georgette Heyer's Regency World (Jennifer Kloester)
90. Sixty Acres and a Bride (Regina Jennings)
91. To Whisper Her Name (Tamera Alexander)
92. Against the Tide (Elizabeth Camden)
93. The Christmas Star (Ace Collins)
94. Toward the Sunrise (Elizabeth Camden)
95. The Magician's Nephew (C.S. Lewis)
96. Little House on the Prairie (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
97. Until the Dawn (Elizabeth Camden)
98. The Kindling (Tamara Leigh)
99. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
100. Love's Reckoning (Laura Frantz)


Books of the Bible
1. Revelation
2. Ezra
3. Esther
4. Ruth
5. Joshua
6. Obadiah
7. Haggai
8. Philemon
9. Matthew

2014 Book Log

Welcome to my personal book log for 2014. This is my 4th year attempting the 100-book challenge. I beat my goal in 2011, almost reached it in 2012, and didn't do so well in 2013 (but 63 books in one year is not bad really). If you're interested in what I read last year, here's the link: Book Log 2013.

I will keep the same rules I had last year, for my 2014 challenge. Here they are:

Rules for My 2014 Book Challenge:

1. Read 100 books (at least an attempt)

2. Books must be chapter books (or at least long books, such as a collection of poetry). Children’s picture books do not count.

3. No repeats from 2013.

4. Books may be from any genre of literature.

5. Books of the Bible will be counted separately, but my goal is to read several at least!


How I’m going to set up this list:

1. First will be a running list of books I read throughout the year, in the order read.

2. Following the main list will be a section to divide the books I read into categories. While I’m not forcing myself to read a certain number of books from each category like I did in 2012, I still want to see what type of books I am reading. I tend to be a children’s fiction reader, so I like to challenge myself to read from other genres as well. My goal is 100 books, but at least this way I can keep track of what type of books I’m reading.

3. At the end, I will keep a separate list (not counted toward my 100) of books of the Bible I’ve finished.

Hopefully I will do better this year!


2014 Book Log

1. Into the Whirlwind (Elizabeth Camden)
2. Foundlings (Matthew Christian Harding)
3. Short-Straw Bride (Karen Witemeyer)
4. The Saturdays (Elizabeth Enright)
5. Frieda's Song (Kathleen Scarth)
6. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (L. Frank Baum)
7. For a Song (Kathleen Scarth)
8. The Proposal (Lori Wick)
9. The Rescue (Lori Wick)
10. The Visitor (Lori Wick)
11. The Adventures of Grandfather Frog (Thornton W. Burgess)
12. The Wheel on the School (Meindert DeJong)
13. The Pursuit (Lori Wick)
14. Love's Stormy Gale (Lynette Sowell)
15. Secret Adversary (Agatha Christie)
16. The Magical Worlds of the Lord of the Rings (David Colbert)
17. Crimson Mountain (Grace Livingston Hill)
18. The Captive Maiden (Melanie Dickerson)
19. The Tutor's Daughter (Julie Klassen)
20. Escape from the Island of Aquarius (Frank Peretti)
21. A Cast of Stones (Patrick W. Carr)
22. Hyper-Grace: Exposing the Dangers of the Modern Grace Message (Michael L. Brown)
23. The Christmas Tree Mystery (Wylly F. St. John)
24. The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel (Thornton W. Burgess)
25. The Mystery of the Missing Money (Paul Moxham)
26. A Heartbeat Away (Harry Kraus)
27. A Horse Called September (Anne Digby)
28. Women and the Kingdom (Faith & Roger Forster)
29. Shane (Jack Schaefer)
30. God of the Underdogs (Matt Keller)
31. Queen Sheba's Ring (H. Rider Haggard)
32. Wife in Name Only (Charlotte M. Brame)
33. Granny's Wonderful Chair (Frances Browne)
34. The City of Fire (Grace Livingston Hill)
35. Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)
36. Scorpia Rising (Anthony Horowitz)
37. Twist of Gold (Michael Morpurgo)
38. The Ghost of Grania O'Malley (Michael Morpurgo)
39. Snakehead (Anthony Horowitz)
40. The Convenient Marriage (Georgette Heyer)
41. Arabella (Georgette Heyer)
42. N or M? (Agatha Christie)
43. The Seven Dials Mystery (Agatha Christie)
44. Theodore Boone: The Abduction (John Grisham)
45. The Sittaford Mystery (Agatha Christie)
46. Cotillion (Georgette Heyer)
47. Safe by the Marshal's Side (Shirlee McCoy)
48. Fairytale of New York (Miranda Dickinson)
49. These Old Shades (Georgette Heyer)
50. Devil's Cub (Georgette Heyer)
51. Venetia (Georgette Heyer)
52. Bath Tangle (Georgette Heyer)
53. Ark Angel (Anthony Horowitz)
54. Crocodile Tears (Anthony Horowitz)
55. Black Sheep (Georgette Heyer)
56. Friday's Child (Georgette Heyer)
58. Sprig Muslin (Georgette Heyer)
59. The Corinthian (Georgette Heyer)
60. Eagle Strike (Anthony Horowitz)
61. Sylvester (Georgette Heyer)
62. Theodore Boone (John Grisham)
63. The Grand Sophy (Georgette Heyer)
64. Theodore Boone: The Accused (John Grisham)
65. Third Girl (Agatha Christie)
66. False Colours (Georgette Heyer)
67. 4.50 From Paddington (Agatha Christie)
68. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (Joan Aiken)
69. Regency Buck (Georgette Heyer)
70. The Toll-Gate (Georgette Heyer)
71. Masqueraders (Georgette Heyer)
72. A Caribbean Mystery (Agatha Christie)
73. Devil on the Run (Nicky Cruz)
74. Scorpia (Anthony Horowitz)
75. April Lady (Georgette Heyer)
76. Powder and Patch (Georgette Heyer)
77. Faro's Daughter (Georgette Heyer)
78. The Unknown Ajax (Georgette Heyer)
79. The Reluctant Widow (Georgette Heyer)
80. The Nonesuch (Georgette Heyer)
81. Frederica (Georgette Heyer)
82. The Talisman Ring (Georgette Heyer)
83. Lady of Quality (Georgette Heyer)
84. Welcome to my World (Miranda Dickinson)
85. It Started With a Kiss (Miranda Dickinson)
86. Heaven is for Real (Todd Burpo)
87. The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Elizabeth George Speare)
88. The Measure of Katie Calloway (Serena B. Miller)
89. The Circular Staircase (Mary Roberts Rinehart)
90. These Happy Golden Years (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
91. A Distant Melody (Sarah Sundin)
92. A Tailor-Made Bride (Karen Witemeyer)
93. An Infamous Army (Georgette Heyer)
94. Beauvallet (Georgette Heyer)
95. The Girl in the Gatehouse (Julie Klassen)
96. Baggage Claim (Amanda Tru)
97. Head in the Clouds (Karen Witemeyer)
98. To Win Her Heart (Karen Witemeyer)
99. The Pursuit of Lucy Banning (Olivia Newport)
100. The Clue of the Black Keys (Nancy Drew Mystery) (Carolyn Keene)
101. Homing (Grace Livingston Hill)
102. The Beloved Stranger (Grace Livingston Hill)
103. Brentwood (Grace Livingston Hill)
104. White Orchids (Grace Livingston Hill)
105. Alethea or A Solemn Vow (Catherine J. Bowness)
106. Stranger Within the Gates (Grace Livingston Hill)
107. The Twenty-One Balloons (William Pene du Bois)
108. The Strange Proposal (Grace Livingston Hill)
109. The Honor Girl (Grace Livingston Hill)
110. In Tune With Wedding Bells (Grace Livingston Hill)
111. Silver Wings (Grace Livingston Hill)
112. Rainbow Cottage (Grace Livingston Hill)
113. Rose Galbraith (Grace Livingston Hill)
114. Amorelle (Grace Livingston Hill)
115. Footsteps in the Dark (Georgette Heyer)
116. Marigold (Grace Livingston Hill)
117. Maris (Grace Livingston Hill)
118. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall (Julie Klassen)
119. The Silent Governess (Julie Klassen)
120. The Street of the City (Grace Livingston Hill)
121. Head of the House (Grace Livingston Hill)
122. The Christmas Bride (Grace Livingston Hill)
123. Partners (Grace Livingston Hill)
124. The Story of a Whim (Grace Livingston Hill)
125. The Apothecary's Daughter (Julie Klassen)
126. The Rose of Winslow Street (Elizabeth Camden)
127. Bright Arrows (Grace Livingston Hill)


Categories

Christian Fiction/Romance

Into the Whirlwind (Elizabeth Camden)
Short-Straw Bride (Karen Witemeyer)
Frieda's Song (Kathleen Scarth)
For a Song (Kathleen Scarth)
The Proposal (Lori Wick)
The Rescue (Lori Wick)
The Visitor (Lori Wick)
The Pursuit (Lori Wick)
Love's Stormy Gale (Lynette Sowell)
Crimson Mountain (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Captive Maiden (Melanie Dickerson)
The Tutor's Daughter (Julie Klassen)
A Cast of Stones (Patrick W. Carr)
A Heartbeat Away (Harry Kraus)
The City of Fire (Grace Livingston Hill)
Safe by the Marshal's Side (Shirlee McCoy) ALSO Suspense
The Measure of Katie Calloway (Serena B. Miller)
A Distant Melody (Sarah Sundin)
A Tailor-Made Bride (Karen Witemeyer)
The Girl in the Gatehouse (Julie Klassen)
Baggage Claim (Amanda Tru)
Head in the Clouds (Karen Witemeyer)
To Win Her Heart (Karen Witemeyer)
The Pursuit of Lucy Banning (Olivia Newport)
Homing (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Beloved Stranger (Grace Livingston Hill)
Brentwood (Grace Livingston Hill)
White Orchids (Grace Livingston Hill)
Stranger Within the Gates (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Strange Proposal (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Honor Girl (Grace Livingston Hill)
In Tune With Wedding Bells (Grace Livingston Hill)
Silver Wings (Grace Livingston Hill)
Rainbow Cottage (Grace Livingston Hill)
Rose Galbraith (Grace Livingston Hill)
Amorelle (Grace Livingston Hill)
Marigold (Grace Livingston Hill)
Maris (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall (Julie Klassen)
The Silent Governess (Julie Klassen)
The Street of the City (Grace Livingston Hill)
Head of the House (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Christmas Bride (Grace Livingston Hill)
Partners (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Story of a Whim (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Apothecary's Daughter (Julie Klassen)
The Rose of Winslow Street (Elizabeth Camden)
Bright Arrows (Grace Livingston Hill)

Romance

Wife in Name Only (Charlotte M. Brame)
The Convenient Marriage (Georgette Heyer)
Arabella (Georgette Heyer)
Cotillion (Georgette Heyer)
Fairytale in New York (Miranda Dickinson)
These Old Shades (Georgette Heyer)
Devil's Cub (Georgette Heyer)
Venetia (Georgette Heyer)
Bath Tangle (Georgette Heyer)
Black Sheep (Georgette Heyer)
Friday's Child (Georgette Heyer)
Sprig Muslin (Georgette Heyer)
The Corinthian (Georgette Heyer)
Sylvester (Georgette Heyer)
The Grand Sophy (Georgette Heyer)
False Colours (Georgette Heyer)
Regency Buck (Georgette Heyer)
The Toll-Gate (Georgette Heyer)
Masqueraders (Georgette Heyer)
April Lady (Georgette Heyer)
Powder and Patch (Georgette Heyer)
Faro's Daughter (Georgette Heyer)
The Unknown Ajax (Georgette Heyer)
The Reluctant Widow (Georgette Heyer)
The Nonesuch (Georgette Heyer)
Frederica (Georgette Heyer)
The Talisman Ring (Georgette Heyer)
Lady of Quality (Georgette Heyer)
Welcome to my World (Miranda Dickinson)
It Started With a Kiss (Miranda Dickinson)
An Infamous Army (Georgette Heyer)
Beauvallet (Georgette Heyer)
Alethea or A Solemn Vow (Catherine J. Bowness)

Children's Fiction

Foundlings (Matthew Christian Harding)
The Saturdays (Elizabeth Enright)
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (L. Frank Baum)
The Adventures of Grandfather Frog (Thornton W. Burgess)
The Wheel on the School (Meindert DeJong)
Escape from the Island of Aquarius (Frank E. Peretti)
The Christmas Tree Mystery (Wylly F. St. John)
The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel (Thornton W. Burgess)
The Mystery of the Missing Money (Paul Moxham)
A Horse Called September (Anne Digby)
Granny's Wonderful Chair (Frances Browne)
Twist of Gold (Michael Morpurgo)
The Ghost of Grania O'Malley (Michael Morpurgo)
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (Joan Aiken)
These Happy Golden Years (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
The Twenty-One Balloons (William Pene du Bois)


Juvenile Fiction

Shane (Jack Schaefer) ALSO Western Fiction
Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)
Scorpia Rising (Anthony Horowitz)
Snakehead (Anthony Horowitz)
Theodore Boone: The Abduction (John Grisham)
Ark Angel (Anthony Horowitz)
Crocodile Tears (Anthony Horowitz)
Eagle Strike (Anthony Horowitz)
Theodore Boone (John Grisham)
Theodore Boone: The Accused (John Grisham)
Scorpia (Anthony Horowitz)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Elizabeth George Speare)

Mystery

Secret Adversary (Agatha Christie)
N or M? (Agatha Christie)
The Seven Dials Mystery (Agatha Christie)
The Sittaford Mystery (Agatha Christie)
Third Girl (Agatha Christie)
4.50 From Paddington (Agatha Christie)
A Caribbean Mystery (Agatha Christie)
The Circular Staircase (Mary Roberts Rinehart)
The Clue of the Black Keys (Nancy Drew Mystery) (Carolyn Keene) ALSO Juvenile Fiction
Footsteps in the Dark (Georgette Heyer)

Adventure

Queen Sheba's Ring (H. Rider Haggard)


Nonfiction

The Magical Worlds of the Lord of the Rings (David Colbert)


Christian Nonfiction

Hyper-Grace: Exposing the Dangers of the Modern Grace Message (Michael L. Brown)
Women and the Kingdom (Faith & Roger Forster)
God of the Underdogs (Matt Keller)
Devil on the Run (Nicky Cruz)
Heaven is for Real (Todd Burpo)


Books of the Bible
John
Ezra
1 Corinthians

2013 Book Log

Sadly, I did not finish my 100 book challenge in 2012.  I lacked only 12 books, so that’s not too bad.  HERE is my 2012 list.  I failed miserably at my Bible reading challenge—that will have to improve.  This year, I still have high goals, but I’m putting less pressure on myself to get everything exactly right.  So, here is my reading goal for 2013 and an explanation of how I’m setting up my running book log.

Rules for My 2013 Book Challenge:

1.  Read 100 books.

2.  Books must be chapter books (or at least long books, such as a collection of poetry).  Children’s picture books do not count.

3.  No repeats from 2012.

4.  Books may be from any genre of literature.

5.  Books of the Bible will be counted separately, but my goal is to read several at least!

 

How I’m going to set up this list:

1.  First will be a running list of books I read throughout the year, in the order read.

2.  Following the main list will be a section to divide the books I read into categories.  While I’m not forcing myself to read a certain number of books from each category like I did in 2012, I still want to see what type of books I am reading.  I tend to be a children’s fiction reader, so I like to challenge myself to read from other genres as well.  My goal is 100 books, but at least this way I can keep track of what type of books I’m reading.

3.  At the end, I will keep a separate list (not counted toward my 100) of books of the Bible I’ve finished.

Hopefully I will do better this year!

 

Book Log

1. A Bride for Tom (Ruth Ann Nordin)
2. The Big Blue Soldier (Grace Livingston Hill)
3. Little One, Maid of Israel (Bill Harvey)
4. Beside the Sea with Jeremy James (David Henry Wilson)
5. The Tombs of Anak (Frank Peretti)
6. Key to the Treasure (Peggy Parish)
7. The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat (Laura Lee Hope)
8. The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey (Frank Peretti)
9. Kensuke's Kingdom (Michael Morpurgo)
10. Red Sails to Capri (Ann Weil)
11. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (Judith Kerr)
12. The Enchanted Wood (Enid Blyton)
13. The Magic Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton)
14. The Folk of the Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton)
15. Li Lun, Lad of Courage (Carolyn Treffinger)
16. Mr. Popper's Penguins (Richard and Florence Atwater)
17. The Dancing Bear (Michael Morpurgo)
18. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World (Vicki Myron, Bret Witter)
19. A Hearth in Candlewood (Delia Parr)
20. The Obsession of Victoria Gracen (Grace Livingston Hill)
21. Justin Morgan Had a Horse (Marguerite Henry)
22. Just So Stories (Rudyard Kipling)
23. The Windy Hill (Cornelia Meigs)
24. The Circle Maker (Mark Batterson)
25. The Wool-Pack (Cynthia Harnett)
26. In the Days of Alfred the Great (Eva March Tappan)
27. The Apple and the Arrow: The Legend of William Tell (Mary and Conrad Buff)
28. Along Came Galileo (Jeanne Bendick)
29. In Honor Bound (Deanna Julie Dodson)
30. William Booth: Soup, Soap, and Salvation (Janet & Geoff Benge)
31. War Horse (Michael Morpurgo)
32. Escape from Shangri-La (Michael Morpurgo)
33. Alone on a Wide Wide Sea (Michael Morpurgo)
34. The Black Moth (Georgette Heyer)
35. Emil and the Detectives (Erich Kästner)
36. Point Blanc (Anthony Horowitz)
37. Grandmother Oma (Ilse Kleberger)
38. Fun for the Secret Seven (Enid Blyton)
39. Exit Betty (Grace Livingston Hill)
40. John Paul Jones (Iris Vinton)
41. A Girl of the Limberlost (Gene Stratton-Porter)
42. The Adventures of Reddy Fox (Thornton W. Burgess)
43. When God Turned His Head (Cygnet Brown)
44. Envious Casca (Georgette Heyer)
45. Soul Print (Mark Batterson)
46. Spy Stories for Boys (Hamlyn Publishing)
47. More Wishing-Chair Stories (Enid Blyton)
48. Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians (Terry Deary)
49. When Science Fails (John Hudson Tiner)
50. The Midwife's Here! (Linda Fairley)
51. The Carved Cupboard (Amy Le Feuvre)
52. Just David (Eleanor H. Porter)
53. The Children of the Top Floor (Nina Rhoades)
54. The Adventures of Peter Cottontail (Thornton W. Burgess)
55. The 5 Love Languages of Children (Gary D. Chapman and Ross Campbell)
56. Skeleton Key (Anthony Horowitz)
57. The Substitute Guest (Grace Livingston Hill)
58. The White Flower (Grace Livingston Hill)
59. In the Way (Grace Livingston Hill)
60. Women Living Well (Courtney Joseph)
61. Aunt Crete's Emancipation (Grace Livingston Hill)
62. According to the Pattern (Grace Livingston Hill)
63. Casper the Commuting Cat (Susan Finden)

Technically, Casper was finished about 45 minutes after midnight on New Year's Eve, so I read most of it in 2013 and finished it in 2014. I'm counting it on my 2013 list, and that is my last one for the year.

Children's Fiction
Little One, Maid of Israel (Bill Harvey)
Beside the Sea with Jeremy James (David Henry Wilson)
The Tombs of Anak (Frank Peretti)
Key to the Treasure (Peggy Parish)
The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat (Laura Lee Hope)
The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey (Frank Peretti)
Kensuke's Kingdom (Michael Morpurgo)
Red Sails to Capril (Ann Weil)
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (Judith Kerr)
The Enchanted Wood (Enid Blyton)
The Magic Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton)
The Folk of the Faraway Tree (Enid Blyton)
Li Lun, Lad of Courage (Carolyn Treffinger)
Mr. Popper's Penguins (Richard and Florence Atwater)
The Dancing Bear (Michael Morpurgo)
Justin Morgan Had a Horse (Marguerite Henry)
Just So Stories (Rudyard Kipling)
The Windy Hill (Cornelia Meigs)
The Wool-Pack (Cynthia Harnett)
The Apple and the Arrow: The Legend of William Tell (Mary and Conrad Buff)
War Horse (Michael Morpurgo)
Escape from Shangri-La (Michael Morpurgo)
Alone on a Wide Wide Sea (Michael Morpurgo)
Emil and the Detectives (Erich Kästner)
Grandmother Oma (Ilse Kleberger)
Fun for the Secret Seven (Enid Blyton)
The Adventures of Reddy Fox (Thornton W. Burgess)
More Wishing-Chair Stories (Enid Blyton)
Just David (Eleanor H. Porter)
The Children of the Top Floor (Nina Rhoades)
The Adventures of Peter Cottontail (Thornton W. Burgess)

Teen/Young Adult
Point Blanc (Anthony Horowitz)
A Girl of the Limberlost (Gene Stratton-Porter)
Spy Stories for Boys (Hamlyn Publishing)
Skeleton Key (Anthony Horowitz)

Romance
A Bride for Tom (Ruth Ann Nordin)
The Big Blue Soldier (Grace Livingston Hill)
A Hearth in Candlewood (Delia Parr)
In Honor Bound (Deanna Julie Dodson)
The Black Moth (Georgette Heyer)
Exit Betty (Grace Livingston Hill)
The Substitute Guest (Grace Livingston Hill)
The White Flower (Grace Livingston Hill)
In the Way (Grace Livingston Hill)
According to the Pattern (Grace Livingston Hill)

Historical Fiction
The Obsession of Victoria Gracen (Grace Livingston Hill)
When God Turned His Head (Cygnet Brown)
The Carved Cupboard (Amy Le Feuvre)
Aunt Crete's Emancipation (Grace Livingston Hill)

Mystery
Envious Casca (Georgette Heyer)

Biography
In the Days of Alfred the Great (Eva March Tappan)
Along Came Galileo (Jeanne Bendick)
William Booth: Soup, Soap, and Salvation (Janet & Geoff Benge)
John Paul Jones (Iris Vinton)

Nonfiction
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World (Vicki Myron, Bret Witter)
Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians (Terry Deary)
The Midwife's Here! (Linda Fairley)
Casper the Commuting Cat (Susan Finden)

Christian Nonfiction
The Circle Maker (Mark Batterson)
Soul Print (Mark Batterson)
When Science Fails (John Hudson Tiner)
The 5 Love Languages of Children (Gary D. Chapman and Ross Campbell)
Women Living Well (Courtney Joseph)

Books of the Bible read:
Philippians
Acts
Proverbs

NOTE (January 1, 2013 1:09 a.m.): Obviously, I finished VERY far from my 100 goal, but as 63 is still WAY more books than I used to read per year, I'm still proud to have reached 63. I'm ready to challenge myself again, so 2014, let's READ!