2016 Reading Challenges

Happy New Year everyone!
So, today begins another year of reading ... which books will I read?

Yes, I have decided to do a reading challenge ... or three!

The first is the 2016 Anne of Green Gables Reading Challenge.

The guidelines are:

Guidelines:

• I’m going to keep it really simple. All you have to do is complete books 1-8 between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. I’m not setting a schedule, just read at your own pace. Easy, peasy, lemon squeasy!
• Any format is acceptable (hard copy, e-book, audiobook)
• Crossovers to other challenges are allowed encouraged, and totally expected 

Extras: (Updated)

• Since there are 12 months and only 8 books, I decided to add two more titles to my list. If you want to do a book a month, that would leave room for 4 additional titles.

I'm planning to read one a month, but I think I'll find it hard not to just read through the whole series at once.
As well as the Anne books, I plan to read:

• Jane of Lantern Hill
• Magic for Marigold
• Kilmeny of the Orchard
• ? ... The last one I'm not sure of yet, so stay tuned.

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The second challenge is kind of a follow on from 2015. Once again Bethay House is running a reading challenge. I enjoyed it last year, so I thought I'd join in again. One of my sisters was doing it with me last year, and the other one will join me this year.

These are the categories:

I've already got a few ideas for some of these categories, and there will be some cross-overs with at least one of the other reading challenges I'm doing (but probably both)!

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The final challenge is the 2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge.

I liked the idea of this challenge and thought it would be a fun one to do - a real "challenge" for some letters!

I'll be setting up a page on my blog dedicated to this challenge, which I'll update at I go. I'll also add them to my challenge update posts.

There will be some cross-overs with the other challenges, but that is fun too.

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I can't promise regular monthly updates, but I'll do my best to update at often as I can.

Reading Challenge Update - 2015 Final

I didn't quite finish the pile. Just one book left, but it won't get finished. It is also a carry over from the 2014 Challenge. Some times I don't think I'll ever finish it, but it's actually a really good book.
I'm happy that I got most of the books read.

I won't be doing a TBR Pile Challenge in 2016, but maybe one day if my TBR pile gets some on there for a long time again.

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Now this challenge I did finish! Some books were hard to choose, but I did have fun.

I've given updates through the year, but I thought it would be fun to list them all here now.

• Takes place in your state or country: In All These Things by Marjorie Buckingham
• Makes you cry: Not My Will by Francena H Arnold
• You loved as a child: The Circus Collection by Enid Blyton
• Your best friend recommends: Knowing God by David Egner
• Has a great cover: Ghost Writer by Rene Gutteridge
• Features someone who shares your eye colour: The Promise by Jane Peart
• Is over 500 pages long: The Bible
• Begins a series: Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon
• Is in a genre you don't normally read: The Land Uncharted by Keely Brooke Keith
• Has a child main character: Swallow Me Now by Melissa Gijsbers
• Takes place in your favourite time period: My Brother's Crown by Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould
• Is written by an author you've never heard of: Andrew Murray: Destined to Serve by Olea Nel
• Was made into a movie: The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado
• Reminds you of someone you love: Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn
• Includes a Christmas scene: The Christmas Joyride by Melody Carlson
• Is a classic you've never read:  Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

I'm still figuring out if I'll be doing any reading challenges for 2016, but if I do choose to do any I'll post it in the next few days.

Happy New Year and happy reading!

ACRBA Tour - Star! Stable! Saviour! by Cameron Semmens

6 - 10 December

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Star! Stable! Saviour!
(Wombat Books 1 December 2015)

By

Cameron Semmens

About the Book:

“Forget the kids! It was me who loved this in our house. OK the kids did too!” – Sally Smith

The traditional Christmas story has been told and re-told for nearly two thousand years – but never quite like this. Poet Cameron Semmens’s quirky and alliterated re-telling of it in Star! Stable! Savior! brings a totally fresh perspective on the ancient Christmas story.

Originally published in 2007 under the title The Story of The Star, The Stable and The Saviour, the book sold out after only a few years. Now it’s back with a fresh, punchy new title.

About the Author

Cameron Semmens is a poet, entertainer and poetry educator with 15 books to his name. He makes his living through words: performing, running workshops and book design. He lives in the Dandenong Rangers with his wife and two children.

My Thoughts:
This is a funny take on the Christmas story ... and a real tongue twister!!
A good idea for the kids in your life who have already heard the Christmas story a million times and can probably tell it better than you can!

Worn by Tenth Avenue North

ACRBA Tour - Intertwined by Jennifer Slattery

2 - 6 November

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Intertwined
(New Hope Publishers September 2015)

By

Jennifer Slattery

About the Book:

Abandoned by her husband, an organ procurement coordinator fighting to keep her job and her sanity encounters an old flame facing an unthinkable tragedy.

For Tammy Kuhn, being an organ procurement coordinator is more than a job. It’s a ministry. But when her husband of sixteen years leaves her for another woman, struggles with childcare, her absentee ex-husband, and an altercation with a doctor threaten her job. Embittered and overwhelmed, she fights to maintain her sanity when a late night encounter with an old flame stirs emotions long since buried but the ICU is no place for romance.

About the Author

Jennifer Slattery writes missional romance novels for New Hope Publishers. Her debut, "Beyond I Do", releases in August. She also writes Christian Living articles for Crosswalk.com and devotions for her personal blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud; Internet Cafe Devotions; and Takin' it to the Streets', a ministry serving Omaha Metro's working poor and homeless. 

When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hanging out at the mall with her teenage daughter, enjoying her real-life hero husband, or serving in her church or community.

My Thoughts:
This book shows just how messed up life can get - especially when divorce is a factor. It shows the hurt for the adults involved and also for the children, and the way children can be manipulated by the adults who are trying to hurt each other.
I found it hard to put this book down because I needed to know that it all worked out in the end.

This is also a book that highlights the need for organ donation, and the hope it can bring to a family to know that the loved one who they have lost, can live on through the lives of the organ recipients.

My Lighthouse

I recently discovered this song, and it may just be a new favourite. It is certainly about one of my favourite things.

Reading Challenge Update 6

Just one more book to add this time, but that means I have only one book left to complete the challenge!!

• Hear Me When I Call by Charles Swindoll

was the book I finished this time, which puts me at 17 out of 18!

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There is also just one for the Bingo Challenge this time:

• Takes place in your favourite time period: My Brother's Crown by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

It has taken me a long time to figure out what my favourite time period is, but with this book I finally worked it out.

What I really like are books that combine contemporary and historical. These usually involve the exploring of family history and having the stories from ancestors intertwining with current events. This is just such a book.

For me, it doesn't really matter what the historical period is - this one was set in the 1600's; others have been set much later. I think I like this combination because I am very much interested in my family history (although I have not really been able to research it).

If you would like to read my book review for this book you will find it here.

Until next time ... happy reading.

ACRBA Tour - Same by Katrina Roe

5 - 9 October

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Same
(Wombat Books 1 July 2015)

By

Written by: Katrina Roe Illustrated by: Jemima Trappel

About the Book:

When Uncle Charlie comes to visit, Ivy keeps her distance. He seems different from other people she knows. Can Uncle Charlie find a way to show her that he is not so different after all?

Same is a touching true story about love, acceptance and finding common ground.

Katrina Roe’s debut children’s book Marty’s Nut-Free Party was shortlised in the Speech Pathology and CALEB awards. Same helps a child relate to what is actually the same, in someone who seems so different.

About the Author

Katrina Roe is an author and radio presenter.

Most recently she was host of the morning show on Sydney’s Hope 103.2 radio (www.hope1032.com.au) before leaving to have her second baby. 

Katrina also has a successful parenting blog (www.frommouthsofbabes.wordpress.com). 

Marty’s Nut-Free Party was her first children’s book, followed by Emily Eases herWheezes. Emily was listed as a notable book by CBCA in 2015. Same is her latest book, and is scheduled for release in July 2015.

Katrina has also contributed to two inspirational anthologies, All Creation Sings: Psalms of Everyday Christians and a book about miscarriage called In God’s Hands: Overcoming Miscarriage in a Broken World.

In 2009, she completed her Masters in International Relations, just for fun!  Katrina also likes kayaking, bushwalking, reading novels, taking holidays, listening to music and hanging out with friends.  She’s adamant that tea should always be made in a pot and she has a definite weakness for soft cheese.
She lives in Sydney with her three young daughters and her husband Chris.

Jemima is a Sydney-based artist and illustrator who enjoys riding her bicycle. Like many illustrators she was born holding a pencil and uses it frequently to bring words to life. 

She decided to make a career out of her passion, and in 2012, after five years at the College of Fine Arts and the University of NSW, she emerged with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (with honours), a Bachelor of Arts (a combined degree) and the ability to converse in French.

Same by Katrina Roe, is her first book with Wombat Books. Prior to this, Jemima illustrated Wonderfully Madison (2013 – winner of the children's book category in the Caleb awards that year) and Fearlessly Madison (2014) by Penny Reeve (published by Youthworks Media). She is also the illustrator of the short comic, A friend in need, by Karen Bielharz (part of the self-published Kinds of Blue anthology, 2011), and is the linework artist for the short animation Money Tree (2011), written and directed by Hawanatu Bangura. 

My Thoughts:
This is a beautifully illustrated story and is very true to life. Both children and adults have the same reactions as Ivy did in the story when someone who is "different" appears (although adults don't generally run away). This story is a good reminder to look for something that we can have in common with everyone; and such a good way of teaching children.

I'll be donating my copy to the after school care program where I work, so that those children can learn about finding something the same in everyone they meet.

Book Review - My Brother's Crown by Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould

One of the great things about books is that you learn some things about yourself while you read them. For the Bingo Reading Challenge that I've been doing this year, one of the squares was for a book that 'Takes place in your favourite time period.' I had been racking my brain for ages trying to figure out what my favourite time period actually is, and in reading the book I'm about to review I found it (more on that in my next challenge update).

My Brother's Crown

Cousins of the Dove #1

by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my copy.)

Back Cover:

Women of Uncommon Courage

France, 1685

Catherine Gillet knows her brother, Jules, wants to protect her from the sinister threats of the French crown. But Jules is involved in a potentially deadly enterprise, one connected with an encoded document. When his actions put the whole family at risk, will Catherine find a way to save them?

Virginia, present day

Rene Talbot, a direct descendant of Catherine's, is fascinated by the document that's been part of her family legacy for more than three centuries. Certain its pages hold hidden secrets, she takes a closer look - and makes a shocking discovery. But when memories of a childhood trauma are rekindled, she's forced to seek answers of a different kind. Inspired by the faith and bravery of Catherine, can Renee find the truth and face her deepest fears at last?

From the authors of the Christy Award-winning The Amish Midwife comes an epic story of two women, centuries apart, each discovering her own hidden bravery, standing for what she believes in, and finding love in unexpected places.

Authors:

Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 20 books (over 1 million copies sold) including fiction and non-fiction. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, John, and their two daughters. Connect with Mindy at www.mindystarnsclark,com.

Leslie Gould is a bestselling author of 20 novels. She received her master of fine arts degree from Portland State University and lives in Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children. Connect with Leslie at www.lesliegould.com.

My Thoughts:

Mindy and Leslie have beautifully woven the stories from these two time periods together. It is a wonderful thing to know your family history and it certainly plays a part in what you do in your life now and why - this was true for Renee as she reflected on the life Catherine lived.

While I had heard of the Huguenots, I was not very familiar with why they were persecuted (not that I really understand persecution in any form - it just should not be, but then we haven't reached heaven yet). The persecution of these people, was yet another example of religious persecution - something that has shown itself in many different forms, during every century.

Faith is at the centre of both of these women's lives. One thing that challenged me, particularly from Catherine's story, is how essential it is to know what you believe and why you believe it.

While there is completion to this book, there are also many questions raised and threads of both stories yet to be unravelled. I look forward to reading the next book in this series: My Sister's Prayer.

ACRBA Tour - Signs in Life by Deanna Nowadnick

7 - 11 September

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Signs in Life Finding Direction in Our Travels with God
Rhododendron Books (May 8, 2015)

By

Deanna Nowadnick

About the Book:

Signs in Life begins with a late night encounter with local law enforcement. In the harsh glare of a flashlight, Deanna Nowadnick learns the consequences of speeding through a stop sign. Other incidents follow. All are linked to the divine signs she’s encountered in that bigger journey through life.

Deanna shares humorous anecdotes and inspirational lessons from her travels with God. Readers will see the signs in life. She might be speeding through a stop sign–yet again!–while you’re carefully navigating a busy street, but we’re all part of a bigger journey, a greater purpose. We’re all part of God’s great story.

As she used to tell her  young sons, “Buckle up. We’re going for a ride.”

About the Author

Deanna Nowadnick is a native of the Pacific Northwest. When not writing, she serves at the Client Service Coordinator for The Planner's Edge, an investment advisory firm in Washington State.

Deanna is active in her church, playing the violin and editing the newsletter. She loves to knit, adores chocolate, and most important, enjoys a blessed marriage to Kurt. She's also the proud mother of two adult sons. Her first book, Fruit of My Spirit, began as a short story for Kyle and Kevin about how she met their father. It quickly became a much larger story about God's love and faithfulness.

Deanna has just finished her second book: Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God.