Reading Challenges Update: November 2012

Here is where I stand with the challenges I have joined after the month of November (only challenges that I read books for this month are featured here):

Mystery & Suspense (13/24)
13. The Banker Spy by William G. Byrnes

Book Blogger Recommendation (9/10)
9. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Chick Lit (4/12)
4. A Vacation on the Island of Ex-Boyfriends by Stacy Bierlein

Horror & Urban Fantasy (33/48)
33. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Why Buy the Cow? (7/12)
7.  Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

YA Mythology (7/10)
7. A Lloyd Alexander Collection by Lloyd Alexander

Standalone (13/15)
13. What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

YA Saves (10/10) - COMPLETED!
10. What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton

Multi-Cultural (6/12)
6. A Lloyd Alexander Collection by Lloyd Alexander

Short Story (3/3) - COMPLETED!
3. A Vacation on the Island of Ex-Boyfriends by Stacy Bierlein

Elsewhere Online: November 2012

As you know from my Stacking the Shelves posts, I review for two other websites (bookloons.com and bittenbybooks.com). As I cannot post my reviews there and here, but I would still like to count the books I read for the challenges, I am going to have a post like this at the end of the every month listing the books I reviewed and what challenges the went towards.

Title: What Happens Next

Author: Colleen Clayton

Challenges: Standalone, YA Saves

Title: A Witch's Legacy

Author: Catherine Anne Collins

Challenges: n/a

Aussie Author Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Aussie Author Challenge
Host:  Booklover Book Reviews
2012 Level:  Tourist (3 books)  - FAILED!
Thoughts:  So close!  But I don't think any of the books in my TBR pile right now are Aussie, so I doubt I will finish.Books:
1. Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
2. Fire of My Heart by Erin Grace
3.

Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge
Host:  Book Chick City
2012 Level:  Forty Eight (48 books) - FAILED!
Thoughts:  I love horror and urban fantasy, but 48 in a year was just too much for me.  I think I'll go back down a level next year.
Books:1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
2. The Nameless One by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
3. Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan
4. Veil of the Unknown by Kelly Leigh & Terri Lucas
5. Until Next Time by Amy Lignor
6. Mongrel by K. Z. Snow
7. Pantheons by E. J. Dabel
8. Die for Me by Amy Plum
9. Spectral by Shannon Duffy
10. Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann
11. Nightmare Inspector 1 by Shin Mashiba
12. March Story 1 by Hyung Min Kim & Kyung Il Yang
13. Brody's Ghost 1 by Mark Crilley
14. Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
15. The Reaper of St. George Street by Andre R. Frattino
16. The Ridge by Michael Koryta
17. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey
18. The Haunting of Gad's Hall by Norah Lofts
19. Nightschool: The Weirn Books 3 by Svetlana Chmakova
20. Nightschool: The Weirn Books 4 by Svetlana Chmakova
21. The Crimson Z by Robert Cloud, et al.
22. Silver & Gold by David Sakmyster
23. Nightmare by Annette Shelley
24. Fever Moon by Karen Marie Moning
25. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
26. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
27. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
28. Ghosts in the Graveyard by Kim Bowman
29. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
30. The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen
31. Dead World by Shannon Rouchelle
32. Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan
33. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
34.
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48.

The Banker Spy

The Banker Spy
by William G. Byrnes
published by Publish Green
2012
ISBN 978-1-938296-34-5
Why Read?: Review
Challenges: Mystery & Suspense

William G. Byrnes has burst onto the scene with a compelling thriller that melds a scary past with terrifying modern threat. The Banker Spy is a real page turner and a great overall suspense.

Peter Armstrong has a good job taking the lead on the issuing of public stock of a prestigious German auto manufacture, Storch.  Life seems pretty good until his ex-girlfriend, CIA agent Dayna Caymus, calls him, asking him to do some underground research into Storch.  Soon, Armstrong find himself on the run from the German government as they plot with Storch to start a war.  If Armstrong cannot deliver the information Caymus wants, then it looks like history will be repeating itself.

From the start, The Banker Spy is a real page turner.  What helps make it thrilling is how Byrnes ties his fictitious present into the most real past.  His knowledge of history is solid, and he imbues The Banker Spy with just the right amount.  Most intriguing are the Nazi tunnels and how they play into Storch and Germany's new plot for European dominance.

With great attention to detail and a great pace, The Banker Spy will delight fans of suspense.  William G. Byrnes is definitely one to watch.

Rating: 4/5

Operation: Christmas Hearts

Title: Operation: Christmas Hearts
Author:  Kay Springsteen

Publisher: Astraea
ISBN: 978-1-936852-80-2

Why Read?: Book Club
Challenges: n/a

Thoughts: This is a touching sweet romance perfect for the holiday season—complete with angels! I normally am not a fan of military romances, but Springsteen’s writing really brings the characters to life and makes the pages fly by.

Rating: 4 stars

Chick Lit Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Chick Lit Challenge
Host:  Chick Lit+
2012 Level:  12 books - FAILED!
Thoughts:  I like chick lit, but these challenges just have too many books for me as the lowest level, so I'm not sure if I will try again next year.
Books:1. Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green
2. The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook
3. Pillow Talk by Freya North
4. A Vacation on the Island of Ex-Boyfriends by Stacy Bierlein
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Historical Fiction Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Historical Fiction Challenge
Host:  Historical Tapestry
2012 Level:  Daring & Curious (5 books) - COMPLETED!
Thoughts:  I like adult historical fiction almost as much as YA, so this was another easy one that I will do again next year.Books:
1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
2. Sorceress by Lisa Jackson
3. A Single Tear by Mac McCulloch
4. I, Iago by Nicole Galland
5. Stagger Lee by Derek McCulloch & Shepherd Hendrix

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YA Historical Fiction Challenge Recap

Challenge:  YA Historical Fiction Challenge
Host:  YA Bliss
2012 Level:  Level I (5 books) - COMPLETED!
Thoughts:  I love YA Historical Fiction so 5 books was pretty easy.  Definitely going up a level next year.Books:1. The Priest and the Peaches by Larry Peterson
2. Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl
3. Until Next Time by Amy Lignor
4. Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn
5. Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle

Eastern Europe Challenge

Challenge:  Eastern Europe Challenge
Host:  The Black Sheep Dances
2012 Level:  Tourist (4 books) - FAILED!
Thoughts:  As I didn't read any books for this challenge this year, I will not be trying again next year.Books:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Steampunk Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Steampunk Challenge
Host:  Dark Faerie Tales
2012 Level:  Gaslight (6 books) - FAILED!
Thoughts:  I am close to completing, but I think I only have one more steampunk in my TBR pile for this year, but I will try again next year for sure.
Books:1. Camera Obscura by Lavie Tidhar
2. Mongrel by K. Z. Snow
3. The Battle of Blood and Ink by Jared Axelrod & Steve Walker
4. Cuttlefish by David Greer
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Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge

Challenge:  Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge
Host:  Reading with Tequila
2012 Level:  Level II (10 books) - FAILED
Thoughts:  I love trying to read what other recommend.  I can close this year, but didn't hit the mark, but I will try again next year.
Books:

1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
4. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
6. The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz
7. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
8. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
9. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
10.

YA Contemporary Challenge

Challenge: YA Contemporary Challenge
Host:  Katie's Book Blog
2012 Level:  Level 1 (5 books) - COMPLETED
Thoughts:  Another favorite challenge.  I will definitely go up a level next year.Books:
1.  The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
2. Night Sky by Jolene Perry
3. The Liberation of Max McTrue by Kim Culbertson
4. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
5. Knee Deep by Jolene Perry

Debut Author Challenge Recap

Challenge:  Debut Author Challenge
Host:  The Story Siren
2012 Level:  12 Books - FAILED
Thoughts:  This is one of my favorite challenges, but this is the second year in a row that I have failed.  It would be a little easier if it was not specific to YA, but I love it so I will continue.
Books:1. The Priest and the Peaches by Larry Peterson
2. The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitake
3. Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemakers by Chris Grabenstein
4. Spectral by Shannon Duffy
5. Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
6. Sykosa by Justin Ordonez
7. The Red Serpent Trilogy by Rishabh Jain
8. Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle
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100 Books in a Year Challenge Recap

Challenge:  100 Books in a Year
Host:  Book Chick City
2012 Level:  100 Books - COMPLETED
Thoughts:  This challenge only incorporates about two-thirds of what I read a year.Books:1. Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
2. The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt
3. Alice the 101st 2 by Chigusa Kawai
4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
5. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
6. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
8. Lunatics by Dave Barry & Alan Zweibel
9. Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
10. The Influencing Machine by Brooke Gladstone
11. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
12. The Nameless One by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
13. Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan
14. Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde
15. Sorceress by Lisa Jackson
16. The Priest and the Peaches by Larry Peterson
17. Camera Obscura by Lavie Tidhar
18. The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
19. Broken by David H. Burton
20. Veil of the Unknown by Kelly Leigh & Terri Lucas
21. The Hunger Pains by The Harvard Lampoon
22. Fire of My Heart by Erin Grace
23. Immortal Quest by Alexandra MacKenzie
24. Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl
25. Home Front by Kristin Hannah
26. Persuasion by Jane Austen
27. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
28. Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green
29. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
30. Until Next Time by Amy Lignor
31. Third-Grade Barbarian by Michael Rex
32. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
33. Shay's Story by Scott Westerfeld
34. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
35. Hourglass by Myra McEntire
36. Mongrel by K. Z. Snow
37. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
38. My Bad! by Rize Shinba
39. The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz
40. Entwined by Heather Dixon
41. Double Cast by Ellie Mamahara & Takana Mizuhashi
42. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
43. Night Sky by Jolene Perry
44. Pantheons by E. J. Dabel
45. The Liberation of Max McTrue by Kim Culbertson
46. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
47. Die for Me by Amy Plum
48. Gift of Magic by Lynn Kurland
49. A Single Tear by Mae McCulloch
50. The Storm Makers by Jennifer E. Smith
51. Anitquitas Lost by Robert Louis Smith
52. Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemakers by Chris Grabenstein
53. Honey/Chocolate by Nanao Okuda
54. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
55. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
56. Spectral by Shannon Duffy
57. When the Heavens Smile by Aki Senoo
58. Shadow on the Wall by Pavarti K. Tyler
59. Albino by E. J. Dabel
60. Wild Horses by Linda Byler
61. I, Iago by Nicole Galland
62. Revived by Cat Patrick
63. Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann
64. Dark Parties by Sara Grant
65. Three Seconds by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom
66. Q by Evan Mandery
67. Nightmare Inspector 1 by Shin Mashiba
68. March Story 1 by Hyung Min Kim & Kyung Il Yang
69. Brody's Ghost 1 by Mark Crilley
70. Stagger Lee by Derek McCulloch & Shepherd Hendrix
71. The Last Great Wizard of Yden by S. G. Rogers
72. Chronicles of Evolution by Daniel Armand
73. For Your Eyes Only by HyeKyung Baek & Cecily von Ziegesar
74. Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
75. The Reaper of St. George Street by Andre R. Frattino
76. The Battle of Blood and Ink by Jared Axelrod & Steve Walker
77. Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent? by Brian Cronin
78. The Ridge by Michael Koryta
79. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey
80. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
81. Jericho's Walls by Michael Bret Hood
82. The Haunting of Gad's Hall by Norah Lofts
83. His Chosen Bride by Sherry Gloag
84. Nightschool: The Weirn Books 3 by Svetlana Chmakova
85. The Song of Kahunsha by Anosh Irani
86. The Soldier's Wife by Joanna Trollope
87. Knee Deep by Jolene Perry
88. Nightschool: The Weirn Books 4 by Svetlana Chmakova
89. Listening to Africa by Diana M. Raab
90. Initiate by Tara Maya
91. The Aspen 2-Million Winner-Take-All by John Morris
92. The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley
93. Soulbound by Heather Brewer
94. Wraith's Forest L. J. Leger
95. Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman
96. The Crimson Z by Robert Cloud, et al.
97. Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George
98. Silver & Gold by David Sakmyster
99. The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook
100. The Picture by Stephanie Taylor