2019 - Down the River Unto the Sea, Walter Mosley, 336 pages
Former NYPD cop wrongly accused of a crime investigates a murder ten years later as a private investigator.
2019 - Down the River Unto the Sea, Walter Mosley, 336 pages
Former NYPD cop wrongly accused of a crime investigates a murder ten years later as a private investigator.
2019 - Down the River Unto the Sea, Walter Mosley, 336 pages
Former NYPD cop wrongly accused of a crime investigates a murder ten years later as a private investigator.
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Beat the Backlist Challenge 2022
I wasn't going to do a challenge this year, but then I came across the Beat the Backlist (BTB) challenge on the book blog Booksophobia and it's JUST what I need to deal with my out of control TBR list. It's super easy, no-pressure, no specific goals involved except what you set for yourself. Right up my alley. AND, Austine (the hostess/creator) has a link in Storygraph where you can link to specific books on your TBR and Storygraph will track your progress! I love that. So, of course, I joined. And linked to Storygraph.
Austine has provided some bonus prompts for those of you (like me) that like a specific reason to pull out a certain book - here's her list of prompts to help you, if you want. There's no sign up form or anything, but if you participate, she'd appreciate a shout-out and link to her blog. Use the hashtag #BeatTheBacklist when writing about the challenge.
Remember, first and foremost, I look at challenges as a gateway to new reading paths, a fun way to nudge me in a new direction with my reading. It's not a competition and if I don't finish, I don't care; but, I'm going to give it a shot! Are you inspired to join me? If this one doesn't appeal to you, here's a comprehensive list of reading challenges.
Here's where I'll track my efforts to read from my TBR list. Completed books will be in bold with a cover image and links to the reviews will be bold and purple.
2 people on the cover
Berlin Girl (The), 400 pages - read 6/12/22
A young cub reporter is assigned to Berlin at the rise of Naziism. - on my TBR since 11/20 (and on my Kindle!)
6+ words in the title
A Land More Kind Than Home, 325 pages
A 9 year old boy suffers tragedy and loss in 1980s North Carolina. - on my TBR since 12/15 (and on my Kindle!)
a book about books
The Reading List, 384 pages
My first 5 star read in 2022; a moving and excellent story about the power of friendship, found family, reading and books - on my TBR since 10/21
a book in a genre never/rarely read
So You Want to Talk About Race, 248 pages
Enlightening, eye-opening, surprising, informative, this book changed my perspective on some very important issues - on my TBR since 8/20
a book set in the season I read it
Beach Read, 384 pages
A romance between two authors who have writer's block and make a bet to write a book in the other's genre (romance vs literary fiction). on my TBR since 12/20
a book about food or with food in title
Five Quarters of the Orange, 307pages
on my TBR since 6/17 (and on my bookshelf!)
about or inspired by a historical event
Sold on a Monday, 344 pages
on my TBR since 8/19 (and on my Kindle!)
unusual or unexpected pet
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, 310 pages
on my TBR since 10/16
author has first, middle, and last name on book cover
A Dark Lure, 418 pages - read 4/10/22
A woman surviving abduction and abuse tries to create a new life on a remote ranch until her old life finds her again.
author has active podcast or youtube channel
Havana Fever, 285 pages (adjusted to "learned of from podcast")
on my TBR since 3/21
book about siblings
Long Bright River, 285 pages - read 3/23/22
Sisters: one a cop, one an addict and when the addict goes missing, the cop pulls out all the stops to find her - on my TBR since 3/21
book featuring time travel
To Say Nothing of the Dog, 493 pages
on my TBR since 7/11
book with chapter names
The Guest List, 330 pages - read 8/8/22
An exclusive wedding on a remote island, a storm, a murder. (on my TBR since 6/20)
written for an age group I don't belong to (YA)
Honor Among Thieves, 480 pages
A YA story as a rebellious young woman travels space on an alien life form, sentient spaceship. on my TBR since 6/18
classic novel
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, 206 pages - read 9/10/22
Children's magical classic that somehow I never read. on my TBR since 8/21
by two or more authors
The Wife Between Us, 346 pages
on my TBR since 11/20
debut novel
The Dog Stars, 336 pages - read 3/16/22
A dystopian tale of two men and their uneasy friendship; one is a pilot and in scouting the area finds others alive. (my TBR since 12/19)
discovered through social media
The People We Meet on Vacation, 364 pages - read 5/5/22
Light and frivolous story of "friends turned lovers" but it takes FORever!
on my TBR since 10/21
everyone has read but me
Cabin at the End of the World, 272 pages - read 8/29/22
A vacationing family is held hostage by a group of end-of-the-world believers.
on my TBR since 12/19 (on my bookshelf!)
features royalty
I Was Anastasia, 352 pages
on my TBR since 6/18
finish a series
Jade Legacy #3, 716 pages
on my TBR since 8/19
first in a series I've been putting off
Jade City #1, 560 pages - read 4/16/22
Though it took me a bit to settle in, this epic story of battling clans, family strife, and political maneuverings became fascinating - on my TBR since 8/19
forgotten on bookshelf or e-reader
We Are All Welcome Here, 206 pages - read 4/8/22
A heart-tugging story of a woman in a wheelchair trying to raise her daughter and the black woman who is their "help" but also family - on my TBR since 12/15 (and on my Kindle)
indie or self-published
Angelfall, 284 pages
on my TBR since 1/21
filled with family secrets
The Push, 320 pages
on my TBR since 1/21
over 500 pages
The Women of Chateau Lafayette, 576 pages - read 6/1/22
Based on meticulous research, three strong women in three timelines: the French revolution, WWI and WWII. on my TBR since 9/20
murder, mystery, or both
The Long Way Home #10, 384 pages - read 3/25/22
Although retired, inspector Gamache and his team help a friend find her husband -
on my TBR since 9/19
picture of mushroom on cover
TBD - suggestions?
new to you author
Broken For You, 373 pages -read 1/13/22
A lonely elderly lady and a young woman with a broken heart become friends and found family - on my TBR since 4/15 (on my Kindle!)
nonfiction
Love With a Chance of Drowning, 352 pages - read 9/27/22
Woman overcomes her fears to take sail across the Pacific Ocean. on my TBR since 1/14
novella
The Swallowed Man, 176 pages - read 1/2/22
A mash-up story of Jonah and the Whale and Pinocchio, in an interesting way.
on my TBR since 11/21
number in the title
The Precious One, 360 pages
on my TBR since 7/17
one word title
Fled, 408 pages
on my TBR since 10/19 (on my Kindle)
picked by a celebrity book club
Conviction, 376 pages
on my TBR since 12/19 (on my bookshelf!)
poetry or anthology
Love in Color, 288 pages - read 3/30/22
Short story of reimagined myths from around the world filled with empowered women.
on my TBR since 10/21
protagonist has a profession that twists the truth
The Lies of Locke Lamora #1, 512 pages
on my TBR since 11/21
published in the month I was born (December)
If You Tell, 410 pages
on my TBR since 11/19 (on my Kindle!)
reading for research or general interest
TBD
second or fourth book in series
Jade War #2, 590 pages - read 4/30/22
Lots happened in this second installment to move the story along - more clan shenanigans, more political stuff, and some surprising character growth. - on my TBR since 8/19
set in space or in/on the ocean
Project Hail Mary 476 pages - read 4/7/22
Like The Martian with lots of math and science, but a more engaging storyline this time.
on my TBR since 7/21
set in the mountains
Bull Mountain 320 pages - read 4/13/22
A family of moonshiners has one brother that becomes a cop in the nearby small town and when the FBI wants to bring down his brother, it causes problems.
on my TBR since 7/20 (on my Kindle!)
set on an island
The Island of Sea Women, 384 pages
on my TBR since 6/19 (on my bookshelf!)
story centered around a real or imaginary holiday
A Christmas Memory, 48 pages
on my TBR since 1/20
superheros/villans or features character in disguise
Hench, 416 pages - read 7/23/22
Superheroes and villains and the hench (henchman) that helps win the 'war'. (on my TBR since 12/20)
title is an alliteration
The Storyteller's Secret, 370 pages - read 4/12/22
A woman whose marriage is precarious goes to India to find her heritage and learn about her mom's secretive childhood. on my TBR since 8/18
translated into English
The Murmur of Bees, 476 pages
on my TBR since 4/20
'wolf' or 'star' in title
At the Wolf's Table, 275 pages
on my TBR since 11/19 (on my bookshelf!)
featuring women in science, real or fictional
The Lost Apothecary, 310 pages
on my TBR since 3/21
you watched the show/movie before reading the book
favorite animal on the cover (real or fictional)
Dog On It, 305 pages (maybe - might change my mind)
on my TBR since 6/17