The year is almost over. It does seem too convenient to keep repeating "time flies" but clichés exist because they are often the best way to express something realistic. Sometimes it does seem some days take too long, other times the day is not enough...
Anyway, the year is ending and that means one more TBR Challenge, hosted by Wendy, the SuperLibrarian, has been finished.
As I have done in recent years, here's a little summary of my choices to wrap up the year.
My list:
January: Maggsie McNaughton's Second Chance by Frances Maynard 6/10
The protagonist decides to giver her life a new chance by starting a new job but, as she had done in the past, she gets herself in several mix ups anyway, especially when she starts telling herself she will prove she is improving and that will get her something she desires. Will she be able to learn about her past mistakes and be wiser now?
February: A Reason for Hope by Kristin von Kreisler 7/10
The heroine finds herself in a position she never imagined and she decides she needs to do something about it, even if it means being scared and needing Hope, the dog who is there to help those who went through some kind of trauma. In the way, perhaps she will learn to trust and love...
March: Spacer's Cinderella by Adria Rose 8/10
The heroine manages to be part of a project she was dreaming of, so she can learn enough to help her how planet surviving. In the process she discovers the man she could fall in love with was not only her new boss, but also someone who had the knowledge to help.. but at what price?
April: The Marquess Who Love Me by Sara Ramsey 5/10
After many years, and problems, the hero comes back home to take over his estate, and he decides to get revenge on the woman he was in love with and that he thinks betrayed him. Of course things aren't that simple and while he tries to put his plan into action, he finds love doesn't die that easily either...
May: Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy 7/10
A naive heroine and her group pf friends are discovering new adventures and what it means to be a mature person while at university. But with growing up there are also responsibilities and challenges, and some might be too hard to deal with. Friends should be there for all occasions, though...
June: Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell 7/10
This non fiction book is a collection of funny, or silly, comments and situations booksellers have heard or have lived through in bookshops. Interaction with the public is always a game of patience and, perhaps, amusement, as proven by the examples used.
July: Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey 6/10
Fantasy can be great or not but I had high hopes for this world and by this author, which many readers love. The protagonist's adventure into becoming an adult who has a task to perform and who needs to wise up wasn't as smooth as it could be, however.
August: Protecting What's Mine by Lucy Score 8/10
The author has been hyped in the recent times, and she does have a kind of formula. Still, this story about a woman who is starting over in a small town and now needs to deal with a lot more people, a lot more closely than before is quite cute, especially if it includes he man she is falling in love with...
September: The Violet Hour by Katherine Hill 3/10
A dysfunctional family having boring and sometimes annoying inner thoughts proved to be quite a disappointment. The author likely aimed for literary reflections but this was only an exercise in frustration and unnecessary situations.
October: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton 6/10
I was eager to read this tale, which promised a specific type of environment. However, the protagonist's investigation into the lives of two sisters who live in an old castle felt forced, and the mystery associated with their intertwined lives didn't have enough sparkle, to me.
November: The Outsider by Penelope Williamson 7/10
The protagonist, who is part of an Amish-like community, finds and restores to health an outsider, who has the fame of not being a good man. As the recovery continues, they talk and start respecting one another. From there to love is one small step but there are obstacles in their way...
December: The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole 7/10
The heroine comes back to Chicago after the death of her father. She now needs to manage an old building and deal with the tenants... there are difficulties in her path but also new friends, a possible new love and old stories to finally solve, all around the Christmas spirit...
Some notes:
→ I would say my average wasn't great but I like the idea of trying things to suit the themes as best I can, and that might mean some books will not be as great as I would have preferred;
→ The majority of my choices were contemporary books, which kept the trend of my current preferences;
→ Eight choices were by new authors to me;
→ Five of the books were in paperback format, the others were ebooks;
→ All my choices had been in the pile for more than one year, at least. Most of them even more than that. Thus, I think it's a personal success to choose and read them, and it's 12 more books out of the pile...
Happy reading, and until next year's challenge!
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