2018 Reading Wrap Up Post

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In 2018, I had the aim of reading 120 books throughout the year. This was my general reading goal from the first of January to the end of December, and included review books, books I had to read for work as a quiz writer with Scholastic Australia, and my other challenges – The Australian Women Writer’s Challenge, the Pop Sugar Challenge (which I came close to finishing, but several categories were too hard to fulfil when it came to it), and Book Bingo 2018 with Theresa and Amanda, which we will be attempting again in 2019.

In 2019, I will be participating in each of the above challenges again – The Australian Women Writer’s Challenge, Book Bingo and the Pop Sugar Challenge. My main aim will be to complete the 2019 Book Bingo, and to see how I go with the 2019 PopSugar Challenge – which will be addressed in a separate post. Below is my list of books I read in 2018:

Reading Log

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Illustrated) by JK Rowling (Newt Scamander)
The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett
Where’s Jane? Find Jane Austen Hidden in her Stories by Rebecca Smith and Katy Dockrill
Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham
Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-Time Husband by Barbara Toner
Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
Smile:The Story of the original Mona Lisa by Mary Hoffman
The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier
Differently Normal by Tammy Robinson
The Endsister by Penni Russon
The Last Train by Sue Lawrence
Graevale by Lynette Noni
Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen
The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin
Draigon Weather: The Legends of Arnan – Book One by Paige L Christie
Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French
The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson
Surf Rider’s Club #2: Bronte’s Big Sister Problem by Mary van Reyk
Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer
Jorie and the Magic Stones by A.H. Richardson
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
Skin in the Game: The Pleasure and Pain of Telling True Stories by Sonya Voumard
Babylon Berlin by Volker Kutschner
Spinning Tops & Gum Drops: A Portrait of Colonial Childhood by Edwin Barnard
Tin Man by Sarah Winman
Mayan Mendacity by L.J.M. Owen
The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale
Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan
The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester
The Freedom Finders Series: Touch the Sun by Emily Conolan
The World Goes On by László Krasznahorakai (translated from the Hungarian by John Bakti, Ottilie Mulzet and Georges Szirtes
The Book of Answers: The Ateban Cipher Book 2 by A.L. Tait
Munmun by Jesse Andrews
Little Gods by Jenny Ackland
Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon
I am Sasha by Anita Selzer
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
The Good Doctor of Warsaw by Elisabeth Gifford
Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn
Monty the Sad Puppy by Holly Webb
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Lovesome by Sally Seltmann
Egyptian Enigma by L.J.M Owen
The Ship that Never Was by Adam Courtenay
Other Worlds: Perfect World by George Ivanoff
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Enchanted Places by Christopher Milne
The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross
Eleanor’s Secret by Caroline Beecham
Australia Day by Melanie Cheng
The Most Marvellous Spelling Bee Mystery by Deborah Abela
Other Worlds: Beast World by George Ivanoff
Circe by Madeline Miller
Miles Franklin: A Short Biography by Jill Roe
The Book of Colours by Robyn Cadwallader
The Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen by Alison Weir
Ready to Fall by Marcella Puxley
A Home for Molly by Holly Webb
My Girragundji by Meme McDonald and Boori Monty Prior
Burning Bridges and Other Hobbies by Kitty Flanagan
Bluebottle by Belinda Castles
Selected Short Stories by Katherine Mansfield
The Upside of Over by J.D. Barrett
P is for Pearl by Eliza Henry Jones
Into the Night by Sarah Bailey
The Seventh Cross by Anna Seghers, translated from the German by Margot Bettauer Dembo
The Yellow House by Emily O’Grady
The Notebook of Doom #10: Snap of the Super-Goop by Troy Cummings
Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbitt
Dragon Masters: Search for the Lightning Dragon by Tracey West
Ella and Olivia: A Wild Adventure by Yvette Poshoglian
Kensy and Max: Breaking News by Jacqueline Harvey
Captain Cook’s Apprentice by Anthony Hill
Swallow’s Dance by Wendy Orr
We See the Stars by Kate van Hooft
The Far Back Country by Kate Lyons
Beneath the Mother Tree by D.M. Cameron
The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell
Harry Potter – Diagon Alley: A Movie Scrapbook by Warner Brothers and Jody Revenson
Strange Meeting by Susan Hill
The Desert Nurse by Pamela Hart
The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #1)
The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #2)
If Kisses Cured Cancer by T.S. Hawken
The Herb of Grace by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #3)
Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles
The Cat’s-Eye Shell by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #4)
Children of the Dragon: The Relic of The Blue Dragon by Rebecca Lim
The Legacy of Beauregarde by Rosa Fedele
The Lightning Bolt by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #5)
The Botanist’s Daughter by Kayte Nunn
Ninjago: The Mystery of the Masks by Kate Howard
Spirit by Ellen Miles (The Puppy Place)
The Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #6)
The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes
Scrublands by Chris Hammer
When the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson
The Last Firehawk: The Crystal Caverns by Katrina Charman
Hey Brother by Jarrah Dundler
The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Satellite Space Mission by AnnMarie Anderson
Amazing Australian Women: Twelve Women Who Shaped History by Pamela Freeman and Sophie Beer
The Honourable Thief by Meaghan Wilson Anastasios
Early Riser by Jasper Fforde
The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas
The Brink of Darkness by Jeff Giles
Mouseford Academy: Lights, Camera, Action by Thea Stilton
No Country Woman by Zoya Patel
The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty
Disappearing Act by Jacqueline Harvey (Kensy and Max #2)
A Kitten Called Tiger by Holly Webb
Fairy Tales for Feisty Girls by Susannah McFarlane
The Distance Between Me and The Cherry Tree by Paola Peretti
The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
Sisters and Brothers by Fiona Palmer
The Note Book of Doom: Battle of the Boss-Monster by Troy Cummings (#13)
Mission Alert: Island X by Benjamin Hulme-Cross
Time Jumpers: Stealing the Sword by Wendy Mass
Archibald, the Naughtiest Elf in the World Goes to the Zoo by Skye Davidson, Illustrated by Ágnes Rokiczky
We Three Heroes by Lynette Noni
The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson
The Colours of all the Cattle by Alexander McCall-Smith
Frieda by Annabel Abbs
Secrets Hidden Below by Sandra Bennett
The Shelter Puppy by Holly Webb
The Case of the Missing Marquess (An Enola Holmes Mystery #1) by Nancy Springer.
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady (An Enola Holmes Mystery #2) by Nancy Springer
What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra
The Cat with the Coloured Tail by Gillian Mears
Bright Young Dead by Jessica Fellowes
Total Quack up by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Have Sword, Will Travel by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Let Sleeping Dragons Lie by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Stormtrooper Class Clowns by Ace Landers
Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars by Jaclyn Moriarty (Kingdoms and Empires #2)
Storm troopers: Class Clown by Ace Landers
The Turn of Midnight by Minette Walters
Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Busi
The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
The Little Fairy Sister by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Grenbery Outhwaite
Hogwarts: A Movie Scrapbook
Goodbye Christopher Robin by Anne Thwaite
Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
Edward by Ellen Miles
Clementine Rose and the Bake-Off Dilemma by Jacqueline Harvey
All the Tears in China by Sulari Gentill
Last Woman Hanged by Caroline Overington
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1: Squirrel Power by Ryan North
The Rescued Kitten by Holly Webb
The Au Pair by Emma Rous
Dear Santa, edited by Sam Johnson OAM
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore
A Very Murderous Christmas by Cecily Gayford
Wiser than Everything by Lorena Carrington
Time Jumpers: Escape from Egypt by Wendy Mass]
Henry VIII and the Men who Made Him by Tracy Borman

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As you can see, I have read kids’ books, young adult books, fiction and non-fiction books and everything in between for quiz writing and reviewing, and my own reading that I was able to do in between the books sent to me as a reviewer and quiz writer.

In wrapping up my 2018 reading, there are definitely some books I wanted to get to but didn’t, and that I hope I can get to in 2019. With similar goals for 2019, I hope to achieve similar numbers, more books read, and hopefully more reviews coming your way for the next twelve months.

Pop Sugar Challenge Round Up

One of the challenges I did during 2019 was the PopSugar Challenge. It had forty categories, plus an additional ten advanced ones – a couple of which I managed to check off, and I filled most of the main categories, some with multiple books. It was a good challenge, but one thing I think lets it down is that it is overly prescriptive – and I think this made it too hard to fill in – almost impossible for some, in fact.

One was an author with the same first or last name as you – and this could let many people down, as there will be many names, not just mine, that do not appear as any part of an author’s name. Some I didn’t fill due to lack of time, but there were some that relied on accessibility as well – being able to get the book, or something being available in a library, bookstore or your collection. The point of a challenge is to challenge you and your reading – but perhaps not in a way that lets you down when you find you can’t fill a category.

Still, it was a fun challenge and I’ll be doing it again this year – but I feel that the categories get too prescriptive and specific each year, and rely too much on the accessibility of books – just because you can find a title in a Google search does not mean that book will be readily available for you – and my plan is to fill as many as I can with what I have.

Challenge #1

A book made into a movie you’ve already seen: Victoria and Abdul: The Extraordinary True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Basu Victoria and Abdul (2017)

True crime: Last Woman Hanged by Caroline Overington

The next book in a series you started: Mayan Mendacity by L.J.M. Owen, The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #2)

A book involving a heist: The Book of Answers: The Ateban Cipher Book 2 by A.L. Tait, Bright Young Dead by Jessica Fellowes (Mitford Murders #2)

Nordic Noir:

A novel based on a real person: Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

A book set in a country that fascinates you:

Country: Scotland
Book: The Last Train by Sue Lawrence

Country: England
Book: The Silver Horse by Kate Forsyth (Chain of Charms #2)

A book with the time of day in the title: early – Early Riser by Jasper Fforde

A book about a villain or anti-hero: The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Babylon Berlin by Volker Kutschner, The Ship that Never Was by Adam Courtenay

A book about death or grief: Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer, Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbitt

A book with your favourite colour in the title: Bluebottle by Belinda Castles

A book with alliteration in the title: Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham
Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen
Mayan Mendacity by LJM Owen

A book about time travel: The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas, Time Jumpers: Stealing the Sword by Wendy Mass

A book with a weather element in the title: Draigon Weather: The Legends of Arnan – Book One by Paige L Christie, Dragon Masters: Search for the Lightning Dragon by Tracey West

A book set at sea: The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht, Bluebottle by Belinda Castles, Captain Cook’s Apprentice by Anthony Hill

A book with an animal in the title: The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson, The Opal Dragonfly by Julian Leatherdale

A book set on a different planet: Graevale by Lynette Noni

A book with song lyrics in the title: The Last Train by Sue Lawrence (Last Train Out of Sydney)

A book about or set on Halloween: Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

A book with characters who are twins: The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester, Other Worlds: Beast World by George Ivanoff

A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym: Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist: The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin, Tin Man by Sarah Winman

A book that is also a stage play or musical:

A book by an author of a different ethnicity to you: The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan

A book about feminism: Olmec Obituary by L.J.M. Owen, No Country Woman by Zoya Patel

A book about mental health: Differently Normal by Tammy Robinson (mental disabilities, dealing with grief and loneliness)

A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift: The Enchanted Places by Christopher Milne, Goodbye, Christopher Robin by Anne Thwaite

A book by two authors: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

A book about or involving sport: Surf Rider’s Club #2: Bronte’s Big Sister Problem by Mary van Reyk

A book by a local author: The Secrets at Ocean’s Edge by Kali Napier (AU author), Grandpa, Me and Poetry by Sally Morgan, Olmec Obituary by LJM Owen, Mayan Mendacity by LJM Owen, Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-time Husband by Barbara Toner

A book mentioned in another book: Heidi by Johanna Spyri, mentioned in Little Gods.

A book from a celebrity book club:

Book Club:
Book:

A childhood classic you’ve never read: Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

A book that’s published in 2018: Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-time Husband by Barbara Toner

A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner: Talking as Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham

A book set in the decade you were born: Little Gods by Jenny Ackland

A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn’t get to: Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French

A book with an ugly cover: Skin in the Game: The Pleasure and Pain of Telling True Stories by Sonya Voumard

A book that involves a bookstore or library: Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles

Your favourite prompt from the 2015, 2016 or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges:

2015: A book with a one-word title: Thunderwith by Libby Hathorn, Lovesome by Sally Seltmann.

2016: A book based on a fairy tale: The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross

2017: A novel set during wartime: Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn

TOTAL READ: 61 in 37 categories
ADVANCED

A bestseller from the year you graduated high school (2004):

A cyberpunk book:

A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place:

A book tied to your ancestry (Scottish):

A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title: Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon

An allegory: Munmun by Jesse Andrews

A book by an author with the same first or last name as you:

A microhistory: Spinning Tops & Gum Drops: A Portrait of Colonial Childhood by Edwin Barnard

A book about a problem facing society today: When the Mountains Roared by Jess Butterworth – poaching. No Country Woman by Zoya Patel – Racism.

A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge:

TOTAL READ: 5

As you can see, some categories were easier to fill than others, some I didn’t manage to find anything for aforementioned reasons, and some had multiple entries. Some were filled in with a stretch – perhaps this is why I like looser themes, rather than ones that dictate what must be in a title or part of the authors name – you still get the challenge of finding a book that fills it, without causing panic because nothing fits in – this takes the fun out of it. So in 2019, my goal is to fill whatever categories I can. And if there are some where I don’t find a book, or a book does not appeal to me, I will give it a miss – and just let it happen as it happens.

In my mind, a challenge like this whilst fun, can also be inhibiting, which is why in the group that does this challenge, I’ve suggested a list of other challenges in case others want to take those on as well as this one or instead of – something I might do, or tweak them for my individual needs.

So ends another year of reading challenges.

Australian Women Writer’s Challenge Check-in One – books one to fifteen

All year I have been meaning to write progress posts for every month, or every ten books. Until now, I have woefully neglected this activity, and having read 61 books already, am breaking it up into posts of fifteen – and will continue to do this until the end of the year/early 2019, making the collation of posts for my final wrap up of this challenge easier than last year’s attempt. Each list will be varied, with review books and ones I chose to purchase making up my count – they will be diverse in terms of story, genre, fiction or non-fiction, readership, age and as many other aspects of diversity as I have stumbled across on my reading journey – greatly depending on what I have been able to find, have been sent and what I have access to, but also, I choose books based on what I enjoy as well, and in doing so, I feel like I hit as much diversity in my reading as possible without too much trouble.

These lists – to date so far by today, are a little less than half of my total books logged for the year, which on the 11th of August, stands at 115, and counting. I have well surpassed my goal of fifteen for the challenge – a conservative estimate as I often have a list in mind of upcoming releases and books I own, yet also don’t always know what else will come my way. I find it best to underestimate – and then anything extra becomes bonus points.

So below is my first batch of fifteen out of sixty one, with links to each review.

First fifteen

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Coming up next, posts sixteen to thirty of the Australian Women Writer’s challenge and at some stage, a Book Bingo wrap up post for both of my rounds of the challenge with Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Theresa Smith Writes.

Book Bingo Take Two

As per my post two weeks ago when I completed the first round, this is my second go at the bingo card, having completed it early, due to my filling in several squares at once in some posts. This time around. I’ll be trying to only do one book and square a fortnight, so I don’t finish early.

To begin, the text list of my categories is here, clean and empty for me to begin in my next post.

Book bingo take 2

Challenge #4: Book Bingo Take 2

(Rows Across)

Row #1 – –

A book set more than 100 years ago:

A book written more than ten years ago:

A memoir:

A book more than 500 pages:

A Foreign translated novel:

Row #2 –

A book with a yellow cover:

A book by an author you’ve never read before:

A non-fiction book:

A collection of short stories:

A book with themes of culture:

Row #3: –

A book written by an Australian woman:

A book written by an Australian man:

A prize-winning book:

A book that scares you:

A book with a mystery:

Row #4

A forgotten classic:

A book with a one-word title:

A book with non-human characters:

A funny book:

A book with a number in the title:

Row #5

A book that became a movie:

A book based on a true story:

A book everyone is talking about:

A book written by someone under thirty:

A book written by someone over sixty:

Rows Down

Row #1 – –

A book set more than 100 years ago:

A book with a yellow cover:

A book written by an Australian woman:

A forgotten classic:

A book that became a movie:

Row #2

A book written more than ten years ago:

A book by an author you’ve never read before:

A book written by an Australian man:

A book with a one-word title:

A book based on a true story:

Row #3: –

A memoir:

A non-fiction book:

A prize-winning book:

A book with non-human characters:

A book everyone is talking about:

Row #4

A book more than 500 pages:

A collection of short stories:

A book that scares you:

A funny book:

A book written by someone under thirty:

Row #5

A Foreign Translated Novel:

A book with themes of culture:

A book with a mystery:

A book with a number in the title:

A book written by someone over sixty:

I have not started in this post, as I have not chosen where to start yet, but I have some ideas of the books I want to add this time. I will be aiming to read and include the latest Jackie French book in the Miss Lily series, and some others that I have not had a chance to get around to yet. The first post will either be up today, the second or next bingo week, the sixteenth. I have been enjoying this book bingo and will enjoy having another go at it using as many different books as I can.

Book Bingo One: A Book Set More Than 100 Years Ago

To kick off my book bingo, I have a book that would have ticked off three squares. However, as with the Popsugar Challenge, I would like to see if I can do a different book for each square.

Throughout this challenge, I will be marking off squares as the books fit them, at least for the rather open categories. In doing it this way, I am not purposely deciding which book will fit where or what order I will get a bingo in, or even if I do. I am letting by review books for the most part, guide me through the challenges as I find the categories that they can fit into, possibly stretching a few to make some fit or interpreting them as open, as some categories have that feel about them.

rose raventhorpe 3

To check off the very first square, A Book Set More Than 100 Years Ago, I have allotted one of my first #AWW2018 reads, reviewed on the 11^th of January, Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings by Janine Beacham. This book would also check off a book by an Australian woman, however, there are many contenders for that, and it will be easily filled. The other square it wouldhave ticked off is A book with a mystery – another category I will be able to fill easily in the coming months.

book bingo 2018

So that is one book of twenty-five in the bingo challenge down, and hopefully, there will be a few more to report in early February.

Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings (Rose Raventhorpe #3) by Janine Beacham

rose raventhorpe 3 Title: Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings (Rose Raventhorpe #3)

Author: Janine Beacham

Genre: Historical Fiction/Crime/Children’s Fiction

Publisher: Hachette Australia/Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Published: 11^th January 2018

Format: Paperback

Pages: 277

Price: $14.99

Synopsis: The city of Yorke is under attack and it’s up to Rose Raventhorpe and Yorke’s secret society of butlers to find the culprit! The third mystery in the Rose Raventhorpe Investigates series.

The Clockwork Sparrow meets Downton Abbey

The city of Yorke is in a panic. There’s been a murder! Is an ancient ghost-hound called the Barghest on the loose?

ROSE RAVENTHORPE, her friend Orpheus and the secret society of butlers search for clues in the dark, eerie skitterways, on the mist-covered moors, and atop the ancient walls of the city. Rose believes that the villain is human, and she’s determined to prove it.

There’s no sweeping this crime under the carpet…

~*~

Rose Raventhorpe returns in her third adventure, Hounds and Hauntings. Yorke awakens one day to the death of a young local pickpocket named Moll, in Mad Meg Lane. The old legends of the Barghest start to be bandied about, calling up the old superstitions of Yorke and the surrounding areas within the walls. As Rose, her friend Orpheus, and Heddsworth, Rose’s butler, head towards a new chocolate shop that is opening, they stumble across the crime scene, where they are soon joined by Miss Wildcliffe, her dog, and the other Silvercrest Butlers as the police try to convince everyone Miss Wildcliffe’s dog is to blame. Told to leave by the police, Rose, Orpheus and the butlers of Silvercrest begin their own investigations, leading to unforeseen events and consequences, and an exciting ending where the case is solved, but a sense of mystery still abounds. And Rose’s cat, Watchful, is ever present, keeping Rose safe and secure. Just as in the previous books, the clues and hints are dropped at the right time for the reader to discover at the same time as Rose, creating an exciting atmosphere and pace that keeps the story going, and ensures a well-timed yet quick discovery when it is most needed.

Three books into this series, and each one is as good as the previous one. None have disappointed so far, delving into myths and legends from around the area Rose’s Yorke is based on to create a story and place that feels just as real as York in Yorkshire, including the Cathedral. Within this book, the world of Rose is very Victorian but with characters who are not what everyone expects them to be – Bronson, the female butler, was at first a surprise in the first book, but is quite a favourite now – the kind of surprise that works so well, it is a delightful surprise that I simply was not expecting. Rose bridges a gap between a proper Lady of society, and breaking out of gender and class roles as she works with the butlers to solve cases. Miss Wildcliffe is referred to as the authoress, a very Victorian phrase that works exceptionally well in this book to situate the character within her time and place, and what she represents.

Each book has something unexpected and new to discover as we venture through Rose’s world. With her parents absent in this novel, Rose had a lot more freedom, though at times, was still constrained by what adults around her thought she could do – nonetheless, she as usual, fought alongside the butlers for justice, and uncovered secrets at the end that those holding them would rather have kept to themselves.

Another delightful read from Janine Beacham, I hope there are more Rose Raventhorpe books to come.

Wrap Up #2: My Year in Reading 2017.

Wrap Up post #2 – My Year in Reading 2017.

2017 was a busy reading year for me. It was the year my blog picked up a little bit more, and I managed to read more review books. Overall, I read 121 books. Fifty-five of those were by Australian women writers, although I didn’t manage to read all six books I initially hoped to read for the challenge, I did read most of them, as well as many others that came across my path. There are at least two of the three I initially hoped to include that I did not get to, nor did I get to some of the books I have read but wanted to read again. I did achieve my goal to read books by Lynette Noni, Kate Forsyth and Sulari Gentill, though, as well as many others including the entire Matilda Saga by Jackie French, including the latest book, Facing the Flame.

Of the overall count, ninety-two were women writers, with more than half being Australian Women Writers. Eighteen were male authors or the exhibition catalogues for the Harry Potter exhibit at the British Library. A quick glance over my list, and my most read genres appear to be fantasy and historical fiction.

Of these books, it is hard to pick a favourite, and that will have to be another post, as there are a few that need to be included. As 2017 ends and 2018 begins, I am thinking about my next challenges. I will again sign up for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge, and read as many books as I can by Australian Women Writers. I will continue writing reviews from publishers with the goal of keep on top of each lot of books as they come in, and endeavour to get the reviews up by release date if they come before, or as soon as I can if they arrive after the book has been released – a system I have always used that has helped me prioritise books.

I am also hoping to stick to reading what I like, and not waste time on things I struggle with. I always let the publisher know if this happens, and so far, it hasn’t been an issue. I don’t have specific goals to focus on certain authors or genres, other than to try and read more Australian authors and more Australian female authors, and to continue supporting them.

la belle sauvage

Below is my completed list of reading for 2017. It includes all the challenge reads, and the individual lists can be seen in the wrap up posts for those challenges. I hope these lists and reviews have helped you find something new to read.

2017 reading log

49, Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood

Facing the Flame by Jackie French
Murder on Christmas Eve by Cecily Gayford
Mr Lear: A Life of Art and Nonsense by Jenny Uglow
After I’m Gone by Linda Green
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman
The Sister’s Song by Louise Allan (2018 Release)
Rain Fall by Ella West (2018 Release)
Father Christmas’s Fake Beard by Terry Pratchett
The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony with Grahame Spence

121. Vasilisa the Wise and Other Tales of Brave Young Women by Kate Forsyth and Lorena Carrington

Books 117 and 118 are to be released on the 2^nd of January 2018, so the reviews will be live on the blog on that day.

The Book Muse

Books, reading and writing

Category: Rose Raventhorpe

2018 Reading Wrap Up Post

Pop Sugar Challenge Round Up

Australian Women Writer’s Challenge Check-in One – books one to fifteen

Book Bingo Take Two

Book Bingo One: A Book Set More Than 100 Years Ago

Rose Raventhorpe Investigates: Hounds and Hauntings (Rose Raventhorpe #3) by Janine Beacham

Wrap Up #2: My Year in Reading 2017.

2017 reading log

Books, reading and writing

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2017 reading log

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