#ReadHarder Task 19: a book originally published in another language

This book fulfills Task 19 of the Book Riot Read Harder challenge. I have been reading crime stories set in Norway, Denmark, Sweden -- basically Scandinavian country quite a bit in the last few months.  This one was another good read.

Road Trip Reading Challenge and PopSugar Reading Challenge

A friend recently cleaned out her bookshelves and gave me several James Patterson books. I love James Patterson, specifically the Alex Cross series. I decided to read several of these James Patterson books so I could pass them on to other JP readers. They are all quick, easy - yet enjoyable - reads.

For the Road Trip Reading Challenge, I chose Burn.

Burn was set mostly in New York City. It actually does a good job describing various landmarks.

For the PopSugar Challenge, I read Unlucky 13 for the category, a book with a number in the title.

I read Gone for the category, a mystery or thriller.

I read I, Michael Bennett for the category, a book you can read in one day.

#ReadHarder Task 8: a book by an author from Africa; The Witch Doctor's Wife by Tamar Myers

Book Riot's #ReadHarder Challenge:Task 8: A book written by an author from Africa

I truly enjoyed reading this book. Tamar Myers lived in Africa from when she was 2 years old until she was 12 years old. I wasn't 100% happy with my choice but the book was available through my Scribd app so I went with it. I am glad that I chose this book. It had 3 different perspectives given -- an American missionary, people from Congo tribes, and people from European countries who worked for the diamond mine conglomerate. An interesting read outside the scope of my normal reading.

My Rating: 3 stars

Road Trip Reading Challenge: Wisconsin, A Theory of Relativity by Jacquelyn Mitchard

I finished my first book of the year this morning. I am going to check it off my Road Trip Reading Challenge list for Wisconsin.

A Theory of Relativity by Jacquelyn Mitchard

A friend hd given me the book and I didn't realize until I picked it up to start reading last night that it is by the same author that wrote Deep End of The Ocean, one of the few books I re-read when the mood strikes.

This book is deep... like Jodi Picoult deep. The root of the story is adoption and what that truly means. ***SPOLIER ALERT***
When Gordon's sister and her husband die leaving behind their infant daughter, it is automatically assumed that, as the will suggests, Gordon will adopt and raise sweet Keefer. At the funeral Gordon is informed by an acquaintance that the will is being being challenged by Keefer's paternal grandparents. Unknown to Gordon and his side of the family, Georgia and Ray, Keefer's parents, had an appointment with a lawyer to draw up a new will. The battle begins over young Keefer. This battle isn't just over a little girl.. it is a look into the laws which seem to state that blood relatives have a greater legal right than adopted relatives. I haven't done a great job explaining this book but it is a good read which makes the reader examine his/her underlying thoughts on "relativity".

My rating: 3 stars

2015 -- the year of the book

It has once again been 2 years since I have visited this blog. I'm not really sure why I tend to crave writing and then detest writing.  One constant in my life has been books.. well written books, poorly written books, life changing books, time wasted books.. I have decided to participate in 3 reading challenges this year to broaden my reading. I decided I wanted to record those challenges here. Feel free to tag along in my exploration of books...

The Main Challenge: Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

This is the first challenge that I decided I would complete in 2015. I have been searching for just the right book for each task. The tasks are as follows: 

A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25

A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65

A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people)

A book published by an indie press

A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ

A book by a person whose gender is different from your own

A book that takes place in Asia

A book by an author from Africa

A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans,Aboriginals, etc.)

A microhistory

A YA novel

A sci-fi novel

A romance novel

A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade

A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)

An audiobook

A collection of poetry

A book that someone else has recommended to you

A book that was originally published in another language

A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of any kind (Hi, have you metPanels?)

A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure (Read, and then realize that good entertainment is nothing to feel guilty over)

A book published before 1850

A book published this year

A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)

Definitely a challenge, eh?

The second challenge I found was The Road Trip Reading Challenge by She's Got Books on Her Mind.

 

For some reason I have always loved all things "road trip" and this challenge allows me to read books set in all 50 states.  EXCITED! 

The third challenge is the easiest I think. PopSugar's Ultimate Reading Challenge. 

Let the reading begin!