Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Mary! wrote: "~~Completed 01/20/2024~~"

Congrats, Mary!

Finished on post 9. Loved it! Thanks.

Elaine wrote: "Finished on post 9. Loved it! Thanks."

Awesome Elaine, grats!

Done on post #14

Finished on msg #19

AliciaJ wrote: "Finished on msg #19"

JoAnne wrote: "Done on post #14"

Congrats, AliciaJ and JoAnne!

☃️❄️JANUARY BOOKS 🪩🥂
- [x] January release or garnet red- The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins 1/4
- [x] mentor/teacher/school/new skill The Long Game by Elena Armas 1/22
- [x] desert setting- In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros 1/13
- [x] resolved to make change-The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella 1/7
- [x] Paranormal/sci fi/stem- The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson 1/29
- [x] Clean up TBR Crown of Midnight by SJM 1/20
- [x] Swimming- The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson 1/9
- [x] Backwards on cover- The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson 1/3
- [x] Silent activity like writing/a book to be silent with -Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett 1/6
- [x] readers choice The Other Mother by Jen Brister 1/16

Completed! Thanks for hosting, Cyliena
Updated post: My Monthly Challenge (msg 33)

Books Read ♾️ 10

January 8/10 Completed

1. Happy January Birthday!: Read a book published in January, or read a book with red on the cover in honor of January's birthstone, the Garnet. - They're Watching You Finished 1/17

2. January Month-Long Observance - National Mentoring Month (United States): National Mentoring Month is a month-long series of events designed to raise awareness of mentoring among young people and adults. Launched jointly in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR National, NMM is now celebrated by for-profit and non-profit organizations, governments, and individuals worldwide.

🎊 Read a book with a character who would be considered a mentor, or one who has a mentor. You may also read a book that includes a teacher or student, has a school setting (any level) or where someone learns a new skill of any kind. Through the Groves: A Memoir Finished 1/15

4. New Years Day – January 1: Starting with the nation of Samoa and ending near the uninhabited atoll of Baker Island, the world will ring in 2024 in one of the most celebrated holidays of the year.

🎊 Read a book that’s new to you in some way (series, author, genre, etc). You can also read a book where a character resolves to change something in their life, a book with a firework-worthy first kiss (your interpretation), or a book with the numbers 20 or 24 somewhere in its page count or publication date. - Look Again - Finished 1/30


6. National Clean Off Your Desk Day – January 8: On this day, unclutter and organize your workspace to get your new year off to a clean start!

🎊 Clean up that TBR list by reading a book from it. You can also read a book with a character who works a desk job, or a book where a character cleans up their living area and/or life, whether it’s in the literal or emotional sense. - Bright Young Women Finished 1/25


7. National Michigan Day – January 18: As a Michigander, I had to include this one! 😉 In 1837, Michigan became the 26th state. One of eight Great Lakes states, it’s known for many things: the largest freshwater shoreline in the United States, Motown music, the Mackinac Bridge and Sleeping Bear Dunes, a town called Hell (which does, indeed, freeze over), Motor City, the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck, and much more!

🎊 Read a book set in any of the Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) or written by a Michigan author. You can also read a book where a character goes boating or swimming, a book with the numbers 18 or 37 in the page count, or a book with a scene that makes you think of Michigan in some way. Happy Place Finished 1/19

8. Backwards Day – January 31: On this day, partake in doing something in reverse just for the fun of it! New year, new backward you!

🎊 Read a book that’s opposite for you in some way: maybe a subgenre you wouldn’t typically read, or a Christmas book—but in January. You can also read a book that shows the side or back profile of a person or animal (back, back of head, etc) on the cover, or a book where a character seems to do something backward (your interpretation), whether it’s something like their approach to a situation, wearing clothes inside out, or simply looking in a mirror. -The Invisible Hour - Finished 1/8

9. Silent Record Week: Commemorate the history of silent records by engaging in a quiet activity during the first week of January. As the author Victoria Wolff once said, “One must learn to be silent just as one must learn to talk.”

🎊 Read a book where a character engages in some quiet time by doing something such as meditation, reading, writing, or simply isolating themselves from others. You can also read a book with something on the cover that makes you think of silence, or a book that you think would be good to spend some quiet time with. - Everything the Darkness Eats - Finished 1/6

10. Reader's Choice: 🎊 Read any book of your choice. - River Sing Me Home - Finished 1/8

Melissa wrote: "January 8/10 Completed"

LaurLa wrote: "Completed! Thanks for hosting, Cyliena"

tawny•dawn wrote: "☃️❄️JANUARY BOOKS 🪩🥂
- [x] January release or garnet red- The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins 1/4
- [x] mentor/teacher/school/new skill The Long Game by Elena Armas 1/22
- [x] desert setting- In the Like..."


Congrats, Melissa, LaurLa, and TawnyDawn!

All done in post #2!

Completed: 10/10

1. Happy January Birthday!: Duke the Halls ⭐⭐ (1/16)
2. Mentoring Month: Not By Sight ⭐⭐⭐ (1/23)
3. FAC – Robyn Carr: The Duke Who Didn't (RITA author) ⭐⭐ (1/25)
4. New Years Day: Marked for Death ⭐⭐⭐ (1/7)
5. Science Fiction Day: Pets in Space 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (1/12)
6. Clean Off Your Desk Day: Xenon ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (1/14)
7. Michigan Day: I Hate You, Max Stirling (New York) ⭐⭐⭐ (1/24)
8. Backwards Day: Edge of Wonder ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (1/2)
9. Silent Record Week: Rogue ⭐⭐⭐ (1/22)
10. Reader's Choice: The Hero She Wants ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (1/25)

❄️☃️🎂2024 January Monthly Challenge🎂☃️❄️


Finished!!!


10/10 Completed



01. Happy January Birthday!: 🎂Read a book published in January, or read a book with red on the cover in honor of January's birthstone, the Garnet.
Forever Strong by Piper J. Drake 01/09/24
02. National Mentoring Month: ☃️Read a book with a character who would be considered a mentor, or one who has a mentor. You may also read a book that includes a teacher or student, has a school setting (any level) or where someone learns a new skill of any kind.
Not My Kind of Hero by Pippa Grant 01/11/24
03. Featured Author Challenge (FAC) ~ Robyn Carr: 👩🏻‍💻Read one book written by Robyn Carr or any author with her first or last name.
You may also read any book set in Nevada (or anywhere else with a desert); or a book written by any RITA award-winning author; or a book/series that was made into a television show or movie.
The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr 01/04/24
04. New Years Day (January 1): 🎊 Read a book that’s new to you in some way (series, author, genre, etc). You can also read a book where a character resolves to change something in their life, a book with a firework-worthy first kiss (your interpretation), or a book with the numbers 20 or 24 somewhere in its page count or publication date.
Wife by Wednesday by Catherine Bybee 01/25/24
05. National Science Fiction Day (January 2): 🛸Read a book that’s shelved on Goodreads as paranormal or science fiction. You can also read a book with something space-related (planets, stars, etc) or technology-related (computers, robots, etc) on its cover, or a book with a character who works in a STEM profession.
Dagger's Hope by S.E. Smith 01/18/24
06. National Clean Off Your Desk Day (January 8): 📖Clean up that TBR list by reading a book from it. You can also read a book with a character who works a desk job, or a book where a character cleans up their living area and/or life, whether it’s in the literal or emotional sense.
A Wedding on Primrose Street by Sheila Roberts 01/31/24
07. National Michigan Day (January 18): ⛵️Read a book set in any of the Great Lakes states (IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, OH, PA, WI) or written by a Michigan author. You can also read a book where a character goes boating or swimming, a book with the numbers 18 or 37 in the page count, or a book with a scene that makes you think of Michigan in some way.
My Kind of Perfect by Tracy Brogan 01/14/24
08. Backwards Day (January 31): 🪞Read a book that’s opposite for you in some way: maybe a subgenre you wouldn’t typically read, or a Christmas book—but in January. You can also read a book that shows the side or back profile of a person or animal (back, back of head, etc) on the cover, or a book where a character seems to do something backward (your interpretation), whether it’s something like their approach to a situation, wearing clothes inside out, or simply looking in a mirror.
Enslaved by Elisabeth Naughton 01/17/24
09. Silent Record Week: 🧘🏻Read a book where a character engages in some quiet time by doing something such as meditation, reading, writing, or simply isolating themselves from others. You can also read a book with something on the cover that makes you think of silence, or a book that you think would be good to spend some quiet time with.
Why Not Tonight by Susan Mallery - 01/23/24
10. Reader's Choice: 📚Read any book of your choice.
Under a Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman 01/26/24

Bookchaser wrote: "❄️☃️🎂2024 January Monthly Challenge🎂☃️❄️
Finished!!!
10/10 Completed"

Congrats, Bookchaser!

January Monthly Challenge

10/10 DONE

1. Happy January Birthday!:
🎊 published in January -- Jan 21, 2021 Not Happy Campers Ash Keller 1/9
2. January Month-Long Observance - National Mentoring Month (United States):
🎊 character who would be considered a mentor ,AND school setting The Mysterious Lost Child Sarah Noffke 1/15
3. Featured Author Challenge (FAC) – Robyn Carr:
🎊 set in Nevada The Case of the Amateur Actors in Las Vegas A.R. Winters 1/24
4. New Years Day – January 1:
🎊 Read a book that’s new to you in some way == series and author Pies, Paws and Peril Avery Kent 1/25
5. National Science Fiction Day – January 2:
🎊 shelved as paranormal The Werewolf Meets His Match Kristen Painter 1/23
6. National Clean Off Your Desk Day – January 8:
🎊 TBR list book Mystery at the Masquerade Josh Lanyon 1/20
7. National Michigan Day – January 18:
🎊 set in Wisconsin Death in the Dark Woods Annelise Ryan 1/1
8. Backwards Day – January 31:
🎊 Read a book that’s opposite for you in some way: Christmas book—but in January Candy Canine Christmas Caper and The Bow Wow Bakery Belinda Page 1/13
9. Silent Record Week:
🎊 character engages in some quiet time MC swims laps Killing Me Softly Julie Mulhern 1/6
10. Reader's Choice: Under the Cover of Darkness K.D. Richards 1/26

Jonquil wrote: "January Monthly Challenge

10/10 DONE"

Congrats, Jonquil!

All done and on time!

January Monthly Challenge
Timeframe: 1/1/24 to 1/31/24
10/10

1. Happy January Birthday! - Published in January - Love, Just In by Natalie Murray - 1/10/24 ♥♥♥♥

Pub 1/3/24

2. January Month-Long Observance - National Mentoring Month - Character who has a mentor. You may also read a book that includes a teacher or student, has a school setting (any level) or where someone learns a new skill of any kind - Light a Single Candle by Beverly Butler - 1/4/24 ♥♥♥♥

All of the above: Cathy is a high school student and she must learn how to maneuver through life with a seeing eye dog. I didn’t realize this before but learned that people need to go through several weeks of training with a dog before they are able to handle them on their own.

3. Featured Author Challenge (FAC) – Robyn Carr - Written by any RITA award-winning author - Once Upon a Dream by Nora Roberts - 1/29/24 ♥♥♥♥


4. New Years Day – January 1 - New to you in some way (series, author, genre, etc). You can also read a book where a character resolves to change something in their life - Young Widows Club by Alexandra Coutts - 1/7/24 ♥♥♥♥

Tamsen is trying to move on after losing her husband. Also a new-to-me author.

5. National Science Fiction Day – January 2 - Shelved on Goodreads as paranormal - Into the Lair by Maya Banks - 1/2/24 ♥♥♥♥


6. National Clean Off Your Desk Day – January 8 - Clean up that TBR list by reading a book from it - The Last Madam: A Life in the New Orleans Underworld by Christine Wiltz - 1/13/24 ♥♥♥

This book has been on my TBR since 6/4/13.

7. National Michigan Day – January 18 - Set in any of the Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) - Christmas After All: The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1932 by Kathryn Lasky - 1/15/24 ♥♥♥


8. Backwards Day – January 31 - Character seems to do something backward (your interpretation) - The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn - 1/6/24 ♥♥♥♥

Cecelia tells everyone she’s Mrs. Rokesby long before she and Edward are married.

9. Silent Record Week - You think would be good to spend some quiet time with - Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom - 1/3/24 ♥♥♥♥

This is definitely a contemplative book that requires some quiet thought.

10. Reader's Choice - Any book - Shot on Gold by Jaci Burton - 1/8/24 ♥♥♥♥


******CHALLENGE COMPLETE 1/29/24*****

Connie N. wrote: "All done and on time!"

Congrats, Connie!

January Monthly Challenge

READ: 9/9

✔️1. Happy January Birthday!:
🎊 Read a book published in January, or read a book with red on the cover in honor of January's birthstone, the Garnet.
Lethally Lit - Amber Boffin 1/9


✔️2. January Month-Long Observance - National Mentoring Month (United States):
🎊 Read a book with a character who would be considered a mentor, or one who has a mentor. You may also read a book that includes a teacher or student, has a school setting (any level) or where someone learns a new skill of any kind.
Champion of Fate - Kendare Blake (MC had a mentor, Aster) 1/13

✔️4. New Years Day – January 1:
🎊 Read a book that’s new to you in some way (series, author, genre, etc). You can also read a book where a character resolves to change something in their life, a book with a firework-worthy first kiss (your interpretation), or a book with the numbers 20 or 24 somewhere in its page count or publication date.
The Rosewood Hunt - Mackenzie Reed (new author) 1/7

✔️5. National Science Fiction Day – January 2:
🎊 Read a book that’s shelved on Goodreads as paranormal or science fiction. You can also read a book with something space-related (planets, stars, etc) or technology-related (computers, robots, etc) on its cover, or a book with a character who works in a STEM profession.
Guardian of Shadows - Michelle Manus (science fiction) 1/29

✔️6. National Clean Off Your Desk Day – January 8:
🎊 Clean up that TBR list by reading a book from it. You can also read a book with a character who works a desk job, or a book where a character cleans up their living area and/or life, whether it’s in the literal or emotional sense.
Blood Drive - Jeanne C. Stein (added Feb 13, 2009) 1/21

✔️7. National Michigan Day – January 18:
🎊 Read a book set in any of the Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) or written by a Michigan author. You can also read a book where a character goes boating or swimming, a book with the numbers 18 or 37 in the page count, or a book with a scene that makes you think of Michigan in some way.
Mulberry Mischief - Sharon Farrow (Michigan) 1/19

✔️8. Backwards Day – January 31:
🎊 Read a book that’s opposite for you in some way: maybe a subgenre you wouldn’t typically read, or a Christmas book—but in January. You can also read a book that shows the side or back profile of a person or animal (back, back of head, etc) on the cover, or a book where a character seems to do something backward (your interpretation), whether it’s something like their approach to a situation, wearing clothes inside out, or simply looking in a mirror.
Wings of Fear - Helene Young 1/27
(set in Australia during the winter --- in June; summer is in June where I live)

✔️9. Silent Record Week:
🎊 Read a book where a character engages in some quiet time by doing something such as meditation, reading, writing, or simply isolating themselves from others. You can also read a book with something on the cover that makes you think of silence, or a book that you think would be good to spend some quiet time with.
Hot and Badgered - Shelly Laurenston (heroine meditates) 1/6

✔️10. Reader's Choice: 🎊 Read any book of your choice.
The Ghost Hunter Next Door - Danielle Garrett 1/9

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

2024 January Monthly Challenge

In for the usual! 📚

10 of 10. Completed 1.31.2024 DONE!

1. Happy January Birthday!: Cupid Has a Heart-On by Tara Sivec 1.30.2024
2. January Month-Long Observance - National Mentoring Month: Hand Picked by May Archer 1.23.2024
3. Featured Author Challenge - Robyn Carr: A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr 1.4.20242024
4. New Years Day - January 1: Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews 1.17.2024
5. National Science Fiction Day - January 2: Forgotten in Death by J.D. Robb 1.26.2024
6. National Clean Off Your Dest Day - January 8: Desperately Seeking Santa by Eli Easton 1.18.2024
7. National Michigan Day - January 18: Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb 1.11.2024
8. Backwards Day - January 31: The Stocking Was Hung by Tara Sivec 1.28.2024
9. Silent Record Week: State of Bliss by Marie Force 1.19.2024
10. Reader's Choice: The Firework Exploded by Tara Sivec 1.31.2024



Thank you for a fun challenge!!

Finished!

Romance Readers Reading Challenges
2024 January Monthly Challenge
Duration: 1/1/2024 - 1/31/2024

Progress: 10 out of 10

Welcome to the January Monthly Book Challenge!

• You can choose any number of categories depending on your reading speed, book availability and/or time commitment.
• When posting your challenge progress, please make sure to put the date(s) when you finished your book(s).
• You may update your original challenge as you go or repost upon completion if you choose.

Feel free to ask if you need help with any of the challenges. Happy reading!

1. Happy January Birthday!: Read a book published in January, or read a book with red on the cover in honor of January's birthstone, the Garnet.
XOXO, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual's Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness by Cody Rigsby - *** - 1/9/2024 - 240 Pages



2. January Month-Long Observance - National Mentoring Month (United States): National Mentoring Month is a month-long series of events designed to raise awareness of mentoring among young people and adults. Launched jointly in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR National, NMM is now celebrated by for-profit and non-profit organizations, governments, and individuals worldwide.
🎊 Read a book with a character who would be considered a mentor, or one who has a mentor. You may also read a book that includes a teacher or student, has a school setting (any level) or where someone learns a new skill of any kind:
Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan Henry - **** - 1/22/2024 - 432 Pages - Includes a teacher



3. Featured Author Challenge (FAC) – Robyn Carr: Read one book written by Robyn Carr or any author with her first or last name.
Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr - ***** - 1/31/2024 - 368 Pages



4. New Years Day – January 1: Starting with the nation of Samoa and ending near the uninhabited atoll of Baker Island, the world will ring in 2024 in one of the most celebrated holidays of the year.
🎊 Read a book that’s new to you in some way (series, author, genre, etc). You can also read a book where a character resolves to change something in their life, a book with a firework-worthy first kiss (your interpretation), or a book with the numbers 20 or 24 somewhere in its page count or publication date:
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer - ***** - 1/1/2024 - 416 Pages - New to Me, Book about Hanukkah



5. National Science Fiction Day – January 2: Celebrate the science fiction genre on a day that commemorates the birthday of famous hard science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov.
🎊 Read a book that’s shelved on Goodreads as paranormal or science fiction. You can also read a book with something space-related (planets, stars, etc) or technology-related (computers, robots, etc) on its cover, or a book with a character who works in a STEM profession:
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix - ***** - 1/7/2024 - 419 Pages - Paranormal



6. National Clean Off Your Desk Day – January 8: On this day, unclutter and organize your workspace to get your new year off to a clean start!
🎊 Clean up that TBR list by reading a book from it. You can also read a book with a character who works a desk job, or a book where a character cleans up their living area and/or life, whether it’s in the literal or emotional sense:
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore - ***** - 1/11/2024 - 267 Pages - Cleans up her life



7. National Michigan Day – January 18: As a Michigander, I had to include this one! 😉 In 1837, Michigan became the 26th state. One of eight Great Lakes states, it’s known for many things: the largest freshwater shoreline in the United States, Motown music, the Mackinac Bridge and Sleeping Bear Dunes, a town called Hell (which does, indeed, freeze over), Motor City, the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck, and much more!
🎊 Read a book set in any of the Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) or written by a Michigan author. You can also read a book where a character goes boating or swimming, a book with the numbers 18 or 37 in the page count, or a book with a scene that makes you think of Michigan in some way:
When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal - **** - 1/13/2024 - 348 Pages - Characters go swimming



8. Backwards Day – January 31: On this day, partake in doing something in reverse just for the fun of it! New year, new backward you!
🎊 Read a book that’s opposite for you in some way: maybe a subgenre you wouldn’t typically read, or a Christmas book—but in January. You can also read a book that shows the side or back profile of a person or animal (back, back of head, etc) on the cover, or a book where a character seems to do something backward (your interpretation), whether it’s something like their approach to a situation, wearing clothes inside out, or simply looking in a mirror.
The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen - **** - 1/23/2024 - 368 Pages - Christmas book in January



9. Silent Record Week: Commemorate the history of silent records by engaging in a quiet activity during the first week of January. As the author Victoria Wolff once said, “One must learn to be silent just as one must learn to talk.”
🎊 Read a book where a character engages in some quiet time by doing something such as meditation, reading, writing, or simply isolating themselves from others. You can also read a book with something on the cover that makes you think of silence, or a book that you think would be good to spend some quiet time with:
Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd - ***** - 1/21/2024 - 416 Pages - Wanted to spend some quiet time with



10. Reader's Choice: 🎊 Read any book of your choice:
The Legend of Brightblade by Ethan M. Aldridge - **** - 1/13/2024 - 208 Pages

Final Update 2/2

1. Happy January Birthday!: Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman - red on the cover (1/18)★★★★1/2

2. January Month-Long Observance - National Mentoring Month (United States): Texture of Intimacy (from Wild Invitation) by Nalini Singh - hero is a teacher (1/20)★★★★★

3. Featured Author Challenge (FAC) – Robyn Carr: Delicious by Sherry Thomas - RITA award-winning author (1/8)★★★★1/2

4. New Years Day – January 1: Joan of Arc by Shana Corey - new to me author and 20 in publication date (1/26)★★★★

5. National Science Fiction Day – January 2: The Geek Next Door by Lauren Fraser - hero works in a STEM profession (1/9)★★★★

7. National Michigan Day – January 18: Skin Game by Jim Butcher - set in Illinois (1/31)★★★★★

10. Reader's Choice: 🎊 Dragolin by Stephen Cosgrove (1/26)★★★★★

Completed 7/7

Julianna wrote: "Final Update 2/2"

Suzanne wrote: "Finished!"

MountainKat wrote: "2024 January Monthly Challenge
10 of 10. Completed 1.31.2024 DONE!"

Barbara ★ wrote: "January Monthly Challenge
READ: 9/9"

Awesome job, everyone! :)

Thanks, Cyliena!

Completed: 10/10

1. Happy January Birthday!:Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent 1/23/24
2. Mentoring Month: Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck 1/10/24
3. FAC – Robyn Carr: Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr 1/1/24
4. New Years Day: Memory Lane by Becky Wade 1/7/24
5. Science Fiction Day: Wild Irish Heart by Tricia O'Malley 1/6/24
6. Clean Off Your Desk Day: An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn 1/3/24
7. Michigan Day: Some Sort of Happy by Melanie Harlow 1/16/24
8. Backwards Day: A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy 1/1/24
9. Silent Record Week: The Silent Duke by Jess Michaels 1/17/24
10. Reader's Choice: Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross 1/15/24

Natalie wrote: "Completed: 10/10"

Congrats, Natalie!