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Anne of Green Gables book cover

Challenge Accepted: Read Harder 2017

Challenge #7: Read a book published between 1900 and 1950

A new year means new year resolutions and challenges. One reading challenge that I love to do is Book Riot 's 2017 Read Harder hallenge . Instead of having people focus on a specific number of books, Read Harder challenges people to read different genres or authors that they may overlook. This year, there are 24 prompts for readers, and a complete list may be found here on the Book Riot Goodreads page.

Before He Finds Her

March Mysteries

March is here and, to my reading pursuits, that means it is time for mysteries! I love reading mysteries in March: maybe it is the alliteration, maybe it is because March is the transitional time between winter and spring, maybe it is needing a thrill after the lovey-dovey books of February have passed, etc. Whatever the reason may be… it is March, and in March, I read mysteries!

The Cracked Spine cover

Cozy Mysteries for Bibliophiles

Each of these mysteries features a librarian, bookstore owner or employee, author, or other bookish character or setting along with the usual murder and mayhem.  

razor girl

Swamp Justice, Florida-Style

Carl Hiaasen Read-A-Likes

Eco-terrorists are not your average dedicated environmentalists.  In Carl Hiaasen’s novels, they can be downright dangerous and emotionally unstable. They say “write what you know” and Hiaasen knows Florida and the politics of the Sunshine State’s real estate developments. As a longtime investigative reporter and columnist for the Miami Herald, Hiaasen spent most of his career in journalism ranting against real estate moguls and politicians responsible for altering the unique landscape of Southern Florida. 

Cover of Grave Mercy

Picture this!

Historical Young Adult Literature

Usually when one thinks of young adult literature, the first associations that may come to mind are magic or fantasy. It’s safe to say that realistic fiction comes in close second – slice of life drama or texts that illustrate compelling characters. But readers looking for something different should try adding a little history to their YA selections – these novels might just broaden your perception of the quality literature that this genre has to offer.

All is Not Forgotten

Books That Have Probably Been Called "The Next 'Gone Girl'" On Some Other List

Were you one of the many who devoured Gone Girl?  Rushed out and grabbed that next modern-mystery high with The Girl on the Train?

The Pale Horse cover image

Happy Birthday, Agatha Christie!

Celebrate the Grand Dame of Classic Mysteries

September 15 is Agatha Christie's birthday!

A Cookbook Conspiracy cover

Sun, Sand, and Sleuthing

These Cozy Mysteries are the Perfect Read for Your Vacation

Cozy mysteries allow readers to enjoy the fun of a murder mystery while avoiding graphic violence and gore. You still get the whodunit twists and turns, the fun of trying to sleuth ahead of the characters, and the sometimes surprising reveal of who really killed the victim – was it really the butler? These are the perfect light summer books for your August beach trip or family vacation. 

Streetcar Named Desire

Big Easy

Beyond Mardi Gras, Hurricanes, and Blanche

The first time I can remember reading about New Orleans, I was a high school sophomore struggling to relate to Blanche DuBois in Streetcar Named Desire. It didn't go very well.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

I Spy With My Little Eye

Novels Exploring the Art of Espionage

James Bond. Jason Bourne. Jack Ryan. Three of Hollywood’s biggest secret agent characters who began their fictional cloak and dagger lives as literary heroes. But there’s more out there than just these dashing spys-cum-action-heroes. And it takes more than just a compelling lead character to create a good spy story. Intrigue. Romance. Secret codes and hidden gadgets. Villains in disguise. A good espionage thriller will touch on all of these. So here’s a list of five novels that delve into the arcane world of secret intelligence. Some are praised for their realism, some less so.

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