MBS- 2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge Completed

The Challenge requires 1 book per letter of the Alphabet. That I completed.

2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge

Hosted by Escape with Dollycas Into A Good Book

Check rules and sign up HERE.

It’s an alphabet challenge!!! The challenge is to read one book that has a title starting with every letter of the alphabet.
You can drop the A’s and The’s from the book titles as shown below. For those pesky Q, X AND Z titles the word with the challenge letter can be anywhere in the title.

However, I was working this 2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge in expanded mode.
I was trying to fill the Alphabet with TBR books, ebook and audio if possible, as well as new books.
(A for audio; E for ebook; P for print; TE for Tour; AE for author ebook).
Books 1 and 2  will be TBRs: 1 = print or ebook and 2 = audio/Audible. 
Books 3 and 4 will be; new books: 3 = NG (NetGalley), TE (tour ebook) or AE (author ebook) or P (print).
4 = new audio/Audible titles. A ABB (Audiobook Boom); A ABJ (Audiobook Jukebox); A (Audible).
Summary of 2016 Completion:

I was able to listen to an Audio TBR for all but five letters: N, Q, X, Y and Z. (I could have done N but lost track.)
I missed six letters for ebook or print TBR which was really a failure to plan since I have so many books to choose from! I had even covered Q, X, Y and Z and still missed six.
I only missed new ebook/print titles by five: O, S, X, Y and Z.
I missed new audio titles by eight: J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y and Z.

I think I will try again for a full 4 slate in 2017.
I already have TBR audio titles for all letters lined up of 2017.
I can easily cover ebook/print TBRs if I plan properly for 2017 - I may have to list them.
I think if I pay attention to pick up new titles where needed I could fill the letters with new titles too. Maybe all but Q, X, Y and Z - but I can try!

Title (author to be added if not in yet) and to be linked to review when posted.
A1. (P/E TBR) Arena by Karen Hancock
A2. (A TBR) A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell, #1) by Deanna Rayborrn
A3. (NG) Admiral (An Evagardian Novel) by Sean Danker
A4. (A 2016) Agenda 21: Into the Shadows by Glenn Beck
B1. (NG TBR) Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1) by Marcus Sakey (Rec'd Dec 2015);
B2. (A ABJ TBR) Buster the Military Dog by Will Barrow (Rec'd Dec 2015)
B3. (TE) Breaking the Story (Scottie's Adventures Book 2) by Ashley Farley
B4. (A Narrator) Bad Deeds by Robert Bidinotto
C1. (NG TBR) Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley by W.E. Lawrence (Rec'd Dec 2015)
C2. (A TBR) Classic Love Poems
C3. (TE) City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold
C4. (A ABB) The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz
D1. (NG-TBR) The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson Book 9) by Darynda Jones (Rec'd Dec 2015)
D2. (A TBR) Daemon by Daniel Suarez
D3. (NG) Dear Emma by Katie Heaney
D4. (A ABB) Defects: The Reverians by Sara Noffke
E1. (TE TBR) Emmy Nation Undercover Suffragette (Rec'd Dec 2015 for iRead BookTour)
E2. (A TBR) The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1) (Abridged) by Robert Jordan; Mark Rolston Narrator
E3. (NG) Extreme Honor by Piper J. Drake (Rec'd Dec 2015)
E4. (A 2016) Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6 by A. American
F1. (E-Author TBR) The Feral Sentence: Part One by G. C. Julien
F2. (A TBR) For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2 by H. Paul Honsinger (Audible 12/15)
F3. (E) First Fruits by Brad Duncan
F4. (A ABJ) Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave
G1.
G2. (A TBR) Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2 by Charlaine Harris
G3. (E) Guardian of Paradise by W. E. Lawrence
G4. (A ABB) Good Morning... Processes Must Be Improved by Ray Jay Perreault
H1.
H2. (A TBR) Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips;
H3. (NG) Hold Your Breath (Search and Rescue) by Katie Ruggle
H4. (A ABJ) Haraken: A Silver Ships Novel by S. H. Jucha
I1. (NG TBR) Inquisitor by Mitchell Hogan (Rec'd Dec 2015)
I2. (A TBR) In the Event of My Death by Michele Hauf (Goodreads Author), Debbie Irwin (Narrator)
I3. (T) Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One by Norma Hinkens
I4. (A) In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale by Robert McCallum
J1. (NG TBR) Jessica’s Christmas Kiss by Alison May (Rec'd in Dec 2015)
J2. (A TBR) (The) Jewel of Dantenos: The FREE Lee Starfinder Adventure by Brian D. Anderson
J3. (TE) Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection: Box Set Books 1-3 by Barbara Venkataraman
J4.
K1.
K2. (A TBR) Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
K3. (NG) Keepsake for Eagle Cove by M. L. Buchman
K4.
L1.
L2. (A TBR) Lost in a Good Book: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde
L3. (NG) Laos File (The Shake Davis Series) by Dale Dye
L4. (ABJ) Loreena's Gift by Colleen M. Story
M1. (P TBR) Mistletoe Memories: Four Generations Transform a House Into a Home for Christmas (LBC purchased in Nov 2015)
M2. (A TBR) Monster Hunter Legion: Monster Hunter, Book 4 by Larry Correia
M3. (NG) Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick
M4. (A ABB) Making Amends by Melinda Clayton
N1. (NG TBR) Night Study by Maria J. Snyder (Rec'd Nov 2015)
N2.
N3. (TE) Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge) by Jill Shalvis
N4. (A ABB) Northern Lights: A Scorched Earth Novel by Boyd Craven III
O1.
O2. (A TBR) Old Man's War by John Scalzi
O3.
O4. (A ABJ) Only Ever You by Rebecca Drake
P1.(NG TBR) (The) Path of the Bullet by MC Jacques (Rec'd Dec 2015)
P2. (A TBR) Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) by Michael J. Sullivan (Audible free book 2015)
P3. (P LBC) Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent by Robin Parrish
P4. (A ABJ) Pack: A Paranormal Romance Novelette by Jeaniene Frost
Q1. (E TBR) Quiet As They Come by Angie Chau
Q2.
Q3. (E Author) Quirky Essays for Quirky People: The Complete Collection by Barbara Venkataraman
Q4.
R1.
R2. (A-TBR) Reunion in Death by J.D. Robb (Audible 12/15)
R3. (TE) Rarity from the Hollow by Robert Eggleton
R4. (A ABB) Redfall: Fight for Survival: American Prepper Series, Book 1, by Jay J. Falconer
S1. (NG TBR) Steamborn by Eric R. Asher (Received in Dec 2015)
S2. (A TBR) Straits of Hell by Taylor Anderson (Audible 11/2015)
S3.
S4. (A ABJ) Singular by David F. Porteous (ABJ Jan 2016)
T1. (P TBR) Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul (LBC Print purchased Nov 2015)
T2. (A TBR) To Live Forever by Jack Vance
T2. (A TBR) Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by Anthony Vicino (Rec'd from author Dec 2015)
T3. (TE) Those Who Walk in Darkness by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene
T4. (ABB) Tarah Woodblade: The Bowl of Souls Book 6 by Trevor H. Cooley
U1. (E TBR) Unicorn Western by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant
U2. (A TBR) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Audible 2/15)
U3. (NG T) Ultimate Courage by Piper J. Drake
U4. (A Narrator) Dangerous and Unseemly: A Concordia Wells Mystery, Book 1 by K.B. Owen
V1. (ETBR) A Very Holly Christmas by Sheila Roberts
V2. (A TBR) Variant by Robison Wells
V3. (E PBL) Violets in February by Clare Revell
V4.
W1. (NG TBR) What We Find by Robyn Carr (rec'd 12/2015)
W2. (A TBR) What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
W3. (NG) Written in Fire (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 3) by Marcus Sakey
W4.
X1. (A TBR) X Minus One: Protective Mimicry (October 3, 1956) by Algis Budrys, Ernest Kinoy – adaptation (Audible 12/31/15)
Y1. (E TBR) The Yellow Line by Kitrin Haas
Z1. (E TBR) Zombies at the Door: Planning for the Inevitable by Charlie Pulsipher

MBS- 2016 Netgalley Reading Challenge - Completed

2016 Netgalley Reading Challenge

hosted by Ariel at Fictively.com;

Rules and sign up can be found HERE.

I read 37 books from NetGalley in 2014 and 44 books in 2015 so I am chose the Hardcore level this year to get to 41 titles:

I counted four eTreasure titles that I read as I formatted for NetGalley upload. I hope they count.
At the end of the year I had to add a couple of children's titles to get this completed. (I should have kept better track/count.)

1. NG-TBR-- Book Review: The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson Book 9) by Darynda Jones; Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
2. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Jessica's Christmas Kiss: (Christmas Kisses Book 3) by Alison May; Romance, Holiday; my rating 4.5.
3. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Night Study (Study Series) by Maria V. Snyder; Paranormal, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.
4. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1) by Marcus Sakey; Sci Fi, Suspense Thriller; my rating 5.0.
5. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Extreme Honor (True Heroes) by Piper J. Drake; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
6. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Steamborn (Steamborn Series) (Volume 1) by Eric R Asher; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Steampunk; my rating 4.25.
7. NG-TBR--Book Review: Emmy Nation: Undercover Suffragette (The Suffragette Nation Book 1) by L Davis Munro; Historical Fiction, Women's Suffrage; my rating 5.0.
8. NG--Book Review: The God's Eye View by Barry Eisler; Suspense Thriller, Political; my rating 4.5.
9. NG-TBR--Book Review: Dear Emma by Katie Heaney; Coming of Age, College Romance; my rating 4.0.
10. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Path of the Bullet by M C Jacques; Mystery, Crime Thriller; my rating 4.25.
11. NG-TBR-- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Breaking the Story (Scottie's Adventures Book 2) by Ashley Farley; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.0.
12. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley by W.E. Lawrence; Action Adventure; my rating 4.25.
13. NG-- Book Review: The Cracked Spine: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.5.
    
14. NG-Tour-- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge) by Jill Shalvis; Contemporary Romance my rating 4.0.
15. NG-- Book Review: What We Find by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.25.
16. NG--Book Review: Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick; Scottish, Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
17. NG--Book Review: Hold Your Breath (Search and Rescue) by Katie Ruggle; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.
18. NG-- Book Review: Admiral (An Evagardian Novel) by Sean Danker; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5
19. eTP-NG 31 Fun Ways to Increase Your Child’s Attention Span by Dr. Jackie Paxton
20. NG-- Book Review: Laos File (The Shake Davis Series) by Dale Dye; Military Thriller; my rating 5.0.
21. NG-- Book Review: A Better World by Marcus Sakey; Sci Fi, Suspense Thriller; my rating 4.25.
22. NG-- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Ultimate Courage (True Heroes) by Piper J. Drake; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
23. NG-- Book Review: A License to Wed: Rebellious Brides by Diana Quincy; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.
24. NG-- Book Review: Machinations by Hayley Stone; Sci Fi, Suspense Thriller; my rating 4.25.
25. NG-- Book Review: The Bluebonnet Betrayal, A Potting Shed Mystery by Marty Wingate; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
26. NG-- Book Review: The Cat, The Collector and the Killer by Leann Sweeney; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.5.
27. NG-- Book Review: The Crêpes of Wrath, A Pancake House Mystery by Sarah Fox; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.5.
28. NG-- Book Review: Inquisitor by Mitchell Hogan; Sci Fi, Space Thriller; my rating 4.25.
29. NG-- Book Review: The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep; Christian, Historical Romance; my rating 4.75.
30. eTP-NG-- Fractal by Rachel Mannino
31. eTP NG-- The Handy Dandy Quick Reference Guide For Teachers Working with Children with Academic by Dr. Jackie Paxton
32. NG--Book Review: The Steam Man of the Prairies by Edward S. Ellis; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
33. NG--Book Review: Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1) by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley; Sci Fi, Steampunk, Time Travel; my rating 4.25.
34. NG--Book Review: Written in Fire (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 3) by Marcus Sakey; Sci Fi, Thriller, Dystopian; my rating 4.5.
35. eTP-NG-- Grandma's Face Tells her Story by Elaine McKay.
36. NG--Book Review: The Reader by M.K. Harkins; Sci Fi, Paranormal, YA; my rating 4.5.
37. NG--Book Review: The Wrong Unit by Rob Dircks; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 5.0.
38. NG--Book Review: Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen; Sci Fi, Steampunk; my rating 4.5.
39. NG--Book Review: The Circuit: Executor Rising by Rhett C. Bruno; Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 4.0.
40. NG--Book Review: Cooked Goose (Big Mike and Minnie) by Susan Amanda Kelly; Romantic Comedy, Holiday; my rating 4.5. 
41. NG--Book Review: Mrs. White Rabbit by Gilles Bachelet; Children; my rating 4.0.
42. NG--Book Review: Reading is for Idjits! by W. W. Rowe; Children; my rating 3.5.

MBS - 2016 Audiobook Challenge Completed

2016 Audiobook Challenge

hosted by Hot Listens and The Book Nympho

My goal was MARATHONER which is over 50 so I met that goal.
(I did not get to my hoped for point of 75 as I was 5 short at 70.)

1. (TBR) Audible Book Reviews: Three X Minus One #VintageSciFi Stories; Vintage Sci Fi; my ratings 4.5, 4.25 and 4.25.
2. (TBR) Audible Book Review and #Giveaway: Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by #Anthony Vicino; Sci Fi, Mystery; my rating 4.5.
3. (TBR) Audio Book Review: Buster: The Military Dog Who Saved a Thousand Lives by Will Barrow, Isabel George; Personal Memoir; my rating 4.25.
4. (TBR) Audible Book Review: The Very First D**ned Thing: An Author-Read Audio Exclusive by Jodi Taylor; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
5. (TBR) Audible Book Review: To Live Forever by Jack Vance; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
6. (TBR) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein; Sci Fi, Vintage; my rating 5.0.
7. (ABJ) Audible Book Review: Singular by David F. Porteous; Sci Fi, Thriller; my rating 4.25.
8. (ABB) Audible Book Review: Star Crusader: Hero of the Alliance by Michael G. Thomas; Sci Fi, Space Adventure; my rating 4.25.
9. (TBR) Audible Book Review: Classic Love Poems by William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Elizabeth, Barrett Browning and others; Poetry; my rating 5.0.
10. (ABJ) Audible Book Review: The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1 by Andrea Perno; Fantasy, Young Adult; my rating 4.0.
11. (TBR) Audible Book Review: Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14, by J.D. Robb; Mystery Thriller, Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.
12. (ABB) Audio Book Review: Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1 by Sarah Noffke; YA, Dystopian; my rating 4.0.
13. (TBR) Audible Book Review: Agenda 21: Into the Shadows by Glenn Beck ; Christian, Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.25.
14. (TBR) Audible Book Review: Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10 by Taylor Anderson; Sci Fi, Alternate History; my rating 5.0.
15. (ABB) Audible Review: Good Morning... Processes Must Be Improved by Ray Jay Perreault; Sci Fi, Short Story; my rating 4.0.
16. (New) Audible Book Review: Good Fences: A Scorched Earth Novel by Boyd Craven III; Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
17. (ABB) Audio Book Review: Northern Lights: A Scorched Earth Novel by Boyd Craven III; Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
18. (ABJ) Audible Book Review: Derelict by LJ Cohen; Sci Fi, YA; my rating 4.0.
19. (New) Audible Book Review: Fire Touched: Mercy Thompson Series, Book 9, by Patricia Briggs; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
20. (ABJ) Audible Book Review: Dream Kisses: Romance on the Ranch Series Book 1 by Verna Clay; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.
21. (ABB) Audible Book Review: Redfall: Fight for Survival: American Prepper Series, Book 1, by Jay J. Falconer; Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.25.
22. (TBR) Audible Book Review: Variant by Robison Wells; Sci Fi, Teens; my rating 3.75.
23. (Author) Audio Book Review: Bad Deeds by Robert Bidinotto; Thriller, Espionage; my rating 4.5.
24. (Narrator) Audio Book Review: Dark Sanity by Paul L. Centeno; Sci Fi, Steampunk; my rating 4.5.
(TBR)--Audible Book Review: Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) by Michael J. Sullivan; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.
25. (Narrator) Audio Book Review: In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale by Robert McCallum ; Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
26. (ABJ) Audio Book Review: Pack: A Paranormal Romance Novelette by Jeaniene Frost; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.0.
27. (TBR) Audible Book Review: The Jewel of Dantenos: The FREE Lee Starfinder Adventure by Brian D. Anderson ; Fantasy, Adventure; my rating 4.25.
28. (Author) Audio Book Review: Redfall: Freedom Fighters: American Prepper Series, Book 2 by Jay J. Falconer; Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
29. (ABB) Audio Book Review: Making Amends by Melinda Clayton; Suspense, Drama; my rating 4.25.
30. (TBR) Audible Book Review: Old Man's War by John Scalzi; Sci Fi, Military Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
31. (A2016) Audible Book Review: Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6 by A. American; Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
32. (ABB) Audio Book Review: The Arrival: The Evaran Chronicles Prequel by Adair Hart; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
33. (Author) Audible Book Review: Burning Bright: Ivy Granger Book 3 by E.J. Stevens; Detective, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
34. (Author) Audible Book Review: Birthright: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book 4 by E.J. Stevens Detective, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
35. (ABB) Audible Book Review: Dangerous and Unseemly: A Concordia Wells Mystery, Book 1 by K.B. Owen; Historical, Mystery, Amateur Woman Sleuth; my rating 4.25.
36. (ABJ) Audible Book Review: Beware the Little White Rabbit Anthology; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Steampunk; my rating 4.5.
37. (Narrator) Audible Book Review: The Pit Stop: This Stop Could Be Life or Death by Carmen DeSousa; Mystery, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
38. (ABJ) Audio Book Review: Desolation by M.L. Banner; Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
39. (ABB) Audio Book Review: The Christmas Kitten: A Polly Parrett Pet-Sitter Cozy Murder Mystery, Book 2 by Liz Dodwell; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
40. (ATBR) Audible Book Review: Daemon by Daniel Suarez; Sci Fi, Techno Thriller; my rating 4.5.
41.  (A2016) Audible Book Review: Burning Nation: Book 2 of Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy; Dystopian, Sci Fi, YA; my rating 4.0.
42. (ATBR) Audible Book Review: For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2 by H. Paul Honsinger; Sci Fi, Military Space Opera; my rating 4.5
43. (ATBR) Audible Book Review: This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti; Inspiration, Religious, Suspense; my rating 4.25.
44. (Narrator) Audio Book Review: Deceitful Moon: Manny Williams Series, Book 2 by Rick Murcer; Forensic Mystery Thriller; my rating 4.5.
    
45. (ATBR) Audible Book Review: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand; Biography, memoir, WWII; my rating 5.0.
46. (Narrator) Audio Book Review: Unseemly Pursuits: The Concordia Wells Mysteries Book 2 by K.B. Owen; Historical, mystery; my rating 4.5.
47. (ABB) Audio Book Review: Apocalypse Machine by Jeremy Robinson; Sci Fi, EOTW Thriller; my rating 4.5.
48. (ABB) Audio Book Review: Tarah Woodblade: The Bowl of Souls Book 6 by Trevor H. Cooley; Epic Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
49. (ABB) Audiobook Review: Mistletoe Mayhem: Dawson Chronicles, Book 1 by Linda Bridey; Historical Romance; my rating 3.75.
50. (ATBR) Audible Book Review: Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2 by Charlaine Harris; Mystery, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
51. (ABJ) Audio Book Review: Haraken: A Silver Ships Novel by S. H. Jucha; Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 4.75.
52. (ATBR) Audible Book Review: Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.
53. ATBR-- Audible Book Review: FREE: Summer Farmer: A Story from White Man's Problems by Kevin Morris; Short Story, Fiction; my rating 4.0.
54. ATBR--Audible Book Review: Lost in a Good Book: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde; Alternate History; my rating 4.5.
55. ABJ--Audio Book Review: Loreena's Gift by Colleen M. Story; Inspirational, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
56. ATBR--Audible Book Review: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn; Regency Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.
57. ATBR--Audible Book Review: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.
58. ABB--Audio Book Review: The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz; Christian, Historical Romance, American Revolution; my rating 4.5.
59. ABJ--Audio Book Review: Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave; Crime Thriller, Suspense; my rating 4.5.
60. ATBR--Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Legion: Monster Hunter, Book 4 by Larry Correia; Sci Fi, Paranormal, Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
61. ABJ--Audio Book Review: Only Ever You by Rebecca Drake; Mystery, Suspense, Thriller; my rating 4.5.
62. ATBR--Audible Book Review: Swarm: Star Force, Book 1, by B. V. Larson; Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
63. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: The Synchronicity War, Part 1 by Dietmar Wehr; Sci Fi, Military; my rating 4.0.
64. A-TBR-- Goodreads Audible Book Review: The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey, #1) by Richard Paul Evans; Action, Fantasy, Teen; my rating 4.0.
65. ABB-Narrator-- Audible Book Review: The Great Martian War: Invasion by Scott Washburn; Sci Fi, Alternate History; my rating 4.25.
66. ATBR-- Goodreads Audible Book Review: A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell, #1) by Deanna Rayborrn; Historical Romance; my rating 3.75.
67. ATBR--Audible Book Review: A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry; Classic, British Literature, Christmas; my rating 5.0.
68. ATBR--Audible Review: The Chimes by Charles Dickens; Classic, Holiday; my rating 4.5.
69. ATBR--Audible Book Review at Goodreads: In the Event of My Death by Michele Hauf (Goodreads Author), Debbie Irwin (Narrator); Mystery; my rating 4.0.
70. ATBR-- hGoodreads Audible Book Review: The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1) (Abridged) by Robert Jordan; Epic Fantasy; my rating 3.00.

37 Through June.
53 Through September.
(Obviously lost track after that.)

2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge Update Midyear

I am working this 2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge in expanded mode. I am trying to fill the Alphabet with TBR books, ebook and audio if possible, as well as new books. 
(A for audio; E for ebook; P for print; TE for Tour; AE for author ebook).
Books 1 and 2 are will be TBRs: 1 = print or ebook and 2 = audio/Audible. 
Books 3 and 4 will be  new books: 1 = NG (NetGalley), TE (tour ebook) or AE (author ebook); 
4 = new audio/Audible titles.
(A ABB = Audiobook Boom; A ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox)
[Brackets indicate a planned book.]

Title (author to be added if not in yet), date acquired; linked to review when read.
A1. (P/E TBR) Arena by Karen Hancock (fall 2015)
A2. (A TBR) Agenda 21: Into the Shadows by Glenn Beck (Audible credit 1/16)
A3. (NG) Admiral (An Evagardian Novel) by Sean Danker
A4.
B1. (NG TBR) Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1) by Marcus Sakey (Selected Dec 2015);
B2. (A ABJ) Buster the Military Dog by Will Barrow (Rec'd Dec 2015 through ABJ)
B3. (TE) Breaking the Story (Scottie's Adventures Book 2) by Ashley Farley
B4. (A-Narrator) Bad Deeds
C1. (E TBR) [Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer; Kindle pick up 2/14]
C2. (A TBR) Classic Love Poems (Free Audible 2/15)
C3. (TE) City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold (Rec'd Jan 2016 for Great Escapes Book Tour)
C3. (NG TBR) Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley by W.E. Lawrence (Rec'd Dec 2015)
C4.
D1.
D2. (A TBR) Daemon by Daniel Suarez Audible 2012
D3. (NG) Dear Emma by Katie Heaney (Rec'd Jan 2016 through Hachette at NG)
D4. (A ABB) Defects: The Reverians by Sara Noffke (Rec'd Jan 2016 through ABB)
E1.
E2. (A TBR) [Eye of the Needle 2012]
E3. (NG) Extreme Honor by Piper J. Drake (Rec'd Dec 2015)
E3. (TE) Emmy Nation Undercover Suffragette (Rec'd Dec 2015 for iRead BookTour)
E4. (A new) Enforcing Home
F1.
F2. (A TBR) For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2 by H. Paul Honsinger (Audible 12/15)
F3. (E) First Fruits by Brad Duncan
F4.
G1.
G2. (A-TBR) Grave Surprise
G3. (E) Guardian of Paradise by W. E. Lawrence
G4. (A) Good Morning... Processes Must Be Improved by Ray Jay Perreault
H1. (E TBR) [His Lady Mistress 2009]
H2. (A TBR) Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Audible 8/14
H3. (NG) Hold Your Breath (Search and Rescue) by Katie Ruggle
H4.
I1.
I2. (A TBR) [Into the Black 2015 (NOV Sci Fi) Importance Earnest]
I3. (T) Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One by Norma Hinkens (Rec'd Feb 2016 for Expresso Book Tour)
I4. (A) In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale by Robert McCallum
J1.
J2. (A TBR) (The) Jewel of Dantenos: The FREE Lee Starfinder Adventure by Brian D. Anderson
J3. (NG) Jessica’s Christmas Kiss by Alison May (Rec'd in Dec 2015)
J3. (TE) Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection: Box Set Books 1-3 by Barbara Venkataraman
J4.
K1.
K2. (A TBR) Kiss an Angel
K3.
K4.
L1.
L2. (A TBR) Lost in a Good Book Audible 3/12
L3. (NG) Laos File (The Shake Davis Series) by Dale Dye
L4.
M1. (P TBR) Mistletoe Memories: Four Generations Transform a House Into a Home for Christmas (LBC purchased in Nov 2015)
M2. (A TBR) [Monster Hunter Audible 11/15]
M3. (NG) Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick
M4. (A ABB) Making Amends by Melinda Clayton
N1. (NG TBR) Night Study by Maria J. Snyder(Rec'd Nov 2015)
N2. (A TBR) [Nation 2012] [No Easy Hope 2015]
N3. (TE) Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge) by Jill Shalvis
N4. (A ABB) Northern Lights: A Scorched Earth Novel by Boyd Craven III
O1.
O2. (A TBR) Old Man's War by John Scalzi (Audible 2/13)
P1.
P2. (A TBR) Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) by Michael J. Sullivan (Audible free book 2015)
P3.(NG TBR) (The) Path of the Bullet by MC Jacques (Rec'd Dec 2015)
P4. (A ABJ) Pack: A Paranormal Romance Novelette by Jeaniene Frost
Q1. (E TBR) Quiet As They Come by Angie Chau (Free 2010)
Q3. (E) Quirky Essays
R1.
R2. (A-TBR) Reunion in Death by J.D. Robb (Audible credit 12/15)
R3. (TE) Rarity from the Hollow by Robert Eggleton
R4. (A ABB) Redfall: Fight for Survival: American Prepper Series, Book 1, by Jay J. Falconer
S1. (E TBR) [Snowbound 2009]
S2. (A TBR) Straits of Hell by Taylor Anderson (Audible credit 11/2015)
S3. (NG TBR) Steamborn by Eric R. Asher (Received in Dec 2015)
S4. (A ABJ) Singular by David F. Porteous (ABJ Jan 2016)
T1. (P TBR) Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul (LBC Print purchased Nov 2015)
T2. (A TBR) To Live Forever (Audible credit or purchase August 2015)
T3. (TE) Those Who Walk in Darkness by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene
T4.(A TBR) Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by Anthony Vicino (Rec'd from author Dec 2015)
U1.
U2. (A TBR) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Audible 2/15)
U3. (NG T) Ultimate Courage by Piper J. Drake
U4. (A Narrator) Unseemly Pursuits
V1.
V2. (A TBR) Variant by Robison Wells (Audible 2012)
V3. (E PBL) Violets in February by Clare Revell
V4.
W1.
W2. (A TBR) What Happens in London Audible 2012
W3. (NG TBR) What We Find by Robyn Carr
W4.
X1.
X2. (A) X Minus One: Protective Mimicry (October 3, 1956) by Algis Budrys, Ernest Kinoy – adaptation (Audible purchase 12/31)
Y.
Z.

MBS 2016 Mount TBR Reading Challenge and Check Point #1

I realized I hadn't posted this challenge when I went to do the quarterly check-in so this is both.

2016 Mount TBR Reading Challenge 

This Challenge is hosted by MY READER'S BLOCK 

Challenge Levels:

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from your TBR pile/s
Mount Olympus (Mars): Read 150+ books from your TBR pile/s

I am hoping to reach Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from my TBR piles/boxes

JANUARY 2016
1. A-TBR-- Audible Book Reviews: Three X Minus One #VintageSciFi Stories; Vintage Sci Fi; X Minus One: Protective Mimicry (October 3, 1956) by Algis Budrys, Ernest Kinoy - adaptation; my ratings 4.5, 4.25 and 4.25.
2. A-TBR-- X Minus One: Cold Equations (August 25, 1955) by Tom Godwin, George Lefferts - adaptation; my ratings 4.25.
3. A-TBR-- X Minus One: Target One (December 26, 1957) by Frederik Pohl, George Lefferts - adaptation; my ratings 4.25.
4. P-LBC-TBR-- Book Review and Giveaway: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball: A Novella by Donita K. Paul; Romance, Fantasy, Inspirational; my rating 4.5.
5. E-TBR-- Book Review: The Colossus by Ranjini Iyer; Action, Adventure, Mystery; my rating 3.75.
6. NG-TBR-- Book Review: The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson Book 9) by Darynda Jones; Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
7. A (Author)-TBR-- Audible Book Review and Giveaway: Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by #Anthony Vicino. Sci Fi, Mystery; my rating 4.5.
8. E (Author)-TBR-- Book Review: The Feral Sentence: Part One by G. C. Julien ; Dystopian, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
9. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Jessica's Christmas Kiss: (Christmas Kisses Book 3) by Alison May; Romance, Holiday; my rating 4.5.
10. ABJ-TBR-- Audio Book Review: Buster: The Military Dog Who Saved a Thousand Lives by Will Barrow, Isabel George; Personal Memoir; my rating 4.25.
11. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: The Very First D**ned Thing: An Author-Read Audio Exclusive by Jodi Taylor; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
12. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Night Study (Study Series) by Maria V. Snyder; Paranormal, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.
13. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1) by Marcus Sakey; Sci Fi, Suspense Thriller; my rating 5.0.
14. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: To Live Forever by Jack Vance; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
15. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Extreme Honor (True Heroes) by Piper J. Drake; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.
16. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Steamborn (Steamborn Series) (Volume 1) by Eric R Asher; Sci Fi, Fantasy, Steampunk; my rating 4.25.
17. A-TBR-- The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein; Sci Fi, Vintage; my rating 5.0.
January TBR = 17.                                                                                                           FEBRUARY 2016
18. P-LBC-TBR-- Book Review and Giveaway: Mistletoe Memories: Four Generations Transform a House Into a Home for Christmas (Romancing America); Inspirational Fiction; Christmas Romance; my rating 5.0.
19. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Emmy Nation: Undercover Suffragette (The Suffragette Nation Book 1) by L Davis Munro; Historical Fiction, Women's Suffrage; my rating 5.0.
20. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: Classic Love Poems by William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Elizabeth, Barrett Browning and others; Poetry; my rating 5.0.
21. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14, by J.D. Robb; Mystery Thriller, Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.
February TBR = 4.                                                                                                          MARCH 2016
22. LBC-TBR-- Book Review and Giveaway: Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2) by Ronie Kendig; Christian, Military, Mystery Suspense; my rating 4.5.
23. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Dear Emma by Katie Heaney; Coming of Age, College Romance; my rating 4.0.
24. A-TBR-- Audible Book Review: Agenda 21: Into the Shadows by Glenn Beck ; Christian, Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.25.
25. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Path of the Bullet by M C Jacques; Mystery, Crime Thriller; my rating 4.25.
26. A-TBR--Audible Book Review: Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10 by Taylor Anderson; Sci Fi, Alternate History; my rating 5.0.
27. NG-TBR-- Book Review: Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley by W.E. Lawrence; Action Adventure; my rating 4.25.
28. NG-TBR-- Book Review: The Cracked Spine: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.5.
March TBR = 7.                                                                                                         

FIRST QUARTER CHECK POINT:

Total for 1st Quarter = 28 which is on target for reaching Mt. Everest.

A.  My Favorite Cover first quarter reads:

B.  My Favorite Character from first quarter reads:

Buster, The Military Dog (#10 above) was certainly a favorite, furry character, as was Talon (#22). They are examples of real heroes.
I think Mannie, from The Moon is A Harsh Mistress (#17), is my favorite 'human' character.  It may have been the narration but I think it was Mannie's strength of character, pushing through fear to be a reluctant leader, that I really liked.

C.  Surprise(s):

I was surprised by the vintage sci fis. (#s 1,2,3,14 and 17). They made me appreciate the element of irony in science fiction which is apparently timeless. It existed in the 1950s and is still part of the genre today.

D. Title Scramble:  Best Pattern

Buster
Extreme Honor
Steamborn
Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

Path of the Bullet
Agenda 21: Into the Shadows
Time Heist
To Live Forever
Emmy Nation
Reunion in Death
Night Study

Final Update on March 2016 Take Control of TBR Pile Challenge

I am surprised that it is already three weeks into March! The time is flying by.
I thought I would get an update post started for this Challenge so I can keep track!
The month went quickly and I had more than half of the books that were new releases after the 3/1/2016 date. Still, I ended with 7 in this challenge which is satisfactory.

[I have to admit I confused myself on this one. I have been focusing on reading TBRs I received before 2016. This one is for TBRs RELEASED before 3/1/2016 so I actually get to add a few titles received after 1/1/16 (before 3/1/16); but I had to leave out a few I got before 1/1/2016 that didn't release until 3/1 or later.]

Thank you to the host: Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
The basics:

For the entire month of March you focus on reading/listening to books in your TBR pile released before March 1, 2016. They can be eBooks, physical books or audiobooks. Let’s clean off those shelves, finish those series and trilogies and have some fun.

1. Book Review: Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2) by Ronie Kendig; Christian, Military, Mystery Suspense; my rating 4.5.
2. Audio Book Review: Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1 by Sarah Noffke; YA, Dystopian; my rating 4.0.
3. Audible Book Review: Agenda 21: Into the Shadows by Glenn Beck ; Christian, Sci Fi, Dystopian; my rating 4.25.
4. Book Review: Path of the Bullet by M C Jacques; Mystery, Crime Thriller; my rating 4.25.
5. Audible Book Review: Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10 by Taylor Anderson; Sci Fi, Alternate History; my rating 5.0.
6. Book Review: Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley by W.E. Lawrence; Action Adventure; my rating 4.25.
7. Audible Book Review: Derelict by LJ Cohen; Sci Fi, YA; My rating 4.0

I had one other book released before 3/1/2016 but it was an audio less than an hour. Since Novellas didn't count I haven't included that one.

2016 Audiobook Challenge

2016 Audiobook Challenge

hosted by Hot Listens and The Book Nympho

Sign up and rules are found HERE.

The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2016 than you did in 2015.
I listened to 63 audios in 2014 and 74 in 2015 so my goal will continue to be:

• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

2016 Netgalley Reading Challenge

2016 Netgalley Reading Challenge

hosted by Ariel at Fictively.com;

Rules and sign up can be found HERE.

I read 37 books from NetGalley in 2014 so the Challenge Level I chose for 2015 was 31-40 books or “Difficult”: 31-40 Books.
I managed 44 books from NetGalley in 2015 so I am choosing the Hardcore level this year:

MBS 2016 NetGalley Challenge

JANUARY 2016 – ready to go!

TBR Triple Dog Dare 2016

The TBR Double Dog Dare

Hosted by James Reads Books

Full rules can be found HERE.

James says that The TBR Double Dog Dare is not really a reading challenge but a dare.
All you have to do to win the TBR Double Dog Dare is to read only from your TBR pile between January 1 and April 1.
I manage this one with the  "exceptions.". The rules, or non-rules, are flexible and you can exempt review books, arcs and book club books. With those exceptions I certainly have enough books to meet this dare. I even realized I have many Audible titles on my TBR that I can read during the first three months. I managed to pick up a few extra titles in 2015 so that I could count them in the first three months as I won't be purchasing any for three months. I do expect overlap with other TBR and Audio challenges. :-)

I was happy with last year's results. I completed 26 books from my TBR shelf out of 39 titles read before April 1. 10 of these were NetGalley or audio review titles picked up in 2014 but that still left 16 TBR books in the first three months so I am pleased with that. It exceeded the 13 new titles (all reviews and none purchased). :-)
I hope to improve on last year. 

2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge

2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge

Hosted by Escape with Dollycas Into A Good Book

Check rules and sign up HERE.

It’s an alphabet challenge!!! The challenge is to read one book that has a title starting with every letter of the alphabet.
You can drop the A’s and The’s from the book titles as shown below. For those pesky Q, X AND Z titles the word with the challenge letter can be anywhere in the title.
I like to try to get the exact first letter and I was successful with that last year. We'll see how it goes this year.
I am also going to keep two lists this year. The primary one will be the main list - mostly TBRs I hope. The second list will be review titles, NetGalley and audios to see if I can complete the alphabet with those books too. :-)

Title (author to be added if not in yet), date acquired
A A Curious Beginning Audible 9/15
B
C Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer 2/14
D Destroyermen Audible 11/15
E
F For Honor We Stand Audible 12/15
G
H His Lady Mistress 2009; Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Audible 8/14
Heir of Novron: Riyria Revelations, Volume 3 by Michael J. Sullivan Audible 4/13
I
J
K
L Lost in a Good Book Audible 3/12
M Monster Hunter Audible 11/15
N
O Old Man's War by John Scalzi Audible 2/13
P Predator One 4/15
Q
R Reunion in Death Audible 12/15, Red Rising Audible 1/15
S Snowbound 2009
T Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball: A Novella by Donita K. Paul; Romance, Fantasy, Inspirational; my rating 4.5.

U Unbroken Audible 2/15
V
W
X  X Minus One #VintageSciFi Stories; Vintage Sci Fi; my ratings 4.5, 4.25 and 4.25.

Y
Z


NetGalley and Review Titles:
A
B Brilliance (NG)
C Chakana (NG), City Of Gold (review tour 2/23)
D 
E Emmy Nation Undercover Suffragette (review tour 2/18)
F
G
H
I Immurement by Norma Hinkens (review before 2/20)
J Jessica's Christmas Kiss: (Christmas Kisses Book 3) by Alison May; Romance, Holiday; my rating 4.5.
K
L
M
N Night Study (Study Series) by Maria V. Snyder; Paranormal, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.
O
P Path of the Bullet (NG) Q R S Steamborn (NG)
T Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by #Anthony Vicino; Sci Fi, Mystery; my rating 4.5.

U
V
W
X
Y
Z