2018 NetGalley Reading Challenge Completion

The fifth annual Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge was initially hosted by Bookish Things & More. The site has apparently closed.
The levels offered were:
Bronze – 10 Books
Silver – 25 Books
Gold – 50 Books
Platinum – 75 Books
Diamond – 100 Books

I just made my goal of Gold in 2017 with 51 NetGalley books read and reviewed. I decided to try Gold level again this year. However, I had it in my mind that my goal was 40. I was doing just fine with that until I started to set up this post and realized the goal was actually 50.
COMPLETED! I did a sprint reading the last 7 days to reach 50!

JANUARY 2018
1. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: What If God Wrote Your To-Do List? by Jay Payleitner; Christian Living, Inspirational, Religion & Spirituality; my rating 4.5.
2. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Precisely at Midnight (Kinsman Book 2) by Joyce and Alexandra Swann; Christian, Inspirational, Holiday; my rating 4.25.
3. NGTBR-#NetGalley Book Review: Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2 by Chuck Black; Action/Adventure, Christian, Fantasy; my rating 4.75.
4. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: A Gem of a Problem by Irene Sauman; Cozy Mystery, Historical; my rating 4.5.
FEBRUARY 2018
5. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Battle Hymn (America Rising) by William C. Dietz; Alternate History, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
6. NGTBR- #NetGalley Review: All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai; Alternate History, Sci Fi, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
7. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover by Susan Wittig Albert; Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth; my rating 4.0.
March 2018
8. NGTBR- #NetGalley Review: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip; Fantasy, Magical, Romance; my rating 4.75.
9. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: If I Live by Terri Blackstock; Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.25.
10. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Fade to Black by David Rosenfelt; Crime Thriller, Police Procedures; my rating 4.0.
11. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Consent of the Governed by Bernard LoPinto; Dystopian, Political; my rating 4.0.
12. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: In Wolves' Clothing by Greg Levin; Crime Fiction, Thriller; my rating 4.5.
13. NGTBR-#NetGalley Book Review: The Edge of Memory by Maura Beth Brennan; Drama, Psychological Thriller, Suspense; my rating 4.0.
APRIL 2018
14. NGTBR- #NetGalley Review: Mind Game: A Novel (Eve Duncan) by Iris Johansen; Crime, Thriller, Woman Sleuth; my rating 4.0.
15. 2018NG- #NetGalley Book Review: Out of the Box by Jemma Westing; Children, Crafts; my rating 4.5.
16. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Let There Be Light by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo; Christian, Inspirational; my rating 4.0.
MAY 2018
17. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The Hills of Mare Imbrium by Carleton Chinner; Colonization, Sci Fi, Space; my rating 4.0.
18. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Nick Newton is Not a Genius by S.E.M Ishida; Adventure, Clockwork, Middle Grade, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
19. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Lock 'N' Load (Federal K-9) by Tee O'Fallon; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.0.
JUNE 2018
20. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Queendom of the Seven Lakes (Legends of the Godskissed Continent) by A B Endacott; Fantasy, Historical, New Adult; my rating 4.25.
21. #NetGalley Book Review: The Voice Inside by Brian Freeman; Crime, Psychological Thrillers; my rating 4.5.
JULY 2018
22. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The After War by Brandon Zenner; Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
23. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The Year of the Knife by G.D. Penman; Alternate History, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy; my Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
24. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks by Gavin Aung Than; Cartoon, Comic Strip, Self-Help; my rating 4.0.
25. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Science Geek Sam and his Secret Logbook by Cees Dekker and Corien Oranje; Children, Creation Theories; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
26. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Talon - epic fantasy novel (The Astor Chronicles Book 1) by Amanda Greenslade; Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
AUGUST 2018
27. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Jack Gilmour: Wish Lawyer by Ed Ryder; Noir, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
28. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Silent Threat (Mission Recovery Book 1) by Dana Marton; Military, Romantic Suspense; my rating: 4.75 of 5.0.
29. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Theodore and the Enchanted Bookstore: Tale of the Spectacular Spectacles; Children, Dogs, Pets; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
SEPTEMBER 2018
30. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert; Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
31. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: The Rancher's Gift by Dennis Worden and Jeff Dunn; Christian, Inspirational, Religion; my rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
OCTOBER 2018
32. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Once Upon A Heartbreak by Cassie Rocca; Contemporary Romance, Second Chance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
33. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Unwritten by Tara Gilboy; Children's Books, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
NOVEMBER 2018
34. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: For Us Humans by Steve Rzasa; Aliens, Christian, Futuristic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
35. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Light’s Dawn: A Novella (Light in the Darkness) by Yvette Bostic; Alternate History, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
36. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Kill Shot by Susan Sleeman; Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
37. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Somewhere The Bells Ring (Somewhere in Time Book 3) by Beth Trissel; Ghosts, Holidays, Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
DECEMBER 2018
38. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White; Cleaning, Hoarding, How To; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
39. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: A Chance at Christmas by Beppie Harrison; Christmas, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
40. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
41. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella; Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
42. NG2018 and A2018- #NetGalley and Audible Book Review: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones; Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.5 Overall; 4.25 Story; 5.0 Narration.
43. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily: Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen by Lisa Steele; Animal Husbandry, DIY, Nonfiction, Reference; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
44. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery by T.C. Wescott; Christmas, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
45. NG2018- A Book Without Dragons by Olivia Berrier.
46. NG2018- Blind Betrayal by Nancy Mehl.
47. NG2018- The Cat in the Christmas Tree: A Magical Tail by Peter Scottsdale.
48. NG2018- When Spring Comes to the DMZ 
49. NG2018- Fury
50. NG2018- Owl Love You by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan (Illustrations)
    

#NetGalley Book Review: Science Geek Sam and his Secret Logbook by Cees Dekker and Corien Oranje

This is a fun read sharing creation and scientific theories.
Science Geek Sam and his Secret Logbook
by Cees Dekker (Author), Corien Oranje (Author), Perta van Rijssen (Illustrator)

File Size: 3464 KB
Print Length: 208 pages
Publisher: Lion Children's Books (October 20, 2017)
ASIN: B079YX2X9B
Genre: Children, Creation Theories
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

"I'm afraid you're at the top end of the healthy weight range," said the doctor. This is doctor's speak for "you are FAT"! "Do you know how much I'd weigh if I was on Pluto?" "No idea," replied the doctor. "Only 2.3 kilograms. Practically nothing!" Meet Sam, science geek extraordinaire, and have an exclusive peek at his top secret logbook. When a meteorite crashes into Sam’s school bike shed, his class have a LOT of questions about space, the universe, and life on earth. But can they believe in God AND the Big Bang? They make some cool discoveries that show them that, surprisingly, the answer is a clear yes. A fact-filled and thought-provoking story that will make you chuckle.

Review:
Sam is a ten or eleven year old (based on highest grade in primary school) who loves science. His Uncle Jack is a science professor. When a meteorite crashes on the bike shed at Sam’s school, Uncle Jack is one of the experts called in to investigate. Many questions arise from the meteorite crash and Sam’s teacher, Mr. Nolan, decides to set up a “People Library” to bring in people with expertise to share knowledge and answer questions for the students.

Uncle Jack is one of the speakers who comes in to explain the scientific aspects of the meteorite, planets and the universe. In the process he describes the science of the Big Bang. However, Sam’s school is a Christian school and some of the parents are alarmed that the students are being taught science facts that might conflict with the beliefs they have been taught. The students hear from other people about God’s Creation but there are still conflicting arguments.

Mr. Nolan arranges a week-long camping trip for the class where the students can visit a museum, a planetarium and get some hands-on experience as well as researching their questions.
Not everyone is thrilled with the idea of “camping out”. When they go, there are conflicts among the students, but they work through issues and end up having a great week.

The story is told in a very fun fashion through Sam’s journaling, narrating and email exchanges, mostly with Uncle Jack. There are fun interactions and incidents with the students that add a personal element of appropriate aged fun.

Sam is a curious ‘science geek’ and the book is packed with tidbits of information about things such as meteors, stars, fossils and even DNA. Throughout the book there are weblinks and scan codes to explore the facts and theories that are discussed. I thought this was very clever and hope young people would take advantage to see the additional resources.

The authors do an engaging job of sharing scientific arguments and Christian foundations of creation. The authors make a presentation that allows a merger of Biblical and scientific elements, allowing for God to have created the world over a long period of time. The overall package encourages young people to be open minded in their studies of creation and science.

The book combines the scientific knowledge and evangelist faith of Cees Dekker with the fun writing skills of child author Corien Oranje. The illustrations by Perta van Rijssen are basic, fun and fitting to add to the story. I don’t agree totally with the science that is presented but I thought the method of sharing the arguments was fun and thought provoking.

Source: NetGalley (Jan 2018). This qualifies for NetGalley and 2018 Alphabet Challenges.