The goal for 2024 is to read 25 books.
To add a little challenge, try and read books that satisfy each one of the squares.
You can follow along on social media using #ReadWithMegan
Also join the Facebook group to learn what everyone else is reading and to find great recommendations for each category: https://www.facebook.com/groups/readingchallenges
Book 1/25: ‘Book’ in the Title
The Keeper of Hidden Books | by: Madeline Martin | 5 Stars
This was an amazing read for the first book of the 2024 challenge. It’s a WWII historical fiction inspired by an underground library operating in Warsaw. It follows the journey of friends prior to the German invasion, throughout the occupation, to the rebuilding of the city. The slower pace of this novel allowed me to reflect on the events. It was full of emotion, information, and provided a side of the war within Warsaw that I hadn’t experienced in a novel before. The novel provides a glimpse of what life was like during the occupation and how the general population were able to fight back. I learned a lot about Warsaw and the destruction the city endured during the war.
The ladies worked in a library and managed to save books that were deemed ‘banned’ by the Germans. They ran an underground library to ensure people could continue to read and love books throughout the occupation. They had an underground book club as well. I really enjoyed hearing their perspectives of the books they read. It highlights the significance of books and the knowledge, hope, and inspiration that books bring. If you’re a WWII historical fiction fan and a lover of books, this novel needs to be on your list of books to read. I loved this novel and would highly recommend.
Book 2/25: Inspirational
A Line Above the Sky | by: Helen Mort | 5 Stars
An inspirational book for a new year and new goals. This beautifully written book is half memoir and half Mort writing about the woman who deeply inspired her, Alison Hargreaves. It is about Mort’s journey having a child while rock climbing and drawing inspiration from Hargreaves, who was also a climber and a mother. Mort wrote about the feelings of managing a risky climb, how people treated a woman climber, and then a mother climber. Hargreaves was the first women to climb Mount Everest without oxygen or the help of Sherpas. The media often referred to her as a mother while not describing the fathers who climb as such. They also routinely asked her how she managed such a difficult and dangerous job knowing children are home waiting for her. A question not asked of the men.
Book 3/25: Written by a Journalist
Catch And Kill | by: Ronan Farrow | 5 Stars
“Sometimes the price of truth is everything.”
What a whirlwind of a story! Farrow began investigating sexual assault claims against Harvey Weinstein in late 2016. Through 2016 to early 2019, he was able to find many women who had similar stories of Weinstein and Weinstein’s hotel rooms. The evidence collected against Weinstein surpassed that of many stories that hit news cycles. Yet, Farrow could not get the green light to publish this story. This book lets us see into the world of powerful predators and the powerful people who protect them.
Individuals are named; some you already know and some you will be shocked to see. There are threats, spies, private investigators, manipulation of media, safe houses, and safety deposit boxes. No woman on her own could have taken on this machine and won. It was through sheer bravery and perseverance that Farrow was able to get this story into the world; both him and the women who spoke hoping to protect others.
*It contains descriptions of sexual violence that may be upsetting or traumatic.
Book 4/25: Romance
Jane Eyre | by: Charlotte Brontë | 4 Stars
Written in 1847, I was expecting this to be a difficult read but it wasn’t at all. I was quite invested in Jane and the outcome of her story. At 571 pages, I couldn’t get through the novel quick enough and had to stop myself from flipping ahead and spoiling the ending. I can see how Brontë had taken London by storm with the release of this strong feminist heroine. Jane was highly intelligent, brave, and not afraid to stand up for herself. Even if it meant going against the norms of society at the time. Knowing this novel was considered radical in 1847 makes it so much better. I gave it 4 stars because the dialogue was sometimes tedious which slowed down the story quite a lot.
Book 5/25: Celebrates Black History
Black Harbour | by: Xavier Michael Campbell & Heather Barrett | 4 Stars
When Campbell moved to Newfoundland, he was surprised by similarities between the island of NL and his home island, Jamaica. These similarities include food staples such as salt cod, molasses, and coconut. I’ve never stopped to consider why generations of NL recipes would have molasses and coconut as key ingredients or why these particular ingredients came to be on the island of NL in the first place. Or how and why Jamaican Rum ended up as the base product in the famous Newfie Screech.
In Black Harbour, Campbell and Barrett explore the origins of these connections. What they found is a history that is little known or ever talked about. NL was a hub of the Triangular Trade route. There are records of black people being in the ports of NL and being transported around the world on ships built in the harbours. There is evidence of families in NL owning enslaved persons. However, these aren’t stories we hear about or the history we remember. This book was a quick read and sometimes repetitive, many questions still have no answers, but I also learned quite a bit. I’d recommend anyone from NL or even Canada read this book so we can learn a little more about our past, the part that wasn’t written down.
Book 6/25: Debut Novel
Pope Joan | by: Donna Woolfolk Cross | 4 Stars
The Catholic Church does not allow women to ascend to the role of Pope. However, there is enough evidence to suspect the existence of a Pope Joan in the 9th century. From the author’s notes, the Catholic Church has also gone on record admitting to actively wiping out records that indicated a real Pope Joan to save themselves from embarrassment. This novel is a historical fiction because there is so little evidence to sufficiently prove or deny Pope Joan’s existence.
I hadn’t read a story from the dark ages before so found this novel really interesting. There were a few gruesome scenes which was to be expected from this time period and Cross mentions she toned it down quite a bit. I enjoyed reading about the politics and gender roles of centuries ago and how they compare to today’s systems. The Catholic Church still will not allow a woman to become pope.
Book 7/25: Features an Inheritance
Greenwood | by: Michael Christie | 4 Stars
This novel follows 4 generations of Greenwoods through the family’s rise and fall. The family inheritance consists of money, crimes, secrets, stories, and a passion for trees. I really enjoyed all the characters and following the family saga throughout the century. Reading the names of the cities and towns Everett stops in on his travels from New Brunswick to British Columbia was really fun. I really need to read more Canadian stories. There were few details on why Jake made the decision she did in the end although Christie offers some hints. It leaves us speculating which is why I gave it 4 stars and not 5.
It was a reflective book and made me wonder a lot about my own family; the stories that are told and the ones that aren’t, why decisions are made, and what’s important to pass onto future generations. Greenwood isn’t a fast-paced page turner but I’d recommend it for someone looking to go on a journey.
Book 8/25: Book in a Series
The Fragile Threads of Power | by: V.E. Schwab | 3 Stars
The first book in a new series. This was a long read at 644 pages. There are four different worlds, two of which have magical people, and a few people can travel between the worlds. I enjoyed the characters and plots but the worlds were a little confusing and I didn’t understand how they all connected until way late in the story. The book was also painfully slow. Schwab was still building out characters and telling backstories 400 pages in. There was a bit of excitement during the last 200 pages and the book did finish on a cliff hanger, to get people excited for book II. If the other books in the series are as slow and long as this one, I likely won’t read them. I gave 3 stars to Addie LaRue as well for many of the same reasons so maybe I’m just not a fan of Schwab’s writing.
Book 9/25: A Funny Book
The Blacktongue Thief | by: Christopher Buehlman | 2 Stars
I wanted to read a really funny book, one that made me laugh out loud. I did a fair bit of research and The Blacktongue Thief routinely came up. Reviews from multiple sites indicated this book was funny. From the synopsis: ‘A fantasy set in a world of goblin wars, stag-sized battle ravens, and assassins who kill with a deadly tattoo.’ It sure sounded intriguing.
Boy, I was not the target audience for this book. There were a few sentences that made me laugh but the funny bits were mostly about bodily function, which I don’t really find that funny. Additionally, the overall story was very crude and crass. It was also quite long and tedious; it took me a while to get through. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Book 10/25: Features the British Royal Family
Endgame | by: Omid Scobie | 4 Stars
I was aiming to read this book in May to coincide with Victoria Day, better late than never!
Scobie did a great job analyzing the Royal Family, their history, and what’s next for them in Endgame. His views were objective and he worked with many sources to ensure facts were accurate. Although there was nothing ground breaking or revolutionary in this book, it was still quite an interesting read and it provided facts on events that may not be widely known. For instance, how the royal rota is managed and how palace aides work with the media.
This book is a holistic picture of the trials and tribulations of the Royal Family as they are today. Scobie touched on topics such as colonization, slavery - where majority of the Family’s wealth can be traced back to, Prince Andrew and his relationship with Epstein, the Sussex’s departure, and how the Royal Family use the media to try and stay relevant. Particularly interesting is how King Charles III and Prince William are managing their own agendas separately from each another in a fight for popularity, not unity of the Crown. Scobie explores the possibility of the curtain closing on the Royal Family. Many groups within countries of the Commonwealth nations, the Commonwealth realm, and even Britain itself continue to amass support to severe ties with the family and elect their Head of State. The next few decades will be quite significant for the Royals.
Although it was slow at times and not a riveting read, I’d still recommend it to anyone interested in the Royal Family and how they impact our lives.
Book 11/25: Graphic Novel
Anne Frank’s Diary | by: Ari Folman & David Polonsky | 5 Stars
When searching for a graphic novel for this challenge, I came across this one at the bookstore and knew I had to read it. Folman and Polonsky took a few liberties when creating this graphic adaptation of Anne Frank’s Diary as they couldn’t have drawn every one of her entries. Yet, they’ve managed to keep the essence of Anne’s thoughts and feelings throughout the graphic novel. The images also added a profound layer of emotion to the text and really amplified Anne’s experiences. Although a shorter version of Anne’s Diary, this graphic adaption was still quite moving. I’d recommend it to everyone.
Book 12/25: Set in Canada
Looking for Jane | by: Heather Marshall | 4 Stars
A historical fiction based on real life events from the not-so-distant past. Looking for Jane chronicles the lives of 3 women intertwined by a lost letter, abortions, and adoptions. The novel is based on the real underground abortion networks that existed throughout Canada and the US during much of the 60s and 70s. Abortion was finally legalized without restrictions in 1988 in Canada, ending the need for the underground network.
I devoured this book in 3 days, it was so good! I couldn’t wait for the ending to wrap up and the women to find out how they were connected. Boy was I wrong, I didn’t anticipate the twist at the end at all. As with many novels, everything fell conveniently into place. Even the twist proved to be very coordinated. This factored into the 4 stars as opposed to 5. Highly recommend.
Book 13/25: About Religion
Magisteria | by: Nicholas Spencer | 4 Stars
This is a thick book! Although considering it is about the history of religion and science, it faired out alright. Spencer starts the book in the first century, when there was neither religion nor science. From there, we follow the trials and tribulations of both throughout the centuries until we get to today. The main theme running throughout the book was how religion reacted to new scientific discoveries; for instance, Galileo Galilei’s astronomical findings and Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution. Both of these discoveries challenged Biblical teachings and thus upset religious communities.
Spencer filled the book with a lot of facts and information. There were many thought-provoking ideas and quotes, as evidenced by the few tabs I’ve stuck to the pages. However, I did find the people and names sometimes hard to keep track of as there were so many in the book. And while the timeline was generally moving from one century to the next, it did jump around a bit within the centuries also creating a bit of confusion. Overall, I thought it was a great book and would recommend it for anyone interested in the subject. It’s not for light reading though.
Book 14/25: Recommended from the 2023 Reading Challenge
Wrong Place Wrong Time | by: Gillian McAllister | 4 Stars
Such a great and easy read! This novel was about a time travelling woman who was looking to understand her past to change her future. There were so many twists and turns! Some I figured out and some I didn’t, I truly didn’t know what was going to come next. There were a couple of scenarios that didn’t quite make sense so I couldn’t give it 5 stars. However, I would recommend it if you’re looking for something different and easy.
Book 15/25: A Novella
Minor Detail | by: Adania Shibli | 4 Stars
Trigger warning: sexual assault
I really wasn’t sure how to rate this book. The story is split between the 1940s when a woman gets captured by Israeli soldiers in the desert, raped, and murdered, and a woman in the present day who journeys to find more details around the woman who was captured in the desert. With so little words and minor details, Shibli’s novella is near perfect, almost poetic. There are instances of overlap between the two stories, experiences that transcend the movement of time, such as the dog barking and the smell of gasoline. I think I’ve been spoilt with longer stories and the expectation that I know all perspectives, that there are resolutions, that people are to be held accountable for their actions. Shibli’s story offered me none of this, no comfort at all. For this reason, my initial reaction was dislike. Although after much consideration in the days after reading this story, I now think of this novella as more of a masterpiece. It offers so much in so few words, leaving the reader grappling with emotions and unanswered questions while knowing exactly where the characters stand and how they feel. Extremely well done, Shibli!
Book 16/25: Short Stories or Essays
Tiny Beautiful Things | by: Cheryl Strayed | 5 Stars
Loved this book so much! I love Strayed’s writing so much! From 2010 – 2012, Strayed was an anonymous advice columnist. Thousands of people wrote to her asking for advice. This book is a collection of letters and her responses from her time writing as Dear Sugar. Strayed responded with sincerity, elegance, and rawness. Asking thoughtful questions that could pertain to any of us and sharing personal stories that everyone would relate to. In doing so, she never drifts from being her true self, even if that means saying the quiet part out loud. It was refreshing reading truths and thoughts we think we are alone in experiencing. I reach for the Strayed’s book Wild quite frequently to reread and revisit. I will be doing the same with this book as well.
“Whatever you do, remember that the most powerful thing you learned in the enormous effort it took to shut the door is that there is no door. The door is a metaphor we use so we can pretend there’s something solid to crouch behind. But there isn’t. We are the solid”. – Cheryl Strayed
Book 17/25: Set in Asia
The Red Palace | by: June Hur | 4 Stars
I don’t read many YA books but this one sounded intriguing and had great reviews. I really quite enjoyed it, reading it in just a few days. Set in 1758, this is a fictional murder mystery loosely based on the real Crown Prince Sado. It is jammed packed with suspense, action, and emotion. There was even a love story that I found myself rooting for. It didn’t have the complex writing or plot that you’d find in a Kate Quinn novel and I found all the supporting characters sometimes hard to follow. Nonetheless, it was a good read and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something short and fun.
Book 18/25: Saw it on TV
Fight Night | by: Miriam Toews | 2 Stars
Carrie Bradshaw was seen with this book in season one of And Just Like That. Sarah Jessica Parker is an avid reader and she frequently picks out the books for the show set herself. The novel also has great reviews so I thought it was a shoo-in. Written from the daughter’s perspective, it is about three generations of females and the ‘fights’ they have in life. Swiv is 9, suspended from school for actually fighting, and receiving an unconventional education from her grandmother.
The novel was light and sometimes funny, although written in the stream of consciousness style that I don’t enjoy reading. It also didn’t have a strong plot. There were a few struggles and life events that were alluded to, in which the character had to fight to overcome the situation. Unfortunately, these events weren’t discussed in detail and nor was the emotions of the characters. Overall, I really enjoyed the concept but it would have functioned better written in the perspective of the mother or grandmother with more emphasis given to overcoming the struggles they met in their adult lives.
Book 19/25: About Food
Eating Animals | by: Jonathan Safran Foer | 5 Stars
I was both really excited and really terrified to read this book. We all know what we’re going to find in these pages, and it’s not for the faint of heart. In Eating Animals, Foer has focused on the factory farming of chickens, pigs, and cows; the inhumane treatment of these animals, impacts on the environment, and their impacts on us. Foer has also included a few independent farmers and their stories; highlighting the positive work they’re doing on their own farms, the humane treatment of their animals, and their maintenance of healthy flocks/herds.
It's quite evident Foer has done a lot of research on the topic. And while there are a lot of facts, the information is told in a story format which made it easier to read than most other fact-based books. It was difficult reading of the journey our food takes before it reaches our table but it was also equally as comforting knowing we have options. The data in this book is from farms in the United States, the regulations there, and actions of their governing bodies. A quick Google search indicates Canada’s regulations are better, although there is still much room for improvement.
Overall, this was a very informative read. I’d highly recommend everyone read it, although be prepared to have a different relationship with your food. Supporting independent farms over factory farms is the way to go if you’re an omnivore. I’ve found multiple family farms in Alberta that will deliver to our community, allowing us healthier choices for our table. I have not checked into other provinces but there’s likely similar farms throughout Canada.
Book 20/25: Pulitzer Prize Winner
The Overstory | by: Richard Powers | 3 Stars
This novel is all about trees. It showcases the power of trees and makes us see they are living along with us, providing benefits for all other living things, and creating defences to help ensure their survival. All the while informing the reader of the destruction of harvesting trees for our individual use.
The novel was beautifully written. Powers has the ability to turn mundane items and actions into art. Sentences such as “the two of them are so much older than they were this time yesterday,” made this book truly enjoyable to read. It was quite long though, coming in at 542 pages. It was starting to get wearisome and I was very much ready for the end. And then the ending itself was disappointing, it was a large let down considering the time and effort it took to get there. Overall, the book held a very powerful message but would have been much better if it were shorter.
Book 21/25: Halloween-ish
Weyward | by: Emilia Hart | 4 Stars
Trigger warning: physical and sexual abuse.
Weyward is about a lineage of females in tune with nature. Of course, men would like to call them witches. The novel follows 3 women of the Weyward family in different time periods, each of them trying to piece together their family history and understand how they are different than others in the village. There are also themes of abuse throughout all their lives.
It’s a fast-paced book and I couldn’t wait to find out how things ended. There were some elements of the story that were quite obvious but it was interesting to see how the women’s lives would tie together. It’s the first book hangover I’ve gotten in some time. It wasn’t scary, didn’t include spells, and wasn’t about Halloween but still a very good read.
Book 22/25: Genre from 2023
Legends & Lattes | by: Travis Baldree | 4 Stars
The reviews for this fantasy novel almost always say it’s a ‘cozy’ read. I didn’t really know what that meant but after reading it, I’d have to agree. It is cozy! You’ll want to read it on a grey day while hunkered down in a blanket and drinking a hot beverage.
It’s a heartwarming story centred on Viv leaving her old life behind and trying to start a anew. She moves to a different city, opens a business, and settles down for the first time ever. During the process she ends up learning more about herself than intended and she makes a few great friends along the way. Or is it all purely luck and Viv’s new life could crumble at any moment? I don’t want to spoil it for you.
Book 23/25: About Veterans
The Secret History of Soldiers | by: Tim Cook | 4 Stars
In The Secret History of Soldiers, Cook chronicles the culture of Canadian soldiers during the trench battles of WWI. Everything from slang, songs, poetry, cartoons, newspapers, and entertainment. Through many years of research Cook was able to portray what life would have been like for our soldiers while they were fighting in France and Belgium. The culture they built was different from the stories and accounts in the media and press, and also of the stories that made their way back to Canada. The soldiers often did not know of the strategic decisions being made around the war and found their own way to share information while surviving the brutal conditions in which they were living.
I learned quite a bit from this book, particularly how our soldiers had helped establish Canada on the world stage and how the country’s culture changed after WWI. It was also nice to have accompanying pictures added throughout the text that helped tell the story. Although it was very interesting, Cook was sometimes repetitive throughout the chapters. Regardless, I would recommend it.
Book 24/25: Over 500 Pages
The Running Grave | by: Robert Galbraith | 4 Stars
This is book 7 in the Cormoran Strike detective series and it’s as great as all the others. Clocking in at 960 pages, it’s quite a long read. Honestly, at this point just throw in a few more details so we can hit that 1,000-page mark. I read this book in 6 days because I couldn’t put it down. It’s a page turner that had me staying up past my bedtime more than once. The twist at the end was completely unexpected, as it usually is in this series. However, there were a few out of character slip-ups from the detectives during the end of the story so I couldn’t give this novel a 5-star rating. Would recommend the series.
Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) left the novel on a cliff hanger; I discovered an eighth book is being written.
Book 25/25: Holiday Story
Kiss Me at Christmas | by: Jenny Bayliss | 3 Stars
This story had so many elements I loved but also parts I didn’t like so much. The novel was about an empty nester mom whose daughter was spending her first Christmas away. While trying to deal with her daughter being away, was roped into helping 5 teens clean up and put on a production of A Christmas Carol in the dilapidated community theatre. Unconventional friendships were made when other community groups began helping with the play production. I even cried at one point. I loved these aspects of the story.
As with most Christmas stories, this one also had a love interest. I liked this part of the story the least. It seemed forced and unusual, the ups and downs not really making sense. Additionally, there were a lot of characters in this novel. Too many. I found it hard to keep track of them all and ended up just ignoring names at the end. This could have been a great story but unfortunately didn’t hit the mark. I’d recommend others by Bayliss over this one.