Hello there!
I’ve had a couple of folks ask me about some of the Book Bingo prompts, so I figured I’d share the answers here so that it helps anyone who may be wondering what some of these prompts mean. :)
On last month’s thread, Mikaela asked about the Hobby Lobby prompt - is it like a craft book or like a book that involves a hobby?? Well, you get to choose! I’m thinking of reading a craft book, but a novel that involves a hobby would be super interesting too!
And a couple of people DMed me on Instagram to ask about some of the prompts. So here goes:
Special interest: Anything that interests you - my current obsession is abstract art, and I have my eye on a book about Cy Twombly. You could also use this prompt to read a book of essays, a memoir, or the diaries of one of your favorite authors or artists - anything that’s not covered in the prompts but that you really want to read. ;-)
In support of Indie publishers: Choose a book in any genre published by an independent publisher {Here’s a list of Indie publishers I found on Medium and one I found on Reedsy.}
Get your Zen on: Anything related to spirituality or self-enquiry; or if you have your eye on a Zen-inspired book {like The Dalai Lama’s Cat} go for it!
And finally, if you need help looking for a book nominated for the Hugo Award - here’s a list of Hugo Award winners from Goodreads and this one from Wikipedia has the winners and nominees for the Hugo Award for Best Novel.
If you’re unsure about any of the other prompts, please do ask in the comments!
And now, here’s my reading round-up for February:
Ravaged by war: The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
Thank you, Diane for recommending this book. It was such a wonderful read. It’s not an easy story by any means, but it brings the Syrian crisis to life powerfully. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
In support of Indie publishers: In A Deep Dark Wood by Tina Pritchard
This was quite an interesting crime thriller, which I’ve reviewed over on the blog here.
Special interest: The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carrol
I tried bullet journaling before and didn’t like it at all, maybe because I’m not much of a planner. But this book helped me make a lot more sense of the system beyond just pretty pages and habit trackers. And yes, I set up a bullet journal as I was reading the book, and am using it - with tweaks! :D
A book released in 2021: The Conjurer by Luanne G. Smith
This is the final book in the Vine Witch trilogy, and I loved it! If you enjoy fantasy fiction, you’ll love this trilogy.
Wow, that was a really long update! But now for the fun part - tell me what you read last month! Hit reply, and let’s talk!
Hi. Thank you ShinjiniMar for recommending the vine witch trilogy. I have now read all 3 books and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I can also now claim a line straight through the middle of the book bingo card.
Ravaged by war - The Beekeeper of Aleppo
Meaning to read - A Tail of two Cities
My choice - All my lies are true
Released in 2021 - the Conjurer
Recommend - Mrs Garnet’s Angel
I’m now working on a full house!
Loving this challenge it’s making me read things I wouldn’t normally and finding lots more books I love.
Diane📚
Hi Shinjini and anyone else who’s part of this book club. It would be so good to hear from you. I’m so glad you enjoyed The Beekeeper of Aleppo and after your comments I will look out for the Vine Which trilogy.
Books I read in February are:
Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewel Who is British so that’s for author from your own country. A good modern day thriller.
Mrs Garnet’s Angel by Sally Vickers and Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris both recommendations from my sister. I thoroughly enjoyed both books but Mrs Garnet’s Angel may not be to everyone’s taste - you have to believe in the transforming power of art. 5 quarters was excellent and as it’s about a family in occupied France during WWII it could count for the ravaged by war prompt as well.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, this is a book that I’ve been meaning to read for ages. ( I’m slowly going through all the classics).
So that’s 4 books in February and Empress Orchid by Anchee Min that I’ve just finished in the first week of March. That’s for an historical novel with a female protagonist. It’s about the last empress of China and is an excellent read. Full of wonderful descriptions of the clothing and great Chinese works of art.
I’m also claiming The Thursday Murder Club which I read in January for in cold blood and Once upon a River for in love with the typography.
Can’t wait to hear from everyone else.
Diane💜