This year I participated in 10 challenges and I only completed two but I had a good time making lists, meeting new blog friends and so I say that’s a success. Now it’s time to wrap up one and tell you about a new one.

I didn’t finish the Everything Austen challenge but wow, did I read and see some great stuff. I read Persuasion which I absolutely loved and enjoyed the film. Another book I read and didn’t get to review was Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict which was quite enjoyable. My mom and I watched Emma which was so fun and I finally watched Pride & Prejudice completely. I had seen bits and pieces but finally I got to see it and just loved it. I want to send a big thank you to Stephanie for hosting this one.

Now, I’m very excited to join in the Graphic Novels Challenge hosted by Nymeth and Chris.

I really enjoy graphic novels and unfortunately this year I didn’t read as many but hopefully that will change next year. I’m going to try and shoot for the intermediate level, which requires reading 3-10 novels.

I only have three books on my list so far and they are:

• The Freddie Stories by Lynda Barry. I just love Barry’s storytelling which I’ve found so vulnerable and raw.
• The Impostor’s Daughter by Laurie Sandell. I’ve noticed that some of my favorite graphic novels tend to be memoirs so I’m looking forward to this one.
• Back Hole by Charles Burns. This is one I’ve heard about a lot from several blog friends so it’s been on my radar for a while.

Other authors who I’d love to read some books by include Rick Geary, Gilbert Hernandez, Art Spiegelman, Harvey Pekar and many more.

How about you, how are you doing with your challenges and how many are you joining next year?

I’ve been on a big mystery kick these past several weeks. To me, my mysteries are what I go to when I want to de-stress. I like to hang out with some of my favorite detectives as they solve their cases and of course I like to meet some new detectives as well. So I’ve been reading books by Stieg Larsson, Andrea Camilleri, Louise Penny, Carola Dunn and a few others.

And, I’ve also been adding a few mysteries to my radar. Here are the ones that have come to my attention recently.

• Poisonville by Massimo Carlotto. A noir thriller set in Italy which features a less than heroic protagonist in a tale of greed and corruption.
• The Pianist’s Hands by Eugenio Fuentes. Spanish detective Ricardo Cupido delves into a passionate investigation where the alibis matter less than the dark and desolate description of the human condition.
• The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths. When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient objects, quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives happily alone in a remote area called Saltmarsh near Norfolk. Soon though she’s involved in a mystery when Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson asks for her help.
• Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner. Paris, 1889 and a bookseller who becomes an amateur sleuth? Oh yes, I want to read this one.

Tell me if you’ve read any of these series or if they are on your list as well.

Me, I’m going back to my latest mystery, White Nights by Ann Cleeves which is the second book in the Shetland Island quartet. So far, it’s very good.