Bingo Update. I’ve found some really good books to fit the BINGO squares. Here’s progress:
Mid-Month
All posts by C. J. Milbrandt
#amreading
Reading Challenges
I Love a Challenge! As it happens, I run a couple of the reading challenges over at Great Middle Grade Reads, a Goodreads group that Elza and I run together. As per usual, I’m participating in the A to Z Reading Challenge, which means finding a MG book to read for every letter of the alphabet. And we also have a Series Challenge, which gives a gentle push to readers who’ve been *meaning* to finish that trilogy, quartet, quintet, or epic series.
This year, Elza has added a Read the Rainbow Challenge (ROYGBIV & Extended versions available), which has me eyeballing cover art more closely. I’ve picked a red book, and my next read fits the cobalt slot. Want to join in on the fun? Join the Goodreads group: Great Middle Grade Reads. And while you’re at it, follow the Middle Grade Carousel blog, where Elza and I post book quotes & recommendations, themes & games.
Here’s the graphic Elza made for the rainbow challenge:
Jan/Feb BINGO
The new BINGO board has been posted to #MGCarousel, and I’m already sifting through my To Read pile to find titles that fit the squares. It’s a fun challenge. Join in?
Grab your own BINGO board at Middle Grade Carousel >>
Top Ten
Picking and Choosing. I read lots of books last year, and most were pretty good, really good, and even crazy good. These count as highlights:
Are you following me on Goodreads? Please do! That way you’ll know what I’ve been reading & what I’ve been writing. CJ on Goodreads >>
Wrapping up 2023
I love books. Buying them. Shelving them. Reading them. Writing them. For last year, I squeaked through with exactly 100 books, which was my reading goal. Here’s my BINGO board from Nov/Dec:
Not too shabby! I’m already a handful of books into the new year, with reading challenges aplenty to spur me on. More about those in future posts. ~CJ
Currently Reading
Now and Next. With an eye toward filling squares on my BINGO board, here are the books I’ve nudged to the top of my To Read pile!
Curious about what I’m reading next? Follow me on Goodreads.
BINGO: September & October
Middle Grade Carousel. The BINGO challenge this time around is for two months, which makes me optimistic that I’ll be able to achieve multiple rows. I’ve already gotten a start, but here’s the bare board. Pick up yours at #MGCarousel >>
Deuce
New Audio Chapter. Deuce has updated with a new audio chapter for patrons starting at the Journeyman tier. This is my Galleries of Stone prequel, which details how Aurelius Harrow (against staggering odds) came to meet Ulrica Harrow. The uphill girl & the dockside boy become hunting partners, friends, and … as you all know … more.
You can simply read along by joining the Deuce tier ($5/month), making this a subscription story. Yes, eventually (once the tale is all told), I’ll publish both the book & audio. But if you want to get in on the adventure early, it’s one way I thank my Patreon supporters.
Deuce
Audio Update! My Patreon have just seen an audio update to Deuce, a Galleries of Stone prequel. Interested? You can read along if you join at the lowest tier ($5/month). Audio chapters drop every other Wednesday and can be accessed if you’re at the Journeyman tier (or up). Eventually, the book will publish to print/digital/audio … but patrons get to see the story unfold as I write it! CJ on Patreon >>
Many thanks to everyone who supports my stories, wherever they can be found. ~CJ
