2024 Southern Literature Reading Challenge

This challenge is to read books by Southern authors set largely in the American South. I expect this will be a library-based challenge on my end, given my general To Be Read list. Although I may surprise myself and find something among my owned pile.

I am signing up for the Level 3 challenge – 5-6 books started and completed in 2024. Books will be listed below as I start them, and linked once I complete them.

The Backlist Reader Challenge 2024

Adding a couple other challenges to my list to get through my To Be Read piles in the house. Between trips to the Book Barn and random Friends of the Library sales, I have a bit of a pile issue. 🙂 The Backlist Reader Challenge is for books that were published at LEAST a year ago – so in 2022 or earlier. Fresh reads only, no re-reads (although the rules do allow for them if it’s been over 10 years and can’t remember it).

I will have my list up before December 31st in this post!

  1. Falling Sideways by Tom Holt (2002)
  2. Possessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker (1992)
  3. The Inferno by Dante Alighieri, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (2003 edition)
  4. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (2009 Vintage edition)
  5. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (2009)
  6. Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger (2004)
  7. The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan (2001)
  8. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (2001)
  9. A Witch in Time by Madelyn Alt (2010)
  10. Cemetery Dance by Preston & Child (2009)
  11. Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce (2003)
  12. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (2003 edition)

TBR 24 in ’24 Challenge

I have a ton of books around my house to read thanks to multiple trips to the glorious Book Barn in Niantic, CT. Covid really did a number on my reading habit, and one of my goals for 2024 is to get back into reading. A couple reading challenges will definitely help me get back on track!

Gillion at Rose City Reader is sponsoring the TBR 24 in ’24 challenge. For full details, check out her blog via the link above. Essentially it’s a read 24 books in 2024 from the “To Be Read” stack you already own. 🙂 I’ll add books to the list as I go, and link to thoughts as I finish them.

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November 2023 WIPocalypse Check-In

Hi everyone!

As I set this check-in post up, it’s the day after Thanksgiving. After cooking for a good portion of yesterday (it all turned out fantastic!), today is a personal puttering day. I’m catching up on some various blog stuff before I settle down with some absent-minded trash TV and stitch the evening away.

I’m one of those stubborn “the holiday season doesn’t start until Thanksgiving is over” people. Today I’m slowly getting myself into the mood. At some point this weekend lights will go on the bushes outside the house, and the tree will possibly go up if we get some organization done in our living room. My husband would start playing holiday music after Halloween, but I need a clear division between holidays. It does seem like this year just flew by though!

Next Year Plans

WIPocalypse will definitely continue next year with the last Sunday of the month check-in dates. Details for 2024 can be found HERE. The details are also located on the top menu bar of my blog and the announcements below at all times. The highlights for next year include:

  • Questions of the Month will return with different questions for most months.
  • There will be three focus months next year – March, June, and October.
  • Olympics Stitching returns in late July

I hope to see you join in with us next year, whether via your block or via the Facebook group. Please remember that this SAL can be combined with anything you’re doing on other groups. We fully support cross-pollination event participation! 🙂

Time to get a bit more work done… have a lovely holiday season celebrating the festivities that you personally hold most dear!

Best,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: What is your favorite way to finish ornaments and/or smalls?

Next posting date: December 31, 2023

Topic(s) for next time: Recap your accomplishments for the year! (Your finishes, your final before/after photos, etc).

Need all the basic info about the SAL? GO HERE for all details for 2024!

*~~*~~*~~*~~

Please remember that this stitch-a-long is intended to be fun – so if you’re too busy to post, too busy/ill/etc. to stitch – no worries! Post when you can and share what you have going, even if you’ve only been able to toss a single stitch into it. If you miss a few months, not a problem – just jump back in when you’re back with us! It’s not a race or a competition – we’re all just here to cheer each other on with our progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


October 2023 WIPocalypse Check-In

Hi everyone!

After an absolutely beautiful summer-like stretch of weather this past week, it’s now decidedly autumn with a light rain. The leaves started falling in large amounts the past couple days, even though half of the trees are still quite green. It’s an odd autumn here – although the color has been quite pretty.

Today is definitely one of those Sundays where I’m just puttering in my office, prepping my life and stitch planners for November before I settle down for some stitching this evening. It’s been a bit crazy lately, and I’m looking forward to some time to relax and just let my brain dump out a little to give breathing room next week at the East Hill Farm retreat in New Hampshire.

Quite by accident, autumn is now retreat season for me – mid-October was the inaugural Stitch New England retreat, which was a ton of fun. I’ve never been to Stitch Con or Stitch West, so seeing that many stitchers in one room for the first time was quite the experience! I’m definitely looking forward to the second year next year. 🙂 Stitch-In at the Farm is a veteran retreat for me – this will be my third year. I think it’s become my favorite one just because it is a complete removal from everything – no cell service, no TV, no internet. Just the farm, the mountains, and my stitching among like-minded people. Can’t go wrong! I’m so ready to go!

Next Year Plans

WIPocalypse will definitely continue next year with the last Sunday of the month check-in dates. I’ll be getting all of the details prepared to upload alongside next month’s WIPocalypse check-in. I know several stitchers are already putting their plans together – so for now, mark that final Sunday on your calendars!

I’ll leave off here for this month. I hope you have a lovely November as the holiday season starts to pick up steam.

Happy stitching,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: How do you begin planning for the next year with your stitching? Tell us your process.

Next posting date: November 26, 2023

Topic(s) for next time: What is your favorite way to finish ornaments and/or smalls?

Need all the basic info about the SAL?  Go here for all details for 2023!

*~~*~~*~~*~~

Please remember that this stitch-a-long is intended to be fun – so if you’re too busy to post, too busy/ill/etc. to stitch – no worries! Post when you can and share what you have going, even if you’ve only been able to toss a single stitch into it. If you miss a few months, not a problem – just jump back in when you’re back with us! It’s not a race or a competition – we’re all just here to cheer each other on with our progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter