Halloween Bingo 2019
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I'm super happy and have been anticipating my card for weeks ever since the first stirrings of Halloween Bingo 2019 news started presenting. And lookie! Not a lick of horror to be found! =D And I know this is Halloween Bingo, and I should maybe step outside of my comfort zone a little bit, but the truth is, I'm not feeling the desire to step too far outside of my comfort zone these days, so this is perfect!
I wasn't really going to create a tentative reading list, if only because I didn't want to lock myself down into any particular books. But on the other hand, I DID want to give myself a little bit of direction, specifically as to what to start reading when the game starts. So I started making a list of books I wanted to read that would fit my card, and the next thing I know, I've already picked books for some of my squares.
On the other hand, most of my squares are fairly broad, which gives me a lot of wiggle room to work with, such as Romantic Suspense, Genre: Suspense, Genre: Mystery, Amateur Sleuth... I've got tons of book options that will fit these squares.
Some other squares, I've got an idea of what I'd like to read for already, which I'll list below. But a few of the squares will require some thought such as Country House Mystery, Locked Room Mystery, and the more specific It Was a Dark and Stormy Night, In the Dark Dark Woods, Full Moon, or Sleepy Hollow. Looks like I'll be combing some lists... although I'm not above using those freebie Transfiguration Cards we're being given.
In terms of books I'd like to read, I'm quite determined to catch up with the Lady Darby Mystery series, which I've already read up to book three of.
Lady Darby Mystery series by Anna Lee Huber --
As a historical mystery series, these books fit a few of the squares on my card such as Genre: Mystery or Amateur Sleuth. A Study in Death will fit Paint It Black... though unfortunately I don't think any of these books take place in London for Darkest London... drat. I might be able to make a bid for Romantic Suspense and/or Genre: Suspense. Otherwise, we have the broadest squares to play with--Read By Flashlight or Candlelight and Poe Raven Free Space.
Anyway, I'm kind of stealing a bit of Themis-Athena's format in creating my tentative reading list. So let's move forward.
The Squares on Ani's Card:
-- There are a lot of possibilities for this square, but some of the covers I'd considered I'm not sure if they really qualify as black--they're dark, but not quite black. But no matter, I have one specific book that will definitely fit. Mostly, I was looking at books that I already own, though of course, other books I don't actually own got slipped in...
Most Likely
A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber
The Black Opal by Victoria Holt
Other Possible Books
The Black Tower by Louis Bayard
India Black by Carol Carr
Broken by Cynthia Eden
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
-- This square was a little harder for me to find a book for. I had considered using a Transfiguration spell for this, but found at least one book I can read. And I'm actually kind of excited for it.
Most Likely
A Night in Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny
Other Possible Books
None...
-- I didn't really do much of a search for books to read for this square, but I have a few possibilities, as well as one particular book I will most likely read after asking about it in the FAQ and getting the go ahead.
Most Likely
Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier
Other Possible Books
In the Woods by Tana French
Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
-- Obviously, there are a lot of books I can think of that will work really well for this square, with a few cozy mysteries about witches that came to mind. But then I remembered that I'm a tad behind in my Discworld reading, and so decided that the best book would be one about wizards... or in this case, a sourcerer!
Most Likely
Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
Other Possible Books
It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
Mercy Strange by Alisa Woods
Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson
-- After a bit of clarification, I decided that I had a lot more possibilities than I had considered previously. I'm not really going to make any sticking decisions on books, so I'm leaving this square blank for the time being. I will be reading books written by authors not from or currently residing in the U.S.
Mostly Likely
Undecided
All Possible Authors
Tana French
Emmuska Orczy
Agatha Christie
Mary Stewart
Georgette Heyer
Zen Cho
Rin Chupeco
Juliet Marillier
-- Like the previous square, I'm not going to lock in any particular book and just mood read for this one. But I'm definitely going to read either a hard cover or paperback for this square. It would feel a bit... pointless to read one of my e-books, on my back-lit Paperwhite, by candlelight. But there are some books I'm considering based on the kind of book and the kind of mood that reading by candlelight will set.
Most Likely
Undecided
Possible Books
The Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
I'll Be Watching You by Andrea Kane
The Black Opal by Victoria Holt
Kill and Tell by Linda Howard
Shadow Woman by Linda Howard
The Devil's Footprints by Amanda Stevens
-- This took some research, but I managed to find some possible books. I'm not going to make a decision yet, because only one of the books I'm considering is one that I already own. The others, I'll need to acquire somehow, more than likely from the library, and just hope that the book is available when the game starts.
Most Likely
Undecided
Possible Books
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James (Vermont)
It Takes a Witch by Heather Black (Massachusetts)
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (Connecticut)
The Cabin by Carla Neggers (Massachusetts)
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (Vermont)
The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson (Massachusetts)
-- Honestly, I've got nothing for this square. I've gone through the linked book list and nothing really stands out to me, but I'll probably comb the list again in a couple weeks and see if anything looks good at that time. It's entirely possible that I'll just use a Transfiguration spell. There is one particular book I'm considering if I can get access to it from the library when the time comes.
Possible Books
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
-- There are so many possibilities for this square, but the book I'm most interested in happens to be part of a series, and the second book in a series, at that. So at present, I'm reading the first book of said series so that I can read that book for this square.
Most Likely
Behold, Here's Poison by Georgette Heyer
Other Possible Books
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer
Dead Man's Island by Caryolyn G. Hart
Cover Her Face by P.D. James
-- I read The Big Over Easy for this square last year, so I'm considering reading the second book in that series. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'm feeling in the mood for Noir at all, and so it's possible I'll use a Transfiguration spell on this square. But we'll see. I've only got three spells to use, so I need to consider carefully.
Possible Books
The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
The Bat by Jo Nesbo
In the Woods by Tana French
The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy
-- This is another broad category that I've got a lot of possibilities for. For certain, I'd like to read something by Barbara Michaels or Mary Stewart. Unfortunately, I have no idea what I want to read, as I have a lot of Mary Stewart books on my owned book shelves, but I'd have to acquire a Barbara Michaels book. I've also got one more Victoria Holt book on my owned shelves that needs to be read... and then there are some other authors with loads of possibilities...
Possible Books
This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart
Witch by Barbara Michaels
Thornyhold by Mary Stewart
The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart
The Sea King's Daughter by Barbara Michaels
Wait for What Will Come by Barbara Michaels
Secrets on the Mist by Anna Lee Huber
-- The last time we had this square, I read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman... and it'll be quite hard to top that book, truth be told. And really, I don't have a lot of possibilities.
Possible Books
Grave Peril by Jim Butcher
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
The Visitor by Amanda Stevens
-- This square is my "I want to read this book, but I don't know where to put it" free space. It'll probably get filled last unless I manage to make some concrete decisions on the rest of the squares. More than likely, I'll slide a romantic suspense in here... or one of the Lady Darby Mystery books. Or maybe one of the InCryptids books... I just really don't know why I'm even including this square in this post...
-- I read The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson for this square last year. I'm considering reading the next book in the series... although I've also got another possible pick in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series, which I believe to be a mystery, but I could be wrong. I don't read a whole lot of YA books these days, but I'll be damned if I use the Transfiguration spell on this square without at least trying to find something I'd like to read.
Possible Books
The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor
-- Another freebie space for me. I'll throw in whatever I can't fit anywhere else. I'm most interested in getting a romantic suspense read, so that's probably what's going to happen. There's a slew of these in my Kindle library as well as my physical shelves that I'll probably choose from. Although I'm also interested in reading something by Nora Roberts or Jayne Ann Krentz.
All the Possible Books!!
Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts
Hidden Talents by Jayne Ann Krentz
Silver Linings by Jayne Ann Krentz
Eye of the Beholder by Jayne Ann Krentz
Shadow Woman by Linda Howard
Ice by Linda Howard
Close Up and Dangerous by Linda Howard
This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart
The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart
I'll Be Watching You by Andrea Kane
Broken by Cynthia Eden
Ricochet by Jessica Andersen
-- I'm mostly looking at either Amanda Quick or Sherry Thomas, although not all of their books take place in London. There are other books I'm interested in, so I'm not locking in any particular book.
Possible Books
A Study in Scarlet by Sherry Thomas
A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas
Affair by Amanda Quick
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
-- I've been meaning to read the rest of the InCryptids series and any of those books will fit into this spot. I've already made a decision, if you want to know the truth, so if this book ends up unavailable... well, I may cry. I'll think about some back-ups.
Most Likely
Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire
Other Possible Books
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander (J.K. Rowling)
Bodyguard Bear by Zoe Chant
Wildfire Griffin by Zoe Chant
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
-- Probably something by Simone St. James. I've got two books left of hers to read, but only one of them, I think, is actually a ghost story. So I'm hoping to get a hold of it and get started when September rolls around. Otherwise, I think I have a few other possibilities.
Most Likely
Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James
Other Possible Books
Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer
Haunted by Heather Graham
Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire
Witch by Barbara Michaels
The Crying Child by Barbara Michaels
-- I think Halloween Bingo is a great time to read certain books that aren't part of my usual repertoire of reading. And I think I've had my set of Sherlock Holmes books on audible, narrated by the awesome Simon Vance, for much too long without having touched them. It's time...
Most Likely
The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Other Possible Books
Cover Her Face by P.D. James
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
-- Since I'm on a mission to catch up with the Lady Darby Mystery series, I might just read one of those books for this square. As neither Kiera Darby nor her love interest are considered law enforcement, this will work. But if I'm not in the mood, there are plenty of other books I can read. Since I'll be reading A Study in Death (yes I'd already decided) for the Paint It Black square, then I'll reserve the next book for this square.
Most Likely
As Death Draws Near by Anna Lee Huber
Other Possible Books
A Brush With Shadows by Anna Lee Huber
An Artless Demise by Anna Lee Huber
Deadly Politics by LynDee Walker
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas
Broken by Cynthia Eden
The Daydreamer Detective by S.J. Pajonas
-- After a bit of a search, I actually ended up finding one particular book that I'm pretty excited to read amidst a list of some other books I added to my TBR. And while it's a young adult book, the summary caught me and I'm super interested in the modern day tale involving the legendary Monkey King of Chinese mythological fame! And then something about battling demons and stuff...
Most Likely
The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee
Other Possible Books
Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
-- Because this square is like free cake for me. This list could go on forever, so I'm just going to give myself a few top pick possibilities. Although I DO have a desire to stick to more crime thrillers and murder mysteries... in other words, no survival, on the run stuff, or military romances... unless there's a murder mystery involved.
Possible Books: See book list for Genre: Suspense above.
-- I'm thinking something by Sarah Addison Allen or Neil Gaiman. I think there might even be a Maggie Stiefvater book that will work in here if she's published anything new lately... But this is another square I'm not feeling, so a Transfiguration spell will more than likely get used.
Possible Books
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
-- This is another freebie space for me since I've been really into crime thrillers since forever. I've also been dabbling in classic mysteries and historical mysteries. And a lot of the romantic suspense I read are also crime thrillers and murder mysteries. Then there are the cozy mysteries I could also choose from. For the most part, I'll probably try to stick to the Lady Darby Mystery books just to catch up with the series. Since I've already set two other Lady Darby books for two other squares, then I'll temporarily set the next book in the series for this square.
Most Likely
A Brush With Shadows by Anna Lee Huber
Other Possible Books
An Artless Demise by Anna Lee Huber
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien
Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
I'll Be Watching You by Andrea Kane
Shadow Woman by Linda Howard
The First Victim by J.B. Lynn
Cold Dark Places by Kylie Brant
Deadly Politics by LynDee Walker
-- I did a bit of research for this square and even started listening to the audio book of Storm Front by Jim Butcher just to prep for the next book, Fool Moon when the game officially starts. Which pretty much means that I've listed a lot of books, but I'm already set on one particular book.
Most Likely
Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
Other Possible Books
Feather on the Moon by Phyllis Whitney
Omens by Kelly Armstrong
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Street of the Five Moons by Elizabeth Peters
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
The Transfiguration Spell
The card speaks for itself, but I'm so glad we have this option this year. But I'm not going to make any sticking decisions yet on what cards I want to transfigure, because as the month wears on, my reading mood might change, and I will either want to transfigure a different square, or end up finding a book for a square I can't find a book for at present.
But at this point in time, the squares I'm most likely to use my Transfiguration Spells on are the following three:
And then the squares I would end up choosing as replacements:
I'm of the mind to go ahead and transfigure one of my squares to Cryptozoologist just so I can include another InCriptids book into the game. And the Murder Most Foul and Serial/Spree Killer, and Supernatural squares are broad enough in definition that I'd have tons of books I can use for them if it comes to that. Dark Academia and Truly Terrifying are my favorite of the new squares added this year, so I'm considering finding a book for them and adding them to the game.
So many decisions to make, but with only three Transfiguration Spells, I don't want to make too many changes at the moment. So this post is super huge with lists of books and possibilities. Although at least I've got a little bit of direction so that I have a sort of idea what book I'll be starting two weeks from now.
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