Book Bingo | The End.

...way back in July (three months ago??!) I posted a mid-summer update on Book Bingo. At that point, I had four books to go to cover my card. I finished up the last book on August 23. Those last four books were:

Life After Life. recommended by Carole, a librarian.  5 stars. I love love loved this book. I can still hear "Snow...." in my head, evoking that night in February 1910 when Ursula begins and re-begins her life. It's sparked some interesting discussion with a few close friends, but I'm hesitant to suggest it for a full-on book club discussion. Maybe in a few months when the points aren't quite so close to my heart.

Liar's Club. found in a used book store (by Sara). I'd intended this to be my "by an author who shares my first name" selection, but Liar's Club seemed a better pick (and I had time to find another Mary). I did enjoy the book. Parts of it were tough, but not in an "I can't finish this" way. We lived in Groves, Texas (where much of the book is set) during the sixties and my memories are child-like. I left the book with my mom and dad, who have much clearer - and likely much harder - memories of that time and place... I do hope they read it so I can learn more about that time from their perspective.

Rebecca. the re-read. and oh my what a good one this was! Actually, I listened...but I think that made it even more dramatic. (also, I couldn't so easily flip to those last few pages to remind myself how it ended!) I still haven't watched the movie. but I will. I think I'm gonna need a sleepover pal or two, though (this is definitely not one that I want to watch with Marc!)

The Proposal. by Mary Balogh, an author who shares my first name. A pretty delightful romance. and a nice palate-cleanser. I might even track down another (this was #1 in the series)... but no time soon!

24 books = 12 bingos. (not that anyone's counting!)

Three other readers also completed the challenge:

- Bonny also covered her card (24 books and 12 bingos). She also had a great summer of reading - mostly.
- Carole played two cards; she read 18 books and scored three bingos. She piggy-backed the whole bingo idea for her library's summer reading program. How cool!
- Kym read 18 books and scored four bingos...and emailed me a photo of her finished card.

And I know many more of you played along. We read more, especially outside our typical comfort zone; we found new favorites; we surprised ourselves.  I'm calling it a huge success!

As promised, there's a prize. Given the odds it's probably not hard to guess the winner!

Congratulations, Bonny! (there's a little something coming to your in-box tomorrow).

And thank you everyone! This year has been a great reading one for me and I'm looking forward to expanding my horizons and stepping outside my comfort zone even more in the coming months. Stay tuned. I'm still getting my thoughts together... so this really isn't "the end" of reading, just of Summer 2014 Bingo!