Xepherus Reads

    Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,    I love a good reading challenge or book tag. But one challenge I have yet to try is a 24 Hour Reading Challenge.  After deciding a 24 hour challenge might be something I would enjoy, I needed a plan. Rules: Choose my books (I chose 2 novels and 5 comics to read.) Carve out comfortable locations to read (I had two sitting locations, and I included audiobooks for my daily walks.) Set a clock to countdown a 24 hour period (This clock can be stopped for eating, sleeping, work, and personal care.) Always be fed and hydrated (No problem with that. I did eat while reading at times. But also I stopped the clock for dinner.) Charge my wireless headphones (This came in handy for when I listened to audiobooks as I did my daily walks.)   Books read: A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh Other People's House by Clare Mackintosh Aliens: Dead Orbit#3 by James Stokoe Aliens: Dead Orbit#4 by James Stokoe The Huntress #14 b...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,          Batman '89: Echoes is written by Sam Hamm (writer of Batman and Batman Returns) with art by Joe Quinones. It is published by DC Comics. In this six-issue series, Hamm asks the question: What if Warner Brothers continued Tim Burton's vision for future Caped Crusader films?   Batman '89: Echoes picks up a year after the events of Shadows . Batman (Michael Keaton) has vanished. Barbara Gordon (Wynona Ryder) is now running the Gotham PD. And a notorious fire bug, Firefly, has been apprehended and sent to Arkham State Hospital. Robin (Marlon Wayans) has become Nightwing, leading a group of local crime fighters (and secretly in touch with Batman).  In Arkham, Firefly is greeted by Dr. Jonathan Crane (Jeff Goldblum). Crane clashes with Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Madonna) about treatments being held in Arkham.      Quinzel is working to have her own television talk show with TV producer, Chuck...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,      It is time to begin sharing my  2026 Xepherus Reads  Reading Challenge results.    The challenge dates are January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026  Book Challenge books read: 11/50) Books Read Not in a Category: (37) Total Books Read: (48)   Updated 07/26/2026   Xepherus Reads Challenge categories (in alphabetical order):                 A 2025 Goodreads Choice winner- A banned book- A biography of a celebrity- A book a Netflix show was based on- A book by a debut author- A book by your favorite author you have not read- Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena (****) A book featuring your favorite character- One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni (****) A book from your childhood- Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury  (*****) A Book of the Month Club Book- A book over 500 pages- A book published during the 1970s- A book pub...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,          Batman '89: Shadows is written by Sam Hamm (writer of Batman and Batman Returns) with art by Joe Quinones. It is published by DC Comics. In this six-issue series, Hamm asks the question: What if Warner Brothers released Tim Burton's vision for a third Caped Crusader film?   Titled Batman Continues, plans for Burton to direct a new Batman film was in the works. But behind the scenes disputes ultimately led to Joel Schumacher's neon Batman Forever being released in 1995. Only rumors and various components of Burton's vision exists. Hamm brings those elements together and tells us the story of this original vison. With Quinones drawing various characters in the style of the actors rumored or set to play them.    After Batman Returns, Gotham is in turmoil. Vigilantes dressed as the Dark Knight battle Joker gangs, adding to the growing unrest. Drake Winston (Marlon Wayans) works for his family'...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,          Other People's Houses is written by Clare Mackintosh. It is book three in the DC Morgan series published by Sourcebooks. In it Ffion Morgan is balancing a mischievous dog, an uncertain relationship with her realtor, and her relationship with Detective Sergeant Leo Brady. Ffion is investigating the murder of a young realtor. Leo is investigating a series of burglaries in an affluent neighborhood. And the world seems to be addicted to solving a ten year old cold case thanks to a true crime podcast.   But when a burglary turns violent, a killer may have resurfaced in the wealthy neighborhood of the Hills. As their cases begin to connect, Ffion and Leo come face to face with a murderer determined to keep his or her identity a secret.  Unfortunately for Leo, his ex-wife, Allie, lives down the road from the Hills. She is nosy and determined to fit in with the "in crowd". Will she be a help or a hinde...

    Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,           A Game of Lies is book two in a new series by Clare Mackintosh, published in 2024 by Sourcebooks. Detective Ffion Morgan has her hands full when a reality TV show moves into the area near her home town of Cwn Coed. Her friends and family are glued to the television screen waiting for each new episode. But when the true nature of Exposure is revealed, one contestant vanishes. And the show's producer is murdered.   With the help of her on-again-off-again beau, Detective Leo Brady, Ffion delves into the backstabbing behind the scenes of the show. One thing is certain, everyone despised the show's producer. A killer roams the set and Ffion must watch her back when dealing with a game of lies.    A Game of Lies was a fun and thrilling read. Returning to the world of Ffion Morgan was a welcomed end to a week-long reading slump. Mackintosh also added in characters from book one, as well a...