Xepherus Reads

  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: 10/50) Books Read Not in a Category: (32) Total Books Read: (42)   Updated 07/12/2026   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 Bookworms and Book Dragons,          The Last Party is book one in a new series by Clare Mackintosh, published in 2022 by Sourcebooks. In this twisty story of betrayal and murder, we are introduced to Welsh detective, Fion Morgan.    When a body is found in a lake near Fion's house on New Year's Day, she is partnered with English detective Leo Brady to solve the case. But their complicated past together will either hinder or speed up the investigation. The victim is a wealthy developer, Rhys Lloyd. And he was surrounded by plenty of locals who would have loved to see him dead. With scandals, double-crosses, and a bitter wife, Lloyd had multiple targets on him.      As Fion and Leo close in on the killer, they may be the next victims if they are not careful.     The Last Party was a fast and suspenseful novel. Fion and her village of Cwn Coed were fun...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,            At the beginning of the year I decided to change the way I tackled my To Be Read shelves. I created a jar filled with photo stickers of various book covers. As the covers were added the jar became too small. I graduated the collection to a trading card snap box.    Let's take a few minutes and see how my experiment is doing.  And the changes that were made since:   Always maintain 50 or more books in the jar. (I have exceeded that number, adding comics and graphic novels.) Read what I pick (this still works very well. In the event of a DNF , I label the back of the sticker and set aside with other books I did not finish.) If the book chosen is part of a series, draw another book. (series are now in small baggies. When the baggie is pulled, I choose the next book in the series). Set aside my chosen book into a small baggie to minimize re-drawing that book. (This has worked w...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,          Occasionally, I start a book and do not finished it. There are varying reasons why. One of my notorious DNF books was Whispering Shadows by Jan-Phillip Sendker. It started it twice and left it for another three years. In the end, I gave it four stars, wondering why I did not finish it in the first place.   This year I repurchased one DNF, and added several more. As the list got bigger, I decided to challenge myself.    What if I made a list in July and revisited it in December to track my progress?    I am curious to see if the following books will be finished. DNF List Stats The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner (started July 2021/ DNF'd July 2021/ reason: started on a plane ride and was set aside for vacation.) Murder Road by Simone St. James (started April 2024/ DNF'd May 2024/repurchased when I found it 60% off at a sale/ original reason: lost interest. But I did like what I ...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,            Let me know what you are reading in the comments below. Follow me on social media by visiting my Linktree . I am preparing my debut novel for publication. Check out the official website for clues, crowdfunding, and previews.  Enjoy shopping with me at my eBay store and visit my Print-on-Demand sites for t-shirts, mugs, and more!    I am a proud affiliate of Book of the Month . Check out their amazing selection and save by clicking above.     Because there is always time to read,   Xepherus3   All written content Copyright (c) by Thomas Bahr II All store and debut novel ads are designed and Copyright (c) by Xepherus Studios BOTM logo is copyright by Book of the Month

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,          2026 has been a great reading year. I always find it fun to look back and see where I have been. Novels Read  Along Came a Spider by James Patterson Bad Liar by Tami Hoag  It's Not Her by Mary Kubica  The Last Word by Taylor Adams Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena  One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni  Return of the Spider by James Patterson Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury  With a Vengeance by Riley Sager  ARCs Read Love Punch by Heather Ford Comic Books Read Aliens: Dead Orbit#1 by James Stokoe Aliens: Dead Orbit#2 by James Stokoe Batman Adventures #12 by Kelly Puckett & Rick Burchett Batman '89 #1 by Sam Hamm & Joe Quinones Batman '89 #2 by Sam Hamm & Joe Quinones Batman '89 #3 by Sam Hamm & Joe Quinones Batman '89 #4 by Sam Hamm & Joe Quinones Batman '89 #5 by Sam Hamm & Joe Quinones Batman '89 #6 by Sam Hamm & Joe Quinones Blac...