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This month’s reading challenge is to read a book with 400 pages! This may be a stretch for you, or it may be a breeze, but will you do it?
Of course, finding a books with exactly 400 pages is difficult, so for the purpose of this challenge, the pages can be within 20 pages of 400 pages.
Here are a few recommendations to get you started. I love fantasy, and my recommendations reflect that. What 400-page books have you read? And what book will you be reading for this reading challenge?
400-Page Book Recommendations
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Genre: YA Dystopian/Science Fiction
Pages: 388
How far would you go for revenge if someone killed your father? If someone destroyed your city? If everything you ever loved was taken from you?
David Charleston will go to any lengths to stop Steelheart. But to exact revenge in Steelheart’s world, David will need the Reckoners—a shadowy group of rebels bent on maintaining justice.
And it turns out that the Reckoners might just need David too.
Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors, so of course I’ve included one of his books on this list.
Sketches by Teyla Branton
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian
Pages: 412
Eighty years after Breakdown, Detective Reese Parker has pulled herself up from the dregs of society in Welfare Colony 6 to become a sketch artist and enforcer for the CORE (Commonwealth Objective for Reform and Efficiency). She works hard with other enforcers to maintain peace and order among the CORE’s two million residents, especially against the radiation-crazed outsiders called fringers.
But Reese hides a secret she can never share with anyone, a secret that killed her father and ruined the life of the person she once loved more than anyone.
When a new assignment sends Reese to Amarillo City, near where she grew up, she’s partnered with Jaxon Tennant on the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit, and she knows her secret won’t stay secret long. Somehow their past is connected to missing scientists and programmers, but all leads go nowhere: evidence disappears, witnesses change testimony, and names vanish from the CORE database.
Someone is willing to do anything to stop Reese and her former Colony 6 crew from discovering the truth behind what has been done to them—and thousands of others. To learn what they have become, Reese and her friends must go against the very foundations of the society they serve. There is no going back.
Saving Grace by Michele Paige Holmes
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 388
After the death of her grandfather, the Duke of Salisbury, Grace Thatcher wants nothing more than to live quietly in the country with her younger siblings. Her father’s debts thwart those plans, and to protect her sister, Helen, Grace must marry a man of her father’s choosing.
As each suitor proves less than desirable, Grace comes up with clever schemes, causing each to reject her. While staying at the mysterious Sutherland Hall, a middle-of-the-night mishap sends Grace into the arms of a stranger, Nicholas Sutherland—and provides inspiration for her grandest plan yet—one that will leave her reputation in tatters yet free both her and Helen from all possibility of marriage.
Too late Grace regrets her rash actions when her father’s last choice, Mr. Samuel Preston, proves to be a gentleman and a friend. But Samuel is the sworn enemy of Nicholas Sutherland, the man responsible for her “ruin.” Now instead of being free, Grace is caught between two men—each with his own agenda.
Law #1: Never Bet on Love by Agnes Canestri
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 398
Nathan:
Everyone knows I’m the next logical choice for CEO when my mother steps down. What everyone seems to doubt, however, is my ability to have a life outside of work that includes a loving relationship.
So when my brother bets that I can’t connect deeply enough with a woman to win her heart—and my mother makes winning that bet a condition of my promotion—I accept the challenge.
Too bad I never considered what would happen if I was the one to fall in love when all is said and done.
Eva:
The walls around my heart have always been impenetrable. But the gorgeous billionaire who suddenly seems so interested in me, a poor dancer, doesn’t seem to mind.
I’d like to say I’m not flattered. Or tempted by him. But . . . I am.
And for the first time in my life, I’m wondering what it would be like to let my guard down and truly take a shot at happily ever after. If only I could shake this feeling that he’s keeping something from me . . .
The Fairy’s Return and Other Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine
Pages: 400
Genre: Children’s Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Six beloved Princess Tales are together in one magnificent volume. The high jinks begin in The Fairy’s Mistake, which pokes fun at a meddlesome fairy whose plans for good go terribly awry. In The Princess Test, the author spoofs the notion that a pea can prove a person’s pedigree. Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep features a genius of a princess, a hundred years of snooze, two princes, and a flock of balding sheep! Cinderella is a boy in Cinderellis and the Glass Hill, and the glass slipper is a glass hill. In For Biddle’s Sake, Parsley tries to forget her beloved prince and get used to life as a Biddlebum Toad. The road to happily-ever-after isn’t easy when a baker’s son and a princess fall in love in The Fairy’s Return.
Okay, this one is actually several stories put together in one book, but together they meet the criteria! This book is great for children and is a fun, quick read for adults.
The Highwayman by R. A. Salvatore
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 420
It is God’s year 54, many years before the Demon Wars, in the land of Corona. The roads are unsafe to travel; goblins and bloodthirsty Powries search out human prey. Two religions struggle fiercely for control. Bran Dynard, a monk of the fledgling religion of Abelle, returns from his mission in a far-off land with a book of mystical knowledge and a beautiful and mysterious new wife. But he soon realizes that the world he left behind has changed, and his dream of spreading the wisdom he learned to his fellow monks is crushed. Forced to hide his wife and his precious book, Bran must decide whom he can trust and where he should now place his faith.
Twenty years later, the situation has grown darker and more desperate. Only the Highwayman travels freely, his sword casting aside both Powries and soldiers. The people need a savior, but is the Highwayman on a mission of mercy . . . or vengeance?
If you love reading epic sword-fighting scenes, this book is for you!
Roar by Cora Carmack
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 382
Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.
To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.
Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.
She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.
Let us know in the comments below what 400-page book you choose to read for this reading challenge!
For my 400 page book this month I’m reading Alice Hoffman’s Magic Lessons, it’s 396 pages.
I finished my 400 page book, Emily, Gone, in a matter of hours yesterday. It was a gripping story, wonderfully written. A recommended read.
Bette Lee Crosby touched on varying serious issues that affect many families today, that have rippling, far and wide-reaching effects. Though not in all cases, thankfully, such situations can eventually work out for the best in God’s perfect timing. We can weather the storms of life when we trust in God and depend on Him to see us through. The enemy may seem to prevail for a time, but ultimately there is joy after times of sorrow. Pick up your copy today.
Thank you for the recommendation!
You are welcome Catia
My book choice is Emiy, Gone a Novel by USA Today Best Selling Author Bette Lee Crosby. 400 pages with asuggested reading time of 6 hours 30 minutes. This is the first time I’m reading this author but the story line caught my attention: A missing child sets the lives of three women on a collision course. I just love reading stories that include children.
I love the idea of these monthly reading challenges! I’ve added several of your suggestions to my TBR pile and look forward to getting to them. Unfortunately, that won’t be any time soon as I was recently diagnosed with bilateral cataracts and will have surgery at the end of the month. I miss reading! I kept a Kindle on my table for reading at meals and a Kindle in my pocket when I was outside my home, including at work. These monthly challenges have given me something to look forward to reading when I can read again. Who knows… I might be able to do the August challenge on time!
Hey Jamie,
I’m so sorry to hear that your condition affects your ability to read like you enjoy so much. I hope and pray your surgery goes smoothly and returns you to your love of books.
In the meantime if you don’t already enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend checking them out. A great one to get started with is The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. The narrator keeps you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy and heal up.
Praying for you.
God bless!
Vanessa