Krista's comments (member since May 12, 2009)

Krista's comments from the The Next Best Book Club group.

Donna Jo wrote: "This challenge was so daunting looking at the beginning of the summer that I think everyone who even started one book for it deserves some credit.
BTW, for everyone who tackled my task 30.1, thank..."

I loved your task Donna Jo. It gave a fuller perpective to the historical fiction books I tend to gravitate to. I read about Josephine Bonaparte, and have a more clearer understanding about her life because of the biography.

I'd also like to send a shout out to Cynthia for a fantastic job keeping this mob running on track. We couldn't do it without you!!

Dionisia wrote: "Finished my last book!

Task #10.4 complete by reading Black Fairy Tales. This was my first challenge and I did better than I thought I would.

Final total = 450 points"


Way to go! I love it when you do better than you think you can. :-)

Roseann wrote: "Hi everyone,

I've been away--new classes and the flu (not swine) had me down for quite a few days.

Congrats to Diane and Sam and a hearty WAY TO GO GIRL! to Nicole OH (I know you wanted it ba..."

Hey Roseann, Congrats on getting into school. That is fantastic!

Donna Jo wrote: "Krista wrote: "Newly Completed Tasks: -- (Final tasks for the Summer Challenge)

15.9 – What’s In a Name? – Read 2 Books Written By 2 Different Authors Who Share Either A First Or Last Name:
1..."

Thanks! That last book was a challenge, but I do have a great sense of accomplishment now. :-)

Newly Completed Tasks: -- (Final tasks for the Summer Challenge)

15.9 – What’s In a Name? – Read 2 Books Written By 2 Different Authors Who Share Either A First Or Last Name:
1) Murder by the Glass by Michele Scott
2) I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley

30.4 – Bio of a US President: American Sphinx The Character of Thomas Jefferson

This book was a bit of a slog, but I finally conquered it!!

I can’t believe I read 50 books and 15,000 pages in three months! Earlier in the year I thought folks that set a reading goal of 50 books a year were ambitious. Look what a little friendly competition will produce. :-) My original goal for the challenge was 500 points, and am happy to have gotten as far as I did in my first challenge. After I reached the 500 point mark, my new goal was to finish in the top twenty. I think I may squeak by in the top twenty. Wa-hoo.

Congratulations Nicole for finishing up in under the wire. I really like the poetry task you devised. That’s one genre I don’t delve into very much. It’s been so much fun getting to meet so many dedicated readers during this challenge. Now, it’s on to the Fall Challenge. I can’t wait!!

Books Read for Completed Tasks: 50
Pages Read: 15.006
Total Points: 715

Newly Completed Task:

10.1 - I’m going to move A Northern Light from the YA task to the Waitress task.

I just finished listening to First Test which I am using for one of the YA books for task 30.5

That will give me 10 more points for a total of 670.

I’m *desperately* trying to finish up two more books that I have started, before tomorrow’s deadline. I really shouldn’t have left that biography of Thomas Jefferson (American Sphinx The Character of Thomas Jefferson) to the last week of the challenge. I thought I would breeze right through is since I LOVE history. This one however has been slow going for me. But I am DETEREMIND to finish the thing before the Summer Challenge deadline. I only have 100 pages left in it, and I’m not going to get this close to the end only to leave 30 points on the table (or Leaderboard as the case may be).

Books Read for Completed Tasks: 47
Pages Read: 13,932
Total Points: 670

Nicole NC wrote: "So after hearing everyone talk about the Sookie Stackhouse series I finally plunged in, and I have to admit, I'm torn. The story is interesting, and even though everyone talked about it, I didn't ..."

Hi Nicole: I had the exact same reaction that you did to this series. Some encouragement from Summer Challenge folks persuaded me to read on in the series, and I'm glad I did. I've finished three books in the series, and I'm languishing in the Hold Queue at the library for the 4th book. They really do get better, IMHO.

Sam wrote: "BJ Rose wrote: "OK, Sam, you're next!!!"

Done.

5.9 (Crime Fiction): Blood Money - Max Allan Collins
5.10 (Westward Expansion): Little House on the Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Total Points 940..."

That is terrific Sam. Way to go!! Again -- I am amazed at all you speedy readers out there. I really didn't think anyone would get this done.

Diane wrote: "Finished! Finally! Phew! (Now I can start my long-neglected housework. yardwork, etc.)...."

Congrats Diane!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has been neglecting things around the house in order to read for this challenge. Personally, I'll pick reading over housework ANY day!

Krista wrote: "BJ Rose wrote: "Susanna wrote: "In the U.S. I believe they are on HBO."

Thanks, Susanna!"

Let me add my 'Thanks' too Susanna. Now I have to check to see if my library has them on DVD. (I'm ..."

The HBO series is available on September 8th :) http://www.amazon.com/No-Ladies-Detectiv...

Thanks for the info! I'm looking forward to checking these out!!

Lynne wrote: "I've been following this thread for awhile (I'm doing the Shelf-A-Thon Challenge) and wondered if everyone had a good time with this? Are you glad you did it? Did you read a lot of books you woul..."

Hi Lynne: This was my first challenge, and I can't tell you how much fun it was!! I'm trying to finish up some books for this challenge --- but I'm torn between that and plotting my books for the Fall challenge. :-)

Come join the chaos. ....Ahem.... Let me rephrase that, 'Come join the FUN'!

BJ Rose wrote: "Susanna wrote: "In the U.S. I believe they are on HBO."

Thanks, Susanna!"

Let me add my 'Thanks' too Susanna. Now I have to check to see if my library has them on DVD. (I'm hoping that if they're shown on HBO they'll eventually be available on DVD.)

Nicki wrote: "Krista - if you like the audio books you'd probably love the TV series. Not sure if you're in the US or if you can get them over there but they are BBC so might be on BBC America. They are wonderful - the casting is perfect and so is the camera work. You get a real sense of day-to-day life in Botswana.

You'd probably like Baking Cakes in Kigali too. A different author but the same thoughtful pace and the same slow unwrapping of the story.
..."

Thanks for the info. I'll check them out. I haven't seen the TV show advertised in the US, but I'll look at the BBC America channel.

Nicole wrote: "Completed task 10.4 The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. I really liked the main character a lot, but was disappointed by the quick little cases. I wanted the book to center..."

Yes, the rest of the No. 1 Ladies Dective Agency books follow along the same lines. The stories really revolve more around life and culture in Botswana than solving any big mysteries. I like them for their meandering pace, and the glimpse into life in another culture they provide. I REALLY love the audio books. I think it adds something to this series to hear the names pronounced correctly, in the local accents.

Newly Completed Task:

25.8 - Two books by Goodreads Authors:
1) The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow
2) Dragon's Lair by Sharon Kay Penman

The Last Lecture was a great (if bittersweet) book which laid out some insightful life lessons. I gave it 3 stars.

Dragon's Lair is the 3rd in the Justin de Quincy medieval history/mystery series. I really enjoy medieval history AND mysteries, so this is right up my alley. Sharon Kay Penman is a fantastic historical fiction author. I gave it 4 stars.

Books Read for Completed Tasks: 46
Pages Read: 13,708
Total Points: 660

itpdx wrote: "I have completed 15.5 Current Events. I read Weekends at Bellevue. I have read a number of articles about the US's ways (or lack of) handling the mentally ill. But this article htt..."

Good going! Was 300 your goal for the challenge?

Bonnie wrote: "Krista wrote: "Newly Completed Task:

15.2 – Casting Call: Year of Wonders

Ha! Krista, I also saw Keira Knightley as Elinor when I read the book. The other people I 'cast' were d..."

They do say great minds think alike. :-) I was debating between Keira Knightly and Gwyneth Paltrow for Elinor, but I decided that Keira was a better fit. I also originally had Amy Adams as Anna, then changed to Ellen Page becasue I thought she was just a bit edgier.

Great book -- I gave it 4 stars. (I rarely give out 5 stars, so this is high praise.)

Newly Completed Task:

15.2 – Casting Call: Year of Wonders

Great read! Here’s my cast list for the major characters in the book:
Character
Anna Frith -- Actor: Ellen Page
Elinor Mompellion -- Actor: Keira Knightly
Michael Mompellion -- Actor: Clive Owen
Anys Gowdie -- Actor: Kate Winslet
Josiah Bont -- Actor: Bob Hoskins
Aphra Bont -- Actor: Diane Lane
Elizabeth Bradford -- Actor: Anne Hathaway

Books Read for Completed Tasks: 44
Pages Read: 13,148
Total Points: 635

Cait wrote: "I'm done! I just finished reading I Know This Much is True for Task 25.7 - I loved every second of it.

Here's my final list. I was able to read 20 books from the 1001 list and 11 from the Lost Li..."

Congrats! What an accomplishment!!

Sam wrote: "Finished 10.5 (France): The Girl at the Lion d’Or - Sebastian Faulks

Total Points 900 "

Cool, you're almost done with this challenge too Sam. That's fantastic!!