LOL..that works...I do that myself.

Thanks Yz. I was upset that I didn't finish it and started looking at my list of what I did read and realized a few could be substituted. Yippee.

Great, Barbara. I'll go ahead and update the final tally.

Had to do a few substitutions but I did complete by 5/25

2009 - Daring The Moon by Sherrill Quinn 5/17
2008 - The Lady Flees Her Lord by Michelle Ann Young 5/18
2007 - The Alchemyst by Michael Scott 5/6
2006 - A Walk on the Nightside by Simon Green 5/25
2005 - The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor 5/3
2004 - Enchanted By Magic by Gloria Harchar 5/15
2003 - Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon 5/14
2002 - She's My Mom Count on a Cop by Rebecca Winters 5/25
2001 - The Treatment by Mo Hayder 5/20

Susan Cooper is amazing. The series is
Over Sea, Under Stone
The Dark is Rising
Greenwitch
The Grey King
Silver on the Tree

Fantastic writing and imagery, excellent twining together of English country life and high fantasy adventure.

Teens may feel the first book is a bit "young," but the stories increase in power as the protagonists age a bit.

Uniquely Moi wrote: "...Now, a question about the Morganville Vamp series. They are YA? Do they compare with the House of Night series by PC Cast? "

They're quite different, but better in my opinion (I've read all of the House of Night books and while I like them, Zoe drives me insane!). Very quick reads with enjoyable characters that you grow really attached to. I'm starting book six today!

Awesome! Thanks! HEHEHE :)

Good job to everyone!!!

oops..there they are now..

Hey you forgot the numbers!!!!

Final update:


We had 40 participants.

Yz - 6 books done
Nichole - 3 books done
Shazzy - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
DarkHeart - 5 books done
Stav - 6 books done
Michelle - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Kristen - 8 books done
LadyOzma - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Ann - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Lori - 7 books done
Jael - 4 books done
Brandy - 7 books done
Sarah - 8 books done
Angie - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Annvelwis - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Mitabird - 6 books done
Mel - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Karen - 6 books done
Melinda - 8 books done
Barbara - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Gail - 6 books done
Catherine - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Terri - 1 book done
Valerie - 7 books done
Delitealex - 5 books done
Melody - 2 books done
colleen - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Uniquely Moi - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Mrsku - 2 books done
Jennie - 8 books done
Victoria - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
BJ Rose - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Martina - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Victoria - 6 books done
Lily - 5 books done
Ronelle - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Kyle - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Dawn = 5 books done
Kittiya - 8 books done
rebeccaj - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations

No one have signed up since the last update.


Group's Final Total: 282 books read.

17 participants had completed all 9 categories

May's challenge is officially closed.

Great job, everyone.

Mrsku wrote: "Mrsku wrote: "2000 - Dark Gold by Christine Feehan
2001 - Dark Dream - by Christine Feehan published in After Twilight by Amanda Ashley, Christine Feehan and Ronda Thompson Completed on 2 May 2009...."

I'm not seeing the complete list. Can you repost it please?

UM--try some of Andre Norton's books. The Witch World are fantasy, and they alternate between male MC's and female ones. Then, there are several other series that he might like that she writes. Did he see "The Dark Rises" in the theatre? There are I believe 5 books in the series (Susan Cooper is the writer) and they are good.

The first in the Alera Codex series you mean? (the other Butcher novel you got :P)

Ok, we were able to get City of Bones and Stormbreaker from the library, in addition to Fool Moon and...dangit, one other I got from Barnes and Noble by Butcher as well. Can't remember. I'm hoping it will give him some good material to start with.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

Now, a question about the Morganville Vamp series. They are YA? Do they compare with the House of Night series by PC Cast?

Didn't get to finish this month...but I tried to read as much, even when I was in the process of moving...LOL

2009 - Lover Avenged - JR Ward 5/6
2008 - Shades of Dark - Linnea Sinclair 5/8
2007 - Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr 5/11
2006 - Light My Fire by Katie MacAlister 5/22
2005 - Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder 5/31
2004 - The Demon's Daughter by Emma Holly
2003 - Midnight Pleasures by Amanda Ashley et.al 5/9
2002 - Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
2001 - Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

Overall, I read 14 books for the month of May.

Well, I did my best. It's been a BUSY month...

2001: The Secret Swan by Shana Abe. *** 5/12 It wasn't PNR. It didn't say it was, didn't say it wasn't--nice read anyway. Had that lush romantic voice of hers. I'm still counting it.
2002: Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
2003: The Devil Wears Prada by ??
2004: Circusex by William Maltese ** 5/15 It was okay. Interesting.
2005: Afterburn Bio Rescue #2 by S.L. Viehl *** 5/20 Interesting--dolphin-like aliens were the main characters...
2006: The Dawn Star by Catherine Asaro *** 5/13
Liked this one better than the previous Asaro Luna book, I think. It's a good, big adventure, lots-of-plot story.
2007: True Deception by Patricia Waddell *** 5/06 Liked it--space opera--lots of action & hot romance.
2008: Gale Force by Rachel Caine *** 5/22 Once again, I did not like the ending. Caine is TOO mean to her characters. Sigh.
2009: Eternal Craving by Nina Bangs
Never did get hold of this book. Still want to read it.

So, that's six out of 9 read. Not bad, especially given that I'm still afraid to read the Carey book. And given that I was out of town a lot. Ah well.

Well, I got 8 out of 9 done. I probably could have gotten the 9th done, but the library didn't have the book available until the 30th. But I still feel proud. :)

2009 - Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance 05.03.09
2008 - Bound by Shadow by Anna Windsor 05.09.09
2007 - Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin 05.13.09
2006 - Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
2005 - Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning 05.05.09
2004 - Dark Watcher by Lilith Saintcrow 05.16.09
2003 - In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming 05.28.09
2002 - Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon05.22.09
2001 - HeartMate by Robin D. Owens 05.20.09

Darren Shan's are good. I just can't get into them anymore. I don't know I've gone into the adult books/slightly older YA and I just can't go back :P

Oh yeah. I ended up staying up till 5 last night finishing the 6th one :P I'm on Lover Avenged :) I wouldn't be on right now if I didn't have to run out somewhere but it was worth it :)

He loves military/spy/strategy novels. I will look into those. Thanks!!!

Hi UM:: has he read any Darren Shan books::15 is an awkward age for reading i would imagine::not into kiddie books but not into adult ones either:: there's also a lack of male protagonists::there are some spy type/action books out there::anthony horowitz writes some good ones::chris ryan::and andy macnabb both write books for teens::these are spy/military stories::or so i'm told ::they also write adult books::some of the titles cross over::

Yeah, she would have been able to graduate high school with an AA in college had she not messed up one semester. Grrrrrrr.

Oh well, we try to do the best we can inspite of what life throws at us, right?

That's awesome... we don't have a program here like that and I wish we did. Lots cheaper. We plan to do college courses for the teen years as well. All you need is like 26 credits and you are a transfer student. Something like that. So if we do it slowly over several years to break down the cost so it is more affordable maybe we can do it... bleh. It's so expensive but the options are so much better!!!! And there's just something about going ahead and earning some of the college credits...

My son loved Jules Verne! Where we live now, there aren't as many summer programs and offerings, but what I did manage to do with my daughter, and will do with my son, was as soon as she turned 16, I enrolled her at the local JC as a concurrent enrollment student. That way, I paid only $1 per unit AND the courses counted towards high school credit as well as college credit. And the college offers so much more in the way music, arts, sciences, etc.

Good Luck, UM. We're trying to decide what we want to do this summer. I think the kids are going to finish up their unit on classical musicians and after that, I've no clue. I missed the cool workshop (couldn't find the information on it) at the convention I went to last week about using sci-fi in education. :( Bummer, right? Oh well.... LOL I guess we'll keep trudging along doing things like Earth Science while reading Journey to the Centre of the Earth...

Virginia wrote: "Uniquely Moi wrote: "I'm looking for a good, strong UF series without a lot of sexuality for my son. He's 15. Any suggestions?"

Has he read Garth Nix? My boys loved his Old Kingdom books (Sabriel..."

No, he hasn't. Thank you for the suggestion. I'll look into that one, too.

We home school and through out the academic year, he reads the required books according to the CDE, along with whatever else he wants to read. During the summer months off, he tends to get too wrapped up in video games and you wouldn't recognize him without a game controller in his hand.

I'm hoping that coming up with several new series will keep him occupied.

Uniquely Moi wrote: "I'm looking for a good, strong UF series without a lot of sexuality for my son. He's 15. Any suggestions?"

Has he read Garth Nix? My boys loved his Old Kingdom books (Sabriel, etc).

http://www.garthnix.co.uk/home

Poison Study? I'll have to look for it :D

DarkHeart wrote: "I'm reading the trilogy right now, UM, and I'm really enjoying it. It seems to improve with each book."

It defintely gets better! My daughters went to Maria's book signing when she was out here. They got to do the poison tasting, got pictures and my daughter won a signed set of UK version of the Study Series.

Storm Glass is really good. :)

I'm reading the trilogy right now, UM, and I'm really enjoying it. It seems to improve with each book.

Yep! COB. I hope he'll like it.

Have you tried Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder? It's not as edgy as say, BDB or Midnight Breeds series, but it's good. There are three in the Study series, Poison Study, Magic Study and Fire Study. Something else for you to look into.

Of City of Bones? Thats good :D Its really good.

You might even like the trilogy :). Its young adult but its good. :D

It says our local library has a copy checked in. I'll get it tomorrow.

No problem :D
Glad to help :P

Awesome! Thanks so much! *hugs Kyle*

Cassandra Clare.

http://cassandraclare.com/cms/home

It starts with City of Bones. Though it might throw you off because the first book has a shirtless dude on the cover but don't worry, there is no sex. Its just supposed to show you the tattoos the shadowhunters have, they're the characters the book revolves around :P

The other two covers are normal and the books are FANTASTIC. In my opinion at least :P

Kyle wrote: "Thanks :D And sorry I listed some he's already read :P

Sons of Avalon? I haven't heard of those :P

But yeah the Mortal Instruments series is STRAIGHT UP urban fantasy. I liked it so he might. :P"

Whose the author? I want to look into those tomorrow.

Thanks :D And sorry I listed some he's already read :P

Sons of Avalon? I haven't heard of those :P

But yeah the Mortal Instruments series is STRAIGHT UP urban fantasy. I liked it so he might. :P

Kyle,

He's read the Heir books, Rangers Apprentice, Artemis Fowl, Maximum Ride, Here There Be Dragons, Eragon, Sons of Avalon, Merlin's Prophecy (sequel coming out this summer) But you gave me some great ideas to check into. Thansk!

Oy...
Sorry guys, I stunk it up this month! Time to take a break from the challenges for awhile.
I ended up finishing 3 out of 9. I got about halfway through Magic Burns but it was boring, and I'm through the first disc of the audiobook for Dime Store Magic.

2009 - Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
2008 - Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
2007 - Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance
2006 - Lover Awakened by JR Ward (*re-read)
2005 - Gabriel's Ghost by Linnea Sinclair
2004 - Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
2003 - A Girl's Guide to Vampires by Katie McAllister
2002 - Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
2001 - Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning (*re-read)

Uniquely Moi wrote: "I'm looking for a good, strong UF series without a lot of sexuality for my son. He's 15. Any suggestions?"

The Mortal Instruments series is really good :). It has a girl main character though..but finding an Urban Fantasy without a girl m/c would be difficult. Theres sexual tension but no sex. :P

Lets see...um...Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Thats not straight Urban Fantasy but its fantasy and everyone says they are really good. Lots of mythology. The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series...there are 3 books out. They take place in Paris a lot so those could be urban fantasy. Um..The Hunger Games, it has a girl main character though.

The Artemis Fowl Series. The Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong (its her YA series), another girl MC. OOO and the Bloodline series by Kate Cary is REALLY good. It takes place during WWI times and its involved with Dracula's bloodline and stuff like that :P

The 3 Heirs Trilogy is really good. The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir and the The Dragon Heir. :D And maybe Mortal Coils by Eric Nylund.

Sorry about all the suggestions..I Wasn't sure what kind of books he liked so I just gave a bunch of different kinds :P

I can't believe I did it but I FINISHED!!!!!!!!!

YAY!!! I wrapped up Turn Coat earlier today and that takes me to the very end of the Harry Dresden series that's been churned out... nine of them in one month... all those freaking pages and massively connected story arc and two conventions and making of a new costume...

I feel ACCOMPLISHED! LOL

2001-2009 Challenge done with nine Harry Dresden books written by Jim Butcher. I think I need a pizza... and a large quarterstaff... maybe a cool trenchcoat that is protected from EVERYTHING...

BTW I also read two other books... I seriously needed to get Harry outta my head before diving into June's 9 PNR books so I read Jane Green's The Other Woman this evening...

Now to figure out WTH to read next. Hopefully I can wade through that darn list...

Ok, not sure but that this series isn't true fantasy, but try the Hawk and Fisher series (8 books in the series, you can get 2 books with 3 stories in each from Amazon) by Simon Green.

I'm looking for a good, strong UF series without a lot of sexuality for my son. He's 15. Any suggestions?

As for the Alera Codex. It is straight fantasy. Classic fantasy is my favorite so I enjoyed it alot.

09 Blood Blade FINISHED
08 Mindhealer FINISHED
07 Wicked Lovely
06 Darkfever (FINISHED)
05 ?
04 Let the Right One In
03 Something from the Nightside (FINISHED)
02 Tithe A Modern Faerie Tale FINISHED
01 Way of the Wolf

ok, i finished and enjoyed Darkfever, and that is as far as I got. I did read quite a few other books but I guess my discipline isn't up to this challenge.

I had fun and read a few books on my tbr pile I wouldn't have got to for a long time i imagine.

I am going to skip this coming month cause I have to much stuff to read not applicable to the June list.

Have fun and thanks ya'll.

Lily

Sorry about the Fury/Alera Codex mix up. I just think about the series as the fury books cause they are the magic bringers, ya know. Anyway glad someone on here is better with details than I and not send you on a wild goose chase.

Updates:
Here's my photofinish:

2009 - Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris - done 05/06/2009
2008 - Hotter than Hell, Kim Harrison et al -done 05/10/2009
2007 - Another One Bites the Dust, Jennifer Rardin - done 05/08/2009
2006 - Shadow Touch, Marjorie K. Liu - done 05/16/2009
2005 - Undead and Unappreciated, MaryJanice Davidson - done 05/17/2009
2004 - Dead to the World, Charlaine Harris - done 05/19/2009
2003 - Club Dead, Charlaine Harris - done 05/31/2009
2002 - Guilty Pleasures, Laurell K. Hamilton - done 5/30/2009
2001 - Out of This World, J.D. Robb et al - done 5/29/2009

DONE! Whew!

Well, I managed 7/9



2009: Lover Avenged Black Dagger Brotherhood 7 - J.R. Ward 5/4
2008: The Pagan Stone Sign of Seven trilogy 3 - Nora Roberts 5/9
2007: Marked House of Night 1 - P.C. Cast 5/25
2006: Dance of the Gods Circle trilogy 2 - Nora Roberts 5/2
2005: Fangs for the Memories Young Brothers:Book 1 - Kathy Love 5/10
2004: Undead and Unwed Undead Series Book 1 - MaryJanice Davidson 5/30
2003: Lover Beware - Christine Feehan 5/31
2002: The Dark Highlander Highlander 5 - Karen Marie Moning
2001: Bitten - Kelly Armstrong

Finally Done! Finished 'The Mage' last night. Now I have one whole day before the next challenges begin - what to do with it?!

9 completed:

**** 2009 - The Mage (Sons of Destiny #8) by Jean Johnson 5.30.09
*****2008 - Mine to Possess (Psy-Changeling #4) by Nalini Singh 5.20.09
***** 2007 - Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changeling #5) by Nalini Singh 5.16.09
**** 2006 - Lover Eternal (BDB #2) by J. R. Ward 5.08.09
**** 2005 - Dark Lover (BDB #1) by J. R. Ward 5.01.09
*****2004 - Immortal Highlander (Highlanders #6) by Karen Marie Moning 5.18.09
*** 2003 - Charming the Highlander #1 by Janet Chapman 5.26.09
***** 2002 - Dark Highlander (Highlanders #5) by Karen Marie Moning 5.05.09
*****2001 - Kiss of the Highlander (Highlanders #4) by K.M. Moning 5.03.09

Also this month:

At Last Comes Love by Mary Balogh
Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr
Queen Victoria From Her Birth to the Death of the Prince Consort by Cecil Woodham-Smith
The Partner by John Grisham (audiobook)
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben (audiobook)
The Whiskey Rebellion George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Frontier Rebels Who Challenged America's Newfound Sovereignty by Wm. Hogeland (audiobook)
Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou (audiobook)
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik (audiobook)
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (audiobook) - have tissues handy for this one!!
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper (audiobook)


Still working on Elizabeth and Mary Cousins, Rivals, Queens
SO glad I didn't live in those times!!!

I'm calling time on this challenge. I'm currently reading Urban Shaman, but I'm just not in the mood to finish it. It's not a reflection on the book - I'm just more in the mood to either revisit some characters I already know or for something with a bit of romance (which doesn't look like it's coming in Urban Shaman). So, I'm going to go and read something else today.

2001 - Bitten by Kelley Armstrong 29 May 09 *****
2002 - Tithe A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black
2003 - Killing Moon by Rebecca York
2004 - Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong 10 May 09 *****
2005 - Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
2006 - Thunderbird Falls by C.E. Murphy
2007 - Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead 20 May 09
2008 - Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston 11 May 09 ***
2009 - Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong 06 May 09 *****




Also Read:
The Awakening
Fragile Eternity
City of Bones
City of Ashes