The Really, Really, Really, Really, Hard 2013 Challenge!

[~Jennifer~]

Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: "Jennifer: I enjoyed (new ya/adult) & (ya UF/PNR) & the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead [bookcover:Vampi..."

Ooo. I haven't read those first two. Yay. I'm up to 4 for this month. Thank you!

I loved the Richelle Mead series. I totally don't think she should've ended up with who she ended up with, though. I was a little miffed on how a certain character was treated given he was a sweetheart. I hope that was spoiler free. lol

[~Jennifer~]

~Melissa~ wrote: "~Jennifer~ wrote: "Someone recommend me some books, please! =/ I'm in a re-read cycle. Everything new I pick up lately irritates me. Help! :)"

I really enjoyed the H/h in [bookcover:Feral Sins|135..."

Cool. I'll add those, too. I don't know about the Cut and Run series, though. I'm still trying to decide if I want to start those. lol

[~Jennifer~]

April
I'm reading:

Enclave - Ezinwanyi
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden- Ezinwanyi
Shadow and Bone- Paris
Beauty From Pain- Paris
Wrecked - GRs
Feral Sins - ~Melissa~

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Really good choices Jennifer!

[Vicky]

I have a question for the series in August. If a series is still being written, but has 5+ books in it by August, will reading all currently published books count as start to finish?

[~Jennifer~]

Yes. Only if the last book is published the same month will it count to finish off the series.

[~Melissa~]

Done

April – This month: Read 5 books recommended to you by friends and then list the titles, authors, and number of pages, date completed, and your rating.
5/5 completed
Feral Sins (Pat - Secret Santa rec from another group- finally got to it,lol) 4/7/13 4.5♥
Street Game (Leslie - RRRC group) 4/4/13 3.75♥
Seize the Night (Dawn -TLC group) 4/9/13 4♥
Truly, Madly Viking(My sister) 4/12/13 4♥
Blood Domination (~Jennifer~) 4/21/13 4♥

[Harri]

For May, I have this book:
It's 1408 pages long. I've read the first book in it, but I still have way over 1000 pages left. I'm logging all of the books in it as separate books here on Goodreads for my own records. Can I still use it or does it not count?

[Kattibrie]

Hester wrote: "For May, I have this book:
It's 1408 pages long. I've read the first book in it, but I still have way over 1000 pages left. I'm logging a..."

Oh, Herster, I have the exact same edition - it is sooo beautiful! And when I decide to re-read I'm planning on listing the books separately too, lol. I'm not sure about you question though, you'll have to wait for Jennifer...

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

~Melissa~ wrote: "Done

April – This month: Read 5 books recommended to you by friends and then list the titles, authors, and number of pages, date completed, and your rating.
5/5 completed
Feral Sins (Pat - Secret ..."

What are you reading for your May challenge--1000 page book?

[~Jennifer~]

Hester, that will work if they are in one compilation.

[~Melissa~]

Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: "~Melissa~ wrote: "Done

April – This month: Read 5 books recommended to you by friends and then list the titles, authors, and number of pages, date completed, and your rating.
5/5 completed
Feral S..."
I don't have any 1000 page books to read. I was going to read 5 books over 500 pages in the month of May which for me is challenging as my attention span for longer books suck. These are the books I'm planning:

[~Melissa~]

Sorry working on my iPad. Doesn't always work so good. I have to pick a fifth book. Might be the book after Name of the wind depending on how imlike that one. You can join me for any of them if you want.
Lover at last will be first as I have from the library and due back 5/4.....

[Mary X]

I have always wanted to read these 2: and . I already know I like Ayn Rand so not worried about that one. I've only put it off because of length. I have that one on audio and I have War & Peace on my Kindle. It was only $1.

[Debbie (Doc)]

I have updated April here.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

[~Melissa~]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I have always wanted to read these 2: and . I already know I like Ayn Rand so not worried about that one. I've only put it off because o..."

Atlas Shrugged was good. I read it back in high school. Not for school but for my own enjoyment. Hope you like it!

[~Jennifer~]

I loved Name of the Wind!

[~Melissa~]

~Jennifer~ wrote: "I loved Name of the Wind!"

I'm glad to hear that. That one is think 700 pgs and the first 2 in outlanders series together are about 1400ish. Hoping I like them. I usually don't read more than one over 500pg book a month so this will challenge me,lol

[~Jennifer~]

It read like someone was telling me an awesome story. I really did love it. I hope you enjoy it!

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Question Jennifer: Will I get credit for over 1,000 pages on this book set?


Book 1 Paperback is 487 and Book 2 is 525 for a total of: 1012 pages
But the e-book page for the collection is 643 pages on goodreads and amazon isn't much help either.

http://www.amazon.com/Divergent-Serie...


your verdict?

[~Jennifer~]

I'll accept the boxed sets.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

~Jennifer~ wrote: "I'll accept the boxed sets."

My issue was how the pages numbers were listed

[~Jennifer~]

Go by what is in the book. The GRs pages are not always accurate.

[Paris]

Another month finished! Woot! Updated post Here

[Lauren]

The Really, Really, Really, Really, Hard 2013 Challenge!

April 2013 - 5 Recommendations - FINISHED!

Complete: 5/5

✔ 1. The Seduction of Elliot McBride by Jennifer Ashley (Rec by Michelle) - (Apr 3) 4.5★'s
✔ 2. Love Irresistibly by Julie James (Rec by Lisa) - (Apr 16) 3★'s
✔ 3. A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix (Rec by Jenne) - (Apr 14) 3★'s
✔ 4. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs (Rec by Regina) - (Apr 9) 4★'s
✔ 5. Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones (Rec by Sue) - (Apr 2) 4★'s

[Barbara ★]

April – 5 Recommendations - COMPLETE


1. Unearthly - Cynthia Hand 4/4 ★★★★
2. On Stranger Tides - Tim Powers 4/5 ★★★
3. Devilish - Maureen Johnson 4/14 ★★★
4. Daughter of the Forest - Juliet Marillier 4/21 ★★★★★
5. The Ylem - Tatiana Vila 4/29 ★★

[~Jennifer~]

Okay I updated my list a little due to book availability at the time and/or my book ADD. :)

[Shellbelle] ♥♥♥♥½ 4/05
[Aestas] ♥♥♥ 4/17
[Ezinwanye] ♥♥♥♥♥ 4/29
[Shannon] ♥♥♥♥♥ 4/30
[Aestas] ♥♥♥♥♥ 4/30

[Kattibrie]

I'm finished with April! :)

April – This month: Read 5 books recommended to you - DONE!

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 07.04, 3/5 - my sister
2. Under the Net - 12.04, 3.5/5 - GR
3. Dead Until Dark - 18.04, 2/5 - practically every fan of the series I know
4. The True Story of Ah Q - 18.04, 3/5 - GR
5. The Ruins of Gorlan 29.04, 3/5 - GR

[Kattibrie]

For May I wanted to read since it's got 2000+ pages and I never seem to have any time for it, but I have checked from the library and I really have to return it soon, so maybe I'll stick with it. For the second 1000+ book though I'm not sure yet - I have way too many options available. LOL

[Mary X]

Updated post 29 with my April books.

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

I know this is early, but for June do the five times need to be 5 different days? I will be visiting my niece and she loves to read with me. We go through many books and many hours when I visit but I will only be there 2.5 days.

[★ gwiz ★]

The Really, Really, Really, Really Hard Challenge Update Jan through April

My Challenge Update

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

Update:

Timeframe: Jan - Dec 2013
Completed Months: 4/12

January: Read 3000 pages. 7919 pgs completed 1/30/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 328 pgs When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason 1/1/13 4♥
2. 658(330 pgs) The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber 1/1/13 3♥
3. 960(302 pgs) Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich 1/2/13 4♥
4. 1213(253 pgs) Carry the One by Carol Anshaw 1/4/13 2♥
5. 1395(182 pgs) The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie 1/5/13 4♥
6. 1707(312 pgs) My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr 15/12 4♥
7. 2174(467 pgs) Low Pressure by Sandra Brown 1/6/13 4♥
8. 2475(301 pgs) Severe Clear by Stuart Woods 1/6/13 4♥
9. 2732(257 pgs) Ex and the Single Girl by Lani Diane Rich 1/7/13 3♥
10. 2960(228 pgs) Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie 1/7/13 4♥
11. 3738(778 pgs) Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult 1/7/13 4♥ (large print)
12. 4097(359 pgs) Bloodshot by Cherie Priest 1/10/13 3♥
13. 4295(198 pgs) Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie 1/12/13 3♥
14. 4598(303 pgs) The End of California by Steve Yarbrough 1/13/13 3♥
15. 4970(372 pgs) A Town Called Valentine: A Valentine Valley Novel by Emma Cane 1/13/13 3♥
16. 5340(370 pgs) Twisted by Laura Griffin 1/14/13 4♥
17. 5553(213 pgs) This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz 1/14/13 3♥
18. 5867(314 pgs) Homeland by R A Salvatore 1/16/13 3♥
19. 6117(250 pgs) Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan 1/17/13 3♥
20. 6540(423 pgs) Lost Dogs And Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon 1/18/13 4♥
21. 6898(358 pgs) Darkness, My Old Friend by Lisa Unger 1/24/13 3♥
22. 7146(248 pgs) An Ocean in Iowa by Peter Hedges 1/27/13 3♥
23. 7524(378 pgs) Montana by Debbie Macomber 1/30/13 3♥
24. 7919(395 pgs) Secret Sins by Lora Leigh 1/30/13 4♥
(hide spoiler)]
February: read 5 romances completed 2/9/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 253 pgs Mistaken Identity (Men of the Bar H) by Merline Lovelace 2/2/13 3♥
2. 377 pgs Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway 2/4/13 4♥
3. 216 pgs Hitched! by Jessica Hart 2/9/13 3♥
4. 219 pgs How To Get Over Your Ex by Nikki Logan 2/9/13 3♥
5. 216 pgs The Downfall of a Good Girl by Kimberly Lang 2/9/13 3♥
(hide spoiler)]
March: read 5 green covers Completed 3/31/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 390 pgs The First Prophet by Kay Hooper 3/13/13 4♥
2. 204 pgs Nairobi Heat by Mukoma Wa Ngugi 3/14/13 3♥
3. 409 pgs Against the Law by Kat Martin 3/30/13 4♥
4. 368 pgs Green by Jay Lake 3/31/13 3♥
5. 292 pgs Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach 3/31/13 3♥

(hide spoiler)]
April: read 5 recommendations Completed 4/28/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 481 pgs Tara(sister): The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton 4/23/13 4♥
2. Raquel S(GR): The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness 4/28/13 3♥
3. 305 pgs Madeleine Knutsson(GR): Legend by Marie Lu 4/22/13 4♥
4. Kelli(GR): Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 4/27/13 4♥
5. 377 pgs Toni(GR): Hyde by Lauren Stewart 4/23/13 3♥
(hide spoiler)]
May: read two 1000 pg books
1. 1024 pgs World Without End by Ken Follett 5/8/13 4♥
2. 1074 pgs Under the Dome by Stephen King 5/13/13 2♥

[Lauren]

OK, I don't have any books of 1000 pages so I'm switching this category out for one of my own:

The Really, Really, Really, Really, Hard 2013 Challenge!

May 2013 - 5 Purple Covers*

Complete: 0/5

1. Drink Deep by Chloe Neill
2. Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas
3. Dead Secret by Beverly Connor
4. Changeling Moon by Dani Harper
5. The Dark One by Ronda Thompson



*Instead of reading 1 book with 2000 pages

[Debbie (Doc)]

I am changing the May challenge, because I'm really not in the mood to read tome books this month. I am going to read a total of 2,000 pages.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Updated Post 20.

Really Really Really Hard Challenges: May: Read a book 2000 or more pages OR Two books over 1000 pages
by Cassandra Clare (Hardcover, 1520 pages)

by Veronica Roth (Hardcover, 1012 pages)

[Dawn (Kat N Hat)]

Update:

April – This month: Read 5 books recommended to you by friends and then list the titles, authors, and number of pages, date completed, and your rating.


Lisa Kay Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor, Lisa Kleypas, 4/6/13 211 pgs ★★★
Ezinwanyi~Mord'Sith Rock Chick, Kristen Ashley 4/9/13 398 pgs ★★★★
Manvir Etiquette & Espionage, Gail Carriger 4/14/13 ★★★★
Dusty One Bite With A Stranger, Christine Warren 4/13/13 ★★★
Suzanne It Had to Be You, Susan Elizabeth Phillips 5/2/13 ★★★★


May – Replacing with January challenge
Read 3000 pages and then list the book titles, authors, and number of pages, date completed, and your rating.


208 Rosy George's Convention Conundrum, PJ Young 5/3/13 ★
123 Pictures of Emily, Theresa Weir 5/3/13 ★★
376 It Had to Be You, Susan Elizabeth Phillips 5/2/13 ★★★★

[Mary X]

This month is not looking good for me for finishing 2 door stopper books. I would replace it but I was planning on replacing the read to someone month instead. I have a teenage who wants no part of Mom reading to her and no one else to read to.

I'm about 300 pages into Atlas Shrugged. I need to offset it with shorter books.

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

Update:

Timeframe: Jan - Dec 2013
Completed Months: 5/12

January: Read 3000 pages. 7919 pgs completed 1/30/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 328 pgs When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason 1/1/13 4♥
2. 658(330 pgs) The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber 1/1/13 3♥
3. 960(302 pgs) Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich 1/2/13 4♥
4. 1213(253 pgs) Carry the One by Carol Anshaw 1/4/13 2♥
5. 1395(182 pgs) The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie 1/5/13 4♥
6. 1707(312 pgs) My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr 15/12 4♥
7. 2174(467 pgs) Low Pressure by Sandra Brown 1/6/13 4♥
8. 2475(301 pgs) Severe Clear by Stuart Woods 1/6/13 4♥
9. 2732(257 pgs) Ex and the Single Girl by Lani Diane Rich 1/7/13 3♥
10. 2960(228 pgs) Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie 1/7/13 4♥
11. 3738(778 pgs) Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult 1/7/13 4♥ (large print)
12. 4097(359 pgs) Bloodshot by Cherie Priest 1/10/13 3♥
13. 4295(198 pgs) Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie 1/12/13 3♥
14. 4598(303 pgs) The End of California by Steve Yarbrough 1/13/13 3♥
15. 4970(372 pgs) A Town Called Valentine: A Valentine Valley Novel by Emma Cane 1/13/13 3♥
16. 5340(370 pgs) Twisted by Laura Griffin 1/14/13 4♥
17. 5553(213 pgs) This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz 1/14/13 3♥
18. 5867(314 pgs) Homeland by R A Salvatore 1/16/13 3♥
19. 6117(250 pgs) Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan 1/17/13 3♥
20. 6540(423 pgs) Lost Dogs And Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon 1/18/13 4♥
21. 6898(358 pgs) Darkness, My Old Friend by Lisa Unger 1/24/13 3♥
22. 7146(248 pgs) An Ocean in Iowa by Peter Hedges 1/27/13 3♥
23. 7524(378 pgs) Montana by Debbie Macomber 1/30/13 3♥
24. 7919(395 pgs) Secret Sins by Lora Leigh 1/30/13 4♥
(hide spoiler)]
February: read 5 romances completed 2/9/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 253 pgs Mistaken Identity (Men of the Bar H) by Merline Lovelace 2/2/13 3♥
2. 377 pgs Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway 2/4/13 4♥
3. 216 pgs Hitched! by Jessica Hart 2/9/13 3♥
4. 219 pgs How To Get Over Your Ex by Nikki Logan 2/9/13 3♥
5. 216 pgs The Downfall of a Good Girl by Kimberly Lang 2/9/13 3♥
(hide spoiler)]
March: read 5 green covers Completed 3/31/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 390 pgs The First Prophet by Kay Hooper 3/13/13 4♥
2. 204 pgs Nairobi Heat by Mukoma Wa Ngugi 3/14/13 3♥
3. 409 pgs Against the Law by Kat Martin 3/30/13 4♥
4. 368 pgs Green by Jay Lake 3/31/13 3♥
5. 292 pgs Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach 3/31/13 3♥

(hide spoiler)]
April: read 5 recommendations Completed 4/28/13
(view spoiler)[
1. 481 pgs Tara(sister): The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton 4/23/13 4♥
2. Raquel S(GR): The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness 4/28/13 3♥
3. 305 pgs Madeleine Knutsson(GR): Legend by Marie Lu 4/22/13 4♥
4. Kelli(GR): Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 4/27/13 4♥
5. 377 pgs Toni(GR): Hyde by Lauren Stewart 4/23/13 3♥
(hide spoiler)]
May: read two 1000 pg books Completed 5/13/13
1. 1024 pgs World Without End by Ken Follett 5/8/13 4♥
2. 1074 pgs Under the Dome by Stephen King 5/13/13 2♥

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

Reposting this question soI can figure out if I need to switch in June or not.

Turtlecollector wrote: "I know this is early, but for June do the five times need to be 5 different days? I will be visiting my niece and she loves to read with me. We go through many books and many hours when I visit b..."

We read in the morning and before bed each day at least, and sometimes during the day too, so that would be at least five different sessions in the 2.5 days I am there.

[Phyllis]

I have a problem with the June challenge. I have no one to read to. Thought I would be able to read to some little great-grand sons, but that didn't happen. What can I substitute?

[Mary X]

For August can we just read 5 books from a series? Does it have to be a whole series?

I've decided to keep the read to someone challenge for June because I remember I have a book that DD and I want to read together. She can suffer through me reading parts out loud.

But I might sub out the series one. I am trying not to start any new series until I finish up some others.

[~Jennifer~]

Phyllis wrote: "I have a problem with the June challenge. I have no one to read to. Thought I would be able to read to some little great-grand sons, but that didn't happen. What can I substitute?"

There are 3 options available atm if you haven't already used them. You may duplicate a month, swap a month, or create your own challenge for that month.

[~Jennifer~]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "For August can we just read 5 books from a series? Does it have to be a whole series?

I've decided to keep the read to someone challenge for June because I remember I have a book that DD and I ..."

It's a whole series for that month. Is there a 5 book series that you haven't read yet?

[Mary X]

Probably but I don't wnat to acquire anything. I have 5 books of series in my posession but I've either already started them or there's more than 6 books and I don't want to read them all in one month. I usually get sick of a series if I read more than 2 or 3 in a row.

I will sub that month out for something else.

NOt sure if I will finish this month. 2 1,000+ page books in a month is too much. I like finishing books on a regular basis.

(I have several hundred books just in print, thousands if you add in ebooks & audios and I'm trying to read from what I have already)

[Phyllis]

~Jennifer~ wrote: "Phyllis wrote: "I have a problem with the June challenge. I have no one to read to. Thought I would be able to read to some little great-grand sons, but that didn't happen. What can I substitute?"
..."

Thanks you.

[~Jennifer~]

Would it help if I made May two 800+ page books? Yes? No? Leave it alone?

[Vicky]

I know it would help me. Honestly, even bumping it down to 975+ pages would be a huge help for me.

I have two 1000+ page books picked out but I'm not 100% sold on them. I can immediately pick out two books between 975 and 1000 pages that I'm dying to read.

Either way, I'll make this month work. I have to use my substitute for June since I don't know any kids of the reading to age. :P

[Mary X]

Yeah maybe. I seem to have a gap of nothing between 750-1000+ pages.

But I did recently pick up 1Q84 from the library and it's only 975 pages. Certainly shorter than the other book I was going to attempt, War & Peace which is 1400 pages.

Still don't know if I'll be able to finish both Atlas Shrugged and 1Q84 but I'll give it the old college try.

[~Jennifer~]

Ok. For this month, you may lower the page limit to two 800+ page books.