SUMMER 2013 READING CHALLENGE

[Rachel]

Thanks for the update Josh!

i'm not sure why I've never tried the Stephanie plum series-I've heard it's fun-hope you enjoy it :)

[Rachel]

finished my dean book-Whispers

i'm planning on re-reading Flowers in the Atticnext (which features a lunatic grandmother).

after reading about these crazy families i'm gonna need to watch several episodes of happy days & the waltons to balance things out lol.

[Josh]

Rachel wrote: "finished my dean book-Whispers
I am now reading Whispers.... I gave up on reading One For the Money because I really wanted to read Whispers... or more accurately, more Dean Koontz. I am also reading Sandman Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman. That had a setting in Canada. It wasn't the MAIN setting but it was a small but important part of the story.

[Jenn]

I loved one for the money! My librarian recommended it to me and I read it in one evening

[Josh]

Jenn wrote: "I loved one for the money! My librarian recommended it to me and I read it in one evening"

I got bored of it because its so close to the movie... not perfect but it just happens to be really close. I may want to start with the second book.

[Rachel]

Jenn wrote: "I loved one for the money! My librarian recommended it to me and I read it in one evening"

I hope to try this series at some point this year- I think I might try to listen to it on audio

[Rachel]

Josh wrote: "Rachel wrote: "finished my dean book-Whispers
I am now reading Whispers.... I gave up on reading One For the Money because I really wanted to read Whispers... or more accurately, more Dean Koontz. ..."

hope you like whispers josh!

[Josh]

Rachel wrote: "Josh wrote: "Rachel wrote: "finished my dean book-Whispers
I am now reading Whispers.... I gave up on reading One For the Money because I really wanted to read Whispers... or more accurately, more ..."
I read the first chapter. It too me forever to finish it. I am enjoying it so far.

[Danell]

Finished "Mystic River" by Lehane, that works for #6 in the challenge. Great book! Second time I have read his work and he is a wonderful author, look forward to reading more from him!

I have read the Stephanie Plum series, up to 17 that is. It is a fun, quick series, that would at times, make me laugh out loud.

Not sure what I will be reading next. Checked out "The Road" but hear that book can be sad. With that in mind, while I was at the library I found the book "Devoted, the story of a father's love for his son" which might be what I need right now. Also have "Hula Done it" on my list, which works for the grandparent part of the challenge, or "Catching Fire". So many choices, so little time!! Happy Reading!!

[Danell]

Thanks again Rachel, for adding River to the challenge!!

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "Finished "Mystic River" by Lehane, that works for #6 in the challenge. Great book! Second time I have read his work and he is a wonderful author, look forward to reading more from him!

I have re..."

Thanks for the update Danell! I've heard the same thing about The Road- it's supposed to be a great book but very depressing.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "Thanks again Rachel, for adding River to the challenge!!"

you're welcome :D- glad you enjoyed the book-lehane is another one of those authors I have to try one of these days.

[Danell]

Finished "Devoted, A fathers love for his son", which works for #1 in the challenge.Devoted: The Story of a Fathers Love for His Son Upped my goal from 4, which I had finished, to 6 now.
Rachel, I have only read two of Lehane's books and enjoyed them both, hope you enjoy his books as well, when the time is right for you.

[Jenn]

I'm still at odds on what to read for summer = challenge!

[Josh]

Whispers is taking me FOREVER!!! XD I got a HUGE lot of 20 Star Wars books yesterday at Goodwill for a grand total of $20. Since ironically ALL of the ones comes after the last one in the series I have, I am going to finally start reading them. The first one I am starting takes place the very next day after Return of the Jedi ended, its called The Truce at Bakura. It should fit into the friendship challenge.

[Christine]

Josh, that is quite a deal you got Goodwill. Good for you!

[Christine]

I just finished The Secret Keeper I am counting it towards the friendship part of the challenge. It was excellent and I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and mystery.

I am not sticking to the books I thought I would read for the challenge. I am reading books I already own so I am keeping the promise I made to myself overall. My TBR pile is not growing, thank goodness.

[Rachel]

Jenn wrote: "I'm still at odds on what to read for summer = challenge!"

I've been thinking about reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane but I've never read gaiman before- I can't decide whether or not to pick it up.

[Rachel]

Josh wrote: "Whispers is taking me FOREVER!!! XD I got a HUGE lot of 20 Star Wars books yesterday at Goodwill for a grand total of $20. Since ironically ALL of the ones comes after the last one in the series I ..."

nice haul, josh! :D

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "I just finished The Secret Keeper I am counting it towards the friendship part of the challenge. It was excellent and I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and mystery.

..."

thanks for the update, Christine :D

[Christine]

Rachel wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I'm still at odds on what to read for summer = challenge!"

I've been thinking about reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane but I..."

I love Neil Gaiman and I have heard good things about this book. I think you should read it!

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I'm still at odds on what to read for summer = challenge!"

I've been thinking about reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane[bookcover:The Ocean at the End of the Lane|..."

I've heard a lot of good things about gaiman- I keep going back and forth as to what book to try first

I probably will end up picking this up the next time I go to the bookstore :)

[Jenn]

We have a huge book sale at the mall in August. I sometimes just buy a book if i like the cover and it usually works out for me. There are so many picking grabbing and some are seen leaving with push carts filled with books, probably to sell.

[Josh]

Rachel wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I'm still at odds on what to read for summer = challenge!"

I've been thinking about reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane but I..."

So far the only thing Gaiman has done that I have liked... well I love it, is the Sandman comics. But one book was fantasy, and I pretty much dislike most fantasy novels, and Coraline I didn't like it's story. But what I did like about them was how he writes. I still plan on checking out the other 4 novels that I am borrowing from my dad.

[Christine]

In honor of Comic Con in San Diego, I decided to read a graphic novel

Its gory as always. I love the comics as well as the show. It also counts as a book that's main character is a father.

[Danell]

Couldn't sleep last night, so finished Catching Fire, for the challenge. Great book. Now onto Hula Done It?, which fits into the grandma part of the challenge.

[Rachel]

thanks for the updates Christine & Danell :)

[Josh]

I just finished another Challenge. The book I read is Star Wars: The Truce at Bakura by Dean Koon... wait this isn't a Dean Koontz book for the first time this summer I actually didn't read a Koontz book. Anyways the real author's name is Kathy Tyers. If you like Star Wars and wondered what happens after the credits rolled in Return of the Jedi, this is the book to read since it is set the day AFTER Return of the Jedi took place. Anyways, the challenge it fits is the Grandmother Challenge. Mrs. Berden plays an important role to the character of Gaerial with turning her on the side of the rebellion and accepting Luke as a friend. I highly recommend it to fans of Star Wars.

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Next book I am reading is Star Wars: The Courtship of Princess Leia. This one spells fire backwards. lol.

[Josh]

I take back what I am currently reading. The Courtship of Princess Leia references the X-Wing series books 1-7. So I am going to read the first X-Wing novel next, Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole. I am not sure if it fits anything into a challenge.

I am also listening to an audiobook Star Wars: Dark Forces: Rebel Agent. It fits the father challenge.

[Rachel]

Thanks for the update Josh :)

[Christine]

My book with the number in the title was 3rd Degree by James Patterson. Total mind candy.

[Tracy]

Rachel wrote: "finished my dean book-Whispers

i'm planning on re-reading Flowers in the Atticnext (which features a lunatic grandmother).

after reading about these crazy families i'm gonna need to watch several..."

I remember reading these books when I was young. At that time they were almost taken out of the libraries because of the content.

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "My book with the number in the title was 3rd Degree by James Patterson. Total mind candy."

thanks for the update Christine :)

I used to really enjoy that series but lost interest after the 7th or 8th one but the early books were fun-used to love reading about San Francisco.

[Rachel]

Tracy wrote: "Rachel wrote: "finished my dean book-Whispers

i'm planning on re-reading Flowers in the Atticnext (which features a lunatic grandmother).

after reading about these crazy families i'm gonna need t..."

the story is crazy to say the least- it's not a book you forget because it's so dark and tragic.

[Danell]

Finished Hula Done It?, which works for the grandparent part of the challenge. Passport to Peril series is great, it reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series, only the main character is a tour escort in the Peril series.

With the exception of task #3, think I am done with the Summer Reading Challenge. Not sure what book I would like to read that would cover that task, any suggestions?

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "Finished Hula Done It?, which works for the grandparent part of the challenge. Passport to Peril series is great, it reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series, only the main character is a tour escor..."



thanks for the update Danell :)

I looked at your to read list (you have a lot of great books on there!) and here are my suggestions for task 3:

Ready Player One- this book was so much fun- if you loved the 1980's-it's a fun trip down memory lane

The Kite Runner- this is one of my favorite books but it's extremely heartbreaking-

any of james Patterson's women's murder club books also qualify

also The Body or different seasons by king would work- I haven't read the body or different seasons but different seasons is on my tbr- I loved the movie stand by me (which is based on the body)

hope this helps!

[Christine]

I LOVED Ready Player One and I second Rachel's recommendation. Its high on my favorite books of all time list.

[Josh]

Danell wrote: "Finished Hula Done It?, which works for the grandparent part of the challenge. Passport to Peril series is great, it reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series, only the main character is a tour escor..."

The Voice of the Night by Dean Koontz totally fits into the challenge... which is why I used it. Another one is Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan. The first book in the Darren Shan Saga... actually most of the books in the saga would work. Its one of my personal favorite book series. I recommend those books.

[Danell]

Thanks for the suggestions!! I haven't read any of Darren Shan, will have to take a look at his books! Am going to the library on Friday and plan to get "Ready Player One". Ironically, had checked out "The Body" on CD format for a 16 hr drive that we took in the middle of June, didn't listen to it though. Plus I own several of King's books, hard cover and paperbacks of each books, am missing a few and that is one of them!
Thanks again for the suggestions!! Going to read all 7 tasks in the challenge!! Yeah summer, too bad my schedule changes in fall and won't be able to read as much.....but a bigger paycheck is nice!

[Josh]

No problem! I highly suggest Darren Shan! He is my favorite author! If you are able to import books, my favorite book is The Lady of the Shades. It is a strange tale of ghosts and well, I don't want to spoil anything, its a strange but really great novel that I am afraid I will spoil if I say anymore. You also have his kids novels, Cirque Du Freak and Demonata. Demonata is about 3 teens whom has to fight off hoards of demons and save all the realities. But thats not really doing the series justice. Just trust me, it is super great. XD

[Christine]

I read my water book The Light Between Oceans

So sad

[Rachel]

thanks for the update Christine!

I've heard a lot about that book-seems to make everyone cry.

[Danell]

Waiting for a call from the library to inform me that "Ready Player One" is in. Cutting it close!

[Christine]

It reads fast. You will have plenty of time to get it done once you get the book.

[Josh]

I finished two books. Star Wars: X-Wing: Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole. The story of Rogue Squadron was about a team of X-Wing pilots getting along with each other and the main character Corran making friends with Rogue Squadron while they of course kick the empire's butt. It turned out to be better story than I thought since I thought it was going to be about dog fights but it turned out to be more about the characters. So yeah, thats another story about friendship to put down.

The second book I read is Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman. This was another story that took my by surprised. I thought I was going hate it like the other Gaiman books I have read. I took a chance with it because it was so short. I ended loving it. Its about a kid who runs away from home to try and make it on his own. While running away he follows a fox, helps a bear and an eagle follows them. It turns out they all can talk and thats when the real adventure begins. Odd and the Frost Giants spells Fire in the title. =D
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I am now reading The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. There is a subplot about friendship in the book. Unless having what looks like lakes on the cover of the book counts.(Its supposed to be puddles of water in the book BUT to me the cover makes the puddles look HUGE like lakes or pounds.) Anyways, I should be done with it today. I only have 80 pages left.

[Rachel]

thanks for the updates :D

[Rachel]

Josh wrote: "I finished two books. Star Wars: X-Wing: Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole. The story of Rogue Squadron was about a team of X-Wing pilots getting along with each other and the main character C..."

fyi -lake, river, etc has to be in the book title for it to count for the water task

[Rachel]

HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THEIR SUMMER :)

[Josh]

Ooops. XD Neil Gaimon isn't Dean Koontz. Anyways... it looks like the only water related title I have is Rivers of the Dark Heart. I do have a couple of titles with the word Ice in it. But that's not on the list.

Does short stories work for completing challenges? For Example "Four Beasts in One" by Edgar Allan Poe.

[Rachel]

Josh wrote: "Ooops. XD Neil Gaimon isn't Dean Koontz. Anyways... it looks like the only water related title I have is Rivers of the Dark Heart. I do have a couple of titles with the word Ice in it. But that's ..."

if it's a book of short stories then yes but just one short story wouldn't count (Stephen king would probably be the exception to this rule because his short stories are probably more like novellas lol