August 2013 - REPORTING Thread

[Beverly]

I finished The Highway and now I'm readiing The Daughters of Mars. I'm really enjoying what ever catches my fancy in the moment.

[Ann]

My third because book was Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Now I'm getting ready for Toppler!

[Lynn]

My second just because was The Elite

[Janice, Moderator]

Peggy wrote: "Haha :D Why does goodreads not make it impossible to rate books before they're published? This doesn't make sense.

I did add the first book of the series to my TBR now though!"

It allows people who have been given ARC to review them. That's the whole purpose of giving them out... Still you have to wonder about some reviews as to whether the book was actually read or not.

[Lori]

Finished . I read it because I like sci-fi and it has been on my TBR list for a while. Huge disappointment. It was the most boring sci-fi I have ever read.

Also read which was a pleasantly light HF and the only book I read this month "just because" that I really enjoyed. It's an excellent selection if you need a quick read for one of those toppler kinda things

There are still 6 days before "just because" ends...maybe I can get one more book in and maybe it will be a really good one. Currently reading because I purchased the audio book over a year ago. I should be able to finish it by the end of the month.

[Helen]

I have completed the "Two Old Fools" series by Victoria Twead. This was my "just because" choice because of the quirky title of the first. The last two I read "just because" they were continuations of the first. Really entertaining and fun books.

1. Chickens, Mules And Two Old Fools: Tuck Into A Slice Of Andalucían Life
2. Two Old Fools - Olé
3. Two Old Fools on a Camel ~ From Spain to Bahrain and Back Again

[Helen]

I have also completed With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin. This book was selected "just because" I saw it on the "new release" shelf at the library and it looked interesting. Not a bad read. A good historical romance during WWII.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I started The Perks of Being a Wallflower On Friday for this challenge. Hopefully I can knock that out within the week.

[Debra]

Joyland was on my shelf screaming for me to please stop reading my long list of library books and READ ME! So, finally just because I couldn't wait any longer, and I had not started a new library book, AND it was toppler time, I FINALLY read Joyland and loved it. Now I'm sad it's over and I have to wait for another King book. But, Doctor Sleep will be out soon and I'll be rereading The Shining before I read it (since Doctor Sleep is a sequel to it), so I'll be getting another fix pretty soon!

[Wendy]

I just finished my third book Tumbledown: A Novel and though the first 1/4 of the book was a bit demanding with all of the different narrators and time periods, I am glad I stuck with it. Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Next up for me is Then They Came for Me: A Family's Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival.

[Nancy from NJ]

Finished my latest "just because" book.Falling for Love by Marie Force which really was because of the Toppler challenge. Now I really want to sink my teeth into a knock your socks off book but don't know what to choose so I will have to browse around my book collections and those from the library

[Almeta]

So far I've read:
Somewhere In Time and
What Dreams May Come
just because Richard Matheson died very recently and just because I wanted to!

The Child Thief just because it reminded me of NOS4A2.

Dogsbody and
The Art of Racing in the Rain just because I am interested in finding stories from dogs' and cats' points of view.

Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead just because I need to get back to the genre I like best and this one came with high recommendations.

Hmm Scoring Homework!

[Snoozie Suzie]

I've just listened to 'Mary Barton' by Elizabeth Gaskell as it was available to listen to on my iPhone, from the library.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

I apologize for pulling out of this challenge, but I was playing with my book list and realized I can probably work the Low Octane Alphabet Challenge, even though I didn't join the group until August. The book I'm reading The Beggar King by Oliver Pötzsch fits into the "O" slot, which is next in my alphabet challenge.

[Helen]

Finished two books "just because" they were good toppler reads.
A Secret Wish by Barbara Freethy
The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich

Both were fun reads. Liked reading something early in Evanovich's career before her mysteries became so popular.

[Almeta]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "I apologize for pulling out of this challenge, but I was playing with my book list and realized I can probably work the Low Octane Alphabet Challenge, even though I didn't join the group until August. The book I'm reading The Beggar King by Oliver Pötzsch fits into the "O" slot, which is next in my alphabet challenge. ..."

If You are already to "O", you are really doing well on the Alphabet; you'll be passing the veterans soon!

Oh, you should have joined us!!

The beauty of a Toppler is that the books that you read apply to any other challenge that you need to work on. As long as they fit the Toppler theme you could have used your books for the Alphabet Challenge as well.

Join us for the next one and join in on the fun.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Almeta, I pulled out of the "Just because" Challenge, not the Toppler. I read 2 books for the Toppler, and that was fun. "Just because" books cannot do double duty, though.

[Almeta]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Almeta, I pulled out of the "Just because" Challenge, not the Toppler. I read 2 books for the Toppler, and that was fun. "Just because" books cannot do double duty, though."

Ah, my mistake! I was still in Toppler reporting mode.

Now I see the logic of it all!!!☻

[Kirila]

I read A Thousand Splendid Suns just because I like Khaled Hosseini. I loved it :) Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I also read Fahrenheit 451 just because it was another classic I hadn't read. Not my favorite book though. Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Ann]

My latest book was Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... They are enjoyable so I will continue in the series eventually.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower today. Picked it up as I bought it just because I'd heard it mentioned so much out of nowhere and it was on special when I did a big Book Depository order last year. It was pretty meh, but picked up in the last 100pp or so. Another off my shelf though!

[Nancy from NJ]

Rusalka wrote: "I finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower today. Picked it up as I bought it just because I'd heard it mentioned so much out of nowhere and it was on special when I did a big Book Depository order..."

I also read The perks earlier this summer and didn't get too excited about it. Also saw the movie which was just ok. Wonder what all of the fuss was about.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh I can see it could be a really important, and eye-opening book, for many teenagers and even early twenties. I wish I had heard of it when it was published as I think I would have embraced it a lot more then. I liked it more than The Catcher in the Rye which I read earlier in the year, and I thought it had a great take home message.

I quite like YA and kids fiction, so I don't think it's coz it's a YA book and I am not one anymore. A well written book will speak to people of all ages. I just think I needed to read this at 17 or even 20 for it to impact me more. The opposite applies too. I am so glad I did not read Jane Eyre as a teenager for example... I shudder at that thought.

[Shanna_redwind]

Haven't reported in, but read a few just because books this month:

Captive: My Time as a Prisoner of the Taliban
Dark Parties
Quarantine: The Loners
and
Ashes, Ashes

[Janice, Moderator]

Your homework is coming soon! Hehehehe! Hahaha! Keep on reading my lovelies!

[Almeta]

Janice wrote: "Your homework is coming soon! Hehehehe! Hahaha! Keep on reading my lovelies!"

More homework? ☻

[Kat]

Right, I've saved this until the end of the month, although Janice's comment has me worried now.

Love with a Chance of Drowning - because it sounded interesting why a woman who hates deep water would sail around the world.

Fighting to Survive - because I wanted some zombies.

Into the Darkest Corner - because I've been 'meaning' to read it for two years. It's FANTASTIC by the way, anyone who loves psychological thrillers.

Shadow and Bone because everyone keeps recommending it to me and I finally purchased a copy last weekend.

[Janice, Moderator]

Kat wrote: "Right, I've saved this until the end of the month, although Janice's comment has me worried now.

Love with a Chance of Drowning - because it sounded interesting why a woman who hates deep water wo..."

Be scared! Be very scared.

[Peggy]

I managed to read a third Just Because book: The Lightning Thief. It was okay, I gave it 2 stars. Everything was a bit too simple and too obvious, but I can imagine children liking this a lot.

[Nancy from NJ]

Finished another "just because" book, The Witches by Roald Dahl. I read this book because I read Matilda by this author and really enjoyed it. But I wasn't crazy about The Witches.

[Esther]

Like Kat, I have saved mine until the end of the month too. All my choices we "just because" this month and I have really enjoyed just picking up exactly what I wanted. That said it has left me with a few books unfinished. These are the books I completed:

- The Name of the Wind - I kept seeing this recommended everywhere and I really fancied a nice bulky book to get stuck into. I am half way through the next in the series.

- The Remains of the Day which has been on my shelf for what feels like forever. I am so pleased I read this book, it was incredibly touching and multi-layered.

- Rosemary's Baby was a complete random choice. It was cheap on the Kindle and reasonably short so thought I would give it a whirl. Loved it.

- Rivers of London by Ben Arronovitch was a gift and I read it within a couple of days of buying it. It didn't quite hit the mark but I will probably carry on with the series to see where it goes.

- Shift Omnibus Edition so excited to continue the Wool series, I had to delve straight in.

[jaxnsmom]

More books I've read this month just because:

, , ,

[Wanda]

Finished my 2nd Just Because book The Poisoned Pilgrim by Oliver Pötzsch. I read this because I had read the previous three in this series and really liked them so I could not miss out on this one. I love to read European historical fiction and this series takes place in 17th century Bavaria. Since the author has "hangmen" or executioners in his family lineage, these books are historically and culturally accurate!

[Sarah]

Esta wrote: "Like Kat, I have saved mine until the end of the month too. All my choices we "just because" this month and I have really enjoyed just picking up exactly what I wanted. That said it has left me wit..."

Are you enjoying The Wise Man's Fear? I loved the first book.

[Nancy from NJ]

Ann wrote: "My "Just Because" book was I absolutely loved it! I found it at the library one day and was compelled! Here's my review: http://www..."

I read a few pages of this book last night and have a feeling I am also going to love this book. And since I am heavily influenced when we travel by places I read about from books - Wales and this book community are now on my bucket list.

[Nancy from NJ]

Janice - I listed my books one by one but I can easily list all of them again in one message. Would this make it easier for you?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Personally, I'd hang off organising all your reads until the end of the month. Who knows what kinda crazy stuff she'll make us do for scores!!

[Janice, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "Janice - I listed my books one by one but I can easily list all of them again in one message. Would this make it easier for you?"

Hold off for the scoring. I will try to get the scoring criteria up either today or tomorrow.

[Cherie]

I read both Barnes & Nobel volumes of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume I and The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume II. I am happy I finished in time. These volumes contain all of the novels and short stories that Arthur Conan Doyle wrote.

I have edited this post with my reviews, now that I have finished the one for the 2nd volume.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

2nd comment added
Besides my reviews, there is more information in my status comments. I seem to be somewhat verbose in my updates.

[Almeta]

Cherie wrote: "I read both Barnes & Nobel volumes of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. The Complete Sherlock Holmes and The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume II. I am happy I finished in time. These volumes contain..."

Wow, I admire you for that. I have a very large annotated version that I would like to tackle.

[Alexandra]

Cherie wrote: "I read both Barnes & Nobel volumes of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. The Complete Sherlock Holmes and The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume II. I am happy I finished in time. These volumes contain..."

Wow, that is a lot of just because :-). Did you like it?

[Nancy from NJ]

Another "just because" book. This time because I've read all of her other books and usually really enjoyed them. This title is another good read.

[Cherie]

Alexandra wrote: "Cherie wrote: "I read both Barnes & Nobel volumes of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. The Complete Sherlock Holmes and The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume II. I am happy I finished in time.
These ..."

Did I like it? Yes, Alexandra, I really, really did.
edited comment to add
At the end of the day, it all comes down to why we read. I read these books because I really like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I have been watching movies and TV shows about them. I have been looking at reading new books written about them, and I decided that I needed to re-visit the original stories. I am sure that I would have gotten around to it at some point, but Janice's Just Because Challenge gave me the reason to do it now instead of later.

[Janice, Moderator]

SCORING CRITERIA

Here goes... do this for every book you read for the challenge, but report ONLY THE HIGHEST SCORING BOOK. In order to get a badge, you must score and report the highest scoring book in this thread.

Scoring: (Count all that apply)

How impulsive are you?
10 pts - I saw it in a store or online and I just had to have it, so I bought it. It was not on my TBR or wishlist. (No Freebies)
8 pts - Same as above but it was a freebie (Kindle Freebie, Audible Freebie, Kobo, etc)
8 pts - I saw it at the library and I just had to read it, so I borrowed it. It was not on my TBR or wishlist.
6 pts - The cover was what drew me in.
4 pts - The title was what drew me in.
2 pts - I've had this on my shelf and I've been dying to read it, but I haven't been able to because of all the challenges I've committed to.

Genre:
5 pts - Fantasy
4 pts - Science Fiction
3 pts - Horror
2 pts - Young Adult

Title: (sub-titles do not count)
5 pts - Is one word long
4 pts - Is two words long
3 pts - Has numerals in it
2 pts - Has something to do with water (any word that refers to water, proper name of a body of water - please explain)

Cover: (based on the issue you read)
5 pts - Has a person's back to you
4 pts - Has the title in white
3 pts - Has a white background (significant portion)
2 pts - Has a building on it.

Pages:
10 pts - anything over 1000 pages (if ebook or audiobook, based on first book on Goodreads search)
5 pts - 500 - 1000 pages
4 pts - 400 - 499 pages
3 pts - 300 - 399 pages
2 pts - 200 - 299 pages

Example (using the book I read)

Three to Get Lei'd
10 pts - Impulsive shopper
4 pts - Title drew me in
0 pts - Genre (mystery)
0 pts - Title
0 pts - Cover
2 pts - 272 pgs
Total points = 16

I will edit message one of this thread to include the scoring.

[Janice, Moderator]

Because I want a badge, I read & scored:

Three to Get Lei'd
10 pts - Impulsive shopper
4 pts - Title drew me in
0 pts - Genre (mystery)
0 pts - Title
0 pts - Cover
2 pts - 272 pgs
Total points = 16

[Peggy]

Yay! I'm just off to bed, but the first thing I'll be doing at work tomorrow is scoring my books :D

[Marnie]

I read
Of Poseidon
8 points- -Sync Freebie
6 points- cover drew me in
5 points- fantasy
2 points- young adult
4 points- title has 2 words
2 points- has to do with water ( Poseidon= God of the Sea)
3 points- 324 pages
4 points- Title in white ???? ( looks white to me but I will let you judge)
Total 34

[Lisa]

My highest scoring book was The Book of Lost Things

HOW IMPULSIVE ARE YOU?:
Impulsive Shopper - 10 points
The Cover Drew Me In - 6 points

GENRE:
Fantasy - 5 points
Horror - 3 points
Young Adult - 2 points

TITLE: 0 points

COVER:
Title Is In White - 4 points

PAGES:
500-1000 pages (502 pages) - 5 points

TOTAL: 35 Points

[Nancy from NJ]

Scoring My "Just Because" Books
TOTAL 16 points

Fin & Lady: A Novel
8 - from the library
4 - 2 word title ?
2 - building on cover
2 - 288 pages
Sub - Total 16

[Cherie]

My scoring for

How impulsive are you?
10 pts - I saw it in a store or online and I just had to have it, so I bought it. It was not on my TBR or wishlist. (No Freebies)

Cover:
5 pts for Person's back to you
4 pts for Title in white
3 pts has a white background (significant portion)

Pages:
5 pts for 500-1000 pgs
Total Pts = 27

post updated to add Impulsive reason and update score :)
post updated again to add white in the cover background - thank you Meannie #1