2014 January Pick-It-For-Me! Challenge

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I have updated through here. Reminders will go out soon the any stragglers. Doing pretty good all things considered!

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

Hi Larissa, here are your picks sorry it took so long powers been funny around here lately. Hope you find something you like. Let me know what you think E

1. Lose Weight:
Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) by Kristin Cashore TBR 471p
The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1) by Kady Cross 473p TBR

2. Get in Shape:
The Perfect Play (Play by Play #1) by Jaci Burton TBR
Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts NEW outside fire jumpers one of my Favs this year.

3. Save Money:
Tempting the Beast (Breeds #1) by Lora Leigh TBR (I borrowed the ebook from the library not sure if you can too)
The Mating(Law of the Lycans #1) by Nicky Charles NEW it’s a free download

4. Eat Better:
Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers #1) by Tara Sivec TBR
At Last (Lucky Harbor #5) by Jill Shalvis NEW (this is book 5 in series they’re fun and light book 1 is Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor, #1))

5. Travel:
Saving Grace by Julie Garwood NEW Scotland
Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Jaz Parks #1) by Jennifer Rardin TBR USA

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends:
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski TBR

7. Enjoy Life More:
The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) or The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1)
both by Kelley Armstrong NEW I read the final book in the Darkness Rising series and LOVED it.

8. Get Organized:
Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic #1) by Keri Arthur oldest on TBR
Storm Born (Dark Swan #1) by Richelle Mead TBR

[Larissa]

Macwolf01 [Elise] wrote: "Hi Larissa, here are your picks sorry it took so long powers been funny around here lately. Hope you find something you like. Let me know what you think E

1. Lose Weight:
[bookcover:Graceling|323..."

Thanks for the picks, E!! I'll decide what I'm going to read as I go - so many possibilities. (:

[Mary Ann]

Sallie(Shuga) wrote: "This is for Mary Ann...

1. Lose weight: Lethal, Sandra brown

2. Get in shape: The Perfect Play, jaci burton

3. Save money: [book:Anna and the French Kiss|693638..."

Hey Sallie,
I'm definitely going to read Between the Lines by Tammarra Webber. You had suggested the 2nd book in the series (Where You Are) but since I haven't read the first one I'm going to start there. Thanks.

[Becca]

Sorry I took so long!! Here you go Victoria!!

1. Lose Weight: Help your pickee lose some of what is weighing them down! Pick a longer book, preferably off their to-read shelf.

Spider's Bite or Outlander

2. Get in Shape: Get your pickee in the mood by recommending a book involving sports or set outdoors. Or a book where a character thinks weight or fitness is an issue.

It Had to Be You or Alien Tango

3. Save Money: Save them some money by recommending a freebie or a book that can be borrowed. Maybe one you can loan them! Or a book where money (or the lack thereof) is important.

Pleasure Unbound or The Luxe

4. Eat Better: Suggest a book where food plays an important part in the story or one that has food or a table on the cover. Or a book that has a character involved in any aspect of the food industry from the farm/ranch to the table.

Poison Study or Red Hots

5. Travel: Motivate them to see the world, pick a book set outside of the their home country. (Or outside of yours if they don't list theirs.)

The Boleyn King or The Forsaken

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends: Suggest a book in a series or a book with family/friends in the story.

The Selection or Just Listen

7. Enjoy Life More: Recommend to your pickee one of your highly rated recent reads, preferably new to them.

A Kiss at Midnight or Enchanted

8. Get Organized: Help your pickee clean up their shelves, pick something that has been collecting dust on the TBR for a while.

Tempest Rising or Hot Mama

Not everything on here is strictly romance, but they all (as I recall) have an aspect of romance in them. I was looking to add some books to your list that you might not normally see. Let me know if you want me to repick anything! Enjoy!

[⚜️XAR]

Thanks so much for all the picks, Becca! Since you recommended two books for each category, I won't need re-picks, but I do know that I am reading A Kiss at Midnight for the Featured Author Challenge in January, and The Selection for the Serial Reader Challenge, so they will be doing double duty! Here's what I am going to read:

Planning on Reading:
1. A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James-1/27/14
2. The Selection by Kiera Cass
3. It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips-1/15/14
4. Hot Mama by Jennifer Estep-1/26/14
5. Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs-1/14/14
6. Red Hots by Yvette Hines-1/5/14

Will Try to Get Time to Read:
1. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen-1/20/14 but actually abandoned it.
2. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
3. Alien Tango by Gini Koch (Have to Interlibrary loan this one, may not arrive in time to read for the month)
4. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (With the size of this book, I can pretty much guarantee that I won't get to this book, since I also have to finish up the Meet and Greet Challenge books, but I'm adding it to my TBR!)
6. The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse (Again, have to interlibrary loan this one, and may not get it in time.)
7. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Won't get to this month, but have added it for the Meet and Greet and had it selected!)
8. The Boleyn King by Laura Anderson (This is the one book that I'm going to do my darndest to get to, I got it for free on the Kindle and I really want to read it!)
9. Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
10. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

[Daffodil]

Nandar
Sorry it took longer to get your picks out to you than I expected. I hope you enjoy your choices. If there are any problems, let me know.

1. Lose Weight
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger -- I enjoyed the book even more than the movie.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare -- You gave high marks to the first three books in The Mortal Instruments series, so this might be a good time to start her prequel series.

2. Get in Shape
It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips -- I've not read this series yet, but it is on my list.
Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson -- I've not read this series either, but I've seen it recommended a few times.

3. Save Money
The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole -- I've only read the first couple books in this series so far, but I distinctly remember Cole's Valkyries are extremely acquisitive. So I would say money is important.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen -- This is on your library-copy shelf (& many libraries would own a copy of this classic), so I'm assuming it is one you can borrow.

4. Eat Better
Spice & Wolf V.1 by Isuna Hasekura -- Holo is an harvest goddess, so I'm guessing food is important.
Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec -- A few of my friends have given this book high marks, but I haven't had a chance to track down a copy of it yet. I'm hoping I can read it sometime soon. In the meantime, maybe you can try it out and let me know what you think.

5. Travel
Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa -- I notice you've enjoyed a lot of Manga, which I know nothing about. For this category I used your books as a jumping off point and located a list titled Best Manga/Anime Book Ever. This is the #3 book on the list.
Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba -- This is the #1 book on the same list.

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends
Lover Mine by J.R. Ward -- If you're going to spend New Years with the Brothers ...
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews -- One of my favorite series. I would definitely recommend starting this one soon.

7. Enjoy Life More
Touched by An Alien by Gini Koch -- Another of my favorite series. I love Koch's humor. I'm actually further into it, but you'll definitely want to start with book 1.
Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk -- You already had my most recent highly rated reads on your shelves, so I really had to hunt to come up with another new to you recommendation. Monk's concept of magic usage and the price it exacts in pain, illness or memory loss (Allie's particular weakness) makes for a very interesting world.

8. Get Organized
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris -- This was added to your shelves in fall 2009 and you really enjoyed book 1, so I would recommend continuing the series.
Nightfall by L.J. Smith -- Another book added to your shelves in fall of 2009. I've not read this book, but I know it is the first in a popular YA series.

[Nan]

Daffodil wrote: "Nandar
Sorry it took longer to get your picks out to you than I expected. I hope you enjoy your choices. If there are any problems, let me know."

Hi Daffodil, thank you for these amazing picks! I haven't decided which ones I'll read but I'm definitely reading Lover Mine, 2014 is my time to return to BDB mansion

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I'm away from my computer so I can't post links or update the pairings post, but here are the repicks:

Dee picks for Nancy H
Breann picks for Nadine

Thanks!!

[Breann]

Vilda wrote: "Breann wrote: "Vilda wrote: "Hey Breann! I finally got your picks up and hope you find something you want to read and will enjoy in there!

1. Lose Weight: Help your pickee lose some of what is w..."

I would like to start sooner rather than later. Is next week too soon for you?

[Breann]

MountainKat wrote: "I'm away from my computer so I can't post links or update the pairings post, but here are the repicks:

Dee picks for Nancy H
Breann picks for Nadine

Thanks!!"

Picks are coming Nadine!

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Breann wrote:
Picks are coming Nadine! "

Great thank you!

[Breann]

Hi Nadine! Whew. We don't have too much in common, so I hope you can find something to enjoy from these picks :)

1. Lose Weight:


2. Get in Shape:


3. Save Money:


4. Eat Better:


5. Travel:


6. Spend Time with Family and Friends:


7. Enjoy Life More:


8. Get Organized:

[Dee]

Nancy picks are coming now ;)

[Breann]

Vilda wrote: "Breann wrote: "Vilda wrote: "Breann wrote: "Vilda wrote: "Hey Breann! I finally got your picks up and hope you find something you want to read and will enjoy in there!

1. Lose Weight: Help your..."

Thursday works. I started us a thread https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Thanks Dee and Breann for getting to the picks right away!

[Dee]

hi Nancy H - here are your picks - hopefully one or more works for you ;)

1. Lose Weight:
The Pillars of the Earth - not earth, but a good read - your TBR
Dragonfly in Amber - I saw you had book 1 on your self, and then 3, 4...but not 2...its a bit dry in places, but is important in the scheme of the story - new to you (I think)

2. Get in Shape:
Body Check - your TBR
Flat-Out Sexy - race cars count as sports right? - new to you

3. Save Money:
Just This Once - I have this kindle loanable if you are interested - cute contemp romance
Just One of the Guys - this isn't loanable (unfortunately) - but its been around long-enough that the library should have it or get it cheap somewhere -plus the main character is relatively broke (from what I remember) ;)

4. Eat Better:
How to Eat a Cupcake - your TBR
Fool for Love - you read book 2 and gave it 4 stars, so why not go back to the beginning - new to you

5. Travel:
The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing - set in India - your TBR
Warrior - set in Mongolia - New to you

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends:
The Mane Event - from what I remember, family was important in this book - your TBR
When Lightning Strikes - friends play a huge role in this - new to you

7. Enjoy Life More:
The Pieces We Keep - tear-jerker but a 5-star read for me - the romance is relatively lite, but its a good read - new to you
Southern Fried Blues - debut author, but made me laugh - new to you

8. Get Organized:
Sunset Bridge - added in Sep 2011 - your TBR
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation - since Oct 2011 - your TBR

[Nancy H]

Dee,
These look great! Thank you so much. I was wondering when I would get my picks but was willing to be more than patient since having 9 extra people at my house for a week and a half has made things totally crazy around here! I am looking forward to spending New Year's Day treating myself to a reading day since everyone will be back home by then. I can't wait to dig into these, they look so good. Thanks again!

Also, I forgot to mention that I think I also have "Just One of the Guys" waiting on my 'physical' TBR stack here at home. I probably just forgot to list it on my GR TBR.

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Breann wrote: "Hi Nadine! Whew. We don't have too much in common, so I hope you can find something to enjoy from these picks"

Thanks for the picks Breann I see quite a few books I plan on reading. I'll keep you updated with my progress.

[Dee]

glad you like them nancy and as a bonus - you don't even have to buy One of the Guys since you have it already

[LaurLa]

Nancy H - I am soooo sorry this is a day late. I can only blame the holidays. It was a hectic week and yesterday came and went before I realized it :-(

I hope you find something here you enjoy! Keep me posted :-)

1. Lose Weight:
New: The Eight - Katherine Neville (598 pages)
Shelves: Irish Gold: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel - Andrew M. Greeley (512 pages)

2. Get in Shape:
New:Worth The Weight - Mara Jacobs (Worried about Weight)
Shelves: Simply Irresistible - Rachel Gibson (Sports related - hockey)

3. Save Money:
New: Lost - And - Found Groom (Special Edition, 1344) - Patricia McLinn (Free - #1 on Amazon Top 100 Free Best Sellers list)
New: The Ladies Room - Carolyn Brown (Can lend to you)

4. Eat Better:
New: The Cop Who Stole Christmas - Christie Craig, (Food on cover)
Shelves: The Chocolate Thief - Laura Florand (Food Industry)

5. Travel:
New: Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo - Heather Wardell (Canada)
Shelves: The Alehouse Murders - Maureen Ash (England)

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends:
New: Our Husband - Stephanie Bond (Friends)
Shelves: Trail of the Spellmans - Lisa Lutz(Family – crazy family but still family!)

7. Enjoy Life More:
New: The Touch of Sage - Marcia Lynn McClure (5 stars from me)
Shelves: Shoe Addicts Anonymous - Beth Harbison (4 stars from me)

8. Get Organized:
Shelves: Beachcomber - Karen Robards (on shelves since 09-2011)

[LaurLa]

Ty wrote: "Laurla, swimming through your titanic TBR was certainly an endeavor :)
Hope you find something you like. Enjoy!

1. Lose Weight:
(TBR) Wildest Dreams - get on that KA train!
(TBR) ..."

Hi Ty - Thanks for the picks.. they look fantastic! Some of the 'New' you've picked are actually books I've wanted to add but just hadn't gotten around to it, so I'm pretty excited to get started!

Yes, my TBR is out of control!. To be honest, I need to do some organizing. It's really an 'owned books' list because not all of them am I ready to read. I'm too compulsive to read a series out order, so a lot on the list are incomplete series that I won't actually get ready to read until I have them all - or at least the first several if it's a long running series. Crazy, I know...

Thanks again! Looking forward to digging in!

[LaurLa]

Laurla wrote: "Nancy H - I am soooo sorry this is a day late. I can only blame the holidays. It was a hectic week and yesterday came and went before I realized it :-(

I hope you find something here you enjoy..."

Nancy H - Well, I didn't realize it until I started reading through the thread that they went ahead and gave you a re-pick since I'm a loser and can't keep track of the days of the week. So, now I guess you have a LOT of picks to choose from but if you ignore mine, I totally get it.

Again, I really am sorry I messed up :-(

[Nancy H]

Hi Laurla,
Thanks for the picks. Dee already gave me some in the repicks process, but I will also read some from here because these look so good, too. I certainly understand hectic holidays because we have had relatives that we love staying with us for a week and a half, including a three-week old new great-niece. It has been a ton of fun but hard to get anything done, so I totally understand.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Looks like everyone has there picks now! We just have to wait until the New Year to start reading. Why is there so much waiting in this challenge?! =P

I'm glad you were able to make your picks Laurla, I'm sure that Nancy appreciates it. And nobody ever complains about having too much to pick from!

[Dee]

unless you can't decide because you have too many good books, then well...haha

[Isa]

Only 2 more days MountainKat!!!:)))) certainly 2014 looks to be another year filled with more amazing reading challenges and new great books and authors to discover, my wish is to be able to read twice the number of books I read this year and keep writing reviews, and meeting like all of you more incredible people. I wish you all my GR chums a wonderful and happy new year, hope all your wishes come true! Xxx:)))

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Dee wrote: "unless you can't decide because you have too many good books, then well...haha"

Well, that can be a problem!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Isa wrote: "Only 2 more days MountainKat!!!:)))) certainly 2014 looks to be another year filled with more amazing reading challenges and new great books and authors to discover, my wish is to be able to read t..."

What a wonderful sentiment Isa! May I just second that for all of you too!

[Nancy H]

MountainKat wrote: "Looks like everyone has there picks now! We just have to wait until the New Year to start reading. Why is there so much waiting in this challenge?! =P

I'm glad you were able to make your picks ..."

I sure do - I can never have too many suggestions!!

[Nancy H]

Dee wrote: "unless you can't decide because you have too many good books, then well...haha"

Lol - I'm still trying to find a way to read more than one at the exact same time.......maybe one in each hand?!?

[Isa]

MountainKat wrote: "Hi Isa! Here are your picks! I hope I found some good ones for you!

OK as things seem to have settled down a bit, I had a chance to revise my list for my January picks, so I decided I should start with:
or

But I have to say I hope I have the chance to read them all as there were really good recommendations!

Thank You again! x

[Katie]

Hey Amy! I started Dreamfever as soon as I could this morning and just finished it up. I loved it. This series is crazy addicting and I'm on to Shadowfever right now. Thanks so much for the rec!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Katie wrote: "Hey Amy! I started Dreamfever as soon as I could this morning and just finished it up. I loved it. This series is crazy addicting and I'm on to Shadowfever right now. Thanks so much for the rec!"

Wow, I'm just getting out of bed on January 1st and you've already finished one of your picks?! Awesome!!

[Katie]

Lol! I've been DYING to finish this series...so I might have been a little overeager.

[Breann]

Katie wrote: "Lol! I've been DYING to finish this series...so I might have been a little overeager."

Gah! You're so lucky that you have Shadowfever right away! Dreamfever is the alpha of all cliffhangers of all time.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Katie wrote: "Lol! I've been DYING to finish this series...so I might have been a little overeager."

Haha! We've all been there!

Breann wrote: "Gah! You're so lucky that you have Shadowfever right away! Dreamfever is the alpha of all cliffhangers of all time."

That is an understatement!!

[[deleted user]]

Nice categories this time , sad I will have to wait till next month , coz i got late :(

Happy New Year everyone :)

[Breann]

Hi Vilda! I finished Holden and Yves – The Early Years. Yves is just so sweet and I don't think I could love Holden any more than I do. I just loved it. Thanks for the push to finish up this series!

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Thanks Logan for the picks...Im going with these but would love to add the rest...

Tiger's Voyage, Discord's Apple & Takedown Twenty.l..thank you again

[Breann]

Vilda, I finished my second book, Love in the Afternoon and I loved it, just like I knew I would. I'm so sad to say goodbye to the Hathaway family. They are too much fun! Beatrix's story was everything I could have wanted for her. Thanks for the pick!

[Jaime]

Sandy, I finished my first pick and I loved it... Thanks.. Hopefully I will get to read , and ... Maybe more! Thanks.

[Nancy H]

Hi Laurla,
I just finished and all I can say is 'Wow!' As if Paris isn't sensual enough all by itself, but then add sumptuous chocolate and a sizzling hot romance - Wow!

Thanks for recommending it! Had I known how good and hot it was, it wouldn't have been sitting on my TBR stack all this time - lol!

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Breann wrote: "Hi Nadine! Whew. We don't have too much in common, so I hope you can find something to enjoy from these picks :)

1. Lose Weight:
"



Breann I finished my first pick Rock Chick Rescue I really enjoyed it and gave it 4*

[Elke]

Kami,

Finished my first pick it was short and sweet!!

[Breann]

I finished my 3rd pick, Training Season. The beginning was repetitive and boring but the ending was amazing. So I did end up really liking it! Thanks for the pick and the buddy read, Vilda.

I'm going to start Bayou Moon later on today.

[Angi]

I got my first pick done!! Now to decide what to read next.

[⚜️XAR]

Well, today is my birthday, and I just finished my first pick of the month for this challenge. I read Red Hots, and I was very disappointed in it. I was put off of it from the beginning and just could not get over the fact. I'm hoping my next read will be better!

[Isa]

Happy Birthday lovely Victoria!!! Many happy returns and may all your wishes come true! Kisses and hugs xxxx

[⚜️XAR]

Isa wrote: "Happy Birthday lovely Victoria!!! Many happy returns and may all your wishes come true! Kisses and hugs xxxx"

Thank you, Isa!