December Book Pool Challenge

[Lesley]

Deborah wrote: "#4

1 star

My review: I considered giving this 1 star but ended by being kinder. Poor writing, cute plotting (not a com..."

Shame. The blurb read so well too. I might still give it a go but on your results, it has moved down the list.

[Deborah]

I have had a bad reading weekend - I am off Jojo Moyes for life and Jennifer Donnelly can go with her - tsk!

[Kerry]

#10, Book 2 13/12, 3.5 stars

YA scifi, lots of fun to read.

[Erica]

Finally finished my first book!

#1 book 1 How Green Was My Valley 13 Dec and 4*

I loved the style of writing in this book - I thought it perfectly captured the setting and the sense of nostalgia. I'm so glad I picked it up.

[Deborah]

Erica - it is such a lyrically written book....I can hear the Welsh voices around me and the story is so real. Though less outstanding, the other book Llewellyn wrote about Patagonia and then Green, Green My Valley Now when he returns home are still very worth reading. But....this one is the jewel in the crown.

[Erica]

Oh good to know Deborah! I haven't had a chance to look up his other books but i'll keep your suggestions in mind :)

[Mauzi]

Another one of mine; The Sword of Summer, very entertaining.

#9, Book 02: - Rick Riordan ★★★★★ (14/12/15)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kathleen wrote: "
This just may come in to the library before our Book Pool ends.
"

My library is getting this one, but I would be surprised if it becomes available this month.

& The Martian is at one branch only - with a long waiting list.

[Darkpool]

I was lucky enough to grab The Martian from our school library for the summer. The waiting list at the public library was ridiculous.

[Kerry]

Kathleen wrote: "Kerry wrote: "#10, Book 2 13/12, 3.5 stars
YA scifi, lots of fun to read."

This just may come in to the library before our Book Pool ends.

It's definitely YA but grows on you. The plague turns the book into a bit of an 'escape from the zombies' style read, though on a space ship.

I have on request and hope to pick it up later this week, looking forward to this one.

[Darkpool]

#2 Book 1 (at last!) . completed 15/12, 4 stars. (probably a tad less than 4 stars tbh).

[Andrea]

Missed out on this one! Too busy in my own little world moving everything into a new house.
Goodluck with the rest of the months reading though! I've added a couple of the book pool into my own "To Read" list :)

[Mauzi]

Ooh, I didn't think of wait lists when I chose my books - sorry guys!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Mauzi wrote: "Ooh, I didn't think of wait lists when I chose my books - sorry guys!"

Hey no apology needed - I chose one book that has been (probably) out of print for a very long time.

There is something here for everyone!

I am progressing slowly & I have a buddy read that I should be through in a couple of days.

I have already picked up Mistress of Rome from the library.

[Erica]

I've picked up The Cold Cold Ground as well as The Blind Contessa's New Machine from the library so looking forward to getting stuck into those this weekend

[Darkpool]

Arrggh! So I grabbed my copy of Winter last night, and flipped it over to the back cover.... and see a book cover for a "bridging novel" between this one and #3 in the series. Arrggh! I'm a bit OCD about book order, so now have the dilemma about going to get "fairest" out of the library (my local branch has it) or skipping it and going straight on to Winter. Arrggh!!!!

[Lesley]

#5, Book 2 How Green Was My Valley 18/12 5 stars

I never tire of reading beautiful, poetic writing. I read this many, many years ago, and saw the movie in black & white at the local picture theatre. This re-read evoked many memories of that time.

Where to next? Yesterday I picked up from the library The Cold Cold Ground and Wake. Just have to decide what to start with.

Also picked up a book I had on reserve that I almost nominated for the book pool, but didn't think it would arrive in time - The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss.

[Erica]

So glad you enjoyed the re-read of How Green Was My Valley Leslie...it's such a beautiful book! I remember reading the first 10 pages and just having to stop and take a deep breath because it was soo good - don't remember ever having done that before.

I unfortunately didn't give the last few chapters enough dedicated time - keep picking it up and reading 2 pages at a time which meant I wasn't left with that "take a deep breath" feeling.

[Kerry]

Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "Arrggh! So I grabbed my copy of Winter last night, and flipped it over to the back cover.... and see a book cover for a "bridging novel" between this one and #3 in the series. Arrgg..."

I read earlier this year and I don't think it is necessary to read this before which I'm currently reading. It just gives a back story to one of the characters and does not advance the story at all.

[Kerry]

Kathleen wrote: "#3, Book 7 19/12, 4 stars

I'm reading this at the moment, just put it aside to read .

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kathleen wrote: "#3, Book 7 19/12, 4 stars

A fabulous story of Cuba 100 years ago - a period of history I was woefully ignorant about (and now a little less so)."

I would have been interested in this one - but my library doesn't have, alas!

Have finished my buddy read, will crack on with our reads now!

[Darkpool]

Kerry wrote: "I read Fairest earlier this year and I don't think it is necessary to read this before Winter ..."
I decided it was not too many pages and fairly large font, and might even jog my memory over aspects of the story so far, so I grabbed it at the library this morning when I went in to pick up "How Green..." (audiobook). I've managed to read 40% without really trying this afternoon, so should be ready to rip into Winter some time tomorrow.

[Erica]

#1

Book 2 finished 21/12/15 4*

Really enjoyed this crime novel...thought the insights into how difficult it must have been trying to solve crime during the Troubles in Northern Ireland really added to the story. I'll definitely be picking up the other books in the series in 2016.

[Darkpool]

#2
Book 2, , finished 21/12/15. 4 stars.
It's difficult not to compare this book with Lily of the Nile, which I read four years ago (and its sequel a year later). I certainly enjoyed both books. LotN has a far greater fantasy element, and the relationship between Selene and Caesar is far more ambiguous. I particularly enjoyed the background of Selene's life in Alexandria.
I guess I should look for Cleopatra's Daughter next.

[Sweetp-1]

I havent' been reading much lately. Three part time jobs and three kids have been kicking my behind and I will not even get to 52 books of my reading challenge (normally I hit around 100). Anyway on holiday now and going to play along unofficially in the hopes that the reading challenge will reignite the reading spark. I am currently reading Winter. I have read the others in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them so really looking forward to spending some quality time with this book.

[Darkpool]

I started listening to How Green Was My Valley this morning in the car. The narrator, Philip Madoc, is totally marvellous. I've listened to about 40 min so far but have a long car journey this afternoon (off to see the family for Xmas), so looking forward to listening to a bit more of this on the way.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Sweetp-1 wrote: "I havent' been reading much lately. Three part time jobs and three kids have been kicking my behind and I will not even get to 52 books of my reading challenge (normally I hit around 100). Anyway o..."

Hey Sweetp-1 Three part time jobs whoah! How many hours in total.

Have a good holiday Darkpool. I'm wondering if I should check if my library has How Green Was My Valley. The dark subject matter of both books I'm reading is not really Xmas fare for me.

Edit: They have it but at another branch. I'm starting to thing the librarian who does the book ordering there I must have been sisters in a past life!

[Erica]

#1

Book 3 The Blind Contessa's New Machine read 22/12/15

4.5*

I really really enjoyed this book! Loved the author's evocative writing style. I think she played with the main character's heightened senses of sound and smell really well as well as all her lovely memories. Beautiful story and as it's the author's debut novel I'll be looking out for more!

Thanks Darkpool for suggesting it :)

[Sharlene]

I see the reading has picked up the pace, I hope that's due to people starting their holidays.

I'm glad people are picking up . I just got my copy from Gisborne library this afternoon.

I'm still down 20+ books for the GR 2015 challenge! It's read read read for the next week. I'm visiting family, so I hope I get time!

I'll be back 30 December to see how ya'll are going. Keep it up Kiwis!

[Deborah]

Book #2

I gave this 4.5 stars - my review:

"A very charming debut, original material and beautifully written. The author researched the experience of going blind, it is clear. The ending is sad, though; it should have ended with escape, not prison. My view only.

Impressive as a debut; I recommend this to readers of all kinds of genre - it is somewhat out on its own."

[Deborah]

I will be reading Sarah's Key, then, Kathleen! Just not this month, sadly....no time to get hold of it!

I will be reading that, then, Kathleen! Just not this month, sadly....
4 stars
Book #3 read December 27th

I hedged around and finally got on with it and can't tell you why I had trouble with it the first time - and not so very long ago, either. It's not Edghill's strongest book but it is very readable. (My favourite is ). If you like biblical re-tellings, you will like this.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Completed my first title & using message 43 for my records. :)

[Sharlene]

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "Completed my first title & using message 43 for my records. :)"

Thanks :) and welcome to the scoreboard.

Have updated the scores. Let me know if I've missed any.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Thanks Sharlene - next year I'll remember to go light & fluffy for Christmas! :)

[Darkpool]

#2 Book 3 . 4 stars. Woohoo!! I've really enjoyed this series, and am a bit sad to see the end of these characters.

[Kerry]

Kathleen, I liked Asylum City: A Novel too and have another by the author out from the library,

[Kerry]

#10 Book 3 31 Dec 4stars

Enjoyed this historical novel set in Cuba.
I've also been reading but have run out of time to get it finished for this challenge.

[Lesley]

Squeezing in before the clock strikes 12! :)

#5 Book 3 The Cold Cold Ground 3.5 stars finished 31 December.

Took a wee bit to get into the story, but it came good after the first 3-4 chapters. As much a recap on the unrest and violence in Ireland we saw on new reports and couldn't really relate to or understand, as it is a crime detection novel. A good plot line well told.

Still got a number of books I marked, including my own picks, that I've not managed to fit in this month. I will read them though, and report in the Just Finished thread.

Thanks to everyone for some good additions to my TBR shelf, and particularly a big thanks to Sharlene for running this again.

Happy New Year to all.

[Sharlene]

HAPPY NEW YEAR KIWIS!

Congratulations to #3 Kathleen, who managed to read 10 of our book pool titles!

Thanks to everyone who took part. Some good reads, some duds, but that's what keeps it interesting.

I managed to read 805 pages of Winter but couldn't keep my eyes open last night to read the ending chapters. Ticking that off today.

Make sure to add any interesting books rated high to your TBR.

I didn't manage to beat my Goodreads Challenge, but I'm still happy with 85 titles under my belt.

Happy Reading for 2016!

[Darkpool]

I have mistress of rome and the martian waiting for me to read this month. And the second half of how green... One month is never long enough for me with these challenges!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "I have mistress of rome and the martian waiting for me to read this month. And the second half of how green... One month is never long enough for me with these challenges!"

Well if we do it again (& I hope we do!) if it's December I'm going light & fluffy! You just can't rush through the Bone People & like most of us in December I had a lot going on.

Thanks so much for organising Charlene - I've added a couple I didn't get to to my to read list! :)

[Sharlene]

☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆ wrote: "Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "I have mistress of rome and the martian waiting for me to read this month. And the second half of how green... One month is never long enough for me with..."

I agree for light & fluffy! I added Winter not realising it was 800+ pages, but it's a series I finally finished it this morning.

Make sure to come back in MAY 2016 for the NEXT ROUND :)

[Sweetp-1]

Finished 'Winter'. I loved the whole series so it was nice to see all the loose ends wrapped up. I loved how she wove together sci fi/futuristic with classical fairytales.

[Sweetp-1]

And I've just finished The Martian. Gripping! Will look forward to the movie adaptation :)
I've put Asylum City on hold at the library. Might pick another couple from the list for my January reading.

[Sharlene]

Well done SweetP. Winter would've been a hard slog if you didn't enjoy the series. It does really round it out well. There is an epilogue in Stars Above which hasn't been released yet. it's a Collection of the novellas in the series. :)

[Darkpool]

Sharlene wrote: "Well done SweetP. Winter would've been a hard slog if you didn't enjoy the series. It does really round it out well. There is an epilogue in Stars Above which hasn't been released yet. it's a Colle..."

I'm already on the library waiting list for this. :-)

[Kerry]

I finished up Winter yesterday, it was a great read though the length meant I had to put it aside for a few days to achieve other end of year reading goals.
I have an ANZAC reading challenge going over on Librarything - choose from 6 writers and two months to complete. You're welcome to check it out.
http://www.librarything.com/topic/211011

[Sweetp-1]

Sharlene wrote: "Well done SweetP. Winter would've been a hard slog if you didn't enjoy the series. It does really round it out well. There is an epilogue in Stars Above which hasn't been released yet. it's a Colle..."

Interesting!I'll checkit out, would love to know what happened next with the earth/lunar alliance (and of course Cinder and Kai). I listened to the first 2 or 3 of the series - great narration, I missed the voice actually, the one in my head just wasn't the same ;)

[Darkpool]

Woohoo! Finished Mistress of Rome (yes, I know the challenge is over...)
Not exactly what I was expecting, but somehow better because of that. :-D

[Lesley]

Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "Woohoo! Finished Mistress of Rome (yes, I know the challenge is over...)
Not exactly what I was expecting, but somehow better because of that. :-D"

Yeah, I came to realise I did really well at not reading my contributions to the Pool!! Had a couple or so requested books from the library came in unexpectedly and had to read them since there was a waiting list. Plus I got all carried away with liking the chocs in other boxes!

Never mind, there's always next time. :)