The 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards Challenge

[Cheri]

Update: 8/8 challenge complete!!
Category: Young Adult Fantasty - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling (3 stars)

[Natalie]

The Demise
Fiction
20/20
Completed!

[Megan]

Just completed a selection for YA Fantasy - The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski. I really enjoyed the finale of this series. The author took the story into interesting, unexpected paths, but kept true to the characters. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

9/30

[Fr. Andrew]

Update!

10/16 done

1. The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks: Life and Death Under Soviet Rule by Igort(2/24/16) - GRAPHIC NOVEL
2. Loner: A Novel by Teddy Wayne (3/20/16) - FICTION
3. The Other Catholics: Remaking America's Largest Religion by Julie Byrne (4/9/16) - NON-FICTION
4. Guapa by Saleem Haddad (4/12/16) - FICTION
5. New Kids on the Block's Hangin' Tough by Rebecca Wallwork - (4/13/16) NON-FICTION
6. Saints + Sinners 2016: New Fiction from the Festival by Amie M. Evans 5/12/16 FICTION
7. If at Birth You Don't Succeed: My Adventures with Disaster and Destiny by Zach Anner (5/3/16) MEMOIR
8. Octopus Pie: Volume 1 by Meredith Gran 7/2/16 GRAPHIC NOVEL
9. One of These Things First: A Memoir by Steven Gaines 8/12/16 MEMOIR/BIOGRAPHY
10. Ephebophile's Web by Aaron Colombo 9/13/16

[Geri]

Updare msg 77
7/8

[Megan]

Just completed another YA fantasy selection - Passenger by Alexandra Bracken. The first quarter of this book did not give me much hope for the rest. The world was confusing and not explained well, and the writing was disjointed. But it evened out and got much more interesting as the story unfolded. There was a bit too much teen angst for my taste, but overall, it was interesting. The ending was enough of a cliffhanger, that I will read the second book. Worth reading. 3.5 stars

10/30

[Megan]

Just completed another nonfiction book - Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond. The writing is excellent, and I loved the storytelling way that the author used to convey the information! The subject matter was difficult, particularly in my profession. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

11/30

[Megan]

Just finished another Romance selection - When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker. This is a good audiobook! The narrator did an excellent job of performing the narration. While the writing is a touch repetitive, the story is interesting, and I really liked the characters. Definitely worth reading/listening! 4 stars

12/30

[Gwen S.]

Hi Kadijah, I would like to join this group. Please put me down for the following and I will update my info as I proceed.

Thriller ( Murder/ Mystery)
The Shaye Archer trilogy by Jana DeLeon:
"Malevolent", "Sinister", and "Diabolical".
These novels allowed the characters to grow from one novel into the next, yet Ms. DeLeon maintained a level of intense intrigue in her writing such that these psychological murder/ mysteries held ones interest throughout and over the three novels.

I would like to nominate the following books for the Murder/ Mysteries category: 3

Malevolent by Jana DeLeon
Sinister by Jana DeLeon
Diabolical by Jana DeLeon

[Gwen S.]

Kadijah:
I can't recommend book one of the Shaye Archer series as it was published in 2015. ;-(
But definitely Malevolent, published in 1/16 and Diabolical 8/16.

2/3 Mystery & Thrillers

[Megan]

Just finished a selection for Mystery/Thriller - All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage. This book had an incredibly slow start, particularly given that it started with a murder. The author seemed to be trying too hard. It picked up a bit towards the end, but it was a struggle for me to read. Not worth reading. 2 stars

13/30

[Megan]

Just finished a great memoir - When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This memoir is incredibly powerful. The author's personal struggle is evident, and he could definitely write! His story is very moving, and I really appreciated the epilogue by his wife. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

14/30

[Kadijah Michelle]

Gwen wrote: "Kadijah:
I can't recommend book one of the Shaye Archer series as it was published in 2015. ;-(
But definitely Malevolent, published in 1/16 and Diabolical 8/16.

2/3 Mystery & Thrillers"

I got you!

[Kadijah Michelle]

Hello All, Happy October! The end of the year is approaching, so count up how many books you have to read so you can finish your goal! .

Here are September's statistics, as of today, we have 64 participants. We have read 211 books of the 891 pledged, and 5 participants have completed the challenge!

Great job everyone!

[Rachael]

Update: 12/15
League of Dragons - a disappointing and reluctant 3 stars for me. I won't be voting for this book when the nominations appear unfortunately.

[Karoline]

Can I still participate? I would like to try for three books.

1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two - J.K. Rowling
2. Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi
3. The Girls - Emma Cline

[Clare L]

Been awhile since I updated this. I have finished 6 out of 15

6/15

Science Fiction:
1. The Last Star - 05/06/2016
2. Morning Star - 08/03/2016

Fantasy:
1. Frost Like Night - 14/09/2016
2. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - 04/08/2016

Mystery/Thriller:
1. The Outliers - 08/07/2016
2. The Girl In The Ice - 19/05/2016

[Rachael]

Having a bumper weekend of reading and have finished and which brings my total for this challenge to 16/15.
Updated Message 87

[Maria]

Hi Kadijah. I would love to join the challenge. Can you sign me up for 10 books?

[Jessie]

Updated message 75.

challenge completed

6 books read/ 5 pledged.

[Megan]

I dropped my goal from 30 to 20, so my stats are 14/20 right now.

[Fr. Andrew]

Updated msg 52.

12/16 done

1. The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks: Life and Death Under Soviet Rule by Igort(2/24/16) - GRAPHIC NOVEL
2. Loner: A Novel by Teddy Wayne (3/20/16) - FICTION
3. The Other Catholics: Remaking America's Largest Religion by Julie Byrne (4/9/16) - NON-FICTION
4. Guapa by Saleem Haddad (4/12/16) - FICTION
5. New Kids on the Block's Hangin' Tough by Rebecca Wallwork - (4/13/16) NON-FICTION
6. Saints + Sinners 2016: New Fiction from the Festival by Amie M. Evans 5/12/16 FICTION
7. If at Birth You Don't Succeed: My Adventures with Disaster and Destiny by Zach Anner (5/3/16) MEMOIR
8. Octopus Pie: Volume 1 by Meredith Gran 7/2/16 GRAPHIC NOVEL
9. One of These Things First: A Memoir by Steven Gaines 8/12/16 MEMOIR/BIOGRAPHY
10. Ephebophile's Web by Aaron Colombo 9/13/16 MEMOIR
11. Angels Burning by Tawni O'Dell 10/17/16 MYSTERY
12. Always Too Much and Never Enough: A Memoir by Jasmin Singer 10/18/16 MEMOIR

Thanks!

[Clare L]

Finished two more

Finished 8/15

Horror:
Disappearance at Devil's Rock - 15/10/2016

Young-Adult/Historical Fiction
Salt to the Sea - 7/10/2016

[GailW]

Update to message 12: I have completed 8 of 10

1. Brooklyn on Fire
2. Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen
3. Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
4. The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem
5. The Madwoman Upstairs
6. Be Frank With Me
7. Homicide in the House
8. Hamilton: The Revolution

[Ilona]

Updated message 29

Young Adult Fiction: Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick

(4/5)

[Sherry]

Updated:
10/10 Completed ✔

Fiction: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas [Read 9/2/2016]
Mystery & Thriller: The Drowning Girls by Paula Treick DeBoard [Read 8/19/2016]
Historical Fiction: Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom #2) by Sarah Sundin [Read 6/21/2016]
Fantasy: Blood in Her Veins: Nineteen Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock (Jane Yellowrock) by Faith Hunter [Read 4/10/2016]
Romance: 'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick [Read 7/5/2016]
Science Fiction: Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard [Read 8/4/2016]
Horror: The Gathering (Shadow House #1) by Dan Poblocki [Read 10/24/2016]
Humor: The Bitchy Waiter: Life on the Other Side of the Menu by Darron Cardosa [Read 9/27/2016]
Young Adult Fiction: Remembrance (The Mediator #7) by Meg Cabot [Read 3/19/2016]
Young Adult Fantasy: Stars Above (The Lunar Chronicles #4.5) by Marissa Meyer [Read 3/6/2016]

[Sam F]

Finished my 4th book:

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

4/5 completed

[Megan]

Just completed another Romance selection - The Pursuit by Janet Evanovich. Fun and lighthearted. I was a bit miffed at the inconsistencies between the end of the last book and the beginning of this one, but in the end, they're brain candy. Worth reading! 3.5 stars

15/20

[Geri]

Update msg #77
9/8

[Maxine]

update post 112
17/15

[Ilona]

It's the 1st of November, we can vote! :)

[Kadijah Michelle]

Welcome to all the new challenge members! You have been added!

Hello All, Happy November! I love this month. Here in Pennsylvania, the trees have all turned beautiful colors and we are getting ready to light our fire place. I spent the morning pulling out my sweaters and looking at the books I'm going to read curled up under a blanket.

Here are October's statistics, as of today, we have 66 participants. We have read 259 books of the 894 pledged, and 10 participants have completed the challenge!

Great job everyone!

[Megan]

Just finished another Romance selection (and Goodreads Choice nominee) - The Obsession by Nora Roberts. This was an excellent, entertaining read and one of Roberts' best books! While the ending was a bit predictable, it didn't detract from the story. I love how Roberts found a different angle in the standard serial killer thriller. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

16/20

[Cindy III]

update mssg 113
1. My Neighbor Seki, Vol. 5 Feb. 7
2. A Silent Voice, Vol. 5 Feb 9-10
3. A Silent Voice 6 May 17
4. The Land of Forgotten Girls (Middle Grade & Children's) June 9-10
5. Up From the Sea (Young Adult Fiction) June 17
6. Orange: The Complete Collection 1 (Graphic Novels & Comics) Jul. 5
Handa-kun, Vol. 2 July7
7. Orange: The Complete Collection 2 (Graphic Novels & Comics) Jul. 15-18
8. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 9 July 26
9. The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez (Middle Grade & Childrens) Aug. 7
10. A Good Month for Murder: The Inside Story of a Homicide Squad Aug. 18-
11. Black Butler, Volume 21 Oct. 22


10/16

[Ilona]

Updated message 29

Fiction: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

(5/5)

[Rachael]

Updated Message 87.
17/15 read

[Sherry]

Hi,
I noticed you didn't update me. I originally wrote on 10/24 on message 235.


Updated:
10/10 Completed ✔

Fiction: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas [Read 9/2/2016]
Mystery & Thriller: The Drowning Girls by Paula Treick DeBoard [Read 8/19/2016]
Historical Fiction: Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom #2) by Sarah Sundin [Read 6/21/2016]
Fantasy: Blood in Her Veins: Nineteen Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock (Jane Yellowrock) by Faith Hunter [Read 4/10/2016]
Romance: 'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick [Read 7/5/2016]
Science Fiction: Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard [Read 8/4/2016]
Horror: The Gathering (Shadow House #1) by Dan Poblocki [Read 10/24/2016]
Humor: The Bitchy Waiter: Life on the Other Side of the Menu by Darron Cardosa [Read 9/27/2016]
Young Adult Fiction: Remembrance (The Mediator #7) by Meg Cabot [Read 3/19/2016]
Young Adult Fantasy: Stars Above (The Lunar Chronicles #4.5) by Marissa Meyer [Read 3/6/2016]

[GailW]

Update to message 12.
I have read 9 books for this challenge.
9/10
1. Brooklyn on Fire
2. Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen
3. Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
4. The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem
5. The Madwoman Upstairs
6. Be Frank With Me
7. Homicide in the House
8. Hamilton: The Revolution
9. The Secrets of Wishtide by Kate Saunders

[Clare L]

Finished 2 more;
10/15

Mystery: The Widow
Horror: The Women in the Walls

[Megan]

Just finished a selection for debut goodreads author - The Nix by Nathan Hill. This book was incredibly frustrating for me! The plot was nonsensically, nonlinear. It kinda came together a bit in the end but the conclusion was not for the plot but rather the author's perception of our society. The only reason it deserves even 3 stars is the writing - the writing is excellent! But overall it just wasn't worth it! 3 stars

17/20

[Megan]

Just finished another Mystery selection - The Widow by Fiona Barton. This book was well-written with interesting characters. I liked how the chapters were formatted and each focused on a different character. However, it was a little slow in the middle. Worth reading. 4 stars

18/20

[Megan]

Just finished a fantasy selection - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2 by J.K. Rowling. Excellent continuation of the Harry Potter story! The characters were similar to the books, and I loved the twists and turns! My only complaint was that the villain was a bit two-dimensional. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

19/20

[Megan]

Just finished another fiction selection (and my choice for Goodreads choice for fiction this year) - Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. This was an excellent book! The writing and plot unfold very like the author's other book "Big Little Lies". It definitely kept me guessing and counting the characters to try to figure out the tragedy at the center of the book. Really well done and definitely worth reading! I did receive this book as a giveaway, but my review was not influenced by this. 4.5 stars

20/20 - challenge completed!!!

[Megan]

Just completed another YA Fantasy selection (and my pick) - Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. Fairly predictable sequel - bits of Red Rising and Hunger Games thrown in. Interesting character development, and I like some of the newer characters being added to the story. Nice little cliffhanger at the end. Worth reading. 4 stars

21/20

[Rachael]

Updated message 87: 18/15

[Clare L]

Finished two more - 8/14

Lily and the Octopus
Glass Sword

[Megan]

Just completed another historical/YA fiction - Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. Overall, this book was good. I appreciated the German and eastern European perspectives fleeing the Russian troops. I had never heard of the Gustloff, so that was interesting as well. I understand what the author tried to achieve with the short chapters divided between four central characters, but it didn't quite come together for me. It felt choppy and uncoordinated. Good effort and worth reading. 3.5 stars

22/20

[GailW]

Update to Message 12: I have completed the challenge today.
10/10
1. Brooklyn on Fire
2. Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen
3. Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
4. The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem
5. The Madwoman Upstairs
6. Be Frank With Me
7. Homicide in the House
8. Hamilton: The Revolution
9. The Secrets of Wishtide by Kate Saunders
10. Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

[Megan]

Just completed another YA Fantasy book - The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge. While this book had an interesting concept and I admire the author's obvious message, overall it fell a touch flat for me. The plot took a bit to get moving. Still worth reading, just expect a slow start. 3.5 stars

23/20

[Megan]

I chose six of the winners!!! That's pretty good - I love this challenge because it makes me more aware of the new books and makes me read them:)