Challenge 1 of 2016: New, New, New!!

[Gremlin]

Up to this point, ya'll should be updated. But please feel free to check my work! :)

Also, how the heck is it almost February?!?!?

[Anna]

Gremlin you missed my post #123. I finished my first 2 books and updated my original post #15.

[Gremlin]

Anna wrote: "Gremlin you missed my post #123. I finished my first 2 books and updated my original post #15."

And that is exactly why I ask for help checking my work. Ha!
Thanks for the catch, Anna! It's fixed now.

[Hillary]

Kdbrand wrote: "Hilary, You gave me so many good choices. I've decided to go with Vixen (Flappers, #1) by Jillian Larkin per your rec. It sounds like a fun read. Thanks! "

NP Vixen is part of a trilogy. Pretty decent.

[Melanie, looking for a partner in crime]

Just finished #4 (The Diviners) a new genre. I ab-so-lute-ly would never seek out historical fiction, but I'm glad I did. It was a good book.
update post #17

[Casey]

I think I finally found something that will work for new genre for me! It's been hard because I read so many different ones. I had only Biography, History (like real history not historical fiction) and Westerns that I could think of.

I think I am going to borrow a book from my dad he's always tried to get me to read.

[Diane]

Gremlin wrote: "Up to this point, ya'll should be updated. But please feel free to check my work! :)

Also, how the heck is it almost February?!?!?"
You missed post 144 by me. I have it down as debut because it was her debut novel less than 4 years ago but I am thinking it could be series because she has the other books out now also (BTW they are awesome I finished the second at 2 am and was buying #3 from amazon 2 min. later) let me know if you think I need to change my update to new series instead of debut.

[R.A.]

I finished for the "read a new release in the month it was released." With... you know, a few hours to spare ;)

[Day]

#56

I'm really reading books in record breaking time! I've read 4 books in one month and that is a lot for me!

Just finished my 4th book for this challenge. I absolutely loved . It was a really good follow up to since they were both regency/victorian fantasy books.

Dark Days Club will be my January book. I really didn't think I would finish before February since it just came out but it was so good I couldn't put it down!

Also, Gremlin if you could fix my numbers, you have 1 completed but I definitely have 4 now :) thanks!

[Brandi]

I finished on 1/31 under gift. Updated post #10. Also, my previous update-adding a book in the Debut category. I just added the book to the challenge, haven't finished it yet.

[Kdbrand]

Finished #5 Recommended by Hillary

Updated post #6

[Gremlin]

Hopefully, everyone is now updated! (Sheesh, Day! Sorry about my addition skills! :P).

[Gremlin]

Happy February, folks!

(And boy am I'm glad I eeked in under the wire and started my January book last night!)

[Gabriela]

I've finished three so far:
New series
Unusual genre
January release (Started on January 29th)

And updated post #8

[Brandi]

Gremlin wrote: "Hopefully, everyone is now updated! (Sheesh, Day! Sorry about my addition skills! :P)."

Grem, I've actually only finished 4. I ADDED a book to the challenge under debut but haven't read it yet.

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

Finished book 6/6 under the February releases.

I might go for a couple more . . . as always, this remains to be seen and probably won't happen lol.

Post #9 is updated.

[Kdbrand]

was released today. Anyone who hasn't read anything by Ruta Sepetys, might want to consider doing so for this challenge. She is a talented writer of historical fiction. (Yes, I really like her!)

[Amber]

Finally finished #2. January New Release.



(I started this January 20-something)

Updated original post# 13.

And going to the library today to get my February new release: . I'm SOOO EXCITED!!!

[R.A.]

Finished . Was thinking about counting it as a debut since it was her first book and was published in October of last year. Does that count? Otherwise, she is a new author for me. I'm willing to go either category :)

[R.A.]

Also -- for my recommended by a goodreads individual book, I was looking at the GLBT forum and found:

Gremlin, you liked / recommended ? Could I use that for my recommended book? ^_^ You didn't recommend it to me exactly, but ... it's there!

[Gremlin]

R. A. wrote: "Finished . Was thinking about counting it as a debut since it was her first book and was published in October of last year. Does that count? Otherwise, sh..."

This is totally her debut, so it absolutely counts if that's what you'd like it to be.

[Gremlin]

R. A. wrote: "Also -- for my recommended by a goodreads individual book, I was looking at the GLBT forum and found:

Gremlin, you liked / recommended ? Could I use that for..."

R.A. - I recommend that you give Ask The Passengers by A.S. King a try! There, does that help? hahaha! (Also, let me know what you think!).

Yes, I totally think that if it's a book that you became interested in because someone recommended it on YA-MA, that should count - even if it wasn't specifically to you :)

[R.A.]

Definitely count it as a debut author for me then ^_^ Thanks!

And yes, it does help ;)

[Amber]

Finished #3 - - the first book in a series that is new to me.

Updated original post #13.

[Brandi]

Amber wrote: "Finished #3 - - the first book in a series that is new to me.

Updated original post #13."

What did you think? I think the series got stronger further into the other books-the first one was not the best in my opinion but overall, I really liked the story. Especially the last book.

[Amber]

Brandi wrote: "What did you think? ..."

3 stars

I was really thrown by the technology aspect. I wasn't expecting that based on the blurb and I was thinking "Iron King", meant like strong-willed king or something, but that aspect was really interesting.

However, I wasn't a huge fan of how Meghan seemed so much the damsel-in-distress the whole time - constantly tripping over things and falling into the arms of Ash. Speaking of which, I also wasn't a fan of the relationship between Meghan and Ash, but I've never been a fan of star-crossed lovers and broody boys.

I'm not sure if I'll continue or not, but I might, based on what you're saying. I also saw that there's a second series based on Ethan and that sounds pretty interesting.

[Gwennie]

Puck was the very best part of that entiire series. I read all of the original series, but didn't read Ethan's series. In all of the first books, the thing that kept me reading was Puck. :)

[Amber]

So, would anyone ...ahem... recommend that I continue with book 2? lol. I'm not sure if this would count as a recommendation.

[Brandi]

Wendy F wrote: "Puck was the very best part of that entiire series. I read all of the original series, but didn't read Ethan's series. In all of the first books, the thing that kept me reading was Puck. :)"

Honestly? What I would recommend is reading the Iron Prince. It's told from Ash's perspective and has a lot of him and Puck in it, plus traveling through the realm, adventure, etc. Yes, it happens after the conclusion of the trilogy so the outcome will be referenced and all but I kind of feel like you could get the gist of what happened without reading the 2nd and 3rd book if you aren't that into them. I will say however, that Meghan becomes less of a pain in the ass and stronger as the story goes so if that's all that's bothering you, it would be more worth it to dive into 2 and 3.

[Gremlin]

Amber wrote: "So, would anyone ...ahem... recommend that I continue with book 2? lol. I'm not sure if this would count as a recommendation."

Bwaahahaha! That's a great effort, Amber! However, the idea is to read something that you probably wouldn't have without it being recommended. (Now, if you hated the first and had no intention of reading the second but then someone convinced you to, that would be a different story!)

[Amber]

Do you mean ? I don't see an Iron Prince.

Well, we'll leave it up to fate - I put a hold on both of them and whichever becomes available first, I will read!

[Amber]

Gremlin wrote: "Bwaahahaha! That's a great effort, Amber! ..."

Yeah, I figured as much. Lol. But I'll still probably continue it later, even if it won't work for this challenge.

[Brandi]

Amber wrote: "Do you mean ? I don't see an Iron Prince.

Well, we'll leave it up to fate - I put a hold on both of them and whichever becomes available first, I will read!"

Oh yes...Iron Knight. My bad.

[Gremlin]

Amber wrote: "Yeah, I figured as much. Lol. But I'll still probably continue it later, even if it won't work for this challenge."

I feel you. My biggest issue with actually completing a challenge is that I always have books that I want to read *right now* that don't fit the parameters! (For instance - I've already read 5 books this year, and only one was usable for this challenge. Why!?!? Hahaha).

[Gwennie]

Brandi wrote: "Wendy F wrote: "Puck was the very best part of that entiire series. I read all of the original series, but didn't read Ethan's series. In all of the first books, the thing that kept me reading was ..."

That was the last one I read. I loved Puck and liked Ash, so I wouldn't have missed it.

[Gremlin]

Hooray, I finished my January book!

I'm in good shape if I'm just trying to do 6, but I really want to try to get all 10 - so I've gotta get in gear! :P

[Christie]

Finished my 4th for a genre I do not normally read (LGBT). Updated post #7.

[Casey]

Is qualify for new series ?
Mostly I mean is it YA?

[Kdbrand]

Finished #6. Brand New Release-

Update post #6

[Melanie, looking for a partner in crime]

Update Melanie #17

Finished my 5th book. New author:

Morning Star comes out this week, which will be my February read!

[Barb]

Would a young readers book count as a genre I don't usually read? I usually only read these to my children, and I don't even do that as much anymore. But my daughter has fallen in love with a book and requested I read it, and I figured I might as well see if it would work.

[Anna]

I finished 2 more.

- Read a book that you received as a gift for the holidays.


This is the most recent free book that I received that wasn't from the library, so I'm calling it a gift.


- BRAND New Release!
- January

Checked out from the library on Jan 22 and started that weekend

Updated #15

[Gremlin]

Casey wrote: "Is qualify for new series ?
Mostly I mean is it YA?"

The Chicago Public Library lists City of Ember as "Elementary" - so it looks like this is not YA. :(

[Gremlin]

Barb wrote: "Would a young readers book count as a genre I don't usually read? I usually only read these to my children, and I don't even do that as much anymore. But my daughter has fallen in love with a book ..."

Is the genre of the book also outside of the realms that you normally read? Or are you just wondering if a different age range is enough? (I'd be a little iffy if it's just age range, and would probably ask what some others think in that case).

[Barb]

Gremlin wrote: "Barb wrote: "Would a young readers book count as a genre I don't usually read? I usually only read these to my children, and I don't even do that as much anymore. But my daughter has fallen in love..."

It's not that different. It's not a big deal. I'll eventually read it anyway, just wanted to see if age range counted. There isn't much I don't read, although not regularly, so I was trying to find something different. I'll look for something nonfiction, since that is what I read the least of.

[Gremlin]

Barb wrote: "There isn't much I don't read, although not regularly, so I was trying to find something different."

I totally feel you on this one! *Technically* there is very little that I don't read every once in a while. I almost have to explore sub genres! Gritty noir mysteries (as opposed to the cozies that I normally stick to), Westerns, and/or Harlequin Romance? Legal Thrillers? I don't know - I'm still trying to figure it out, too.

Honestly, if you feel like the age range is your best bet, I'd take it. This is more of an honor system thing. The real thing is to ask yourself "Is this out of the range of what I generally read/enjoy?" which might be harder for some of us than others. Use your judgement!

[Diane]

finished #4 new genre - non fiction. Not that I have never read non fiction but it is a very rare thing especially for pleasure

[Brandi]

Finished , new series. It was meh. Updated post #10

[Barb]

Gremlin wrote: "Barb wrote: "There isn't much I don't read, although not regularly, so I was trying to find something different."

I totally feel you on this one! *Technically* there is very little that I don't re..."

Let's put it this way. I would never read it if it were for the fact that after finishing it the second time, my daughter put the book in my hand and said, "Read this." It'll make her happy that I read it, and I don't usually read books where the characters are all animals, so I'll go with it when I get to it.

[Barb]

Finished #5 - - recommendation. I really liked this one. Updated post #16.