R7: SS "Frog Squad" (6)

[D.G.]

Nichole wrote: "I bought the audio and the narrator has a thick Russian accent. I could finish it out by actually reading it but I just don't care at this point. It's not bad and I can certainly see why people lik..."

Listened to the sample and it was horrible! That's why I decided to read it in print.

If you bought it at Audible, you should return it.

[Mary X]

Sorry I haven't been very chatty. Playing catch up on school work and work work after a couple of not being able to do much.

I'm on track to finish my book by Thursday night. Probably tomorrow. It's on the shorter side.

[D.G.]

No worries, Mary. How are you feeling?

[Mary X]

I'm doing pretty good. Went back to work today. Had to keep my foot up but the guys fetch and carried for me. My daughter has been great. Poor kid had to shovel us out by herself, three times, once on Friday, last night and again this morning.

I think I over did it today so staying off my foot tonight.

[D.G.]

To all the Froggies! (Except Jamie) - A reminder to post your books by tomorrow night (or Friday really, really early) so I can roll on Friday morning at around my usual time (between 6:30-7:30am ET).

[D.G.]

I have 30% to go through my book so I should be finished by tomorrow night...I don't like the male MC as an adult so it's going slow, slow!

[Amanda A]

Spot 30
(Losing It #3)
Finished 2/10/16
Rating: ★★★
Finding It is a good conclusion to the Losing It series. Kelsey is the spoiled rich girl partying her way all over Europe. I found it hard to relate to her but I did feel sorry for what happened to her when she was younger. Jackson seemed to help her and I was hoping they could overcome his secret. The story dealt with tough subjects and it felt a little predictable but I liked the ending. I will read more from Cora Carmack and plan to read her Rusk University series at some point.

[Mary X]

I finished mine but I'm too tired to write a review so I'll do it tomorrow.

[Heather]

Week 4
Spot 30


Book: Terrorscape by Nenia Campbell
How it fits: #3 in a series
Pages: 423
Finished: February 10
Rating: 5*

Review: First I feel like I have to say that I still cannot believe Nenia Campbell was only 17 years old when she wrote this book!! I never would've thought it. It's mature, scary and just plain old awesome!

This was such a great series!! Even though Gavin is a really bad guy I can't help but to root for him. Not to kill Valerian but to get her love in return. I feel guilty for wanting this even though they are fictional characters! I am so pleased I discovered Nenia Campbell's novels. She writes in a way that immediately sucks you into the story and you won't stop reading until the very end. I also own Cloak and Dagger which I'm sure I'll be getting to as soon as possible. You absolutely MUST read this series!!

[Nichole]

I'm almost finished with mine and will have the review up later today.

[Mary X]

Spot #30:



3 1/2 Stars
finished: 2/10/2016

#30 in a series

Nothing new here in the highlands of Scotland but still an entertaining read. Was really disappointed that Beaton brought Priscilla and Elspeth back to torment Hamish yet again. These are more entertaining if you give some space between reading them. I think she should give Hamish a girlfriend for a few books for a change of pace from him lusting after every new pretty girl he encounters in addition to Priscilla and Elspeth. The usual cast of characters was present.

[Nichole]

Week 4: Spot 30
Standalone
Book: by Rainbow Rowell
Finished: 2/11/16
Rating:★★★★☆

I adored this book! Well, until the end at least. Also, I listened to the audiobook which was fantastic! Great narration.

When Cath's twin decides to spread her wings at college, Cath is left to fend for herself. She's completely out of her comfort zone and has a rough time adjusting. She's too shy, she's too nervous, she's too nerdy and she's completely miserable. Luckily, her surly roommate takes pity on her. And with Reagan comes Levi, her always happy and smiling boyfriend.

"I feel sorry for you, and I'm going to be your friend."
"I don't want to be your friend," Cath said as sternly as she could. "I like that we're not friends."
"Me, too. I'm sorry you ruined it by being so pathetic.”

Like I said, I adored this. The characters were real to me. I felt like I was there going through everything right along with Cath. I was rooting for her. I was also rooting for "you know who"!

That being said, the ending needed some work. As in an actual ending! I was listening and all of a sudden it was over. "Thank you for listening, blah, blah blah." It could have been a 5 star book if not for that non-end.

[D.G.]

Excellent! We're only missing my review and Sally's. I'll post mine tomorrow morning. Let's hope Sally does the same so I can roll early tomorrow.

[Amy]

Week 4
Roll: 9
Spot: 30
by Nicholas Sparks
Book: The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Qualification: Standalone
Finished: 02/10/16
Rating & Review: ★★★

As usual I enjoyed another book by Nicholas Sparks. This was structured slightly less predictable than his usual stories. I'm still unsure how I feel about it.

I LOVED the first part of the book. This was definitely the heart of the book. It ended abruptly though, I was like wait what??? I wanted to hear the rest of that story. I understood why he went the way he did with the story but it still took me a little bit to figure out where it was headed.

Part two was weird. It was rushed, broken and slightly confusing in some parts. Many areas of this section made me dislike Gabby. I felt she was selfish and bossy. Idk she felt like a different person than was depicted in the first part. I also know Sparks like to finish all of his books with a happy ending but honestly for once I would love it if it didn't.....haha so because of that I kind of rolled my eyes at the ending.

Overall it wasn't a horrible book, I flew through it, I did tear up at a few parts but it wasn't my favorite book of his. Curious about the movie now!

[D.G.]

Week 4 - Spot #: 30
Series #: Standalone
Date finished/Rating: 2/12 ★★★
Review: This was a romance that almost read like fiction. The first part (which I ended up liking the best) was about them as children and took 45% the book. I just didn't like the "hero" as a grownup and didn't trust his motives - it would have taken me a LOT to forgive somebody who's been stalking me for 20 years without telling me he's even alive, so I didn't like how she forgave him so quickly - even though he has motives to stay away, he could have at least send her a letter!

[D.G.]

Good morning, Froggies! Our roll is 6. As we were in spot 30 last week that lands us in...

Week 5: Spot 36
Series #: 36, 3 or 6
Alternate: Audiobooks - Any book on the given shelf

Completed: 7 / 7
✔ D.G.: Firefight (Alt) | 2/18 ★★★★½ | review
✔ Sally: Between the World and Me (Alt) | 2/18 ★★★★ | review
✔ Heather: A Clockwork Orange (Alt) | 2/13 ★★ | review
✔ Jamie: Of Dark and Bright (#3) | 2/14 ★★★½ | review
✔ Nichole: Morning Star (#3) | 2/17 ★★★★ | review
✔ Amanda A: Rescue My Heart (#3) | 2/12 ★★★★ | review
✔ Mary: And Only to Deceive (Alt) | 2/15 ★★½ | review

[D.G.]

I know what I'm reading or better say, listening:

I've been dying to read this ever since I read the first in the series earlier in the week.

[D.G.]

The alternate is great this week because it gives so many choices! As long as a book is in audiobook format, it will be on that shelf.

[Mary X]

That's not necessarily true. Someone would have to have shelved it that. Just saying people should actually check. I only shelve mine "audio" and only if I happened to listen to it that way. But still 55,000 books to choose from there.

Not sure what I'm going to read yet.

[Mary X]

Ok found one from the audiobooks shelf.

[D.G.]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "That's not necessarily true. Someone would have to have shelved it that. Just saying people should actually check."

True. I meant to say that if the book is in audio, SOMEONE probably already shelved it that way. But of course, everybody should check, as the books have to be on the shelf.

ETA: Do you guys know the easy way to find out if a book in on a shelf? You should look for the book's own shelves instead of the shelf itself. A popular shelf like audiobooks should be in the first 1-5 pages, most often in the first one.

[Nichole]

I'm going with . I need to see how it all ends now!

[Amy]

I'm going with it's my book club pick in real life this month as well. Also on the audiobooks list.

[D.G.]

Sally wrote: "I'm going with it's my book club pick in real life this month as well. Also on the audiobooks list."

Interesting choice, Sally! I think I read it a long time ago. Maybe I should re-read it.

[Amanda A]

Spot 36
(Animal Magnetism #3)
Finished 2/12/16
Rating: ★★★★
I really enjoyed this book and how Adam and Holly reconnected after years apart and overcame their secrets. Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors because I love her sense of humor. I look forward to reading Griffin and Kate's story in the next book.

[D.G.]

Wow Amanda!

[Amy]

D.G. wrote: "Sally wrote: "I'm going with it's my book club pick in real life this month as well. Also on the audiobooks list."

Interesting choice, Sally! I think..."

Thanks! It's been on my TBR for ages! I've actually never read it :)

[Mary X]

My book is really boring so far. It's like a romance only she is falling in love with her dead husband, after his death. I thought it was a murder mystery. But I am going to stick with it because the reviews for book 2 suggest that the series gets better after book 1. Although I just spoiled who the good suitor is by reading the reviews. But the bad suitor was who I expected anyway.

[Heather]

Week 5
Spot 36


Book: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
How it fits: pg. 16 on popular audiobooks shelf
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: audio/192
Finished: February 13
Rating: 2*

Review: I don't have much to say. I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to books. I give lots of 4 & 5 stars. So when I give two stars its serious....for me anyway. I've wanted to read this for a long time because of the movie. I liked knowing more of what his thoughts were while trying to be "cured". I surprisingly, ended up sorry for him. Kind of. But I could not get past the made up language. I know most people enjoy this part of it but it drove me crazy. In a way, I feel I should try it again later on to see if my feelings change. But it's going to be MUCH later.

[D.G.]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "My book is really boring so far. It's like a romance only she is falling in love with her dead husband, after his death. I thought it was a murder mystery. But I am going to stick with it because t..."

I remember reading that book and not being interested enough to continue the series. And the mystery was very blah!

[D.G.]

Strong start Froggies! Already 2 books down!

I'll start my book today.

[Mary X]

I'm still plugging away at mine. Stuck with the same book because it looks like the series gets better. Also I need it for another team challenge. It's not really bad just slow and doesn't make me want to listen every minute I can.

My foot is also slowing down my audio book time since I can't just sit and listen for long and my driving and physical movement is somewhat limited. But the stitches come out Wed.

[Mary X]

Week 5, spot 36:

on the audiobooks shelf



2 1/2 stars

Yawn. This wasn't bad but it was boring. I would have dropped it if it didn't work for 2 team challenges this week. I found it hard to believe that her dead husband was so in love with her. If he was why would he leave right after their honeymoon? Also she didn't seam to give him much to love. Sounds like all she did was read on their honeymoon. I thought it was a murder mystery and I guess at some point it was. But it was kind of like a romance only the hero was already dead. The reviews seem to suggest that the series gets better but not sure if I will read anymore or not.

[D.G.]

Thanks, Mary! I'm picking up my audiobook today and hope to finish it by Thursday.

Hmmm...I just realized that Jamie didn't post her choice of book. I hope she's OK!

[D.G.]

I noticed that Jamie hasn't posted in a week or so I PMed her. :)

[Jamie]

Week 5
Roll: 6
Spot: 36



Of Dark and Bright by Kate Sherwood
200 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #3 in series
Finished: 2/14/16
Rating: 3.5 stars

The final installment in a trilogy that started off great then meandered a bit, but it finished up strongly enough. The series involves a triad relationship, Dan, Evan and Jeff. Book 2 annoyed me because there was a complete lack of communication and it was very repetitive. There is less of that unnecessary angst here but it still crops up once in awhile and that was a little irritating. The plot was interesting at first...Dan's long lost sister comes to him because she's a fugitive and pregnant. Evan is throwing his money around as usual and Dan is reluctant to take it. Even Jeff has a few problems in this one. It kept me reading and I thought the writing was pretty good but it ultimately resolved in something of a ridiculous way and I wasn't completely satisfied at the end that this was the final story.

[D.G.]

Woohoo Froggies! Just 3 to go!

My book is going so AWESOME! I'm totally in love with MacLeod Andrews and I need to audio-stalk him (and he's cute too!)

[Nichole]

I should have mine finished tomorrow or early on Thursday.

[Amy]

Ugh real life has gotten to me. I haven't had a chance to even pick up my book yet. I'm currently packing my books to move but leaving out a few here and there. I might have to either read it quickly or find a smaller book to finish faster. Lemme see what I can find

[D.G.]

Week 4 - Spot #: 36
Alternate: In Audiobooks shelf
Date finished/Rating: 2/18 ★★★★½
Review: MIND.BLOWN.

Wow, wow, wow, just WOW! What a series! I'm sad I didn't read this book before but I'm happy I waited because I have #3 waiting in the wind. Loved everything that happened in this book: the action, the MC's adorkability, the hope, the plot, everything! And I LOVED that at some point, the MC shot somebody in the back (this stupidity in books HAS to stop. If you're fighting somebody who's 50 times stronger than you and it's about to KILL YOU, you shot them wherever the f*ck you can!)

Oh! And MacLeod Andrews has catapulted to my #1 spot as favorite narrator.

Totally hoping that the next call fits book #3.

[Nichole]

Week 5: Spot 36
#3 in series
Book: by Pierce Brown
Date Read: 2/17/16
Rating: ★★★★☆

I finished this yesterday but I just couldn't write a review. Even now, I'm at a loss for words. This book wrecked me. The whole series did really. There are so many parts that leave you devastated and feeling completely hopeless. Don't get me wrong it's not all gloom and doom. There is light and humor (Sevro!) and even success. However, when something goes wrong, and there is a lot of that, it's total destruction. The highs are really high and the lows are so bad that you think they can't recover. The whole series is a constant state of motion- up and down, up and down! I'm exhausted.

Morning Star was a satisfying conclusion to the series. I can't say that it was perfect because there was too much crap stuff for that. I'm still recovering from it. Then again, maybe it was the perfect ending for this series. It stayed true. This isn't sunshine and rainbows. It's bloody and dirty and cruel. That being said, I am happy with the ending.

I stick by my comparison of Game of Thrones. Think of this as a Sci-Fi GoT. I don't even like SF books (usually)! Politics, betrayals, death, disgust- very much like GoT. If you can handle some motion sickness, I strongly recommend this series . It's one hell of a roller coaster ride!

[D.G.]

Ok - so we're just waiting for Sally and then we're good to go!

[Mary X]

What is the deadline to roll by tomorrow anyway?

[D.G.]

I assume is 11:59am Central Time.

[Amy]

Week 5
Roll: 6
Spot: 36
by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Book: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Qualification: Alt - Audiobook (page 6 of list)
Finished: 02/18/16
Rating & Review: ★★★★

This book is small but there is SO MUCH in it!

I just, I don't even know if I have words to review it properly. I know I need to re-read this at some point. And maybe another time. I really think everyone needs to read it. It's a quick read but just really so much to understand, or attempt to understand.

I feel like this review doesn't make sense lol it's probably because I'm still wrapping my head around this wonderful little book....

[D.G.]

Good morning, Froggies! Our roll is 7. As we were in spot 36 last week that lands us in...

Week 6: Spot 43
Series #: 43, 4 or 3
Alternate: Text Item "Computer" - please post sentence with page number OR location.

Completed: 7 / 7
✔ D.G.: Calamity (#3) | 2/21 ★★★★ | review
✔ Sally: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Alt) | 2/26 ★★★★ | review
✔ Heather: Dangerous Lies (Alt) | 2/25 ★★★★★ | review
✔ Jamie: Home Work (#3) | 2/20 ★★★★ | review
✔ Nichole: Serpent's Kiss (#3) | 2/22 ★★★ | review
✔ Amanda A: Addicted for Now (Alt) | 2/22 ★★★★ | review
✔ Mary: Unlawful Contact (#3) | 2/25 ★★★★ | review

[D.G.]

I'll be listening to which is a #3 in series.

[Mary X]

I'll probably go for a 3rd in a series, leaning towards this:

[Amy]

I'm going with which fits the alternate option.

[Jamie]

Week 6
# on Dice: 7
Spot: 43



Home Work by Kaje Harper
345 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #3 in series