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BOOK POOL Challenge June-July 2016
Mod
Read: 1 Jul
Rated: 3 stars
I had to remember that this was a YA book that targets a younger audience. I felt that the main character was well written. We don't really find out what happened to her, but you don't really need to know. My guess is she was a victim of bullying at school. It must have been severe as the kids (I think) were expelled. Frank is my favourite character though. A typical tween, loves gaming, knows more about computers than anyone else in the house.
Nicki wrote: "# 19Book #2
Book:
Date Read: 1 July
Rating: 4 stars
Really enjoyed this and will definitely read the next in the series. Cormoran Strike is a great char..."
the 2nd book is just as good as the first and the third is now available. I would also recommend "a casual vacancy"
Mod
Kia ora everyone. Sorry I haven't been present. The wi-fi at home was playing up so we have switched provider and gone unlimited. Now I'm back in the action!
I have updated the leader..."
Welcome back! I've had ongoing internet issues too. Mine appear to be related to going from Windows 8 to 8.1 to Windows 10. Laptop will have to see the Family Expert in Auckland I think!
Sharlene if I can't give a book 4 or 5 stars I won't put stars there. It's too damaging to the poor author's ratings on GR and Amazon.
#18Book #3
Rating: 5 stars. The long awaiting and satisfying ending to "The Passage" series.
#12Book #6
4 stars for the quality of the writing, but if there's a vol. 2 I'll probably give it a miss.
#7Book 5
finish 09/07/16
4 stars
Really enjoyed
#2, Book 3
Finished 9/7
Rated: 5 stars.
Thank you to PDR for nominating this one. It must be more than 20 years since I last read it, so it was wonderful to have a prompt to re-read it now. I feel I appreciate much more depth in the story now than I did in my teens or 20s, that I have a greater understanding of the subtleties of the language. My plans now involve rewatching both the most recent film versions for comparative purposes - I recall the 1995 (Amanda Root) version as being nearly perfect, and the more recent (Sally Hawkins) version as maybe not so much... but we'll see!
#18Book #4
4 stars. Not exactly enjoyable but extremely well written and haunting.
July 10th#8
Book 14
Novel About My Wife
I think I have read too many 'I'm getting over the loss of my spouse/partner/child.' books. I know we are supposed to rave because she is a Kiwi writer but she is not exceptional. She's a good writer, yes, but not mind blowing outstanding.
July 10th#8
book 15
The Cuckoo's Calling
4 stars
Loved it! Nice quick reread. Always felt JK was undervalued because she was so popular. Loved the next one too.
#14Book 3
10/07/16
3 stars
I think if I'd read it rather than got the audio book version I would have enjoyed it more, so I'll be giving it another go at a later date.
It was beautifully narrated and a wonderfully descriptive book, I just struggled to focus.
#2, Book 4
Finished 11/7
Rated: 3 stars.
Firstly, what a mistake to read this directly after Ender's Game. I thought I was going to drown in the adjectives. Even so I think this book would have irritated me - it just might have taken a little longer to do so. I found myself constantly questioning plot points ("what was the point of that happening?") and the pointless secrecy/withholding of information from the MC. It's a shame that a book that has got so many boys interested in reading is not actually a great example of the art.
#14Book 4
11/07/16
3 stars
#9 - 7th bookThe Luminaries
28/06/16 - I forgot to enter it here......
3 stars: I didn't like it much.
Mod
Awesome to see Deborah & Bronwyn on the Up and UP!
Just under 3 weeks to go.
Here's a challenge: If you are disappointed with your selection, try read the book that you were least likely to read from the Pool. You might just be pleasantly surprised!
# 19Book #3
Book:
Date Read: 12 July
Rating: 4 stars
This was better than I thought was going be. I usually like Sophie Kinsella (not the shopoholic books, but her other ones are fun chick lit), but I was a bit worried this might simplify mental illness. I enjoyed it though and thought it got a good balance between the serious stuff and an easy read YA book. Yes, Audrey got better a bit fast, but I still thought it was good.
#12Book #7
Emma HealeyRating 5 stars.
Well planned and controlled by the author, so while suffering along with Maud one doesn't get exasperated with her.
Bronwyn wrote: "#12Book #7
Emma HealeyRating 5 stars.
Well planned and controlled by the author, so while suffering along with Maud one doesn't get exas..."
This has just arrived at the library for me (finally), so good to see you thought it was 5 star quality. ☺
#3Book #3
The Painter's Apprentice
Read: 9 July
Rated: 3 stars
I usually really enjoy this author's work. This one wasn't as great as her others, but still a pleasant enough read.
#14Book 5
13/07/16
4 stars
Debated between 4 and 5 stars for this book. Thoroughly enjoyed and will be passing on to my husband and son to read as well.
#2, Book 5
Finished 15/7
Rated: 4.5 stars.
This is exactly the kind of book I would have loved to read when I was 11 (and I really enjoyed it at 49 too). Will be looking for the rest in the series. Thank you to whoever nominated it!
#18 Book #5
Dead before Morning by Geraldine Evans
I think I picked this up as a freebie kindle, as not my usual genre. Was an average read, assuming the writing/characterisations get better as the series progresses, (there are 15 or something books after this one).
2 .5 stars.
#12Book #8
The Girl on the Train
I don't read many thrillers, but found this quite a good exception. I was interested to see how the author revealed the happenings through different viewpoints and time differences.
4.5 stars.
July 20th#8
18
The Girl on the Train
irritating MC
19
Written in Red
Not my thing. Been done before too often for me.
#14Book 6
21/07/16
3 stars
Opening line - 'I am a blood-soaked girl'.
I had high hopes for this book but I'd give it an 'OK'.
#2, Book 6
Finished 22/7
Rated: 5 stars.
Audio, read by the author. Perfect company for my drive to Taranaki and back these holidays. I feel like I'll be recommending this to a few people.
#12Book #9
Memorable because of the depth in the story. Some aspects of the writing make it 4 stars rather than 5.
Mod
Keep it up peeps! We are doing awesome. I'm loving everyone's feedback about the book pool reads. I've only managed 1 book, but I've had so many on the go that I haven't finished. Luckily,
there are 7 more days to go!
Mod
Book #3
Finished 25/7
3★
After a truly magnificent beginning for me this book lost momentum & became a slog.
& this will be as far as I get in the challenge, but I hope to read some of the other books later in the year.
Thanks Sharlene, it's been fun!
#12Book 10
David BenioffMixed feelings - memorable story versus the brutality of war
Mod
You have until tomorrow to add any final books that you have read over the last couple days. Leaderboard will be updated and a winner announced.
#12Book 11
Not what I expected from Ben Elton, but a gripping scenario.
5 stars
Sharlene, thank you for setting this challenge. I found it a lot of fun and discovered many new worthwhile books and authors.I made it into an expensive exercise by choosing to buy all the books I selected. At least they were ebooks via Kindle, not paper, and I supported other authors so all in a good cause!!
I hope all others who took up the challenge enjoyed it too! :)
I've not managed to get my current bookpool book finished, and I still have another that I got out of the library 5 weeks ago waiting for me to get around to it. whoops!!
Mod
I tend to loan the titles I am interested in at the very start of the challenge, and then by the time I get to them, they've expired!
I did that with Tu this time around. Maori literature is an area I am keen to read more of.
and There is always next time Darkpool!
Sharlene wrote: "...and There is always next time Darkpool! "Truth!!!
I love this challenge for getting me out of my normal reading routines. Biggest find for me this time was Alanna: The First Adventure. Picked up the next in the series from the library today!
I didn't even get to read all of the books I submitted! I started out well, but real life just got in the way in the end. Many of the offerings I had already read, and the ones I earmarked for reading were on loan. I have finally picked up one of mine, Elizabeth Is Missing, from the library so I will continue to read my list!What I enjoy about the Bookpool is not just the submitted selections, but hearing what others think about the books they read. A couple this time round got mixed reviews, so came off my list in favour of others that were liked, enticing me to try.
Looking forward to the next one, by which time I should have got the books I want to read from this one done!
Thanks Sharlene - I really enjoyed this challenge. Only read two of the three I submitted, but that's OK as I picked up a couple that I had been on my TBR list for ages, however I got - and still am - bogged down in The Luminaries. Despite enjoying it, I'm finding it a really tough read, but determined to get through it.My favourite reads from this pool have been In the Name of the Wind, All the Light We Cannot See and Ender's Game and I've really enjoyed reading through everyone else's reviews.
Looking forward to the next challenge already :)
Mod
And Bronwyn who snagged 2nd place!
It's definitely more of a challenge trying to find the books for a monthly Book Pool, so I'm glad that 2 monthly seems to work out for most people.
Hope to see ya'll at the next one!
Thanks Sharlene. I really enjoyed this challenge. I didn't do very well at keeping my record updated. Think I read three? Have just this minute finished a fourth? Look forward to reading more next time. It's been a busy couple of months. Thanks again.
Just finished The Secret Chord and found it very interesting and enjoyable. It is only the 2nd Geraldine Brooks I've read, but there is something about her writing style that really appeals to me. This read is prompting me to get "March" down off the bookshelf where it has been waiting for me to pick it up! (but first... another bookpool book I never quite got to: Name of the Wind.)
Mod
Sharlene, when you live alone, are awake a lot of the night, eat alone, don't watch TV, can't do much in the way of moving about and speed read you can read a book a day.I also had read quite a few of these books before which meant I could read them quickly.
The rules said you must finish the books. I did, even those I found a waste of time.
I was forced to read a lot of books I would never have chosen. I found a few surprise super reads so thank you everyone for suggesting your books and to Sharlene for the running the challenge.
Mod
I also had read quite a f..."
:( That is so sad!
I don't think you had to finish a book though (I had one dnf) It just doesn't count towards your total
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Book Loving Kiwis
Books mentioned in this topic
The Secret Chord (other topics)Elizabeth Is Missing (other topics)
Alanna: The First Adventure (other topics)
Tu (other topics)
Time and Time Again (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Geraldine Brooks (other topics)Emma Healey (other topics)
Emma Healey (other topics)
Bob Dylan (other topics)
Fleur Beale (other topics)
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Kia ora everyone. Sorry I haven't been present. The wi-fi at home was playing up so we have switched provider and gone unlimited. Now I'm back in the action!
I have updated the leaderboard.
PDR is in the lead with 13 books!
Deborah is coming second with 6 books.
There is still 4 weeks to catch up. WE CAN DO IT!