Lori Z's 2017 Homework

[Cherie]

I remember my girls watching the movie over and over. We loved the book and the movie!

[Lori Z]

I was wondering how well it translated to film, but from what you're saying it sounds pretty good. I'll have to track down a copy.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 10/26
Task #13 What is your favourite type of food? (Chinese, Italian, Mexican, etc) – Read a book set in the country or region of choice. (Chinese – set in China, Italian – set in Italy, etc.) If you chose a type of food that is not specific to a country, what region would you find it prevalent? Read a book set in that region. For example – Seafood would be prevalent in the coastal areas of Canada, United States, among others.
My Answer: Italian
Book Read: The Flight of the Falcon
Reason: Book is set in Italy
This was a good read, and my first by this author, although I did read bits and pieces of Rebecca and would like to eventually read the whole thing.

[Cherie]

Oh, Lori,

I hope you get a chance to get through Rebecca some day. It is a great story. (If you have the time too, seek out all of the versions of the movie - many are on-line. I had a wonderful time with this and was so interested in the slightly different endings and so surprised at all the different actors that have starred in them.).

I have read so many of her books and your Italy one is on my TBR.

[Lori Z]

Cherie wrote: "Oh, Lori,

I hope you get a chance to get through Rebecca some day. It is a great story. (If you have the time too, seek out all of the versions of the movie - many are on-line. I had a wonderful ..."

I think I've actually seen one of the versions, but was a long time ago. What I did read of the book I liked and don't know why I never finished it, I guess too many books, too little time.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 11/26
Task #26 Do you prefer a car or truck? – Read a book with your selection on the cover or in the title.
My Answer: Car
Book Read: Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women's Literary Society
Reason: There's a car on the cover.
This was an okay read. I think it might have been better if it was longer. I think the characters could have been developed better and the ending felt rushed.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 12/26
Task #32 What is the feature you are most often complimented on? – Read a book with that feature on the cover or in the title.
My Answer: Eyes
Book Read: Love Me to Death
Reason: There are eyes on the cover.
This was a really good read, my only problem with it was even though it was marked as first in series, it was a spin-off with characters and stories from other trilogies, and I wish I would have known that, cause I would have started with those books. Of course then I would have had to read something else for this task, lol, so it all worked out.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 13/26
Task #21 How many candles were on your last birthday cake? – Go to your TBR and order the shelf by number. Read the book that corresponds to your answer. If you picked “none” or “zero” as your answer, your number will be 100.
My Answer: none (should have been 53)
Book Read: Evidence of Life
Reason: This was the book at number 100 on my tbr pile.
This was a pretty good read although it did have some slow spots. It has been on my tbr pile since 2013, so thanks to this challenge its now on the read pile.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 14/26
Task #33 Would you rather encounter a ghost, an alien, or neither? – If ghost, read a ghost story. If alien, read a story with aliens in it. If neither, read a book about another supernatural being other than a ghost or alien (werewolf, vampire, witch, succubus, etc).
My Answer: Neither
Book Read: Shadow of Night
Reason: The book is about vampires and witches.
I enjoyed the 2nd book of this trilogy and look forward to finishing it in the near future.

[Cherie]

I really enjoyed the second book too!

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 15/26
Task #22 Have you been in an accident? – If yes, read a book set in a hospital, or with the word “accident” in title. If no, read a book that is a thriller, in which an accident is a high probability.
My Answer: Yes
Book Read: Accident
Reason: The word accident is in the title.
Its been a long time since I've read a Danielle Steel novel and I'm glad I found this one. While the romance was a little predictable the story kept me reading even when I got so mad about some things I wanted to throw the book across the room. Fortunately, I realized the book was on my Kindle and didn't throw it, lol. Still overall a good read.

[Cherie]

I had to find a second book to read for "accident". The first one was a total looser and I DNF'd it.

[Lori Z]

The same thing happened to me, Cherie. I had to abandon my first pick, just couldn't get into it. Did you find another one?

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm in the same boat. In fact, I think Cherie and I were buddy-reading it.

[Lori Z]

This was a pretty good read, even though some of the characters actions frustrated me. I could also recommend The Accident by Linwood Barclay. I read it before the challenge so I couldn't use it, but its a really good thriller.

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks Lori. I will consider both of those books.

[Lori Z]

Janice wrote: "Thanks Lori. I will consider both of those books."
You're welcome! :)

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 16/26
Task #29 What is your favourite flower? – Read a book with that selection on the cover or in the title. Or, read a book that you feel represents that flower in some way.
My Answer: Rose
Book Read: He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not
Reason: A rose on the cover. Turns out roses had a part in the story as well.
This was a good thriller that kept me guessing and I plan on reading more by this author.

[Cherie]

Lori Z wrote: "The same thing happened to me, Cherie. I had to abandon my first pick, just couldn't get into it. Did you find another one?"

Yes, I found another, that turned out to be a great read. Its Head Came Off by Accident: A Memoir was a great find. I looked at your book, but never really got into Danielle Steel. I did look at the book you recommended to Janice, but I had my heart set on the one I got and had already ordered it from the library.

[Lori Z]

Glad you found one you enjoyed.

[Cherie]

It is my FAVORITE thing about these challenges. The chance to find the gems (and the occasional duds, unfortunately) that you never would have read, without the challenge criteria.

[Lori Z]

I totally agree, Cherie.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 17/26
Task #38. Do you prefer tea, coffee, or water? – If tea or coffee, read a book with the word in the title, or set in a country where that beverage is a huge export (ie China for tea, Brazil for tea). If water, read a book with the word in the title, or set on/near a large body of water.
My Answer: Water
Book Read: Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
Reason: Most of this book was set on or under the ocean.
Another good read by Erik Larson. He includes so many interesting facts and is able to make a non-fiction book read like a novel.

[Janice, Moderator]

We've heard so much about the Titanic, and I'm afraid I don't know much about the Lusitania.

[Lori Z]

I didn't know hardly anything about it so I learned a lot from this book. It is strange how it hasn't received the attention like the Titanic, especially, in my opinion, it was even more horrific because the sinking was done on purpose.

[Janice, Moderator]

I wonder if it was because it happened during wartime when there were already horrific things going on. Perhaps there was too much distraction for people to fully grasp the significance.

[Lori Z]

That's a very valid point, Janice, considering all the death and destruction during wartime.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 18/26
Task #23 Do you prefer a shower or bath? – Read a book with your selected word in the title, or depicted on the cover.
My Answer: Shower
Book Read: Shower of Stars
Reason: The word shower is in the title.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. In the beginning I had my doubts about the premise and the meteorite info was a little dry. Fortunately, it turned around and without saying too much I enjoyed the damaged characters journey towards healing.

[Cherie]

The ratings look good. Glad you liked it. Happy finds that turn out to be good reads are the best!

[Lori Z]

Thanks, Cherie! I totally agree.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 19/26
Task #35 What type of holiday do you prefer? (Beach, Mountain, Camping, exotic, etc) – Read a book in that setting or that represents your choice.
My Answer: Beach
Book Read: Chalk Lines on the Beach
Reason: the word Beach is in the title and the book is set at the beach.
I was a little disappointed in this book. I read the 1st book in this series and enjoyed it, but with this one the plot seemed a little convoluted and some things weren't fully explained. It could have just been me, maybe I wasn't in the mood for it, but I just had trouble following it.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 20/26
Task #46 What is your Zodiac sign? – This one is wide open. Read a book that represents your zodiac sign in some way. Mine is Sagittarius (the archer). I could read a book with Sagittarius in the title, Archer in the title, author named Archer, bow and arrow on the cover, horse on the cover, a Western with Indians (bow & arrow).
My Answer: Gemini
Book Read: A Dad for Her Twins
Reason: The word Twins is in the title and that's the symbol for the Zodiac sign, Gemini.
Sweet little romance.

[Cherie]

Good link to your Zodiac sign. My oldest daughter is a Gemini and guess what I got after I had her? Twins! ^-^

[Lori Z]

Lol, Cherie, too funny!

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 21/26
Task #34 What is your favourite animal (other than domestic pets)? – Read a book with that creature on the cover, in the title, or in the story.
My Answer: Tiger
Book Read: Tiger Prince
Reason: the word Tiger is in the title
Steamy little romance.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 22/26
Task #15 What is your shoe size? (No halves; roll up to next number) – Select that number of books on your TBR, put them into the Fruit Machine (or another randomizer), and read the one that is selected. If you used European sizes, convert to US using this site: https://www.softmoc.com/ca/shoesize.asp That will reduce the number of books you need to plug into the Fruit Machine.
My Answer: 9
Book Read: Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Reason: I put 9 books in the fruit machine (can't remember which ones I submitted), this was the book that the fruit machine picked.
I'm glad this one was chosen. Its been on my tbr list since 2012. I really enjoyed this sequel. I think its always risky reading these sequels by other authors, but this one did a good job with the writing as well as what she saw happening to the characters.

[Cherie]

I have read several of the sequels or series books from the Pride and Prejudice book by Jane Austen. I have not read this one. There are many, many out there though. I thought Death Comes to Pemberley was pretty good. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was a crack-up, if you enjoyed the original story.

[Lori Z]

Cherie wrote: "I have read several of the sequels or series books from the Pride and Prejudice book by Jane Austen. I have not read this one. There are many, many out there though. I thought ..."

I'm sure I still have more Pride and Prejudice sequels on my tbr pile. I did read Death Comes to Pemberley a few years ago and thought it was okay, but it might have just been poor timing on my part. I have not read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but did enjoy the movie, might have to try the book. I really enjoy Carrie Bebris's Mr and Mrs Darcy's mystery series. It has the Darcy's solving mysteries that involve characters from other Jane Austen novels.

[Cherie]

I have added her first book to my TBR. Thanks!

[Lori Z]

You're welcome! ;)

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 23/26
Task #36 If you had to lose one of the 5 senses, which would you prefer it to be? – Read a book with that word in the title, or read a book where a character is afflicted by that same loss.
My Answer: Smell
Book Read: The Sweet Smell of Murder
Reason: the word Smell was in the title.
This was an okay read, typical cozy mystery. I'm adding it to my series list but it probably won't be a high priority.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 24/26
Task #11 What is your birthday month? – Read a book with the selected month in the title, or set during that month.
My Answer: June
Book Read: That Day in June
Reason: The word June is in the title.
I had my doubts about this one when I first started it but it turned out to be a pretty good read. Two damaged people find each other and help each other heal.

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 25/26
Task #14 What is something you use daily? (brush, computer, car, get creative) - Read a book with that word in the title. Or, is on the cover. Or…. Get creative. What kind of book will represent that item?
My Answer: Glasses
Book Read: The Lady in the Car with the Glasses and a Gun
Reason: The word Glasses is in the title, plus the MC was nearsighted, like me.
This was an okay mystery, a little hard to follow at times, and I was a little dissatisfied by the ending.

[Cherie]

Funny thing about glasses is that we wear them as well as use them. I guess it could apply to hearing aids too. I guess it could be different if you only used them for reading vs. to "see". : )
Don't mind me, just rambling...

[Lori Z]

Hmmm, never really thought about it like that I guess cause I'm one of those that use them to see. :)

[Lori Z]

Part 3
Book 26/26
Task #47 What is your height in inches? – Go to your TBR shelf and sort by number. Read the book that matches your answer. If you don’t have that many books on your TBR, select a listopia on a topic you are interested and read the book with the corresponding number to your height.
My Answer: 62 inches
Book Read: Murder Packs a Suitcase
Reason: At the time I did my homework, this book was number 62 on my TBR shelf.
I really enjoyed this cozy and will read more by this author.

[Cherie]

Awesome! You finished the whole challenge!

[Lori Z]

Thanks Cherie!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Way to go Lori!!

[Lori Z]

Thanks Rusalka!