Leslie's 2017 Book Buddy Challenge

[Ela]

I need more challenges!

[Grey]

I need to stop squirrelling lol!

[Tessa]

Alright, Marked... I've read it MANY years ago. lol

[Nay]

Grey wrote: "I need to stop squirrelling lol!"

Me too, Grey!

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications]

I've only squirreled one book so far this month. But I need to get back to it. It's been a rough reading month for some strange reason. I've been rushing and falling behind on my schedule all month.

[Leslie]

Currently reading Grey's 5*****

The King

[Grey]

*Squee*

[Leslie]

Grey, I didnt realize how much I missed Kingsley.

[Robin]

I finished Melinda's 5 Star, 53 Letters for My Lover today, and I'm not actually rating it. It's me, not the book. The beginning is confusing if you can't pay close attention because the names are difficult to remember and it bounces back and forth a little bit--and I definitely can't pay close attention right now. I kept going because I love Attar and her writing style. Last night at 1am I was in the meat of it and there were big tears, but then it slowed down and I skimmed the rest. I think if I could have focused, I might have given it 4 stars, but as it is? IDK, 3?

[Leslie]

Robin, you were better than me, I couldnt get into it. Def not my type of book.

[Robin]

Leslie wrote: "Robin, you were better than me, I couldnt get into it. Def not my type of book."

If it wasn't 1st person present tense, I may have put it off, but I really needed the writing boost. I haven't read this month because I need to write, but not reading really effed up my writing. Go figure.

[Leslie]

1st person, present tense is my preferred style to read.

[Robin]

I think it's only my preference because that's what I write. But I really like reading past tense. Sometimes when I hate a scene I'm writing, I'll just read it in past tense and it sounds so much better! But then I can't make it 2 sentences without going...wait what word should I be using?

[Jan]

Leslie wrote: "1st person, present tense is my preferred style to read."

Interesting. I sometimes find that style a bit tedious to read. In general I don't enjoy books in present tense. I guess I'm old school cos I feel most comfortable with 3rd person past tense. I just slide into the story and forget about the telling of it. Whereas present tense can make me feel on edge and I keep getting pulled out of the story. But there are always exceptions and I have enjoyed some 1st-p-pres books. I know it's a fairly common writing style at the moment so I guess I'd better just get with the programme.

[Robin]

Have you guys read 3rd person present tense? A friend sent me a sample and it took us forever to figure out what was "off." Finally I was like, OMG it's present tense!

[Nay]

Robin--that is so similar to what happened to me with The Paper Swan (the part from the 'meat' of it to the end). I went back and forth between giving it 3 or 4 stars, but my problem was that I listened to the audiobook and it was also during my reading slump, so, of course, it's not that it was bad, it just didn't hold my attention. I ended up giving it 4 stars because I knew it was a 'me' thing and the writing was great.

[Jan]

Robin wrote: "Have you guys read 3rd person present tense? A friend sent me a sample and it took us forever to figure out what was "off." Finally I was like, OMG it's present tense!"

Huh? Sounds weird.

'She walks into the room. Sees a hot guy. Rawr.........'

That would be a kinda weird style to read for a whole book. Feels a bit artificial or forced.

[Robin]

It was odd. And even more so because it took us a while to figure it out!! I'm talking to said fried now. Let me see what it was. I remember it was a popular book and she did end up liking it.

[Nay]

I found Memoirs of a Geisha and The Night Circus listed as 3PPT. Was it either of those?

[Nay]

Well, MofaG looks like 3rd person past tense to me, so whoever listed that was incorrect...

[Jan]

Renee wrote: "Well, MofaG looks like 3rd person past tense to me, so whoever listed that was incorrect..."

Yeah I read that years ago and don't remember it having an unusual style.

[Nay]

The Night Circus is 3rd person present

[Robin]

It was The Couple Next Door.

[Robin]

by Shari Lapena

[Nay]

Ela has that on her pick-for-me list!

[Ela]

Should i take it off?

[Grey]

Leslie... I know. it makes me want to read the whole dang series again... I tweeted back and forth with Tiffany Reisz a couple weeks ago.... she tells me she is gonna write about Zach and Nora's stolen week at some point here, I will literally melt for it... 😍

[Leslie]

Grey, I am fan-girling on your behalf.

[Ela]

Yeah, read the first book in the series and not a fan of the trope. So I probably will not continue with them...

[Lisa]

For June, I am picking one of Ela's 5 start reads - Jezebel!!! Woot woot!

[Robin]

I love Jezebel! K Larsen popped into Emma's Entourage last night and of course I didn't even realize it was THAT K Larsen. 🙄

[Ela]

Lisa wrote: "For June, I am picking one of Ela's 5 start reads - Jezebel!!! Woot woot!"

Nice and creepy and dark! ENJOY and remember there's an after Novella.

[Grey]

Lisa wrote: "For June, I am picking one of Ela's 5 start reads - Jezebel!!! Woot woot!"

SOOOOOO Jealous!! OMG, I FLoved Jezebel so hard! Can't wait to hear what you think!

[Michelle]

Leslie! You DNF'd After Hours??? GASP! Ok. Love in English should work for you then, I hope!

You're reading The King? Did you read the whole series first? I'd be lost if I hadn't!

[Leslie]

Michelle, I know...I was so disappointed I couldnt get into After Hours. I am sure I will love Love in English though.

Yes, I read Original Sinners (first four books) years ago when they were new. I never got around to finishing the follow up books...so I am tackling those now!

[Leslie]

I finished my pick for Grey.

The King - 4 ****

I liked it! It was cool going back to see how Kingsley created his "kingdom". *giggles* I think if I would have read this in succession with other books it would have been 4.5 to 5 stars (or if it was a bit shorter..it dragged a teeny bit). Unfortunately I seem to lose my enthusiasm for series when there is long stretch between books. However, I do still have much affection for these characters and I cried when (view spoiler)[Kingsley went to visit Grace. Him holding the baby,
gifting Grace all that money and finding out the dutch words Soren says mean "I love you "...that whole scene made me teary. (hide spoiler)]

[Grey]

I know!!! gah! I think I am going to do a reread on these soon. I've been in a bit of a funk myself. and there's nothing like this cast to pull me out!

[Jan]

Rereads of favs are a great way to get out of a book funk . That is if there's no great newie on the horizon, of course ;)

[Lisa]

Knocked another off my list choosing Ela's 5 star read Jezebel (and its companion). Jezebel was a solid 5. Lying in Wait only got a 4 from me. I really enjoyed it, but it left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth regarding her "method of revenge"

[Robin]

Lisa wrote: "Knocked another off my list choosing Ela's 5 star read Jezebel (and its companion). Jezebel was a solid 5. Lying in Wait only got a 4 from me. I really enjoyed it, but it left a bit of a bad taste ..."

(view spoiler)[I was the same way. I don't think it was the method so much as reading it play out that bothered me. It was still awesome, but the magic was in Jezebel. (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

For July's 5 star challenge, I am picking Left Drowning by Jessica Park which was one of Fabi's 5 stars....woot woot!! Imma gettin ready for July

[Leslie]

You go Lisa! I think that book is an anti-Leslie one, so I am sure you will love it. 😘

[Leslie]

I am starting one of Nay's (and many of you all 5***** this too) faves: The Ground Rules

I've never read a story like this and I need something a little different.

[Grey]

Ooooh, The Ground Rules!!! Good luck, Leslie!!!

[Leslie]

Thanks Grey! I am looking forward to it. Its been on my tbr forever and I remember Maryse gushing over it.

[Grey]

Loved it!!!

[Nay]

Hope you enjoy it, Leslie!

[Leslie]

I am only a few chapters in but very intriguing so far!

[Leslie]

I finished Ground Rules. WOW!! That is a mind-f@ck. It was very Author Anonymous-ish and I loved it!!

4.5****

[Grey]

yay!!!