Summer 2017 Reading Challenge: Something old, something new . . .

[A.L.]

Here’s our summer reading challenge: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. (It is the traditional wedding season.)

We’ll have the challenge from June 1 to September 30, so you can complete it with an average of one book a month. Can’t fit in four? That’s okay—join us anyway! For a book to count toward the challenge, it should be fiction by an LDS author.

Here are the details:

Something old: a book first published at least 10 years ago, or something you’ve read before

Something new: a book first published in 2016 or 2017

Something borrowed: borrow from a library, a friend, Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, or DB Bookshelf Plus

Something blue: a book with a predominantly blue cover

[A.L.]

And here are some blue book ideas:


Feel free to add other ideas!

[A.L.]

Here's a link to the Goodreads challenge-tracker: https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...

[Joseph]

I'm joining.

[Julie]

Can we do it in a different order than listed. I have already started a borrowed and a new lds fiction books

[A.L.]

Joseph wrote: "I'm joining."

That's great! Do you have any books picked out yet?

[A.L.]

Julie wrote: "Can we do it in a different order than listed. I have already started a borrowed and a new lds fiction books"

Absolutely! Read them in any order you like.

[A.L.]

Julie, what books are you reading so far?

[Jennie]

Four of my books have blue covers:
Breaking Point
Shudder
When Tomorrow Comes
The River Path
The original cover of my first book Run Away Home was blue too.

[A.L.]

Thanks, Jennie! I'll edit them into the above post.

[Julie]

I am reading the undercover groom by Taylor Hart for the new category. The Heirs of Southbridge by Jennie Hansen for borrowed on my Deseret book plus library.

[Kristen]

I will join. Here is my list:

Old - House on the hill : a novel by Annette Lyon
New - Summerlost by Allyson Condie
Borrowed - Miss Burton unmasks a prince : a regency romance by Jennifer Moore
Blue - The Cenote by Chelsea Dyreng

[A.L.]

Great choices, Julie and Kristen. I haven't read any of those, so please share your thoughts with the group as you read them.

I think I'm going to read The Orphan Keeper for my borrowed book. (Assuming I get it before the end of September. I'm #118 on the waiting list, but there are 19 copies.)

This is next up in the read-aloud-to-my-kids list: The Wrong Side of Magic. I'm planning on using it for the new book, but it's also kind of blue, so I'll wait and see which other books I pick.

[Laura]

Here is another story that could fit into the Blue category, which I just finished reading and loved. It's the sequel to Eruption, which could fit into the Old category

[A.L.]

Thanks, Laura, I'll add it in! (I think all the blue covers look nice together. Maybe we should have a "read the rainbow" challenge sometime, hehe.)

[Laura]

That would be fun!

[Danielle]

I am reading a non-fiction book right now for research, which falls under blue--Among the Mermaids--by Varla Ventura. It's really good!

If anyone would like to read an "old" book off my backlist, visit my GR page, and I'll be happy to send you a copy of an ebook if it's Indie; a pdf reviewers' copy if it's with a publisher.

Cheers!

[Julie]

I just finished "Undercover Groom" by Taylor Hart. It was well written and a little predictable. The main character Ava decides to pretend she is Nick's fiancée, someone she just met but also a friend of her friend Frank. Nick is the perfect person to protect her from an abusive ex- husband. Nick is a cop, and has an impressive experiences that make him a better guy for Ava to fall in love with. Just like movies, the characters had chemistry with each other. I enjoyed this story as a new book to read.

[A.L.]

That's a great offer, Danielle!

Thanks for the info on your "new" book, Julie! I'm glad you enjoyed it. That can be a fun premise, where people pretend to be in a relationship and then really fall in love (I've used it before, lol).

I haven't started any for the challenge yet. But I only have two chapters left in the book I'm reading to the kids, and then I'll start my "new" book.

[Joseph]

A.L. wrote: "And here are some blue book ideas:

by Gerald N. Lund ?

[Joseph]

Joseph wrote: "A.L. wrote: "And here are some blue book ideas:

[A.L.]

I'll add that one too!

[Julie]

I just finished The Heirs of Southbridge. It was my borrowed category. I was not sure if I would like it, not because of the time period or story but the majority was told from the character of Clayton's experiences, I guess when I read the summary on the back I usually choose one about a female. I enjoyed this story about Clayton living in the late 1800's, he has strong ties to his family and inherits an Alabama plantation. The author did a great job keeping the story interesting with bad guys, with evil intentions, who needed to be fought, I liked how Clayton did not let his injury keep him from what he wanted. Also his bride Lucy, was a good character and the descriptions were great of her and her circumstances. I like this author a lot and I have others in my library I have read.

[A.L.]

That means you've got two down, right Julie? Happy half-way! (At this rate, you could do the challenge a couple times over before it ends.)

[Joseph]

A.L. wrote: "Here’s our summer reading challenge: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. (It is the traditional wedding season.)

We’ll have the challenge from June 1 to September 30,..."

Can you read more than one book by the same author?

[A.L.]

Sure.

[Debbie]

I'm in!

[A.L.]

That's great, Debbie!

[Kristen]

Finished the Old book: House on the Hill
Lizzie is a young woman growing up in Cache Valley, Utah as the LDS temple is being built in Logan. She is struggling with the sacrifices being asked of her family and questioning whether there is a God, because if there is, then He is ignoring her.

Parts of this book were interesting and even compelling. Other parts were boring or frustrating. Basically the story suffers because it is an early novel from the author. From other reviewers, I understand the second book, At the Journey's End, is more fulfilling to read.

[Joseph]

Another blue one...(although it is Book #5 in the series)

by Chris Stewart

[Joseph]

Is Chris Stewart the same Chris Stewart who is a Utah Congressman?

[A.L.]

Kristen wrote: "Parts of this book were interesting and even compelling. Other parts were boring or frustrating. Basically the story suffers because it is an early novel from the author. "

Thanks for the update on your book, Kristen. I've been looking at a few old books, and I keep thinking "I'd rather read this author's newer stuff, because they've probably learned something in the last 10 years that would make their newer stuff better." (I will find something old by September, or reread something.)

[A.L.]

Joseph wrote: "Is Chris Stewart the same Chris Stewart who is a Utah Congressman?"

Yes. And I'll add a few of his books to the blue list.

[Connie]

I'm in! I just finished Petticoat Spy so that is my something new. I'm going to reread One in Thine Hand by Gerald Lund for something old. I'll post the other two as soon as I figure out what they will be.

[A.L.]

That's great, Connie!

Petticoat Spy is on my to-read list. How did you like it? I recently read a nonfiction book about spies during the Revolutionary War. Interesting stuff!

[Julie]

The first book in my Buxton Peak series counts as something blue!
Also, all three books in the series were published in 2016 and 2017 so they could all count as something New!
and
-Julie L. Spencer

[A.L.]

Julie wrote: "The first book in my Buxton Peak series counts as something blue!
Also, all three books in the series were published in 2016 and 2017 ..."

I'll add it in, Julie!

[Connie]

I really enjoyed The Petticoat Spy! I'm thinking I'll read Winter Sky for something blue and for something borrowed I'll check out Deseret Rain by Jean Holbrook Matthews from the library or see if I can borrow my friend's copy.

[Julie]

I posted in the wrong spot. Just read Perfect timing by Michelle Ashman Bell. It is a good book. I had forgotten how the girl Kenidee had thought things would go smoothly after her mission. She thought she would marry the boy she was waiting for, but he was not the one for her. I had a daughter come home from Peru because she was sick. She has tried to figure out now that she is home, what she wants to do get married or go to school etc. I know it was a good experience for her and will help her in the decisions she will make and her testimony of the gospel. It is hard to see the good things our trials are teaching us when we are in the middle of them. This was an old book I had read before.

[Lucinda]

I'm not sure I'll be able to join the challenge this summer. I'm reading, but probably not something that will fall into the parameters.
I'm also under a very tight deadline for my next book coming out in October, and I'll have to read less. Wish me luck!

[A.L.]

Julie wrote: "I posted in the wrong spot. Just read Perfect timing by Michelle Ashman Bell. It is a good book. I had forgotten how the girl Kenidee had thought things would go smoothly after her mission. She tho..."

That's nice when a book you're reading has themes that are applicable to situations in your current life (or your daughter's). How does it compare to the first time you read it?

[A.L.]

Lucinda wrote: "I'm not sure I'll be able to join the challenge this summer. I'm reading, but probably not something that will fall into the parameters.
I'm also under a very tight deadline for my next book comin..."

Good luck balancing reading and writing time, Lucinda (and with finishing the next book)! Let us know if anything happens to fall into one of the categories for the challenge.

[Debbie]

I just finished A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY .. with a predominantly blue cover. :) it was a fun read

[Kristen]

I just finished Summerlost by Allie Condie. This book filled my something new catagory.

It is a middle grade coming of age book about grief and loss. While I did enjoy it, I wasn't entranced or left pondering the plot and themes.

[A.L.]

Debbie, glad you liked your read!

Kristen, glad that even though yours didn't entrance you, it was at least enjoyable.

[Joseph]

A.L. wrote: "Joseph wrote: "I'm joining."

That's great! Do you have any books picked out yet?"

I have five I am going to choose from:

The Undaunted : The Miracle of the Hole-in-the-Rock Pioneers by Gerald N. Lund

Like a Fire Is Burning by Gerald N. Lund

Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites by Chris Heimerdinger

Saints by Orson Scott Card

Eve: In the Beginning by H.B. Moore

[A.L.]

I think Eve: In the Beginning is my favorite of the books I've read by Heather/H.B. And it's been a long time since I read the Work and the Glory (20 years maybe?), but I still remember many of the characters, so I think that says something good about the books. Same with the Tennis Shoes series--it's been a while, but I enjoyed them back when I read them. Good options, Joseph!

[Joseph]

I thought Eve: In the Beginning could be my "something new" book. I believe it was published in 2015. That is relatively new.

[Cathy]

I've currently read something borrowed: The Broken Road by Richard Paul Evans (from the library) and something new: Love on Pointe by Tiffany Odekirk.

[A.L.]

Joseph and Cathy, I'm glad you're finding books for the challenge!

I finally finished my first one, something new:
The Wrong Side of Magic by Janette Rallison. I read it to my twins and we all enjoyed it.

For our next read aloud, we're doing something blue (and new, it's not even out yet, but I have an ARC): Mustaches for Maddie by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. (And no, I won't read every book in the challenge to my kids, but that's how the first two are working out.)