Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion
Monthly Reading Challenges
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September 2009 Reading Challenge
8/9 completed8. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - Ann
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Josie wrote: "LOL. You should check out my list for Oct. I've been reading your reviews and looking forward to it!..."I'm glad I offered some inspiration for your October list. And I'm glad you added Lover Awakened to the list (pink does so totally NOT fit that book). It's the best one I've read so far.
I really like the challenge but I'm not sure if I should participate as at this rate I'll be running out of books to read fast... Although.. the colour thing just inspires me to get creative... :D
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Finally finished! I decided to swap out Voyager (book three in the Outlander series) for Fire Study since its approx 1000 pages and I finished that first. The Outlander series is addicting, and the author is great. I just feel that at times she's a little too detailed for my taste, sometimes causing to be a little too long. But overall, Voyager was a great story, I love the hero and heroine. I'll definitely be continuing with this series.
Michelle in TN
Everything I'd heard about the Norton twins was true - they did not disappoint - and Ken is now battling it out with Gator as my favorite Ghostwalker. Both books were dark and furthered the Ghostwalker mystery, but I think I prefered Ken and Mari to Jack and Briony - although I loved them all.2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Jan)
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Also read:
Update time - September 26So far we have 67 participants.
Shazzy - 8 books read
Michelle M - 6 books read
Melissa - 5 books read
Michelle in TN - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Ann in VA - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Shannon - 4 books read
Jo - 3 books read
Amber
Looloo - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Angie - 7 books read
Tonya
Lucy - 7 books read
Jennie - 7 books read
FlibBityFLoob - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Wendy - 6 books read
Amanda
Josie - 7 books read
Kelly - 6 books read
Mel W (me) - 8 books read
DarkHeart - 8 books read
K - 6 books read
Sandy - 6 books read
Felicity - 5 books read
Chris - 4 books read
Nita - 6 books read
Shanna - 1 book read
Valerie - 3 books read
Linda Grace - 2 books read
Evangeline
Cherra - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Jessica - 6 books read
Lori - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Barbara
Shannon - 7 books read
Yz - 3 books read
BJ Rose - 7 books read
Amelia - 7 books read
Token Female Gamer - 6 books read
Tricia - 2 books read
Kristel - 8 books read
Nichole - 4 books read
Jael - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Tammy - 8 books read
Lady Ozma
Amy - 7 books read
Mel - 8 books read
Marilyn
Jan - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Diana - 6 books read
Emoore0916
Vicci - 6 books read
Heather - 7 books read
Corrupt
Missk2u
Sam - 1 book read
Lu
Trish - 8 books read
Jennifer
Sarahy
BrandyS - 9 books read - Challenge complete! Congratulations!
Cathy - 7 books read
Carla
Samantha - 5 books read
Sarah - 2 books read
Kelli - 8 books read
The following have signed-up since the last update:
Annvelwis - 8 books read
Assirahc - 4 (?) books read
Group's running total of books read: 331
To date, nine participants have completed the challenge.
Signing up will remain open throughout the entire month.
Note: For ease of tracking, please repost your official list with your progress after every update. Striking out the title and/or a finished date after the book's name will be best.
Enjoy your reading, everyone!
Final update will be October 1.
7 of 9 complete1.
2.Vampires Are Forever by Lynsay Sands from Jael
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7.City of Bones by Cassandra Clare from Tm
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Done finally had to change some stuff up.
One more left and I'm switching it because I am still waiting for Touch the Dark so I added back Forest of Hands and Teeth. After I finish it tonight I'll post some reviews!1.
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8.The Forest of Hands and Teeth -Amber
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Also read so far:
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Down to the last one - I might make it after all!7/9
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2. Melissab: Rapture in Deathby J.D. Robb
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Also read this month:
A Light in the Storm by Karen Hesse 4.5****
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen 5*****
Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart 5*****
The Scot and I by Elizabeth Thornton 3.5***
The Runaway McBride by Elizabeth Thornton 4****
Fiction Class by Susan Breen 4****
The Case of the Missing Books 3.5***
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn 4****
Black Powder War by Naomi Novik 4****
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson 3.5***
When Calls the Heart 3.5***
All Quiet on the Western Front 4.5****
Cotillion by Georgette Heyer 5*****
Woohoo I'm finally done! I really tried to stick to my original list but I don't even now if any of the same books are on it now! I wrote personal reviews on every book I read (I am a horrible writer though) but I'll review my 9 challenge books here:1.
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Also read so far:
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Reviews:
[image error] I read these stories back to back because I got the combined book. To me this series would be in the bottom ranks for the YA vampire genre. I honestly cannot believe they chose this series to make a tv show. To me the books were predictable and writing is very simple.
[image error] After reading Succubus Blues I couldn't help myself and had to read the second right away. I love this series! It's fun and sexy and action packed and I want to read more!
This is the first book in a series about a ghost whisperer :) Very entertaining. Will read the rest of the series for sure.
Second book in the Evernight series. The backgrounds of the characters were revealed more in this book. I'm rooting for Biance to end up with Balthazar :)[image error] Book 4 of the House of the Night series. This is one of my favorite series right now. This book to me was just a lead up to the next two books. Drama revolves around Zooey's love interests, her relationship with her friends and finding out what Neferet's intentions are.
[image error] After getting into the Succubus series I wanted to read what else Mead writes so I started this series. It took me a little bit to get into this book just because i don't really care for magic but as I read I loved it! I like the different world's she goes between and Kiyo and Dorian are both great love interests. I can't wait to see what happens next.
This was a creepy book about zombies. You don't really know what time period it's set in until the end and I liked that. The feelings of the characters was what stood out to me. I did not like the ending though.
This was a very tender story with really strong characters. For being such a short book I was surprised at how real the characters felt. This had me in tears by the end of it and really I think it's a book you can only read once so as not to ruin the effect.Sorry this was loooooong :) I'm not a good reviewer but hopefully they help someone!
They helped me! I added two new books to my TBR-pile. So far this thread has been really inspiring :)
Mel wrote: "They helped me! I added two new books to my TBR-pile. So far this thread has been really inspiring :)"Excellent! Glad I could help and I hope you like the books!
1 more down. I've finally given up on the Lynsay Sands story in Dates from Hell so I hereby declare it finished.
2,5 starsDates from Hell is an anthology with 4 short stories. Frankly, only the Kim Harrison and Kelly Armstrong story are worth buying the book. I'll give a short review of them all:
Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison 4 stars
This is a story about Ivy and told from Ivy's POV. It's a good way to better get to know the ever mysterious Ivy Tamwood although after finishing the story I can't say I'm all the wiser.
The story can’t be called PNR. It's a sad story about murder, torture and love.
The story is well written but quite 'heavy' and packed with information, so -to be honest- I can't imagine it being interesting for people who haven't read the Hollows series.
Still: it was really well written and I' liked seeing the Hollows world through different eyes than Rachel's. Too bad Kisten couldn't have stayed with Ivy.
The Claire Switch Project by Lynsay Sands 1 star
Claire gets hit by a laser beam which turns her into a shape shifter. She uses her powers to turn her high school reunion into a double date fiasco.
Oh. My. God. This was so terrible I couldn't finish it. And I always finish everything however much I hate it!
It felt like it was written by a 12-year old for 12 year olds. Horrible!
I have never read anything by Lynsay Sands, but if this story is indicative, I'll never will.
Chaotic by Kelley Armstrong 5 stars
Hope is half human half chaos demon tabloid reporter who works for the Interracial Council. At a charity ball she bumps into werewolf Karl Marsten and things become chaotic.
This was a great story. It was well written, exciting, engaging and fun (Hope is really funny). And it made me fall in love with Karl Marsten. Karl Marsten: the perpetually sly, egocentric, tricky werewolf loner who's never to be trusted. The dialogue between him and Hope was wonderful and it immediately made me want to read two other Armstrong books which had them featured (they're also on the September list).
Dead Man Dating by Lori Handeland 2,5 stars
Kit, who usually never dates and is a virgin, suddenly has men lined up who want her. And they want more from her then just a date.
This story started out good. Kit was funny, Chavez was mysterious, the story was entertaining. But halfway through it seemed the writer ran out of time and had her 15-year old cousin finish the story. It got really simplistic and sappy. Truly a waste cause of the nice start.
So any of you who are thinking of buying Dates From Hell: REALLY think about it. Thank God I read it on line. Yay for Wattpad!
So: 8 down, 1 more to go. 1.
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4. Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward (Shannon) currently reading
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One left
. I'll be done with it by tomorrow :)
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8. Ghostland from Amber (Ebook)
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Also Read:
Thunderbird Falls by C. E. Murphy
Update for 09/28/2009Poison Study Nita CURRENTLY READING
All done!
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1 more to go! I think I'll actually get through all 9 this month!1.
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6. Greywalker by Kat Richardson (Amber)
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Mel wrote: "1 more down. Chaotic by Kelley Armstrong 5 stars
Hope is half human half chaos demon tabloid reporter who works for the Interracial Council. At a charity ball she bumps into werewolf Karl Marsten and things become chaotic.
This was a great story. It was well written, exciting, engaging and fun (Hope is really funny). And it made me fall in love with Karl Marsten..."
There's actually a book on Karl!! Really liked him, not so much in Bitten, but in one of the other short stories.
Didn't know..so Thanks Mel. I'm off to find me a copy.
I tried real hard, but don't think i can finish Blood And Chocolate. Struggling.So swapping it for Storm Born, which i had in my initial list and should never have removed in the first place.
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Finished!1.
Night World, No. 2 Dark Angel; The Chosen; Soulmate
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Pretties Review:
This book I gave 3 stars. I'm really not getting into this series, but I am reading Specials. I think Pretties was better than Uglies, but so far Specials has really been lacking.
See you all in the October RC.
Alas! I won't be able to finish the challenge do to budget constraints! :(Oh well, there's always next month! :D
K wrote: "There's actually a book on Karl!! Really liked him, not so much in Bitten, but in one of the other short stories. Didn't know..so Thanks Mel. I'm off to find me a copy. ..."
You're very welcome :)
I know there's a short story about Karl, written in his POV. It's on Armstrong's website but I can't remember if it was part of an anthology.
So then there's the short story in Dates from Hell (which I advice you to read before the books, though it's not neccecary it does make it more fun). Then we see Hope and Karl in No Humans Involved though I should warn you: we don't really see them much together. After that Hope gets her own book Personal Demon. Lots of Karl there.
Both books are great! Good luck :)
Poor Amelia. We have to find a way to get all that book pushing of yours funded. You'd be a millionaire...
LOL. Good! I have a new force reading project too :) How did that t-shirt idea turn out?
I wasn't able to do it as of yet. Rest assured though, I WILL be lurking around Hobby Lobby in the near future to get the supplies! lolWhat's your new force reading project? BDB? XD
Well I've got a new person to force read and I think I'm going to push both the BDB and Cassie Palmer series. You can never have too much of goodness :D
Trish wrote: "Finished!1.
Night World, No. 2 Dark Angel; The Chosen; Soulmate (Rosalia)
2. Night World, No. 3 Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight (Allison Erland)
3. [book:Bl..."
Trish, how did you like the Nightworld books? I have them in my TBR pile but haven't gotten around to reading them yet (that may have something to do with having over 550 books in my TBR pile!!).
9/9 completed - All done!Halfway to the Grave was excellent! I really have no idea why it has been on my TBR shelf for so long - going to have work Book 2 into October's challenge :)
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Mel wrote: "K wrote: "There's actually a book on Karl!! Really liked him, not so much in Bitten, but in one of the other short stories. Didn't know..so Thanks Mel. I'm off to find me a copy. ..."
You're..."
Thanks Mel. I apparently had the anthology already and didn't know it. So just finished reading Chaotic. I'm still on Industrial Magic, wont take to long to get to book 8.
Mel wrote: "1 more down. I've finally given up on the Lynsay Sands story in Dates from Hell so I hereby declare it finished.
2,5 starsDates from Hell..."
That's interesting, because Sands' Argeneau series is very funny with some great characters. I haven't read the story you mentioned, but I wouldn't swear off her work based on it.
7/91. Eyes Like Stars / Shannon
8. The Accidental Vampire / Amelia
Also read:
The Vicious Vet, M.C. Beaton ****
Finally read Destined for an Early Grave. I was disappointed by much that went on, but the last quarter of the book was interesting enough for partial redemption. And I really like Vlad.
Mel wrote: "9/9 completed - All done!"Congratulations, Mel!
Kelli, I liked the Night World series. I liked the fact that they touched on a lot of the PN beings (vamps, witch, etc.), and they all tie into eachother in one way or another. I would definitely recommend. Cant wait for the next one, Strange Fate. It's coming out April 6, 2010. Hope you like them.
Happy readings K!Congrats Mel!
Michelle M. wrote: "That's interesting, because Sands' Argeneau series is very funny with some great characters. I haven't read the story you mentioned, but I wouldn't swear off her work based on it..."
Yes I heard really good things about Sands. And since I have the first Argeneau book on my TBR-list I'll probably give that a try anyway. Provided that it's NOTHING like the Claire Switch project. Bah!
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One more to go! Stayed up late Saturday to finish Poison Study(****). Can't wait to read the sequel Magic Study in October.1.
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5.Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead (Michelle M)
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My last book:
Mod
Lucy, I think that Poison Study was the strongest of the 3 "Study" books. I did enjoy Magic, just not quite as much as Poison. Even so--I am the proud owner of all three books AND they are all autographed. Maria is really good about that, since she does appreciate her reading public.
Ann wrote: Lucy, I think that Poison Study was the strongest of the 3 "Study" books. I did ..."Thanks Ann, good to know about the Study books- hopefully I'm not too disappointed. You know, I checked out Poison from the library and it was also autographed! I have not noticed too many autographed library books.
COMPLETED 9/281.
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Completed my first challenge!! :) Now I have to make my list for October...1) Urban Shaman- C.E. Murphy 9.6.09 (Angie)
2) Thunderbird Falls- C.E. Murphy 9.10.09 (Joseph)
3) Vampire Diaries:The Awakening and the Struggle- L.J. Smith 9.13.09 (Sarah)
4) Cravings- LKH, Maryjanice Davidson, et.al. 9.14.09 (Looloo)
5) Wolf Moon- Charles de Lint 9.16.09 (Dawn)
6) Storm Front- Jim Butcher 9.18.09 (Yz)
7) Fool Moon- Jim Butcher 9.21.09 (Anne)
8) Coyote Dreams- C.E. Murphy 9.23.09 (Sandy)
9) Marked-P.C. Cast 9.28.09 (Trish)
7 Done1. The Devil's Due (Lenore)
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Michelle M. wrote: "7/9Finally read Destined for an Early Grave. I was disappointed by much that went on, but the last quarter of the book was interesting enough for partial redemption. And I really like Vlad.
I really like Vlad too. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.
Wendy, he seems more developed than a lot of the characters, particularly in Destined. And he's got maturity and mystique going for him. I just loved the sleepover, but I felt sad for him as he seems lonely. I wish she was writing his book right now instead of Mencheres'!
Alright I am calling it for the September ChallengeI completed these books:
Once Bitten, Twice Shy - Lynn
Stargirl - Andy
Dreamfever - Winnie
Succubus Blues - Deb K
Dark Lover - Jeannine
Thirteen Reasons Why - Shannon
I have started these books:
Storm Front - Justin
A Homemade Life Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table - Danielle
Didn't even get to:
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - Tracie
Guilty Pleasure (Felicia)
The Laughing Corpse (Felicia)
Circus of the Damned ( FlibBityFLooB)
Daughter of the Blood The Black Jewels 1 (Mel)
Heir to the Shadows (Amber)
Queen of the Darkness (Mel)
You Slay Me (Nita)
Bitten Women of the Otherworld 1 (Yz)
ALL DONE! Figuring out how many pages I had to read a night to be able to finish by the end of the month made a HUGE difference.
I also had to substitute a few books. Once I started the Black Jewels Trilogy I just couldn't stop. In actuality I read The Black Jewels Trilogy in one huge compilation. I had to count it as three books since with its hefty 1200 pages I barely made it by the end anyway. =)
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
To Romance a Charming Rogue (other topics)Undead and Unworthy (other topics)
Heaven and Earth (other topics)
Rebel Angels (other topics)
Dreamfever (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
MaryJanice Davidson (other topics)Nora Roberts (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
Lev Grossman (other topics)
Karen Marie Moning (other topics)
More...
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{Jess in Aus}- Thorn Queen by Mead*****2.
{Tricia}-Dreamfever by Moning****3.
{Jess}- Darkest Whisper by Showalter****4.
{Kelley Anne}-Hunting Ground by Briggs***5.
{Heather}-Blood Promise by Mead****6.{Darkheart}-
Destined For An Early Grave by Frost****7.
{Wendy}- Love Bites by Sands***8.
{Phoebebb}-Real Vampires Get Lucky by Bartlett***9.
{Michelle}-The Strain by Del Toro***
Best book read out this list would have to be a tie Thorn Queen. I loved what happens b/t the Kiyo/Eugenie/Dorian threesome.