Five Stars (or favorites) for Fall Challenge

[Kate]

Change Me into Zeus's Daughter A Memoirby Barbara Robinette Moss.

What a great book!
4.5-5*

This is an autobiography of a girl growing up in Alabama in true poverty - so poor malnourishment causes her bones to develop improperly. She is one of 8 children and she tells stories upon stories of their shananigans, of their loving mother who tries to deflect their drunken & abusive father's attentions to her rather than the children but who is still not strong enough to remove herself and her children from his clutches.

The book could become a tad confusing as times as memory was layered within memory.

However, the book was completely engrossing, both sad & humorous and overall very satisfying.

Loved it.

[Angela]

Another 5 star for me! Read it in about three hours.

[Donna Jo]

Hands of My Father A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love by Myron Uhlberg.
This is touching story of growing up hearing in a household with deaf parents. While there were difficulties forced upon the child by having to be the interpreter for his father and by having to watch the hearing world look down on his father's deafness, this is not a book about have nots and regrets, but the story of love and the joy of living.
I could relate to this book as we have a very large deaf community in my town. A wonderful book.

[Megan]

I've got a handful of five stars already, but I'm pretty generous with my ratings:
A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
A Swiftly Tilting Planet " "
Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl
A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer
Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Out of the five, Anne Frank's diary is the best.

[Tara]

I have two more.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.
I gave 5 stars. Wonderfully heartbreaking read. If you have ever shared your life with a dog, I think you will love this book. 5 stars!

Ella Minnow Pea A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn.
Great quick read, but I found it rather thought provoking. Loved that it was told through letters, I think that was the best way to get his point across. Gave 4 1/2 stars.

[Kate]

Megan wrote: "I've got a handful of five stars already, but I'm pretty generous with my ratings:
A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
A Swiftly Tilting Planet " "
[book:Anne Frank..."

I loved Jacob have I loved... The Anne Frank diary, not so much. I wanted to continue reading The Wrinkle in Time series! I am glad to see you liked them!

[Abigail]

I just gave my first five-star rating this challenge, not counting a couple children's books for 10.3.

Read for the student part of 15.10 (teacher/student books):
[image error] When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I read it in one sitting, when I was supposed to be doing all sorts of other productive things. Still thinking about it...

[Krista]

Donna Jo, thanks for recommending this book:
Hands of My Father A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love

I also gave it 5 stars! It was a beautiful book I think eloquently illustrated the positives and the struggles encountered by a hearing boy born to deaf parents. I'd highly recommend this book. I rang so true to me as a woman who had deaf grandparents. The stories that unfolded in this book were very similar to the stories the my mom and her sisters have told about growing up with their deaf parents.

I'm giving this book out to fammily members as Christmas gifts. It's a treasure!

[Jennifer]

I've had a few so far -


That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles 65 All-New Commentaries on the Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life
The Chocolate War
The Crucible
Wishful Drinking
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Apollo 13

I'm sure I'll have some more before the challenge is over.

[Amy]

I can finally post my first 5 star book of the challenge! Since I haven't read a 5 star book in over two months, this makes today a super good day.

I read Nine Dragons while at the airport and on planes today. Glad I had a lot of time to read it because I don't think I would have stopped for anything :)

[Lisa]

Amy, you're causing me to have an anxiety attack here! I love Michael Connelly's novels and normally rush out to buy them the day they are released. I held myself back from Nine Dragons, because it would be torture for me to have it and not be able to read it, since I don't have a spot for it on my tasks list. I may have to look again to see if I can bump anything out or juggle it around.

[Jan (the Gryphon)]

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik is my favorite 5* book this season.

The story evolves around a group of women who form the eponymous book club: named by one of the husbands who thinks the epithet sums up all book clubs. The story has a bit of everything in it: close friendships, raising kids, divorce, wife-beating, new careers, revenge, bikers, etc. not necessarily in that order. A therapist/councillor asks one of the main characters how she has made it through all her life's trials. She responds, "I have a book club."

It might be fun to have the Group Reads selection for a future Seasonal challenge from the list of books mentioned in the novel.

[Ashley]

I've been ridiculously busy with school this semester so I've only read 3 books, but they were SO good!!

I gave The Shadow of the Wind and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 5 stars, there are both some of my new favorites! :)

I also just read Jane Austen's Emmaand gave it 4 stars, but really, should have been 4.5 :)

[Stephanie]

I gave 5 stars to:
Miracle in the Andes 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home

It's a must-read tale of survival.

[Amy]

Lisa wrote: "Amy, you're causing me to have an anxiety attack here! I love Michael Connelly's novels and normally rush out to buy them the day they are released. I held myself back from Nine Dragons, because ..."

I managed to fit it in to the one, two, three word title task. I wasn't gonna be able to wait either! I just started reading his book about 4 years ago so I had it easy.. just read one of his books when I felt like it. Sadly, I got caught up before The Brass Verdict came out so I've gotten the last 2 the first day. My parents are also really into his books so whoever reads it first has to go quickly or it'll get stolen!

[Lisa]

Amy wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Amy, you're causing me to have an anxiety attack here! I love Michael Connelly's novels and normally rush out to buy them the day they are released. I held myself back from Nine Drag..."

After I posted that comment I went out the next day and bought it! The book I had in the thankful task is nowhere in my entire library consortium, so I decided to put Nine Dragons in its place and be thankful that Michael Connelly is such a prolific writer I get to enjoy his books twice a year and always around my birthday. I think that's appropriate. I've actually been reading him for about 13 years. I started with The Poet and then went back to the beginning. I normally devour his books within days of their release. I'm really looking forward to this one. Thanks for pushing me over the edge.

[Lisa]

I just finished Water, Stone, Heart A Novel by Will North which I loved from the first page, wanted to forget the rest of my weekend, and read it nonstop. I read it as my three word title selection ( for the one word, two word, three word title challenge). This was a rare 5 star find for me which I basically use for any book that I think about even when I'm no longer reading it. It gets a reputation of being Nicholas Sparks like, but I thought it was deeper in meaning not just emotional like Nicholas Sparks.

[Amy]

Lisa wrote: "Amy wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Amy, you're causing me to have an anxiety attack here! I love Michael Connelly's novels and normally rush out to buy them the day they are released. I held myself back fr..."

There's also a lot of family themes in the book so you could be thankful for that as well :)

[Usako]

10.6 Native American Heritage
Island of Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
What a beautiful novel. If I were in her shoes, I do not know if I could survive the endless years alone upon that island. Everyone should read this novel once in their lifetime. Twice if they loved. Three times, if they wish to read to others.

50.1 PJ Read's Task: Part III (Keepsake)
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Princess Bride is a personal favorite of mine. This particular paperback is a treasure. My high school friend, Virginia, and I were single when Valentine's Day rolled around. Instead of wallowing in our misery, we decided to trade gifts. This novel was her gift to me accompanied by a pretty inscription on the inside cover.

The abridged version is everything and more. Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Miracles!

[Tara]

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
5 stars

This book lived up to the hype! I loved it!

[Patricia]

I know this all ready has been mentioned but The Help by Kathryn Stockett was a 5 star read for me as well.

[Juniper]

Patricia wrote: "I know this all ready has been mentioned but The Help by Kathryn Stockett was a 5 star read for me as well. "

Me too! I just finished it and adored it completely.

[Petra]

I give Hit List by Darcia Helle 4 stars. It's a very well-told mystery/suspense story with a touch of humour and a love interest. This book has likeable, realistic characters and lots of suspense. The plot moved along in believable, suspenseful ways. I really enjoyed this book, from the first page to the last.

[Juniper]

Hello!

Happy to report another 5 star novel.

by Joseph Boyden was smack-you-in-the-face-good! I recommend it to everyone.

[Kate]

I just finished reading The Hunger Games and I have to say that it is a definite five star for me! As a matter of fact, I stayed up all night finishing it. And now, even though I should be going to sleep, I am actually going to go to target and buy Catching Fire. Maybe I won't start on it until later today (after a nap) but I work a graveyard shift and I want it with me at work.

[Krista]

Kathryn wrote: "I just finished reading The Hunger Games and I have to say that it is a definite five star for me! As a matter of fact, I stayed up all night finishing it. And now, even though I sho..."

Okay, okay. EVERYONE seems to LOVE 'The Hunger Games' and 'Catching Fire'. I've just added myself to the Hold Queue at the library for these two titles. Hopefully they'll come in sometime during the Winter Challenge -- and I can work them into a task.

I held off on reading The Book Thief for so long because it was a 'YA' book. It totally blew me away when I read it. It was one of the few 5 star books from the Summer Challenge. So I'm venturing into this genre more than I had in the past.

[Lisa]

Krista, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are both phenomenal! I plan on reading The Book Thief this month. I've owned it for a year and haven't gotten around to it, and with all the glowing endorsements I'm feeling guilty having it staring me down off my shelves.

[Kate]

Krista wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I just finished reading The Hunger Games and I have to say that it is a definite five star for me! As a matter of fact, I stayed up all night finishing it. And now, e..."

Krista, like you I put off reading The Hunger Games (though not because it is YA)... it is excellent. So great, in fact, that I am contemplating not sleeping and staying up and reading the second book (which I just drove out to get). It is really hard to explain why it is so phenomenal, it just is.

[Julie J]

My 5 stars of this challenge are The Book Thief, The Hunger Games, and Catching Fire. Must reads! Clearly everyone else is thinking that too!

[Tara]

Julie wrote: "My 5 stars of this challenge are The Book Thief, The Hunger Games, and Catching Fire. Must reads! Clearly everyone else is thinking that too!"

I just finished The Book Thief and I gave it 5 stars too!

It was just a wonderful read.

[Sara ♥]

Julie wrote: "My 5 stars of this challenge are The Book Thief, The Hunger Games, and Catching Fire. Must reads! Clearly everyone else is thinking that too!"

I'm right there with you. I gave all three of those books 5 stars as well, although Catching Fire was the only one I read for this challenge.

[Felina]

Is Catching Fire a sequel to something?

[Usako]

Yes. It's the sequel to The Hunger Games

[Sara ♥]

Yes, Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games. It's just those two books in the series so far. They're fantastic! (And that's saying something, as I usually avoid dystopian novels at all costs...)

[Kate]

lesley wrote: "for the poetry challenge i read Zombie Haiku Good Poetry for Your...brains and it was awesome. it tells the story of 2 men, one originally owned the "journal" and one who picks it ..."

Hi Lesley,

I need to thank you for just finding me the perfect present for my brother for christmas (just after i have read it!!)

Thanks,

Kate.x.

[Cindy AL]

Ohh, thank you, Lesley and Kate!! My son is a big zombie fan, and he has just started college, and he is taking Japanese! This is a perfect Christmas or first finals present, thanks!

[Sara ♥]

What's that other Zombie book? The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From the Living Dead. I've heard that one is pretty hilarious, too.

[Kate]

Wow, this is great. Thanks Sara, i'll get him that one too.

Now only my Mum and Dad left, any suggestions..........

Kate.x.

[Melissa]

Lost in Austen Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure

This book is so much fun! It is very tongue-in-cheek yet both respectful of Austen's works and true to them. I am totally eating it up, and now I will have to find a way to fit it into my challenge...

[Kate]

Tara wrote: "Julie wrote: "My 5 stars of this challenge are The Book Thief, The Hunger Games, and Catching Fire. Must reads! Clearly everyone else is thinking that too..."

Hi everyone,

The Book Thief is amazing a real 5 star read for me.

Kate.x.

[Kate]

I finished Catching Fire and it was a five star for me. I didn't think that a sequel could possibly be as good as the first book, but this book definitely made me change my mind!

[Tara]

I just read another one that i gave 5 stars.
The Broken Teaglass A Novel

At first I was not sure what I would think about this book.
How interesting could a book about people who write dictionary definitions be...
Arsenault created very complex and memorable characters that delve into a mysterious story that they unraveled through the citation files at their work. At first they think it is just a story, but they find that the story is more than that, it is a big secret that affects people they work with as well as the town.

[Krista]

The Alchemist

Great read that can be done quickly, but should be read slowly to savor the full flavor. Tasty!!

[Megan]

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. LeGuin and Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon were both really excellent.

[Bunny]

84, charing cross road by helene hanff is wonderful.

my other five stars are Like Water for Chocolate and The Hunger Games. :)

[Krista]

Gilead A Novel

I had to think about this for a few days because I did struggle to get through portions of the book. But, you even have to struggle through the classics sometimes. One of the things that made it a 5 star for me was that introspection that the book asked me to take on.

The book has just become better and better in my mind the last few days.

[Deedee]

Here are my 5 * books for the Fall Challenge:

The Perfect Cozy Mystery: One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly (for 5.1)

One of the Best Science Fiction Novels of the Decade (and my personal #1 for the past 3 monthes): Julian Comstock A Story of 22nd-Century America by Robert Charles Wilson (for 25.8)

Steal Across the Sky by Nancy Kress (for 15.4) Engrossing science fiction.

Busted Life Inside the Great Mortgage Meltdown by Edmund L. Andrews (for 20.2) a clear layman's explanation of America's mortgage crisis

Honorable mention: Pirate Freedom by Gene Wolfe (for 5.3)
Honorable mention: Mars Crossing by Geoffrey A. Landis (for 30.1)

[Petra]

I'm fairly cheap with giving 5* ratings but I found Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell to be well worth a 5* rating.
It did have a bit of a slow bit during the Napoleonic war but, despite that, the magic that was introduced into the war made it well worth reading. It's just that the war kind of dragged on for too long, I thought.
It's an amusing and witty book, the magic is ingenious at times, its sad and suspenseful and the tiniest of details come together in the end to wrap things up.
I liked how "real life" characters such as Wellington, King George and Lord Byron were worked into the story. If one had some knowledge about the history of the time before, during and after the Napoleonic war there may have been more things that were wonderfully related that I missed because I don't know much about this time.

[Juniper]

Petra wrote: "I'm fairly cheap with giving 5* ratings but I found Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell to be well worth a 5* rating.It did have a bit of a slow bit during the Napoleonic war..."

I am happy to hear this Petra. I have it on my 2010 ~ 12 books in a different group. I have heard mixed reviews about this novel since it came out; which I think is why it has taken me so long to get to it.

:)

[Petra]

Jennifer, I can see why some wouldn't like it. It's slow, methodical, meandering and "everyday" rather than an exciting, action-filled, "duelling pistols" type of story. But it draws one in and is entertaining all the way through.