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Ultimate 2015 Reading Challenge
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Just out of curiosity I read Rock Hard as I like Nalini Singh but I don't usually like contemporary romance, and I loved it (my book published this year).
Later I read Rock Addiction, that I liked less but enjoyed a lot anyway, and I've always wanted to go to New Zealand, so...
And, last of all, I read a book published the year I was born (this is a devil category ;) ), Restoree, that I read in Spanish a lot of years ago and I liked it a lot (I think it was my first hint of romance / Sci-fi, with a hard point in Sci-Fi -Johanna Lindsey doesn't count here).
Progress Update: HERE and message 26
Wow! Great list. I think I may add ratings to my books on my messages as well. I may even use a 10 point scale.
Valerie wrote: "I am keeping a list in an excel file, and as mentioned before donating to our local library. I can now say that I have done 40 books on this list (48 total). As I mentioned before, I never tracked ..."There are 52 book on the list. Other than that, great job! Much better than me!
Kirsten wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I am keeping a list in an excel file, and as mentioned before donating to our local library. I can now say that I have done 40 books on this list (48 total). As I mentioned before, ..."You misunderstood. I guess I was not clear...I have read 40 out of the 52, but 48 total books this year. I have read 8 that did not fall in the categories I have left.
Valerie wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I am keeping a list in an excel file, and as mentioned before donating to our local library. I can now say that I have done 40 books on this list (48 total). As I me..."Okay! You're definitely ahead of me...
Kirsten wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I am keeping a list in an excel file, and as mentioned before donating to our local library. I can now say that I have done 40 books on this list (48..."I had a couple of snow days, and I have some time at school that I have to monitor a room...and, sometimes, there are no kids to help. So, I get reading in then.
Plus, some of them were quick reads. Obviously the one that says "read in a day." But, so was the graphic novel, the one from your childhood, and a play. Those only took about an hour each.
It's been a few weeks since I updated. Here is what I've read the last several weeks.21/52
[X] A book based entirely on its cover – The Sign by Raymond Khoury – 2/22/15
[X] A book originally written in a different language – Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne – 2/28/15
[X] A book set during Christmas – What Happens At Christmas by Victoria Alexander – 2/28/15
[X] A popular author's first book – Digital Fortress by Dan Brown – 3/3/15
[X] A book set in high school – Avalon High by Meg Cabot – 3/12/15
[X] A Pulitzer Prize winning book – Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener – 3/19/15
[X] A play – The Crucible by Arthur Miller – 3/24/15
I've updated post #273.
Teresa - I love the "Journey to the Center of the Earth" movie...was the book a lot like the movie?
Skeetor wrote: "Teresa - I love the "Journey to the Center of the Earth" movie...was the book a lot like the movie?"I've never actually seen any of the movies.
Will be starting this one tomorrow for the April Mini Challenge. It looks good!
Mod
I enjoyed the first three books in that series, but was disappointed when it went to ebook only.
Ultimate 2015 Reading Challenge#469
I am working my way through this challenge. I deleted my previous list and reposted, because I am having a hard time finding my list. I am loving the scavenger hunt part of this challenge. I am glad I have all of 2015 to complete it though as the ones left are getting harder to read. I left a lot of the ones that are out of my comfort zone to the end.
43/50 complete
1.[X] A book with 500 pages (Envy by Sandra Brown)
2.[X] A classic romance (Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote)
3.[X] A book that became a movie Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
4.[X] A book published this year (How to Fly with Broken Wings by Jane Elson)
5.[X] A book with a number in the title (One, Two ... He Is Coming For You by Willow Rose)
6.[X] A book written by someone age under 30 The Dogs of Newtown by Guy A. Bacon
7.[X] A book with nonhuman characters (War Horse by Michael Morpurgo)
8.[X] A funny book (Tagged for Death by Sherry Harris)
9.[X] A book with a female author (Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark)
10.[X] A mystery or thriller (The Kill by Jane Casey)
11.[X] A book with a one-word title (Punishment by Linden MacIntyre)
12.[X] A book of short stories Once Upon a Christmas: 55 Heartwarming Short Stories Bring Meaning to the Season
13.[X] A book set in a different country (A Corpse in the Koryo by James Church)
14.[X] A nonfiction book (The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King
15.[X] A popular author's first book The Path of the Crooked by Ellery Adams
16.[X] A book you have not read from an author you love (Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag)
17.[X] A book a friend recommended Ghost a la Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian
18.[] A Pulitzer Prize winning book
19.[X] A book based on a true story (The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith
20.[X] A book at the bottom of your to-read list The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
21.[] A book your mom loves
22.[] A book that scares you
23.[X] A book more than 100 years old A Christmas Carol
24.[X] A book based entirely on its cover (My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman)
25.[] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
26.[X] A memoir (Intolerable: A Memoir of Extremes by Kamal Al-Solaylee)
27.[X] A book you can finish in a day - Bones in Her Pocket by Kathy Reichs
28.[X] A book with antonyms in the title - (Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
29.[X] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit-Australia (The Bat by Jo Nesbø)
30.[X] A book that came out the year you were born - The Dog Who Wouldn't Be by Farley Mowat
31.[X] A book with bad reviews (Private India by James Patterson)
32.[] A trilogy
33.[X] A book from your childhood (Black Beauty by Anna Sewell)
34.[X] A book with a love triangle (Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates)
35.[X] A book set in the future (The Litter by Kevin R. Doyle)
36.[X] A book set in high school The Stereotypical Freaks by Howard Shapiro
37.[X] A book with a color in the title (Gray Mountain by John Grisham)
38.[X] A book that made you cry The Nightingale
39.[X] A book with magic (A Silent Prayer by Samreen Ahsan)
40.[X] A graphic novel The Graveyard Book Volume 1 adapted by P. Craig Russell
41.[X] A book by an author you've never read before (To Fudge or Not to Fudge by Nancy CoCo)
42.[] A book you own but have never read
43.[X] A book that takes place in your hometown The Complete Essex County by Jeff Lemire
44.[X] A book originally written in a different language (Ru by Kim Thúy)
45.[X] A book set during Christmas (Decked with Folly by Kate Kingsbury)
46.[X] A book written by an author with your same initials Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
47.[] A play
48.[X] A banned book - The Giver by Lois Lowry
49.[X] A book based on or turned into a TV show - Die Again by Tess Gerritsen
50.[X] A book you started but never finished Room
Heather L wrote: "Valerie wrote: "The Remains of the Dead -- Will be starting this one tomorrow for the April Mini Challenge. It looks good!"I enjoyed the first three books in that series, but was d..."
I have an e reader, so I will be able to read it. But, thank you for the heads up. Will make a note of that!
Kirsten wrote: "#23 -- A Book You Started But Never FinishedThe Shining
by Stephen King"One of my favorite Stephen King books! And, I thought it was much better than the movie. Even though I really like the version with Jack Nicholson. ;) I'm going to read The Stand for the book that scares me. It's one of his I actually haven't read yet, and pretty much all of his books scare me. ;)
Kimberly wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "#23 -- A Book You Started But Never FinishedThe Shining
by Stephen King"One of my favorite Stephen King books! And, I..."
THE STAND, I think, is much better than THE SHINING. I also really liked REVIVAL.
The scariest books I ever read weren't even by Stephen King!
I've decided to interpret "scare" as "intimidate" for the purposes of this challenge and read ULYSSES by James Joyce.
For "A book based on a true story" are you reading a fictional book based on a historical event or are you reading a nonfiction book?
I read a fiction based on historical fact. I chose Phillipa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl. Very good.
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Progress Update: HERE and message 26
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Sabrina brought this one to our attention, and since a few people seemed interested, I figured I'd make it an "official" challenge. This challenge may especially appeal t..."
That you SO MUCH for the printable list. :)
Very handy.
In no way can I complete this is a single year, but I can work to start checking books off...
Mod
If you read every book your school required, try looking online for current highschool honors class reading lists and choose a book off that. My school never required we read novels, so I'll have to pick off my son's highschool reading list. Seeing as he's in Honor's English... I already know I don't like what's on the list. lol
I am more than halfway with 26/50 complete. I am going to have a hard time with a few but will muddle through. My mom passed away years ago so I asked my older sister what she liked to read. She responded with Harlequin Romances. I will try to find one of those to read, which will be tough. I also will have to pick something to read for highschool one as I always read what was required. Perhaps a book my sisters read in highschool that was not on my required list. Hmmmmmm
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I just finished P.D. James' first novel - Cover Her Face for A Popular Authors First Book. 
I am officially at the half way mark of the challenge now! 26/52 completed.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
A book that came out the year you were born looking for 1947 Any suggestions?
Carolyn wrote: "A book that came out the year you were born looking for 1947 Any suggestions?"Here are some that came out that year.
Agatha Christie- The Labours of Hercules
Mickey Spillane -I, the Jury
John Steinbeck -The Pearl
James A Michener - Tales of the South Pacific
Anne Frank -The Diary of Anne Frank
Valerie wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "A book that came out the year you were born looking for 1947 Any suggestions?"Here are some that came out that year.
Agatha Christie- The Labours of Hercules
Mickey ..."
Thank you very much!!! I was having trouble finding one.
I encourage you to do a google search of books published 1947....https://www.goodreads.com/book/popula...
This is goodreads site of those books in 1947. Else where on the internet I found other lists of books published in 1947. One that I want to go back and read is "Misty of Chincoteague" a children's book, but what a wonderful book especially for the young girl in me who still has that love for horses. I do not see that on the goodreads list (just a cursory glance thought).
My year was 1953. I read a book by Pearl Buck , "Come my beloved"... not a book I would have just picked up, but I am so glad I read it. This is what the challenge has done for me. I have read now several books I would have never picked up otherwise.
Again, google books published 1947 and there are a wealth of books out there.
Cheryl wrote: "I encourage you to do a google search of books published 1947....https://www.goodreads.com/book/popula...
This is goodreads site of those books in 1947. Else where on the internet I f..."
I really appreciate this information. Thank you.
Mod
You should be able to find a Harlequin/Mills & Boon romance at your library or local used book store. They range in content from Christian romance (Love inspired) to suspense (Harlequin Intrigue) to steamier fair (Blaze). There is also an Historical line, as well as more mainstream fiction under their MIRA line.
As for books read in HS, check out one of the lists linked to in the list, and see if there is something on one of those lists you haven't read yet.
Heather L wrote: "You should be able to find a Harlequin/Mills & Boon romance at your library or local used book store. They range in content from Christian romance (Love inspired) to suspense (Harlequin Intrigue) to steamier fair (Blaze). There is also an Historical line, as well as more mainstream fiction under their MIRA line. As for books read in HS, check out one of the lists linked to in the list, and see if there is something on one of those lists you haven't read yet."
I am not so much worried about finding a Harlequin Romance as I am in actually reading one. Thanks for the tip about the list, I will check it out.
Mod
A Book that scares you: Haunted by Kay Hooper -- tentatively penciled in here. I was glad I'd stopped reading the night before at end of chapter nine as ten really creeped me out. I'm not prone to nightmares, but that scene might have tipped the scales. I was shuddering on the bus while reading it, and it had nothing to do with the chilly weather.
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I have A Deadly Web in Mount TBR, but don't know if I will get to it this month.
A book with a love triangle-Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates I think this works here... Because this was the first in the series, the love triangle hasn't been "solved" yet, but considering the MC is debating between two guys, I would say it qualifies. ;)
A book with bad reviews-You've Been Warned by James Patterson
Hmmmm, what a strange book. Not a typical James Patterson, and going through the reviews it seemed people either loved it or hated it (but mostly hated-Amazon had a rating of 2.2 stars when I looked it up). I wasn't too impressed. Great premise, but just didn't live up to what I expected from Patterson. Too many questions left at the end. Oh well... it did have bad reviews... ;)
#24 -- A book with a number in the titleThe Boat of A Million Years
by Poul Anderson.PS - I stumble on an Ultimate Challenge group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I'm thinking of joining - there are some great threads there.
Added another finished book to the challenge, "a book by an author I have never read before." At first I wasn't sure about this book, but as I got into it, I have to say it was very good book. Very thought provoking, and I loved the botany theme.
The Signature of All Things. by Elizabeth Gilbert
A Pulitzer-Prize wining book - The Age of Innocence by Edith WhartonInteresting book. I found it entertaining on how New York society acted in the late 1800's. I was kind of disappointed at Archer's behavior at the end, although it was in line with his character...
Just finished another book,
Cybele's Secret, by Juliet Marillier I am going to use this for "A Book Based Entirely on its Cover." The cover is beautiful! Done by Kinuko Craft. I have to say I loved this book. I actually listened to it via audio and the narrator was excellent (have listened to books narrated by her before). She added so much to the story telling. Found out this is actually the 2nd in a trilogy, and I am definitely going to read/listen to the other 2 so may change to the trilogy, but the cover is actually what drew me to this wonderful story/adventure.
Kimberly wrote: "A Pulitzer-Prize wining book - The Age of Innocence by Edith WhartonInteresting book. I found it entertaining on how New York society acted in the late 1800's. I was kind of disappoin..."
Did you like Wharton's writing style? I've not read any of her stuff yet.
Cozy Mysteries
Books mentioned in this topic
The Trouble with Harry (other topics)Alien Separation (other topics)
Rock Hard (other topics)
Witches Abroad (other topics)
Moonflowers (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Thea Harrison (other topics)Gigi Pandian (other topics)
Jack Trevor Story (other topics)
Donald Bain (other topics)
Victoria Laurie (other topics)
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Tess Gerritsen is the author and the books are really good. They are definitely not cozy but still great to read.