Ultimate 2015 Reading Challenge

[Carla]

Just added #46, A book by an author with the same initials. by Carl Hiaasen I am now 27/50 complete. Message #469

I noticed some people are say out of 52 but I only have 50 in my list?? Not sure if I am missing some or others have miscounted.

[Skeetor]

It's because one of the 50 items listed is a trilogy.

[Carla]

Skeetor wrote: "It's because one of the 50 items listed is a trilogy."

Got it, thanks. I was just confused.

[Kimberly]

Kirsten wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "A Pulitzer-Prize wining book - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Interesting book. I found it entertaining on how New York society acted in the late 1800's. I was ..."

Yes, I did like her writing style. It was the first book I've read of hers, and after reading it, I would like to read more of her books. :) I'm pretty sure I would enjoy them, too.

[Melanie]

Just finished Station Eleven for the book set in the future. Apocalypse by epidemic! eeeek. It was really good though.



I'm now at 27/52 read.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

A book set in a different country: The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough

Marisa: I enjoyed this as much as you said I would. Thanks! ☺

Book by an Author you've never read before: The Sound of Glass by Karen White (Am starting this one tonight)

Progress to date: 21/52 (Full list here)

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Heather, I'm glad you've liked it. It's a really cozy history for me.

[Carla]

Just finished #30, the book that came out the year I was born (1957),

[❂ Murder by Death]

Finished The Talisman Ring for A Classic Romance.

[Diana]

Is this reading challenge closed ?!

[❂ Murder by Death]

Diana wrote: "Is this reading challenge closed ?!"

No! Not at all! Please feel free to join in. It's pretty much the PopSugar 2015 challenge, we just are doing it on our own. It officially runs until the end of December, but I think a lot of people are viewing this as a long-term challenge. :)

[Diana]

Exellent !!!! I'm going to check out the rules & regs. I've never entered a challenge so this is definetley exiting ;) thanks !!!!!

* gathering my books to pick out only the qualifying* !!!

[❂ Murder by Death]

Diana wrote: "Exellent !!!! I'm going to check out the rules & regs. I've never entered a challenge so this is definetley exiting ;) thanks !!!!!

* gathering my books to pick out only the qualifying* !!!"

Welcome! :D

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Diana wrote: "Excellent !!!! I'm going to check out the rules & regs. I've never entered a challenge so this is definitely exciting ;) thanks !!!!!

* gathering my books to pick out only the qualifying* !!!"

Welcome to the challenge, Diana -- feel free to apply any books read so far this year to the challenge.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

A Book by an author you've never read before: The Sound of Glass by Karen White


This is contemporary romance/women's fiction with a bit of a mystery mixed in. Read this over the weekend and quite enjoyed it. ☺

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Welcome, Diana, and enjoy the hunt!

[Carla]

Diana wrote: "Exellent !!!! I'm going to check out the rules & regs. I've never entered a challenge so this is definetley exiting ;) thanks !!!!!

* gathering my books to pick out only the qualifying* !!!"

Welcome Diana, I am loving this challenge, forcing me out of my comfort zone which is awesome.

[Valerie]

Diana wrote: "Exellent !!!! I'm going to check out the rules & regs. I've never entered a challenge so this is definetley exiting ;) thanks !!!!!

* gathering my books to pick out only the qualifying* !!!"

The scavenger hunt feel for some of the categories is actually kind of fun. Example, author with same initials, or a book that came out the year you were born.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Some books have been a pleasant surprise, and some have been a struggle to get through. But, all have given me ideas, and challenged me to expand my reading. And, to get rid of some of my TBR titles. LOL

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Valerie wrote: "I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Some books have been a pleasant surprise, and some have been a struggle to get through. But, all have given me ideas, and challenged me to expand my reading. And, to get rid of some of my TBR titles. LOL."


Despite the monthly challenges, no matter how hard I try, Mount TBR never seems to get any smaller. LOL

[Skeetor]

I know what you mean! While I am reading one, I find two or more to add to the list!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

For those who need a collection of short stories --


I have set up a buddy read HERE for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I thought I would mention it here for anyone needing to check of another item in this challenge. The buddy read is for the month of May, which leaves a little time for people to pick up a copy, and you can join in the discussion anytime.

[Maureen]

I've been reading daily but haven't gotten around to listing my books. I'll get to it eventually.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Perhaps I go with it. It's OK for a book more than 100 years old too ;)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Marisa wrote: "Perhaps I go with it. It's OK for a book more than 100 years old too ;)"

Why, so it is! ☺

[Valerie]

Heather L wrote: "For those who need a collection of short stories --


I have set up a buddy read HERE for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I thought I would mention it here for anyone needing to c..."

Wish I had had this last month. Just finished it. Very good selection. My husband had recommended it, as he is a big Holmes fan. I have seen MANY adaptations. Think this should garner a good buddy read.

[Skeetor]

19 of 52 for me

A banned book
by Ken Kesey

I loved this book!

[Valerie]

Skeetor wrote: "19 of 52 for me

A banned book
by Ken Kesey

I loved this book!"

I read this in college. Also had to do a paper on it where I compared it with the movie. Loved doing that. Made it interesting for me.

[Carla]

Just finished a book written about my hometown, by Jeff Lemire

I am now done 31/50. Getting there.

[Melanie]

I just finished The Table of Less Valued Knights by Marie Phillips for my book based on entirely on its cover. I loved the drawing on this cover and I ended up really enjoying this book. It was a lot of fun and very Monty Pythonish.



I'm now up to 28 of 52.

[Kirsten]

#26 -- A book with a love triangle

Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kirsten]

#27 -- A book you own but have never read

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Charity]

Updated message 59.

25/52

[CherD]

JUst finished "a book by an author I love but had not yet read"

Murder at Ford's Theatre by Margaret Truman

[❂ Murder by Death]

Finished The Little Paris Bookshop last night for my book that's been translated.

[Kimberly]

Finished reading "a book your mom loves." She is a book lover, like me. :) She had a tough time coming up with just one, so she told me her favorite author is Michael Connelly, and more specifically, the Harry Bosch series. So, I started with the first one, The Black Echo. I see why this is her favorite series. :) Mount TBR has just blown up. ;) :) There are a lot of books in this series....

[Carla]

Just updated post #469 Now 32/50

#5 - A book with a number in the title.
by Willow Rose

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I've read El hombre que no era nadie, by Edgar Wallace, as the translated work. I've liked it as the first time.

Progress Update: HERE and message 26

[Teresa]

Here are my updates for April. I've updated Message 273.

25/52

[X] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit – Angels & Demons by Dan Brown – 4/3/15
[X] A book by an author you've never read before – The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames – 4/6/15
[X] A graphic novel – The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot – 4/14/15
[X] A book based on a true story – Secretariat by William Nack – 4/30/15

[Robin]

I have loved all of Margaret Truman's books. Try to read them in order. Sadly she has passed. One day when I retire her books will be in my read again stack. Another former Presidents offspring wrote mysteries too (Elliot Roosevelt).

[Carla]

Robin wrote: "I have loved all of Margaret Truman's books. Try to read them in order. Sadly she has passed. One day when I retire her books will be in my read again stack. Another former Presidents offspring wro..."

Thanks Robin, I will have to check her out.

[CherD]

Robin wrote: "I have loved all of Margaret Truman's books. Try to read them in order. Sadly she has passed. One day when I retire her books will be in my read again stack. Another former Presidents offspring wro..."

I would like to go back and reread those I have read of hers as well. I really enjoy the theme of her books taking place in DC and the historical areas there.

[CherD]

Cheryl wrote: "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. Ve..."

Apparently PBS is going to be making The Signature of All Things into a series. I really did enjoy this book, very different.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

A book from your childhood: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

I didn't remember this being told from POV of the horse, but stands the test of time.


(This would work for anyone needing a book with non-human characters)

[CherD]

I just finished "A nonfiction book."

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

What a wonderful book! I really enjoyed it. It is about the "writers/contributors" to the Oxford English Dictionary. I never before even thought about how a dictionary was written or created. I have to say we owe a great debt to those who long before us who worked so hard and were so dedicated for 50 to 60 years, all handwritten and handset printing presses. Fascinating story!

[Kirsten]

#28 -- A trilogy (book 1)

When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Charity]

Updated message 59.

28/52

[CherD]

I literally just finished my "book a friend recommended." I even had a librarian recommend this book to me and then when I was visiting with the mother of one of my son's high school friends at the library she also recommended this series of detective stories by Elizabeth George. the Great Deliverance another fantastic read. Part murder mystery and a good part of psychological and moral character insights. As I have said before I am so glad I started this challenge. I have read several books now that will be on my all time favorite list. And now I need to go and read a cozy because I need something a bit lighter. :)

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I've read Appointment with Death: A Stage Play, by Agatha Christie, as the play. I much prefer it as a novel, although it is curious without Poirot.

As the buddy read and a book more than 100 years old, I've read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and I've enjoyed it as the other times (I think it won't be the last time I read it).

Progress Update: HERE and message 26

[❂ Murder by Death]

I've updated my list to include a banned book: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and a book that scared you: No Ghouls Allowed, which scared the stuffing out of me.

[Valerie]

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "I've updated my list to include a banned book: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and a book that scared you: No Ghouls Allowed, which scared the stuffing out of me."

I used No Ghouls Allowed for the same reason. Good choice!