Ultimate 2015 Reading Challenge

[Carla]

Amazing Valerie and Sherri, Congratulations on finishing this wonderful challenge.

[Kaye]

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

[X] A play A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare


Read this one Saturday afternoon. Slowly picking away at some of the harder categories. I am now 33/52.

[Charity]

Updated message 59.

40/52

Read The Stand for a book that came out the year I was born.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Finished The Eyre Affair last night, but can't decide whether to count it for my "funny" book or "a book by a popular author." :-/

[❂ Murder by Death]

Heather L wrote: "Finished The Eyre Affair last night, but can't decide whether to count it for my "funny" book or "a book by a popular author." :-/"

Personally, I'd go with first book by popular author, since that one feels like it would be harder to fulfil than "a funny book".

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Jennifer -- Believe it or not, I have several other books in Mount TBR that are first books, it's just a matter of getting to them. :-/

[Teresa]

Here's my August update. Only 9 more to go.

43/52

[X] A book that scares you – Dracula by Bram Stoker – 8/2/15
[X] A book with a one-word title – Kim by Rudyard Kipling – 8/16/15
[X] A trilogy – The Highlander's Stolen Heart (8/9/15); Highlander's Rebellious Love (8/16/15); Highlander The Dark Dragon (8/19/15) by Donna Fletcher
[X] A book with magic – The Goodbye Witch by Heather Blake – 8/22/15
[X] A book written by someone under 30 – Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – 8/26/15
[X] A book based on or turned into a TV show – The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars) by Rob Thomas – 8/28/15

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Good job, Teresa -- looks like you're fast closing in on the finish line!

I think I have seventeen criteria to mark off yet. No, sixteen -- I still haven't decided where to slot one book I finished, as it could fit multiple categories.

[Carla]

That is great Teresa, you are really adding or I guess taking off, of that list.

[Valerie]

Good work, Teresa!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

[X] A classic romance: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë


This wasn't the book I was planning to read for this category, but I was inspired to reread it after reading The Eyre Affair. It had been a long time since the last time I'd read it, but I remembered quite a bit, and enjoyed as much as the first two readings.

[Kirsten]

A banned book -- 35/52

Just finished reading Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

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

1001 Books to Read Before You Die #35

[Charity]

Updated message 59.

42/52 done

I finished a book originally written in a different language The Neverending Story

[Charity]

Updated message 59. 43/52

Read book with a number in the title 1984

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Charity wrote: "Updated message 59. 43/52

Read book with a number in the title 1984"


Excellent selection!

[CherD]

Finished a book with a color in the title, Three Silver Doves, by Deborah Garner. Good book good series overall.

[Jill]

Updated message # 63. Nonfiction: Murder by Candlelight: The Gruesome Slayings Behind Our Romance with the Macabre by Michael Knox Beran. It was interesting.

[Teresa]

Here are my updates for September. I didn't make a lot of progress this month.

45/52

[X] A book from your childhood – The Secret of the Mansion (Trixie Belden) by Julie Campbell – 9/4/15
[X] A book that made you cry – Chicken Soup for the Soul of America: Stories to Heal the Heart of Our Nation by Jack Canfield 9/20/15

[Charity]

Updated message 59.

44/52

A book at the bottom of your to-read list The Handmaid's Tale

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

[X] A banned book Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence


Looking at this by today's standards, it's difficult to believe it would be challenged or banned simply because it alluded to extra-marital sex and adultery. The writing was good, but I felt the middle dragged and the ending was depressing.

[Kimberly]

Yikes! I haven't updated in a while! I'm now at 40/52 and you can find the full list HERE. I hope I don't share any repeats... ;)

A book published in 2015-Oh Say Can You Fudge by Nancy CoCo: Excellent continuation of a wonderful series. Sometimes the small island politics drive me nuts, but it's very true to life. :) Can't wait for her to write more!
A book with a number in the title-One for the Money by Janet Evanovitch: I liked the first in this series. There was a little bad language I wasn't expecting, but I still enjoyed the MC and her love/hate interest. :) I will definitely try more in this series.
A book written by someone under 30-My Story by Elizabeth Smart: Wow! After all this poor girl went through, she remained strong in her faith. It really inspired me to keep my faith through all my minor troubles.
A book from an author you love that you haven't read-Relentless by Dean Koontz: My favorite author of all time and another excellent book. :) The MC was flawed, but I still felt for him. I wanted him to survive the relentless pursuit of his enemies...and, he does, of course, with some very interesting help... :)
A book that scares you-The Stand by Stephen King: Although this book wasn't as scary as I was first thinking, ultimately, I was scared by the fact that a virus such as Captain Trips could be possible. It might or might not be man made, too! I read the extended version, and am not familiar with the original version or seen the movies, so I can make no comparisons. But, I really liked the book. :) Typical Stephen King. :)
A memoir-Waiting to Be Heard: A Memoir by Amanda Knox: Very interesting read. :) It amazes me that she didn't try to get a lawyer straight away. Both of her roommates did. I guess it really has to do with her age. She was still very young when it all took place. I'm really glad that she was eventually found not guilty, when ALL the evidence pointed to someone else. I can't believe how single-minded police can get about a crime and who committed it. But, it happens a whole lot more than one would believe (Sorry, I love watching Investigation Discovery shows).
A book that came out the year you were born-Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart: Excellent book. I can't believe it's taken me so long to finally read one of her books. I loved the characters and the story. :) She's an excellent story teller.
A graphic novel-In Odd We Trust by Dean Koontz and Queenie Chan: Hmmm... I've never read a graphic novel before. Oh wait! I have! It's really just a long comic book. ;) Not my type of book. I wasn't sure I would like this kind of book so got one about a character I know and like. :) Odd Thomas is one of Koontz's best characters. :) A very simple read, and the graphics were well done. :)
A book that was originally written in a different language-An Antarctic Mystery by Jules Verne: Another great Jules Verne novel. :) I liked how it was sort of a continuation of Edgar Allen Poe's novel. His novel was left wide open and left one wondering what Pym found. :) Well, Verne does an excellent job finalizing what happened. :)
A banned book-The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: I read this book once before, way back in high school (>20 years). I recently joined another Goodreads group that reads classics and this was the first one up. I enjoyed reading it now that I'm older. I really felt for Hester and wanted her to be free of her scarlet letter. She was a very strong character, while the Reverend was weak. I still wanted them to end up together, though...

[CherD]

I just finished a book of short stories by one of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark It was Death Wears a Beauty Mask and other stories

[CherD]

Finished my book for the prompt of a book set in high school,Curse of the Beast by Ashley Lavering. I enjoyed it. It also takes place in my town, Cody, WY, the protagonist goes to Cody High School, has the encounter with a werewolf, so could have filled several prompts!. It is a series, and it was good enough that I may continue on (but later) as I want to do my best to finish the challenge by the end of the year. The author is also from Cody.

[Naomi]

Finished! I finished the Ultimate Reading Challenge today, October 14, 2015. What a wide variety of books I read this year. Most of them were really good, though there were a few duds, but I read genres that I don't ordinarily read, and that's a good thing :)

My book list is on the first page of this thread if anyone is looking for books to fulfill the challenge. Happy reading!

[❂ Murder by Death]

Naomi wrote: "Finished! I finished the Ultimate Reading Challenge today, October 14, 2015. What a wide variety of books I read this year. Most of them were really good, though there were a few duds, but I read g..."

Congratulations!!! I need to catch up on my list to see where I'm at. This one has been great for expanding my reading.

[Kimberly]

Congratulations Naomi! :)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Good job, Naomi! I'm still struggling to get more in before the end of the year.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

[X] A book based on or turned into a TV show Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse by Lee Goldberg

[Charity]

Updated message 59.

46/52

A book from an author you love that you have not read yet Doctor Sleep

[Teresa]

October update

49/52 - I'm almost finished.

[X] A book a friend recommended – The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell – 5/15/15
[X] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't – The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky – 10/18/15
[X] A book written by an author with your same initials – The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman – 10/22/15
[X] A banned book – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – 10/24/15

[Lacey]

If I read the second two books of a trilogy this year and the first one last year does that count? Or no? :/

[Kimberly]

I've now completed 44/52. :) I'm on the home stretch. ;) I pretty much know what I'll be reading for the last ones, I just have to actually do it. My full list is HERE.

A funny book-Bluegrass State of Mind by Kathleen Brooks: A thoroughly entertaining story. :) It is technically a romantic thriller, but had a lot of funny moments! I definitely laughed out loud more than once (or twice, or three times...). :D The characters were well done and I liked the story line. So much so that I'm going to have to buy the other two books in the series. Only this first one was free.
A book by a female author-Through a Glass, Deadly by Sarah Atwell: I enjoyed this first book in the Glassblowing Mystery Series. :) Em is a wonderful character and glassblowing is a really interesting job. The mystery was well done as well. I'll definitely read the others in this series, too. :)
A mystery or thriller-Murder Will Out by Alison Joseph: An interesting read. The MC is Agatha Christie and she becomes involved in a real life murder mystery that happens at the local vicarage. The mystery turned out to be intriguing and well done. It reminded me a bit of Miss Marple. :) But, that was probably purposeful. ;) :)
A book of short stories-The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway by Ernest Hemingway: After much contemplation, I decided on Ernest Hemingway for the book of short stories (vs. Grimm's Fairy Tales). It was very interesting. I liked some of the stories, but didn't like others. Some, I just didn't understand the point of. ;) I guess that's what I get for reading Hemingway on my own. ;)

[Kimberly]

Lacey wrote: "If I read the second two books of a trilogy this year and the first one last year does that count? Or no? :/"

We aren't very strict on "rules" in this group, but personally, since the challenge was to read the 52 books this year, I'd find a different trilogy to read all three this year. But, again, that's just my personal opinion. :)

[Julie Austin]

Finished #87/100 today.

[Christine]

updated post 363

Book set during christmas- Miami, Mistletoe & Murder by Katie Reus

Book written by someone under thirty- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Book with unhuman characters- If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell

Funny book- Killer Gourmet by G.A. McKevett

Book that came out year u were born- A Farewell to Yarns by Jill Churchill

Book you own but haven't read- Sleep No More by Iris Johansen

[Julie Austin]

A book that came out the year I was born? I'm not sure there was a printing press back then...

[Kirsten]

Really? You were born before 1440?

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Looks like some of you are making good progress in this one. I still have a ways to go. I'm finding it harder to work them in these days. :-\

[Julie Austin]

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Really? You were born before 1440?"

Oh, sorry! I was thinking of the computer! :)

[Kirsten]

#36 -- A book set at Christmas

Vanished by Kendra Elliot

#37 -- A Book from my childhood

by Susan Cooper

[Kirsten]

#38 -- A book a friend recommended

Just finished reading American Bloomsbury: Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau: Their Lives, Their Loves, Their Work by Susan Cheever

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

[Julie Austin]

I may actually reach my goal of 100 books for 2015. I've currently read 91 books so far!

[Lacey]

So far I've only managed these:

[x] Book with 500 pages - The Naming by Alison Croggon (3 Stars)
[x] A Classic romance - Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (3 Stars)
[x] A book that was published this year - In Hot Water by J.J. Cook (3 Stars)
[x] A book written by somebody under 30 - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (5 Stars)
[X] A book with non-human characters - The Dragon Conspiracy by Lisa Shearin (4 Stars)
[x] A funny book - Mind Over Monsters by Jennifer Harlow (5 Stars)
[x] A book with a female author - Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready (5 Stars)
[x] A mystery or thriller - Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts (2 Stars)
[x] A book with a one word title - Poison by Bridget Zinn (4 Stars)
[x] A book set in a different country - Cloche And Dagger by Jenn McKinlay (5 Stars)
[x] A popular authors first book - Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (4 Stars)
[x] A book you have not read from an author you love - When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs (4 Stars)
[x] A book at the bottom of your reading list - Alpha by Rachel Vincent (4 Stars)
[x] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit - A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell (San Francisco!) (5 Stars)
[x] A book with bad reviews - Opal Fire by Barbra Annino (4 Stars)
[x] A book with a love triangle - Crown Of Midnight by Sarah Maas (5 Stars)
[x] A book set in the future - World After by Susan Ee (5 Stars)
[x] A book set in high school - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins (4 Stars)
[x] A book with a color in the title - The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (5 Stars)
[x] A book with magic - Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (5 Stars)
[x] A book by an author you've never read before - Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (5 Stars)
[x] A book written by an author who has your same initials - Whiskey Rebellion by Liliana Hart (4 Stars)

That's it so far... I feel like I won't be able to finish it all before the end of the year. :(

[Julie Austin]

Lacey wrote: "So far I've only managed these:

[x] Book with 500 pages - The Naming by Alison Croggon
[x] A Classic romance - Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
[x] A book that was published this year -..."

Never say never, Lacey! I didn't think I'd be able to read 100 books in a year, but it looks like I just might. :)

[Lacey]

Right now I'm reading To Brew or Not to Brew by Joyce Tremel and was wondering would this count as a novel with antonyms in the title? If not I have another book lined up to read instead.

[Jill]

I think it would because it's almost like To be or not to be.

[Kirsten]

Did everyone see that PopSugar came up with one for next year? It apparently only has 40 items, not 52.

http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-...

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Thanks for the link, Kristin. I'll try to post an official challenge discussion for it next week. :-)

[Melissa]

48/52

[X] A book based on or turned into a TV show --- The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

[X] A banned book --- Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

[X] A book written by an author with your same initials --- The Call by Michael Grant

[X] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live) ---A Done Deal by Jenna Bennett

[X] A book with bad reviews ---Murder Soufflé: A Cozy Murder Mystery by Alexa Cookster

[X] A book with antonyms in the title --- Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne

[X] A book with a color in the title --- For Whom the Bluebell Tolls by Beverly Allen

[X] A book based on a true story --- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

[X] A book your mom loves --- Angel Unaware by Dale Evans Rogers

Updated post #48. Almost there!!