Ultimate 2015 Reading Challenge

[Catherine]

Heather L wrote: "For your convenience, here are the 50 categories for this challenge — I've added a few links that may be helpful in finding books for some categories.

A book with more than 500 pages Gone with the Wind

A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
Nicholas and Alexandra





[ ] A book with 500 pages (List 1 List 2 L..."

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

For "A book with nonhuman characters", I've read The Case of the Cursed Dodo, a fast and funny reading. Message 26 updated.

[Kirsten]

Marisa wrote: "For "A book with nonhuman characters", I've read The Case of the Cursed Dodo, a fast and funny reading. Message 26 updated."

That was a fun read, wasn't it? The author asked me to read it and I did and loved it.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Yes, I've loved it, Kirsten, and I sincerely hope he writes more books.

[Kirsten]

If anyone needs help with "a book with bad reviews", HuffPo has this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01...

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Kirsten wrote: "If anyone needs help with "a book with bad reviews", HuffPo has this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01..."


Thanks, Kirsten -- I've actually read nine out of twelve of those. Some I liked, some I didn't.

[Melissa]

Books #7,#8, and #9 of 52 : A trilogy
Switched , Torn , and Ascend by Amanda Hocking.

[Sabrina]

If you like historical romance, there are lots of trilogies in that genre!

[Skeetor]

Updated My List (message 54) 8/50

[Melissa]

Book #10 of 52: A book published this year
As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

[Kirsten]

#14 of 52 -- A book with 500 pages

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

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

[Teresa]

#8 of 52 - A book you can finish in a day

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

[Kirsten]

Teresa wrote: "#8 of 52 - A book you can finish in a day

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary"

I used to LOVE Beverly Cleary!

[Kirsten]

#15 of 52 -- A book published this year

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

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

[Skeetor]

#11 A book with a one-word title: by Erik Larson

Updated My List 10/52

[Sheri]

Heather L wrote: "For your convenience, here are the 50 categories for this challenge — I've added a few links that may be helpful in finding books for some categories.



[ ] A book with 500 pages (List 1 List 2 L..."
I'll bite.
How do i get the list to post?

[❂ Murder by Death]

Updated for A Funny Book: Interior Desecrations: Hideous Homes from the Horrible '70s.

[Melissa]

#11 of 52: A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't

Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski. Was supposed to read this book for a book report in maybe the sixth grade, but just couldn't read it, so the teacher let me switch to another book. This time around I not only finished it, but actually enjoyed it!

[Kirsten]

Skeetor wrote: "#11 A book with a one-word title: by Erik Larson

Updated My List 10/52"

That was a great book. Also, it was about my ancestor Dr Crippen.

[Kirsten]

Sheri wrote: "Heather L wrote: "For your convenience, here are the 50 categories for this challenge — I've added a few links that may be helpful in finding books for some categories.



[ ] A book with 500 page..."

Go to the first post or this web page: http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-...

[Jill]

Book # 3: Unread by Author that I love: by Cleo Coyle. Updated my post #63. I love this new series and author that I have discovered. I heard so much about the series and I finally decided to read it. So glad I did.

[Skeetor]

Sheri-

I just copied and pasted the list into the comment and then I go back to my post and update it.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Sheri -- What Skeetor or Kirsten said. ;-)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Was it here that someone recommended A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail for a memoir or nonfiction? I walked by one of the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood yesterday, and saw that someone had left this book. Looks like it could also be used for "A book that made you laugh."

[Teresa]

Heather L wrote: "Was it here that someone recommended A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail for a memoir or nonfiction? I walked by one of the Little Free Libraries in my ..."

I'm actually reading it right now (well listening to it actually) as my memoir. I think its technically classified as a travel memoir but as far as I'm concerned that counts. It would probably also qualify as a funny book. I've laughed fairly often reading it.

One thing - if you're offended by bad language you might not like it. It's not every other word but the author is not shy about using profanity.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Today, it has come to my mind that "A book chosen by its cover" can fit perfectly at any challenge where you read a book based on a cover, so I'm a happy camper ☺ (I don't purchase or get books because of the cover, it's stronger than me).

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Marisa wrote: "Today, it has come to my mind that "A book chosen by its cover" can fit perfectly at any challenge where you read a book based on a cover, so I'm a happy camper ☺"


Excellent point, Marisa! ☺

[Nell]

Marisa wrote: "Today, it has come to my mind that "A book chosen by its cover" can fit perfectly at any challenge where you read a book based on a cover, so I'm a happy camper ☺ (I don't purchase or get books bec..."

I like that interpretation - creative and it works for me too.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Teresa wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Was it here that someone recommended A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail for a memoir or nonfiction? I walked by one of the Little Fre..."


The language won't bother me. I was rifling through this more when I got it home last night, and it does look like it will interesting. NOT that I don't have other memoirs languishing in Mount TBR that I need to read... :-\

[❂ Murder by Death]

Heather L wrote: "Was it here that someone recommended A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail for a memoir or nonfiction? I walked by one of the Little Free Libraries in my ..."

It's an excellent read - even my husband enjoyed it and he doesn't read much. I agree, memoir or funny book - this one would qualify as either.

If you want to use it as memoir and need a funny book (like your TBR pile won't have any of those, lol) I highly recommend checking to see if your library has Interior Desecrations: Hideous Homes from the Horrible '70s. It's hysterical, both pictorially and orthographically.

Anyone concerned about language: he uses it, be forewarned.

[Sharmon]

Heather L wrote: "Was it here that someone recommended A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail for a memoir or nonfiction? I walked by one of the Little Free Libraries in my ..."

I read this book a few years ago and loved it!! I have read many travelogues about the applachain trail and while the others were informative and serious this was the most hilarious! I also enjoyed his book about Australia, In a Sunburned Country.

[CherD]

I am so excited about this challenge. Even though I have only documented 2 books so far (thank goodness for a year to do this). Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have to work so much. I am currently reading 2 books for the challenge. One is an audio book which is absolutely wonderful which will qualify for my book made into a movie and another is a book published and released the year I was born (1953) another book that has taken me back to give those great authors another chance rather than just reading current publications. Will post when I am done, as I would highly recommend both of them :)

[Kirsten]

#16 of 52 -- A Book From An Author You Love That You Have Not Read Yet

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood

[Skeetor]

#26 of 52 -- A memoir
by Jane Blaffer Owen

Updated My List

[❂ Murder by Death]

Updated for A Graphic Novel: Star Wars Adventures: The Will of Darth Vader

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

I have updated my Ultimate Challenge list HERE.

[Skeetor]

Ooh, I like the bolding of completed items. My eyes sometimes cross looking through my list. :)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Skeetor wrote: "Ooh, I like the bolding of completed items. My eyes sometimes cross looking through my list. :)"


Thanks! ☺

[Valerie]

I am doing this challenge and quite enjoying
It. It is like doing a scavenger hunt to find some of the books, but that is part of the fun! I am making pretty good headway on them, and each time I hit Barnes and Nobel, I go with a list so I am ready for a new book!

[Kirsten]

Valerie wrote: "I am doing this challenge and quite enjoying
It. It is like doing a scavenger hunt to find some of the books, but that is part of the fun! I am making pretty good headway on them, and each time I h..."

That's a good insight, Valerie. It IS like a scavenger hunt!

[Kirsten]

Is anyone looking for a book with a love triangle? I noticed that Audible called out these as having love triangles:

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Taking Chances by Molly McAdams
The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
Matched by Ally Condie
The Vincent Boys: Extended and Uncut by Abbi Glines
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain
The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

They also suggest the following as "Iconic Literary Couples". I thought they could also count as a "Classic Romance":

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Odyssey by Homer
Macbeth by William Shakespeare

I hope these suggestion may help anyone who's stuck.

[Valerie]

Thank you for the list. I am going to do Adverbs. Looks interesting. For classic romance I have downloaded Mansfield Park. Appreciate the help though, as both categories can be hard to match.

[Valerie]

BTW.. Highly recommend Water for Elephants.

[Carol]

Heather L wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Heather L wrote: "You can set up a post in this thread and edit as necessary, OR you can set up your own personal challenge thread in Members Reading/Challenge Lists."

Some of us ar..."

I also have a spreadsheet keeping track of what I'm reading and what I've finished. I think it's the librarian in me that does it! :)

[CherD]

Thank you Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I just finished Come My Beloved by Pearl S. Buck. I am so glad I chose this book that was published the year I was born (1953). I find the history of British occupation of India very interesting and the rise of Ghandi.

[❂ Murder by Death]

I just finished Under the Tuscan Sun for the "book that became a movie" category. It had more good parts in it than bad, but man, it took forever to read for some reason!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Kirsten wrote: "Is anyone looking for a book with a love triangle? I noticed that Audible called out these as having love triangles:

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks"


I've actually read several of the "love-triangle" books, including Bridget Jones's Diary for this challenge.

I started The Fault in Our Stars by John Green for the "book that made you cry," and am already halfway through.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Valerie wrote: "Thank you for the list. I am going to do Adverbs. Looks interesting. For classic romance I have downloaded Mansfield Park. Appreciate the help though, as both categories can be hard to match."


Excellent choice in Mansfield Park. A lot of people don't like the heroine in this one, but I enjoyed the book overall.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I've just finished Obsession in Death for the book set in the future. A good and fast reading, as usual. I update message 26.

[❂ Murder by Death]

Just finished Magic Bites for Popular author's first book. Can't wait to read the next one and as a silver lining, the series works for "book set in the future" too. Woot!