Ultimate 2015 Reading Challenge

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Was this her first books? I didn't know it.

[Valerie]

Yes, it is their first book. It is actually a husband wife team that write the books. They also have a new series that just came out that is really good. First book in that series is Burn for
Me. I used it for book with magic.

[Valerie]

Yes, it is their first book. It is actually a husband wife team that write the books. They also have a new series that just came out that is really good. First book in that series is Burn for
Me. I used it for book with magic.

[CherD]

I just finished by Kathryn Stockett for "a book that became a movie." I thoroughly enjoyed this book, funny, heartbreaking, and very very real.

[CherD]

I just finished the book by Nancy Thayer, "a book set during Christmas." It was a nice book and actually had a good message.

[❂ Murder by Death]

Marisa wrote: "Was this her first books? I didn't know it."

I didn't realise it either until I was halfway through it - checked the copyright, and did a bit of googling. Serendipity. :)

[Skeetor]

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

Updated My List 10/52"

That was a great book. Also, ..."

Sorry, just saw this, really your ancestor...how interesting!

[Skeetor]

#28 of 52 -- A book with antonyms in the title

Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: Rethinking the Things That Matter Most

by Jerry L. Walls

Updated My List

[Christine]

Ok this is what I have so far.

[√] A book with 500 pages All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
[√] A classic romance- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
[√] A book that became a movie- American Sniper byChris Kyle
[√] A book published this year- In Hot Water by J.J. Cook
[√] A book with a number in the title - 14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson
[√] A book written by someone age under 30: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
[√] A book with nonhuman characters: If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell
[√] A funny book: Killer Gourmet by G.A. McKevett
[√] A book with a female author- The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis
[√] A mystery or thriller-The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
[ ] A book with a one-word title
[√] A book of short stories The Complete Stories and Poems by Edgar Allan Poe
[√] A book set in a different country: The Vacationers by Emma Straub
[√] A nonfiction book- On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life by Amy Purdy
[ ] A popular author's first book
[√] A book you have not read from an author you love: Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline
[ ] A book a friend recommended
[√] A Pulitzer Prize winning book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
[√] A book based on a true story: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
[√] A book at the bottom of your to-read list- A Timely Vision by Joyce Lavene
[ ] A book your mom loves
[ ] A book that scares you
[√] A book more than 100 years old- Dracula by Bram Stoker
[ ] A book based entirely on its cover
[√] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
[√] A memoir - Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
[√] A book you can finish in a day- Insurgent by Veronica Roth
[√] A book with antonyms in the titleBeauty and the Beast
[ ] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
[√] A book that came out the year you were born:A Farewell to Yarns by Jill Churchill
[√] A book with bad reviews Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
[ ] A trilogy
[√] A book from your childhood The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
[√] A book with a love triangle Double Fudge Brownie Murder by Joanne Fluke
[ ] A book set in the future
[√] A book set in high school The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard
[√]A book with a color in the title The Color Purple by Alice Walker
[ ] A book that made you cry
[√] A book with magic Magic and Macaroons by Bailey Cates
[ ] A graphic novel
[ √] A book by an author you've never read before The Disappeared Girl by Martin J Smith
[√] A book you own but have never read: Sleep No More by Iris Johansen
[√] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live) Devil's Bridge by Linda Fairstein
[ ] A book originally written in a different language
[√] A book set during Christmas Miami, Mistletoe & Murder by Katie Reus
[√] A book written by an author with your same initials- Girl Underwater by Claire Kells
[√] A play Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose
[√] A banned book - Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
[√] A book based on or turned into a TV show Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen
[ ] A book you started but never finished

[Christine]

Does Twelve Years a Slave work for a memoir.?

[Valerie]

Christine wrote: "Does Twelve Years a Slave work for a memoir.?"

Yes. The description is a memoir. Difference between a biography and a memoir is that the memoir is only a part of their life, not birth on...

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Christine wrote: "Does Twelve Years a Slave work for a memoir.?"


This book would fit Memoir, nonfiction or a book made into a movie.

[Kirsten]

Or the book written over 100 years ago...

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

I've updated the master list with links for finding a "popular author's first book," and am posting them here as well:

List 1 * List 2 * List 3 * List 4

☺

[Skeetor]

Thank you, Heather!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Thank you, Heather! I've read more than I thought, some of them are in my list for other point but it helps a lot.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Most welcome! ☺

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I've been googleing, and I've found that the first Robert Heinlein's novel is a juvenile one I haven't read, so I think Rocket Ship Galileo, and I'll see if I still find his books appealing.

[Teresa]

So I decided to make monthly updates of my progress.

14/52

[X] A book your mom loves – Weekend Warriors – Fern Michaels – 2/5/15
[X] A book at the bottom of your to-read list – The Baylors of Newmarket: The Decline and Fall of a Virginia Planter Family – Thomas Katheder – 2/6/15
[X] A book that came out the year you were born – Runaway Ralph – Beverly Cleary – 2/7/15
[X] A book with nonhuman characters – Ralph S. Mouse – Beverly Cleary – 2/8/15
[X] A book of short stories – Fairy Tales – Hans Christian Andersen – 2/11/15
[X] A memoir – A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail – Bill Bryson – 2/15/15

I've updated post #273

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

It looks like people are making excellent progress in this challenge. I started The House of Hades by Rick Riordan last night, which will likely be my "500 page book" -- though it could also go towards a book with magic, a book set in a different country, or a book set someplace you'd like to visit (that would be Italy or Greece, not Tartarus).

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I have a question. Although I've been talking about Heinlein, I LOVE JAK, and I was looking for her first book. I have it in Spanish but the problem is: it's a category romance, Gentle Pirate, and I don't know it the length is right. What do you think?

[Nell]

Marisa wrote: "I have a question. Although I've been talking about Heinlein, I LOVE JAK, and I was looking for her first book. I have it in Spanish but the problem is: it's a category romance, [book:Gentle Pirate..."

I don't think there is a page requirement for this challenge. What category did you want to use this book for? It's a female author and it sounds like a book "from an author you love". But it is not a classic romance.

[Kirsten]

Marisa wrote: "I have a question. Although I've been talking about Heinlein, I LOVE JAK, and I was looking for her first book. I have it in Spanish but the problem is: it's a category romance, [book:Gentle Pirate..."

It would also qualify as a book written originally in another language. I agree that there is no page requirement and I don't believe genre counts against you.

[Kirsten]

#17 -- A book based on or turned into a TV show

Good Morning, Midnight by Reginald Hill

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

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Thank you. I'm trying to use it for "First book of a famous author", as I think that Jayne Ann Krentz can go in that cathegory (her books go directly to hardcover as JAK or Amanda Quick, ni Jayne Castle)

[Valerie]

One of the things I am doing along this challenge is to donate $1 a book to our library. They are trying to build a new one, and I figured this would not only challenge me to read, but also to give. I have challenge my fellow townsfolk to also give what they can for each book read, and I would like to challenge each of you to donate to either your library or a literacy program an amount per book. Some may be able to afford what I have designated, others may need lower amounts; but this challenge might also be a great way to encourage more folks to experience the love of reading!

[Nell]

Marisa wrote: "Thank you. I'm trying to use it for "First book of a famous author", as I think that Jayne Ann Krentz can go in that cathegory (her books go directly to hardcover as JAK or Amanda Quick, ni Jayne C..."

Jayne Ann Krentz is a popular author so I think it fits that category.

[❂ Murder by Death]

Valerie wrote: "One of the things I am doing along this challenge is to donate $1 a book to our library. They are trying to build a new one, and I figured this would not only challenge me to read, but also to give..."

Fabulous idea! I think I'm going to do a variation of this and save up the $ for each book I read in this challenge and when I get to the States for my annual vacation to see my mom, I'm going to donate that $ to my childhood library (which is directly across the street from my mom's house). They have a very active FOTL and I know the money donated will go directly to library books and programs.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[CherD]

I just finished Extraordinary, Ordinary People, by Condoleezza Rice I am in awe of what this woman has accomplished and getting to know her through this book was such an uplifting experience. This was my book that is a memoir.

[Kirsten]

Valerie wrote: "One of the things I am doing along this challenge is to donate $1 a book to our library. They are trying to build a new one, and I figured this would not only challenge me to read, but also to give..."

Cool!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Marisa wrote: "Thank you. I'm trying to use it for "First book of a famous author", as I think that Jayne Ann Krentz can go in that category (her books go directly to hardcover as JAK or Amanda Quick, or Jayne C..."


JAK would definitely qualify as a popular author in my book (no pun intended, grin). Sounds like you could use her for a couple of categories on your list. ;)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Valerie wrote: "One of the things I am doing along this challenge is to donate $1 a book to our library. They are trying to build a new one, and I figured this would not only challenge me to read, but also to give..."


I've been donating books to our local Little Free Libraries about once a month -- does that count? :-D

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Heather L wrote: "It looks like people are making excellent progress in this challenge. I started The House of Hades by Rick Riordan last night, which will likely be my "500 page book" -- though it c..."


Finished the book this afternoon -- 600 pages in less than three days -- and enjoyed the adventure. Still waffling as to whether I will count it as my "500 page book" or a "book with magic." Hmmm...

[Christine]

A memoir: Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

Updated post #363

[Valerie]

Heather L. I think that if you set a goal to go along with each book you read, then that would count. For instance, if you plan to donate a book for every book you read, then that would count. It needs to specifically be tied to the challenge...and, how you do it is up to you. I have a woman who has decided that she will donate 25 cents per book she reads the whole year because she tends to read a LOT and $1 a book would be out of her budget range. I decided to do $1 a book, but do it as I go along so it does not break the bank at the end of the year. (I have a total goal of 120 books...obviously more than this challenge.) As long as YOU decide a goal towards literacy, and stick to it...it counts. Share the love of books is the whole point of my challenge.

[Skeetor]

#5 A book with a number in the title

Forgiveness4You

by Ann Bauer

#41 A book by an author you've never read before

A Corpse in the Koryo

by James Church (no photo)

14/52

Updated My List

[❂ Murder by Death]

I updated my list for book set in the future (Magic Bleeds and for some reason, while I posted that I'd read it, I forgot to include 84, Charing Cross Road for book written the year I was born.

[Kirsten]

Skeetor wrote: "#5 A book with a number in the title

Forgiveness4You

by Ann Bauer

#41 A book by an author you've n..."

Corpse in the Koryo is the first book in one of my favorite series!

[Kirsten]

I noticed that Helen posted this book as being free today:

Murder at the High School Reunion by Steve Demaree

http://www.amazon.com/Murder-School-R...

I wonder if it would qualify as a "book set in high school"?

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Kirsten wrote: "I noticed that Helen posted this book as being free today:

Murder at the High School Reunion by Steve Demaree...

I wonder if it would qualify as a "book set in high school"?"

I'm thinking it would depend on whether the reunion took place at the school or an alternate location.

[Christine]

Book at bottom of to read list- A Timely Vision by Joyce Lavene

Book by author with your initials- Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline
Updated post #363

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Personal Ultimate challenge progress updated HERE.

[Valerie]

Just finished reading the Ruby Red Trilogy (Also known as the Precious Jewel Trilogy). Would highly recommend for those looking for a quick, enjoyable fantasy read.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Book at bottom of the TBR: Death by Inferior Design. Nice reading, although a bit too much of background.

Progress Update: HERE and message 26

[❂ Murder by Death]

Updated my list (on page 2 of this thread) to include a book with a love triangle (Devil in the Deadline) and a book more than 100 years old: The Secret Garden.

Both excellent reads!

[CherD]

I just finished Promises of the Wolves, by Dorothy Hearst

For now I am using it as my "A book with nonhuman characters." But I enjoyed it so much I may change it to my Trilogy category, but I had another set of books I wanted to use for the trilogy. Anyway, for now nonhuman characters. Again, enjoyable book, left me wanting to know more of what happens to the characters.

[Sinthu]

I am going to take this challenge, it is my first one actually,I always go for three or four genres, I think this will diversify my interest, I really excited to do this.

[❂ Murder by Death]

Sinthu wrote: "I am going to take this challenge, it is my first one actually,I always go for three or four genres, I think this will diversify my interest, I really excited to do this."

I've found quite a few new books because of this challenge - I hope you have fun with it. :)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Valerie wrote: "Just finished reading the Ruby Red Trilogy (Also known as the Precious Jewel Trilogy). Would highly recommend for those looking for a quick, enjoyable fantasy read."

Hi Valerie,
It might be helpful to others if you listed the author's name, as there may be more thank one trilogy with that name. ;-)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Sinthu wrote: "I am going to take this challenge, it is my first one actually,I always go for three or four genres, I think this will diversify my interest, I really excited to do this."


Welcome and good luck, Sinthu!