R5: SS Four: A Divergent Team (4)

[Berit]

Never mind, I see you edited your previous comment, so I am no longer confused :-)

[Denise]

I'm going with book one in a series. Three Girls and a Baby

[Berit]

I will also use a book one in a series, not sure which one yet. Will let you know for sure by Saturday when I get some more info on another challenge :-)

[Allison Ann]

I'll probably be reading Blindman's Bluff, #18 in the series. But I may end up with and the silver/gray cover. I'll know for sure by tonight. Good day all.

[Shy The WidowMaker]

Ok I am going with the alternate for this one and will be reading . I can make it work for my other challenge too.

[Allison Ann]

Definitely reading for this week, started this morning. Anyone have fun plans for this Saturday? I'm just finishing my last 10 minutes of work at the library and then heading for a quick coffee before my 8 hours of work at the store. Wheee, fun! ;) I'll have free time again in November.

[Berit]

What kind of store do you work at?? You sure are busy, I'm impressed you get any reading in at all! I think I'm going to read Throne of Glass, first in a series, I will definitely get my review in no later than Wednesday.. My only plans for today are going to my son's baseball game, and then out to dinner. Other than that I will be reading, reading, reading, and of course cleaning, cleaning, and cleaning :-)

[Allison Ann]

Berit wrote: "What kind of store do you work at?? You sure are busy, I'm impressed you get any reading in at all! I think I'm going to read Throne of Glass, first in a series, I will definitely get my review in ..."

I have a little convenience store, I pump gas, sell a few groceries and tons of pop and chips. :) Once the ground thaws and we can get the water in and the cabins opened up, then I'm back at the resort for the summer. My office there isn't winterized so it's too cold in the winter, I attempt to run everything from my kitchen table.

[Allison Ann]

ROLL #2, SPOT #18
Series or Alternate: Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #18

by Faye Kellerman

Book: Blindman's Bluff
Series or Alternate: Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #18
Date finished: 03/28/15
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This is a series I usually enjoy and this book was no different. The elements of ridiculousness were minimal and I like the characters. I also generally learn something about Judaism, though this installment was light on that. All in all, a light, enjoyable read.

[Berit]

Allison and, your life seem very interesting! Also you are super speedy, I think you've been first to get in your review both weeks :-) congrats!

[K~Terror]

Berit - I love the Throne of Glass series - good choice! How's the weather for baseball? We have lacrosse tomorrow. It's supposed to be low 40s and 60% chance of rain. I'm hoping they were being pessimistic.

Allison Ann - You are super speedy! Awesome!

I have my book done & hope to post my review tomorrow.

[Berit]

I am really excited about starting that one! I live in Southern California so it was 90 today :-) the game was at 3:30 and it was perfect in the shade, I don't know how you guys do it in the cold and snow, it hits 65 and I have my big coat and furry boots on :-)

[K~Terror]

Me too!! You will never see me complain about the heat!!

[Allison Ann]

90 degrees and I want to tear my skin off. I hate the heat, I'm much more a cool weather person.

You don't see it as much now with satellite TV and internet, people can find out the weather in Borneo if they want. But when I was a kid, we were always having people show up at camp in July and August, when the temperatures are steadily in the high 80s/low 90s with snow suits and sweaters. Because it was Canada and they thought it was always winter. Perhaps we invented jean shorts and sweater vests here? ;)

[Jenne]

Congrats y'all earned your free pass last week!

[Berit]

LOL, that would probably be me visiting Canada :-)

[K~Terror]

===========================================================
Week 2: Spot #18
===========================================================


Book: Blood Past by Samantha Young
Read: 03/27
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Review:
I ended up devouring this trilogy as I had started reading the first book before the roll which made book 2 a perfect fit with its gray cover. As soon as I finished this book, I moved on the final book in the series. The story is about a girl who is a soul-eater but had not fully transitioned into one yet and a boy who wants to save her. It was about good and evil, and the gray in between. Blood Past was a very quick read, although 300+ pages, the writing flowed well and the delivery was quick paced. The characters were very likable which also held my interest because I wanted to know what was going to happen to them next. I read a review about this book where the reviewer gave the book 1-☆ because of the over-use of the word "smirk" with document of each and every instance. Although I found the review pretty funny, I was glad I'd seen it after I read the book because otherwise it's possible I would have been stuck counting the word too.

[Berit]

Way to go you speedy readers!! That trilogy looks intriguing to me :-) hope I don't start counting word if I read it ;-)

[K~Terror]

Haha! I thought about that after I posted it! I just thought it was hilarious though!

[Berit]

What drives me crazy is the biting of the lower lip, it happens and absolutely every book I seem to read :-) started with 50 Shades of Gray. She also said "holy crap" so many times it drove me nuts! That is one where I thought the movie was better than the book.

[K~Terror]

LOL! Yes! Or the "crooked grin" - which could be the same as a smirk I guess.

[Berit]

Someone just smirked and my book :-) and bit their lower lip ;-)

[K~Terror]

Oh noooooo!!! A double whammy!!!

[Shy The WidowMaker]

Im halfway through my book. I was gone all day my oldest had challenge tournaments games all day. I was at the field from 930 am-6 pm today. They played 5 games and game in second place.

[K~Terror]

Congrats Shy - sounds like a big day!

[Berit]

Those tournaments can be so very long :-) it is always nice to win in the end ;-) my daughter was a competitive dancer for years, and nothing is longer then dance competitions, just ask her brothers ;-)

[Shy The WidowMaker]

Thanks ladies and I agree Berit my middle one does gymnastics and those competitions seem to never end. My reward is TWD tonight and some ice cream.

[K~Terror]

You deserve it - enjoy!!

[Allison Ann]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: I read a review about this book where the reviewer gave the book 1-☆ because of the over-use of the word "smirk" with document of each and every instance. Although I found the review pretty funny, I was glad I'd seen it after I read the book because otherwise it's possible I would have been stuck counting the word too. "

That's one reason I almost never listen to audiobooks. Repetitions, poor grammar, accents, etc., things that don't bother me when reading, drive me absolutely batty when I have to listen to them.

[K~Terror]

I can see that - there's definitely a trade off. If I had more time to sit & read i would probably do that exclusively. I just love the ability to listen to books while doing other things - driving, laundry, cleaning, etc. And when you can find a good narrator, it can make all the difference. I swear half the reason I like The Hollows series is because of Marguerite Gavin. She does an especially wicked Jenks!

But, sigh...it's true there are a lot of really crappy narrators out there too unfortunately.

[Berit]

Yes, that is the beauty of audiobooks, you can get so much done well you are listening, I also think there are some books I liked better simply because of the narrator. Honestly, I have run across very few really bad narrators. So, I think you are right it is a tossup :-)

[Denise]

Finished April 1
Rating 4 stars
Three Girls and a Baby

This was a cute, predictable book about a girl getting her act together after college. I really enjoyed the book, though, even though I figured out the plot twist early in the book. I had doubts about who Ginnie would end up with, though.

I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series, and i hope the future books keep my attention as much as the first one did.

[Berit]

Great job everyone!! I switched the book I'm going to do, already finished the book I will report later today it has just been a crazy week with spring break and such. Fortunately I have multiple books that can fit :-)

[Berit]

Week 2 Fallen too far finished:3/30 ***
This book just reminded me that these are not my favorite types of books. And innocent, sweet, girl needs a hot, Rich, guy. Then there is some drama, and then well you know what happens. I didn't love this book, I didn't hate this book, but I will not read any more books in the series. I just like my characters with a little more depth, and my plot line with a little more substance.

[Allison Ann]

Two 4-star reads and two 3-star reads so far. Not bad for a group average. :)

[Shy The WidowMaker]

I finished my book during lunch today. Will get my review up either tonight or tomorrow.

[Shy The WidowMaker]

4 Stars
Finished 4/1/15

I really enjoyed this one and I am glad I finally got around to reading it. The main character was so endearing and you couldn't help but to feel sorry for him and the cards he has been dealt. He has a lot going on in his life but I loved seeing a vampire with heart. The cool introduction of the kitsune was also awesome. I loved Suzme and can't wait to see more of her and Fort working together. I loved that how Fort started out as a character who needed help to becoming someone that can take care of himself. I can't wait to continue this series.

[Berit]

Great job team!! I'm going to predict we will never need to use the free pass ;-) anyways I have a question for you all does anyone have any suggestions for a steam punk book? I need to read one for a challenge, and I have never read anything in that genre that I am aware of.

[Shy The WidowMaker]

Hhm off the top of my head I would say these are some that I liked that I think are steampunk . I have heard the audios of the Parasol Protectate are great too. Hope that helps.

[Shy The WidowMaker]

Good job team I linked all our reviews and we are all set for our roll tomorrow. I have a book I want to read that I am hoping our roll works for it.

[K~Terror]

Berit wrote: "Great job team!! I'm going to predict we will never need to use the free pass ;-) anyways I have a question for you all does anyone have any suggestions for a steam punk book? I need to read one fo..."

I was going to say that I'm not a big fan of steam punk but I'd heard good things about the one Shy mentioned (Etiquette Espionage) - also, seems like everyone (except for me) loved Soulless

I actually did like Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel series and didn't realize it was considered steam punk!

[K~Terror]

We are leaving for spring break on Saturday so I'm hoping to read and post my review early. Whoop-Whoop!

[Shy The WidowMaker]

@Kristin I didn't care for Soulless either. I have tried to read it twice and gave up. I was told by a lot of people the audios are best for that series.

[Allison Ann]

Have never read any steampunk, sorry to be of no help. Where you going for Spring Break Kristin? I'll be back tomorrow morning to see what we're reading. Gotta get to work, have a great day all.

[Berit]

Thank you for all the suggestions!! I figure I will give the genre at least one try ;-), but I know what I'm going to avoid now ;-) hope you have fun on your trip :-) I'm jealous we had spring break this week and went nowhere, , Spring break is right in the middle of baseball season, so we have never gone anywhere. We are going down to San Diego on Saturday, my son made his final decision and is going to go to UC San Diego next year, I need to brag for a minute 78,000 people applied to the school for only 5000 spots and he got one of those :-) I don't know how it is in other states, but it is absolutely impossible to get into the UC system here you have to graduate with above a 4.2 and receive at least a 30 on the ACT , And be involved in all kinds of things in school to even get in. My son had above both of those and did not get into Berkeley, chose not to go to UCLA, he just likes the San Diego campus the best. It is just frustrating for those of us in California because so many people from out of State get in because they are paying out-of-state tuition, and we are the ones paying the taxes for the schools. This year they had more applicants than ever apply to the UC system and only excepted the same amount as the previous year, it is just hard seen some of my sons friends not getting into any of the top schools when they graduated with amazing grades and amazing test scores :-( well enough about my rant :-) Thank you for all the suggestions!!! I have

[K~Terror]

Shy The WidowMaker wrote: "@Kristin I didn't care for Soulless either. I have tried to read it twice and gave up. I was told by a lot of people the audios are best for that series."

I think it's because even if your mind wonders, the audio book keeps on going... LOL! I just have a shorter attention span or something because it's the same with historical fiction (as with steam punk) - seems like there is a lot of description and not enough action.. soulless got better the last 25% - which made me wonder if I should try the next one but I still haven't...

[K~Terror]

Allison Ann wrote: "Have never read any steampunk, sorry to be of no help. Where you going for Spring Break Kristin? I'll be back tomorrow morning to see what we're reading. Gotta get to work, have a great day all."

We are going to Orlando - where are you coming back from? I'm hoping for warmth & relaxation. It's been a nutty 3 weeks.

[K~Terror]

Berit wrote: "Thank you for all the suggestions!! I figure I will give the genre at least one try ;-), but I know what I'm going to avoid now ;-) hope you have fun on your trip :-) I'm jealous we had spring brea..."

That's AWESOME news Berit!! Congratulations!! I bet you are one proud mama!! I get it's a beautiful campus and it sounds like he is set up for a fabulous next four years. :)

[Berit]

Yes, I am very proud he was excepted at seven of the eight colleges he applied to. So, he had a lot of options :-) Orlando, sounds like a lot of fun!! We went there and on a Disney cruise around five years ago.

[Shy The WidowMaker]

We rolled a 7 So we are on spot 25. We can read 2nd and 5th in series and the alternate is China.