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3rd Annual Reading Challenge
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Lea's Third Annual Reading Challenge - COMPLETED
Lea wrote: "Lindsey, we moved Holly to August, because Ioana wants to read If It Bleeds first and her library doesn't have very many copies. Will that be OK with you?"I am now #21 on 2 copies, so if everyone keeps it for the max 3 weeks I'm 10.5 *3 = 31.5 weeks, so about 8 months. But maybe some people will return it sooner, fingers crossed. 🤞
Holly in August works for me. And I can do Warrior Girl in January. It'll come in my January BOTM box, which i normally grt my boxes by thr 6-7th of thr month.
Nice list Lea! I've read 3,4,9,11,A1&A4. I enjoyed them all so hopefully you will too. I can't wait to see your reviews for the rest. Best of luck!
Ioana wrote: "I am now #21 on 2 copies, so if everyone keeps it for the max 3 weeks I'm 10.5 *3 = 31.5 weeks, so about 8 months. But maybe some people will return it sooner, fingers crossed. 🤞"Some people will probably return it sooner or skip their place in line...but best to be prepared. Especially since you have to read it and then turn around and read Holly also. I am #41, but my library has 110 copies in use, so I am supposed to get it soon. I will continue to skip until August...maybe there will be others like me waiting for your book. :-)
Lindsey wrote: "Holly in August works for me. And I can do Warrior Girl in January. It'll come in my January BOTM box, which i normally grt my boxes by thr 6-7th of thr month."Perfect! Sounds like a plan! I'm getting excited about 2024. Lots of great books to tackle!
Lea wrote: "Some people will probably return it sooner or skip their place in line...but best to be prepared. "I'm hoping that, too. If I get it sooner, I'll let you know. Can you imagine that NYC library has 0 copies of it, and I have to rely on my small, local library who only has 2 copies???
Ioana wrote: "I'm hoping that, too. If I get it sooner, I'll let you know. Can you imagine that NYC library has 0 copies of it, and I have to rely on my small, local library who only has 2 copies???"No! I cannot believe that they don't have that book! Can you request it? Maybe if you do, they will buy it and you can get it sooner? I don't know. Sometimes I wonder about how libraries choose which books to purchase and which not to purchase. Fingers crossed.
I'm only interested in ebooks and audiobooks, maybe they have physical copies...but they only had the ebook, and their license expired. I know NYC libraries had severe budget cuts (as all other city agencies) in response to the migrant crisis and increased expenses to house/feed/school them. I know they have been asking for donations a lot lately, so I guess we'll see more of this in the future 😢
Lea wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I agree!"I love spreadsheets, but book spreadsheets are my favorite kind!"
You are totally right about the spreadsheets!
Ioana wrote: "I'm only interested in ebooks and audiobooks, maybe they have physical copies...but they only had the ebook, and their license expired. I know NYC libraries had severe budget cuts (as all other city agencies) in response to the migrant crisis and increased expenses to house/feed/school them. I know they have been asking for donations a lot lately, so I guess we'll see more of this in the future 😢"Oh no! That's so sad. There are budget cuts everywhere, but so far, the decrease to the library budget has resulted in fewer hours for the library to be open, as opposed to less audiobooks so far. It is hard for me to get to the library nowadays. We've gone from being open 60 hours per week to 36 hours per week, so I really have to plan ahead. :-(
Jackie wrote: "Lea wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I agree!"I love spreadsheets, but book spreadsheets are my favorite kind!"
You are totally right about the spreadsheets!"
Every day, I update my book spreadsheets. It's a happy moment.
Lea wrote: "There are budget cuts everywhere, but so far, the decrease to the library budget has resulted in fewer hours for the library to be open, as opposed to less audiobooks so far. It is hard for me to get to the library nowadays."There are no more Sunday hours at any NYC library branches, and fewer hours on working days, too. And while they were adding books weekly, now they are only adding monthly. :-(
Ioana wrote: "There are no more Sunday hours at any NYC library branches, and fewer hours on working days, too. And while they were adding books weekly, now they are only adding monthly. :-("Yes! It's almost 1/2 the number of hours as before, and very limited hours after work or on Saturday. No more Sunday or Monday. At least, no more fees for not returning items on time because when the book drop is broken, there's no way I could get some of my books back on time.
Great list, Lea. I read Darkfever and Bloodsucking Fiends a few years ago and enjoyed them both. My running partner just finished Holly last week and spent over a mile raving about it, so I expect I'll probably read it myself sometime in the new few months. Hope you enjoy all your selections!
Butterflycager wrote: "Great list, Lea. I read Darkfever and Bloodsucking Fiends a few years ago and enjoyed them both. My running partner just finished Holly last week and spent over a mile raving about it, so I expect I'll probably read it myself sometime in the new few months. Hope you enjoy all your selections!"Thanks, Butterflycager! I'm worried Darkfever and Bloodsucking Fiends might seem a bit dated, but both series won GRC Awards and I would like to read all of them.
We are reading buddy reading Holly in August, so if you haven't read it before than, you are more than welcome to join us.
Lea wrote: "Butterflycager wrote: "Great list, Lea. I read Darkfever and Bloodsucking Fiends a few years ago and enjoyed them both. My running partner just finished Holly last week and spent over a mile raving..."Thanks, Lea. The buddy read sounds like fun - I might just save Holly until August.
Dear Mr. Lehane,I could not put down Small Mercies. Wow. What an intense book. After reading Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High last year and it being one of my favorite books, it was interesting to continue to read books about integration. But while this book is about integration, it is also about relationships and how important it is to have hope. This book was very dark, brutal, painful, and packed a punch. For hope to live on, it has to live on in all of us. We have to do better. We have to be better.
Living in hope,
Lea
Lea wrote: "Dear Mr. Lehane,I could not put down Small Mercies. Wow. What an intense book. After reading [book:Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Ce..."
Amazing book but difficult to read. Glad you liked it too.
Michelle wrote: "Amazing book but difficult to read. Glad you liked it too."Yes! I've only read two books by Lehane, but both were unforgettable.
Butterflycager wrote: "Thanks, Lea. The buddy read sounds like fun - I might just save Holly until August.."If that works out, that would be so great. I started reading Darkfever and it definitely feels a bit dated, but I'm also enjoying the mystery. I think it will be a good series to read.
Lea wrote: "I've only read two books by Lehane, but both were unforgettable."Which ones? For me, both Shutter Island and Mystic River were excellent, but I was not a fan of Since We Fell
Ioana wrote: "Lea wrote: "I've only read two books by Lehane, but both were unforgettable."Which ones? For me, both Shutter Island and Mystic River were excellent, but I was not a fan of Since We Fell"
I've only read Shutter Island. I do have The Given Day on my book shelves, someone gave that book to me. But I haven't read it yet.
I also loved Small Mercies and just added Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High. It's SO important to read up on history like this, I am looking forward to it eventually.
Alissa wrote: "I also loved Small Mercies and just added Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High. It's SO important to read up on history like this, I am looking forward to it eventually."I'm planning to read A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School and Lessons from Little Rock also at some point, when I can stand it. Going to Central High in Little Rock last year was a huge experience for me. I am ashamed by how much I cried. I'm getting misty eyed right now.
"This book was very dark, brutal, painful, and packed a punch"Sounds like Dennis Lehane, all right. Tremendous author.
Karol wrote: ""This book was very dark, brutal, painful, and packed a punch"Sounds like Dennis Lehane, all right. Tremendous author."
Do you have a favorite book by him, Karol? I've only read two - Small Mercies and Shutter Island. I do have a few more on my shelves, so I am sure it probably won't be my last book I read by him.
Lea wrote: "Karol wrote: ""This book was very dark, brutal, painful, and packed a punch"Sounds like Dennis Lehane, all right. Tremendous author."
Do you have a favorite book by him, Karol?
I'd have to say The Given Day is my favorite of his. I have kind of a bent towards historical fiction. This is one of the best I've read. You do see a lot of hard times and upheaval in this book.
Karol wrote: "I'd have to say The Given Day is my favorite of his. I have kind of a bent towards historical fiction. This is one of the best I've read. You do see a lot of hard times and upheaval in this book."Yay! I was giving that book as a gift and it is sitting on my shelves staring at me. I will read it soon, now that I know what to expect. Have you read the other books in the series?
Dear Ms. Boulley,I really enjoyed Firekeeper's Daughter, and hadn't heard as much about Warrior Girl Unearthed, so I had a little concern that it wouldn't hold up to the first book of yours that I read. I think Warrior Girl Unearthed held it's own. The book started out a lot slower and a little differently, and the ending was a bit of a pull-together, but I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first one, despite it being so different. I hope you continue with these stories, I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Regards,
Lea
Lea wrote: "Dear Ms. Boulley,I really enjoyed Firekeeper's Daughter, and hadn't heard as much about Warrior Girl Unearthed, so I had a little concern that it wouldn't hold up ..."
Glad you liked Warrior Girl Lea! I enjoyed it. It did have a different feel than the first book and the ending was a little messy but a great story in spite of that.
Michelle wrote: "Glad you liked Warrior Girl Lea! I enjoyed it. It did have a different feel than the first book and the ending was a little messy but a great story in spite of that."Where was Jamie?!?!? I missed him.
I'm hoping the next book will be about Daunis's son and Shense's daughter.
Lea wrote: "Karol wrote: "I'd have to say The Given Day" ...."Lea, I have not read further in the series, but I definitely should!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I look forward to getting around to it.
Mod
I could not put down Small Mercies. Wow. What an intense book. After reading [book:Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Ce..."
Great review Lea; but I don't think I can read any Lehane. After watching Mystic River; my heart was in tatters. I just can't do it.
Karol wrote: "Lea wrote: "Karol wrote: "I'd have to say The Given Day" ...."Lea, I have not read further in the series, but I definitely should!"
Karol, I'm hoping to read the first book at least, since it is on my shelf. I am a bit of a completist, so I will probably keep going unless I definitely don't think I'm going to like something.
Patricia wrote: "Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I look forward to getting around to it."I hope you like it too, Patricia!
Alondra wrote: "Great review Lea; but I don't think I can read any Lehane. After watching Mystic River; my heart was in tatters. I just can't do it."If you are worried about your heart being in tatters, definitely don't pick up Small Mercies. I am going to have to wait a bit before I read my next Lehane, it was pretty intense.
Dear Ms. Moning,I finally read Darkfever. The book was first published in 2006, and I am not surprised. Trends have changed in the past 18 years, and the mysterious alpha male characters just don't read as well as it did back in the day. I'm glad about that. All in all, I'm interested enough in the series to continue reading, but I'm not sure this will be a favorite series for me.
Regards,
Lea
Dear Mr. Paolini,I have not read the Inheritance Cycle, a few years ago I read To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. I think my expectations were too high, and while the book was fine, I wasn't inspired to continue reading your work. I just finished reading Fractal Noise and while I rated this book the same as To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, I think my expectations were in line with what I got and I am more eager to continue to read your work. Fractal Noise was more simple than To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, and much shorter. I'm glad I read it and am moving your other works back up my TBR.
Sincerely,
Lea
4 books down on this list??? way to go!
Alissa wrote: "4 books down on this list??? way to go!"I just started book #5. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling like reading two or three of my bigger books on the list, but I'm hoping that my mood will shift again. We'll see. I always start out so well and then struggle through the last of the list. :-)
Dear Ms. Harmel,I read The Book of Lost Names after it had been highly recommended. I liked the book, but I was honestly more interested in the stories of the children than I was in the love story between the two main characters. I never felt invested in any of the characters; yet, the story of how the children were smuggled out of France into Switzerland was fascinating to me. It was 3 stars for me, but could have bene higher, perhaps if either I'd connected to some of the characters within the book or had been in the mood for more of a love story.
Regards,
Lea
I agree 100%. The children's story was interesting, but the book itself was dull and predictable. A lot of potential...
Mod
If you are worried about your heart being in t..."
I knew it. I'm crying already! 😩😭
Ioana wrote: "I agree 100%. The children's story was interesting, but the book itself was dull and predictable. A lot of potential..."I agree about the book being predictable - the author telegraphed every twist, so we all knew what was happening before they did it. And I wanted to shake a few of the characters. My pet peeve is when authors use phrases like the following:
"I had no choice"
"It is the only way"
As soon as I read something like that, I start thinking about other/better choices or other/better ways that something can be done. It just activates my mind, being so declarative. It should be very rare when people actually have no choices or only one way to behave!!
And this book had those phrases in almost every chapter. I was over it.
It sounds like I'm being negative. It was a good story, but it could have easily been a great book for me, with a little more complexity.
Alondra wrote: "I knew it. I'm crying already! 😩😭"Me too, me too. Of course, that's not saying anything. I cry a lot. :-)
Lea wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I have had [book:If I Stay|4374400 on my tbr since 2015. I will be sure that it makes it to one challenge or another. Good luck."I'm thinking about reading it in February, if you w..."
Lea, it's February and I have just pulled up If I Stay on my Kindle. I'm ready to start reading it with you! Love those spreadsheets with the reminders for me. LOL
Jackie wrote: "Lea, it's February and I have just pulled up If I Stay on my Kindle. I'm ready to start reading it with you! Love those spreadsheets with the reminders for me. LOL"Happy February! I am going to start it too! Do we want to message each other as we read, or do you want me to set up a thread? :-)
Lea wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Lea, it's February and I have just pulled up If I Stay on my Kindle. I'm ready to start reading it with you! Love those spreadsheets with the reminders for me. LOL"Happy February! ..."
We can just message each other. I'm looking forward to this.
On The Same Page
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Jeffrey Archer (other topics)
Kristin Harmel (other topics)
Dennis Lehane (other topics)
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Let me know when you get to Warrior Unearthed. I may go ahead and get it from BOTM and buddy read if interested..."
Lindsey, we moved Holly to August, because Ioana wants to read If It Bleeds first and her library doesn't have very many copies. Will that be OK with you?
I was going to read Warrior Girl Unearthed early, like in January. Is that enough time for you to get the book? If not, I can rearrange a few things until you get it. Just let me know when you think you might be able to get it! :-)