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3rd Annual Reading Challenge
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Lea's Third Annual Reading Challenge - COMPLETED
Karol wrote: "I haven't, Lea! It's not a genre that has appealed to me but who knows - I might stumble into it unawares some day."I understand. I never thought I'd be reading it either. There's a lot of genres I never thought I'd be reading. :-)
Dear Mr. Osman,I really enjoyed your latest book in the Thursday Murder Club series, The Last Devil to Die. These books just seem to be getting better and better. I didn't enjoy the first book in the series very much, so I really had to be persuaded to read the next in the series. I'm so glad I did. If I'd have stopped after the first book, that would have been a mistake. This series is so good that I'm disappointed when I finish out the series. I want there to be more books to read. I look forward to the next adventures of the club.
Very truly a fan,
Lea
Mod
I really enjoyed your latest book in the Thursday Murder Club series, The Last Devil to Die. These books just seem to be getting better and better. I didn't enjoy t..."
I definitely have to read the first one!
Bill wrote: "I definitely have to read the first one!"Yes! And if you think the first one is just average, or you have quibbles with it, keep reading. I think the 2-4 are so much better than the first one. That said, most people love the first one too.
Lea wrote: "Dear Mr. Osman,I really enjoyed your latest book in the Thursday Murder Club series, The Last Devil to Die. These books just seem to be getting better and better. I didn't enjoy t..."
Ohh, good to know. I think this series is on my TBR...I think.
I enjoyed the first three. Read the first one with a book club & we'll be reading the 4th later this year. Glad you believe they're getting better. I'm interested in his plans for a new series as well.
Ioana wrote: "Ohh, good to know. I think this series is on my TBR...I think."I think you would like them. They aren't going to win any literature awards, but they are quick reads and fairly entertaining. :-)
Patricia wrote: "I enjoyed the first three. Read the first one with a book club & we'll be reading the 4th later this year. Glad you believe they're getting better. I'm interested in his plans for a new series as well."I'm also interested in Osman's plans for a different type of book too. It will be interesting to see if he can pull off another genre. Most authors struggle with that. How nice that your book club reads sequels. My book club starts me on all these series, but they refuse to read sequels, even of books that we've already read, because they claim that new members will feel left out. I understand, but we rarely have new members, and as long as they get to vote also, it seems a bit over the top to rule out all books that are sequels. Especially since the first book isn't always the best book in the series! :-) Hope you enjoy the The Last Devil to Die also!
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Girl I liked that one it was a 4 star read!! ;-)"
You did!?? I must be getting old or it was another book I recommended, and you were like, whomp-whomp! LOL
I'm glad. I've been missing the mark lately. I need to get back on my game.
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Really?? I wonder how that would "sound??".... mmm
Alondra wrote: "Really?? I wonder how that would "sound??".... mmm"No audio, so I'll not be able to help with that. I will have to go to the library. I think I'll start after I finish the Newsflesh series. One zombie series at a time. :-)
Dear Mr. Archer,I just finished reading Paths of Glory, which was very interesting. I wish it wasn't such a fictionalized account of George Mallory's life, I wonder how much research could be done to write a more historical version. That said, I did enjoy reading this book, it might be my favorite book I've ever read by you. (I've only read The Clifton Chronicles series.) It was an interesting story and I enjoyed it.
Sincerely,
Lea
Lea wrote: "Dear Mr. Archer,I just finished reading Paths of Glory, which was very interesting. I wish it wasn't such a fictionalized account of George Mallory's life, I wonder how much resear..."
I've also read his Kane & Abel series, but it follows EXACTLY the same formula as The Clifton Chronicles, so unless you have years and years between the 2 series, I would not recommend it. Actually, some (most?) of his stand alones too, follow the same formula.
Paths of Glory seems different, I might give it a try.
Ioana wrote: "I've also read his Kane & Abel series, but it follows EXACTLY the same formula as The Clifton Chronicles, so unless you have years and years between the 2 series, I would not recommend it. Actually, some (most?) of his stand alones too, follow the same formula.Paths of Glory seems different, I might give it a try."
I think you'll see some elements of Archer's formula in this fictionalized account of Mallory, (i.e. by making the characters he likes have modern beliefs on the role of women, etc, etc.). Still, it got me interested enough to look into Mallory's life and other climbers. It wasn't as good as Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster, and it is clearly fiction, but I did find it fun.
I would like to read Kane & Abel, but agree with your suggestion that I should probably wait some years before starting that series. There are plenty of other series competing for my attention.
I know it's controversial, but I loved Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster. I also had to read Anatoli Boukreev perspective in The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest, and I know I will read Mallory's story someday. I've always been fascinated by explorers.
Ioana wrote: "I know it's controversial, but I loved Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster. I also had to read Anatoli Boukreev perspective in The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest, and I know I will read Mallory's story someday. I've always been fascinated by explorers."I also loved Into Thin Air. I have been wanting to read The Climb for a long time because I want to read his perspective as well. One of these days...
Dear Mr. Riordan,It had been over 10 years since my last reading of a Percy Jackson book, so I was excited to pick this one up. It wasn't as good as I remembered, but it was still a pleasure to pick up a book and read about old friends. Even though I know how certain things must happen, it was still fun to read. I think the last several books in the Percy Jackson series were my favorite in your Riordanaverse, so the bar was high, and I'm not sure you reached it. However, I am looking forward to the next book in the series when it comes out this year.
Lea
Mod
It had been over 10 years since my last reading of a Percy Jackson book, so I was excited to pick this one up. It wasn't as good as I remembered, but it was still a pleasure to p..."
I think this is the only one I did not read. I really enjoyed this series, though.
The Chalice of the Gods
Alondra wrote: "I think this is the only one I did not read. I really enjoyed this series, though.The Chalice of the Gods"
It's hard to say if it was worth it. I enjoyed it, but the rest of the series was better, in my opinion. I guess a new book is coming out later this year, and I hope that book is a little better.
Mod
The Chalice of the Gods"
It's hard to say if it was worth it. I enjoyed it, but the rest of the ..."
Mmmmmm. The series is aging, and its been quite a while between 5 & 6. Riordan probably lost the "feel" of being in the midst of that world. Who knows?
Alondra wrote: "Mmmmmm. The series is aging, and its been quite a while between 5 & 6. Riordan probably lost the "feel" of being in the midst of that world. Who knows?"Yes, both authors and readers kind of lose their way when there is a long space between series books. It's hard to bring back the magic.
Dear Mr. Westerfeld,I really enjoyed reading Leviathan, which was the 2009 GRC Award winner. I think it will make a great anime series and I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the series soon. I did not enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed Uglies, but I think the potential for the series is much greater. Looking forward to continued reading!
Sincerely,
Lea
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I really enjoyed reading Leviathan, which was the 2009 GRC Award winner. I think it will make a great anime series and I'm looking forward to reading the next t..."
As I recall, they get better. Great series. My favorite character was Nora Barlow..
Bill wrote: "As I recall, they get better. Great series. My favorite character was Nora Barlow.."I'm interested to see what they do with her character, she seems very interesting. I'm hoping to read the next book this month. :-)
Dear Mr. Murphy,Thank you for your service. I saw you in 2011 at a work conference and was given a copy of Flawless Execution: Use the Techniques and Systems of America's Fighter Pilots to Perform at Your Peak and Win the Battles of the Business World from a work colleague/friend. I meant to read it right away, but here we are 13 years later, and I finally read the book. I was interested in the comparisons you made between serving our country and serving our company in a business setting; however, I am not sure I would implement all of your recommendations in my current environment. Thanks for the food for thought.
Regards,
Lea
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I literally laughed out loud in a few spots. The characters are memorable, to say the least.
Alondra wrote: "Well, are you going to read Bleak House?? I really think you will enjoy it, even though it looks Bleak.... LOL.I literally laughed out loud in a few spots. The characters are memorable, to say the least."
Yes! The goal is to at least start it this month. It might take me a little while to get it read.
It's so funny, last year, I was agonizing whether to put War and Peace or Bleak House on my list this year. I could not decide. Finally, I just put Bleak House on the list...and what did I do? Read War and Peace in March, of course. And haven't started Bleak House. I'm so jealous of the people who can just read straight through their list. It just isn't me. :-)
Mod
It's so funny, last year, I was agonizing whether to put War and Peace or Bleak House on my list this year. I could not decide. Finally, I just put Bleak House on the list...and what did I do? Read War and Peace in March.."
Yeah, like how to know what to choose from?? So many great books; so many books, so many books.
I can't read straight through. Hell, I can't even stick to the list anymore. Sheesh. 🤔🥴🥴
Dear Mr. Dickens,I really enjoyed Bleak House. It was 1,017 pages, and I really thought it might never end, but I did enjoy it all the way through.
I mean, when Lord Boodle complains that the new government "would lie between Lord Coodle and Sir Thomas Doodle—supposing it to be impossible for the Duke of Foodle to act with Goodle, which may be assumed to be the case in consequence of the breach arising out of that affair with Hoodle. Then, giving the Home Department and the Leadership of the House of Commons to Joodle, the Foreign Office to Moodle, what are you to do with Noodle? You can’t offer him the Presidency of the Council; that is reserved for Poodle. You can’t put him in the Woods and Forests; that is hardly good enough for Quoodle. What follows? That the country is shipwrecked, lost, and gone to pieces” is just one of the hilarious parts in this book.
And a character spontaneously combusts! That's one way to get rid of him, Sir.
I don't know how it gets better than this. People say this book is similar to Great Expectations which I LOATHED when I read it 37 years ago. I'm tempted to re-read, but I just hated it so much back then. Fortunately, there are still a lot of your works that I haven't yet read, so I will continue on those first.
Regards,
Lea
Alondra wrote: "Yeah, like how to know what to choose from?? So many great books; so many books, so many books.I can't read straight through. Hell, I can't even stick to the list anymore. Sheesh. 🤔🥴🥴"
Haha! I actually can't believe I finished this list. I'm not going to make another one. I'm feeling rebellious. I am not sure what I want to read, but whatever it is, it isn't on any of my lists! :-)
Mod
Bill wrote: "Congratulations, Lea! Free as a bird now!"Yes! Thanks, Bill! Saving my 1,000+ book to the last was a choice. LOL. I'm glad I got it read.
You're done, congratulations!!I haven't read Bleak House, but there's nothing bleak in those names 🤣
Are you sure there was no Mr.Google?
Ioana wrote: "You're done, congratulations!!I haven't read Bleak House, but there's nothing bleak in those names 🤣
Are you sure there was no Mr.Google?"
No. I'm not sure of anything in this novel. It took so long to read and the book went in so many directions, I could have missed Mr. Google. I am now hungry for apple strudel. :-)
A friend of mine said that Dickens wrote this long-winded novel to demonstrate the torturously bureaucratic process involved in trying to win justice from the Victorian justice system. I think he's right.
Congratulations on finishing the list!!!! Loved your letter to Mr. Dickens but are you sure you weren't reading Dr. Suess? Were they in a bottle on a poodle eating noodles?
Congrats on finishing your list--and early too! I read Bleak House years ago & enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure I took longer to read it than you did though. No second list? I don't blame you!
Happy Reading!
Mod
I really enjoyed Bleak House. It was 1,017 pages, and I really thought it might never end, but I did enjoy it all the way through.
I mean, when Lord Boodle complai..."
YAY!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book!! It is one of my favs. It's huge, but it was fun to read and it was a little weird, which is weird for the time period. LOL
Congratulations of completing your challenge!! Woot-woot!
Michelle wrote: "Congratulations on finishing the list!!!! Loved your letter to Mr. Dickens but are you sure you weren't reading Dr. Suess? Were they in a bottle on a poodle eating noodles?"There were times when I wished I was reading Dr. Seuss. But I do feel as though Seuss would have thrown in the whole kit and caboodle. Rhymes would have totaled twelve oodle. And all I knew was that I was super hungry for a snickerdoodle.
Patricia wrote: "Congrats on finishing your list--and early too! I read Bleak House years ago & enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure I took longer to read it than you did though. No second list? I don't blame you!
Happy Reading!"
I feel quite accomplished, and you should too. Bleak House was a challenge.
In terms of long books, the one that took me the longest was Les Miserables - but I think it was because it was during Covid and that was traumatic enough.
It's been fun catching up with some of the longer works...but they are a true challenge, because I have to be in the mood to read them for more than a week. :-)
Alondra wrote: "YAY!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book!! It is one of my favs. It's huge, but it was fun to read and it was a little weird, which is weird for the time period. LOLCongratulations of completing your challenge!! Woot-woot!"
Yes! I'm glad I listened to you. I think I probably first read Dickens when I was too young to appreciate him. Everything I've read recently has been very thought provoking. I'm going to try to read one Dickens per year and see how it goes. I said I was going to steer clear of lists, yet look at me...I'm already thinking about next year. Which Dickens should I choose? :-) :-) :-)
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I've only read Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol; both of which were excellent. A Tale of Two Cities is the only one I want to read next. I haven't read a classic in a while.
Lea~Congratulations :-) I love the Mix of Books you Read. Warrior Girl Unearthed, is a book I definitely want to get in this year. Great Job!
Kristine wrote: "Lea~Congratulations :-) I love the Mix of Books you Read. Warrior Girl Unearthed, is a book I definitely want to get in this year. Great Job!"Thanks, Kristine. I really liked Warrior Girl Unearthed, but I did prefer Firekeeper’s Daughter. I hope Boulley writes more books with some of the same characters. I hope you can squeeze it in soon! :-)
Congrats Lea! Wow, you put a 1,000 page book on your list? And you finished it? Dang, so impressed :)
Congrats on finishing!!**patiently waits for List 2*
lol
Me too, but not that patiently anymore. It's been a few days already, we're dying to know here...what is she doing there???
Lillie wrote: "Congrats Lea! Wow, you put a 1,000 page book on your list? And you finished it? Dang, so impressed :)"Lillie, I like to have a challenging book on my list, but this year was a little too much of a challenge. At the beginning of the year, I was trying to decide between War and Peace and Bleak House. I finally decided on Bleak House, and then...what did I do? I read War and Peace in March. After that, I needed a little break from chunky books, but fortunately, I recently got in the mood to read more Dickens, so it worked out. I was afraid I put the wrong book on the list! No. Next year, I will not make a list of all 1,000 + pages books. That sounds like no fun at all.
Alissa wrote: "Congrats on finishing!!**patiently waits for List 2*
lol"
No List 2. I'm having enough trouble reading books off my Individual Challenge this year. I keep picking up different books!!
On The Same Page
Books mentioned in this topic
The Cricket on the Hearth (other topics)Great Expectations (other topics)
Nicholas Nickleby (other topics)
Bleak House (other topics)
Great Expectations (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Elizabeth Kostova (other topics)Elizabeth Kostova (other topics)
Jeffrey Archer (other topics)
Kristin Harmel (other topics)
Dennis Lehane (other topics)
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I haven't, Lea! It's not a genre that has appealed to me but who knows - I might stumble into it unawares some day.