Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion
Monthly Reading Challenges
>
December 2009 Reading Challenge
message 601:
by
Kelley Anne
(last edited Dec 15, 2009 12:25PM)
(new)
Dec 15, 2009 12:24PM
Lynn - Wow! I am impressed! Sounds like you have a good job to read during. One of mine is good for reading, but only audio books. And those tend to take longer to listen to then if I had the book in my hands reading it.
reply
|
flag
I have tried several different books on audio, they are just depressing as hell! I mean, come on, a shower scence needs to have more than a flatline voice, because the one in my head is moaning and groaning, not dying. LOL!!
Martina's TBR Clean-Up Challenge - 4/9 COMPLETEDDark Demon (★★★) by Christine Feehan is the 13th book in her Carpathian Series. I read the first four books in this series in April 2007 and this book has been sitting on my shelf ever since. Reading it reminded me why I abandoned the series in the first place. At first the Carpathian books are exciting and a novel idea - vampires being what a Carpathian male turns into after centuries of life without the emotional stability of a mate. Only meeting a destined "lifemate" can save him.
However, after reading book after book on exactly the same theme, with the lifemate pairings based on "destiny" rather than love & admiration, they get awfully formulaic.
I had to give the book 3 stars based on it's own merit, though. I like the sassy, kick-ass, part-Carpathian, shape-shifting magician heroine and the adventure plot about her family (even though the level of coincidences was absurd). :-)
1)
2) Prince of Magic (Children of the Sun, Book 1) by Linda Winstead Jones
3)
4)
5) Queen of Dragons (The Drakon, Book 3) by Shana Abe
6) Touch of Darkness (Thrall, Book 3) by C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
7) Wired (A Shomi novel) by Liz Maverick
8)
9) Bring It On (Retrievers, Book 3) by Laura Anne Gilman
[image error]
My Alternates:
1) Rebel Angels (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, Book 2) by Libba Bray
2) Thunderbird Falls (The Walker Papers, Book 2) by C.E. Murphy
3) The Scent of Shadows (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 1) by Vicki Pettersson
4) Blood Engines (Marla Mason, Book 1) by T.A. Pratt
5) Immortals: The Awakening (Immortals, Book 3) by Joy Nash
6) Time Transit (A Shomi novel) by Kay Austin
[image error]
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Storm Born by Rishelle Mead
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPray
City of Bones by Cassandra Clark
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
My Alternates are:
Queen of Song and Souls by C.L.Wilson
Undead and Unreturnable by Mary Janice Davidson
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn
Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris
Wolf at the Door by Christine Warren
Unleashed by Kristopher Reisz
I almost feel like I should throw in the towel on this one. Got off to a decent start, then started Dark Lover and got sucked into a three day BDB gluttony, finally pulled myself out only to grab a book off the TBR pile that isn't on my list.
I'm feeling jinxed.
TFG -- still 16 days left! Don't give up :) hehe
Read 2/9:Main
1.
2. Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
3. Soulless by Gail Carriger
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
5.
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen
7. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
8. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
9. Nightfall by LJ Smith
[image error]
Alternates
1. Storm Born by Richelle Mead
2. Stray by Rachel Vincent
3. Wolf at the Door by Christine Warren
4. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance
5. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead
6. Rogue by Rachel Vincent
DONE=3/9Dark Challenge-finished on December 3rd. *****
Hunting Ground-finished on December 7th. *****!
Dark Fire-finished on December 13th. *****
very pleased with all three reads so far!! this challenge is working out great :D
Currently reading:-
Dark Legend
Tempted
[image error]
FlibBityFLooB wrote: "TFG -- still 16 days left! Don't give up :) hehe"Thanks Flib! The holiday seasons have really taken up so much time that the reading has been left to flounder. Ah well, if I can even get through half of the books it will be worth it.
=D
9/9TBR
Alternates
Holidays Are Hell anthology
Myrren's Gift by Fiona McIntosh
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Ancient Future by Traci Harding
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Poison Study by Maria Snyder
Finished my first challenge! I will have to say I have been bitten by the BDB! I loved Dark Lover. I am tempted to pick up the next book but think it is best to spread out the goodness! Time to pick up one of the other genres I have been ignoring :)9/9!
TO Read List:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Thunder Moon by Lori Handeland
7. Hidden Moon by Lori Handeland
8.
9.
Alternatives:
1.
2. Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
3. Covet by J.R. Ward
4.
5. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
6. Hunting Julian by Jacquelyn Frank
Congrats Jamie!! The BDB is hard not to keep coming back to. That is one series I love to read over and over again.
I am so behind! I got sick and had to put off reading my first book until this week. :(1/9
1.
2. Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank
3. Elijah by Jacquelyn Frank
4. Damien by Jacquelyn Frank
5. Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
6. If You Dare by Kresley Cole
7. The Fury by Sloan McBride
8. A Vampire's Claim by Joey W. Hill
9. I Burn for You by Susan Sizemore
Alternate choices
1. Warrior by Cheryl Brooks
2. Blue Moon by Lori Handeland
3. Killing Moon by Rebecca York
4.& 5. Heat of the Night by Emma Holly
(Includes stories Hunting Midnight & Night Owl)
6. Dark Thirst by Sara Reinke
[image error]
7/9. I'm excited about starting SOME GIRLS BITE. Been wanting to read that for a while.To-be-read list:
1. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
2. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
Alternates:
Just One Sip by Katie MacAlister.........Lucinda, Darkly by Sunny
Lucinda, Dangerously by Sunny........... The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston
Kiss of Fate by Deborah Cooke............Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
[image error]
Dec Challenge: 5/9 done1.
2.
3.
4. Unwrapped-Nina Bangs
5.
6. Dark Defender- Alexis Morgan
7. In Darkness Reborn- Alexis Morgan
8. Redeemed in Darkness-Alexis Morgan
9.
Alternates:
1. Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodel-Ronda Thompson
2. Night Games-Nina Bangs
3. Sex & the immortal Bad boy- Stephanie Rowe
4. BAD attitude-Sherrilyn Kenyon
5. Lucinda, Darkly-Sunny
FlibBityFLooB wrote: "7/9. I'm excited about starting SOME GIRLS BITE. Been wanting to read that for a while.FlibBity - looking forward to hearing what you think about the Chicagoland Vampires Novels. It's one of my new favorite series!
Martina wrote: "FlibBityFLooB wrote: "7/9. I'm excited about starting SOME GIRLS BITE. Been wanting to read that for a while.FlibBity - looking forward to hearing what you think about the Chicagoland Vampire..."
Me too, I have them on my TBR and since I am in the Chicagoland area, I feel I have to read them. :)
And Flib, I see you liked the Kate Daniels. Yea! One of my faves. :)
6/9 Read
To be Read List
1. Blaze of Memory Nalini Singh
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Halfway to the Grave Jeaniene Frost
7. One Foot in the Grave Jeaniene Frost
8. At Grave's End Jeaniene Frost
9. Destined for an Early Grave Jeaniene Frost
[image error]
Alternates
1. An Echo in the Bone Diana Gabaldon
2.
3.
4. City of Ashes Cassandra Clare
5. Ice Sarah Beth Durst
6. A Curse Dark as Gold Elizabeth Dunce
[image error]
4/9 readTBR
5. Hunting Ground - Patricia Briggs
6. Red - Jordan Summers
7. Born of Ice - Sherrilyn Kenyon
8. Eternal Hunter - Cynthia Eden
9. Shades of Midnight - Lara Adrian
Alternate
1. The Renegade Hunter - Lynsay Sands
2. The Immortal Hunter - Lynsay Sands
3. Passion Untamed - Pamela Palmer
4. Night Shift - Lilith Saintcrow
5. Storm of Visions - Christina Dodd
6. Devil in a Kilt - Sue Ellen Welfonder
READ
[image error]
[image error]
7/9 readTBR List:
7. Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
9. Charmed by Jayne Castle, Lori Foster, Eileen Wilks & Julie Beard
Derik's Bane was a fun, quick read. Loved the interaction between Derik and Sara.
Alternates:
1. Sword of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
2. Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
3. High Stakes by Erin McCarthy currently reading
4. The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
5. The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
6. Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon
[image error]
[image error]
To-be-read list9/9 Read!!
Alternates
4 of 5
Dream Chaser By Sherrilyn Kenyon
I just finished Upon the Midnight Clear, it was poopy!! It is a short book only like 240ish pages and it was a waste of trees. I hate to say that, but it is true. I want the 2 hours it took to read that book back!! Refund please!
Also Read:
3/3
3 of 9 Done1. Dog Days by John Levitt
2.
3. Salt and Silver by Anna Katherine
4.
5. Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day
6. Redemption Alley by Lilith Saintcrow
7. On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
8.
9. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
Alternates
1. Speak of the Devil by Jenna Black
2. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine
3. The Wrong Side of Dead by Jordan Dane
4. Truly, Madly: A Novel by Heather Webber
5. Child of Fire by Harry Connoly
6. Souless by Gail Carriger
Jaime wrote: "Finished my first challenge! I will have to say I have been bitten by the BDB! I loved Dark Lover. I am tempted to pick up the next book but think it is best to spread out the goodness! Time to pic..."You are a much stronger person than I am! I broke down and read the following three BDB books after reading Dark Lover.
I never suspected that I would love them as much as I did. =)
Token,I started reading a book and I am already tempted to put it down to continue reading BDB. I dont know how strong I really am hehe.
I know that once I really started on that series, I couldn't stop! Love BDB! Also, for those of you who've finished the series so far, at the end of Covet there's a sneak peak for Lover Mine! I don't want to have to wait for that book to come out! So excited!
5/9The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
The Dream Thief by Shana Abe
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
[image error]
Alternates:
The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart
Time Enough For Love by Robert Heinlein
Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea
Currently reading:
and
Ha, I'm soooo behind it's ridiculous. I'm going to try hard to finish though!1 DOWN, 8 TO GO!
1.
2. Frostbite by Richelle Mead
3. Red Fire: A Gods of Midnight Novel by Deidre Knight
4. Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
5. Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
6. Night Lost by Lynn Viehl
7. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
8. Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry
9. Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
Alternates:
1. Evermore by Lynn Viehl
2. Dark Needs At Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
3. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
4. Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine
5. Nicholas by Elizabeth Amber
6. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead
READ
TO READ
[image error]
ALTERNATES
[image error]
ALSO READ
[image error]
[image error]
7/9 Completed 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.Mona Lisa Darkening by Sunny
8.Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
9.
[image error]
Alternates:
Currently reading
Tonya - how is Dreamfever? I have it on my Christmas list so I hope I get it. Also, I see you gave Mona Lisa books 4 stars. I love that series! I think the last book was the weakest but I still really like them. Are you planning to read the Lucinda series? It isn't quite as good but I still like it.
LooLoo wrote: "Tonya - how is Dreamfever? I have it on my Christmas list so I hope I get it. Also, I see you gave Mona Lisa books 4 stars. I love that series! I think the last book was the weakest but I still..."Hi LooLoo...I have really enjoyed the Mona Lisa books and you aren't the only one who said the 4th was the weakes so I haven't read it yet. I will after Dreamfever. I just start Dreamfever and I have to say it's kind of strange, but I am sure that will change as it is already. I was just ticked at what happened to Mac at the end of Faefever so the beginning deals with that.
I do plan on reading the Lucinda books, its just a matter of when. I have so many books I have bought that need to be read, and since our one and only book store is going out of business I bought 5 more today. I so need a 12 step program, maybe I should start Book Buyers Anonymous? Sorry can't spell tonight.
TBR Clean-Up ChallengeUPDATE 12/16
1/9 complete
1. Coyote's Mate by Lora Leigh
2. Mercury's War by Lora Leigh
3. Bengal's Heart by Lora Leigh
4. Edge of Desire by Rhyannon Byrd
5. Highland Outlaw by Monica McCarty
6. Highland Scoundrel by Monica McCarty
7.
8. Prey by Melina Morel
9. Red Kiss A Gods of Midnight Novel by Deidre Knight
Alternates
1. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
2. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
3. The Immortal Hunter by Lynsay Sands
4. The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
5. Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton
6. Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan
TBR Cleanup Challenge:Read: 2/9
1.
2.
3. Doomsday Can Wait
4. Storm of Shadows
5. Iron Kissed
6. Stray
7. Blacklisted
8. Flashforward
9. Kiss of Midnight
Read:
[image error]
TBR:
Non-Paranormal / Alternatives:
Martina's TBR Clean-Up Challenge - 5/9 COMPLETEDJust finished Wired (★★★★★) by Liz Maverick. It's a SHOMI novel which seems to be a brand of action-adventure romance, many of which have a futuristic tilt. It's also the first thing I've read by Liz Maverick since I finished the Crimson City & 2176 Series - both of which I adored, so it really is a crime that Wired has been sitting on my TBR pile since Christmas 2007.
I love a little kick-ass in my romance and I also frequently adore a little futuristic fun, so it's not really a surprise that I gave this book five stars. I found it a smart & exciting read and would highly recommend it if these are qualities you like in your romance.
L. Roxanne Zaborovsky finds herself outside of a 7-Eleven at 2:00 A.M. with two men fighting over her - and not in a good way! From that moment on, her life is snippets of time that are twisted in on each other. Does she trust Mason Merrick - a man from her increasingly jumbled past - or Leonardo Kaysar, a debonair Brit with all the answers? Who is telling the truth and which reality is real?
1)
2) Prince of Magic (Children of the Sun, Book 1) by Linda Winstead Jones
3)
4)
5) Queen of Dragons (The Drakon, Book 3) by Shana Abe
6) Touch of Darkness (Thrall, Book 3) by C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
7)
8)
9) Bring It On (Retrievers, Book 3) by Laura Anne Gilman
[image error]
My Alternates:
1) Rebel Angels (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, Book 2) by Libba Bray
2) Thunderbird Falls (The Walker Papers, Book 2) by C.E. Murphy
3) The Scent of Shadows (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 1) by Vicki Pettersson
4) Blood Engines (Marla Mason, Book 1) by T.A. Pratt
5) Immortals: The Awakening (Immortals, Book 3) by Joy Nash
6) Time Transit (A Shomi novel) by Kay Austin
[image error]
5/9 Done!To Be Read List
1.
2.
3.
4. Dominic by Elizabeth Amber
5. Eve of Destruction by S.J. Day
6. Red by Jordan Summers
7. The Chosen Sin by Anya Bast
8.
9. Enticed by Kathleen Dante
Alternates
1. Second Skin by Caitlin Kittredge
2. Mortal Sins by Eileen Wilks
3.
4. Scorched by Sharon Ashwood
5. Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank
6. Master of Dragons by Angela Knight
Jaime, its a slippery slope! The only thing that ended up cutting my rampage through the books short was that I ran out of them. It was a good thing, I was running very low on sleep after two nights of reading instead of sleeping. =D
To-be-read list9/9 Read!!
Alternates
3 of 5
Dream Chaser By Sherrilyn Kenyon
Also Read:
4/4
SHIVER WAS AMAZING!!! EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ IT!! GREAT YA BOOK!!!
Token Female Gamer wrote: "Jaime, its a slippery slope! The only thing that ended up cutting my rampage through the books short was that I ran out of them. It was a good thing, I was running very low on sleep after two nigh..."
Well I gave up the other book I was trying to read and started Lover Eternal. So much for me being strong! It doesnt help that I have already purchased all the books based on such good recomendations so they are just staring me in the face saying "read me!"
Tonya wrote: I so need a 12 step program, maybe I should start Book Buyers Anonymous?
I would be one of your first members. I stopped by the bookstore last night to get a gift certificate for Christmas and ended up walking out with 9 books for myself as well. Only justification I have is that they were on sale and I got a great deal.
6/9TBR Book List
1.
2. Night Embrase by Sherrylyn Kenyon
3. Dance with the Devil by Sherrylyn Kenyon
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Dream Fever by Karen Marie Moning
[image error]
[image error]
Alternates
1. Betrayals by Lili St. Crow
2. Covet by J R Ward
3. Kiss of Midnight by Adrian Lara
4. Kiss of Crimson by Adrian Lara
5. Midnight Awakening by Adrian Lara
6. Love Bites Lynsey Sands
Mod
1) enter the bookstore with a list of ONLY 4 books in hand
2) start searching the bookstore well AWAY from your usual "brand" of books. Who knows, you might find a new author or type of book to read.
3) leave the store with MORE books than you had planned--but have a limit on how many more you can buy--personally I recommend a limit of only 15 at any 1 time.
4) visit all library/thrift stores/yard sales with an eye to filling in those empty slots in your series/author's lifetime works.
5) er, ok, I can see that this is NOT a group for me--I'd better just stand up, admit to being a bookaholic and then leave. Don't want anyone to convert me to NOT being a bookaholic--I might take up an even WORSE addiction. After all, you know that they (experts in addictions) say that most addicts simply go from 1 addiction to another, and that's even WITH help. Since my book addiction harms no one and nothing but my bank balance--and the floor joists in my home--I think I'll just keep THIS as an addiction instead of risking a less healthy/socially responsible addiction.
How's that for an addiction statement?? :oP
I did mention to a family member that it was better for me to be addicted to books then to drugs or alcohol and for the most part its cheeper.
UPDATED TBR1.
2.
3.Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance
4.Witch Fury by Anya Bast
5.Sea Fever by Virginia Kantra
6.
7.
8.Blood Drive by Jeanne C. Stein
9.The Watcher by Jeanne C. Stein
Alternates
1.Legacy by Jeanne C. Stein
2.Dark Defender by Alexis Morgan
3.In Darkness Rebornby Alexis Morgan
4.Redeemed in Darkness by Alexis Morgan
5.Darkness Unknown by Alexis Morgan
6.Dark Magicby Christine Feehan
Trish wrote: "Hey all, I'm back. Healing from an auto accident and trying to get christmas shopping done..."Trish, glad to hear you're healing - hope it wasn't too serious. Take it easy on yourself - at least until you're completely healed!
Ann wrote: "Tonya and Jaime--here is my suggestions for the 12 step Bookshoppersaholic group:1) enter the bookstore with a list of ONLY 4 books in hand
2) start searching the bookstore well AWAY from your..."
Ann, I love your addiction statement! I've always thought the purpose of joining Bookaholics was to celebrate being a bookaholic, so of course I have to buy books, right?!
WOW! Congratulations to all the speedy readers:Annvelwis
Lynn
Jaime
Kristel
5/9 moving slowly but surely!1.
2. 1984 by George Orwell
3.
4. Wolfsbane and Mistletoe by Charlaine Harris
5.
6. Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton
7.
8. A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
9.
Alternates
1. Dracula by Bram Stoker
2. Princess Bride by William Goldman
3. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
4. Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh
5. Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon
6. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
Read:
To Read:
[image error]
Also Read:
Mod
This year I have to make him a new blanket for his car--the one he's used in past years has gone awol. So I'm doing it double sized--burgandy on one side, orange on the other. Hubby is a faithful VaTech fan/alum.
Sigh, better get back to work. I have GOT to get that one finished and then the new quilt for my bed. Its starting to get a bit cold without a big quilt on the bed. Those doubles just are NOT big enough for a queen.
3/9 Complete Main:
1)
2)Fade Out by Rachel Caine
3)
4)Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton
5)
6)Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
7)Betrayals by Lili St. Crow
8)Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning
9)Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor
Alternates:
1)Covetby JR Ward
2)The Hollowby Jessica Verday
3)Meridianby Amber Kizer
4)Immortal by Gillian Shields
5)The Forest of Hands and Teethby Carrie Ryan
6)Blue Dahliaby Nora Roberts
5/9 Complete!Back to Laurell K and Anita I actually find Anita and interesting little character.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #2) By Laurell K Hamilton
7. Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #3) By Laurell K Hamilton
8. Destined for an Early Grave By Jeanie Frost
9. Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) By Richele Mead
[image error]
ALTERNATIVES
1. Lover Avenged By J R Ward
2. Covet By J R Ward
3. Divine Misdemeanors Laurell K Hamilton
4. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) Richelle Mead
5.
6. TwelveBy Jasper Kent
8/9 done. I
LOVED
SOME GIRLS BITE. Going to read book 2 tomorrow. LOVED IT! Did I mention I loved it? heheheTo-be-read list:
2. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
Alternates:
Just One Sip by Katie MacAlister.........Lucinda, Darkly by Sunny
Lucinda, Dangerously by Sunny........... The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston
Kiss of Fate by Deborah Cooke............Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
[image error]
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
Wuthering Heights (other topics)Kiss of Midnight (other topics)
Night Pleasures (other topics)
Midnight Awakening (other topics)
Lover Avenged (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Melissa Marr (other topics)Emma Holly (other topics)
Christina Dodd (other topics)
Stephenie Meyer (other topics)
Scott Westerfeld (other topics)
More...
