THE SPRING/SUMMER CHALLENGE (April 1 - June 30)

[Cathy]

Just finished One for the Money . I'm so glad I finally picked up this series that has been recommended to me by others for years now. Recommended to anyone who likes chick lit mystery...reminded me a lot of the Kyra Davis' Sophie Katz series I read in the last challenge.

11/30 boks
110 points

[Cathy]

Just finished Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie is Not the Answer. I enjoyed reading this one more than the second memoir, Bright Lights. From some reason, I was able to pay more attention to it than I could the second. Maybe because I couldn't get the narration of the first out of my head and had a hard time chaninging to reading it myself. Maybe because this book had more of a plot, goal or direction of sorts. Maybe because it was just unique in its own way; whereas the second book I felt was more of a continuation where the first one left off. I still think the audio versions are more fun to listent to...the narrator is hilarious! But i don't want to miss out on any of JLs books. Recommended to anyone who likes sarcasm, laughing, The Simpsons, Fight Club, Barbie dolls and all things pop culture:)

12 books
120 points.

[Stacy]

Cathy wrote: "Just finished One for the Money. I'm so glad I finally picked up this series that has been recommended to me by others for years now. Recommended t..."

Glad to hear that Stephanie Plum relates to Sophie Katz. I have that whole series and have't gotte to it yet. I look forward to reading it.

[Nicole]

Almost the end of April and I just finished my second book for this challenge. I knew this one wouldn't go nearly as well as the last. I just keep finding other books that I want to read. This is how these books ended up on the TBR list in the first place!

The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks (I think the movie will be better)

20/300

[Suzanne]

I just read my 7th book for the challenge, Thirteen Reasons Why. I think I did pretty good for the month of April--that is how many books I was hoping to read.

I thought the book was pretty good. I didn't really like the subject matter, but the book was well-written and interesting. I liked how the different people and events all intertwined.

[Stacy]

Suzanne wrote: "I just read my 7th book for the challenge, Thirteen Reasons Why. I think I did pretty good for the month of April--that is how many books I was hoping to read.

I thought the book was pretty goo..."

Wow Suzanne, you almost hit the 10 books per month mark! Great job!
I think I've only read three on my lists and one not on my lists. I'm in the process of reading two others on my lists. I'm figuring I'll probably hit somewhere between the 12-15 range for the three months.

[Stacy]

I'm going to have to take yet another break from this challenge, I just got notification from the library that a book is in that I requested a long time ago...

[Kristine]

Stacy wrote: "I'm going to have to take yet another break from this challenge, I just got notification from the library that a book is in that I requested a long time ago..."


Stacy, I know what you mean! There are too many books that I want to read right now that aren't on any of my lists!

[Kourtney]

I have been trying so hard to get back into reading but I just can't find the time! I miss you competition!!!

[Ashley]

I wonder what the standings are..?

[Kristine]

Task Completed:

List C

The Journal of Mortifying Moments – Robyn Harding

Total: 80

[Angie]

Well I know that I'm WAY behind everyone else because I still haven't finished my first book. Things have been crazy busy for me. I'm still going to continue just to see how many I can get done!

[Jencey/]

Can I throw a thought out an idea to you all about accomplishing the challenge? Have you heard of the deweyreadathon.com? The Dewey Read A Thon is a 24 hour reading thon. They do updates at the site but you could work through your lists. I have suggested to my boss to use as a fundraiser for her avon breast cancer walk. You can also use the site raise money for causes. Just a thought.

[Kourtney]

Angie wrote: "Well I know that I'm WAY behind everyone else because I still haven't finished my first book. Things have been crazy busy for me. I'm still going to continue just to see how many I can get done!"

I'm with you Angie! And to make things worse, I finally had time today to finish a book and it wasn't even on my lists!

[Nicole]

Just finished The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen. It's an awesome book.

30/300

[Cathy]

Just finished The Nanny Returns. It was full of all the chaos and commotion and then some you might expect from the X family especially now that Grayer is a teenager who's very (painfully) aware of the dysfunction that makes his family. Nan takes on way more than any sane person should have to handle. Check it out for yourself. It's nice to see how the saga concludes. It can get kind of repetitive in the middle but the end is super satisfying.

13 books
130 points

Onto Jen Lancaster's Pretty in Plaid! So excited to lmao!

[Ashley]

Just finished Frogs & French Kisses. Another cute YA book by Sarah Mlynowski. I didn't think I'd be interested in reading/listening to the other two in the series, but I think after this challenge, I will come back to them, I'm curious to see how she ties up the series.

9/30 completed

[Kristine]

List A: The Funeral Planner – Lynn Isenberg

I really like the premise of the story - she designs custom funeral services - the book dragged a bit in the middle. But, I will definately read the sequel.

Total: 90

[Tiffany]

Nicole wrote: "Just finished The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen. It's an awesome book.

30/300"

It is wonderful! I read it right after the release, and I can't wait for more books from Sarah!!

[Stacy]

Ok, so after a fun-loving migraine weekend (and most of today too), I finally got around to finishing Jemima J by Jane Green, it was #1 on List A, making it the first book I ever added to my to read list and I am so proud of finally reading it!
And I'm kicking myself for taking so long to read it. I loved the story! I so closely related to Jemima's weight issues and her feelings. I was amazed at how some of Jemima's thoughts are the same thoughts I have. Trully incredible!
I wasn't such a fan of the narration at first, it was a bit confusing trying to figure out who was telling the story, or from whose point of view it was. But I got used to it, and while I'm still not a big fan of this kind of writing, it is interesting. I don't think it'll keep me from reading any other books written in that format.

Anyway, that was sadly, only my fourth book from my lists. (I haven't made it to the library yet to pick up the other one I was talking about, hopefully tomorrow.)

[Stacy]

Ashley wrote: "I wonder what the standings are..?"

I'm not sure Ashley, I don't think we were really going to keep track of that this time. I'll try to remember to go through everyone's posts tomorrow and post something for you. :)

[Stacy]

Kristine wrote: "Task Completed:

List C

The Journal of Mortifying Moments – Robyn Harding

Total: 80"

What did you think of this book Kristine?

[Stacy]

Angie wrote: "Well I know that I'm WAY behind everyone else because I still haven't finished my first book. Things have been crazy busy for me. I'm still going to continue just to see how many I can get done!"

I know how that goes. Good luck, I hope things calm down for you!

[Stacy]

Jencey wrote: "Can I throw a thought out an idea to you all about accomplishing the challenge? Have you heard of the deweyreadathon.com? The Dewey Read A Thon is a 24 hour reading thon. They do updates at the ..."

Thanks Jencey, I'll have to check that out. It sounds really interesting.

[Stacy]

Cathy wrote: "Just finished The Nanny Returns. It was full of all the chaos and commotion and then some you might expect from the X family especially now that Grayer is a teenager who's very (painfully) aware of..."

Ok, so I tried to read the first one, but I saw the movie beforehand so I couldn't get into it. Is that enough to go off of to read the sequel? Or should I really read the first book?

[Stacy]

Kristine wrote: "List A: The Funeral Planner – Lynn Isenberg

I really like the premise of the story - she designs custom funeral services - the book dragged a bit in the middle. But, I will definately read the ..."

I liked this one a lot. I thought her ideas for the funeral services were really awesome. I guess that's probably what I liked best about the story. That, and that it's partly set in Michigan...pretty close to where I live if I can remember correctly.
Anyway, good luck on the second one. I tried and got through the first 100 pages I think, and then I gave up. It just didn't hold my attention at all. I'm interested to see what you think about it.

[Cathy]

Stacy wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Just finished The Nanny Returns. It was full of all the chaos and commotion and then some you might expect from the X family especially now that Grayer is a teenager who's very (painf..."

Hi Stacy,

I only saw the movie too. I can't get into books either if I already saw the movie...but waht I did with Devil Wears Prada was I l istened to the audio book so it'd b easier than reading it and I was really glad I did because I'd missed out on a lot of details by only watching the movie.

But in this case, i didn't feel like it made too big of a difference whether or not I read the first one. I think you can easily catch on this boook

[Stacy]

Cathy wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Just finished The Nanny Returns. It was full of all the chaos and commotion and then some you might expect from the X family especially now that Grayer is a teenager who..."

Great! Thanks Cathy, the second one sounds better than the first one.

[Stacy]

Ok, I just took what has been crossed off of everyone's lists...

Cathy - 13 books
Heather - 11 books
Ashley - 9 books
Kristine - 9 books
Suzanne - 7 books
Tara - 6 books
Jen - 5 books
Stacy - 4 books
Alicia - 3 books

[Kristine]

Stacy wrote: "Ok, I just took what has been crossed off of everyone's lists, but I don't think they are completely right because I think Kristine has read more books than what she has crossed off...

Cathy - 1..."

Stacy, I thought it was easier to just write when a task was completed rather than going back to see if I crossed a book off - I'll update my list - Sorry

[Cathy]

Kristine wrote: "Task Completed:

List C

The Journal of Mortifying Moments – Robyn Harding

Total: 80"

I think I just mooched this from u on BM! Thank u so much. I can't wait to read it. Did u like it?

[Stacy]

Kristine wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Ok, I just took what has been crossed off of everyone's lists, but I don't think they are completely right because I think Kristine has read more books than what she has crossed off....."

No, no problem Kristine! There was a post asking about the standings and it was easier for me to just look at everyone's lists rather than go through all the posts. :)

[Stacy]

Cathy wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Task Completed:

List C

The Journal of Mortifying Moments – Robyn Harding

Total: 80"

I think I just mooched this from u on BM! Thank u so much. I can't wait to read it. Did u li..."

Cathy, let me know when you're done with it and I'll mooch it from you! :)

[Cathy]

Another one knocked off the list...this one took me a while (for me) but last night I had a marathon session of reading cause I just wanted to be done with it!!
The Year Of Living Famously by Laura Caldwell is just "ok"...I was waiting and waiting and waiting for the actio to heat up and it finally did...but not until 30 pages before the end...and it was kind of predictable...satisfying and I liked the ending but as i said, just okay..THe Night I Got Lucky was really good so I was a little disappointed by this one, but still interested to try out her "Red Hot" mysteries...

14 Books
140 Points

Now I'm onto Rachel's Holiday...I've been waiting to receive this book from someone on BM overseas for 3 months (I think it's not coming maybe!) so last night i finally just uploaded the ebook onto my iTouch...just as good:)

[Suzanne]

Just finished Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski. I have read & loved all her chick lit books, so of course I had to read it. (I haven't read the Bras & Broomsticks series yet, but I do own the first one in the series.)

It was a cute book, although the whole idea of it was pretty ridiculous. I still enjoyed it. You just can't take it too seriously. It's just silly and fun.

total: 8/30

[Kristine]

Cathy wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Task Completed:

List C

The Journal of Mortifying Moments – Robyn Harding

Total: 80"

I think I just mooched this from u on BM! Thank u so much. I can't wait to read it. Did u li..."

I'll be sending it out tomorrow - I hope that's ok. I really did like it. It had some parts where I laughed out loud.

[Cathy]

Kristine wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Task Completed:

List C

The Journal of Mortifying Moments – Robyn Harding

Total: 80"

I think I just mooched this from u on BM! Thank u so much. I can't wai..."

Oh yeah, that's more than fine..thank you!! I just made the connection when I saw your post about having just read it and then when it showed up on BM from a Kristine, I check back here...small world...or I guess it's really because of all of our common interests really:)

I'm glad to hear you laughed out loud. Not many books make you do that. I figured it must be halfway decent since it's so hard to find. I also ordered The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom: A Novel from PBS. Hopefully that one's a laugh too

[Kristine]

Cathy wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Task Completed:

List C

The Journal of Mortifying Moments – Robyn Harding

Total: 80"

I think I just mooched this from u on BM! Thank u so ..."

I'll have to add that to my list.

[Cathy]

I just finished listening to the Unabridged Audio of Jen Lancaster's Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomanical, Self-Centered Smart-Ass Phase . Definitely hilarious!! Picture a little 8 year old writing to Brooke Shields demanding a pair of Calvins because she figures Brooke must have plenty of them. Or picture that same little girl writing to Mattel because her headless Barbie is defective. Lastly, imagine that crafty little girl cheating her way through a sashful of Brownie badges. And those are only some of the anecdotes from little Jenny's past. Read the book for all of them. I liked it better than Bright Lights and Such a Pretty Fat.

15 Books, 150 Points - Halfway there!

[Nicole]

Looking for Mr. Goodfrog by Laurie Graff
40/300

This wasn't nearly as good as the first. I wouldn't have finished if it wasn't RDI and a book I needed for this challenge.

[Stacy]

Ok, so it isn't in my challenge but I have to write about it anyway...
Can't Teach an Old Demon New Tricks
I read this book in three days - it was that good! Like I wrote in my review, it is the perfect combo of chick lit, suspense, paranormal and comedy. It's the sequel to Every Demon Has His Day which was also a great book with the same great combo mentioned above. I hope Cara Lockwood writes a third book in this series!
I don't want to say too much about either one and give anything away, but you've got to put it on your to read list if you haven't already! :)

[Suzanne]

Stacy wrote: "Ok, so it isn't in my challenge but I have to write about it anyway...
Can't Teach an Old Demon New Tricks
I read this book i..."

I've read a couple of her other books which I really liked, & I definitely want to read Every Demon Has His Day.

I just picked up a book at the library that isn't on any of my lists. Oh well.

[Stacy]

Don't worry Suzanne, I just had another one come in from the library that isn't on any of my lists either. I put it on hold, but I thought I was able to post-pone the hold date....I guess not. So I'll be diving into The Carrie Diaries in the next day or so....
BTW - I've read a couple other Cara Lockwood books too, these "demon" ones are different from those because of the whole paranormal thing - but they're great! I hope you like them!

[Kristine]

Just finished Big Boned by Meg Cabot - I loved this series!! This is was the third book.

Total: 100 (10 Books)

[Ashley]

Just finished A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton. Good read- reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series, minus the comedy.

[Angie]

Just finished Mr and Mrs Anonymous, that's one down for me!!! From List C

1/30
10/300

[Cathy]

Just finished Sammy's Hill . I was surprised to really like this book...I thought I wouldn't because of the political background but Kristin Gore developed a really unique and entertaining leading character, Sammy Joyce. She is a hypochondriac, who has gone through about 10 Japanese fighting fish in only two short years. She is totally unlucky in love and constantly getting caught putting her foot in her mouth (or sometimes her Blackberry). This book made me laugh a couple of times which isn't the easiest task. Sometimes I would just open my mouth in shock at the outrageous behaviors and situations. I can't wait to try the sequel!!

16 Books, 160 Points

[Tara]

Cathy wrote: "Just finished Sammy's Hill. I was surprised to really like this book...I thought I wouldn't because of the political background but Kristin Gore developed..."

I have wanted to read this book but now how it would be. I am glad you liked it Cathy. I will need to see if I can mooch it from someone.

[Cathy]

Hi Tara! Just got your mooch..I'll send it out first thing MOnday:) It was fun...and I saw the audio version of the second book on my library's online website so I can't wait to listen to it..I guess after this challenge??

[Tara]

Cathy wrote: "Hi Tara! Just got your mooch..I'll send it out first thing MOnday:) It was fun...and I saw the audio version of the second book on my library's online website so I can't wait to listen to it..I gue..."

YAY! Cathy! Thanks. I can't wait to get it. I need to check my libraries online website to see if there are any to download.