Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2010 Challenge Archive
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September - Pick It For Me! Challenge
Hina wrote: "I am glad, Is A lady of Persuasion just as good as her novels before this one? What did you think?"I wasn't too crazy about it in the beginning, mainly because I've got a problem with self-righteous heroines, and with heroes who plan to use the innocent in order to get revenge. But I should have trusted Tessa Dare, because she turned both characters into ones to root for. I'll be honest, tho - Sir Toby was the reason I ended up liking it so much! I still like the first one best, but I think I like this one better than the middle one.
Debbie, glad you liked Beatrix and Christopher:-)
JulieSorry, you didn't get your recs! I see you're a big fan of zombies and vampires:-) I haven't read many of the books you really enjoyed, so I hope you find something you'll like here! If not, let me know and I'll try again:-)
From your TBR:
1. Halfway to the Grave - If you haven't tried Kat and Bones yet, and you enjoy sassy vampire-slayers, hot vampires and looots of chemistry, this is the book!
2. Dead Until Dark - I don't know if you've seen the TV show True Blood, based on this series, but you should read the books.. I saw you enjoyed CH's other books, and if I recall, these are lighter but a lot of fun..
3. Kiss of Midnight - First in a series about (what else?) a brethren of sexy vampire warriors, and another enjoyable vampire series..
4. Exit Strategy - A change from KA's usual PNR: this is the first in the fabulous Nadia Stafford series, Nadia being a hitwoman (which is a change).. Not much romance in it, but a fast and good read..
5. Beyond the Highland Mist - KMM's books are all amazing: immortal Highlanders, what's not to like? This one (actually most of them) is a time-travel romance, and the first in the series, although you could probably read most of them as stand-alones:-)
New to you :
Pleasure Unbound - Yz recommended this one to me a while ago, and once I read the first one, I zapped through the next three (and am now anxiously waiting the 5th book): a gorgeous sex demon doctor meets a wounded demon slaying spitfire... 'nuff said:-p
Lord of the Fading Lands - I recommend this book to everyone! If you enjoy fantasy/pnr and romance, this is the first in a five-book series by CL Wilson whose books just get better and better.. It's a true fantasy romance, with a soul-mate plot, but it's "realistic" (lol) enough that Ellie and Rain don't immediately fall in love... They have to work at it, and I've already reread the first four books three times in three months, lol.. How can I not recommend it?!
I have no idea how you'll like the next couple, but I figured I'd recommend new genres as well:-)
Julie Garwood's The Prize or The Bride.. JG is a fabulous HR author, whose heroes and heroines always tug at your heartstrings and make you laugh, although the books may lack angst.. Totally enjoyable at the end of a long day!
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas, first in her HR "Wallflower quartet".. LK is another fabulous HR author, and her books are all amazing.. She also writes contemporary romance, with Sugar Daddy being the first in her Travis family series: Gage Travis falls for Liberty, thinking that she's a treasure-hunter after his father..
If you want a fun contemporary romance, I'd recommend Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, which is funny, light and easy, or Gotcha! by Christie Craig (which is a tad more serious than the first..)
And lastly, for a hilarious historical romance, I'd recommend Mr. Impossible: second in the Carsington family books, but readable as a stand-alone:-)
Hope you find something you'll enjoy!
Elke...thanks for stepping in and offering me some reading choices.I ordered Mine Till Midnight from paperbackswap. Hopefully it will be here in a week or so. I've never read Kleypas, but her books are suggested to me time and time again so I will finally give her a try!
I'm definitely going to read the ones you chose from my tbr. Not sure why I've been putting off the BDB books for so long, but no longer! The Beach House was a used book sale find that has been collecting dust, so time to read it already! Soulless is a book I bought based on recommendations and never got around to reading it. I'm awful like that...buying books and letting them sit unread. The Pirate Lord was one of those "if you liked...then you'll like this" suggestions. We'll see!
Thanks for the recs and I'll let you know how I like Mine Till Midnight!
Yay, another victim for the BDB drug... :)
Mel-- Thanks for the rec's.. I have been reading ALOt of vampire stuff. I keep joking htat I need to fit a "smart" book in every once in a while. I love this challenge because it lets me finds some new books I might never have picked up. So I just requested Please Unbound on ebook from my library- I couln't believe they actually had it. And Bet me, also Lord of the Fading Land. We will see what one gets her first. I am thinking that I will start with Bet me of Lord... since it is a little different from what I have been reading.Thanks agian!
@Nairabell: I'm so glad you've decided to read the 2nd Dreg City! It's constant action, can't wait to hear what you think!@Katherine: Thanks for those great recs! I've got Angel's Blood waiting for me at the library already! & I put The Rest Falls Away on my TBR for later (I'm totally cool with vamp slayers, I don't hold it against them, haha).
Melissa wrote: "Elke...thanks for stepping in and offering me some reading choices.I ordered Mine Till Midnight from paperbackswap. Hopefully it will be here in a week or so. I've never read Kleypas, but her..."
I hope you like
, and that it will make you want to read the whole series! I know what you mean.....I have a lot of books just sitting at home waiting to be read! lol!
Happy Reading!
Diane (deebotte) -Sorry for doing this so late!! :( I've been SO busy. Haven't touched a computer in days.
From your TBR:
PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern - haven't read the book yet (it's also on my TBR) but I've seen the movie a million times. It's amazing.
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer - I loved the Twilight books. I read each of them in like two days.
A Kiss to Remember by Teresa Medeiros - I LOVE Teresa Medeiros. Haven't read this one yet, though.
Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning - I've heard this series is really good.
New to You:
The Bride and the Beast by Teresa Medeiros - I LOVED this book. It is my absolute favorite.
East by Edith Pattou - I recommend this book every time. It's YA, but it's just so good.
All I Need Is You by Johanna Lindsey - This is such a cute book. I love Johanna Lindsey.
Die for You by Lisa Unger - Or any Lisa Unger book, really. They're all so intense. I can read one of her books in a day.
is mee... kissa wrote: "heya Ashley (number 5 Ashley)okay... we actually don't have that many books in common so i hope that these recommendations suit you...
TBR
1. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost..." Thanks -- these are fabulous!! I will definitely read Magic Bites -- I keep hearing how great it is! I've put a few of the others on hold at the library and hope they come in by the end of the month (big, slow library system. . .)
Thank you SO MUCH!! ~Ashley #5 :)
Great choices, Mojca! I hope you enjoy both :D
Ashley FL wrote: "is mee... kissa wrote: "heya Ashley (number 5 Ashley)okay... we actually don't have that many books in common so i hope that these recommendations suit you...
TBR
1. [book:Halfway to the Grave|14..."
Oh no, I'm sorry I took so long! I have had a crazy busy few days. But I so appreciate your choices for me!!
Jess, I've been looking for these. I was sure I'd read the Hunger Games. Then I put my name on the list through the library. It's unlikely that I'll get it this month. I asked about the Looking Glass Wars. They said "It's even here!" But when we looked on the shelf it wasn't. I was at Half Price later today and I saw a Nora Roberts PNR. It said it was book two of the Circle Trilogy. Since it was only a buck I picked it up. Then I picked up Morrigan's Cross. So to make a long story short, I'll be reading Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts this month. Thanks!
Shit i forgot about this :(I am to late to join in the fun, hopefully i remember next month
Photojim wrote: "Jess, I've been looking for these. I was sure I'd read the Hunger Games. Then I put my name on the list through the library. It's unlikely that I'll get it this month. I asked about the Lookin..."Good one, even if you made the choice in a round about sort of way. I also recommended that series this month.
Regina! Thanks for the Recommndations. I've decided to Read 
and
'I really wanted to read A Gentle Rain but i cant find it at my library or in their inter-loan catalog, which is strange. I'm going to put it in my To Read List though and maybe i'l stumble on it.
What's happening if we didn't get any recs? I either didn't get any or missed it?
Lucy wrote: "Thanks Courtney! I'm choosing Vampire Academy - just happened to have bought that recently!"I guess I missed this response the first time around. I'm so glad you chose VA. It is my #1 choice from the list and a 5 star book IMO. Let me know what you think.
I don't think your original partner ever posted any recs, but after the re-pairing Fran left you a list of them ... (message 342: by Fran 20 hours, 19 min agoHi Courtney!
So happy to give you some recs. I went through your tbr list and there isn't one on there that I have read! But a few I have heard good things about so here goes-...) it is on the previous page.
- she gave you some really great ones to choose from too.
Mel wrote: "PM= private message (you have that option when you click on someone's profile)."thanks :D
oh Ashley, it's fine...
lucky you liked the recommendations.... i kind of realised the only books i'v ever read are paranormal and urban fantasy... i have got to broaden my reading range...
Courtney wrote: "What's happening if we didn't get any recs? I either didn't get any or missed it?"Courtney- I left you recs and I sent you a PM letting you know I was re-paired with you and gave you recs in an earlier post- hope you find something you like!
@Debbie- thanks for letting Courtney know!
Gigi wrote: "Hi Diane (Deebotte)Love the books on your shelves. I haven't read much on your TBR so, I've picked books for you that I've heard good things about. I tried to pick a little of everything.
TB..."
Gigi, thanks for the suggestions. I'm not sure what I'm going to read yet, although I'm leaning toward The Unsung Hero and The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (if I can find it used).
Delicious Dee the book slut wrote: "I finished my first pick from Diane (deebotte) - What Looks Like Crazy - it actually turned out to be really cute and I might look for more in the series in the future"I'm glad you liked it Dee!
Chloe wrote: "Diane (deebotte) -Sorry for doing this so late!! :( I've been SO busy. Haven't touched a computer in days.
From your TBR:
PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern - haven't read the book..."
Thanks for the suggestions Chloe. I got re-assigned and I'm not sure if I'll get to two books from this, but I'm definitely putting East on my wishlist.
yay! i have finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo... awesome! i love it!!! and yeah... i could keep up with the plot hehe... so yay for me!...now i have to go study :(
Diane (deebotte) wrote: "Gigi wrote: "Hi Diane (Deebotte)Love the books on your shelves. I haven't read much on your TBR so, I've picked books for you that I've heard good things about. I tried to pick a little of ever..."
Diane, you're very welcome. I can't wait to hear which book you were able to get. *fingers crossed for lord ian mackenzie lol*
is mee... kissa wrote: "yay! i have finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo... awesome! i love it!!! and yeah... i could keep up with the plot hehe... so yay for me!...now i have to go study :("
Yikes! Lol, you finished it so fast!! That book took me a few days.
Julie wrote: "Mel-- Thanks for the rec's.. I have been reading ALOt of vampire stuff. I keep joking htat I need to fit a "smart" book in every once in a while. I love this challenge because it lets me finds some..."Glad you found something Julie:-) And I'm glad you have access to the books! I have to wait to travel to NYC next week to get the ones Dee recommended!:-(
lol...i'm sure you will survive!! don't you have a kindle (or so I thought...)Melanie wrote: "Julie wrote: "Mel-- Thanks for the rec's.. I have been reading ALOt of vampire stuff. I keep joking htat I need to fit a "smart" book in every once in a while. I love this challenge because it lets..."
Fran-- found your recs! Quoting for easy access:1.Dark Lover by JR Ward- I have read the entire series and love it- Ward's men are vampires to die for
2.Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson- I have recently started this series and really like it. Chick-lit vampires- Betsy is the queen of the vamps and has a shoe fetish- very cute
3.Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins- YA paranormal. Teen witch girl gets sent to boarding school for other-worldly beings. Mystery, teen angst - very good. First book, next one out next March.
4.The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter- first book in the Lords of the Underworld series. Demons posssessing Greek Gods bodies- sexy mythological hunks!
5.Skin Game by Ava Gray. I recently read this and really liked it. Different- hero and heroine are shady characters, very shady. The story is gripping and fast-paced. Classified as PNR because heroine has a gift but she is the only one and it is an integral part of the story, but the rest of the world is very normal. Seedy and corrupt, but normal.
I'm going to choose a book you've read and liked. You aren't going to believe this, but they are all checked out right now. I'll probably just read the one that is returned the soonest.
Delicious Dee the book slut wrote: "lol...i'm sure you will survive!! don't you have a kindle (or so I thought...)Melanie wrote: "Julie wrote: "Mel-- Thanks for the rec's.. I have been reading ALOt of vampire stuff. I keep joking..."
Oh, I do, lol... But I usually get pdf files from my cousin, instead of buying them (I'd rather buy hard copies...) :-) And since I actually have the werewolf triplets on it, and I'm travelling to Italy this week, I'll probably read that book first:-) You really got me interested in Goddess of the Rose, so that'll be the first purchase I'll make when landing in NY!:-)
If I didn't really enjoy Goddess of the Rose and want to keep it, I would send it to you...
Ari wrote: Yikes! Lol, you finished it so fast!! That book took me a few days. I think i might be a fast reader... or it could be the fact that when i get absorbed in a book i sort of lose track of time and have no life until i finish it.. hehe
now i finished the second one... gonna start the third one now!
Ok, I finally got all the choices in Excel. Time for some stats. Pretty early on I figured Lisa Kleypas to be the winner for most recommended, and boy was I right. She blew away the competition.Most recommended Author:
Lisa Kleypas - 23
J.R. Ward - 17
Suzanne Collins - 17
Richelle Mead - 13
Nalini Singh - 12
Jennifer Crusie - 11
Charlaine Harris - 10
Jeaniene Frost - 10
Gena Showalter - 9
Nora Roberts - 9
Pretty interesting. Our number 1 author from last month (Nora Roberts) fell to number 10. JR Ward owns number 2. Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs and Sherrilyn Kenyon all fell out of the top 10.
Now for top recommended titles. Jeaniene Frost might have come in 8th in the author race, but she tied for top book.Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 9
Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas - 9
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 9
Soulless by Gail Carriger - 8
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - 6
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb - 6
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - 6
Pleasure Unbound by Larrisa Ione - 6
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - 6
then there are 9 titles with 5 recommendations each.
Moon Called, Bitten, Poison Study, Dead Until Dark, City of Bones and The Book Thief all fell out of the top 10.
FYI, those numbers are out of 620 total recommendations.
how sad am i? most recommended author and i've never even heard of her
Oh, is mee...kissa, she's great. You should definitely check out some of her stuff :)
So this month I also marked which were new and which were TBR.The Top New recommendations (all these had 4. There are 14 titles with 3 recommendations each. Out of 339)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
The top TBR recommendations were (out of 281)
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 8
Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas - 6
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 5
Soulless by Gail Carriger - 5
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - 4
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian - 4
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 4
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh - 4
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning - 4
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - 4
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - 4
is mee... kissa wrote: "how sad am i? most recommended author and i've never even heard of her"Lisa Kleypas writes mostly historical romances. So if you don't read that genre, you probably haven't heard of her.
I've never read her, but some friends have been talking her up a lot lately so I probably will at some point.
Photojim wrote: "Jess, I've been looking for these. I was sure I'd read the Hunger Games. Then I put my name on the list through the library. It's unlikely that I'll get it this month. I asked about the Lookin..."You're welcome! Sorry you couldn't get a hold of those others, but I hope you will get to them in the future! I've also read the Circle Trilogy which is very good, however I've noticed with Nora Roberts that the second book in her trilogies tends to be the weakest, so don't be too dissapointed if it's not the best.
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Penney-Thanks for the recommendations. I think I'm going to read either Garden Spells or Naked in Death. I've "read" other in the JD Robb series listening in the car. I actually recommended it to Mel this month thinking I'd had read this one but when I looked at it in the library I realized I hadn't. The other one looks intriguing.
I've read the Wallflowers series and loved it and almost everything Susan Elizabeth Phillips wrote because they make me laugh. I've added your other new recommendations to my to read pile as well.
Melissawow. you have read ALOT of books...(that i havent read of course) so since i dont really read the same books as you..i just chose books that looked interesting from your tbr list.
TBR
The Vampire Diaries
i loved this series. it was kind of different but cool at the same time..yes i did read this one.
The Awakening
this is a trilogy and althought this is the second book..i liked this one the best so i am recomending this to you..you can of course read the first book first if you would like..
the Beach house
this looked like a good book and had a good avg. of ratings..
One Bite With a stranger
this also looked like a good book..(i havent read any other books on ur tbr list..sorry
New 2 You
Every Boy's got one
i personally love ALL of Meg Cabot's books..but i especially liked this one..
P.S. I Love You
this was such a sad book..i actually cried!
The Promise of a Lie
this is kind of a different genre..more suspense and mystery then anything else but i loved it..i just couldnt put it down.
Peeps
this book is a different kind of story about vampires and how vampirism is actually a parasite than anything cool..totally awesome!
any NIGHT WORLD book
i loved all of them so i just wanted to add one last recomendation into this list.
hope you like them. tell me which one you decide to read and how you like it..
Hi Sue!I just finished Slave To Sensation- thanks for giving me the nudge to read it and get it off my tbr shelf. I LOVED it- I had no idea what to expect and it was fantastic. I am going to read the entire series. Thanks again for the pick.
Thanks for your picks BJ ...I was inspired by so many good choices
and I had trouble chosing books ...
so I went to the library with the list and came out with Garden Spells and its sequel The Sugar Queen
I looked for Undead and Unwedbut could only find Undead and Unworthy so I got that and I intend to read the The Hunger Games which I got as a gift on Mothers Day.
:)
Hey, Midhat...thanks for browsing my bookshelves. You had a lot of good suggestions! I am definitely going to read The Beach House this month. The Promise of a Lie looks interesting, too. I own all of the Kelley Armstrong books, so I should read them, but probably won't get to them this month. As far as the others, I have actually read The Vampires Diaries...once in college and once again a year or two ago. I've read all of the Night World books twice, as well! I love LJ Smith! (I read the "old" books that were published individually so you might not have noticed them on my read shelf). I have also read the whole Boy series by Meg Cabot. Those are unique books and great, funny reads! I've read Peeps, too, and it's sequel and wasn't really impressed with Westerfeld. I have read P.S. I Love You (and saw the movie) and loved it. All of her books are fantastic. Thanks for the recs!
Jenny wrote: "Thanks for your picks BJ ... I went to the library with the list and came out with Garden Spells and its sequel The Sugar Queen..."Jenny, you will love the Sarah Addison Allen books. I haven't read The Sugar Queen yet, but requested it from the library. Also try to get The Girl Who Chased the Moon if you enjoy these two as much as I think you will.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Just the Sexiest Man Alive (other topics)Kiss of Midnight (other topics)
Lover Eternal (other topics)
A Hunger Like No Other (other topics)
Same Difference (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Robyn Carr (other topics)Jeaniene Frost (other topics)
Jennifer Crusie (other topics)
Jeaniene Frost (other topics)
Lisa Kleypas (other topics)
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It looks like you are up for trying anything and I have tried to add a good mix of stuff I think you might like,However there are only 3 books on your TBR that I have read so to make up for it I am going to recomend a couple extra New to you! Happy Reading!
From your TBR
Night Pleasures
The Host
The Da Vinci Code
Now for the ones that are New to you!
It seems that you really like your mysteries here are a couple that I thought you might enjoy...
One for the Money This is a really funny Quick read,
Real Murders this is the first in the Aurora Teagarden Series, its fun and pretty quick too.
Along Came a Spider it looks like you read and liked another one of James Patterson's books but the Alex Cross ones are my Favorite!
Now for a Couple Romance!
It Had to Be You This is one of my Favorite authors and one of my favorite books!!!
Causing Havoc Lori Foster is always a really great read, this is the first in the SBC series.
Hot Rain I could not stop reading this book...
I hope you like at least one of these but if not let me know I would be happy to Find some more!