4th Quarter 2010 Challenge

[Ashley]

I have The Tennis Party marked down, but don't think I'll be able to find it at all... :(

[Stacy]

I have that down as my MW book for the challenge. Just waiting to get it from the library...

[Ashley]

Stacy wrote: "I have that down as my MW book for the challenge. Just waiting to get it from the library..."

The Tennis Party? I found it on amazon for a few dollars and bought it. Couldn't find it on my library site, or for download.

[Jencey/]

Task completed 5.4 Get Cozy:



I really liked this book!

[Kourtney]

TASK COMPLETED

15.1 Name's the Same: Mini Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella) and The Wedding Girl (Madeleine Wickham)

Really enjoyed both of them and I worry that the next book I read will pale in comparison

TOTAL: 30

[Kourtney]

TASK COMPLETED

10.5. It’s a Zoo – Monkey Love by Brenda Scott Royce

TOTAL: 40

[Kristine]

Ashley wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Task Completed:
5.9 How Many?: Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson

15/325 points
3/42 books"

What did you think?"

It was pretty good... There were some twists at..."

I read it awhile ago. I really enjoyed it. I was shocked at the ending.

[Stacy]

Ashley wrote: "Stacy wrote: "I have that down as my MW book for the challenge. Just waiting to get it from the library..."

The Tennis Party? I found it on amazon for a few dollars and bought it. Couldn't find ..."

No, sorry, I meant The Wedding Girl.

[Cathy]

Could anyone recommend either A Desirable Residence or the Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham? I'm trying to decide between the two to listen to next:)

[Kourtney]

Cathy wrote: "Could anyone recommend either A Desirable Residence or the Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham? I'm trying to decide between the two to listen to next:)"

I read The Gatecrasher and was not really a fan. I am a HUGE Sophie Kinsella fan and they were touting that book as a "if you love Sophie you will love The Gatecrasher!" Compared to the light "Shopaholic" tones Sophie writes with, this one was much darker and the ending left me with a why-did-I-waste-my-time-reading-that feeling. After reading The Wedding Girl I am more inclined to try A Desirable Residence.

[Jencey/]

I am reading Twenties Girl and have a more favorable opinion of Sophie Kinsella. I was thinking of reading Wedding Girl. What did you think?

[Stacy]

Cathy wrote: "Could anyone recommend either A Desirable Residence or the Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham? I'm trying to decide between the two to listen to next:)"

I tried to read The Gatecrasher and just couldn't get past page 40. I've read Cocktails for Three, didn't really care for it, but I got through it. I started The Wedding Girl a while back and I have it on my list to read because I would like to finish it. What I had read at the time was good.

[Stacy]

Jencey wrote: "I am reading Twenties Girl and have a more favorable opinion of Sophie Kinsella. I was thinking of reading Wedding Girl. What did you think?"

Twenties Girl is my absolute favorite non-shopaholic SK book! I cannot go on enough about that book!
I have The Wedding Girl on my list as well. I used to get weekly emails with the first couple of chapters of a book and that was one of them. I read every single excerpt and liked it. I just haven't gotten the book yet to finish it. I'm on the wait list at my library, hopefully I'll get it before the end of the challenge. :)

[Cathy]

Stacy wrote: "Jencey wrote: "I am reading Twenties Girl and have a more favorable opinion of Sophie Kinsella. I was thinking of reading Wedding Girl. What did you think?"

Twenties Girl is my absolute favori..."


Thanks for ideas!! I've gotten thru the Wedding Girl and Sleeping Arrnagments - it was a little easier to listen to - but being used to SK's lightnesss, it was difficult to get into them but I wonder if I go into them expecting the dark humor, maybe I'll like them more - I don't know - they are different that's fior sure:)

[Cathy]

I started the audio of the Gatecrasher this morning and I actually really like it! I think cause I went into it with an idea of the storyline and thinking how it was going to be kinda of sinister and twisted - I'm not far into it but i really liked the intro to the main character Fleur...

[Cathy]

Task completed 10.1 - Er… - OctobER, NovembER, DecembER

Damsel UndER Stress by Shanna Swendson

Highly recommended series. Lots of fun - especially if you liked Harry Potter and love chick lit!

Total: 20 Points

[Stacy]

Sorry sorry! Forgot to post this last week!!!

LEADERBOARD
Kourtney - 40
Stacy - 35
Tara - 30
Cathy - 20
Ashley - 15
Jencey - 10
Maria - 10
Jen - 5
Kristin - 5
Kristine - 5
Nicole - 5

[Ashley]

Stacy wrote: "Sorry sorry! Forgot to post this last week!!!

LEADERBOARD
Kourtney - 40
Stacy - 35
Tara - 30
Cathy - 20
Jencey - 10
Maria - 10
Ashley - 5
Jen - 5
Kristin - 5
Kristine - 5
Nicole - 5"

Not a big deal, since we're still early on, but I actually have 15 pts.... I completed 10.10 and 5.9 :)

[Stacy]

Ashley wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Sorry sorry! Forgot to post this last week!!!

LEADERBOARD
Kourtney - 40
Stacy - 35
Tara - 30
Cathy - 20
Jencey - 10
Maria - 10
Ashley - 5
Jen - 5
Kristin - 5
Kristine - ..."

Sorry Ashley! I must've missed one of them!

[Ashley]

Stacy wrote: "Sorry Ashley! I must've missed one of them!"

That's ok, it really only matters at the end. My post is #36 (I think!) that lists all my books and which ones I've read (strikethrough) if that helps! :)

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)]

Task Completed - 10.8 A Dance of Sisters by Tracey Porter

15/325 points 2/42 books

a great YA read

[Cathy]

Task Completed! I've moved around some of the books into different categories than originally planned...but still the same books:)

9. How Many? - read a book with a pluralized word in the title. American Girls About Town: They're Not Just the Girls Next Door.... by Jennifer Weiner & More Finished 10/16/10

25 POINTS TOTAL

[Jencey/]

Task completed 5.6 What is your name? 10/16/10



Point total 15

[Ashley]

Task Completed:
10.2 EEK!: Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would at first. Would make a cute movie too!

25/325
5/42 books

[Stacy]

Task Completed:
5.1 - Wicked Appetite by Janet Evonovich

40/325 points
6/42 books

I love Janet's Stephanie Plum series and this is kind of a spin-off from that. Awesome book, can't go wrong with this! Can't wait for the next one!!!!

[Stacy]

Ashley wrote: "Task Completed:
10.2 EEK!: Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would at first. Would make a cute movie too!

25/325
5/42 books"

I had the same thought about a moveie for this one! I hope it goes it that direction.

[Stacy]

Ashley wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Sorry Ashley! I must've missed one of them!"

That's ok, it really only matters at the end. My post is #36 (I think!) that lists all my books and which ones I've read (strikethroug..."

Yup, I must've missed that one. Sorry again. :(

[Stacy]

Cathy wrote: "Task Completed! I've moved around some of the books into different categories than originally planned...but still the same books:)

9. How Many? - read a book with a pluralized word in the title...."

No worries Cathy, I'm constantly changing mine around for uncompleted tasks. :)

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)]

Task Completed 5.9 Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

20/325 3/42

2nd in a great series!

[Tara]

TASK COMPLETED
10 pts
3. Happy Birthday! – Call Me Mrs. Miracle-Debbie Macomber

40/325 points
6/42 books

[Stacy]

Task Completed 10.2 - Once Upon Stillettos by Shanna Swendson

50/325 points
8/42 books

Really cute series, can't wait to start the 3rd book!

[Cathy]

15.21 Name’s the Same

Finished Mini-Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 10/14/10
and The Gatecrasher by Maddeleine Wickham 10/19/10

Really enjoyed both books...first MW book I really loved (better than the Shopaholic sequel even)

Total: 40 Points

[Nicole]

5.3: Knitting Under the Influence by Claire LaZebnik
5.5: Last Snow by Eric Van Lustbader
5.8: The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris
5.9: Promises to Keep by Jane Green

25/325

[Stacy]

Cathy wrote: "15.21 Name’s the Same

Finished Mini-Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 10/14/10
and The Gatecrasher by Maddeleine Wickham 10/19/10

Really enjoyed both books...first MW book I really loved (bette..."

You liked The Gatecrasher, huh? I tried to read that one, I really tried. By page 40 I wanted to poke my eyes out with a fork. :)

[Stacy]

Nicole wrote: "5.3: Knitting Under the Influence by Claire LaZebnik
5.5: Last Snow by Eric Van Lustbader
5.8: The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris
5.9: Promises to Keep by Jane Green

25/325"

What did you think of Knitting Under the Influence? I have that book but I keep putting it off because I tried to read another of her books and didn't care for it.

[Cathy]

Stacy wrote: "Cathy wrote: "15.21 Name’s the Same

Finished Mini-Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 10/14/10
and The Gatecrasher by Maddeleine Wickham 10/19/10

Really enjoyed both books...first MW book I reall..."


I listened to it, which I think makes a big difference. PLus it was the third MW book I'd listend to so I was pretty prepared for it being a little dark and alittle off - my one complaint about all her books though are the endings...I feel like they always end and I'm wondering and then what?? Like there's not much of a climax or resolution to her books...I dont' know...

I really liked Fleur's character in the Gatecrasher...I found it more interesting than the Wedding Girl or Sleeping Arrnagements.

I'm going to try Cocktails for Three at some point...but I only have the book so I'll finally see how different it is to read it..

[Nicole]

Stacy wrote: "What did you think of Knitting Under the Influence? I have that book but I keep putting it off because I tried to read another of her books and didn't care for it."

I really liked it. But it did take a bit to get into it. The open made it seem like the focus would be on some airhead, rich girl; turns out that while Kathleen is a bit of an airhead, the rich girls are her sisters. And the story is pretty equally divided between Kathleen and her friends, Lucy and Sari; which is good since I liked them much better.

[Stacy]

Nicole wrote: "Stacy wrote: "What did you think of Knitting Under the Influence? I have that book but I keep putting it off because I tried to read another of her books and didn't care for it."

I really liked it..."

Ok good, that gives me enough to go on that I still want to read it then. :) Thanks Nicole!

[Kourtney]

TASK COMPLETED:

5.7. The Definition is… - My Heart May Be Broken, But My Hair Still Looks Great by Dixie Cash

TOTAL: 45

[Stacy]

Does anyone know of any good books whose main character's name is Lily? That's the name I got for the name generator task and I don't think I'm going to read the one I have listed for that task.

[Ashley]

Stacy wrote: "Does anyone know of any good books whose main character's name is Lily? That's the name I got for the name generator task and I don't think I'm going to read the one I have listed for that task."

I didn't even try to find a book with a main character's name matching Suzanne (the name generated for me), I used the author option instead... Looking on this site helped see only Chick Lit authors: http://www.chicklitclub.com/authorsa....

[Cathy]

Stacy wrote: "Does anyone know of any good books whose main character's name is Lily? That's the name I got for the name generator task and I don't think I'm going to read the one I have listed for that task."

I just did a google search for "Lily chick lit" and got:

Do They Wear High Heels In Heaven? by Erica Orloff

She's All That (Spa Girls by Kristen Billerbeck (or any Spa Girls series)

Consider Lily: A Novel by Anne Dayton

Pictures of Lily by Paige Toon

The Only Way is Up by Carole Matthews

But I only googled them...didn't read any so I'm not much help in knowing if theyr'e any "good"...some look good based on theri brief descriptions and covers:)

[Ashley]

Cathy wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Does anyone know of any good books whose main character's name is Lily? That's the name I got for the name generator task and I don't think I'm going to read the one I have listed for..."

Wow, impressive Cathy! :)

[Cathy]

Ashley wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Does anyone know of any good books whose main character's name is Lily? That's the name I got for the name generator task and I don't think I'm going to read the one I h..."

haha..I'm a total Google dork! though it didnt' help me any...I ended up finding a Rowena that liked chick lit and made a top ten reading lists so i used one of those....but if anyone knows a Rowena book...pass it on!

[Stacy]

LOL, thanks Cathy! I didn't even think about Googling it! :)
I've already read High Heels, and Pictures of Lily is the one I have listed. The other two in between those never sounded good to me but I'm a huge Carole Matthews fan. I wonder if that one is available in the US yet. I'll have to look it up.

Ashley, I'll have to check out your suggestion too, thank you! I can't think of any chick lit authors named Lily off the top of my head...

[Ashley]

Stacy wrote: "Ashley, I'll have to check out your suggestion too, thank you! I can't think of any chick lit authors named Lily off the top of my head... "

Lily Brett comes to mind.... Seems like I had her on my TR list, but I can't remember if she's chick lit or not.

[Stacy]

Ashley wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Ashley, I'll have to check out your suggestion too, thank you! I can't think of any chick lit authors named Lily off the top of my head... "

Lily Brett comes to mind.... Seems like ..."

Cool, thanks Ashley, I'll check it out. :)

[Stacy]

I'm posting today because I have the spreadsheet saved on my computer at work and I have the day off tomorrow...

LEADERBOARD
Stacy - 50
Kourtney - 45
Cathy - 40
Tara - 40
Ashley - 25
Nicole - 25
Kristin - 20
Jencey - 15
Maria - 10
Jen - 5
Kristine - 5

[Jen B]

10.3 Happy Birthday!
Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomanical, Self-Centered Smart-Ass Phase by Jen Lancaster

According to her website (www.jennsylvania.com), Jen Lancaster was born in November.

Loved this book -- this lady is hilarious! I highly recommend the audiobook versions of these if you like audiobooks, because the narrator is really good. I had fun listening to this one on my drives to/from preschool!

Total Points: 15
Total Books: 2

[Suzanne]

Ashley wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Does anyone know of any good books whose main character's name is Lily? That's the name I got for the name generator task and I don't think I'm going to read the one I have listed for..."

Ashley- That's so cool you got the name Suzanne. :)