October - Pick It For Me Challenge!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Switcherlady, I completely agree with the rating system. Three stars means that I liked it. Maybe a few books every year earn a five star read. 10% earn a four star read. 75% get three from me.

[Elke]

Kim,

I am going to start The Friday Night Knitting Club tonight!! Let me know if you can too!

[Tania]

SheSwitches wrote: "Hina-
I know my 3 stars might seem funny but I try to rate as it says here."

Same here although mine is based more on my re-reading preferences. 5 stars are books I have to stop myself from re-reading or going onto the next book straight away. 4 stars are books I know I'll be picking up to re-read again. 3 stars I really enjoyed the whole book. 2 stars are books I know I'll never read again and 1 star books are books I had trouble finishing in the first place.

[Angelique]

I'm the same way. I'm always second guessing my ratings.

[Lindsey]

Fran

I just finished Undead and Unwed and I really liked it, I had picked up one of the queen Betsy books before and didn't get very far... but now that I know what was going on I really would like to read more of this series. On another note, I am far from done with this challenge there are several others on my list that I want to read it just so happened that I got a hold of this one first... Thanks for the great RECS!

[Fran, Moderator]

Lindsey wrote: " Fran

I just finished Undead and Unwed and I really liked it, I had picked up one of the queen Betsy books before and didn't get very far... but now that I know what was going on I..."


Lindsey- I am so glad you enjoyed it- it's a cute, fun series. Can't wait to hear about the others you get to read!

[Ceej]

Leah I've read two of the picks and I liked them both. I liked Covet but he I wasn't as impressed with it as I was with the BDB series. The characters were a little hard to connect to and though she does a good job in the BDB books, Ward didn't quite tie everything and everyone together for me. Now as for The Hunger Games, all I can say is WOW. I had to keep putting the book down because I didn't want anything bad to happen to Katniss and Peeta. I'm not sure if I will get to read Catching Fire and Mockingjay anytime soon but I am adding them to my TBR. Thanks again!

[Leah]

Drq, I'm glad you enjoyed both books. Especially The Hunger Games. That series is so dark, disturbing, and beautiful, and I'm glad you were able to enjoy the first of the series! :D

[Anja]

AshleyAlexis, I just finished The Virgin Groom (Hawk's Way, #10). It was okay; I skimmed quite a bit. I thought the multiple serious plot elements would give a darker tone but they seemed glossed over. I think I was hoping for something grittier. If I get caught up on my other challenges I'll pick something else from your list. There were a few I'd like to look at.

[KimKirt]

Hi Elke,

I finished Vision in White and gave it 4 stars. I really liked it and am looking forward to the rest of the series.

I started The Friday Night Knitting Club today, looking forward to reviewing that one with you!

Kim

[Tina "IRead2Escape"]

Hey Megan,

I finished Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn on Saturday. I really enjoyed it. I know it wasn't first on your list, but I had it handy. I plan on starting Moon called very soon. Again, thank you for your suggestions. I am really enjoying this!

[Debbie]

I finished Halfway to the Grave last night and wow, I wasn't sure there for a while. I did however love Bones more than I expected to and Cat grew on me in the end. I was surprised how it ended - talk about a cliff hanger, now I have to read the next one .......

Thanks Penney for recommending to me one of the great ones already in my house. I was just having so much trouble finding some of the others, but they are on my radar (tbr) now, so hopefully I will find and read them soon also.

Jim, you already have me marked as having read - well, now I have :) alls good - thanks for running a great challenge this month, you are making it for a hard act to follow :)

[Rossy]

Melissa wrote: "Alright, Ang...I just finished Pack Challenge and really, really enjoyed it. Hot and Steamy! And great characters. I will definitely be reading the others. This was a quick read a..."

Welcome to the minority club, Melissa. A lot of people seem to not like this book out of all the books by the author. I was one of the few who really enjoyed it.

[Rossy]

SheSwitches wrote: "Hina-
I know my 3 stars might seem funny but I try to rate as it says here. So, for me that means I liked it-I know for some of my friend 3 stars is just meh/ok. It did peek my interest for more. I..."

I follow the system here too. It's when i give a book 2 or 1 stars that the author should start getting worried. I have to really dislike the ending or hate the book entirely to rate it that though.

[D.G.]

Debbie wrote: "I finished Halfway to the Grave last night and wow, I wasn't sure there for a while. I did however love Bones more than I expected to and Cat grew on me in the end. I was surprised..."

Ah crap...there's a clifhanger in that book? I hate clifhangers so much! I have that book on the way and now I don't know if I'll read it (I don't get the second book in the series until I read the first one and know that I like it.)

[Pam]

Jennifer-
I finished Naked in Deathand loved it. Having read much later ones--it was interesting to see where it all began. People have commented on finding Eve unlikeable but I think this job does a good job of explaining her and letting us see why she lets Roark in. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Pam, I'm currently on book 21 I think of the In Death series. I can't imagine reading about the Eve now without knowing how she came to be as she is. I think the series does a wonderful job of having the characters grow over time and become what they are now.

How many of the later books did you read? Are you planning on going back and reading in order those that you missed?

[Tina "IRead2Escape"]

Photojim wrote: "Pam, I'm currently on book 21 I think of the In Death series. I can't imagine reading about the Eve now without knowing how she came to be as she is. I think the series does a wonderful job of ha..."

I love the in death series. I am with you, Jim. I can't imagine not knowing her history. I would think very differently about her had I not. I really can't imagine ever reading the books without Roarke and Mavis in her life. She needs them to balance her.

[D.G.]

I read the first book of the In Death series and stopped at that. I liked it but I wasn't dying to continue...maybe I should pick it up again.

[Sue]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Sue,

I read Slave to Sensation and enjoyed it. Thanks for moving it up my TBR. I wasn't too sure when I first started as the Psy are so cold, but everything soon warmed up. :)

My..."

I'm glad you liked it! I really enjoy this series. But I've probably said that a few times now!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

D.G. wrote: "I read the first book of the In Death series and stopped at that. I liked it but I wasn't dying to continue...maybe I should pick it up again."

If I had only ever read the first book, I would be pretty 'meh' on the series myself. Give it 2-3 more and see how you feel.

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Pam!
I just finished Love in the Afternoon and I really enjoyed it. It's sad that the Hathaways are done but I think it ended really nicely. Thanks for the push to read it. I am on a waiting list at my library forExtremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I am going to try and fit that one in this month- thanks for the recs!

[Carolyn F.]

Tina wrote: "Hey Megan,

I finished Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn on Saturday. I really enjoyed it. I know it wasn't first on your list, but I had it handy. I plan on starting M..."

That's my pick for this month too. I'm looking forward to reading it :)

[Ceej]

I only just read the first book and I'm totally in love with Eve and Roarke. I can't imagine having started in the middle. I'd about go crazy!

[~Megan~]

Tina wrote: "Hey Megan,

I finished Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn on Saturday. I really enjoyed it. I know it wasn't first on your list, but I had it handy. I plan on starting M..."

I'm so glad you liked it, Tina! I have heard great things....I will try to read it this month as well! Let me know how you like Moon Called!

[~Megan~]

D.G.,

I have read Lord of Scoundrels and The Girl Who Chased the Moon so far....I absolutely loved them both!!

I plan on getting to a few more of your recommendations this month! Thank you so much!

[D.G.]

Photojim wrote: "If I had only ever read the first book, I would be pretty 'meh' on the series myself. Give it 2-3 more and see how you feel. "

Oh, I'm glad to see it's not only me! I'll try to get the second book from the library. I think I remembered what happened in the first book - I must have read it 2 years ago at least.

[Stormy]

I just finished City of Bones. It was easy to get into and it was fast paced. The twist at the epiphany was unexpected and a little unsettling. Thanks for the rec, Pollyanna.

I have Mark of the Demon and Poison Study from the library, too. I'm going to try to get to those by the end of the month, too!

[Annie]

Hey Gigi!

Really enjoyed The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie - and have the 2nd book at home to read.

Ah, wounded heroes... and a supportive family.
Thanks for the rec - might get to A Knight in Shining Armor yet.

[Debbie]

D.G. wrote: "Ah crap...there's a clifhanger in that book? I hate clifhangers so much! I have that book on the way and now I don't know if I'll read it (I don't get the second book in the series until I read the first one and know that I like it.) ..."

- Well, that is they way I saw it, just because of the personality of Bones (who is great IMO) I know I have to find the second one - there is no way I am leaving it the way it is :)

[Hina]

SheSwitches wrote: "Hina-
I know my 3 stars might seem funny but I try to rate as it says here. So, for me that means I liked it-I know for some of my friend 3 stars is just meh/ok. It did peek my interest for more. I..."

Hi She,

No your rating system didn't seem funny at all. I completely understand. When I am checking out others TBR, I usually take 3 stars as they liking it and above just an okay so so book. My ratings actually align very much with Tania's.

[Elke]

Elke wrote: "Elise,

Thanks for the great recs! I am having a hard time choosing though! lol!

I am already on the waiting list at the library for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I don..."

Ok, I am still waiting on Soulless...but I have The Girl with the Dragon Tattooso I will switch my pick!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Diane, I'm still waiting on the books to come in from the library. We'll see which one gets here first. I'm also not sure how many I've been behind all month on the reading.

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

Elke wrote: "Elke wrote: "Ok, I am still waiting on Soulless...but I have The Girl with the Dragon Tattooso I will switch my pick!..."

NP I'm having the same problem this month ... none of the books I ordered for this challenge have shown up yet ... oh well fingers crossed

[Pam]

Photojim wrote: Pam, I'm currently on book 21 I think of the In Death series. I can't imagine reading about the Eve now without knowing how she came to be as she is. I think the series does a wonderful job of having the characters grow over time and become what they are now.

How many of the later books did you read? Are you planning on going back and reading in order those that you missed?

I'm not sure exactly where we started. My husband and I actually have listened to several of them in the car--all after Eve and Roark are married I think. I was a little surprised that he seemed to enjoy them but they have made several trips go much faster. I would like to read them--I'm not sure once you've read the later ones and now what happens to who that it is important to read them in order. I know we listened to Vengeance in Death, Rapture in Death and Ceremony in Death because they came in a collection together. We've probably listened to at least two others. I've read Creation in Death and Promises in Death. My dad is a big fan. I suspect I would agree with that this is not the strongest book in the series but so many series take a while to build or even authors take a while to mature. It's like when an author gets popular and they reissue the old books and you read one and it's terrible!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

But this is Nora Roberts we are talking about! I don't know as though she needed to mature through this series.

[Pam]

Yeah but even so--I know I don't always love all of her books. I read them (usually in hardback) but I have definite favorites. Looking back at the JD Robb, I definitely like some storylines better than others--or maybe it's the focus.

[Pam]

However-given that I do read all the NR--not sure why I hadn't read the JD Robb....?

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Probably the Science Fiction moniker people like to hang on the series had something to do with it.

[Penney]

Sherri wrote: "For Penney (#23) – Taurus Extraordinaire!

A - 5 star read: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins..."

Hi Sherri! I finished The Hunger Games and really enjoyed it! Like I said, I never, ever would have choose it myself, I'm not usually into apocalyptic type books, movies etc. Once I got over myself and my prejudices and couldn't put it down. I'm glad I went with your recommendation and I can't wait to find out what happens with Katniss and her boys, thanks!

[Rossy]

Woo hoo! Look at you guys reading away. A lot of you have already finished this month, congratulations!

[D.G.]

I'm also reading The Hunger Games and I cannot believe I've owned a copy of this book for year without reading it! OMG!! Thanks so much for the push, Jess!

The best thing is that I already own Catching Fire and I'm #1 in the WL for Mockingjay on PBS. :)

[Ann]

D.G. wrote: "I'm also reading The Hunger Games and I cannot believe I've owned a copy of this book for year without reading it! OMG!! Thanks so much for the push, Jess!

The best thing is that I ..."


This one was picked for me also, but I decided not to choose that one. However, with all of the good feedback from everyone, I may have to go ahead and pick it up!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

I read it as my YA for the monthly. I gave it a very solid and respectable **** rating. I really liked it.

[Gigi]

Annie (a mad hamster) wrote: "Hey Gigi!

Really enjoyed The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie - and have the 2nd book at home to read.

Ah, wounded heroes... and a supportive family.
Thanks for the rec - might ..."

I loved Ian Mackenzie! I'm glad you enjoyed the book! I can't wait to hear what you think of Knight in Shining Armor.

[Ashley♥Alexis]

2 weeks later....

Amazon FINALLY delivered Halfway to the Grave so i'll read it sometime this weekend. I also piked upThe Book Thief from the library out of curiosity. Thanks for the recs Yz the Whyz, i'll let ya know how i like them.

[Debbie]

ooh Ashley, I just finished Halfway to the Grave myself for this challenge, enjoy :)

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

I'll update the list of who has finished sometime tomorrow. In the meantime, keep reading. Everyone is doing a great job of reading and posting.

[~Sara~]

Katherine, thank you so much for recommending Alice I Have Been; I really enjoyed it!!! I love books that take you behind the scenes of beloved stories and this one does it so convincingly, I'll never look at Alice in Wonderland the same way again! I got As She Climbed Across the Table and Her Fearful Symmetry from the library as well, so I'll read those within the next few weeks. You were so right about the first book that I'm sure I'll thoroughly enjoy these ones too.

[booklovinrn]

PICK IT FOR ME OCTOBER 2010


1.A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole 10/5

2.Atlantis Redeemed by Alyssa Day 10/13

3.Hunting Season by Shelly Laurenston 10/7