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**Summer Reading Challenge**
Awhhh, you missed me already how sweet. I am in reality supposed to be working. :)
You’re in for a fun ride/read, Amber. The one you’re reading now & the next ‘Lover Awakened’ are my favourites.I’m up to my 4th book, currently reading the Kite Runner. Wow! Very emotional book so far and I’m not even halfway through. If it continues at this pace, I going to be an emotional wreck by the end of it.
I must say, I’m really enjoying this challenge. Not only am I getting through my crazy TBR list but love seeing what people are reading and their comments/recommendations. It’s been great!
Mandy wrote: "1. Celebrate Australia - Fall Girl2. TBR - Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love
3. Movie/TV - Let the Right One In
4. S..."
The movie version of Let The Right One In was so good that I went and read Handling the Undead, but it wasn't all that good. You'll have to let us know what Let The Right One In is like.
Ljuke wrote: "Mandy wrote: "1. Celebrate Australia - Fall Girl2. TBR - Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love
3. Movie/TV -
I just downloaded Let the Right One In. I hope it's really scary... I'll let you know what I think Ljuke. I haven't seen the movie yet!
Woo Hoo I finished my first book Kafka on the Shore, a brilliant book, a very unusual coming of age story. I'll choose a nice short story for my next read so I can knock a couple off my challenge quickly.
My next read is going to be The Thief. It came highly recommended it is one of a series, a bit of a risk read for the book challenge as I might get distracted from the challenge if it's as good as told. :P
Mod
Wow some of you are going so well! I'm still on my second, Breaking Dawn. I'm making slow progress as I can't read too much at a time without wanting to throw the book out the window... or myself out the window...
Emma wrote: "Wow some of you are going so well! I'm still on my second, Breaking Dawn. I'm making slow progress as I can't read too much at a time without wanting to throw the book out the window... or myself ..."Haha..Uho! Keep going...Don't want to see any freaky new reports about someone killing themselves over a book! lol ;p
Another book crossed off the list :) Might stop for now and pick this back up in the new year.
Mod
Have a lovely Xmas, safe and healthy New Year...
1. Celebrate Australia! Red Dog– Loius de Berniere or Mary Smokes Boys - Patrick Holland (if I can find a copy) BOTH FINISHED !!2. Lighten the load! The Sound of One Hand Clapping - Richard Flanagan (it's been lurking for a long time)
3. Book that’s been made into a movie. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey
4. Title related to Summer The Sea - John Banville
5. Oprah’s visiting Australia - The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
6. Baby - Tar Baby - Toni Morrison
7. Schoolies week! Uglies - Scott Westerfield
8. Ho Ho Ho! - The Snow Leopard - Peter Mathiessen
9. Literature Map - The Secret River - Kate Grenville STARTED
10. Valentine’s Day - The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCulloch
Two books from category 1 finished. Now moving on to Kate Grenville The Secret River.
alright, i'll give this a go.1. Celebrate Australia! A Great and Terrible Beauty
2. Lighten the load! Clockwork Angel
3. Choose a book that's been made into a movie, TV series or play. Eat, Pray, Love
4. Title related to Summer. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
5. O - Once Dead, Twice Shy
6. New Release - Last Sacrifice
7. Schoolies Week - The Dead Of Night
8. Ho Ho Ho - TBA
9. Literature Map - Graceling
10. Valentine's Day - The Time Traveler's Wife
Glad you could join us Lauren.
Lauren - you'll love the Time Travelers Wife - a great read - better than the movie.
Yay two down. I completed my YA book today. The Thief. A book I will be very happy to pass on to both my kids. I am now reading A Christmas Carol, another short one. I have read a lot of Charles Dickens but not this.
Carmel it is a very quick easy read.
Ok, one down, nine to go!Just finished The Hunger Games
. I have given it a three star rating (ie I liked it) but I haven't written a review yet because I am not so sure of my response to the book. I enjoyed the excursion beyond my regular reading and into a genre that is not my usual lurking ground.
I listened to this book rather than read (thanks Audible) which was also a new experience for me - this may be why I also feel a bit unsure of my experience.
Hope everyone else is having interesting times with the challenge.
cheers from Cairns
Jacinta
edited to add Accumulated listening time 11:10:00hrs.
New Release The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake Finished. Oy, this one didn't live up to the high hopes I had for it, imo. I've already let it slide out of my thoughts just a few days later.
Oh well given that the challenge is giving us the opportunity to read books we might not have read otherwise, there are bound to be some that aren't so great.
Darn it I am sitting on the train listening to music. Why is this a problem you might ask? It means I left my book at home. I hate that.
Darn it I am sitting on the train listening to music. Why is this a problem you might ask? It means I left my book at home. I hate that.
Mod
OK I have finished my second book,Breaking Dawn, which actually wasn't as completely awful as I had been expecting from the previous three Twilight books. Anyway I'm glad I can put that series behind me now.Am now to start Watership Down.
Am I the only one lame enough to actually be attempting this challenge in order?
Brenda wrote: "Just finished 'Virals' by Kathy Reichs..it was fabulous!! Well worth a read...Kathy's first attempt at a YA novel, and she definitely has a hit!! It's my 5th one finished, now starting 'The Plantat..."Oooo...I might have to check this out out then! I didn't know she was into writing YA novels at all. Easy to read?
@Carmel- What if the wooden spoon was sprayed gold?
It is what ever works for you Emma. I'm choosing to read them in order of availability. I'm reading A Christmas Carol now, it seemed appropriate for the time and I already owned a copy.
^^ Yeh I don't think I'm going to be able to keep the order going based on their availability...
Emma wrote: "OK I have finished my second book,Breaking Dawn, which actually wasn't as completely awful as I had been expecting from the previous three Twilight books. Anyway I'm glad I can put t..."You will LOVE Watership Down. It is one of my favourites of all time.
No challenge for me! I'm too old to be reading any books I might not like. I'm currently into Patrick O'Brian and the Aubrey/Maturin series - I may have already said that in a previous post. Oh, and an old Garfield comic...
Happy Christmas to all! And to all a good night!
Mod
Yes Laura, it was a quick, easy read! Kept me interested the whole time, and it was hard to put down on occasion! Definitely worth reading if you like Kathy Reichs books :)
Two down now
This one was on my TBR pile so that's #2 on the challenge down.My review gives the book two stars but I have a bizarre compulsion to finish the series.
Accumulated effort to date is 962 pages + 11:10 hrs of audio book time. (sorry, I am an accountant and I can't help but count and add stuff up).
Hmmm, now to find another to start ...
Well done Jacinta. I am an accountant as well but generally I like to keep that dirty secret to myself. :P
I have just completed my third book now. A Christmas Carol. A fantastic read at this time of year.
The last two books have been quick easy reads, so I'm now on to some more challenging ones. I was hoping to put this off until later but it is the only one I have on hand at the moment. The Pillars of the Earth. This has been recommended by so many people I'm quite excited about reading it.
I have just completed my third book now. A Christmas Carol. A fantastic read at this time of year.
The last two books have been quick easy reads, so I'm now on to some more challenging ones. I was hoping to put this off until later but it is the only one I have on hand at the moment. The Pillars of the Earth. This has been recommended by so many people I'm quite excited about reading it.
Have now embarked on another audio book adventure. Parrot and Olivier in America
Going well so far as the narrator is very talented and picks up the character's accents well.
I am so glad Jacinta. I really loved the book.
Mod
I have to read another one which is not on my challenge list next, as I have 2 days to finish it...it's a library book. 'I came to say Goodbye' by Caroline Overington. Not sure how I'll like it, her previous one was a library 'book club' read, and I wasn't fussed, but thought I'd give her new one a go...will let you know!
Brenda you are zooming through your books!!
Last week I didn't read but mentioned I'll wait for the new year but it felt odd...Now I'm going to start reading
:D
Brenda wrote: "I have just finished my 6th book of the challenge...'The Plantation' by Di Morrissey. Loved it, hard to put down, one of Di's best IMO..:)I have to read another one which is not on my challenge li..."
I'll be reading "Monsoon" soon. I havent read anything by Di Morrissey before. Is this a good book? I chose it because I recently travelled through Vietnam.
Just finished my third book,The Secret River - Kate Grenville. A good read, but it leaves you saddened that we could not have risen to the challenge of living with the aboriginal culture rather than regarding it as a threat. Next one - The Sea - John Banville.1. Celebrate Australia! Red Dog– Loius de Berniere or Mary Smokes Boys - Patrick Holland (if I can find a copy) BOTH FINISHED !
2. Lighten the load! The Sound of One Hand Clapping - Richard Flanagan (it's been lurking for a long time)
3. Book that’s been made into a movie. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey
4. Title related to Summer The Sea - John Banville STARTED
5. Oprah’s visiting Australia - The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
6. Baby - Tar Baby - Toni Morrison
7. Schoolies week! Uglies - Scott Westerfield
8. Ho Ho Ho! - The Snow Leopard - Peter Mathiessen
9. Literature Map - The Secret River - Kate Grenville FINISHED
10. Valentine’s Day - The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCulloc
Mod
I have to read another one which is not on ..."
Maggie, I haven't read 'Monsoon', but it sounds good :) I have only recently started reading Di Morrissey myself, and have read about 3 I think. Enjoyed them all, but 'The Plantation' was the best so far. Have a look at my review of it if you want....:)
Must get back to the books on my Summer reading Challenge list. I've been pleasantly distracted with books that became available at the library, or something someone lent me, or something that caught my eye. When I've finished "Sister" I'll get back to my list, perhaps with "Monsoon" by Di Morrissey.
Mod
Then let me know how you like 'Monsoon' as well please Maggie, cos I should read it too...it sounds really interesting...:)
Finished another 2 books.4. Summer in the Title - The Second Summer of the Sisterhood.
8. Ho Ho Ho - The Third Day the Frost.
Both were re-reads so I knew what to expect from each. Still enjoyable though.
Read both iBoy and I Am Number Fourwhich is number 7 covered. Thus I have 2 down, 8 to go.1. Celebrate Australia! Parrot and Olivier in America or Something Fishy
2. Lighten the Load! Mockingjay
3. Movie, TV series or play. The Secret Life of Bees
4. Title related to Summer! Sizzling Sixteen
5. Oprah's List - The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
6. New Release! Eleven - READ
7. Schoolie's Week! iBoy or I Am Number Four - READ BOTH
8. Ho Ho Ho! - Shiver
9. Literature Map - Succubus Blues
10. Valentine's Day - Persuasion
You don't have to get through all 10 to complete the challenge Dee-Ann. 5 is the minimum and you have until the end of February. I am a slow reader and my time is not my own even on holidays. I am aiming to get through as many as I can, without putting any undue pressure on myself.
Laura wrote: "Last week I didn't read but mentioned I'll wait for the new year but it felt odd...Now I'm going to start reading :D"You didn't read for a whole week?! I'd go nuts!
Cheryl wrote: "Laura wrote: "Last week I didn't read but mentioned I'll wait for the new year but it felt odd...Now I'm going to start reading :D"You didn't read for a whole week?! ..."
Heehe, it started to drive me crazy. I did read 2 or 3 magazines but it just wasn't the same.
I'm a little over half way through Enforcer..It's good and then it's not so good. Tends to leave out all the juicy bits. And the style of writing is somewhat childish but it has a great flow so I'm not that fussed.
For #6, a new arrival, I grabbed the new Louis Sachar, The Cardturner: A Novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker. Impressive - I can't stand games with tricks & trumps but he managed to make Bridge sound almost interesting. Now if it'd been about Scrabble I'd probably have given it another star... ;)
Just finsihed Enforcer a few minutes ago. It's pretty light read and I did find it an interesting read.Crap..I couldn't locate my copy of Memoirs of a Geisha..So, I've changed to Byrce Courtenay- Potato Factory which I started ages ago and never managed to finish it.Nor have I watched the movie.
Aussie Readers
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