Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2011 Challenge Archive
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January - Pick It For Me Challenge

Here are the choices for you.
A-Try Something New
1.New Author-The Princess Bride by William Goldman. Saw this in your TBR and since it is the first, one of the best books I have read. It draws you in and is funny, sweet and delightful.
2.New Series-Covet by Jr Ward, I have this on my shelf too but I heard it was really good
3.New Genre-I am going to recommend Hunger Games for you, it is not on your TBR but I think it fits with Genre you have a wide variety of taste to choose from. Very good book.
B-Better For You
1.Lose Weight-Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer-Weighty and a good sequel for Twilight, New Moon.
2.Save Money-Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, haunting book but wonderful.
3.Get Organized-The Shining by Stephen King, great book.
C-Enjoy Life More
1.And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie-loved this book couldn't put it down.
2.Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas-Wonderful fun, the Hathaways are fiesty and often very funny









1. New Author: Blue Aspen
2. New Series: Black Ice, Hush, Hush
3. New Genre: Veronika Decides to Die




1. Lose Weight: Beautiful Darkness
2. Save Money: Northern Lights
3. Get Organized: Glass Houses



1. The Only Alien on the Planet
2. A Certain Slant of Light


Sorry, I listed an extra one cause I couldn't decide which one to post so I just picked them both! ;) I hope at least one appeals to you. Happy reading. :)

i've been doing so much m/m reading lately that i've lost touch with the m/f world. i love finding new authors and series and this challenge is PERFECT for that. i know my shelves consist of mainly m/m, so thank you for wading through all that and coming up with so many great suggestions without their aid. i'm going to go with 'the pleasure slave' and 'dark prince'. hopefully i get to a couple of the others, too, but you never know :)

K. ... You and I are very different. very different.. ._. And you don't have a lot on your list either, but I will do my very best to pick you something that you might enjoy! (:
I'll have your picks by tonight!

A: Nothing. They just waved.
Since I don't have picks yet, I'm forced to post 5th grade humor. Maybe I give myself too much credit. That might be a 3rd grade joke. I told it to my niece while visiting with family. She's in 5th grade and she laughed. Maybe somebody could try it out on a 3rd grader and we could find out where that joke really lies. Then again, the humor might be dependent on sex or life experiences. Maybe only 5th grade girls and 41 YO men find the joke amusing. Do you have to have seen an ocean to understand it? Maybe the joke would be funnier if it was something other than oceans. How about "Q: What did the first oscilloscope say to the second oscilloscope?" Does the joke change when using a machine that defines and displays wave shape as opposed to just having waves as a characteristic? Probably most 5th grade girls wouldn't know much about oscilloscopes so the target audience would certainly shrink. Maybe the joke could be altered to have something to do with hair or something else with a natural wave that would change the target again. But not all hair has waves. Not all oceans have waves for that matter. On Earth they do as it is a function of gravity with our moon. You know this is just a stream of consciousness ramble of what I'm thinking while I am trying to be patient waiting for recommendations. Patience is a virtue. Virtue is trying to be morally excellent.

I'm sure that if I tell that joke to my 50 YO husband, he'll laugh. :p
While I'm pretending to work today (I'm the only person in the office from my department), I'll send reminders to those that haven't made their picks. :)

Thank you so much for wonderful picks. I'll try to get my hands on The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle but I'm not sure if I'll manage to do that until the end of the month. So, my backup plan would be either Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (it waits for me to read it for so long now!) or Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia.
Oh, and you're second person thet recommends me Anne Stuart. I should probably check her out too :D
Thanks!

A.
1. Nicholas by Elizabeth Amber
2. At the Mercy of Her Pleasure by Kayelle Allen
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
B.
1. Under the Dome by Stephen King I'm about to start this book.
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
3. Delicious by Shayla Black
C.
1. As She Climbed Across the Table by Jonathan Lethem Great short read.
2. Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin I can't seem to stop recommending this book. I enjoyed it so much








Let me know if none of these appeals to you. I will think of more. :)

Thank you for the wonderful recommendations.
I am actually re-reading The Picture of Dorian Gray right now. :)
I think I will read Covet this month, and Hunger Games if I can fit it in. :)

I will probably go with one of the ones from the TBR selections. It is a real toss up between Graceling and Winter Moon.
Annie (a mad hamster) wrote: "Hi Debbie (Onyx95).
Thought I'd better get on this while I remembered! Hope you can find something in here you like. Sorry, I didn't find many on your TBR - as I haven't read a lot of them. :(
..."

A. Try Something New
1. New Author: The Darkest Night
2. New Series: The Shop on Blossom Street
3. New Genre: The Host
B. Better You - From their TBR
1. Lose Weight: Graceling
2. Save Money: Fallen
3. Get Organized: The Luxe
C. Enjoy Life More
1. Wicked Appetite
2. Truly, Madly
several of these fit in multiple categories, but I hope you can find something the interests you. Again I am so sorry I am late getting this done.

Thank you for the wonderful recommendations.
I am actually re-reading The Picture of Dorian Gray right now. :)
I think I will read Covet this month, and Hunger Games if I can fit it in..."
I have not read Covet yet, but Hunger Games is really good very different story which is always nice.

A: Nothing. They just waved.
Since I don't have picks yet, I'm forced to post 5th grade humor. Maybe I give myself too much credit. That might ..."
LOL - told this to my 3rd grade son, who laughed - then he responded with:
Q. What dries as it gets wetter?
A. A towel!

![Macwolf01 [Elise] (macwolf01) | 1012 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1277511172p1/2680059.jpg)
Hi Cassie, Thanks for the great picks I'll either read Evernight or A Game of Thrones!

That sounds like my house - my 3 y.o. just hasn't quite got the point of knock-knock jokes yet, but tries to copy the older kids. They all like the impatient cow joke, so try to make up their own version!

Thanks Debbie!! I think I will try for either The Luxe or Truly, Madly!


For Pollyanna
A. Try Something New
1. New Author: Sugar Daddy
2. New Series: Déjà Dead
3. New Genre: Love Only Once
B. Better You - From their T..."
Thanks for the recs I think I'll go with
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Déjà Dead


A. Try Something New
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
2. New Series:
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
3. New Genre:
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
B. Better You - From their TBR
1. Lose Weight: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
2. Save Money: Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
3. Get Organized:The Pact by Jodi Picoult
C. Enjoy Life More
1:
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
2. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Hope you find something you like there :)

A. Try Something New
1. New Author: The Gargoyle
2. New Series: Covet
3. New Genre: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; this is an addicting series - I am just starting book 3.
B. Better You
1. Lose Weight: Outlander; this book is still on my TBR, too. I've been a bit intimidated by the size. If you pick this one, I will read it with you.
2. Save Money: Vision in White
3. Get Organized: The Lovely Bones
C. Enjoy Life More
1. The Hunger Games
2. Full Moon Rising

I nodded and she said, "Oh." Like, okay, that makes sense.
Now I'm stuck in a never ending..."what did the (fill in the blank) say to the other (fill in the blank)?" conversation. The answers still aren't funny, only serious.
Sigh. Hope my books are available at the library soon.
Photojim wrote: "Q: What did the one ocean say to the other ocean?
A: Nothing. They just waved.
Since I don't have picks yet, I'm forced to post 5th grade humor. Maybe I give myself too much credit. That might ..."

No premature at all, Gigi. Thanks for offering! With the new year and all, I wouldn't be surprised if we need morI'll put you in the list of volunteers up front. :)


A. Try Something New
1. New Author: This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - I noticed you've only read a little Young Adult and I don't read too much of it myself, but Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite YA writers. She writes teenagers well and I don't think that she makes them out to be complete idiots. She also has them dealing with real, everyday situations. Anyway, this is my favorite book by her and if you read it I hope you'll like it.
2. New Series: Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon - The League is a great series, sometimes I think it's my favorite of SK's series. Anyway, this is a wonderful book and I read it in about 1-2 days the first time. I think you will enjoy it. It's got a huge romance element but I also like the fact that it's in another universe and it's not about "human beings." I mean, they aren't aliens or anything, but they have different races that aren't "human."
3. New Genre: Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - You don't have an Urban Fantasy shelf and it doesn't look like you really read much of it. From what I can tell. You also have this on your TBR list, so I figure you want to read it since it's there. Welcome to the wonderful world of
B. Better You
1. Lose Weight: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - Okay, sorry, I had to put this because you specifically asked your pickee not to pick it for you. Although, it is the biggest book on your TBR shelf! My real choice for you, though, is The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - This is the second biggest book on your TBR shelf. I haven't read it but since you seemed to like the first four, you might as well read the fifth one, right?
2. Save Money: Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery - This is the only book on your TBR shelf that I have read. Of course, I love Susan Mallery so I probably would have chosen it anyway! I don't think this is her best series but it's a good one.
3. Get Organized: Don Quijote de la Mancha I by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra - This has been on your TBR shelf the longest. Since July 21, 2007! Maybe it's about time you read it, eh?
C. Enjoy Life More
1. Reckless by Anne Stuart - I haven't read this series yet but everyone seems to love it. You've read the first one and gave it three stars. Maybe the second one will be better for you?
2. The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole - You haven't read anything by her and I think that this novella is a nice, short, fun read. It's the intro to the Immortals After Dark series, which is one of my favorites.










Try Something New
1. New Author
I haven't actually read this book, but it's on my TBR list. Also, it's YA with rather good rati..."
Inga, thank you for all the wonderful choices. I'm going to either read Pleasure Unbound, Crave, or Unraveled :)

1. New Author - Storm Born
2. New series - Kiss of Midnight
3. New genre - Go Ask Alice
4. Lengthy - Outlander
5. Already have -Persuasion
6. Sat on TBR shelf - Mortal Sins
7. Have fun - On the Prowl (Alpha and Omega:Briggs) (Inhuman:Wilks) (Buying Trouble:Chance)
8. Have fun - Bitten

LOLOLOL, Leah! Thanks for the laugh and thanks for the great recommendations!
This Lullaby sounds really good and I already requested it from the library. Let's see if it gets here before the end of the month! If not, most likely I'll read either Halfway to the Grave, Sweet Talk or Reckless. I've read so many good things about Bones so I'm looking forward to that. I think the only UF I've read is the Mercy Thompson series which I have in the paranormal shelf (I just don't want to bother with another shelf, LOL!)
I'm planning to read The Fiery Cross and either War and Peace or Don Quijote this year. But most likely I won't start now as and I'm already planning to read a different 700+ pg book this month. Maybe in February! :)

A: Nothing. They just waved.
Since I don't have picks yet, I'm forced to post 5th grade humor. Maybe I give myself too much credit. That might ..."
well its same here i've been checking the thread since 28th every so often but nothing for me yet either, so still waitiing: )
happy new year all


LOL! I'm a bit afraid of big books so I always put them aside to read for later. The funny thing is that when I finally read them I say...this book was great...why did it take me so long to read it, LOL!
Maybe I'll do with W&P the same I did with Montecristo. Once I got my iPod Touch and I got the Classics app, I challenged myself to read a chapter a day (the book has 111 chapters unabridged) but I read it in less than 2 months because the book was so exciting.

![Macwolf01 [Elise] (macwolf01) | 1012 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1277511172p1/2680059.jpg)

I lent The Truth about Forever to my sister (nearly 50 at the time). She was wondering what the hell I was doing, lending her such a *pink* book. But, she trusted me - and loved it.

50 pages a chapter!! That can't be...it would mean the book has over 15K pages!

I will probably go with one of the ones from the TBR selections. It is a real toss up between Gra..."
Thanks Debbie. I completely understand the internet thing. I've just changed providers and am supposed to have access. I don't. So, my access is work-dependent at the moment.
Anyway - Graceling is great - action, adventure, touch of fantasy. But many pages, and a storyline that requires brain.
Winter Moon, on the other hand, is a novella collection. So good for days with little brain.
And, that's why I read so many anthologies - sometimes sustaining a commitment to a whole novel just isn't possible. :)

I've never even heard of that author...I'm excited to read it. :)

80% of the players have picks. :)
I sent a message to everybody I could (meaning, those that had public profiles or had the messaging option enabled) to remind them to post their picks. Hopefully most people would check in the next day or so...if not, I'll do a remix on Sunday. So please anybody that's willing to post picks, please let me know (if you volunteer, please make sure you're available on Sunday afternoon EST so the players don't have to wait longer for their picks!)


oui!!!!!! my bad.. i had no idea my profile was private!!LOL well, i made another friend then!! ;) xxx

A. Try Something New
1. New Author: The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
2. New Series: Dark Lover
3. New Genre: Fantasy - The Name of the Wind
B. Better You
1. Lose Weight: Memoirs of a Geisha
2. Save Money: Angels' Blood
3. Get Organized: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
C. Enjoy Life More
1. Soulless
2. Goddess of the Hunt
Hope you enjoy your pick and I wish you a Happy New Year!









Here are my picks for you:
Try Something New
New Author A Dirty Job Christopher Moore is on your TBR pile but you haven't tried him yet. If you're feeling like funny, ..."
Thanks for the recommendations!
I'll probably read Soulless in January but I've got Thorn Queen in my "to read soon" list, so I'll just see which one I get to first! :)

Thanks for the great recs! I think I'll go with Succubus Blues. What the heck, it's a new year, why not start a new series?! Not that I am not chasing a whole bunch of series already :D
Tatiana wrote: "Hi Coffeentea!
My picks for you.
A. Try Something New
1. New Author - I'd love to suggest Karen Marie Moning and Darkfever - the first book in her excellent UF/PNR s..."

50 pages a chapter!! That can't be...it would mean the book has over 15K pages!"
I was joking. I forgot to hit the sarcasm font. Sorry.

Here are my picks for you:
A. Try Something New
1. New Author: The Missing by Shiloh Walker
2. New Series: Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
3. New Genre: The Mad Bad Duke by Jennifer Ashley
B. Better You
1. Lose Weight: Into Temptation
2. Save Money: Thread of Fear by Laura Griffin
3. Get Organized: Baby, Don't Go by Susan Anderson
C. Enjoy Life More
1. Eternal Hunter by Cythia Eden
2. Simply Irrestible by Jill Shalvis
Hope you Enjoy!!
Books mentioned in this topic
Fire (other topics)Graceling (other topics)
Bound and Determined (other topics)
Tempting the Beast (other topics)
A Hunger Like No Other (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nalini Singh (other topics)Megan Hart (other topics)
Megan Hart (other topics)
Julie James (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
More...
Normally I would have posted sooner but these suggestions required a bit more work =p Hope you like them.
A. Try Something New
1. New Author:The Pleasure Slave by Gena Showalter, i recently discovered Gena Showalter and I really enjoy her, thought i'd share.
2. New Series: Carpathians Series by Christine Feehan. I've read 8/20 so far. I've loved every book. It starts with Dark Prince
3. New genrePride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
B. Better You - F
1. Lose Weight: Lover Avenged by J.R Ward
2. Save Money:Covet by J.R Ward
3. Get Organized: Corralled by Lorelei James has been on your shelf since April. Maybe it's time you checked it out =p
C. Enjoy Life More
1: Burning Wild by Christine Feehan. This is the 3rd book in the series. each book is stand alone so it's ok just to pick it up out of order, the only thing they have in common is the fact that its about shape-shifters. I read this last week and that was before i knew what D/s meant...oh my this book was interesting. haha.
2: Dead until Dark by Charlaine Harris. I'm a sucker for Sookie Stackhouse novels. I'm kinda disgusted that Harris is drawing it out like this but of course I'll read every one of them.