January - Pick It For Me Challenge

[Ann]

I just finished one of my picks. I decided to read Shadow Kiss. And I am just stunned at the events in this book and am so excited for the next one!

[Julianna]

Amanda-
I'm going to go with Pretty Little Liars for my first pick.

[Dee]

Hi Ari - forgot to reply - thanks for picking again...I'm going to go with Kite Runner because I tenatively had it scheduled for a challenge (my around the world in 80 books), and I grabbed Tiger Eye when I was at the bookstore the other night - I looked for Inked but it was hiding, but i'll add it to the list! Thanks!

Ari wrote: "Ello again Delicious Dee!
I changed most of the picks, but some I left the same. Hopefully this take two is better, but if not third's always a charm!
A.Try Something New
1. New Author:
[book:Dr..."

[Kami]

Amanda wrote: "Read the second of my picks - Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian (4 stars) - a good continuation to the series. I am looking forward to reading the third book."

I really like those books. I just recently read Veil of Midnight, the fifth book in the Midnight Breed series. Just enough raunchy and paranormal for me to totally be into them.

[D.G.]

Wow ladies you're moving right along!

I'll update the reading list on the weekends. :)

[FionaBluesBookCafe]

BJ Rose wrote: "Photojim wrote: "I will tackle the intimidating bookshelves of BJ Rose. If I'm not back in a couple of hours, send someone in to look for me. I'll be in the stacks."

D.G. & Photojim, I do have m..."

BJ Rose, Thanks for clarifying the mistake. I like you stopped checking the tread after I got my picks.

[Kami]

Atumn wrote: " For Kami!! :)

It was a pleasure to roam around your TBR pile!! Since there are a substantial number of books to choose from, i made most of my selections from this list. i really hope you enjoy i..."

I got Wings today from the library. I already have Shadow Kiss, since I own it. I'm not sure which one to read first. Decisions. Decisions.

[Thenia]

I finished "Soulless" by Gail Carriger yesterday and I really liked it! Thanks for recommending it SheSwitches.

Sandra Dee, you're very welcome! ^^

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Ok, stats time. All this is out of 620 recommendations.

As noted in the thread, both Julie James and Jodi Picoult surged their way into the top 10 this month out of nowhere. Plus this might be the first time both Nora Roberts and her pseudonym J.D. Robb hit the top.

1. J.R. Ward - 20
2. Suzanne Collins - 16
3. Diana Gabaldon - 12
4. Kelley Armstrong - 11
5. Nora Roberts - 10
6. Nalini Singh - 10
7. Richelle Mead - 9
8. Julie James - 9
9. Charlaine Harris - 9
10. Jodi Picoult - 8
11. Gail Carriger - 7
12. Jeaniene Frost - 7
13. J.D. Robb - 7
14. Patricia Briggs - 7
15. Lisa Kleypas - 7

** edited to fix numbering error

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Now for titles.

Wow, The Hunger Games just blew everything else away. Could be partially due to J.R. Ward's votes going to 2 of the top books - Covet and Dark Lover.

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 15
2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - 9
3. Covet by J.R. Ward - 7
4. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - 7
5. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong - 6
6. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - 6
7. Soulless by Gail Carriger - 6
8. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - 5
9. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning - 5
10. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 5
11. Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James - 5
12. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh - 5
13. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - 5

[D.G.]

Thanks so much Diane!

It's interesting to see how the recommendations change based on the different rules. I'm sure that Gabaldon made it to the top because of the 'Lose Weight' category. :)

[Miss]

Angelique wrote: Congratulations! And I know you'll love Darkfever. But you'll wa..."

Thank you, I'm waiting for Shadowfever to read them all in one sitting.

[Maria FantastikaRomance]

Oh no! I missed the date! I am so sorry! It sounded like fun. Sigh. Ah well I´ll just have to try and catch the next one. Stupid, stupid me :-(

[D.G.]

Maria wrote: "Oh no! I missed the date! I am so sorry! It sounded like fun. Sigh. Ah well I´ll just have to try and catch the next one. Stupid, stupid me :-("

Maria - According to my records, you got recommendations from Kim so you can read one of the picks and still participate in the challenge. So if go back to page #3 and start looking from there, you should find a list of picks for you.

[Maria FantastikaRomance]

Kim wrote: "Maria-

We're quite opposite in our tastes, but I was able to pull some choices. Hope you like what I picked.

New Author: Blood Red by Heather Graham. This was my first vampire read..."

Oh thank you Kim! I thought I was out of the challenge since I missed the date. I haven´t decided yet what to read, some I have to see if I can find as an e-book otherwise I wont get them in time! Have you got any picks?

[KimKirt]

Photojim wrote: "I thought I was going well out of my comfort zone with 25% of the picks being historical romance novels."

Did you break out in hives afterwards?

[Annie]

Hi Pam!

Just to let you know progress to date on your recs! (Joys of 4-day weekends!)

I read Kasey Michael's The Beleaguered Lord Bourne. Not too bad, light and fluffy. Just what I needed to wallow in over the new year's break. Some of the plot elements seemed really familiar - I suppose years of reading Regency romances will do that.

I'm waiting for What Happens in London to arrive at the library for me, so I read The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - the earlier book. I like Quinn's regencies - so perfect!

[~~*Julie]

I have missed out on this challenge for the last several months.. I have been busy. I definately need to sign up for February-- I think I will lurk around here and find me a rec!

[D.G.]

~~*Julie wrote: "I have missed out on this challenge for the last several months.. I have been busy. I definately need to sign up for February-- I think I will lurk around here and find me a rec!"

Julie - If you check out Diane's post in message 375, you'll get an idea of the most recommended books. That list is great so you cannot go wrong with any of them!

[Maria FantastikaRomance]

I will read Kelley Armstrongs Stolen. Long overdue actually :-)

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Rena!

I read your new author pick for me- - it was smokin- I felt like the one with the fever! Thanks for a really fun, great pick- I will also read Shiver if I can fit it in this month. Thanks again- I will be reading more by Kimberly Dean for sure.

[Ashley♥Alexis]

Katie-

I had some extra funds (yay!) Soooo I'll be switching my book to I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier I'm excited to let you know how I like one of your favs. Since i'm starting to read it tonight i'll probably also read Tithe since it's already on hold for me ^>^

[[deleted user]]

Fran wrote: "Hi Rena!

I read your new author pick for me- - it was smokin- I felt like the one with the fever! Thanks for a really fun, great pick- I will also read Shiver if I can ..."

you're very welcome, Fran! So glad you liked it!

[Katie]

AshleyAlexis wrote: "Katie-

I had some extra funds (yay!) Soooo I'll be switching my book to I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier I'm excited to let you know how I like one of your favs. Since i'm starting to re..."

that's great ashleyalexis! i really hope you like it :)

[D.G.]

I got word from the library that I can pick up 'This Lullaby' which is the book I want to read for this. I'm debating on whether to pick it up today or do it next week - I can only pick up stuff from the library on Mondays and Thursdays because those are the only days the library is open late.

[Hayley]

D.G.

I read Moon Called and I really enjoyed it. I just finished it last night and I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series. Thank you for an excellent suggestion!

[D.G.]

Hayley wrote: "D.G.

I read Moon Called and I really enjoyed it. I just finished it last night and I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series. Thank you for an excellent suggestion!"

I'm so glad you liked it Hayley!

[Hayley]

D.G. wrote: "Hayley wrote: "D.G.

I read Moon Called and I really enjoyed it. I just finished it last night and I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series. Thank you for an excellent s..."

It was a great book. I couldn't put it down last night. I haven't read much Urban Fantasy/Paranormal books and this one really caught my attention. I really like Mercy she's a great heroine and I can't wait to pick up the second book of the series.

[Kami]

~Hayley~ wrote: "D.G. wrote: "Hayley wrote: "D.G.

I read Moon Called and I really enjoyed it. I just finished it last night and I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series. Thank you for a..."

I love the Mercy books. So good!

[Heather]

I read one of my picks, . It was a cheesy, but cute YA book that really made me miss hitting the slopes.

[Dee]

Hi Ari - I finished up The Kite Runner the other day...I can't believe I waited so long to read it...loved it...can't wait to read the second one, but think I am going to hold off and use it for my around the world challenge next year...thanks again for the pick and i'll let you know which of the others I end up reading

[[deleted user]]

Hi LethalLovely, I didn't know we were supposed to say something after we finished the book! I really enjoyed The Bronze Horseman! Best book ever!!!

[Miss]

Angelique, I've also finished Darkfever and loved it so much that I had to read all the other books in the series right away. I can't wait for the last one! Love Barrons!

[Autumn]

macwolf: I just finished The Bride. It was a first medieval romance i`ve tried, so i will always remember this challenge!! ;). Will add my review to the book shortly!!

thanks for the recommendation!!

((((((((((huugs)))))))))))

[Desperado]

Rena wrote: "Hi LethalLovely, I didn't know we were supposed to say something after we finished the book! I really enjoyed The Bronze Horseman! Best book ever!!!"

Yay! You liked it! Now you've got me thinking I need to give this book a go. =)

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Megan,

I finished Jennifer Ashley's Pride Mates a few days ago. It was an easy, enjoyable read. I like how affectionate and demonstrative the males are in this book. I will definitely keep an eye out for Sean's story.

I also started Cynthia Eden's Midnight's Master and I'm excited to read Nioll's book. Demons are my favorite PNR heroes. :)

[Sue]

Inga wrote: "Thanks, Sue, for a great recommendation! I've finished Slave to Sensation and I really liked it. The world Nalini created (Psy part) is rather new to me and I'm happy I finally had a..."

I'm really glad you enjoyed it!

[Kami]

Miss wrote: "Angelique, I've also finished Darkfever and loved it so much that I had to read all the other books in the series right away. I can't wait for the last one! Love Barrons!"

Me too!!! Yay for Mac. I love Barrons, he is so dark and mysterious.

[Ashley♥Alexis]

katie--

Finished I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier and lemme just say "WOW!" Not what I expected at all. First off, the title of the book kinda made me giggle (yeah yeah i'm kinda immature) and i've never had a desire to read any M/M romance but this book made me laugh,cry and even tingle (I prefer not to look too closely at the latter) This was such a great book and i don't hand out the "great book" title lightly. So Katie thanks soo much for the rec and I will probably be scoping out your bookshelves more often. ^.^

[Ceej]

I've finished three of the books picked for me.

Bachelor Unleashed - decent read for a serial romance.
Cry No More - this one was kind of had a start and stop thing. For me, that took away from enjoying the story. A good book though and I needed kleenex once or twice.
Causing Havoc - will definitely be adding Foster to my list. Loved the humor and subtle smut. Eve and Havoc were great compliments to one another.

Kim did good lol

[Katie]

AshleyAlexis wrote: "katie--

Finished I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier and lemme just say "WOW!" Not what I expected at all. First off, the title of the book kinda made me giggle (yeah yeah i'm kinda immatu..."

i'm so so glad you liked it!!! yeah, i know...the title is awful. it kept me from reading the book for a long time, sadly. let me know if you're ever looking for another m/m rec. or you might want to join the m/m romance group. lots of good stuff there.

[~Megan~]

Yz the Whyz wrote: "Megan,

I finished Jennifer Ashley's Pride Mates a few days ago. It was an easy, enjoyable read. I like how affectionate and demonstrative the males are in this book. I will defin..."

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Yz!! That is one of the things I liked best about the males, too. I hope you enjoy Nioll's story...he's a bad bad boy LOL!

[Kami]

Atumn,

I finished Wings. I really enjoyed it. A very nice fairy tale with a very sweet romance. Thank you very much for the suggestion. I hadn't heard of it before and without your suggestion, maybe I wouldn't have picked it up. I much preferred Tamani over David. It kind of left off open ended so there could be a sequel. I really would like to read more about Laurel and her adventures and I really want her and Tamani to live happily ever after in Avalon.

I think I will also read Shadow Kiss this month. Again thanks so much for the recommendations.

[Kami]

Oh, now that I look, I see there are other books and this was the beginning of a series. More books to add to my to read pile!

[D.G.]

Great job everybody! Per my count, 22% of the players have finished their selection. :) (If you finished and don't see yourself, please let me know...it seems I always miss somebody updating the front!)

[D.G.]

You're already in the list as finished, Inga.

If you have a √ before your name, it means you're done.

[FionaBluesBookCafe]

Finished Sunshine 1/9/11. I have to say I was not overly impressed. I found it have to get into, but I fought my way through it. I most likely never would have finished it if it had not been for this challenge. Thanks GiGi.

[Penney]

Hi Sarah, I finished Demon from the Dark yesterday. Thanks for encouraging me to get to finally pick up this book because I probably would have waited much longer. I don't know why though, I love this series and this installment didn't disappoint.

[D.G.]

LOL, Inga!

Today I'll be picking up 'This Lullaby' from the library. I'll start it as soon as I'm done with these two books I'm reading. :)

[~Sara~]

Kerste wrote: "~Sara~,

This was a bit tough for me since our tastes are actually quite different.

A. Something new
1. New Author: Stranger by Megan Hart. Contemporary rom..."

I finished reading Sh*t My Dad Says and Photojim was right, it was hilarious and it would've taken me under an hour to read it if work didn't get in the way! I started reading it on the bus - probably not a good idea, everyone was pretending to not notice me laughing my ass off all by myself. Then I was reading it in the backroom on my lunch and quoting bits of it to whoever came back. I finished on the couch, again reading bits to whoever would listen to me (I ended up calling my sister to read her parts too).

A fantastic recommendation, but it kind-of felt like cheating with it being so short so I'm going to keep going on your list, maybe Nightwalker or Stranger? I'm not sure yet, they both look really good and I like that I've never heard of them before!