Monthly Theme Read

[Stormi (StormReads)]

I think I will be reading for Valentines Day, and for the historical since I am about to finish up the first one and I think I need to see what happens next..LOL As for the Chinese New Year, I don't know if I will do that one.

[Gwennie]

I have quite a few I could pick. Hmmm, maybe I'll take Heidi's lead and go with for Love, then either for Historical, and reading as the crossover Chinese New Year and featured Author is a great idea.

[Shelley]

I will be reading The Chocolate War for my coming of age book. This is also assigned for a class so will work nicely. I could also add that I just read Seventeenth Summer last week which would also fit in this category.

[Jaimie]

I think I too will read and

[Heidi]

Oh let me know about Bright Young Things Jaimie.

[Jaimie]

will do - i liked the Luxe series so I am hoping for good things.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

I liked Luxe as well and hope to get to BYT in Feb also. It will be nice to see what someone else thinks of it.

[Kat (A Journey In Reading)]

I just finished Bright Young Things a couple of days ago and loved it.

[Becca]

For this month's themes I will be reading for my romance, for my historical, and I'm not sure what for the chinese new year. I suppose one of the first twenty books on my tbr pile or that I'm currently reading will fit it.

[Gwennie]

I'm still going with for my historical. for my romance. And for my Chinese New Year/Author read.

[Heidi]

Yay for all 3 of your books Wendy! p.s. I am so pleased some of you gals/guys are reading more than one theme book. I only commit to one theme because I am a lazy!

[Gwennie]

Last month I only managed one, so we'll see how it goes. But I have all three of these already so I should make it.

[Heidi]

Sure Bluemoon! We will "grandfather" you in :)

[Kurukka]

I'll go with Wuthering Heights for romance.

[Heidi]

I am reading my love story . It is good so far.

[Stormi (StormReads)]

I read my love story it was a quirky fun read.

[Heidi]

Stormi wrote: "I read my love story it was a quirky fun read."

Loved mine too! Two for two so far :)

[Heidi]

Woot to both of you Catie and Bluemoon - how did you both like your books??

[Heidi]

Yay! Super excited for you Bluemoon.

[Arphaxad]

So happy you loved Alanna, Bluemoon; I have such a soft spot for those books! They're like old friends to me :)

I used as my Chinese New Year one - at this point in the series the old empire has just fallen, and the characters are trying to build afresh from the ashes. It was an awesome read, even better than the first book! Really impressed with the series so far, it's some of the most exciting/original fantasy I've read in ages. Waiting for the third book now :)

[Arphaxad]

Might read for Valentine's day, since I presume it's a love story? Judging by the blurb..

[Jaimie]

I just finished and it would totally cover the Chinese New Year and historical challenges. It was really good - a lot of setting up for the series but good character building.

[kirpa]

Heidi I wrote: "I am thinking ahead to February. Here are some thoughts:

1. Valentines Day - love stories
2. President's Day (US) - historical books
3. Chinese New Year - books about fresh starts/characters ..."

love stories! whoo! my favorite!

[Heidi]

Jump on in then Kirpa!

[Gwennie]

Finished Bloody Jack 1, but didn't really like it.

Read Anna and the French Kiss and I LOVED it!!!! Their love story was so sweet and drawn out perfectly. I loved watching the awkwardness but the hints of the feelings underneath.

I'm sad for Josh, and I wonder if she'll write a book for him since now he's alone for his Senior year.

[Heidi]

Wendy I really feel like mailing you my used copy of Bloody Jack on audiobook (CD) I just bought from the library (for $1.00 yay for me!) so you can enjoy the narrator. I would be happy to send it to you if you promise to mail it back - just pm me if you don't think this sounds too crazy!

[Heidi]

Thinking ahead to March, here are my ideas:

1. Womens History Month - stories with strong female protaganists.

2. Frienship Day - stories with strong friendships and/or about friendship.

There is also Saint Patricks Day, Mardi Gras, and Lenten holidays -- can anyone think of any themes for any of these holidays??

How do the first two ideas sound?

[Becca]

By Irish authors or about/set in Ireland (Juliet Marillier and other authors set their stories in Ireland), so kind of like the Australia theme we had earlier this year.

[Heidi]

Ok ladies! Thanks. I will add St. Patricks Day, so the themes will be:

1. Women's History Month - stories with strong female protaganists.

2. Friendship Day - stories with strong friendships and/or about friendship.

3. St. Pat's Day - Irish authors and/or books set in Ireland.

[Gwennie]

Okay, that sounds great. In that case I'm going with

Strong Female Protag


Strong Friendships


Set in Ireland


I've now put Daughter of the Forest on this list a few times but I never seem to hit all three books a month.

[Heidi]

Ohhh double whammy with the Piper's Son - great idea! I just finished Daughter of Forest and it was excellent, but be warned it is not for the faint of heart and it takes some amount of concentration (i.e. it is not a fast read).

[Gwennie]

I was eyeing for strong woman protag, I'm eager to read this one, but after BDB, Fallen Angels, and Night Huntress I'm going to give myself a bit of time before another UF/PNR type of book.

[Heidi]

Graceling or Daughter of the Forest are great picks for female protaganists.

[Nikki (aka Quinn)]

Valentine's Day: (read) ,(read)
Chinese New Year:(read) , (read)
President's Day: (kinda fits...need to read but its just sooo dang long)

[Arphaxad]

Nikki wrote: "Valentine's Day: (read) ..."

Yay, another person who's read (or , as it is to me - I still find it weird seeing that other cover)! What did you think of it, Nikki?

[Nikki (aka Quinn)]

I really loved the book... I think I am pretty tough on books and I gave it five stars so if that says anything! I mean it was a simple story but something about it just warmed my heart.

[Heidi]

Remind me about that suggestion later Catie!

[Jen]

Just finished the fourth book in the Bloody Jack series. I think that works for both historical and Strong female. My library doesn't have any more of the series :(

[Heidi]

Jen I agree - Jacky is a great female protaganist.

[Jaimie]

Finished and I really enjoyed it. She is a great character and I liked how it wasn't one of those typical everything comes easy to the main character plots.

[Heidi]

Yay Jaimie! I am reading book two next.

[Arphaxad]

So glad you liked 'em, Catie and Jaimie! Tamora Pierce was one of my biggest book discoveries back in school, along with Susan Cooper - I'll always have a special affection for them, so it's really awesome to see other people reading/loving them as well :D

[Heidi]

Catie I am super glad you loved the Alanna series!

[Heidi]

Hey I am open to anything Bluemoon.

[Heidi]

You don't have to read all the themes Bluemoon so don't worry if you can't find one :)

[Stormi (StormReads)]

I am reading so I guess I got Saint Patricks day down..LOL Here I was thinking I didn't have a read for any of these..LOL Then it was like duh, the fever series is set in Ireland..LOL

[Jaimie]

Anna Mcpartlin is an Irish author and while she isn't YA I do recommend her although her stories can be a little sad and of course Marian Keyes - also not YA but love her to pieces. They both make me want to move to Ireland ASAP.

[Stormi (StormReads)]

Any descriptions of Ireland makes me want to move there ASAP...LOL I think I must make it my next big vacation spot..saving all my pennies..LOL

[Heidi]

Yay! I just picked up a Marion Keyes book at the library sale because you ladies recommended her. I will read that one this month. Thanks Jaimie! p.s. she is not YA either but I also like Maeve Binchy another Irish lass. p.s.s. My biggest wish is to go to Ireland!

[Heidi]

I am all ready for March :) For the friendship theme , for strong female protag , and for Irish writer .