March - Pick It For Me Challenge

[Juana "Darkness"]

Thanks for the picks Elise.

Places I'm Going.
A. Culture Shock: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 3/10/11
B. Airport Purchase: Father of the Wolf by L. Shannon
C. Making the connections: Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward 3/12/11

Places I've Been.
D. Going back there for sure: Souless by Gail Carrigar
E. Making space in the luggage: Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens 3/18/11
F. Heading Home: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 3/12/11

Planning the next trip.
G. Scotland- The Bride by Julie Garwood
H. France- Chocolate by Joanne Harris

The Books that I plan to read:

[D.G.]

~Sara~ wrote: "D.G.
Thank you for the picks, they all look fantastic! Now I have to decide where to start!!
I think I'll read One Foot in the Grave first because I was a little annoyed with the way..."

I'm glad you found something you liked, Sara!

I usually don't like cliffhangers (and the end of the first book of the Night Huntress series was a cliffhanger of sorts) but I didn't mind that one that much. Maybe because I didn't have to wait long for the next book as it was already published.

I love the Outlander series on audiobook but I agree the books are long. I'm planning to start The Fiery Cross (#5) soon and most likely I'll block a whole month for it.

My Agatha Christie is not up to date either. I know I've read most of the books but I only have like 20 on my shelves. I think I'll re-read the backlist one of these days. :)

I'd never thought of comparing The Tea Rose with The Count of Montecristo but then, I read TTR before TCoM. I see the similarities though!

[Laura]

Becky wrote: "To Laura
Hope you find something that trips your trigger, if not I can repick for you:)
Places I'm Going
Culture Shock Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Airport Purchase [boo..."

I had a hard time choosing...I think I am going to go with Beyond the Highland Mist. I will probably read Gargoyle as well. Thanks for the awesome picks!!

[Fran, Moderator]

If anyone still needs recs when times up I would be happy to help out and pick again :)

[Valerie]

Hello Jane,

I am sorry for making you wait so long for your picks - especially since you were the first to sign up for the challenge! I hope you find something from the list below that sparks your interest.

Ping me if you decide to do one of the buddy reads and I will join you.

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock: Forbidden Magic by Cheyenne McCray
2. Airport Purchases: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
3. Making Those Connections: Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh

Places I've Been (Books you’ve read)
4. Going Back: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
5. Making Space: Lover Mine by JR Ward
6. Heading Home: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Planning the Next Trip:
7. Italy: Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
8. USA: Wicked Ties by Shayla Black

9. Audio: Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I love any of SEP's books that were read by the late Anna Fields. She brings the brash, humorous heroines to life flawlessly.

[Valerie]

Shelley wrote: "Hi Valerie,

1. Culture shock: Speak. I've never heard of this book, but it looks really good.
2. Airport purchases: The Dream-Hunter (Dark-Hunter, #10). I liked thi..."

Thanks Shelley. I think I will read Fallen, because I already have it. This is one of the "buddy" reads if you care to join me!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Valerie wrote: "Hello Jane,

I am sorry for making you wait so long for your picks - especially since you were the first to sign up for the challenge! I hope you find something from the list below that sparks your..."

Wow Valerie - thanks! I'll definitely read Pleasure Unbound and Blaze of Memory as I plan to read them for the March monthly challenge, but I would also like to fit in one of the SEPs (I've tried her once and couldn't finish the book, but everyone likes her so much, I think I need to try her again - perhaps as an audio ;)). I've been oscillating on reading Her Fearful Symmetry for ages, so if I have time, that one might make as appearance as well! I've added Wicked Ties to my TBR - another book I had eyed off previously, but hadn't added it to my list...

I'm still reading Lover Avenged, so I'll leave Lover Mine for next month. I also intend to read The Hunger Games sometime, but think I might be buddy reading Tomorrow, When the War Began with Melissa - that will probably do my YA for the month :)

Thanks Valerie for the great picks!

[Melissa **]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Hello Jane,

I am sorry for making you wait so long for your picks - especially since you were the first to sign up for the challenge! I hope you find something from the list below ..."

I just got Tomorrow, When the War Began from the Library today so, I'm ready whenever you are!!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Melissa: I'm still waiting for my library, but hopefully it won't be a lot longer - I'm next in line :)

[Dee]

wow, I can't believe John Marsden finally made it to the US...lol! I read Tomorrow when the war began in high school in 1994...didn't like it much then, wonder what I would think now

Melissa wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Hello Jane,

I am sorry for making you wait so long for your picks - especially since you were the first to sign up for the challenge! I hope you find something ..."

[Shea]

Hey Gigi! Sorry for pushing it so close. Here are your picks!

Places I'm Going

1.Culture Shock- If You Dare by Kresley Cole. Set in Andorra, which I’ve never heard of before now. Wiki says it’s a small country in southwestern Europe.

2. Airport Purchases- Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. I love the ball gown she’s wearing on the cover.

3. Making Those Connections- This is based off your 5-star rating for The Joy Luck Club. One of the connected books is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.



Places I've Been

4. Going Back There For Sure- Set in Dubai, Charmed & Dangerous by Candace Havens seems like a light and fun paranormal read.

5. Making Space in Your Luggage- Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn. This book is so good and it's on your TBR list as well. Hope you enjoy it!

6. Heaeding Home- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. This book is guaranteed to hold your attention for at least a couple hours.



Planning the Next Trip

7. The Country You Chose: England- Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey (One of my 5-star reads!)

8. The Country I Chose: Italy- Lord of the Night by Susan Wiggs. This is an older romance, but looks interesting.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Thank you for the picks aleksandra. Don't worry about me being grumpy. It's all good. I'll be home from work soon and will go through the picks and make a decision. Had I known I had a couple of books on my TBR, I probably would have removed them. Sometimes if I'm talking to someone and want to check on a book later I'll drop it on my TBR list. Then once I check whatever it was I wanted, I remove it.

On first glance I'll probably do the Rachel Gibson or the Nora Roberts. I have both books sitting on a pile to be read in my bedroom and anything to get those moving is always a good thing.

I saw the penultimate listing and thought it said Mutant Massage from Down Under. I thought perhaps it was a tongue in cheek story of a zombie massage parlor in Sydney. But no, it's not.

[Shea]

Hey Rena,

Thanks for the recs! I think I'll read Skin Game by Ava Gray.

[Gigi]

Shea wrote: "Hey Gigi! Sorry for pushing it so close. Here are your picks!

Places I'm Going

1.Culture Shock- If You Dare by Kresley Cole. Set in Andorra, which I’ve never heard...".

Hi Shea! Not a problem! Thank you for the recs! I'm a tad bit indecisive- however, depending on my library/mood it may be Mistress of Rome, Water for Elephants or Lord Of the Night. I'm leaning more towards Mistress of Rome. Thanks again Shea. I will keep you posted.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "wow, I can't believe John Marsden finally made it to the US...lol! I read Tomorrow when the war began in high school in 1994...didn't like it much then, wonder what I would think now

Melissa wr..."

I tried to get the audio out about a year ago, and it was so dirty (jumping and skipping), I couldn't listen to it! (Too many grubby fingers not looking after it!) It's now a movie with Wally Lewis's son (Lincoln? - an actor in Neighbours?) in one of the main roles.

The books weren't around when I was a teenager (showing my age), but I thought it sounded like a fun read...

[Tania]

Hey guys - I'm going through and checking everything off now. I'll let you all know who needs picks etc

(sorry - meeting ran late)

[Gigi]

Tania,

I'm available if you need pickers.

-Gigi

[Tania]

Great news - we have all but two picks made (plus one extra)

So, if...
Inga could do picks for Layla (Austria)
Melanie could do picks for Anja (French Polynesia), and
Penney could do picks for Melanie (Australia)

that would be great!!!!

Thanks heaps to all the people who volunteered to do extra picks!!!! You guys are maaarvelous!!!

[Debbie]

only 3, that is a fabulous response :)
Thanks for hosting this month Tania, doing great for us

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Tania-

It looks like Lacy picked for Anja in message 301

[Kami]

Photojim wrote: "Thank you for the picks aleksandra. Don't worry about me being grumpy. It's all good. I'll be home from work soon and will go through the picks and make a decision. Had I known I had a couple o..."

zombie massage parlor? Someone should seriously write that. Hilarious.

[layla]

Inga wrote:"Layla, I'll try to steal some time from work and do picks within few hours. "

Oh,please do!Thanks for volunteering to pick books for me!
Tania,thanks for the re-pairings!

[Penney]

Melanie I'm working on your picks now :)

[Gigi]

Tania, awesome pick it for me this month!

[Penney]

Ok Melanie, I've finally emerged from your massive TBR a little fatigued, but unscathed :) I hope you don't mind, but I pulled most of these books from that large pile.

Places I'm Going
1. Culture Shock ~ Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop: Looks like a very interesting read.
2. Airport Purchases ~ Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh: I've read and loved this book along with the 2 subsequent books in the series, however the edition on your TBR has a much more interesting cover. I would have been instantly drawn to it in an airport bookstore.
3. Making The Connection ~ Her One Desire by Kimberly Killion: I see that you like historicals and particularly The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. I compare Her One Desire to Madness only because they both take a completely different approach to the historical romance. I think you'd enjoy it.



Places I've Been
4. Going Back There For Sure ~ If You Dare by Kresley Cole: I love Kresley Cole and this book takes place in Andorra. Seeing as you live in Switzerland, I'm sure you know it's a small country nestled in the Pyrenees between Spain and France. I'd love to pack up, visit and just gorge on delicious food and scenery.
5. Making Space in the Luggage ~ Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: I feel like a broken record recommending this over and over again, but of all my books, I think this is the only one I'd be heartbroken to lose.
6. Heading Home ~ Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan: This was actually the first in a true trilogy The story doesn't end till the last book so make sure you pack book 2&3 as well because you won't want to stop reading.




Planning the Next Trip
7. Italy ~ Night of Fire by Barbara Samuel: You've already read all the books set in Italy that I would have recommended, so I found this one. It looked like an interesting historical romance.
8. Australia ~ Night in Eden by Candice Proctor: I didn't know any books set in Australia, so one again I found a historical that looked like a good read.



9. Bonus Audiobook ~
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: I love listening to audiobooks, they help me get through all my chores. I just finished this one and loved the book and the narrator. Always a great combination.



Ok, I hope you find something here you'll like. HAPPY READING!

[Melanie]

Penney wrote: "Melanie I'm working on your picks now :)"

Oh, Thank you soo much Penney!!!! Sorry for exhausting you!! Do I pick for you too?

I'll read and maybe if I have time:-D

[layla]

Inga wrote: "Layla, here are my picks for you :)
Let me know if you want me to re-pick something :)

PLACES I'M GOING (Books from your TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - The Viscount Who Loved Me...."

Oh,thank you very much!I love your picks,they are very interesting. I'm thinking about reading:
and if I have time
It was very hard to pick only one book *sigh*

[Melissa **]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "wow, I can't believe John Marsden finally made it to the US...lol! I read Tomorrow when the war began in high school in 1994...didn't like it much then, wond..."

It seemed ok to me. It is a very short book. I don't think it will take us long to read it.

[D.G.]

Penney wrote: "8. Australia ~ Night in Eden by Candice Proctor: "

That's a very good book. Heart-wrenching though!

[layla]

Inga wrote: "Glad you found something to choose :) and it's even better you found several books - let me know what you think about them once you read them :)

Enjoy!"

Okay,I'll do just that! Thanks again for your picks!

[Ari]

Erin wrote: "Ari wrote: "Hey Erin!
Hope something appeals to your (spring) tastes if not, let me know!!

Places I'm going
1. Kissing the Virgin's Mouth: A Novel. Sounds shocking! xD.
2. ..."</i>
[book:Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love sounds really interesting. I've always loved memoirs and would be interested in the style of writing too.

[Penney]

Melanie wrote: "Penney wrote: "Melanie I'm working on your picks now :)"

Oh, Thank you soo much Penney!!!! Sorry for exhausting you!! Do I pick for you too?

I'll read [bookcover:..."


I'm glad you found a few books you're interested in. I've already received my picks from Kerste so you don't have to pick for me unless you really want to. I don't mind having more recs at all :)

Let me know what you think of the books you read.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

aleksandra, I think I'm going to go ahead and read, Truly Madly Yours. I'm sort of on a light contemporary kick right now and I haven't read a Gibson book for a while. Thank you for the picks. I've also ordered two others from the library and we'll see when they come in if one of them screams "READ ME!"

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Stats time!

These new picking rules every month really do give nice changes to the results.

We have a new top author! It doesn't hurt that her books were set in Scotland, but not wanting to leave them behind really propelled her to the top. Nora always does well, but I think her Ireland trilogy pushed her farther up this time. SEP has to thank her Italy book for her big jump, as Golden has Japan to thank for his first inclusion.

1. Diana Gabaldon - 16
2. Nora Roberts - 15
3. J.R. Ward - 12
4. Karen Marie Moning - 11
4. Jeaniene Frost - 11
6. Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 9
7. Nalini Singh - 8
8. Sherrilyn Kenyon - 7
9. Julie Garwood - 6
9. Kresley Cole - 6
9. Arthur Golden - 6
9. Lisa Kleypas - 6
9. Larissa Ione - 6


Out of 608 recommendations

[Diane ~Firefly~]

After seeing the top authors, the top book should come as no surprise. Quite a few newbies this time, owe their position to being set in a certain country.

1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - 11
2. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning - 6
2. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - 6
2. Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 6
5. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 5
5. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson - 5
5. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - 5
5. Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts - 5
9. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - 4
9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - 4
9. Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone - 4
9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - 4
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - 4
9. Black Ice by Anne Stuart - 4
9. The Bride by Julie Garwood - 4

[D.G.]

Very interesting as usual, Diane! :)

[Heather]

Hey Shelley,

Just wondering if you found anything of interest in my picks for you. Also, just in case you wanted to do a buddy read, I wanted to be prepared. :-D

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Love those stats Diane - thanks :)

[Melanie]

Penney

Places I'm Going
1. Culture Shock: Annie's Song seems like an interesting read (in the same vein as The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, I think, lol).
2. Airport Purchases: A Mermaid's Kiss is a book I'd probably buy based on the cover (pretty colors too!)
3. Making those connections: Crown of Crystal Flame, last book in the Tairen Soul series... I absolutely love this series and read it about four or five times! Or Crazy for You by Jennifer Crusie, which I find hilarious and fun!

Places I've Been
1. Going back there for sure: As You Desire is set in Egypt, which I would love to visit! And this book is fan-tas-tic!!! I LOVE it:-D
2. Making space in the luggage: Lol.. So many books, I think I would rather get rid of my shoes (and that's saying something)!!! Jane Eyre or Trial by Fire which I both love. Very different but both great!
3. Heading Home: Well, for 8 hours I would need two or three books, but I'd probably haul Lord of Scoundrels and City of Bones with me:-D

Planning the Next Trip
1. Australia: The Thorn Birds is set in Australia, massive and a book I'd really like to read:-D
2. Italy: Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot is set in Italy, and is half epistolary, half narrative, and very funny.

Audiobook: A Walk to Remember, which I started, and if I'm not wrong, is read by Peter Coyote.. Wonderfully relaxing voice and beautiful story!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I'm glad people enjoy the stats. Other than typing in all the recommendations, they are fun to do (and to try and guess what will come out on top).

[Penney]

Melanie thanks for the great recs, I feel like I've won the lottery with two picks in one month :)
I've narrowed my choice down to three books: Crown of Crystal Flame (which is currently in the pile by my bed), Trial by Fire (I've been wanting to read this for a long time now), or As You Desire (it's totally new to me but looks really good). I won't be able to get to it till later in the month so I'll make my final decision then.

Thanks again!

[Dee]

I have to admit, I HATED Marsden with a passion in high school...his books were on our mandatory reading lists each year and had the "pleasure" of meeting him one year...not impressed...wonder if I would like them any better now...

Melissa wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "wow, I can't believe John Marsden finally made it to the US...lol! I read Tomorrow when the war began in high school in 1994...didn't like ..."

[Charlotte]

Photojim wrote: "Charlotte, I'm hoping I found a winner somewhere in here for you. You don't have a huge backlog of books on your read shelf for me to get a decent idea of what it is you generally read so I made a..."

Awesome picks! I'm definitely going to be reading the first four, and I will check out the others too!

[BJ Rose]

Jennifer,
I finished and enjoyed Open Season - thanks for the recommendation! Daisy was obviously hiding her true personality for a long time!

I've also received word from my library that Agnes and the Hitman is ready and waiting for me, so I'll be reading that one as well.

[AlbertaJenn]

MountainKat wrote: "Here you go AlbertaJenn! I hope you find something you like!

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich. The title of ..."

I think I will start with and .

Will also check out the audiobook of .

Thanks, MountainKat!

[Lacy]

Hi Miss!
I finished reading If I Stay by Gayle Forman today and I loved it.
Here is my review: Wow! This was a sad, beautiful, and heart wrenching story. I don't normally like sad stories unless they are really special and captivating. This book was special, captivating and I read it, no I devoured it in one day.

If I finish my other challenges in time I'm going to read The Pillars of the Earth as well!

[Tania]

Fran wrote: "Hi Tania-

It looks like Lacy picked for Anja in message 301"

Thanks Fran

[Tania]

I've actually been ill today. Which whilst, not good for my workload has meant that I've officially read Outlander. I'm still working on writing my review but I'll say that overall I enjoyed it. It lost me at the end with all the religion but it had superb characterisation and a decent plot line. And surprisingly for such a long book the plot line didn't really drag or stumble.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "I have to admit, I HATED Marsden with a passion in high school...his books were on our mandatory reading lists each year and had the "pleasure" of meeting him one year...not impressed...wonder if I..."

My niece LOVES his books, so I'm predisposed to liking them... :) My secondary school mandatory books were more like To Kill a Mockingbird and I Heard the Owl Call My Name (Hmmm - both birds in the title!!)

Why don't you join us Dee?! It only a short book - or grab the audio... (Audio might make it easier to displace your preconceptions...)

[Polina]

I'm done with Coming Undone thanks for the rec.