Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2011 Challenge Archive
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April - Pick It For Me Challenge
I think you did a great job Debbie!! Congratulations for making it through the night!!
A big welcome to all the newbies that are trying this for the first time. We have now started the recommendations, remember that if you have questions - just ask. There are enough regulars to this challenge that someone will be able to help pretty quickly.Big thanks to all the regulars for being so *clears throat* patient with me while I worked on this extremely large challenge. And thanks for all the help :o)
I hope everyone gets and then finds their recommendations. I see some people have already completed all of their parts except for reading.
Reading starts April 1st
Thanks, I hope so. I know I had fun organizing it (a challenge for myself). My kiddos helped come up with some of the suggestion guidelines, that was fun too.I see they have already made for some really good recommendations.
Hi Tugce Nida,ok, here are you choices! I hope you find one to your liking! If not let me know!! Happy Reading!!
Friends:Soulless by Gail Carriger, this book was recommended to me in one of the PIFM challenges. I was very pleasantly surprised with this one...now I am finishing the series!
Romance: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, this book is one of my faves.
Intense: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, great book! I see that you also have the rest of his books on your TBR....why not start with his first!?!?
Emotions: The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright. I picked this book up because I liked the feel/look of it, but boy did I get a great book! I laughed and cried...really makes you think!
New: Twice Loved by Lori Copeland, this book would be considered Christian/historical fiction. When I first got it I thought..hmmm...Christian Fiction??? I was afraid it would be preachy...but turned out to be a good book and I read the whole series.
Don't forget: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I see that you have read Hosseini before, and this one won't disappoint either!
Support: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson. I see you are reading the first one...lets try to read the second one! Let me know so I can request it at the library!
Bonus: Truth Or Dare by Lori Foster, one of my favorite authors!! This is about 3 friends who work together and make a bet. It is a fun and quick read!
Hi Inga,Doing a buddy read sounds good :D I just put Pride Mates on hold at my library, so I'll get to it as soon as it comes in. It's the only copy in the whole system, so it may be a little while.
I usually can get to only one PIFM book every month myself, but I'm glad you found some new ones to add to your TBR :)
D.G. ~The Devil's Harlot~ wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Hi D.G!Thanks for my recommendations, they look great! For a hopeless romantic it has just occured to me that I really haven't read that many romance books! Must really do somethi..."
Ah thanks! I will do! Have just placed Bridge to Terabithia on reserve so will let you know when I pick it up, not normally a long wait x x
Teresa Jo,I looked through your tbr, tbr for Kindle, and to buy lists! I added a few new ones as well. I hope you find something here you would like to read!
Friends : Memoirs of a Geisha- This was recommended by a friend of mine a few years ago and I just loved the book!
Romance : Fanta C - This is one of my all time favorite romance books!
Intense : The Time Traveler's Wife - When I started this book I couldn't put it down until I finished it!
Emotions : One for the Money- This was ‘laugh out loud’ hilarious! I look forward to each new book in this series!
New : Slave to Sensation - This is a great series!
Don’t forget : Your tbr is fairly new, so I selected Emma. I read it and really enjoyed it. And it may not have been on your tbr for too long, but it’s been around a while!
Support : The Hunger Games. I just bought this for my Kindle and I'm anxious to read it as well (once my daughter finishes it!).
Bonus : The Kite Runner - This book actually sat by my bed for a year before I finally picked it up and read it. I'm really glad I did. It's quite serious, but definitely about friendship.
Sue-
Hi Alexis-Morgan,Here are your recs:
Friends - Burning Wild. It was recommended to me last year in a PIFM. I could not put it down.
Romance - Lover Mine. Excellent!
Intense - Always Time to Die. This is a really good series overall.
Emotion - Cry No More. Easily one of my top 10 books of all time.
New - Just the Sexiest Man Alive. This book is laugh out loud funny!
Don't Forget - On the Steamy Side. You've had it on your TBR for quite awhile. It looks good.
Support - To Tempt A Scotsman. Let me know if you want to read this. I have it on my TBR as well.
Bonus - The Help. All about relationships between women. Or if you prefer Something Borrowed. Very good chick-lit.
I hope there is something here that appeals!
Hi Kami,Thanks for the great recs. Do you want to read River Marked with me? I'm going to start it next week.
Hello Shea!Here are your recommendations! I hope you find something in here that you really enjoy!
Friends: The Host by Stephanie Meyer.
This book was recommended to me by my best friend, my mom. So you know it's going to be great! I read her copy in a couple of days and have reread it twice since then because I enjoyed it so much. Plus you need to read it before the sequel comes out next year! :)
Romance: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallery
This isn't on your to-read list but I think you'll still enjoy it. I had a hard time picking a favorite romance book, but lately I have been all about H.P. Mallery's books. This is the first in a series and it's got everything, love, action, suspense, and almost every paranormal creature you can imagine.
Intense: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I just read this book around New Years. I was really unsure about how I'd enjoy it, but the second I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I went through all three in a matter of days with only short breaks for eating and sleeping.
Emotions: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Oh man, this book is going to hit you somewhere deep. That's all I can say. I read it in high school and still remember feeling so heavy afterwards.
Option 2: Thirteen Reasons Why <-- Another book that will leave you feeling as if you've used all the emotion you can think of.
New: The Girl Most Likely To... by Susan Donovan
I've noticed your love of paranormal romance so I'm going the opposite direction. This is about as contemporary as you can get, but I really enjoyed it. Susan Donovan really has a way with words and even though you haven't tried her yet, I hope you'll enjoy this one as much as I did.
Don't forget: Secrets of the Demon by Diana Rowland
All your books have been added fairly recently, so instead I decided to go with one that had a fairly high rating and that I don't think I'd ever try because it's out of my comfort zone. So here is my pick for you to read. I'm interested to hear about it, even though it seems a bit daunting to me. :)
Support: Black Magic by Cherry Adair
We both have this on our to read list and I'd love to read it with you. Let me know if you are interested in reading with me!
Bonus: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This may be more about the bond of sisters, but these sisters are also the best friends in the world. I love this book and hope you will to. The bonds between the girls are amazing.
Hi Aly! Hope you find something you like!Friends : Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath (recommended by GR friends)
Romance : The Secret by Julie Garwood
Intense : Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Loved it, couldn't put it down!)
Emotions : Rainwater by Sandra Brown (Short book, but really good.. made me cry)
New : Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer (Read this recently & loved it)
Don’t forget : Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder (From your tbr list - haven't read this yet, but I love this author!)
Support : The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (not on your tbr list, but I see that you've read some of her other books. This one's been on my tbr list for a while, would love to read it with you.)
Bonus : The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Happy reading!
Christine
I will Read:Intense:
Cry No More by Linda Howard
Emotion:
Paradise by Judith McNaught
New:
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Don't Forget:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Bonus:
Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
FOR SkenaFriends:
Many friends recommended the Dark Hunter series, starting with the prequel, Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It's an enjoyable series, and I hope you like it.
Romance:
One of my favorite mainstream romance books of all time has to be Knight of a Trillion Stars. Yes, the author has gone off the deep end or something, but the books in this series are still on my re-read list.
Intense:
Dark Lover starts one of the most intense series I have ever read. I read through the newest books in the series in a matter of hours after I get them, and I sit and reread the previous books while I await the new ones. Black Dagger Brotherhood is a wonderful romance series overall.
Emotions:
You get a twofer here:
1) Annie's Song made me cry at all the could have been's.
2) The Falcon & the Dove - I loved this historical romance set in Egypt.
New:
You seem to be unfamiliar with some good urban fantasy. Why not start with Moon Called? A were-hyena surrounded by vampires and werewolves, oh my!
Don't Forget:
Ella Enchanted was a great book. You should really read it!
Support:
I've been wanting to read Enchanted, Inc. so if you'd like a buddy to read it with, I'm up for it! :)
Bonus:
It doesn't look like you've read Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, a wonderful book about friendship.
For Camille Hello New Friend! You're shelves were a very dangerous place for me. I think I added half a dozen books to my own TRB pile and I was showing great restraint.
This is my first time participating in this challenge, and I'm a little nervous. I hope you find something enjoyable in my recommendations.
F- Friend Recommended : A hard one to fill out, I generally do the recommending in my group of friends. I did however come up with two options.
Option 1: (from your TBR pile) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Don't let it's massive size intimidate you. In my opinion this is a fantastic book. And one I couldn't put down once I started it.
Option 2: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. This was recommended to me just last week so I haven't had a chance to read it yet. But if you decide to go with this book, I will read it with you. (This book is also listed under the "support" recommendations).
Romance : I noticed you enjoy historical romances. I do too. I feel very lucky to be able to recommend three of my all-time favorite novels to you.
Option 1: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. As you probably know, they just came out with a new movie. I'm anxiously hoping it will come to a theater near me.
Option 2: Persuasion by Jane Austen My second favorite Austen novel.
Option 3: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. In my opinion, this is the best novel ever written. It wasn't on your TBR list, but it also wasn't on your Read list... so it's on my list of recommendations to you.
Intense: You seem to have already read most of the books that I found "all consuming." But here are a couple new one's (not from your TRB list) for you.
Option 1: Envy by Sandra Brown. Part Romance, part suspense/ thiller. All together highly enjoyable.
Option 2: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. You may have read this already. I saw that you had read The Lost Symbol, but I didn't see either of the first two books in the series on your Read list. Don't worry if you read them out of order. It doesn't really matter. And this book is A LOT better than the lost symbol.
Emotions : Here I've got three options for you. Each one producing a different emotional experience in me.
Option 1: Sadness : Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I don't read many tear-jerkers or even cry that easily, but this novel had me weeping repeatedly. Maybe it's because I grew up in a house full of sisters.
Option 2: Fear Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. I realize that this is not similar to what you typically read, but it's good and very freaky. One of the two books I've ever read that I could not read before sleeping. The other, incidently was It written by his father (Stephen King)
Option 3: Disgust I know you're probably thinking, "why would I want to read a book that makes one feel sick"? But Choke by Chuck Palahniuk is actually a really good novel. My favorite by Chuck to date.
New New authors, new series, new books. Yes, I think I've meet all the requirements here.
Option 1: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. Given your enjoyment of paranormal and vampire novels, I was shocked to see that Sookie Stackhouse wasn't on any of your bookshelves. You really should read the series. They're a lot of fun.
Option 2: Wake by Lisa McMann. I'll admit I'm a bit partial to these books, since I've known the author for years (I don't know many famous people, but I feel the need to mention the ones I do know). This series is a really quick and easy read. And very entertaining.
Don't forget these
Option 1: Torment by Lauren Kate. I noticed you had read and really enjoyed the first book of the series (Fallen) back when you read it. It might be time to pick the series up again and read the next book.
Option 2 The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong. I have this on my TBR pile too. It sounds really interesting. Maybe you'd like to read it now?
Option 3: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand. I'd never heard of this one before, but now I've added it to my TBR.
Support I've never done a buddy read before. This month will be my first time regardless of what you chose. I can handle two in one month.
Option 1: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare I'm very excited that this book comes out next Tuesday. I'm planning on reading it this month. Care to join me?
Option 2: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. Looks fantastic. I'd be very excited to read this with you.
BONUS
Option 1: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Another tear-jerker, but a beautiful story of childhood friendship
Option 2: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. A beautiful, moving story, but heartbreaking.
Lacy wrote: "For D.G. ~The Devil's Harlot,Here are my picks for you! I hope I did a good job, enjoy.
Friends: The Shack A must read, since your interested. There are a couple of chapters i..."
Thanks for the recs, Lacy!
Most likely I'll read The Shack (which is available from my library on audiobooks, yay!) or The Catcher in the Rye. They both fit other challenges I'm in and I really need an impetus to read them. :)
The You I Never Knew sounds awesome...I won't be able to read it this month because I have some other lengthy books on my plans for this month but I'll definitely read it. :)
D.G. ~The Devil's Harlot~ wrote: "Lacy wrote: "For D.G. ~The Devil's Harlot,Here are my picks for you! I hope I did a good job, enjoy.
Friends: The Shack A must read, since your interested. There are a couple of ..."
Your welcome! I know a couple of people that have listened to The Shack on audio and they really enjoyed the readers voice.
Shelley wrote: "Hi Kami,Thanks for the great recs. Do you want to read River Marked with me? I'm going to start it next week."
Cool. Sure. I have it already. Just haven't had the chance to start reading it yet. I have so many other books that I have been reading.
ShellbelleWhat a pleasure it was to look through your shelves, I have now added to my ever growing TBR!
I hope you find something interesting in these recs I did try to stay within your current TBR with just a couple little surprises.
Friend Soulless by Gail Carringer. This was a PIFM winner for me and it surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.
Romance Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas. LK is my favorite authors and this is the beginning of a great series, The Hathaways.
Intense Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. I read this as a group read a couple months ago and was blown away!
EmotionsMoon Called by Patricia Briggs. This book evoked strong emotions of LOVE, I LOVE it and am currently working my way through the series. I was introduced to this book through this challenge.
New Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. This is a magic realism book and since we seem to have similar likes in books I feel this is right up your alley. It is quite magical.
Don't Forget Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James. Great book and I am trying to gently nudge you to push it up your TBR.
Support Unveiled by Courtney Milan, I have heard all raves about this book and would love to read it with you.
Riding the Storm by Sydney Croft. I have been wanting to read this for awhile and would happily read it with you if interested.
Bonus Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. A book about a vampire and her best friend Dampir (spelling?). Highly recommend.
Happy reading
Debbie ~ ☾ ~ wrote: "haha, I am working on the tracking. I put Katie and KatieG together - I never even looked at names. It was all numbers last night."
lol...not a problem debbie :)
Caroline wrote: "Christine.SHi Christine, I hope your well and may like the books i've recommended for you.
"
Thanks for the recs Caroline! I'd love to read The Gargoyle with you. It's waiting on my Kindle, so just lmk if & when you'd like to read it.
I also have The Distant Hours, so I'll read that one too. If there's time I'll try to squeeze more of your recs if I can find them.
Hey Anja :) Here's what I've picked for you. I hope you find something you like. This is my first time doing a challenge so feel free to nudge me if I did something wrong or goofed up somewhere.Friends: Succubus Blues Georgina Kincaid book 1 by Richelle Mead - Recommend to me by a friend who knew I liked off the wall paranormal reads. It's a cute read, and goes by pretty quick.
Romance: The Sword Sons of Destiny book 1 by Jean Johnson - Based on what you've read and what you like to read I think you'd like this book. It's one of my favorite reads.
Intense: Backstage Pass Sinners on Tour book 1 by Oliva Cunning - For some reason this book was one of the ones I just couldn't put down. Based on books you've read I think it would fit in with your style.
Emotions: Second Chances by Lauren Dane - I see you've read several of Lauren Dane's books, but didn't see this one at all. It's one of those books where you think it's just going to be steamy scenes but in the end you find yourself curled up in a ball sobbing your brains out.
New: Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles - Not a new genre for you since it looks like you read paranormal but it is a new author.
Don't Forget: A Little Bit Wild York 1 by Victoria Dahl - I've read it. It's super cute! Plus you've read other books by her so I think you'd really like it.
Support: Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas - It's been on your TBR shelf for awhile and looks like something I'd like to read.(Heck, I've even added it to my TBR list haha)
Macwolf01Hi Elise. This is the first time I have done this challenge.Hopefully I have picked some books you will like :)!
Friends : pick a book that has been recommended to you by a friend (GR or real life) either here on a previous PIFM or through any other challenge, preferably a book that you have read and enjoyed.
I had a friend recommend Christy Reece and love her book's. Rescue Me is the first book she wrote.
Romance : (we are the Romance Readers Reading Challenge group), so this selections should be one of your favorite romance books whether it is contemporary, historical, paranormal, ect.
I saw Julie Garwood's The Clayborne Brides on your tbr shelf. Fantastic series.
Intense : make this selection not just based on the overall enjoyment of the book, but find one that caught your attention and made it so difficult to put down from the beginning or even just the end, it should be one of those ‘all consuming’ type books.
Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon was a book a could not put down. I stayed up all night reading it.
Emotions : any book that has evoked a strong emotional response to you, any type of emotion, this could be the ‘get the tissue box’ tearjerker, the ‘laugh out loud’ hilarious, or a ‘scare your pants off’ spooky.
I woke my husband up ,because I was laughing so hard when I read Confessions of Shopaholic .
New :
Don’t forget : this choice should come straight off their TBR, choose a book that has been hanging around for a while but that you feel should be bumped up - if they don‘t keep a tbr the choice can be another highly recommended book that would fit into any of the other category.
The Memory Keepers Daughter .
Support : Buddy read - make a recommendation for a book that you will read with your potential new friend, something that you would like the extra push to help you make the decision to read or something that you are planning on reading this month and think that the other will like as well based on what you have heard about it. A great way to find a book that both of you want to read is to use the compare button.
Julia Quinns Ten Things I love about you or Blood Born by Linda Howard.
Bonus : Find a book that could be considered (what I like to call “friendship fiction”) a book that is mainly about friends whether there is romance, adventure, suspense as long as there is a friendship in the main character rolls.
Brisingr I haven't read this one yet, but I enjoyed the first two on the series.
MountainKat wrote: "Here you go Miss! I tried to pick as much as possible from your to-read list. I hope you can find something you like!Friends: Open Season by Linda Howard. This book was recommen..."
Hi MountainKat, thank you for the great recs, I would love to read One for the money with you, it's been sitting on my shelf forever.:)
Hi, Danielle!
As I browsed through your shelves I saw that you’ve read a lot of books but you rated very few of them and it was a bit difficult to understand what you like and don’t like. Anyway, I hope you enjoy what I chose for you.
1. Friends - Guilty Pleasures
2. Romance - Dark Lover – A very good paranormal romance series. This is the first one but I promise you they get even better.
3. Intense - Just the Sexiest Man Alive – Stayed up to 5 a.m. to finish this one.
4. Emotions - The Piper's Son – A great book that had me in tears and on the verge of a breakdown for all different reasons. Totally worth it, though.
5. New - Going Too Far
6. Don’t forget - Temptation Ridge – It seems you should continue this series.
7.Support - Magic Bites
8. Bonus - Saving Francesca – A great book about the importance of friends and family.
Happy reading!
Edit: Megan, thank you for my picks. There are so promising I don't know which one to choose. I'll probably have to settle for at least two or three. Again thank you for your effort.
Inga- WOW thanks for so many great recs! I can't even decide where to start! but I will let you know! Sandy- I have an extremely full evening but I will get yours done before tomorrow I promise! We have about 104 books in common so I will work really hard to find you something Great to read!
AshleyAlexis wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "AshleyAlexis,Anyways. Now I seem to have an issue of having to decide what to read because I really like your suggestions. I'm probably going to kick myself later because i'm in several challenge this month but i'm going to attempt read 3 of your suggestions.
In an effort to broaden my reading horizons i'm going to read Truly, Madly
The Gargoyle, it's been on my shelf forever. And it doesn't seem like my normal read.
and Mouth To Mouth sounds like a fun read. "
AshleyAlexis,
Good luck on fitting them all into your challenges. I hope they turn out to be enjoyable reads for you.
Elke wrote: "Hi Tugce Nida,ok, here are you choices! I hope you find one to your liking! If not let me know!! Happy Reading!!
Friends:Soulless by Gail Carriger, this book was recommende..."
Wow, Thank you Elke! Great picks, I would love to go for a buddy read - the girl who played with fire, but you got to spare me a week or so. I need to finish the first book and there is the "Lover Unleashed" you know ;)
And I also loved the idea of The Wednesday Letters so I will definitely read it. Bet Me, AThousand Splendid Sun and Truth or Dare will be next, I will read them next month for sure if not this month.
Lisa Kay wrote: "Hey, the bars open up at 6 a.m. in most states."Really? I don't think they're allowed to open before 10 here in Australia.
Tugce Nida wrote: "Elke wrote: "Hi Tugce Nida,ok, here are you choices! I hope you find one to your liking! If not let me know!! Happy Reading!!
Friends:Soulless by Gail Carriger, this book was r..."
Your welcome!! I am glad you like the choices! Ok..not sure if I can do the buddy read. I just checked the library and all the copies are checked out. I won't get it in time to finish it for April. Let me know if thats ok...or I will pick another buddy read. :)
Elke wrote: "Tugce Nida wrote: "Elke wrote: "Hi Tugce Nida,ok, here are you choices! I hope you find one to your liking! If not let me know!! Happy Reading!!
Friends:Soulless by Gail Ca..."
Ok here is what we can do, of course that is if you're upto a buddy read, I will go for one ofthe others I thought might be interesting and you can let me know whe you will be getting the book, then if we can go for a buddy read we will, if notwell there are thousands of books out there ;)
CacophonyI really, really, really hope you can find something you might like to read on this list. If not, just let me know, and I can try again :)
Friends : Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah McLean
Romance : The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
Intense : Stardoc by S.L. Viehl
Emotions : Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
New : Night Falls Darkly by Kim Lenox
Don’t forget : The Secret by Julie Garwood
Support : The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe
Bonus : Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Ruby Rose wrote: "Hi there Photojim! I'm surprised seeing I'll be the one doing recommendations for you this month. I'm a newbie so forgive me if I did bad at my first attempt. gah, I'm nervous! =)anyway here's t..."
Ruby Rose, thank you for making the picks so quickly! I hate having to wait more than anything. If I can find the next Succubus book for a price I'm willing to pay that will be my pick. Otherwise I'm seriously considering The Perfect Rake. I normally have a hatred for historicals that runs deeeply indeed. But maybe all the other times I just didn't have the right one. What's one more shot?
Sue wrote: "Teresa Jo,I looked through your tbr, tbr for Kindle, and to buy lists! I added a few new ones as well. I hope you find something here you would like to read!
Friends : [book:Memoirs of a Geisha|..."
Sue, thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I have added everything to my reading list for April. (Yes I am going to attempt to read them all) :)
I just finished Time Traveler's Wife and it was wonderful.
I think I will start with Emma and Memoirs of a Geisha, then followed by One For The Money and Hunger Games.
I will be looking for Fanta C, The Kite Runner, and Slave to Sensation and will read them this month, if not then in May for sure.
Sandy wrote: "Hello Jane (PS)! I am happy to recommend books for you this month. Hope you find something you like!Friends: I read Perfect Chemistrylast month, which was recommended to me on a PI..."
Wow Sandy - thanks. I'm not sure what I'll read yet. I have three of those books on hand but I also know there are a couple there that I should chase down and read!
I'd be very happy to do the buddy read with you on City of Bones so perhaps I should start with that.
I keep looking at Outlander... I even looked at buying the audiobook on this a few weeks ago (Tania et al had been raving about it in the March PIFM) but I just haven't made the jump yet. I'd like to clear a few of my other books first I think, 'cos it looks BIG plus its another series.
Hey Cassie!I'll be getting your rec done really soon. Friday at latest.
Hi Dawn! I tried to take most of these off of your TBR. I hope I found something you'll want to try. If not let me know and I'll try again.Friends: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty - this was recommended to me by one of my best friends and she was dead on. While the later books in the series are more "meh" there's nothing I don't love about this one.
Romance: Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl - I see the first book Talk Me Down on your TBR shelf but I skipped that one and went straight to Start Me Up and didn't miss much. I love it as a lighthearted contemporary.
Intense: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - Neither lighthearted nor contemporary this was the first book I ever bought off of the "romance" shelf. And it's so much more than a romance. It's cliche but you will laugh and you will cry.
Emotions: The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen - I read this for a Feature Author Challenge and I had to sleep with the light on afterward.
New: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh - There's nothing like it on your shelves really but for my money it's one of the best paranormal romance series out there.
Don't Forget: Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs - It looks like you enjoyed another book by her and this one's been on your shelf for a while.
Support: The Help by Kathryn Sockett - This one's been on my Mt. TBR for a while as well.
Bonus: The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs - Friends, knitting, wine, it's all good.
Teresa Jo wrote: Sue, thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I have added everything to my reading list for April. (Yes I am going to attempt to read them all) :) ..."Wow!! I'm glad you liked the recommendations! I will nag my daughter to finish "Hunger Games" so I can be sure to read it this month as well!
Lacy, I hope you find something you like in these recommendations.Friends: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
book 1
Romance: Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
book 1
Intense: Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen
very intense
Emotions: While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinksy
emotional but not so intense
New: Night Road by Kristin Hannah
new, released 3/22/11
Don’t forget: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
book 1
Support: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
book 4, releases 4/5/11
Bonus: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
light hearted and humorous
~Teresa
Hi, Rena.Friends: Coming Undone by Lauren Dane. This is my favorite of the four books I’ve read by this author. The romance is slow blooming but very realistic.
Romance: Three Nights with a Scoundrel (Stud Club, #3) by Tessa Dare. This is the third of the trilogy but can be read on its own easily. I loved it and felt the romance was shown very well. I think this is the author’s best book.
Intense: A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught. I love me some olde-skool McNaught. She writes in a way that engages me in her books until I can’t do anything but read to the end. I love this book and have reread it many times for the drama and sweeping romance.
Emotions: The Pretender by Celeste Bradley. This book made me laugh and smile throughout most of it. I love when characters try to adopt false identities and the caper that ensues. In this book, both the hero and heroine are pretending to be someone else and it causes great comedy.
New: Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood. While I was snooping around your profile trying to figure out what types of books you liked, I saw that you had answered a poll indicating Contemporary Suspense was your favorite romance sub-genre. This book popped into my head immediately. I’ve loved the author’s Historicals for years and was worried when she switched to CS but this book showed she could make the change work. Granted, I’ve heard the rest of her CS books went downhill but I can testify that this book is fantastic. This has a fast paced plot that kept me on my toes paired with a hero I adored and a heroine I want to be friends with.
Thrill Me to Death by Roxanne St. Claire. I really enjoyed this book. The suspense was very well done and I adored the reunion romance. This is the only book I’ve read in the series so I know it can stand alone.
Hold On to Me by Linda Winfree. This author was my best discovery of last year. She knows her cop procedures and really knows how to show versus tell her romances. I loved this author’s writing so much that I read four of her books back to back. This book isn’t my favorite but it was my first and started my glom of her backlist.
Now, in keeping to the true purpose of this category, something completely different. Your profile said you don’t read paranormal but sci-fi is not paranormal. ;-P
Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair was my first sci-fi space romance and I thought it was fantastic. The techno-babble is worked in so seamlessly that it made sense when the author wrote about spaceships chasing each other across the stars. The hero is one of my favorites. He is a man who received cyborg implants that keep him isolated from the rest of the population but he has a tender soul. Once I read about his secret love for the heroine I was hooked on him. And the heroine is a smart, capable space Captain who earns respect from those around her. Take a chance on a sub-genre that you aren’t familiar with. I dare you.
Don’t forget: Skin Game by Ava Gray. I’ve heard fabulous things about this series. I plan to start it by reading the third book but I’ve heard this first one is the favorite for most people.
Support: A Lot Like Love by Julie James. I love heroes in the FBI and I love wine shops. This book was made for me.
Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen. I’ve been seeing a lot of friends reading this series lately and they all seem to love it.
If you want to read either of them as a buddy read, send me a PM.
Bonus: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas. This is the first book in a series about four ladies that become friends and help each other find husbands. The growing friendship is a main focus of the books next to the luscious love stories. This is my favorite of the series.
Jess, thanks so much for the picks. You did a great job. I've been dying for an excuse to read A Little Bit Wild so I will definitely be reading that.I need to read a book with a red cover for a different challenge so I may use Not Quite a Husband. If you want to read it together, send me a PM.
If I finish all my other challenges in April, I may read two others from your list for me.
Friends - Halfway to the Grave (I’m not a paranormal or fantasy fan these days with the exception of “A Wise Man’s Fear”.)Romance - Soulless (This is on my TBR list)
Intense - Mistborn: The Final Empire
I loved this book from start to finish - I couldn't put it down until it was done.
Emotions - Daughter of the Empire
This is a fantastic series mainly because the main character, Mara, is so well developed you can't help but be drawn to her. She has to make many tough choices to survive and I felt for her through them all.
New - Second Sight (I tried this and found it to be a bit to giddy for me.)
Don't Forget - A Summer to Remember (Read)
Support - Mine Till Midnight or Where Dreams Begin (Read both. Like MtM better.)
Bonus - Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption a Story from Different Seasons (Love this story—great movie too!)
One of my few 5 star reads, this is a short but amazing story!
Thanks for the recommendations!
Hi, Amy, i'm happy to be picking for you, here are my choices:Friends : Pleasure Unbound, this is a great series, similar to BDB in that it contains a solid romance and strong worldbuilding and action, i stayed up half the night to finish this one, it got better and better after the first third.
Romance : Gone With the Wind - this is one of the most wonderful books of all time, the romance is timeless, but the world it portrays and the characters really come to life, absolutely beautiful.
Intense : Darkfever - i resisted reading this book for years because of the cliffhangers, but the series is complete now and let me say that when you start reading you will not want to stop until the end of Shadowfever :)
Emotions : Unearthly - at the beginning i felt surprised (in a good sense), then i was left in wonderment at how beautifully the author captured the joy of falling in love as a teen with your best friend during those long summer days (*sigh*) :)
New : The Name of the Wind - there are many readers here that agree that this is one of the best fantasy books to come out in the last years, it's highly readable(no complicated worlds that you have to understand first), beautiful prose, great action, it has everything! Also, book 2 has just come out, so you won't have to wait too long for it (trust me, you will want to read it right away). Please don't be deterred by the size, you will feel like you've just begun when it's ended and will wish to remain some more in the world Patrick Rothfuss created.
Don’t forget : The Book Thief - if you're in the mood for a heavier book, i hear this is a great read (it's been sitting on my TBR forever, i guess i'm rarely in the mood for sad books)
Support : Buddy read - The Time Traveler's Wife - if you choose this one it would be great since i've wanted to read it for 3 years and forever procrastinated. At least this way i'd be sure to try it :)
Bonus : Anna and the French Kiss - I didn't even have to think about this one, if you like YA, and even if you don't - this book would surely change your mind :D. It has great dialogue (seriously great), a beautiful friends to lovers story, and gorgeous setting (Paris of course) After just this book i became a lifetime fan of Stephanie Perkins, that's how awesome it is!
Hope you like something from here. :)
Miss wrote: "Hi, Amy, i'm happy to be picking for you, here are my choices:Friends : Pleasure Unbound, this is a great series, similar to BDB in that it contains a solid romance and strong worl..."
Wonderful job with the picks, Miss. There's not a book on your list I don't want to read.
I'm going to definitely read
. And if I have time this month, I'd also love to read
. If not this month, then in May for sure!
Regina wrote: "Hi, Karen F.Here are my recs for you. We have many books in common, so I hope you will like them.
Friends:
Loose Ends This was recommend here in PIFM and I love this serie and a..."
Thanks for the great pick Regina! I've already downloaded Loose Ends and Romeo, Romeo. I'm leaning toward Romeo, Romeo first because it seems to be exactly the kind of read I've been in the mood for.
AshleyAlexis thanks so much for the picks. I want to try reading Laid Bare, but I need to see if I can get ahold of it. If not, I will read Stolen since I already have it. Kerste, sorry I've been busy. I will work on your picks tonight after I put the monkey to bed.
Hi Elke, here’s your recommendations, I hope you find one you like, if not just let me know and I will pick again.Friends : Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead.
Romance : Heart Fate by Robin D Owens
Intense : Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr
Emotions : My One and Only by Kristan Higgins
New : Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Don’t forget : Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
Support : Sinful Surrender by Beverley Kendall
Cathy(31), when I looked at the books we have in common I thought - Wow! we're practically soulmates, but our TBRs don't show that at all - I only found 2 books in common and one of those doesn't come out till the end of April! So I went through your 'READ' list for an all-around picture. Here goes:Friends: As You Desire was recommended to me here and by other friends. Autumn & I read it as a buddy read and we both loved it!
Or I recommend KM Moning's Highlander series. I noticed you read & loved book 1, so continue that series with To Tame a Highland Warrior, which admittedly is not as good as the first. Some readers recommend jumping right to book #4 Kiss of the Highlander, but I'm glad I read them all.
Romance: Julie Garwood is one of my favorite HR authors. I'm not going to recommend my favorite Garwood book, tho, because it's part of a series (Ransom), but instead will give you several very good ones to choose from - all 5* reads for me. The Prize, Saving Grace, Honor's Splendour. I've re-read them all.
Intense: The Hunger Games is the first in a dystopian YA trilogy and will have you on the edge of your seat. Warning: have Catching Fire and Mockingjay ready to continue the story.
Emotions: I'll give you a book for each end of the spectrum:
Agnes and the Hitman is laugh-out-loud funny and has you rooting for Agnes, and for the hitman!
Comanche Moon is intensely emotional and will keep you reading
New: I've already recommended Julie Garwood and Connie Brockway above, so here I'll go with Anne Gracie and Julie Ann Long as new-to-you authors. My first Anne Gracie book wasThe Perfect Rake and I fell in love with the book and the author. My first Julie Ann Long book was The Runaway Duke, which I loved, but my recommendation for JAL is The Perils of Pleasure, which was the first of her delightful Pennyroyal Green series.
Don't Forget: Since you're new to GoodReads, this is all pretty current, so I'll recommend the one I know, which is Lynn Viehl's 3rd Kyndred book Frostfire
Support: Here's where I had problems finding TBRs in common, but you do have Dreams of a Dark Warrior and I also want to read it, so we can do a buddy read of that - just give me enough warning so I can pick up the book.
Bonus: nobody does friendship like Nora Roberts. For this I recommend her Bride Quartet which begins with Vision in White
Will look forward to seeing what you choose!
Juana "Darkness" wrote: "I will Read:Intense:
Cry No More by Linda Howard
Emotion:
Paradise by Judith McNaught
New:
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Don't Forget:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K...."
Hi Juana, glad to see the recs worked for you. Hope you will enjoy the book(s).
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Thanks for my recommendations, they look great! For a hopeless romantic it has just occured to me that I really haven't read that many romance books! Must really do something about that!!... Bridge to Terabithia sounds great and I would love to buddy read with you:-) Just let me know when your going to read as I need to reserve from my local library!
Thanks again Caroline x x "
I'm glad you found something you liked Caroline. :) What do you say of reading 'Bridge to Terabithia' next week? Or do you need more time to reserve it?
I read a LOT of romance so if you'd like more romance recos, please let me know and I'll be happy to share my favorites. :)