November - Pick It For Me! Challenge

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Cheryl, I'm going to go ahead and start reading Opal Carew's Total Abandon. I don't think there will be enough additional interest to justify a separate buddy read thread and you have messages turned off so I guess this is the only way to let you know that I'm starting.

[Isabella]

Debbie wrote: "Isabella wrote: "Christine wrote: "@Isabella - I should be able to start Naked in Death sometime next week if you still want to do the buddy read. Let me know and I'll start a thread..."

Thanks Debbie :)

[Penney]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Tiffany & Penney (and anybody interested in M/M romance. :)

Jane, Shell, Dee & myself have been getting together and reading M/M for the last few months. If you want to join us next month, we'll b..."

Thanks D.G., I'll check it out :)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Kimmy wrote: "Kimmy - I got Soulless today and plan to start reading tonight. :)


@ Diane - Firefly - sounds good, I've been picking away at it slowly! :) "

Kimmy - I just finished it today. It was good, but the middle was definitely slow. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it. :)

[Kimmy]

I agree, liked the book, the beginning vampire scene was good, got me interested, then there was some stuff in the middle that I was just kinda reading, then the adventure in the end. I didn't get that non-human wax thing (I don't have the book in front of me)? All in all it was a decent read, glad I had it on my e-reader as I used the dictionary alot! lol - and I thought there were some funny parts too. I think I would say maybe a 3.5 ish out of 5? Will read the others in the series maybe at some point, but not right away.

[~Leslie~]

Hi Laurie, finished and really enjoyed it. This is a new author for me and I'm happy to find someone new to read. I liked the storyline and the characters and will enjoy reading the others in this series. Sometimes contemporary romances bug me, they are either too relentlessly realistic or the situations just feel so manufactured. But this one was not like that. So thanks for the recommendation. I've enjoyed both so far!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Kimmy wrote: "I agree, liked the book, the beginning vampire scene was good, got me interested, then there was some stuff in the middle that I was just kinda reading, then the adventure in the end. I didn't get..."

Yeah, I gave it 3 stars and will eventually read the next one as well.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Leslie wrote: "Hi Laurie, finished and really enjoyed it. This is a new author for me and I'm happy to find someone new to read. I liked the storyline and the characters and wi..."

I am a big Susan Mallery fan. And if you liked this, you will love a couple of her other series. I actually think the Lone Star Series is one of her weaker ones. The Buchanan series, the Marcelli series, the Bakery Sisters, and Fools Gold series I thought were all better. I really like her mix of light humor with a touch of emotion thrown in. I hope you continue on with her other books.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Cheryl, I finished Total Abandon this morning. It was OK. Six and Blush were both better books. I haven't decided to go with a low three or a high two yet. Enough sex to satisfy anyone but enough emotion to satisfy a robot. If you have the book, go ahead and read it. But if you haven't gotten it yet, I say abandon the buddy read and buy one of her other books. Then again we all have different things we like to read about. Maybe this is right up your alley. Drop me a PM if you'd like to talk about the book.

[Melanie (Moviemavengal)]

Finished Unraveled and Lucky Break which were both 3 stars for me. Not my favorites ever, but glad to cross them off my TBR pile!

[~Leslie~]

Photojim wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Hi Laurie, finished and really enjoyed it. This is a new author for me and I'm happy to find someone new to read. I liked the storyline and the ch..."
My library has alot of her books for loan as ebooks so I will definitely try some of her other series. I also appreciate her lighter touch of humor- some contemporary novels are a little heavy handed or they are devoid of it. And her characters seem real.

[Nancy H]

Brett,
I stayed up very late (okay, til morning!) finishing our Buddy Read Pope Joan. It is an excellent historical fiction novel and I think is now one of my all-time favorites in the 'medieval historical fiction' genre. I was also as fascinated with the author's notes on her research as I was with the story. Whoever reads this can certainly not claim that history is boring!

[Brett]

I just finished my Buddy Read with Nancy and I really liked it!

[Carla]

Lexa, I just finished Virgin River and really liked it. Thanks for the recommendation. It was interesting to read such a cozy book that had so much steam! A great escape read. I'm sure to read more of the series.

[Kami]

I finished Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. I thought it was a sweet little story and I gave it three stars. The magical aspects of the Waverleys was interesting. I typically read books with more action and conflict, so it was a bit mild for me. It was a quick read and I basically thought it was cute. I plan to read Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, another buddy read with Joyce next week.

[~Leslie~]

Laurie, just finished The Strange Case of Finley Jayneand liked it. It was a quick read and obviously meant to introduce the character found in her book The Girl in the Steel Corset. I did not realize this was a YA story. I really enjoy steam punk stories but the heroine being so obviously young was a little off-putting. All in all it was a well done novella and it does interest me in reading further. Thanks for all your picks this month. It was such a nice assortment and I read 3 new authors.

[Tiffanny]

I read the sequel to Faith and Fidelity (love and loyalty) and really liked it too! Have you read it? I'm about to read the third one this week as well. The third one is about Matt and Evan again.



Penney wrote: "Tiffanny wrote: "From my picks I finished Master of the Mountain and Faith & Fidelity. They were both really good books!! I especially loved Faith & Fidelity."

I'm g..."

[Tiffanny]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Tiffany & Penney (and anybody interested in M/M romance. :)

Jane, Shell, Dee & myself have been getting together and reading M/M for the last few months. If you want to join us next month, we'll b..."

Thanks! I'll check it out =)

[Mounika]

Kimberly wrote: "Mounika wrote: "I completed just today and it was awesome.
Thanks for the picks, Kimberly."
You;re welcome! I'm going to read it this weekend."

Hope you enjoy it. I enjoyed it a lot :)

[Shell]

Tiffanny wrote: "I read the sequel to Faith and Fidelity (love and loyalty) and really liked it too! Have you read it? I'm about to read the third one this week as well. The third one is about Matt and Evan again.
..."

I loved Faith and Fidelity. I have Love and Loyalty but not read it yet. Let me know how the 3rd book turns out.

[Isabella]

I finished The Lightning Thief
It supposed to be one of the buddy reads recommended to me, and it wasn't in my plan reading it this month. I already chose to buddy read the second choice (The Girl With The dragon Tattoo)but in a visit to the library it just sprung out of the shelf to my hands so it ended to be my companion this week. I enjoyed reading it though it wasn't my favorite genre and I gave it 3,5 marked 4 stars.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Shell wrote: "Tiffanny wrote: "I read the sequel to Faith and Fidelity (love and loyalty) and really liked it too! Have you read it? I'm about to read the third one this week as well. The third one is about Matt..."

I'm currently reading Love & Loyalty - really enjoying it :)

[Amy J.]

I just finished Life of Pi.

I didn't enjoy it. I found the beginning to be overwhelmingly religious, the middle to be tediously mundane, and the ending to be highly disappointing. But as it was my suggestion for a buddy read, I guess I only have myself to blame!

[D.G.]

I haven't read Love & Loyalty yet but I have it on the TBR.

[Nancy H]

Hi Sue,
I finally finished The Book Thief and it was quite good. Thank you for giving me the nudge to read it - I have wanted to get it read for a while but just didn't pick it up until your recommendation gave me the incentive to read it. At first I wasn't sure I would like it, but once I got into Liesel's story, then I really enjoyed it. The unique point of view of the narrator is interesting, I think.
Thanks for the 'nudge'!

[Dee]

Books Completed (through 585)

1. Amy J - The Princess & the Penis; Divergent; Life of Pi
2. Vi - Dragon Bound
3. Kimberly - Stuart Little
4. Leslie - The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie; Under Her Skin; The Strange Case of Finley Jayne
5. Isabella - Garden Spells; The Lightning Thief
6. Reetuparna - Exclusively Yours; In Bed with a Highlander
7. Shell - Dark Prince
8. Rebecca - The Night Circus
9. Fran - Like Water for Chocolate
10. AlbertaJenn - A Wallflower Christmas
11. Photojim - The Guy Next Door; Total Abandon
12. Mandy - Wolf at the Door
13. Kami - All Together Dead; Garden Spells
14. Nairabell - Daughter of Smoke and Bone
15. Megan - Fatal Heat: A SEAL Novella
16. Penney - Jinxed
17. Elke - Taking Chase
18. Mounika - Conqueror's Kiss
19. Sana - Before I Go to Sleep
20. KarenH - In Bed with a Highlander
21. Christine - In Bed with a Highlander
22. Erin - Out of this World
23. Tiffanny - Master of the Mountain; Faith & Fidelity
24. Lauren - In Bed with a Highlander
25. Diane~Firefly~ - Soulless
26. Moviemavengal - Lucky Break
27. Nancy - Pope Joan; The Book Thief
28. Brett - Pope Joan
29. Carla - Virgin River

[KJ Shadows]

Amy J. wrote: "KJ

I just finished reading Divergent and I really enjoyed it. It was captivating. I think I'm a bit in love with Four myself. I was sad, that the faction I would have wanted to join..."

Amy J
Glad to hear you liked it! The factions are definately neat. I wish there was more about Amity in it myself. Can't wait for Insurgent in 2012!! And yes four IS a hottie.


Melissa
I'm still working on reading more of the books..I finished Succubus blues & working on crossed & dark lover should have both those finished by the end of the month hopefully. I'll post later on!! Succubus was OK, I loved Roman the best and I was kinda mad at Georgina about what she did to him. It was frustrating at times and i hate how alot revolved around her retail job! I was like more paranormal!! Carter & Roman saved the book for me.

More updates coming soon.

[Dee]

@KJ - Roman plays a role in the later books if you decide to keep reading - but her job does continue to play into it as well

[Vi]

Ashleigh and I finished our buddy read of yesterday. Another good addition in the Dresden series. I'm so glad that the books will only get better

[Stormy]

Ashley-Alexis,

I finished Long Hard Ride today. In the end, I liked it, but darn it took me a long time to get there (a long, hard read, if you will). I've watched many people tackle this series and I've shied away from it, though it's been on my TBR for quite some time. In the end, I'm glad you gave me a nudge to get it started. I have Halfway to the Grave on deck, I'll let you know how it goes later this month.

Thanks again for the recs!

[♥ Ashleigh ♥]

really enjoyed reading with Vi - very fun :)

[Ashley♥Alexis]

Kerste wrote: "Ashley-Alexis,

I finished Long Hard Ride today. In the end, I liked it, but darn it took me a long time to get there (a long, hard read, if you will). I've watched many people tac..."

cool! I liked Long Hard Ride well enough but Halfway to the Grave was AMAZING!!!

[booklovinrn]

NOVENBER PICK IT FOR ME CHALLENGE



Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare
Men Out of Uniform: Three Novellas of Erotic Surrender by Maya Banks 11/8 ★★★★
Cowgirl Up and Ride by Lorelei James

[Sue]

Nancy wrote: "Hi Sue,
I finally finished The Book Thief and it was quite good. Thank you for giving me the nudge to read it - I have wanted to get it read for a while but just didn't pick it up until your reco..."

Nancy,

I'm glad you liked the book! I am now about 1/3 of the way through my first book for this challenge, and then I'll be ready to read Carbs and Cadavers. I was able to pick it up from the library over the weekend. I just haven't done much reading lately because I've been helping my daughter and her husband out. She delivered my first granddaughter on the 15th (and of course I think she's just beautiful), and I've been at the hospital with them and then here at the house helping with her. You would have thought I had more time to read when my daughter was in the hospital, but I was so nervous and worried for her (not to mention in the room with them most of the time), that I just couldn't concentrate. Now this morning I found when I'm rocking her and she's asleep, it's easy and comforting to read on my Kindle. Plus, when they are all asleep I've been reading as well. So, I should be able to start the book by this weekend if you're still ready!

Sue-

[Tuğçe]

I have finished two of my recs, a buddy read with Amy J - Life of Pi, which i couldn't find the real reason behind this book, i accept that he might be a good, very good story teller but this book was unnecessarily long, phylosophic and religious for my taste. didn't enjoyed it and above all that a very unsatistifying end was the prize. Quite disappointed with all those great reviews out there. - and also another rec from Amy J, Zero at the Bone and loved it, was full of action and intense emotions, really good read, already in love with D.

[Fran, Moderator]

Eimeriina,
I love Zero at the Bone too! If you want to read more about the guys there are a few free short stories about them on the author's website.

[Suzanne]

Oops, completely forgot to update! I read Daughter of Smoke and Bone at the beginning of November (11/11 finish date), I did enjoy it but the massive change between the first and second half of the book annoyed me a little.. also ending the book with no real ending at all, just a cliffhanger is a real pet hate of mine so only gave it 3/5 stars in the end. Will still read the next one as I do want to know what will happen!

[Dee]

lol, I was going to tell her that as well

Fran wrote: "Eimeriina,
I love Zero at the Bone too! If you want to read more about the guys there are a few free short stories about them on the author's website."

[Suzanne]

Oh, also completed Shit My Dad Says on 13/11! Had forgotten that was on my PIFM challenge this month. Great book!4 Stars

[Nancy H]

Sue,
Congratulations! I can't think of a better reason for not getting much reading done. What fun! I hope everyone is doing well, especially the Grandma!
Just let me know when you are ready to start reading Carbs and Cadavers - I have it in the stack right beside my bed, so I know exactly where it is, and I can start it whenever you are ready. I am always reading several books at once, so it's not a problem starting it whenever. I am also doing a Read-a-thon for another challenge starting Saturday and hope to read lots of books next week, and it is fine if that is one of them. Let me know what day you want to start, and I will set up a Buddy Read thread for us.

Take good care of that granddaughter!

[KJ Shadows]

Dee wrote: "@KJ - Roman plays a role in the later books if you decide to keep reading - but her job does continue to play into it as well"

True but Roman will come back as an enemy. I just didn't like how she discarded roman (I mean after she squealed he supposedly changed his mind and would leave carter alone) after she was "in love" with him and as soon as she found out seth loved her it was like oh now we're like totally in love. And I didnt like seth to begin with anyway. It just mad me angry lol poor roman. Besides, what he said sadly made sense. I mean she would be free if she just escaped. Oh well.

[Dawn]

Forgot to update oops! Finished City of Ashes: Kissed and Go Ask Alice beginning of the month. Then it was on to The Shack The Shackwhich was definitely outside the comfort zone and took me a while to get through it. I was very happy to cross off The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest its been a TBR for awhile. Thought both Haunted and Ghost Walk were good and I was happy to try a new author. However Beyond the Highland Mist is definitely a favorite and will have to read the rest of em!

[Christine]

I finished Naked in Death by J.D. Robb. I'm so glad Isabella recommended it for a buddy read since I've been putting this series off for quite a while. I really enjoyed it.

[~Melissa~]

♡ K J Shadows ♡ wrote: "Amy J. wrote: "KJ

I just finished reading Divergent and I really enjoyed it. It was captivating. I think I'm a bit in love with Four myself. I was sad, that the faction I would have..."

♥KJ♥ Here's hoping you like Dark Loverbetter than Mead's book,lol.
Glad you thought Succubus Blues was ok - I will say it is not my absolute favorite PNR series(would be a toss up between BDB series and Night Huntress series, with a couple others close behind). I did enjoy the first book, second one for me was ok. I have to say I love Seth. Her job is just as much a main part of the second book.

[Pollyanna]

Hey Megan I finished Naked in Death last night, never read anything by Nora Roberts/JD Robb before but will definitely continue with her books now. Thankyou for the rec I gave it 4 stars.

[Megan L]

Pollyanna wrote: "Hey Megan I finished Naked in Death last night, never read anything by Nora Roberts/JD Robb before but will definitely continue with her books now. Thankyou for the rec I gave it 4 stars."


Hi Pollyanna,

I am glad you liked it. I am looking forward to finishing the series eventually.

Megan

[Dee]

@KJ - ehhh...yes and no...but it would be majorly spoilerish for me to say anything more about roman

♡ K J Shadows ♡ wrote: "Dee wrote: "@KJ - Roman plays a role in the later books if you decide to keep reading - but her job does continue to play into it as well"

True but Roman will come back as an enemy. I just didn't ..."

[booklovinrn]

NOVENBER PICK IT FOR ME CHALLENGE



Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare
Men Out of Uniform: Three Novellas of Erotic Surrender by Maya Banks 11/8 ★★★★
Cowgirl Up and Ride by Lorelei James 11/18 ★★★★

[Amy J.]

Eimeriina~ wrote: "I have finished two of my recs, a buddy read with Amy J - Life of Pi, which i couldn't find the real reason behind this book, i accept that he might be a good, very good story teller bu..."


I'm very glad to hear that you loved this book. I'll have to get the courage to read it myself (I've never read M/M)

[Samantha McNulty]

Hi Pollyanna,

Just to let you know that it looks like I will not be able to finish The Book Thief this month. I began reading it weeks ago, but had to put it down as it stirred up unhappy memories. May try again at a later date, though.