December - Pick it For Me! Challenge

[Fran, Moderator]

I apparently don't seem to mind a boinkfest because I liked the first one, lol! 5,6 and 7 were my favorites. I might be the only one who didn't love 8 but I just didn't connect with Keely or Jack, they are my least favorite characters.

Jane, I have all of them lendable except for 1 and 4, I must have lent them out at some point.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Fran, I think I am like you, I've liked them all. Just some more that others, but I did like #8. I think I have all of them lendable if you need another source Jane.

[Fran, Moderator]

Kat, I agree, all good and some great. I can't wait to read Cowboy Casanova!

Hope you are feeling good!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Fran wrote: "Kat, I agree, all good and some great. I can't wait to read Cowboy Casanova!

Hope you are feeling good!"

Thanks Fran, I am doing better! At least I am able to read again - not sure about getting the house decorated for Christmas though! (Not up to climbing ladders yet...) I am really looking forward to Cowboy Casanova too! I have it, just need to figure out when I have enough time to read it, because I am pretty sure it is a one sitting book! I wouldn't want to miss physical therapy because I couldn't put it down. =)

[Fran, Moderator]

I agree, you probably need a few hours of uninterrupted time so you won't have to stop reading. I'm glad you are doing well, it must feel slow to you, but at least moving in the right direction :)

[Dee]

i'm planning on being a bum this weekend and reading Cowboy Casanova and the new Cherise Sinclair, as well as finishing up the Thea Harrison one and the LA Witt one i'm currently reading (and hopefully making a dent in the new king)

[Debbie]

Lauren wrote: "Finished and loved it. I was crying all over the pages at the end. Thanks Debbie."

uh, I just started it, glad you liked it.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Fran wrote: "I apparently don't seem to mind a boinkfest because I liked the first one, lol! 5,6 and 7 were my favorites. I might be the only one who didn't love 8 but I just didn't connect with Keely or Jack, ..."

Thanks Fran & MKat!

So I get this straight, once you lend a book on Amazon, you can't lend it again? That seems a bit weird... It's more like one-time shareable :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Jane (PS) wrote: "So I get this straight, once you lend a book on Amazon, you can't lend it again? That seems a bit weird... It's more like one-time shareable :) "

Yes, but it is better than nothing! When I got my first Kindle, they wouldn't let you loan them at all.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Ha! Oh well - you are right - it is better than nothing :)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Lili - I finished my book. Thanks for recommending it, I've had it for a long time and it was an enjoyable read.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Photojim wrote: "My wife started it last night and is nearly halfway done already. She said it's all first person POV but fun. I am looking forward to it as it has been recommended a couple of times now."

Did you ever get to read this? I'm curious as it's sitting in my TBR pile as well. :)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Stats Time!

J.R. Ward takes most recommended author this month! Some of our standards when there are short or long books to be recommended made their appearances - Kresley Cole, Diana Gabaldon and George R.R. Martin.

1. J.R. Ward - 30
2. Lisa Kleypas - 24
3. Maya Banks - 17
4. Pamela Clare - 14
4. Lorelei James - 14
6. Nora Roberts - 13
6. Lora Leigh - 13
8. Nalini Singh - 12
8. Kresley Cole - 12
8. Jeaniene Frost - 12
8. Diana Gabaldon - 12
12. Gena Showalter - 11
12. George R.R. Martin - 11
12. Christine Feehan - 11
15. Simone Elkeles - 10
16. Sherrilyn Kenyon - 9
16. J.D. Robb - 9
16. Ilona Andrews - 9

* out of 899 recommendations

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Christmas was good to Lisa Kleypas. And we have a few new entries into the mix this time, the only non-Christmas themed ones are Fifty Shades of Gray and The Perfect Play.

1. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas - 14
2. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison - 8
2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James - 8
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth - 7
4. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - 7
6. The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole - 6
6. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - 6
6. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - 6
6. Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare - 6
10. A Very Gothic Christmas by Christine Feehan - 5
10. In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks - 5
10. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - 5
10. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton - 5
10. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - 5
10. Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James - 5
10. Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward - 5


Year end stats coming some time this weekend.

[Vi]

Great stats, Diane! 30 for J. R. Ward? I wonder due to which category, though.

Woohoo! Year-end stats as well? Looking forward to it!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Vi wrote: "Great stats, Diane! 30 for J. R. Ward? I wonder due to which category, though.

Woohoo! Year-end stats as well? Looking forward to it!"

I suspect clean-up a series category could have done that :)

Great stats Diane!

[Vi]

Jane (PS) wrote: "I suspect clean-up a series category could have done that :)"

Hmm, it could be. It was recommended to me as well, I guess.

[D.G.]

Thanks for the stats, Diane! Very interesting as usual.

[Iris]

Ok, so I chose to read first. I have to say that although I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite book by Bella Andre. At times it seemed a little scattered and rushed. However, I did find how she wrote half the book from his perspective very refreshing. That being said, I give it 4 Stars . But I probably would not pick it up again unless I'm really bored and have nothing better to read. Just a bit of insight... B&N has it listed under contemporary romance. However, due to it's graphic nature, I'd say it's more of an erotic romance than anything else.

[Ana]

I've finished "The host" by S. Meyer, 3 and 1/2 stars. The idea is interesting but sometimes Meyer's writing is just too much for me.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Vi wrote: "Great stats, Diane! 30 for J. R. Ward? I wonder due to which category, though.

Woohoo! Year-end stats as well? Looking forward to it!"

I suspect clean-up a series category could have d..."

Ward is almost always in the top 10, but yeah, I think the series clean-up propelled her way over the top this time, because you can see by the book category that her top specific book recommendation was only 5.

[Alexis]

Hey Emily I finished Lover Awakened today and I have to say I loved, loved, loved it! Thank you so much for giving me an excuse to pick it up and read it finally. I don't know why I always out off this series, I absolutely love them... especially Zsadist. His story was so sweet! nyways thanks so much for the rec and I'll let you know when I get another one read!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Ward is almost always in the top 10, but yeah, I think the series clean-up propelled her way over the top this time, because you can see by the book category that her top specific book recommendation was only 5. ..."

:) I'm pretty sure she was my 'series' rec!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Photojim wrote: "My wife started it last night and is nearly halfway done already. She said it's all first person POV but fun. I am looking forward to it as it has been recommended a couple of ti..."

Diane, I still haven't had a chance to read it. It's been crazy here lately.

[Lili]

Lisa wrote: "LILI
Here are my picks for you:
Winter SolsticeThe Cowboy - Joan Johnston
Summer Solstice City of Bones - Casandra Clare - GREAT SERIES!
Series Clean up Hard Eight - Janet Evanovich
Many year..."

Thank you for my pics Lisa... just finished Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. I love that series!!
here's my review

ooowww... we had some Ranger action here... finally!
I'm not sure how I feel about that, I mean, I like Ranger, I really really like him... he makes my knees go weak and I think he's so very charming too, but then I like Morelli too.
Really good book, of course it's something light and to have fun, Stephanie, her family and friends are hilarious, too dumb to be true but that's why I read it.

oh!, and being a math teacher I found this quote immensely funny!
“I failed math twice, never fully grasping probability theory. I mean, first off, who cares if you pick a black ball or a white ball out of the bag? And second, if you’re bent over about the color, don’t leave it to chance. Look in the damn bag and pick the color you want.”
― Janet Evanovich, Hard Eight

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

I've finished a couple more of my picks. Yesterday I finished The Sweetest Thing, which I thought was wonderful! I think maybe I liked it slightly less than the first book in the series, Simply Irresistible, but not by much. I can't wait to get to Chloe's story!

I also finished Babysitting the Baumgartners, which was...interesting. It definitely fit the definition of blush-worthy and it was well-written, but I generally prefer to have a bit more of a plot along with my erotica. :) I didn't dislike it, but just would have liked it better if there had been more to it. I've had it on my TBR for quite a while though, so thanks, Fran, for the nudge I needed to finally read it!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

~KarenH~ wrote: "I also finished Babysitting the Baumgartners, which was...interesting. It definitely fit the definition of blush-worthy and it was well-written, but I generally prefer to have a bit more of a plot along with my erotica. :) I didn't dislike it, but just would have liked it better if there had been more to it..."

LOL - I've looked at that book a couple of times, but it has just been a bit tooooooo.... out there for me. You've confirmed my suspicions Karen. I'll happily ignore it from now on :)

[Melanie (Moviemavengal)]

Really enjoyed Caroline Linden's A Rake's Guide to Seduction! Now on to my short book, which is a Harlequin: Make Me Yours. Also read the first in the North Pole series, in preparation for my buddy read of Sweet Magik!

[Emily]

Lexa wrote: "Hey Emily I finished Lover Awakened today and I have to say I loved, loved, loved it! Thank you so much for giving me an excuse to pick it up and read it finally. I don't know why I a..."

I am glad you liked it. I cant wait for the newest one to come out.

[Pollyanna]

Hey Regina I'm sorry I don't think I'll be able to read Halfway to the Grave, I can't get hold of it this month.

[Brett]

Photojim,
I finished The Guy Next Door and Good Girls Don't. I had no idea that a little back story was to the series was in The Guy Next Door till you told me. Now I kind of want to skip the second book and go straight to the third but I will read them in order. haha!

Now that finals are pretty much done I can do the buddy read. If you are still able to do the buddy read then let me know. I want to read the Christmas one first. :)

[Amy J.]

I finished Envy today. I enjoy this series, but not as much as BDB. And I don't know if I liked this as much as the previous tow in the series. I got a bit bored during the end.

[D.G.]

Jane - I read One of Those Days and I loved it! It was so cute and funny.

Have you read something else by that author that you'd recommend? I definitely liked his style.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Jane - I read One of Those Days and I loved it! It was so cute and funny.

Have you read something else by that author that you'd recommend? I definitely liked his style."

So glad you enjoyed that book :)

I have The Curtis Reincarnation on my wishlist but it isn't available in the usual ebook haunts, so I haven't yet purchased it. But I look at it every now and then and WISH I had it! I noticed that there are few fans in the M/M group that love his other stories as well...

...Perhaps we have another M/M buddy read lined up for March? Just have to jump in and buy a ZP book :)

[D.G.]

I think the author is selling the book directly or through smashwords. When I clicked on the 'buy' icon on his site, it immediately took me to a Paypal page. It cost $5.95.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Well, I'm game if you are :)

[D.G.]

Sure!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Great! - I'll move it to our monthly M/M buddy read thread.

...Anyone else is welcome to join us. We'll discuss timing in there.

[booklovinrn]

NOVEMBER PICK IT FOR ME CHALLENGE


Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas 12/6 ★★★★
One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost 12/10 ★★★★★
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Raziel by Kristina Douglas

[Kimberly]

I'm reading as per my recommendation from Larissa!

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

I finished listening to The Sugar Queen today. It was a little slow starting for me, I'm glad I listened to it instead of reading it because I don't know if it would have kept my attention long enough to really get into it if I'd read it. Once I did get into it though, I liked it a lot. Another great recommendation, Fran - Thanks!

[Fran, Moderator]

Wow, Karen! You have read an amazing amount of recs this month! I'm so glad you have found some you really like :). I am ready to read All I Want For Christmas with you, just let me know when you can start.

[Jojo]

I've finished up another couple of recs this month - Envy - buddy read with Amy J - good but not as good as the first 2, going to keep reading tho cos I do enjoy it (and I'm very glad it's not another vampire series).
The other one is Visions of Heat - I'm new to this series and I'm really enjoying it.

[Isabella]

I finished The Road a piece of art but a really sad and scary story, one that we must read very slowly to appreciate it. I just love it!! Thanks Leslie for this wonderful recommendation, now I owe you this one :)

[~Leslie~]

Isabella wrote: "I finished The Road a piece of art but a really sad and scary story, one that we must read very slowly to appreciate it. I just love it!! Thanks Leslie for this wonderful recommendation..."
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. (Though that may be the wrong word!). My mother loved it but I couldn't finish it. I struggle with distopian literature. It was a risky pick but I'm glad it paid off.

[Fran, Moderator]

Isabella wrote: "I finished The Road a piece of art but a really sad and scary story, one that we must read very slowly to appreciate it. I just love it!! Thanks Leslie for this wonderful recommendation..."

Isabella, I felt the same way about it :)

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Fran wrote: "Wow, Karen! You have read an amazing amount of recs this month! I'm so glad you have found some you really like :). I am ready to read All I Want For Christmas with you, just let me know when you ..."

Thanks, Fran! It's been really easy since I had great stuff to choose from that fit right into my other challenges! :) I'm looking forward to our buddy read, starting Wednesday, right?

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Year End Stats!

Top Authors for 2011:
1. J.R. Ward - 248
2. Nalini Singh - 208
3. Nora Roberts - 179
4. Karen Marie Moning - 178
5. Lisa Kleypas - 177
6. Suzanne Collins - 162
7. Diana Gabaldon - 146
8. Richelle Mead - 142
9. Jennifer Crusie - 137
10. Jeaniene Frost - 135
11. Kresley Cole - 133
11. J.D. Robb - 133
13. Ilona Andrews - 129
14. Julie Garwood - 116
15. Julie James - 115
16. Sherrilyn Kenyon - 114
17. Maya Banks - 113
18. Patricia Briggs - 112
19. Gena Showalter - 105
20. Linda Howard - 101

out of 11,863 recommendations

I was only keeping track for the last 5 months last year, but the top authors were: J.R. Ward, Lisa Kleypas, Suzanne Collins, Nora Roberts, Nalini Singh, Richelle Mead, Jeaniene Frost, Jennifer Crusie, Patricia Briggs, Gena Showalter, Kelley Armstrong, Cassandra Clare, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gail Carriger, Charlaine Harris, Karen Marie Moning, Ilona Andrews, Larissa Ione, Stieg Larsson, Kresley Cole and Sarah Addison Allen

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Top Titles!

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 121
2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - 103
3. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning - 94
4. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh - 91
5. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb - 89
6. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - 75
7. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - 74
8. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 71
9. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - 65
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - 58
11. Soulless by Gail Carriger - 57
12. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie - 56
13. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 55
14. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - 53
14. The Help by Kathryn Stockett - 53
16. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - 50
17. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione - 49
18. The Host by Stephanie Meyer - 48
19. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin - 46
19 Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James - 46

For the last 5 months of 2010:
The Hunger Games, Halfway to the Grave, Moon Called, Soulless, Pleasure Unbound, Dark Lover, Slave to Sensation, Covet, Bitten, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Outlander, City of Bones, Poison Study, The Darkest Night, Magic Bites, Kiss of Midnight, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, Darkfever, The Book Thief and Naked in Death.

[Carla]

Grace: Thanks so much for a great pick--I loved ! What a unique and charming story. Very funny, too, and I so love humorous romances. Thanks again--I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.