December - Pick it For Me! Challenge

[Larissa]

Kimberly wrote: "I finished my pick of and loved it :) Thanks Larissa!"

You're welcome! Glad you liked it :D

[Alexis]

Valerie ~Varuca~ wrote: "I'm glad you've had time to read a few Christmas stories! Sorry you haven't been able to enjoy them as much as you had hoped though :(

Lexa-They were great choices and I did enjoy the books! I'm ..."

Well then I'm glad you enjoyed them! I'm a really friendly rater, so I see three stars and think books must have stunk ;) I hope you are able to squeeze in one more!

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

Sue wrote: "Yes, I was able to pick it up finally! Sorry I didn't answer sooner. I was away wine tastin..."

Happy Anniversary!!! How many years? Favorite wine? I'm a red wine lover personally.

Sounds good, I'm about 60 pgs in

[D.G.]

Macwolf01 [Elise] wrote: "Favorite wine? I'm a red wine lover personally. "

Me too! Drink it everything. The other day I was in a Scandinavian restaurant (where most of the menu was fish) and the waiter was a bit scandalized when I ordered fish but told him I would still be drinking red wine. :)

[Sue]

Wine is supposed to be paired by what you like - no matter what those others say! I personally like all kinds of wine except Chardonnay. I guess they called that the ABC club (anything but Chardonnay!). But we did end up buying one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and took notes on the rest to buy later. And we've been married 27 years now!

As for the book, I was so tired last night that I didn't start it. Sorry. But I will start it this afternoon and post tomorrow on my thoughts. Are you liking it so far?

[D.G.]

Sue wrote: "Wine is supposed to be paired by what you like - no matter what those others say! "

LOL! When drinking wine, that's exactly my motto! :p

[D.G.]

Do we have a host or hostess for the next PIFM challenge? I noticed that it's already the 22nd and it hasn't been posted. :(

[Vi]

I *think* there is a host/hostess for the Jan PIFM. I'm not sure though.

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Sue wrote: "Wine is supposed to be paired by what you like - no matter what those others say! "

LOL! When drinking wine, that's exactly my motto! :p"

Here Here!! I hate when people try and for white on me, I've tried and am have never been impressed. Lately I like the blends but as long as its red I'll try it.

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

Sue wrote: "Wine is supposed to be paired by what you like - no matter what those others say! I personally like all kinds of wine except Chardonnay. I guess they called that the ABC club (anything but Chardonn..."

Sue, its okay lots of stories going on at once with 1 main feed. I find the bouncing around a little annoying but its not bad. ;) should be done tonight if I get my butt wrapping now

[Dee]

well, it sure as heck ain't me!! i think 2 in a row is enough!

DG you know you wanna

[D.G.]

LOL, Dee. I could do it if need be.

[Dee]

I hereby nominate DG to host January's PIFM!! hehe

[D.G.]

LOL! I'll PM Rosy to see if she has a victim hostess. If she doesn't, I'll take over.

[Cathy]

I finished Becoming. It was the second graphic novel that I've read and I thought it was well done. I liked it better as a novella rather than a full length novel.

[Vi]

The January PIFM is up now. The thread is HERE.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

I finished a couple more short picks from my list - Unraveled and Come Monday. Both were pretty good for novellas (I tend to prefer full-length novels as a rule) but I definitely liked Unraveled better.

[Joyce]

I finished my pick of Snow Crashand enjoyed it. I give it 3 1/2 stars. It isn't a favorite of this authors as it wrapped up too quickly in the end and I had to reread the ending to figure it out.

[Joyce]

Ana wrote: "I've finished "Dark Lover" - JR Ward. It was a 3 star for me: the story is nice, but I didn't appreciate the her writing style."

It is a bit rough but the second book is better.

[Erin]

I finally had a chance to read today and enjoyed it very much. It was a quick fun read. Glad I finally got a chance to pick it up.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Erin wrote: "I finally had a chance to read today and enjoyed it very much. It was a quick fun read. Glad I finally got a chance to pick it up."

I just bought this the other day from the Half-Price clearance section for $1. It looked interesting. Glad to hear I have something to look forward to reading.

[Irina]

Lacy wrote: "Hi Reetuparna!

It was fun going through your shelves, I hope you find something you like :)

Nice

1. Winter Solstice- the only short ones I could find! I haven't read them, so let me know if ..."

Thanks for the amazing picks Lacey i finished reading Voyeur and Charlie All Night and i have to say i enjoyed both the books very much :)

[Alyssa]

Sooooo I finished another one! was great! I really liked the tension between Z, Bella, AND Phury! It was so heartwrenching at times, and my god the angst! I wasn't sure whether to cheer or cry at times. I really enjoyed it! Favorite one so far.

[Sue]

Macwolf01 [Elise] wrote: "Sue, its okay lots of stories going on at once with 1 main feed. I find the bouncing around a little annoying but its not bad. ;) should be done tonight if I get my butt wrapping now "

I finished the book 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. And I agree with you that there was a bit too much bouncing around and not enough on the main characters. I liked that it was about a couple that is a bit older and not fresh out of college though. Did you finish it?

[Lacy]

Your welcome Reeturparna!

I'm glad that you enjoyed them!

[Stormy]

Iris wrote: "Finally finished A Discovery of Witches! 4 Stars

That was one very looong book! lol I probably would have given it 5 stars, except that I fell asleep twice reading the first few c..."

I got this book on audio CD and found that even the first 250 "pages" were pretty tolerable in this format, since I was also knitting, driving, wrapping presents, etc. So for others who haven't tried this yet, maybe try it on audio. I'm loving it.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

[Gigi]

Lady Jaye wrote: " Hey Gigi, I compared our books and saw we both don't like Like Water for Chocolate, lol. Here are my picks for you. I hope you enjoy them!

Nice - since we should always be nice and try to stick w..."

Hi Lady Jaye!!

I've finished both and . Thank you for the picks. I liked Colters wife a little more. My first Maya Banks books! Thank you

[Elke]

Finished my third pick One Grave at a Time!! Love Cat and Bones...especially Bones! Lol!

[Lady Jaye]

Glad you liked them, Gigi.

Cathy, my library wasn't able to get me The Hunger Games, so I can't read that for this challenge. :(. But The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty was an interesting read, and way out of anything I'd have thought to read before. Thanks for the pick!

[Ana]

Joyce wrote: "Ana wrote: "I've finished "Dark Lover" - JR Ward. It was a 3 star for me: the story is nice, but I didn't appreciate the her writing style."

It is a bit rough but the second book is better."

You're right: I've finished yesterday the second one and it was definitely better. I'm starting now with the third one.

[Ana]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Hi Ana - Quick update. I'm still hoping to read Fifty Shades of Grey but, if not, I'll read The Great Gatsby as it also fits one of my challenges :)"

The only problem with "Fifty Shades" is that is not very Christmas time... it's quite dark, really. Good, IMO, but dark non the less.

[Mounika]

Sandy wrote: "I finished my pick, The Bride. Easy to see why this one's a classic!"
I'm glad you enjoyed the book. :)

[Kami]

I finished On the Edge. It was a very cute love story between Rose and Declan. I really enjoyed it and gave it four stars. Now I want to read the next book, Bayou Moon about William. I am going to read Twilight before Christmas next.

[Carla]

Grace--Just wanted you to know that I liked your recommendation of so much that I am reading the series prior to it with Lady Sophia's brothers. I enjoyed The Heir and am now reading The Soldier. Very fun and witty romances; thanks for the great recommendation!

[Dee]

guess I should check in with my finishing...lol! i finished up When You Dare the other day - really enjoyed it and have added the next books in the series to the wishlist

[Brett]

I finished and I really liked it! I wanted to read the rest of the series

[Nancy H]

Today I just finished my buddy read with Iris of A Discovery of Witches, and I agree with everybody else: the first 250 or so pages did not grab my attention, but because others on this thread were so encouraging, I kept at it, and ended up enjoying it immensely. Now I can't wait for the sequel!

[Kami]

I finished Twilight before Christmas by Christine Feehan, my buddy read with Grace. I really liked it and gave it four stars. This is the first Drake sisters book that I've read, if the others are as steamy as this one then I am definitely interested in picking up some more. This one was hot, hot, hot!

[[deleted user]]

Isabella,

I read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak finished it on [12/28/2011] and am giving it full 5*. It was the greatest book I read in a while and of course I cried a river (holocaust themed stories do that to me). Thank you for this amazing recommendation! The writing was intriguing, I loved the pace of the book, the characters, the narrator. Amazing.

[Isabella]

Aleksandra, I'm glad you had time to read it and like it, I felt the same about this book even if at the time I was deep immersed in a "family duty" and it took me a whole week as I remember to finish it.

[Alyssa]

I just finished . I enjoyed it, but it wasn't a hit for me like most of Byrd's other books. Only 1 other in this series wasn't a favorite. I felt Morgan was lacking a bit, she wasn't as strong as she should be in my eyes. Kierland was also a tad irritating with his passionately opposite moods.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed it.

[Isabella]

Leslie
I finished today Lover Eternal it was a creative one, with Ward we can't feel the story is actually dragging cause she always has several storylines running at the same time, that creates more life to the story but unfortunately for me I didn't like these tons of sex scenes almost always extreme,rough and a bit too much. Also the beast thing eating what once was human, that filled me with revulsion, just imagine all these human bones inside Rhage stomach, I would rather tolerate their death in a fight. Anyway despite these bad parts I liked the story. Thanks Leslie for this pick I'm sure I would continue to read this series in the near future.

I also forgot to post in here that I finished Glory in Death which was a buddy read I enjoyed to read both the book and the comments with Leslie and Christine on dare you to read challenge.
If anyone would like to join us in the middle of January to read the third in the series Christine has already set the challenge on dare you to read folder, I'm sure we'll have a load of fun with more participants, sharing our thoughts and reading each other opinion.

[~Leslie~]

Isabella wrote: " Leslie
I finished today Lover Eternal it was a creative one, with Ward we can't feel the story is actually dragging cause she always has several storylines running at the same time, t..."
I'm glad you enjoyed your picks this month. The BDB series is sometimes difficult to read, but I do like them. And I'm looking forward to our buddy read of the next in the "In Death" series.

[Christine]

Since we're talking about it, here's the link to the 'In Death' series buddy read thread:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...

A book a month for the year, starting with book #3. I love the discussions with Isabella and Leslie and hope more will join us.

[Pam]

Eimeriina~ wrote: "Pam, here are your picks, hope you can find something you will enjoy.

1. Winter Solstice - How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike or [b..."

Emeriina~
Finally finished [book:Before I Go to Sleep|9736930]. Once I finally started, I read quickly. I enjoyed it, if that is truly the right word--the premise was truly creepy. I kept going back and forth on what was really going on. I keep talking about it with people! Thanks for the recommendation!

[Isabella]

Leslie wrote: "Isabella wrote: " Leslie
I finished today Lover Eternal it was a creative one, with Ward we can't feel the story is actually dragging cause she always has several storylines running at..."

Yeah it is. I don't know why I liked the first one better but as i said I'll continue to read this series and I can't wait to see Bella and Zadist in the next one.

[booklovinrn]

DECEMBER 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 12/21 ★★★★★

[Tuğçe]

Pam wrote: "Eimeriina~ wrote: "Pam, here are your picks, hope you can find something you will enjoy.

1. Winter Solstice - [book:How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors St..."

Glad you've enjoyed it Pam! it was one of my favourite reads in 2011.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Ana wrote: "The only problem with "Fifty Shades" is that is not very Christmas time... it's quite dark, really. Good, IMO, but dark non the less..."

Finished ! I really enjoyed it but found the ending a bit 'meh'... Mainly because of this, I downgraded to 4 stars :) Thanks for the great rec Ana - I'm glad I've read it.

*And thanks to Penney for the raffle win!*

[Grace]

Carla wrote: "Grace--Just wanted you to know that I liked your recommendation of so much that I am reading the series prior to it with Lady Sophia's brothers. I..."

You are very welcome. The whole series is amazing. My favorite was The Virtuoso.