2012 January - Pick It For Me! Challenge

[Nancy H]

Carla wrote: "Nancy, I finished today. I hope that you liked it ok; I've got to say that although I thought that it was ok, I was disappointed in it. I like ..."

Hi Carla,
I finally finished The Year of Living Scandalously also, and I agree. I was disappointed in it for several reasons having to do with the ending. I will have to think about whether or not I am going to read the sequel(s). All that being said, though, I am still glad that I read it, because I had been seeing people talk about it on here for a while, and was wondering what it was like.

Thanks for doing the buddy read with me!

[Carla]

Nancy wrote: "Carla wrote: "Nancy, I finished today. I hope that you liked it ok; I've got to say that although I thought that it was ok, I was disappointed i..."

Thanks to you, too! I'm glad to have read it with someone--it was good to exchange thoughts even if we were disappointed.

[Pam]

Nairabell-
I finished The Demon's Lexicon last night. Flew through the end. Let me know when you are done so I can "discuss" it while being cryptically vague for anyone who hasn't read it. I've added the next one to my TBR! I took this one from the school library. Know they have another one--hoping it's #2.

[Skandia]

I finished Dragon Bound recommended by Photojim.

Well, I can't decide if I liked it or was it just OK read. The book brought up some mixed emotions and so I think for me it's a 3 - 3,5 stars book.

First of all, I'm not a big fan of dragons and shapeshifters and goblins etc. But the world created by author was intresting and really not that focused on "dragon-stuff" only.
I was left confused by the rapid change of the Dragos's fury towards Pia. Just like that it was forgotten, forgiven and turned into lust and passion towards the person he hated most just few seconds earlier. The wise, million years old dragon acts like this?

[Penney]

Ok Yz, since my last post I've read:
Dreams of a Dark Warrior ✯✯✯✯
Club Shadowlands ✯✯✯
The Reluctant Dom ✯✯✯✯✯

Thank you!

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

MountainKat wrote: "Macwolf01 [Elise] wrote: "Something About You by Julie James, I agree it was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the writers style. Thanks soo much for the pick!! "

I am so glad you liked it! I have loved all of her books! ..."

I picked up 3 of her others books, looking forward to them! Thanks again Kat!!

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

Vi wrote: " PIFM Finishers Update
Updated till post #565 ..."

Hi Vi, I posted my book on 460, Thanks
E

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

Fran, finally finished Tempting the Beast!! Enjoyed it, characters were fun, and one scene had me laughing out loud.

Sorry for the delay, technical difficulty. Soo OVER KOBO!

Thanks for doing the buddy read!!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Skandia wrote: "I finished Dragon Bound recommended by Photojim.

Well, I can't decide if I liked it or was it just OK read. The book brought up some mixed emotions and so I think for me it's a 3 -..."

What I liked about the book was how everything fit into the mundane world where we all live. When he let out his roar of rage and the insurance claims came pouring in, I thought that was amusing. The next two books again have interesting characters but go more towards a standard PNR read. If the first was just OK, you probably wouldn't like the other two.

Sorry that it wasn't better for you.

[Skandia]

Photojim wrote: "Skandia wrote: "I finished Dragon Bound recommended by Photojim.

Well, I can't decide if I liked it or was it just OK read. The book brought up some mixed emotions and so I think f..."

Photojim, despite of my mixed emotions, I think I want to read the other two books too. I know that the second book is about Tricks and I just have to know what happens to her :)

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Penney wrote: "Ok Yz, since my last post I've read:
Dreams of a Dark Warrior ✯✯✯✯
Club Shadowlands ✯✯✯
The Reluctant Dom ✯✯✯✯✯

Thank you!"

Looks like I should see about getting a copy of The Reluctant Dom. : )

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Elke, I finished Backstage Pass this morning, and really liked it. It wasn't perfect, a couple of minor things that didn't really work for me, but overall it was good. I gave it 4 stars, and I'm looking forward to reading Sed's story!

[Rebecca]

I have finished I put this book down many times during the first 100 or so pages but after that I was glad I stuck with it, it turned out to be very enjoyable.

[Shell]

IsabellaQ I finished and loved it. I can't wait to read book 2. The World building Brooks has done is mesmerizing. Thanks for the rec/buddy read!

Cacophony I finished and loved it as well! This series just gets better and better. :) Stefan was definately a fave in this book, though he can't hold a candle to Adam. I want Samuel to go away fast. Bleh. Thanks for the Rec!

[Lady Jaye]

Shell wrote: " I want Samuel to go away fast. Bleh. Thanks for the Rec! "

Oh Shell, Sam's my favorite! Whatever did he do to make you want him to go away!

[Shell]

I get that he's tortured and angsty about not having kids, etc., but he rubs me the wrong way, especially how he treated Mercy when she was younger.

There's that and I have the hots for Adam. :)

[Lady Jaye]

Oh, that. A lot of readers see it as a big deal, but I really understand where Sam is coming from and Mercy and Samuel have dealt with it, so it doesn't bother me at all - and that's only a very small part of who Samuel is.

Awww. I love Samuel! But I'm a little bummed (~Oh ignore me. It will go away in like 2 minutes).I love Adam too.

[Isabella]

Shell,
I finished our buddy read too. I loved better the second half of it, and the end was enjoyable. Once I grew accustomed to the world building it made njoy better the reading.

[Christine]

Lili,
I finished and just loved it. There were things in it that usually make me dislike a story (brutish arrogant man, timid female that let's him get away with it, at first anyway), but I was so sucked into the story, I didn't even mind those things. I'm really looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Nairabell]

I'm all done with my buddy read of Twenties Girl: A Novel and will be PMing Diane to chat :)

[Nairabell]

Pam wrote: "Nairabell-
I finished The Demon's Lexicon last night. Flew through the end. Let me know when you are done so I can "discuss" it while being cryptically vague for anyone who hasn't ..."

I'm about halfway through Pam. I'm hoping to finish up today so I'll PM you when I'm done so we can chat without spoiler fear lol :)

[D.G.]

I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and wow! That book was brilliant. I cried my ass off.

[SandyC]

I finished some of my picks...

Tatiana and Alexander...absolutely wonderful...5 stars!

Dragon Bound..not as good as I expected. I thought it was pretty good until the hero/heroine got together, and then it was just meh.
2 stars for me.


Jewels of the Sun...really enjoyed this Nora tale. I want to continue the series. 4 stars.

Rapture in Death... I was a little worried that this would be boring, but I actually enjoyed it. I really like Peabody...hope she figures prominently throughout the next books. 4 stars.

Thank you, Cathy, for helping move these off my TBR!

[Rebecca]

I have given 3 stars to

[Elke]

~KarenH~ wrote: "Elke, I finished Backstage Pass this morning, and really liked it. It wasn't perfect, a couple of minor things that didn't really work for me, but overall it was good. I gave it 4 ..."

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I liked Sed's story also!

[Lacy]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and wow! That book was brilliant. I cried my ass off."

I love that book. The 7th book is fantastic as well! You make me want to reread the series!

[Debbie]

Eimeriina~ wrote: "Hi Debbie,

I had a great time wandering around in your shelves, here is my picks for you, hope you can find something you'll like...."

Eimeriina~ great recommendations, I adjusted a little - your recommendation for the Maya Banks looked good. I had to get book 1 though. I read Sweet Surrender and can understand the interest. I look forward to reading book 2. Thanks for getting me to pick up this series.

[Nancy H]

I just finished The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore, and it is a fabulous read. It is a story of deep and passionate love - for people and for a wonderful garden. I have read a lot of good books lately, but this is one of the best. Thanks for putting it on my list, Carla!

I also read Very Valentine, which wasn't on my list, but was so good that I just have to recommend it. It is the first in a series by Adriana Trigiani, and I have already started on the second one!

[Iris]

Finished Halfway to the Grave and although it took me a bit to really get in to it, in the end I loved it. I felt the heroine was a bit immature, but you got to love a girl who can kick ass with the best of them. Definitely a series I'll be following in the near future.

[Carla]

Nancy wrote: "I just finished The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore, and it is a fabulous read. It is a story of deep and passionate love - for people and for a wonderful garden. I have read a lot of good boo..."

You're welcome...I'll have to read the French Gardener, too. I really liked Very Valentine, and the second one,too...I don't think that the third one is out yet, but I'm anxiously awaiting it. I am really hoping that Val's romantic life works out...

[Nancy H]

Carla wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I just finished The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore, and it is a fabulous read. It is a story of deep and passionate love - for people and for a wonderful garden. I have read a l..."

I know. I really liked the first one and have just started the second one. I am not into it far enough to know if she is going to really save her shoe business, but I hope she does that, too especially since I didn't particularly like her brother Alfred and his lack of faith in her.

[D.G.]

Lacy wrote: "I love that book. The 7th book is fantastic as well! You make me want to reread the series! "

A lot of my friends have told me that, LOL!

I'm just waiting to finish a book I'm reading now and then I'll start #7. I usually listen and read different books at the same time but to this one I'll give my undivided attention.

This is a series that I'll definitely re-read. :)

[Lacy]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Lacy wrote: "I love that book. The 7th book is fantastic as well! You make me want to reread the series! "

A lot of my friends have told me that, LOL!

I'm just waiting to finish a book I'm readi..."


It is going to be so hard to put down, so clear your calendar! I hope that you enjoy it. =0)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Lacy wrote: "D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Lacy wrote: "I love that book. The 7th book is fantastic as well! You make me want to reread the series! "

It is going to be so hard to put down, so clear your calendar! I hope that you enjoy it. =0) "

Hard to put down? It was impossible!! Seriously, clear your schedule and plan your meals in advance!

[Vi]

Oh yeah, DG. Listen to Lacy and MountainKat I cancelled outing with my friends, stayed up all night, bunked classes the next day AND ate only chips. It went EVERYWHERE with me.

Glad you enjoyed the 6th even after the unfortunate incident!! :)

[Dee]

yeah, i'm waiting on the 3rd one, i'm hoping it'll be out this year sometime

Nancy wrote: "Carla wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I just finished The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore, and it is a fabulous read. It is a story of deep and passionate love - for people and for a wonderful garden. I..."

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Vi wrote: "Oh yeah, DG. Listen to Lacy and MountainKat I cancelled outing with my friends, stayed up all night, bunked classes the next day AND ate only chips. It went EVERYWHERE with me."

And she thought she cried reading the sixth one.... ; ) I didn't just cry reading the seventh, I had the ugly gut wrenching sobs that made it hard to keep reading!

[Lacy]

MountainKat wrote: "Vi wrote: "Oh yeah, DG. Listen to Lacy and MountainKat I cancelled outing with my friends, stayed up all night, bunked classes the next day AND ate only chips. It went EVERYWHERE with me."

And she..."

Me too! My husband kept asking me if I was okay. I don't know if you like the show friends, but he asked if I wanted him to put the book in the freezer for awhile! Like Joey and The Shining!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Lacy wrote: "Me too! My husband kept asking me if I was okay. I don't know if you like the show friends, but he asked if I wanted him to put the book in the freezer for awhile! Like Joey and The Shining! "

I love that!! My husband just looked at me funny and shook his head all day!

[Nairabell]

Pam wrote: "Nairabell-
I finished The Demon's Lexicon last night. Flew through the end. Let me know when you are done so I can "discuss" it while being cryptically vague for anyone who hasn't ..."

I'm done too. Totally agree about the ending - I couldn't read fast enough! I'll PM you to chat so we don't need to worry about spoilers :)

[Dawn (Kat N Hat)]

I finished And One Last Thing ... last night. It was fabulously hilarious. Big 5 stars for me!

[D.G.]

MountainKat wrote: "Hard to put down? It was impossible!! Seriously, clear your schedule and plan your meals in advance! "

So I started after 5pm and I already listened to 3 parts non-stop (this is almost 4 hours). I'm sooo tired because I went to bed late last night but I'm soo tempted to continue listening!

I've already cried with this book (the way these characters behave with such fortitude and kindness touches me profoundly.) So I'm sure I'll be sobbing later on.

You were right, Vi in saying that there were many surprises in #6 that weren't ruined. At least it didn't give me details as to how it happened! I was as shocked as him.

[D.G.]

Lacy wrote: "My husband kept asking me if I was okay. "

I cannot talk to my husband about these books without bursting into tears. #6 left me in such a state that I had to watch the Colin Firth version of P&P (I watch it at least twice a year and believe it or not, my husband joins me most of the time.) I needed something happy!

[Suzanne]

I finished reading In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks! I loved this book! It kept me up way past my bedtime, It was very engaging! I loved the relationship that the two main characters have and it was cute how much she vexed him. I look forward to reading the 2nd book in this series! After I finished I immediately ordered the next two books in the trilogy! Thank you for the recommendation!!

[Vi]

LOL, Lacy!! Loved that quote :)

My friends just rolled their eyes and called me crazy.

DG, #7 was one of the best books in that you can really see the characters are not perfect at all. Enjoy the rest of the book!!

[Skandia]

Finished The Luxe by Anna Godbersen last night, my buddy read with Rebecca.

[Rebecca]

Skandia wrote: "Finished The Luxe by Anna Godbersen last night, my buddy read with Rebecca."

I am halfway through and I am loving it.

[Lacy]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Lacy wrote: "My husband kept asking me if I was okay. "

I cannot talk to my husband about these books without bursting into tears. #6 left me in such a state that I had to watch the Colin Firth ve..."

LOL! Sometimes it is hard to get the words out.

Maybe I should try that movie next time I finish an emotional read. I've never seen it and I love Colin Firth...

Enjoy the rest of the book and remember to keep the tissue close by!

[D.G.]

If you're a P&P fan, Lacy, you should see it. Firth is wonderful as Mr. Darcy. It's more of a mini-series though because it's very close to the book (it's probably around 5 hours.)

I felt I understood the book and the characters more once I saw it. :)

[Lacy]

Okay thanks. =0) I'll look for it. I just read the book about a year ago and I enjoyed it.

I've seen Emma with Gwenith Paltrow and Sense and Sensibility with Kate Winslet. I thought they were good films, though I haven't read those novels.