2012 January - Pick It For Me! Challenge

[Ana]

Erin wrote: "Ana wrote: "Erin wrote: "Hi, Ana! Here are your picks. Hope you find something that interests you this month. If not, just let me know and I can pick some more.

Welcome the New Year:

1. First ..."


It would be great. My only problem is that I'll be without my pc for a week starting from Sunday: I'm going skiing, and usually the connection is horrible in the mountains. Too many people in this period of year.
You choose: we can start the book on the 10th Jan. when I'm sure I'll have a pc conneciont, or we can read it during this first week and comment it later.

[Elke]

Heather wrote: "So, I had some time at work, Elke, to come up with my picks for you. I hope some of these interest you enough to try them in January!

Heather,

Thanks so much for the great picks! I am reading Surrender for a buddy read, so I will include that one. But I will also pick Hearts in Darkness!! Thanks again!

[Tuğçe]

Valerie wrote: "Welcome the New Year Eimeriina!



1. First Day: The Endearment
2. Second Day: Covet
3. Third Day: [book:Outlander|1096

During the New Year

4. Goodbye, Rabbit!: [bo..."

thank you for the great pics Valerie, i'd love to do a buddy read with 1Q84, let me know if you'd like that. now i am gonna decide what others i will read from the list, there are a few i really should have read long ago thanks for the push :) and i will also have to check your shelves throughly, i found quite a few interesting books.

[Erin]

Ana wrote: "Erin wrote: "Ana wrote: "Erin wrote: "Hi, Ana! Here are your picks. Hope you find something that interests you this month. If not, just let me know and I can pick some more.

Welcome the New Yea..."

Let's start after you get back then. Have a fun trip!

[Lady Jaye]

Jojo wrote: "Lady Jaye wrote: "Hi, Jojo.
Here are your picks for January. I hope you find something you enjoy. I will be happy to repick if you want. :)

Welcome the New Year

1. First Day: [book:The Clai..."

hey Jojo, glad you liked the picks. For the Buddy read, I have Touch the Dark, so I can do that one right away. i am still waiting on Bitten and Blood Bound from the library, but I am super excited for those, so if you want, we can do either of those if I get them in time. Or Touch the Dark. :)

[Jojo]

Hi KarenF.
Sorry for the slightr delay getting these to you but finally here are your January books picked. I hope you find something to enjoy – have fun!

Welcome the New Year

1. First Day: Belonging to Them by Brynn Paulin – I don’t think this one is too far out there (TBH I don’t read many that are that extreme or out of my comfort zone) but I think mostly because as I was reading it I just kept thinking about how having to keep a relationship with so many men going just seems like too much hard work to me.

2. Second Day: Last Night's Scandal by Loretta Chase – I noticed you read a lot of historical and that you’ve also read a lot from this author (I need to give her a try).

3. Third Day: World Without End by Ken Follet - 1014 pages (that’s a lot). I’ve read Pillars of the Earth and a lot of Folletts books but not this one yet so I hope it’s good.

During the New Year

4. Goodbye, Rabbit!: A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute – Based in Malaya during WWII, and Australia and the UK post-war (mostly Australia). This is one of my favourite books.

5. Welcome, Dragon!: Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh.

6. Poor Cat: Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn – Great author.

7. Pass the Luck Around:
Texas Destinyby Lorraine Heath – was a PIFM in October not last month but was one ! wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.
Angel Interruptedby Chaz McGee – this was given to me with a bunch of other books, it’s the second in the series but I read it first and thought it was much better than the first book.

Celebrate The New Year (Buddy Reads)

8. Spread The Love:
Phantom Evil by Heather Graham
Caughtby Jami Alden
Virgin Riverby Robyn Carr

9. Lantern Festival:
Married with Zombies by Jesse Petersen – I love Zombies (I’m a huge Walking Dead fan)
The Heir (Duke's Obsession, #1) by Grace Burrows
Any book by Georgette Heyer – TBH I’ve read them all, but not for years and I would love to re-read them.

[D.G.]

Vi (and everybody else interested),

Here's the link to the buddy read of Nothing Ever Happens:

www.goodreads.com/topic/show/753226-j...

[LKL]

Erin wrote: "K.Ling wrote: "Hi Erin B! I'm really new to this so forgive me if i'm doing it wrongly(:
So, here are my picks for you, hope you like it!

1. First Day (Pick a book out of their comfort zone) : [b..."


You're welcome! I'll be making a trip to the library later on and loan this book, we'll do a buddy read then! And i'm glad you find the books interesting, have fun reading!

[Amy J.]

~Megan~ wrote: "Picks for Amy J! Hope I found something you might like!

Welcome the New Year
1. First Day:
Lord of the Fading Lands by CL Wilson
Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan
Bo..."

I'd love to read Feed with you. I got the book for Christmas so I'm ready to read it whenever you are. I'll also be reading Soulless and Caressed by Ice.

Thanks for the terrific recommendations!

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Skandia, so sorry for the wait. Let's see if we don't have something you like here. While our tastes may differ on books, I think I might find something for you. As usual, if you need something different, let me know.

1. First Day: Dirty - This is classified by some as erotic fiction. But don't let that scare you away. It's not like most erotic fiction where there is constant sex with no story. This is a GREAT story (with some good sex scenes). Definitely a story that will make you feel.
2. Second Day: Little Women - you seem to like a classic read. And this is pretty much universally loved by young women. Or maybe you would prefer Rebecca - another classic read.
3. Third Day: A Clash of Kings - you read the first and gave it four stars, why not continue?

During the New Year

4. Goodbye, Rabbit!: Well, this is easy. It would be hard if I had to pick a book set in Estonia. Glitter Baby has a fair amount of world travel but I don't remember them getting to Estonia so I think we are safe. BTW, shame on you for six weeks for never having read a Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
5. Welcome, Dragon!: What is hot? I'm sure my idea of hot is not the same as yours. So instead I'm going to ignore the sexy part and go with the dragon theme. Read Dragon Bound. I LOVED it! If you missed the Thea Harrison author chat here about a month ago, re-read it and you will see how many people loved this story. Almost 4,300 ratings and a 4.32? Great stuff.
6. Poor Cat: Read The Hunger Games. You won't regret it.
7. Pass the Luck Around: So many good books from this challenge this last year. Most recently Fifty Shades of Grey - perhaps not for your taste, but great none the less. I think you'd really like Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series. Three of my rec's to this point were former recs to me!

Celebrate The New Year (Buddy Reads)

8. Spread The Love: Boy, I just don't know. I think I will be reading The Last Werewolf next week. Maybe Kristan Higgins The Next Best Thing as well. Since I try not to plan more than a week out, I don't know for sure what else I'll be reading.
9. Lantern Festival: It's been a long time since I read The Great Gatsby. Not sure if I'll actually get to this though.

[Nancy H]

Hi Tiffanny,
I have your picks ready. It was fun looking at your shelves. I just couldn't stop at one for some of your categories because I could think of several that fit. If you don't see anything you like, I can do more.

Here they are:
First Day: Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella - You don't have a lot of fiction that gets into the historical aspects on your TBR list, and this is a current day book with a glimpse into the past - one I really enjoyed reading a few months ago.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley - This is a mystery series featuring a young girl, and it is quite good. I loved this book as well as the sequels. It might be something different for you.

Second Day: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (or any of this series you haven't read yet)
'Tis or Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. I saw that you read Angela's Ashes and gave it four stars, so I thought you might like these also.

Third Day: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This is on your TBR list, and although it is long, I think it reads fairly quickly. Someone recommended it to me earlier and I really liked it.

Goodbye, Rabbit! - Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - an excellent memoir that takes place in three different countries
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - This one sounds good and is also on my TBR to be read in the next week for one of my book clubs.

Welcome Dragon: Call Me by Lena Matthews. This is in her "Jokers Wild" series. It has an interesting plot premise and it pretty good. I just finished it and will probably read the next one in the series.
French Quarter by Lacey Alexander. This is also a good one that I am just finishing up.

Poor Cat: There were quite a few on your TBR list that I loved, so here are a couple of them:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Slow Dancing on Price's Pier by Lisa Dale
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (I loved this whole series!)

Pass the Luck Around: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I just read this one for a Buddy Read in December, and we had quite a discussion about it. It starts slowly, but then gets going and by the end, you can't wait for the sequel!

Spread the Love: The First Day of the Rest of My Life by Cathy Lamb (Her book "Julia's Chocolates" is one of my all-time favorite books so I am eager to read this one.)
Distant Hours by Kate Morton. I just got this one and it was one on my picks list from last month that I didn't get to read.

I would be willing to do a Buddy Read for either of those if you would like to, plus I am definitely reading Unbroken in the next week for a book club so we can also discuss that one if you want to read it that soon.

Hope you find something you like, and again, I apologize for the posting later than I usually do!

[Nancy H]

Carla wrote: "Nancy: Here are your picks. Let me know if they don’t work for you. Happy New Year! You've got a great to-read list.

1. First Day: You read a lot of different kinds of books, so I’m not sure..."

Carla, Thanks for the great list. I am eager to get started. They all look really good. If you want to do a Buddy Read, I can start Year of Living Scandalously next week, but I will have to see if I can get the other one from the library. The beginning of this week I have to read a book for another book club, but I will probably be ready to start a Buddy Read by Wednesday or Thursday. Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks again for the great picks!

[Amy J.]

Mounika
It was a pleasure and a challenge to pick for you. We have only a few books in common, so going through your shelves was an interesting experience. I hope I've found some books you will be interested in reading. If not, let me know and I can try again.


1. 1st Day-
A. Darkfever- I saw that you liked KMM's Highlander series so I thought, I'd recommend this series too you. This is my favorite whole series to date (excluding Harry Potter, which I think of as its own Class)
B. Divergent- One of my favorite books of 2011.
C. The Ruins- A really enjoyable horror novel

2. 2nd Day- A very hard category for me as I don't read many historical romances, besides Jane Austen. And seeing as you had two of her novels on your could not finish pile, I didn't think my favorites would be yours as well. So my choices are:
A. Gabriel's Bride
B. Defiant

3. 3rd day- I don't know either of these books, but I thought they sounded good
A. Sweet Surrender
B. This Other Eden

4. Goodbye Rabbit- I chose books not set in India or the US
A. Czech Republic- The Unbearable Lightness of Being
B. Italy- The Solitude of Prime Numbers
C. Germany- The Book Thief

5. Hello Dragon
A. Not Quite a Husband
B. You Slay Me- The male lead is a dragon

6. Poor Cat
A. Dark Lover- Wonderful series, especially books 1-3
B. The Viper

7. Pass the Luck Around
A. The Name of the Wind my first PIFM
B. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
C. Making Waves- the book that made me admit I like contemporary romance

8. Spread the Love
A. Night Pleasures -A friend gave me this entire series in Dec., so I'm ready to go for this read
B. One for the Money

9. Lantern Festival
A. Angels' Blood
B. The Gargoyle

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Vi wrote: "HI Diane!

Sorry for the delay. I fell asleep when I was looking at your Read shelf yesterday. Holy Huge Bookshelf Batman! You've read so many books across different genres. Wow! I've tried to reco..."

Wow Vi, what a lot of good recommendations. I'm not sure what I want to read first. I'm leaning towards Naked Werewolf or Lord of the Fading Lands, but we'll see. Thanks!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Nairabell wrote: "I have it on a shelf somewhere so how about you give me a shout when your copy arrives and we'll figure a date then? "

Will do :)

[Tiffanny]

Nancy wrote: "Hi Tiffanny,
I have your picks ready. It was fun looking at your shelves. I just couldn't stop at one for some of your categories because I could think of several that fit. If you don't see anyth..."

Thanks!! There a few that I already own and just haven't read yet, The Book Thief & A Discovery of Witches, so I will probably try to read those this month =)

[~Leslie~]

Here is the link for the buddy read for How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. We are planning on starting around the 5th and anyone is welcome to join in.


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

[Gigi]

Nici! Sorry for the delay!

1. First Day: I didn't see any historical romance. This book is a lot different from the average HR. I think you'll enjoy it. I loved it:
2. Second Day: You've read the first one and seemed to really enjoy it. The series gets better so, here is my gentle nudge to read:
3. Third Day: long book from their TBR:



During the New Year

4. Goodbye, Rabbit!: a different country: or
5. Welcome, Dragon!: HOT cover:
6. Poor Cat: a book that you think should be pushed up:
7. Pass the Luck Around: previous PIFM:



Celebrate The New Year (Buddy Reads)

8. Spread The Love: Share the new books/series you are psyched to read or will re-read in the New Year that your pickee hasn't read yet. :
9. Lantern Festival: (Matchmakings happen today) Pick the books from your pickee's TBR that caught your eye: (love the Showtime show!)

Let me know which book you decide to read. Also, if you don't find something on here that you like, I'd be happy to pick again.

Happy reading!

[Ruth Ann]

Eimeriina~ wrote: "Kami wrote: "Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. I guess she still has a few days. Tuesday. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting....."

Me tooo!!!!! I hate this period!"

I am waiting also.......

[Gigi]

Vi wrote: "Sign-Ups are now closed. Randomizer all ready-to-go. Pairings will be up in 5 mins!"

Hi Vi! I could be losing it, but I can't find my PIFM list. So weird because I thought I saw it late last night before I literally fell asleep on my keyboard. Can you link me to it?

[Skandia]

Photojim wrote: "Skandia, so sorry for the wait. Let's see if we don't have something you like here. While our tastes may differ on books, I think I might find something for you. As usual, if you need something ..."

Photojim,

Thanks so much for the great picks!

There are deffinitely some new-to-me books and authors to discover.

I've been planning to read A Clash of Kings in January anyway and I'm really curious now about Dragon Bound . Already added this to my TBR.

Probably there will be some reading of Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, too.

[Pam]

Nairabell wrote: "Pam wrote: "Nairabell wrote: "Hi Pam! I hope you find something you like here but if not give me a shout and I'll sort some different picks.

Welcome to the New Year
First Day: [book:The Scorpio Ra..."

Midmonth works perfectly-I'll be flying to New Mexico that weekend and I tend to get reading done on a plane.

[Nici]

oh gigi, so many good choices! I have actually already read Lover Eternaland absoulty loved it. Love the whole series. Other than that, i want to read them all lol! Some of them I feel like I really ought to read, verses really looking forward to reading them. I have decided to be naughty and read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. I will get to the rest of them some time soon i believe though. Thank you!

[Vi]

Hi Gigi, your picks are supposed to be at post #198. But I can't find them. In fact, I can't find Leslie's post of your picks in this thread at all. Let me PM her and find out. This is weird.

Gigi wrote:

Hi Vi! I could be losing it, but I can't find my PIFM list. So weird because I thought I saw it late last night before I literally fell asleep on my keyboard. Can you link me to it? ."

[Gigi]

Vi wrote: "Hi Gigi, your picks are supposed to be at post #198. But I can't find them. In fact, I can't find Leslie's post of your picks in this thread at all. Let me PM her and find out. This is weird.

Gigi..."

Very weird! A PIFM first I think...the great disappearing post! LOL Thanks Vi!

[Gigi]

Nici wrote: "oh gigi, so many good choices! I have actually already read Lover Eternaland absoulty loved it. Love the whole series. Other than that, i want to read them all lol! Some of them I ..."

NICI!!! I'm really excited that you picked that one. Thats my fav from the list I gave you. I can't wait to hear what you think! Again, sorry for the wait (I try to get my picks out sooner than this)- this month has been beyond crazy. Thanks for your patience and you're quite welcome.

edited to add: I'm not sure where you left off with BDB, but the series is pretty great! You should definitely continue with it.

[Nici]

LOL not a problem! I have been very impatiently waiting, mainly because it is almost the new year and I am just so excited to be starting all of my new challenges...So my impatience is for the calender lol I am excited to find that my library has this book, i will get it after the new year. Thanks again!

[Gigi]

Nici wrote: "LOL not a problem! I have been very impatiently waiting, mainly because it is almost the new year and I am just so excited to be starting all of my new challenges...So my impatience is for the cal..."

LOL..I totally understand! Anytime!

[Nici]

I *think* that the brotherhood is one of the few. Series that I am current in: )

[Gigi]

Ah...ok! I still have to read Lover Unleashed.

[Nici]

It is an amazing series!

[Vi]

I know! I've asked Leslie if she can repost her picks. If not, I'll add you to the remix picks.

Gigi wrote: "Very weird! A PIFM first I think...the great disappearing post! LOL Thanks Vi!

[Gigi]

Vi wrote: "I know! I've asked Leslie if she can repost her picks. If not, I'll add you to the remix picks.

Gigi wrote: "Very weird! A PIFM first I think...the great disappearing post! LOL Thanks Vi! "

LOL! Great, no problem, either way I'll get my picks eventually. LOL Thanks Vi for following up!

[Mounika]

Amy J. wrote: " Mounika
It was a pleasure and a challenge to pick for you. We have only a few books in common, so going through your shelves was an interesting experience. I hope I've found some books you will be..."

Thanks for the picks Amy... They are different from what I read but I liked the books. :D

[Tuğçe]

Amy J. wrote: "~Megan~ wrote: "Picks for Amy J! Hope I found something you might like!

Welcome the New Year
1. First Day:
Lord of the Fading Lands by CL Wilson
Warprize by Elizabeth ..."

Hi Amy, Hi Megan :) can i join please, please :) i have been wanting to read this for so long.

[Lauren]

I'd love to do a buddy read Eimeriina!
I've wanted to read this for a while so I was planning to start tomorrow. Is that OK with you?

[Tuğçe]

Lauren wrote: "I'd love to do a buddy read Eimeriina!
I've wanted to read this for a while so I was planning to start tomorrow. Is that OK with you?"

yes sure tomorrow is fine but we have a small NYE party here tonight so not sure how much i can read tomorrow but i will catch up on monday anyway ;) happy new year all!

[KarenF]

Jojo wrote: "Hi KarenF.
Sorry for the slightr delay getting these to you but finally here are your January books picked. I hope you find something to enjoy – have fun!

Welcome the New Year

1. First D..."

Thanks for the great picks Jojo! I added a bunch to my TBR. You're right, I have been in an historical romance mood lately so I'm going to continue that and read
Last Night's Scandal (this is really a wonderful series). And if I have time I'm going to try to get to Texas Destiny. But I kind of overextended myself challenge wise in January so realistically I'll probably only read one this month but I will check the others out later.

Thanks again and Happy New Year!

[KarenF]

Miss wrote: "KarenF wrote: "Hi Miss,

I had fun looking through your shelves. I hope you find something here you like. If not, let me know and I'll try again.

1. First Day: I noticed that you read a lot of d..."

I'd love to read Fate's Edge, I love a charming con man so I'm looking forward to Kaldar's story. The first week in January is a little tight for me (I've got a couple of library books that I have to get back) but can start any time after that. Let me know if that's OK.

Happy New Year!

[Carla]

Nancy wrote: "Carla wrote: "Nancy: Here are your picks. Let me know if they don’t work for you. Happy New Year! You've got a great to-read list.

1. First Day: You read a lot of different kinds of books, s..."

I just put a (library) hold on The Year of Living Scandalously; it looks like the book is available, but they're closed this weekend and I'm not sure when it will come in, but likely mid next week. I've never done a buddy read, and I think I read about 1/2 of what you do, but would be game to give it a try.

[Miss]

KarenF wrote: "Miss wrote: "KarenF wrote: "Hi Miss,

I had fun looking through your shelves. I hope you find something here you like. If not, let me know and I'll try again.

1. First Day: I noticed that you re..."

Hi Karen, I'm so happy we can read Fate's Edge together, I love that series!
I don't have a tight schedule reading-wise and I already have the book, so just PM me when you want to start reading.

[Amy J.]

Eimeriina~ wrote: "Amy J. wrote: "~Megan~ wrote: "Picks for Amy J! Hope I found something you might like!

Welcome the New Year
1. First Day:
Lord of the Fading Lands by CL Wilson
[book:Warprize|..."


Sure you're welcome to join us in reading Feed.

[~Leslie~]

Hi Gigi, I was able to recreate what I picked for you after looking through your shelves again. Luckily I have a pretty good "picture" memory since I discovered that I had NOT saved your picks. Note to self: save what you pick! Unfortunately, I could not replicate my pithy comments. Oh well.
Anyway, here they are. As always, if you don't find anything, I will be happy to keep looking. Happy New Year!

Welcome the New Year
1. First Day:On the EdgeandSoulless
2. Second Day: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage and Pride Mates
3. Third Day: Outlander and Here be Dragons

During the New Year
4. Goodbye, Rabbit: Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Winter Sea
5.Welcome, Dragon: Maverick and Extreme Exposure
6. Poor Cat: Jane Eyre and Glory in Death
7. Pass the luck around: A Hunger Like No Other and Anyone But You

Celebrate The New Year
8. Spread the Love:The Darkest Hour and Through a Dark Mist
9. Lantern Festival: The Iron Duke and Son of the Morning

[~Leslie~]

Gigi wrote: "Vi wrote: "Sign-Ups are now closed. Randomizer all ready-to-go. Pairings will be up in 5 mins!"

Hi Vi! I could be losing it, but I can't find my PIFM list. So weird because I thought I saw it la..."

It's up!!

[Tuğçe]

Amy J. wrote: "Eimeriina~ wrote: "Amy J. wrote: "~Megan~ wrote: "Picks for Amy J! Hope I found something you might like!

Welcome the New Year
1. First Day:
Lord of the Fading Lands by CL Wilson
[..."

when will you start? happy new year!!!

[~Leslie~]

KarenF wrote: "Miss wrote: "KarenF wrote: "Hi Miss,

I had fun looking through your shelves. I hope you find something here you like. If not, let me know and I'll try again.

1. First Day: I noticed that you re..."

I have to read this for another challenge and absolutely love this series. Could I join any buddy read?

[Amy J.]

We haven't set a start date yet.

Hope you have a great new years too!

[Nancy H]

That's great, Carla. Just let me know when you are ready to start it. I already own it, so we can do it whenever you get it from the library. I will also be going to the library next week to order some of the other picks that I don't own - they all look so good that I want to read them all!

[KarenF]

Miss wrote: "Hi Karen, I'm so happy we can read Fate's Edge together, I love that series!
I don't have a tight schedule reading-wise and I already have the book, so just PM me when you want to start reading. "

Leslie wrote: "
I have to read this for another challenge and absolutely love this series. Could I join any buddy read?"

Sure, Leslie, the more the merrier. :)

Miss & Leslie (and of course anyone else who wants to join) - How about we just plan on starting the 7th? Does that work for everyone? I have to have my other books back by then but I want to get to this one early. I'm really looking forward to it!

[Gigi]

Leslie wrote: "Hi Gigi, I was able to recreate what I picked for you after looking through your shelves again. Luckily I have a pretty good "picture" memory since I discovered that I had NOT saved your picks. N..."

Happy New Year! Thanks for the picks! I'm going to go with something I already own so, I'm going to read Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage. Although, don't be surprised if I pick something else from your list instead- great picks!