Bex's 2012 Bookish Challenge (Attempt #3)

[Bex]

And so it begins... Its time to come up with a plan of attack.

2 years I have attempted the goal of 50 and 2 years I have failed. This year I am determined for success. I had an impressive streak for the first half of 2011 and then as life got busier I read less. I fell out of the habit of filling every empty moment with a book and I had a hard time picking it back up after I got used to the new pace.

This year, I'm done making excuses for not making my reading goals. I have set the 2012 Challenge to 60 books and that is where I shall begin. Last year I shortened my goal twice. I refuse to reduce the 2012 goal, if anything I hope to extend it. Again, I plan to continue with recording all of the dates each book is read during, as well as listing the page counts. As I build my plan of attack I may add an estimated goal for number of pages read.

Good luck to all embarking on this challenge. May you turn many pages and discover many worlds.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." ~ Jojen Reed
- George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

[Tiffany, Administrator]

Good luck Bex!!

[Jane(Janelba)]

Good luck Bex you can do it in 2012 !

[Bex]

So much for starting off on the right foot. But its still early yet and I've got plenty of time to catch up. In general the month I spent reading this book has been a stressful one. I'd hoped to finish it in under a week, but between a friend visiting and everything else going on it just didn't happen. I still have high hopes, perhaps I'll just need more average sized books rather than some of the thousand page epics I was reading last year. Thanks to Tiffany and Jane for cheering me on.

#2 Heroes of Olympus

1. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. 513 pages. Dates read: 1/9-2/7.

Sometimes I forget how much I love Riordan's work. His characters are brilliant and I adore how he weaves the ancient themes into modern day. He did an exceptional job with this book. I loved the Amazon's running Amazon.com to run and fund their empire. The Karpoi were hilarious! But as far as sub characters go, I think Ella stole the show for me. The Lost Hero had me missing Percy, although I enjoyed the new characters immensely. It was a joy to have him back in this one, but this time I missed Jason. Now I can't wait to see all of the new and old characters combined. Always leaving me waiting for more, Riordan. I can feel it now, The Mark of Athena is going to be a very long wait.

Books: 1/60. Pages: 513.

[VWrulesChick]

Wishing you much success for 2012!

[Tiffany, Administrator]

Bex wrote: "So much for starting off on the right foot. But its still early yet and I've got plenty of time to catch up."

Exactly! It's only halfway through the second month of the year -- you have PLENTY of time to meet your goal :)

[Bex]

I've apparently missed some notifications. Thanks VW and Tiffany for the support.

Again I'm farther behind than I'd like, but its still a long road ahead. There are several books coming up that I'm really excited about so I think I can knock out a decent stack in some relatively short time. I suddenly have a taste for shorter reads, so I'll have to delve into my lists and see what I can dredge up. For now though I've got an entry that I've been procrastinating on.

2. War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. 165 pages. Dates read 2/27-3/9.

I had downloaded the film version of this and just as soon as I pressed play I decided to read the book first. I'll sit down and watch the film soon, but I have to say this book is about as perfect and simple as it gets. I wasn't expecting a favorite out of this one. First horse perspective typically puts me off in a big way. I find that its overly personified and quick to play the abuse card. However, I found Joey's observational perspective to be a breath of fresh air. It was so pure and child like. If ever a tale of war could be beautiful and innocent, this was it. It wasn't about who was right or wrong in the war. It was clear that good and bad individuals could be found on either side. The characters weren't super developed but they also didn't need to be. I adored the simplicity. Initially I feared its tear jerking potential, but this time I was surprised. Heartwarming, without being over the top. You want more to this story but at the same time you know that it is exactly what it needs to be.

Books: 2/60. Pages: 678.

[Bex]

I'm behind on my entries, more behind on my goal. But I've made progress this week. I went from hardly reading to finishing 3 in a week. I don't think I have ever made a multiple book post but I think this will be the quickest way to catch up.

#2 The Kane Chronicles

3. The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan. 452 pages. Dates read: 2/11-5/13.

I took my sweet time with this one. It wasn't that I disliked it, I rather liked it a lot. I suppose I was just distracted and out of the habit of reaching for a book as often as possible. It was fun though, I really enjoyed the new characters. I truly hope that Bes returns in the future of the series. I'm behind enough that book 3 is already out and I hope to be picking it up soon. First though I have a few others to attend to.

Books: 3/60. Pages: 1,130.

#2.5 Caster Chronicles, A Short Story

4. Dream Dark by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. 75 pages. Dates read: 5/13.

This was just a short story, but it was released separately so I'm counting it. This was a fun read. I enjoyed seeing more of Link, but even better I adore Linkubus! It was a great tease for book 3. The series is literally set right in my back yard, so it is incredibly real for me and close to my heart. Kami and Margaret have done such an incredible job of bringing small town southern life to their readers.

Books: 4/60. Pages:1,205.

#3 Caster Chronicles

5. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. 518 pages. Dates read: 5/15-18.

I'm amused by the reactive reviews I've seen about the cliff hanger, but all I can think was that I knew it was coming the entire book. I knew it wouldn't be pretty and that things would still be chaotic in the end. There's a funny thing about these books... Every time I learn something cool about the area, traditions or history of Charleston/Summerville it turns up as a main feature or southern trivia in one of the books. I also loved when my favorite book shop Downtown was mentioned in the book. I just love how real the characters feel. The women described as "Gatlin Peaches" remind me of a fair number of people I know and The Sisters, could literally be my grandmother x3. This was the first book to suck me in and keep me there that I've picked up in a while. Gorgeous book, in every way. Can't wait for book 4 in October.

Books: 5/60. Pages: 1,723.

[Bex]

#3 Graceling Realm

6. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore. 563 pages. Dates read: 5/20-24.

I've waited a long time for this book. The only thing that could have possibly made it better would have been if I had recently re-read the previous two books. While I loved Graceling dearly, I don't particularly recall being in love with the idea of the (at the time) child queen at the end. So considering that I really appreciated the 8 year jump between the books. Bitterblue as an awakening adult, was fascinating to see evolve and realize her desires and potential. I love the level of complexity that developed in this third book. The return of Katsa and Po was brilliantly handled, and even of Fire. I'd hoped for mention of her maybe, but to see her again was really special and well handled. I didn't expect the disturbing details of Leck's personal journals but I enjoyed the insight into the mystery of the character. The darkness definitely lends itself the older side of YA. Uncovering the mysteries was an incredible journey. Its refreshing to know that when you put down a book that you almost can't wait to re-read it. Knowing that when you do, and the other books are fresh in your mind that it will be all the more impressive.

Books: 6/60. Pages: 2,286.

[Bex]

#2 The Infernal Devices

7. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. 528 pages. Dates read: 5/26 - 6/7.

I do greatly enjoy the world Clare has created, but I think this book in particular felt longer than necessary. It never quite hooked me like her previous books have. It's not that I didn't enjoy it, because I did, but I could swear she enjoys being a bitch to her characters (and fans). Perhaps I'm just getting a little old for the YA love triangle idea, but this one just seems particularly cruel. I believe this book brought me to the conclusion that I'm continuing on with this series for the sake of Will Herondale. I love all the characters but his misery just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I need to see a good end for him. I love Jem, and Tessa... but... ehh, together... in that way... maybe not so much. Poor Will. I hate the team phenonominon that has occurred in the YA world over the last few years. In my hey day of fan fiction it was 'ships' not 'teams'. Choosing sides is really not how I like to go about things when I read, but it does seem that Clare seems to force making a decision... And then, she also makes you loathe having a preference for how she manages to screw the character over. It was a good read, but extremely triangle centric (a bit much so). There was some plot advancement, but not much the Magister is still running rampant. The two week time period also seemed to drag on. Good, but not quite what I wanted right now.

Books: 7/60. Pages: 2,814.

[Bex]

#5 A Series of Unfortunate Events

8. The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket. 221 pages. Dates read: 6/8-9.

I love these books. They're just fun, and I love how so much care is taken to explain different words or phrases. I forget which point I'd left off in the series a few years ago, but I do recall this one. This one was a little annoying with how repetitive it gets, but thats all due to a highly annoying character. I do wish that the whole "cakesniffers" thing was slightly better explained, but its still an amusing insult to toss about. I definitely needed a funny light read this week, and this hit the spot.

Books: 8/60. Pages: 3,035.

[Bex]

9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. 387 pages. Dates read: 6/8-9.

Initially I found this book to be beautifully written, but somehow lack luster, even hard to wrap my head around. At first it was as though the individual threads weren't connecting together very well. Following different periods of time was also confusing. But I held on, I wanted to know more. I wanted to see what drew me in. It was beautiful. Not nearly as fast paced as the book description describes but just as beautiful. The circus and characters are utterly enchanting. This is another book that I just know that I will someday read again and know that it will be even better the second time around. Truly a circus of dreams.

Books: 9/60. Pages: 3,422.

[Ray]

I agree - beautiful book with nuance that will make it just as interesting the second time. I gave the audio to a friend and she listened three times in a row!

[Bex]

I can see why, the audio was stunning!

[Bex]

So uhh, yeah.. I join the masses in love with this book... I began with severe doubt (can't forget the eye rolling) and end with an unexpected appreciation.

#1 Fifty Shades

10. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. 514 pages. Dates read: 7/2-7.

At the beginning of this book craze, I completely wrote it off as another stupid romance. Sure, I'll read them occasionally, but I don't make a habit of it. However, I come from a background of fan fiction... so its not like I haven't read this stuff before (probably, worse even). Initially I figured this book was a waste of time, a daring BDSM romance targeted to the average frustrated vanilla housewife. What changed my mind was getting re-acquainted with someone, whom after much discussion, convinced me that I needed to give this book a chance.

I quickly found that this book was addictive, it was like being back in my fanfic reading heyday. Getting into this book was like rediscovering a favorite old "crack fic", one so addictive that you think about it constantly and can't put down until you're finished. I wish I could have read this book in one sitting, but alas 'twas not so. Strangely, it wasn't even about the erotica side of it (though it was well done, I must say), I found the mix of personalities to be intoxicating. The pursuit was just delicious and oddly realistic (all things considered). I could even argue that much of the criticism the book has received is purely based on fear of seeing that there could be anything deeper wound up in all the chaos within. Mr. Grey is intriguing indeed, and somewhat familiar for me. Perhaps the familiarity is what I found so gripping.

I hate leap frogging books, but Goliath sadly fell behind once I picked this up. My goal is to finish it before I pick up the next Fifty Shades, but we shall see. Interestingly this series has some very pensive gears turning in my head and I will definitely have to start writing these thought processes down. I'll spare you the ramblings, once I pull some cohesive thoughts together I think I may actually have to write a real review for this one.

Books: 10/60. Pages: 3,936.

[Bex]

I've fallen terribly behind with both reading and entries lately and we'll see how catching up goes. Thus far I'm not very confidant about my goals, I'd hate to but I may have to lower the bar. At least then I'll feel half decent for achieving some sort of goal. But we'll see, I have a stack of short reads and have a chance to make an impact. For now I have 3 entries to make up for I believe.

#2 Fifty Shades

11. Fifty Shades Darker byE.L. James. 537 pages. Dates read: 7/10-19.

This book was a welcome extension to the ride and thrills of the first. However, as stated before I was more interested in the characters and relationship than the naughty overtones that reeled in the masses. I even found myself growing bored with the gratuitous smut. It was good, don't get me wrong, there was a time where I'd have read things just for that. But there was so much more... So many issues, so many mysteries, plots... I began to wish myself ahead where I could find more information. The meaning of 'fifty shades' really hits home for me and seeing the growth and transformation of the character is fascinating (Oh how I love the way fiction can both control and set free a plethora of possibilities).

Books: 11/60. Pages: 4,473.

12. Full Dark, No Stars: 1922 (1st Novella) by Stephen King. 136 of 368 pages. Dates read: 8/17-19.

This was in no way a book I would have picked for myself. I've had limited exposure to King, none of which through his books and majorily I would love to keep it this way. I can't say that I'm impressed. I gave this story 2 stars, in part because at some point I truly wanted to stick it out to the end but I was looking for a redeeming quality and really I just didn't get it. The characters were well fleshed and true individuals, in another situation I may have really liked Wilf... but honestly, he was an ass... he ruined his own life and his son's. I'm glad the fucker went crazy in the end... But really did the story have to drag on so damn long.

This was picked for me, it just happened to be a book that my boss had picked for traveling and this book was the one that he started for our road trip. The narrator was fantastic, but I think he played a part in making the story feel so long. Somehow this single story consumed a 10+ hour road trip, more like 12 but I suspect there was speeding. I know the book was paused many times, I know it wasn't on all the time, but it seriously was through most of it, and we were all wondering how the one story could be sooo long. It wasn't even creepy, but it was morbid, miserable and perverse. I wanted something good to happen somewhere, but it just kept snowballing further... on and on to a full on clusterfuck... ahh, to erase it from my brain...

Books 12/60. Pages: 4,609.

#3 Fifty Shades

13. Fifty Shades Freed byE.L. James. 551 pages. Dates read: 7/19 -8/23.

Now to the book I wanted to finish on that bloody road trip. I really enjoyed the ending to this trilogy. I could have done without the pregnancy and the children in the end, but it was sweet. And the handling of the characters through the ordeal was exceptional, I love the way their personalities work together. I will miss Ana & Christian, I will be reading the books again. I did tire of the distraction of sex from the plot at times, but it was a nice addition as well. Fifty Shades will be hard character to forget. This was an interesting and unusual read for me. Never something I'd just pick up in a book store. But sometimes you have to step out of your box. This was a weirdly comforting and enlightening read. I think I'll be ordering that boxed set for my shelves soon.

Books: 13/60. Pages: 5,160.

[Bex]

This has been a very productive week. As much as I wanted to return to Goliath, I decided that I needed some instant gratification. So here we have another group posting.

#1-5 The Spiderwick Chronicles

14. The Field Guide by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi. 128 pages. Date read: 8/24.

15. The Seeing Stone by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi. 128 pages. Date read: 8/24.

16. Lucinda's Secret by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi. 128 pages. Date read: 8/25.

17. The Ironwood Tree by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi. 128 pages. Date read: 8/25.

18. The Wrath of Mulgarath by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi. 137 pages. Date read: 8/27.

I'm choosing to do a group write up on these because to me they read as a single book split into multiple parts. A small detail that makes it feel even more like a book, is that the authors waste no time catching the reader back up with each consecutive book in the series. I understand the purpose, when books are released so far apart sometimes, but it can get tedious in other series. I love this simple cautionary fairy tale, I'd loved it when I was younger but never could remember finishing the last two books and I thought it was time to know the whole story. Its just simple and beautiful. Its nice to read something thats not bogged down with feelings, ethics or over processed logic. Sometimes its nice to see some good old clear cut good vs evil and that in the end good things happen to good people. This is an incredibly fun, light hearted introduction to the fey. I've never spent too much time in the genre, but I do like small doses and seeing it added into other stories.

It was funny how productive I suddenly felt when I picked these up as audiobooks. Each one was about an hour and a half or so long. So they went by really quickly. Mark Hamil made for a fantastic narrator. The page counts might be small, but it feels good to see my book stats jump so far with so little effort. Nearly a third of the way, maybe I can pull this off after all.

Books: 18/60. Pages: 5,809.