January 2009 Reading Challenge

[Murrrmaiyd]

lol... another thing I didn't notice, the car change. But you're right, in that case as long as it's an old beater, that's still in the spirit of it. I did love the guy they picked to play Dresden, he really felt right, even if he wouldn't fit into a bug. :) I can't read the books now without picturing him as Dresden.

I don't get HBO, so I've never seen True Blood. I have that series in ebook, but haven't had a chance to read it yet beyond the first couple of chapters when I first got it. I liked what I've read so farl, though. I think someone said something about them being in negotiations with LKH to do Anita, but I don't know for sure what network was doing that or if it fell through or is still moving forward.

That would be cool if they'd syndicate it out elsewhere, I'd get a chance to see it... I don't know if HBO does that or not, though.

[Jacalyn]

I think he's perfect for Dresden. Too bad that show got Hammered. Stupid stupid stupid Bonnie Hammer. :/ I really have a serious case of the "not likes" for that woman. She's got to be the worst executive ever.

I figure that even if HBO does let Tru Blood out, it's gonna be a couple of years. :/ I just hope they rip all the sleaze out. It was awful. The books are NOT that sleazy. Blah. Oh well. Let's face it, sex sells. I'm just surprised they didn't throw it over onto Skinamax. LOL

[Jacalyn]

Oh and I don't have HBO either. I managed to see the first one on youtube or something. I don't pay for any of the movie channels. About a year and a half ago I also scaled my lineup down to the cheapest so... I got kind of used to the cheaper plan and like it. I do miss MSNBC and BBC America though. And my kids keep telling me they want Animal Planet back. LOL I was a journalist in a former life and so I miss MSNBC. CNN just doesn't cut it for me. Not alone at least. LOL

[Sarah]

Moving along...

1. Vampires-From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris;
2. Werewolves-Blood & Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause;
3. Shape-shifters-Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter;
4. Demons-Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts;
5. Witches/wizards-Raintree: Inferno by Linda Howard;
6. Fae-Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue;
7. Aliens-Darkness Unknown by Alexis Morgan;
8. Psychics-Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz;
9. Dragons-Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley

[Ann aka Iftcan]

1. Vampires- Smoke and Ashes
2. Werewolves - Wolfsbane and Mistletoe Edited by CHarlaine Harris--collection of Christmas themed stories by various writers. ALL have a werewolf in the story, some have a romance, some don't. But I figured that the stories that had romance counted, right? :o)

3. Shifters ---Fish out of Water

4. Demons -.
5. Witches/wizards - the Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe
6. Fae -
7. Aliens -
8. Psychics/time travelers - Star Quality
9. Dragons or mythical creatures - Up in Smoke

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Actually, on the Dresden car front--I don't remember if I read it on the website for the program--or it was in the "bonus" stuff on my dvd of the show--but they said that the reason they HAD to change from a Bug to the Jeep they used was more logistics with FILMING than with the actor being unable to fit into the car. The director said they'd have had to have a half dozen bugs, all but the drivable one being different "Sections" so that they could fit cameras in for the filming. With the Jeep they only had to have the one vehicle--so cost wise it was much more effective to use the Jeep. (Plus if your 6'4" or whatever star is grumbling about folding himself into a pretzel, I'm sure that would get old really fast too)

[Jacalyn]

OK, so I'm reading The Accidental Werewolf, so I'm going to get werewolfs done. Now I just gotta figure out shifter and fae. Figure out what I have on my bookcase for those. I'm a quarter of the way done with this one. I'm enjoying it. Has anyone read this? I love the whole colour wheel thing, but I have a lot of Mary kay friends so... probably why I like it. It's funny to me.

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

i read about 1/4 of it before i put it down.T he whole Mary Kay obsession turned me off

[Jacalyn]

I know MK obsessed people so it is amusing me still. :) Plus I'm curious as to the werewolf culture in this book. I am kind of tired of her trip down De Nile. Geeze. Move along, already! Hoping for a full moon soon. :)

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic]

Are the fae like faeries so I know which books to look for?

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic]

basic html

anything else just change the first letter to match the command b for bold i for italic etc. Make sure the command is touching the word before and after, no spaces.

[Yz the Whyz]

Kenjii,

Yes, fae will belong under fairies.

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Hooray! Finally finished A Fistful of Charms. 3 down, 6 to go! lol. 9 books in a month is harder than I thought it would be...

I just left a rather lengthy review if anyone's curious.

[new_user]

I'm going to recommend Storm Born for anyone still looking for a fae book. It's the only book yet where I've actually liked the portrayal of the fae. They're not overwhelmingly frightening to the point of grimness like in a lot of books, but they're also not cartoonish (I'm looking at you, Faefever!). They're powerful but also seductive and appealing in a lot of ways. Anyone who liked Richelle Mead's other books would probably like this one. This one has more action, but it's still largely about the characters and relationships. :)

[♥Tricia♥]

new_user wrote: "I'm going to recommend Storm Born for anyone still looking for a fae bo..."

Is this one part of a series? Stand alone?

It sounds interesting so I was wanting to get it but need to know if its a stand alone hehe

[new_user]

It's the first book in a new series, Tricia. :) The second book is slated to release in the summer.

[♥Tricia♥]

Ooh cool, yay more for my TBR pile! lol

[Murrrmaiyd]

Lady Ozma wrote: "Oh and I don't have HBO either. I managed to see the first one on youtube or something. I don't pay for any of the movie channels. About a year and a half ago I also scaled my lineup down to the ..."

OMG, no Animal Planet?? That's just WRONG! lol! :) I'm actually at nearly the cheapest level too, I did splurge on a DVR for one room, and that gives me my BBC America in that room only, but I still have no pay channels. Animal Planet is on our basic lineup though. :)

[Yz the Whyz]

Time for an update, group.

As of today, running total so far are the following:

DarkHeart - 5 books done
Jael - 5 books done
Jennifer - 7 books done
Jodz -
Lady Ozma - 6 books done
London Girl - 3 books done
Lori - 3 books done
New_user - 1 book done
Nichole - 3 books done
Sarah - 4 books done
Tricia -4 book done
Yz - 8 books done

The following have joined us since our last update:

Ann - 6 books done
Dawn -
Karen - 1 book done
Murrymaiyd - posted 8 books; completed 2 categories.

Everybody seems on track....and we still have half of the month to go.

Next updat will be January 20. To help me out, either put a date on the books you've completed or strike them out.

I hope everybody is having fun...

[Dawn]

I am so late I had no idea that Jim Butchers Dresden Files had a tv show so of course I had to order it :>

(I'm looking at you, Faefever!)HAHA Rhino-boy ...that book ....

[Ann aka Iftcan]

1. Vampires- Smoke and Ashes
2. Werewolves - Wolfsbane and Mistletoe Edited by CHarlaine Harris

3. Shifters ---Fish out of Water

4. Demons -.
5. Witches/wizards - the Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe
6. Fae -
7. Aliens - Firehand by Andre Norton and P.M. Griffin (This can also count as time travel, since the main characters are punted back in time to an alien planet by our government in an effort to save the civilization there from other aliens
8. Psychics/time travelers - Star Quality
9. Dragons or mythical creatures - Up in Smoke

[Jacalyn]

I just closed the cover of my 10th book for this month/year. Woot. So before i head off to my scifi relaxacon today, here's my updated list:

1. vampires - Backup by Jim Butcher
2. werewolves - The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota ?? (rats, forgot her last name!)
3. shifters
4. demons - A Wizard Alone by Diane Duane
5. witches/wizards - Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher and/or A Wizard Alone by Diane Duane and/or The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Annette Blair
6. fae
7. aliens - A Wizard Alone by Diane Duane
8. psychics/time travelers - The Scot, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by Anette Blair
9. dragons or mythical creatures: Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

[rebecca j]

Just found this challenge, but I've been keeping a list of what I've read in 2009, so here is what I've finished:

Categories are:
1. vampires - Fangs 4 Freaks
2. werewolves - Wolf Moon
3. shifters
4. demons - Dating 4 Demons
5. witches/wizards
6. fae - Wicked Lovely
7. aliens
8. psychics/time travelers - Murder Game
9. dragons or mythical creatures - Heart of the Dragon

[Yz the Whyz]

Welcome aboard Rebecca. It's never too late to join. Just post the titles of books you read or plan to read for each category. You can put a date or strike out the ones you're done.

Next update will be on the 20th. If you like challenges like this, you can check out my other group called Romance Readers Reading Challenges.

Have fun reading!

[Dawn]

Nichole, I am so sorry that you did not get into Fistful of Charms. I know it was hard for me to get into Dead Witch Walking but by the time I finished The Good, the Bad, and the Undead I was totally hooked. I will admit that I think the series has gotten better over time and I am a huge fan and she does draw some issues out that continue to be revealed in each book.

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Dawn,
I haven't given up on the series. I have the next two sitting by my bed at home, and I do plan to read them as soon as I get caught up with my other books for this challenge. :)
I really love the character of Kisten (I do know what's going to happen, though), and I'm intrigued by Rachel and Ivy's relationship, even if I'm confused and frustrated by it and feel that Harrison could have written it a lot better.
I'll finish the series, I just will never love them the way a lot of people seem to. *sigh.* I really wish I could.

[Dawn]

Nichole. YEAH I am glad that you will keep reading perhaps the next book will be more to your liking:>
I loved Kisten and I am still sad but my secret hope is Rachel and Trent could have an HEA.
I will not kid you the thing with Ivy makes me frustrated I am like do it or leave it.

[Lori]

Here's my updated lists:

1. vampires - Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
2. werewolves - Wolf Tales by Kate Douglass
3. shifters - Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
4. demons - One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5. witches/wizards - Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
6. fae - Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton
7. aliens - Victorious Star by Morgan Hawke
8. psychics/time travelers - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
9. dragons or mythical creatures - Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny

[new_user]

I've finished one book, at least. LOL. My vampire category. :)

[Yz the Whyz]

LOL...no problem....these challenges are meant for fun...we read at our own pace and at our own availability...

OOPS!..Now I realize why you made that comment, somehow I skipped your name in my update. I apologize.

[new_user]

No prob. :) Yeah, I keep getting sidetracked by other genres, LOL, but it shouldn't be hard to finish the others. I read pretty quickly. :)

[Yz the Whyz]

Sorry again for the oversight. Yep, we still have half a month to go.

Have fun reading!

[Mona]

1. vampires
Lover eternal by J.R. Ward

2. werewolves
Changeling by Yasmine Galenorm - actually werecat

3. shifters

4. demons
Demon's Kiss by Eve Silver

5. witches/wizards
Hollow by Nora ROberts

6. fae
Also Changeling but I am also reading Darkling

7. aliens
The Host by Stephenie Meyers - read for second time

8. psychics/time travelers

9. dragons or mythical creatures
Witchling by Yasemine Galenorn

is Heart of Stone considered a shifter?

[Yz the Whyz]

Welcome Mona. I haven't read Heart of Stone, but I'm sure somebody will come along who have and will help us..

[Melissa]

The gargoyle in Heart of Stone can shift between looking human and his "natural" gargoyle shape so I'd say yes he's a shifter.

[Sarah]

1. Vampires-From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris;
2. Werewolves-Blood & Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause;
3. Shape-shifters-Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter;
4. Demons-Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts;
5. Witches/wizards-Raintree: Inferno by Linda Howard;
6. Fae-Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue;
7. Aliens-Darkness Unknown by Alexis Morgan;
8. Psychics-Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz;
9. Dragons-Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley

[Ann aka Iftcan]

sigh, ok, I've been side-tracked. And I can't figure out anything in my tbr (to be read) pile that could be either demon OR fae. How about multiples of a category? Does that count?

But, after counting the books by category I have:
7 historicals, 25 fantasy (no romance in them, tho) 15 sci fi, 25 mystery and 4 quilting books (ok, ok, I'm a quilting geek, sue me.)

And some of the books I'm back and forth on WHAT category they are in. For instance the Dresden books--are they urban fantasy, mystery or horror?

And there are several others that I'm wondering about too. (The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion, that's mystery, ghost story and some romance--hey just because your a ghost is no reason for you to give up on love, right?)

[Sarah]

1. Vampires-From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris;
2. Werewolves-Blood & Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause;
3. Shape-shifters-Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter;
4. Demons-Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts;
5. Witches/wizards-Raintree: Inferno by Linda Howard;
6. Fae-Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue;
7. Aliens-Darkness Unknown by Alexis Morgan;
8. Psychics-Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz;
9. Dragons-Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley

[new_user]

I would help you, Ann, but your choices aren't on your to-read shelf, LOL. I'm pretty sure the Dresden books are technically UF, but they would work here.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I tried putting books on my tbr pile. then forgot all about them, and had to remove them all. So now I don't bother with that.

Anyone in this group read the Charlie Moon books (written by James D. Doss) I'm trying to figure the order out for them, and am not having a lot of luck.

I only h ave 6 of them too. (pouting) and no one is entering any to trade.

[new_user]

You can find the order here, Ann.

[Murrrmaiyd]

Ok, adding one to my list for the dragons category, making my total so far:

1. vampires
Dark Curse - Christine Feehan - finished 1/4
Twilight - Stephanie Meyer - finsihed 1/10 (early AM)
New Moon - Stephanie Meyer - finished 1/10 (late PM)
Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer - finished 1/11
Breaking Dawn - Stephanie Meyer - finished 1/12
Dead After Dark - Story of Son by JR Ward - 1/2

2. werewolves

3. shifters

4. demons

5. witches/wizards

6. fae
A Kiss of Shadows - LKH - finished 1/5
A Caress of Twilight - LKH - finished 1/7

7. aliens

8. psychics/time travelers

9. dragons or mythical creatures
To Challenge a Dragon aka Dragon Actually - Shelly Laurenston - finished 1/17
The Distressing Damsel aka About a Dragon - Shelly Laurenston - finished 1/18
(these appear to have different titles in different formats, so I included both titles)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

January Challenge List
1. Vampires- Smoke and Ashes
2. Werewolves - Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInernet
3. Shifters ---Fish out of Water

4. Demons -.
5. Witches/wizards - the Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe
6. Fae -
7. Aliens – Firehand
8. Psychics/time travelers - Star Quality
9. Dragons or mythical creatures - Up in Smoke

[Lori]

Six down...Three to go.

1. vampires - Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
2. werewolves - Wolf Tales by Kate Douglass
3. shifters - Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
4. demons - One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5. witches/wizards - Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
6. fae - Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton
7. aliens - Victorious Star by Morgan Hawke
8. psychics/time travelers - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
9. dragons or mythical creatures - Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny

[Jacalyn]

Ann wrote: "sigh, ok, I've been side-tracked. And I can't figure out anything in my tbr (to be read) pile that could be either demon OR fae. How about multiples of a category? Does that count?

But, aft..."

Mom, this isn't the brick and mortar... you can cross shelve to your heart's content. Look at Amazon listings sometime. Genre: Romance, historical, horror, fiction, fantasy, military, erotica WTH kind of book is this? HAHAHAHAHA

Most books cross genres anyway. :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

1. Vampires- Smoke and Ashes
2. Werewolves - Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
Howling at the Moon
3. Shifters ---Fish out of Water

4. Demons -
5. Witches/wizards - the Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe
6. Fae - Small Favor by Jim Butcher
7. Aliens – Firehand
8. Psychics/time travelers - Star Quality
9. Dragons or mythical creatures - Up in Smoke

[Jacalyn]

Look at you! You're almost done! Oh and guess what? I got a free book this weekend at the convention. You wanna take it? It's definitely going to be a while before I get to it! :)

[rebecca j]

Here's my updated list:

Categories are:
1. vampires - Fangs 4 Freaks Jan 2, Dark Lover - Jan. 16, Lover Revealed - Jan. 13
2. werewolves - Wolf Moon Jan. 3
3. shifters - Fish Out of Water - Jan. 6
4. demons - Dating 4 Demons Jan 7
5. witches/wizards - Night Huntress - Jan 19
6. fae - Wicked Lovely Jan 11, Fellowship of the Ring - Jan. 12
7. aliens
8. psychics/time travelers - Murder Game - Jan. 8
9. dragons or mythical creatures - Heart of the Dragon - Jan 15

[Jacalyn]

Hey, good job! You are almost done, Rebecca!!

[Dawn]

Ok I am moving along (I love long weekends without responsibilities :>) and some of my books came in the mail so I have changed a few :>

1. vampires - The Palace Chelsea Yarbro
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
2. werewolves - Broken by Kelley Armstrong .Kitty and the Dead Mans Hand by Carrie Vaughn
3. shifters - Into Flame by Christina Dodd

4. demons - Dark desire after dusk - kresley cole
5. witches/wizards - The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison
6. fae - faefever by karen marie moning
7. aliens - The Host by Stephanie Meyers
8. psychics/time travelers - Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
9. dragons or mythical creatures - Heart of the dragon by Gena Showalter