January 2009 Reading Challenge

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic]

That is a good tip. Check YA for easier reads. I LOVE aliens and fantasy and found a lot more books I could read in YA than in adult. I read 2-3 YA as opposed to the 1 I was able to get into and finish that was adult. So for challenge check out the YA section at ur LIB.

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Yay, I'm done! And with a week to spare! I'm on to book 5 in the Rachel Morgan books now...

1. vampires - At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost *1/3/09
2. werewolves - A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole *1/10/09
3. shifters - Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
4. demons - The Devil You Know by Jenna Black *1/17/09
5. witches/wizards - A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison *1/14/09
6. fae - A Kiss of Shadows by Laurel K Hamilton *1/24/09
7. aliens - Veil of Midnight by Lara Adrian *1/25/09
8. psychics/time travelers - Touch the Dark by Karen Chance *1/16/09 (this actually ended up being both!)
9. dragons or mythical creatures - Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur *1/25/09

[Jacalyn]

If you are looking for a good alien tale and like political thrillers, check out Tony Ruggiero. He has a trilogy that was later redone as a duo. I have signed first editions, go me! The duo is Alien Deception and Alien Revelation and they are really great alien conspiracy theory political tales.

He also has an interesting series on vamps in the military. :)

[Yz the Whyz]

Time for an update, group.

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

DarkHeart - 9 books done/8 categories
Jael - 8 books done
Jennifer - 8 books done
Jodz -
Lady Ozma - Complete...Congratulations!
London Girl - 8 books done
Lori - 8 books done
New_user - 3 books done
Nichole - Complete...Congratulations!
Sarah - 7 books done
Tricia -6 books done
Yz - Complete...Congratulations
Ann - Complete...Congratulations
Dawn - 8 books done/7 categories
Karen - 1 book done
Murrymaiyd - posted 13 books/6 categories
Rebecca - 11 books/8 categories
Mona -Complete...Congratulations

Those who have joined us since last update.

Cheryl - 2 books done
Kenjii - 5 books done


So far, we have 5 people who have completed all categories. Great job, guys.

The rest of the group are progressing very well. Challenge will end midnight of January 31. I will post the final update on February 1.

Five more days to go! Have fun reading!

[Jacalyn]

There are some who are very close to the goal! You guys can do it! Grats to everyone who's done! This is so exciting! :)

[new_user]

Oh, I love Shana Abe. I think The Last Mermaid is several stories in time linked together. I just bought The Secret Swan and I have high hopes for it. :)

Yz, three books down so far, LOL. I'm working on the fourth (Moon Awakening by Lucy Monroe, which is great so far).

[Yz the Whyz]

new_user wrote: "Oh, I love Shana Abe. I think The Last Mermaid is several stories in time linked together. I just bought The Secret Swan and I have high hopes for it. :)

Yz, three books down so far, LOL. I'm work..."

Great! I've change the number of books in the update.

[Cheryl]

new_user.

I am reading Moon Awakening next. I am glad to hear so far so great!

[Dawn]

One more to go!

1. vampires - The Palace Chelsea Yarbro
Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan
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

[Jacalyn]

Good job, Dawn! :)

BTW You will enjoy The Host. I think it's her best book!

[Dawn]

Thanks Lady Ozma, Thanks :>
As for the Host I am on chapter 27 and it is really starting to get better :>
Thank Goodness :>

[Jacalyn]

Dawn,

I really enjoyed that one. I thought it was much better written than Twilight. I look forward to seeing what you think about it. :) I'm kind of hoping she writes a second one. I thought the premise was pretty interesting.

[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

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Lady Ozma wrote: "Dawn,

I really enjoyed that one. I thought it was much better written than Twilight. I look forward to seeing what you think about it. :) I'm kind of hoping she writes a second one. I though..."

I noticed that just in the one chapter that I read; that the writing was better.

[Jacalyn]

Yeah. I think she wrote Host after seh'd written several of the Twilight novels. I do know that as I flew through the Twilight books, that they got progressively better. The last one was lightyears better than the first one. (And actually pretty interesting. Sorry but I was not into the whole "oh my life is so horrible because I have two boyfriends" thing. LOL She was awful whiney, that main character!

[new_user]

Finished Moon Awakening! Review coming soon. :)

[Cheryl]

new_ user

Can't wait.LOL!! I hope no spoilers,:) I will be reading it next.

[Dawn]

ALL FINISHED ...but I admit I changed my alien book to Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian. I started it last night and could not stop reading it ...I think I have a new series I just ordered the rest from amazon and her sex scenes are amazing plus she writes a good fight scene which you do not always get in PNR. Guess I will finish the host at some point :>

1. vampires - The Palace Chelsea Yarbro
Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan
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 - Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
8. psychics/time travelers - Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
9. dragons or mythical creatures - Heart of the dragon by Gena Showalter

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic]

If I finish IF ANGELS BURN by Jan 31st I will move THE HUNTED to shifters and add IF ANGELS BURN to vampires. I won't complete the challenge but did well this time =)

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Dawn wrote: "ALL FINISHED ...but I admit I changed my alien book to Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian. I started it last night and could not stop reading it ...I think I have a new series I just ordered the rest ..."

I really enjoy Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series and think it just continues to improve as the story line unfolds (although I'm partial to Tegan). Enjoy!

[new_user]

5 books! Even I don't finish any more this month, I think it was a good turnout. I read some good books. :)

[Jacalyn]

Then I say you won. :) 5 good books is great for a month! :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

January Challenge List


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

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

add ons:

Vampire: Wicked Nights
Vampire/demon/undying warrior—Wicked Pleasure

Both by Nina Bangs

there were a couple of other books--mysteries. And I put off reading one that I'm saving for Feb. since I hadn't read anything else by this author that I'm aware of.

[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

[Lori]

Finished! Now I have to figure out what to read until Sunday when I can start the Feb. challenges.

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

In addition to the above books, I also read:
Hard Candy
Dark Elves Taken
Dark Elves 2 Salvation
Heaven Sent 5 Genesis
Midnight Thirsts Erotic Tales of the Vampire

[Murrrmaiyd]

Finished! Woohoo! :)
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
A Wolf's Tale - Honey Jans - finished 1/25

3. shifters
Pack Challenge - Shelly Laurenston - finished 1/28

4. demons
The Devil Inside - Jenna Black - finished 1/20

5. witches/wizards
Wolf At The Door - Christine Warren - finished 1/30

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

7. aliens
Veil of Midnight - Lara Adrian - finished 1/29

8. psychics/time travelers
Shadow Game - Christine Feehan - finished 1/23

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

[Jacalyn]

It's crunch time! How did everyone do? Looks like there's a bunch that finished the challenge, but I think even trying gives you cool points!

I'm currently listening/reading to Playing for Keeps by Mur lafferty - made me think "Superheros" might be a good thought for a future challenge! :)

Anyway, good luck to people trying to finish up today!

Thank you YZ for this challenge! It's going to make my end of January reading blog post a little more interesting! :)

[Yz the Whyz]

whether you completed all categories or simply participated, I think everybody had fun reading books and did a wonderful job.

I will be updating tomorrow, so everybody still has until midnight to finish if you are still completing a book.

Your welcome, Lady Ozma. I had fun running the challenge, and participating in it, too.

[Jacalyn]

I look forward to the update!

We're all winners!!!

I had so much fun participating and am so looking forward to February! BTW just for the record, I read nine new authors this month! So if I complete the challenge in February that is 18 new authors I have given a try

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Finished - just in time. ;)

1. vampires
- At Grave's End - Jeaniene Frost - 07 Jan 09 *****
- One More Bite - Jennifer Rardin - 19 Jan 09 *****
2. werewolves
- Pure Blood - Caitlin Kittredge - 15 Jan 09 *****
3. shifters
- Any Given Doomsday - Lori Handeland - 01 Jan 09 *****
4. demons
- Personal Demons - Stacia Kane - 23 Jan 09 *****
5. witches/wizards
- Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison - 13 Jan 09 ****
6. fae
- Changeling - Yasmine Galenorn - 31 Jan 09 ****
7. aliens
- Veil of Midnight - Lara Adrian - 25 Jan 09 *****
8. psychics/time travelers
- Shadow Game - Christine Feehan - 22 Jan 09 ****
9. dragons or mythical creatures
- In the Blood - Adrian Phoenix - 09 Jan 09 *****

[Yz the Whyz]

January Challenge is officially closed.

Here is our final update.

DarkHeart - Complete...Congratulations!
Jael - Complete...Congratulations!
Jennifer - 8 books done
Jodz -
Lady Ozma - Complete...Congratulations!
London Girl - Complete...Congratulations!
Lori - Complete...Congratulations
New_user - 5 books done
Nichole - Complete...Congratulations!
Sarah - Complete...Congratulations!
Tricia -6 books done
Yz - Complete...Congratulations!
Ann - Complete...Congratulations!
Dawn - Complete...Congratulations!
Karen - 1 book done
Murrymaiyd - Complete...Congratulations!
Rebecca - Complete...Congratulations!
Mona -Complete...Congratulations
Cheryl - 2 books done
Kenjii - 7 books done

We have a total of 20 participants and 13 have completed the challenge. To everyone who had joined, all I can say, great job, guys.

I hope you have as much fun as I did reading for the challenge.

P.S: The February Challenge Thread has already been started. Feel free to drop by.