Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Leslie wrote: "Tricia, have you read the other ones before this? I agree that this isn't as good as her other dragon books, but it does improve. The going back and forth is a little confusing, though. I agree."

I read , so I knew Aisling and Drake, but I guess I should have read the rest first since I didn't know any other characters. I figured she'd explain things for any possible new readers since this was the beginning of a spin-off series. It was really those dream flashback sequences that got to me. They were way too sudden. I think if she put the dream parts in italics so the reader could recognize the difference that might have helped.

I finished my final M-book yesterday - . It was really good. I laughed particularly at the Hadoop and the Amazon Turk reference.

@Leslie, Melissa - I'll give the Highlander series a try this month then. Thanks :)

Not sure what to start next - either or

I also finished last night. I enjoyed it but it wasn't what I was expecting.

Way to go, everyone!!

@Vi - I would definitely go for the Lisa Kleypas book. I really love that series and she is a favorite author!

@Jane - should be good to go for the challenge. That sounds interesting!

@Tricia - the Silver Dragon series is actually my favorite of hers. And reading it will explain all the stuff that doesn't make sense to you. I highly recommend reading it and then going back to the Light Dragon series. It's definitely not something you can pick up easily. And the flashback stuff mostly stops in the other books.

Okay - I will have the winner posted later this afternoon!! We did amazing on this challenge!!

Wow, you guys did an awesome with the mini-challenge. Hopefully I can play in the next one, last week just did not work for me.

Sherri wrote: "Wow, you guys did an awesome with the mini-challenge. Hopefully I can play in the next one, last week just did not work for me."

Sherri - there will be another one starting again soon!

DIAL M FOR . . . MINI CHALLENGE

Stats
# of Participants = 12
# of books Read = 28
# of pages Read = 9377
Avg. Rating = 3.98

Genres read: 8 Romance, 5 Fantasy, 3 Mystery, 3 Young Adult, 1 urban fantasy, 1 New Adult, 1 Paranormal Fantasy, 1 New Adult, 1 Horror/Zombies, 1 Science Fiction/Distopian, 1 Contemporary, 1 Paranormal Romance, 1 Classics

Authors
Danika Dark, Maria V. Snyder(2), Abigail Strom, Monica Ferris, Robin Sloan (2), MJ Frederick, Karen Marie Moning, Chelsea M. Cameron (2), Victoria Holt, Katie MacAllister, Melissa Marr, Catherine Coulter, MC Beaton, Marissa Meyer, Isaac Marion, Marie Lu, RL Mathewson (2), Sarah Mayberry, Sarah Morgan, Andrea K. Host, Jill Myles, Mark Twain, Kamie Garcia/Margaret Stohl

PARTICIPANTS

Jane
4 Books
3 Authors
1245 pages read
Avg. Rating 4.14
Earliest published book 2009

Rebecca
2 Books
2 Authors
592 pages read
Avg. Rating 3.5
Earliest published book 2012

Leslie
4 Books
4 Authors
1236 pages read
Avg. Rating 3.975
Earliest published book 2001

Tricia
2 Books
2 Authors
682 pages read
Avg. Rating 3.87
Earliest published book 1960

Alley** Tied for 1st place**
4 books
4 Authors
1438 pages read
Avg. Rating 3.85
Earliest published book 2000

Marla
1 Book
1 Author
390 pages read
Avg. Rating 4.05
Published Date 2012

Anna
2 Books
2 Authors
624 pages read
Avg. Rating 4.225
Earliest published book 2010

Diane-Firefly
1 Book
1 Author
220 pages read
Avg. Rating 4.15
Published Date 2011

Vi**Tied for 1st place**
4 Books
4 Authors
1094 pages read
Avg. Rating 3.93
Earliest published book 2011

Melissa
2 Books
2 Authors
549 pages read
Avg. Rating 3.995
Earliest published book 2009

Marguerite
1 Book
1 Author
744 pages read
Avg. Rating 4.28
Earliest published book 2012

Katie
1 Book
1 Author
563 pages read
Avg. Rating 3.8
Published Date 2009

AND THE WINNER IS . . . . ALLEY!!

Tie-Breaker: Earliest published book 2000

Congratulations to Vi who was tied for 1st place!! Thanks to everyone who participated - it was a great mini challenge!

woohoo ~ nice job team!!

Congrats Alley!

Katie wrote: "I just finished for both romance and M challenges. Everyone is doing a fantastic job!"

I just started it and it's okay, but it hasn't sucked me in yet. I do like that it is in guy's POV.

Congrats Alley & Vi on tying the mini challenge!

Congrats Alley!! I can't wait to see what you can come up with for the next challenge.

Good job everyone!

Kristin wrote: "I have been hearing so much about Beautiful Creatures but I keep getting mixed reviews on it. It is on my list to read but it just hasn't grabbed at me to pick it up yet."

Me too. I saw an interview with Jeremy Irons on Friday and it caught my eye again. I put it on hold at the library and I'm currently #98 out of 120 so it will be awhile until it comes in.

Just finished - recommended! Counts for Romance.

THanks for the suggestions -- I've checked out from the library, will give it a try, even though I've missed the Mini-Challenge timeframe.

Yay! These mini-challenges are fun! Thanks for coming up with these, captains.

I have 1 more book to add for the Romance challenge.
A Gentle Feuding - Johanna Lindsey

It was the Large Type edition since it was the only copy the library had, so it was a pretty quick read. This is the second book by Johanna Lindsey I've read. I almost passed on reading more by her since the first one I read ( ) was full of bad. This one was better, but still not something I'd want to read again.

Up next is and

Just announcing that I am still alive and here!

So far in Feb. I've only managed to finish:


With Splintered & Beautiful Creatures both counting as Romance. Everything's crazy here though, so I expect that to be the last of my romance really!

I'm on a field trip next month with the uni, and my dissertation is due in as soon as we get back, so I basically have to finish it this month (and I'm running depressingly behind where I'd like to be). When I'm not working on that/other assignments, I'm catching up on my review pile, none of which are romances!

On the plus side though, we're nearly at 750 books!

Hi Faith! Glad to know you are still here! Good luck on your dissertation. I remember when my dad was writing his. It was crazy.

@Alley - I have never found any Johanna Lindsay I like that much. But let me know what you think of the Charley Davidson one. I've read the first two and have very mixed feelings. And please send me a PM to talk about the next mini challenge!

@Deedee- I'm such a sucker for fairytale stories. Did you hear the THUD as another made it on to my TBR! And let me know what you think of Lisa Kleypas. Her Wallflower series is the best!

Congrats Alley!!! Way to go, way to go, ho ho!!!!

Singles Rule Mini Challenge!

SPONSOR: Alley

WHEN: Feb 13th - Feb 17th
You must have finished the book on Wednesday or by midnight Sunday

HOW: Read a book that has a single man or woman on the cover. May be any genre. After you have finished the book, post the cover.

Winner will get to pick the next Mini Challenge!

START LOOKING FOR YOUR BOOKS!

Just finished my 2nd book for Feb. romance challenge ( 11 people have it listed as romance).

Go, Alley!! Great mini coming up. I did start but only a few pages. I don't mind waiting another day to finish it. (I can try..)

Faith, also counts for the monthly - 13 people have shelved it as Romance. (Second page). I will post a mid-month update by tomorrow.

I used to read Lindsey and Garlock when I first started reading romance before I got distracted by Diana Palmer, Amanda Quick & Karen Robards. Lindsey and Palmer have written the best WTFery I've ever read. (In my defence, that was my first time at a biiig library and I saw this lady check out so many of Lindsey & Palmer. I thought it must be good.)

OK so I have a few questions for the next mini:

1. Can the cover have a girl or a boy (as in YA or should it adult)?
2. Can there be a partial show or should the person be shown fully?
3. Can there be animals on the cover?

Great mini-challenge idea Alley!

woah cool! So both of the books I'm reading right now work for the mini challenge!! Sweet! and after those

Vi wrote: "OK so I have a few questions for the next mini:

1. Can the cover have a girl or a boy (as in YA or should it adult)?
2. Can there be a partial show or should the person be shown fully?
3. Can ther..."

1. Sure.
2. It doesn't have to be head-to-toe, but it should include at least partial head/face and torso. Like would work but would not. Use your own judgment as to how much is enough.
3. Yes as long as the animal isn't a shifter involved with the person on the cover.

Great questions, Vi!

1. I think YA is fine - meaning a teenager, but not a child. Must look old enough to have a relationship.
2. Must be shoulder shot at least. No headless bodies, however.
3. Other things on the cover are fine.

@Kristen - I've heard good things about Sleeping with Paris - fun and light is often a good thing!!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS TEAM D



"Laissez les bons temps rouler!!"

Congrats, Alley! And great challenge! Going to look through my books now. :)

Alley, obviously great minds think alike! We came up with the same answers without even trying!

@Michelle - I am having problems with the cartoon drawing of the Phantom. But I will leave the final judgement of that up to Alley.

Leslie wrote: "HAPPY MARDI GRAS TEAM D



"Laissez les bons temps rouler!!""

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!! Did you have a Paczki yet? Soo yummy!! We're going to have ours after dinner.

- these don't work since it is just his head on the cover - just making sure I understand the guidelines.

Melissa - I haven't had a Paczki but I will be having King Cake!!

As to the covers - it sounds from what Alley said in her post that she would accept these. I would say yes to the Feehan book and no to to Guardians book. In that one, the face is just too fuzzy. But Alley has final say in this mini challenge.

I've never had King Cake. I'll have to remember that for next year and order one for us!

Covers - got it. Will finish the fuzzy man cover tonight then - heehee

Leslie wrote: "Melissa - I haven't had a Paczki but I will be having King Cake!!

As to the covers - it sounds from what Alley said in her post that she would accept these. I would say yes to the Feehan book and ..."

I agree. Clear, in-focus heads count. Other random body parts don't - like no just legs or arms on the cover.

Alley wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Melissa - I haven't had a Paczki but I will be having King Cake!!

As to the covers - it sounds from what Alley said in her post that she would accept these. I would say yes to the F..."

Thanks for clarification Alley☺

Melissa - if you want to order one, google Randazzo's! They have the best. And get it filled with cream cheese. Yum!!!!
And I do like the Guardians of Eternity series. Sort of paranormal light. Sexy and fun!


I'm almost finished with this book. Started it and then couldn't put it down.
Next up will be and then . Will having wings be okay for my single person?

Sure, wings will be ok.

All this talk about king cake makes me want one. Might have to make do with one from a grocery store bakery.

I know, Alley! Since I'm not in New Orleans (sad), I will have to get one from a local bakery as well. They are okay.
Where do you live?

I live in MS. Theoretically I could drive a couple hours and pick up an authentic king cake, but I don't want one that badly.

It's like a big cinnamon roll cake with purple, green and yellow tinted frosting. It usually has a little trinket or something in it and its supposed to be lucky if you get the piece with it.

I so want one with cream cheese filling. That sounds amazing.

Leslie wrote: "Melissa - if you want to order one, google Randazzo's! They have the best. And get it filled with cream cheese. Yum!!!!
And I do like the Guardians of Eternity series. Sort of paranormal light. Sex..."

That sounds amazing! I'll have to catalogue that somewhere I will remember it next year,lol!!

I've never had a King Cake, but they look yummy! Instead, we eat fastnachts. Reminds me I have to go get some!

So would this be a yes for the mini challenge

If there are 2 to 5 women/men on the cover is that ok or is there only suppose to be one?

How about a man and a woman together?

If you want to know more about king cakes and the history of them - here's a link.

History of NO King cakes

There are so many traditions associated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It is a special family time and so amazing. Nothing like what you hear about (except on Bourbon St.)!

@Alley - where in MS? One of my daughters goes to school in Jackson. I hope you weren't affected by the tornadoes. Maggie had friends who go to school in Hattiesburg, but luckily they were in NO that weekend.

@Marguerite - that one is borderline in my opinion, but lets hear some other opinions.

Here are two examples of books that don't meet the criteria.

and

If it's just torso shot, there needs to be part of a face. It it's a face there needs to be a hint of shoulder.
For example: Yes and No

Another example: NO and YES

I hope this helps!!

So is 2 or more women or men ok?

Is a man and a woman together ok?

I live in Clinton - right outside of Jackson. No tornados here - just really bad thunderstorms. I'm already sick of all the rain.

Marguerite wrote: "So is 2 or more women or men ok?

Is a man and a woman together ok?"

You're looking for books with just 1 person on the cover - no couples or groups.

Sorry if that wasn't made clear in the announcement of the challenge, Marguerite. Yes, you must have a single man or single woman on the cover.

@Alley - that's awesome! If you go to Jackson, head over to Nandy's Candy store and you can meet my daughter!