The Challenge Factory discussion

I am reading & Loving

Listening to

Finished

Currently Reading

Oh my word old listened to the audi if Tell The Wolves and I absolutely sobbed my heart out, it's beautifully written.

Listening to

I'm listening to

State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy – 2.5**
The first in the White House Chef mystery series introduces the readers to Ollie (Olivia) Parus, and the rest of the staff in the White House kitchen. I thought Ollie was annoyingly nosy, especially given her position in the White House kitchen. Hyzy includes a fair number of red herrings, but they seem mostly there to plump up a weak plot. Basically we have a reasonably interesting premise/framework for a cozy mystery series, but not the best execution. I’m not sure I’ll read another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Christina wrote: "BC--I don't read many of the same books as you do but I certainly know that if you give a book 5 stars it must be something special. I enjoyed reading your review of this book. ..."

Thank you ... I think you won't be disappointed.


Vicci Audio Nerd wrote: "Oh my word I listened to the audi of Tell The Wolves and I absolutely sobbed my heart out, it's beautifully written."

I don't cry at books very often, but I was definitely crying over this one.

Currently reading....
and

Finished

The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar – Audiobook performed by Frankie Alvarez – 4****
Tobar has written a social satire that examines the division and lack of understanding between two interdependent groups – the affluent suburbanites living in their gated communities versus the nearly invisible cadre of workers, mostly immigrants, many undocumented, who work to maintain the façade of perfection. The three main characters are all flawed, but each has his/her virtues as well. Tobar did get a bit preachy in the last third of the book, as he railed against the media, the injustices of the American legal system, and knee-jerk reactions of the politicians and populace. I liked that the story didn’t have a tidy resolution; the ending is realistic while being hopeful.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Listening to and reading

Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "Listening to "

Ezi, Did you finish this? I am starting when I get home from work....

Sue wrote: "Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "Listening to "

Ezi, Did you finish this? I am starting when I get home from work...."

yep. My review and feel free to address my "issues": https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It's your fault you know! I have listened to both book 2 & 3 back to back:D

Book 4 is one of my picks for RRRC Meet & Greet in June, so I have to wait before i listen to it. but I bought through book 6 already. Did you

Yep and I plan on getting them done in June....Jenne and I are talking about you... She dreads putting us in same team in SSS

Sue wrote: "Yep and I plan on getting them done in June....Jenne and I are talking about you... She dreads putting us in same team in SSS"

LOL! you see Jenne named me "Trouble Maker".

At least we would get our books done on time for SSS. This round of SSS has been soooo smooth on my team. Very smooth and Paris has been money with her rolls.
She keeps rolling nothing under 4. I think she has only rolled a "2" once. She has been on fire as our captain.

how has your team been?

Jennifer,
Is Captain and all on team are fast reads so it going so smooth....and she a great roller...

Now my SS team is another thing....I hate late posters,that make whole team wait....grrrr

And some times I pretty ummmm verbal....hehee

I not gonna do just 1 challenge.....loo

Sue wrote: "Jennifer,
Is Captain and all on team are fast reads so it going so smooth....and she a great roller...

Now my SS team is another thing....I hate late posters,that make whole team wait....grrrr

A..."

I would like to do both SSS and SS. when I sign up next time I will add:

If you get put on Ezi's team and you know you tend to post late, please pm Jenne to be reassigned to another team to avoid future confrontations. Thank you!"

It's only fair to warn them. Why do people sign up for challenges, and then wanna post stuff like I am sorry I am late, my school work or thesis is kicking my butt?
If you are overextended, just withdraw or don't sign up.
Seriously, if you can't do a book a week, why are even sign up for group challenges? There are a host of individual challenges on here? Why are you trying to hold me back?

Sue, you are getting me worked up just thinking about it

The Outsiders by S E Hinton – Book on audio read by Jim Fyfe – 5*****
An extraordinary coming-of-age novel first published in 1967, when it touched a nerve in a generation eager for “relevant” literature. The narrator is 14-year-old Ponyboy, a member of a gang of greasers who frequently get into fights with the Socs (society kids from affluent homes). He wants desperately to be recognized for the individual that he is, not for the label attached to him. In the end the reader sees that adults are not always the enemy, “nice boys” can be cruel and hoodlums can become heroes. The audio book was capably performed by Jim Fyfe. He really brought Ponyboy, Johnny and the rest of the gang to life for me.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ezi I understand your frustration. I would love to be part of some of the team challenges but I never know when my job is going to start to kick my butt so I don't sign up! I do sign up for challenges, individual ones, and not finish but that only affects me. I understand that it's frustrating they probably believed that they could do it when they signed up. Good luck! I hope people realize how this situation can affect others in the group!

A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh – 2.5**
The first mystery novel by “Queen of Crime” Ngaio Marsh introduces Inspector Detective Roderick Alleyn. Guests at a house party are all set to play a game of “murder” following dinner. It’s all in fun; at least until the lights come back on to reveal an actual corpse. I found it slow-moving and unnecessarily complicated by a side plot. Glad I finally read something by her; not sure I’ll read another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm currently reading and I find it to be very slow and kind of boring. I'm also reading which is good so far.

Rebecca wrote: "Ezi I understand your frustration. I would love to be part of some of the team challenges but I never know when my job is going to start to kick my butt so I don't sign up! I do sign up for challen..."

I am too competitive. I need to work on that!

Finished audio of and loved it. Now starting audio of

I finished and I'm starting .

Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Ezi I understand your frustration. I would love to be part of some of the team challenges but I never know when my job is going to start to kick my butt so I don't sign up! I do sig..."
Ezi I try to be competitive but I guess that I have learned my limitations. If work isn't too bad I can read a book a week but at times, like recently I can take 10-15 days to finish a book of less than 300 pages. It took me a while to figure this out and still sometimes I get angry with myself because I don't have the time to read!

Finished

Currently Reading

Finished audio of and now listening to

Finished and it was sooo good (got put in my 6☆ pile)
Now reading ready for a bit more Daemon Black **swoon**

Sue wrote: "Jennifer,
Is Captain and all on team are fast reads so it going so smooth....and she a great roller...

Now my SS team is another thing....I hate late posters,that make whole team wait....grrrr

A..."

It's not me Sue I'm a good girl lol

I just finished and

I'm Currently reading after that I plan to read to complete the last of my challenges for this month :)

Loved TFIOS Anita, listened to it and bawled my eyes out lol

Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle – 2**
Book two in the Coffeehouse Mystery series has Detective Quinn questioning whether the recent suicides of two Village Blend customers were actually murders. When Quinn identifies Clare’s new boyfriend as the prime suspect she has to launch her own investigation to prove his innocence. Uneven plotting and heavy-handed clues/red herrings. I doubt I’ll read another.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Vicci Audio Nerd wrote: "Loved TFIOS Anita, listened to it and bawled my eyes out lol"

me too. I can't wait for the movie this summer

I know I'm super excited, I asked my hubby to come with me and he just gave me a funny look lol.
So its going to be me, myself and I, a big bucket of popcorn and lots of kleenex!!

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo – 5*****
A frail and elderly Lizzie tells the story of her youth in Dresden Germany during World War II. What a wonderful and heart-warming story! Inspired by true events, Morpurgo has crafted a tale of courage, perseverance, and kindness in the face of horrific deprivation. The author doesn’t dwell on the horrors of war, but he doesn’t skip them either. He shows people doing what they believe is best and morally right despite difficulty. I kept wanting to read it aloud; I could easily imagine a teacher capturing the attention of a class with this story.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished
♡♡♡♡♡♡ Review

Now reading

Well I finished and gave it ★★★. Listening to

I'm listening to

I just finished and now I am going to start .

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan – 3.5***
Sloan has written a novel that explores what it feels like to be an outsider, the struggle to overcome grief, and the true meaning of family. I grew to love 12-year-old Willow, a genius and decidedly “different” little girl. Her detached observations grew on me, and even made me laugh at times, despite the heart-wrenching circumstances. The situations described are far-fetched and even unrealistic, but the underlying truth of the story warmed my heart.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished

Currently Reading

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd – 4****
Kidd has crafted an excellent work of historical fiction inspired by the true story of the Grimke sisters, Sarah and Angelina, who were famous (and infamous) abolitionists and early pioneers in seeking equal rights for women. She balances Sarah’s story by imagining the life of one of her family’s slaves – a lady’s maid and seamstress named Handful. Slavery was an ugly institution and Kidd does little to soften the view. I admired the Grimke sisters, but I loved Handful, Charlotte and Sky; they were imprisoned in body, they were not imprisoned in mind. Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye take turns performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm currently reading

Finished listening to
☆☆☆☆ Review

Now listening to

Christina wrote: "I'm currently reading "

loved that one on audio. Did you know she is also Christy Reece ?

I am listening to and I am enjoying it

Finished Currently Reading

Wonder by R J Palacio – 4****
This is a wonderful debut novel dealing with bullying and courage. Auggie is an endearing 10-year-old, who, despite his extraordinary face, is really just an ordinary kid; he likes ice cream, riding his bike, and his X-Box. The message is one that is empowering to children and adults. We should all strive to be kinder than necessary. Your worth is not dependent on how popular you are, or on who finds you attractive. Everyone in the world should have a standing ovation at least once in their lives.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I loved Wonder BC made me cry ...

Ezinwanyi~still loves Spartacus wrote: "Christina wrote: "I'm currently reading "

loved that one on audio. Did you know she is also Christy Reece ?"

Ezi...I did actually know she was Christy Reece. I read both Rescue Me and Return to Me and now I've read two by her Ella Grace name. Although I enjoyed both the Wildefire books I think her Reece ones were better for me. I'm so completely character driven in my reading and all I can say is....Noah McCall!

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – 4****
I re-read this in preparation for my F2F book club. What a delight! Even knowing the solution I was still engaged and enthralled. Christie was truly a master at her craft.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...