The County Library discussion

March, as a month, sometimes seems to drag out as we wait for spring to finally arrive. And while there is March Madness to liven things up for basketball and sports fans, some of us may be looking for additional or alternative entertainment. So for this month our reading challenge is to find and read a book that interests you. (The book can be fiction or non-fiction, in short, this one is a freebie—just find something you’ll enjoy reading and tell us why you liked it when you are done.)

Remember back in high school English class near the end of the school year. The teacher stands before the class as stern as always "Every week you whine about the writing assignment. Today I want you to write about anything you would like. It should be easy." And you can't thing of a blasted thing! Nope, for this month I won't have THAT trouble. The trouble will be PICKING ONLY ONE!

I have picked my book. Watership Down. I have never read it and it came out when I was in college. I always planned to. Now it's time.

Yay! I'm glad this one is a freebie. I tried for February's challenge by starting Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson. Unfortunately, I started two other books too so I'm no where near the end of it, and the end of February is tomorrow. I don't think Peaches will count as a book I'll enjoy reading because I really can't get into it, but one of the other books I started, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is one I absolutely love.

This month I'm reading "The Reliable Wife". I'm not too sure about it, it sounds surprisingly sexual for a historical fiction that isn't a romance, so we will see. I usually have to skip the yuck, but it depends on how much there is & how much can be filtered out....

Nora wrote: "This month I'm reading "The Reliable Wife". I'm not too sure about it, it sounds surprisingly sexual for a historical fiction that isn't a romance, so we will see. I usually have to skip the yuck, ..."

Nora, I'd say that one gets more sexual the further you get in. Personally, I loved it, but sex is one of the primary themes.

Jennifer wrote: "Nora, I'd say that one gets more sexual the further you get in."

Thanks for the heads up, Jennifer. Good to know.

This week-end I read Pearls in the Ashes by Shelagh Meagher. I enjoyed this book because it details the life of a Mongolian boy from becoming a Novice Monk to being a father. The book is historical fiction and I really enjoyed it.

I will be reading (or should I say listening to) "The Shadow Girls" by Henning Mankell. Doing some research for my book pick, and this one sounds really interesting.

This challenge gave me an excuse to go to my to-read list instead of picking up the newest release available. This month I’m listening to Wildwood Dancing, which I’ve meant to pick up for years now.

I’m enjoying it so far, though I cannot help wanting to clunk one of the characters over the head for thinking that his female cousins are incapable of rational thought or behavior. (Admittedly, his opinions were common for the time period the book is set in, but it still drives me a little nuts whenever he opens his mouth.)

I am choosing to read Blind Your Ponies and listening to Dodger I'm liking both

Allison wrote: "I am choosing to read Blind Your Ponies and listening to Dodger I'm liking both"

I loved Dodger! Probably my favorite Pratchett book ever.

I have finished Watership Down. It had long been on my To-Read List and I decided that it was time. I loved the adventures of the rabbits and the telling of the tales from their veiwpoint rather than from the viewpoint of humans. I enjoyed their names for various things. The audiobook I checked out from the library was a delightful way to read it because the story was originally told by Adams to his daughters on road trips. So I was hearing it just like they had!

I finished Wildwood Dancing and found it mostly enjoyable. In all, it was a charming fairytale-like story. I just had a hard time getting around the ultra-patronizing, self-centered older cousin of the main character. He might not have bothered me as much if I had been reading it, instead of listening to it, but as things stood I wanted him to stuff a sock in it just about every time he opened his mouth.

Isn’t it interesting how irritating secondary characters can leave such an impression? What are some of the most annoying characters you’ve read about that stand out to you?

Had to stop in the middle of "The Shadow Girls". I hate to give up on a book, but I couldn't stand the main character for one more minute.
I loved "Wildwood Dancing", and Juliet is one of my favorite "fantasy" authors, but I didn't care for the 2nd book of this series, which follows one of the sisters.

This month I read The Silver Linings Playbook. It was very moving; now I'd like to see the movie.

Changing my pick to "Speaking from among the bones : a Flavia de Luce novel" / Alan Bradley.
I have 3 weeks until it is due, and I will fit it in, or die trying :0)

Jackie wrote: "Changing my pick to "Speaking from among the bones : a Flavia de Luce novel" / Alan Bradley.
I have 3 weeks until it is due, and I will fit it in, or die trying :0)"

Wull, don't DIE. No reading challenge is worth THAT! Good luck and we'll hope to see you in the April Challenge!

Debbie wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Changing my pick to "Speaking from among the bones : a Flavia de Luce novel" / Alan Bradley.
I have 3 weeks until it is due, and I will fit it in, or die trying :0)"

Wull, don't DIE..."
Not die for the readers challenge, lol. A free book is not worth that, but, I am SOOO excited to read this book. The series is fabulous!

Finished blind your ponies I loved the storytelling about basketball of all things. However the writing was beautiful. I want to be in willow creek with all those characters.

I am also almost done listening to dodger

Allison wrote: "I am choosing to read Blind Your Ponies and listening to Dodger I'm liking both"

I really liked Blind Your Ponies, too. I thought the writing was really good--enjoyed the character development and that hometown feel.

This month I read The Man Who Quit Money. It was a really moving book

I read Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate. I really like her books.

I finally finished A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator by Robert Pielke. Took me forever... not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because this whole having a new baby thing (not to mention the whole having four kids thing) is throwing my reading for a total loop.

I've read several books this month so far. Two of my favorites have been by Booth Tarkington. The Turmoil and The Magnificent Ambersons, which had me in tears at the end.

JoAnn wrote: "I've read several books this month so far. Two of my favorites have been by Booth Tarkington. The Turmoil and The Magnificent Ambersons, which had me in tears at the end."

Isn't The Magnificent Ambersons fantastic?!! I loved it,too, although it's been so long since I read it that I don't remember if I cried.

After waiting for nearly half a year I've finally gotten the book on CD of The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde. I've had several of his books recommended to me in the past, but now I finally understand why. I'm not all the way done yet, but I'm having a great time and laughing a lot as I'm listening.

I am reading Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It is number 1 in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books trilogy. It is good,, but not quit what i thought it would be, I'll review it when I'm done.

Any decision on the Reading Challenge for April?

I just started listening to Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin and am really enjoying it. I can definitely see why it was so popular when it came out a couple years ago and why it has helped inspire a movie – a real interesting non-fiction read. (Granted, I've always been a big history buff.)

I just finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. It's kind of a slow moving adventure mystery, but it kept me intrigued the whole way through. I give it five stars.

I read Anthem by Ayn Rand. I think I enjoyed reviewing it as much as I did reading it! Very thought provoking - the author even more so than the book :)

Finished "Speaking From Among the Bones" today, and it is just as fabulous as the first four.

I just finished reading "Lethal Circuit" by Lars Guignard. It was a fast-paced spy thriller that keeps you interested to the end.

I read Monday Mornings by Sanjay Gupta.

I read Under the Dome by Stephen King. Tons of explicit language and violence. But the book had great pacing.

Jackie wrote: "Finished "Speaking From Among the Bones" today, and it is just as fabulous as the first four."

I'm listening to that one too. Jane Entwistle's narration is as wonderful as always.

Jennifer wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Finished "Speaking From Among the Bones" today, and it is just as fabulous as the first four."

I'm listening to that one too. Jane Entwistle's narration is as wonderful as always."

I haven't listened to any of this series, but I am sure it would be fun.

Just a quick reminder: make sure you let me know what book you read for this month's challenge by the end of the day on March 31—I'll take anything up until midnight—to be entered into this month's drawing.

Also, on a side note, please make sure your profile allows me to send you messages and that you have indicated if you live in or near the Salt Lake County area. (You don't need to indicate your exact suburb or town, just saying you are in the area in your profile is enough.) I need this information and an ability to contact you through the message feature on Goodreads in order to include you in the monthly drawing.

March 31st, right?

Jackie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Finished "Speaking From Among the Bones" today, and it is just as fabulous as the first four."

I'm listening to that one too. Jane Entwistle's narration is as wond..."

It's one of my favorite narrations. Somehow her voice is just perfect for Flavia, even though she's an adult.

Jackie wrote: "March 31st, right?"

Oops! Yes, March 31st--I've since corrected it.

Maria won this month's reading challenge drawing. She read Pearls in the Ashes by Shelagh Meagher.

Congrats, Maria!

Congratulations, Maria!

Congratulations, Maria!