Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Updated:
25.2 Random library books: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging Confessions of Georgia Nicolson and Angelmonster

Total Points: 150
Total Pages: 2702

Finished task 20.4 this morning. Read The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley (birth year 1984).
TOTAL: 190 points, 3707 pages

How'd you like it Misty? That was also the one I was going to use for that task.

It's funny, cause when I started it last night, I didn't really want to read it, but figured I might as well "get it out of the way" -- the copy I had was old and had a dragon on the cover, and that's never been my thing. But I've read McKinley before and loved her. I just found myself putting this one off. But as I said, I started it last night ; I couldn't put it down. It was flawed, and there were some things that were real pet peeves, but I loved it anyway. That, to me, is a good story. (I will try to post a full review in the next few days). I marked a bunch of her others as to read.

Happy Birth year, fellow year of the rat-er! (assuming its yours and not a siblings)

Misty, I loved that book! The Blue Sword is a companion type/sequel novel. Have you read it? I love them both. Super great books!

That's me alright - 1984. :) I have the Blue Sword on my tbr shelf as well. I'll have to read it soon.

30.3 Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (Fairy tale, 239 p.)
25.2 Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt/Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen (Random YA, 368 p., 240 p.)
25.3 Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis (Setting: Afghanistan, 199 p.)
20.1 Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (Book & film, 336 p.)
20.4 The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (Pub: 1967, 192 p.)
20.5 The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray ("Thing" in title, 819 p.)
5.1 City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Top YA Novel, 485 p.)
5.2 Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (Classic Juv. book, 304 p.)
5.3 Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (Reread, 276 p.)
5.4 Sabriel by Garth Nix (Father/child relationship, 496 p.)

Total Points: 160
Total Pages: 3954

Just finished Wildwood Dancing for task 20.5 and absolutely loved it! I listened to the audiobook and loved the lilting voice of the narrator. I love the mix of fairy tales in this story and hope to find some time to read the companion novel this summer.

Total points: 155
Total Pages: 4519

Updated:
Finally finished the second part of task 25.4. Read the first two books in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Total Points: 175
Total Pages: 3438

I just finished task 30.3 by reading East by Edith Pattou. That gives me 30 more points and 516 pages.
I really liked this book! It was a great retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. This is the task I think I was most excited about, because fairy tale retellings right now are my favorite 'genre'. I love reading them. This one was really cool, because it used a different narrative for different chapters. I have never read this story told from anyone but the main girls perspective before. This felt very fresh, and different. I really liked the way the author indirectly incorporated different aspects of the tale. For example, in the tale the girl has no name. In this story, her name is incorrect; a lie. Also, the way the author handled her traveling with the four winds is also different. But, I would say it is a good different. I definitely support this book!

So my total is now:
150 pts and 2524 pages

I just finished Shattering Glass by Gail Giles and Uglies by Scott Westerfield for task 25.2. So, now I'm up to 200 points.

Total Points: 200
Total Pages: 5,683

I just finished I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith for task 10.2.

total points: 40
total pages: 682

TWO NEW:

For task 25.3, I read The London Eye Mystery, by Siobhan Dowd. 336 pages. The book took place in London. It was a good book, very enjoyable.

For task 5.4, I read What I Saw And How I Lied, by Judy Blundell. 281 pages. The mother/daughter and even father/daughter relationship in this book was intense, as the mother and daughter fight over the same man, and the father tries to keep them from him. Very dramatic, but very good. I was surprised when I heard the synopsis that this was YA, but it was relatively clean. Older Teens, definitely, but clean enough.

MY CURRENT POINTS: 320 (290+25+5)
MY CURRENT PAGE TOTAL: 5873 (5256+336+281)

Amanda R. in Louisville

30.1 The Tale of Despereaux (USA), Just in Case (UK)
30.2 The Graveyard Book
30.3 Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid"
25.1 Wicked Lovely (Fantasy/Sci-Fi), The Book Thief (Historical), A Countess Below Stairs (Romantic)
25.3 Sold
20.1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
10.2 I Capture the Castle
5.4 Gingerbread

Total Points = 175
Total Pages = 3428

Ashley wrote: "Misty, I loved that book! The Blue Sword is a companion type/sequel novel. Have you read it? I love them both. Super great books!"

I marked The Blue Sword as tbr. I knew it was a companion, but Hero/Crown is a prequel, not the other way around, and that was my one big complaint: it read like a prequel, lilke she had a lot to cram in and was filling in the blanks. But this should all be in the discussion thread, eh? (so, Ashley and Kristen, head over there, I have more to say)

As for points:
just finished A Curse Dark as Gold, which I was wanting an excuse to read. Found it in a thread, so there's my excuse: that's task 10.3. so, at 400 pages:

TOTAL: 200 points, 4107 pages .

20.3 The Warrior Heir (448 pages)
25.3 Tunnels (464 pages) - Set in London, and I am in the USA.

C: 145 pts., 3759 pages.

LEADER BOARD:

Amanda: 320 pts., 5873 pages.
Alisha: 200 pts., 5683 pages.
Misty: 200 pts., 4107 pages.
Beth: 195 pts., 3599 pages.
Allison: 190 pts., 2931 pages.
Natalee: 175 pts., 3438 pages.
Jennifer: 175 pts., 3428 pages.
Jennifer W: 170 pts., 3073 pages.
Luann: 160 pts., 3954 pages.
Alexis: 160 pts., 2602 pages.
Kristen: 155 pts., 4519 pages.
Ashley: 150 pts., 2524 pages.
C: 145 pts., 3759 pages.
Fiona (Titch): 135 pts., 3347 pages.
Leora: 135 pts., 2330 pages.
Bird: 125 pts., 1988 pages.
Heather: 125 pts., 1913 pages.
Jamie: 115 pts., 2291 pages.
Jen B: 100 pts., 1760 pages.
Becky: 90 pts., 2117 pages.
Josie: 85 pts., 2881 pages.
Kathy: 85 pts., 1542 pages.
Cheryl: 70 pts., 1248 pages.
Lynlee4: 70 pts., 946 pages.
Nirmala: 50 pts., 890 pages.
Katrina: 50 pts., 836 pages.
Fiona/Tweety: 45 pts., 1174 pages.
Michelle: 45 pts., 993 pages.
Kandice: 45 pts., 480 pages.
Camerandi: 40 pts., 682 pages.
Michelle (sunflowers): 35 pts., 416 pages.
Linda Grace: 30 pts., 1237 pages.
Lisa Julianna: 30 pts., 312 pages.
Arynne: 30 pts., 256 pages.
Stephanie: 25 pts., 352 pages.
Liz: 20 pts., 192 pages.
Adam: 10 pts., 432 pages.

I just finished I Capture the Castle (352 pgs) for task 10.2. Everyone knows the "pusher" of this book! Anyway, it was excellent (I adored Cassandra!)

New point total: 205
New page total: 3,951

I finished task 5.3 last night. I read Thirteen Reasons Why which was recommended my daughter.

Total Points: 180
Total Pages: 3726

5.4 Secret of Platform 13 (mother/son relationship important) 231 pages

25.1 Scat - contemporary, 304 pages
Igraine the Brave - fantasy, 224 pages
Tales from the Odyssey: The Gray-Eyed Goddess - historical, 128 pages

Totals: 155 points, 2875 pages

10.3 Northern Light 380 pages, already contributed to the book of the month discussion.

10.4 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry 288 pages. Will post a review on the discussion section shortly (love this book!)

Total: 190 points, 3741 pages

I just finished Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins for task 25.3.

Total Points so far: 225
Total Pages Read: 5,955 pages

I just completed task 10.2 by reading Graceling by Kristin Cashore (471 pages). This was a book rated 5 stars by Allison. I loved it. THANK YOU, Allison!

Total Points: 170
Total Pages: 4425

I finished reading Junk last night for task 10.4

This has been awarded the Guardian award and the Carnegie Medal in different years, both deserved awards.
Melvin creates the characters wonderfully and the way he weaves the story from the view of all the characters is brilliant.

Total points: 60 (50 + 10)
Total Pages: 1,168(890 + 278)

I read Kidnapped by Robert Louis Steveson for task 5.2. It was a decent read, nothing fabulous though.

Total- 155 pts. and 2812 pgs if my math is correct!

5.3 Are you There God? It's Me Margaret 149 pages. I can't even tell you how many times I read this book as a girl! Rereading it brought back so many memories!

Total: 195 points 3890 pages

Just finished The Mysterious Benedict Society for task 10.2 which was rated 5 stars by Alethea. I really enjoyed this book and gave it five stars myself.

165 points
5004 pages

Three new ones to add:

10.1: Read Wake, by Lisa McMann, which was published in 2008 and was the author's first book. This was a surprisingly good read, which I finished in a huge gulp - about three hours. 210 pages

5.2: ReadTo Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. I enjoyed this book so much this time around. The last time I read it was as a freshman in high school, back in '96 or '97. A much better read this time, since it wasn't required. If this is not considered a "classic" please let me know. It was in the Classic Discussion folder. 336 pages.

5.3: Read The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin. I still love this book! I highly recommend it. 192 pages

MY CURRENT POINTS: 340 (320+10+5+5)
MY CURRENT PAGE TOTAL: 6611 (5873+210+336+192)

Amanda R. in Louisville

Read Graceling for 5.1 (thanks, whoever posted it as top YA, I had been wantinh to read it). At 471 pages, that makes:

TOTAL: 205 points, 4578 pages

Updated points:
Finished A Little Princess for task 5.2.

Total Points: 185
Total Pages: 4038

Wow, Amanda, you read fast!

Just finished: Task 5.4 City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, 541 pages . There is the whole father/daughter and father/son relationship throughout the series.

Total Points: 75
Total Pages: 1789

Natalee wrote:
Wow, Amanda, you read fast! "

I don't have a lot to do during the day, being disabled. But I do read fast! I've always been a voracious reader, and this is giving me an excuse to read more. Thanks for that. It is a relief, though, to be finished with the challenge. I'm going to try my hand at the TNBBC Summer Challenge, but I'm sure I won't read the non-YA books nearly as quickly.

NEW: Finally! Task 10.2: I read The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale, which was rated five stars on several Wild Thing-ers (?) lists. This was such a great book! Not necessarily my favorite fairy-tale retelling, but close up to the top. 400 pages.

MY FINAL POINTS: 350 (340+10)
MY FINAL PAGE TOTAL: 7011 (6611+400)

Amanda R. in Louisville, who can finally start looking at the discussion boards, now that no book is calling.

Wowzers! Our first finisher! Congrats Amanda!

Wow, Amanda! You're a speed demon! What would you say is your favorite book that you read for the first time for the challenge?

Awesome job, Amanda! :-)

Luann wrote: "Wow, Amanda! You're a speed demon! What would you say is your favorite book that you read for the first time for the challenge?"

First, thank you all! I can't believe I finished so quickly, either.

My favorite book... well, that's very hard. I was thinking about that this morning, before I logged on. There were so many good books. I think my favorite as far as an entertaining read would have to be Ella Enchanted. If it gets down to which will stand the test of time, which I'll want to read to my children, it gets even tougher.

Anne of Green Gables I'll definitely want to read to (or with) my daughters.

The Book Thief, The Bridge to Terabithia, and Gathering Blue will probably be books I'll read with my children several times. The four above are all classics, in my opinion.

My two least favorite were Then Again, Maybe I Won't, by Judy Blume (which caused me to rant against the author for days) and Cirque du Freak, by Darren Shan, which I just didn't care for.

Amanda R. in Louisville

30.2 Lightning Thief 375 pages. I already contributed to the discussion.

Total: 225 points 4265 pages

Just finished listening/reading to The Angel Experiment by James Patterson for task 10.3 and really enjoyed it more than I thought I would!

Total points: 175
Total pages: 5468

Just finished reading Alis for task 25.3. I really enjoyed the surprising twists this book took.

Total points: 200
Total pages: 5756

I just finished The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray for Task 20.5.

Total Points so far: 245
Total Pages so far: 6,774 pages

Thanks for sharing your favorites, Amanda. One of my newest favorites among the ones you listed is The Book Thief. I'll have to think about my favorites for when I finish - which won't be very soon!

Now on to my report: Finishing task 25.1 took some reading! I read Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (Fantasy, 499 p.), The Freedom Writers Diary by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell (Nonfiction, 304 p.), and Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (Historical Fiction, 316 p.). I started discussion topics here for the "Heir" trilogy and Chains.

I also read Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman (536 p.), which is a fantasy book based heavily on the Asian culture. I would like to switch it for the book I already had for task 25.3.

Total Points: 195
Total Pages: 5881

10.1 Finished reading Graceling (471 pages) as my new book by a new YA author for 10 points (task #1).

Total Points: 40
Total Pages: 1708

I just finished reading an adult book called Kindred, and immediately thought 'I have to go post my points.' This is an adult, non challenge book. This challenge has me trained!
So no points, but great book. :)

LEADER BOARD:

Amanda: 350 pts., 7011 pages.
Alisha: 245 pts., 6774 pages.
Jennifer W: 225 pts., 4265 pages.
Misty: 205 pts., 4578 pages.
Beth: 205 pts., 3951 pages.
Kristen: 200 pts., 5756 pages.
Luann: 195 pts., 5881 pages.
Allison: 190 pts., 2931 pages.
Natalee: 185 pts., 4038 pages.
Jennifer: 175 pts., 3428 pages.
Alexis: 160 pts., 2602 pages.
Bird: 155 pts., 2875 pages.
Ashley: 155 pts., 2812 pages.
C: 145 pts., 3759 pages.
Fiona (Titch): 135 pts., 3347 pages.
Leora: 135 pts., 2330 pages.
Heather: 125 pts., 1913 pages.
Jamie: 115 pts., 2291 pages.
Jen B: 100 pts., 1760 pages.
Becky: 90 pts., 2117 pages.
Josie: 85 pts., 2881 pages.
Kathy: 85 pts., 1542 pages.
Cheryl: 75 pts., 1789 pages.
Lynlee4: 70 pts., 946 pages.
Nirmala: 60 pts., 1168 pages.
Katrina: 50 pts., 836 pages.
Fiona/Tweety: 45 pts., 1174 pages.
Michelle: 45 pts., 993 pages.
Kandice: 45 pts., 480 pages.
Linda Grace: 40 pts., 1708 pages.
Camerandi: 40 pts., 682 pages.
Michelle (sunflowers): 35 pts., 416 pages.
Lisa Julianna: 30 pts., 312 pages.
Arynne: 30 pts., 256 pages.
Stephanie: 25 pts., 352 pages.
Liz: 20 pts., 192 pages.
Adam: 10 pts., 432 pages.

Congratulations, Amanda, our first finisher!

*deeply bowing*

YAY! I'm glad you enjoyed the Challenge, and you should definitely think about a career involving speedreading.

;)

I just finished task 30.2 by reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Great book, but not what I expected from a Newberry.
As soon as I post this, I will be adding my thoughts to the discussion.

New totals- 185 pts and 3124 pages I believe.

Just finished task 20.4 - The Hero and the Crown which was published in my birth year - 1984. I really couldn't quite love this book. Things were a little too neatly wrapped up and I was hoping for more internal drama. I couldn't get too into the main character because of it. She felt a little too 2-d for me.

Total points - 220
Total pages - 5996

10.4 I just finished The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread as my book from any Wild Things Book Awards list (task #4). This book won the Newbery Medal in 2004 and I think it does deserve that award as a well written children's book.

Total points: 50
Total Pages: 1,980

I just finished Howl's Moving Castle(329 pgs) and Castle in the Air (304 pgs)for task 25.4.

New point total: 230
New page total: 4, 584

I just finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for task 20.2.

Total Points: 265
Total Pages read so far: 7,083 pages