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2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2016
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Amanda R's 2016 enchanted reading corner
I've finished my first book. Well, a short story really. A free download. It is Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella. Finished today 6th January. I love Sophie Kinsella. I've read 6 of the Shopaholic series, well 7 now! There is another to read on my shelf which I'm planning in for this year: Shopaholic to the Stars. Looking forward to it. I read Shopaholic on Honeymoon for the challenge The Small Yearly Challenge - A Book you can Finish in One Day. What I would say about the book is that it's nice for Shopaholic fans to read a little bit more about Becky. The only downpoint is it stops rather abruptly. It feels like there was more of a story to follow. I give it 2 stars for that reason.
I've finished my second book of the year. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton. I read this book as a Buddy Read which was fun. The first one I've done. It's a way of encouraging each other to read further in the book and I would definitely recommend it. I read this book for 3 challenges! The Around the World in Books Challenge - the author is from Australia; The New 2 U Challenge and the Mystery, Crime and Thriller Challenge.It is the story of Grace who was a servant in the House at Riverton. She is now in her nineties and reflecting on her life at the house. Family secrets and a suicide are intertwined with the goings on in the servants' quarters and the upbringing of the three children of the house. The First World War also adds to the drama. If you like a good story with identifiable characters, then this is the book for you. The pace picks up towards the end which calls for an interesting and exciting read. I gave it 4 stars.
My third book finished 13/1/16 is The Newton Letter by John Banville. It's a story of 80 pages about a writer who wants to finish his book on Isaac Newton and rents his house in the countryside to get some peace and quiet to do this. Through other distractions his book does not get completed. That's all I'm going to say. I read The Sea by John Banville and I really enjoyed it so was keen to read something else by him. He writes in a beautiful way. Here is a quote from the book: "By the force of my unwavering, meticulous attention she would rise on her scallop shell through the waves and be." So poetic. This book is the third in The Revolutions Trilogy.They focus on men of science, the other two stories being about Dr. Copernicus and Kepler. John Banville is also known as the crime writer Benjamin Black. I haven't read the other two stories or a crime novel by Black. Something to add to my TBR!
I rated The Newton Letter with 3 stars.
My fourth book completed is The Martian by Andy Weir. I finished it on 16/1/16.I have to admit space, science fiction, it's not the genre I would choose. However, Matt Damon is in the film and I think he's a great actor so when a group read for The Martian was announced, I thought, right I'm going for it. The first five chapters were very technical and I wondered if I was going to survive but then the story kicked in and it wasn't just Mark Watney's (the astronaut) logbook. The background is that Mark has been left for dead on Mars by his crew but he is actually alive. His character is likeable, he makes a lot of jokes and tries to make the best of the situation. The ultimate question is, will he ever get rescued? While he encounters many difficulties, as a reader I was willing him not to give up hope. Next stop the film!
I rated The Martian with 4 stars.
good luck on your challenge amanda
5. Completed The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky on 19/01/16.For lovers of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger this is definitely a book to recommend. It is a coming of age story about Charlie written in the form of letters to "a friend". Charlie is a bit of an outsider and his life picks up when he meets Patrick and Sam who help him through his many teenage trials. It's a life where mixed tapes, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, parties and family relationships play a key part together with book recommendations from his teacher. It is written in a candid way, in a Charlie way which makes you feel like you really know what he's going through.
I raced through this one. My rating is 5 stars.
6. My next book read is a Dutch book 't Jagthuys by Merijn de Boer. I finished it on 24/01/16. The blurb on the back of the book misled me a little. It said that the character Vera was a nurse but on reading it, I discovered that she was actually someone that was hired to have sexual relations with Binnert, the autistic man in the book. I think the Dutch do tend to have more sex in their books and films than the British, or at least it's more explicit and not so arty. I found the ending quite sudden and I had to re-read it to make sure I had understood it properly. I felt like the story would have been better if Vera was a nurse who came in to help with Binnert and fell in love with him. It would have been less sexual and more of a love story. I gave it 2 stars.
7. One City by Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh. This book was brought out in support of the OneCity Trust which campaigns for social justice in Edinburgh. The 3 writers all live in Edinburgh and each wrote a short story about Edinburgh. Homesickness, magic and a tiger are what drives the stories. My favourite was by Alexander McCall Smith. I really love this author. I've read more books by him than by anyone else. The The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the 44 Scotland Street series, The Sunday Philosophy Club series are all brilliant. I have yet to begin his Corduroy Mansions series and have some of his one-off novels to read. He writes in a very pleasant manner, a kind of cosy on the couch with a cup of tea on a Sunday afternoon pace. Ian Rankin is one of the kings of crime, inventor of the Inspector Rebus series. I have a book of his in my pile to read so there'll be more about him later. Irvine Welsh is famous for Trainspotting. His characters speak in Edinburgh dialect and are quite often hippy and trippy. Three very different writers in one book. I rated it 3 stars.
I'm taking part in a Books to Films Reading Challenge. I thought it would be fun if I would watch the films after reading the books.1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Rating 5 stars
I preferred the book to the film. I enjoyed the film. The book was just better. I loved seeing the character of Patrick on film. For any Harry Potter fans, Emma Watson is in the film with an American accent.
Box Sets 1st Quarter ChallengeDuration: January 1 - March 31, 2016
Shattered
1. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Completed 9/03/16 Rating 4 stars
2. The Glass Room by Simon Mawer Completed 15/06/16 Rating 3 stars
3. Walking On Glass by Iain Banks Completed 14/03/16 Rating 3 stars
Shattered Box Set Overall Rating 3 stars
Minis (less than 150 pages)
1. The Newton Letter by John Banville Completed 13/01/16 Rating 3 stars
2. The Laying On Of Hands by Alan Bennett Completed 11/02/16 Rating 2 stars
3. One City by Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh Completed 29/01/16 Rating 3 stars
Minis Box Set Overall Rating 3 stars
5/6 Jan-Mar
1/2 Jan-Mar
1/1 April-June
1/1 April-June
Challenge completed
Completed 5/6 January-March. Completed 1/6 April-June.
Group Reads 1st Quarter ChallengeDuration: January 1 - March 31, 2016
1. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Extreem luid & ongelooflijk dichtbij) by Jonathan Safran Foer Completed 19/04/16 Rating 4 stars
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Completed 19/01/16 Rating 5 stars
3. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Completed 3/04/16 Rating 5 stars
4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Completed 20/02/16 Rating 3 stars
5. The Martian by Andy Weir Completed 16/01/16 Rating 4 stars
3/5 Jan-Mar
2/2 April
Total 5/5
Challenge completed
Completed 3/5 January - March. I'm in the middle of reading the fourth book (completed 3/04/16) and have the fifth book planned for this month so will update here when finished (completed 19/04/16).
Recommended by Readers ChallengeDuration: January 1 - December 31, 2016
1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Completed 19/01/16 Rating 5 stars
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Completed 2/02/16 Rating 3 stars
3. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Completed 5/05/16 Rating 5 stars
4. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Completed 16/05/16 Rating 4 stars
5. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind Completed 26/06/16 Rating 4 stars
6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Completed 18/07/16 Rating 5 stars
7. Paper Towns by John Green Completed 14/11/16 Rating 4 stars
8. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 Rating 4 stars
9. Animal Farm by George Orwell Completed 19/12/16 Rating 4 stars
10. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman Completed 30/12/16 Rating 4 stars
10/10
Challenge completed
Around the World in Books ChallengeDuration: January 1 - December 31, 2016
1. Australia The House at Riverton by Kate Morton Completed 11/01/16 Rating 4 stars
2. Ireland The Newton Letter by John Banville Completed 13/01/16 Rating 3 stars
3. Algeria L'étranger (The Stranger) by Albert Camus Completed 10/02/16 Rating 3 stars
4. Scotland Knots and Crosses (Kat & muis) by Ian Rankin Completed 19/02/16 Rating 3 stars
5. England Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley Completed 20/02/16 Rating 3 stars
6. The Netherlands The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber Completed 29/02/16 Rating 4 stars
7. Czech Republic Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis) by Franz Kafka Completed 2/03/16 Rating 4 stars
8. Wales Esio Trot by Roald Dahl Completed 27/03/16 Rating 4 stars
9. China Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Completed 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
10. Denmark The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis Completed 12/04/16 Rating 4 stars
11. USA Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer Completed 19/04/16 Rating 4 stars
12. Japan Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Completed 16/05/16 Rating 4 stars
13. Iran De kraai by Kader Abdolah Completed 5/06/16 Rating 4 stars
14. Germany Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind Completed 26/06/16 Rating 4 stars
15. France No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre Completed 1/07/16 Rating 4 stars
16. Hungary Embers by Sándor Márai Completed 7/07/16 Rating 3 stars
17. Zimbabwe Bertie Plays the Blues by Alexander McCall Smith Completed 22/08/16 Rating 4 stars
18. Russia The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy Completed 28/11/16 Rating 4 stars
18/18
Challenge completed
Modern Mrs. Darcy ChallengeDuration: January 1 - December 31, 2016
1. A Book Published this Year
't Jagthuys by Merijn de Boer Completed 24/01/06 Rating 2 stars
2. A Book You Can Finish in One Day
Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella Completed 7/01/06 Rating 2 stars
3. A Book You Have Been Meaning to Read
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber Completed 29/02/16 Rating 4 stars
4. A Book Recommended by Your Local Librarian or Bookseller
The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 Rating 4 stars
5. A Book You Should Have Read in School
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare Completed 18/03/16 Rating 3 stars
6. A Book Chosen For You by Your Daughter
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith Completed 28/04/16 Rating 4 stars
7. A Book Published Before You Were Born
Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis) by Franz Kafka Completed 2/03/16 Rating 4 stars
8. A Book That Was Banned at Some Point
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Completed 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
9. A Book You Previously Abandoned
The Blackbird's Tale by Emma Blair Completed 10/08/16 Rating 4 stars
10. A Book You Own but Have Never Read
The Glass Room by Simon Mawer Completed 15/06/16 Rating 3 stars
11. A Book that Intimidates You
Misery by Stephen King Completed 23/10/16 Rating 4 stars
12. A Book You Have Read at Least Once
L'étranger (The Stranger) by Albert Camus Completed 10/02/16 Rating 3 stars
12/12
Challenge completed
Let's Turn Pages ChallengeDuration: January 1 – December 31, 2016
1. Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella Completed 07/01/16 2 stars 28 pages
2. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton Completed 11/01/16 4 stars 599 pages
3. The Newton Letter by John Banville Completed 13/01/16 3 stars 81 pages
4. The Martian by Andy Weir Completed 16/01/16 4 stars 385 pages
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Completed 19/01/16 5 stars 232 pages
6. 't Jagthuys by Merijn de Boer Completed 24/01/16 2 stars 237 pages
7. One City by Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh Completed 29/1/16 Rating 3 stars 112 pages
8. Mangaman by Barry Lyga Completed 8/2/16 Rating 3 stars 144 pages
9. New Toddler Taming: A parents’ guide to the first four years by Christopher Green Completed 9/2/16 Rating 3 stars 448 pages
10. L'étranger (The Stranger) by Albert Camus Completed 10/2/16 Rating 3 stars 184 pages
11. The Laying On Of Hands by Alan Bennett Completed 11/2/16 Rating 2 stars 112 pages
12. Knots and Crosses (Kat & muis) by Ian Rankin Completed 19/2/16 Rating 3 stars 232 pages
13. Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley Completed 20/02/16 Rating 3 stars 273 pages
14. The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland - For a Little While by Catherynne M. Valente Completed 23/02/16 Rating 2 stars 31 pages
15. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber Completed 29/02/16 Rating 4 stars 845 pages
16. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Completed 2/03/16 Rating 3 stars 66 pages
17. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Completed 9/03/16 Rating 4 stars 336 pages
18. Walking On Glass by Iain Banks Completed 14/03/16 Rating 3 stars 239 pages
19. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare Completed 18/03/16 Rating 3 stars 64 pages
20. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Completed 24/03/16 Rating 4 stars 410 pages
21. Esio Trot by Roald Dahl Completed 27/03/16 Rating 4 stars 58 pages
22. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Completed 28/03/16 696 pages
23. The Twits by Roald Dahl Completed 30/03/16 87 pages
24. George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl Completed 31/03/16 88 pages
25. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Completed 3/04/16 112 pages
26. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis Completed 12/04/16 269 pages
27. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer Completed 19/04/16 326 pages
28. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith Completed 28/04/16 320 pages
29. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl Completed 29/04/16 88 pages
30. The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl Completed 29/04/16 58 pages
31. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling and Newt Scamander Completed 29/04/16 42 pages
32. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup Completed 29/04/16 352 pages
33. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Completed 5/05/16 380 pages
34. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Completed 16/05/16 282 pages
35. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Completed 18/05/16 234 pages
36. The BFG by Roald Dahl Completed 19/05/16 199 pages
37. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Completed 24/05/16 52 pages
38. Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis Completed 26/05/16 340 pages
39. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen Completed 29/05/16 320 pages
40. 40 by Saskia Noort Completed 30/05/16 106 pages
41. De kraai by Kader Abdolah Completed 5/06/16 91 pages
42. The Glass Room by Simon Mawer Completed 15/06/16 404 pages
43. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Completed 22/06/16 142 pages
44. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind Completed 26/06/16 256 pages
45. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney Completed 30/06/16 20 pages
46. Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort Completed 30/06/16 32 pages
47. No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre Completed 1/07/16 52 pages
48. Embers by Sándor Márai Completed 7/07/16 256 pages
49. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Completed 18/07/16 560 pages
50. Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella Completed 22/07/16 512 pages
51. The Blackbird's Tale by Emma Blair Completed 10/08/16 572 pages
52. Bertie Plays the Blues by Alexander McCall Smith Completed 22/08/16 260 pages
53. Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella Completed 27/08/16 366 pages
54. Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl Completed 28/08/16 216 pages
55. The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Completed 28/08/16 64 pages
56. The New You Survival Kit by Daisy Waugh Completed 5/09/16 293 pages
57. The Witches by Roald Dahl Completed 8/09/16 201 pages
58. Sunshine on Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith Completed 16/09/16 297 pages
59. Watership Down by Richard Adams Completed 21/09/16 478 pages
60. The Comfort of Saturdays by Alexander McCall Smith Completed 29/09/16 234 pages
61. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Completed 30/09/16 190 pages
62. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Completed 15/10/16 317 pages
63. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Completed 18/10/16 116 pages
64. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Completed 23/10/16 446 pages
65. Misery by Stephen King Completed 23/10/16 352 pages
66. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl Completed 30/10/16 182 pages
67. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Completed 3/11/16 327 pages
68. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy Completed 10/11/16 377 Pages
69. Paper Towns by John Green Completed 14/11/16 305 pages
70. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig Completed 26/11/16 264 pages
71. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Completed 26/11/16 636 pages
72. The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy Completed 28/11/16 54 pages
73. Ring for Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Completed 28/11/16 240 pages
74. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (abridged) Completed 29/11/16 24 pages
75. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 451 pages
76. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Completed 11/12/16 160 pages
77. Animal Farm by George Orwell Completed 19/12/16 95 pages
78. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman Completed 30/12/16 414 pages
19,723/17,500
January 1,674
February 2,269
March 2,044
April 1,567
May 1,913
June 945
July 1,380
August 1,478
September 1,693
October 1,413
November 2,227
December 1,120
From Fiction To RealityDuration: January 1 - December 31, 2016
1a A Very Long Engagement by Sébastien Japrisot (Fiction)
1b The Imperial War Museum Book of the Western Front by Malcolm Brown (Non-Fiction)
World War 1
2a The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford (Fiction)
2b The Mitford Girls: The Biography of an Extraordinary Family by Mary S. Lovell (Non-Fiction)
The Mitford family
3a Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (Fiction) Completed 19/04/16 Rating 4 stars
3b Report From Ground Zero by Dennis Smith (Non-Fiction)
9/11
4a Het Lelietheater (The Lily Theater) by Lulu Wang (Fiction)
4b Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang (Non-Fiction) Completed 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
China
5a The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Fiction) Completed 23/10/16 Rating 3 stars
5b Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup (Non-Fiction) Completed 29/04/16 Rating 4 stars
Slavery
1/5
4/10
The TBR Randomiser ChallengeDuration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. De rode jurk by Sarah Harrison (The Red Dress)
2. The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes
3. Embers by Sándor Márai Completed 7/07/16 Rating 3 stars
4. In mijn dromen by Simone van der Vlugt
5. La femme rompue by Simone de Beauvoir (The Woman Destroyed)
6. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 Rating 4 stars
7. Mysteries in Nedeland / Amsterdam by Martijn J. Adelmund
8. Die neuen Leiden des jungen W. by Ulrich Plenzdorf (The New Sufferings of Young W.)
9. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
10. Het verdwenen meisje by Jodi Picoult (Vanishing Acts)
2/10
The Non-Fiction Challenge (own challenge)Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. New Toddler Taming: A parents’ guide to the first four years by Christopher Green Completed 9/02/16 Rating 3 stars
2. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Completed 9/03/16 Rating 4 stars
3. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Completed 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
4. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup Completed 29/04/16 Rating 4 stars
5. 40 by Saskia Noort Completed 30/05/16 Rating 4 stars
6. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig Completed 26/11/16 Rating 4 stars
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
6/12
The Chick-Lit Challenge (own challenge)Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella Completed 07/01/16 Rating 2 stars
2. Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella Completed 22/07/16 Rating 3 stars
3. Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella Completed 27/08/16 Rating 3 stars
4. The New You Survival Kit by Daisy Waugh Completed 5/09/16 Rating 2 stars
5. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy Completed 10/11/16 Rating 3 stars
6. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 Rating 4 stars
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
6/12
The Double Dutch Challenge (books by Dutch writers or books read in Dutch) (own challenge)Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. The Martian by Andy Weir (Mars) Completed 16/01/16 Rating 4 stars
2. 't Jagthuys by Merijn de Boer Completed 24/01/16 Rating 2 stars
3. Knots and Crosses (Kat & muis) by Ian Rankin Completed 19/02/16 Rating 3 stars
4. The Glass Castle (Het Glazen Kasteel) by Jeannette Walls Completed 9/03/16 Rating 4 stars
5. The Boy in the Suitcase (De jongen in de koffer) by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis Completed 12/04/16 Rating 4 stars
6. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Extreem luid & ongelooflijk dichtbij) by Jonathan Safran Foer Completed 19/04/16 Rating 4 stars
7. The Surgeon (De chirurg) by Tess Gerritsen Completed 29/05/16 Rating 4 stars
8. 40 by Saskia Noort Completed 30/05/16 Rating 4 stars
9. De kraai by Kader Abdolah Completed 5/06/16 Rating 4 stars
10. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Het parfum) by Patrick Süskind Completed 26/06/16 Rating 4 stars
11. Misery (Misery) by Stephen King Completed 23/10/16 Rating 4 stars
12.
11/12
The Historical Fiction Challenge (own challenge)Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton Completed 11/01/16 Rating 4 stars
2. The Newton Letter by John Banville Completed 13/01/16 Rating 3 stars
3. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber Completed 29/02/16 Rating 4 stars
4. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Completed 24/03/16 Rating 4 stars
5. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Completed 3/04/16 Rating 5 stars
6. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer Completed 19/04/16 Rating 4 stars
7. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith Completed 28/04/16 Rating 4 stars
8. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Completed 5/05/16 Rating 5 stars
9. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Completed 24/05/16 Rating 3 stars
10. Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis Completed 26/05/16 Rating 3 stars
11. The Glass Room by Simon Mawer Completed 15/06/16 Rating 3 stars
12. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind Completed 26/06/16 Rating 4 stars
13. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Completed 18/07/16 Rating 5 stars
14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Completed 23/10/16 Rating 3 stars
15. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 Rating 4 stars
15/15
Challenge completed
The Chunksters Challenge (own challenge)Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton Completed 11/01/16 Rating 4 stars 599 pages
2. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber Completed 29/02/16 Rating 4 stars 845 pages
3. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Completed 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars 696 pages
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Completed 18/07/16 Rating 5 stars 560 pages
5. Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella Completed 22/07/16 Rating 3 stars 512 pages
6. The Blackbird's Tale by Emma Blair Completed 10/08/16 Rating 4 stars 572 pages
7. Watership Down by Richard Adams Completed 21/09/16 Rating 4 stars 478 pages
8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Completed 26/11/16 Rating 5 stars 636 pages
9. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 Rating 4 stars 451 pages
10.
11.
12.
9/12
The Serious Series Challenge (own challenge)Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. Knots and Crosses (Kat & muis) by Ian Rankin Inspector Rebus #1 Completed 19/02/16 Rating 3 stars
2. Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James Fifty Shades #2
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter #3 Completed 15/10/16 Rating 5 stars
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter #4 Completed 26/11/16 Rating 5 stars
5. The Comfort Of Saturdays by Alexander McCall Smith Isabel Dalhousie #5 Completed 29/09/16 Rating 4 stars
6. The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith Isabel Dalhousie #6
7. Bertie Plays the Blues by Alexander McCall Smith Scotland Street #7 Completed 22/08/16 Rating 4 stars
8. Sunshine on Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith Scotland Street #8 Completed 16/09/16 Rating 4 stars
+
9. Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic #7 Completed 22/07/16 Rating 3 stars
10. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson Millenium #3
11. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman His Dark Materials #1 Completed 30/12/16 Rating 4 stars
12. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #1
8/12
+
1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Completed 3/04/16 Rating 5 stars Christmas Books
2. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis Completed 12/04/16 Rating 4 stars Nina Borg #1
3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith Completed 28/04/16 Rating 4 stars Pride and Prejudice and Zombies #1
4. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling and Newt Scamander Completed 29/04/16 Rating 4 stars Hogwarts Library
5. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen Completed 29/05/16 Rating 4 stars Rizzoli & Isles #1
6. Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella Completed 27/08/16 Rating 3 stars Shopaholic #8
7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Completed 30/09/16 Rating 5 stars Charlie Bucket #1
8. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl Completed 30/10/16 Rating 3 stars Charlie Bucket #2
9. Ring for Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Completed 28/11/16 Rating 4 stars Jeeves #10
8. Mangaman by Barry LygaI enjoyed it. I loved the mix between manga and western comics. I liked when Ryoko and Marissa came out of the panels and all the problems that Ryoko had as a manga character in a western comic eg having to clear up the rain from his storm clouds and the janitor sweeping away his speed lines. It was good that there was a glossary at the back to explain some terms. It was well drawn. There was great attention to detail, even the speech bubbles were drawn differently dependent on whether Ryoko or the other characters talked.
Read 8/2/16 Rating 3 stars
9. New Toddler Taming: A parents’ guide to the first four years by Christopher GreenTips and advice about bringing up of toddlers. Behaviour, sleep, eating, toilet training are amongst some of the main topics dealt with. It's written in an easy-to-read manner together with examples which Dr Green has encountered as a professional.
Read 9/2/16 Rating 3 stars
10. L'étranger (The Stranger) by Albert CamusMeursault is a rather detached individual whose prospects change in a blink of an eye and is regarded by all for his actions and indifference as a condemned man.
Read 10/2/16 Rating 3 stars
11. The Laying On Of Hands by Alan BennettClive has died young and at his memorial there are many celebrities and many household names. There is great unease as to why Clive has died, even the vicar taking the service is in a quandary as he also knew him. Through sharing their thoughts and memories of the dead man, the congregation's questions are answered.
Read 11/2/16 Rating 2 stars
I would like to join this challenge. I'm going to go for 25.The Listopia Challenge
Duration: January 1st - December 31st, 2016
Best Crime Mystery Books
URL: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/11.Best_Crime_Mystery_Books
1. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Completed 5/05/16 Rating 5 stars
2. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen Completed 29/05/16 Rating 4 stars
3. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind Completed 26/06/16 Rating 4 stars
4. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Completed 18/10/16 Rating 4 stars
1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
URL: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3647.1001_Children_s_Books_You_Must_Read_Before_You_Grow_Up
5. The BFG by Roald Dahl Completed 19/05/16 Rating 4 stars
6. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Completed 24/05/16 Rating 3 stars
7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Completed 30/09/16 Rating 5 stars
8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Completed 15/10/16 Rating 5 stars
9. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Completed 23/10/16 Rating 3 stars
10. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Completed 26/11/16 Rating 5 stars
11. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Completed 11/12/16 Rating 4 stars
12. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman Completed 30/12/16 Rating 4 stars
Big Fat Books Worth The Effort
URL : https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3153.Big_Fat_Books_Worth_the_Effort
13. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Completed 18/07/16 Rating 5 stars
14.
15.
16.
17.
Must Read Classics
URL : https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/449.Must_Read_Classics
18. Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley Completed 20/2/16 Rating 3 stars
19. Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis) by Franz Kafka Completed 2/03/16 Rating 4 stars
20. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare Completed 18/03/16 Rating 3 stars
21. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Completed 3/04/16 Rating 5 stars
22. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Completed 22/06/16 Rating 4 stars
23. Watership Down by Richard Adams Completed 21/09/16 Rating 4 stars
24. Animal Farm by George Orwell Completed 19/12/16 Rating 4 stars
Favorite Chick Lit
URL : https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/402.Favorite_Chick_Lit
25. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Completed 9/12/16 Rating 4 stars
21/25
12. Knots and Crosses (Kat & muis) by Ian RankinThis is the first book in the Inspector Rebus series which is set in Edinburgh. Ian Rankin has become famous because of this series although he has written stand-alone novels such as Watchman.
Rebus is a policeman who is investigating the abduction and murders of two girls. His own personal life is very much under the spotlight. He is ex-SAS, drinks too much and is estranged from his wife. Then messages begin to appear: knots made of rope and crosses made of matches. Will Rebus be able to decipher these messages and catch the killer?
As it is based in Edinburgh and I have lived there, I thought it was about time I started writing Rebus. I enjoyed it and would like to continue reading the series. It's not just about the crime but also about the characters which adds to the story. I'm sure we will see Rebus develop as the stories continue.
Something which thrilled me was that a cinema I worked in when I was a student was mentioned in the book (The ABC in Lothian Road). I didn't see that coming!
Read 19/2/16 Rating 3 stars
13. Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary ShelleyWhen I thought of Frankenstein and what it meant to me, I thought of a monster with a big head and a bolt through its neck, well it´s not like that at all. It is a gothic novel with a creator nearing madness and a monster who has a conscience.
Read 20/2/16 Rating 3 stars
Fantasy Challenge (own challenge)Duration: January 1st - December 31st 2016
1. The Martian by Andy Weir Completed 16/01/16 Rating 4 stars
2. Mangaman by Barry Lyga Completed 8/02/16 Rating 3 stars
3. Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley Completed 20/02/16 Rating 3 stars
4. The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland - For a Little While by Catherynne M. Valente Read 23/02/16 Rating 2 stars
5. Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis) by Franz Kafka Completed 2/03/16 Rating 4 stars
6. Walking On Glass by Iain Banks Completed 14/3/16 Rating 3 stars
7. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare Completed 18/3/16 Rating 3 stars
8. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Completed 24/03/16 Rating 4 stars
9. Esio Trot by Roald Dahl Completed 27/03/16 Rating 4 stars
10. The Twits by Roald Dahl Completed 30/03/16 Rating 4 stars
11. George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl Completed 31/03/16 Rating 4 stars
12. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Completed 3/04/16 Rating 5 stars
13. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith Completed 28/04/16 Rating 4 stars
14. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl Completed 29/04/16 Rating 4 stars
15. The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl Completed 29/04/16 Rating 3 stars
16. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling and Newt Scamander Completed 29/04/16 Rating 4 stars
17. The BFG by Roald Dahl Completed 19/5/16 Rating 4 stars
18. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind Completed 26/06/16 Rating 4 stars
19. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney Completed 30/06/16 Rating 5 stars
20. Alien's Love Underpants by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort Completed 30/06/16 Rating 4 stars
21. Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl Completed 28/08/16 Rating 4 stars
22. The Witches by Roald Dahl Completed 8/09/16 Rating 3 stars
23. Watership Down by Richard Adams Completed 21/09/16 Rating 4 stars
24. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Completed 15/10/16 Rating 5 stars
25. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl Completed 30/10/16 Rating 3 stars
26. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Completed 3/11/16 Rating 4 stars
27. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling Completed 26/11/16 Rating 5 stars
28. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells Completed 29/11/16 Rating 4 stars
29. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Completed 11/12/16 Rating 4 stars
30. Animal Farm by George Orwell Completed 19/12/16 Rating 4 stars
31. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman Completed 30/12/16 Rating 4 stars
31/20
Challenge completed
I'll just add any more fantasy books to this list as I read them.
14. The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland - For a Little While by Catherynne M. ValenteThis was my first encounter with Catherynne Valente. This is a short story as an ebook. I found the characters very interesting however there was so many new concepts to deal with that I found it a bit difficult to follow. I wondered if this had maybe been written after some of her other books where readers already understand what her world is all about and can easily follow it.
Read 23/2/16 Rating 2 stars
15. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel FaberWow! What a book! It's a big one at 800+ pages. It's the story of Sugar a prostitute in Victorian England. OK, so the subject matter could be a little explicit at times so if that's not your thing, don't go there. It is however so much more than that. It's a great story about someone wanting to better themselves despite the bad start they've had in life. The descriptive passages are gorgeous leading you right into the heart of Victorian London. The poor areas in contrast with the rich lifestyle. The characters are from all ends of the scale. I agree with Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones who says "When a book is this big it had better be good - this one is. Dive in. Enjoy!"
Read 29/2/16 Rating 4 stars
16. Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis) by Franz KafkaThis is a creepy short story about a man who wakes up one morning and discovers he has changed into a bug. He still thinks as a human but cannot communicate. His family are disgusted by him, only his sister brings him meals. They depended on him for money and now that he is vermin, they have to fend for themselves. It's a story that stays with you after you've finished reading. Will Gregor change back or is he condemned to be a bug forever?
Read 2/03/16 Rating 4 stars
I'm taking part in a Books to Films Reading Challenge. Here's what I thought of The Martian.Book:
The Martian by Andy Weir Completed 16/01/16 Rating 4 stars
Film:
The Martian
Really enjoyed this film. In fact I enjoyed the film more than the book. The book is quite technical and has to explain a lot. With the film you can see what everything looks like. When I was reading, I tried to imagine the space equipment etc that was being described and with the film it is all there in front of you. The first five chapters of the book were technical, in the film ten minutes in that's all been dealt with. Matt Damon was great as always. The effects were amazing. Even if you're not into science fiction, check this out. It's funny too. I give the film five stars.
17. The Glass Castle by Jeannette WallsThis book touched me. It's a memoir of the author's upbringing. Not only did she have to live in poverty but she and her siblings had to deal with her dysfunctional parents: her alcoholic father and her mother who would much rather paint than take responsibility for the children. In parts it's shocking and it makes you realise how lucky you are.
Read 9/03/16 Rating 4 stars
CourageDuration: March 1st - March 31st 2016
For this challenge, we would like you to read books that you define as courageous because what is brave to one person can be different to another. It is up to you, all we ask is that you justify your selection.
1. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Completed 9/03/16 Rating 4 stars
This is a memoir about the author's upbringing. Not only does she and her 3 siblings live in poverty but her parents are also dysfunctional: her father is an alcoholic and her mother would prefer to paint than take responsibility for the children. The children have to show extreme courage in their difficult circumstances: they are picked on at school, they have to live in a house which is falling apart, they move a lot at a moment's notice, they have to deal with their parents as if they, themselves are the adults and the parents, the children. The children do not chose this life but bravely live each day as best they can.
2. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Completed 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
Jung Chang has written a family history written around the lives of her grandmother, her mother and herself. It begins with traditional China, through the rise of Communism and the leadership of Chairman Mao and ends with the author's acceptance of the West.
This is what Jung Chang had to say about the first twenty-six years of her life and this sums it up:
"I had experienced privilege as well as denunciation, courage as well as fear, seen kindness and loyalty as well as the depths of human ugliness. Amid suffering, ruin, and death, I had above all known love and the indestructible human capacity to survive and to pursue happiness."
2/2
Challenge completed
March #readwomen Challenge:Duration: March 1, 2016 to March 31. 2016
In the spirit of last year's challenge:
"It’s a truth universally acknowledged, and confirmed by VIDA, that, though women read more books than men, and female authors are published in comparable numbers, they are more easily overlooked: a smaller presence in literary journals both as reviewers, and the reviewed, they also account for fewer literary translations."
For this challenge we would like you to explore women writers and pick books only written by women:
4. Read a book about the Eastern Cultures:
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Completed 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
11. Read a book sci-fi/ fantasy book:
The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Completed 24/03/16 Rating 4 stars
2/2
Challenge completed
18. Walking On Glass by Iain Banks Iain Banks was a Scottish writer who wrote both novels (under the name Iain Banks) and science fiction under the name of Iain M Banks. He would write them alternately. I have read quite a few of the novels. My favourites so far being The Crow Road and The Wasp Factory. I haven't read any Iain M. Banks books but maybe that will come one day.
Walking On Glass was a re-read for me. Having said that, it was a while since I read it so I couldn't remember the story too well. It's about 3 different individuals: Graham, Steven and Quiss. Their stories are told in different chapters and do not seem linked at all. Graham's story is about a girl he has fallen in love with; Steven is paranoid and thinks that They are out to get him and Quiss is playing impossible games in a castle which he cannot leave until he has solved a riddle. I read the stories on a separate level, it is easy enough to switch from one character to the next. Continue reading and you will see that their stories ultimately collide in an unexpected fashion.
Read 14/03/16 Rating 3 stars
March Madness ChallengeDuration: March 1-31st 2016
1. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Read 2/03/16 Rating 4 stars
2. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Read 9/03/16 Rating 4 stars
3. Walking On Glass by Iain Banks Read 14/03/16 Rating 3 stars
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare Read 18/03/16 Rating 3 stars
5. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Read 24/03/16 Rating 4 stars
6. Esio Trot by Roald Dahl Read 27/03/16 Rating 4 stars
7. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang Read 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
8. The Twits by Roald Dahl Read 30/03/16 Rating 4 stars
9. George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl Read 31/03/16 Rating 4 stars
9/9
Challenge completed
March: CourageApril: Spring Cleaning
May: Celebrations
June: Pride
July: Leaders
August: Friendship
September: Reflections
October: Scare
November: Family
December: Holidays
Did a relaxed Read-a-thon this weekend for another groupMarch Read-a-thon
Friday 18 - Sunday 20 March
Friday: A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare 21 pages Finished
Saturday: The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge 41 pages & The Glass Room by Simon Mawer 5 pages = 46 pages
Sunday: The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge 68 pages
Total pages: 135 pages
19. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare This year is 400 years since William Shakespeare died. I had never read A Midsummer Night's Dream before. All I knew was that there were fairies in it and that there was a character named Puck and a character named Bottom. It's all about love and a bit of mischief. It's a short play so if you are intending to try some Shakespeare, it would be a good start. There's a lot of comedy too. I realise that a play is intended for stage so I feel like I really need to see it to appreciate the fairies, the costumes, the visual aspects of comedy. I am intending to see the film so will come back to this review after that to add my comments.
Read 18/03/16 Rating 3 stars
20. The Lie Tree by Frances HardingeThis is the Costa Book of the Year for 2015. The Lie Tree is a tree which grows according to how great the lies are that it is fed. In exchange the fruit can be eaten to show visions of truth. Faith, the main character in the book, believes that her father's death was not suicide and uses the tree to try to establish what really happened. It has been categorized as a children's book but I didn't feel that this was the case at all. It is not a coincidence that this book has been chosen as the Costa Book of the Year beating all other books, including those aimed at adult readers.
Read 24/03/16 Rating 4 stars
21. Esio Trot by Roald DahlRoald Dahl was born 100 years ago this year. I have decided to read some of his books this year to celebrate this. His children's books are sometimes creepy, sometimes mean, sometimes sad, sometimes cosy and sometimes cute. This is one of the cosy and cute ones. It is the story of love and tortoises.
Read 27/03/16 Rating 4 stars
22. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung ChangJung Chang has written a family history written around the lives of her grandmother, her mother and herself. It begins with traditional China, through the rise of Communism and the reign of Chairman Mao and ends with the author's acceptance of the West. It is not for the faint-hearted and it can be quite explicit. The stories that are told are full of courage and tragedy. I found it read like historical fiction so it's not too heavy a read. Having said that, it took me 3 months to read. It's nearly 700 pages of non-fiction. I find that when I read non-fiction, I want to concentrate more to digest the facts so I tend to have to be in the right frame of mind to read it. To understand China, it is a very important book.
This is what Jung Chang had to say about the first twenty-six years of her life and this sums it up:
"I had experienced privilege as well as denunciation, courage as well as fear, seen kindness and loyalty as well as the depths of human ugliness. Amid suffering, ruin, and death, I had above all known love and the indestructible human capacity to survive and to pursue happiness."
Read 28/03/16 Rating 4 stars
23. The Twits by Roald DahlRoald Dahl wanted to write a book about beards. My husband has a beard and without giving away too much, I may now look more closely at his beard after reading this book. The Twits, that is Mr and Mrs Twit, like to do pranks on each other, in fact they're quite mean. They're horrible to birds and dislike children with a passion. The Muggle-Wump monkeys and the Roly-Poly bird decide to take a stand.
Read 30/03/16 Rating 4 stars
24. George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl"George couldn't help disliking Grandma. She was a selfish grumpy old woman. She had pale brown teeth and a small puckered-up mouth like a dog's bottom."
George doesn't like his grandma very much so he decides to make her some special medicine to teach her a lesson.
Read 31/03/16 Rating 4 stars
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Help (other topics)Northern Lights (other topics)
1984 (other topics)
Animal Farm (other topics)
Northern Lights (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kathryn Stockett (other topics)Philip Pullman (other topics)
George Orwell (other topics)
Philip Pullman (other topics)
George Orwell (other topics)
More...
At the moment I'm reading The Martian, The House at Riverton and New Toddler Taming: A parents’ guide to the first four years
Why is my reading corner enchanted? Because everybody loves a bit of magic and reading is like magic to me.