Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Here's my reading plan for 52 weeks challenge. The list may change with time but for now let's stick with it.

1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories ✓ 3/5

2. A book set in a different continent On the Jellicoe Road

3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated)
I'll Meet You There

4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015 Trick or The Well of Ascension

5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name Angelfall

6. The highest rated on your TBR

7. A book about books The Book Thief✓ 4/5

8. A classic book with less than 200 pages A Christmas Carol

9. A book that was mentioned in another book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now I've Got Your Number ✓ 4.5/5

11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge The Time Traveler's Wife

12. A childhood classic Anne of Green Gables

13. Reader’s Choice Poison Study✓ 3/5

14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How) What Kills Me

15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago) Pride and Prejudice✓ 3/5


16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels Rebecca

17. A book with a beautiful cover Uprooted✓ 4/5


18. A book on a summer/beach reading list Magnolia ✓ 3/5

19. A non-fiction book The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories

20. A book with a first name in the title The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August

21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page The Archived

22. The first book in a new to you series The Winner's Curse ✓ 4/5

23. The next book in a series you are reading The Winner's Crime ✓ 4.5/5

24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.) Iron To Iron (Wolf By Wolf #1.5) ✓ 4/5

25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you

26. A book everyone is talking about The Martian✓ 4.5/5

27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion) A Court of Mist and Fury✓ 4.5/5

28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things

29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name The Darkest Magic✓ 3/5

30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves✓ 3/5

31. A work of young adult fiction Cinder✓ 4/5

32. A historical fiction book Prisoner of Night and Fog

33. The 16th book on your TBR

34. A book about mental illness It's Kind of a Funny Story

35. An award winning book Station Eleven

36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read The Last Song

38. A book about an anti hero Vicious

39. A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list (a book with a ghost in it) Saving Mercy

40. A novella from your favorite genre

41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction)
Wolf By Wolf ✓ 5/5

42. A top 100 fantasy novel The Well of Ascension or The Name of the Wind

43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night Written in Red

44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public

45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have

46. A crime story The Girl on the Train✓ 2/5

47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title Jaglany Detoks

48. A dystopia Ready Player One or The Queen of the Tearling

49. A book with a great opening line The Raven Boys

50. A book originally written in a language other than English Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ

51. A short story from a well-known author Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories

52. A book published in 2016 Crooked Kingdom5/5

***
I really liked only few of the stories. Unfortunately, some of them were just meh. I didn't get invested in half of the storylines and didn't connect with the characters. However, I might reread a few favourites next Christmas (mainly Stephanie Perkins and Kiersten White).

*****
I loved this book. It's action-packed and intense with interesting characters, captivating relations between them and various, beautiful locations. I could not put it down. I felt kind of similar to when I was first reading Hunger Games. It's my favourite book of 2016 so far.

***
Southern romance that was cute but a bit cheesy at times. I liked the setting and disaster element of the story but I didn't really feel connected to the characters. Nevertheless, it was pleasant and sweet summer story.

4.5 stars
I really, really like this book. It was funny and cute, with interesting and likeable characters and even elements of suspence. I love how it was done, love the aspect of text-messaging (favourite scene -> playing Scrabble). There were a few cheesy moments, especially at the end that made me lower my rate to 4.5. Still, I really enjoyed the story and I plan to reread it in the future.

***
Although it wasn't a bad book, I didn't feel connected to the characters and wasn't that much interested in the plot. It has interesting premise and main character being food taster and educating in poisons is an original idea that I don't see often (if at all) in other books but I wasn't as engrossed in the story as I hoped I would be. Maybe I had too high expectations. It had good moments and overall I liked it, but I don't think I will continue with the series.

***
I've heard of the Ali Baba story before but I've never actually read it. I'm glad I've finally done it. The clear message of the story is that being greedy does not pay off. I was a bit surprised by some violent scenes but I liked this fairytale and the way it was told. I may read the whole Arabian nights in the future.