Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Lilac - if you get one started I'd definitely be interested.

Catherine - wow! that's one big dog. Do you work with farm animals as well?

sheep, pigs and goats.....but noit very often....we do farm calls for those :)

Today was no school but I didn't get any reading done. I am just about to start my reading for today with

Is there anyone here that is going to be seeing The Battle of the Five Armies when it comes out on December 17? I think I may be going with my brother, I can't wait to see it!

I have just joined three more buddy reads for Unwind on the 14th of December, The Fellowship of the Ring 18th of December, and Shadow and Bone 28th of December.

Juliana, I just realized I am also participating on the buddy read for Cress as well. ☺

I will be going to the cinema for The Battle of the Five Armies but I think it is out in Denmark the 10th of December. I hope to go around the 14th. Hopefully they will have released part two in extended before then so I can see the first two parts again before going to the cinema.

I have read both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings several times and just this year I have listened to them on audio.

I am a bit envious of all this talk about jobs. I would not want your job Apoorv but I would like a job. Hopefully I will start doing some voluntary work soon, just to get out of the house.

Jane wrote: "I will be going to the cinema for The Battle of the Five Armies but I think it is out in Denmark the 10th of December. I hope to go around the 14th. Hopefully they will have released part two in ex..."

I have not read either, well now starting The Hobbit, but I love the movies. Oh that's nice, I would love if it went out earlier, I want to see it already. I hope you enjoy it when you do see it and do tell me what you thought about it. :)

Jane wrote: "I am a bit envious of all this talk about jobs. I would not want your job Apoorv but I would like a job. Hopefully I will start doing some voluntary work soon, just to get out of the house."

are you not working because of school? I wouldn't want Apoorv's job either!! lol I love my job...just not necessarily all the wrestling!

Trinity wrote: "Juliana, I just realized I am also participating on the buddy read for Cress as well. ☺"

So we will read it together. :)

Tomorrow I update your buddy read on my list. Thanks.

Trinity wrote: "Today was no school but I didn't get any reading done. I am just about to start my reading for today with

Is there anyone here that is going to be seeing The Battle ..."

not sure when it's coming...but I want to see it:) Iwas surprised, though, that they made "The Hobbit"into 3 films!

Jane wrote: "I am a bit envious of all this talk about jobs. I would not want your job Apoorv but I would like a job. Hopefully I will start doing some voluntary work soon, just to get out of the house."

Jane I feel the same, I do you love a job but it has been a little difficult for me to find one in my area here in Oslo. I'm too thinking about starting some voluntary work, maybe in the Salvation Army...

Juliana wrote: "Trinity wrote: "Juliana, I just realized I am also participating on the buddy read for Cress as well. ☺"

So we will read it together. :)

Tomorrow I update your buddy read on my list. Thanks."

Yes we will, and thank you. ☺

Catherine wrote: "Trinity wrote: "Today was no school but I didn't get any reading done. I am just about to start my reading for today with

Is there anyone here that is going to be se..."

I know! But I have loved them all. ☺

Catherine wrote: "are you not working because of school? I wouldn't want Apoorv's job either!! lol I love my job...just not necessarily all the wrestling! "

No unfortunately I am unemployed and there are not a lot of jobs around especially not when I have no clue what I want to do.

I was thinking of getting a job too but there's no public transport where I live after 6pm so the longest weekday shifts I'd be able to do are 2 hours, which wouldn't be worth it as the bus fare is more than an hour's pay for 16-18 year olds. Looks like I'll have to stick to occasional babysitting until I take my driving test and save up enough for car insurance.

Aproorv's job does sounds extremely painful! I don't think I could cope with doing any sort of job for 12+ hour shifts, let alone 30 hour shifts.

Good luck with finding a job Jane! If you keep your eyes peeled a perfect one may eventually turn up, or at least something that'll give you inspiration for what you might want to do. :)

we're almost there! I can't wait! the anticipation is killing me!

Jane wrote: "Catherine wrote: "are you not working because of school? I wouldn't want Apoorv's job either!! lol I love my job...just not necessarily all the wrestling! "

No unfortunately I am unemployed and th..."

have you tried taking a class? what interests you? perhaps there is an internship somewhere that could turn into job?

I really enjoyed the Hobbit book - have only watched the 1st film and didn't like it. Think I couldn't cope with the fact that they'd turned a shortish book into 9hours of film. In contrast I really enjoyed the films for Lord of the Rings.

Lilac - sounds like the same problem I had growing up! There's no point doing anything if it costs you more than you gain.

Jane - I hope you find something soon.

This week seems to be going so so slowly. Just want to get started now. Trying to pace my reading this week as well in preparation which isn't helping.

Trinity wrote: "I have just joined three more buddy reads for Unwind on the 14th of December, The Fellowship of the Ring 18th of December, and Shadow and Bone 28th of December."

Wow Trinity, just now I realized how much reading you will be up to in December. They all look great books.

The countdown is in a bit more than 2 and half days to the official beginning of the challenge and I was wondering what you guys are planning to read (start or finish) during the first day.

I'm going to continue with The Lies of Locke Lamora, which is one of the Book Of the Month. Although Forward the Foundation is tempting me for quite some days now.

And you guys, what it is calling your attention?

Okay, I have a favor to ask from you guys !
I wish to read a Fantasy book, and this isnt a very often read genre for me.

So, please suggest me a fairly light read to start up with. Moreover, if it is a Series book.. please suggest me the first one of the series that you really liked.

I know I will get some awesome suggestions, so please help me scale it down as well. :)

Thank You ! :D

Apoorv wrote: "Okay, I have a favor to ask from you guys !
I wish to read a Fantasy book, and this isn't a very often read genre for me.

So, please suggest me a fairly light read to start up with. Moreover, if i..."

Apoorv, what you usually like to read? What do you like in a book, development of characters, humor, dense plot, ...?

One series that comes to mind that it's quite good, funny and it's a classic fantasy is the Dragonlance Chronicles.

The first book is

Dragons of Autumn Twilight

Overall the series is a 4 stars for me, but it's very entertaining and it is easy to read.

If you describe something that you like maybe we could make better suggestions.

Can't wait for this one to start. And I don't know what I will read first. I am participating in a bingo challenge in other group so whatever fits the criteria. :)

Apoorv, fantasy is such a tough genre to recommend.
The easiest to read for a beginner is maybe Assassin's Apprentice. It's a first in series. It's not tough on magic and complicated. Starts kinda like a medieval/historical book in imaginary country and then gradually introduces magic. It follows a boy from young age while he is growing up on court.

Magician: Apprentice is my favorite fantasy series. It's really long but comes in 3-4 book series chunks.

I also liked The Way of Shadows quite a bit.

I have a few longer books I need to read for other challenges and I have decided to start one of them Friday and hopefully be finishing over the weekend.
It will either be
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton or Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher.

I am also taking part in a Read-a-Thon HoHoHo Holiday Read-a-Thon so there might be a few Christmas books next week.

I have Assassin's Apprentice on my TBR list.

I am a little too hell-bent on how the characters shape off in any book I read coz for me it is they who I connect to the most. But, I dont get stuck on that.. yes, I have my guilty pleasures ! :P

For one of my challenges, I need a book set in Texas, so I am even trying to find a Fantasy book set in Texas (not a regular combination :P). How is this book ?
Glass Houses

Glass Houses is for me more paranormal than fantasy or even urban fantasy. I haven't read it, so I can't say nothing more.

Yes, Glass Houses is definitely more paranormal, mostly vampires. Glass Houses itself isn't that amazing but the rest of the series I really loved. Also, it's YA, just so you know. :)

Assassin' s apprentice is a good shout. One of the first 'adult' fantasy series I read was Pawn of Prophecy.

Another of my favourites is the recluce series The Magic of Recluce. I think it's pretty character driven, and uses order vs chaos as its magic system.

I'm currently reading New York which is many many pages long and listening to Stormbird which is just many... might read a few shorter things after that.

Okay, now I am even more confused ! :P
I will read all of these one day, but what do I start with ?

.. and moreover most of these are long books, would that be an overdose of Fantasy for a newbie like me to this genre ?

ok Apoorv....how about ..this is listed as fantasy/paranormal...it is the first in a seres...but it is realtively short (so to speak) it is a romance of sorts....I have enjoyed the first ew books in the series....and can't wait to get to the rest of the series :) if you feel the others might e too "large" for you...this one might be a great place to start. :)

understandably...I love fantasy....because it is another completely different, world....and I can lose myself in the characters...but if you look at my book list....you'll see I have a very wide variety from which to choose.... I have other fantasy books that you might like as well...so let me know what you thik of this oe...and we can go from there :)

@Juliana - Yep, I can't wait for December and that's my birthday month so hopefully shopping money to go buy books! I think I may start with

@Apoorv - I absolutely loved Glass Houses, if you decide to read it I hope you enjoy! ☺

Apoorv wrote: "Okay, now I am even more confused ! :P
I will read all of these one day, but what do I start with ?

.. and moreover most of these are long books, would that be an overdose of Fantasy for a newbie ..."

What type of fantasy are you looking for? Horses and knights and wizards or more of an urban fantasy in modern day?

Also, I tend to categorize books into soft and hard writing styles. There's some authors where you read and it's real easy reading and flows real nicely and there's other authors where the text feels more sharp and the writing can be quite good but it's a little more abrupt. Do you have a style of writing you like? (Or maybe a few example authors of styles you like)

Apoorv wrote: "Okay, now I am even more confused ! :P
I will read all of these one day, but what do I start with ?

.. and moreover most of these are long books, would that be an overdose of Fantasy for a newbie ..."

Just read The Song of Ice and Fire series. It is the very best. I don't even read fantasy - but A Game of Thrones is amazing.

Yes, A Game of Thrones is amazing! It's a big commitment for your first fantasy but they're very good.

I agree A Game of Thrones is amazing. Addictive, but also a bit heavy...

If you are looking for standalone fantasy here are some recs (all are my favs):
(great fantasy novel - princes, magic, evil priests, imaginary world, interesting magic system...)
(classic, oldie, but has nice moments like Little Prince...)
(gothic urban fantasy, easier to read)
(contemporary uf, harder to read, lots of mythology referenced)

Goodness ! This is an amazing list !
I have saved each of books that you guys have mentioned, in my spreadsheet. I will be heading to my Library this weekend and I hope to find atleast one of these to satiate my Fantasy-ical hunger !

Thank you so so much for all the suggestions, please keep them coming.. I am just so glad to be in this group. I am already learning loads ! :)

Well that's given me a load more books to add to my tbr pile! Really didn't need to add to it!

Have a few days on my own in the flat and already feeling a bit bored of my own company. Definitely time to find my book...

I've decided to join in the buddy read. Really need to settle on one book sometime soon rather than jumping backwards and forwards

Sophie wrote: "Well that's given me a load more books to add to my tbr pile! Really didn't need to add to it!

Have a few days on my own in the flat and already feeling a bit bored of my own company. Definitely ..."

Sophie, you made me remember one of the NBRC phrases:
"A book a day helps keep the boredom at bay." :D

Sophie wrote: "I've decided to join in the buddy read. Really need to settle on one book sometime soon rather than jumping backwards and forwards"

This book sounds very interesting Sophie, I hope you enjoy it. After the reading let us know what you thought of it.

almost there! I am so excited!!!

@Apoorv. I have to agree that some of the mentioned books are great. I have read a lot of them and really like Brandon Sanderson. The last Unicorn I have read earlier this year and gave it 4 stars.
Neil Gaiman is good though I have not read any of the two mentioned by Dragana, I have however seen the TV-series of Neverwhere and the book is on my TBR list.

Another suggestion is Maria V. Snyder starting with Poison Study and for excellent (though sometimes a bit weird) urban fantasy I can recommend Charles De Lint. He is a bit difficult to get hold of where I am but it might be easier for you.

@Apoorv I hope you will find and enjoy something fantastic. :)

@Jane. I read a lot of Gaimans books but there two are my favorites. Which are yours Jane?
I just might read your recs myself. They both sound great. Especially De Lint.

Almost there team!!!

Can't wait!!!

Can the clock move faster?!? lol

@Apoorv - I hope you enjoy the book you pick ☺

@Jane - I have only read one book from Neil Gaiman which was and I gave it 5 stars. It was a little hard to get into in the beginning but I really enjoyed the book.

I can't wait! 20 more hours to go!