Mount TBR 2014 Challenge discussion

Well done and oh, the satisfaction of a five-star book.

I hope you join my challenges for 2015. ;) I have to write them up though! I e-mailed you back this morning. Appreciated the participation. And as for your thread here, "The Jeffersons" TV theme is playing through my head - "Moving On Up"!

Just think of November as Carolyn's month. :) Isn't it weird how so many outfits try to take over the month that belongs to me? {GIGGLE} The moustache people, novel-writing, the USA's Thanksgiving.... A girl has to fight for her much-awaited limelight! ;-)

Hello May baby. Would your book have gotten a five is there were a ghost in it? That's often the bar I set for excitement, myself. {GRIN!}

I normally prefer one point of view. However every author has the potential to surprise us pleasantly; including genres that I don't frequent. Usually I think "Get back to the protagonist"! but sometimes, switching is done so well you enjoy it.

Jessika wrote: "Cross-post from my newly set up 2015 TBR Challenge, but some interesting information, mostly for myself, but just thought I'd share.

Bwahaha, instead of writing for NaNoWriMo, I spent a few hours ..."

I can totally relate. I'm being so much more discerning about books I buy since starting this challenge!

Let me know how that book was. My discussion thread must be way down the horizon because I actually skipped a couple of days opening it for a change. I must update my blog especially; more contests you know. This time, for *all peers*. :-)

The house is very clean from our parties, there is lots of food and dessert, and I was gifted with Amazon certificates to have fun with. I might be MIA (except e-mail and blog) a little longer. I'm saying 'hi' and Christine needs a birthday wish now that her real day's come. Sincerely, Carolyn.

I believe you're American; my neighbour. In your turn, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving! Yours, Carolyn.

Yikes! I would rather take a plane, wouldn't you? It isn't like you would go through a customs border. Unless airports would be packed and almost slower? I am so glad your husband could meet his new niece. Congratulations! I don't know where you live. Texas sounds exotic for us.

It is a treat that you are writing from your travels. Gas is way cheaper in the USA. For us, the 9 hours would override plane fare. Have a safe ride back! I'll bet you're having a wonderful time.

No such thing as literature becoming obsolete. It *should* provide a snapshot of its time. Show us what was popular like a time capsule in earnest. I love the old car model and song references in Stephen King stories. A novel can only be current the year it was written and not faulted for that. It should never strive to look like it was written later, or somehow disassociate itself with it's time. I get really grumpy if I see anyone calling a novel 'outdated', because of course it was modern the year it came out!

If these references were unnecessary to the story and occurred too often, I get why that would be annoying. Is that why it only got 3 stars? I told you I have the same collection and can't wait to read it. It looks like the most exciting and outrageously 'weird house' story I've ever heard of. I have been hoping to find they are 5-star adventures.

No, I had a feeling I would agree with where you were mainly coming from. I very much see what you mean! It wasn't that a novel isn't allowed to reflect the environment of its society. You explained very well that this guy went on and on! Trying to look popular is too much. It's different if you insert pop culture because it's the protagonist's favourite thing, for instance or it just fits. Many references were made in what I just finished, "The Secret Portrait" and they worked. Probably because they weren't in every chapter!

As for coming out as a five-star experience for me, that definitely is personal. If there's a ghost, or at least really paranormal situations of some kind (the secret time portals sound like it anyway).... it could work. It helps that you prepared me for the author's bad case of 'trying to be popular'!

Still not hitting a 5, eh?

I give out a fair bit but of course, it means I enjoyed those books immensely. The synopsis of these looked like they would be outrageously exciting. I hate feeling disappointed that something I put aside because I was sure it would be awesome and savoured the experience.... Let's hope I do find the adventure exciting and uplifting. I'll have you curious about my reviews by now and that's why sharing is delightful.

I'll start at least in January. If you're into any of them, or anything like this after February 1st: my challenge "Ethereal" is going to be renewed soon!

I thought of "Ethereal as my best-kept secret this pioneering year. Q;-)= Yay!!!!