The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

I'm reading Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn for task 5.4 (adoption). I'm not completely blown away (so far), but I like it.

Sera wrote: "Jennifer and BJ Rose, let me know what you think of Gilead. It's one of the rare books that I've never finished. I found it to be horribly dull. I hope that you both enjoy it more than I did. P..."

Just finished Gilead . It wasn't enjoyable, like Garden Spells, but it was a good read, especially the last 1/3 of the book. There were some really dry, boring parts in the first half, so I can see why you gave up on it, Sera. I think reading other books in-between was actually beneficial for me - I read it in 4 or 5 sessions.

Donna Jo, I think this is the kind of book that really needs to be discussed in a reading group. There are so many things I would have loved to discuss with others as I was reading it.

Today will be starting on Wasted a memoir of anorexia and bulimia by Marya Hornbacker for task 9b

I started The Two Destinies by Wilkie Collins for the second half of Donna Jo's task (related authors).
I've enjoyed the 3 other Wilkie Collins books I've read so I think I'll enjoy this one, too.

about to start Gorillas in the Mist for the 2nd part of task 30. my dream (job) is to live with gorillas. :)

Right now I'm a quarter of the way into Julian Comstock: A Story of 22nd-Century America, which I expect to apply to the first part of the noun challenge.

I started reading Luna by Julie Ann Peters today for Wendy's task. It came highly recommended by a transgendered friend, and I can see why. It shows the trouble a 17 year-old boy encounters when trying to show his true transgendered self to the the world. (Liam really feels like Luna.) Thank goodness his 15 year-old sister can help him through some of this turmoil.

I'll probably finish it tonight. It's a good YA read. I read two Sookie Stackhouse books over the last three days and just needed a break from vampires and other supernatural creatures. This is a nice change of pace.

kiki wrote: "about to start Gorillas in the Mist for the 2nd part of task 30. my dream (job) is to live with gorillas. :)"

I, too, have had that Diane Fossey fantasy. I took a primatology course in college, though, in which we had to simulate field research by going to the the zoo. We would watch a couple of different primates and record their behaviors every minute for a half hour each. I picked the silverback first because he was so huge and beautiful. When I left him my log said "sitting" thirty times! Anyway, I left the zoo thinking that maybe primatology isn't as romantic as Gorillas in the Mist would have you believe. It's still nice to dream, though.

I'm reading The Smithsonian Institution A Novel right now. It is bad, bad, bad. I usually refrain from judging books until the last page, but this is so awful that I just can't see it getting any better. Ugh. The plot had so much potential, but the execution is just terrible. I need to pick a really, really good one next. Has anyone read The Witch of Portobello? I want to make sure it's good before I start it, otherwise I'm afraid I might get dragged into a book rut.

Reading Dark Possession as my two-word title, and listening to Immortal in Death as the three-word title - both for Cindy's task

I started Crooked House by Agatha Christie last night (for the Buddy Holly task) and it's not bad...I'm a little over halfway through and depending on insomnia and heartburn, I just may finish it tonight.

I also started The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood for a multi-book task. I wasn't planning on starting this one today, it just sort of happened. :)

I am currently reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I am also about 1/4 of the way through Crime & Punishment!

I am starting a really fat one for the Subtraction task--Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd. But I'm needing something lighter in weight to take with me to read while waiting to get my car fixed tomorrow so will take either To Hold the Crown The Story of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York for multiplication or Sliced Iguana Travels in Mexico for the Hispanic Heritage task.

I'm reading 'Heart shaped box' by Joe Hill for the related authors task. I've just finished While My sister sleeps by Barbara Delinsky and really enjoyed that one- I've found a new author to try!

I finished The Shadow of the Wind last night for part of the translation task. Now I'm reading The Last Song. Plus, I just got The Lost Symbol yesterday so I'm anxious to start that one too (but it'll have to wait until my library books are done... :D).

i'm a little bit into The Devil's Arithmetic for task 25.10. it's a re-read for me, but i'm enjoying it so far. i totally forgot that she does some time travel stuff. this could also be used for task 5.10, if anyone needs a book for that!

I'm working on Jack A Life Like No Other for BJ Rose's task.

And Mansfield Park for Cait's task.

And Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch for Janice's task.

Needless to say, I'm not getting through any of them very quickly.

Donna Jo wrote: "Sera wrote: "Jennifer and BJ Rose, let me know what you think of Gilead. It's one of the rare books that I've never finished. I found it to be horribly dull. I hope that you both enjoy it more t..."

Wow Sera and Donna Jo!! Now I am afraid to read Gilead A Novel! LOL!! I have been looking forward to it for a long time, so I am eager to get to it. Robinson's two books (Gilead and Home) got such great critical praise. I am so curious about how it will go now.

I got sidetracked on my tasks when I inadvertently left books at home while away for a stretch. I luckily had other novels with me!! I finished Someone I Loved and I am currently reading The Heart Is an Involuntary Musclefor the foreign language task. Both books were originally published in French. I am also halfway through Three Junes for the gay positive character task. I am really enjoying it and was so ticked as it was one of the left behind books. I hope to finish it tonight.

I had to shift piles due to library due dates and no renewal.

The God Cookie A NovelI CAN"T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN

Eyes Of Prey and

The Awakening
I am going to the laundry mat by MYSELF tomorrow should have 2 hrs to read

I am driving like four hourse and just discovered The Old Man and the Sea is only 4.95 on i-Tunes so I will be listening to that on the drive up!

Started The Lost Symbol last night. I'm only about 100 pages in and its just starting to get interesting... it does seem pretty similar to Dan Brown's other Robert Langdon books, but that's okay, I loved them both :) We'll see what happens!

I'm reading The Girl Who Played With Fire for the first part of the study abroad task. I am so excited for this book, but trying to read it slowly to make it last!

I'm also reading Her Majesty's Dragon that I got as a free Kindle download, and I'll fit that in somewhere.

Thanks all for the feedback on Gilead. It looks like we had mixed reviews, but I'm happy to hear that most people enjoyed it. I've since donated the book to charity so I won't be giving it another shot :( It's also put me off trying Home, but we'll see.

I'm almost finished My Most Excellent Year A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Stanley Kluger. Cait recommended this book for the gay character task, and it is a great YA read if anyone else is interested. It's the second find that I've made so far this challenge that I would not have otherwise read, but glad that I did. The House on Fortune Street A Novel by Margot Livesey was the other.

What language is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc. translated from for the study abroad task? I have those books and think that I will go that route for that task.

I'm reading Definitely Dead right now. I'll probably finish it today. Then I'm going to start Even Money. 'Even' was one of my random word generator words. This is the newest book from Dick Francis. It is co-authored by Felix Francis (his son I think...) I only have this book for 14 days from the library so I'd best get it read!!

Sera wrote: "What language is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc. translated from for the study abroad task? I have those books and think that I will go that route for that task. .."

Swedish

Amy wrote: "I'm reading The Girl Who Played With Fire for the first part of the study abroad task. I am so excited for this book, but trying to read it slowly to make it last!

I'm also reading Her Majesty's..."

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is originally in Swedish. If you're looking for some other good Swedish books in English, you should try one of Astrid Lindgren's books. She's known here for Pippi Longstocking, but she's got so many other books that are amazingly beautiful. My faves are probably Brothers Lionheart and Ronja the Robber's Daughter.

I've also had Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist on my TBR pile for FOREVER. I think it's like the anti-Twilight.

I am just about to start reading The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, for Task 20.3 (group reads).

This is my first challenge. One of the components of the challenge that I have really come to love is how participating in the SRC makes the choice of "what to read next?" so much easier. I have been looking forward to this novel for some time and I am happy to finally have a great reason to pick it off my shelf of TBR books.

Yikes! Change of plans. Just got back from the library and had six book in, three of which are inter-library loans; I only have those ones for two weeks. So,now I am going to read a)The Red Shoes The Classic Story for part one of Task 30.1(dream job vs. current job) - I always wanted to be a ballerina, seriously! - when I was younger and I LOVE this story; b)You Shall Know Our Velocity for part one of Task 25.2 (related authors); and c)Endangered Pleasures In Defense of Naps, Bacon, Martinis, Profanity, and Other Indulgences for Task 5.7 (giving thanks).

Amanda wrote: "I am reading Things Fall Apart for the initials task. It takes place in Nigeria, and my last name is Nelson. I'm trying to get the shorter books (under 300 pages) done before my book c..."

Amanda, for what it's worth I thought Monte Cristo read very quickly despite its length. It's pretty action-packed and I found it flew by. I've heard others say the same, so maybe once you start it it won't seem quite so daunting. Enjoy!

Amanda wrote: "I am reading Things Fall Apart for the initials task.
El wrote: "Amanda, for what it's worth I thought Monte Cristo read very quickly despite its length."

Hi Amanda. Hi El.

Amanda, like El, I also found The Count of Monte Cristo to be a quick read. It is one of my favourite books and I was so absorbed throughout the reading. I also found Things Fall Apart to be a quick read. It is an amazing story. I had one issue with it, and I would be curious as to your review after you finish.

Amanda wrote: "Jennifer- you're right, it was quick. I just finished it. And I really, really didn't like it at all. What was your one issue? Cause I had several!"

LOL!! That is funny Amanda. My major issue was the ending. I think it was not in keeping with the character to have him take the action he chose. (Trying not to give any spoilers here.)

What were your points of contention?

Jennifer wrote: " I also found Things Fall Apart to be a quick read. It is an amazing story. I had one issue with it, and I would be curious as to your review after you finish...."

I hope you don't mind me jumping in on this conversation.
I read Things Fall Apart, too, and wasn't much thrilled with it. My issues were that the character wasn't likeable at all. Without giving away spoilers, I can't say much more than that. Jennifer, I also found the ending unbelievable. It wasn't in the character's make up to take that action.
On the other hand, I can see why this book is taught in the schools of Nigeria. The second half is quite powerful and would carry a lot of power in that country, don't you think?

Still haven't finished any tasks. I don't think I am going to win any awards, but I am having fun. I finished Innocent Traitor A Novel of Lady Jane Grey for task 20.2. Now I am reading Shutter Island for task 20.3, and Little Women for 5.5

i started another book tonight, The Dying Animal, while waiting for parents to arrive to Back to School Night. i've never had 4 books going at once (other than while at university.) i honestly may lose my mind doing it, but i feel like it's the only way to make any progress in this challenge! :S

Amy wrote: "Sera wrote: "What language is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc. translated from for the study abroad task? I have those books and think that I will go that route for that task. .."

Swedish"

Thanks, Amy!

Kristina wrote: "Amy wrote: "I'm reading The Girl Who Played With Fire for the first part of the study abroad task. I am so excited for this book, but trying to read it slowly to make it last!

I'm also reading Her..."

Thanks for the recommendations, Kristina.

I'm starting The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles. He's a very popular author, but I've never read anything by him before. This book will also be my second thriller this challenge, which is interesting, because although I like the genre, I haven't read much of it lately.

I'm reading Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood for the cat task.

I am currently reading three books, however, I started a fourth that I will be finshing before the rest. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a hot topic on this site, so I decided to give it a whirl...I am hooked like everyone else and I can't wait to finish this book!

HI, this is my first post here. I just finished The Way We Live Now for the geography task (Eliza, England) now I'm reading The Lost Symbol witch works for task 15.3.

Stacey wrote: "I am currently reading three books, however, I started a fourth that I will be finshing before the rest. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a hot topic on this site, so I decided to give it a whir..."

It's been my go to recommendation book to everyone ever since I read it this summer.

I'm trying to make the second one last a little longer because there won't be any more after the 3rd book :(

I started Saffron and Brimstone Strange Stories, but I'm just not feeling it. The stories are indeed strange, but they're also a bit dull and dreary. I'm already quite a ways in, but this might be my second abandoned book of the challenge (1st being P&P&Zombies). If this wasn't for the "thing" part of Cait's challenge, I might keep at it but there are literally dozens of other books on TBR pile jockeying for this spot.

I also started Lion's Blood A Novel of Slavery and Freedom in an Alternate America for the alternate history portion, and it's very compelling so far.

Patricia wrote: "I'm reading Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood for the cat task."

i loved this book. atwood is top of the line, IMHO! :)

I started The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Eric Larson yesterday but I'm a little bored with it. I hope it gets more interesting...

Beth(MN) wrote: "I started The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Eric Larson yesterday but I'm a little bored with it. I hope it gets more interes..."

I have been trying to get into this for a week now, as it is a book club pick for one of my groups....I have been told audio is the way to go, but I am trying to get through it. It is easier if you read some of it, then read something else and go back and forth. I have been told though that it is a worthwhile read. Good luck!

^^^^ it really is, stick with it! :)

Thanks Sara & Kiki!

I have 2 other nonfiction books I'm working my way through for this challenge by reading a little bit at a time so I added this one to the same pile. If it picks up that might change but until then...hm...I guess it falls under the category of "assignment" reading for me!

I'm just starting on Dance with Chance Making Luck Work for You for 15.9. So far it's really interesting. Now to figure out a good assignment...

Just finished Shutter Island and Enchantress of Florence. Now starting Sure Fire by Jack Higgins

Bridgit wrote: "Just finished Shutter Island and Enchantress of Florence. Now starting Sure Fire by Jack Higgins"

how was Enchantress of Florence? it's on my TBR shelf, looking forward to it.

Just started The Bone Doll's Twin. I have not found any books so far this challenge that I haven't been able to put down. I am hoping that this will keep me enthralled.

Happy Reading everyone!!!