The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

I just finished reading The Lost Symbol and will now be starting Sundays at Tiffany's. My first experience with James Patterson was not very good (I read 1st to Die and I thought the first to die would be myself... because I killed myself from the pain). Here's to hoping this one is better!!!

BJ Rose wrote: "Several of my books-on-hold at the library came in all at once, so I've been reading books not in this challenge (but are in other challenges) Just finished [bo

ok:Lover Unbound|304027] and am readi..."

WOuld that Harry fit under the propehcy task? can any work for the abc task,

Kari ♪ wrote: "Amy wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Kari ♪ wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "City of Bones *****right now a Not able to put down book and

The Battle of the Labyrinth not as ..."

how about the 1,2,3 title, or abc challenge or under math?

Kathryn wrote: "I just finished reading The Lost Symbol and will now be starting Sundays at Tiffany's. My first experience with James Patterson was not very good (I read [book:1st to ..."

And I am the opposite, I loathed the Alex cross series, but love love love the woman murder club

I love Alex Cross, but I haven't jumped into the Woman's Murder Club series yet, even though book 1 is currently sitting on my shelf at home.

I finished Shutter Island over the weekend, which I enjoyed. I'm starting The Concubine's Daughter A Novel tonight. It's another book for the ABC challenge.

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "WOuld that Harry fit under the propehcy task? can any work for the abc task..."

Thanks for the ideas, Teresa, but I already claimed the prophecy and the abc tasks. It does seem a shame to not use it. Am still looking at switching books around to make them all fit - I'll become a juggler yet!!

I am listening to American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld and reading Case Histories - Kate Atkinson

Petra wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I am working on listening to The Old Man and the Sea, but it is just so boring! My mind is drifting all of the time. It makes me want to go to sleep!!!"

Oh dear.....I've got this audio book in my library pile for the Go Back To School task. I hated it in school and was hoping that time and maturity and audio format may make it more bearable. Sounds like that won't happen. Good thing it's a short-ish book.
.."

Kathryn, I started listening to The Old Man And The Sea last week and am very surprised. I hated it in High School. I don't remember any details other than it was boring and we didn't seem to move on from that book. However, I'm now finding the writing to be quite beautiful. Hemingway does have a way with words. That said, I don't get the point of the story. He's caught his fish already and I still don't see the point.
Well, at least I'm not hating it and I'd be happy if I didn't feel put-off just by the fact that a book is Hemingway's writing. I'm still not fond of this book but that's because the plot goes nowhere.
Maybe the last third of the book will pull things together??

Petra wrote: "Petra wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I am working on listening to The Old Man and the Sea, but it is just so boring! My mind is drifting all of the time. It makes me want to go to sleep!!!"

Oh dear......."

I am glad that you are liking it better this time around. I guess that I am the kind of writer who like plot movement more than the beauty of words. I guess that is why I like Dan Brown and other people don't. But then again, if we all liked the same style of writing lots of writers wouldn't be around. I just read Utopia by Sir Thomas More and I am so glad that we don't all have to be alike like in that society.

BJ Rose wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "WOuld that Harry fit under the propehcy task? can any work for the abc task..."

Thanks for the ideas, Teresa, but I already claimed the prophecy and the abc tasks. It does ..."

yw I am beginning to learn the art of juggling : )

BJ Rose - you could also fit Harry in the student category if you haven't used that yet :)

I just started The Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs, I'm using it as a Mother/Daughter team. So far it's a fun read!

I finished (finally!) The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and will now be starting Out Stealing Horses A Novel by Per Petterson.

Jennifer wrote: "
I finished (finally!) The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and will now be starting Out Stealing Horses A Novel by Per Petterson."

I'm reading Petterson's To Siberia next. I just won it in the Goodreads giveaway. Haven't read him before...not sure what to expect.

@Jennifer - I have Petterson's Out Stealing Horses on my shelf, but haven't been able to get to it yet. What did you think of it Jennifer? I've heard good reviews from friends in other groups. I read The Poisonwood Bible over the summer and wondered why it took me so long to get around to it.

@Katie - Congrats Katie on your win. You beat me out! ;P

Kathryn wrote: "I am glad that you are liking it better this time around. I guess that I am the kind of writer who like plot movement more than the beauty of words. I guess that is why I like Dan Brown and other people don't. But then again, if we all liked the same style of writing lots of writers wouldn't be around. I just read Utopia by Sir Thomas More and I am so glad that we don't all have to be alike like in that society. ..."

Well, I didn't hate it like I did before but I still don't get the appeal of Hemingway. This story was just too slow moving and I didn't find any meaning to it other than "man catches fish, loses fish, makes it home". Not my cup of tea, despite the beauty of the writing.

I'm now reading Rebecca. I had started The Birds Fall Down but it starts a bit slow and, after Hemingway, I wanted something with a bit more action. While Rebecca is rather gothic (perfect for October reading), the plot is moving forward.

Amanda wrote: "I'm still reading the Count of Monte Cristo. It's not slow moving at all, very fast paced...just realllllyyyyy long. Really long. Did I mention the length? Cause it's long."


But it's worth it!

I am reading Something Borrowed for part of task 25.7.

I also just realized that I have four in-progress tasks, and they're all multi-book challenges so I have not been able to claim points for a while!

Petra wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I am glad that you are liking it better this time around. I guess that I am the kind of writer who like plot movement more than the beauty of words. I guess that is why I like Dan B..."

Petra--I haven't read The Old Man and the Sea, but it does sound a bit boring. If you like Hemingway's writing, but want a more exciting plot, you might try For Whom the Bell Tolls. The story centers around an American who goes to help fight the fascists in the Spanish Civil War. His mission is to blow up a bridge in the mountains, working with the guerrilla fighters. I'm not big on military stories (though I do like a good revolution), but I found this book to be sufficiently character driven. It has some good suspenseful fighting scenes, too.

Or you could just not read another book by an author you don't like. LOL.

I finished The Fiery Cross last night, and I have to tell you I it was not my favorite book in the Outlander series. It's been awhile since I read the previous book in the series so I'm hoping that it's simply that this book wasn't very good (it really seemed to drag) --- not that my taste in the series has changed.

Anyway, I think I'm going to read a couple of shorter books before I start in on A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

I'm just about done with Welcome to Temptation in audio book form and will start on the audio version of Coraline next.

I am reading Talk to the Snail Ten Commandments for Understanding the French for the 'momento' book in the 50 point mid-way task. I have fond memories of my mother meeting her linguistic match in Paris. My Mom didn't want to try to speak French, and the desk clerk at the hotel didn't want to try to speak Engligh. My Mom did actually learn that the word for newspaper in French is 'journal' after the desk clerk handed her a French/English dictionary. We laugh about that to this day.

I'm starting The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly today. Someone suggested that it might work the current job portion of Roseann's task. (Unemployed software development business analyst). If it won't fit there then I'm thinking that it will fit in the 'emotion' portion of PJ's mid-way task. The emotion being fear. I just wanted a change of pace from Diana Gabaldon for a bit. (Gasp, is that a sacrilege?) :-) I haven't read Michael Connelly before so I'm interested to see if I like this author.

Katie wrote: "Petra--I haven't read The Old Man and the Sea, but it does sound a bit boring. If you like Hemingway's writing, but want a more exciting plot, you might try For Whom the Bell Tolls. The story centers around an American who goes to help fight the fascists in the Spanish Civil War. His mission is to blow up a bridge in the mountains, working with the guerrilla fighters. I'm not big on military stories (though I do like a good revolution), but I found this book to be sufficiently character driven. It has some good suspenseful fighting scenes, too.
..."

Katie, thank you. I may just give Hemingway another try if the book has some action. I'll check this one out the next time I'm in the Library. Hemingway may be worth one more try. Thanks!

Petra wrote: "Katie wrote: "Petra--I haven't read The Old Man and the Sea, but it does sound a bit boring. If you like Hemingway's writing, but want a more exciting plot, you might try For Whom the Bell Tolls. T..."

I never liked The Old Man and the Sea when I had to read it in school. But as an adult, I actually didn't find it so bad of a read and enjoyed it this time for one of my tasks (the sea one).

Krista wrote: "I finished The Fiery Cross last night, and I have to tell you I it was not my favorite book in the Outlander series. It's been awhile since I read the previous book in the series so I..."

I may have been the one to suggest The Scarecrow. It would work for the software business, minus the unemployment. Connelly is my favorite author, especially his Harry Bosch series. I also recommend his book, The Poet.

I finished Sundays at Tiffany's and loved it!!! I am really glad that I read this and gave James Patterson another chance! I hated 1st to Die, but this was a totally different style! Loved it!!! I am going to start Walk Two Moons today.

I'm currently in the midst of The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan which I plan to use for task 5.8 "Let's Find Out If Two Heads Really Are Better Than One."

Lisa wrote: "Krista wrote: "I finished The Fiery Cross last night, and I have to tell you I it was not my favorite book in the Outlander series. It's been awhile since I read the previous book in ..."

Lisa, thanks for the recommendation. I'll keep you posted as to how I like it. I checked out The Poet. Should this be read before The Scarecrow?

Krista wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Krista wrote: "I finished The Fiery Cross last night, and I have to tell you I it was not my favorite book in the Outlander series. It's been awhile since I read the prev..."


No, it doesn't need to be read first. The main character Jack McEvoy is in both books, but the stories stand alone.

I have had to move some books up as they were due back at the library. So I have had to put a few on hold. I am hoping that after I finish A Misty Mourning (which is due back tomorrow) I can get back into The Shadow of the Wind. I started this book on CD but there was a hold on it at the library so I couldn't renew. So I had to return the CD's and had to get the book out. So far I am really liking the story and hope to get back into it this weekend.

I finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn which I really enjoyed and now moved on to Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories.

Am still plodding through Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin and am also about halfway into Jacob (my exercise book) and Poison Study.

I am really enjoying Jacob right now, and it is actually forcing me to go to the gym a lot more htan i normally wood jsut to keep reading it!

I have just finished Eat Pray Loves by Elizabeth Gilbert.I'm reading the Last Symbol by Dan Brown. I will use it for the Fall Challenge, but I still don't know on what task it will fit.

Marie-vicky wrote: "I have just finished Eat Pray Loves by Elizabeth Gilbert.I'm reading the Last Symbol by Dan Brown. I will use it for the Fall Challenge, but I still don't know on what task it will fit."

It works for the noun task (symbol=thing noun). It works under three word task. I don't know if it will work for any of your math task... I hope that helps. I just finished it!

I just started Black and White tonight. I'm also finishing up Lies My Mother Never Told Me A Memoir.

I'm switching around all my books again, after getting two new ones that I really wanted to read right away! Her Fearful Symmetry A Novel is now my 3-word title book and I think A Touch of Dead will be my Halloween 1 book. Maybe. If that works. Of course, I already read it so here's hoping I can squeeze it in somewhere ;)

I'm going to get my person, place, thing and 1, 2, 3 books out of the way now that I have all the library books (except for the ones on hold) read. I'll probably start with Compromised, as I've already read the Two-word-title book.

I'm now on the teacher task, reading Crossing the Yard Thirty Years as a Prison Volunteer ; a good book so far, although it's a slower read than The Reader for me (which is sort of baffling, because I'm truly enjoying the book so far...and I also enjoyed The Reader).

Kathryn wrote: "Marie-vicky wrote: "I have just finished Eat Pray Loves by Elizabeth Gilbert.I'm reading the Last Symbol by Dan Brown. I will use it for the Fall Challenge, but I still don't know on what task it w..."

Kathryn wrote: "Marie-vicky wrote: "I have just finished Eat Pray Loves by Elizabeth Gilbert.I'm reading the Last Symbol by Dan Brown. I will use it for the Fall Challenge, but I still don't know on what task it w..."<

Marie-vicky: thanks Kathryn It's good idea. I will use it for the noun task

Last week, I started Breaking Dawn as my audio Let's Get Physical. The weather has been stunning here and I've been going on long walks almost every day. There are 16 discs to this book and I've still got a long way to go. I hope the weather holds. If not, I'll get on the treadmill.
I've finished Rebecca for the Apple A Day task (apple on cover) and started The Avatar Syndrome last night as my Three Word Title selection.

Jennifer wrote: "I just started Black and White tonight. I'm also finishing up Lies My Mother Never Told Me A Memoir."

Jennifer, how was Lies My Mother Never Told Me? I almost bought it yesterday.

I'm finishing up The Concubine's Daughter A Novel tonight. I'm then switching to my first of two library reads: Home A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews. It's funny, because she was a character in one of my earlier challenge reads, and I've been actually wanting to read her memoirs.

Sera wrote: "I'm finishing up The Concubine's Daughter A Novel tonight. I'm then switching to my first of two library reads: Home A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews. I..."

How was The Concubine's Daughter? I'd also love to hear your thoughts on the Julie Andrews memoir when you finish. I've always liked her and have come close many times to buying her book.

I am just starting to read The Screwtape Letters for task 20.1

I just started The Forgery of Venus A Novel by Michael Gruber, which seems to be about an artist who is either channeling Valazquez or else a very talented forger. Only on page 8.

Just finished The Shadow of the Wind and am now going to start Shutter Island for the group read I think.

Hello!

I am just about to begin The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, for the alternative history task (15.2).

Just finished The Last Symbol by Dan Brown....really good.Good pace cannot put it down after the first page....result read in one thread until 2:00 this morning.Next book on my shelf is the The Art Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

The Last Symbol is for the Noun's task
The Art of racing in the Rain is also foe the nouns task

Marie-vicky wrote: "Just finished The Last Symbol by Dan Brown....really good.Good pace cannot put it down after the first page....result read in one thread until 2:00 this morning.Next book on my shelf is the The Art..."

I just finished The Art of Racing in the Rain and loved it. Have some tissues handy Marie-vicky!

Finally got through all the library books. For the "Heroes" task I am re-reading Aphrodite's Flame by Julie Kenner. This will be a quick read, as it is total fluff, but is what I need at the moment.

Currently working on 3 books (couldn't decide what mood I was in last night so started all 3 yesterday (i have been sick and that makes my attention span super short!)):


Dracula-should finish today-am reading through gutenburg and it is much quicker than I thought it was going to be and I am also enjoying it more than I had anticipated
A Game of Thrones-just started
Ghost at Work-have only read a few chapters, but looks like it will be a fast read with an interesting premise-will try to finish this today also

Lisa wrote: "Sera wrote: "I'm finishing up The Concubine's Daughter A Novel tonight. I'm then switching to my first of two library reads: Home A Memoir of My Early Years by Juli..."

I have about a chapter left of TCD, but I really liked it. It reminded me of cross between Sidney Sheldon and Shogun, if that makes sense. If you enjoy these types of books, then you will like TCD. I'll also follow-up on Julie Andrews after I read it some time within the next week. Work and family have really slowed down my reading progress, but I'm doing my best to read when I can.

I've just started to listen to Dracula for the Lets Get Physical task.

I'm also part of the way through Cause of Death which is my last book for the Learn your ABC's task