The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Donna Jo wrote: "The first time I read Gilead I hated it. It seemed to take forever to go anywhere. Then I had to reread it when it was chosen as the United We Read book and I had to lead a book discussion. I ha..."

I think this is one of those books that I will grow to appreciate more as time goes by and passages still resonate with me. I was feeling some time crunch to get the book finished, but you're right -- certain passages cannot be rushed. Some of them I read, and re-read and then even stopped to think about for a bit. I didn't know that much about Kansas/Iowa history especially how it figured in the Civil War, so that was intersting info to learn. (Especially if you verify that it was correct.)

Now I'm off to the other extreme. I'm reading Shutter Island. I figured I wouldn't have time to finish The Shadow of the Wind before the challenge ends. Quite frankly I wasn't up to another philosophical book at the moment either.

I'm planning on at least reading Shutter Island and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone before the challenge ends. I might even squeeze in a couple more, but I'm not sure of the titles at this point.
Maybe Those Who Save Us for the German task, but time will tell.

Hoping to squeeze in The Secret Life of Bees after I finish Fireflies in December.

Tanja wrote: "Hoping to squeeze in The Secret Life of Bees after I finish Fireflies in December."

Hey Tanja, I LOVED The Secret Life of Bees. I read it this year and gave it 5 stars. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Krista wrote: "Tanja wrote: "Hoping to squeeze in The Secret Life of Bees after I finish Fireflies in December."

Hey Tanja, I LOVED The Secret Life of Bees. I read it ..."

I agree. I loved The Secret Life of Bees. I hope you read it.

Stephanie wrote: "Krista wrote: "Tanja wrote: "Hoping to squeeze in The Secret Life of Bees after I finish Fireflies in December."

I recently read The Secret Life of Bees and loved it. Even though the books are in no way related by topic, I think if you like Secret Life of Bees, you'd like this book.

I've started The German Woman by Paul Griner. I am planning to use it for 10.5 Read A Book Written By A German Author, Set In Germany, Or A Non-Fictional Book About Germany. So far, it has been interesting.

Tammy wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Krista wrote: "Tanja wrote: "Hoping to squeeze in The Secret Life of Bees after I finish Fireflies in December."

I recently read [book:The Secret Life..."

Thanks for the recommendation Tammy. I have added it to my TBR.

I am currently reading Basrayatha and I am working on the read a book by two authors who are relayed challenge.

I started reading Demian by Herman Hesse last week but didn't get much reading in..so I think I'm going to save it until the Winter challenge starts because I can use it and I'm not at the half way point yet. I can get some good magazine reading in until the challenge starts.

Hi!

I am currently reading The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

I'm currently reading The Stupidest Angel A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, Version 2.0

I'm currently reading Cinderella's Stepmother and Eclipse and Privilege.

I'm currently reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and still working on No Ordinary Time Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt The Home Front in World War II from the last challenge. I made sure that I left over 50% to read once I realized that I wasn't going make it. I'm determined to finish that book by year's end.

I'm currently reading a book I won from the Goodreads Giveaways which fits in the challenge! YAY! The Happiness Project Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun .

I'm liking it right now! I feel like it is something that I need to do!

I finished The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon last night and today I am going to begin Galore by Michael Crummey.

I'm reading Latte Trouble. It's a part of my favorite cozy mystery series, the coffeehouse mysteries by Cleo Coyle.

Is there too much cappicino in the latte?

I just finished Fabergé's Eggs The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire which I enjoyed, although for some reason it took me much longer to finish than I thought it would. Somehow I didn't end up with much reading time this week.
Tonight I'm starting The Stupidest Angel for the group read. Judging by the print size and the subject matter, this one should go a lot faster.

i started The Wind in the Willows last night, just before bed. i like it a lot so far. :)

I am reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

I'm currently reading I Am Legend, Outlander, The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, Such a Pretty Fat One Narcissist's Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie is Not the Answer, Lirael Daughter of the Clayr & Definitely Dead. I tried so hard to only read one book at a time but I can't. I got too excited about all my choices. At this rate I will end up finishing 20 books in January.

I started The Red Scarf this morning. I think I'm going to like it. The story is unfolding in a compelling way and I like the characters in the Labor Camp and how they stick together.

Felina wrote: "I'm currently reading I Am Legend, Outlander, The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, [book:Such a Pretty F..."

Geez Louise,
I read Definitely Dead. I loved it. I am starting "The Body In The Library" for A Librarian's Job is Never Done task.

Just finished Born in Fire by Nora Roberts. I am reading Letters from Yellowstone andChocolate Chip Cookie Murder.

Felina wrote: "I'm currently reading I Am Legend, Outlander, The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, [book:Such a Pretty..."

Holy crap on a cracker Felina...that is a lot of books to be reading. I can only do one at a time, although sometimes I can do one fiction and one nonfiction at the same time. My poor feeble brain could never keep track of 6 books at once. LOL!! You have a skill!!

I started "The Body In the Library for task 5.5

I am reading "The Angel's Game" by Carlos Ruiz Zafron. I read "The Shadow of the Wind" for the Fall challenge and really felt I read it too fast just because I wanted to finish it. So with this one, I am reading at a slower pace so I feel like I have comprehended everything. There is a lot of detail and what seems to be alot of characters to keep track of, but I am really enjoying it!

I just finished (and loved) The Graveyard Book for Rachel Lee's Newbery books challenge. - I'll be reading Savvy for the 2nd part of that challenge as soon as it comes from the library.

BJ Rose wrote: "I just finished (and loved) The Graveyard Book for Rachel Lee's Newbery books challenge...."

Wasn't it a sweet story? I enjoyed it, too.
I'm reading The Red Scarf and finding it hard to put down. I'm getting close to half done and would recommend it for the Russian task, if anyone is still looking for a book.

Well, as I was hoping The Stupidest Angel A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, Version 2.0 was a really fast read. I started it Monday night and finished it this morning on the bus. It was only 3 stars for me, but judging from the discussion board everyone else seems to be loving it. It was a little too absurd for me, but it was funny.
Now I have a pile of magazines to catch up on since I've been neglecting my subscriptions since October. After that I'm back to challenge reading with The Story of Edgar Sawtelle A Novel. I've been wanting to read it for ages and I finally got it from the library. I'm not sure what task I'll use it for yet, but it will fit three or four places so I plan to read it and then figure out where to put it.

Petra wrote: "BJ Rose wrote: "I just finished (and loved) The Graveyard Book for Rachel Lee's Newbery books challenge...."

Wasn't it a sweet story? I enjoyed it, too.
I'm reading [book:The Re..."

Glad you liked that book! I really enjoyed it. Would love to hear your thoughts once you get to the end!

I am reading "The Magician's" for the Popularity Contest (10.5). I had a hard time getting into it in the beginning, but I must say, I am now addicted and finding it hard to step away from the book...

Bridgit wrote: "Petra wrote: "I'm reading The Red Scarf and finding it hard to put down. I'm getting close to half done and would recommend it for the Russian task, if anyone is still looking for a book.

"Glad you liked that book! I really enjoyed it. Would love to hear your thoughts once you get to the end!
.."

I'll be sure to post a review and let you know about it, Bridgit. I've been trying to keep up with reviews for this Challenge. I fell way behind last time.

I'm taking a break from The Dragonriders of Pern series to read Into the Wild. I bought it for someone as a Christmas present and I am giving it a read before I wrap it and hand it over! I'm also reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, etc, as an e-book on my iTouch while I'm out and about!

Livy wrote: "I'm taking a break from The Dragonriders of Pern series to read Into the Wild. I bought it for someone as a Christmas present and I am giving it a read before I wrap it and hand it over! I'm also r..."

Into The Wild.....(shiver)....my first and last Krakauer book. I'm in the minority, though, as I've read many good reviews about it. I hope you enjoy it, Livy.

I'm reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It's a great book, and I just wish I could get a good 20 minutes together to just finish it (hard with the babes going nuts all day - LOL).

I find this book is so different from the movie!

I am almost at the halfway mark in The Body in the Library.

I finished Stardust, and went right into Six Geese A-Slaying by Donna Andrews. I didn't know it was part of a series, and I hate starting a series in the middle, but I need it for a task so I'll plug through it.

I'm halfway through Savvy for the 2nd part of Rachel Lee's Newbery books task.

I started "The Christmas Wish" on Friday for the 15.8 task

Finished Savvy, a YA book well-deserving of the Newbery Honor Award. And for #5.4, I just finished Sharp Objects A Novel which won the 2007 Ian Fleming Gold Dagger Award.

Savvy was fun, Sharp Objects A Novel was extremely chilling, mainly because it had the feel of 'this could all be real', so next up is A Rogue For Christmas for that "get-in-the-Christmas-spirit" feeling.

I'm starting Deck the Halls tonight for half of task 15.8. I've already watched White Christmas twice since the challenge began for the other half.

Am reading Stealing the General The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor for the Disney thing and doing my first reread Mort on the Sony Reader.

I am almost halfway through The Christmas Wish.

Finished The Ten-Year Nap and hope to finish Letters from Yellowstone tonight. Then on to Between the Acts. This will be my first Virginia Woolf.

I'm on the last 100 pages of The Red Scarf, which I'm thoroughly enjoying. It has the terror and hunger of Stalinist Russia books with a touch of mysticism thrown in.
I'm also listening to Sacred Time A Novel. So much pain and sorrow!!! Wow! Sometimes it's hard to listen to.

Just finished Into the Wild. It broke my heart into a million pieces, but I still found it to be a very compelling story. I get my own nomadic urges every now and again so I could identify with parts of it. Anyway, on to reading a very intimidatingly thick book. The Historian!

I'm currently reading Skipping Christmas for 15.8 and I am enjoying it so far.

Petra wrote: "I'm on the last 100 pages of The Red Scarf, which I'm thoroughly enjoying. It has the terror and hunger of Stalinist Russia books with a touch of mysticism thrown in.
I'm also list..."

I chose that book for the From Russia With Love task. I am hearing good things about it.

I am starting Fallen by David Maine.