2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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End of year book survey!
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How many books did you read this year?Right now I'm at 105, but I expect I'll finish 2 or 3 more before the month is out.
What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
This is so hard! I'm going to go with Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (which was a re-read for me and is one of my all-time favorite books)
And your least favorite?
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
What book were you surprised to like?
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, because I have tried to start it so many times in the past, but could never get into it.
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?
Alice Munro
What was the funniest book you read this year?
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
What book made you cry?
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
What was the most beautifully written?
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
Most thought-provoking or life-changing?
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
Fall on Your Knees by Anne-Marie MacDonald
Most frustrating or angering?
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (it took me FOREVER to read!)
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M Valente
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
"We say of some things that they can't be forgiven, or that we will never forgive ourselves. But we do-we do it all the time." -Alice Munro, Dear Life: Stories
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
Nana from Emile Zola's Nana
Most memorable romantic relationship?
Newland Archer and May Welland/Ellen Olenska from The Age of Innocence
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
I read a lot more non-fiction this year.
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, One Hundred Years of Solitude
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
I read Gone with the Wind and then saw the movie for the first time (I know. It's weird), and I loved all of it.
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
So many! I can't choose!
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
Wow, we have similar taste, Erika! Just now I've added The History of Love, The Enchanted, and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland to my to-read list. :)
Cool, I like this survey :-)How many books did you read this year?
114 so far.
What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
Only one?! I guess that might be They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan
And your least favorite?
The Railway
What book were you surprised to like?
The Hunger Games
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?
Lord of the Flies
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?
Maybe Mervyn Peake
What was the funniest book you read this year?
La scomparsa di Patò - not exactly funny, but incredibly original
What book made you cry?
They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan
What was the most beautifully written?
It might be La scomparsa di Patò
Most thought-provoking or life-changing?
They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan (I keep repeating this title, but it is a REALLY good one)
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
The Hunger Games
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster: it's a sort of an essay, and it's absolutely terrible to read about that disaster
Most frustrating or angering?
The Railway, because I couldn't follow it so bad it was
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?
The Grapes of Wrath
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
Don't know at the moment, might add it later if I remember it
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
Steerpike from The Gormenghast Trilogy: Titus Groan/Gormenghast/Titus Alone
Most memorable romantic relationship?
I don't really care about romantic relationships, but it might be the one between Catniss and... in The Hunger Games series
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
Fantasy, with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but it was an epic fail!
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
The Grapes of Wrath
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
I read The Gormenghast Trilogy: Titus Groan/Gormenghast/Titus Alone and *tried* to watch the mini TV series, but it was another epic fail
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
An Angel at my Table, Cassandra: A Novel and Four Essays just to name a couple of them
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
Shannon, if you liked Everything Is Illuminated you will love Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Those two are the only books I've read by Jonathan Safran Foer but they are among my all time favourites!
How many books did you read this year?: 102 What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all? : Fangirl
And your least favorite? :L.A. Woman
What book were you surprised to like? / Clockwork Angel
What book did you think you would like but didn’t? : hum hum The Lover's Dictionary
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?: RAINBOW ROWELL !!!
What was the funniest book you read this year? : I've Got Your Number
What book made you cry? : How to Say Goodbye in Robot
What was the most beautifully written? Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Most thought-provoking or life-changing? : The Freedom Manifesto
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.): Block 11
Most frustrating or angering? Will Grayson, Will Grayson : I was so disapointed about this book
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting? The Maze Runner
Favorite quote from this year’s books? : “We bore ourselves in order to earn money that we'll later spend on trying to de-bore ourselves” The Freedom Manifesto
Who was the most memorable character of the year? : Natasha Romanov from the Black Widow comics
Most memorable romantic relationship? : Cath - Levi from Fangirl
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read? : non fiction, I tried but not really my jam
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to? : To Kill a Mockingbird
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it? : yes The Fault in Our Stars, The Maze Runner = and the books were better as usual
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year? : Hate List
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
Black Widow #1
Marina wrote: "Shannon, if you liked Everything Is Illuminated you will love Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Those two are the only books I've read by Jonathan Safran Foer but they are among my all time favo..."I am so excited about Extremely Loud! It will definitely be one of the first books I read in 2015.
I'm curious, what didn't you like about Lord of the Flies and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe? I read both a long time ago so I don't remember much, but I recall really liking them. I think I'll give them a re-read this year.
Carine wrote: "Favorite new author that you discovered this year?: RAINBOW ROWELL !!!"Have you read Eleanor & Park yet? I just read it a few days ago and loved it!
Hi Shannon, I'm not really into fantasy, that's probably why I didn't like The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I like good fantasy books as The Lord of the Rings or the Harry Potter series, but it's not really my genre. Moreover, I found that this book was thought more for children than for an adult public. Probably I would have liked it if I had read it as a child/teenager. Or maybe not, who knows?As for The Lord of the Flies, I couldn't get into the story. Maybe my expectations were set too high, as I am a big fan of dystopia and I had heard wonders on this novel. I'm easily disappointed when I expect too much of a book.
Shannon Noel wrote: "Carine wrote: "Favorite new author that you discovered this year?: RAINBOW ROWELL !!!"Have you read Eleanor & Park yet? I just read it a few days ago and loved it!"
Oh yes I read all of them within a Week and E&P is really my fav, even if I'm so frustrated with the ending
How many books did you read this year?107 so far...
What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
I cannot choose just one!
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
And your least favorite?
The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort
Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman
What book were you surprised to like?
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
I'm not a huge sci-fi reader and put off reading this for a long time. What a nice surprise when it turned out to be awesome!
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
This is a classic and on many "Best" lists but it was just too boring for me.
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?
I rediscovered Lisa Genova when I read Still Alice after reading Left Neglected last year. She has one more book I cannot wait to read.
What was the funniest book you read this year?
Undoubtedly Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson
What book made you cry?
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Messenger by Lois Lowry
What was the most beautifully written?
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Most thought-provoking or life-changing?
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
An incredible true story.
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
I'm going with unputdownable - I don't read many action packed novels.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
The Giver Series:
The Giver
Gathering Blue
Messenger
Son
Most frustrating or angering?
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
I did not care for the character switch in this last book (Tobias became weak; Tris became strong...why can't they both be strong??)
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. - Dr Wayne W. Dyer” ― R.J. Palacio, Wonder
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
Not really a character because he is a real person but I have to go with Olympian Louis Zamperini from
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Most memorable romantic relationship?
Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair fromThe Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
Science Fiction with Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
I read Gone Girl last year and saw the movie this year and thought it was absolutely perfect.
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
All Rainbow Rowell books and Love Anthony by Lisa Genova.
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
or
Melissa wrote: "What book made you cry?Wonder by R.J. Palacio"
Ooh, sounds interesting. Added it. :)
May I ask why you didn't like Orange is the New Black? I've been obsessed with the TV show and was going to try the book this year. Have you seen the show? Is it very different?
Marina wrote: "Hi Shannon, I'm not really into fantasy, that's probably why I didn't like The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I like good fantasy books as The Lord of the Rings or the Harry Potter series, but it..."Ahh, I see. I first read Lion/Witch/Wardrobe as a kid, so I might have a very different impression of it now. But I'm usually into fantasy and whimsical children's stories, so I might still like it now. :P
Haha, I do that too, give a book too high expectations. I hate it when that happens. But I can't help feeling excited!
How many books did you read this year?27
What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
The Night Circus
And your least favorite?
Atonement
What book were you surprised to like?
The Goose Girl YA Fantasy is really not my thing, but I did enjoy the story.
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings I did like it, but not nearly as much as I expected to like it.
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?
Erin Morgenstern and Oliver Pötzsch
What was the funniest book you read this year?
The Rosie Project
What book made you cry?
Bel Canto
What was the most beautifully written?
The Night Circus and The Hangman's Daughter
Most thought-provoking or life-changing?
Night
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
The Hangman's Daughter
Most frustrating or angering?
Above All Things
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?
The Night Circus
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
This is impossible...but one of them, from a book I haven't already mentioned, is
"But she was also content not to make things but just to enjoy them. 'Everyone doesn't have to do everything,' she told me. 'People forget you can also express yourself bu what you choose to admire and support. I've had so much pleasure from beautiful and challenging things created by other people, things I could never make or do. I wouldn't trade that for anything."
from The End of Your Life Book Club
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
Minny Jackson from The Help
Most memorable romantic relationship?
Rosie and Don from The Rosie Project
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
I tried a couple fantasy/sci-fi books.
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
The Night Circus So many friends have recommended it and its been on my TBR list for sometime.
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
Yes. I've read The Book Thief before, but I listened to it and then watched the movie with a friend. Audiobook was AMAZING and the movie was a dismal failure!
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
The Fault in Our Stars and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
How many books did you read this year? 78 so farWhat was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all? Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi- I LOVED this book!!
And your least favorite? Tenth of December by George Saunders
What book were you surprised to like? Dracula by Bram Stoker
What book did you think you would like but didn’t? The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
Favorite new author that you discovered this year? Melina Marchetta
What was the funniest book you read this year? The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore
What book made you cry? Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi
What was the most beautifully written? The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Most thought-provoking or life-changing? Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo
Most action-packed/unputdownable? Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.) Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Most frustrating or angering? The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting? The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Favorite quote from this year’s books? “Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” from Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Who was the most memorable character of the year? Anne Morrow Lindberg from The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
Most memorable romantic relationship? I didn't really read many novels with a romance in them this year, but The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne had a cute romantic twist in it.
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read? Catch-22 by Joseph Heller- war/anti-war novel/absurdist fiction
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to? Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it? Divergent by Veronica Roth- I actually liked the movie better than the book. I enjoyed the Divergent series as a whole, but individually the books weren't as captivating as I thought.
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year? I haven't figured out everything that I'll be reading for 2015 (I typically draw out titles from a Book Jar rather than creating a list to read from) but I'm looking forward to getting to Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and The Hotel on Place Vendome: Life, Death, and Betrayal at the Hotel Ritz in Paris by Tilar J. Mazzeo soon!
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
- I thought it was interesting that this cover glowed in the dark!
- I just loved the image on this cover, very fitting for the era of the novel
How many books did you read this year? 53 So far (I may have more in a week)What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
The Psychopath Test
And your least favorite?Frank: The True Story that Inspired the Movie(Same author completely different results)
What book were you surprised to like?Before I Fall
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?Frank: The True Story that Inspired the Movie
Favorite new author that you discovered this year? Still in the search...
What was the funniest book you read this year?The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
What book made you cry?My Whispers of Horror: Letters Telling Women's True Tales from Ex-USSR Nations
What was the most beautifully written?The Complete Persepolis
Most thought-provoking or life-changing? Can't really tell
Most action-packed/unputdownable?Capture
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)Operacion Pablo Escobar
Most frustrating or angering?Life After Life I promise someday I will finish this....
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?My Whispers of Horror: Letters Telling Women's True Tales from Ex-USSR Nations
Favorite quote from this year’s books? There are too many....
Who was the most memorable character of the year? I can't pick characters are linked to books and I can't put one over the other
Most memorable romantic relationship? Don't do romance
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
women
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
The Damnation Game
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
Yes City of Bones The movie is trash, I wasted two hours of my life for an adaptation that is not logic and let the most important twist out.
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year? All of them!!!
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
How many books did you read this year? 86 (so far)What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez
And your least favorite?
Lust by Lucia Jordan - wish I could give it negative stars
What book were you surprised to like?
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?
Banana Yoshimoto
What was the funniest book you read this year?
The Rosie Project
What book made you cry?
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
What was the most beautifully written?
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
Most thought-provoking or life-changing?
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie/Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
Most unputdownable - The Martian by Andy Weir
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
I can't really decide - maybe The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
Most frustrating or angering?
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
This is hard... "Our past is never past and there is no such thing as moving on," in The Untelling by Tayari Jones and there are so many good Murakami quotes.
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
Lisbeth - The Millennium -Stieg Larsson. I'm still a bit upset that I can't have more Lisbeth.
Most memorable romantic relationship?
Wantanabe and Midori/Naoko in Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami because it was so crazy
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
Graphic Novels. I'm addicted to Saga series/comics by Brian K. Vaughan
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
I did the opposite - I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. So different but both very good.
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year? We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo and The Fever by Megan Abbott and something by Rainbow Rowell and Natsuo Kirino
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
How many books did you read this year?Will hopefully finish 36 or 37.
What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
While I don't think it was the best book, I think I enjoeyd it most because others were often more serious: Kellari
And your least favorite?
The Historian
What book were you surprised to like?
The Railroad
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?
The Historian
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?
I think Doris Lessing came closest, though I am hoping Kellari's author will publish more than two novels. (He is a professor of biochemistry in "real life".)
What was the funniest book you read this year?
Well I guess Can You Keep a Secret? was funniest but I prefer dry humour and the aforementioned Kellari made fun of both the town and university people of today, though it was set in the 1790s. And because Waltari knows how to write even his non-fiction book made fun of Stalin & Co, or maybe they did it themselves...
What book made you cry?
I don't generally cry but White Hunger was a difficult read because it's based on history and happened not too long ago.
What was the most beautifully written?
I can't think any... but I guess I liked Waltari's style the most, so Suuri illusioni. He used some loan words for new things that nowadays have a proper Finnish word for them.
Most thought-provoking or life-changing?
Books don't usually influence me that way but Totuus Virosta, Latviasta ja Liettuasta tells how you can take over a country "legally" and against people's wishes. It hasn't aged one bit though written in 1941.
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
Arsène Lupin in the Teeth of the Tiger It never really slowed down (not always a good thing).
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
Hercule Poirot climbing up a tree and going through a window like a cat in Murder on the Links?
Most frustrating or angering?
The Historian and Outlander, both were way too long for the story.
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?
I'd like to say White Hunger but maybe The Rabbit Back Literature Society?
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
I rarely remember quotes (and they would be in Finnish anyway) but this is a Lithuanian joke from 1940 after they had been occupied by the Soviet Union:
A Bolshevik (=Soviet) meets a Pole and acting arrogantly says: "The Germans finished you off in three weeks. Finns have been beating us for three months already and we are still standing."
Totuus Virosta, Latviasta ja Liettuasta
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
I read a couple of biographies this year and the real people are usually more interesting... Minna Craucher had a few characters based on her at her time, also in Suuri illusioni, so
Madame: Minna Craucherin levoton elämä. For example she blackmailed men using a "bottled fetus" and her murder was reported in Time Magazine for some reason.
Most memorable romantic relationship?
In Adore?
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
Fantasy Troll: A Love Story, magical realismThe Rabbit Back Literature Society and chick lit Can You Keep a Secret?
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
Many, but I guess I should have read The Railroad earlier.
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
I've done it mainly the other way around. I got ahead of the series while reading Outlander but I think I prefer the series.
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
Most of the books I am eager to read are quite long so I haven't decided which ones I want to read first. I was supposed to read The Egyptian this year already...
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
Shannon Noel wrote: "Melissa wrote: "What book made you cry?Wonder by R.J. Palacio"
Ooh, sounds interesting. Added it. :)
May I ask why you didn't like Orange is the New Black? I've been obsessed with the TV show an..."
Hi Shannon! Wonder is an absolutely wonderful book and I highly recommend it.
Orange is the New Black book is SO different from the series..I personally think the TV Series is much more interesting than the book (they changed A LOT!). Piper irritates me in both (book & TV series) and the TV series has so many interesting characters whereas the book is by Piper about Piper so I just found it..well..boring. I kept waiting for some exciting things to happen. I'd be, "okay here we go..something good is coming" and then: Nothing. As far as memoirs by blonde women go, read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
instead :)
Caro wrote: "Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?Yes City of Bones The movie is trash, I wasted two hours of my life for an adaptation that is not logic and let the most important twist out."
I felt the exact same way about City of Bones movie - terrible. It was so bad it unfortunately prevented me from finishing the book series because I could not get those terrible actors out of my mind.
Melissa wrote: "Caro wrote: "Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?Yes City of Bones The movie is trash, I wasted two hours of my life for an adaptation that is not logic and let the..."
I actually read the first three books before watching the movie they are nice reading. I am hoping to finish the story next year. But to be honest I am not sure how a good idea it is since clearly the 4th 5th and 6th books where done just to expand the story... But they are many interesting twist in the third book you should give it a try in a few months, the good thing is that they did not show Rafael in the movie and for some reason I really like that character.
Courtney wrote: Most frustrating or angering?Life After Life by Kate Atkinson"
I felt so much disappointed with this book, I have almost never read a book and leave without finish but I can;t just bring myself to continue reading this, I know a lot of people love it, but I just can´t do it....
Caro wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Caro wrote: "Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?Yes City of Bones The movie is trash, I wasted two hours of my life for an adaptation that is not l..."
I will definitely have to reconsider reading them. I liked the book enough but after seeing the movie I had it in my mind that I didn't like it but am confident it was just that horrible film!
Rachel wrote: "How many books did you read this year?27
What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
The Night Circus
And your least favorite?
Atonement
What book were you su..."
Rachel we have read a lot of the same books...Unbroken, The Night Circus, The Book Thief, Night, The Help - all of which I loved. I also have The Rosie Project and Bel Canto on my TBR list.
Shannon I just had to respond to several of your responses...you had me laughing out loud.Shannon Noel wrote: "What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
Oh dear, how how HOW am I supposed to pick just one?? How. Oh jeez. Hooo, okay. KEEP IT TOGETHER, SHANNON, THIS ISN’T SOPHIE’S CHOICE. Alright, my fave this year would be Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. I read it in April and I still think about it, even now.
Shannon I'm laughing because that's how I felt about choosing just one...and I just couldn't do it! However, I am asking you about "Brief Interviews" because that movie was absolutely terrible so now I'm thinking I should give the book a try. Did you see the movie?
What book made you cry?
The Road
I bawled my head off at the end of this book and then had my husband read it who also teared up as well (although he may not admit it)
What was the most beautifully written?
(This is a hard one - I read a lot of beautiful books this year!)
Everything Is Illuminated
Now I feel like I really need to read this book. I saw the movie and loved it...thought about reading the book and kept thinking "no, you've seen the movie that will have ruined the book" but now I'm thinking I must read it anyway!
Most frustrating or angering?
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal From my review: “It started off well, but eventually I wanted to yell at Christopher Moore, ‘HEY MAN. CALM YOUR PANTS.’ Your teenaged character doesn’t need to bang a harem of Chinese concubines (seriously? seriously??) nor do I as a reader need to hear his every thought about who he wants to bang next.”
I could not finish that book! I am pretty adamant about finishing books. It's has to be really bad or really offensive and I don't know which it was with this one or a combo of both but I had to stop. I loved Christopher Moore for a long time but this one and his last few years' efforts just aren't doing it for me.
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is absolutely wonderful.
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How many books did you read this year? 161 and still readingWhat was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all? That's a tough one, but I'll go with the one that stuck out when I reviewed my 5 star reads, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
And your least favorite? That one's easy...my only 1 star read (no option to vote 0), The Businessman's Tie by Deena Ward, a Kindle freebie
What book were you surprised to like? The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas I chose it just to fit a challenge, but loved it!
What book did you think you would like but didn’t? The Group by Mary McCarthy I was so glad when it was over!
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?Sigrid Undset
What was the funniest book you read this year? A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut
What book made you cry? Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories by Alice Munro
What was the most beautifully written? In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. I read Volumes 2-4 this year and may read Volume 5 this week.
Most thought-provoking or life-changing? The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
Most frustrating or angering?
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
Most memorable romantic relationship?
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
I'll finish this later!
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2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Group (other topics)The Sense of an Ending (other topics)
The Mists of Avalon (other topics)
The Black Tulip (other topics)
The Businessman's Tie (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Deena Ward (other topics)Julian Barnes (other topics)
Mary McCarthy (other topics)
Alexandre Dumas (other topics)
Sigrid Undset (other topics)
More...
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How many books did you read this year?
What was your SINGLE most top favorite of them all?
And your least favorite?
What book were you surprised to like?
What book did you think you would like but didn’t?
Favorite new author that you discovered this year?
What was the funniest book you read this year?
What book made you cry?
What was the most beautifully written?
Most thought-provoking or life-changing?
Most action-packed/unputdownable?
Most shocking? (Plot twist, character death, etc.)
Most frustrating or angering?
What book had the most vivid or imaginative setting?
Favorite quote from this year’s books?
Who was the most memorable character of the year?
Most memorable romantic relationship?
What subject matter or genre did you try that you normally don’t read?
What book can you not believe you waited this long to finally get to?
Did you read a book and then watch its movie adaptation? How was it?
What books from your to-read list are you most excited to read next year?
Post your favorite cover of the year, regardless of your opinion on the book:
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