2015 Reading Challenge [Closed] discussion

Yesterday I was dead set on reading Russka by Edward Rutherfurd, but I met a friend for lunch who convinced me to pack my bags for Spain and read The Shadow of the Wind.

I like mysteries of this type and am looking forward to reading it! Since it was originally written in Spanish, I'll take to opportunity to read it in French. As I avoid translations I find I'm reading almost exclusively in English.

I'm probably going to start tonight, since my short stories book is really short.

It is really an amazing book and beautifully written, you won't regret it! It's a page-turner :)

I give this book five stars. I love the author's use of language. I love the story. I love the setting. I hope you enjoy it, too!

This is one of my favorites! Have you started the book yet, and are you enjoying it?

I'm reading the third book about The Cemetery of Forgotten Books in week 16. If I had time, I would read the two first books, because I think there are so many details, that you probably won't catch the first time.

I'm about 80% through and I love it! The story is really good and I like the way it is told.

Maybe I should have read this again instead of Sarum :-D

The Shadow of the Wind is one of the few books I turned back over to page 1 when I finished it. I was so sad to let go of the characters. I stayed with me for days. I'm reading Book 2, very soon, as my Book Set in a Different Country. I hear it's much darker than Book 1, but I want to read it anyway.

I just finished it, and absolutely loved it! I was caught in the story like the flow of a river (and I'm being poetic now). This was a very good book and I hesitate between 4 stars (very good book) and 5 stars (amazing books, one of my favorite). I may change my rating later after letting it sink in a bit.

Jenny, I'm definitely going to try and add the second book in the challenge this year. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it!

This is the perfect book for book lovers!!! I could read over and over!!!

SaraDiann, I agree! Sophie, you're probably waxing poetic because of the influence of Carlos Ruiz Zafon! His descriptions of the streets of Spain after a gentle spring rain (and other things) are like lines from a sonnet. Ah...

I'm glad to hear you liked it, Sophie! In The Prisoner of Heaven (the third book) we meet Daniel and Bea again, so there's one more book to consider reading.

Zafón is definitely a very good author and I love his way of writing. There's also a book called Marina. Judging from the titel, I really ought to read it!

Marina, is it feasible to skip the second book and go right to the third in order to continue the storyline of Daniel and Bea? Or is Book 2 a necessary read for the flow of the story?

Jenny, I don't think it's necessary to read the second book before the third. As I remember it the second book is a completely different story. Only the settings of the book are the same.

Actually The Angel's game is set in the 20's. The Shadow of the Wind is in 1945, I believe and then The Prisoner of Heaven is a few years later, so if you want the story to be chronological you should read them in that order.

Thanks, Marina :)

Joining the week a little late but my other pick for Different Country fell through. Picking this up from library tomorrow. Excited!

This book sneaked up on me. With the rave reviews (online and from friends) I expected to instantly be hooked. Not the case. Although I completely enjoyed what I was reading, it started out a bit slow for me and didn't really pick up until Fermín was introduced to the story. He was a treat. Very confident in saying he is one of my favorite literary characters of all time. His humor, his advice, his antics!

Needless to say, I quickly found myself completely enthralled in this story. The mystery of it was engaging and not too revealing until the right time. Also, there were a couple parts in the book that just HORRIFIED me. Author does such an incredible job of taking you that extreme range of emotions. So. Many. Feels.

Would highly recommend to anyone. Hesitant to read the rest of the series due to lower ratings. And it doesn't look like Fermín is in the second :(

Jacki, I do remember now that it was a slow start. My daughter said it's the kind of book that you realize you LOVE only while you're reading it but have a hard time picking it back up later because you think you don't care that much about it. Anyhow, it does sneak up on you :)

Reading this one for this category this week. I am about 30% through. So far I find it creepy & intriguing. I have a sneaking suspicion I've guessed the plot twists already...hopefully it surprises me!!

Kayla, I think you might be onto something but may still experience a twist before you reach the end.

Jenny- I was right about the identity of the Lain Coubert, so I am not sure what that says about the complexity of the mystery. You were right though, had to take a few crazy detours to get there. I found it soap opera-esque, but overall I enjoyed it.


**SPOILERS AHEAD**


Can someone answer me this, because I have not found anything about it online- the "sad smile" mirroring in the last chapter- does that mean what I think it means?? :(