Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Michelle posted this a while back in our challenge suggestion thread, and I thought she got some great questions.

As stated by Michelle(shelli_m):
I was wondering if it would be a good idea to pose a poll of sorts to the group with questions on the books they have read this year.
For example-

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
2. Best series?
3. Best standalone?
4. Biggest disappointment?
5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?
6. Which series has lost you as a reader?
7. Favourite challenge you participated in?

An end of year round up if you will? Give us an idea of what everyone reads, wants to read and is looking forward to reading next year.

Just like Michelle, I would love to hear what you guys have to share.

I'm limiting this to romance, because otherwise it gets impossible to answer

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
Robin McKinley I absolutely adored each and every one of her books.

2. Best series?
Outlander - I was blown away.
The follow-ups aren't as good as the first installment (in my humble opinion), but the first installment rocked.

3. Best standalone?
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

4. Biggest disappointment?
Once Dead Twice Shy. I think I like The Hollows best from among all the UF/PNR series, so I was counting on something brilliant again from Mrs. Harrison. This felt short.

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?
The Hunger Games Book Three / Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows, #8)

6. Which series has lost you as a reader?
The Vampire Diaries (LJ Smith), Victoria Nelson (Tanya Huff), Little Goddess (Amy Lane), The Books of Bayern (Shannon Hale), BDB (J.R. Ward), Riley Jenson Guardian (Keri Arthur), Dorina Basarab (Karen Chance)... And there's more. What can I say? I'm picky.

7. Favourite challenge you participated in?
I like so many... It's like asking me to choose my fav book - I won't be able to answer.

Hehehe. I love reading people's responses to these sorts of questions. :)

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
I discovered so many new authors this year. Some of my favorites include: Katie MacAlister, Janet Evanovich, Jeaniene Frost, Charlaine Harris, Stephenie Meyer, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, etc.

2. Best series?
Favorites from reads this year:
- Night Huntress series (Jeaniene Frost)
- Hunger Games series (Suzanne Collins)
- Bridgerton series (Julia Quinn)

3. Best standalone?
I really liked The Host by Stephenie Meyer after I got through the first 100 pages or so.

4. Biggest disappointment?
Hmmm. I thought I would love Claiming the Courtesan based on all the hype, but it fell short for me.

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?
Reading a bigger variety of books. Trying to read more classics :)

6. Which series has lost you as a reader?
- BDB by JR Ward (though I will likely re-read and try the next book Lover Mine anyway)
- Anita Blake and Meredith Gentry by Laurell K Hamilton
(I have a love/hate relationship with her books...we'll see if I really stay away, or if I'm drawn in *yet* again)

7. Favourite challenge you participated in?
I personally love all the challenges, but if I had to choose a favorite I would pick the SERIAL READER challenge. I thought it was so creative, and I loved being able to read back-to-back books in a series. :)

Great responses, ladies. I'm still working on putting together my answers.

Okay, I'm admit I can be slow sometimes. : )

These are great questions! I love seeing the series that lost you as a reader...it's always good to be forewarned, especially in a series, if a book is not going to live up to the hype

1. Best new author discovered this year?
Carol O'Connell - thanks to the A to Z Author Challenge (and the fact that my library owns all her books) I read all 9 of the books in her mystery series in one month - there is just something about the way she writes and the characters she writes about, that made me completely obsessed
I also have to mention Elizabeth Vaughan because her books are amazing - even months later, I'm still thinking of her storylines and characters with warm, fuzzy feelings

2. Best series?
My favorite series that I started this past year include Alyssa Day's Warriors of Poseidon, Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress, and Ann Aguirre's Siranth Jax.
I enjoyed the 2009 installments in Christine Feehan's Carpathian series, Lisa Lutz's Spellman series, Colleen Gleason's conclusion to her Gardella Vampire Chronicles, Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series, Jeff Somers' Avery Cates series and the hysterical conclusion of Louise Rennison's Georgia Nichols series.

3. Best standalone?
I enjoyed Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore, The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston, Twenties Girl: A Novel by Sophie Kinsella, and Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause.

4. Biggest disappointment?
Definitely, Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay. Also, Skinwalker by Faith Hunter.

5. Most looking forward to?
Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison, First Drop of Crimson and Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost, Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews, Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning, and so on...

6. Which series has lost me as a reader?
anything by Tanya Huff...I tried two books in 2009, not a fan, Linwood Barclay...the last two books I read by him were not up to his usual standard, The Walker Papers by C.E. Murphy...could not get into the second book even though I liked the first, and maybe Alyson Noel's Immortal series...great first book, but the follow up flopped

7. Favorite challenge?
I love the A to Z challenges. I also like the read the month ones. Guess I like going by the titles, weird.

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
Maria Snyder

2. Best series?
Study Series (Poison/Magic/Fire Study) by Maria Snyder
and
James Potter free ebook series by G. Norman Lippert
James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing, James Potter and the Curse of the Gate Keeper and currently being released a chapter a day starting 1/1/10 James Potter and the Vault of Destinies

3. Best standalone?
Hot Scots, Castles, and Kilts by Tammy Swoish

4. Biggest disappointment?
I'm Not Really Here by Tim Allen. His first book Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man was hilarious and entertaining. In the second book, which I couldn't even finish, he started discussing quantum physics or some such crap.

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?
New release by Nancy Atherton for her Aunt Dimity series
Aunt Dimity Down Under

6. Which series has lost you as a reader?
Americana Series by Janet Daily. (50 books, one written in every state.) Ever since I learned the author plagarized another author's work, I havn't wanted to read anything she's written anymore.

From Wikipedia: Dailey was sued in 1997 by fellow novelist Nora Roberts, who accused Dailey of copying her work for over seven years. The practice came to light after a reader read Roberts' Sweet Revenge and Dailey's Notorious back-to-back; she noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Roberts sued Dailey.[9:] Dailey acknowledged the theft and blamed it on a psychological disorder. She admitted that both Aspen Gold and Notorious lifted heavily from Roberts's work. Both of those novels were subsequently pulled from print.[10:][11:] In April 1998 Dailey settled the case. Although terms were not released, Roberts had previously indicated that any settlement funds should be donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.[9:][12:]

7. Favourite challenge you participated in?
I've really enjoyed the monthly challenges.

Judging by how I rated last years reads and what I remember about them after however many months:

Best new author you discovered this year?
Jacquelyn Frank, Gail Carriger (honorable mention)

Best series?
Jaquelyn Frank, Nightwalkers - This reminds me, I need to pick this series up again.
Rosemary Kirstein, The Steerswoman - Ohh, this one too!
Gail Carriger, Parasol Protectorate

Best standalone?
Mary Ann Shaffer, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - I was sad to learn this author died before writing anything else.
Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, Lani Diane Rich, Dogs and Goddesses - Love me some humor.
Bridget Asher, My Husband's Sweethearts - I just really enjoyed this one.

Biggest disappointment?
Christopher Moore, Fool: A Novel - I just felt like he could have gone farther than his mostly generic humor.

What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?
Gail Carriger, Changeless (Parasol Protectorate]) - Please please please be good.

Which series has lost you as a reader?
Lora Leigh, Bound Hearts - She's just too repetitive for me.

Favorite challenge you participated in?
I loved the Men We Love Challenge (even though I didn’t finish it)!

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
Maria V. Snyder

2. Best series? Study series by Maria V. Snyder

3. Best standalone? The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

4. Biggest disappointment? The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? I'm still hoping for that final installment of the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.

6. Which series has lost you as a reader? The Immortals (YA) by Alyson Noel

7. Favourite challenge you participated in? I love the yearly challenges, especially the A-Z book one. It makes me feel good to read 26 books and complete the list!

1. Best new author you discovered this year? Johnathan Mayberry [horror:], Carrie Ryan [zombie-romance, YA, Richelle Mead [paranormal romance:]
2. Best series? Demonica by Larrisa Ione, Night Huntress by J. Frost
3. Best standalone?A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle [not so much the "best" as much as the "only":]
4. Biggest disappointment? Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? Demonica series, Book #4
6. Which series has lost you as a reader?
"Home" by T A Chase
Bk1: No going home ***
Bk2: A home of his Own

Sentenial Wars by Shannon K Butcher
Bk1; Burning Alive 11-09

jarheads by Sean Michael
Bk1:Don't Ask, Don't Tell 8-09

Hunters by Shiloh Walker
Bk1 and Bk2] Hunters: the begining 11-09

bk1] Red Headed Step Child by Jaye Wells

7. Favourite challenge you participated in? A-Z challenges, read the month

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
Ilona Andrews - can't get enough of Kate and Curran :)

2. Best series?
There are several great ones I discovered this year. My favorites: Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward, Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews, Psy-Changling by Nalini Singh, Dark Swan by Richelle Mead, Fever by Karen Marie Moning, Study by Maria V Snyder, Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs. And lots more that I liked, but too many to name here.

3. Best standalone?
haha. I haven't read that many this year, probably less than 15 out of my 212 books read. The ones that stand out are The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

4. Biggest disappointment?
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson; since when is the movie better than the book?

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?
Shadowfever!!! I want all my questions answered!

6. Which series has lost you as a reader?
House of Night; they never got better, only much much worse.

7. Favourite challenge you participated in?
Men We Love challenge by far. It was different and fun trying to find occupations that fit.

1. Best new author you discovered this year?

J.R. Ward, Gail Carriger, José Saramago, Kelley Armstrong, Janet Evanovich, Suzanne Collins

2. Best series?

Black Dagger Brotherhood - J.R. Ward, Troubleshooters - Suzanne Brockmann, Women of the Otherworld - Kelley Armstrong, Stephanie Plum - Janet Evanovich, Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

3. Best standalone?

The Host by Stephenie Meyer (though I hear some rumors about a sequel, hmm...), Blindness by José Saramago, The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

4. Biggest disappointment?

Full Moon Rising AND Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur, Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz, Vulnerable by Amy Lane

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?

hmm, most of this shelf

6. Which series has lost you as a reader?

Riley Jenson Guardian - Keri Arthur, Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr, Blue Bloods - Melissa de la Cruz, Little Goddess - Amy Lane

7. Favourite challenge you participated in?

Love them all, but if I have to pick something... Monthly, Lifetime and all of the A-Z, I think.

Annvelwis said..."5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?

hmm, most of this shelf"


Wow, that is some list, Annvelwis. Probably how you stay on top of the leaderboard. Lol!!!!

LibraryLass wrote: "Wow, that is some list, Annvelwis. Probably how you stay on top of the leaderboard. Lol!!!! "

Heh, maybe. I'm sure I don't know how it happens...

1. Best new author you discovered this year? Maria V. Snyder and Karen Marie Moning
2. Best series? Study Series - thanks Yz for the recommendation.
3. Best standalone? The Time Traveler's Wife
4. Biggest disappointment? The Historian
5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? Lover Mine!!
6. Which series has lost you as a reader? Maybe the Anita Blake series. I didn't actually start - I just read one short story from the series and wasn't that crazy about it.
7. Favourite challenge you participated in? I like the PNR Monthly Challenges.

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
Patricia Briggs with Gail Carriger as a close second.

2. Best series? Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series (Moon Called et. al.)

3. Best standalone? The Help

4. Biggest disappointment? Goddess of the Hunt

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? Changeless

6. Which series has lost you as a reader? JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood and MJ Davidson's Queen Betsy Undead series <--- this one found me and lost me in a period of about three months. LOL.

7. Favourite challenge you participated in? I didn't really begin challenges til about November so I think I'll pass and answer this one next year.

1. Best new author you discovered this year? Stephenie Meyer
2. Best series? Twilight
3. Best standalone? I have been reading mostly series books, so I really do not have a favorite standalone.
4. Biggest disappointment? I have not really been disapointed this year.
5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? I have not read any nora roberts and I am looking forward to knocking out a bunch of her books. I have heard good things about her.
6. Which series has lost you as a reader? none.
7. Favourite challenge you participated in? I am new and have not participated in any yet, but looking forward to it!

1. Best new author you discovered this year? Nalini Singh, Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione.

2. Best series? The best series I discovered this year: Fallen Angels by JR Ward and Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh (although there's only one book out so far for each.)

3. Best standalone? Don't think I read a great standalone this last year.

4. Biggest disappointment? The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. I want answers! Archangels' Kiss, Lover Mine, First Drop of Crimson, Crave

6. Which series has lost you as a reader? House of Night, Stephanie Plum (maybe), Sookie Stackhouse

7. Favourite challenge you participated in? Didn't participate in many.

1. New Author: That would be Richelle Mead.
2. New Series: Vampire Academy
3. Standalone: No best here, since I couldn't remember any.
4. Biggest Disappointment: Dangerous Games
5. Looking forward to the most: Spirit Bound, Shadowfever, Dead in the Family, Silver Borne (Mercedes Thompson, #5), First Drop of Crimson among others
6. Lost me as a reader FOR NOW: Troubleshooters Series, Suzanne Brockmann
7. Fave Challenge: (hides face in shame), I wasn't aware of the challenges...=(

1. Best new author you discovered this year? Paulo Coelho

2. Best series? The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward and Ice series by Anne Stuart

3. Best standalone? The Time Traveler's Wife

4. Biggest disappointment? Mr. Palomar and Giving Chase

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? Lover Mine

6. Which series has lost you as a reader? None that I can think of... still just getting my feet wet when it comes to series.

7. Favourite challenge you participated in? This is my first year to participate in any challenges.

1. Best new author you discovered this year?
JR Ward and Paullina Simons

2. Best series?
BDB and The Bronze Horseman

3. Best standalone?

Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone and for a Young Adult Perfect Chemistry

4. Biggest disappointment?
Vampire Academy

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year?

Lover Mine and Linger

6. Which series has lost you as a reader?

Vampire Academy

7. Favourite challenge you participated in?

I'm doing my first challenge this month!

1. Best new author you discovered this year? Charlaine Harris, I know she's been at this writing thing for a while now, but 2009 is the first that I've read of her work. I really like her Sookie series and may be inclined to read her other works.

2. Best series? Oh no! I've read several in '09. I guess it would be Anita Blake. I had meant to read the series a long time ago and never did. In 2009 I read from Guilty Pleasures to Skin Trade and really enjoyed it!

3. Best standalone? Impossible by Nancy Werlin

4. Biggest disappointment? Sunshine by Robin McKinley (I read this all the way to the last 10 pages. By that point, I was so done reading it that I just stopped.)

5. What are you most looking forward to bookwise next year? Flirt by LKH, Bullet by LKH, Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris, Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely, #4) by Melissa Marr and whatever the title will be for Laurell's next Merry book. I am sure that there are others, but these are the ones that are at the front of my mind.

6. Which series has lost you as a reader? I don't know that I have found one yet. HoN is teetering on the edge.

7. Favourite challenge you participated in? I participated in one that was by the color of the cover (yes, I am that shallow) and I really loved it! It's the only one since I've started doing these challenges that I have successfully completed!