Challenge: 50 Books discussion
2010
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Dash's 50 in 10 (Finished....)
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24. Faith of the Fallen(SoT #6)Yay! I finished another SoT book, and what a turn around from book 5. I LOVED FotF! I hope the next book in the series is just as good, but we'll see with the change up in narrative.
25. The Thief LordThis was a pretty quick read, and nowhere near as good as I thought it was going to be. It was a lovely story, and great for kids, but there just could have been more to it. Also the plot device that was introduced 2/3's of the way into the book irritated me. It was a cool idea, but the author could have alluded to it earlier, so it wouldn't have felt so FREAKING OUT OF NOWHERE!
Yay, I've hit my half way mark and I'm only slightly into July. I think this is amazing progress. I have never blasted through books so fast in my life!I'm just a tad worried with what I want to start reading next, I do have tons of audiobooks lined up for when my commute starts up again in two months, but as for books go....I have so many things I want to read I don't even know where to start!
Love reading some of the things my fellow 50 readers are jumping into. You've all given me even more ideas!
26. The Pillars of Creation (SoT #7)I was dreading going into this book and being separated from my beloved Richard and Kahlan for 600 pgs but Jennsen actually proved to be a decently strong character, and overall I enjoyed the book! Definitely the quickest read in the series though.
There were a few times I caught myself being irritated with the characters, but because I was reading the stories events from another POV, I had to realize that I knew more information than them and it allowed me to calm down and enjoy it more.
27. The AlchemistLoved it! Such a beautiful tale with enduring wisdom. I want to pick up up again right now, and Jeremy Irons reading it to me wasn't a bad deal either!
28. The Hunger GamesMy gods, what a ride! I hadn't planned on FINALLY reading this till a little closer to Mockingjay's release, but I just saw it on my shelf yesterday morning and KNEW it was time. I started it immediately and would have finished it in one sitting if I hadn't needed some sleep. Yet the moment I was up, I was cleaning my small couch and cozying up for the finish.
I don't read unfinished series, being a Potter kid, I just haven't fully recovered from the many, MANY years I waited for each books release....so of course Hunger Games has been the one book to truly taunt me since its release over two years ago, but I held out because I knew how much I was going to love it and boy did I! More than I could possibly conceive and now I have to wait about a week to start Catching Fire, so I can read it with my friend who has been badgering me for 9 months to pick it up. I can't wait, and I love the idea of her and I reading it simultaneously...and though my sheer impatience would say otherwise, I don't think it will be horrible because I want to savor this book.
29. Catching FireOne of THE best cliffhangers I have ever read and I may have to re-read it in a few weeks to just take in everything that happened!
30. Naked EmpireHonestly, not the best in the series and probably falls in the mid ground for how good it was, though a tad closer to Soul of the Fire in plot. The Bandakarians aren't bad and I liked them a lot more towards the end, but the cultures in these books that have such effed up and brainwashed doctrines irritate the shit out of me. But this book was NOWHERE near as bad as Soul.
31.
When I started reading this book, I honestly didn't know what to expect but with what I've seen come out of the YA genre I had theories. This book blew every theory out of the water and made them feel like child's play. It was a great book, an unexpected book, and most certainly a dark book. Seventy-five pages in I sat back and asked 'How the hell this is YA!'
Overall I loved it, it was intense and I did read it in one sitting. So a future read will have to happen, especially after I finish processing everything that effing happened.
Great ending to the series Collins!
32.
The Gargoyle
This book was nothing like I expected and even more more mysterious than the dust jackets blurb left me feeling. I didn't hate it, but I can't call it an absolute favorite, but I did love it. It was really unique and the narrators voice had me hooked on the book in minutes, and then Marianne's elaborate tales of love left me gliding through the end. The beautiful stories of centuries past blended really well with the journey the narrator takes through this story.
I do highly recommend it!
33.
Eat, Pray, Love
Hmm, this was an extremely interesting book, and I think I chose well to read it by audiobook, or I feel I would have missed really understanding Liz Gilbert. I loved it, and found it a truly honest and fascinating tale of a woman's path to being the "administrator of my(her)own rescue."
34.
There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale
When I started reading this, I had not expected the type of internal voice that would come from Sean Astin. Having met the man, this was in no way my original assessment on the type of person he was. However, his memoir was an interesting look into a Hollywood baby, who worked on one of the biggest Film franchises in history. And, being an actor myself I related to his story in a way I wouldn't have imagined and he was completely honest. I respected that a lot.
My only issue with the book: Horrible structuring. He told stories out of time and didn't necessarily tell you it had happened 3 years into the future or when he was still a teenager till later on.
However, it has sparked my love for the movies again and I have decided to take the plunge, FINALLY, and finish the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. Of which I started years ago, but it wasnt the right time to start, so I never finished.
35.
The Hobbit
Hmm, well I decided to try and re-read the LoTR after Astin's memoir; because I never truly finished the trilogy. However, I got a hold of the Hobbit first and decided to finally read it. It was a decent story, not exactly what I was expecting. Maybe finishing SoT and then expecting LoTR caliber writing could have been the issue. I had no idea it was such a simpler tale. But it was very enjoyable, and funny. This would be a GREAT piece to start bolder fantasy stories with kids.
36.
Hellboy Volume 1: Seed of Destruction
Well I finally started the Hellboy series, now I just need to pick up the rest of the graphic novels. I think I was a little shortsighted in my first Comic book buy; thinking it would take longer to read, and only buying the first volumes of a couple of them.
This was a cool way to start the 'Hellboy' series and I really did enjoy it, even if I wish it had lasted longer (drats I need the next volume).
37.
Promise Me Tonight: A Weston Novel
Heh! ....sometimes a girl just needs a good romance novel and this was delightful. Though it was on the simpler side of things, and you could generally tell where the plot was going (though quite honestly this could just be from my years of excessive Fanfic reading). Though, Izzie would surprise you quite a bit with her decisions. I will pick up the future Weston books as the novel family is just a freaking riot!
38.
BoneShaker
Well being a massive Steampunk geek, I'm really surprised this was my first foray into contemporary Steampunk literature....Hell I think I'm more surprised that I read a book about Zombies; But a good book it WAS! I don't think I was expecting anything I read in this book and I'm dying to know what happened to the 'surviving' characters (must look up the direct sequel) But the idea of a Blight ravaged Seattle was fantastic. As a setting it was well described, and anyway I have penchant for deserted cities (only reason I watch zombie movies). Ahh, it was such a cool book!
39.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
When I started this reading binge, I wasn't going to count re-reads and this one is one. However, when I originally read it, it was quite possibly the worst time to pick up the series for me (even if it was around the release of the films) and thus exemplified by never finishing the series. Though, I decided to count this because my second reading was entirely different from the first. I still had a little trouble that I had the first go around, since Tolkien's descriptions of nature and surroundings tend to lull me, and I snap back to awareness 10 minutes later realizing I just missed a whole section. But....I GOT THROUGH THE COUNCIL OF ELROND...which I will admit I skipped the first time around because it was wayy to long, did I mention it was the worst time to pick up the book back when I was 14. But I loved it now, and I am going forth to finish this bloody series, if its the last thing I do. Wee, Helm's Deep here I come!
40.
The Secret (Highland Lairds #1)
I FRAKKIN LOVED IT! Possibly one of the best romance novels I have ever read. I have never laughed so hard, at the situations characters had gotten themselves into. I would love to share some amazing one liners but damnit there is just to many good one, and most of them included the phrasing of 'I'm keeping you'. Oh this book was sheer relaxing brilliance. Though on a slightly more philosophical note, everyone I have shared this book with has loved it, we have realized why. Because of the time period and the type of people it deals with, it has broken love down to its most basic forms. There is a speech at a point in the book between Judith and Iain about protection and trust, etc. I felt that this book explored love in pretty real formats, especially as in our society currently we fucking complicate things ever so! So it was refreshing to have strong men and strong women be majorly honest!
The book itself is a historical romance set in the highlands of Scotland in 1100. Its the romance between a fiesty Englishwoman and a gruff Scottish Laird. What freakin more could you want! I really can't wait to try the other Highland Laird's novel 'Ransom' which is said to be even better than 'The Secret'! :D
41.
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
What can I say....I FINALLY FINISHED IT! After it sat half read on my bloody bookshelf for the past eight years. I loved it, I knew I would and I even knew I would love the Sam and Frodo section that so irritated me after I was abruptly taken from the fellowship and the men of Rohan; after the battle of the Hornburg. I have developed a deep seated love for Faramir and really just held my breathe through the moments of friendship between Sam and Frodo. I know that in this trilogy read, I have been having issues with Tolkien's descriptions of the land. But when he writes conversations between characters and descriptions of men and their Honor, I am entirely enraptured.
Now onward through Return of the King....that has already made me teary 5 times and I'm only two hours into the audiobook! Oh epic fantasy, how I love thee....
42. Ransom (Highland Lairds #2)
I NEED MORE OF THESE BOOKS TO EXIST!!!! No others have made me laugh so, or fall so hard for characters. There is just an underlying brutal honesty to the cast of character, especially the men that is addicting. The word play is unmatched and I love how so many of the women in these books get cornered into a situation (usually marriage) and don't even realize its happening. The men are sneaky little devils! But that is exactly why you love them. All of them are flawed, but those traits just make you like them more.
A+ Garwood, and can I please have more......please!
43.
Honor's Splendor
Heh, yeah! Garwood has captured me, and in a time I want to be destressing, these are the perfect books to read. Though I wasn't as quickly taken by this book as I have been by her others, I still liked it. This was the first of Garwood book I have read that was in England, and even with less Scot humor, I adored Duncan and his Madelyne.
44.
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
I know that I have spoken of the issues I have with Tolkien in the past, and those mostly relate to how he describes nature and where I feel like he's gotten away from the characters. For I love them so, and because I feel like Tolkien is describing the soul of the world and that in itself is even harder to grasp.
However, when he describes battles, conversations and above all the Grandeur of Gondor and Rohan, I am enraptured. I may love those romance novels that I have been inhaling lately, but things like that never make me cry; except on the rare occasion that those books show me true honor and loyalty. Those are the traits that I see in men while reading epic fantasy tales. They are the soul of the books and they make me weep joyously. I don't think I have cried so much in a book in my life, and I probably would have wept more if I hadn't stopped reading every time I teared up.
This was a breathtaking novel and every word kept me desperately seeking the next. For though I know this story inside and out, I have never finished reading The Return of the King, and even in the tragic moments I knew were coming I still cried. I loved it, every moment of it. In the future I will likely reread everything pertaining to Gondor, for Tolkiens descriptions of the white city and its people were beyond anything I could have imagined. Heck, I may just have to reread the whole thing because Gondor, Rohan, the elves, dwarves, and the shire are all beloved.
45.
Castles (Crown Spies #4)
Ok I'm in a bit of a Garwood reading binge right now, and I love it. Between the absolute pleasure I had in reading LotR and the joy I get from reading these hilarious Garwood books. I think I've become relaxed and happy in my little reading world. This one was definitely another hit!
46.
Crescendo
Going into this one was not high up on my list. After being put off the first one, Crescendo was only ever going to be picked up when I felt like it. So after I came across the audio and it turned out only to be nine hours long, I said "what the hell..." The first half, had me for the first time really nitpicking a book for poor writing, and yet, I really feel like the second half made up for it. I knew there was a big surprise coming and I was genuinely shocked by it, but I never expected the cliffhanger that occurred in the LAST TWO SENTENCES! For the first time in my life, I actually wanted to harm a book, but seeing as it was an audio, I ended up getting into a slap fight with my ipod and it won (my finger still hurts). But it was because the ending was good, and I cannot believe I desperately want the next book...so EFF YOU Fitzpatrick, I was going to give up on your series, but your plot is just to damn fun sometimes! Patch isn't half bad either. :)
47.
Matched
Incredible! If the rest of the books in this series are like the first one, I understand why Ally Condie was paid a fat million dollar check. This book was simply beautiful, and by far one of the best first person pov I've read in a long time.
In a world where your society determines, Where you work, Who you love, and When you die....Cassia finds strength, not in her perfect society, but in herself. It was even more surprising that Cassia Reyes was not whiney. She was genuinely intelligent, and not emotionally closed off. As the story progresses you realize just how strong she can be. She never questioned if she could do something, she went ahead and did it, and then discovered if she was capable. I think what I loved the most was that things unfolded as Cassia learns about them, you never know more than she does. But whats amazing is she's not stupid, she doesn't ignore things.
The secondary characters were beautiful, Cassia's family loved her so very much, and you could feel it in all their interactions. Then there was Xander and Ky, the two men in her life. This book beautifully played all their interactions, and it took me to the end of the book to lean one way or the other. They're both incredible, and as a reader you can fully understand the tug of war going on inside of Cassia, because she really does love them both.
***** One of the BEST books I have read this year!
I'm now dying for the next one, and scared all at the same time. Since I read this book very slowly, and in pieces, I figured out what was going to happen, and I was torn apart. Though I didn't realize it till the chapter BEFORE it happens, and only after days of pondering it.
48. I Am Number Four
I really enjoyed this book! There were points, it did really feel like a YA novel, but over all it was extremely enjoyable. All the Lorian lore, was amazing. I craved the moments when Henri or John would bring it up. Honestly, I can't wait for the next book in the series. Bahh, I'm such a sucker for history of other cultures (usually extraterrestrial)! I can't say to much, mostly because I just finished it, and I'm still reeling over the ending. It was beautiful, broke my heart, and then left me hanging.....AHH!
49.
Fallen
Pretty decent book, not what I was expecting when I picked it up. It did not turn me off, so I give it credit for that. Though I wish more answers had been given to Luce in this book. Even if I think the characters actions worked to building up the last hundred pages of go-go action. I did understand what was happening by the end of the book, but the why needs to be answered and I really hope Torment gives it to me. Hell just a little more mythology would have been nice! But overall decent book.
50.
Torment
Decent, I definitely liked it more than I liked Fallen. However, it just took me for bloody ever to read. Not the type of book you should be putting down, because when you're not interested in reading it, and you force yourself to, everything the characters do starts the snot out of you. I half liked Luce in this one, half wanted to beat her over the head with e a butcher block (ala Arianne)! Plus the complete lack of real interactions with Daniel...that all bloody ended in them having some form of idiotic argument pissed me off. REALLY! Though honestly I don't know who to side with. Luce for being annoyed by not having enough information, or Daniel for not giving it to her, but doing so as not to overload her brain and actually kill her.
Overall though, I really liked the characters. The secondaries are hysterical, and so worth having them just tag along to random shit, as they do. I'll pick up the next book. Hopefully I'm just not sick and in a better mood for reading it.
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Torment (other topics)Fallen (other topics)
I Am Number Four (other topics)
Matched (other topics)
Crescendo (other topics)
More...
So far...
1. Alanna: The First Adventure(Lioness #1)
2. In the Hand of the Goddess (Lioness #2)
3. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Lioness #3)
4. Lioness Rampant (Lioness #4)
5. Wizard's First Rule (SoT #1)
6. Wild Magic(Immortals #1)
7. Wolf-Speaker (Immortals #2)
8. Good Omens
9. Water for Elephants
10. The Lightning Thief (Percy #1)
11. The Sea of Monsters(Percy #2)
12. The Titan's Curse (Percy #3)
13. The Battle of the Labyrinth(Percy #4)
14. The Last Olympian(Percy #5)
15. The Host
16. Hes Just Not That into You
17. Hush, Hush
18. Beastly
19. Stone of Tears (SoT #2)
20. Blood of the Fold (SoT #3)
21. Temple of the Winds (SoT #4)
22. Soul of the Fire (SoT #5)
23&24 are being read simultaneously!
ONWARD....