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OCTOBER - DECEMBER

First in a Series Challenge read to Mister Linky.

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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

Young Adult Challenge read to Mister Linky.

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JULY - DECEMBER

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JULY - DECEMBER

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A ~ Z Reading Challenge on its own blog.

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Becky will be hosting this challenge in 2009

on its own blog titled A to Z Challenge.

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The Non-Fiction Five Challenge has expired!

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Trish from Trish's Reading Nook

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SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER

2nds Challenge read to Mister Linky.

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J. Kaye from J. Kaye's Book Blog

will be hosting this challenge in 2009.

17th Challenge Completed!

This was a big challenge and one that I'm happy to have completed. There were only a few letters that I had trouble filling, but other than that, it went smoothly.

A ~ Z Reading Challenge Reads:

Author & Title Lists

Ratings - Tally

5 - 1

Total 5's - 1

4.75 - 2

4.5 - 5

4.25 - 2

4 - 11

Total 4's - 20

3.75 - 8

3.5 - 5

3.25 - 1

3 - 6

Total 3's - 20

2.75 - 3

2.5 - 1

2.25 - 1

2 - 5

Total 2's - 10

1.75 - 0

1.5 - 0

1.25 - 0

1 - 1

Total 1's - 1

Well . . . these categories are well defined! lol I'm astounded as to how the tally turned out. Very cool.

Favorite:

At this point in time, I would not consider this my only favorite read. However, at the time it was read, it was a 5!

The Lost Boy (Pelzer)

Least Favorite:

The Gathering (Enright)

BEAUTIFUL LIES

Author: Lisa Unger

Genre: Suspense?

Published: 2006

Personal Rating: 2.5/5

Yearly Count: 96

Ridley Jones, a 30-something New Yorker, is going about her everyday business when she receives a piece of mail containing a picture and a note. Both make her question her whole life.

I didn't care too much for this book. The "bad guy" stood out like a sore thumb, the word "benevolent" was overused, the narrator mispronounced many words, the characters were dull, and the suspenseful action was missing. Maybe I didn't care, because there was nothing interesting to hold my attention. Actually, I was enjoying the beginning, but it quickly took a dive.

SKY BURIAL

Author: Xinran

Genre: Fiction

Published: 2004

Personal Rating: 3.75/5

Yearly Count: 93

Shu Wen and her husband of four months, Kejun, were both in the medical profession. Kejun felt it would be honorable to join the Chinese army as a surgeon and help to unite China and Tibet. Soon after, Shu Wen received notice that Kejun was killed, but with no details. She decided to join the army herself to search for the man she pledged her life to. During Wen's relentless pursuit of finding the truth about her husband, she learned the nomad Tibetan lifestyle during a span of 30 years.

I wanted to like this more, but I think an almost "very good" read is still a worthy rating. Learning about the Tibetan's culture was fascinating, but too much political talk would begin to lose me. Also years would go by, but I didn't know how many, so I would lose my sense of time. Other than that, it was a compelling love story in the depths of Tibet with a cast of interesting people.

THE REMAINS OF THE DAY

Author: Kazuo Ishiguro

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: 1989

Personal Rating: 4/5

Yearly Count: 91

A deeply devoted English butler, Stevens, reminisces about his life in Darlington Hall. He believed, as a butler, it was his duty and responsibility to be selfless in every aspect of his life. Therefore, he devoted himself to giving Lord Darlington his very best. During this reminiscing, Stevens begins to discover himself.

This was a very good book. It took me a long time to become interested, but eventually I became attached to Stevens. After that happened, I was eager to hear more about his life. Interestingly enough, last year when I read Never Let Me Go I had the very same reaction. Ishiguro has a great talent for luring me into the depths of his novels and leaving me in a state of thoughtfulness. I'm glad I read this and the bonus is that it fits into three challenges!

THE WIDOW

Author: Carla Neggers

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Published: 2006

Personal Rating: 2/5

Yearly Count: 88

Abigail returns to Maine to find the killer of her murdered husband, Chris. After only being married for 4 days, he was gunned down. Abigail is determined to solve this case that has remained open for 7 years.

I chose this book to fulfill the "N" Author requirement for the A ~ Z Reading Challenge. I only finished it for that purpose as well, because under other circumstances this would have become a DNF read. The storyline seemed like something I would enjoy, but the manner in which it was solved was not. The characters were unappealing and the assumptions made throughout the book were hard to swallow. I will not even attempt to read another Neggers book.

ZATHURA

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Genre: Children

Published: 2002

Personal Rating: 3.75/5

The Budwing brothers stumble upon a board game outside. They take it home and begin to play. The space-themed game is nothing like they ever played before!

This book happens to be the sequel to Jumanji and was, also, made into a movie. I don't know the success of it, but a movie it is, none-the-less. The board game based book was fun and the events that occur are interesting. I enjoyed the pictures and the creativity.

ELEVEN ON TOP

Author: Janet Evanovich

Genre: Chick Lit Mystery

Published: 2005

Personal Rating: 3.5/5

Yearly Count: 78

The bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum, concludes that she needs and wants a job with a little less excitement, so she pursues other avenues of employment. While seeking out job opportunities, Stephanie is harassed by an old client. All the familiar characters in Stephanie's life are present and accounted for in this typical light and fun, adventurous read.

Even though one knows exactly what to expect from a Stephanie Plum escapade, it still has its moments of just plain, silly fun. When in need of a light mystery, intertwined with some goofy antics, this is a perfect choice.

RECONSTRUCTION

Author: Mick Herron

Genre: Thriller?

Published: 2008

Personal Rating: 2/5

Yearly Count: 71

In Britain, a young gunman takes several hostages in a nursery school. His reasons for doing so are even more confusing when he requests to only speak to a secret servant agent from the accounting department. What's his purpose and reasoning for taking hostages slowly unfolds.

Oh my. Unfortunately, I resorted back to my old ways and kept reading when I wasn't enjoying. (The challenges made me do it.) Anyway, I have nothing positive to say about this book, except for its premise, so I think I'm going to pass on saying anything at all. For this book and this time, I don't feel it's necessary.

BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS

Author: Shannon Hale

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: 2007

Personal Rating: 3/5

Yearly Count: 69

Dashti, the maid to Lady Saren, tells her story through her diary entries. It begins when Lady Saren refuses to marry the man her father has chosen for her; therefore, banishes her and Dashti to 7 years of imprisonment in a tower. Due to Dashti's loyalty to her Lady, she finds herself in the midst of deception in and out of the tower.

I enjoyed my first Hale book, The Goose Girl, so I decided to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it didn't go over as well. Stories that include gods in nine different realms, singing for healing purposes and other fantasy components are just not for me. (Knowing that this was YA fantasy, I had hoped that those parts would squeak by without me noticing too much. I noticed.) However, Dashti's voice came through clearly and I liked her. She held my interest.

I haven't given up on Hale. I think she's a great storyteller and still plan on continuing with the sequels to The Goose Girl. And, I'm hoping for a good outcome. Has Hale written anything outside this genre?

THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON

Kate Morton

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: 2008

Personal Rating: 3.5/5

Yearly Count: 65

Grace Reeves leaves home at the age of 14 to work as a servant at Riverton House. Now at the age of 98, she is approached by a director to verify facts of the Hartford family and death at Riverton. Flipping from flashback to present, Grace shares all the details of her relationship with the children of the house and reveals the secrets she has kept all these years.

I fall into the minority with my rating, but I'm not too surprised. Overall, I thought it was good - its saving grace being the last 100 pages or so, even though they were somewhat predictable. I felt like the other 300 plus pages were just okay, with some of them actually being dull. I had hoped for more, but still enjoyed parts of the story.

THE TEA HOUSE ON MULBERRY STREET

Sharon Owens

Genre: Fiction

Published: 2005

Personal Rating: 3/5

Yearly Count: 62

Daniel and Penny Stanley own and live above Muldoon's Tea Rooms in Belfast, Ireland. Their lives and the regulars of Muldoon's are revealed - both the good and the bad.

My first attempt at listening to this book didn't make it past the first CD. I thought I'd give it another try and I was successful, but was surprised as to much of the content. My interest in finding out the resolutions to all the characters' dilemmas became the focus of getting through the book. It wasn't the characters themselves that held my attention. Quirky characters are usually intriguing to me, but many of these people had no morals. That shut down my ability to get emotionally involved with them. I gave it a 3/5 because I liked how Owens weaved all the characters together without being blatant, otherwise it would have been in the 2's.

FIRST DEGREE

David Rosenfelt

Genre: Legal Thriller

Published: 2003

Personal Rating: 4/5

Yearly Count: 61

Andy Carpenter is back! And, he's back with his girlfriend, PI Laurie Collins. The good news is that Andy's circumstances allow him to pick and choose what clients he wants to represent. The bad news is he has accepted Laurie as his client when she is accused of murder.

This is actually my third encounter with Andy, but First Degree is the second in the series. What I enjoy most is Andy's wit and the courtroom scenes. While there are still murder scenes and maybe a tense scene, here or there, Rosenfelt writes with a flow that makes me feel comfortable and one that has continually pleased. The ending in this one had some spots that were too pat, but still enjoyable. I look forward to Bury the Lead.

KISSCUT

Karin Slaughter

Genre: Thriller

Published: 2002

Personal Rating: 4/5

Yearly Count: 60

Soon after the chief of police, Jeffrey Tolliver, arrives at the local roller skating rink to meet his ex-wife Sara Linton, he discovers some teenagers in a dispute. It seems relatively harmless until he sees a gun in the girl's hand and it's pointing at the boy who's standing only several yards away.

This was just as graphic and brutal as the first one, except the subject matter in this one was more disturbing and offensive. The characters were all working through their own personal garbage, so it was a bit on the gloomy side, too. And, the language was very vulgar. Sounds like a great book, huh? Believe it or not, I like the characters - even the ones with rough edges. I think they are what keep me interested in the series. Kisscut is the second in the Grant Count Series.

JUST LISTEN

Sarah Dessen

Genre: Realistic YA Fiction

Published: 2006

Personal Rating: 4/5

Yearly Count: 55

During a party at the end of the school year, Annabel finds herself in a precarious situation. It causes her to be ostracized and she does not look forward to school beginning in the Fall. If the storyline sounds familiar, you have probably read Speak (Anderson). Don't let that deter you from picking this up. They may have the same message, but they are different.

Just Listen goes beyond the thoughts of her main character and delves into her family and friends as well. Dessen's characters experience the struggles, joys, hopes and disappointments that life can bring within pertinent topics. They were so realistic and well-developed that you can't help but like and care about them. Young adults could greatly benefit from the many messages that are brought to light. I thought this was a very good read. Dessen's work is on my radar.

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Stanley N. Alpert

Genre: Memoir

Published: 2007

Personal Rating: 3.75/5

Yearly Count: 54

Stanley Alpert describes, in detail, his ordeal of being kidnapped near his apartment in Greenwich Village by a group who set out to only steal his ATM card and PIN number.

Stanley's story is one that I never want to experience and he does a great job of explaining the details of all that happened to him. However, maybe I have a distorted view because I read a lot of suspense novels, but I found it to be lacking in oomph. Just the thought of being kidnapped arouses anxiety in me and I didn't feel any major fear from him throughout the whole episode. Yes, thankfully for his sake, he remained calm, which contributed to his survival, but for a written memoir I would have thought he would have chosen words that would instill a sense of fear or make it more suspenseful. He literally just wrote what happened. By no means am I suggesting that he embellish his story, but I think the manner in which it was told could have been more exciting.

DECEPTION

Denise Mina
Genre: Psychological Suspense

Published: 2005 (US)

Personal Rating: 3.5/5

Yearly Count: 52

Susie Harriot, a psychiatrist in Scotland, has been convicted of murdering a serial killer. Her husband, Lachlan, remains loyal to her as he searches through all her belongings in the home office to prepare for an appeal.

With Lachlan as the narrator, his daily thoughts and actions are shared as he tries to find anything to help clear his wife's name. Some of it became repetitive, but for the most part it drew me into Lachlan's world. I enjoyed that process, but the last quarter of the book contained raw thoughts and language that didn't appeal to me. Also, I didn't care for the ending. Even so, Mina is a new-to-me author and this has piqued my interest to discover more of her work.

FLIPPED

Wendelin Van Draanen

Genre: YA

Published: 2001

Personal Rating: 4/5

Yearly Count: 51

Juli Baker, a second grader, can't wait for the new neighbors to move in across the street. The minute she sees Bryce, who is also in second grade, she is smitten. Seen through both Juli and Bryce's eyes, in alternating chapters, we watch the ups and downs of their relationship over a 6 year period.

This was pretty good. Flipped didn't just focus on Juli and Bryce's relationship, but also included relationships between family members, neighbors, and school friends. It was a good example of teens learning about themselves and others, and was presented in a fun, emotional way. I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't a lot of extreme childish behavior. I think pre-teens would enjoy this, as well as young adults.

POLLYANNA

Eleanor H. Porter

Genre: Children's Classic

Published: 1913

Personal Rating: 4.5/5

Yearly Count: 50

Pollyanna is orphaned at eleven years old. Her wealthy Aunt Polly feels it's her duty to have Pollyanna move in with her. Right from the start, Pollyanna spreads her "gladness" wherever she goes. As time passes, she touches the lives of many people in her community until her own "gladness" is in need of repair.

This was delightful! Of course, I am aware of the Pollyanna stereotype, but now I have a clear image ingrained in my mind. I am so glad that I finally read this uplifting book. I am. I am.

THE X'ED-OUT X-RAY

Ron Roy

Genre: Children

Published: 2005

Personal Rating: 4/5

A group of three friends go to a concert in the park. One of them gets injured and the singer is robbed of her diamond necklace. The kids gather clues to find the missing necklace.

For a children's book (reading level 2.7), this was pretty good. The plot was laid out nicely and there were many suspects to consider. It could bring about great discussions in a book group. I think this series (A to Z Mysteries) would be a great introduction to the mystery genre and a fun read for young mystery lovers.