Challenge Roundup – update 8 (August)

This challenge is being hosted by book-a-rama.

Overall Progress?

I didn't do as well as I had hoped for. However, it's not because I read a bunch of other books, I just didn't get a lot read this month. Next month, I hope to finish some of these challenges. I am glad that I finished at least one challenge though. I basically have to finish 2 challenges a month for the rest of the year in order to complete all challenges I'm participating in, that end by the end of 2009. Oh boy…I have my work cut out for me.

Total challenges that I'm competing in as of August 1st:

12(this doesn't count the completed challenges from earlier in the year)

Completed Challenges in August

Cozy Mystery Challenge

Total completed challenges in 2009:

20 Books in 2009 - Challenge completed 02/2009

The Pub Challenge - challenge completed 05/2009

Love Bites – Challenge completed 06/2009

Paranormal Challenge – challenge completed 07/2009

Young Adult Challenge – challenge completed 07/2009

Challenges I read a qualifying book for in August:

9 books for 2009

I read 1 book (Bookends)

At the end of August I had 5/9 completed

Read-Your-Own Books

I read 1 book (Airman)

At the end of August I had 15/26 completed

TBR Challenge

I read 1 book (Remember Me?)

At the end of August I had 7/24 completed (I'm counting my main list and alternate list since I'm going to try and read all of them)

1st in a series challenge

I read 1 book (Remains of the Dead)

At the end of (August) I had 7/12 completed

Cozy Mystery Challenge (April-Sept)

I read 1 book (Blessed is the Busy Body)

At the end of August I had 6/6 completed

Non-Fiction Five Challenge (May-Sept)

I read 1 book (In the Land of Cotton)

At the end of (August) I had 3/5 completed

Progress for challenges that I didn't read a book for in (August):

War Through The Generations

At the end of (August) I had 4/5 completed

Series Challenge 3

At the end of (August) I had 13/21 books completed, 7/12 series completed.

Chunkster Challenge

At the end of (August) I had 2/3 completed

Arthurian Challenge (April 2009 – March 2010)

At the end of (August) I had 0/2 completed

Reliquiae Challenge (July 15th 2009 – January 15th 2010)

At the end of (August) I had 0/3 completed

Reads for August 2009

Fun Reading Facts for August

I didn't do nearly as well as I did last month. There is always September though, right? I am enjoying the audio books a lot. I've already listened to 3, am on the 4^th, and only been at the new job for a month. Haha!

Total books read: 8

New Authors: 5
Mystery: 4
Non-Fiction: 1
Fiction: 2
Young Adult: 1
Audio: 3
Pages: 1148
DNF: 1

Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Bookends by Jane Green
The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts
Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella
In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor
Airman by Eoin Colfer
Blessed is the Busy Body by Emilie Richards

Blessed is the Busybody by Emilie Richards

Copyright: 2005
Publisher: Berkley Prime crime
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 262
Challenges: Cozy Mystery challenge
New-to-me author? Yes
Author's website

Simple Description
Aggie and Ed recently moved to a small town in Ohio. Ed is a minister in this small town and while most people like him, there is one lady who doesn't. This is Gelsey. She is an older lady, with lots of money. At first she seemed to like Ed but then suddenly she changed feelings and won't stop at anything to have him removed from his position and forced to leave town with his family.

Then, on the morning that Gelsey and the other society women are supposed to come over to the parish house, somebody deposits a dead body on the front step. Gelsey and the society women find the corpse. Ed is immediately a suspect and Aggie starts asking questions to try and clear his name. Even when the detective tells Aggie that Ed isn't a suspect, she still askes around – because by now she is just plum interested.

Things get worse when Gelsey herself is found dead, and Ed finds her. Now Aggie really wants to know what is going on. Mix in a bit of mystery surrounding Gelsey's past and the first murder victim and you find yourself a fun cozy mystery.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
This is the first in a cozy mystery series. It's also the first book I have read by the author. I thought it was a very good start to a new series. First I want to touch on the subject that the main characters are a Minster and Minster's wife. Not sure if this would turn some of you away or not. Personally, I'm not overly religious. I tend not to read a lot of books that are labeled as Christian Lit or that have a religious theme though. However, it didn't bother me in this book. I thought it was actually a fun twist on Cozy's, it's not one that I've had before (Ie..it's not a baking mystery or a hobby mystery, etc). I think the author used just enough of the minister aspect to be able to call it a "ministry is murder" series but not enough to turn people away. I really liked Aggie, thought she was a great character. I liked Ed as well, even though he isn't in it as much. They had a great relationship. I think there is definitely room for the series to grow, but it's a great start as the first one.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Airman by Eoin Colfer

Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Puffin Books
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: (audio)
Challenges: read your own books,
New-to-me author? Yes
Author's website

Simple Description
Conor Broekhart is a very intelligent boy. He is interested in flying and creating a flying machine. (oh yes..I'll mention that this book takes place at the end of the 19^th century, so flying machines have not been invented yet. He is also very good friends with the princess and her father. The father has a French man come to their area to teach his daughter and Conor fighting techniques and schooling. One night, Conor sees Hugo, he is the marshal and a very bad man. He see's Hugo sneaking up some stairs to the King's chambers, so he follows. He witnesses Hugo killing the King and his teacher. When Conor is noticed, Hugo captures him. Hugo puts Conor on Little Salty Island and tells his parents and the princess that Conor is dead. For two years Conor is a prisoner on Little Salty Island. Here he has to dig for diamonds, figure out how to get in good with the Battering Rams so they don't beat him up and possibly kill him, and how to escape.

If he does escape, does he find his parents and explain that he didn't participate in the assassination of the King like they think? Or does he go to America and start life over?


Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
First, I'll say that I don't think my description does the book justice, but I'm having an off day, so it's the best I can do right now. The book was really really good. I listened to it and the guy reading it does a great job. The story kept my interest, to the point that I didn't mind being stuck in traffic a couple of days because that meant I got to listen to the story longer. There were several times that I smiled and laughed too. You can't help but love Conor. He's a great character. You can't help but want him to escape and then confront Hugo and be re-united with his parents. This is definitely a story that I recommend to young adults and adults.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.
Sorry, no linked reviews yet.



Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Stephanie Plum Challenge 2009/2010

I decided to join this challenge because it's a series I want to get caugh-up in and audio books are allowed. I really enjoyed listening to #13 in the series and planned on listening to the rest. So..perfect challenge!

The books I need to read are:

Plum Lovin'

Plum Lucky

Fearless Fourteen

Plum Spooky

Finger Lickin' Fifteen

This challenge is being hosted by J. Kay's Book Blog, the challenge post can be found here.

The challenge guidelines are:

Guidelines:

1) The goal is to get caught up on the Stephanie Plum series, so create a list of the books you haven't read yet. You have between now and December 31, 2010. Don't include books you've read prior to or started before 7/23/09.

2) This reading challenge is for participants with a blog. If you decide to participate in the 2009/2010 Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge, create a post on your blog telling others about this event. In your post, be sure to include the link to this post on your blog. That way others can find their way here and join in the fun.

3) If you want to have your reading list on your blog's right sidebar, then please include a link to this post.

4) Audio and eBooks count.

5) You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.

6) When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your library books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed. If you don’t have a blog, leave the URL blank.

7) Books to be published after signing up do not have to be listed. This is optional.

8) There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional.

9) When you have completed your number of the Stephanie Plum books, link your completed list to the completed page. One will be set up.

Local YMCA book fair

So today was the local YMCA book fair. This is the first time I have ever gone. I've heard it's awesome but in years past I never knew about it until after it took place. This year I saw a billboard and made sure I attended. (much to my husbands enthusiasm haha!).

So..doors opened at 9 am. I showed up around 9:05 am. I had to park in the grass because there were so many people there. I drove by the entrance and the line was moving steadily..but there was still a very long line. I had planned to bring in one of the re-usable shopping bags that I keep in the car, but so many people had boxes and things they could roll, that on impulse I grabbed 2. Better safe than sorry right?

So I get inside...tons of books. The childrens section was first so I stopped at the YA table, but was disapointed. None of the current books were there! In fact..the YA section was mostly kids still - none of the books for older kids.

So on I moved. I made the mistake of happening upon the mystery hardback area first..and found several that I wanted. I couldn't find a good fiction section....there wasn't one. Most of general fiction books were on a table labeled oversized paperbacks. I was going to avoid that table, until I walked by it and realized oversized meant trade paperback. Heaven.

Ok...so enough....you just want me to get to the point and tell you what I got right?

Here it goes, I got all of the following books for a grand total of $38. Oh, and yes, since I collect the books I made sure all the books I bought were in like new condition or almost like new condition.

Diane Mott Davidson - Sweet Revenge (hardback)

Diane Mott Davidson - Dark Tort (hardback)

Mary Daheim - Saks & Violins (hardback)

Joe Hill - Heart-Shaped Box (hardback)

Tess Gerritsen - The Keepsake (hardback)

Lisa Jackson - Lost Souls (hardback)

Jane Green - The Beach House (hardback)

John Saul - Perfect Nightmare (mass market paperback)

Heather Graham - Killing Kelly (mass market paperback)

Donna Leon - Death at La Fenice (mass market paperback)

Anne Perry - The Cater Street Hangman (mass market paperback)

Carl Hiaasen - Skinny Dip (mass market paperback)

David Morrell - Creepers (mass market paperback)

PD James - The Murder Room (mass market paperback)

Billie Letts - The Honk and Holler Opening Soon (trade paperback)

Billie Letts - Where the Heart is (trade paperback)

Rebecca Campbell - Slave to Fashion (trade paperback)

Lisa See - Peony in Love (trade paperback)

Linda Sue Park - A Single Shard (trade paperback)

Jane Yolen - The Devil's Arithmetic (trade paperback)

L. M. Elliott - Under a War-Torn Sky (trade paperback)

Eoin Colfer - The Supernaturalist (trade paperback)

Jack Dann - The Silent (trade paperback)

Impressive list isn't it!!! Several of the trade paperbacks are YA that I happened across on the table for the larger paperbacks. I had never heard of any of them, except the Eoin Colfer book. What caught my interest was either the title or cover and then when I got one because it was Newberry winner and the others (not counting hte Colfer book) because they deal with WWII - one even has the symbol for the National Jewish Book Award.

I'm very happy with the books I got. I know I'll be going next year!

Friday Smile (a day late) - and a big THANKS!

I checked my emails early this morning (because I'm unable to sleep late like a normal person) and I had one from A Novel Menagerie letting me know that my blog was nominated for Book Blog Appreciation week. The catagory is for Best Challenge, for my Cozy Mystery challenge.

This was a total suprise!!!! I'm so excited, it's an honor just to be nominated!!!!!!!! Seriously, I can't tell you just how excited I really am! So excited that I wanted to run in and tell my husband, but since it was only around 5:30am and he was sleeping, I didn't think he would be very happy with me.

So Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to whoever nominated me. I really do appreciate it and it feels good to be recognized.

In the Land of Cotton by Martha A. Taylor

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Non-Fiction
Pages: 256
Challenges: Non-Fiction 5
New-to-me author? Yes
Author's website (sorry- couldn't find it)

Simple Description
This is the story about the author, Martha Taylor, growing up in the South during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam war. The story starts out in 1956 and continues through the 60's. What makes her story different from a lot of other folks is that she loved a black man/boy. They met when she was 11. His Aunt was the domestic help employed in Martha's home. Martha soon came to love Lucy Boyd, the aunt, and was upset when she was no longer employed. Once day Martha saw Lucy walking home and the next chance she got she followed her. She found that Lucy lived with her extended family in a set of groves in the forest. They didn't have indoor plumbing or electricity, but they had family and that was all they needed. It was here that Martha met Silas. It was here that they formed a deep friendship that soon turned to love.

Martha used to spend her weekends at the Grove, without her family knowing. Then one day she is told that her parents are moving them to Texas. Martha is deeply upset by this because she doesn't want to leave the Boyd Family. Lucky Lucy comes up with a plan where they can talk on the phone once a week. Martha is also able to visit the family while her parents are visiting friends and relatives around the holidays.

Soon Silas decides to join the military. Unfortunately this is around the time that the US is getting involved with Vietnam. He doesn't really believe there will be a war and thinks he will be safe, but as we know that's not the case. Soon he is out of training and fighting in Vietnam. Martha and Silas still keep in touch as much as possible.

While all this is going on, of course we have the Civil Rights movement happening. The different things happening with the Civil Rights are intertwined with this love story.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
I will say that I had some issues with the book but at the same time I ended up really liking it and think it's worth the read. I will admit to crying towards the end, and as many of you know, my thoughts are that if a book can make you cry, it's well worth the read.

Some of my issues are with the grammar and the writing. I found several errors in the book that I feel should have been caught and fixed. Did this ruin the book for me though? No, just found it annoying. I also thought the dialogue between people was weird, but then when I had my DUH moment and remembered this was non-fiction, it didn't bother me as much. And by weird, I found it was kinda formal and not at all what I imagine they actually talked like. I suppose I could be wrong though..it was a different time.

Ok..so that's done. Now…I still recommend the book and this is why. You get captivated with the story! You want to know what is going to happen between Martha and Silas. Will the race issues become too much? Will her family find out and put a stop to it? Will something happen to the Boyds? How will it end? Yeah, the book took me longer than expected to finish but that wasn't due to the book..more just being busy in real life. If I could have sat down and read more I would have. I loved how the author included the entire letters shared between her and Silas. I loved how she included the actual speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King and others. I loved reading this forbidden love story woven between things that were happening in the US. I think this book really just put things in perspective for me. It's one thing to read a love story, it's another thing to read about the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam war, it's yet another to read about all of them and how they effected the people. For me, I didn't grow up during this time, I wasn't even alive. So it was a refreshing look at how things were. While reading it I thought about the War Through the Generations challenge I'm working on and can't wait to get to the Vietnam war, whenever that will be. This is a war I don't read much about it, I focus on WWII, but I also don't read many reviews. So whenever this war makes it to that challenge..I think this book would qualify and be a good one to choose.

I do wish that the author had included pictures of the different people..I think that would have been super cool – but I can't really complain about it (I guess.).

So do I think some of my readers will like this book? Yeah, I do. I think some will like it right away, I think some will be bothered by the grammer issues and not get far, I think others will think it is just so-so. I do think that if the story is even a little interesting to you, that it's worth finding a copy and trying it out to see how you like it.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella

Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 0 (audio book)
Challenges: TBR challenge
New-to-me author? no
Author's website

Simple Description
Lexi Smart is out on a Friday night with her friends. She isn't having a very good day. She didn't get a bonus at work and she has her father's funeral the next day. Next thing she knows, she is waking up in the hospital..and it's 3 years later. She is married, she has new friends, she is director of flooring at the company she works for, and her teeth and hair are fixed. Who is this new Lexi?

So begins the story as Lexi tries to fit in to her new life, but with her old attitude and way of life. She soon learns that she wasn't happy with her marriage, even though Eric seems like a wonderful guy and makes millions. She learns she was having an affair..but isn't positive she really was or if the guy is just trying to take advantage of her amnesia.

Her Mom is the same, still avoiding her. Her sister is more grown up and keeps getting in trouble.

Lexi tries to start piecing together her life while at the same time moving forward and being happy.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
I thought this was a fun girly book. There were several times when I was laughing out loud at different things that were said or happened. I usually enjoy Kinsella's books and this was no exception. If you are looking for a light read – I recommend this one.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts

Copyright: 20107
Publisher: Signet
Genre: mystery (Ghost Dusters mystery #1)
Pages: 288
Challenges: 1^st in a series challenge
New-to-me author? yes
Author's website

Simple Description
Sadie owns a cleaning company, but one that is very different from what you would expect. She cleans up after the dead. This could be a crime scene or a suicide or just somebody who died alone in their home. She started the business after her brother passed away 5 years ago and she had to clean up the house. She didn't want other families to have to do the same thing.

To make matters worse, Sadie can see the dead. So while she is cleaning up she can often see the people who passed away. She is cleaning up after a murder-suicide when she realizes that the woman who was murdered is telling her that it wasn't her husband who killed her. Sadie tries to find a way to tell the police this, but all the clues lead to the husband killing the wife and then killing himself.

Things get more complicated when Sadie is attracted to and actually goes on a date with the man that she later suspects is the murderer.

Mixed in to the story are different things going on with her family, dealing with her brother's suicide, and also a local psychic who can speak with the dead.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
Overall I really enjoyed the story. I enjoyed it enough that I want to continue with the series. The only thing that bothered me was that I figured out who did it way before Sadie did and so it annoyed me when she would miss obvious clues. Normally I'm not that quick at figuring out who the murderer is, often I don't figure it out before I'm told in the book. But this time..it was just too quick and easy for me. Does this mean I'm getting better at figuring things out or does this mean the author made it too easy? I don't know. I just wanted to mention that in case you decide to read the book. I do recommend it. I think those who like a good cozy mystery will really enjoy it. I loved the paranormal aspect to it too.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Friday Smile - Myla

I thought I would share a picture of my dog today.

Bookends by Jane Green - DNF

Here's the funny thing..I didn't have this book marked as read in my database, so I put it down for a challenge this year. Well, I started reading it and it was so familiar! I knew I had either read it before or possibly started it but couldn't finish it. So a lightbulb went off in my head and I did a search on my blog. Sure enough..I read it in 2006!!! Haha!

Click here to read my review from 2006.

So…because I did pick it up and start reading it, read almost 50 pages before I put it down, I am still going to count it towards my challenge. Heck..I would count any book that was DNF – this one is just weird because I've actually read it before! I'm counting it towards the 9 for 2009 challenge – in the Dusty category.

Lean Mean 13 by Janet Evanovich (audio)

Copyright: 2007

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 0

Challenges: none

New-to-me author? No

Author's website

Simple Description

It's hard for me to do a description for this author/series because most people either already read them, used to read them, don't want to read them but know what they are, or are planning to read them. So just a brief overview. Stephanie is once again caught up in something she shouldn't be and Ranger and Morelli are both in the picture and wanting her. Stephanie's ex disappears and the cops think he was kidnapped..possible murdered. Joyce, who was dating the ex, decides to follow Stephanie around since she believes Stephanie knows where he is. Stephanie's car breaks down, again, and she borrows one of Ranger's car. Ranger and Morelli both try to keep her out of danger.

So there you have it..the book in a nutshell!

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:

It's been awhile since I read one of the books in this series and I wasn't sure I was even going to continue. The same things happen in each book and it was getting old. However..i was looking for audio books to listen to in the car and this is the perfect type of audio book..a book where the plot isn't too confusing so if you don't drive or listen to it for a couple of days, you aren't lost or don't remember things you should. Well..I suppose it was long enough between books because I really enjoyed it, more than I expected. I thought the reader did well and the book had me laughing in places.

This is definitely a series that I will continue with…in audio version.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn

Copyright: 2009

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 342

Challenges: None

New-to-me author? Yes

Author's website

Simple Description

I'm a bit too lazy to come up with my own description, so I copied this from the author's website:

After the murder of her grandfather, art historian Storm Syrell discovers family secrets— linking ancient

relics to the highest ranks of business and government around the world. Desperate to learn more,

she follows a trail of clues which lead to treasure-hunter Harry Bennett and an extraordinary revelation

about the nature of her grandfather's final quest. As Storm and Harry delve deeper into unlocking biblical

mysteries, they attract ruthless enemies.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:

First- I apologize for abandoning my blog recently. I switched jobs and I'm adjusting to a new routine. I get home later in the evenings so don't have much time to do this after work and not able to squeeze it in at work (seeing as home I've only been there a week!). I actually finished this one the end of last week and I'm just now getting my review out there! Yikes!

Ok..on to the book. I really enjoyed it. It took me awhile to read it but I think it's because of starting the new job and not having as much time to read (I actually have to drive myself to and from work now! Lol!). While it did take me longer to read it, I did enjoy it from the beginning. I really like Storm and Harry, two of the main characters. I liked their interaction with the FBI agent. Although, the romance between the agent and Harry I didn't really get, didn't think it fit and could have been left out. That doesn't mean it ruined the book, I just didn't really get it.

I thought the book was pretty action packed..it wasn't constant moving but it moved enough to keep my interested and keep me going. I think others will definitely like this book.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris