MobileRead Book Challenges discussion
2011 Individual Challenges
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Bianca's Challenge
004. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (11 January 2011)It took a couple of chapters for me to get into the story, but then it was really hard to put it down. I'm very tempted to go on to the next in the series right away but I know I need to pace myself otherwise I might get bored.
I am glad you liked it! I love the second book as well. :)
005. The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern by Lilian Jackson Braun (14 January 2011)I've read the series about fifteen years ago in Dutch, back then I obviously didn't read it in the right order because I thought Yum Yum was a much later addition. I liked it good enough.
I loved Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series! I might read them again :)
MrsJoseph wrote: "I loved Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series! I might read them again :)"I loved them in the beginning, but like most other series they eventually went downhill. A sad, quick and deep spiral into the depths...
Marcy wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "I loved Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series! I might read them again :)"I loved them in the beginning, but like most other series they eventually went downhill. A sad, qu..."
Really? I know it happens but I hate to hear that. I read most of them in HS & college. I can't remember where I stopped...it was sometime after he and the (librarian?) started dating.
I've read (I think) all of them up to 12 to 13 years ago. Because I didn't read them in the right order I can't remember if and when they went downhill. I know I liked some a lot better than others but it's been such a long time I can't remember any of the stories.They're quick and easy reads so if I don't like them anymore it won't be too much time wasted.
006. 1st to Die by James PattersonI liked the story and the characters. However, the short chapters annoyed me, at times a chapter break wasn't even necessary. Also the changing POV took me a while to get used to, luckily it happened less frequent as the story progressed.
007. What Angels Fear by C.S. HarrisI liked it, even though Sebastian St. Cyr seems to solve his crimes by accusing each suspect in turn and concludes from their reaction they aren't the killer. I liked how London was almost a very moody character in this story, with the weather constantly changing.
008. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff LindsayAlthough I didn't love this book I did like it, just as with the first season of the tv series. I really liked the way of story telling and Dexters observation on life and other people. The end feels a bit rushed, all that building up only to end in a sort of anti-climax.
Bianca wrote: "006. 1st to Die by James PattersonI liked the story and the characters. However, the short chapters annoyed me, at times a chapter break wasn't even necessary. Also the changing PO..."
My library has a fantasy book written by James Patterson, it's called "W" I think. I couldn't check it out, it felt strange.
I tried reading The Murder of King Tut but stopped after less than 100 pages because I just couldn't get used to the short chapters and changing POV. I really wanted to read the Women's Murder Club series so I took a chance. Changing POV happens less and less as the book goes on and I just tried to ignore the short chapters.
009. Preacher, Volume 1: Gone To Texas by Garth EnnisAlthough very violent I did like it. However, most graphic novels that come in more than one volume has a rounded off story in each volume besides the storyline that runs throughout the series. The Preacher vol. 1 didn't really have a storyline that ends, it just stops in the middle of the story.
010. Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln ChildThe 8th book in the Pendergast series. This story returns to the set-up of the earlier book where the main focus isn't on Pendergast but it switches between various characters. Unlike in the Patterson book I read recently it worked and it didn't throw you out of the story. In previous books Pendergast was regularly physically hurt but mentally he stood above this, even when his brother was after him. In this book his sense of self is attacked. However, it happened late in the book and Preston and Child didn't do with it what could have been done with it (internal struggle, etc).
011. The Surgeon by Tess GerritsenThe first in the Rizzoli & Isles series, but no Isles yet and the focus isn't on Rizzoli but her collegue Moore. Still a good read can't wait to start the next in the series.
012. The Shining by Stephen KingI've read this book several times in the past but it has been a couple of years since the last reread. It took me longer to reread than I thought but I do love this book, it's certainly in my Stephen King top 5. I do keep mixing up things that happen in the book and in the first film (which is shown regularly on tv).
013. Sandman Slim by Richard KadreyI really liked this book, I picked it up because of the many recommendations of MR and it didn't disappoint.
014. The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth PetersI like this second book of the Amelia Peabody series even better than the first. Amelia and her husband haven't been to Egypt for several years because of their young son. When Lord Baskerville, who is financing an excavation, dies and his chief achealogist disappears Amelia and her husband are invited to take over to finish the dig. Of course, Amelia knows something's up and suspects that Lord Baskerville has been murdered, especially when more strange things start to happen.
This story has a faster pace than the first book of the series. The ending, however, is rather slow because Amelia explains who was the murderer and why the murders happened.
In the first book the relation between Amelia and her future husband was fun. They pretended they didn't like each other and were always commenting on one another and arguing, at the end of the novel they discovered they loved each other. Luckily the great interaction, arguments and commenting hasn't disappeared. The other characters are also good, although some have only a little part to play.
The only thing I want to comment on is that it was hard as a reader to figure out who the murderer is because we are not given all the information.
015. Case Histories by Kate AtkinsonThe first in the Jackson Brodie series. I don't know if I'm going to continue with the series because although I liked the story, the various intertwining mysteries, I didn't feel much for the characters. Also I didn't like the ending, too much left open and to me it feels as if Atkinson couldn't be bothered to finish the story properly.
016. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins017. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I waited with continuing this series because I like the first book so much and I didn't want to be disappointed. Luckily I was wrong. I loved both books although it feels more like one book cut in two. I was a bit annoyed with Katniss at times, but her feelings and actions are understandable because of the way she is being manipulated by everyone.
018. Prodigal Son by Dean KoontzThe book started promising, fast and funny. But it didn't last long. Only in the last 50 pages or so does the pace pick up a bit again.
This is the first book of the series and it introduces all the characters, establishes their background and personality. But I feel that's it's only function. Of the three storylines only one is resolved at the end of the book. To me it feels like the story is originally longer and it's been cut in two.
I did like the characters, because Koontz takes the whole book to introduce them the main characters are well rounded. The story itself is okay, nothing special but I think this book's function is to introduce the characters.
What I did find annoying is how often Koontz tells the reader, explicitly, that the members of the New Race heal very fast when hurt. After a couple of times I knew and didn't need constant reminders that way.
I might get the second book of the series to see if it improves, because the concept of the series seems promising.
019. The Killings At Badger's Drift by Caroline GrahamI really wanted to love this book but because of the familiarity with the tv series is disappointed me.
Barnaby is a little less likeable than in the tv series, Troy is a lot less likeable. This book has been made into an episode and it's nearly identical.
020. The Sea of Monsters by Rick RiordanI liked this second book of the series a little bit less than the first one but it's still good. I like how Riordan doesn't introduce too many characters in each novel, with all the mythical beings it's easy to overdo it and make it confusing for the reader. Definitely a series I will continue with.
021. The Apprentice by Tess GerritsenAnother good story, dr. Isles is introduced in this second book, but doesn't play a big role. Gerritsen is good in making the reader question who's good and who's evil.
022. The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice KimberlyAfter reading the Epigraph I wasn't sure I would like this book. Jack, the ghost of the title, was killed in 1949 and speaks in a too stereotypical way of that era. I'm glad I kept reading because I did really enjoy this book.
Not the greatest detective book ever, nor a great literary work, but a very entertaining read nonetheless.
023. Ripper by Michael SladeThe last third of this book makes up for the first two thirds. I thought this was a very confusing book. In the first two thirds you get a lot of information; many character (with no apparent main character), information about serial killer (especially Jack the Ripper) and many departments of the Canadian Mounties (and the acronyms). A lot of this information could have been cut to make a more comprehensible story. Only in the last third of the book does everything come together and becomes apparent who the main character is.
I almost stopped reading this book but I'm glad I persevered because the last part is good and hard to put down.
024. Witch by Barbara MichaelsA very entertaining and well written book.
It's got elements of various genres I like: supernatural, thriller and romance (but not too much). I also like books set in villages and Michaels does a very good job is describing the village and setting the atmosphere.
The characters are also well written, those that you should like you like and those that the reader shouldn't like are unlikeable and often you feel pity for them too.
The story itself isn't special, about a cottage in which 200 years ago a witch lived, a village with some very religious people and a disturbed boy. Nothing gory or scary, it's a cozy haunted house story and very enjoyable and easy to read.
025. The Cat Who Turned on and Off by Lilian Jackson BraunThis is the first time I'm reading the "The Cat Who" series in order and in English. This is the third one and although I enjoyed the first two they didn't make me want to start the next book in the series right away. This one is better than the first two, although I can't tell why, not good enough to read the next one immediately but I won't wait as long before picking the fourth one up.
026. The Black Echo by Michael ConnellyAnother first in a series. It took a while for the story to pick up pace but I did like it, although normally not enough to pick up the next in the series unless I was really in the mood for this type of book. However, this is a first of a series so I might get the second to see if it gets better.
Bianca wrote: "025. The Cat Who Turned on and Off by Lilian Jackson BraunThis is the first time I'm reading the "The Cat Who" series in order and in English. This is the third one and although I e..."
I found that The Cat Who series really picked up for me when he moved to that small town. Gosh, I really enjoyed that series.
From what I can remember, but it's been over 12 years ago, I also liked the books best after he moved.I think I'll enjoy them more now I'm reading them in the right order. Although the stories can stand on their own there are references to earlier in the series (even after only 3 books).
027. Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Licoln ChildI liked this book in the Pendergast series a lot better than the previous books. Those were mostly about Pendergast himself. This book is more similar to the first three books where a monster is on the loose in New York and Pendergast and his friends have to stop it.
030. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann ShafferA good read. It reminded me a lot about 84, Charing Cross Road, both are set in the 1940 and WWII is a major theme.
031. Fever Dream (Agent Pendergast #10) by Douglas Preston and Licoln ChildOne of the best in the series. Pendergast finds out his wife's death 12 years earlier wasn't an accident and with the help of Vinnie D'Agosta he goes in search of the murderers. First in a sub-series.
032. Shadows in the Asylum: The Case Files of Dr. Charles Marsh by Dave Stern
Not a standard novel, made up out of files, cuttings and notes. An interesting but quick read.
033. Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz
A group of teens break into Danvers State Hospital days before it is scheduled to be demolished to make a reality film. a quick read but at times a bit scary.
034. The Blade Itself by Joe AbercrombieI'm usually not into fantasy but this book is in the same line as The Lord of the Rings. It's the first in a trilogy and I really liked it.
Bianca wrote: "034. The Blade Itself by Joe AbercrombieI'm usually not into fantasy but this book is in the same line as The Lord of the Rings. It's the first in a trilogy and I really l..."
I haven't been able to get into this. I've tried to read it a few times but always get stuck. I even had it for a group read and nothing. I'm going to finish it one day...
MrsJoseph wrote: "Bianca wrote: "034. The Blade Itself by Joe AbercrombieI'm usually not into fantasy but this book is in the same line as The Lord of the Rings. It's the first in a trilo..."
It wasn't a fast read and, as I expected, it is one of those books I need to be in the mood for. I didn't continue with the next in the trilogy because I was more in the mood for something quick and funny. I'll continue when I'm feeling in the right mood.
035. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill BrysonFunny and very informative and hard to put down. In some chapters I couldn't really see the relation between the room he was in and things he was discussing but that didn't really matter.
036. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene.The first book of the Nancy Drew series. I used to love Nancy Drew book, but what wikipedia says is right. In the beginning Nancy Drew was much more able to take care of herself than in later books (which I read).
037. The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry.
Second in the Cotton Malone series. I like this series because it reminds me about Indiana Jones.
038. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan.
This third book in the Percy Jackson series is better than the second, in which too many things happened in a book that was too short.
039. The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters.
Great cozy mystery, much harder to put down than the first two of the series.
040. The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen.Third in the Rizzoli & Isles series. The first two R&I books were good, but slow reads. In the third the pace speeds up making it even better.
041. The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell.
Because I like books with paranormal aspects I thought I might like zombie books too. I don't. I do see that this is a good story but the subject just isn't for me.
042. Body Double by Tess Gerritsen.
Another fast paced Rizzoli & Isles book. I like it even better than the previous one, probably because in the The Sinner Maura Isles was introduced and a lot of the books was about her and her back story. Although this book also deals mostly with Maura Isles all the character and their stories need no explaining.
043. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.I expected something similar, style wise, as The Lord of the Rings, very good but not a fast read. I was wrong; it was a fast read and I just loved the story. I can't wait for the tv series to be available in the Netherlands!
044. The Cat Who Saw Red by Lilian Jackson Braun.
Each book seems to get better in this series. I really enjoyed it.
045. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey.
More adult than most YA books I've read. I loved this book. A lot of adult horror books seem to include sex scenes that are not always necessary for the story, the focus of this book is fully on the horror aspect and is a welcome change.
046. The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan.
Fourth in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. I liked this better than the second and third book, but in my opinion there is too much happening for a book this length.
I'm fighting the compulsion but I just KNOW you’re going to make me re-read The Cat Who series� :-D (Love how I shifted the blame to you, huh?)
LOL, I'm used to it. I recently mentioned Rex Stout (I'm thinking of reading his books) to my mother and she promptly got her Dutch copies out and started rereading them.
047. The Last Olympian by Rick Riorday.A very good ending to the series. There is a sequel series The Lost Hero so I'm going to get those too.
48. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith.An entertaining read, nothing more nothing less.
49. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Marting.
It took me over a week and a half to read but I really liked it, though not as much as the first in the series. It's a slower read with less action than before but you get to know the characters better.
50. Ring by Koji Suzuki.Although very different from the films it's a very good book.
51. Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters.
It's a good book, but the series is getting a bit formulaic and easy to predict.
52. The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun.
The best of The Cat series up to now, it differs from the previous books which were getting predictable.
53. Ratking by Michael Dibdin.I've read one of the later Aurelio Zen books years ago and really liked it. This first book of the series was a bit disappointing, Zen was too passive for my liking. If this was the only book I'd read in this series I probably wouldn't continue.
54. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton.
I really liked this book. It seems to be a good series to read over the summer (easy and quick but entertaining).
55. The Painted Darkness by Brian James Freeman.
To me this books seems influenced by Stephen King's The Shining. It's okay but nothing more, it wasn't scary at all.
56. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling.
A reread. I needed a quick and entertaining read.
MobileRead Book Challenges
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Freaks (other topics)Turn Coat (other topics)
A Season for the Dead (other topics)
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001. Pompeii by Robert Harris (2 January 2011)
Quite an interesting mix of history and fiction. I like the way Harris started off each chapter with quotes from academic resources explaining the various stages of a volcanic eruption. I did find the ending a bit disappointing, it didn't really end the story properly.
002. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (5 January 2011)
I love Amelia Peabody; her actions and thoughts are realistic and down-to-earth. I am certainly going to continue this series.
003. Death of a Cad by M.C. Beaton (7 January 2011)
Better than the first book in the Hamish MacBeth series, he's a much more likeable person. The set-up of the story is quite similar to the first, hopefully the next will differ more.