August 2014 Update

(Blåvand Beach August 2014)

I have had an okay reading month. One week I read 7 books in 7 days but another week I only read 1 book in 7 days. All in all I have read 18 books, in total 4814 pages. Just now I am enjoying listening to The Lord of the Rings.

List of books:

1. Infernal Devices by K.W. Jeter 
2. Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer 
3. Macaron Murder by Harper Lin 
4. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro 
5. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered by Kerry Barrett 
6. Casino Royale: James Bond 007 by Ian Fleming 
7. Winter's End by Clarissa Cartharn 
8. Hot Summer by Judy Powell 
9. Gnome on the Range by Jennifer Zane
10. Blessings by Anna Quindlen 
11. Dragonsblood by Todd J. McCaffrey 
12. Forliset Og Andre Skrøner by Jørn Riel  
13. Unruly Magic by Camilla Chafer
14. Er Du Dus Med Himlens Fugle by Bill Watterson 
15. Kept by Elle Field
16. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky  
17. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
18. The Yellow Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon Team Challenge - Finished

Wheel-A-Thon Team Challenge hosted by Nothing but Reading Challenges on Goodreads.

This challenge has now finished and though we did not win the challenge our team (Team Hook) did really well. We started in 20th place but finished in 9th. The challenge was meant to finish when one team reached 2000 points but it was extended to end of August instead. I enjoyed this challenge and will most likely take part again if it comes back.

About this Challenge
◈ Starts on 13th July, 2014
◈ The first team to reach 2000 points wins (If more than one team reaches 1000 points in the same week, then the team with the highest points is the winner)
◈ Each week the mods will "spin the wheel" and assign each team a genre name
◈ The team's task is to read books to spell out the genre name for 10 points per letter
◈ The team will get an extra 15 bonus points if all the letters in the genre name are part of their spell-it-out
◈ The team will get an additional 20 bonus points if at least one person in the group reads a book of that genre (the book must be "shelved" by at least 10 users on Goodreads for that genre)
◈ Once teams have read their genre name for the week they can "re-read" the genre name to gain more points (10 points per letter, but no bonus points)
◈ Books must be more than 160 pages in length and Children's books and Graphic Novels can not be used unless by word count they can be verified as more than 160 pages

How a "spell it out" works
Spell out the word(s) using the first letter in the book's title, the first letter in the author's first or last name, the first letter in the series name, or the first letter of a character's first, last, or nick-name. As always, if the first letter of a title starts with an indefinite or definite article ('A', 'An', 'The', etc.), you may use the first letter of the second word in the title to spell out your chosen word. If your book starts with a number (e.g. 24 Bones) use the number to determine the first letter (in this example, it would be T)

Challenge requirements

To be a part of this challenge you need to be able to:
◈ Read at least one book per week
◈ Create a special shelf for the challenge for the books you are reading
◈ Check-in on your team's discussion thread at least once per week
◈ Have fun!

The books I read for this challenge:

Week 1: Horror:
I was not part of the challenge yet

Week 2: Horror:
A Croft in the Hills by Katharine Stewart ( H for character Helen)
Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance by Penny Reid  (R for author)
Reckless Nights in Rome by C.C. MacKenzie (R for title)
One Sweet Summer by Cali MacKay (O for title)

Week 3: Chick lit:
Texas Secrets: The Gallaghers of Morning Star by Jean Brashear (C for character Maddie Collins)
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (H for character Hazel)
Infernal Devices by K.W. Jeter (I for title)

Week 4: Crime
Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer (I for title)
Macaron Murder by Harper Lin (M for title)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (I for author)
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered by Kerry Barrett (E for character Esme)
Casino Royale: James Bond 007 by Ian Fleming (I for author) (also used as genre of the week book)
Winter's End by Clarissa Cartharn (C for author)
Hot Summer by Judy Powell (M for character Lance Monroe)

Week 5: Contemporary
Gnome on the Range by Jennifer Zane (T for character Ty Strickland)
Blessings by Anna Quindlen  (A for author)
Dragonsblood by Todd J. McCaffrey (T for author)
Forliset Og Andre Skrøner by Jørn Riel  (R for author)

Week 6: Suspence
Unruly Magic by Camilla Chafer (U for title)
Kept by Elle Field (E for author)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky  (P for title)
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (E for character Elrond)

Week 7: Dystopian
The Yellow Fairy Book by Andrew Lang (Y for title)

The Yellow Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Ships fly, cabbages turn men into donkeys, a childless couple is sent a baby boy the size of a hazelnut, and a dog, a cat and a mouse join forces to retrieve a magic ring. Amongst the 48 stories in The Yellow Fairy Book are much loved classics such as 'Thumbelina' and 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier', but in this volume Lang also included wonderfully exotic tales from Russia, Hungary, Iceland and America. From Goodreads.

I love fairy tales. I remember being on holiday at my grandparents, probably soon after I had learned to read. They had 3 books with collected fairy tales and I think I have read the 3 books at least a hundred times.
This book has both tales that are well known to me and also a few I had not read before. Also it had several versions of the same tales which was quite interesting, especially the ones I thought I knew and then they suddenly had a very different ending to the one I expected.

This book qualifies for:
2014 Ebook challenge
Read Scotland 2014
2014 Read Your Freebies! Reading Challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (Y-jellyfish)
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

From the land of Mordor, an evil darkness creeps across Middle-earth. Armies of men and elves and dwarves have been raised in futile efforts to combat this evil. Great wizards have been unable to check it. But in the peaceful, far-off Shire, a hobbit named Frodo Baggins holds a ring that may be the key to defeating Mordor. This stirring saga of epic evil and heroic courage begins with a fellowship joined in a desperate quest that may be the only hope for restoring goodness and light to the land. From Goodreads.

Not much to say. The Lord of The Rings is one of the best fantasy books out there. I have read this at least twice before and it was quite interesting to listen to it. I am of course continuing to listen to the next two books. If you have just the slightest interest in fantasy and have not read these books yet, you are missing out. Best to start with The Hobbit as that book is before The Lord of The Rings trilogy.

This book qualifies for:
2014 Audio Book Challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (F-wolf)
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

The Challenge Factory - R4: Team Challenge SSS

R4: Team Challenge SSS (SSS= Super Speedy Series) hosted by The Challenge Factory on Goodreads.

Yes, I keep joining challenges. This one I have taken part in before or rather I have taken part in a simpler version of it: Super Series = read one book a week. This is: Super Speedy Series = read two books a week. Next time I might be brave enough to take part in both challenges at the same time.
List of books will be at the bottom of this post.

This is a team challenge that will require two books a week. The object of the game is to roll the dice (there will be a link to the website to roll) and move along the board. The first team to pass the finish line wins the game.

Captains will roll the dice by clicking here on Sundays and Thursdays once their team has completed their reads. Please note captains when rolling you will have to change it to one die. You may not advance until all of the team's reviews are in. If a player or team falls behind the team has to wait until the next Sunday or Thursday to roll. That being said it's very important to finish and review your book on time. If a player fails to review on time more than twice they will no longer be on the team (excluding a prearranged absence)

How to pick a book:
If you land on single digit spot for example lets say you land on spot 5 then you have to read a book that's #5 in a series. For double digit numbers, for example you land on spot 48 you can read either a #4 or a #8 in a series. Stand alone books will count as a #1 or a #0. I don't expect anyone to read a series out of order and for people that don't really read series books that still want to play there will be an alternate option. There will be an alternate option for each spot.

Sign ups are open now through August 25th. Teams will be formed on August 26th and the game will begin on Sunday the 31st.

There will be a separate thread for captains to post their place on the board after rolling and a separate thread for captains to post a link to the teams completed reviews.

Teams will have a chance to earn 1 Free Pass to roll. To earn your free pass your team has to complete their reads a day before the next roll. Once your team has done this you will have 1 free pass. The free pass will allow a team to roll if they are missing a review(s) before the cutoff. The free pass may not be used for the win. Once you've used it, you can't earn another one. It's a one time shot.

Re-reads are allowed
Page limit is 150
When using an anthology you may use any of the numbers in the book except for the .5 since this means 1/2. But you must review each story in the anthology.
Series # will be based on how GR has it listed.
Any questions please feel free to ask!

The alternates:
Each number corresponds with the spot on the board.
For colors: The cover has to be at least 50%
For locations: As long as the book takes part at all in the given location .
For Shelves: Any book on the given shelf
For Publication Years: I'll be using how GR has it's publication date listed.
For Authors Names: The first, middle, or last name of the author is ok.
For Cover Items: Must have the given item on the cover
For Titles: Only the first word of the title. A, An, And, and The do not count.
So if the letter is B: The Best Day would be ok. Dear Betty would not be ok.

1. New Mexico
2. White
3. 2004
4. Adult
5. Title R
6. Cover Item tattoo
7. Author J
8. New York
9. Green
10. 2002
11. Cover Love
12. Title C
13. Cover Item Smoke
14. Author W
15. Italy
16. Silver/Gray
17. 2001
18. Book Boyfriends
19. Title N
20. Cover Item Mode of Transportation
21. Author I
22. Australia
23. Yellow
24. 2010
25. Reviewed
26. Title E
27. Cover Item 2 People
28. Author T
29. Nevada
30. Blue
31. 1999
32. 3 Star
33. Title H
34. Cover Item Moon
35. Author K
36. Louisiana
37. Pink
38. 2014
39. Got It
40. Title O
41. Cover Item Beach
42. Author E
43. Illinois
44. Red
45. 2012
46. On Kindle
47. Title B
48. Cover Item No People
49. Author L
50. Texas
51. Orange
52. 2008
53. Fun
54. Title S
55. Cover Item Building(s)
56. Author A
57. England
58. Black
59. 2013
60. 4 Stars
61. Title K
62. Cover Item Animal
63. Author S
64. Massachusetts
65. Purple
66. 2011
67. Signed
68. Title T
69. Cover Item One Person
70. Author D
71. France
72. Multi-colored (more than 3 colors)
73. 2009
74. Did Not Finish
75. Title F 

List of books:

Week 1 (Sunday roll): roll 3 ➜ space 3: Devious Magic by Camilla Chafer (Stella Mayweather #3)
Week 1 (Thursday roll): roll 5 ➜ space 8:  Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot (alternative: New York)
Week 2  (Sunday roll): roll 4 ➜ space 12: All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy (The Border Trilogy #1)
Week 2 (Thursday roll): roll 3 ➜ space 15:  The Secret History by Donna Tartt (stand alone)
Week 3 (Sunday roll): roll 2 ➜ space 17: Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein (stand alone)
Week 3 (Thursday roll): roll 3 ➜ space 20: Altered Soul by Karice Bolton (The Witch Avenue #2)
Week 4 (Sunday roll): roll 1 ➜ space 21: Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge (Dowser #1)
Week 4 (Thursday roll): roll 1 ➜ space 22: Monsters by C. Gockel (I Bring the Fire #2)
Week 5 (Sunday roll): roll 5 ➜ space 27: Color My Horse by Bev Pettersen (alternative: Cover Item 2 People)
Week 5 (Thursday roll): roll 5 ➜ space 32: Dracula by Bram Stoker  (alternative: 3-star)
Week 6 (Sunday roll): roll 5 ➜ space 37: How (Not) to Love a Hero by Elizabeth A. Reeves  (Cindy Eller #7)
Week 6 (Thursday roll): roll 3 ➜ space 40: quiet storm by Romanus Gabriel (stand alone)
Week 7 (Sunday roll): roll 2 ➜ space 42: The Magician by Michael Scott (The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel #2)
Week 7 (Thursday roll): roll 1 ➜ space 43: The Sorceress by Michael Scott  (The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel #3)
Week 8 (Sunday roll): roll 4 ➜ space 47: Blood Faerie by India Drummond (alternative: Title B)
Week 8 (Thursday roll): roll 2 ➜ space 49: The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams  (alternative: Author L)

Crazy Challenge Connection - Bookshelf Battle Team Challenge #4

Bookshelf Battle Team Challenge #4 hosted by Crazy Challenge Connection on Goodreads.

I have joined a new challenge. As usual with some challenges on Goodreads I am not completely sure how it is going to work till it actually starts.
We will be given a Goodreads shelf name and then read a book that has that shelf on the first page of shelf list. That is not difficult, it is the Bingo part I am not sure of. But luckily there will be a captain in my group. (Five Star Readers)
List of books at the bottom of this post.

BOOKSHELF BATTLE RULES
I know there's a LOT of information here, but please read these rules and guidelines carefully. Even if you've played the game before, there are a few changes that you need to be aware of. Thanks :)

The Bookshelf Battle is similar to playing "BINGO", only we are going to use the word, "CRAZY". There will be 24 shelves and 1 wildcard slot (a total of 25), set up like a bingo card – 5 shelves under C, 5 under R, etc. All teams will have the same shelf names, but not in the same places on their playing cards.

In order for a team to receive credit for a shelf, every member of the team must have READ AND RATED a book from the shelf that has been called. You can find an example of the list for Team One from a previous round of the challenge here Team One
PLEASE NOTE: Since you never know what shelves will be called in what order, it's in a team's best interest to cover as many shelves as possible. Since vertical bingo's are allowed in addition to horizontal and diagonal, teams won't necessarily have to cover a shelf for every letter.

Example: On Saturday, September 6, I may post the shelf "2011". Each member of the team must read a book from the "2011" bookshelf. You do not all have to read the same book; however, in order for your book to count, the shelf must be found on the book's first page of top bookshelves, and must match the shelf exactly as listed. BEWARE: historical-fiction is not the same as historicalfiction, and novel is not the same as novels. Another good way to find books for the "2011" bookshelf (or any listed shelf) is to go to Goodreads Top Bookshelves , type in "2011", and a list of books will pop up. You can go through the list and choose a book, but DO take the time to check the book's homepage to verify that "2011" shows up on the first page of popular shelves for that book. Please remember that books begun before the shelf was called canNOT be used for that shelf.

Once each week's shelf has been called, it will be in your own best interest -- and that of your team as well -- if you post the book you intend to read, so that your team captain and your team's 'checker' can verify that your book meets the requirements *before you invest time in reading it!

To continue our example from above, once each team member has read and rated a book from the "2011" shelf, the team captain will post a message in the team reporting thread listing each team member's name, the book that member read and rated, the date read next to each book, and the shelf for which the team is claiming credit. LINKS TO THE BOOKS READ *MUST* BE INCLUDED IN THE TEAM CAPTAIN'S REPORT! You will make your team captain’s job a LOT easier if you include the book link when you post that you’ve finished reading the book.

Once a moderator has checked the posted list, the team will be given credit for that shelf. If any of the required information is missing, your team will not get credit for that shelf until the missing info is supplied. Your post MUST include:
* the link to the book title
* the author’s name
* the date you finished reading the book and
* your rating of the book (one to five stars)

The first team to cover 5 shelves in a row - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally - will win the challenge.

A book can only be used for one shelf per round of the challenge. All book formats are acceptable and re-reads ARE allowed. Books for this challenge must be at least 200 pages long. Note that this is different from our general CCC rule! For this game, graphic novels, cookbooks and children’s books will NOT be accepted.

Very Important: On Saturday, September 6, I will post the first bookshelf. I will post a new bookshelf every Saturday after that until a team has won the challenge. Since I sometimes work weekends, I can't guarantee the time I'll post the shelf announcement, but I will do my best to post it sometime before noon (Eastern Time).

List of books.

1. Week 1: historical-fiction ► All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
2. Wild card:  ► The Secret History by Donna Tartt 
3. Week 2: war ► Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
4. Week 3: biography-memoir ► Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl   
5. Week 4: to-buy ► Moxyland by Lauren Beukes
6. Week 5: magical-realism ► The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde     
7. Week 6: contemporary ► The Magician by Michael Scott 
8. Week 7: social-issues ►  The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
9. Week 8: mystery ► The Necromancer by Michael Scott
10. Week 9: e-book ►  My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
11. Week 10: fantasy ► The Warlock by Michael Scott 
12. Week 11: book-club ► Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
13. Week 12: international ► The Lazarus Machine by Paul Crilley
14. Week 13: 2014 ► Reckless by Cornelia Funke
15. Week 14: new-adult ► Promise by Kristie Cook

Crazy Challenge Connection Chinese New Year Challenge - Finished

Chinese New Year Challenge hosted by Crazy Challenge Connection on Goodreads. 

I have now finished this challenge and it was a very interesting challenge and not that easy. List of tasks and books at the end of this post.

 CHINESE NEW YEAR CHALLENGE
Duration: January 31, 2014 - October 31, 2014

Get out your noisemakers and fireworks! It's time to celebrate the Chinese New Year! This year is the Year of the Horse. Just like the traditional zodiac calender, the Chinese Zodiac calender, features twelve different animal signs. You determine your sign by the year in which you were born.

This challenge will have several options:
Option Series: You will notice that each sign below is numbered to correspond to the twelve months in the Chinese Zodiac. Read a book from a series that corresponds with the sign's number. For example, the rat is #1 so read the first book in a series. You may choose to start a new series and read the first twelve books, or you can mix and match different series. You don't have to do the series in order. For example, you may read a book #9 before reading a book #1.

Option Tasks: After each sign's description, two to three tasks are listed. Complete one task for each sign.

Option Compatibilities: Each participant will figure out their sign and post this in their challenge template. (I will then set up a list by signs). For this option, look at the two signs who are said to be compatible with a given sign. Read ANY book from a participant's shelves who fits one of the compatible signs. You may choose someone from either of the signs; you do not have to do both!

Option ALL: For each sign, read a book in a series that corresponds to the sign's number, read a book from the sign's tasks, and a read a book from a participant's shelves for the compatible signs.

You may choose one of the options above; however, there will just be the 'single' options (Series, Tasks, Compatibilities) or the ALL option. There is no option to do two of the 'single' options (i.e. Series and Compatibilities)

See below for a listing of the Chinese Zodiac signs. Find your birth date and list your sign in your initial post. When signing up, please let me know which option you would like to complete.

WHEN YOU SIGN UP, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHICH OPTION YOU WILL DO AND WHAT YOUR ZODIAC SIGN IS!!

CHALLENGE RULES

♣ When you sign up for the challenge, please post a challenge template so we have a post to which to link your name; post #2 will list participant links which can then be used for making challenge updates.

♣ For each book you read, please indicate the title, the author and the date you finished reading it. If a challenge task gives several options, please make it clear which option you’ve chosen. If the task calls for an item on the cover, include a link to the book cover.* If it’s not obvious from the book title or cover, be sure to explain how your book fits the task. If you don’t, you won’t get credit for completing that task.

♣ Unless otherwise noted, books must be at least 150 pages long.

♣ Books may only be used for one task in this challenge, but cross-challenge posting is encouraged!

♣ If you want the challenge moderator to check your progress as you make updates, please copy/paste your update into a new message . We don't have time to scroll back through the entire thread looking for "message #15," or to follow links back to an original post.

♣ When you complete the challenge, please post your entire list as a new message to make it easier for everyone to see what you've read. If you don't repost your list, you won't be included in the list of those who have completed the challenge.


List of tasks:
 
✔ 1. Rat
3/3 ✔ •Series #1: Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh - Guild Hunter # 1 ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book labeled “humor” or read a book about friendship or read a book with a curious character. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams ✔ ☯Compatible with Dragon or Monkey. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - Pigletto's bookshelf, she is a dragon
 
✔ 2. Ox
3/3 ✔ •Series #2: Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs - Temperance Brennan, #2 ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book with a character described as unusually large and/or strong or read a book in which a character finds themselves isolated (i.e. death of a loved one, divorce or separation, outcast). From a Whisper to a Scream by Charles de Lint   ✔ ☯Compatible with Snake or Rooster. Angel by L.A. Weatherly - Angie2's bookshelf, she is a Rooster
 
✔ 3. Tiger
3/3  ✔ •Series #3: Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch - Peter Grant #3 ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book whose cover depicts a tiger or the word “tiger” is in the title or read a book where a character demonstrates good leadership. The Tiger Princess by Sarah Renee ✔ ☯Compatible with Horse or Dog. An Unlikely Match by Barbara Dunlop - Connie's bookshelf, she is a Horse
 
✔ 4. Rabbit
3/3  ✔ •Series #4: WitchHunt by Emma Mills - Witchblood #4 ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book whose title contains the word “hope (variations such as hopeful etc. are okay),” OR read a book about an event planner or caterer OR read a book in which family is important. The Highlander's Hope by Cali MacKay ✔ ☯Compatible with Goat or Pig. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - Chaitra's bookshelf, she is a pig
 
✔ 5. Dragon
3/3  ✔ •Series #5: For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison - The Hollows #5 ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book a dragon on the cover or “dragon” in its title OR read a book in which a character is energetic and/or charismatic OR read a book with any winged creature on the cover. A Gift of Dragons by Anne McCaffrey ✔ ☯Compatible with Monkey and Rat. Heartbroken by Lisa Unger - Laurie's bookshelf, she is a rat

  ✔ 6. Snake
3/3  ✔ •Series #6: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels, #6 ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book in which herbs play a role OR read a book with a character who is sneaky or dangerous OR read a book with a character who is any type of money professional (i.e. banker, accountant, financial analyst). A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes ✔ ☯Compatible with Rooster or Ox. Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec - AndaM's bookshelf - she is an ox 
 
✔ 7. Horse
3/3  ✔ •Series #7: White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book whose cover shows a horse OR read a book in which a horse is the main focus OR read a book with a character you consider a “free-spirit.” Texas Secrets: The Gallaghers of Morning Star by Jean Brashear ✔ ☯Compatible with Dog or Tiger. Two Weeks with a SEAL by Theresa Marguerite Hewitt - Amy's bookshelf - she is a dog 
 
✔ 8. Goat
3/3  ✔ •Series #8: Night Broken by Patricia Briggs ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book with a creative character OR read a book labeled “romance” OR read a book with a character who is in the beauty / fashion industry. What Stays in Vegas by Beth Labonte ✔ ☯Compatible with Pig or Rabbit. Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews - read by Sonia who is a rabbit.
 
 ✔ 9. Monkey
3/3  ✔ •Series #9: Pale Demon by Kim Harrison  ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book you consider “upbeat,” OR read a book in which a party takes place OR read a book with a character who is “vain” or “self-absorbed.” The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky  ✔ ☯Compatible with Rat or Dragon. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - Pigletto's bookshelf, she is a dragon
 
✔ 10. Rooster
3/3  ✔ •Series #10: A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book with any time-keeping device on the cover OR read a book with a character you consider “practical, resourceful, or analytical” OR read a book with any kind of paranormal activity. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch  ✔ ☯Compatible with Ox or Snake. Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh - AndaM's bookshelf - she is an ox
 
✔ 11. Dog
3/3  ✔ •Series #11: Ever After by Kim Harrison   ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book with a dog on the cover or in the title OR read a book in which a character has a dog(s) as a pet OR read a book in which the main character has a good head for business / runs a successful business: Skin Game by Jim Butcher ✔ ☯Compatible with Tiger or Horse. Speechless by Hannah Harrington - Joanne♥~Bookworm Extraordinaire's bookshelf, she is a tiger
 
✔ 12. Pig
3/3  ✔ •Series #12: The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison ✔ ✤Tasks: Read a book in which a character “enjoys the finer things in life” OR read a book that takes place in academia OR read a book with a “piggy-pink” colored cover (soft, peachy pinks – no bright pinks or magentas!) Macaron Murder by Harper Lin ✔ ☯Compatible with Rabbit or Goat. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness - Shan's bookshelf, she is a goat.
 
List of books:

1. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
2. Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
3. The Highlander's Hope by Cali MacKay 
4. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
5. What Stays in Vegas by Beth Labonte
6. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews 
7. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness 
8. Speechless by Hannah Harrington
9. Two Weeks with a SEAL by Theresa Marguerite Hewitt
10. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 
11. Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
12. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 
13. WitchHunt by Emma Mills
14. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams 
15. Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec
16. Heartbroken by Lisa Unger
17. An Unlikely Match by Barbara Dunlop 
18. For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
19. Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs 
20. Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch 
21. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs  
22. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison 
23. Pale Demon by Kim Harrison 
24. A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes  
25. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman  
26. A Gift of Dragons by Anne McCaffrey 
27. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
28. From a Whisper to a Scream by Charles de Lint   
29. Wild Justice by Kelley Armstrong 
30. Ever After by Kim Harrison 
31. Angel by L.A. Weatherly 
32. The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
33. The Tiger Princess by Sarah Renee
34. Texas Secrets: The Gallaghers of Morning Star by Jean Brashear
35. Macaron Murder by Harper Lin  
36. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky  

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Charlie is a freshman.
And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his year yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.
Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sidelines forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. From Goodreads.



This wasn't as good as I had hoped. It touches a lot of difficult issues like rape, abuse, abortion, suicide, drugs and more but some of the topics are just mentioned and it does not seem to have influenced the people it happened to very much. I am not sure I will read more from this author.

This book qualifies for:
2014 Ebook challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Crazy Challenge Connection Chinese New Year Challenge
Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Crazy Challenge Connection - Let's Play Jeopardy!
Crazy Challenge Connection - Sub-Genre Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - 50 States Challenge
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

Kept by Elle Field

Life hasn't quite worked out how Arielle Lockley planned. Becoming the next Coco Chanel, not shopping at Chanel, was always her childhood dream but somehow she's ended up as a kept woman, living the jet set lifestyle with boyfriend Piers.
When the recession hits, it's not just the economy that takes a tumble. Broke and homeless with zero job prospects, can Arielle find her way again in time or will she always have to be a kept woman? From Goodreads.

This was only just okay. I am not sure there is a single character in this book I actually like. Arielle is a shopoholic selfish woman, she does redeem herself in the end of the book but it still didn't make me like her. I am extremely glad this book was free.

This book qualifies for:
2014 Ebook challenge
2014 Read Your Freebies! Reading Challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Crazy Challenge Connection - Let's Play Jeopardy!
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (E-raven)
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

Er Du Dus Med Himlens Fugle by Bill Watterson

En række humoristiske historier på hver en side med Steen og hans elskede tøj-tiger, Stoffer, i centrum. 

Calvin and Hobbes. Cosy, humorous and very interesting comic strip.

This book qualifies for:
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014 

Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly roll # 31

Monopoly hosted by Crazy Challenge Connection on Goodreads.

Roll #31






VENTNOR AVENUE: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover OR a book whose title starts with V or A OR a book in which a character behaves in a “yellow” (cowardly) fashion OR a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in “VENTNORAVENUE”

Devious magic by Camilla Chafer

 

Unruly Magic by Camilla Chafer

The sequel to Illicit Magic...
A witch on the run.
A quiet little town where everything is far from normal.
A fractured witch council threatening to tear the supernatural world apart.
Life hasn't been easy for novice witch Stella but small town life seems to be agreeing with her. When a seemingly innocent girl begs for her protection, Stella is pulled into a dangerous game of unruly magic.
With bewitching friends and two super-sexy mysterious men by her side, Stella is plunged into a mystery where she must uncover dangerous secrets before she ends up paying the ultimate price. From Goodreads.

This book continues right after number one. She is hiding in her parents house. New nice neighbours that are not what they seem. It is still a good paranormal story with lots of romance.

This book qualifies for:
2014 Ebook challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (U-umbrillabird)
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly

Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly roll # 30

Monopoly hosted by Crazy Challenge Connection on Goodreads.

Roll #30






KENTUCKY AVENUE: Read a book with a mostly red cover OR a book whose title starts with K or A OR a book in which horses can be found OR a book by an author whose first or last initial can be found in “KENTUCKY”

Unruly Magic by Camilla Chafer

Forliset Og Andre Skrøner by Jørn Riel

Jørn Riels tiende og uigenkaldeligt sidste skrønesamling, i hvert fald fra Nordøstgrønland, fortæller de barske, sørgelige og ikke mindst skønt fornøjelige og i høj grad sandfærdige historier om afviklingen af fangststationerne.
Meget skal ikke røbes her, men kaptain Olsen og Bjørkens store styrkeprøve, Valfreds bryllup og den legendariske cykeltur over indlandsisen er blot nogle få af de mange højdepunkter.
Ingen af dem, der gennem nogle af de ni tidligere samlinger har mødt det farvestrålende, featlige og praktisk-filosofiske folkefærd fra Nordøstgrønland, kan undvære disse sidste beretninger, der byder på ekstraordinære overraskelser og næsten overnaturlige hændelser. From Backcover.






I always enjoy the tall tales from Jørn Riel. This is his tenth book of tall tales from Northeast Greenland. I have read some of the previous ones but not all of them, the fun part is that it is the same people you hear new stories about which meant I recognised several of the characters in this book.
I spent seven years on the west coast of Greenland and it is fun to actually know the places that are mentioned in the book.

This book qualifies for:
I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (R-umbrillabird)
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly roll # 29

Monopoly hosted by Crazy Challenge Connection on Goodreads.

Roll #29






FREE PARKING: Read any book of your choice. 

Forliset Og Andre Skrøner by Jørn Riel  

Dragonsblood by Todd J. McCaffrey

Never in the dramatic history of Pern has there been a more dire emergency than that which faces the young dragonrider Lorana. A mysterious fatal illness is striking dragons. The epidemic is spreading like wildfire . . . and the next deadly cycle of Threadfall is only days away. Somehow, Lorana must find a cure before the dragons-including her own beloved Arith-succumb to the sickness, leaving Pern undefended.
The lyrics of an all-but-forgotten song seem to point toward an answer from nearly five hundred years in the past, when Kitti Ping and her daughter Wind Blossom bred the first dragons from their smaller cousins, the fire-lizards. No doubt the first colonists possessed the advanced technology to find the cure for which Lorana seeks, but over the centuries, that knowledge has been lost.
Or has it?
For in the distant past, an aged Wind Blossom worries that the germs that affect the fire-lizards may one day turn on larger prey-and unleash a plague that will destroy the dragons, Pern's only defenders against Thread. But as her people struggle to survive, Wind Blossom has neither the time nor the resources to expend on a future that may never arrive-until suddenly she uncovers evidence that her worst fears will come true.
Now two brave women, separated by hundreds of years but joined by bonds transcending time, will become unknowing allies in a desperate race against sickness and Threadfall, with nothing less than the survival of all life on Pern at stake. From Goodreads.

I really like the Dragonriders of Pern series. Originally written by Anne McCaffrey but the later ones written by her son Todd.
I enjoyed this, it was interesting how the present was tied in with the past. Lorana was a perfect heroine and Wind Blossom an interesting person.
I will continue reading this series.

This book qualifies for:
I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: 2014 Chubby Chunkster
Nothing but Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Crazy Challenge Connection - Let's Play Jeopardy!
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

Author Alphabet Reading Challenge - Finished

Author Alphabet Reading Challenge hosted by Nothing But Reading Challenges.

Goal: Going from A - Z, and using authors’ first or last names, read the alphabet. For "X" and "Z" you may use authors with those hard to find letters in their names. Unless, of course, you're a ‘purist.’

Yes, you may use an author twice, once with their first name, and again with their last.

Duration: You set the pace.

My goal was to finish this challenge in one year. My finish date was 17th of August 2014 and I achieved my goal as I read the last book for this challenge the 11th of August 2014. This wasn't an easy challenge as I am a purist and only wanted names that started with all the letters.

Books:

A: Richard Adams: Watership Down (finished 25th of August 2013) 
B: Jeanette Battista:  Leopard Moon (finished 11th of November 2013)
C: Raymond Chandler: The Big Sleep (finished 12th of September 2013)
D: Debora Geary: An Unlikely Witch  (finished 1st of January 2014)
E: Edward Abbey: Desert Solitaire (finished 28th of September 2013)
F: Ken Follett: Eye of the Needle (finished 17th of October 2013)
G: Alan Garner: The Weirdstone Of Brisingamen (finished 4th of September 2013)  
H: Jack Hamlyn: Necrophobia (finished 26th of September 2013)
I: Ilona Andrews: Magic Bites  (finished 15th of November 2013)
J: Sophie Jordan: Firelight (finished 21st of September 2013)
K: Ashley L. Knight: Fathom (finished 26th of August 2013) 
L: Charles de Lint: Dreams Underfoot: The Newford Collection (finished 28th of September 2013)
M: Carolyn Mackler: Vegan, Virgin, Valentine (finished 18th of September 2013)
N: Neal Shusterman: Unwind (finished 20th of August 2013)
O: Olivia Hardin: Bitten Shame (finished 10th of September 2013)
P: Brenda Pandos: Everblue (finished 29th of August 2013)  
Q: Quindlen, Anna: Blessings (finished 11th of August 2014)
R: Anne Rice: The Vampire Lestat (finished 2nd of September 2013) 
S: Scott Stanford: Dorothy: The Darker Side of Oz (finished 23rd of August 2013)
T: Eric Thomas: DRT  (finished 6th of October 2013)
U: Lisa Unger: Heartbroken 
V: Veronica Rossi: Under the Never Sky (finished 17th of October 2013)
W: Jane Wenham-Jones: One Glass Is Never Enough (finished 5th of September 2013)
X: Xinran: Himmelbegravelsen (Sky Burial) (finished 11th of January2014)
Y: Yann Martel: Life of Pi (finished 19th of August 2013)
Z: Zane, Jennifer: Gnome on the Range (finished 10th of August 2014)