Cover to Cover Challenge discussion

Since I rarely decide what I'm going to read until I actually crack the cover, I won't bother starting a list yet. I do believe I'll post a new reply for each month and do it that way.

Prepare yourselves for a pile of crap books to appear in this thread. I am a non-repentant Harlequin reader. I also will read just about anything someone gives me. And my friends do give me a fair amount of odd reading material.

I've been questioned before on my grading scale for books. Nearly nothing gets a five from me on the first read-through. If it was a four, it was very fun or very good. Most everything is a three. Twos aren't that uncommon. One's are good for insulation.

And finally, I tend to write at least a few words/short review for just about every new book I read. If you are interested in my opinion, just click on the name of the book and you'll see.

Hi Jim. It's good to see ya =D.

Another non-repentant Harlequin reader here; my favs are Intrigues and Nocturnes..... :)

@ Kenjii - always a pleasure to bump into you. (that sounded much dirtier when I re-read it. How about good to see ya too.)

@ SherryD - Blaze #1, Desire #2 I've hated every Intrigue I've ever read. No Nocturnes to date.

*last updated 1/30 *

I made my January dozen with one extra!

1. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (1/2)
2. Northern Lights by Nora Roberts (1/4)
3. Just One Look by Joanne Rock (1/6)
4. Naughty Bits anthology (1/7)
5. Nauti Boy by Lora Leigh (1/10)
6. At Her Command by Marcia James (1/13)
7. Amethyst Attraction anthology (1/16)
8. Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold (1/18)
9. Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie (1/21)
10. The Fantasy Factor by Kimberly Raye (1/24)
11. Bought By Her Husband by Sharon Kendrick (1/25)
12. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Babery (1/29)
13. When the Elephants Dance by Tess Urisa Holthe (1/30)

I have Welcome to Temptation in HC (so had it for awhile) and tried it a few times and could never get into it. Need to try it again and if it's still the same put it on the weed out pile. As for Harlequin and such. I like blaze and some of the other's I had them for awhile when they first came out I was buying them every month. Reading them back then but now it's just whatever I have left around. I like the Nascar series better I think those I still buy if I see new ones. I have read a few of the Intrigues not many. I find they are good for a real fast read.

LMAO re your Harlequin confession!
I think i might have read one some time during my lifetime but never again, they are way to short and dont contain anything paranormal. PNR is the way to go!!!

@Donnajo - what don't you like about it? Is it the not-so-squeaky-clean heroine? Just wondering what turns you off about it.

@Denell - I've read a fair amount of PNR in 2009. But I need a break from them after a while. The Blaze series is an awful lot like watching a movie on Skinamax, I mean Cinemax, but with only one woman and one man.

ROFL... I love your explination of a "one star book" I rate those as "*crickets chirping* someone was willing to publish this?! They're brave!!"

LOL, I don't know why I could never get into it. I'm sure it wasn't the type of heroine. I thought at first it was just her books but I read one of her other books (forgot the name) last year. I think I just didn't give it enough of a chance.
I read alot of Nora's books my favorite is the Cheaspeake series (still have to read the 4th one) Met Nora once she's a great person. Knew her from a old aol romance board that used to be. Tried a few Joanne Rock books. I think they were Blaze. Maybe I'll pull out Jennifer's book again and give it a try. Will let you know how it goes.

I'm a Harlequin addict also. I had to put my subscription on temporary hold because I had so many the stacks were taller than I was!

Yeah, I've been limiting myself to a couple a month. I've not gotten a subscription yet, but I can see the day where I might.

Years ago I worked with someone that came from Canadian and she would get so many Harlequin and all those series romances and she would always be passing around shopping bags full of them so we all read them. Plus I was buying them besides. Her mom I think was a subscriber. Anyway I read so many of them that it got to the point I could probably write my own. Then I continued after not working with her still buying some of them. I think when the one series started I bought everyone for along time. Then just stopped. That also went with the Blaze ones. But have stopped buying them and now it's just the NASCAR ones I like and still buy and I still have some of the old ones and keep saying I'm giving them one more year if I don't read them they are going on the weed out pile (those are the intique, blaze and probably a few of the supers)

Well, I made my dozen for January (plus one!). I think I might take a month off from the reading challenges of other groups to catch up on some series that I want to read. Onward to February!

(last edit 2/27)

February list:

14. Cry No More by Linda Howard (2/1)
15. How to Host a Seduction by Jeanie London (2/3)
16. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure (2/4)
17. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (2/5)
18. Beauty's Punishment by A.N. Roquelaure (2/6)
19. Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward (2/8)
20. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward (2/10)
21. Flavor Of The Month by Tori Carrington (2/11)
22. Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries (2/12)
23. Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward (2/13)
24. Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl (2/14)
25. Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward (2/15)
26. Between Lovers by Eric Jerome Dickey (2/16)
27. The Girl Most Likely To... by Susan Donovan (2/19)
28. Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward (2/20)
29. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward (2/23)
30. She Did A Bad, Bad Thing by Stephanie Bond (2/25)
31. Ain't Too Proud to Beg by Susan Donovan (2/27)

Eighteen for February! Woot! That puts me seven above pace for the 144. 12-15 for the month of March will be about right as well.

I got in 15 for Feb. and 32 for the year so far. You are right, you got me back into reading the Harlequin etc I've had around here that had to be read. So I've been getting a few of those lately. Not too often but just enough to make the count go up when I need to (especially when a certain book isn't moving fast enough for me).

Donnajo wrote: "I got in 15 for Feb. and 32 for the year so far. You are right, you got me back into reading the Harlequin etc I've had around here that had to be read. So I've been getting a few of those latel..."

Glad you gave them another shot. Usually I use one like a dishrag to scrub the brain free from thought.

(last edit 3/30)

March List:
32. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (3/1)
33. The Present by Johanna Lindsey (3/2)
34. Beauty's Release by A.N. Roquelaure (3/4)
35. Real Men Do It Better anthology (3/4)
36. Men at Work anthology (3/5)
37. Release by Jo Leigh (3/6)
38. The Scent of Shadows: The First Sign of the Zodiac by Vicki Pettersson (3/8)
39. Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie (3/10)
40. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (3/11) - I know it's only 114 pages, but it is deeper than many of the romance novels I read, so I'm counting it.
41. The Battle of Jericho by Sharon M. Draper (3/11)
42. Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren (3/12)
43. Delicious by Susan Mallery (3/14)
44. Irresistible by Susan Mallery (3/14)
45. Every Woman's Fantasy by Vicki Lewis Thompson (3/15)
46. Glory in Death by J.D. Robb (3/16)
47. Where Is He Now? by Jennifer Greene (3/17)
48. Sizzling by Susan Mallery (3/20)
49. Tempting by Susan Mallery (3/20)
50. Covet by J.R. Ward (3/26)
51. It Must Be Love by Rachel Gibson (3/29)
52. Causing Havoc by Lori Foster (3/30)

LOL, When I first started keeping a book journal I never listed Harlequin etc because I didn't consider them real reading. Now forget that I list every book I read and finish.

Slow start to April. I was in California vacationing and was so busy I had no time to read.

April list:

53. Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb (4/1)
54. Why Not Tonight by Jacquie D'Alessandro (4/3)
55. What The Lady Wants by Jennifer Crusie (4/5)
56. Just Try Me... by Jill Shalvis (4/7)
57. The Rampant Reaper by Marlys Millhiser (4/10)
58. Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery (4/11)
59. Atlantis Rising by Alyssa Day (4/13)
60. As You Like It by Lori Wilde (4/14)
61. Flowers On Main by Sherryl Woods (4/15)
62. Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster (4/16)
63. Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut (4/16)
64. Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery (4/17)
65. Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery (4/17)
66. Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (4/18)
67. Naughty Bits 2: An Anthology of Short Erotic Fiction anthology (4/19)
68. The Taste of Night: The Second Sign of the Zodiac by Vicki Pettersson (4/20)
69. Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon (4/22)
70. Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (4/25)
71. Take on Me by Sarah Mayberry (4/26)
72. Educating Gina by Debbi Rawlins (4/27)
73. Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie (4/30)

May I read another book?

May list:

74. Taste Me (Harlequin Blaze #147)(Sex & Candy) by Carrie Alexander (5/1)
75. Bending the Rules by Susan Andersen (5/2)
76. Looking for Trouble: Invitations to Seduction by Julie Elizabeth Leto (5/3)
77. Shadow Game by Christine Feehan (5/6)
78. All Over You by Sarah Mayberry (5/8)
79. Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (5/9)
80. The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz (5/10)
81. Simon Says by Lori Foster (5/11)
82. Unearthed by C.J. Barry (5/12)
83. Maternity Bride by Maureen Child (5/13)
84. Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb (5/13)
85. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione (5/15)
86. What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (5/16)
87. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (5/18)
88. Jude's Law by Lori Foster (5/19)
89. Murphy's Law by Lori Foster (5/20)
90. Dirty by Megan Hart (5/24)
91. Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb (5/24)
92. Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (5/26)
93. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (5/28)
94. Lover Mine by J.R. Ward (5/31)

Your april was still good. Alot of great author's. If I could finish the 2 books that are taking me longer maybe I can get in a few unputdownable books. I looked at the series romances (Harlequins etc) the other day in border's and nothing jumped out at me. But then I thought too I have so many Blaze ones unread from when I used to buy them all each month so need to work those down some. I did finish the two Harlequin code red ones and will have to see if the ubs has the others when I get to it. they were good.

Donnajo wrote: "Your april was still good. Alot of great author's. If I could finish the 2 books that are taking me longer maybe I can get in a few unputdownable books. I looked at the series romances (Harlequi..."

Thanks, I read a few more Blazes in May than previous months. Still less than 25% of my books were series romances. Note that I'm not counting some Harlequin books as being 'series' romances. For example, I finished Bending the Rules today. It is published by HQN (Harlequin Books SA) but is not part of a monthly series and is 380 pages long. I think that once you give them a try again, you will find you have fun with them.

I know what you mean by the bigger HQNs. You usually get good ones there. You know what it was with the blazes or any of those harlequins after awhile I got to feeling I could write my own not that I would. Then at the end of the year when I went back to find the best of I had more of those and romances than mysteries or thrillers. So this year trying to do alittle bit of everything. And it works well except when I get to the ones that take alittle longer or ones like the TC Boyle that is usually not my type of reading that I would pick. I think I looked at the susan Andersen book can't remember if I bought it or not. I like her books usually and still have a few around. With Phillips she used to be a must read, must buy author for me but when I stopped and I think at the time I was more into looking though books and then never going back to reading them. Foster is one of my favorite authors and I have her latest one that I can't wait to read. Loved that series with the fighters. Mallery I was just eyeing her book Delicious I thought I put it back on the shelf but somehow it made it into the shopping bag and came home with me. Oh well maybe I need to try harder to stay out of bookstores.

Wow, June already? Are you sure?

June List:

95. Twin Temptation by Cara Summers (6/2)
96. Twin Seduction by Cara Summers (6/3)
97. Just A Taste by Deirdre Martin (6/5)
98. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (6/6)
99. See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson (6/8)
100. Nauti Boy by Lora Leigh (6/12)
101. Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern (6/12)
102. Nauti Nights by Lora Leigh (6/15)
103. Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb (6/17)
104. Double the Pleasure anthology (6/19)
105. The Man Must Marry by Janet Chapman (6/20)
106. Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb (6/22)
107. Nauti Dreams by Lora Leigh (6/25)
108. Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow (6/27)
109. Between the Sheets by Jeanie London (6/29)
110. Tempted: Little Miss Innocent?\Annie, Get Your Guy\Messing Around With Max by Lori Foster (6/30)

Well, we've broken through the halfway point. Fortunately, I'm ahead of my halfway goal as well. 200 books is ultimately where I'd like to be.

July list:

111. Night's Edge anthology (7/1)
112. Putting It To The Test by Lori Borrill (7/3)
113. Conspiracy in Death by J.D. /Robb (7/4)
114. Twelve Rooms with a View by Theresa Rebeck (7/7)
115. Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur (7/8)
116. Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich (7/9)
117. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich (7/10)
118. Yes, I Do by Janet Dailey (7/11)
119. Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke (7/12)
120. Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (7/13)
121. A Highlander Christmas by Janet Chapman (7/14)
122. The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman (7/15)
123. Dangerous Curves by Karen Anders (7/16)
124. The Stone Princess by Robyn Donald (7/17)
125. Invitations To Seduction anthology (7/18)
126. Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich (7/18)
127. Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb (7/20)
128. Someone Like You by Susan Mallery (7/20)
129. Second Contact by J.D. Austin (7/22)
130. Incognito by Kate Hoffmann (7/24)
131. Kick Ass anthology (7/26)
132. Falling For Gracie by Susan Mallery (7/28)
133. Witness in Death by J.D. Robb (7/31)

It looks as though I'll be finishing the 144 in the next couple of weeks. Then I'll have four full months to break the 200 mark

August Reads:

134. First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (8/1)
135. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer (8/2)
136. An Unforgettable Lady by Jessica Bird (J.R. Ward) (8/3)
137. An Irresistible Bachelor by Jessica Bird (8/4)
138. Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb (8/7)
139. The Reincarnationist by M.J. Rose (8/9)
140. Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb (8/10)
141. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (8/11)
142. Burning Bright by Janine Ashbless (8/13)
143. My Zombie Valentine anthology (8/17)
144. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (8/17)

Done with the 144 goal! Yeah!

145. Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie (8/18)
146. Seduction in Death by J.D. Robb (8/20)
147. Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly (8/22)
148. Three To Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich (8/23)
149. This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (8/24)
150. Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister (8/28)
151. Tempt Me If You Can by Janet Chapman (8/29)
152. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery (8/31)

WTG. I'm in the 80's so we shall see. This weekend I'm not doing that good with reading.

Onward to 200! I'm pretty sure I'll make it. But in the meantime, I'll just keep reading.

September:

153. Reunion in Death by J.D. Robb (9/1)
154. Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione (9/4)
155. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen (9/6)
156. Purity in Death by J.D. Robb (9/7)
157. The Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Crusie (9/7)
158. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts (9/9)
159. Star Island by Carl Hiaasen (9/11)
160. The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Annette Blair (9/12)
161. Acting On Impulse by Vicki Lewis Thompson (9/12)
162. Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb (9/15)
163. A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey (9/15)
164. Night Moves by Julie Kenner (9/16)
165. Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery (9/16)
166. Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery (9/17)
167. Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb (9/19)
168. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare 9/20
169. Big Jack by J.D. Robb (9/22)
170. Divided in Death by J.D. Robb (9/23)
171. Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (9/26)
172. Whispers In The Dark by Kira Sinclair (9/28)

I only did 6 books in aug. don't know why. I'm in the 90's so close to 100. I guess that is good and at least it's more than I've done in the past years by this time.

Just read what feels good to you Donnajo. I've certainly had down times through the years. And you are reading more! That's a good thing.

I know. I'm reading the Passage by Cronin on my nook and it's a bfb. And it's with other people who are doing audios, kindles and hcs. Considering it's my really first bfb on my nook it's taking me awhile to get used to it plus I'm still trying to read other books at the same time. I need a few Harlequin that I can zip though when I finish the books I'm reading. I keep going back and forth with my second book since I finished the fern Michaels book yesterday not knowing if I want to pick up another of Coulter's FBI series, Nora's 2nd in the bride trilogy or Debbie macomber's 6 Rainer's Drive. Going back to the shore tomorrow until tuesday and with the expected rain I hope to get some good reading in. I'm hoping I can leave for my usual time of 6Am with no problem of rain/heavy wind. So far it sounds like they now say we won't get hit until later in the day. Rip tides have been horrible the last few weekends. Good thing I don't go in. but last weekend while I was there 11 earlier in morning from our beach got pulled in at once then when I was on the beach again a large amount. People just don't listen to the warnings and flags.

My favorite month of the year. Also, one of the busiest for me.

October:

173. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (10/2)
174. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (10/6)
175. Survivor In Death by J.D. Robb (10/9)
176. The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen (10/10)
177. Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter (10/11)
178. Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (10/13)
179. One More River to Cross by Essie Summers (10/14)
180. Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz (10/17)
181. Tangled Up In You by Rachel Gibson (10/19)
182. Memory in Death by J.D. Robb (10/20)
183. Wild Ride by Jennifer Crusie (10/21)
184. Born in Death by J.D. Robb (10/23)
185. Something About You by Julie James (10/24)
186. Innocent in Death by J.D. Robb (10/25)
187. It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (10/27)
188. Dare to Surrender by Lilli Feisty (10/31)

173 books so far you are doing good. I only just hit 100 books. Just didn't get the greatest book counts during the summer months. I seemed to have slowed down for some reason.

November:

189. Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (11/2)
190. Creation in Death by J.D. Robb (11/3)
191. Naughty but Nice: Bare Essentials by Jill Shalvis (11/4)
192. While She Was Sleeping... by Isabel Sharpe (11/5)
193. Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb (11/6)
194. Undone by Karin Slaughter (11/9)
195. Surprise Me... by Isabel Sharpe (11/11)
196. Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb (11/14)
197. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (11/15)
198. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb (11/16)
199. Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb (11/17)
200. Saving Cinderella! by Myrna Mackenzie (11/18)
201. Sex Bomb by Jamie Sobrato (11/19)
202. Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb (11/21)
203. Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery (11/22)
204. Lip Service by Susan Mallery (11/23)
205. Straight from the Hip by Susan Mallery (11/24)
206. Hot On Her Heels by Susan Mallery (11/26)
207. He Loves Lucy by Susan Donovan (11/28)
208. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs (11/29)
209. Inconveniently Wed! by Jackie Braun (11/30)

I guess you are trying for 250 this year. So far I'm at 121 for the year and 10 for the month with all the time I've been spending online I could have reached 300 already.

Donnajo, I'm trying for 200. I refuse to set any more goals as December is always such a hectic month for me. Fortunately, I think I'll make my stated goal.

I think you can make the 144 with a little luck and some time.

December Reads:

210. Key of Light by Nora Roberts (12/2)
211. Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts (12/2)
212. Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts (12/3)
213. Dad in Training (Steeple Hill Love Inspired by Gail Gaymer Martin (12/4)
214. Six by Opal Carew (12/6)
215. Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (12/7)
216. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (12/9)
217. Turbulent Sea by Christine Feehan (12/10)
218. Procession of the Dead by Darren Shan (12/12)
219. I'm Your Santa anthology (12/14)
220. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (12/15)
221. Double Play by Joanne Rock (12/16)
222. Slave by Cheryl Brooks (12/18)
223. Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (12/19)
224. My Fake Fiancee by Nancy Warren (12/21)
225. The Night She Got Lucky by Susan Donovan (12/23)
226. One Night Stand by Cindy Kirk (12/24)
227. Indulgence in Death (In Death, #31) by J.D. Robb (12/29)

Hey Jim, since you've completed this challenge, I'm going to move your thread to the All Finished folder.

Thanks. Took me a minute or two to find it. I still update my list here as it is the forum I've chosen to keep track of a list of books read as I go.

Whoops! Hope it was no trouble. I'm trying to move all threads to the archive, starting with those that haven't been updated in a while. Since I saw that you had completed yours, it made better sense to move it there.