Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Starting with Under the Dome by Stephen King.

Huge book! Hopefully it doesn't take too long!

Is starting with a 1000+ page book for this group a little extreme? Don't get me wrong, it's great so far, but when I think about the goal here I feel a little intimidated! The next book will have to be slightly shorter for sure!

Its extreme for me, but good golly..if you want to read it, read it. It's still so early in the year, even if it takes you longer then you expect, it is still January, the year is long, lol. Let me know how it is. I've never read Steven King except when I was a teenager and I tried to read "IT" and I couldn't do it...the small lettering and hundreds of pages were intimidating to me.

Dome is a good book, that's for sure. One of his better ones in quite awhile! It is not one of his books I would recommend, that's for sure.

Try reading Rose Madder, it's the first book of his I've ever read and I fell in love. And, bonus, it's not abnormaly long!

I've got Under the Dome to read as well as The Stand which is another 1,000+ page book.

I started the challenge last year in the middle of The Dark Tower Series! So my first three books in the challenge were 800+page Stephen King books! But they were amazing! I recommend The Dark Tower Series to everyone, especially if you are already a King lover! Let me know how Under the Dome ends up!

The Stand is my favorite Stephen King book! I've read it 3 times!

I was a little disappointed by the last 3 books of The Dark Tower. I didn't like the ending too much, but it made perfect sense. The characters were some of the best I've ever encountered though!

Kiersten wrote: "The Stand is my favorite Stephen King book! I've read it 3 times!

Mine too! I picked it up when it was 1st published way back when I was in college thinking I'd while away a week or two with it & devoured it in under two days.

Book One: Under the Dome by Stepehn King

Completed! Finally! Not a bad book, but not the best either.

Book 2!: Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier

I loved reading this book. The main character is fiesty and strong. Very well written. I'm still a little unsure how I feel about the ending though.

My next book is the last book of this trilogy, Child of Prophecy. I'm really excited to read how this story ends.

Happy reads!

Book 3: Child of the Prophecy by Juliet Mariller

It was an okay book, I found myself bored a lot while reading this. Very tedious!

Book 4: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I'm not even sure what to say in regards to it. I am going to finish the series, I guess I'll see how it goes.

Book 5:

I think I'm going to wait to say what I think about these books until I'm done with the third....

Book 6: Beauty's Release

This whole series I am very unsure of. I read it to read something different, something that is way out of my comfort zone. In it's own sort of way, it's beautifully written, but it's also a bit overwhelming. I think if I was a bit more open to what is being told and described, it'd be better. If that makes sense.

Kiersten wrote:
Book 6: Beauty's Release

This whole series I am very unsure of. I read it to read something different, something that is way out of my comfort zone. In it..."

Something different is definitely the way to describe it. I read these -wow!- 20 years ago in the whole in for a penny mindset. I'm still on the fence about thought provoking vs. self indulgent author.

Book 7

Book 8

I loved this book. It was very witty, fast paced and original. The ending wasn't as exciting as it could have been, but overall I'd happily read it again tomorrow.

Book 9 - Funny, witty book! I loved this! The ending was a little lacking, but the concept and the humor and the characters were perfect!

Book 10 - I didn't like this book too much. The history of the family is great and original, but the rest of it was meh. I didn't like how the point of view shifted, or how it moved from the past to the present. I loved the way the book ended though, it was very fitting with the story.

Book 11 - I liked this book a lot, it read like an episode of Buffy. It was witty, fun, fast paced and very action packed. I could have done without the twist between the two main characters. (Was that really even necessary? Grr!) I'm happily moving onto the second book though, can't wait to read what happens!

Book 12 - I kind of liked this book, but on the other hand I didn't. It was completely overshadowed by the 2 main character's twist of a relationship. It was too much and annoying. The storyline is good, it does keep you guessing a little bit, but I can't wait to be done with the series, or at least for the relationship's twist to be twisted in the right direction, if that makes sense.

Book 13 - Diary by Chuck Palahniuk

Did not like this at all. Bleh!

Book 14 - This is my least favorite Sookie Stackhouse book. I couldn't wait to be done with it. I felt like her spark was missing. I'm hoping the next book is much better!

Book 15 - Pirates by Linda Leal Miller

Good fluff book, a nice in between. Now I have to start reading more, and faster! Half the year is gone and I'm not even halfway there! Arg!

Book 16 - It's been hard for me to concentrate on reading lately, so I figured I'd go ahead and reread something I know I love. It's been too long since I've visited this world!

Book 17!

Book 18!

Book 19!

I forgot how good this book was. It's great reading this series again, I love how the characters evolve. And the random little funny bits she puts in are amazing![

Woo Book 20! Heh, only 30 more to go...this should be interesting. :)

Book 21 - I forgot how good this book was. I also forgot how this book makes you cry at the end. I think it's my second favorite of the series, so much going on and lots of new information.

I saw the new preview for the first part of the last movie, I can't wait. November needs to get here please!

Happy reading!

Kiersten wrote: "

Book 21 - I forgot how good this book was. I also forgot how this book makes you cry at the end. I think it's my second favorite of the serie..."

I loved this one too! I look forward to November!

Book 22 - Good good good book! A great and original end to a very good story.

Kiersten wrote: "

Book 22 - Good good good book! A great and original end to a very good story."

I thought so too!

Kiersten wrote: "

Book 21 - I forgot how good this book was. I also forgot how this book makes you cry at the end. I think it's my second favorite of the serie..."

Kiersten...I'm trying to read all the books myself before the movie comes out in November. I've read the first three, and hopefully, I'll be able to finish the last four, which are pretty big books! This is my first time reading the books. Looking forward to the challenge, though!

Book 23 -

I don't think I liked this book. It's the first of this entire series that I've read. It had a good idea, but I don't think it came across as well as it could have. It kind of reminded me a bit of early Anita Blake books, just not that good. Oh well. Next! :)

Book 24 -

Okay book. I wasn't that impressed with it, but it's a sweet story.

I've noticed I've been having troubles picking the next book to read. While having a goal to read 50 books in a year is great, I find myself not reading the longer books because I'd really like to meet this goal. I feel like the goal is actually kind of holding me back from reading books that I know I'll enjoy. I know I need to devote more time to reading, instead of that devil called tv. I think if I hit at least 30 books I'll be proud. :)

So many books, so little time! It just isn't fair!

I know how you feel. I found if I read several at once it actually helps me to read more -- and have some books that are longer that I really enjoy just sinking into.

I feel the same way about reading shorter books ow just to accomplish the goal. I was thinking next year I may just make myself a goal to read 20 or 25 books that I have always wanted to read ( that way size is not an issue). I actually thought this would be a good group idea- where the focus is not the number of books you read in a year but more focused on choosing books to complete that have been on your TBR list for years.

That's a great idea. You could start a group that is a kind of bucket list of always wanted to read books.

I like that idea very much! After all, it's not really how many books you've read, but what you've read! :)

I agree with you it's not how many but what and even how much you enjoyed it. I just finished #48 but am not in a hurry to finish to read #49 but I have found that I am not pursuing other hobbies of mine. Since I may be reaching #50 by the end of November I think I may credit some of my end of the year reads towards next year. That way i won't feel as pressured at the end of next year.

Sherry wrote: "That's a great idea. You could start a group that is a kind of bucket list of always wanted to read books."

I am entertaining the idea of starting just such a group; just wondering if there would be enough interest out there?
I was thinking that at the beginning of the year/or upon joining, you need to list 20-25 books ( whatever your goal is) that you have always wanted to read and want to get completed within a year. Your success will be measured by how many you get crossed off that list.
open for suggestions...

You can put them on your to-read list and then if some best seller comes in that you just have to read or someone recommends something you can throw that into the mix. I have over 200 books on my to-read list and its constantly growing. I don't think I'll get through my to-read list for 4 or 5 years but its a great long term goal.

I would join any variation of the above ideas.

Stephanie wrote: "I am entertaining the idea of starting just such a group; just wondering..."

Ooh, I'd join that group! This past January, I decided I want to make a list every January of the books I absolutely want to read that year (this year, they were all books I own, since my focus at the time was making my way through the books I have piled up, but if I joined a group I'd expand it to library books, too). This year, I'm doing okay... I kind of got side-tracked with library books for a while, though :) But yeah, I'd join that group! If you do start one, message me!

I did put a list of about 8-10 books in the 1st post for this year's 50 books a year list. I need to go back and check but I think I've read them all but 1. I'd join a group like this. I'd still aim for 50 books but I'd list maybe 10-20 books that I need to read each year.

I know I'd do the 50 books as well, but definitely include books that I want to read. Move some of those books from the to-read list onto the read list. Some of the books you've read, Connie, have made it to my to-read list.

Book 25

Book 26

Book 27 Queen of the Darkness

I love these books. Sure the over active tempers were a bit annoying, but the originality to it was pretty good.