The 104 Book Challenge - 2010 discussion

We're growing! I love seeing all the new faces and thought maybe we should have a place to introduce ourselves to each other.

Hi, everyone!

I'm Jennifer and live in a northwest suburb of Minneapolis. I'm married with three children (a 10, 8 and 4 year old) and own a software consulting business. Luckily I function on very little sleep because I love to read into the wee hours of the night after everyone is tucked into bed.

I enjoy reading all types of fiction but especially love the classics (P&P, Jane Eyre, GWTW, etc) and anything involving vampires. Nice mix, eh? I'm currently on a YA kick. Guess I'm trying to relive my youth as the clock ticks closer and closer to 40!

Thanks for checking out our group! I LOVE going through everyone's list of books read to snag an idea for my next read.

Happy Reading!

Hey Y'all! I'm Jen, I'm a 26-year old, single mom of a 3-year old little boy named Brecken, and we live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area in Texas. I moved here 7 years ago from Florida, and I really like this area.

Reading has always been my favorite activity, I have always been known for my bookworm and word-nerd tendancies. I particularly love Childrens/Young Adult fiction, both classic (The Secret Garden, Swiss Family Robinson, etc) and comtemporary (The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, anything by Tamora Pierce, lol). I also love historical fiction, any time period is good but I especially like Tudor England, Napoleonic/Revolutionary France, and Ancient Eygpt.

I'm so glad to talk to other bookworms! Not nearly enough people to talk with when you are seen with a new book almost everyday. Everyone looks at you crazy....

Hi, I am Lesley and I may be the old lady of the group... I am 54, just celebrated my 29th wedding anniversary, have 4 children in their 20s, and 2 grandsons who just turned 3 and 4. I am a Cleveland native living in North Idaho where I teach child development at a community college... I spent 26 years in preschool and then graduated to the world of adult learners!

My sisters and nieces got me into Goodreads a few years ago and this January I thought I might try one of the books clubs, but they either had way too many members or focused on only one kind of book. I thought maybe I could read a book a week but saw this group attempting to read TWO books a week and knew I wanted to try that challenge! I look forward everyday to checking in with all of you and seeing what you are reading.

I love all kinds of books, especially children’s books, fiction, historical books, quirky books, and any by international writers. I love audiobooks too! I got away from YA books when my kids got older so it has been great hearing about new titles. For Mother's Day I got a Kindle... Yippie!

I am glad to have a chance to talk to all of you
about books... it amazes me that most people I know do not read for pleasure. I have been doing that every day since I was in first grade and discovered that I could see Spot and see Spot run simply by reading the words on a page!

Hi! I am Mary Alice. I live in the Nashville Tn area. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 33 years. We have a son and daughter and a wonderful son-in-law and wonderful daughter-in-law and 5 grandsons, ranging in age from 9-3 yrs. My 90 year old Mom lives with us. She started me on the road of loving to read. I also work part-time as a freelance Sign Language interpreter. I would love to own a children's book store and live above it.

Reading is my very favorite past time. I usually have two or three books going at once. I enjoy just about every genera except true crime: mysteries are my favorite! Some of my all time favorite authors are JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Jan Karon, Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, however I am always open to a new favorite.

I was so glad to see so many of us like YA. I enjoy Harry Potter, Redwall series, and many others. I spent 11 years as an educational interpreter and would read along with my students.

I am looking forward to seeing your lists and hearing what you think of your latest book.

Hi! I'm Nikki and I live in the Minneapolis, MN area. I am a single mother of a 9 year old and a I have a 3 year old pug. Jen told me about this so I thought I would join in the fun!

I used to be a big reader when I was younger but after having my son, I gave up on reading. I thank Stephenie Meyer and the Twilight series for getting me back into reading! I do read other books besides vamp books, but I have a special place in my heart for vamps (which started long before Twilight). Some of my fav books are the Twilight Series, Sookie Stackhouse series, Vampire Academy (or anything by Richelle Mead), Black Dagger Brotherhood (thanks to Jen!!), Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Time Travelers Wife, Dark Hunter series, Mortal Instruments and The Hunger Games. Wow I guess you can tell I'm into Vampires after looking at that!

I usually have a couple books going at a time and try to read something with my son, since he is not a big reader. We are going to start the Percy Jackson series this summer.

I hope to broaden my horizons in reading and maybe read something I normally wouldn't have by seeing what you're all reading.

Loved the Percy books, Nikki. I'm sure you're son will dig them, I haven't met a kid who didn't.

Hi Nikki~ I am currently on book 3 of the Percy Jackson series... I am really digging the whole greek mythology lesson! I am looking forward to seeing what your reading, but I have to be honest... I hate vampire books. There, I said it. Hope I can stay in the 104 Book Challenge after that confession!

Haha, Lesley! But you love Stephanie Plum so you will always be welcome! ;)

BTW, 16 comes out on Tuesday! Woohoo!

Glad you're here, Nikki!

Thanks for the welcomes everyone! Jen and Lesley, glad to hear you both like Percy Jackson. My son and I love greek mythology so I can't wait to start them! And Lesley...we may not have the vampire books in common but we'll have Percy Jackson!

Oh, I have been so busy lately... I am teaching four online classes this summer and the one thing I miss most is not connecting to this group... so I am glad I can stay even if I do not try a Sookie Stackhouse book. Hey Jennifer, have you read the new Plum book? I haven't had time but it is nice just knowing it is out there!

I haven't read it yet, but going to pick it up today or tomorrow. So excited!

What kind of classes do you teach, Lesley?

Hi all! I'm a friend of Jennifer's and Nikki's, and I'm excited to start the challenge, even though its late. I'm going to start with my June books and read 2 for every week left in the year! Yay!

Congratulations to those of you who finished the challenge!!

I had a ton of fun with you this year, I really enjoyed seeing everyone's lists and getting to know everyone better. Happy New Year, and hopefully we'll all be successful on the 2011 Challenge!