The 104 Book Challenge - 2011 discussion

Well, fellow book nerds, March is as good as done. That means we're a quarter of the way through the challenge already. Many of you are overachievers and are well above the pace of about 26 books by the end of this week to keep on track for 104 books by years end. Some of us are a bit below, but don't fret! There's still plenty of time to catch up.

I gotta tell you, I'm a little overwhelmed by the size of our group this year. We had a small group of about 10 active people in the challenge last year and we were able to keep in touch with each other quite easily. I find it hard to keep up with all the reading lists this year and am thankful for a daily digest of postings that is emailed to me. I peruse it everyday, but still don't feel like I get enough time to really drill down and see what everyone is reading. Hence this new discussion topic.

I thought it would be nice to have a place for us to post the best book we've read during the quarter. That way we don't miss out on the best books of the group, you know?

Here's what I'm suggesting: Post the best book you've read since starting the challenge. Just one. It might be tough to narrow it down, but consider that a good sign. You're lucky enough to be on a great reading streak. You should also tell us what genre of book it falls into and why it's your favorite. There are over 150 members in the group now so we should be able to a great variety of "best yet" books in one spot.

So, let's hear it. What has been your REALLY GOOD READ this quarter? I'm talking to you, too, lurkers. We wanna see what you're reading, too!

Jen

Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR)

Why: It's the Black Dagger Brotherhood, for crying out loud. No further reasoning is needed, true? Maybe the best of the series so far.

Great Idea Jennifer, It's really hard to pick just one but I'd have to say my favorite was The Art of Racing in the RainbyGarth Stein because~
it made me laugh and cry. It was unusual because the story was a dogs story about his master and family and his life and observations of human life. Hoping to be reincarnated as a human man. The art of racing in the rain was not just about how to drive a race car but how to live life.

Barb wrote: "Great Idea Jennifer, It's really hard to pick just one but I'd have to say my favorite was The Art of Racing in the RainbyGarth Stein because~
it made me laugh and c..."
I loved this book and recommended it to my husband who never reads.

This is my favorite book so far this year. It is my book club's April read and I can't wait to discuss it. It concerns an American journalist in France who writes an article about the French imprisoning of Jewish families and their subsequent deporatation to Auschwitz. This article has far reaching effects on her and her family.

Very hard to pick only one book. I've been lucky and only read one book I would truely never want to read again. But if I MUST pick only one, it would be

So hard to choose just one- but I'll say LINGER by Maggie Steivater. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare is a close second though! :)

Kristin wrote: "So hard to choose just one- but I'll say LINGER by Maggie Steivater. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare is a close second though! :)"

I loved Linger and Shiver and am looking forward to Forever. I liked City of Bones but have not read any more in that series. This thread is going to make my to read list even longer.

Ha ha, you are so right Pam!!

I really loved Firelight by Sophie Jordan. It's a fantasy novel. I enjoyed the dicotomy of having a main character that is both completely confident in one skin and entirely awkward in the other, and seeing how she deals with possibly being stuck in the form she favors least.

I loved Pride and Prejudice! It was a first time read and I was definatley not disappointed

I also have read a lot of good books this quarter.I am going to pick a book that is not actually on my list because I read it just before I joined. The Spy by Clive Cussler. This is an adventure novel and not very high minded but I really loved it! It is a great story with a great hero,a little bit of history, and so much fun to read!

I had a hard time with choosing only one book, but I am going to have to go with Room by Emma Donoghue... it was unbelievably great!!

Wench Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Listened to the audio version. Absolutley loved it.

Ooooh, difficult question - especially since I'm trying to break out of my usual genres and it's been hit or miss this quarter. I'd have to say my favorite so far has been American on Purpose. He's got such an off sense of humor on his show and it comes across here as well, tho a bit toned down. (No lip syncing to "Melt With You" with Jamie and Adam from Mythbusters here). He covers serious happenings in his life without being self-pitying. I appreciated being able to have a laugh while reading this on my lunch breaks at work.

by Sherri L. Smith I've read some really good books this last quarter but this one has remained in my mind since I read it and it makes me smile everytime. Also, its the only one that I've purchased additional copies of to give away.

hi, I kind of have a dark taste, like the vampires, ghouls and zombies. I started reading "Left Behind" because I thought the premise was a good one, didn´t know it was a series of 12 books, the are ok. I´m catholic so I try to let the religous aspect of the series be also part of the story

Tolonye wrote: "by Sherri L. Smith I've read some really good books this last quarter but this one has remained in my mind since I read it and it makes me smile everytime..."
I have this book in my library and have not been able to get any of the kids to try it. I will have to add it to my to read list so I can recommend it (since you think so highly of it!)

This is my pick so far! I cant get it out of my head.. just loved it! :-)

Full Dark, No Starsby Stephen King

FD,NS is a book of haunting short stories. Usually, I prefer SK's short stories over his novles. FD,NS is incredibly violent, but they don't involve mythical monsters. Rather, these stories are all about the darkness in human hearts. Although this is not the best book as far as writing, or even plot, this book has stayed with me the most.

I'm on book 49 of the year!

Pam wrote: "
This is my favorite book so far this year. It is my book club's April read and I can't wait to discuss it. It concerns an American journalist in France who writes ..."

I read that book too this quarter and I agree, it was my favorite book also. Nice choice.

"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand is probably the best
thing I read this quarter. Nonfiction, about a soldier taken prisoner during WWII, a real page-turner. My 96-year-old grandfather was a POW, so it
helped me better understand what he may have gone through. (He refuses to talk about the experience.)

I just finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and loved it!

Bri wrote: "I just finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and loved it!"

I'm really looking forward to the movie (although it won't be as good as the book. They rarely are!)

My favorite book of 2011 has been The Other Wes Moore. A fascinating look at two lives, a compelling true story. "Two kids with the same name, liv­ing in the same city. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, dec­o­rated com­bat vet­eran, White House Fel­low, and busi­ness leader. The other is serv­ing a life sen­tence in prison for felony mur­der. Here is the story of two boys and the jour­ney of a generation."

I definitely recommend~!

I am a little behind on my goal, but I think my favorite book this quarter was by Harlan Coben. Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors and he did not disappoint me in this book at all. It was a very good read. I don't want to give anything away, but basically it is about "spying" on your kids thru their computer. Just how far is how far to keep your kids safe.

I'm checking out the reccomendations.. some very interesting reads. Since I like to mix up my genres I think I may try American on Purpose and Sarahs Key. I just finished Water for Elephants. Very good!

Barb wrote: I think I may try American on Purpose and Sarahs Key. ..."

Hey, I know that book! :) Hope you like American on Purpose like I did.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf....

I found "American on Purpose" in a sale catalog,
but my teenager grabbed it before I could start
reading. Hopefully I'll get a crack at it soon.

I read of course Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and this was the first time I have read it, but I am glad that I did. I now truly understand why people love this book so much!!

I only get to pick one?

I would have to say The Emperor of Nihon-Ja by John Flanagan. It was a wonderful end to a great series. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a YA book. I'm thirty and I can't get enough of his work! There is plenty of action, some (light) romance and I love how another culture has been highlighted here.

If you haven't checked out the Ranger's Apprentice series, I highly reccomend it.

The greatest thing about Good Reads is that no longer am I aimlessly wandering book shelves looking for what I hope is a good book. Armed with the Good Reads app on my iPhone, I can enter a bookstore and pick a book on my Good Reads list after having checked it against people who have similar tastes. I've read A LOT of great books so far this year. I've only had one that I hated. 1 in nearly 40 is awesome!

Sandra (I don't read, I devour.) wrote: "I only get to pick one?

I would have to say The Emperor of Nihon-Ja by John Flanagan. It was a wonderful end to a great series. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a YA book. ..."

I love the Ranger Apprentice series as well. I think this latest book is one of the best of the bunch. At the back of my book, there was a little blurb that said Flanagan was writing more of the series. Have you heard that? My book came from New Zealand so maybe it was different.

Nanci wrote: "Sandra (I don't read, I devour.) wrote: "I only get to pick one?

I would have to say The Emperor of Nihon-Ja by John Flanagan. It was a wonderful end to a great series. Don't be pu..."

What I've heard is that there will be a 12th book in the Ranger's Apprentice series (#11 is Lost Tales), and that he's starting a new series in the same universe with different characters. I've had students raving about the series for five years; they're definitely on the list to read!

Mary wrote: "Nanci wrote: "Sandra (I don't read, I devour.) wrote: "I only get to pick one?

I would have to say The Emperor of Nihon-Ja by John Flanagan. It was a wonderful end to a great serie..."

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Amy wrote: "The greatest thing about Good Reads is that no longer am I aimlessly wandering book shelves looking for what I hope is a good book. Armed with the Good Reads app on my iPhone, I can enter a bookst..."

I totally agree with you Amy, of course my TBR list has grown out of control, but I love that I can check a book out via my friends here at Goodreads....

Linda wrote: "I am a little behind on my goal, but I think my favorite book this quarter was by Harlan Coben. Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors and he did not disappoint me..."

I read this book on your recommendation and loved it. His books are all so good. Tell No One is my favorite so far.

Pam I'm glad you liked it, I did as well.... Harlan Coben is definetly one of my favorite authors.

My new vote is The Maze Runner series although book #3 isn't out until October. I read both books #1 and #2 respectively in 6 hours each. They were awesome!

Linda wrote: "Amy wrote: "The greatest thing about Good Reads is that no longer am I aimlessly wandering book shelves looking for what I hope is a good book. Armed with the Good Reads app on my iPhone, I can en..."

My "to read" list will soon be longer than my "read" list. I seem to love browsing for new books as much as I love reading them!

Barb wrote: "Great Idea Jennifer, It's really hard to pick just one but I'd have to say my favorite was The Art of Racing in the RainbyGarth Stein because~
it made me laugh and c..."

Loved this book!!!

Bri wrote: "I just finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and loved it!"

I highly recommend her book "Ape House". Great book!

This is my favorite for the quarter! It's a quick read & absolutely fabulous! Highly recommend! ;-)