Monday, December 20, 2010

Fall Into Reading Challenge Recap



Where has the time gone? Christmas is upon us, 2011 is about to become a reality; and though it snowed last week, it officially becomes winter today, which means the Fall into Reading Challenge has come to an end.

So, here is a recap of my list, and what, in reality, I have read.


Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynn Truss
I had started, really I had, but I didn't finish it.  It was placed back on the bookshelf, and collecting some more dust, until I find my reading mojo to pick it up, again.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Read it.  Loved it!  It became known as my 600+ page vampire book.  I am not into the vampire genera, but this book is a little more then that, it is part mystery, part suspense, and part research project.

The Innocent Man by John Grisham
Started it, skimmed it, listed it on Paperback Swap.  We are moving on

So, that was the original list, and I still had plenty of time before the challenge ended.  Thankfully, a friend recommended two books from her own collection:

Ransome's Honor and Ransome's Crossing, both by Kaye Dacus.   OK, I confess, Christian fiction, especially romantic Christian fiction, is not my genre of choice.  However, I found these books well written and entertaining; and though the plots were slightly predictable, the details tying together the plot kept me intrigued.  So intrigued, when I finished the second I was begging my friend for the third installment, Ransome's Quest, and was disappointed to hear that it wouldn't be published until July. 

After finishing those two books, I moved on to my new reading plan.

At the start of the challenge I browsed other participating blogs, and was given several great book ideas.

The first suggestion was to reread former favorites.  Like recipes, I like to read a book once, and move on.  Which doesn't explain why I also like to collect books, if I only read them once.  However, I'm thinking another round of Edith Wharton, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, George Eliot, Jane Austen, and maybe a Bronte sister, or two.  

I haven't followed through on this, yet, but I'm thinking spring reading challenge.

The second suggestion:  Read what my kids are reading.  The kids are venturing into 200/300+ page books, lots of pages, lots of words, lots of information.  What are they reading?

I started with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and still working my way through the series. 

The book pile on my bedside table is growing, some with youth fiction, the rest being a new supply of  books, which I'm holding on to until our vacation in February. 

And, while we are talking new books, what have you read, and what would your recommend?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I reeeaally want to read The Historian, it looks so good but haven't gotten around to it yet. I think the two best I read this fall were Mockingjay and Anne of Green Gables. I've been reading The Percy Jackson series, too and like it better with each book.

A Faithful Journey said...

I really enjoyed this challenge and am looking forward to starting up again in the Spring!

I saw you mentioned wanting to read more from Jane Austen. Well...I am hosting a Jane Austen 2011 Challenge! Stop on by my blog for details! ;)

Merry Christmas!

Jolanthe said...

Laurianna just read the first Percy Jackson book...in one day. What other books do you suggest for their age?

And I find it highly ironic that the punctuality book was started...and then put off. :)

Julie said...

My favorite books that I chose for the challenge were: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, The Last Brother by Natacha Appanah (out in February), Strangers at the Feast by Jennifer Vanderbes, and Saints in Limbo by River Jordan. For middle readers (my son is 10), the best was The Bootlegger's Secret by Michael Springer.
Like you, I've been reading some of my son's books because, like television, computer, and video games, I want to know what he's reading and make certain that they are appropriate. He's reading the 39 Clues series (really good, by the way) and has also started the Seekers series (after reading all of the Warriors' series so far)
WTG on your challenge list!

Kara said...

I've really enjoyed the challenge! I'm going to have to check out a couple of these...

Katrina @ Callapidder Days said...

I haven't read any Kaye Dacus books, but have seen several bloggers recommend her...

I find it so hard to keep up with what my tween is reading! He reads fast, he reads big books, and if I completely kept up with him, I'd have no time for other reading!

Thanks for being part of the challenge. Happy New Year!