Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge Final Check-In!

I actually finished the Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge!  At the beginning of February I was having serious doubts, so I'm pretty impressed with myself for pulling it off.  

Newly Completed:

10 points: Read a book with a food in the title.

Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen.  Eh.  The main character is a photographer and I found myself more interested in her photos than her story.  It wasn't a terrible book - it was just a fairly uneventful one.  I honestly couldn't bring myself to give a damn about any of the characters (except maybe the dog!)  (252 pages, 2.5 stars)

15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language.

Story of O by Pauline Réage.  This was the Vaginal Fantasy pick for February.  Man...I can't decide how I feel about this book.  It's a BDSM story that makes Fifty Shades look like Sesame Street.  I found the story fascinating and disturbing at the same time.  Oh, and a little depressing.  (204 pages, 3.5 stars)

30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title.

The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill.  I listened to the audiobook version of this and the narrator did a wonderful job.  I went in expecting a run-of-the-mill mystery and was pleasantly surprised by some of the elements and twists.  I'm not entirely sure I'll continue into the series, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  (272 pages, 4 stars)

Whiskey for Breakfast by Liliana Hart.  I actually blew through the first book of this Addison Holmes series in one day while I was sick.  The whole series is the literary equivalent of cotton candy: a little silly and not extremely filling, but enjoyable, fun and easy to consume.  If you enjoy mysteries and romance with a bit of humor, I definitely recommend the series. (246 pages, 4 stars)

Previously Completed:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules. (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)
10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books.  (Karma Girl)
10 points: Read a book of short stories.  (Wolfsbane and Mistletoe.)
15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you. (Mind Games)
15 points: Read a book written by a local author.  (Ill Wind)
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title. (Witches of East End)

20 points: Read a "bookish book" in which books play an important role. (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore) 

25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. (Parasite)

25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read. (I Am Malala)

Final Score: 200 points

Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge Check-In #3!

I did a bit better on Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge in January than I did in December.

Newly Completed:

20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title.
Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz.  I keep swinging between 3 and 4 stars for this one.  I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.  It sort of reads like a young adult book, but it does have some sexy times thrown in here and there.  I'm about halfway through the first season of the show and MAN are there a lot of differences.  If you're a fan of either the book or the show, just keep that in mind while heading into the other.  (292 pages, 3.5 stars)

20 points: Read a "bookish book" in which books play an important role. 

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.  The best word I can think of for this book is "charming."  It is definitely a book best for bibliophiles - the ebook vs audiobook vs DTE book element in particular is pretty relatable.  Certain aspects of the story reminded me of Ready Player One, which is one of my all-time favorite books, so that may be part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much.  (288 pages, 5 stars)

25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read. 

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai.  I very rarely read non-fiction and when I do, it's usually a book by some celebrity I have an interest in.  Malala's story is interesting, but her book is a little all over the place and sometimes read like a college entrance essay.  It sort of makes sense given her age, but I definitely think her story would've benefited if she had waited (and matured) a couple of years to write it.  (327 pages, 3.5 stars)

Previously Completed:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules. (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)
10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books.  (Karma Girl)
10 points: Read a book of short stories.  (Wolfsbane and Mistletoe.)
15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you. (Mind Games)
15 points: Read a book written by a local author.  (Ill Wind)
25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. (Parasite)

Current Score: 145 points

Still to go:

10 points: Read a book with a food in the title.
15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title.

Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge Check-In #2!

I read a few books that didn't count for the Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge so didn't make much progress as last month.  Here's what I did accomplish.

Newly Completed:

25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. 
Parasite by Mira Grant. (Song: Parasite by Disturbed)  Some of it was a little predictable, but I really enjoyed it anyway.  I think I liked the Newsflesh trilogy better, but Parasite still managed to hook me and keep me engrossed. (512 pages, 4 stars)

10 points: Read a book of short stories.   

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe.  All of the stories involved werewolves and Christmas.  Some were good, some were awful and some were just plain weird. Unfortunately...there were more awful than good.  (340 pages, 3 stars)

 

Previously Completed:

15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you. (Mind Games)
15 points: Read a book written by a local author.  (Ill Wind)
10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books.  (Karma Girl)

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules. (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)

Current Score: 80 points

Planned:

15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language. 
Battle Royale
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title. 
Witches of East End
20 points: Read a "bookish book" in which books play an important role. 
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read. 
The Woman Who Would Be King

Still to go:

10 points: Read a book with a food in the title. 
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title.

Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge Check-In #1!

I didn't hear about the Semi-Charmed Winter Book Challenge until it had actually started, so I missed the preliminary link up, but I thought I'd share my progress so far!

Completed:

10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books.  
Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep.  This was the November Alt for Vaginal Fantasy Book Club.  I had a really hard time with this one.  It's set in a world where superheroes and villians are real.  I'm not a huge fan of superheroes in general, but there was something about the writing style that just wouldn't quite work for me. (360 pages, 3 stars)  

15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you. 
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane.  This was the November pick for Vaginal Fantasy.  The club chooses a lot of first-in-a-series books, but rarely do I ever go back and pursue the second book on.  The idea of people using their own anxieties as a weapon by channeling them into other people is fascinating, so I might pick up the second book. (371 pages, 4 stars)

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.  I must have checked this out from the library three or four times before actually starting on it.  I generally dislike books that aren't stand alones and practically force you to continue the series.  Fortunately, the characters and story are compelling enough that I'm willing to forgive that. (418 pages, 4 stars)

15 points: Read a book written by a local author.  
Ill Wind by Rachel Caine.  The premise of people who are able to control the weather was promising but there was just something about the book as a whole that didn't really click with me.  I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.  Actually, I didn't feel strongly enough about it to even remember why I gave it three stars.  (337 pages, 3 stars)

Current Score: 45 points

Planned:

10 points: Read a book of short stories.   
Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language. 
Battle Royale
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title. 
Witches of East End
20 points: Read a "bookish book" in which books play an important role. 
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. 
Does it count if it's only one word, but that one word is the name of a song?  If so, Parasite.  If not...we'll see. :)


Still to go:

10 points: Read a book with a food in the title. 
25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read. 
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title.