Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Here is where we post our official lists and update our progress.

1. Read a book which title starts with the letter "J".

2. Read a book picked from a July B-Day celebrant GR shelf. Be sure to specify whose shelf you pick it from.

3. Read a book whose author, setting or character is from the United Kingdom.

4. Summer Heat Theme: Read a book that has one of the following words in its title (Summer, Heat, Hot, Scorching, Fire, Sizzle, Flame, Burn, etc) or has a Hot Summer theme cover.

5. Armchair Holiday: Read a book that is set in a place you would love to go on a summer vacation.

6. Go West: Read a book that has a "Western" theme. (Think cowboys, etc. Can be historical or contemporary)

7. Culinary theme: Read a book that has a "food" name in the title, or a "food" picture on the cover, or a character working in the "food" industry (chef, cook, caterer, etc)

8. Nostalgia Moment: Reread a favorite book.

9. Explore-A-Genre: Read a Young Adult novel or a book with a teen as the main protagonist.

10. Read a book from our Group's shelf or if you joined the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge, your recommended book.

Challenge Duration: July 1 - July 31, 2009

You can choose 3, 5, 8 or all 10 categories depending on your reading speed, books availability and/or time commitment.

PS: You may post your list anytime you like, but NO READING for this challenge until the FIRST of July.

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1. J for July (book)............................The Julius House
2. B-Day Book...................................The Shack (Jes!)
3. UK................................................The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
4. Summer Heat................................Heat and Dust
5. Vacation Spot................................Prey
6. Western........................................The Lonesome Gods
7. Eat Me..........................................Raisin in the Sun
8. Reread..........................................
9. Young Adult.................................Speaker for the Dead
10.Pick-It-For-Me............................

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1. Read a book which title starts with the letter "J".
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
2. Read a book picked from a July B-Day celebrant GR shelf.
Zen and the Art of Vampires by Katie MacAlister
3. Read a book whose author, setting or character is from the United Kingdom.
The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé
4. Summer Heat Theme: Read a book that has one of the following words in its title (Summer, Heat, Hot, Scorching, Fire, Sizzle, Flame, Burn, etc) or has a Hot Summer theme cover.
Sizzle by Jennifer Crusie
5. Armchair Holiday: Read a book that is set in a place you would love to go on a summer vacation.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
6. Go West: Read a book that has a "Western" theme. (Think cowboys, etc. Can be historical or contemporary)
Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson
7. Culinary theme: Read a book that has a "food" name in the title, or a "food" picture on the cover, or a character working in the "food" industry (chef, cook, caterer, etc)
The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair
8. Nostalgia Moment: Reread a favorite book.
You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister
9. Explore-A-Genre: Read a Young Adult novel or a book with a teen as the main protagonist.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
10. Read a book from our Group's shelf or if you joined the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge, your recommended book.

1. J Title- Eileen Wilks - Jacob's Proposal
2. B-Day Celebrant's Shelf- Lora Leigh - Nauti Boy (Paula's shelf)
3. UK Setting- Freya North - Pillow Talk
4. Summer Heat- Katie MacAlister - Fire Me Up
5. Armchair Traveller- Anya Bast - Witch Blood
6. Go West- Anthology - A wish, a kiss, a dream
7. Culinary Theme- Joanne Fluke - Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
8. Nostalgia- Laurell K Hamilton - The Laughing Corpse
9. Explore a Genre- PC Cast - Chosen
10. Pick-it-for-me!-

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July Monthly Reading Challenge
Challenge Duration: July 1 - July 31, 2009

1. "J" Title - James Potter and the Curse of the Gate Keeper by G. Norman Lippert
2. July B-Day - Eating for England The Delights and Eccentricities of the British at the Table by Nigel Slater (Paula)
3. UK - Divided by a Common Language: A Guide to British and American English by Christopher Davies
4. Summer Theme - Summer Mahogany by Janet Dailey (Americana Series: Michigan)
5. Armchair Holiday - Yesterday's Affair by Sally Wentworth (Postcards from Europe - UK)
6. Western - Crossfire Trail by Louis L'Amour
7. Culinary theme - Recipe For Love by Kay Clifford
8. Reread a fav book - Another Fine Myth by Robert Lynn Asprin (Myth Adventures Book 1)
9. YA novel - Now and Zen by Linda Gerber (S.A.S.S. - Students Across the Seven Seas)
10. Group's shelf - Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie

1) starts with J - Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
2) july b-day shelf (Jes) - The Host by Stephenie Meyer
3) UK - Happy Endings by Trisha Ashley
4) summer words - The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires by Katie MacAlister
5) vacation (Chicago) - Cherry Bomb by J.A. Konrath
6) western - Raven and the Cowboy by Sandra Chastain
7) culinary - State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
8) reread - The Vampire Diaries The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith
9) young adult - The Vampire Diaries The Fury and Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith
10) pick-it-for-me -

This is what I have so far:

1. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
2. The Amber Spyglass from Paula's list
3. The Escape From Home
4. Daughter of the Flames
5. Vacation: TBD
6. Go West: TBD
7. Food: TBD
8. Oliver Twist
9. YA: TBD
10. TBD

SALLIE'S JULY MONTHLY CHALLENGE:

1."J" IN TITLE: Just Breathe-Susan Wiggs COMPLETED 07.11
2.JULY B-DAY: Zen & the Art of Vampires-Katie MacAlister (Wendy)COMPLETED 07.07
3.UK: The Other Boleyn Girl-Philippa Gregory COMPLETED 07.06
4.SUMMER HEAT: Hot Stuff-Janet Evanovich
5.ARMCHAIR HOLIDAY: Light of the Moon-Luanne Rice
6.GO WEST: Montana Creeds: Logan
7.CULINARY: Sugar Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke COMPLETED 07.02
8.NOSTALGIA MOMENT: Voyager-Diana Gabaldon
9.EXPLORE-A-GENRE: The 39 Clues-The Maze of Bones - Rick Riordan COMPLETED 07.12
10.PICK IT FOR ME: Still Lake - Mary Stuart

I have decieded to go for 5 books.

1. J in title: Jacob by Jacquely Frank 7-9-09
3. UK: Minx by Julia Quinn 7-2-09
4. Summer Heat theme: Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz 7/1/09
5. Armchair Holiday: When I Fall In Love by Lynn Kurland 7-6-09
8. Nostalgia Moment: Desire by Amanda Quick 7-18-2009 [image error]

This is my very first challenge and I did it lol... Done...............

I'm going to attempt 5 books this month due to all the other challenges I have going on.

1. Starts with "J" - James Potter & the Curse of the Gatekeeper by G. Norman Lippert
3. UK - Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella 7/31
7. Food - Watermelon by Marian Keyes 7/18
8. Reread - Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L. J. Smith
9. YA - Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey 7/4

Toni wrote: "I'm going to attempt 5 books this month due to all the other challenges I have going on.

1. Starts with "J" - James Potter & the Curse of the Gatekeeper by G. Norman Lippert
3. UK - Shopaholic ..."

I see I'm not the only one who used the James Potter books for the "J" for June and July. :0)

1. "J".

2. July B-Day
The Darkest Night - Gena Showalter (Wendy’s)

3. United Kingdom.
The Seduction of The Crimson Rose - Lauren Willig

4. Summer Heat Theme
Natchez Flame - Kat Martin

5. Armchair Holiday: Read a book that is set in a place you would love to go on a summer vacation.
Trouble In MudBug - Jana Deleon

6. Go West:
Promises Reveal - Sarah MacCarty

7. Culinary theme:
Satisfaction - Marianne Stillings

8. Reread a favorite book.
Sweet liar - Jude Deveraux

9. Young Adult
Ghost At Dawn’s House - Ann M. Martin

10. Group's shelf
Kiss And Tell - Cherry Adair

I was shocked to discover that with all of my unread books, I don't have any that start with the letter J. And as I don't have any westerns nor, I must admit, any interest in reading one, I'm going to go with eight books this month. Here is what I have so far...

1. July B-Day celebrant (Wendy): Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
2. Set in the UK: Street Magic by Caitlin Kittredge
3. Summer Heat Theme: Witch Fire by Anya Bast
4. Armchair Holiday:
5. Culinary theme (cake on cover!): Many Bloody Returns - Tales of Birthdays with Bite Anthology
6. Nostalgia Moment: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
7. Explore-A-Genre: The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
8. From our Group's shelf: Tithe A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black

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1. "J" book title - Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
2. July b-day - If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl
3. UK - The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
4. Summer Heat -
5. Armchair holiday -
6. Go West -
7. Culinary theme -
8. Nostalgia moment -
9. Explore-a-Genre - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
10. Group's bookshelf -

Here are my picks!



1. Read a book which title starts with the letter "J" - Jackson’s Pride by Lynn Lorenz

2. Read a book picked from a July B-Day celebrant GR shelf. Be sure to specify whose shelf you pick it from - ReneCade by Cameron Dane (Paula)

3. Read a book whose author, setting or character is from the United Kingdom - Another Chance by Shawn Lane

4. Summer Heat Theme: Read a book that has one of the following words in its title (Summer, Heat, Hot, Scorching, Fire, Sizzle, Flame, Burn, etc) or has a Hot Summer theme cover - On Fire II by Drew Zachary

5. Armchair Holiday: Read a book that is set in a place you would love to go on a summer vacation - All Play & No Work by Carol Lynne

6. Go West: Read a book that has a "Western" theme. (Think cowboys, etc. Can be historical or contemporary)- The Broken H by J.L. Langley

7. Culinary theme: Read a book that has a "food" name in the title, or a "food" picture on the cover, or a character working in the "food" industry (chef, cook, caterer, etc)-The Happy Onion by Ally Blue

8. Nostalgia Moment: Reread a favorite book - Heaven Sent Heaven and Purgatory by Jet Mykles

9. Explore-A-Genre: Read a Young Adult novel or a book with a teen as the main protagonist - Blue Ruin 2 Close to Me by Katrina Strauss

10. Read a book from our Group's shelf or if you joined the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge, your recommended book - With Love by J.L. Langley

Steamy!

1. "J". Jude's Law by Lori Foster
2. July B-Day. Night Hawk by Lora Leigh from Nikki's shelf
3. United Kingdom. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
4. Summer Heat Theme: Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh
5. Armchair Holiday: Perfect For The Beach by Lori Foster
6. Go West: Natural Disaster by Chris Owen
7. Culinary theme: Tempting Adam by Shelli Stevens
8. Nostalgia Moment: For One More Day by Mitch Albom
9. Explore-A-Genre: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
10. Pick-It-For-Me Challenge. Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
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Kasia wrote: "[bookcover:The Lonesome Gods|..."

I hope you enjoy the shack as much as i did! let me know what you think.

Melissa wrote: "
1) starts with J - Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
2) july b-day shelf (Jes) - The Host by Stephenie Meyer
3) UK - [book:Happy Endings..."


let me know what you think of the host! i never discussed its awesomeness with anyone!

Lara wrote: "Will add more later...

1. "J".
2. July B-Day. Night Hawk by Lora Leigh from Nikki's shelf
3. United Kingdom. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
..."


i have never been more proud of you!

Jes wrote: "I hope you enjoy the shack as much as i did! let me know what you think."

Sure will do.

Jes wrote: "Melissa wrote: "
1) starts with J - Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
2) july b-day shelf (Jes) - The Host by Stephenie Meyer
3) UK - [book:..."


I'll be sure to read The Host early in the month then!

I'll post more later or add them on as I read them.

1. Read a book which title starts with the letter "J". Jewel of Atlantis by Gena Showalter

2. Read a book picked from a July B-Day celebrant GR shelf. Be sure to specify whose shelf you pick it from.

3. Read a book whose author, setting or character is from the United Kingdom.

4. Summer Heat Theme: Read a book that has one of the following words in its title (Summer, Heat, Hot, Scorching, Fire, Sizzle, Flame, Burn, etc) or has a Hot Summer theme cover.

5. Armchair Holiday: Read a book that is set in a place you would love to go on a summer vacation.

6. Go West: Read a book that has a "Western" theme. (Think cowboys, etc. Can be historical or contemporary)

7. Culinary theme: Read a book that has a "food" name in the title, or a "food" picture on the cover, or a character working in the "food" industry (chef, cook, caterer, etc)

8. Nostalgia Moment: Reread a favorite book.

9. Explore-A-Genre: Read a Young Adult novel or a book with a teen as the main protagonist.

10. Read a book from our Group's shelf or if you joined the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge, your recommended book.

OK, count me in. Like I need to do another challenge LOL! But goodness these darn things are addictive, and they definitely help a gal prioritize and chip away at her TBR list! I'm going to shoot for 7 of 10:

1. J: n/a
2. B-day: (from Wendy) Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon
3. UK: Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce
4. Heat: The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter
5. Summer: n/a
6. Go West: The Bounty by Beth Williamson
7. Food: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
8. Reread: n/a
9. YA: Her Wiccan, Wiccan Ways by Traci Hall
10. Pick-it-for-Me: Need by Carrie Jones

Lara wrote: "Will add more later...

1. "J". Jude's Law by Lori Foster
2. July B-Day. Night Hawk by Lora Leigh from Nikki's shelf
3. United Kingdom...."

You picked some good ones Lara! I've read the first two Gemma books, still need to read the third. LOVED City of Bones and of course the boys from Bareback and Natural Disaster are fabulous! Happy reading.

Lori, Thanks! I was totally thought of you when I was filling out my list. That's what I am going to do from now on. "What would Lori read?" LOL!

Should be reading my last one for the June Challenge, but here I am posting July:

1. Title starts with the letter "J": Just Like a Man by Elizabeth Bevarly

2. July B-Day celebrant: Paula's shelf: Spell of the Highlander by KM Moning

3. United Kingdom author or setting: Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

4. Summer Heat Theme: Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke

5. Armchair Holiday: Ireland: Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts

6. Go West: Apache Summer by Heather Graham

7. Culinary theme: Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanna Fluke

8. Nostalgia Moment: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

9. Explore-A-Genre: Enchantment by Orson Scott Card

10. Book from our Group's shelf: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini


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Count me in. I'll just post as I go.

Count me in. I'll post my list later.

Here's my list:
* Book that starts with "J": The Julius House by Charlaine Harris FINISHED 7/12

* Book from July B-Day celebrant GR shelf: Rumors by Anna Godbersen FINISHED 7/25

* United Kingdom theme book: When I Fall in Love by Lynn Kurland FINISHED 7/23

* Summer Heat theme book : Fire Me Up by Katie MacAlister FINISHED 7/29

* Armchair Holiday book: Honolulu by Alan Brennert FINISHED 7/28

* Go West book: Another Kind Of Cowboy by Susan Juby FINISHED 7/30

* Culinary theme book: Thou Shalt Not Grill by Tamar Myers FINISHED 7/17

* Nostalgia book: The Black Opal by Victoria Holt FINISHED 7/08

* YA book: Viva Vermont! by Melody Carlson FINISHED 7/02

* Group Shelf book: Have Glass Slippers, Will Travel by Lisa Cach FINISHED 7/05

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"J" title...

GR July b'day...

United Kingdom...

Summer heat...

Armchair holiday...

Western theme...

Culinary theme...

Nostalgia moment...

YoungAdult...

Group shelf...



-/-

First thoughts...

1. title starts with "J":
The Juniper game by Sherryl Jordan.

2. July B-Day celebrant GR shelf:
Lover avenged by JR Ward - from Nikki's shelf.

3. From the UK:
Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen.

4. Summer Heat Theme:
Extremely hot by Jennifer Apodaca.

5. Armchair Holiday:
Beach blanket bad boys by Linda Lael Miller & others.

6. Go West:
The magic of Christmas by Carolyn Davidson and others.

7. Culinary theme:
The bridesmaid's gifts by Gina Wilkins.

8. Nostalgia Moment:
Good omens by Terry Prachett & Neil Gaiman.

9. Young Adult:
Quaking by Kathryn Erskine.

10. Group shelf/Pick-it-for-me:
TBC...

Since this is my first challenge, I'll start with 5, and see how I do from there...

2. July Birthday Shelf:
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (Jes)

6. Western Theme:
Bright Eyes by Catherine Anderson

8. Nostalgia moment:
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks - 7/13/09

9. Explore-A-Genre:
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti - 7/5/09

10. Pick-it-for-me:
Key of Light by Nora Roberts (recommended to by Valerie. Thanks Valerie!)

Maggie:

How did you get the green highlighted color to some of your text?

Lindy-Lane:

On top of the comment box, there is a green highlighted "add book/author" and you click on that, type in whatever, and then it will turn up as green, and as a link to whatever book/author you want. Hope that helps!

Thanks!

No problem! :)

Lara wrote: "Lori, Thanks! I was totally thought of you when I was filling out my list. That's what I am going to do from now on. "What would Lori read?" LOL!"

Oh, I'll corrupt you for sure :)

1. Title starts with J - Jacob - Jacquelyn Frank
2. July B-day celebrant's shelf (Wendy) - One Foot in the Grave - Jeaniene Frost
3. author, setting, or character from UK - The Smoke Thief - Shana Abé
4. Summer Heat Theme - The Darkest Fire - Gena Showalter
5. Set in a place you want to go on vacation - (Colorado) Beneath a Rising Moon - Keri Arthur
6. Western Theme - (cowboy hero) Salt and Silver - Anna Katherine
7. Culinary theme - The Kitchen Witch - Annette Blair
8. Re-read a favorite book - Gale Force - Rachel Caine
9. YA book - Evermore - Alyson Noel
10. Read a book from the group's shelf - Storm Born - Richelle Mead

Oh, hi Jan!! Glad you've joined us ;)

Thanks! I'm excited. I tried to do June's challenge on my own, but I didn't finish. This time I have a better plan! :)

It's ok not to finish, it might leaves you somewhat dissatisfied , but that's all. Anyways, I'll keep my fingers crossed for July, hope the plan will work out!

1. title starts with J-Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
2. July Bday Shelf
3. UK
4. summer heat
5. Armchair Holiday
6. western theme
7. culinary theme
8. Nostalgia moment
9. Ya-Glasshouses by Rachel Caine
10. Groups shelf

I am going to try 4 books as I just started Dragonfly in Amber a few days ago and will need to finish that before I can start on my list.

2. UK - World Without End by Ken Follett
5. Armchair Holiday - Pursuit of Happyness 7/20
9. YA - Eragon
10. Group's shelf - Dead Until Dark 7/15

1. J title: Jacob - Jacquelyn Frank
2. July bday shelf: Kiss of a Demon King - Kresley Cole. Lori's shelf 7/4
3. UK: Street Magic - Caitlin Kittredge or Dark Seduction - Brenda Joyce
4. Summer heat: Heat Stroke - Rachel Caine
5. Holiday: Deadly Desire - Keri Arthur. Australia 7/8
6: Western:
7: Culinary: Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie
8. Nostalgia:Faefever - Karen Marie Moning
9. YA: City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
10. Challenge: If Angels Burn - Lynn Viehl 7/15

1. "J" book - J is for Judgment - Sue Grafton -
2. B'Day (Stephanie) - Lover Awakened - J.R. Ward -
3. UK - Yesterday's Affair - Sally Wentworth - 05/07/09
4. Summer Heat - Fire Me Up - Katie MacAlister -
5. Armchair Holiday - The Touch of Aphrodite - Joanna Mansell - 01/07/09
6. Go West - Once a Cowboy - Linda Warren - 12/07/09
7. Culinary - Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke -
8. Nostalgia - The Story of Diana - Trevor Hall - 09/07/09
9. Y A Book - The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan - 09/07/09
10. Group Shelf - Love Story - Erich Segal - 06/07/09

Dalene wrote: "I am going to try 4 books as I just started Dragonfly in Amber a few days ago and will need to finish that before I can start on my list."

Hi Dalene!! I'm happy to have you here with us, cracking the challenges. And I know , the Dragonfly in Amber, that's quite a thick book!

Jane! You're fast.

1. J for July (book)............................Jeremy Fink and Meaning of Life 7/30
2. B-Day Book (Jes).............................Someone Like You 7/22
3. UK................................................Remember Me? 7/05
4. Summer Heat................................A Thousand Splendid Suns
5. Vacation Spot................................The Last Summer 7/13
6. Western........................................The Man from Stone Creek
7. Eat Me..........................................Comfort Food 7/28
8. Reread..........................................Twilight
9. Young Adult.................................Inkheart 7/14
10.Group Shelf.................................The Devil Wears Prada
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My Tentative List:

RRR July Monthly Challenge List;

1. "J" book - Just One Sip by Katie MacAlister
2. B-day - Red Fire A Gods of Midnight Novel by Deidre Knight (Paula's shelf)
3. UK - The Untamed One by Ronda Thompson
4. Summer Theme - The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires by Katie MacAlister
5. Armchair Holiday - The Kissing Game by Suzanne Brockmann
6. Go West - Devil's Pact by Samantha Cruise
7. Culinary Theme - A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands
8. Nostalgia -
9. Young Adult - Marked by P.C. Cast
10. Pick-It-For-Me - Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson (Maggie's recommendation)