You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Please report your completion of your challenge book here.


1. What book did you read (please link).
2. Which task did you have to read, and why it fits the task.
3. What was your overall impression of the book.

I amended message one to add that you must tell us why the book you chose fits your task. It's not enough to say you got task 5. You must say that you live in whatever country and the book is also set there, or the author lives nearby.

The challenge theme is "about you", so please tell us about yourself.

I finished my book!
1. Het meisje dat poppen liet spreken by Pep Bras (the title means: the girl that made dolls talk).
2. task 2 - I had never even heard of this writer; he is from Barcelona and on Goodreads I only saw the Spanish and Dutch versions of this book - so I don't know if it is translated in any other languages...
3. 5 stars! I really loved this book! The first part takes place on a small island by the coast of Brazil. It is about the great-grandfather of the writer and how he met his wife and how his daughter (the writer's grandmother) was born. The writing style reminded me a lot of Isabel Allende, which is one of my favourite writers!
The second part of the book took place in Paris, France and was more about the girl (= grandmother of the writer) and how she came to 'make dolls talk'. This reminded me so much of another one of my favourite writers: Joanne Harris!
So much so that I just HAD to read a book by her! I had only one that I hadn't read: De zoetheid van perziken (Peaches for Father Francis), so I have already started that!
Not such a good idea for my Serial Killing, since it is part 3 of the Chocolat-series, which would give me 35 points - and I already have 90....! But I couldn't help myself! ;)

I'm glad you enjoyed your book, Elspeth. It sounds interesting.

You can count the Peaches for Father Francis as 5 points towards your 100.

Janice wrote: "I'm glad you enjoyed your book, Elspeth. It sounds interesting.

You can count the Peaches for Father Francis as 5 points towards your 100."

Yes, but it also ends the trilogy, which would give me another 30!

Ahh! Gotcha. I missed the "35 points". I was thinking that you hadn't read the first 2 books.

Janice wrote: "Ahh! Gotcha. I missed the "35 points". I was thinking that you hadn't read the first 2 books."

Luckily I did, since otherwise I would have missed a lot of information in this one, which I now (at least partly, since it's been awhile since I read the first 2) do get!

Just finished my book for this challenge:


1. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
2. My task for the crypto challenge was #3. I picked this book because I liked its retro drawings, it reminded me of my own childrens books.
3. I rated this book a 3 stars, my brief review
I read this book with my son, which enjoyed it as well. We also listened to the audio version which is equally great and we will probably continue the series.

1. I read by Josephine Angelini
2. My task for this challenge was #3. I loved this cover because it looks like a woman standing on a cliff waiting for her lost love. Yes, I am a romantic at heart.
3. I loved this book. It combines two of my favorite story lines: Greek Mythology and star-crossed lovers. I have to give this one a 5 star rating as I am dying to know what happens next!

I can't believe that for once I finished a challenge task so early in the month! Usually I tend to finish towards the end. But it was a very quick read (and I need to return it to tbe library tomorrow, LOL!).

1. I read Mies kuumasta by Jarkko Sipilä . Sipilä is a Finnish author, writes crime fiction.
2. I had to read task #5. The book fits the task as it is set in Finland and the author is Finnish, as am I.
3. Overall impression, hmmm... I've read several of the same series earlier, and I think it should come to an end eventually. I gave the book two stars, which in my vocabulary means an okay read, nothing special, not especially recommendable, but not a total waste of time either. I like it that the book is set in Helsinki and it mentions the places (street names, bars etc.) where the characters meet and move, so I can easily picture the happenings, since I know many of the places.

1) I read for this challenge
2) I had task #3 and I absolutely love this cover; I love the colours, I love the illustration and it fits perfectly the story
3) It is a #5 book in a serie about kids waking up after a awful storm and they found out that adults are missing and everything has changed around them. So it is about their survival in a hostile environment. I absolutely love it, gave this one 5 stars.

It's only Oct 5th and we already have several who have completed their books!

I finished mine too! *shock*

I read The Rithmatist .

I had task #2. I picked The Rithmatist because I had never read Brandon Sanderson. I have heard lots of good things about him and fantasy is one of my favourite genres.

I rated this 5 stars. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this world. The story was intricate and I could visualize the offensive and defensive drawings. I loved how the clockwork devices were understated which made it feel natural. This is the first steampunk book that I have given 5 stars to.

Janice, he's one of my favorite authors, if you like fantasy you' love his Mistborn trilogy (The Final Empire is the first book).

I have The Final Empire on my wishlist. I must give it more priority.

I read From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava for the challenge. I was given task #4 & I love dogs so I read this book about a Marine who brought a dog home from Iraq.

This was a touching story about a Marine who finds a young puppy alone in an abandoned house in Fallujah, falls in love with him and tries desperately to get the dog to America. I thought it was really sweet that companies like Iams and NPR went above and beyond to do everything they could to get Lava on a flight to the U.S. It felt like mountains had to be moved to get the pup cleared to leave and danger was always lurking around the next bend.

I guess it's pretty obvious from your avatar, Jessica, that you love dogs. :)

Jessica wrote: "I read From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava for the challenge. I was given task #4 & I love dogs so I read this book about a Marine who brought a dog home f..."

Thanks for the recommendation of

Elsbeth wrote: "I finished my book!
1. Het meisje dat poppen liet spreken by Pep Bras (the title means: the girl that made do..."

I loved the movie Chocolat - now I have to read the series.

1. What book did you read? I read The Host
2. Which task did you have to read, and why it fits the task? I ended up with task #5, and The Host fits the task because:
a) I live about 85 miles from Picacho Peak State Park
b) I live in the same city as the author
3. What was your overall impression of the book? The Host is one of my favorite books. I've lost count how many times I've read. It might be a little long, but I have no idea what I would cut from the book to make it shorter :)

I agree, Lanelle. I have read the book many times too.

1. What book did you read? I read The Art of Hearing Heartbeats bu Jan-Phillip Sendler
2. Which task did you have to read, and why it fits the task? I had task number 1, My first name is Jan
3. What was your overall impression of the book? I was alright, but not great. I gave it three stars out of five. It kept me interested throughout but I hoped all along that the ending would be more than it was.

The Killing Lessons was my choice for task 2. If it weren't for a serial killer plot I've read many time before, this book would have earned a 5 star rating. It's very well written and quite suspenseful.

Everyone has been busy knocking off their challenge reads. Tracked to here.

I have finished Pines. I really liked this book. I read this for challenge #2.

When I was a kid my mother lived on the Sci-Fi channel, still does! If my dad was not watching Star Trek, she was watching Picket Fences. I was only about 12 when it was on, and always complained when she watched it, but I always listened! The author was also a fan of the show and this book was his attempt to create a similar world. I read this in hopes that it would remind me of those nights and those complaints I made! and it did a good job!

I hope you dive into book 2 and 3 of the series, Kelly. It's a really good series.

Kelly B wrote: "I have finished Pines. I really liked this book. I read this for challenge #2.

When I was a kid my mother lived on the Sci-Fi channel, still does! If my dad was not watching Star T..."

Kelly, this book sounds really good. I've added to my TBR.

I'm loving the Wayward Pines series. Just book 3 to go for me. Just downloaded the series to check out too.

I read Timbuktu for task 4. I am definitely a dog person, but surprisingly this was my first book about a dog...

I found the beginning of the book confusing and quite boring, but I thought: "It's not that long, I can make it". After the first third, the story picked up and I started enjoying it much more. The book is told from the perspective of Mr.Bones, a dog that belongs to Willy G. Christmas. After him, Mr.Bones changes a couple of more masters. I enjoyed viewing our world from his perspective. He would understand what people say, but he only learns from his masters. Thus, for example, the word "vacation" means stopping work and sitting on the couch with one of his owners, and going traveling with others. The overall story is about love, humanity and loyalty. I enjoyed the book and gave it 3 stars.

Kirila wrote: "I read Timbuktu for task 4. I am definitely a dog person, but surprisingly this was my first book about a dog...

I found the beginning of the book confusing and quite boring, but I thou..."

I rather like Mr Bones as a name for a dog. It tickles my funny bone.

Kelly B wrote: "I have finished Pines. I really liked this book. I read this for challenge #2.

When I was a kid my mother lived on the Sci-Fi channel, still does! If my dad was not watching Star T..."

I love Picket Fences and I was so disappointed when it was cancelled.

I read Lilliput for task 3. This book can be include in Gulliverania (books inspired in Gulliver's Travels book, set in its time and place, but written by other authors).
I liked the cover as soon as I saw it. I liked the idea of a sequel of Gulliver's Travels, since it is a book I really enjoyed. In addition I thought it would be great to review it for my blog. I'm working a lot in my children literature's blog, so including it in the challenge seems to do it even more "about myself".
The book is good. The story is great. I didn't rate or reviewed it yet because I'm feeling too emotional right now, but it will be a 4 or 5 stars. It's all about friendship, respect, help, support and love. I'm really glad I found it by chance.

Joan wrote: "Elsbeth wrote: "I finished my book!
1. Het meisje dat poppen liet spreken by Pep Bras (the title means: the g..."

I hope you'll love that, too! I finished part 3 a few days ago and thought it really good (just like the first 2)!

The Big Book of Pain: Torture & Punishment Through History by Mark P. Donnelly and Daniel Diehl



Task #2 both authors are new to me.


I gave it 3 stars because after 70% mark it became dictionary of torture instruments and repeative.

The authors were more focussed on western Europe, especilly England's history of torture and punishments. I felt that China, Japan, India and Africa were mentioned just to be compared with England.

I did like the introduction were the authors talked about torture and punishments in anciet cultures.

Task 3 DNW N OUKPI JDNJ ZUX JDRGS RW APNXJRCXF

The Marvels has gold ship sailing on the backs of intricately gold filigree-like fire dragons, under a blue sky of gold stars, moon and birds. Inside are numerous pages of drawn pictures which tell a story without any words. After 300+ pages the story switches to text for about 200 pages and then concludes in drawings again.

It is a beautiful book and a surprising story. I gave it 5 stars.

Great covers Sandra and Almeta, each in their own unique way.

I'm not sure how you made it through that book, Anna. I read Night of the Ripper in which the author prefaced each chapter with examples of torture throughout history. I had to quit reading them because they were so disturbing.

I'm glad to know you liked that one, Almeta. I'm in the library waiting list right now.

I read The Abundance by Amit Majmudar.
I had task 2, and I've never read anything by this author before. This was recommended to me by a friend and I've been meaning to read it for a while now. I enjoyed the story, though was disappointed overall as I was expecting more from it.

Sandra wrote: "I'm glad to know you liked that one, Almeta. I'm in the library waiting list right now."

Despite its heft it is a quick read. I hope that you enjoy it.

Almeta wrote: "Task 3 DNW N OUKPI JDNJ ZUX JDRGS RW APNXJRCXF

The Marvels has gold ship sailing on the backs of intricately gold filigree-like fire dragons, under ..."

This sounds fascinating!

Janice wrote: "I'm not sure how you made it through that book, Anna. I read Night of the Ripper in which the author prefaced each chapter with examples of torture throughout history. I had to quit reading them because they were so disturbing. "

I grow up reading Horrible Histories :p

I read Murder on the Cliffs for task 3--a beautiful cover. It might be more accurate to call this cover "striking" but I like it. The book is a mystery, and our amateur sleuth point-of-view character is young Daphne Du Maurier, who plans to be a writer some day. She is visiting in Cornwall, staying with a family friend not far from a cliff that is topped by a large, beautiful but kind of creepy house called "Padthaway." Daphne takes a walk on the beach her first morning there, and discovers the body of a beautiful woman, who turns out to be the fiance of the Lord who lives in the house on the cliffs. As a mystery, it is competent but not outstanding. There are some loose ends. But reading the book was a lot of fun because of the Du Maurier/Rebecca references. (Young girl, wandering around creepy house, thinking: "I could write a book . . ..") I gave the book three stars.

When I was in junior high school (about ages 11-13), I was a huge fan of Mary Stewart, and books like Nine Coaches Waiting. I read every book of hers I could get my hands on. Murder on the Cliffs has a little of the same atmosphere as those old Mary Stewart books.

I read The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan for Task #3.

I was drawn in by the cover as soon as I saw it. The stars that are dotted all over it reminded me of the UK cover of one of my favourite books, The Night Circus. The book underneath the dust jacket is very pretty too as it has images of the sea, stars and mermaids on it. The whole thing has a very whimsical, fantastical look about it which ties in really well with the plot of the book.

I really enjoyed this book and gave it 4 stars. It's a fantasy novel set in a world that has been flooded and has elements of Scottish folklore woven in. It's beautifully written, the world is really well realised and I really liked the two main characters. However, I felt it was a little bit slow to get going and as a result, I found that it took me a while to get into it which is why it lost a star in the end.

Casceil wrote: "When I was in junior high school (about ages 11-13), I was a huge fan of Mary Stewart, and books like Nine Coaches Waiting. I read every book of hers I could get my hands on. Murder on the Cliffs has a little of the same atmosphere as those old Mary Stewart books..."

I did not recognize the book you indicated, but I had to look up her name. I read most of her books and loved the Arthurian Saga books so much!

Almeta wrote: "Task 3 DNW N OUKPI JDNJ ZUX JDRGS RW APNXJRCXF

The Marvels has gold ship sailing on the backs of intricately gold filigree-like fire dragons, under ..."

Almeta,
this book sounds fascinating - good grief I've added another book to my to-read list!

I read Joan of Arc: Her Story for task #1 - my name is Joan too. I learned that in truth she was Joan Darc not Joan D'Arc.
I love non-fiction history, I prefer books with some excerpts from primary sources and this book offers both, as well as being by a noted historian. I gave it 4 stars- I really enjoyed the information and the story but at times it read like an old fashioned history text book - date/place name ad infinitum. Best of all it left me with a new author to read Christine Pisan - a 15th century poet and novelist.

my review is here

Tracked to here. I'm really enjoying everyone's comments.

I had task #4, and chose to read The Night of Wishes by Michael Ende (author of The Neverending Story). I'm definitely a cat person, and little Mauricio Di Mauro is quite the protagonist! I loved The Neverending Story as a child, and I'm afraid that may have set the bar too high for this one. Still, it was a cute story. My son is just about to turn two, so I only read parts of it to him as his attention span allowed. He enjoyed the illustrations, and I enjoyed the time we spent together.

Brittany,
Do you recommend The Night of Wishes as a gift for 2-4 year-olds? I am a stepgranny and always on the lookout for gift books.

Joan wrote: "I read Joan of Arc: Her Story for task #1 - my name is Joan too. I learned that in truth she was Joan Darc not Joan D'Arc.
I love non-fiction history, I prefer books with some excerpts..."

Excellent review, Joan. Daunting book from the sound of it tho I do enjoy nonfiction, especially biographies and memoirs.

Janice wrote: "Tracked to here. I'm really enjoying everyone's comments."

Me too, Janice - and my to read list continues to grow!