Cover to Cover Challenge discussion

Greetings and Hello!

Considering my reading speed and the amount I've historically read each year . . . it is highly unlikely I will hit 144 books this year. But I'm sure going to try! :)

*~*~* Currently Reading *~*~*

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve ~ Started May 2, 2010
The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir



*~*~* Finished Books for 2010 *~*~*
1. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly ~ Finished Jan 31, 2010 ~ ★★★☆☆

2. Soulless by Gail Carriger ~ Finished Feb 11, 2010 ~ ★★★★★
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho ~ Finished Feb 13, 2010 ~ ★★☆☆☆
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams ~ Finished Feb 14, 2010 ~ ★★★★☆
5. Jane Bites Back: A Novel by Michael Thomas Ford ~ Finished February 21, 2010 ~ ★★★☆☆
6. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris ~ Finished February 28, 2010 ~ ★★★☆☆
7. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling ~ Finished February 28, 2010 ~ ★★★★☆
8. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket ~ Finished February 28, 2010 ~ ★★★★★

9. Better Read Than Dead by Victoria Laurie ~ Finished March 8, 2010 ~ ★★★★☆
10. The Art of Happiness at Work by Dalai Lama XIV ~ Finished March 21, 2010 ~ ★★★★☆

11. The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett ~ Finished April 11, 2010 ~ ★★★★☆

12. Changeless by Gail Carriger ~ Finished May 5, 2010 ~ ★★★★☆

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I squeaked in The Book of Lost Things at the very last minute on January 31st. So at least I read one book for January!

I'm definitely starting to see how I choose to do a lot of other things besides read, and that maybe if I shut down the computer, the game stuff, the TV, etc, I could get much closer to hitting 144 this year. It's a huge change for me. It isn't that I don't want to read, or am forcing myself to read, but the easy thing to do is stay in my old habits. I definitely want to work on breaking those old habits and enriching my mind more. So we'll see!

Woot! I finished [image error] . Loved it.

This is the fastest I've gone through a book in a while. Spurred on by my 144 in 2010 Challenge (Ha! I'll be lucky to hit 50, a girl can dream though) but also the fact I didn't want to put this book down. I loved everything about it. I thought the story was clever, a fresh twist on paranormal life (admittedly I don't read a ton of paranormal fantasy type books, but still!), the characters were endearing and engaging and the writing style itself was incredibly appealing. I was frequently using the Kindle's built in dictionary to look up words I wasn't horribly familiar with or hadn't seen used in a certain context before and I came away feeling quite Victorian and British.

This isn't a typical vampire novel. I'm not usually into that genre of book. But this novel had a little bit of a lot of things all smushed together in an amazing smorgasbord of vampire, werewolf, paranormal, steampunk, romance, mystery, humor, and win all wrapped into a few hundred pages (or thousand Kindle locations ;) ) of fun. I enjoyed the entire experience of reading this book and cannot wait for the next book in the series to be released!

Started: February 1, 2010
Finished: February 11, 2010

Woo! I cannot believe I finished another book in 3 days time! Read .

By far one of the fastest reads I've ever had. And that's about the only positive thing I have to say about this book. Written in an Epic Fairytale style, I wanted to like the story. A million people (okay that might be an exaggeration) told me I'd love this book. And maybe my personal life status and disgruntlement with certain things in general colored my reading of this novel, but at the end, all I could think of was, "Eh . . ."

The writing itself wasn't bad. I'm not sure I cared for the translation, and many aspects of the story were repeated over and over and over and over and over and over and over and . . . you get the point. The opening of the book held promise, but I found a lot of the thoughts of the main character to be juvenile and unworldly, if you will, and fully expected a maturing and more intellectual ending. And it didn't come. Instead the author merely continues to repeat the themes dragged out and thrown in the reader's face a multiplicity of times during the entirety of the book.

I consider myself fairly spiritual and introspective, and although this book, at first, appeared to offer some potentially intriguing new insights into self-assessing and life journeying, in the end, it failed to deliver.

Started: February 11, 2010
Finished: February 13, 2010

And I have now finished

I've been meaning to read the entire Hitchhiker's Guide series of books for ages. This weekend I finally read the first at least! It was highly amusing, well written and clever. It was easy to read this book quickly because the pace keeps up and the witty and often sarcastic humor never ends. My reason for knocking it down to only a 4 star read is that, personally, I found the character development a bit lacking. I don't feel like I really understand or care deeply about any of the characters after reading this book. However, I fully intend to continue reading the next installments because the writing and story are terribly amusing. And of course, the book is far superior to the movie(s) I've seen of this story.

Started: February 13, 2010
Finished: February 14, 2010

Rebecca wrote: "Woo! I cannot believe I finished another book in 3 days time! Read .

By far one of the fastest reads I've ever had. And that's about the only positive thing I have to ..."

Rebecca: I'm so glad I'm not the only one who was disappointed in this book. It had a great premise but as it went on (and on and on) it just didn't fulfill its promises. I may read another of his but I will be selective in what I choose. I'm not interested in reading everything he wrote. Vicky

Finally got through Book 5 -

The biggest testimony about my enjoyment of this books comes in the form of an answer to the question "Will you read the next book?" My answer? Yes. But I won't be rushing out to download it to my Kindle the second it is released or anything of that nature.

This book must be taken with a grain of salt. Firstly, the draw of the novel is the fact Jane Austen is the supposed main character. Really, the main character of this book is nothing like Austen would have been, or I imagine, would be, even as a modern day vampire. This is somewhat forgiven by the fact Jane is, at times, a quite likable character, and her musings on her own popularity and the onslaught of spin off works currently assailing the market is amusing.

On the whole, the majority of this novel is cute and fun and a fast paced supernatural and mystery type read.

However, I found the myriad author-turned-vampire characters to be a mistake. Ford could have cleverly intertwined a variety of "celebrity" vampires, or just interesting fictional people that Jane had encountered over the years. I found the insertion of multiple big name author vampires to be hokey and rolled my eyes. Additionally, there were a few sections where Jane's behavior I found out of character even for the character Ford had built. This issue somewhat resolved itself near the end, and is part of the reason why I'd be likely to read the next novel someday.

My final issue with this book is a biggie though. Without revealing too much in the way of "spoilers", there is a portion of the book and a particular scene wherein Jane is sexually blackmailed by another character and essentially forced into a sexual encounter she does not desire to have. Ford later makes light of the situation and Jane's reaction to and behavior regarding it I found utterly disturbing. It was an archaic view of feminine sexuality that women like to bossed into bed against their wills and the next morning will swoon and flutter in love with the assaulter. It's reminiscent of the scene from Gone with the Wind (the movie version at least) where Rhett essentially rapes Scarlett and she's giddy as a school girl about it the next morning. I thought Ford's handling of the situation, and its inclusion in this novel at all, was a huge detriment to an otherwise amusing book.

Issues with the book aside, it is a fun read, with moments of doldrum, that if you can read through, the rest is a bit of vampire fun circling around the publishing world. I thought Ford's best moments were in writing about the writing world itself, being an author, and all things literary in the book. I definitely would not recommend this to anyone who is hoping for an authentic "Austen-esque" experience though.

Started: February 15, 2010
Finished: February 21, 2010

Hurray! I finished book #6 - - just like I wanted to before the end of the month!

Dead Until Dark started off a bit slowly for me. I found the writing style to be a bit uncleverly crafted and kept wondering why in the world Harris kept using certain phrases (as an example, even after we learn the vampire's name, Sookie continues to refer to him as "my vampire" or "the vampire" - it seemed . . . odd . . . the way it was done). I was about 25-50ish pages into this book before it really started to capture my interest and get exciting.

The book remains fairly fast paced and exciting, though I found the twists of the book highly predictable, and the multiplicity of sex scenes from about mid-way of the book till the end to be somewhat redundant and unnecessary. However, I found myself liking the main characters, and wanting to know what happens next. I have hope that, like many authors of series, Harris' writing about these people and their lives will improve. I have also found myself frequently a bit underwhelmed by first books in series, for some reason, and highly enjoying the next volumes. I will definitely be giving the next in the Sookie Stackhouse series a read, but maybe after I feel less burned out on vampire books.

Started: February 21, 2010
Finished: February 28, 2010

Aaanndddd book #7 - - bites the dust!

Tales of the Beedle Bard is a quick and light read, meant to enhance some of the main elements in the Harry Potter series, especially ones mentioned in the final book. Written as morality type fairy tales, Rowling goes one better than just telling tales and inserts commentary and notes from Dumbledore which I found educational and adorable.

I think Rowling really could have added a bit more meat to these stories, but honestly, anything that adds to the Harry Potter experience always makes me happy. I don't see myself picking this up to re-read anything in it anytime soon (unlike my HP books which I've lost count of the number of times I've read them all), but it will definitely hold a permanent place on my bookshelf along with my other HP volumes.

Started: February 28, 2010
Finished: February 28, 2010

And I have now finished what amounts to my 3rd book for today - -. Mwuaahahahah!

Okay so Beedle Bard and Snicket aren't exactly complex or lengthy - but I did it! I buckled down and read essentially the majority of today! Go me!

Having already seen the movie of this (and the next two books) I went into the reading with some expectations about how things would play out. I generally like to do things the other way round, and read the book first, but in this case I don't think it mattered. Both tellings of this story are very cleverly done and each has its own unique elements that make them both enjoyable separately.

I really enjoyed the voice of the author in this book. Instead of merely recounting a tale, Mr. Snicket is somewhat of a participant, or at the very least, a noted observer, of the events that unfold for the children in the book. I really enjoyed that element of the telling and think it gives the Lemony Snicket series something to set it apart from other books of a similar nature. I did, however, find myself wanting more information about who Mr. Snicket is and why he has gathered this information on the orphans and why he is recounting it now. This may be something I missed when the series originally was released, or may be something I can investigate further online, or, I'm hoping, will be something revealed in the next books.

I will definitely be reading the next few (even though I already know the story somewhat from the movie) and highly recommend these as great, quick, uplifting (yes uplifting!) reads for both kids and adults. The stories are dark and tragic, the poor kids!, but I think the fact the children use their wits, smarts and cunning to overcome obstacles and face down hardship is really a great message and gives an air of hope and happiness to the books. So there. Uplifting!

Started: February 28, 2010
Finished: February 28, 2010

Finished - my first book for March and book #9 for the year total!

Another cute Psychic Eye Mystery from Victoria Laurie. This second book in the series I found much darker than the first. A lot more violence and danger were present throughout, and I was a bit disappointed with the romance (or lack thereof) in this book. I was really hoping after reading the first book that this next part would flush out Abby's relationship with Dutch more. I also would have liked to see more of Abby at work - after finishing this book I realized we barely got to see her giving readings (though plenty of psychic fun does occur) and that was one of my favorite parts of the first novel.

Complaints aside, I highly enjoyed reading this and enjoy the writing style (though Laurie did repeat a couple phrases a few too many times for my liking - "companionable silence" seemed to be a favorite, as an example) and will definitely be reading the next!

Started: February 28, 2010
Finished: March 8, 2010

Bah! Once again my reading has slowed down. However, I did manage to finish early this morning.

The book took me quite a while to get through. Part of it was my own distraction with other books, but another part was the fact I didn't find this book quite as enlightening and enthralling as plain old Art of Happiness was. That book I could barely put down. If I did it was to ponder what I'd just read and let it sink in. I could genuinely relate to the material and found the compiling of the meetings to be very well done.

Art of Happiness at Work didn't have quite the same punch for me. Part of it may be my gross unhappiness with my current "career" situation. And I did find a majority of the book to be useful and interesting. Certain parts however felt repetitive and unoriginal. They also seemed to lack conclusion or usefulness. I was left going "Huh. Oookkkkk" after them.

Additionally, one must realize that this book isn't going to transform a horrible job situation that makes you miserable into one you just love and enjoy day in and day out. I think the largest take away I got from the book is the fact I can at least make things more bearable for myself by using some of the meditative and attitude change practices found in the book. But still. If a new job is what you really need, a new job is what you need to get. This book also addresses, in brief, what type of things to look for in finding a job too. Those sections definitely made me ponder my own career decisions.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in furthering their reading on Buddhist thought, and how those practices may relate to our attitudes about work, with the caution that a ridiculously miserable work situation isn't going to be "fixed" by simply reading this. Sometimes, the art of finding happiness at work is in finding work that has the potential to make you happy. If your job fundamentally lacks that nothing is going to help!

Started: November 1, 2009
Finished: March 21, 2010

And book #11 bites the dust!

Terry Pratchett and Discworld were things I'd heard mentioned or referenced numerous times in the past and hadn't ever really looked into. One fateful day I decided to browse around at Barnes and Noble and discovered a particular shelf laden with Pratchett's Discworld novels. The rest, as they say, is history. As of about 5 minutes ago anyway.

The Color of Magic is, as I found out upon researching a bit, the first of the Discworld novels. At least in publishing date terms. I once again must reiterate that I do not, in fact, tend to enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, "other world" type books. But I loved this one. I'm fulling intending now to purchase Kindle version of the rest of the series (not all at once mind you, I'm not *that* rich) and see where it goes. I get the impression from the research I did trying to find a chronology for the books, and the snippet of pages at the end of my edition of Color of Magic, that there may be a lack of "series" to this series, and some jumping around, dropping of characters, not a true chronology, you get the point. Which actually makes me a tiny bit sad as I am now quite attached to the main character of Color of Magic and wish to continue to see what befalls him.

Regardless, even if next novels focus on other people and things, I'm under the impression I will greatly enjoy them. Pratchett has a witty and clever writing style that makes Discworld quite colorful and kept the book moving at a crisp pace. Any attempt to summarize or describe this book would be pointless though. Discworld is an experience you need to read to believe. And I recommend you do!

Started: March 21, 2010
Finished: April 11, 2010

Yay! An update!!

Book #12 - [image error]

Give me the third book now please!! How dare you, Miss Carriger, leave us with such an ending!! I am shocked, distraught, flabbergasted and chagrined!!

I didn't find Changeless to be as fast paced and thriller-y as Soulless was. Still, I enjoyed reading this novel from beginning to end, except, I am so mad about the cliffhanger end!! Firstly, I'm mad at the characters for certain things. Secondly, I'm mad I don't have the next book to read to find out what happens!

Changeless is full of more wonderful steampunk goodness and the clever writing style that was so appealing in Soulless. I seriously cannot wait for the next book. The publisher better not muck around with the eBook edition for that one like it did for this one!

Started: April 8, 2010
Finished: May 5, 2010

Just letting you know that I've moved this thread to the 2010 Archive folder, in preparation for 2011. If you wish to find this thread later, please keep a copy of the link to this page. Thanks!