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reading challenge

i like reading challenges but rarely take part. Here is a list culled from other challenges to make my own. I don’t have a timeline to finish in but will check them off once I’ve read.

  • more than 500 pages
  • book that became a movie
  • published in the current year
  • written by someone under 30
  • has a number in the title
  • funny book
  • nonhuman characters
  • female author
  • mystery or thriller
  • one-word title
  • short stories
  • set in a different country
  • nonfiction
  • popular authors first book
  • unread book from an author I love
  • friend’s recommendation
  • Pulitzer Prize winner
  • based on true story
  • at bottom of to-read list
  • book that scares you
  • picked up based entirely on it’s cover
  • supposed to read in school but didn’t
  • memoir
  • finished in a day
  • antonyms in title
  • set somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit
  • cam out the year I was born
  • has bad reviews
  • trilogy
  • from my childhood
  • with a love triangle
  • set in the future
  • set in high school
  • has a color in the title
  • made me cry
  • graphic novel
  • by an author I’ve never read
  • own but never read
  • translated into english
  • set during Christmas
  • author with my initials
  • a play
  • banned book
  • based or turned into tv show
  • started but never finished
  • set in my home state
  • self-improvement book
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An Arsonists Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England

Good book. Read through quickly, not exactly “can’t put it down” but it did keep me engrossed. The main character is trying to be a detective, but he doesn’t understand people — at all — so he bumbles through detecting like he’s bumbled through everything else in his life. He is naive and almost childlike but I’m not sure innocent would be a good word to describe him although he does seem to be well-meaning.

I recommend this book for those who like humorous fiction or books with interesting family dynamics. Other characters are intelligent and make references to writers and stories which is fun.

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books read in 2011, so far

I recently read about a pledge to read 50 books in 2011 (see #bookpledge on twitter.)
This has been a slow book reading year for me, but here —in no particular order—is what I remember reading so far:

  1. Michigan Curiosities by Burcar and Taylor — wonderful research for off-the-beaten-path destinations.
  2. Predictably Irrational by Ariely — I’m not big on non-fiction reading, but this was awesome. Can’t wait to read the next one.
  3. My Horizontal Life by Handler — interesting, but I’m really glad I’m not her
  4. The Help by Stockett — meh. I enjoyed parts of it, but less when I read the very end and about the author. The movie is probably better.
  5. In the Woods by French — No. There was potential but it wasn’t met. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.
  6. Special Topics in Calamity Physics — second read. I enjoy the way this book was written, it’s a wonderfully unique approach. The story is good, not fabulous, but keeps my attention.
  7. Packing for Mars by Roach — fascinating look at being an astronaut. I’ll pass on that honor.
  8. Little Bee by Cleave — pretty good.
  9. The Magicians by Grossman — loved it. can’t wait to read the next one.
  10. Island of the Sequined Love Nun — very good and funny. Will read more by this author
  11. Pest Control — this was pretty good, I’ll try some more of his books
  12. Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow — fantastic!
  13. LIttle Brother by Cory Doctorow — another fabulous read.

more to add later…

First attempt at books on tape:

Stories I only Tell my Friends by Rob Lowe. I enjoyed the story and his voice, but listening to books is just not my thing.
On my new Kobo!:
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