September Short Story Challenge

Hey - read 4 short stories for the challenge this month - One was from Strange Highways by Dean Koontz - It was called "The Black Pumpkin". Normal scary story - kid meets creepy guy at pumpkin patch carving pumpkins (you get what you give) - brother buys creepy pumpkin - family gets killed by creepy pumpkin come to life. Very predictable story but fun for this time of year.

Also read 3 by Margo Lanagan out of Red Spikes. Couldn't really get into more than this from her. "Baby Jane" was probably the most fun to read of the three. Small army men like toys come to life - a queen, a servant and a bear. Queen is in labor - boy helps deliver baby. Queen gives him baby to take care of while they go back to fight creatures from boys nightmares.. Then there was "Monkey's Paternoster" - couldn't decide whether this was really supposed to be about monkey's or not - Leader of the pack was dying and there was a struggle for who was going to be the new leader (or bachelor) - just a weird read. The last one was "A Good Heart" which was just a sad story. Boy meets girl - Girl weds another - somewhere inbetween has a baby and either it dies, or she lets it die in woods - Boy discovers secret and keeps it because he loves her so.

Well, that is probably all of the short stories that I will be able to read for the month!

The Magician's Assistant

Read this book for the book a month yahoo group - didn't really care for it. It was the style it was written in (no chapters) more than the content that I didn't care for. I can't read for long periods of time, so without chapters, hard to find a beginning and an end. The content was ok - started to pick up about 2/3rds of the way through, but by that time I had already decided that I didn't really like it..2/5

Water For Elephants

Loved this book! It was a very quick read, or maybe it was just that I couldn't put it down! Told in flashbacks by a 90 (or was it 93) year old man living in an assisted living home. Involves many circus "characters" and an elephant named Rosie. From the first page, the first remembrance - I was hooked. Highly recommend!5/5

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

This is the 5th book in the Harry Potter series, and for me it has been the best (but longest to get through) so far. Harry starts his fifth year at Hogwarts after being attacked by dementors near his home, and finding out about a new Order of which his Godfather, Sirius, is a member. I started out reading this book, and changed to listening to it when I needed something for a long car trip. I even sucked my husband into the story. Somewhere about 2/3 of the way into the book, I caught the last half of the movie on cable - Wow - talk about not following the book at all! I believe that the book is MUCH better than the movie. The book was able to tie together the first 5 years at Hogwarts and sort of give us a direction in which to expect the last 2 books to take. The movie left me feeling very vague as to anything that had been happening. I definitely recommend this book and cannot wait to start the next one! 5/5

A Thousand Splendid Suns

The history of Afghanistan is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief. And, yet, Laila sees that people find a way to survive, to go on. Ultimately, this is more than a story of survival in the face of what seem to be insurmountable odds. It is a story of the unconquerable spirit of a people and individuals seen through the eyes of two indomitable women. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a must read for those who wish to understand the modern history (1964 - 2003) of Afghanistan, which is told eloquently through the eyes of Laila and Mariam. (From About.com ContemporaryLit)

I have not yet read A Kite Runner, so I did not know what to expect going into this book. It has made me watch the news with a whole new perspective. I know that this was not a true story, but it is very easy to believe that this could and does happen. The characters of Laila and Mariam, while very strong apart, were even stronger together. The way the author wove them into each other was amazing. I went through many emotions reading this book, but two stood out for me - Sorrow and Hope. 5/5

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

I read this book originally for the Daring Book for Girls challenge, but have since added it to the Book Awards Challenge. It won the Newberry Award in 1968. I remember reading this book as a young girl and it quickly became one of my favorites. I even tried to get my own daughter to read it a few years ago, but no luck. She is not the reader that I was...(too much technology these days, I think).

This story is about a sister and brother who run away due to the "injustice of everything.." They stay at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York City. During their adventure they discover that many things are still important no matter where you are living (like enjoying clean underwear! - and having enough to eat). Claudia, the sister, does not want to return home until she has changed in some way. So they set off on an adventure to discover the true sculptor of a statue called The Angel.

I think this is a very good read for elementary age kids. Although quickly becoming outdated because of all high security available today - nice to imagine that if children did this, that they would be "safe". 4/5

R.I.P. III Challenge

I grew up reading Stephen King, John Saul and Dean Koontz and later Anne Rice - but have to admit that it has been awhile since I have picked up one of their books. Here are the rules for this challenge:
1. R.I.P. III runs from September 1st through October 31st, 2008. But I’m no stickler, start reading now if you feel so inclined.

2. Choose one of more of the perils listed below:

Peril the First:
Read Four books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.
Peril the Second:
Read Two books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.
Read One book of any length from one of the subgenres listed above.

This peril is for those who want to participate but don’t want to get bogged down in a long list of books. It is also for those who feel this type of reading is not their proverbial cup of tea but are willing to challenge themselves by giving just one book a try.

3. Leave a comment here announcing your intention to join and a link to the post* on your site, if you have one and choose to post about R.I.P. III.

4. Post links to your reviews on the R.I.P.ing Yarns Review Site. I am using last year’s review site and posting a new comment thread in which you can post this year’s reviews. That way you can also go back and check out last year’s reviews (you may have to hit the ‘click here’ link at the bottom of the post to get last year’s list to pop up).

5. The most important thing: Have Fun! R.I.P. III is more than just a reading challenge. There will be contests and giveaways and some of the subject matter of my regular posts, especially as we approach October, will be more in fitting with the R.I.P. III spirit. There are artists who have committed to interviews and sales and other tie-ins as well.


Here is my pool of books -
Red Spikes - Margo Lanagan
Duma Key - Stephen King
Sinister Shorts - Perri O'Shaughnessy
Strange Highways - Dean Koontz
Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz
Darkest Evening of the Year - Dean Koontz
Midnight Voices - John Saul
Coraline - Neil Gaiman
Heart-Shaped Box - Joe Hill
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
The Rest Falls Away - Colleen Gleason

Not sure which Peril I will be doing - need to see how the school year shapes up for my kids!

A Well-Rounded Challenge

Rules for a well-rounded challenge:
*Any combination of challenges works.
*You must be signed up with the other challenges.
*You may listen to eAudio, cassette tapes or compact discs.
*You may read all six books from the same challenge.
*To be well-rounded however means stretching yourself to include as many challenges (and books) as you can fit into this six month time frame.
*You don't have to blog or write a review (but you can if you want to).
*Even if a challenge begins after July you may use it for this challenge.
*Even if a challenge ends after 12/31/08 you may use it for this challenge.
*Sign-ups begin 6/1/08 and run through 7/15/08.
*This challenge will run through 12/31/08.

Have finished this challenge~!
1. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Daring Book for Girls Challenge)
2. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Unread Authors Challenge
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling (Books to Movie Challenge)
4. Water for Elephants - Book Awards
5. Coraline RIP III
6. The Maidenstone Lighthouse - Ghostly Challenge

Blog Give Away - SWEETSMOKE - By David Fuller

Who doesn't like to win a free book! Especially one signed by the author. Visit this blog for up to 5 chances to win. Good luck to all!

A Ghostly Challenge

This should be a fun challenge! I love "ghostly" books - and Halloween is my favorite holiday!

For this challenge, you have from September 1 to October 31 to read 2 books that feature ghosts or are otherwise ghostly. Use your discretion.

1. All books are allowed, audiobooks, picture books, non fiction, fiction, short stories, whatever.
2. Books of short stories count as one book though.
3. Crossovers allowed.
4. You can make a list beforehand or add to it as you go.


I think my books are going to be:
A Certain Slant of Light Whitcomb, Laura
The Maidenstone Lighthouse O'Rourke, Sally Smith

Lit Flicks Challenge

Signing up for yet another challenge- Rules are:
RULES
1. Challenge runs from September 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009.
2. Read 5 books/pieces of literature that have been made into movies.
3. Then watch at least 2 of the movie adaptations of the works you read.
4. Your list may change at any time and may include overlaps with other challenges.
6. Check in at http://thebluestockings.com/lit-flicks-challenge/ around the first of each month to find activities and giveaways for participants.
7. Link to your reviews and posts using Mr. Linky below.

LISTS OF QUALIFYING BOOKS *
Based on the Book - an extensive list of books made into movies
The Guardian’s 50 Best Film Adaptations
Amazon’s Top 50 Movie Adaptations
*Books do not have to be on the above lists to qualify

I have chosen my books -

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold - move set for release Dec 2009
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
The Road - Cormac McCarthy (Movie release for 2009)
Holes - Louis Sachar
Kristi

Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund: The Second Dixie Hemingway Mystery (Dixie Hemingway Mysteries (Hardcover))

Synopsis: Everybody who loves dachshunds knows about their adventurous streak. So when Mame, the elderly dachshund in Dixie Hemingway’s care, gets away from her to investigate a mound of mulch, Dixie isn’t surprised. What the dachshund digs up, however, is not only a surprise but triggers a set of jolting events that puts Dixie at the center of a hunt for a psychopathic killer, a killer who believes Dixie saw him leaving the scene of a brutal murder. . . .

Why I read: This is the second in a series by Blaize Clement. I had enjoyed the first one - so gave the second one a try. Doesn't really fit in to any of my challenges though!

Random thoughts: Really enjoyed this read - it was quick and she has a unique way of giving you little clues to tie the characters together as you move throughout the book. This one had a little twist about 3/4 of the way through that I didn't see coming!

Book To Movie Challenge

New challenge starting Sept 1, 2008 - Must read 3 books in 3 months that have been made into movies, or are in production to become movies.

My list is:
1. And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
2. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenis - J.K. Rowling
I must say that when I looked at the list provided - I was amazed at the number of titles that I recognized and I had no idea they were inspired by a book

Naming Conventions Challenge

Ok - one more challenge, then I really must stop!

K -King, Stephen - Duma Key
R - Rose, Karen - Scream for Me
I - Ishiguro, Kazua -Never Let Me Go
S - Simpson, Stephen - Assaulted by Joy
T - Tyndall, M.L. - The Red Siren
I - Ibomu, Afya - Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats and Cool Caps

Daring Book for Girls Challenge

Ok - had to sign up for one more - Don't know which tract I will be doing - depends on how much time I get to read here in the beginning! I also want to go through the books that I own and see which ones of these that I have.

Will probably do #2 - 9 books from the list in 12 months and the ongoing challenge of reading them all.

Choices for #2 -
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg
Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry
Caddie Woodlawn - Carol Ryrie Brink

Ok - we will see how this goes!

Unread Authors Challenge

Ok - Last challenge to sign up for today - Must read 6 authors that I have previously not read but have wanted to before Jan 31 - List below:


1. Assaulted by Joy - Stephen Simpson
2. And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
3. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
4. 1000 Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
5. The Magician's Assistant, Ann Patchett
6. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen

New Classics Challenge

This is the list for the New Classics Challenge that starts today: I have only read 6 (bolded) so this leaves me alot to choose from! Must read 6 books and review them before Jan 31 - Here we go!~ The ones in Red are the ones that I am going to try to read for this challenge. The ones in blue are finished and reviewed!


1. The Road , Cormac McCarthy (2006)
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling (2000)
3. Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)
4. The Liars' Club, Mary Karr (1995)
5. American Pastoral, Philip Roth (1997)
6. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane (2001)
7. Maus, Art Spiegelman (1986/1991)
8. Selected Stories, Alice Munro (1996)
9. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier (1997)
10. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami (1997)
11. Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (1997)
12. Blindness, José Saramago (1998)
13. Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (1986-87)
14. Black Water, Joyce Carol Oates (1992)
15. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers (2000)
16. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood (1986)
17. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez (1988)
18. Rabbit at Rest, John Updike (1990)
19. On Beauty, Zadie Smith (2005)
20. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding (1998)
21. On Writing, Stephen King (2000)
22. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz (2007)
23. The Ghost Road, Pat Barker (1996)
24. Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry (1985)
25. The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan (1989)
26. Neuromancer, William Gibson (1984)
27. Possession, A.S. Byatt (1990)
28. Naked, David Sedaris (1997)
29. Bel Canto, Anne Patchett (2001)
30. Case Histories, Kate Atkinson (2004)
31. The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (1990)
32. Parting the Waters, Taylor Branch (1988)
33. The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion (2005)
34. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold (2002)
35. The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst (2004)
36. Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (1996)
37. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (2003)
38. Birds of America, Lorrie Moore (1998)
39. Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri (2000)
40. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman (1995-2000)
41. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros (1984)
42. LaBrava, Elmore Leonard (1983)
43. Borrowed Time, Paul Monette (1988)
44. Praying for Sheetrock, Melissa Fay Greene (1991)
45. Eva Luna, Isabel Allende (1988)
46. Sandman, Neil Gaiman (1988-1996)
47. World's Fair, E.L. Doctorow (1985)
48. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (1998)
49. Clockers, Richard Price (1992)
50. The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen (2001)
51. The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcom (1990)
52. Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan (1992)
53. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon (2000)
54. Jimmy Corrigan, Chris Ware (2000)
55. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls (2006)
56. The Night Manager, John le Carré (1993)
57. The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe (1987)
58. Drop City, TC Boyle (2003)
59. Krik? Krak! Edwidge Danticat (1995)
60. Nickel & Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich (2001)
61. Money, Martin Amis (1985)
62. Last Train To Memphis, Peter Guralnick (1994)
63. Pastoralia, George Saunders (2000)
64. Underworld, Don DeLillo (1997)
65. The Giver, Lois Lowry (1993)
66. A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, David Foster Wallace (1997)
67. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (2003)
68. Fun Home, Alison Bechdel (2006)
69. Secret History, Donna Tartt (1992)
70. Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (2004)
71. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Ann Fadiman (1997)
72. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (2003)
73. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving (1989)
74. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger (1990)
75. Cathedral, Raymond Carver (1983)
76. A Sight for Sore Eyes, Ruth Rendell (1998)
77. The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)
78. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (2006)
79. The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell (2000)
80. Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney (1984)
81. Backlash, Susan Faludi (1991)
82. Atonement, Ian McEwan (2002)
83. The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields (1994)
84. Holes, Louis Sachar (1998)
85. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (2004)
86. And the Band Played On, Randy Shilts (1987)
87. The Ruins, Scott Smith (2006)
88. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby (1995)
89. Close Range, Annie Proulx (1999)
90. Comfort Me With Apples, Ruth Reichl (2001)
91. Random Family, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc (2003)
92. Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (1987)
93. A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley (1991)
94. Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser (2001)
95. Kaaterskill Falls, Allegra Goodman (1998)
96. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown (2003)
97. Jesus’ Son, Denis Johnson (1992)
98. The Predators' Ball, Connie Bruck (1988)
99. Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (1995)
100. America (the Book), Jon Stewart/Daily Show (2004)

Book Awards Challenge

This is my first book challenge that I have signed up for - but pretty sure that I will sign up for more today - now that I have a blogspot... The rules for my first challenge are as follows:
Rules:
Read 10 award winners from August 1, 2008 through June 1, 2009.
You must have at least FIVE different awards in your ten titles.
Overlaps with other challenges are permitted.
You don't have to post your choices right away, and your list can change at any time.
'Award winners' is loosely defined; make the challenge fit your needs, keeping in mind Rule #2.

I am going to post my list of books later, as soon as I have a chance to go through some award sites!

Ok - here is my list of some possible books:
1. Never Let Me Go - Kazua Ishiguro (Alex Award)
2. The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros (American Book Award)
3. Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen (Alex Award 2007)
4. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg (Newberry 1968)
5. The Gathering - Anne Enright (Man Booker - 2007

I will have to choose the next 5 after I finish these!

Cormac McCarthy - The Road - Bookseller's Award
Nancy Pickard - The Virgin of Small Plains (Agatha Awards)
Sachar, Louis - Holes (Newberry Award and National Book Award)
Amy Tan - The Joy Luck Club (National Book Award)
Powers, Richard - - The Echo Maker - National Book Award