Well it's that time of the year again! Katrina at Callapidder Days is issuing out the command to get our reading lists out and done!
"As a quick refresher, the purpose of this challenge is for us to establish some goals for our reading this Fall and then work toward them. Whether you have a pile of books that you've been intending to read but just haven't yet, or you need a gentle prod to finish some books that you started but then abandoned, or you would just like a little accountability as you work through your reading stack, this is the place for you. Whether you're reading for fun, reading to learn, reading to be inspired, or reading to your kids, you are welcome here!"So without further adieu is here is my list for the challenge! And if the titles are in purple then I have added the link to my review of that book so check it out!
1) John 3:16 - Nancy Moser - ***** (5 stars) Loved this book! Put on your Christmas list :-)
2) Single Sashimi - Camy Tang - ***** (5 stars) Fantastic end to a series - couldn't put it down - is that a misprint at the top of page 132 ??? :-)
3) One ExtraOrdinary Day - Harold Myra - **** (4 stars) good book - I highlighted a lot - makes you think...
4) Long Journey Home - Shar Maclaren - **** (4 stars) 2 hurting people, hurting each other - can they find love - great story from Shar
5) My Sister Dilly - Maureen Lang - ****(4 stars) Good woman's fiction - excellent life lessons!
6) A Constant Heart - Siri Mitchell - ****(4 stars) Wow - am I glad I wasn't a subject of Queen Elizabeth!
7) Finding Father Christmas - Robin Jones Gunn - **** Great holiday Christmas story of a young woman looking for her father based on clue on the back of an old photo.
8) Hometown Favorite - ****1/2 A retelling of Job in an eye opening way - really good!
9) Riven - Jerry Jenkins - ****1/2 - 2 lives finally intersect and whoa! what an ending!
10) Home Another Way - Christa Parrish - **** totally original, the ending makes you think
11) Blessed Are The Meddlers - Christa Ann Bannister **** - Great sequel about matchmaking written with good humor and lots of fun!
12) A Beautiful Fall - Chris Coppernall - ***1/2 - a story about coming home and the forgiveness you find there.
13) One Perfect Day - Lauraine Snelling ***** - All mothers want for their children for Christmas is One Perfect Day, right? How can it all go so right and so wrong at the exact same time... This book will make you cry - a touching look at organ donation from both sides.
14) Eternity's Edge - Bryan Davis - **** - Really enjoyed this one, but wish I had read it closer to reading the 1st one.
15) Less Than Dead - Tim Downs - ****1/2 (4 1/2) - I'm loving Tim's Bug Man Novels!
16) Fall of Candy Corn - Debby Viguie **** - great addition to a fun series that I hope to introduce my daughter to soon!
17) Dangerous Heart - Tracey Bateman **** - Great finish to a really good series!
18) Forsaken - James David Jordan ***1/2 (3 1/2) - This was a good book with a great premise, but a little too much foreshadowing took away alot of the guess work for me.
19) Until We Reach Home - Lynn Austin ***** - Historical fiction at it's best - 3 sisters immigrate to America and struggle to find themselves.
20) Out of Her Hands - Megan DiMaria **** - Excellent sequel about letting go and letting God.
21) Searching For Spice - Megan DiMaria **** - Clever and charming Hen Lit about wanting an affair to remember - with your husband!
22) League of SuperHereos - Stephen Leon Rice *** 1/2 - Superheros, what could be better!?!
23) One Holy Night - JM Hoechstettler *** 1/2 - Vietnam War era miracle story, wonderful, but a little too predictable.
24) Leave It To Chance - Sherri Sand - **** - An excellent contemporary romance/women's fiction. I love the play on words with Chance being the name of the horse (you'll have to read it to understand :-)
25) Before the Season Ends - Linore Rose Burkard -***** Amazing regency romance - review to come soon!
26) Along Came A Cowboy - Christine Lynxwiler-***1/2 - Started a little slow, but I ended up really enjoying it.
27) Sweetgum Knit Lit Society - Beth Patillo - ****1/2 - I really loved this ensemble piece about women joined together through reading and knitting when a lonely teen joins them and changes everything.
28) Beyond The Night - Marlo Schlaskey - **** Good story told through mostly flashbacks with a couple twists at the ending - as a fan of M. Night Shymalon I figured out some of it early on but she still got me at the end.
29) Shade - John Olson **** - I give this 4 stars just based on originality, it would get 5, but it was so original that it was hard to follow at the beginning. Is it vampires? demons? schizophrenia? drugs? what is causing these hallucinations that Hailey is having???
30) Brigid of Ireland - Cindy Thomson **** - Ireland a long, long time ago in the time of druids, can Brigid really be an instrument of miracles for God? Excellent...
31) Diamond Duo - Marcia Gruver **** 1/2 (4 1/2) - A western, romance, mystery all wrapped up with its roots in a true story - really enjoyed this one!
32) If the Dress Fits - Debby Mayne ***1/2 - Sweet romance about an old boyfriend, becoming jaded and finding faith again.
33) Quills & Promises - Amber Miller **** - French & Indian war story set in the Pennsylvania area - love story through letters. Sweet.
34) Shadow of Colossus - TL Higley***** - First in the Seven Wonders of the World Series - set in Rhodes by the statue of Colossus starting 7 days before the earthquake that broke the statue - this was a great book!
35) Ripple Effect - Paul McCusker ***1/2 (3 1/2) - Sci-fi/Fantasy book about 2 parallels that get jumped occasionally - easy and simple enough for most to grasp
36) The Owling - Robert Elmer
37) Elvis Takes a Backseat - Leanna Ellis - **** Really good women's fiction about letting go, reconciliation, forgiveness and more. And it is all wrapped up in a fun Elvis package (with a little mystery)! Good book!
38) Runaway - Dandi Daley Mackall - **** what a great start to a new series for tweens and teens!
39) It's Not About Me - Michelle Sutton - **** I read it in one setting because I had trouble putting it down- deals with real life issues
40) The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips - Stephen Baldwin & Mark Tabb ***1/2 - Interesting take on the murder of a little boy and the cop that gets obsessed with putting the dad behind bars - language warning.
41) First The Dead - Tim Downs ****1/2 - Did I mention that I'm loving the Bug Man Novels?!?
42) Enoch - Alton Gansky - **** - Interesting book with spiritual warfare themes - I liked it but found the front cover tagline very misleading and that puzzled me through the book...
43) Plain Perfect - Beth Wiseman - ***** - Amish story that is wonderful and heart rending - loved it.
44) Engaging Father Christmas - Robin Jones Gunn - **** Wonderful sequel about being accepted.
45) City of the Dead - TL Higley ***** - Book 2 in the Seven Wonders of the World series - this one set in Egypt during the building of the pyramids of Giza. Mystery, intrigue, murder, romance... this series just gets better and better!
46) Miss Fortune - Sara Mills - **** - Film Noir mystery with a great heroine, good plot and fun setting - Book #1 in the Allie Fortune mystery series.
Non-Fiction
1) He Loves Me! - Wayne Jacobsen
2) My God Box - Margaret Iuculano **** - Good story of overcoming a bad childhood through victory with God - it's worth it just to read the prologue!
3) So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore? - Wayne Jacobsen & Dave Coleman ***** -
actually non-fiction set in a fictional scenario - totally amazing - every Christian should read it!
4) Same Kind Of Different As Me - Ron Hall & Denver Moore **** - Fantastic true story of 2 different worlds colliding.
Bold - Added to original list
Italics - have now been read
I'm sure I'll be adding to both of these lists - but this will start me off :) Last Fall I started with 40 books on my list and finished 34 of them. This year I am starting with 40 but I would be shocked if I don't add more as I go. We'll see what happens!!!
Feel free to join me in the challenge (many people put less than 10 books on their goal list :-) and post here with a comment telling me the top 3 books you would like to read between now and Christmas - come on people - that's just one book a month! In fact to sweeten the pot - leave the top 3 books you want to get read and your email and at the end of the challenge (Dec. 20th) come back and let me know how you did. I will enter all names in a drawing for 3 free books - titles to be announced at a later date - you don't actually have to get all 3 of them read - just attempted :-) I will post a follow-up to my list on Dec 20th with the final results of how I did and will wait until after Christmas to do the drawing. Join at any time - it'll be fun - there is no deadline to when you can start, only a deadline for when you must finish! Good luck!
It is now December 22nd and my list is done. I finished almost everything (except The Owling, but I haven't read book #1 yet so I'm holding off on that one for now) and adding plenty more to my original list. I ended with 49 and enjoyed them tremendously! I look forward to revealing my Best of 2008 winners starting Christmas Day - some of these books will show up there! There will be interviews with the winning authors, giveaways, reviews and more so check back daily to win! You have until December 31st to post here if you finished your reading list and I will draw a winner then. The winner will receive 3 books (as promised!) and they are:
1) Forsaken by David James Jordan
2) The Perfect Life by Robin Hatcher
3) Isolation by Travis Thatcher
Good luck!
38 comments:
Wow! I made your 40 books list. :) How flattering. I will be posting tomorrow on my blog to help promote this challenge to the readers of my blog.
http://ambermillerauthor.blogspot.com
Hopefully, you'll get some more entries.
It was great meeting you in Minneapolis. Congrats again on the success of the bookstore.
Hi Janna,
It was good to meet you in Minneapolis! I'm so glad my book came in in time to make your TBR list!
Cindy
Brigid of Ireland Website
The top 3 books I would like to read before Christmas are:
1. Shattered Vows: Hope and Healing for Women Who Have Been Sexually Betrayed
2. Illuminated
3. The Love Dare & Fireproof Your Marriage Couple's Bundle
Some others are:
4. Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Childs Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days
5. Teaching True Love to a Sex-at-13 Generation
6-12. The Terrestria Chronicles (again, w the kids)
13. Praying for Purpose for Women
14. Brisingr
15. Parental Guidance Required
16. Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens
17. Reclaiming Surrendered Ground: Protecting Your Family from Spiritual Attacks
18. Stepping Heavenward: One Woman's Journey to Godliness
19. Three
I have more piled on my nightstand, but the baby's sleeping in my room :)
Please enter me in your challenge/drawing.
asyouwiiiiish@gmail.com
I hope I'll read more than three!But here are a few I want to get read:
Cindy Woodsmall's Amish series - have heard so much about that.
And also "The Shack". Have also heard so much about that too! Must see what it's all about.
I'll also be checking out Julie Lessman's "A Passion Redeemed."
That's my list for now...
ldneuhof at hotmail dot com
Hi Janna,
Thanks for putting me on your list! It was so great to get to meet you in MN!
Camy
I like to try authors who are new to me, so I'll use your challenge to discover three that I've wanted to read for a long time:
1 - Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin (or any of his books)
2 - The Remedy for Regret by Susan Meissner
3 - Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver
Have fun reading all those books on your list, Janna!
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I plan ot read at least 3 books :)
1. Sisterchicks Go Brit
2. It's Not About Me
3. Stepping into Sunlight
4. The Shack
5. The Love Dare
Wow you have a great list. This is the first time I have done this challenge, but I am so excited about it. I would love to add to mine if I complete my list now. You are inspiring!
By the way, I loved Long Journey Home. Shar is absolutely wonderful as a person and as a writer.
Here is my list.
1. Get Out of That Pit - Beth Moore
2. The Case of the Bouncing Grandma - A.K. Arenz
3. Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA - Ellen Meister
4. A Mile In My Flip Flops - Melody Carlson
5. The Novelist - Angela Hunt
6. Blind Dates Can Be Murder - Mindy Starns Clark
7. The Girl From Charnelle - K. L. Cook
8. A Promise For Tomorrow - Sara Dubose
Kelly
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
I will for sure have more than three books read by December! That would be a light week for me....
= )
Here is my list for this month....
That's not Amore by Tracey Bateman -Read it
Split Eds by Kristen Billerbeck
The Longing by Beverly Lewis
Rain Song -Wisler
Mending Places Denise Hunter
William Henry is a Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke
Perfect by Henry Kraus MD
Amber Moon by Brandilynn Collins
Dawn of a New Day by Gilbert Morris
Stepping into the Sunlight by Sharon Hinck
Until we reach Home by Lynn Austin- Read it
Merciless- by Robin Parrish
It was great fun getting to meet you at the ACFW conference bookstore in MN, Jana!
Sometimes I do need a goal to work toward, though my heart ALWAYS wants to read before my other responsibilities. I decided to join your challenge. I have many books I'd LOVE to read but don't have yet so I better just include some of what I do have on hand.
1. An Irishwoman's Tale- Patti Lacy
2. it's NOT about ME- Michelle Sutton
3. Snowbound Colorado Christmas- Susan Page Davis, Lena Nelson Dooley, Darlene Franklin, Tamela Hancock Murray. (Does this count as one or four?)
4. Heart of the Highriders - Richard C Leonard and Charity R Silkebakken
5. Sealed With A Kiss- Mae Nunn
6. Searching For Spice - Megan DiMaria
7. Sweetgum Knit Lit Society - Beth Patillo
I have more than this but this may be pushing it for me especially for this time of year.
Please do enter me in your drawing!
Pam Williams
cepjwms at yahoo dot com
Sorry, I spelled your name wrong, Janna! If I could change it without deleting the whole thing, I would.
Pam
That's okay Pam, don't worry about it - happens to me all the time :-) I'm glad you are joining my challenge and it was great to meet you at ACFW as well!
My top three right now are:
1. John 3:16 by Nancy Moser
2. Fireproof by Eric Wilson
3. Where The Heart Leads by Kim Vogel Sawyer
~Carla pluumeria at cox dot net
My list is ridiculously long so I am not including it. :) SO how does one get on your list, Janna? Oh, and what does 1/2 mean when you rate it? Is that a half star? I didn't get that. :)
Michelle,
Yes the 1/2 is a 1/2 star (sorry should have specified :-)
My list is just the books that I happen to have when its time to make the list that I know I really need or want to read before the challenge is up. And actually your book is making my updates - I didn't have a copy when I started the list, but I do now :-) So be sure to check back later and see what I thought!
I could almost just copy your list. ;-) Love seeing all those FIRST Wild Cards up there! :-D
Janna, wow - you're doing great with this challenge!
I saw two books on your list that I've been wanting to read: A Constant Heart and Home Another Way.
I've gotta ask - are you in NE or a Husker fan? The name of your blog really caught my attention. My husband is a NE native and huge Cornhusker fan.
Shana
Literarily
Great challenge, Janna. I've read many of the books on your list and the other gals lists; most are really good! An amazing list. I'll be finishing Deadly Judgment so won't have tons of time to read, but here are the books I want to get read:
Out of Her Hands by Megan DiMaria
Shade by John B. Olson
Skid by Rene Gutteridge
and Shadow of Colosous by TL Higley
Hey! What a great idea this is! I really want to read Camy Tangs latest three books, but I have to get my hands on them first! :) I'll try!
liatheddrfreak(at)gmail(dot)com
Here's a few of the books on my "to-read" list:
1. The Shack by William Young
2. So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore by Jacobsen/Coleman
3. As I Have Loved You by Nikki Arana
4. I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree by Laura Hillman
5. Try Dying by James Scott Bell
6. An Irish Woman's Tale by Patti Lacy
7. Finding Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Smason
8. The Novelist by Angela Hunt
9. Bunco Babes by Leah Starr Baker
10. Math Doesn't Suck by Danica McKellar
Some of these I have and some I need to get my hands on still. Love the challenge!
My top 3 books to read by Christmas would be:
1)Hearts Evergreen by Robin Lee Hatcher and Kathryn Springer
2)A Big Apple Christmas Anthology by Vashti Reyes Acosta, Gail Sattler, Lynette Sowell and Carrie Turansky
3)Colonial Christmas Brides by Lauralee Bliss and Irene Brand
I read about two books a week so I am sure I will read those 3 and more. Thanks for the contest!
cherier(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hello Please enter me for your drawing....I would like to read the following books by Christmas
Blue Heart Blessed...By Susan Meissner
The Collage years (Three books in one) By Robin Jones Gunn
An Irishwoman's Tale- Patti Lacy
thanks
katie8407(at)gmail(dot)com
You’ve been tagged! Go here to see the details:
http://bookreviewstoday.blogspot.com/
Hey, Janna - You're doing great with this challenge!
You won a book! Check it out and let me know you mailing address:
http://blog.literarily.com/2008/11/09/sunday-salon.aspx
Shana
Literarily
wow thats alot of books. i was away when this started then mum in hospital it just didn't get round to signing up.
I have just tagged you for a meme.
ausjenny
Hey Janna,
I've got a huge list too but if people drop by my blog - Bibliophile's Retreat and do a search of the phrase Fall Into Reading they can find my post quite easily.
Also...
You have been presented with the Premio Dardos Blog Award.
Go here for details and to claim your trophy.
What a fun idea! I'm planning on reading:
1. Hannah Grace
2. White Christmas Pie
3. Bon Appetite!
I want to read the Christmas one for sure and I know I'll finish Hannah Grace because I'm reviewing it for a blog tour. :-) God bless!
1. Dogwood
2. The bone Box
3. As I Have Loved You
I think i can, i think i can!
I'll be back too, to update!
I did read all my books on my list, just to let you know!!
I read my three books and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Thanks for the challenge!
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I read my 3 books, plus some others on my list:
1. Shattered Vows
2. Illuminated
3. The Love Dare & Fireproof Your Marriage Couple's Bundle
14. Brisingr
16. Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens
17. Reclaiming Surrendered Ground: Protecting Your Family from Spiritual Attacks
19. Three
Plus some others. :)
asyouwiiiiish@gmail.com
December's almost over but here's the books on my list to read next: Do Hard Things by the Harris boys
The Splitting Storm by Rene Gutteridge
The Perfect Match by Susan M. Warren
terism@rgv.rr.com
Hi, Janna-
Since it is now after the 20th, I came back to update my progress. Am I supposed to do it here?
ANyway I did read the 1st three books on my list - two of which I read due to your reviews. I read So You Don't want to go To CHurch Anymore (you were right the title jsut doesn't work) and I have recommended it to several people. Then I read The Shack. My goodness!
I got completely off my list after these and read some other things- a few that stand out are a book and bible study(Living My Life as Beautiful Offering)by Angela Thomas - who is a single Christian mom. I found it to be comforting and encourage other single moms to check out My Single Mom Life.
Thanks for the challenge.
Angela
hello!
i'm back!
here's my list
1. Dogwood *finished!
2. The bone Box *didn't finish
3. As I Have Loved You *finished (and loved!)
I read alot more! :)
Congratulations on what you accomplished during the challenge! That's quite a list!
Great job!! Many of your books are on my TBR list, glad you liked them!!
Sakes alive Janna! I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy. Where do you find the time with that large family of yours, and a baby on top?! I am thoroughly impressed and that you have so many reviews. I'm planning on cutting back next year and being a bit more thorough with my end of the year info!
5 lovely ladies came back to let me know that they had finished their lists so:
Lora
rebornbutterfly
Carole
Martha
Angie
were all entered and the winner is :
Martha!
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