The Quasi-Official September Book Reading Game

[drenfrow]

jlandes?  Oh, jlandes?  Are you out there?  Go ahead, you can give it to me straight.  You hated my recommendation and are too nice to say so.  It's okay,  I've made more than one pick that's gone over like a lead balloon.  I can take it.

[Carolyn A]

I want to thank Margaret for the suggestion of Andrew Davidson's The Gargoyle. It's fantastic.

Carolyn

[Margaret]

I want to thank Margaret for the suggestion of Andrew Davidson's The Gargoyle. It's fantastic.

Carolyn

Carolyn, I'm glad that you are enjoying The Gargoyle.  I was introduced to it through this game and thought it was a great book.  I am happy to have passed it along.

[jlandes]

jlandes?  Oh, jlandes?  Are you out there?  Go ahead, you can give it to me straight.  You hated my recommendation and are too nice to say so.  It's okay,  I've made more than one pick that's gone over like a lead balloon.  I can take it.

Hi drenfrow! Sorry, life has been a little busy. But, the good news is that I've been reading Sweetness and I'm about halfway through. I'll be honest and say that I haven't been revitted by it, but it's been a good read. My favorite part is the interaction that Flavia has with her sisters. There have been several times where I've laughed out loud. I should be able to finish here in the next week - especially since next Friday the hubby and I will be sitting on a plane for 10+ hours heading over to Europe. I'll give you a more detailed review once I'm finished.

[drenfrow]

Hi drenfrow! Sorry, life has been a little busy. But, the good news is that I've been reading Sweetness and I'm about halfway through. I'll be honest and say that I haven't been revitted by it, but it's been a good read. My favorite part is the interaction that Flavia has with her sisters. There have been several times where I've laughed out loud. I should be able to finish here in the next week - especially since next Friday the hubby and I will be sitting on a plane for 10+ hours heading over to Europe. I'll give you a more detailed review once I'm finished.

It's a bit odd and definitely not a conventional mystery.  I also like the parts where she is tormenting her sisters--very funny.  Europe sounds great, that's when you're happy to have the Kindle.

[Tuttle]

Finished the second book now. It still reads like you take people and take them to the extremes, throw them together, and question what happens then. I've been remaining reasonably sucked into the story, partially because of wanting to reach the part where they are happy which I can tell is coming. I'll not call these one of my favorites, but I can easily tell why other people would think of them as such. After I finish posting this I'm going back to the kindle and starting on Finding Father Rabbit.

[Alice Y. Yeh]

Okay, I'm at 15% (pathetic, I know) and The Distance Between Us is definitely getting meatier. Is it bad that I adore this cantankerous old woman? She's complex and bitter and I love it 

[Figment]

I want to thank Margaret for the suggestion of Andrew Davidson's The Gargoyle. It's fantastic.

Carolyn

YEA!!!  Another fan of The Gargoyle (which I can't italicize, because I'm typing on San iPad).  I truly loved this book!

[ayuryogini]

I'm at 84% in Poisonwood Bible. The writing is so good; I am always amazed when someone can write in multiple voices and keep it consistent. 
Once I started this book, I could barely put it down; I'm sure I'll be finishing it later today, although I do have a few things I need to get to, so maybe tomorrow.
Thanks, jlandes, for recommending this book.

[MoyJoy]

I'm having a really hard time getting through my selections but I'm trying!!!   

[Geoffrey]

I'm having a really hard time getting through my selections but I'm trying!!!    

I've had a couple selections like that.   Actually, I've selected a couple that turned out difficult for my selectee too ....

[Groggy1]

I'm having a really hard time getting through my selections but I'm trying!!!   

As long as you try - don't feel bad about giving up on it.  I didn't finish mine either.

[MINImum]

I am also having a hard time. I think the problem was that I started a book that was the beginning of a four-part series, and I liked it more than I expected to like it, so now I'm more interested in finishing that series than reading anything else. So I decided to give in and started the last book last night, then I'll be able to concentrate on my selection. I should be finished in a couple days. I won't name the series... but it might have vampires in it... and werewolves... and teenagers.... lol

Anyway, I am 20% into The Gargoyle and it's finally starting to intrigue me. It is very well-written and even though I still don't like the main character (the guy) I am interested in what's going to happen. I can tell it will end up being a good book, so I'm anxious to finish the other series I'm reading and get back to this.

[Tuttle]

Well, I finished last night. I am not entirely sure what to say about it. I personally didn't find it amazing, but still enough that I couldn't put it down really. For part of it I didn't want to read it because they were dealing with so much pain but I wanted them to get to the part where they are happier. It's definitely well written, definitely something I'd recommend to someone who enjoys the type of book, but I'm at a point in life where some of the pain was too personal and too hard to get through.

[KindleGirl]

I finished The Lightening Thief last night and really enjoyed it. It's certainly not my normal type of book but it was fun. I think one of my sons would enjoy it, so hopefully I can get him to read it. I didn't know much about Greek Gods, but my daughter helped fill in the blanks. Thanks for the selection, izzy, as I got to read something I probably wouldn't have picked up otherwise. I'm still looking forward to the movie, even if it is different.

[MoyJoy]

As long as you try - don't feel bad about giving up on it.  I didn't finish mine either.

Whew!   

Well, I should have had the foresight to put talking animals as a deal breaker. LOL!  They are the bane of my existence in movies but I never thought that would translate to books as well.  And the other is just dark.  But I'm trying to get through the one with the rats... and the cat.  (Also I live in NYC.  rats and cats are a problem.  I'd never want to humanize them!)   LOL! The idea of it is really cool though!

[jlandes]

I'm at 84% in Poisonwood Bible. The writing is so good; I am always amazed when someone can write in multiple voices and keep it consistent. 
Once I started this book, I could barely put it down; I'm sure I'll be finishing it later today, although I do have a few things I need to get to, so maybe tomorrow.
Thanks, jlandes, for recommending this book.

Good! I'm so happy you're enjoying it! I could barely put it down either.

[ayuryogini]

I finished Poisonwood Bible a couple days ago; it was really well written and a real eye-opener;
I think the fact that I spent a month in South Africa last year made it even more interesting.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.

[hsuthard]

I finished Poisonwood Bible a couple days ago; it was really well written and a real eye-opener;
I think the fact that I spent a month in South Africa last year made it even more interesting.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I have the hardcover sitting on my shelf, and it's been there for three years now. I really need to crack it open! It just looks so BIG.

[MoyJoy]

I have the hardcover sitting on my shelf, and it's been there for three years now. I really need to crack it open! It just looks so BIG.

I loved it too.  I was so mad at some of the characters but that's definitely a sign of good character development.  Definitely give it a read.  I too was impressed that the writer wrote in so many voices and the story spanned such a length of time without getting boring. 

[Marguerite]

Ok.  I read the Assassin's Apprentice so I had to read Royal Assassin so I had to read The assassin's Quest.  Now I feel almost bereft without those characters.  I seem to be a little lost without them.  I have picked up four other books and none seems to satisfy me yet.  Oh well, it's the sign of a good series.

[akagriff]

I'm starting chapter 13 of Falling Free.  It's not a bad story. I just don't  find it very interesting.  I set the book aside for a few days and then I am reminded that the end of the month will soon happen. 

[vg]

 Betsy I haven't heard anything. Did I pick crummy and you don't want to tell me?

[Geoffrey]

Hi-dee-ho everybody.   I've been busy and haven't been posting the overall summary as I intended.  The computers imps were feeling playful and blue-screened me.  So, I took that all as a sign to share my data.     Here's the list as I have it today:

Participant	Selector	Book	Author	Comments
akagriff	Basilius	Falling Free	Lois McMaster Bujold	chapter 13 - It's not a bad story. I just don't  find it very interesting.  I set the book aside for a few days and then I am reminded that the end of the month will soon happen.
Annalog	firedawn	Bloodchild	Octavia Butler	FINISHED - I enjoyed all seven stories, the two essays, and the afterwords by the author. It was interesting to learn the multiple intents the author had for the title story. It was also interesting to learn the three genetic disorders that inspired the Duryea- Gode disease in "The Evening and the Morning and the Night." I plan to read some of her novels to see if I enjoy them as much as these shorter stories.
ayuryogini	jlandes	The Poisonwood Bible	Barbara Kingsolver	FINISHED - it was really well written and a real eye-opener; I think the fact that I spent a month in South Africa last year made it even more interesting.  I would definitely recommend this book to others.
Alice Y. Yeh	Geoffrey	The Distance Between Us	Bart Yates	15% finished -  I'm loving it so far. � definitely getting meatier. Is it bad that I adore this cantankerous old woman? She's complex and bitter and I love it
Basilius	jaspertyler	The Passage	Justin Cronin	FINISHED - Good book, bordering on great. There was certainly enough tension to keep things going, and that's saying something given the length of the book.  ... What kept this book from being great, in my eyes, is the lack of "wow" factor.  It's very sad in places, has lots of really good ideas, twists, etc., but nothing just made me go "wow." I'll certainly read the rest of the story as it's released - just glad it'll be a while until the next one.
Belle2Be	dnagirl	In A Sunburned Country	Bill Bryson	-
Belle2Be	dnagirl	My Life in France	Julia Childs	-
Betsy the Quilter	vg	The Murder of Roger Akroyd	Agatha Christie	-
dahoover	sem	The Book	M. Clifford	-
DickStanley	Annalog	ElfHunter	C.S. Marks	-
dpinmd	MINImum	Spell for Chameleon, A	Piers Anthony	15% finished - It's been slower-going than usual because I am reading it aloud to my kids ... But we are all really enjoying it!  Piers Anthony has created a really interesting and vivid world, and Bink is a great character.  The book has also sparked some interesting conversations with my kids about what magical powers would be useful or not, and what power they would pick if they could choose one.  So thanks!
dpinmd	MINImum	The Mercy of Thin Air	Ronlyn Domingue	-
drenfrow	Tripp	Year of Wonders	Geraldine Brooks	FINISHED - gave it four stars on Goo- dreads.  I was fascinated by the idea that this was based on a true event: an English village in 1665, voluntarily closed themselves off to the outside world so as not to spread the plague any farther ... I have been thinking about this, how it is just as true today that when people find themselves in barbaric situa- tions, some people find strength and even heroism in themselves and others only weakness.  Great read.
EKing	Tuttle	Ender's Game	Orson Scott Card	FINISHED - It is definitely a very good book and grabs you right away. I find it odd I've never heard of it before it was picked for me here. My sister has read it several times and loved it. Thanks for the pick!
firedawn	lowspark	Mother Night	Kurt Vonnegut	-
	OR	TheMiracle Inspector	Helen Smith	-
Geemont	dpinmd	The Art of Racing in Rain	Garth Stein	FINISHED - Despite some excessive sentimentality and weak prose, I enjoyed the story from the dog's point of view.  The author does well capturing the essential dogness of Enzo.  And it's hard not to like dogs ... 4.00 stars for over all enjoyment, though it should probably lose a star for being sappy and simply written.
Geoffrey	Margaret	The Gargoyle	Andrew Davidson	FINISHED - I'm still not sure what hap- pened at the end.  Was it a 700 year love story or a set of delusions playing in concert?   It sucked me in from the beginning and I read the entire book with anticipation for an ending that I didn't get.  It was exquisitely crafted and incomplete at the same time.
Groggy1	Marguerite	Cutting for Stone	Abraham Verghese	25% finished - I got about 25% into this book and still didn't care.  Nope, just can't do it.  Oh well, I guess this one is back to shelves and we'll see what the next one brings us!
hsuthard	Leslie	The Weight of Water	Anita Shreve	FINISHED - I would definitely recom- mend reading this sneaky, deceptive little tale. Thank you for recommending it Leslie, I can guarantee I never would have picked it up on my own. But the jealousy and melancholy and foreboding, aye aye aye!  I have to say, when I finally found out the bad thing that happened it wasn't nearly as bad as what I had imagined, although it was certainly awful. ... Made for a great story, though!
imallbs	hsuthard	The Sunday Philosophy Club	Alexander McCall Smith	FINISHED - Isabel surprised me at times but the other characters were not developed as much as I had hoped for. ... I don't know how well I like the ending. It was unexpected but I don't know if it was a satisfying ending.  I will probably read another in the series just because I like Smith's writing but unless the other characters are more  fully developed, I probably won't continue beyond the second one.
imallbs	hsuthard	Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter	Seth Grahame- Smith	FINISHED - That was a good book.  It may have helped that I know the broad details (lets face it most of the known details) of Lincoln's life.  The author slipped the Vampire theme into just the right places, put just the right people in just the right roles.  Wow!  I mean, really Wow!  I loved this book.
izzy	Alice Y. Yeh	Bird by Bird	Anne Lamott	FIONISHED - I liked it. It was a very honest book on writing it seemed. I enjoyed her humor throughout the book on the whole process of writing and getting published.  Bird by Bird was a book I would never have picked up on my own, but I'm happy that i have read it.
jaspertyler	Leslie	Among the Living	Jordan Castillo Price	FINISHED - I enjoyed the paranormal mystery aspects of the book and ordered the next in the series.  I had a little trouble with the relationships ... they all seemed so quick.  For example, the main character seemed pretty protective of/close to Lisa when they barely knew each other.  Overall I enjoyed it, thanks.
Jeff	Quake1028	And Then There were None	Agatha Christie	FINISHED - I remembered more than I thought I would, but Agatha Christie is always entertaining - even when you know who-done-it.
Jeff	Quake1028	Quarry in the Middle	Max Allan Collins	FINISHED - It still isn't my favorite book but it was very entertaining. Good choice. Thanks. ...That's a personal prejudice and has nothing to do with the quality of the book.
JimJ	Geemont	The Skinner	Neal Asher	FINISHED - Really liked it.  The author created a very fascinating world, though it took some time for me to get a handle on what all the different creatures were and how the world worked. I liked the story too and I loved the ending. Makes me want to read the other books in the series. Thanks for the recommendation!
jlandes	drenfrow	The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie	Alan Bradley	50% finished - I'll be honest and say that I haven't been revitted by it, but it's been a good read. My favorite part is the interaction that Flavia has with her sisters. There have been several times where I've laughed out loud.
jlee745	vg	The Hunger Games	Suzanne Collins	FINISHED - I really enjoyed it.  ... My only disappointment part is the ending. I didn't want to end. Yes I know I can purchase the second book but I made a promise to myself that I would only purchase one book a month since I have so many free ones to read. Thanks so much for recommending it.
KindleGirl	izzy	The Lightening Thief	Rick Riordan	FINISHED - really enjoyed it. It's cer- tainly not my normal type of book but it was fun. I think one of my sons would enjoy it, so hopefully I can get him to read it. I didn't know much about Greek Gods, but my daughter helped fill in the blanks. Thanks for the selection, izzy, as I got to read something I probably wouldn't have picked up other- wise. I'm still looking forward to the movie, even if it is different.
lowspark	dahoover	Ender's Game	Orson Scott Card	FINISHED - Thank you, I am still in shock I never read or even heard of this book before you recommended it. ... I generally neither like or read much sci-fi or books on war. This is a five star book easily, I can see why it is a classic. I loved it and will be reading the rest of the series for sure. Its rare for me to come across a book that crosses genres with ease, is that well written, and that entertaining. So thanks again.
luvmy4brats	Taborcarn	The Imperfectionists	Tom Rachman	-
Margaret	Groggy1	The Long Walk	Stephen King	FINISHED - it was a book that grabbed my attention from the beginning and never let go until the end.  The premise of the story was interesting and disturbing at the same time � I feel that King told a good story with this book, but he left some important (for me) questions unanswered ... The narrow focus of the story left those things unans- wered and let me a bit unsatisfied.  All in all though, this choice was a success.
Margaret	Groggy1	Dies the Fire	S.M. Stirling	FINISHED - This was a very entertaining story.  I liked reading about how the various groups of people managed to cope with a complete loss of technology, and learned to depend on  one another and on the earth to survive.  That was the part of the book that interested me the most.  I was not quite as interested in the making of the weapons and the battle scenes  ... The story also ended in a satis- factory place, but I will most likely read more of the series so see what happens to the characters as time goes on.
Marguerite	RavenclawPrefect	Assassin's Apprentice	Robin Hobb	FINISHED - I cannot believe that I left that jewel of a book in my content manager so long.  I really enjoyed his writing style and character develop- ment.  In fact, I bought the second in the series and am going to read that this weekend.  ... so I had to read Royal Assassin so I had to read The Assassin's Quest.  Now I feel almost bereft without those characters ... I have picked up four other books and none seems to satisfy me yet.
MINImum	luvmy4brats	The Gargoyle	Andrew Davidson	20% finished - it's finally starting to intri- gue me. It is very well-written and even though I still don't like the main character (the guy) I am interested in what's going to happen. I can tell it will end up being a good book, so I'm anxious to finish the other series I'm reading and get back to this.
MoyJoy	NogDog	The Name of Wind	Patrick Rothfuss	-
	OR	The Amazng Maurice and his Educated Rodents	Terry Pratchett	-
Quake1028	ayuryogini	The Passage	Justin Cronin	-
	OR	Water for Elephants	Sara Gruen	-
RavenclawPrefect	JimJ	The Local News	Miriam Gershow	FINISHED - I had hoped that it would pick up but it just kinda plodded along.   I would like to be able to say I enjoyed it but I didn't find the char- acters very interesting or sympathetic.  I think the potential for a better story was there but really, I think it failed. ... I thought the ending was very flat and rushed.  I don't think this is something I would recommend to someone and highly doubt I would read it again.
sem	EKing	Rider	Jim Bernheimer	Started - I'm having a really hard time getting through my selections but I'm trying!!!
	OR	Generation Kill	Evan Wright	-
	OR	The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo	Steig Larsson	-
Steven L. Hawk	akagriff	The Cigar Maker	Mark McGinty	FINISHED - Overall, it was... okay.  I kept hoping it would pick up, but it held its course right to the very end.  The historical aspects were good, but I like a bit more "story" in my history.  Overall, I'd give this one 2.5 stars.  Good in some areas, okay in most though.
Taborcarn	Jeff	Billy Boyle	James R. Benn	FINISHED - I enjoyed it quite a bit.  The pace dragged for a bit after they left Beardsley Hall and toured about the British countryside, but it definitely picked up again by the end.  I feel that the "twist" at the end was a little convenient though.  Even though it was pretty obvious it was going to happen, the deus ex machina allowed Billy to get away with his actions with too few consequences.
Tripp	Steven L. Hawk	His Majesty's Dragon	Naomi Novak	FINISHED - all I can say is that not only did this book keep my interest, it kept me riveted.  While I have never read many fantasy books before, I do like period books and this merged the two into a very credible story.  I finally knew that I was hooked when the death of a minor character caused me to cry.  That was how invested I became in the story. ... Thanks for such an enjoyable read.
Tuttle	Betsy the Quilter	The Charbydis Novels	K.A. Thompson	FINISHED - I am not entirely sure what to say about it. I personally didn't find it amazing, but still enough that I couldn't put it down really. For part of it I didn't want to read it because they were dealing with so much pain but I wanted them to get to the part where they are happier. It's definitely well written, definitely something I'd recommend to someone who enjoys the type of book.
vg	KindleGirl	Don't Tell	Karen Rose	FINISHED - am liking the story.  It has its heavy parts (deals with spousal/child abuse) but also has lighter moments that keep it from becoming a depressing Lifetime movie type plot.  ...Things started snowballing and I just couldn't put it down.  Thanks for the suggestion, KindleGirl, I did enjoy the book and it was definitely outside of my normal comfort zone.

[drjunkie]

Ok.  I read the Assassin's Apprentice so I had to read Royal Assassin so I had to read The assassin's Quest.  Now I feel almost bereft without those characters.  I seem to be a little lost without them.  I have picked up four other books and none seems to satisfy me yet.  Oh well, it's the sign of a good series.

Read the Tawny Man trilogy by the same lady, it just continues the story about 15 years later.