The Quasi-Official December Book Reading Game

[Geoffrey]

OK, so it's kinda first thing on the first .... here is the list of selectors and selectees as a refresher.

Selector	Selectee	Genres	Dealbreakers
Annalog	kaotickitten	ya, christian romances,  science fiction, zombies, apocolptic	Erotica, M/M Romances, atheist themes
Berrytastic	Annalog	Science Fiction; Mystery; Fantasy, I have an account on Goodreads	No Deal Breakers
ciscokid	Geoffrey	Science Fiction; Fantasy; Alternate History; gay themed books.  You can find me on goodreads here.	No Deal Breakers  -  I would love one of your favorite, go-to comfort reads
djgross	Jeff	biographies, non-fiction, fact-based fiction or historical novels. Goodreads.	No erotica, fantasy or a single short story disguised as a novel, please.
drenfrow	KingAl	Sci-fi/fantasy, Mystery/thrillers.  Here's my Goodreads	Romance
fadedrainbows	djgross	Mystery, suspense My Goodreads account	No Deal Breakers
Geoffrey	fadedrainbows	Paranormal Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Chick Lit My Goodreads	Classics
imallbs	Tuttle	Fantasy, Science Fiction (primarily classic science fiction)	Love triangle as primary plot element, extremely depressing Other notes: I cannot commit to reading a book costing me >$5 on my current lack of income. Feel free to list options that cost more than $5, and I'll buy them if they're interesting enough after the sample, but please list at least one book that costs no more than $5.
Jeff	drenfrow	Mystery, Fantasy/Sci Fi, Science/History of Science	extreme violence/gore, extreme sadness, horror/scary stuff, You can check out my books on Goodreads: Donna's Books
kaotickitten	ciscokid	Horror, Paranormal/Supernaturl Thrillers, Apocalyptic fiction, Some Sci Fi...my taste in books is actually pretty broad....these are just my favorites. Here's the link to my Goodreads page.	Erotica and homosexual romance. Please no long and involved books this month and nothing too expensive.  Life is pretty crazy right now.
KingAl	SinCityReader	Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime, Mystery & Suspense. Goodreads	Science Fiction,, Horror (I'm kind of scared of the dark ) Romance & Religion
MoyJoy	Berrytastic	crime book reader and have recently discovered historical fiction such as pillars of the earth.	apart from a barbara cartland style romantic novel i am prepared to try most things .
SinCityReader	imallbs	Mystery/Detective; American and Western European History This is supposed to be a link to my Goodreads list but I'm not promising anything.	Horror (no that's the same), Fantasy (no that's the same), Romance (aha, there's the new one)
Tuttle	MoyJoy	My goodreads For me price is not a deal breaker so my selector can do more than 9.99 if they're passionate about it.	no classics, no talking animals.

[Jeff]

Donna,

I suggest Out of Time by Monique Martin.



Please let me know if you'd like another choice.

[Berrytastic]

Anna,
I have two choices for you

The first one is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (long read and historical fiction ) so outside your normal genres i think.

The second is Killing Floor by Lee Child.If none of these are suitable let me know


Peter

[djgross]

Greetings Jeff,

I have two suggestions for you. 

1.     

$1.99 Kindle.   The first of the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries, featuring a Scotland Yard detective who returns from WWI mentally traumatized  (revealing more would be a spoiler). 

This special edition with bonus material (the bonus material is an excerpt from the Jan. 2012 Rutledge release) is a pre-order and will be available on December 6th.   

A sample is available from the regular $9.99 Kindle edition.

2. 

Currently priced at $4.72 Kindle.    An award winning mystery set in the Victorian era.   The first of the Lady Julia Grey series. 

Let me know if you'd like alternate selections!

Best,

DJ

[Geoffrey]

Fadedrainbows,


Your Goodreads books are in interesting mix of Romances and Zombies.   Very Eclectic.       OK, so this first book isn't a selection per se - it's a book that seems to fit into all your usual genres as a Paranormal Chick Lit Steampunk Historical Romance Fantasy novel:  Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate).  I'm offering this as something you should just get and curl up on lazy afternoon with a hot chocolate and read read read.  I loved it - its very amusing and sucked me right in.




Now, on to my selection for the game.   The first I'm reading now and currently half way through. It's a Post-Apocalypse short story anthology that I'm completely into: Grants Pass by Cherie Priest, etc.



Your second choice is set slightly in our future but its not Science Fiction, it's a YA novel about video game 'gold farmers:  For the Win by Cory Doctorow.  (Or you can pick up a copy for free on the author's webite....)

[Jeff]

Thanks, DJ. I pre-ordered Test of Wills.

[Tuttle]

MoyJoy,
Between your 'No Talking Animals' dealbreaker, and looking through your goodreads and finding most of the books realistic, I ended up going with a mostly non-fiction selection for you.

The first option is a book written by not only an autistic person, but one who is non-verbal even as an adult. He describes parts of his life in this book, and it is a highly informative book on what it is like for someone to be what we consider low-functioning autistic. His writing is one of the best ways to see life from that type of person's point of view, as he describes why he does things instead of just what people see. From both the point of view of disability rights and just being able to see life from someone else's point of view, this is to me a good book to share as well as one I enjoyed.


The second is a book I read for this game in a previous month. I knew I'd find it enjoyable as I enjoy reading about science, but the writing style being one that I didn't associate with technical topics and one I enjoyed was something that impressed me.


The third is a book about a cat. I like cats. I like stories about cats. They're comforting to me. In particular this is about the effects of a cat on a town.



And because I feel like there should be a fiction option available, Pterry is one of my favorite authors of all time. This book, while different than the discworld books, seems like it'd fit well with what you enjoyed reading. While this is a young adult book, Pratchett manages to write about humanity in a way that works for all ages. This book is also on sale now for $0.99, so I'd recommend getting it now for anyone who has thought about reading it.

[MoyJoy]

MoyJoy,
Between your 'No Talking Animals' dealbreaker, and looking through your goodreads and finding most of the books realistic, I ended up going with a mostly non-fiction selection for you.

The first option is a book written by not only an autistic person, but one who is non-verbal even as an adult. He describes parts of his life in this book, and it is a highly informative book on what it is like for someone to be what we consider low-functioning autistic. His writing is one of the best ways to see life from that type of person's point of view, as he describes why he does things instead of just what people see. From both the point of view of disability rights and just being able to see life from someone else's point of view, this is to me a good book to share as well as one I enjoyed.


The second is a book I read for this game in a previous month. I knew I'd find it enjoyable as I enjoy reading about science, but the writing style being one that I didn't associate with technical topics and one I enjoyed was something that impressed me.


The third is a book about a cat. I like cats. I like stories about cats. They're comforting to me. In particular this is about the effects of a cat on a town.



And because I feel like there should be a fiction option available, Pterry is one of my favorite authors of all time. This book, while different than the discworld books, seems like it'd fit well with what you enjoyed reading. While this is a young adult book, Pratchett manages to write about humanity in a way that works for all ages. This book is also on sale now for $0.99, so I'd recommend getting it now for anyone who has thought about reading it.

Oooooooooooooh I hate non-fiction!  LOL!  Well i don't hate it but... yes.  yes, i do.  LOL!  So this month will be a challenge for me and I'm choosing to accept it!    I may cheat and pick the Pratchett book though.

[drenfrow]

Jeff, I've had Out of Time on my Kindle for awhile, so this is an excellent excuse to read it.  I need to finish another book first so it will be a few days before I get to it.

[drenfrow]

KingAl, I have two choices for you.  I didn't see any Agatha Christie on your Goodreads list.  She is one of my all time favorites.  I recently listened to this one.  It's ostensibly a Hercule Poirot novel but he actually plays a smaller part than usual. 



My second recommendation is one I read a few months ago and really enjoyed.  It's a quirky book originally published in 1967.



Let me know if you'd like some other choices.

[Jeff]

Jeff, I've had Out of Time on my Kindle for awhile, so this is an excellent excuse to read it.  I need to finish another book first so it will be a few days before I get to it.

Good. It's way outside my normal preferences, but I really liked it. Hope you do too.

[MoyJoy]

Hi Berrytastic!

I have two suggestions... if you don't like them or have already read them please let me know and I'll suggest something else.

[Berrytastic]

Unfortunately neither of those titles are available in the uk kindle store . I will have a look in the kobo store to see of they are there but I don't hold out much hope

Peter

[ciscokid]

Geoffrey, in trying to come up with some of my "comfort reads" two of my picks are from two of my favorite authors.  I tend to read my favorites over and over, so these would be my "comfort reads". 

I saw that you have a lot of Sci Fi on your Goodreads list, but I didn't see anything by Anne McCaffrey.  How can you have read so much sci fi and not delved into her Pern books?     My first selection for you is:



My next pick is a Dean Koontz book.  I know that he is often categorized as a horror writer, but this book, to me, is more of the thriller genre with non-stop action. 




The last selection is a book that I had as a child, but have read it over and over, even as an adult.  Its as much a coming of age novel as one about a dog. 



I hope you find one of these to your liking.  If not, I can come up with something else.

Toni

[MoyJoy]

Unfortunately neither of those titles are available in the uk kindle store . I will have a look in the kobo store to see of they are there but I don't hold out much hope

Peter

The both appear to be in the kobo store.    Keep me posted if you don't see it.  I'm not sure if I was looking at the US or UK site.  I did try www.kobobooks.co.uk but it redirected to .com.

[Annalog]

Kaotickitten,
I have the following recommendations:

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. It is just barely within the price range of the game: $9.99.


For a great book that is outside the price range of the game, $12.99, I recommend Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.


My next two recommendations are by authors active on KB and closer to your usual genres:
Elfhunter: A Tale Of Alterra, The World That Is by C. S. Marks. The Kindle version from Amazon is $2.99.  It is the first of a trilogy. DH thought the beginning was a little slow but after a few chapters, he was as hooked as I was from the beginning. (He is in the middle of the second book and finds it difficult to put down.) This was the first Kindle book where I had to buy the sequel in the wee hours of the morning.


Season Of The Harvest by Michael R. Hicks. The Kindle version from Amazon is $2.99.


If none of these work for you, let me know and I will make other recommendations.
Anna

[Annalog]

Anna,
I have two choices for you

The first one is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (long read and historical fiction ) so outside your normal genres i think.

The second is Killing Floor by Lee Child.If none of these are suitable let me know

Peter

Peter, I have sent samples for both of the books to my Kindle. Both look interesting. I will probably start with Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett as I think my mom will enjoy also enjoy reading it (if she hasn't read it already).

[KingAl]

SinCityReader,

My first selection is the first book in Piers Anthony's Xanth fantasy series (they are all stand-alone, so you can read this by itself)


I noticed that this was in your "To read" shelf on Goodreads, and since the movie is coming out soon, this may be a good time to read it.


If none of these work for you, please let me know and I will come up with something else.

[Berrytastic]

No unfortunately the same is true of kobo it drives me mad these stupid book differences between different countries

[KingAl]

KingAl, I have two choices for you.  I didn't see any Agatha Christie on your Goodreads list.  She is one of my all time favorites.  I recently listened to this one.  It's ostensibly a Hercule Poirot novel but he actually plays a smaller part than usual. 



My second recommendation is one I read a few months ago and really enjoyed.  It's a quirky book originally published in 1967.



Let me know if you'd like some other choices.

I picked the Agatha Christie book. I've always meant to start reading some of her works. Thanks!

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey, in trying to come up with some of my "comfort reads" two of my picks are from two of my favorite authors.  I tend to read my favorites over and over, so these would be my "comfort reads". 

I saw that you have a lot of Sci Fi on your Goodreads list, but I didn't see anything by Anne McCaffrey.  How can you have read so much sci fi and not delved into her Pern books?     My first selection for you is:



My next pick is a Dean Koontz book.  I know that he is often categorized as a horror writer, but this book, to me, is more of the thriller genre with non-stop action. 




The last selection is a book that I had as a child, but have read it over and over, even as an adult.  Its as much a coming of age novel as one about a dog. 



I hope you find one of these to your liking.  If not, I can come up with something else.

Toni

Toni,

Old Yeller, the movie, just tears out my heart so I'm not sure if I can read it, I've never really grokked Koontz - although this on interests me - AND I've been saying I should re-read some McCaffrey since her passing.  So, picked up the The Dragonriders of Pern to read the first 3 ....

[MoyJoy]

No unfortunately the same is true of kobo it drives me mad these stupid book differences between different countries

Oh man.

Ok, well would you be up for the 1Q84 challenge?  I'm reading it now.  I like it a lot but it's VERY long.  Actually in the UK it's broken up into two.  I'm enraptured by his writing style.  I think I'm on Book 2 (in the US all 3 are combined)

My second recommendation would have to be World Without End... the part II to Pillars of the Earth.  I LOVED Pillars but couldn't get into World Without End although I did hear great things about it.  

My third would be The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

WELL!!!  Apparently the Universe doesn't want you to see the the books because I'm having issues linking them to the UK Amazon site.  UGH.

[fadedrainbows]

So, djgross, we read a lot of the same stuff But, luckily as Geoffrey mentioned, I am an unusually eclectic reader I have three choices for you from my top picks of 2011 so far. They are three very different choices, so I hope you'll be able to choose one.



My first pick for you is Umbrella Summer. This is a juvenile fiction novel, around 230 pages. It was poignant and sweet and funny. I had a blast reading it and it even teared me up a little at the end (the good kind, though!)



My second pick is a gay ya book. I fell so hard for this book earlier this year. It was amazing. It is about a boy learning about his sexuality and about relationships.



This last book is more up your alley, I think. It is a paranormal romance mystery. This book reminded me a lot of the early Stephanie Plum books. The humor is fantastic and Charley is a riot!

I hope you like one of these, and if you don't let me know and I will think of something else.

[fadedrainbows]

Fadedrainbows,


Your Goodreads books are in interesting mix of Romances and Zombies.   Very Eclectic.       OK, so this first book isn't a selection per se - it's a book that seems to fit into all your usual genres as a Paranormal Chick Lit Steampunk Historical Romance Fantasy novel:  Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate).  I'm offering this as something you should just get and curl up on lazy afternoon with a hot chocolate and read read read.  I loved it - its very amusing and sucked me right in.



Now, on to my selection for the game.   The first I'm reading now and currently half way through. It's a Post-Apocalypse short story anthology that I'm completely into: Grants Pass by Cherie Priest, etc.



Your second choice is set slightly in our future but its not Science Fiction, it's a YA novel about video game 'gold farmers:  For the Win by Cory Doctorow.  (Or you can pick up a copy for free on the author's webite....)

I have to let you know that I completely agree with your description of my genres

Also, bought and sent to my Kindle both Grants Pass and For the Win. A while back, Amazon did a deal where the first 3 books of the Parasol Protectorate series were bundled for 9.99. I bought them, then (is that a surprise?) So, I am going to try to get to all three of these books within the month, although I am not making any promises

Thank you for the choices!

[Berrytastic]

Moyjoy I am half way through the follett one as it happens but I won't choose that as my choice . I really don't fancy either of the books but then again in the spirit of the game perhaps that's the point so I am going to go for the poisenwood bible

Peter