I completed another one of my 2010 reading challenges recently: The What's In a Name? 3 Reading Challenge. This challenge is hosted by Beth F of Beth Fish Reads and was really a lot of fun to do, and manageable at only six books, too! The requirement was to read one book from each of the following criteria, which I did plus a few extra by reading the following books:
1. A book with a FOOD in the title:
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
2. A book with a BODY OF WATER in the title:
Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen
3. A book with a PERSON'S TITLE in the title:
Except the Queen by Jane Yolen & Midori Snyder
One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
4. A book with a PLANT in the title:
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
5. A book with a PLACE in the title:
Looking for Alaska by John Green
6. A book with a MUSIC TERM in the title:
Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater
It was a fun challenge to find books to fit these criteria, but not crazy hard that it was impossible. A few of the books were already on my list to read this year, one or two others were books that I more spontaneously chose to read and then later realized they met this challenge, and then one book-- Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen, was chosen specifically for this challenge. I literally browsed the new release shelves at my library on several visits searching for a book that had the name of a body of water in the title. It was a good choice, too, because I really enjoyed the book!
Interestingly, I read books from a really wide selection of fictional genres, which for some reason really pleases me. I read three young adult novels--a paranormal, fantasy and contemporary; two romances--an historical romance and a contemporary romance; one fantasy novel, and two general fiction novels--one more chick lit and the other more general fiction. Pretty diverse, right?
I would tell you which of the six books I would recommend, but honestly? I loved all of them! I think it's even more difficult to choose a favorite because the books are from such different genres. Too hard to compare when they're so different. But, if I think hard on it, I can say that my favorites of the lot are One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare, Except the Queen by Jane Yolen & Midori Snyder and The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. How funny that those are the three books I read with a 'TITLE' in the title! Honorable mention goes to Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen. And maybe also Ballad by Maggie Steifvater. See? I can't chose just one. ;)
This is one challenge that I'll definitely rejoin in 2011. I can't wait to see the criteria that Beth comes up with for next year!
Have any questions or comments about the books I read for this challenge? Ask away.
1. A book with a FOOD in the title:
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
2. A book with a BODY OF WATER in the title:
Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen
3. A book with a PERSON'S TITLE in the title:
Except the Queen by Jane Yolen & Midori Snyder
One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
4. A book with a PLANT in the title:
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
5. A book with a PLACE in the title:
Looking for Alaska by John Green
6. A book with a MUSIC TERM in the title:
Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater
It was a fun challenge to find books to fit these criteria, but not crazy hard that it was impossible. A few of the books were already on my list to read this year, one or two others were books that I more spontaneously chose to read and then later realized they met this challenge, and then one book-- Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen, was chosen specifically for this challenge. I literally browsed the new release shelves at my library on several visits searching for a book that had the name of a body of water in the title. It was a good choice, too, because I really enjoyed the book!
Interestingly, I read books from a really wide selection of fictional genres, which for some reason really pleases me. I read three young adult novels--a paranormal, fantasy and contemporary; two romances--an historical romance and a contemporary romance; one fantasy novel, and two general fiction novels--one more chick lit and the other more general fiction. Pretty diverse, right?
I would tell you which of the six books I would recommend, but honestly? I loved all of them! I think it's even more difficult to choose a favorite because the books are from such different genres. Too hard to compare when they're so different. But, if I think hard on it, I can say that my favorites of the lot are One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare, Except the Queen by Jane Yolen & Midori Snyder and The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. How funny that those are the three books I read with a 'TITLE' in the title! Honorable mention goes to Tomorrow River by Lesley Kagen. And maybe also Ballad by Maggie Steifvater. See? I can't chose just one. ;)
This is one challenge that I'll definitely rejoin in 2011. I can't wait to see the criteria that Beth comes up with for next year!
Have any questions or comments about the books I read for this challenge? Ask away.
This looks like it was fun! Sorry I missed it.
ReplyDeleteI've not read Tessa Dare but have a few of hers on my list.. maybe I should get to them sooner rather than later.
Great to see you!!
G
This sounds like such an interesting challenge. I like how it crossed genres for you and that it led you to read authors that weren't your normal go-to authors. What did you think of The Sugar Queen?
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a sensational day!
What a fun basis for a challenge. Congrats on finishing!
ReplyDeleteHi Christine!
ReplyDeleteI would liked to have done this challenge...perhaps next year...it's really not that far away, is it?
And on a side note, I know someone who has a birthday coming soon *wink*!
Gina...
ReplyDeleteI really adore Tessa Dare's writing style. I read her debut historical romance trilogy last summer, starting with The Goddess of the Hunt. I love, love, love the first two books in that trilogy. The third was kind of 'meh' in the romance, but her writing was still really fabulous. One Dance with a Duke is the first in her newer Stud Club trilogy and was really fantastic. I started book two--it's on my sidebar-- and it's very good so far, too. I hope you try her sometime soon. And I hope you like her as much as I do!!!
Brandy...
This was a very cool challenge. I liked seeing what books the other participants read for each category, too. It was fun to see what people came up with.
I liked The Sugar Queen very much, but I think Garden Spells is still my favorite of hers. The Girl Who Chased the Moon was sweet, too. Which Addison book is your favorite?
I hope you had a great day, too!!! :)
Phyl...
Isn't the basis for this challenge very clever? That's what appealed to me the first time I came upon it.
Amy...
I will let you know when Beth announces the What's In a Name? 4 challenge for 2011 and you can sign up with me.
A birthday? Thanks for the reminder!! They kind of sneak up on you these days, you know? LOL!
Congrats! :) What a fun challenge. Of your list, I've only read THE SUGAR QUEEN, but I've got THE IRON KING in the TBR. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great basis for a challenge. I like it! Congratulations on completing it early... I'll look for this one next year. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to choose a favorite by Sara Addison Allen. But, my favorite was The Sugar Queen because that was the first book I read by her. I liked the growth of the main character, how she realized it was impossible to please her mother and that she needed to live her own life.
ReplyDeleteHope this day is fabulous for you as well!
Jace...
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like THE IRON KING very much! I hope you get to it soon.
Hilcia...
I subscribe to Beth's blog by RSS, so I'll let you know when she posts about next year's challenge! It'll be fun!
Brandy...
I liked that about The Sugar Queen as well. Funny, I read Garden Spells first and that one is my favorite!
Congrats Christine!! Cool challenge that you've achieved! See, you might not be near your reading goal, but you're completing these challenges which is good :D
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a really fun book challenge. I've never participated in a reading challenge before, but I will keep a look out for them. Thanks so much Christine!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Christine. :) The challenge sounds fun and interesting. And you read from such a variety of genres!
ReplyDelete*g* Out of eight books, you kind of listed five at the end. I don't see how you can think you have a problem choosing. ;)
This was such a fun challenge and so achievable, too. I mean... the fact that even I was able to do it with 3+ months to spare to the deadline? Would be a piece of cake for the rest of you! LOL!!!
ReplyDeletenath...
That's a good point. Even though I may not meet the 100 books in 2010, at least I'm still reading consistently and achieving other neat reading goals.
firepages...
If you're the sort of reader who enjoys keeping lists of what you read and want to read or if you want to make some sort of goal with you're reading, challenges are a fun way to do it. Plus it's a great way to connect with other avid readers. A lot of info about different reading challenges start popping up on book blogs toward the end of the year.
Taja..
LOL! I know. I'm so bad at choosing favorite books. That's part of the reason why I don't attach grades or stars to my reviews. When I even write reviews, that is. LOL!