One More Challenge - Read to Me - Picture Book Challenge in 2011

This Challenge is more for my son than anyone! I'm always reading to him but I want to encourage myself to read a wide range of picture books to him :D

he objective of the challenge is to read with the kids in your life and/or enjoy picture books in general.

Guidelines:

• Books must be ones written expressly for children ages 9 and under. Board books, early readers, picture books, etc.
• Print or eBook format is acceptable.
• Anyone can join. You don’t have to be a blogger, and you don’t have to live in the United States. Open worldwide.
• You do not have to have an blog to participate.
• You can join at anytime. Deadline to join is November 20, 2011.
• Decide if you intend to read them with a child or on your own. Sorry, but those who read with a child get twice as many entries each month. Although those that do read with a child need to share their experience with the them in their review
• Submit your reviews as you complete them on the designated monthly post to be qualified for monthly prize drawings.

Challenge Levels:

Reading with a Child:

1. “Planting” – Read 12 picture books with a child during the year.
2. “Watering” – Read 36 picture books with a child during the year.
3. “Feeding” – Read 72 picture books with a child during the year.
4. “Growing” – Read 120 picture books with a child during the year.
5. “Harvesting” – Read 200 picture books with a child during the year.

Reading on Your Own:

1. “Board Book” – Read 12 picture books on your own during the year.
2. “Unjacketed” – Read 36 picture books on your own during the year.
3. “Jacketed“ – Read 72 picture books on your own during the year.
4. “Early Reader” – Read 120 picture books on your own during the year.
5. “Chapter Reader” – Read 200 picture books on your own during the year.

GOAL: Feeding - read 72 (different) picture books to my son Finny

The List: A Love Story in 781 Chapters by Aneva Stout

Back of the Book:

The irresistibly witty love story of girl meets boy, girl dumps boy, girl goes shopping and other dating truths that simply has to be read in one sitting, and then read again and shared with all your girlfriends. Narrated in 781 very, very short chapters, The List is an irresistible look at love, dating, friendship, sex, cats and shopping. Like Bridget Jones's Diary it's a story about meeting Mr. Right and Mr Completely Wrong, and is an interesting, as gossipy, as truthful and as reassuring as a late-night phone call to your best friend ever.

What I Thought:

I loved it! It was a very cute, quick read about the world of dating that I can only imagine sounds truthful. I give it 4 out of 5!

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick part of the Hush series

Back of the Book:

When Nora and Patch are forced together as lab partners, Nora would rather fall to her death than put up with his elusive answers to her questions, his teasing and his infuriatingly handsome face and hypnotizing eyes. It seems Patch was put on earth to drive her crazy. But before long, Nora's defenses start to break down as her curiosity about Patch heats up. Why does he always seem to be wherever she is and know exactly what she's thinking? How does he know what to say to both attract and repulse her? And what is up with those V-shaped scars on his chiseled back? As their connection grows strong, Nora's own life becomes increasingly fragile. Nora needs to decide: Is Patch the one who wants to do her harm or the one who will keep her safe? Has she fallen for one of the fallen?

What I though:

Amazing!!! I couldn't put it down!!! Fitzpatrick kept me turning to the very last page because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to Nora and know who was actually trying to kill her and who was trying to save her life. I cannot wait to get my hand onto the squeal "Crescendo". I give this book 5 out of 5 and suggest anyone to read it. The story was amazing!!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - part of the Millennium Trilogy

What Does the Back of the Book say:

Harriet Vanger, scion of one of the Sweden's wealthiest families, disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged Uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

What I Thought?

I couldn't put it down. I was pretty much addicted to the novel. It starts out a little slow, laying out the characters however once you are pulled into the world of Blomkvist, Salander and the Vanger clan you cannot seem to be able to get out without finishing the book. I have not watched the movie (i like to watch the movie after I read the book) however I am looking forward to seeing it after how amazing the book was. I give it 5 out of 5!!!

Thirst 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, Red Dice by Christopher Pike - part of The Last Vampire series.

What are the books about?

* The Last Vampire - Surviving through countless centuries, Alisa is beautiful, strong and ...deadly. Alisa has long been hiding a dark and deadly secret, but it seems that someone is finally onto her. When a private investigator is hired to delve into Alisa's personal affairs, her shocking true age and untraceable fortune are uncovered. Alisa does what she must and kills the investigator, but not before discovering who hired him. It is clear that an ancient evil -- the first vampire -- has returned. Alisa knows that his whole existence was her fault and she must, therefore, be the one to end his reign of slaught

* Black Blood - Believing that she and her partner, Ray, are the last remaining vampires, five-thousand-year-old Alisa is stunned when she learns about a series of brutal murders in the United States that can only be the work of their own kind.

* Red Dice - Alisa and Joel are vampires. Joel is an FBI agent. Someone inside the government has discovered their secret and wants their blood, to study it and duplicate it. They begin a massive manhunt but Alisa gets away. Unfortunately, Joel is caught, and it's up to Alisa to set him free.

What I Thought:

I liked them well enough (clearly since I read the first three books), however they are not the most interesting Vampire story I have read (and everyone knows that I read enough of them). They are definitely worth a read and I might even read the second set of three yet. I'm only giving the books a 3 out of 5.

An Irish Christmas by Melody Carlson

What does Fantastic Fiction say about the book?

For Colleen, life is spinning out of control. She just lost her husband, and her relationship with her young adult son Jamie is crumbling. Should she confess to him the secret that has been haunting her for twenty years? Jamie has a few secrets of his own. When he announces his plans to join the military, Colleen decides it's time for the two of them to take a trip together—to Ireland. The truth they discover there could fulfill both their dreams in a way neither ever thought possible. An Irish Christmas is a captivating story of love, deception, and secret passions, from popular and prolific author Melody Carlson.

What I Thought?

I really enjoyed this book although I think it's a little far fetched and unrealistic. But I guess at the same time I'm sure the story could happen in real life. I give it 3.5 out of 5 and definitely suggest reading it for a little Christmas spirit.