This summer, I participated in the Literary Ladies reading challenge hosted by the lovely Kay, Kristen, and Kari (pretty much the only acceptable time KKK is acceptable). I posted my original list in June (you can read it here), I reviewed the books I read throughout various Show Us Your Books linkups (which you can access on the archive page), and here’s how my final list ended up.
Some changes were made due to issues with the library being completely uncooperative but the main point is that I finished and I remembered to check in this time so that’s a double win for all of us, really. Even if I didn’t win the contest. Which is fine because this is literally the first challenge I’ve ever completed so it’s a personal victory. And I rewarded myself by reading more books.
Seems like an appropriate prize, right?
And, on another note, I want to say that I love these types of challenges (Erin, I promise I’m going to work on your next one) because they get people reading books. Lots of books. Books that they might not have otherwise read. All reading is good reading, and diverse reading is even better (that said, if anyone is putting together a reading challenge and needs some category ideas, I’ve got them aplenty). So thank you to the hosts of all the challenges.
Final List
YA Book: Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
Book by a non-US Author: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
Book recommended by a blogger: Dirty Rush by Taylor Bell (recommended by Steph)
Book on my TBR list for more than a year: Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler
Book with a kickass female lead: Let It Be by Chad Gayle (I was disappointed by the amount of kickassness of the female lead but later in the summer I read Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart, which has a completely badass female lead–in fact, the book was about one of the first female deputy sheriffs in the U.S.–so even though it wasn’t an official substitution, I feel like I legit completed this category)
Book that is or will be a movie or TV show: The Long Home by William Gay (you can see here for the casting for this one)
Book by a comedian/celebrity: I Regret Nothing by Jen Lancaster (original pick was Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg which I just received from the library last week, right before I left for Charlotte)
Book with a one word title: Confess by Colleen Hoover
Suspenseful/mystery/thriller book: Trust No One by Paul Cleave (original pick was Radiant Angel by Nelson DeMille which I just received from the library yesterday)
Book about summer/with summer in the title: Summerlong by Dean Bakopolous (who followed me on Twitter last week and I *might* have screamed)
This is the first time I ever took on a challenge also. Usually I don’t because I know I’ll forget about them or, worse, just plain fail.
Kristin recently posted…Teacher Stuff: Class Dojo
I fail more than forget which is why I was super excited to finish this one. I shit the bed on Erin’s so now I know I can really only do one at a time.
my library is such a bitch and never cooperates with me! like today, i got a notification that another book i’ve waited for months just came in…that makes 4 that i have to read in 3wks. HOW?!?!?
kathy @ more coffee, less talky recently posted…favourite things about fall
My library pulls that shit, too. It’s nonsense.
Way to go on all your reading!! I loved The Husband’s Secret, such a crazy story!
Julia @ Grace Makes New recently posted…Fall-licious…Again.
She did a good job writing it. It made me sad that I figured it out and the end pissed me off, though.
Trust No One, Modern Romance and Husband’s Secret are all on my to read list!!
Nadine recently posted…Confession – I LOVE FALL
Awesome! I hope you like them!
bahahahaha yes it is the only time KKK is acceptable.
and um yes, girl you can throw all your category ideas at me, we would love to have them! i agree, i love challenges like this (even if i don’t always finish them) because they get people reading and there is nothing wrong with that. thanks for joining us!!
kristen recently posted…All things Autumn / Fall
I agree–anything to get people reading is a great idea. And I sent you my suggestions 🙂
Love that an author followed you back on Twitter! And congrats on finishing the challenge. I didn’t finish but it was a great kick in the pants to choose a variety of books from my TBR list.
lisacng @ expandng.com recently posted…Shoe collections {photos}
Not just an author. It was DEAN BAKOPOULOS and we all know how I fangirl over him.
I was excited to finish the challenge. Made me feel accomplished.
Haven’t read any of these except Shotgun Lovesongs, which I already want to read again. I have some Liane Moriarty books on my hold list at the library because I’ve heard great things, so hoping I get to try one of them out soon!
alyssa recently posted…Ten Things I Know Right Now
That was such a beautiful book. I hope he writes more.
I prefer Jojo Moyes to Liane Moriarty (they remind me of each other) but Moriarty’s books are good.
My first MLB game I didn’t notice the K’s they were putting up for strikeouts until we had 3. I kind of freaked out a little and begged my dad to get the heck out of there.
So there’s another place it’s acceptable, apparently. 10 year old me had no idea.
I love this challenge! And I’ll have to check out The Husband’s Secret. I’ve been working on this Around the World in 80 Books challenge. I’ve been at it a year, and think I have twelve down? Maybe 13? Have to check my ledger.
That’s the only other acceptable place. And don’t they typically turn the third K around? I could be making that up.
I think they’re doing a fall one so you’ll have to join us! I don’t know the Around the World in 80 Books but I’m totally going to look it up.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Trust No One!
Amanda recently posted…Wedding Confessions
It was great. Just the right amount of fucked up.
Whoa! Dean followed you?! Well, that is certainly exciting stuff!
I’m wondering if I should add The Long Home…
When I’m putting together my categories for my next challenge (happening January – April of next year – plenty of time for you to prepare), I’ll make sure I ask for your category suggestions. Then, you’ll most definitely feel obligated to participate.
Congrats on your first challenge completion!
Erin of TexErin-in-SydneyLand recently posted…Out of touch with the world of TV
He did! Right after our Australia conversation (and probably because there were about a dozen other times I mentioned him on Twitter #stalker).
HAHA! I will definitely participate in the next one. Promise!
I really need to get on Shotgun Lovesong, I keep seeing it everywhere. Awesome job on your list.
Kerry recently posted…I’m ready for my close-up
Congratulations on finishing the challenge! It was my first reading/book challenge as well, and I really enjoyed participating. This will be the first of many for me, I’m sure.
I just got The Husband’s Secret from the library a couple of days ago. I think I waited at least a month or two for it. Several of the other books you have listed are on my “To Read” list as well.
And whoa to a favorite author following you on Twitter! When I read things like that, it makes me want to get over my dislike of Twitter and create an account. I’d completely freak out if any of my favorite authors or musicians started following me (or even just acknowledged me).
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