Friday, July 1, 2016

Book Challenge by Erin 5.0 Picks

Erin announced the categories for her latest book challenge a month ago, and I'm finally posting my picks. As usual, I spent a lot of time searching my "To Read" list, Goodreads, and my library's website for the perfect book for each category. Several of these categories were tough for me, though, so it took a little longer than I anticipated. (A category that was surprisingly difficult? A book that begins with the letter "R." Apparently I don't want to read very many "R" books.)

I've also been ridiculously behind on all things blog related lately, so I hadn't had much time to sit down and write this post until now. I swear I'm going to get caught up one of these days!

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1. A Book That Is At Least 200 Pages Long - 5 pts

The freebie categories are always tough because there are just so many books I want to read. My "To Read" list is almost at 500, and it's always growing. I eventually chose a book that I've actually checked out from the library previously but never read. I had to return it because the waiting list was long and I just didn't have the time for it. I really want to read it, though, and I've had my hold at the library paused for so long that I should get it pretty quickly once I resume my place in "line" ... So it seemed like the best choice.

My pick: Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

2. A Book That Begins With The Letter "R" - 10 pts

As I said before, this was an oddly difficult category for me. There were a few books on my "To Read" list that would work, but I opted for something that sounded entertaining, fun, and maybe even a little trashy. I've been reading a lot of really dark novels lately, and, while I love them, sometimes I just need something completely different.

My pick: Real Happy Family by Caeli Wolfson Widger

3. A Book With A Five Word Title - 10 pts

I almost chose another book for this category, but it's under 200 pages (according to Goodreads). So instead I went with a book that has intrigued me ever since I stumbled across it on my library's website several months ago. I don't know why it's taken me so long to pick it up, but I'm glad I could fit it into one of these categories!

My pick: The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango

4. A Book That Has A (Mostly) Blue Cover - 15 pts

I was hoping I'd be able to work the last book in the Deanna Madden trilogy into this challenge, and, thanks to its blue and black cover, it will actually be worth more than 5 points!

My pick: If You Dare by A.R. Torre

5. A Book Featuring Twins As Characters - 20 pts

Last year I read several books featuring twins, so it was actually kind of difficult to find a book I'd be interested in that I hadn't read recently. One of my all-time favorite books, Geek Love by Katherine Dunn, has twin characters, but I was saving my one reread in this challenge for another category. (I highly recommend that book if you haven't read it, though! I've read it three times, and I will happily read it again in the future.) Anyway, after looking through lists on Goodreads and changing my pick a couple of times, I finally settled on a book that sounded really unusual and unlike anything I've read before. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint!

My pick: Among Others by Jo Walton

6. A Book From This List Of Books Being Made Into Movies - 20 pts

I'd actually already read quite a few of the books on this list, and had even chosen The Silent Wife for the other book challenge I'm currently participating in. As I was scrolling through the list, I was thinking, "I think I'm just going to have to pick something random for this category." Then I noticed a book that I'd recently added to my "To Read" list and got excited ... Any time I can cross something off that list, I'm happy!

My pick: The Merciless by Danielle Vega

7. A Book Set In A Country I've Always Wanted To Visit - 25 pts

I love traveling, but I still haven't experienced so much of the world. There are a lot of places I dream of visiting. In the end, I chose a book set in England for two reasons: I've wanted to visit London since I was a little girl and I've had my hold on this book paused at the library for a while so I should be near the top of the list. I really need to clear out my paused holds (I have 8 paused right now), and this is a great way to do it!

My pick: What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan

8. A Historical Fiction Book - 30 pts

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't love historical fiction. However, that doesn't mean that I never enjoy it. The Nightingale, for example, was absolutely amazing. I'm hoping I'll have similar success with this book.

My pick: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

9. A Music Related Book 30 pts

The book I chose for this category has literally been sitting on my bookshelf for years. It was given to me as a gift a long time ago (I can't even remember who gave it to me), and, for whatever reason, I just never bothered to read it. I didn't read it during the Read My Books challenge last month, so it's nice to continue getting through some of my own books while participating in other challenges.

My pick: Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield

10. A Book Originally Published Over 100 Years Ago - 35 pts

As I said earlier, my "To Read" list is insanely long (and it just keeps growing). However, I still like to revisit books I've previously enjoyed from time to time. I think I reread at least a couple of books last year, and I planned to do the same this year. Since it's allowed in this challenge, I've decided to reread one of my favorite classic novels. I got a beautiful copy of this book from my mom for Christmas last year, and I've been looking forward to reading it again. I haven't read it since my senior year of college (2005/2006), so it's almost like reading it for the first time. Almost.

My pick: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

I'm really excited to start working through the books on this list!

6 comments:

  1. GREAT list! As always, I enjoy you saying "why" you chose certain books. Pretty Girls is so disturbing, so, you know, I think you'll like it.
    Burial Rites did not seem like a book that I'd enjoy, but I fell in love with it. I hope you feel the same.
    Love is a Mix Tape is a great selection for the music category. I look forward to your thoughts on that one.

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  2. oh yay! the only one i have read is burial rites - i can't wait to see what you think of it. it was an odd book, i don't want to say anymore but i did like it.

    btw i just finished i let you go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! holy shit snacks. i'm glad you didn't tell me too much about it because i wouldn't have read it (i can explain more in email if you want) but i'm glad i did! but i want to talk about the ending! haha

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  3. The Nightingale is STILL on hold at the library for me....as in I'm in line 48560274783 on 2 copies :(

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  4. I had a really hard time with the five word title...for some reason my TBR list didn't have any 5 word titles on it!

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  5. I actually haven't even HEARD of most of these books so now I'm off to check them out on Goodreads!!

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  6. Great list! I can't wait to hear what you think of them! :)

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