Solely Books

Christian Genre Challenge ending!

2007-12-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

Well, with tomorrow comes the end of 2007, and also the end of the Christian Genre Challenge. So, how'd you do???

Personally, I finished 4/5 books, so I didn't do too badly! I had great hopes of actually finishing this challenge, given I was so close! But, unfortunately, I got pretty distracted in December (as usually happens), and didn't read much of anything this past month.

So, here's what I *did* finish from my list:

THERE IS MORE TO THE SECRET by Ed Gungor (nonfiction)

REVEALED by Tamera Alexander (western)

THE BEST GIFT by Irene Hannon (inspirational)

FEARLESS by Robin Parrish (suspense)

COURTING TROUBLE by Deeanne Gist (historical)

I'm happy with this. I may not have finished the challenge, but I got real close, so that's good enough for me. ;)

Leave a comment with how you did!

What's new...

2007-12-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

I was on a real reading streak throughout November... I got 5 books read!

Safe Dieting for Teens by Linda Ojeda (A.R.C.), rated: B

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, rated: B-

A Lady's Guide to Rakes by Kathryn Caskie, rated: A

Revealed by Tamera Alexander, rated: B+

Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling, rated: B+

Currently, I'm having a hard time focusing on, and getting "into", any book. I think that, because the holiday season is basically upon us (all the get-togethers & parties & planning), I'm just not going to get much more reading done for the remainder of this year.

Right now I've got bookmarks in both The Wise Woman by Christian Jacq, and The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. I'm *trying* to read them, but like I said, it's proving difficult. I get a chapter or two read, here and there, but that's it. So, we'll see.

I've read 45 books so far, this year, so that's okay. Better than last year! But, still not quite where I'd like to end up -- I was / am aiming for at least 52 books. :-?

On a happier note, I'm getting excited about the new reading year! I love starting fresh with new goals, and a new pile of TBR books! Speaking of which, the well-loved TBR CHALLENGE is returning for a second year! Sign-ups begin DECEMBER 15th, 2007 for the 2008 year, so there's just one more week to go! I can't wait to post the *official* post about it on the challenge blog, as I know a lot of people have been anxious to sign up! :-) Soon, folks! Very soon!

Last but not least, I have announcement! As of January 1st...

THIS BLOG WILL BE REPLACED!
You will then be able to find me
at The Book Zone!

Please be sure to follow me over there, as you'll be able to keep up to date with my reading progress, my challenge stats, and all the other bookish things of Mizbooks! ;-)

Anticipation!

2007-11-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

I don't know about all of you, but I'm really starting to look forward to the new year ... all new book lists, and all new challenges ... so many "fun" things! :D

I've already started compiling my book lists for the bloggy challenges I'll be partaking in:

2008 TBR Challenge

Themed Reading Challenge

Just4thehelluvit Challenge

Book-a-Week Challenge

2New2U Challenge

Casual Reading Challenge
(Already in progress! Continues until Oct.1/08)

...etc

I also think I'll join in if the Classics or Chunkster Challenges go for a "round 2" in 2008. ;o)

What challenges are YOU taking part in next year? Are you familiar with the Yahoo group: "A Novel Challenge"? If not, I recommend you check it out! But, I add this warning: it's VERY addictive!!! LOL

New Books!

2007-09-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

I ordered these today from Chapters:

I also have a couple of books coming from Crossings Book Club:

BREAKING FREE: DAY-BY-DAY by Beth Moore
LANDMINES IN THE PATH OF THE BELIEVER by Charles Stanley

WWW... (09/24)

2007-09-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading "The Vagabond Clown" by Edward Marston. It's very good, so far, and satisfying my craving for a "British" novel. ;)

I'm also reading "Get With the Program" by Bob Greene.

What did you just finish reading?

Recently I finished "Look Great, Feel Great" by Joyce Meyer (rated: 4/5), as well as "The Inn at Shadow Lake" by Janet Edgar (rated: 3/5).

What will you be reading next?

Probably either "Courting Trouble" by Deanne Gist, or "Revealed" by Tamera Alexander. Both are review books for Bethany House Publishers. ;)

So Many Challenges, So Little Focus!

2007-09-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

This morning, I finally got around to reading all of my Bloglines subscription-feeds. And, upon reading Wendy's "A Novel Challenge" blog posts, I've discovered a ton of new & interesting challenges -- blogger BOOK challenges, to be exact! -- for the 2008 reading year!

The two that caught my eye, most definitely, were:

* the 2008 Themed Reading Challenge

and

* the 8 Books in 8 Categories in 2008 Challenge!

Then, of course, there's my very own TBR Challenge, which will be continued in 2008 (year 2!). Changes are in the making for that group / challenge, but they're not huge... the best one being that anyone will be able to join, any time throughout the year -- no more "cut-off-date"! :-D

I also have personal challenges in mind:

trying to read a few Classics (again)

catching up / keeping up with my Reviewing
(I have a great deal of books on that pile, waiting to-be-read!)

attempting to keep reading my OWN books, instead of those from the library

Now, my *problem* with all of these wonderful challenges is that... I have very little FOCUS. I seem unable to pile so much upon myself, as I get overwhelmed, and then don't complete ANY of them!

Like this year (2007), for example...

I started my TBR Challenge to knock off some books on my TBR mountain that had been calling to me for way too long! The challenge is to read 12 TBR books, one each month. How many have I read so far? Only 3. [hangs head in shame] :-(

I joined in on the Classics Challenge earlier in the year, thinking I'd finally get around to reading some of the books in that category... I've been collecting the "Classics", after all, swearing that I'd read most of them some day! And, I read only 2, out of the 5 on my list. The other 3 are still sitting on the top of my bookshelf, staring at me, saying "Why haven't you read us yet? You said you were going to!"

I joined the Chunkster Challenge ... and, surprisingly!, I finished it! Mind you, I only chose to read 2 books for that challenge... but I did it! (Luckily, they were both books on my TBR Challenge list, as well!) I finally read "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, and "Envy" by Sandra Brown! Yay!

Then I created yet another challenge: Christian Genre Challenge (and, thankfully -- knock-on-wood -- I'm doing okay with it, so far!)

So, the question of the day is, "DO I DARE SIGN UP FOR THESE NEW CHALLENGES? JUST A COUPLE OF THEM?!"

Part of me screams "Nooooooo!" (I've been frustrated this year by not having the "freedom" to just read what I want from my shelves... just for the heck of it --- which brings to mind the fact that I should really join in on the just4thehelluvit challenge! LOL)

But, another part of me just cannot resist a new challenge ... especially when it's book-related! I want to try! I want to take part, and be included! LOL

What to do? What to do?

Guess I'll have to "chew" on this one for a while... ;-)

CGC: Update

2007-09-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

My Christian Genre Challenge is going well for me, so far! I've finished two of the books from my list:

FEARLESS by Robin Parrish (August 24, 2007)
and
THE BEST GIFT by Irene Hannon (August 30, 2007)

If I can keep up that pace, I'll complete this challenge! (which is more than I can say for others I've joined/started! LOL... 9 months into the year, and I've only read 3 out of 12 of my TBR Challenge books!)

Ah well. We're reading what we can, when we can. Hopefully I'll get several under my belt in the month of September, as the kids will be back in school, and I still don't have a job... so I've got some uninterrupted reading time coming to me! ;-)

WWW... (08/14)

2007-08-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading Robin Parrish's second book in the Dominion Trilogy, "Fearless". It's good, so far, but I'm not that far into it, yet.

What did you just finish reading?

Recently I finished "One Little Secret" by Allison Bottke (rated: 4/5). Recommended! A quick, cute read.

What will you be reading next?

Probably either "Revealed" by Tamera Alexander, or "Courting Trouble" by Deanne Gist. Both are review books for Bethany House Publishers. ;)

Ready Set GO! (Christian Genre Challenge)

2007-08-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

It's Official! The CHRISTIAN GENRE CHALLENGE has begun today!

And, because I've rarely blogged in the last couple of months, I had no idea that I have 14 participants joining me for this! Thank you so much, and good luck to you all! :D

Also, since I hadn't finalized my list, here it is... these are the 5 books I've chosen to read between today and December 31st!:

1. SUSPENSE: ~~Fearless by Robin Parrish~~ [FINISHED: August 24, 2007]

2. HISTORICAL: Courting Trouble by Deanne Gist

3. INSPIRATIONAL: ~~The Best Gift by Irene Hannon~~ [FINISHED: August 30, 2007]

4. NON-FICTION: ~~There Is More to The Secret by Ed Gungor~~ [FINISHED: September 13, 2007]

5. WESTERN: Revealed by Tamera Alexander

Update on the TBR Challenge

2007-06-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

We are just about half-way through the year, so I thought I'd give a quick update on how things are going with my TBR Challenge.

While the other members are just flying along, and are basically on track --for the most part-- with reading the books off their list, their fearless leader (that'd be me!) is struggling to keep up! LOL. But, I just keep trying! Here's how my list looks, so far:

MY TBR in 2007 LIST:

Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone (#1) - J.K. Rowling

~~Passage - Connie Willis~~ (done: Sept.11/07)

~~Middlemarch - George Eliot~~ (done: Feb.6/07)

The Wise Woman - Christian Jacq

~~The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen~~ (done: Apr.9/07)

Premonition - Randall Ingermanson

Shadow Baby - Ami McGhee

~~Envy - Sandra Brown~~ (done: Jun.21/07)

Bethesda: A Novel - Paul A. Nigro

The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde

Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs

The Tea Rose - Jennifer Donnelly

For EXTRA CREDIT:

Messy Spirituality - Mike Yaconelli

How to Be Good - Nick Hornby

Flabbergasted - Ray Blackston

The Rule of Four - Caldwell/Thomason

Deep In the Valley - Robyn Carr

Dying Declaration - Randy Singer

Double Vision - Randall Ingermanson

The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith

If I Had You - Deborah Bedford

Her Daughter's Eyes - Jessica Barksdale Inclan

The Codex - Douglas Preston

Peace Like a River - Leif Enger

Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle - Stephen Arterburn

As you can see, I've not read ANY of the books from my "Extra Credit" list. But, I haven't yet felt the need to. My original list is hard enough to get through, given the small amount of reading I've been doing all-around this year! :-?

Ah well. Just keep reading, just keep reading, just keep reading, reading, reading... what do we do? We read, read, read! (ala Dory of "Finding Nemo")

TBR: "There is More to The Secret"

2007-06-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

"There Is More to the Secret" by Ed Gungor

Found this book on Faithfulreader.com, today, and -- given that I just read Rhonda Byrne's book, "The Secret", about a month ago -- I was interested to know more about this new book by Ed Gungor!

"There is More to The Secret" is not an 'attack' on Ms. Byrne's book, but rather a compliment to it ... she left out a crucial element of the "Law of Attraction"... and, that's that Almighty God is always involved. ;o)

While I was reading "The Secret" (Byrne), I found a lot of it to be "New Age", and I had issue with that. BUT, I also found a lot of what the author said to have some truth to it, and I figured it can't hurt to try some of the things out... like thinking positively. ;o) That's always been touted as a good thing, even by my mother. ;o)

Here are some quotes from "The Secret" that I really liked:

p.18 - "...he changed from focusing on what he did not want, what he was afraid of, what he wanted to avoid, to focusing on what he did want."

p.58 - "a person cannot think 'thin thoughts' and be fat. It completely defies the 'Law of Attraction'."

p.74 - "Gratitude is absolutely the way to bring more into your life."

p.90 (paraphrased) - "Create a Vision Board - put on it what you want to acheive, or something you want to attract... put a picture of this / these things on this board, and look at it every day... start to visualize. Imagine you already have these things."

p.123 - "Treat yourself with love and respect, and you will attract people who will show you love and respect."

p.123 - "To make a relationship work, focus on what you appreciate about the other person, not your complaints. When you focus on the strengths, you'll get more of them."

p.127 - "All stress begins with one negative thought."

And, the one that really made me smile because it made me think of all the "good gifts that God has given me":

p.183 - "The earth turns on its orbit for you. The oceans ebb and flow for you. The birds sing for you. The sun rises and sets for you. The stars come out for you. Every beautiful thing you see, every wonderous thing you experience, is all there for YOU!" (see James 1:17)

Christian Genre Challenge: My List

2007-06-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

So, I was looking at my list for my Christian Genre Challenge (which starts on August 1st!), and I decided I don't like the looks of it. I no longer care to read some of the books I listed. So, since it's not yet August 1st, I am changing my list... And, I haven't finalized it, yet, so I'm going to list, here, a few possibilities for each of the genres I'm hoping to read from. ;o)

Historical:

"Revealed" by Tamera Alexander
"A Woman's Place" by Lynn Austin
"Courting Trouble" by Deanne Gist

Non-Fiction:

"Love Beyond Reason" by John Ortberg
"Idols of the Heart" by Elyse Fitzpatrick
"Religiously Transmitted Diseases" by Ed Gungor
"Making Peace with Your Mom" by H. Norman Wright

ChickLit OR Humor:

"Savannah Comes Undone" by Denise Hildreth
"The Secret Life of Becky Miller" by Sharon Hinck
"Flabbergasted" by Ray Blackston

Inspirational:

"The Best Gift" by Irene Hannon

Suspense OR Mystery:

"Freefall" by Kristin Hannah
"Cape Refuge" by Terri Blackstock
"Premonition" by Randy Ingermanson

A lot of these are my "review" books for Bethany House, and a couple of them are ones from my TBR Challenge list. I've GOT to start reading some books from both of those lists, as I'm terribly behind!

Last week I'd forgotten that I said I wanted to do this CG Challenge (doh!), so I told myself that this summer I would read ALL of the review books Bethany House has sent me, and I'd get myself caught up. Then I got a couple of comments here on my blog about the challenge, and I went, "Oh, yeah!" LOL. So, I changed my mind, and decided I'd read as many as I could ... they'd just have to fit into the challenge somehow. ;o)

Anyway. Make sure you leave your name in the Mr. Linky if you're participating in the challenge -- that way others can check up on you and see how you're doin'! ;o)

WWW... (06/15)

2007-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

What are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading "FATTITUDES" by Jeffrey & Norean Wilbert. It's very good, and I highly recommend it! It's got these great little questionnaires & forms that you can fill out to help you discover more about yourself and your eating, and the emotions behind why you overeat. Very helpful!

What did you just finish reading?
I recently finished reading Lisa Young's "The Portion Teller". It helps you learn how to better "eyeball" your portion sizes by giving you a list of "visuals" (a baseball = 1 cup; a shot glass = 2 Tbsp; etc), and then combining those with the Food Guide Pyramid to help you learn to eat healthier all-around. I gave this a rating of B+ (enjoyable), and I'd recommend it, for sure!

What will you be reading next?
I had gotten about half-way through Sandra Brown's "Envy" at the end of May before I picked up a few other library books to read, so I'd like to get back to that, and have it finished before the end of the month. It's my second "chunky" book for the Chunkster Challenge (of 2), so I need to have it finished before June 30th. ;o) It's a good read, so far, though, so I'm sure that won't be too much of a problem -- given other things don't stand in my way. ;o)

MEME: What's Your Preference?

2007-06-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

Deena (who is doing a BOOK GIVEAWAY, btw!), had this meme posted on her blog, so I'm playing along, as always (can't seem to resist these things! LOL)

What's Your Preference?

1) Novel or novella?

Novel

2) Hardback or paperback?

Either... I go through "moods"... sometimes I crave a Hardcover, other times I want all mass-market paperbacks! LOL

3) Male authors or female authors?

Either

4) Fiction or non-fiction?

Well, I would've said "usually fiction", but that's not true. If you take a look at my reading list, you'll see that I'm reading more NON-fiction than anything...

So, long-answer-shorter... BOTH! ;o)

5) Bestseller or obscure title?

Obscure...I love finding new authors. I'll still read the bestsellers from time-to-time, though. ;o)

6) Local bookstore or chain franchise?

Both, though I tend to shop more at the Chains (when I'm not picking books up at the goodwill stores or yard sales!)

7) Read the book first or see the movie first?

Probably the book... but, this is one I always forget which I prefer more! LOL

---------
PS... Deena's answers were here. ;o)

Yay!

2007-05-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! My local library has agreed to purchase BOTH of the books I recently requested...

"Organic God" by Margaret Feinberg

and

"The Backward Life" by Jarrod Jones

Whoohoo! :-D Can't wait to read 'em both!

Another TBR book

2007-05-22T10:19:00.001-07:00

The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Life" by Jarrod Jones

I found this book over at FaithfulReader.com today, and it sounds really good. I'm hoping my library will order it, too! :o)

(They ordered "The Organic God" by Margaret Feinberg for me! Yay!)

To Be Read: "THE ORGANIC GOD"

2007-05-17T08:05:00.001-07:00

Found this book on FaithfulReader.com today...

"The Organic God" by Margaret Feinberg

"In THE ORGANIC GOD Feinberg uses personal anecdotes and introspection as entrée points to examine nine different aspects of God's character. God is big-hearted, breathtakingly beautiful, amazingly wise, surprisingly talkative, wildly infallible, outrageously generous, unbelievably stubborn, abundantly kind and deeply mysterious. Feinberg wants readers to consider the place this God should have in all areas of their lives --- to fight compartmentalization and to embrace a holistic understanding of faith." (Lisa Ann Cockrel, reviewer)

Tagged!

2007-05-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

Deena tagged me with a meme, but because it's not "book-related", I've put it over on my other blog. Feel free to go on over and read it... it's 8 Random Things About Me. ;o)

CGC: My List

2007-04-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

For my Christian Genre Challenge, I plan to read the following (in brackets, following each title, is the Genre the book falls into):

"REVEALED" by Tamera Alexander (Historical)

"SEX GOD" by Rob Bell (Nonfiction)

"TYING THE KNOT" by Susan May Warren (Romance)

"THE BEST GIFT" by Irene Hannon (Inspirational)

** This list is subject to change until July 31st (the last day before the challenge begins!) **

UPDATE: Christian Genre Challenge

2007-04-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Okay -- since there've been several people who've shown an interest in my CHRISTIAN GENRE CHALLENGE, I am now making it official!

For this challenge, you will choose 3-5 books, one per Genre (see below), and you will read those between August 1st - December 31st, 2007.

For example:

CHRISTIAN ROMANCE: "Happily Ever After" by Susan May Warren

CHRISTIAN LIVING: "How to Be Good Without Really Trying" by Mike Flynn

CHRISTIAN CHICK-LIT: "With This Ring, I'm Confused" by Kristin Billerbeck

CHRISTIAN FANTASY/SCI-FI: "Arena" by Karen Hancock

CHRISTIAN CLASSIC: "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton (author correct?)

There are a ton of Genres you could choose from... Here's a quick list (there may be others I'm not thinking of...):

Christian Living

Romance

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Chick Lit

Mystery/Suspense

Classic

Historical

Humor

Inspirational

Keep in mind that you are NOT LIMITED to just the Genres I've listed here! This is, by all means, NOT an extensive list! There are quite probably some that I've forgotten!

Leave your name & a permanent link in the Mr. Linky below to sign yourself up for this challenge! Thanks! ;o)

Be Daring!

2007-04-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening, while browsing at the library, I found a neat little book that I'd never heard of before:

The Daring Female's Guide to Ecstatic Living: 30 Dares for a More Gutsy and Fulfilling Life by Natasha Kogan

Basically, it talks of being more "gutsy and daring" in order to live a more fulfilling life.

The book's motto is: "To get the most out of your life,
you have to dare yourself to do it."

Just reading the first chapter I felt inspired! I am a big "chicken" -- I love my routines & sameness -- but I also love a good challenge... and I think Ms. Kogan may just be on to something here!

The back of the book also listed a website where you can find out more:

www.DaringFemale.com

There is a blog listed there, as well as tips on how to start your own "Daring Circle" (a group of Daring Females who uphold each other to their personal dares). There are lots of opportunities listed there for you to win a free copy of the book, too, so be sure to check it out!

As for me, I'm busy making up my own list of "dares". ;o)

New Blogger Book Challenge!

2007-04-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

I got this interesting idea for a new Blogger Book Challenge, the other night. I'm still working out the details, but basically, this is what it'll be about....

You will choose 3-5 books, one per Genre (see below), and you will read those between (possibly -- this is the part I'm still working on) August - December 2007.

For example:

CHRISTIAN ROMANCE: "Happily Ever After" by Susan May Warren

CHRISTIAN LIVING: "How to Be Good Without Really Trying" by Mike Flynn

CHRISTIAN CHICK-LIT: "With This Ring, I'm Confused" by Kristin Billerbeck

CHRISTIAN FANTASY/SCI-FI: "Arena" by Karen Hancock

CHRISTIAN CLASSIC: "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton (author correct?)

There are a ton of Genres you could choose from... Here's a quick list (there may be others I'm not thinking of...):

Christian Living

Romance

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Chick Lit

Mystery/Suspense

Classic

Historical

Humor

Inspirational

I have heard of soooo many Blogger Book Challenges "out there", and yet, there don't seem any that are specifically for "Christians". ;o) So, here we are... a challenge all our own! ;o)

Leave me a comment to let me know if you're interested, and I'll put up a Mr.Linky once I decide on the dates for this challenge *officially*. ;o)

Thanks!

Meme: Mizbooks needs...

2007-04-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

Deena posted this funny Meme over on her blog a few days ago, and -being bored right now- I decided to play along... ;-P

It's called "[Insert Your Name] Needs." You Google the phrase "[Name] Needs" and then pick out your favorites to post.

(as Googled...)

Mizbooks (apparently) needs...

...to make a connection to real life

...to Know about Catching a Man

...fixing

...help from addictions

...the untamed faith

...[to be!] light and fluffy

...someone to talk to

...to start reading everyone else's lists

...just a few of them covered in chocolate

...another challenge

...some remodeling

...a better editor

...a small city built with books (this is my absolute FAVE!)

...to earn a little

...that Chinese Food Fix

...to read this book

...to pray about this and see where God leads me

...a healthy body

...to start training for the Bloglympics in June 2008

...more sleep!!!

...to be able to share this journey with people

...to recharge my batteries

...a bookmarking feature

...to get the list down, and also to stop spending

...a vacation

...to be brought back [from where, I wonder???] :-P

...to sort through these different characters

...to provide a different ending

...to retire, or get a life

...to be done then! :-P

WWW... (04/16)

2007-04-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

What are you currently reading?

I'm currently into three different books: BELIEVING GOD by Beth Moore, IN SEARCH OF EDEN by Linda Nichols, and HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT by Mark Buchanan. The middle one is fiction, and the other two are non-fiction.

What did you just finish reading?

I recently finished my first book by Tess Gerritsen, "THE SURGEON". It was really good! Much as it was kinda gruesome in parts, I had a really hard time putting the book down. As such, it got a B+ from me... probably should've gotten an A-, but I don't like when a book is peppered with vulgarities, which this one was.
:-?

What will you be reading next?

Probably one of the new books I've got coming in the mail... either "THIN AGAIN" by Arthur & Judy Halliday, or "IDOLS OF THE HEART" by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

I love new books! :-D

Deena's 100 Books List Contest!

2007-04-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

Deena at the A Peek At My Bookshelf blog has posted a new contest where you can win a FREE BOOK! All you have to do is....

Once you've read my list, copy it, and then highlight the books you've read, underline the books you've heard of but haven't read, and then leave me a link to your post to enter my contest

So, here are my "answers"...

*** NOTE: I've BOLDED those I've read *HALF/PART* of so far. ;-P ***

Those books in orange are the ones I've read in full.

Deena's book list...

1. The Bible, by God

2. The Secret Life of Becky Miller, by Sharon Hinck

3. The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien

4. The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis

5. Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers

6. My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult

7. Murder of a Sweet Old Lady, by Denise Swanson

8. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, by Joanne Fluke

10. Loves Music, Loves To Dance by Mary Higgins Clark

11. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J. K. Rowling

12. The Negotiator, by Dee Henderson

13. The Guy I'm Not Dating, by Trish Perry

14. Lost in NashVegas, by Rachel Hauck

15. Heaven, by Randy Alcorn

16. Believing God, by Beth Moore **currently reading!**

17. Battlefield of the Mind, by Joyce Meyer

18. Simply Jesus, by Joseph Stowell

19. Just As I Am, by Billy Graham

20. Just As I Am, by David Ring

21. Let's Roll, by Lisa Beamer

22. The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, by Lilian Jackson Braun

23. The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges

24. Jack Bauer's Having A Real Bad Day, by Tim Wesemann

25. My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

26. Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Montgomery

27. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott

28. Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White

29. Sophie's Heart, by Lori Wick

30. Hitched, by Carol Higgins Clark

31. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens

32. The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis

33. The Fellowship of the Ring, by J. R. R. Tolkein

34. Eragon, by Christopher Paolini

35. Stealing Adda, by Tamara Leigh

36. Get Out of That Pit, by Beth Moore

37. Relentless, by Robin Parrish

38. The Heart Reader, by Terri Blackstock

39. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte

40. Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom

41. At Home In Mitford, by Jan Karon

42. Renovating Becky Miller, by Sharon Hinck

43. Desiring God, by John Piper

44. The Last Sin Eater, by Francine Rivers

45. Love Comes Softly, by Janette Oke

46. This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti

47. Black, by Tedd Dekker

48. Comes A Horseman, by Robert Liparulo

49. The Yada Yada Prayer Group, by Neta Jackson

50. Breaking Free, by Beth Moore **currently reading!**

51. The Friendships of Women, by Dee Brestin

52. Having A Mary Heart In a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver

53. Legacy of a Packrat, by Ruth Bell Graham (**this one's going on my TBR list!**)

54. Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn

55. Trixie Belden and the Black Jacket Mystery, by Kathryn Kenny

56. Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer

57. The Dead Don't Dance, by Charles Martin

58. Sisterchicks on the Loose, by Robin Jones Gunn

59. Savannah from Savannah, by Denise Hildreth

60. Dearest Dorothy, Slow Down!, by Charlene Baumbich

61. Like a Watered Garden, by Patti Hill

62. The Return of the King, by J. R. R. Tolkein

63. The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

64. Sense & Sensibility, by Jane Austen

65. Left Behind, by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye

66. Dark Blue: Color Me Lonely, by Melody Carlson

67. God As He Wants You To See Him, by Chip Ingram

68. Captivating, by Stasi Eldridge

69. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J. K. Rowling

70. Deadline, by Randy Alcorn

71. More Than A Carpenter, by Josh McDowell

72. Traveling Light, by Max Lucado

73. Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On, by Stormie O'Martian

74. The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren

75. Prayer, by Philip Yancey

76. Why The Sky Is Blue, by Susan Meissner

77. The Grace Awakening, by Chuck Swindoll

78. Where Does A Mother Go To Resign, by Barbara Johnson

79. Fresh Brewed Life, by Nicole Johnson

80. If You Give A Pig A Pancake, by Laura Numeroff

81. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Barrett

82. Jude the Obscure, by Thomas Hardy

83. What To Expect When You're Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff

84. Flies on the Butter, by Denise Hildreth

85. After Anne, by Roxanne Henke

86. The Oath, by Frank Peretti

87. Hangman's Curse, by Frank Peretti

88. Blink, by Tedd Dekker

89. Danger In the Shadows, by Dee Henderson

90. Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell

91. I Kissed Dating Goodbye, by Joshua Harris

92. The Two Towers, by J. R. R. Tolkien

93. The English Breakfast Murder, by Laura Childs

94. The Cat Who Talked Turkey, by Lilian Jackson Braun

95. The Applause of Heaven, by Max Lucado

96. Though None Go With Me, by Jerry Jenkins

97. Divine, by Karen Kingsbury

98. The Christmas Shoes, by Donna VanLiere

99. Hazardous Duty, by Christy Barritt

100. Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan

I own so many of these books, too! I'm soooo bad when it comes to books... I buy them constantly, but always seem to let *other* books come first! :-?

Can't Wait!

2007-03-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

Just two more weeks, and then I can order these...

Body Clutter: Love Your Body, Love Yourself
by Marla Cilley & Leanne Ely

Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone
by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Thin Again: A Biblical Approach to Food, Eating and Weight Management
by Arthur & Judy Halliday

Her Only Desire: A Novel
by Gaelen Foley

Yay! :-D

Top 10 Books I Couldn't Live Without

2007-03-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

I was "tagged", just by reading Deena's blog post, so here goes...

Now, whether I could actually not "live without" these, I don't know... some, definitely, but the others, I might change my mind. ;o)

Top 10 Books I Couldn't Live Without:

1. The Bible - New Living Translation (of course!)
2. Gifted Hands - Dr. Ben Carson (implies that you can do whatever you put your mind to, especially if you have a strong role-model)
3. Writer Ferrets - Richard Bach (inspiration for writing; cute)
4. The Moon Below - Barbara Bickmore (I am woman; hear me roar!)
5. Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell (very out-of-the-box Christianity; makes me LOL)
6. Girl Meets God - Lauren Winner (why faith is important)
7. Get Out of That Pit! - Beth Moore (awesome book about deliverance)
8. Gaelen Foley's "Knight" series (my favorite series so far)
9. Christian Jacq's "Ramses" series (my second-fave series)
10. Inkheart - Cornelia Funke (best book-about-books I've read!)

TAG! You're it! :D

Finished... Wow!

2007-03-26T18:17:00.000-07:00

MOSQUITO by Roma Tearne

Finished this book today, and all I can say is WOW! Amazing book, especially as a debut from the author! Read my review HERE.

Highly recommended!

Currently Reading...

2007-03-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

After months of not liking the offerings put out by HarperCollins Canada's First Look program, I finally found something that sounds good... and I got picked to review it! :o)

MOSQUITO by Roma Tearne

Book Description:
A classic novel of love and war—a lush, cinematic story in the tradition of The English Patient

Set adrift by the recent death of his wife, Theo Samarajeeva abandons his comfortable writer’s life in London and returns to Sri Lanka, his homeland. Within the protective confines of his beach house outside of Colombo, and under the watchful eye of his loyal servant, Sugi, he attempts to finish his latest novel, though the threat of violence lurks just beyond his door.

Meanwhile, Nulani, a mysterious and artistically talented young woman, installs herself on Theo’s veranda and begins to paint him, capturing in her vivid portraits a man in search of redemption.

As an unorthodox and tenuous love blossoms between this unlikely pair, Sri Lanka’s simmering civil war creeps ominously close, threatening to destroy their fragile happiness. Just when Nulani feels, for the first time in years, that she is loved, and Theo begins to believe he has a future, the terror of war spreads across the nation, converting ordinary citizens into enemy combatants and outsiders into tools for blackmail. In this climate of chaos, both Nulani and Theo must call upon their memories and their art to survive.

Set against the tableau of the Sri Lankan conflict between the Tamils and the Singhalese, and sweeping from Sri Lanka to Venice and London, Mosquito is an emotionally charged, unforgettable story that illuminates the power of love and memory.

Author and artist Roma Tearne, who fled Sri Lanka when she was young, unflinchingly captures the menace of war while at the same time imbuing her spellbinding work with immense humanity and moral vision.

Spring Reading Thing Challenge

2007-03-23T08:47:00.001-07:00

Like I need another Challenge, but I can't help myself. I stumbled upon Katrina's SPRING READING THING Challenge today, completely by accident, while blog-hopping. So, I'm thinking it's "meant to be" that I join! LOL

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE:

Have you fallen behind on your To-Be-Read list? Do you have five books that you've started but haven't finished? Have you been meaning to get around to that great book your friend recommended but just haven't done it yet? Do you love to read and to find out what everyone else is reading? Then this challenge is for you!

Some of you may be wondering why I'm choosing to join a TBR challenge when I already have one of my own... well, I'm behind on my own challenge! LOL. So, I need a good kick-in-the-pants to get me going again. And, if you read my earlier post about how much I'd like to (or need to) get read this year, you'll understand why I think I *need* this challenge! ;o)

The SPRING READING THING Challenge goes from March 21st - June 21st of this year.

MY LIST:

Believing God by Beth Moore

Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Envy by Sandra Brown

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Body Clutter by Marla Cilley & Leanne Ely

Idols of the Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Making Peace with Your Mom by H. Norman Wright (review)

_________________ (Review Book)

Premonition by Randall Ingermanson

Love Beyond Reason by John Ortberg

African Ice by Jeff Buick

Thin Again by Arthur & Judy Halliday

Most of these are from my TBR Challenge list. The "Believing God" one is a book I'm reading & studying with another online group. I've left one spot blank, as I'll need to read another review book, but want to be free to pick it when the time comes (I'm a 'mood reader', most of the time). And then, a few are books that will be brand new, but that I've been wanting to read for a while now -- I'll be so excited to get them, I just KNOW I'm gonna wanna read them immediately! ;o) Oh, and I also put a couple on there that I bought at Christmas, or shortly thereafter, that've been causing me guilt for not having read them, yet, after I pined for them for a long time! LOL

Wanna join me?

Chunkster Challenge

2007-03-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

Nancy, over at Bookfoolery & Babble, is doing a "Chunkster Challenge".

Here are the official "Rules":

1. Time period: The Chunkster Challenge will run from
Jan. 1, 2007 - June 30, 2007.

2. How fat must a "chunkster" be? Anything that makes you say, "Whoa! That's freakin' intimidating!" But, my personal opinion of what constitutes a chunkster is anything over 400 pages.

3. How many books do I have to read? Here, again, I'm going to be extremely flexible because some of you have busier lives, read slower, or are just too terrified to shoot too high and I think that's fine. If you only want to challenge yourself to read one, so be it. So, the official answer is however many you choose.

4. Do I have to choose specific titles? You can either choose specific titles that you want to read during the 6-month challenge OR you may list a pile from which you hope to read a specific number. Please include what you intend to read in a post at your blog site, when you sign up.

5. Why are you making this so ridiculously flexible...? Because I'm not very good at choosing titles and sticking to them. Let's face it, people, Bookfool is one flighty chick. So, I'm going to have a pile from which I plan to attempt a certain number, myself.

6. Will there be prizes? ... I plan to hold two drawings - the first will be for a tote bag to carry your chunksters around, on January 8, and the final drawing at completion of the challenge will probably be really cool but I'm not sure what's in it, yet....

Crazy-woman that I am (not like I don't already have *enough* challenges on my plate!), I'm going to be taking on this challenge, too! :o) And, my LIST of books is as follows:

Envy by Sandra Brown (490p.)

Passage by Connie Willis (674p.)

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (756p.)

Middlemarch by George Eliot (838p.)

I probably will pick only 2 of these titles, as I don't think I can manage 4. I've got two other challenges on the go, plus reviewing books (which I'm behind on, already), plus my f2f book club picks. SO, 2 should be plenty. "Middlemarch" will probably make the list, too, as it's already on my "Classics Challenge" list, and my "2007 TBR Challenge" list. ;o)

Classics Challenge

2007-03-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

I've joined another book challenge. Thanks to my friend, Lisa at Bluestalking Reader, I am now signed up for Booklogged's Classics Challenge, which will take place in January - February 2007.

The goal is to read 5 Classics during these 2 months.

Here is what I'm going to attempt to read:

1. Middlemarch by George Eliot
2. ~~The Aspern Papers by Henry James~~ (done: 01/17/07)
3. Persuasion by Jane Austen
4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
5. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

(See the books - my library)

Yes, it's shameful to admit -- I've not read ANY of these, yet! But, this is just the kind of kick-in-the-butt motivation I need to do so! :o)

Note: Originally, I'd planned to read "Babel Tower" (or "Possession") by A.S. Byatt. But, today I watched the movie, "The Lake House" (starring Keanu Reaves & Sandra Bullock), and I'm convinced I need to read Jane Austen's "Persuasion". Hence the change in my list. ;o)

Almost Overwhelmed With Reading!

2007-03-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

I am almost overwhelmed by the amount of reading I'm telling myself to do this year... or, that I've *challenged* myself to take on. LOL

Here are the books that I desperately want/need to get to in the next 12 months:

REVIEW BOOKS "TBR" (to be read):

Saving Alice - David Lewis

The Secret Life of Becky Miller - Sharon Hinck

Mozart's Sister - Nancy Moser

How to Make Peace With Your Mom - H. Norman Wright

River Rising - Athol Dickson

Letter Perfect - Cathy Marie Hake

A Woman's Place - Lynn Austin

Generation NeXt Parenting - Tricia Goyer

Across the China Sky - C. Hope Flinchbaugh

Jesus: An Intimate Portrait... - Leith Anderson

Reclaiming Nick - Susan May Warren

Things We Once Held Dear - Ann Tatlock

Freefall - Kristen Heitzmann

F2F BOOK CLUB "TBR":

FEBRUARY: Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

MARCH: The Birth House by Ami McKay

*DNF*

APRIL: [--not reading this month's selection--]

MAY: Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout

JUNE: Snow Flower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See

2007 TBR CHALLENGE:

ORIGINAL 12:

Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone (book 1) - J.K. Rowling

Middlemarch - George Eliot [C, CH]

The Wise Woman - Christian Jacq

Passage - Connie Willis

The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen

Premonition - Randall Ingermanson

Shadow Baby - Ami Mcghee

Envy - Sandra Brown [CH]

Bethesda - Paul A. Nigro

The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde

Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs

The Tea Rose - Jennifer Donnelly

** C means this is also on my Classics Challenge list.
** CH means this is also on my Chunkster Challenge list.

ALTERNATES:

Messy Spirituality - Mike Yaconelli

Inkspell - Cornelia Funke

How To Be Good - Nick Hornby

Flabbergasted - Ray Blackston

The Rule of Four - Caldwell/Thomason

Deep In the Valley - Robyn Carr

Dying Declaration - Randy Singer

Double Vision - Randall Ingermanson

The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith

If I Had You - Deborah Bedford

Her Daughter's Eyes - Jessica Barksdale Inclan

The Codex - Douglas Preston

Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle - Stephen Arterburn

The Empress File - John Sandford

** NOTE: I had 24 Alternates here, but I removed the ones that were *extra* because our Challenge group has decided to allow only 15 Alternates. ;o)

So, as you can see, that's a LOT of reading! Mind you, the "Alternates" list for the TBR Challenge is a list of "possibilities"... I don't presume to get them ALL read this year. They're there in case one of my original 12 doesn't suit my tastes at the time that I pick it up. I could also read my Alternates on top of my original 12 -- as sort of "extra credit" (even though they don't count for the Challenge prizes -- but, I'm not "eligible" for the prizes, anyhow! :-P).

Lastly, below, are my books for the Classics Challenge:

~~The Aspern Papers - Henry James~~

~~Middlemarch - George Eliot~~

A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle

Persuasion - Jane Austen

Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

I finished "The Aspern Papers" last night. So, one down, and four more to go!

I'm really anxious, though, to get to my Review books. They've been put on hold since before Christmas, and I feel really badly about that. They need to get read -- they're basically "top priority" to me, right now. As soon as I'm finished reading "Middlemarch" (and I'm just over halfway through now), I'll be starting in on those Review books!

Why This Blog Exists

2007-03-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

I know you're thinking I'm crazy. You're probably also wondering WHY I need another book blog, when I already have several. ;o)

Well, most of the time my book blogs end up including stuff about my life, in general, too. And I no longer want that. I want a blog that's for books ONLY!... hence the title: "SOLELY BOOKS".

SO, welcome here, and Happy Reading! :D

** Please Note: **

Several of my posts here, at first,
will be ones that I copied over
from my old blog.
Thank you!