Catalina7's 2008 Challenge

2008 Reading Goals
1. Read 125 books
2. Continue my goal of reading all the Newbery award winners.
3. Read a few classics
4. Read a few books about medicine, for a reminder about why I am putting myself through organic chemistry
5. Read some genres I don’t usually read
6. Write reviews about some of the books I read

1. Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia C. Wrede

I was hesitant about reading this book, as it didn’t sound particularly interesting to me. But I heard so many good things about it, and I love Wrede’s other books so much I finally decided to try it. I thought it was enthralling. It was a great blend of magic, adventure, mystery, and history with just a touch of romance. Now I just have to get the next two books, as my library doesn’t have them.

2. The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

3. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg

Konigsburg was a favorite author of mine when I was younger and when I ran across this book of his about Eleanor of Aquitaine’s life I couldn’t pass it up (I love historical books) and I am glad that I didn’t. Eleanor of Aquitaine is an intriguing character and the use of a variety of people in her life to narrate it was very compelling.

4. The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
5. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

I really enjoy this series. It is about the Napoleonic Wars- but with one difference. Dragons. I love dragons and historical fiction and this is a wonderful mesh of the two. The dragons are developed as their own characters, which I particularly enjoyed. Temeraire himself is a well created and interesting character.

6. Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

7. Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

8. Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen
9. Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Absolutely HILARIOUS series. I haven’t read the last few and it’s been awhile since I have read the first few so I am starting at the beginning and going all the way through. It provides wonderful comic relief for my stressful life of studying.

10. Bloody Jack by Louis A. Meyer

11. So Far from Home by Barry Denenberg
12. Flyte by Angie Sage

13. Novel Idea by Aimee Friedman

14. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

One of the Newbery winners. Historical, set in Korea about an orphaned boy who develops an interest in pottery making. I loved this book, especially the ending.

15. On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
16. Knocked out by my Nunga-nungas by Louise Rennison

17. Curse of the Blue Tattoo by Louis A. Meyer
18. The Nixie's Song by Holly Black

19. Dancing in my Nuddy Pants by Louise Rennison

20. The Tidal Poole by Karen Harper

21. Red as Blood by Tanith Lee
22. Weetamoo by Patricia Clark Smith

23. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

24. Wolf Tower by Tanith Lee

25. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
26. Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory

27. The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle
I am really enjoying this series (and am quite sad it is only a trilogy). I love Dunkle's portrayal of the goblins and the plots are interesting.

28. Child of the Prophecy by Juliet Mariller
29. Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt

30. Close Kin by Clare B. Dunkle
I enjoyed the book very much and loved the continuing stories of the charecters in the first book; However the last chapter disapointed me quite a bit.

31. Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

32. Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson

33. Under the Jolly Roger by Louis A. Meyer
34. The Pirate's Son by Geraldine McCaughrean

35. What do you say to a Naked Elf? by Cheryl Sterling

36. The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks
37. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

38. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

39. Pirates! by Celia Rees

40. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir

41. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

42. Physik by Angie Sage

43. The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest in the series. I was very disappointed when I found out only the first 3 in the series are released in the U.S.

44. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

45. The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan

46. Baby Island by Carol Ryrie Brink
47. Saffy's Angel by Hilary Mckay
48. Wolf Queen by Tanith Lee
49. To the Tower Born by Robin Maxwell

50. Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler

51. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

52. Wizard at Work by Vivian Vande Velde
53. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

54. Pulling Princes by Tyne O'Connell

I haven't thought about The Witch of Blackbird Pond in years! What did you think? I loved it when I was younger.

I really enjoyed Witch of Blackbird Pond. I thought the story was very compelling and original, not just another witch trial book. The characters were very engaging. I have read a few books by Elizabeth George Speare and liked them all.

55. The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier
56. Kazunomiya by Kathryn Lasky
57. The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
58. An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton
59. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
I am very glad I finally decided to try this book. It was much better than I thought it would be and I loved the story.

60. Dueling Princes by Tyne O'Connell

61. Stowaway by Karen Hesse
62. The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
63. The Purity of Blood by Arturo Perez-Reverte
64. Kaiulani by Ellen Emerson White
65. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
I decided it was definitely time to reread this series. It was one of my absolute favorite series when I was younger, and I reread it multiple times. I am very happy to find that I still love these books, they are just wonderful. I love watching the charecters grow and develop throughout the series.

66. The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer

67. Girl, 15 Charming but Insane by Sue Limb
68. Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

69. Beyond the Western Sea by Avi
70. Magical Melons by Carol Ryrie Brink
71. The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett

72. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
73. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix
75. Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
76. The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
77. The Glasswright's Journeyman by Mindy L. Klasky
78. The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker

79. A Wizard Abroad by Diane Duane

80. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
81. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli

82. The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander

83. Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison

84. Enchanted Inc. by Shanna Swendson
85. Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
86. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
87. The Squire, His Knight and His Lady by Gerald Morris

88. Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
89. A Gathering of Days by Joan W. Blos

90. The Ballad of Sir Dinadan by Gerald Morris

91. Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson
92. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner
93. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson

Your fourth reading goal made me smile. I can't began to describe how much I disliked/hated Organic Chemistry.

There are quite a few books you've read where the title or author has caught my attention. I'm looking forward to reading some of the books on your list. We seem to have similar tastes.

Yea, chemistry in general is not my favorite class. Unfortunately, it is required (chemistry, organic chemistry, AND biochemistry) for my major (biomedical science/premed).

If you want to know more about any of the books I have read, or what I thought of them, let me know and I would be happy to let you know about them.

Sorcery and Cecilia is really good. That is if you like that kind of thing. Sort of confusing though because there seem to be two plots.

I did really enjoy Sorcery and Cecilia, I plan to read the rest of the series. Though you are correct, it did get a little confusing at some points with the multiple story lines.

94. Bad Prince Charlie by John Moore

95. The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander
96. Charmed and Dangerous by Candace Havens

97. The Temple Dancer by John Speed
A wonderful and engaging historical novel following two young girls traveling across India- one a Portuguese heiress, the other a slave- and the adventures, calamities, and plots that swirl around them.

98. At the Sign of the Star by Katherine Sturtevant

99. Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare

100. Girl (nearly) 16, Absolute Torture by Sue Limb
101. The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool by Margaret Gray
102. Lord Kirkle's Money by Avi
103. Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David
104. Wolf Wing by Tanith Lee

105. All the Stars in the Sky by Megan McDonald

106. The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris

107. Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

108. Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman

109. Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander

110. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

111. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Okay, I totally love the Twilight series. I am so glad I finally decided to try them and am starting to understand their crazy popularity :)

112. The Year My Life Went Down the Loo by Katie Maxwell

113. Royally Jacked by Niki Burnham

114. Vampire High by Douglas Rees

115. Spin Control by Niki Burnham
116. Diary of a Fairy Godmother by Esme Raji Codell
117. They Wear What Under Their Kilts? by Katie Maxwell

With all the school work (research papers and lab reports) I have had lately, I have been on a bit of a young adult chick lit kick...

118. All American Girl by Meg Cabot

119. What's French for "Ew"? by Katie Maxwell

120. The Taming of the Dru by Katie Maxwell

121. Once Upon A Crime by Michael Buckley

122. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

123. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

124. Anahita's Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttall Sayres
I really enjoyed this book. I don't know much about the history of Iran and this account of an important period in its history from the viewpoint of a young woman and some of the suitors for her hand in marriage is very interesting. I grew to like multiple suitors and didn't know which one I wanted to "win" her hand!

125. Ready or Not by Meg Cabot

126. A Giant Problem by Holly Black

127. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

128. The High King by Lloyd Alexander

129. A True and Faithful Narrative by Katherine Sturtevant

130. Got Fangs? by Katie Maxwell
131. Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar

132. Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
133. Glasswrights' Progress by Mindy L. Klasky

134. The Book Without Words by Avi
135. Patience, Princess Catherine by Carolyn Meyer
136. Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber

137. Court Duel by Sherwood Smith

just realized i missed one from the summer

138. Love is a Many Trousered Thing by Louise Rennison