VetaTorres: My 1st Attempt

Hi everyone :) This is my first attempt at the 50 book challenge and I'm determined to finish. Along with this New Year's resolution I'm going to try to write more detailed reviews for most, if not all of the books. Here's the begining of my list.

1)The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

2)Conspiracy in Kiev by Noel Hynd

3)Midnight in Madrid by Noel Hynd

4)My Soul to Lose Rachel Vincent

5)Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart

6)Swoon by Nina Malkin

7)Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

8)And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

9)Shiver by Lisa Jackson

10)Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

11)Gredel by John Gardener

12)The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

13) The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

**wow lots of mysteries and paranormal activity so far...**

Good luck! You've listed some books I adore, and a few that have been on my tbr list for quite some time, so I'll make sure to follow along :) Good reading!

thanks for the encouragement!

Ok, I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.

I was suprised how incredibly staisfied I was with this novel. The last few months have been rough as far as books ar concerned. I had begun to form a bad habit of starting a book and losing interest midway through. Not with this one.

First, I fell in love with the lead characters, Lisbeth Salander and Mikeal Blomkvist. I loved them each individually and even more when they were together.

Of course then there were the characters that I absolutely hate for reasons that are obvious if you've read the book. For those of you that haven't I let you discover them. It made so much since after reading, why the novel's title was orginally "The Men Who Hate Women".

I really liked this book because it isn't quite your "usual" mystery novel. The fact that the crime was forty years old and there was absolutly no trace of the victim is what made me keep reading (beside my fondness of Salander and Blomkvist), I simply wanted to know what happened.

Definitely a Great Read!

Ok we just finished reading Grendel in my English AP class. I'm not exactly sure what to say about it. It was definitely an interesting read. I'm not sure I totally understand all the philosophies featured in the novel. I found it interesting how Gardner makes the reader feel for Grendel even though he is a blood-thirsty monster that enjoys eating people. Perhaps on a second read I'll understand it better...

I'm still not sure how I feel about Grendel, now a decade after my first read. I tend to look back on it thinking it was an interesting experiment, and worth reading, but a book that in the end probably took on too much. We read it in my high school creative writing class, and from what I've heard since, the philosophies there are simplified to the extent that there's only so much you can take from the book in that vein. Well, good reading on your next one!

Alright, I just finished The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I thought it was good,though a little drawn out. At times I would get tired of getting a "lesson" from the various characters. I found it interesting how he tied religion into the ending of the novel. The ending came to a nice close with all the lose ties finished up. I think Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code is my favorite of the Robert Langdon trilogy, and then this one, and then Angels and Demons. I've always wanted to go to Washington D.C. but now reading descriptions and random facts about it, I want to go even more.

I finished My Soul to Lose to day. It was a pretty short read actually. I connected with the character and felt like I would have had the same reaction if I was in a mental hospital.

>8 VetaTorres: The Lost Symbol inspired the hubby and I to start planning a trip to D.C. too! Hopefully this summer.

sweet! i'm going to China in April i'm super excited!!

Ok so I've been laggin' it this month, with the start of my last semester of high school things have been a bit hectic. though i finally finished a book! thank goodness.

Today I finished The Lightning Thief which I thought was a pretty statisfying Children's Lit. read. The author was amusing at times and I was rooting for Percy throughout the novel. The only problem was that I good see what the ending was before it happened, which for a reader, is a let down. But I wouldn't say that it is a terrible read. In fact, I really like how Riordan reinvented Greek myths to adapt to modern times.

So i know i had more books on my list above, but i shall be straying from it because at the moment none appeal to me...

In school we just finished Heart of Darkness, Death of a Salesman, and Fences.

The Last Secret of the Temple by Paul Sussman left me slightly breathless and the morning after I finished th novel I was still thinking about the ending. Sussman had become one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors. I have read The Lost Army of Cambyses and now I really want to read The Hidden Oasis.

To me, Sussman's characters are different than most I have encountered because their culture and backgorunds are so different than mine. Sussman's character development is well, incredible. The something about each of them that keeps you hooked and he has a way with cliff hangers that makes you want to keep reading.

I think this is one of my favorite recent reads because the novel is written from the views of an Egyptian, an Israli and a Palestinian, not from the point of view of an American or an European. Going into this book I really had no information on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and from this novel I think I have more of an understanding of the people if not the actually events of what is happening.

I would definitely recommend this novel.

In my English AP class we read The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. It's hard to put into words how I feel about this book. The psychological murder inficted on Pecola Breedlove is hard to read and grasp because of the trauma she is put through. But Morrison's achingly beautiful prose kept me reading if when the tragic events unfolded.

This novel had make me rethink what the definition of beauty should be. I myself am a young adult and have battled with my own self-esteem and self-worth. But like Pecola's foil, Claudia MacTeer, I have had family support, friends, and a sarcastic tongue that has sheltered me from falling for the media's ideal beauty.

"How, I wonder, can it be so neat and nasty at the same time?" I think that quote really describes Morrison's work. It is well structured and is written beauitfully, while horrible, sad events occur. I was drawn to the story yet repulsed by what I saw.

This novel really made me think, what more can I ask for from great literature.

I finished Hamlet for my English class. I find that I am amazed at how real Shakespeare's characters are. I can see real people reacting just like his characters that were created centuries ago...

I bought the audiobook of King Lear and found it a bit easier to understand when it was read aloud. It was great, of course, but not one of my personal Shakespeare favorites.

Alright, I finally finished the Twilight Saga. Breaking Dawn was probably the best I'd have to say out of the entire series. I think Meyer has grown as a writer and therefore the latest book she's written is her best. I was disappointed that there was no twist in the end, it ended just as I suspected which is good, I mean happily ever after and all, but I would have liked somethin more, something entirely unexpected to happen. I still think that the series is poorly written but I appreciate Meyer's talent for keeping the audienced glued to the novel; if she could only improve her setence structure, diction and plot we'd be good to go!

I finished both 1984 and Brave New World for my English class. These two are opposites and the same all in one. 1984 is based on fear and power while Brave New World is based on pleasure and happiness. I liked both and found them to be interesting.

I finally finished Original Sins by Peg Kingman. It took me a while to read... I think because I was savorying the wonderful flow of her writing. I truely loved this novel. I connected with the protagonist, Grace Pollocke, and I felt like Annibadh was a unique character which was refreshing. The plot moved a bit more slowly than other novels I've read but it never made me want to stop reading and it never bored me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, especially histroical fictions fans.

Finished rereading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Good as always :)

Awesome job everyone!!

I just started the 50 book challenge for my first time... That is more books then I've ever read for fun. lol... Started 8 days ago and I just finished the first book. Started the second today. 49 more to go! I have never read the Harry Potter books so I've started with those first.

1) Harry Potter and "The Sorcerer's Stone" - finished

2) Harry Potter and "The Chamber of Secrets" - Currently Reading

>Gryphor
Well congrats on starting the challenge :)
& I absolutely love the Harry Potter series, my favs are books 1,3, & 7

Thanks VetaTorres!

I loved the 1st book too. I'm halfway through the second book now. Its great so far!

Ok finished Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton. I must say I was slightly disappointed by the novel. I guess I started the book with expectations -never a good thing- I hoped it would be super action-packed from the get go. Unfortunately, the action didn't kick into gear until about halfway through. That being said I did enjoy the book but felt that it lacked the kind of character development I've become accustomed to. It was kind of an "ehh it was ok" which doesn't make me feel so good knowing I spent $12.99 on it...

I'll keep that in mind when looking at his books VetaTorres. I have his Jurassic Park book which I hear is awesome! I will read it soon, i loved the movie.

Just finished my 2nd book in the 50 book challenge!
Working on the 3rd book now..... The Harry Potter books are awesome!!

1) Harry Potter and "The Sorcerer's Stone" - finished

2) Harry Potter and "The Chamber of Secrets" - finished

3) Harry Potter and "The Prisoner of Azkaban" - Currently reading

What book # are you on now VetaTorres?

on my challenge?
I have completed 18 novels since January :D
I am currently reading
1) The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
2) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
3) The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy marie Buchanan

Awesome! You are almost half way there. I started July 19th and I'm on my 3rd book now which is one of your favs....

I know!! I think this is the most i've read consistantly, which is saying something since i've read alot since elementry school...
Yep it is one of my favorites, and you're starting out pretty strong then, if ur already on ur 3rd book...

hey Gryphor there will be a group read for HP & the goblet of fire soon on Hogwarts Express, you might check it out... sometimes its fun to disscuss the book you're reading with other ppl..

I'll check it out... that is the next book I will be on... I just don't want to do it if anyone will say anything about the rest of the series.... I don't want to spoil it you know... I've seen the movies up through Half blood Prince but I have not read the books and I still don't know how it all ends. And I don't want to until I read Deathly Hollows. I guess I could always post that on the discussion.

yep very true, lol if you want i can look at the thread before you post & tell u if there are any spoilers :)

Sounds great! Has it started yet Veta?

Just finished my 3rd book in my 50 book challenge! So far I've finished one book every week. I'm on to the longer books in the series now though so we will see. This is a masterpiece series to say the least! Good for any age!

1) Harry Potter and "The Sorcerer's Stone" - finished

2) Harry Potter and "The Chamber of Secrets" - finished

3) Harry Potter and "The Prisoner of Azkaban" - finished

4) Harry Potter and "The Goblet of Fire" - Currently reading

ok the discussion has started, the first thread is on chapters 1-9

I know the series is great! i reread it all the time because i just love the charaters and how Rowling weaves everything together.

I'm still working on my books, almost done with Phantom of the Opera!

Nice Veta.

The POTO movie was good i'm sure the book is too. What is next on your list?

um i think The Girl Who Played with Fire; i already read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & is was really good...

Ok finished Phantom and the Day the Falls stood Still both were good. and i have moved on to Inkspell since i already owned it rather than buy a new book right now...

Finished Inkspell.... completely loved it. Couldn't put it down. Restored my faith in young adult fantasy

now on to Inkdeath

I DID IT! I just finished Harry Potter and "The Deathly Hallows"!! I'm now done with the Harry Potter series! The was SO bitter sweet for me!! I won't say anything about it as not to spoil anything for those who might not have read it yet. I can't wait for the last movie to come out next month on July 15th! It's going to be so good! I have to say that I'm in a state of grieving now, grieving that I don't get to experience anymore years at Hogwarts, grieving that I don't get to here about the characters in the book that I feel so close to now. Rowling grips you with her righting so well that you feel like you are a part of that world. You fill like you just lived through 7 years at Hogwarts yourself, and you grow to appreciate it in several ways just as Harry Potter and He Who Must Not Be Named did........... haha, Lord Voldemort. What a good read though!! That book has closed, that chapter has ended, I'm done exploring and experiencing there. Now it's on to a new series!

ummm... Does anyone know if JK Rowling will continue writing in the future about this world of Harry Potter???

1) Harry Potter and "The Sorcerer's Stone" - finished

2) Harry Potter and "The Chamber of Secrets" - finished

3) Harry Potter and "The Prisoner of Azkaban" - finished

4) Harry Potter and "The Goblet of Fire" - finished

5) Harry Potter and "The Order Of The Phoenix" - finished

6) Harry Potter and "The Half Blood Prince" - finished

7) Harry Potter and "The Deathly Hallows" - finished!!!!

8) The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan - Currently Reading

9) Homeland by R. A. Salvatore - Currently Reading