A to Z 2014 Reading Challenge
I'm not into challenges that feel too much like school, so I wanted one that would be just for fun. I created this one to accommocate my somewhat quirky personality. Join me if you're a little quirky, too. (Tweak as needed.)
Any books used to complete this challenge can be used for any other challenges you may be doing, but each book can be used for only one of the categories in this challenge.
A is for April (the month in which you read the book)
B is for Bathing Suit (this book takes place at least partly in hot weather months)
C is for Children's book
D is for Doctor (one of the characters)
E is for Ever (in the title)
F is for Family (book is about a family or family relationships)
G is for Geography (the story takes place in at least two different countries)
H is for Heart (it's a love story)
I is for Ice (the setting is cold - snow, ice, rain)
J is for Jokes (the book is humorous)
K is for Keyboard (at least one character plays a musical instrument)
L is for Lamp (the book takes place before electricity was discovered)
M is for Mom (one of the characters)
N is for New-to-you author
O is for Out of This World (where the story takes place)
P is for Pilgrims (the story involves moving someplace new)
Q is for Question Mark in the title
R is for Run (the main character is running from something)
S is for Sequel to a book you've already read
T is for Time (the book travels time, moves through time quickly or flashes back)
U is for Useful (which you found the book to be)
V is for Veteran (at least one character is/was a member of a military force)
W is for Wind (the book blew you away)
X is for XXIV (it's the 24th book you read this year)
Y is for Yo-Yo (your emotions were up and down as you read the book)
Z is for Zoo (there is an animal on the cover)
1
The Scream Queen's Survival Guide: Avoid machetes, defeat evil children, steer clear of bloody dismemberment, and conquer other horror movie cliches
I thought this book was a pretty funny, interesting read. If you have ever screamed at the people in the horror movies, this books completely understands and joins in. Meredith O'Hayre is a really funny writer, and I found myself laughing out loud at various parts. She is definitely someone I would love to watch a horror flick with!
Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer
Jen Lancaster is a pretty hysterical woman. This books is one of the only chick lit/humor books that had me laughing out loud! She is so confident, and because of her 'not so lady like vocabulary' these can get her into a bit of trouble! She speaks her mind through out the book, and I love that! It is a nice change to the many books I have read where women feel less than perfect because they aren't a size 2. No one is perfect, but this book shows you that you can be overweight, and still be pretty damn sexy.
Ghost in the Mirror: Real Cases of Spirit Encounters
I have been looking for what seems like forever for a good ghost story book. This is one of the best I have found.This is a collection of true ghost stories. Leslie Rule sits down and interviews people on their paranormal encounters and is so detailed in retelling their story that it sent chills up my spine multiple times. I love how it doesn't just stick to stories experienced in residential homes, but also includes stories from hotels, hospitals, restaurants, on the road, and such.
While the author does push the mirror being a portal idea a little too much, I still greatly enjoyed the book! It is a fun, easy read and I am very glad that I picked it up.
Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die
I thought that this was an interesting and fun read. Though it isn't meant to really be read cover to cover, I read it over months and it still amazed me. I am a little upset that the author didn't put in any sources into this book, so anything could really be made up. Yet it is still an interesting read.
Life on the Refrigerator Door
I thought this book was a fun and easy read. It only took me about 45 minutes to read through. It doesn't have much of a plot or much, if at all, character development. The reason I gave it three stars is because I don't see how two people that live together can use notes as the only way of communication. I felt like both of the characters were neglecting each other and wanted very little to do with each others lives.
But the ending is very sad, and actually did make me tear up quite a bit. It was the best part of the book, and I would read another one of Kuipers books, keeping in mind that it may still be a short, fun read.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I don't care if many people hate this book because they say it is overrated. I love this book to pieces.I read the book when I was 17 and thought it was the bee's knees. The plot wasn't intense like some other coming of age books and that seemed to give it more of a 'real' tone. The reader gets sucked into Charlie's life and experiences everything with him. From his first kiss, to making new friends,to sexual assault, to dealing with death, and his first love.
It shows the readers that it is okay to make mistakes, be yourself, and not to be afraid of growing up.
1
He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys
I thought this book was hilarious. But it is very true, sometimes women get too wrapped up to actually see that the man we are into may not be into us. I think, however, that Greg Behrendt saying that women shouldn't pursue men is wrong. Some guys actually do like women who know what they want and go after it, I think that should be in the book as well.
No Easy Answers: The Truth Behind Death at Columbine
This is probably one of the best books about Columbine out there. Who better to hear it from than someone who was actually there and knew Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold well. I had researched the topic for over two years and this book was the icing on the cake. It not only tells you about the massacre on April 20th, but also life before the events. Brooks Brown recalls memories with Dylan Klebold back when they were in boy scouts together, and how they got in trouble in elementary school. He also writes about when he met Eric Harris, and how they had a falling out their senior year and made up shortly before the shooting spree. He also tells you about the aftermath and how many times he had to sit in court. This book is great because it tells you more about Eric and Dylan rather than the many books about the victims.