2011 TBR Lite Challenge - Wrap up!

I finished this challenge! Yay! Thanks to the Sookie Stackhouse series, I was able to finally do this challenge.

This challenge is hosted by MizB and you can read about it here.

These are the books and the reviews I did to complete this challenge...


1. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris Click for review
2. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris Click for review
3. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris Click for review
4. Kiss the Girls by James Patterson Click for review
5. Dead As a Doornail by Charlaine Harris Click for review
6. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris Click for review

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Paranormal
Format: Audio
Publisher: Recorded Books
Release Date: May 2008


This is a synopsis from Fantastic Fiction :

After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the manmade explosion at the vampire summit, everyone--human and otherwise--is stressed, including Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who is trying to cope with the fact that her boyfriend Quinn has gone missing.

It's clear that things are changing--whether the weres and vamps of her corner of Louisiana like it or not. And Sookie--Friend to the Pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, leader of the local vampire community--is caught up in the changes.

In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death, and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood finished flowing, her world will be forever altered.

My thoughts...

I still love this series, but I definitely preferred the earlier books. This is the 8th book of the series and sometimes Sookie just seems downright bratty to me. LOL This is one time I much prefer the screen version (in this case TV) to the book version. I'm still not reading enough about characters I've grown to love in the TV series (particularly Bill and Eric). However, I've been listening to this series in the car to and from work and it makes for a very nice diversion. It also is giving me a chance to get caught up on this series which I've wanted to do for years.




For Reading Challenges:

Audio Reading Challenge
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Recorded Books
Release Date: May 2007
Format: Audio

Synopsis from Fantastic Fiction:

Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has her hands full dealing with every sort of undead and paranormal creature imaginable. And after being betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Sookie must not only deal with a new man in her life-the shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with the long-planned vampire summit.

The summit is a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in a precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

My thoughts...

As I have said previously, I do enjoy this series but I'm afraid I keep comparing it to the TV series "True Blood". I want to see more of the characters I love on True Blood. With the books, each one has new characters (along with some old ones). I guess my biggest complaint is there isn't enough of Bill and Eric. I'm not thrilled that Sookie has a new boyfriend either. LOL But, it really is a fun series and I'm going to continue on with it.

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Recorded Books
Date Released: April 2006
Format: Audio CD

Everyone's favorite telepathic is back in the sixth Sookie Stackhouse book. This time she goes to New Orleans to settle the affairs of a family member who recently passed away. When she learns there might be reason to be suspicious of the death, Sookie finds herself in the midst of a war between many different supernatural beings.

This is still a good series, but I'm a bit disappointed that there's not more of Bill or Eric in this book. It feels like Sookie is heading off into another direction with a new boyfriend. I'm not sure I really like that. Or maybe I'm just listening to too many of these books at once. LOL Of course that's not going to stop me from reading the next one.



For reading challenges:


TBR Lite Reading Challenge
Audio Reading Challenge
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

Kiss the Girls by James Patterson (Alex Cross Series #2)

Genre: Suspense
Format: EBook
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: December 2002

In the second book of the Alex Cross series, things hit way too close to home for Alex’s liking when his niece disappears. The Cross family is devastated by her loss and Alex vows he will bring Naomi home, safe and sound. The detective in Alex takes over and he travels to his niece’s university only to discover she’s not the only young woman missing. When another young woman is murdered, Alex realizes his niece is in grave danger.

Somehow Kate McTiernan manages to escape the clutches of the serial killer, who calls himself Casanova. Kate is determined to save the other women who had been trapped with her and make Casanova pay for his crimes. She teams up with Alex as they race against the clock before anyone else is killed.

It’s not long before they realize there are two identical killers. One on each coast of the United States. Kate and Alex draw closer as they investigate this crime and try to save Alex’s niece, but they find the FBI isn’t too receptive to their interference.

As big a fan of James Patterson that I am, I really hadn’t been too involved in the Alex Cross series, which is probably his most famous. I listened to the first on audio and loved it, but just hadn’t had a chance to read the others. They have been collecting dust in my TBR room. There are so many books in this series, but I intend to someday catch up as this was a gripping story. I do think I saw the movie years ago, but don’t remember very much about it so everything in the book surprised me.

Alex Cross is a great character and I love that he’s surrounded by a large family and has a devoted partner/friend, too. I can already see this is going to be an exciting series for me.





For reading challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge
Alex Cross Reading Challenge
James Patterson Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Recorded Books
Release Date: 2008
Format: Audio

Sookie Stackhouse and her boyfriend, vampire Bill Compton, have broken up and leaves town on business. While Bill is away, Sookie discovers the leader of the vampires, Eric Northam, walking around in a daze and not having any of his memory. She decides to act as his protector and watch over him. Sookie lets him live with her, but she never expects it to be anything more than friendship.

To make things even more complicated, there’s a reward to anyone who finds Eric. Her brother Jason is ready to cash in on that money, but before he can, he mysteriously disappears. Sookie fears he has been kidnapped by witches and could be lying dead in a ditch somewhere. Not getting any help from the local police – they are convinced he has run off with one of his women – Sookie sets out to rescue her brother herself.

As Sookie fights all sorts of magical demons from shape shifters to werewolves to even a few vampires, she can’t fight her attraction to Eric any longer. Will Sookie give in to her feelings or is this all an act on Eric’s part?

Another great Sookie book and I absolutely love listening to them on audio. They really are a lot of fun and listening to the audio in the car is so relaxing. These are helping me fill the time until the next season of True Blood in the summer. Although by the time I’m done with these books, I won’t be able to separate the books from the TV show.



For Reading Challenges:

2011 Audio Book Challenge
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

2011 TBR Lite Challenge

Okay, so I tried to cut back and tried to resist, but I guess I'm a reading challenge junkie at heart. I figure there are worse things to be addicted to then reading and challenges. LOL

This challenge I've joined the past two years. I haven't completed it yet, but I'll give it another try. It's hosted by MizB and you can sign up here.

CHALLENGE STARTS: January 1st, of the current year
CHALLENGE ENDS: December 31st, of the current year

For those who love the Original TBR Challenge, but need a little less “pressure” on their reading, the TBR Challenge *LITE* offers you that option!

You have your choice of ONE of the 3 options:

OPTION A: read 6 books in 12 months ~ your list of books CANNOT be changed, but you are allowed to have an “Alternates” list to choose from (like in the Original TBR Challenge).

OPTION B: read 6 books in 12 months ~ you CAN change your reading list throughout the year

OPTION C: make up a list of however many books you think you could get read in 12 months, as long as they are from your TBR stack/list, and then read them between January 1st and December 31st. You must have at least 3 books on your list.

Some Other General Guidelines:
- You are allowed to overlap with other challenges
- Audiobooks are allowed
- e-Books are allowed, but must still be books that you’ve wanted to read for at least 3, or more, months
- You should still have a list of books posted somewhere for others to see
- You don’t have to read your books in the order you put them on your list

I'm going with Option B. I need to be able to change books throughout the year :)

I'll list them here...

1. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris Click for review
2. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris Click for review
3. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris Click for review
4. Kiss the Girls by James Patterson Click for review
5. Dead As a Doornail by Charlaine Harris Click for review
6. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris Click for review

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult

Format: EBook

Bella Swan and Edward Cullen are back in the second book of the Twilight saga. Bella and Edward are in love, but Bella finds it very difficult to be in love with a vampire. To protect Bella from his family and himself, the Cullens leave town and Bella is devastated. She befriends Jacob Black and they form a relationship of their own. Little does Bella know that Jacob has some huge secrets of his own.

Although Bella enjoys Jacob’s company, she can’t help but miss Edward and she’d give anything to have him back in her life. Bella finds herself in the midst of one problem after another – from werewolves, to a vengeful vampire enemy, to a group of vampires ready to kill her. The only one who can help her is Edward, but can he even help himself?

This is an adventure and thrill on each page. I enjoyed it, but I can’t say that I’m caught up in the whole Twilight thing as so many others are. I’ll read the rest of the series, but there are other books I’d rather read first.

For Reading Challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge

TBR Lite Reading Challenge

Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge

7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

The Women’s Murder Club is back with one of their toughest cases yet. Detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin investigate a fire in a wealthy home which resulted in the death of a married couple. They soon realize they have a serial arsonist on their hands as one wealthy home after another is burned always leaving behind married couples burned to death. The detectives race against the clock to track down the evil culprits before anyone else is killed.

Another case falls into their lap, the son of a wealthy couple is missing. They fear he is dead, but they have no evidence. Finally, a lead is sent their way but will they get some answers or just more questions?

As Lindsay deals with these deadly cases, she also must deal with her complicated love life. Her current boyfriend, Joe, wants to get married. She loves him, but she discovers she has feelings for her partner, Rich. Lindsay is quite confused and hopes her friends from the Women’s Murder Club can help her figure it out.

Another great story from one of my favorite authors, James Patterson. I’ve loved this series from the first book and I still love it even after all these years. I always feel like I’m riding a roller coaster when I read a James Patterson novel and this one is no different. It’s fast-paced, exciting and every time I read on of the WMC books I feel like I’m revisiting old friends.





For reading challenges…

James Patterson Reading Challenge
Women’s Murder Club Reading Challenge
RYOB Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge

Step on a Crack by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

This is the first book of James Patterson’s new Michael Bennett series. Michael is a NYPD homicide detective.

In this one, Michael more than has his hands full. During a high profile funeral attended by many celebrities, the services are taken over by a group of vicious kidnappers looking to cash in on the success of their victims. They are demanding millions of dollars in ransom from each celebrity they are holding hostage. It’s up to Michael to try and stop the cruelty the kidnappers are inflicting on their captives.

While this is going on, Michael is dealing with his cancer stricken wife who is now confined to a hospital bed. The couple are the parents of ten adopted children, all from different ethnic backgrounds. Michael is on the verge of collapse trying to protect New York City as well as his own family’s problems.

Step on a Crack really tugs at the heartstrings. Readers can’t help but feel devastated for all Michael is going through, especially with his family situation. The story does get violent in parts and is cringe-worthy, but these are the James Patterson books that I tend to like the best. He’s so good at keeping readers at the edge-of-their-seat. One minute you are yelling at the evilness of the kidnappers and the next you are crying for Michael’s dying wife.

So far, there are three books in the series. I had to read the third book Worst Case first because of a review (I never read books out of order), but I do wish I had read Step on a Crack first as it gave me a chance to see how Michael’s personal life got to where it was in Worst Case. I’m looking forward to reading the second book, but I’m not sure yet when I’ll get to it. All in all, a great read. I should say a great “listen” as I heard this one on audio.



For reading challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge
James Patterson Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Romance, Paranormal

Sookie Stackhouse is back in the second book of the Southern Vampire Mysteries and she has her hands full. She is viciously attacked by a maenad and she’s hanging on for dear life. With the vampires help, she lives, but the cost is pretty high.

As payment for their assistance, they ask Sookie to use her telepathy powers to find a kidnapped vampire. Sookie and her vampire boyfriend Bill head to Dallas to try and locate the missing vampire. Sookie runs into all kinds of foes and has to deal with some sex addicted friends as well as enemies, but with Bill and his friends protecting her, she does fine.

When she returns home, she is faced with trying to figure out who committed a gruesome murder and framed a local detective.

I enjoyed this book and it was great to pay another visit to Sookie and her friends. I watched the first season of True Blood (the TV series based on the books), but we no longer have HBO so I never saw the second. I’ll probably get the DVDs at some point, but for now, I’m enjoying plowing through this series. I love Sookie and Bill and definitely want to read more about them.





For Reading Challenge:

Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Challenge
What’s in a Name 3 Reading Challenge

Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

After the murder of her Aunt Helen, Kelly Flynn returns to Colorado to settle her aunt's estate. When she hears the details of the murder, she's convinced the police have the wrong man in custody. She's determined to find out what really happened to her aunt, even though the police are less than cooperative.

As Kelly proceeds with her investigation, she seeks the help of her aunt's friends from her knitting group. The women are more than happy to get to the bottom of their friend's gruesome death. They welcome Kelly into their group and insists she learn to knit. Kelly has no interest in knitting, but once she starts, she can't seem to stop.

Kelly and her new found friends begin to uncover shocking secrets from Helen's past and they unravel a scheme that sickens them all. They vow to see justice served.

This is the first book in Maggie Sefton's knitting mystery series. I don't know how to knit, but this book made me want to learn. LOL It features a cast of fun, quirky characters that readers will wish they could meet in real life. The knitting shop comes to life with the author's detailed description. The plot has so many twists and turns, it left me guessing until the last chapter.

I have the rest of the series in my TBR and I'll definitely be reading it. I loved this one so much that it gets a "Socrates Great Book Alert" award and 5 kitties!





For reading challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge
Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge

The 6th Target by James Patterson

Genre: Suspense

A vicious shooting spree on the ferry leaves one of the Women’s Murder Club members seriously injured. Lindsay Boxer vows to stop this mad man and put him in jail for the rest of his life.

Lindsay’s certainly has her hands full as she also is desperate to stop a serial kidnapper from taking young children from their families. The scary part is the kidnapper doesn’t appear to want ransom and intends to keep these children. Lindsay fears at the reason behind the kidnappers and for the safety of the children.

It’s been awhile since I read the previous five Women’s Murder Club books and I really wanted to get back to them for awhile, but I’ve had so many books to read that I just haven’t had time. This was fast reading for me - it only took a few days and I'm usually a slow reader. I wanted to keep going. It really grabbed my attention and I still love the characters in this series. There was a little of everything in this book – suspense, mystery and even some romance. I’m not sure when I’ll get around to reading #7, but this was a good one.

For reading challenges:

James Patterson Reading Challenge
Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge
Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge