What was the goal of the 2008 Chunkster Challenge? How did you do?I set out to read four books over 450 pages long between January 7th and December 20th of this year, and I am happy to say I did manage it! The only thing I failed to do was link my reviews on the designated blog site in a timely fashion. How I could forget to do that, I do not know. But I did. My reviews are linked there now, just in the nick of time, but I still feel like a bit of a cheat (just wait until my wrap of of the 1st in the Series Challenge--then you'll know just how big of a cheat I am).
What books did you read for the challenge?
- The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff - 514 pgs
- Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 498 pgs
- Nefertiti by Michelle Moran - 466 pgs
- Critical Space by Greg Rucka - 490 pgs
I had intended to read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy for this challenge, but I never actually managed to make it too far into that particular tome. I haven't given up hope of one day reading it though. It just wasn't the right time. The four books I did read for this challenge were not very challenging as they were all rather quick reads despite the length.
What was the best book you read for this challenge? Your least favorite?
The two historical novels were among my favorites this year not only in regards to this challenge, but in my overall reading for the year. Nefertiti took me into a part of history I know so little about and The 19th Wife shed light on a history I was familiar with, but had not known in such detail. Both were intriguing books with characters I instantly related to and wanted to know more about. I also was quite drawn to the modern day story in The 19th Wife.
Twilight was a fun escapist novel, even if I occasionally rolled my eyes. I enjoyed losing myself in Stephanie Meyer's tale. I managed to read Twilight in less than a day, much to my surprise.
I really only picked up Critical Space by Greg Rucka to read in preparation for reading Patriot Acts, the latest in the Kodiak Atticus series, which I had volunteered to review earlier this year. The books are so intricately tied together that reading them out of order would have proved detrimental to my overall enjoyment and understanding of Patriot Acts. While I liked Critical Space on some levels, I am not sure it is a series I will seek out in the future if the author continues with it.
Did you try any new-to-you authors? Will you seek out other books by these authors?
Greg Rucka was the only author of the four mentioned above that was not new to me. I really enjoy Greg Rucka's Queen and Country series and will definitely be sticking with that as long as he continues to write books for the series.
Of the three new-to-me authors, I plan to read more by each of the authors. I already have one of David Ebershoff's earlier books in my TBR collection as well as Michelle Moran's most recent book. And I currently am reading the second in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.
I appreciate all of the hard work that Dana over at So many books, so little time put into the 2008 Chunkster Challenge this year. Congratulations to all the other participants who completed the challenge and to those who gave it a try. It was a lot of fun!
What was the best book you read for this challenge? Your least favorite?
The two historical novels were among my favorites this year not only in regards to this challenge, but in my overall reading for the year. Nefertiti took me into a part of history I know so little about and The 19th Wife shed light on a history I was familiar with, but had not known in such detail. Both were intriguing books with characters I instantly related to and wanted to know more about. I also was quite drawn to the modern day story in The 19th Wife.
Twilight was a fun escapist novel, even if I occasionally rolled my eyes. I enjoyed losing myself in Stephanie Meyer's tale. I managed to read Twilight in less than a day, much to my surprise.
I really only picked up Critical Space by Greg Rucka to read in preparation for reading Patriot Acts, the latest in the Kodiak Atticus series, which I had volunteered to review earlier this year. The books are so intricately tied together that reading them out of order would have proved detrimental to my overall enjoyment and understanding of Patriot Acts. While I liked Critical Space on some levels, I am not sure it is a series I will seek out in the future if the author continues with it.
Did you try any new-to-you authors? Will you seek out other books by these authors?
Greg Rucka was the only author of the four mentioned above that was not new to me. I really enjoy Greg Rucka's Queen and Country series and will definitely be sticking with that as long as he continues to write books for the series.
Of the three new-to-me authors, I plan to read more by each of the authors. I already have one of David Ebershoff's earlier books in my TBR collection as well as Michelle Moran's most recent book. And I currently am reading the second in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.
I appreciate all of the hard work that Dana over at So many books, so little time put into the 2008 Chunkster Challenge this year. Congratulations to all the other participants who completed the challenge and to those who gave it a try. It was a lot of fun!
Congrats on finishing your challenge!
ReplyDeleteI'm always forgetting to put my links on the challenge blogs too.
By the way, I can't wait to read your wrap up of the First in a Series challenge - maybe I'll get more series books to add to my radar :)
Congrats! I read Nefertiti last month and really liked it and I loved Twilight (I still couldn't help but laugh at some of the cheesiness though). Haven't read the other two.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! And don't give up on War & Peace. It really is a good book! I understand it not being the right time though. It is definitely one that you have to be able to kind of plan around.
ReplyDeleteLezlie
I'm impressed. Congratulations are in order.
ReplyDeletecongrats!!:) 4 chunky books is quite a feat! i definitely want to read "The 19th Wife" and "Nefertiti" soon..:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing the challenge! This reminds me that I also need to wrap this one up. And I really need to get to Nefertiti!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I love big, fat books in cold, nasty weather. If you feel like taking on another, may I recommend "Blindspot" by Jill Lepore and Jane kamensky?
ReplyDeleteI've been crazy crazy busy and hope to have good news to announce soon (probably in January). Until then,happy holidays!
Congrats on completing the challenge, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteI really need to read Nefertiti soon...it's been sitting on my pile for too long! ;) And I want to get The 19th Wife too!
Congrats on finishing the chunkster! I just went to look at the Mr. Linky list and was stunned. Over 300 people participated! Wow. I think there were only 100 when I hosted the challenge. Nefertiti and The 19th Wife are on my wish list. I enjoyed Twilight. It may have been a little on the eye-rolling side, but it was one of those rare books I had trouble putting down.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing! I hear you on War and Peace. I plan to read that every year and still haven't...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the completion, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteI am only familiar with Twilight for the list of books you mentioned. Like you, I finished it in less than a day too. It's a page-turner and I was infatuated with Edward since then. LOL.
Congratulations on finishing the challenge. I'm looking forward to reading Nefertiti next year.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about reading a big chunky classic like War and Peace. I had intended to read The Tale of Genji this year but never quite got around to it. Maybe next year...
I completely failed this one, as with everything else I joined.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I am coming in one book short on this challenge.
Iliana - Thank you! It's nice to know I am not the only one who forgets to add links to the main challenge site.
ReplyDeleteI've got my 1st in the Series Challenge wrap up almost ready to go. I really cheated on that one, I'm afraid.
Jen - Nefertiti was a good one! Twilight was a lot of fun even if, as you say, it was a bit cheesy at times. :-)
Lezlie - I definitely won't give up on War and Peace. I liked what I did manage to read of it. :-)
Kathy - Thank you!
Ramya - Thanks! I managed to finish three more chunksters before the deadline--all this week, but they were all pretty easy reads. LOL
Nymeth - I think you'll like Nefertiti. :-)
Clea - Big books are perfect for those long rainy days. :-)
I can't wait to hear your good news. :-) And thank you for the book recommendation!
Melody - Thanks! I think you will like both books, Melody. :-)
ReplyDeleteNancy - Thank you! I hadn't realized so many people signed up! The challenges have become quite popular, haven't they?
Kelly - Thank you! We'll manage to get to War and Peace one of these days. :-)
Alice - Thank you! The Twilight series does read very fast. It's a fun series. :-)
Nat - Yes, there is always next year. :-) Thanks!
Lisa - Haha! I feel that way about a few of the other challenges I joined. It's fun to try though, isn't it? :-)
Lesley - Thank you! Even reading three chunksters this year is worthy of celebration. :-)
Congrats of finishing the challenge!
ReplyDeleteTeddy Rose - Thank you!
ReplyDelete