Not signed up for YALSA’s 2014 Morris/Nonfiction Reading Challenge? Read the official rules and sign up on the original post. If you’re finished, fill out the form at the bottom of this post to let us know!
This year will be my first participating in the Morris/Nonfiction Reading Challenge, so I was excited to see the lists when they were released. While I must confess that I have only just started in on the books since the holidays, the lists have a little something for everyone, making them a great way to start the year. It will make my reading for January very diverse and I can’t wait to see what my favorites are.
So, follow my example and join the challenge even if you haven’t gotten started yet; you have until January 27th to finish up! Or, if you are already well on the way to completing the challenge, leave a comment and let us know how you feel about what you have read so far. And, for those of you who have already completed the challenge, be sure to fill out the form below.
– Carli Spina, currently reading Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn
I’ve still only read 8 books – 4 on each list. I am picking up Sex & Violence at the library hold shelf today, and I’m #9 in line for one of five copies of Go.
In the meantime, I’ve read 33 of the books from the “best of” compilation list that was posted here several weeks ago. I may not get paid for my Christmas vacation, but at least I get two weeks to read whatever I want! :D
I read three this week: The President Has been Shot, Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets, and The Shadow of Blackbirds. That leaves me 1 nonfiction, which I am still awaiting from the library, and three fiction. I have 2 of the fiction at home now and hope to read them this week. My holiday company has gone, but it is time to go back to work, so we’ll see if that plan actually comes to fruition.
I just finished The President Has Been Shot. That puts me at 3 non-fiction complete with 2 to go. I was so glad to read this and learn about an important part of our history. I knew the basics but not the facts. I never would have read it without the challenge.
I only finished one book this week, Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross. But on a positive note, I did write a review of it. I’ve been bad about getting reviews written lately. I really enjoyed the setting and the way the book explored the idea of beauty. Lots of good discussion material there! Full review on my blog: Belle Epoque
That leaves three to go from the Morris short list. I should be able to finish if my hold on Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets comes through in time.
Now reading Charm & Strange.
I read two of the books this week: Sex & Violence and Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets. Two left for the Morris Challenge, but I have to wait for them because there’s a hold list. I am rather excited about In the Shadow of Blackbirds, so I hope I’m not too disappointed.
I just finished Imprisoned and will be finishing Belle Epoque tonight. I kind of slacked over the holiday break and ended up finally reading Fangirl.
I was finally able to start the reading challenge this past week now that the holidays are winding down! This week I read one title from each list: Sex & Violence and The Nazi Hunters. The Nazi Hunters totally blew me away and will be hard to top in my book! Just started Imprisoned this evening and have The President Has Been Shot lined up next.
Didn’t finish any this week. :( Slowly working through Imprisoned… I thought I’d really like it, but it is not grabbing me at all. After that I have 1 NF and 3 Morris to go.
I have enjoyed the books the books I have read, but am having difficulty getting a copy of Go. Even Amazon cannot give me a ship date and they are my last resort.
Starting my final title in the Morris Challenge, Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets. Thinking about which I liked best and its hard to say so far.
finished Sex & Violence, Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets, and In the Shadow of Blackbirds! Hoping to get Belle Epoque during the snow/cold days we are having! Happy Reading and stay warm and snuggly!
I’ve had to drop out of the Nonfiction Challenge because of too much reading in other areas. Happily, I did finish the Morris Challenge.
Working on the Morris list. I just finished Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets — LOVED IT — and am now starting Charm and Strange, which is also one I’m loving. Dr. Bird’s… was like a new era Perks of Being a Wallflower. Great voice.
This week I read Imprisoned and “The President Has Been Shot!”, which leaves The Nazi Hunters on the nonfiction list. Started Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets today with an eye towards the other 2 Morris books after that.
About 1/2 way through Sex and Violence, I can feel pain coming off the pages, Mesrobian is an excellent portrayer of pain and human emotion. By far my favorite read, and I’ve only read 2 others! I vote for this one to win. Puts me at 2.5 books right now, I think I will only get through the Morris, all the nonfic is still checked out!
I’ve finished all the Morris books and have three of the non fiction read. I need to track down ‘Go: A kids guide to graphic design’ and ‘Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II’. I’m hoping I can get them before the 27th!
I did reviews of each book last year. Hoping to do at least an overall review for each award this year.
One note: don’t read ‘In the Shadow of Blackbirds’ during a blackout in a blizzard. Creepy stuff.
I am so far behind… only finished one.
What I have left: Sex & Violence (on its way), Dr Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets (hasn’t been returned), and Go (still on order, and it’s too new to get from ILL).
My first checkin. I’ve finished four from the Morris List: Belle Epoque, Sex & Violence, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, and I reread Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets. Sex & Violence is my favorite so far. I’m seaching high and low for Charm & Strange. I have a pile of nonfiction ILLs awaiting, so I guess I’ll get started on that list.
A little late checking in, but so far I’ve read 3 of the Morris and 2 Non-Fiction. I’ve just started In The Shadows of Blackbirds and am having a hard time not dropping everything I need to do just to read.
Missed the last check-in: been sick and family has been sick. No fun…
Halfway done in total! Still 5 books to read…
Anyways, all my reviews can be seen on my Goodreads page, here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/951759?shelf=2014-yalsa-hub-reading-challenge
Summary:
Nonfiction:
Courage has No Color: 4/5 stars
Imprisoned: 4/5 stars
Go: 4/5 stars.
My favorite- probably Imprisoned- like the narrative voice a lot! Go was fascinating as well.
Fiction:
Belle Epoque: 2/5 stars. Boring…
Charm and Strange: 2/5 stars- mostly because it was just weird…
I have copies of everything else, so I’m set! Started Blackbirds and The President has Been Shot, so working on the rest. Looking forward to some different fiction!
Finished reading Go, which was very good. Also, finished In the Shadow of Blackbirds. Really liked that one. Lots of depth, emotion, and historical background. A nice, meaty, yet romantic read. Very atmospheric.
I read Courage Has No Color which I feel ended a bit quickly. I enjoyed it but wanted a bit more at the end of the story. It does come with a very extensive bibliography and source listing. The photos were really interesting. I’m still reading Go (well sort of, I put it down to read a few other things and haven’t gotten back to it yet). I just started Belle Epoque, I’m on Chapter 2, so it is too soon to tell, but I thought the premise was very interesting.
I’ve only been able to do the Morris books (I’ve been working on cramming in a ton of manga and graphic novels lately!), and finished Sex & Violence just before the New Year.
Currently reading Belle Epoque and Dr. Bird’s is sitting on my nightstand. Should be easy enough!
I am currently reading Belle Epoque. I have read all of the other titles in the challenge (Morris and NonFic) and I have enjoyed most of them so far.