Well the Second Quarter Reading Challenge is OVER.  So, how did you do?  Anyone read all the books on your list?  Anyone read thirteen books but not necessarily the ones from your list?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Now onto the Third Quarter Reading Challenge.  Since so many of you are participating in the 30 Books in 90 Days Challenge presented by Written Magazine, I thought it would be a good idea to forgo the APOOO Third Quarter Challenge in lieu of that (that and the fact that I’ve lost my reading mojo but I want to give others the option to continue…hope I find it by the time Fall rolls around.)  They’re given away a nice prize if you’re in the Atlanta area…CLICK HERE for details.

Your turn…talk to me…let APOOO know how you did during the Second Quarter Reading Challenge and if you plan to participate in Written’s 30 Books in 90 Days Challenge…feel free to share your reading list as well.

Also…STAY TUNED…I will be giving away a few 2009 releases to participants.  Book list coming soon.

Another Quarter Down, Time for Summer! is a post from: APOOO

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Reading…hmmm…as for me I’ve been slacking…I lost my reading mojo.   Hope it comes back soon as I still have four books I want to read before the end of June.  I’m on vacation this week and hope to read at least ONE book; wish me luck. 

Share with us the books you read over the last two weeks as well as the book you plan to read next.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis–Week 4: Finished

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes; Week 4; Finished

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin; Week 5; Currently Reading

Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper–Week 3; Finished

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Finished

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished

When We Were One by Zaji

PS Note there was no update for week #9 so feel free to consolidate with this posting.  As always, Happy Reading!

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #10 is a post from: APOOO

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Currently I’m reading Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead…actually I’ve been trying to read it for two weeks.  It’s the May BOM for APOOO…otherwise I would put this aside (and never finish it) because it’s really not holding my interest.

Share with us the book you just read as well as the book you plan to read next.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis–Week 4: Finished

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes; Week 4; Finished

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin; Week 5; Currently Reading

Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper–Week 3; Finished

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Finished

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished

When We Were One by Zaji

PS Note there was no update for week #7 so feel free to consolidate with this posting.  As always, Happy Reading!

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #8 is a post from: APOOO

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I’m a little head of schedule so I took a break to read some of the old releases in my to-read-pile…probably a good thing since while I have the time to read…not much is really sticking with me these day.  Once I get my reading mojo back I will tackle the remaining books on my Challenge list.

Share with us the book you just read as well as the book you plan to read next.

PS–The First Quarter Challenge bookmarks are in the works and I hope to have them completed and on their way to you before the end of the month.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis–Week 4: Finished

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes; Week 4; Finished

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin; Week 5; Currently Reading

Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper–Week 3; Finished

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Finished

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished

When We Were One by Zaji

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #6 is a post from: APOOO

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Share with us the book you just read as well as the book you plan to read next.

While recuperating, I haven’t been able to do much but sleep and read so I’ve actually been able to read a few books from my to read pile/list.  My latest reads include Love and Other Natural Disasters ( it took me forever to read this one…don’t know if it was the storyline or the drugs); The After Wife by Lexi Davis (her sophomore novel is a cute, light-hearted, delightful paranormal read….great entertainment purposes only read); and, I just started A New Kind of Bliss (so far no opinion).

NOTE:  I’m still recuperating from surgery…but I’m reading comments…so definitely drop them.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis–Week 4: Finished

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes; Week 4; Finished

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin; Week 5; Currently Reading

Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper–Week 3; Finished

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Finished

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished

When We Were One by Zaji

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #5 is a post from: APOOO

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Share with us the book you just read as well as the book you plan to read next.

The last book I read was Life is Short and Wide by J. California Cooper…it’s signature Cooper with themes about love, education, overcoming hardships, redemption, forgiveness.  I was pleasantly surprised as it was better than I anticipated…a little redundant in spots…but definitely better than the last two books I read by her.

Assuming I’m feeling well enough to read after surgery, I hope to read:  Par for the Curse, Love Stories and Other Natural Causes  and When We Were One.  Wish me luck.

NOTE:  I’m still recuperating from surgery…and unable to lift my laptop…so I scheduled this post early…but hopefully when I’m awake (and not in pain) I’m getting plenty of reading down and will be back next week with my Challenge updates.  But…please leave lots of comments to let me know how you’re doing as I look forward to reading them when I return.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin

Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper–Week 3; Finished

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Finished

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished

When We Were One by Zaji

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #4 is a post from: APOOO

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Share with us the book you just read as well as the book you plan to read next.

Last week I read Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen.  Excellent read and one of my favorites for 2009.  If you enjoy historical fiction reads, I definitely recommend you pick up this book.  I just finished the Ex-Terminator by Suzetta Perkins.  If you’ve never read any of her books, I recommend you pick up her earlier releases as the Ex-Terminator left my very lukewarm and tepid.  Just seemed a little rushed, unfocused.  Characters weren’t very well developed…too many coincidents…too many loose ends…wasn’t sure of what the plot was supposed to be.

This week I plan to read The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper.  Also, on the short reading list are:  Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward and Pittershawn Palmer’s New Release.

Now, your turn.  Share your list.  Tell us what you just read and what you plan to read next.

If this is your first time visiting APOOO or you need more details regarding what this challenge is, CLICK HERE.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin

Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper–Week 3; Currently Reading

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Finished

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished

When We Were One by Zaji

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #3 is a post from: APOOO

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Share with us the book you just read as well as the book you plan to read next.

Last week I read an ARC of Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe; book release scheduled for June 2nd.  It’s a delightful, EPO (entertainment purposes only) read. Good Read. Fans of Briscoe will enjoy it. Add it to your summer reading list.

Currently I’m reading Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen.  Historical fiction fans and Oprah Book Club Lovers will enjoy this book.

If this is your first time visiting APOOO or you need more details regarding what this challenge is, CLICK HERE.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin

Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Currently Reading

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished

Pittershawn Palmer’s New Release (Will be back shortly with title)

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #2 is a post from: APOOO

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Posted any challenge links that you want to share with us?  If so, include your link in the comment sections…and for anyone who doesn’t have a blog…leave a comment below to let us know what you’ve read and what you think of the book.

If this is your first time visiting APOOO or you need more details regarding what this challenge is, CLICK HERE. 

Each week (usually on Sunday), a new Reading Challenge blog will be posted for you to stop by and share the books you’re reading.  Remember we’re all in this together so hopefully you will stop by weekly.  And who knows what prizes might be available at the end of the Challenge.  

FREE BOOK OPPORTUNITY

Anyone interested in reading Sins of the Father by Angela Benson?  If so, Benson’s giving away several copies of this book.  If you are interested in reviewing a copy and willing to post your review to amazon.com, let me know and you might be eligible to win one of the free copies available.  Oh yeah, and if you receive a copy, don’t forget to add it to your Second Quarter Reading Challenge list.  Note, only those participating in the Second Quarter Reading Challenge will be eligible to win a free copy of Sins of the Father.

My Second Quarter Reading List

African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished

The After Wife by Lexi Davis

Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished

Love Stories and Other Natural Causes

New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin

The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

Sins of the Father by Angela Benson

The Shack by William Young

Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe

Pittershawn Palmer’s Manuscript

Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #1 is a post from: APOOO

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How many books did you read during the First Quarter (January 2009 – March 2009)

How many of the books were on your ORIGINAL Challenge list?

If you haven’t listed your challenge books before…list them below.

What was your favorite book?  Why?

Have you come up with the books for the Second Quarter Challenge yet?  If so, please don’t forget to list them here.

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRST QUARTER 2009 PARTICIPANTS (Who Read at Least 13 books)

Angelia

Beverly

Brooklyn Darkchild

Crystal (aka Nardsbaby)

Dawn

Dera

Dona

Donnica

Jeanette

Jennifer C.

Jessica

Kay

Lashanda

LaShonda

Leona

Linda

Monique Bruner

Ms. Mary

Ms. Toni

Nicole098

Patricia W.

Phyllis

Priscilla

Sharon

Tangerine

Uranie

 Note:  If you signed-up for the Challenge and read at least 13 books, and your name is NOT listed below, please let me know so that APOOO can recognize you.

Also, EVERYONE, please email me or leave a comment and let me know how you want your name listed on the bookmark.

THANKS AGAIN to all the participants and look forward to your participation for the Second Quarter 2009 African American Literature Reading Challenge.  Don’t forget…to sign-up…CLICK HERE.  Note:  The rules are the same as for the First Quarter Challenge.  Yes there will be prizes again…bookmarks for everyone who participates and reads at least 13 books and a $25 or a $50 gift certificate from amazon or American Express will be awarded (randomly selected) to ONE person who reads all the books on their original list.

First Quarter 2009 African American Reading Challenge WRAP UP is a post from: APOOO

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