First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #4
By APOOO • Jan 25th, 2009 • Category: First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge •
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Hey hey APOOO Challengers! It’s the end of January, the fourth Sunday, and week four of the First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge. Researchers say that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. That said, if you’re still participating in the challenge, pat yourself on the back and consider yourself well on your way. Yes, you’re about one-third of the way to the finish line. 
So, what did you read last week (from your list) and what do you plan to read this week?
I’ll go first. Last week, I read and finished In Love With a Younger Man by Cheryl Robinson. The storyline was engaging and attention-grabbing. Although at times the main character, Olena, really tried ones patience, because of the chooses she made when it came to men. She gives creed to the statement…all book sense but very little common sense. And the ending…sorry but I tossed the book across the room. LOL. I don’t like x-x-x-x-x-x-x, they seem to be becoming two commonplace today,and, unfortunately this book has one in the making. LOL. I liked that there was not one but two younger men and the two degrees of seperation that played out in the climax. Overall, I recommend In Love With a Younger Man to Robinson fans and I guess I will have to pick up the next book to see what happens with the trio and the secondary characters that fell out of the closet.
Here’s my thirteen books for the First Quarter 2009 Reading List with updates:
The Air Between Us by Deborah Johnson
The Black Girl Next Door by Jennifer Baszille
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Unfinished)
Deadly Charm by Claudia Mair
In Love with a Younger Man by Cheryl Robinson–Completed; Week Three Read
The Island of Eternal Love by Daina Chaviano
Schae’s Story by Angelia Menchan–Completed;Week One Read
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
That Devil’s No Friend of Mine by J. D. Mason
The Ties that Bind by Bertice Berry
What Doesn’t Kill You by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant; Completed, Week Four Read
Where the Lines Bleed by Jesmyn Ward; Completed, Week Two Read
Where There’s Smoke by Terra Little
I’m ahead for week four–started and finished What Doesn’t Kill You by DeBerry and Grant today. The storyline is very timely, although at times, I wondered if the main character had any luck that wasn’t bad luck. Sometimes situations were just too over-the-top, but the character’s voice and personality was edgy, funny and I had to keep reading to see how she would get out of her latest escapade. Additionally, DeBerry and Grant used this book as not only a chance to entertain but also to educate and inform. I liked that they addressed financial challenges and that change is sometimes necessary in order to move forward; if you don’t turn the corner, you’ll never see what’s in front of you. That was one of many favorite quotes that I found in this book. Enjoy reading books about women who overcome trials and tribulations and find empowerment, then definitely check out this one. Another book that I recommend. APOOO Rating: 4.0 stars
Now, your turn. Leave a comment below to let us know what you read last week and what you plan to read this week.
NOTE: If this is your first time visiting APOOO or you need more details regarding what this challenge is, CLICK HERE.
Until next week, keep reading those books and HAPPY READING. See you here (same time) next Sunday for Weekly Update #5.
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I didn’t have much progress last week. I’ve been reading In Love With a Younger Man for over a week…it was hard for me to get into but midway it has picked up. Hope to finish it tomorrow and get back on track.
I’m working on book #8: The Best of African American Fiction 2009, I’ve completed the following seven books:
Week 1
1 The Right Mistake Walter Mosley 2.5
Week 2
2 Run For Your Life James Patterson Michel Ledwidge 3
3 The Wasted Vigil Nadeem Aslam 4.5
4 Bicycles: Love Poems Nikki Giovanni 3.5
Week 3
5 Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans Roland Laird, Taneshia Nash Laird, Elihu “Adofo” Bey, Illustrator 4.5
6 Where The Line Bleeds Jesmyn Ward 3
7 Blonde Roots Bernardine Evaristo 3/3.5
I’m lagging a bit behind. I’ve only read two so far:
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
Am going to try to knock out two books this week, and two books next week to get on track.
Djuanna´s last blog post..Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
I will be finishing up book #5 tonight. It’s Moment of Clarity by Michele Cameron. I didn’t realize I was a bit ahead as well. I have decided to to chuck Where The Line Bleeds, because I can’t seem to stay awake long enough to finish it. I will put My Brother is a Baller by Dorrie Williams Wheeler in it’s place.
Stay tune for my ramblings on my thoughts of Moment of Clarity and Where The Line Bleeds later on in the week.
Happy Reading!!
Jennifer C.´s last blog post..Black History Month
Monique…since you’re reading In Love With a Younger Man…I hope you finish it so that we can discuss it…and I agree that it’s not as fast-pace a read as some of Cheryl’s other books.
Phyllis–you’re on a roll…YGG!
Djuanna–I can understand why you’re lagging…the books you’ve chosen aren’t easy read…gurl you need som chick-lit…lol.
Jennifer–look forward to your ramblings!
This what I’ve read so far:
Not Easily Broken, T.D. Jakes…didn’t finish…boring
Pecking Order, Omar Tyree, 2.5-3
The Best Kept Secret, Kimberla Lawson Roby, 4
Red Sky, Renee Alexis, 4
Take Me Down, Sylvia Lett, 3
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith, 5
Love & Lies, Kimberla Lawson Roby, 3.5
Red Light Special, Risque, 4
Now I’m reading the BOM and so far it ain’t working. I’m going to give it a couple more chapters and if it doesn’t pick up it’s gettig KTTC!!! (Kicked To The Curb)
Im stuck on The Soloist but it looks like I will finish tonight and start………..
I’m working on book #4. I’m a little behind because I changed my list some. I just finished The Lost Supreme: The Story of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard. I gave that book a rating of 2.5/3.0. It just was not all that interesting. Now I’m starting The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Sharon, I see a kicking to the curve…lol.
Linda, I hope you get unstuck…lol.
Mary…I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about The Best of Everything.
Hey Guys,
Hope that all is well with everyone. So I’ve taken a small break from the challenge and I’m catching up on books I haven’t read. Hmmm… may be I should’ve added those books to my first quarter challenge. I’ve read 8 out of my 13. These are the books I have left and don’t know what I’m going to start with next.
The Sweetest Taboo—Risque
Desperate Hoodwives— Meesha Mink & Deneesha Diamond
Erotic City—Pynk
Ghetto Resume—Freddie Simmons
Ski Mask Way—Randy Ski Thomas
Nardsbaby´s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 4 stars to: Beneath the Bruises
I am reading The Red Tent. Didn’t get much reading done this weekend.
Dera´s last blog post..He’s the President– Get Over It
Crystal pick up the Sweetest Tabbo and Desperate Hoodwives…both of them are good and quick, easy reads. I don’t think you will be disappointed. I also headrd good things about Erotic City but I haven’t read that one yet.
Here’s my update:
The Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus — completed week 2
1) Havah by Tosca Lee — completed week 1
2) The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams — completed week 1
3) Love Begins with Elle by Rachel Hauck
4) The Bishop’s Daughter by Tiffany Warren
5) Scrapping Plans by Rebeca Seitz
6) Midnight by Sister Souljah — In Progress
7) Gotta Keep On Tryin’ by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant — completed week 2
9) Body Chemistry by Dara Girard — completed week 1
10) As I Have Loved You by Nikki Arana
11 ) In Love With A Younger Man by Cheryl Robinson
12) Be Strong and Curvaceous by Shelley Adina
13) Never Say Diet by Chantal Hobbs — replaced by The 4-Day Diet by Dr. Ian K. Smith; completed week 1
I know folks are mixed on Midnight but so far, I’m enjoying it. I’m just under halfway through. And my teenage son wants to read it but I figure I’d better finish it before I give the okay.
After Midnight, I’ll start Scrapping Plans. Then, I’ve got a couple of review books to knock off that aren’t on the list.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Debut Author: Kaye Dacus and Stand-In Groom
Ok…I have been really scattered this past week, so my list matches that.
1. White White Boyz Ride by various authors – one story left to read
2. Sinful Chocolate by Adrianne Byrd – started but no in the mood to finish
3. Men, Money and Gold Diggers by Je’Caryous Johnson – started and currently reading for a review.
4. Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward – started but did not finish
I have read a total of 4 books and have 4 books in different stages of complete. I have some galleys that came in, so I think I am going to shelf Where the Line Bleeds for now. After Men, Money and Gold Diggers I will finish Sinful Chocolate and then read the galleys and reviews I have to complete.
Lashonda´s last blog post..Change is good
Lashonda with everything that’s going on I understand why your reading is at a standstill. When you get a moment, hit me offloop and give me an up-date.
xoxo
Completed book five – EASTSIDE by Caleb Alexander. Excellent book!
Hey Everybody:
Just checking in with week 4 of the challenge. I didn’t make much progress this week, so
I’m still reading The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby. I took some time off and went to Los Angeles and hosted a baby shower for my college best friend who is expecting twins, and then I got sick while I was there and didn’t feel like doing much! I’ll double up this week, and try to read at least three. I’m still on target for the challenge, though, as I have already read 4 books. My next reads are The Bishop’s Daughter and We Take This Man!
I finished Dying for Revenge this week. It kind of put me behind cause It took me a week to read it. Not because it was not interesting or good,but because Ihad other things to atend to. DFR was book number 3.
I started In Love with a Younger Man today so that will be #4.
I really need to find my list cause I don;t remember all the books I put on the challenge.
Jnette…let me check to see if you posted your list previously…if I find it I will send it to you. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on In Love With a Younger Man.
Hey all.. I kinda feel short. I reread Where the Line Bleeds since I was the moderator for this month’s BOM discussion..
I have completed.
Joseph – Sheila Moses
Nina’s Got a Secret –
When Love Comes Around – V. Wells
and I an half finish The Red Tent
Cilla what do you think of the Red Tent thus far?
Ms Mary,
How are you enjoying The Best of Everything? Alicia is something else, isn’t she? I’m finishing an online class this week, but I can’t wait to find out what happens!!
In reviewing my calendar, I have some corrections. Midnight by Sista Souljah and Dying for Revenge by Eric Jerome Dickey were actually read the end of Dec so they are out.
1. The S.W.A.P. Game by Brian W Smith completed first week
2. Up Pops the Devil by Angela Benson completed third week
3. Neglected Souls by RIchard Jeanty completed second week
4. The Song Yet Sung by James McBride – in progress
5. Revenge is Best Served Cold by Danita Carter and Tracie Howard – in progress
6. The Bishop’s Daughter by Tiffany L Warren
7. The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby
8. The Making of Isaac Hunt by Linda Leigh Hargrove
9. Just Too Good to be True by E Lynn Harris
10. Going Down South by Bonnie Glover
11. The Sunday Brunch Diaries by Norma L Jarrett
There will be some changes. I have yet to decide which two books I would like to end this challenge with.
I just finished The Best of Everything and that Alicia was really working my nerves….She was indeed something else. It was so many times during the book where I wished she was real so I could slap her. I’m starting Taboo by Yoshe.
Its hard for me to keep up with my 13 books. My list continues to change as books I requested come to the library.