First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #9

By APOOO • Mar 4th, 2009 • Category: First Quarter 2009 Reading ChallengeEmail This Post Email This PostPrint This Post Print This Post

Hey hey APOOO Challengers!  Welcome to week nine  and the last month of the First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge.   We’re in the home-stretch now and it won’t be long before daylight savings time (Sunday, March 8th) and Spring (March 20th) are upon us.  I know I digressed for a moment lol.  So, what did you read last week (from your list) and what do you plan to read this week?

Last week, I read The Air Between Us by Deborah Johnson.  I really wanted to like this book.  It started off well enough but then ran into the saggy middle and ended in nowhere land.  I kept expecting something big to happen but it never did…other than two degrees of separation and the flat telling of the climax.  Fortunately, APOOO Reviewer Michelle liked The Air Between Us better than me.  CLICK HERE for her book review.  As another reviewer says, every book isn’t for everybody, but there’s a book for everybody.  But, as I always say, don’t take my word for it.  READ IT FOR YOURSELF.  LOL. 

Here’s my thirteen books for the First Quarter 2009 Reading List with updates:

The Air Between Us by Deborah JohnsonCOMPLETED; Week 9 Read.

The Black Girl Next Door by Jennifer Baszille

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Deadly Charm by Claudia Mair–Completed:  Week Seven Read

In Love with a Younger Man by Cheryl RobinsonCompleted; 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; Completed, Week Eight Read

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; Completed, Week Six Read

Next week will report on The Devil’s No Friend of Mine by JD Mason.  Will be back next week to discuss. 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 (different time, same place) next Sunday for Weekly Update #9.

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24 Responses »

  1. One more to go, for some reason, The Bishop’s Daughter is last…

    http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6261713742558099913&postID=3802872991888270063

    angelia

    angelia´s last blog post..CHECKING IN…

  2. Just about finished with book 10 – HOOKER TO HOUSEWIFE by Joy King. Then it’ll just be 3 more to go…

  3. Y’all are tough!

    Carleen´s last blog post..Take the poll, win a book!

  4. I’ve read two books in the last week, but none from my challenge list. I will probably knock out the last four books in the last two weeks of the challenge. I will be pulling all nighters to get it done. I don’t like to fail.

    Jennifer C.´s last blog post..Worth More Than a Penny

  5. Im starting book 13 Where There’s Smoke by Terra Little. Just completed Expensive Taste by Tiphani and The Bishop’s Daughter by Tiffany Warren.

  6. Sorry… I counted wrong. Im starting book 12. I forgot one of the books on my list I never completed

  7. Carleen, what…lol.

  8. I read nothing….As I hang my head in shame.

    Lashonda Silver´s last blog post..2009 1st Quarter Reading Challenge – Week 7 Update and my project

  9. Hey Lashonda…no need to hang head in shame…you still have 4 weeks.

  10. Hummm I might can catch up now that Im out of a job..::blank stare::

  11. It is March 4 and I haven’t completed a book yet. I am reading Black and White by Lewis Shiner. Learning a lot about Durham, North Carolina.

    Dera Williams´s last blog post..Free….Free….Free….

  12. Currently reading:
    Going Down South by Bonnie J Glover
    Song Yet Sung by James McBride (still reading)
    Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou (not on my list)

    Have completed:
    The S.W.A.P. Game by Brian W Smith
    Up Pops the Devil by Angela Benson
    Neglected Souls by Richard Jeanty
    Revenge is Best Served Cold by Danita Carter and Tracie Howard
    The Bishop’s Daughter by Tiffany L Warren
    The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby
    A Taste of Reality by Kimberla Lawson Roby
    The Making of Isaac Hunt by Linda Leigh Hargrove
    Just Too Good to be True by E Lynn Harris
    The Sunday Brunch Diaries by Norma L Jarrett

  13. I’m pretty much on track!

    I’ll be reading this month…

    Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man Steve Harvey
    Motif by Tiesha Bourne
    Office Politics Wilma Brockington
    Lovers & Liars by Teri Denine
    That Devil’s No Friend of Mine J. D. Mason

    Read so far…

    He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Tracy L. Darity (4)
    His First Wife (5)
    I Still Do C.M. Jones (4)
    Miss Etta’s Fast House Victor McGlothin (3)
    Not Easily Broken T.D Jakes (3.5)
    Singing a Song Crystal Rhodes (3.5)
    Something Like Beautiful Asha Bandele (3)
    The Best of Everything (5)
    The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (4)
    Too Much of a Good Thing JJ Murray (4.5)
    Where The Lines Bleeds Jesmyn Ward (2.5)

  14. The list is pret-ty much Out The Window.
    But I’m still reading as interesting things present themselves.
    Last week I did Sistah For Sale by Miasha
    and
    Where’s There’s Smoke by Terra Little.
    Reviews to follow shortly
    I enjoyed both of them imensely??? (crap, my Spell Check is Down). I thought Miasha crammed a great deal of drama into precious few pages, a technique I have yet to master.
    And Terra Little…
    Boy, that girl can Write.
    Who CARES if you knew where the story was going all along???
    It’s the JOURNEY that counts, and by that I mean:
    Sure, there are formulas in writing as well as in film.
    It’s what the artist does with the formula that makes or breaks a work.
    This week I’m reading Human Trial, a Sci Fi book by Timothy Stelly Sr.
    It’s an engaging read so far.

    PS: I haven’t been on the Internet in 2 weeks so I missed your bday Yasmine.
    Sorry.
    Hope it was Everything You Wanted.
    Times ten.

  15. First of all, Happy Belated Birthday Yasmine! I hope it was a good one! And now I know why you read so much! Us Pisces keep our heads in a book and that’s why we’re smart! LOL!
    This is my update for Week 9 of the Challenge:
    Currently reading:
    She Had It Coming by Mary Monroe
    Something On The Side by Carl Weber
    Completed:
    In Love With A Younger Man
    The Best of Everything
    A Preacher’s Passion
    Keep The Faith
    Sinful Chocolate
    Tale of A Train Wreck Lifestyle
    Want Some Get Some
    Still Need to Read:
    Just Too Good To Be True
    Pecking Order
    Single Mama Drama
    Preacherman Blues
    Other Reads Not in the Challenge:
    Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man
    I Promise
    Essence of Desire
    I think I’m going to make the challenge! Pray for me! This is my birthday month, which means a lot of lunches, dinners, and a trip to the spa!

  16. Hey Jessica you’re going to make the challenge and believe it or not…there’s another Yasmin (actually several online)…Yasmin Sharaz’s b-day was this month…I’m a September baby…but I still love reading. ;) Enjoy your b-day month esp. the lunches, dinners and the trip to the spa!

  17. my list went out the window after the 3rd week my husband was diagnose with throat cancer and i just haven’t the time to read anything but cancer books and material… yasmin i did get the box of books…. i just have the time to pop in to check out the site and see what you all r reading

  18. 1.) Sinsatiable- Sheila E. Lipsey – finished
    2.) My Son’s Wife – Sheila E. Lipsey – finished
    3.) The Cooling Board – Tamara Angela Grant – finished
    4.) Hot Girl – Dream Jordan – finished
    5.) When a Man Loves a woman – LaConnie Taylor Jones
    6.) One Taste – Allison Hobbs – finished
    7.) Schae’s Stroy – Angelia Menchan – finished
    8.) Nothing But Trouble – Bettye Griffin – finished week 8
    9.) The Love Child’s Revenge – Nicole Bailey Williams – finished
    10.) A Rich Mans Baby – Daaimah S. Poole – finished
    11.) Suicide Diaries – Ebonee Monique
    12.) Mistress Memoirs – Lorraine Elzia
    13.) What Doesn’t Kill You – DeBerry and Grant
    14.) The Million Dollar Deception – finished
    15.) The Bishop’s Daughter – finished week 8
    16.) We Take This Man – currently reading

    I have completed 11 books so far. However; once again I have drifted away from my original list. I am currently reading We Take This Man by Candice Dow and Daaimah S. Poole. It wasn’t on my original list and neither was The Bishop’s Daughter however after reading such wonderful reviews and comments I had to get them and see for myself. I truly was not disappointed with The Bishop’s daughter, it was a marvelous read. Read it in one and a half day.

  19. I haven’t done so good :-(

    Books Completed :
    Nina’s Got a Secret
    Joseph – S. Mosses
    Is No Not Clear Enough for your – A. Menchan
    Schae’s Story – A. Menchan
    The Red Tent – A. Diamah
    When Love Comes Around – V. Wells

    Still to read:
    Dying for Revenge -EJD
    The Right Mistake – W. Mosley (hope to start this weekend)
    Teh Ties that Bind – B. Berry
    Wayne Jordan series:
    Embracing the Moonlight
    One gentle Knight
    To Love a Knight
    Always a Knight

    Can we make substitutions?

  20. Donnica,
    You are going to love Act Like A Lady, Think Like a Man! Steve did a great job, and I see why it’s on the NYTimes Best Sellers list. I read it in about 3 or 4 hours, and then I’ve passed it along to several of my friends! Let me know what you think about it when you’re finished

  21. Hey Dinah my prayers are with you and your husband; so sorry to hear he’s been diagnosed with cancer…but as an eight-year survivor I know that it doesn’t necessarily mean its a death sentence. Miracles do happen and we’ve come a long way regarding cancer treatment; so keep the faith.

    Dona glad you’re taking the time to read…whether on your list or not.

    Cilla…I understand you have a lot on your plate.

  22. Sorry – I am late in posting my progress:
    Completed:
    Crossing the Continent
    The Ties That Bind
    The More Things Change
    Blonde Roots
    The Book of the Night Women
    Love on the Color Line
    The Thirteenth
    The Right Mistake
    The Wasted Virgil

    Still Need To Read:
    The Best of AA Fiction
    Bring On the Blessings
    Red Light Green Light
    The Island of Eternal Love

    I have all of the books – so I guess I just need to start reading

  23. Beverly let me know when you plan to read The Island of Eternal Love…maybe we can read that one together.

    Yasmin´s last blog post..Friday Fill-In, March 6, 2009

  24. I’ve hit a wall. While I have been reading, I haven’t been reading any of the books on my challenge list. So far I’ve completed 10 out of my 13:

    Nina’s Got A Secret
    The Pledge
    Designated Hitters
    Dirty Little Angel
    We Take This Man
    The Bishop’s Daughter
    Who You Wit
    Ghetto Resume
    Chante’s Song
    What Doesn’t Kill You

    So I STILL have just three more reads to go for the challenge!!!

    I’m currently reading:
    Ski Mask Way

    Desperate Hoodwives
    The Sweetest Taboo

    Nardsbaby´s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 5 stars to: Sharp Aquos LC52D65U 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV