Winter Reading Challenge Wrap-Up

Karlene at InkSplasher hosted a winter reading challenge that started December 22, 2007 and ends this coming Wednesday, March 19, 2008. I finished my last book of the challenge last night (in fact, I stayed up *way* too late doing so ;>)).

Here are the books I read for the challenge and their ratings. If you’re interested in reading a full review of any of the books, just click on the title you’re interested in.

Books read:

1. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell – 4/5 (highly recommended)

2. Paddy Clarke Ha, Ha, Ha by Roddy Doyle – 2.5/5 (ok, but not Earth shattering)

3. Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson – 4.5/5 (highly recommended)

4. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts – 5/5 (very highly recommended)

5. Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs – 4/5 (highly recommended)

6. Lickety-Split by Kathy Hogan Trocheck – 2.5/5 (so-so)

Favorite book of the challenge: Blood Brothers

Least favorite book of the challenge: Lickety-Split

Any new authors read in this challenge? Gladwell, Davidson, and Reichs were all new to me.

What I learned: That I do like some paranormal romance. Before I read some of the books for this challenge, all the paranormal romances I’d read had vampires in them. I was not impressed (even Nora Robert’s Circle trilogy failed to really grab me and I normally love her books). So I’d come to the conclusion that I didn’t like paranormal romances. Then I read Blood Brothers which is decidedly paranormal (but has no vampires). So I concluded that I didn’t like vampire paranormal romances. Well, then I picked up Undead and Unwed (which does have vampires) and loved it. So what did I learn? That I can’t generalize ;>). It really depends on the book. I’m pretty sure I can say I like funny vampire romances though ;>).

Thanks for hosting this challenge, Karlene! I enjoyed picking and reading books for it.