Dominika's Reading Challenge

It seems easy enough - a book set in high school. I've read hundreds of books set in high schools. Generally, I'm not a huge fan of them, because they are too dramatic and emotional for me, but there are some I really enjoyed.  I thought about a few books, but most of them have some paranormal elements, and I didn't want it. So finally I decided to read: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger I heard a lot about it, both good and bad, but I really hope it's going to be cool :) We'll see!

It was a great book, but only for the people who already know the author ans read most of her books, because there are short stories and snippets of many of her series. We have two longer stories here - one is about Luci from Heaven and Hell and the other is the ending of the Honey series - I found both of them charming. There are sweet scenes from The Burg, from Unfinished Heroes and from Rock Chick series and I loved all of them. Finally, there is a very short story about matchmaking fairies - more like a tease than a real story, but I enjoyed it very much.  For me - a huge fan of the author - this book was like a box of tiny treasures and I would recommend it to the people who know and love Kristen Ashley's books.

I've managed to finish this book but it was a struggle. It seemed really long. It's a story of a young woman who suddenly discovers, that she inherited a sports clothing company. The problem is that she is a pre-school tracher and she knows nothing about business or management. Luckily for her, there is a handsome man ready to help her. I didn't like the book. It was boring - long pages of conversations which didn't lead anywhere. The heroine kept changing her mind and she seemed both spineless and stubborn, the hero was cold and manipulative. Everybody seemed dishonest, mean or stupid and I generally didn't like any character in this book. It says on the cover it's a romantic comedy, but it wasn't funny. It wasn't very romantic, either, although there was a kind of a love story. I gave this book one star and I'm not going to read any other books by this author in the future.

This week it's going to be a book of short stories and I'm very happy about it, because I really wanted to read: Loose Ends by Kristen Ashley I had to read "Heaven and Hell" first, because there is a story about a couple from this novel in "Loose Ends". I've just finished reading this novel today early in the morning and now I can't wait to read Luci and Hap's story! I really hope I'll like it :)

It's the first book in this challenge I didn't manage to finish. I've read about 20% so far and I didn't find it too inspiring - oh, well, I'll still try to finish it and I'll write what I think about it when I do. But it clearly shows, that you definitely shouldn't choose a book basing only on its cover :)

This week it's a book based entirely on its cover. I decided the easiest way to handle it would be to look through my TBR e-books, because I have all the covers on display there.  I read a lot of romances, so most of the covers are really boring - a half-naked man, a woman looking at the sea or a couple, kissing or holding hands. But I managed to find some covers which seemed different and intriguing. The problem was that in most cases I already knew the author so I knew what to expect. But finally I found one which seemed interesting and I knew absolutely nothing about the author:  Love Handles by Gretchen Galway We'll see what I think about it in a week. I really hope I'll like it! :)

I'm so happy that I decided to read this book! There is everything I love in this book - it's charming, witty, kind, the characters are interesting and it was fun to read. It's a story of a woman who desperately needs money so she decides to write a book, and because she has absolutely no imagination, she simply describes her friends and neighbours. Unfortunately, the book becomes a bestseller and people recognise themselves and, let me tell you, they are definitely not happy about the things they read about themselves.  I really liked the doctor's wife, she was so real and nice. The vicar was a wonderful character, full of ideals and very naive. The negative characters seemed a bit too strong for me, a bit too farcical, but I enjoyed them anyway. It was one of the best books I've read in years and I'm really glad I've finally decided to read it :)

My new task is both very easy and very difficult - a book by an author I've never read before. It's easy, because I have literally hundreds of books on my TBR list and most of them are by the authors I know nothing about. But it's difficult to chose only one :)  So, finally I just closed my eyes and pointed. And the book I'm going to read this week is: Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson I know nothing about this author or this book - I think it was on my TBR list because it was recommended to me by Goodreads, but I'm not sure.  I really hope I'll like this book!

Reading a new book by yours favourite author is such a pleasure! Leverage in Death is book 47 in this series and reading it is like coming back home for me - I know and love all the main characters, I always enjoy the story and it's always a five-star read for me.  This time Eve and Peabody had to face very cold and greedy criminals. The book begins with a man forced to kill twelve people to save his family and this scene was very painful for me. I couldn't stop thinking about it for a few days and the only thing I know for sure is that I hope I'd never have to make this kind of decision. The rest of the book was easier to read, it showed mostly hard, police work. There were many funny moments connected with the Oscar ceremony, and I simply loved the scene with Peabody who drank too much espresso.  I loved this book just as much as I loved the rest of the series. The next book, Connections in Death, is coming out soon - I can't wait!