Chunkster Challenge Completed

What was the goal of the 2008 Chunkster Challenge? How did you do?

I set out to read four books over 450 pages long between January 7th and December 20th of this year, and I am happy to say I did manage it! The only thing I failed to do was link my reviews on the designated blog site in a timely fashion. How I could forget to do that, I do not know. But I did. My reviews are linked there now, just in the nick of time, but I still feel like a bit of a cheat (just wait until my wrap of of the 1st in the Series Challenge--then you'll know just how big of a cheat I am).


What books did you read for the challenge?

• The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff - 514 pgs
  


• Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 498 pgs
  


• Nefertiti by Michelle Moran - 466 pgs
  


• Critical Space by Greg Rucka - 490 pgs

I had intended to read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy for this challenge, but I never actually managed to make it too far into that particular tome. I haven't given up hope of one day reading it though. It just wasn't the right time. The four books I did read for this challenge were not very challenging as they were all rather quick reads despite the length.


What was the best book you read for this challenge? Your least favorite?

The two historical novels were among my favorites this year not only in regards to this challenge, but in my overall reading for the year. Nefertiti took me into a part of history I know so little about and The 19th Wife shed light on a history I was familiar with, but had not known in such detail. Both were intriguing books with characters I instantly related to and wanted to know more about. I also was quite drawn to the modern day story in The 19th Wife.

Twilight was a fun escapist novel, even if I occasionally rolled my eyes. I enjoyed losing myself in Stephanie Meyer's tale. I managed to read Twilight in less than a day, much to my surprise.

I really only picked up Critical Space by Greg Rucka to read in preparation for reading Patriot Acts, the latest in the Kodiak Atticus series, which I had volunteered to review earlier this year. The books are so intricately tied together that reading them out of order would have proved detrimental to my overall enjoyment and understanding of Patriot Acts. While I liked Critical Space on some levels, I am not sure it is a series I will seek out in the future if the author continues with it.

Did you try any new-to-you authors? Will you seek out other books by these authors?

Greg Rucka was the only author of the four mentioned above that was not new to me. I really enjoy Greg Rucka's Queen and Country series and will definitely be sticking with that as long as he continues to write books for the series.

Of the three new-to-me authors, I plan to read more by each of the authors. I already have one of David Ebershoff's earlier books in my TBR collection as well as Michelle Moran's most recent book. And I currently am reading the second in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.

I appreciate all of the hard work that Dana over at So many books, so little time put into the 2008 Chunkster Challenge this year. Congratulations to all the other participants who completed the challenge and to those who gave it a try. It was a lot of fun!

Review: Baby Shark by Robert Fate

First Paragraph: The rumble of the machines stopped everything cold. No one spoke, but everyone knew what was next.


Baby Shark by Robert Fate
Capital Crime Press, 2006
Crime Fiction (S/T); 270 pgs


My recent crime spree has taken me from Laos to Sweden and landed me in Texas, the setting for Robert Fate’s novel Baby Shark. Kristin Van Dijk is only seventeen when her father is murdered before her very eyes. She is left for dead after being sexually assaulted and beaten.

Although he lost his own son to the murderous biker gang, Henry Chin, owner of the pool hall where the crime went down, comes to Kristin’s rescue, pulling her out of the burning building and saving her life. Together, Kristin and Henry are determined to go after the men responsible for the deaths of their loved ones and for hurting Kristin. The police do not seem to care and someone has to pay the price of justice.

Baby Shark is set in Texas during the early 1950’s, a time before DNA testing, cell phones and computers. Women and minorities had their place in society and rarely stepped outside of that. Kristin broke the mold when she picked up the pool cue, following in her father’s footsteps, and trained to be a killer. She had been victimized once and instead of turning inward, she decided to face her fear and act out against it.

Kristin is both intelligent and quick on her feet. She has a hard outer shell, having built up her defenses to protect herself as best as she can. She can kill without remorse. And yet, she still holds onto her humanity. One of my favorite moments in the book is when she asks about the welfare of the dogs, knowing the owner will not be able to see to them anymore.

Robert Fate brings together an unlikely cast of characters. There is Henry Chin, the cabinet maker, who takes Kristin in and helps guide her down her new life path; Sarge, a World War II veteran, who teaches both Kristin and Henry how to fight; Albert, the one legged Korean War veteran who has a weakness for booze and whose knowledge in guns comes in handy; Harlan, a con man and pool hustler who mentors Kristin in the game of pool, shaping her into Baby Shark, a force to be reckoned with at the pool table; and Otis Millett, the former police officer now private investigator, who Henry hires to find the men behind the attack at the pool hall on that fateful night. Each of these men plays an important part in Kristin’s life as she transitions over from child to woman.

The novel is even more salient, coming from Kristin’s point of view. Robert Fate’s writing style is straight forward, and the story he has created is captivating. There was a split second near the beginning of the novel when I wondered if Baby Shark was for me, but that thought died a quick death the more I read. Baby Shark is one of those stories that grips hold of the reader and plays on the emotions. It is easy to understand why Kristin and Henry seek a justice of their own variety—and I cheered for them all along the way.

As an aside, I commented to my husband a couple of times as I was reading the novel how I could see this book being made into a movie, and so I was quite pleased when author Robert Fate mentioned at the book signing this past Saturday that it will in fact become a movie. I look forward to seeing it!

Rating: (Very Good)


Check out Robert Fate's website to learn more about the author and his books.


“I read everything. My dad started that habit. I cherish books and reading because of him. There were times when I was with him that we would drive to somewhere pretty in the morning and just read our books until it was dark. And we would consider that a day well spent.” [pg 129]

Musings Monday & An Early Chirstmas Present Revealed

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading on the go . . .

I always like to have a book with me at all times – call it a nerdy grown-up security blanket – and rarely do I leave the house without slipping one into my bag (even if I KNOW I’m not going to have a chance to read it). Do you take a book with you? Do you take whatever book you’re currently reading, or do you have a special on-the-go book? And do you have a preference for a these types of book (paperback, hardback; short stories; poetry etc)?

I have a little confession to make. When my husband and I went out to run errands yesterday, I did not take a book along. It is rare, however, when I do not have a book with me. I have been stuck at the gas station as my husband fills up the car without a book one too many times. Or stuck waiting in line at the post office. It really is no fun. You can only stare at the new stamp posters for so long before your eyes glaze over. Then there was the time I was at the doctor's office without a book. No magazine in sight! No television. I read posters on the wall. I learned all about viruses and colds, the digestive tract, and contraceptive options. I read those posters over and over until my name was called. It was awful. Never again, I decided. And so, more often than not, you will always find me with a book in hand or at least in my bag which is close at hand.

Any new bag or purse I buy has to be big enough for my book--preferably one that will hold a decent sized hardback just in case. While paperback novels tend to be easier to travel with, I do not limit the book I take with me based on the format since I read just about any size book. I most often take along the book I am reading at the time.

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I tried and tried to put off opening my Book Bloggers Christmas Swap gift. You know how that goes. I mean, how long could you have resisted opening something that looks like this?


Look at that cute little kitty face on the card! Underneath that blue wrapping paper was the promise of a book (yes, I felt it up)! It's like putting a box of chocolate in front of me and expecting me to keep my hands off. Yeah right.

So . . .


My Secret Santa sent me the most adorable bookmark with both a dog and cat on it (I collect items that feature both whenever possible, but it's not always easy to find them on the same item) along with a several stickers of dogs and cats that are just too cute. I am sorry that the stickers aren't visible in the photo above. They really are something! And then, of course, you see the book my Secret Santa so kindly gave me. I have wanted a copy of Why We Read What We Read for quite some time now and am looking forward to reading it.

I cannot thank my Secret Santa enough for the wonderful gifts! Thank you also to Nymeth for organizing the gift exchange again this year and to Dewey for her part in it.

My Riley waiting for me to come back to claim my chair.

Sunday Salon: A Book Signing & New Books (As if I didn't already have enough)

I marked my calendar early last month, even sent myself a reminder, so I would not forget that author Robert Fate would be in town yesterday for a book signing. My husband and I walked in and made a little circle while I gathered my courage to approach the signing table. Anjin had a good laugh over my nervousness. I made my move while the author was talking to another woman so as not to be so noticeable, making my way to the table and picking up a copy of Baby Shark's High Plains Redemption to look over.

Robert Fate put me at ease right away. There is an openness about him that makes him easy to talk to. He recognized Bookfool's name when I passed along her message and even commented on what a nice review she'd written of his book. And he knew me! My blog, at least.

How many author crushes can one reader have? Is there a limit? I think I'm up to five or six now . . .

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I was surprised by the number of books that arrived in the mail this past week Some came as complete surprises. I somehow managed to restrain myself from coming home from the bookstore with more than two books yesterday (No, no. You don't need to take my temperature).



Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout ~ A gift from my friend, BookAddict, in a Secret Santa paperback book exchange.

Cruel Intent by J.A. Jance ~ I didn't expect to find this one in my mailbox this past week. I am a fan of J.A. Jance, and so it was definitely a pleasant surprise to discover a little publisher love coming my way in the form of this book.

No One You Know by Michelle Richmond ~ Florinda's review encouraged me to order a copy of this one.

American Rust by Philipp Meyer ~ ARC from the publisher that came as a surprise. I do not remember requesting a copy of this one, but, regardless, it sounds interesting!

Legerdemain by James J. Heaphey ~ A review copy from publicist Lisa Roe. If only you knew the trouble we had getting this book to me! I suspect a postal conspiracy, personally.

Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley ~ How could I not want to read this after Cathy's review?

Baby Shark's High Plains Redemption by Robert Fate ~ The author was kind enough to personalize and autograph a copy for me.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling ~ I'm a Harry Potter fan; how could I not?

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I am taking a short break from my recent crime fiction spree to read New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. I hope to begin reading it today. My pesky coworker has been getting on my case about not jumping into it sooner (she wants to talk about it and compare notes).

This week I will be posting my review of Robert Fate's Baby Shark and revealing my Book Bloggers Christmas Swap gift (yes, I caved in and opened it--I couldn't be more happy!), so please stay tuned!

Happy Reading!

Just Peeking In

I am the world's worst blogger. I haven't meant to be such a stranger. Between feeling under the weather and working long hours because of a shortage of staff at the office, I have not been feeling up to doing all that much. I am fitting in some reading, amazingly enough. I can take in other people's words and ideas, just not put together my own too well right now.

I am reading Baby Shark by Robert Fate at the moment. It's a hard boiled crime fiction novel about a young woman who goes after the gang who killed her father and left her near dead. The author is going to be in town this coming Saturday (Can you believe it? An author I've actually heard of!), and I thought this would be the perfect time to dive into his first book. Mystery author Bruce Cook (aka Brant Randall) will also be there. I am not familiar with his work. Yet.

I see that Anya has decided to straighten my desk a bit. Or, at least, she's moved some of my papers, a pen, and a bookmark to the floor and has made a bit of a nest out of them. There's never a dull moment with a kitten around.

Speaking of Anya, she was in my dream the other night. I was searching the house for her and discovered her in the closet reading Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. She has excellent taste.

Off to bed I go. Thank you for stopping in!