Winter Book Challenge: Official Check-In Numero Uno!

If you haven't been following along, I decided to join in on the Winter Book Challenge hosted by Semi-Charmed Kind of Life.  I've really enjoyed it so far, any excuse to read is a-okay by me!

Here's where I stand so far:

Freebie: 5 points
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I really enjoyed this one.  It was just enough fantasy to catch my interest, and the characters are all very likable.  I thought it was a bit fluffy, but overall a great read. There are a few more books written by the author that use the same characters, and I'm sure I'll read them at some point soon.

My score: 3.5/5 

304 pages

Read the first book of a series that is new to you: 10 points

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I love me some young adult fantasy/sci-fi fiction!  I knew I would enjoy this one, especially since it was a big enough hit to make into a movie. I read this one while at the beach and tore through it so quickly that I went out and bought the rest of the series while there.  I finished the whole series in two or three days.  Obsessive compulsive much???

My score: 4.5/5

487 pages

Read a book that was first released in a language that is not your native language: 15 points

The Dinner by Herman Koch

Original language: Dutch

Originally I had chosen this book for the last category of the competition, a book with a meal in the title.  Turns out that it was also a translation, and once I figured out that the book I was originally using for this category wasn't 200 pages, I swapped it out to fill this one.

I really enjoyed this book, and grew quite attached to the main character, even though you end up realizing that he is a sociopath of sorts.  It's very intriguing and I finished it one evening.

Score: 4/5

304 pages

Read a "bookish" book: 20 points

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I had originally planned on reading The Loop by Joseph Coomer for this category, but ran out of books to read on vacation and ended up picking this one up at the airport.  I'm glad I did, because OH. MY. GOSH. I loved it!!!  I won't write about much of the plot line, but it was such a unique take on Nazi Germany during WWII.  And the characters, man, do you fall in love with them!

Score: 5/5

552 pages

Read a book from a genre you don't usually read: 25 points

 Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

"Chick Lit" (FYI, I find this term sexist and archaic) is definitely not my jam.  But I knew it was probably the only genre (besides Harlequin Romance) that really fit for me in this category.  And man, there is a reason why.  I HATED this book. The characters are deplorable, self centered, miserable people. Ugh. I just wanted to scream at them during the whole thing.

Score: 1/5

322 pages

Total as of December 1, 2014: 75/200 points
I need to hurry and get back on the reading train!