Starting June 21, and ending on September 22, I will be hosting my Summer Reading Challenge! The winner of Level 2 will be awarded a point by me (unless, of course, I win it!). For those who have not participated in my previous challenges, I'll put the rules below, but it's pretty easy.
A Level 1 challenge is four books, a Level 2 challenge is six books (please list the books below), they must fit into the categories provided, and the first to complete each level before the end of the season wins! Also, no books under 150 pages are allowed. When you finish the challenge, just post here to let everybody know, and please feel free to discuss with us your opinions of the books you chose as you read them. And if you ever need any help choosing books or understanding the rules, or if you have any ideas you'd like to share for future categories, feel free to contact me either on the forum or by email.
Thank you for your participation in my little battle-of-the-books. Happy reading!

1. Read a book by author Clive Cussler.
2. Read a book with the first letter of the title being "F".
3. Read a book randomly drawn (with closed eyes) from your stack of to-be-read books.
4. Read a newly released book. (One from 2016 or 2017.)
5. Read a mystery.
6. Read a book written by an actor.

My choices:
1. Poseidon's Arrow, by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler
2. Flood Tide, by Clive Cussler
3. The Spirit of the Border, by Zane Grey
4. Days of Insult, by Erin Eldridge
5. The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins
6. My Stroke of Luck, by Kirk Douglas

Can't wait to see what books you guys choose!

Even though I am currently finishing Cold Mountain from the Spring Challenge, here are my 4 Summer choices:

2. Read a book with the first letter of the title being "F". - Fluke by Christopher Moore. One of my favorite authors. Off the wall, but smart and funny.
3. Read a book randomly drawn (with closed eyes) from your stack of to-be-read books. - Daisy, can you believe it? I picked Where there's Smoke by Sandra Brown. I swear my eyes were closed! LOL
5. Read a mystery. - 4th of July by James Patterson
6. Read a book written by an actor. - Rickles' Book, A Memoir by Don Rickles (Actor and Comedian) with David Ritz.

As I am trying to finish what I already own, I decided to forgo the Cussler book this time. My brother-in-law thought he owned, Inca Gold, but he couldn't find it. If he had it, I would have read that one. Daisy, I appreciate your offer, but I don't want you to have to pay shipping.

Good luck, everyone!

I finished My Stroke of Luck, and I'm now reading Flood Tide, which is a looooong book and may take me a while to get through.

What book are you planning on reading first? And by the way, how was Cold Mountain?

Stacy, how are you coming along on the book you're reading? Would you like book suggestions for the challenge?

I will post soon about my next book. Hope to hear from everyone soon!!

How about you, Stacy? Where are you at currently in your reading?

I am starting James Patterson and Maxine Paetro's, "4th of July".

Stacy, that book about China sounds pretty interesting. Thanks for sharing about it. :-D And yup, List of 10 would qualify for that. I'm going to be reading Days of Insult because I promised the publisher, so we're even, haha. ;-) I'd love to hear what you think of it, it sounds interesting.

So far I'm really enjoying Flood Tide. Over half-way through, and I still haven't figured out why it was named that (it has more to do with China smuggling immigrants into the states than it does flood tides), but I think I'm just getting to the part where it comes into the story, so that will be interesting.

Yes, it is interesting, isn't it? XD Except for Flood Tide is what I'd call "educational fiction", unlike Escape From Red China, which sounds like nonfiction from your description.

I own that book, Poseidon's Arrow, and it looks good, but I have not read it yet. I heard that it was good, though, from a friend who has read it. When I have the time, and after I finish Flood Tide and one other book I'm reading (non-related to the challenge), then I'll make that the next one and maybe we can compare notes. That should be fun! :-)

Daisy - if you want Cold Mountain, it is yours. No points needed!! Let me know before it goes here or on another site I trade items on.

I am impressed. You are both obligated to authors! :)

I am moving pretty quickly through, "4th of July". Patterson writes in short chapters and simple dialogue so this one shouldn't take me long. Famous last words?? LOL

That’s generous of you, Honibabi, thank you. But I don’t want you paying shipping, either, so I’ll tell you what… I’ll trade you! If you are interested in any of my books, including but not limited to the Cussler I put on there, just mooch it, and if you post Cold Mountain then I’ll mooch that book from you. Basically, we end up with the same amount of points we had before, and we’re just swapping the books. Sound good? :-)

Update: I found it in your inventory, but when you click on it and try to mooch it there is an error; it doesn't say you posted it. I think they have a name for books like that: ghost books. Maybe if you take it off and re-post it. *scratches head* That's weird.

What is 4th of July like so far? Is it good? Glad it’s a quick read for you!

I'd love to see your review of it when you finish it! :-)

Stacy, I am so happy that you like the forum that much! I've learned about quite a few books that you guys introduced me to on here that I've added to my TBR books, as well!

List of 10 sounds like an interesting book. Not really my kind of book, but still interesting. :-)

Sounds like a mystery to me! :-)

I hope you don't mind, but I added your book list to the first post on this thread, with the books you've already read for the challenge and the ones you have yet to decide on. I really hope that's okay... Feel free to get rid of it if you don't want it there for some reason. :-)

I enjoy Sidney Poitier as an actor, so I am interested in your thoughts on the book. "The Day of the Donald" is definitely going on my TBR list! I have "While Reagan Slept" by Buchwald on my shelf but haven't gotten to it yet. I read, "Too Soon to say Goodbye" by Art Buchwald which he wrote while he was suffering from a terminal illness. I enjoyed it and it made me want to read more of his books. I would read, "List of 10", but I am with you both that this type of book is not at the top of my list.

I am half way through 4th of July and there isn't much to say right now. ;(

Honibabi, I've never even heard of Buchwald before I don't think. I'll have to keep my eyes open for his books now. :-) Sorry if you're not really enjoying 4th of July. :-( Maybe it'll get better, though. :-)

Starting Rickles' Book by Don Rickles.

I'm now reading The Spirit of the Border, by Zane Grey. So far it's very good. I usually enjoy his books.

Any who....I am enjoying Rickles' Book. Funny and very clean despite his act. Throw back to the day for sure when you didn't hang out all your dirty laundry. I don't mind because it is entertaining and I don't think he was one of the player comics/actors of his day. Usually, I feel like if your gonna write a biography, don't jip the reader! Put it out there or don't write the book for an easy profit. This book comes across pretty honest and sincere.

Rickle's Book sounds very enjoyable, I'd definitely like to keep my eyes open for it and see if I can pick up a copy of it somewhere.

Stacy, sorry to hear she never replied. Should be easy enough to pick another random book with closed eyed, though. That's probably the best category to change your mind on, because if's so easy to switch books, haha!

How was Oracus? Any good?

Didn't you read Day of the Donald for #4? I'm not sure that it would fit in anywhere else.

Honibabi, how is your reading coming along? How are you enjoying your current book?

Forty Days sounds like a really good book. I'd love to know how you like it when you read it.

Stacy, I do believe that you will win this challenge! You read even faster than I do!

I finished Days of Insult the other day. It was pretty good... not a very favorite, but pretty good. The author's knowledge of his subject was, I thought, very impressive.

I'm switching the mystery book to The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins. The other book is just too loooooong, haha. Close to 600 big pages. If I stick to that one, I doubt I'll have it finished by the deadline. As it is, The Moonstone is over 450 pages, so even with that one I may be cutting it close. I'm also switching my Clive Cussler choice to Poseidon's Arrow, so that Stacy and I could read the same thing and compare notes. ;-)

I haven't been on because I was on vacation driving with my mom to visit family along the east coast for 2 weeks. Nice trip but also glad to be home. You are both moving through the challenge easily :)

I finished Rickle's book and I enjoyed it. Very easy read. He came across very genuine and likable. Fame didn't really get to his head. It doesn't actually sound like he ever considered himself famous.

I started Where There's Smoke by Sandra Brown. I am just 35 pages in. I thought I would get more reading done on the trip than I did.

Stacey, I read Beach House too and two thumbs down!

That book sounds really cool. Glad you liked it! :-D

How is Where There's Smoke so far? Is it good?

I've been reading The Moonstone, and so far it is very, very good. It's so hard to figure out who did it! I know that it could go several ways... I mean, who DOESN'T have a motive for stealing a super rare diamond? Haha. I'm really enjoying it.

I could use a super rare diamond....LOL.

I'm adding you to the list of suspects... ;-p

I am starting Fluke. I expect it to be off the wall and funny in true Christopher Moore fashion!

We are nearing the end. Good luck to both of you in finishing. Tell those pesky author friends to leave you alone for a little while. You have an important book challenge to finish...LOL.

Daisy, I expect you're starting to think of the next seasonal topics. Can't wait.

Glad you finished the book! "Wow, you're on the last book already," was my first reaction, and then I'm like, "wait a minute, it's September already... I'm behind!" Haha. XD Time flies so fast!!!

I am indeed thinking up new categories! I'm always open to ideas, so if you could think of anything you'd like to see in the challenge, just let me know and I'll consider it. :-)

I'm starting on my Cussler next, and last. Hope I get it read in time! It's going to be awfully close!

I am just on page 46 of Fluke and so far it is good. It is about scientists who study whales in Hawaii. Right now it appears a whale is sending messages to one of the scientists. The message was "bite me". The only thing I am gleaning so far is that the scientists are getting close to solving the language of the whale song. I now know that the "Fluke" is what the shape of the whale tail is called. As soon as I know the underlying message from Mr. Moore, I will share. He usually spoofs real and often serious or emotionally charged topics.

Daisy, I think a holiday of your choice or favorite holiday themed book might be fun for the winter challenge. Have you done a sports themed category yet? Revisit a book you have tried and couldn't finish? A book your mom/dad/sister/brother/kid picks? Good luck in the next topics and finishing the challenge. It will be close for me as well.

Fluke sounds like a cute book! Glad that you're enjoying it so far. :-D

I will finish the book in time... I will finish the book in time... I will finish the book in time! I have to tell myself that, or else I mightn't! Hahaha.

Thanks for the good luck wishes, and the same to you, Honibabi! :-)

So, Fluke, is inspired by Johah and the Whale, from the bible. In this case, the whale is an alien ship. True Christopher Moore fashion- writing stories based on centuries and varieties of speculation that may have become the basis for history of many religious stories. Like it but hoping he wows me in the end.