2013 BOOK CHALLENGE! Are you in?

[Caseheidi]

Goal: 30 - but I need to up it to 50. (After discovering how many books I read last year, I was too easy on myself.)

Book #2: There (#2 of The Other Side series) by Denise Grover Swank. Young Adult, Si-Fy

Rate: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary: From Amazon (not there are spoilers for book #1 Here)

Julia Phillips’ world is an alternate universe away.

Trapped in a land where government leaders want her dead, Julia is forced to run for her life with Evan and Reece, the two boys who brought her here. They’re on their own in a hostile landscape ruled by scavengers and thieves.

But Evan is battling a deadly infection, and Julia finds herself racing against time as she tries to find the medicine that will save his life. She and Reece find an unlikely ally—Jo, a girl they free after finding her captured by bandits.

As the four travel across the country, Julia has something else to worry about—her memories are slowly being replaced by the Julia of Evan and Reece’s world. Will they find a way to send Julia home before it’s too late? Or will Julia’s body and mine be trapped THERE?

I really enjoyed reading both these books. The story grabbed me and I had a hard time putting the book down. The characters (for the most part) are likable, and you want to root for them.

 

[fireworks fan]

Goal: 50 books

Book 1-The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Summary/Review: Set in the 1920s, this is a tragic story of two lovers who reconnect years after one is married with a child with explosive results. I loved the opening sentences of the book "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages you've had." Good advice that made me think from the very beginning.

Its interesting to read a "classic" just for fun. I had a hard time not looking for themes, quotes, etc to note for an English class, since the last time I read it it was for class It was fun to read as window into a life far from my own reality, and also as a parallel to watching Downtown Abbey, set in the same period. All that money to be squandered, with little regard for anyone outside your social circle. Anyway, I recommend it.

 

[fireworks fan]

Goal: 50 books

Book 2: The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick

Review: This is classic chick lit done well. I read it in a day-very easy and fun read. Its about a dog trainer/dog rescuer who matches up people with dogs that change their lives for the better. However, she is having trouble keeping her own life on track, breaking up with her live-in boyfriend over her dogs, having dysfunctional family relationships with her divorced parents, and really only one friend-her partner in dog rescue. Basically, its about how she turns it all around, becoming better balanced in life and love, while helping her clients balance their own lives through their dogs.

Current book is The Kingmaker's Daughter by Phillipa Gregory-love the historical fiction!

 

[Talking Hands]

Read 3 mysteries by Jessica Beck last week.
Illegally Iced
A Deadly Beef
A Chili Death
Currently reading
A Killer Cake

All are set in NC and the last 3 revolve around the owner of the Charming Moose Restaurant
The first is a mystery about the owner of a donut shop.
and I am up to Genesis Chap 22 in the reading the Bible in 1 year.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Goal: 50 books

Book 2: The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick

Review: This is classic chick lit done well. I read it in a day-very easy and fun read. Its about a dog trainer/dog rescuer who matches up people with dogs that change their lives for the better. However, she is having trouble keeping her own life on track, breaking up with her live-in boyfriend over her dogs, having dysfunctional family relationships with her divorced parents, and really only one friend-her partner in dog rescue. Basically, its about how she turns it all around, becoming better balanced in life and love, while helping her clients balance their own lives through their dogs.

Sounds good-want to read it.

 

[threeboysmom]

Goal: 30 - but I need to up it to 50. (After discovering how many books I read last year, I was too easy on myself.)

Noted

 

[tarzansmom]

I'm in. Will say 52 books. I love to read. I won't count the books I read with my son. Right now we are reading King Arthur together.

Right now, i am reading game of thrones.

Have already read 3 books this year so far.
Read the Eberon marked trilogy my brother in law loaned me.
It wasn't amazing but it was an okay read.

I can pretty much read anything. Mystery, fantasy, romance, horror, I pretty much like them all. Last year, I read over a hundred books if I count the ones I read with my son.

 

[HulaHoopy]

I want to join in too. I think my goal will be 15.

With a full time job and two little kids it will be a stretch for me to get to more than one a month.

I read a lot of hand me down books, so I don't always get to pick! My last read (2012) was Jodi Piccoult's Lone Wolf. I thought it was great, but I have liked every book of hers I have read so far!

 

[tarzansmom]

I want to join in too. I think my goal will be 15.

With a full time job and two little kids it will be a stretch for me to get to more than one a month.

I read a lot of hand me down books, so I don't always get to pick! My last read (2012) was Jodi Piccoult's Lone Wolf. I thought it was great, but I have liked every book of hers I have read so far!

I have read several books by Jodi picoult and enjoyed them. Haven't read this one yet. Guess I will add it to my 2013 book list.

 

[DarthMama]

Goal: 52

Book 1 - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

The story of an opera singer, a corporate CEO and others at a birthday party taken hostage by terrorists in an unnamed South American country. Turned out to be quite a lovely story, with interesting relationships developing among the hostages and between the hostages and terrorists. Ending was inevitable but still a surprise. Worth reading, but not something I would pick up again to re-read.

Book 2 -- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This is one of my favorite books, and one I re-read frequently. (It's been on my mind lately since there is a new movie version coming out soon, and my husband's favorite Indian actor has a small role in it.) The green light at the end of the dock -- still love that image.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#3 The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

The Earth's hours are slowing, (No explanation why), affecting plant life, animals & humans. The sun doesn't set or rise on schedule anymore. By the end of the book, the days are almost 72 hours long.
It is supposed to be a coming of age book, but I would have thought it more realistic if the main characters had been a little older. Maybe 14 turning 15 instead of 11 turning 12...
Anyway the book moved very 'slow' to me, lol. Not enough excitement (well none actually) for me.
This book was number 11 on BookRead's top 25 reader's faves & number 17 on the editor's top 50.
I would not have put it on the list at all.

 

[diznee25]

Goal: 50 books

Book 2: The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick

Review: This is classic chick lit done well. I read it in a day-very easy and fun read. Its about a dog trainer/dog rescuer who matches up people with dogs that change their lives for the better. However, she is having trouble keeping her own life on track, breaking up with her live-in boyfriend over her dogs, having dysfunctional family relationships with her divorced parents, and really only one friend-her partner in dog rescue. Basically, its about how she turns it all around, becoming better balanced in life and love, while helping her clients balance their own lives through their dogs.

Current book is The Kingmaker's Daughter by Phillipa Gregory-love the historical fiction!

I love chick-lit and this book sounds interesting! Going on my list, thanks for sharing!

diznee25

 

[SEASONK]

Goal 75

#3 ~ Devil in Winter (Wallflowers #3) by Lisa Kleypas

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!
Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.
But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts --- which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions ... or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Another good historical romance from Lisa Kleypas. I enjoy reading series, and I have 2 more left in this series to read.

Paperback

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Ok just finished Cindy Gerard's Bodyguards Series. Read the Black Ops series last week. Very good for anybody that likes that genre. Does anybody have any romantic suspense recommendations? I prefer series books

Thanks

 

[SEASONK]

Are you also a Barbara Freethy fan? I read that book and really liked it. Rught now I'm reading "Some Kind of Wonderful". Another cheesy romance that I'm thoroughly enjoying.

I am a Barbara Freethy fan! Although in alot of literary circles she is cheesy romance, she tells a good story. There is usually more to it than girl meets boy, they fall in love and live happily ever at.

 

[penguin1102]

Goal 75

#3 ~ Devil in Winter (Wallflowers #3) by Lisa Kleypas

Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!
Sebastian's reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden's good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.
But Evie's proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine's callously discarded broken hearts --- which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions ... or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.

Another good historical romance from Lisa Kleypas. I enjoy reading series, and I have 2 more left in this series to read.

Paperback

That sounds good. I am going to have to look into this series.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #2 finished

America's Dream by Esmeralda Santiago

Review: 29-year old America Gonzalez has a pretty hard life. She has been in a fifteen-year relationship with the abusive Correa who beats her regularly. Her vindictive 15 year old daughter, Rosalinda has run off with some boy and when she is found and sent back home, she treats her mother with disrespect and anger. America's mother Ester drinks regularly and often reacts to America's life with apathy. When the offer to be a live-in maid in New York arrives, America jumps at the chance to get out of there. Of course, she must hide from Correa if he ever finds her.

This book deals with a lot of subjects such as the experience of coming to the US, domestic abuse, the strange relationship she has with Correa, and the subject of being self-sufficient and demanding respect from those who claim to love her. The interaction between America and her employer is explored as well as the reality that for the first time, she has to be sufficient to herself and not rely on the demands of others.

I think the America's dreams is well-written, the characters are believable and the story is engaging. As much as I liked America and even rooted for her to get something out of life that doesn't hurt her, I wanted to get her by the shoulders and cry out "Don't let them treat you like that! Don't let your daughter talk to you like that! Don't let that man get away with it!" I do recommend this book but remember it does deal with some serious subjects.

 

[Christine]

Goal 72

#3 The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

The Earth's hours are slowing, (No explanation why), affecting plant life, animals & humans. The sun doesn't set or rise on schedule anymore. By the end of the book, the days are almost 72 hours long.
It is supposed to be a coming of age book, but I would have thought it more realistic if the main characters had been a little older. Maybe 14 turning 15 instead of 11 turning 12...
Anyway the book moved very 'slow' to me, lol. Not enough excitement (well none actually) for me.
This book was number 11 on BookRead's top 25 reader's faves & number 17 on the editor's top 50.
I would not have put it on the list at all.

I had a similar response to this book. It actually had so much potential--the storyline did--but the main character was very "monochromatic" if that's such a description. She just never took off, never hooked me and, while I finished the book, I never loved any of the characters or got invested in it.

 

[dizluvah]

To comment on a few prev. posts: I also felt like Age of Miracles didn't come close to living up to the hype it generated/great reviews it rec'd.

Anyway reason for my post
Goal: 40
Book #3 Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder
This is a Fantasy (young adult?) book about a healer named Avry, set during a time when Healers are believed to have spread the plague. I liked it and gave it 4 stars on goodreads. I loved Snyder's Poison Study series so was anxious to read something else by this author.

Next I'm reading The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

 

[threeboysmom]

Just finished #2 out of 30

Defending Jacob by William Landay

Five-star rating

This is one of those books that I will not soon forget. Its story gripped me from the start and will continue to haunt me.

Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber has just found out that the evidence in the murder of a 14-yo boy he's investigating is pointing towards his own 14-yr son, Jacob.

How far would you go in defending your own son? If your child is pleading that he's innocent, do you believe him? And if so, where is that inevitable line where that belief begins to blur?

I found myself as a parent questionning myself at every twist & turn in this book.... "What would *I* do if that were my child?"

Highly recommend to anyone who has not picked this book up yet! Enjoy!

Next up: #3 The Passage by Justin Cronan

#4 Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain just became availabe on Overdrive so I'll be reading books #3 and #4 simultaneously.