2013 BOOK CHALLENGE! Are you in?

[jenny105]

I finished book #5 Little Women. Can you believe I've never read it?

I'm halfway through Where She Went by Gayle Forman. I loved If I Stay and I'm enjoying this book from Adam's perspective as well.

 

[CaliBear]

Goal: 40

Book 5 The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Potzsch

From Amazon:

Germany, 1660: When a dying boy is pulled from the river with a mark crudely tattooed on his shoulder, hangman Jakob Kuisl is called upon to investigate whether witchcraft is at play. So begins The Hangman's Daughter--the chillingly detailed, fast-paced historical thriller from German television screenwriter, Oliver Pötzsch--a descendent of the Kuisls, a famous Bavarian executioner clan.

My take: I enjoyed the time period and setting, and I especially enjoyed the character of the hangman so I will read more from this series ( plus they were on sale for 99 cents each on Amazon over the weekend), but as a "thriller" they fell a little short for me. I did enjoy it as a piece of historical fiction. 3 stars

Up next: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

@ Threeboysmom- I hope you don't mind I copied you by putting the challenge in my sig. Great idea for keeping track!

 

[wvjules]

Just finished One Second After. I give it 4.5 stars.

From Booklist
In a Norman Rockwell town in North Carolina, where residents rarely lock homes, retired army colonel John Matherson teaches college, raises two daughters, and grieves the loss of his wife to cancer. When phones die and cars inexplicably stall, Grandma’s pre-computerized Edsel takes readers to a stunning scene on the car-littered interstate, on which 500 stranded strangers, some with guns, awaken John’s New Jersey street-smart instincts to get the family home and load the shotgun. Next morning, some townspeople realize that an electromagnetic pulse weapon has destroyed America’s power grid, and they proceed to set survival priorities. John’s list includes insulin for his type-one diabetic 12-year-old, candy bars, and sacks of ice. Deaths start with heart attacks and eventually escalate alarmingly. Food becomes scarce, and societal breakdown proceeds with inevitable violence; towns burn, and ex-servicemen recall “Korea in ’51” as military action by unlikely people becomes the norm in Forstchen’s sad, riveting cautionary tale, the premise of which Newt Gingrich’s foreword says is completely possible. --Whitney Scott

Not sure what's next...

 

[portia9]

Goal: 52 books this year.

#20 down and done.

The Darcys and the Bingleys: A Tale of Two Gentlemen's Marriage to Two Most Devoted Sisters by Marsha Altman. This is the story of the days leading up to the double marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet and Charles Bingley to Jane Bennet.

The tale goes on following the two couples for the next year or two, with heavy emphasis on their love lives, their efforts to keep Bingley's sister from making a disastrous marriage, and the development and nurturing of the friendship between Darcy, a notoriously private man, and Bingley, a gregarious good-hearted, open man.

This book is definitely written in Jane Austen's style, which I love, but I'm not sure she would have been so specific in describing the couples' love lives. It didn't bother me, but it may offend Austen purists.

All in all, it was a fun read, and I'll be on the lookout for Altman's follow-up book.

Queen Colleen

I love Austen spin offs. I have a heap on my kindle waiting to be read. A lot of them seem to like to raunchy up the action, I don't think Jane would have approved!

 

[PigletsPal2]

I love Austen spin offs. I have a heap on my kindle waiting to be read. A lot of them seem to like to raunchy up the action, I don't think Jane would have approved!

I love them too! I've been reading them for years, but of course I can't remember titles. Can you pass on the titles in your Kindle? I have one as well, and if I have titles and/or authors, I can grab them too. I'll let you know, too, if I find any that you don't have. Do you have Death at Pemberly by P. D. James? And I think you're right - Jane probably wouldn't approve of some of the more raunchy stuff, but I do!

Queen Colleen

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #23 Hollywood Left and Right by Steven J. Ross

Review: I love to read about Hollywood and its stars. I don't mean the tabloid junk (I do admit that I will take a look at the supermarket) but the stories of how studio moguls made and shaped the classic movie stars we know today. I love reading about how movies were made and the impact of these films and the entertainment industry. There is something about reading about classic stars and the stories and scandals attached to them. The book Hollywood Left and Right is different as the author explained how there are times when the entertainment industry and politics come hand in hand and how we can be influenced by this.

It appears that only recently actors have spoke out in terms of politics but honestly...this is not new. From Charles Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer to Ronald Regan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hollywood has had some influence on the public in terms of speaking of political issues. The book is well-researched and focuses on the issues that the celebrities took.
Would I suggest it...sure.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Hello everyone! I am still reading and find that I have less time with my children now homeschooling!!! I am constantly teaching them something and of course waiting in less parking lots! It won't be like this for too long as they are starting up lessons soon!!

#59: ONE SIMPLE ACT: Discovering the Power of Generosity
by: Debbie Macomber

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 52 books this year

#21 down and done.

The World According to Clarkson by Jeremy Clarkson, the lead host for Britain's hit show Top Gear and a columnist for The Times, has hit another home run as far as I'm concerned! This is the first book in a series of The World According to Clarkson. I inadvertently read and reviewed the fourth one first!

With a strong dose of common sense that is rarely, if ever, found outside the M25, Clarkson hilariously attacks the pompous, the ridiculous, the absurd, and the downright idiotic ideas, people, and institutions that we all have to put up with at home and abroad, while also celebrating then eccentric, the clever, and the sheer bloody brilliant. (From the cover of the book)

Clarkson is hilariously funny, and as these books are a compilation of his newspaper columns, they're easy to pick up at any time. Highly recommended.

Queen Colleen

 

[jenny105]

I finished book #6 Where She Went during my lunch hour today. I love Gayle Forman's writing and Adam & Mia. I hope there is another one in that series.

Up next book #7 Silver Linings Playbook. Haven't seen the movie yet!

I've also been reading The Sweet Life novellas on Kindle. I was a huge Sweet Valley fan back in the day and these are worth reading for nostalgic purposes and not much else!

 

[Caseheidi]

Books 15, 16 & 17 of 100

The Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts:
(Reviews from Goodreads)
1. The Next Always
The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...

2. The Last Boyfriend
Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family's construction business with an iron fist - and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn't plan for was Avery McTavish

Avery's popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation - and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery's thoughts. But the attraction she's feeling for him now is far from innocent.

As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen's hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected - and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last..

3. A Perfect Hope
The Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother are breathing new life into the town of Boonsboro, Maryland, by restoring its historic hotel. And they’re finding their own lives revamped by love. This is Ryder’s story... Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out — with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro. And though the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome — and embarrassing — appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him.


I have to admit that I love to read Nora Roberts Trilogies. I get sucked into the families/friends and love that I get to keep following their stories in the next book. These are light, quick reads for me, and there is a little mystery tucked into all the books about a ghost that ties it all together as well. Another thing that attracts me to this particular trilogy is that Nora Roberts is writing about her own town, and her own Inn. She actually has renovated the Inn that is at the heart of this story, and owns the book store (Turn the Page) down the street. I love that she is sharing a part of herself by including it in this story. If you like romance, I highly recommend these books.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Goal- 25 books

#6 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I'm pretty sure no one needs a summary.

I have read all of the H.P. Series before. DH and I are planning a UO/IOA trip when he comes back from his deployment so I got in the mood to refresh my memory a bit. I love these books so much!

I just started my #7, which is another Sookie Stackhouse book. I'll probably alternate between these two series for a while. I want to brush up on both.

 

[portia9]

I love them too! I've been reading them for years, but of course I can't remember titles. Can you pass on the titles in your Kindle? I have one as well, and if I have titles and/or authors, I can grab them too. I'll let you know, too, if I find any that you don't have. Do you have Death at Pemberly by P. D. James? And I think you're right - Jane probably wouldn't approve of some of the more raunchy stuff, but I do!

Queen Colleen

Here's what I currently have-I am not read any of these authors before

Charlotte Collins A Continuation of Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton
Charlotte Pride and Prejudice Continues by Karen Arminada
Darcy and Fitzwilliam Karen V Wasylowski
Darcy Christmas Sharon Lathan
My Darcy’s Christmas by Elizabeth Aston
Persuasion-A Latter Day Tale by Rebecca H Jamison
Searching for Captain Wentworth by Jane Odiwe
Sons and Daughters by Karen V Wasylowski
A World Without Darcy by C Rafe Carlson

This is a great Jane Austen blog that regularly reviews Austen spin offs.

http://austenprose.com/

Enjoy!

 

[PigletsPal2]

Here's what I currently have-I am not read any of these authors before

Charlotte Collins A Continuation of Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton
Charlotte Pride and Prejudice Continues by Karen Arminada
Darcy and Fitzwilliam Karen V Wasylowski
Darcy Christmas Sharon Lathan
My Darcy’s Christmas by Elizabeth Aston
Persuasion-A Latter Day Tale by Rebecca H Jamison
Searching for Captain Wentworth by Jane Odiwe
Sons and Daughters by Karen V Wasylowski
A World Without Darcy by C Rafe Carlson

This is a great Jane Austen blog that regularly reviews Austen spin offs.

http://austenprose.com/

Enjoy!

Thank you so much! I can't wait to get started on them!

Queen Colleen

 

[Kewz1]

Finished #6 - The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Didn't love it. I'd probably give it 2.5/5 stars.

My #7 book, Paris by Edward Rutherfurd, arrived yesterday.

Read on, fellow Challengers!

Kristen

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Goal- 25 books

#6 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I'm pretty sure no one needs a summary.

I have read all of the H.P. Series before. DH and I are planning a UO/IOA trip when he comes back from his deployment so I got in the mood to refresh my memory a bit. I love these books so much!

I just started my #7, which is another Sookie Stackhouse book. I'll probably alternate between these two series for a while. I want to brush up on both.

I might start that book series at some point I have two more I am thinking about

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I might start that book series at some point I have too more I am thinking about

I LOOOOVE The Harry Potter books. Not big in the movies though. I watch them because I enjoy the stories, but I feel so much more immersed in the H.P. world when I read them.

 

[wvjules]

SoldiersSweetie, I think I'm going to tackle HP#6 now. I've had it on my Kindle forever but keep putting it off. Time to finish up the series. Oh, this is my first read of them, not a re-read.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I LOOOOVE The Harry Potter books. Not big in the movies though. I watch them because I enjoy the stories, but I feel so much more immersed in the H.P. world when I read them.

I agree besides there is more detail in the books

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

SoldiersSweetie, I think I'm going to tackle HP#6 now. I've had it on my Kindle forever but keep putting it off. Time to finish up the series. Oh, this is my first read of them, not a re-read.

Three through six are my favorites.

I'm thinking of starting The Chamber of Secrets today.

******************************

The Sookie Stackhouse books aren't holding my attention like they used to. I might just Wikki them to brush up for the last two.

 

[KrazyPete]

Goal - 24 books

I took a break in the middle of "Mere Christianity" to read...

Book #4 - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - I had to force myself through the first 2/3 of it. The story was slow to develop and I wasn't fond of the writing style. It laid a solid foundation for the last part of the book though. I didn't love it but I'm glad I read it.

Next up - Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - I'm going to finish what I started.