2013 BOOK CHALLENGE! Are you in?

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#29 Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers
5 plus stars!

In 1901 Marta (Swiss) at age 12 is pulled out of school (even tho she is the top student in the entire school) by her father to begin a life of hard work. First she works with local merchants then off to Germany to a housekeeping school, then on to France, Canada & finally California where she settles with her German husband. So many trials & tribulations raising a family amid predjudice/WWII, sickness & so on. Very engrossing book, I could not put it down.
I had forgotten just how good an author Francine Rivers is. Now on to the sequel 'Her Daughter's Dream'

 

[Caseheidi]

Book 27 of 100 - Vision in White (Bride Quartet #1) by Nora Roberts

Summary by Goodreads:
Wedding photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac's type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends-and business partners-to see her way to her own happy ending.

These are a re-read for me. If I need a quick get away, easy read, I pick up this series. I am also trying to do a lot of re-reading to save on the book budget! We like to buy way too many books!


Book 28 of 100 - Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet #2) by Nora Roberts

Summary by Goodreads:
As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe “I do” moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start their own wedding planning company to make every woman’s dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments captured on film, Nora Roberts’s Bride Quartet shares each woman’s emotionally magical journey to romance.

In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.

But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts.

 

[threeboysmom]

Finished #15 out of 50:

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This story takes place in Afghanistan and is about a young boy, Amir, who betrays his best companion, Hassan, by not coming to his aid when bullies attack. To deal with his guilt, he arranges to have Hassan and his father sent away which only serves to cause more grief and heartbreak. Amir moves to America when the Taliban begin to rise to power, and through circumstances as an adult learns the truth of his family, travels back to Afghanistan, and comes face to face with his guilt, slowly finding a way to redemption.

A beautiful & poignant story. I can't say that it is one of the best books I've read, but it held my interest and it touched my heart.

 

[BearcatsFan]

15/30 - Rolling Down Black Stockings - A Passage Out of the Old Order Mennonite Religion by Esther Royer Ayers

This is a memoir. I downloaded it from the library, hoping I would enjoy it as much as I did Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler - I read that last year.

The problem with this book is that for me, it didn't go enough into detail about the Mennonite religion/culture/practices as I would have liked it to, and the details that were given were colored by the author's general dislike for some of them. It read more like a biography of her life - very little information was given about the history of Mennonites or their ways.

It was still interesting, but it wasn't what I had hoped it would be.

3/5 stars

Next up: Defending Jacob by William Landay (waitlist finally came through )

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal - 100 books

Book #28 "The Kingdom Keepers 5: Shell Game" by Ridley Pearson

I'm not going to review this book, as it was reviewed just a couple of days ago. I will say that I really enjoyed this book! This was darker and more tense than any of the other books. I can't wait for the next (last) book to be released! Does anyone know when that will be?

Next book: ??? I have 3 on hold at the library, but none have come in, yet. I suppose I could go back to "Team of Rivals", but I really haven't been enjoying it. So, I put it down for weeks at a time. I suppose I'll find something.

I'm pretty sure that Kingdom Keepers #6 is already out. I'm almost certain that I saw it at the store at DTD that sells books and movies (along with a lot of other stuff, of course!) The reason I remember is that J was going to buy #5 AND #6, but DD said to leave her something to buy me for Mothers' Day! I hope you can find it locally.

Queen Colleen

 

[nemofans]

Finished book#27- KIngdom Keepers: Power Play (#4) by Ridley Pearson

I got into this one more than the 1st 3 books & will be picking up Shell Game (#5) today.

Book 6 was released this month. My library doesn't have it yet though. I need to ask them if they have an order in for it, otherwise I will need to find it somewhere else. I went to the author's website & it says book 7 will be released a year from now. There was no front pic or title for it yet.

 

[Glynis]

Finished book#27- KIngdom Keepers: Power Play (#4) by Ridley Pearson

I got into this one more than the 1st 3 books & will be picking up Shell Game (#5) today.

Book 6 was released this month. My library doesn't have it yet though. I need to ask them if they have an order in for it, otherwise I will need to find it somewhere else. I went to the author's website & it says book 7 will be released a year from now. There was no front pic or title for it yet.

I'm number 25 on the hold list for number 6. Can't wait!

 

[amberg93]

Finished number 13: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first three. Maybe it's because I read that originally the series was supposed to be a trilogy and I see that the third book would have been a fantastic place to stop the series. I mean, for at least the main characters. I'm just to the point where I think they deserve to be happy and not beat up anymore but alas, that wouldn't make a good story.

Up next: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (AKA Book 5 in the Mortal Instruments Series)

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Still reading a lot but it is crossing the religious line so I am not reporting

 

[willowsnn3]

Still reading a lot but it is crossing the religious line so I am not reporting

I read a lot of Christian Inspirational books, fiction & non fiction. So maybe just say the book is Christian ficton (or other religion) to give a heads up to any who might be offended. You don't have to give a detailed review, just whether you liked it or not. I go from on extreme to another in my reading, lol. I'm always looking for good Christian/Inspirational novels as well as the latest slicer/dicer books.....

 

[wvjules]

Haven't been here in forever. School has taken up a bunch of my reading time. I did finish HP6 and started HP7 but decided I wanted a funner book first so now I'm reading Confessions of a Shopaholic. I'm only on chapter 6 but I'm enjoying it so far. (Did I write this book? lol)

After that and HP I need to start/finish Under the Dome before the show starts.

I only have on school project left and I hope to complete it this weekend. Then it's ME reading time for the rest of the summer. YAY!

 

[PigletsPal2]

I downloaded all 12 of the Anne of Green Gables series (offered on my Kindle for $0.99 for all 12!) so they will be my go-to books when I'm out of new ones. I'm on Chapter 9 of the first book, but my Mothers' Day present from DD#2 arrived today, and it's fairly screaming "READ ME! READ ME!" It's the new Anne Perry, a Thomas and Charlotte Pitt mystery and I can't resist. I'll probably finish it over the weekend and then back to Anne Shirley.

Queen Colleen

 

[jenny105]

Haven't been here in forever. School has taken up a bunch of my reading time. I did finish HP6 and started HP7 but decided I wanted a funner book first so now I'm reading Confessions of a Shopaholic. I'm only on chapter 6 but I'm enjoying it so far. (Did I write this book? lol) !

I love this series and other Sophie Kinsella books. I wish they'd done a better job with the Shopaholic movie but what can ya do?

 

[erincon23]

28. Drums of Autumn, Diana Gabaldon
29. The Fiery Cross, Diana Gabaldon.
30. Breath of Snow and Ashes, DG
31. Echo in the Bone, DG

Now I have a quandary -- I have two 2-week books from the library (one due this Sunday) that I really want to read, but I'm SO enjoying rereading the Gabaldon books - there are 2 more - that I can't bring myself to stop! But the other books will be there to take out again when I'm done, I guess!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I read a lot of Christian Inspirational books, fiction & non fiction. So maybe just say the book is Christian ficton (or other religion) to give a heads up to any who might be offended. You don't have to give a detailed review, just whether you liked it or not. I go from on extreme to another in my reading, lol. I'm always looking for good Christian/Inspirational novels as well as the latest slicer/dicer books.....

Thank you I will catch you guys up this weekend

 

[Christine]

I am not doing well with books this year. I'm trying to be more open-minded about what I read and that's not working out well for me.

I've *quit* several books this year so I am not counting them in my totals.

I started reading Melt Method which is a self-help book about eliminating chronic pain through fascia manipulation. Not sure why I read this as I don't have chronic pain but it was rated very well on Amazon and I found the concept interesting. It was interesting, but the author spent a LOT of time in the book talking about how she discovered this method and it did start to bore me. Then, the book started in with pictures and, well, I have the basic Kindle, so that didn't go well.

Then I started with The Teleportation Accident which got a glowing review in the Washington Post. After about 25% completion of the book, I couldn't take it anymore. I can't even explain it.

I'm now reading Spellcaster which may or may not be a YA book. It seems like it. It's okay. Kind of on the level of a Nora Roberts book but for teens. Not sure why I am reading it. I am sure I'll finish it because it's easy enough.

I've *really* got to find a good book!!!

 

[portia9]

Lots of updates. Some I have doubled up because they were such quick reads

#49 Hearing her Voice: A Case for Women Giving Sermons by John Dickson & Bourgeois Babes, Bossy Wives and Bobby Haircuts: A Case for Gender Equality in Ministry by Michael Bird-about women in ministry

#50 Expectations by Frances Murray and Georgiana Darcy's Diary by Anne Elliott-more Austen fan fic

#51 The Anti Depressant Fact Book by Peter Breggin-the author has a strong bias against anti depressant drugs and I didn't agree with the vast majority of this book

#52-#55 Polly's Story, Grace's Story, Isobel's Story & Eugenie's Story by Jennie Walters-the first three are three generations and their relationship with a place and people of Swallowcliffe Hall as servants, the last one is from the point of view of one of the family of the house-all very Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey and I loved them.

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 100 books

Book #29 - "Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave" by Deron R. Hicks.

This was a fun YA mystery about the Letterford family who own a printing business. Daughter Colophon Letterford stumbles across a mystery that just might save the family business, but will she make it out of the graveyard alive?

This was darling! The writing was fun and easy to read, and the mystery was enjoyable. Like I said, this is definitely for the younger set. I'd say my 11 year old twins would like it very much! I look forward to the next book in the installment.

Next up: "Animal Farm" by George Orwell (I never read it in high school, and it's required reading for my daughter next year, so I thought I'd give it a try.)

 

[willowsnn3]

I am not doing well with books this year. I'm trying to be more open-minded about what I read and that's not working out well for me.

I've *quit* several books this year so I am not counting them in my totals.

I started reading Melt Method which is a self-help book about eliminating chronic pain through fascia manipulation. Not sure why I read this as I don't have chronic pain but it was rated very well on Amazon and I found the concept interesting. It was interesting, but the author spent a LOT of time in the book talking about how she discovered this method and it did start to bore me. Then, the book started in with pictures and, well, I have the basic Kindle, so that didn't go well.

Then I started with The Teleportation Accident which got a glowing review in the Washington Post. After about 25% completion of the book, I couldn't take it anymore. I can't even explain it.

I'm now reading Spellcaster which may or may not be a YA book. It seems like it. It's okay. Kind of on the level of a Nora Roberts book but for teens. Not sure why I am reading it. I am sure I'll finish it because it's easy enough.

I've *really* got to find a good book!!!

I hate it when I get into a reading 'funk'. I have 4 books on my abandoned shelf at Goodreads. Just the word abandoned makes me feel guilty, lol.
At the beginning of the year I had two lists I was going to chose my books from. One was an editors top 25 & the other was a reader's top 25 for 2012. I read a few of them but had to give the lists up as some of the best rated were just 'meh' for me.
Hope you find something good soon!!

 

[BearcatsFan]

16/30 - Defending Jacob by William Landay

Finally, finally, a book I loved from beginning to end! It was so hard to put this one down. Can't say much more other than I just loved it.

5/5 stars