2013 BOOK CHALLENGE! Are you in?

[threeboysmom]

I liked Zoo a lot!

It's a really neat theme I thought. I hope you enjoy it!

I *think* I bought this one (darn memory, lol). I'd like to read this as my next book once done with Beautiful Ruins (hopefully by weekend).

 

[threeboysmom]

I need to up my goal again. I think I will increase it to 70. I am already hitting my original goal of 40 with still over half a year to go.

Awesome!! I'll update the first post. It's halfway through the year for me and I'm behind!

Whew! I havent been around for awhile. Time to catch up my list.

Goal = 75

61. Seizure by Kathy Reichs
This is the second of a YA series by Reichs. It follows the adventures of a bunch of teens who have been affected by a virus that provided them with superhuman senses in the last book. All the teens parents work at this research facility that is about to be closed due to lack of money. The teens follow a legend of buried treasure to try to keep the facility open and save their parents' jobs. It sounds really silly but it was really good. It is set in Charleston, SC.

62. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I wasnt sure I wanted to read this but it came available at the right moment. I was facinated!

63. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

I read this a long time ago and found there was a follow up that I wanted to read so I reread this first. The typical YA novel about following the crowd and bullying. It was painful to read and very similar to another book I read this year (The Lottery) although this one was written first. It didnt end all happy and shiny like a lot of these books do.

64. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

OMG! This was another book I didnt really want to read. But it has ended up being my favorite book of the year so far. I loved how it was written in two voices and how the plot unwinds.

Glad you liked Life of Pi and Gone Girl! Those are 2 of my favorite books as well!! I felt the same way about Pi - just how good can a book be about a boy stuck in a boat with a tiger??? But wow, I was enthralled and the ending to the book left me scratching my head, lol.

I'd have to throw Defending Jacob in as a 3rd. If you haven't read that one yet, get to it!

 

[wvjules]

I finished Inferno yesterday. I really enjoyed it. I'll give it a 4/5.

Up next: Not sure - Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, The Light Between the Oceans, She's Come Undone or John (Cynthia's book about John Lennon).

I also need a new audio book for my journey between DBF's house in Arlington and work/home in Frederick. We need to talk about Kevin was great as an audio book. Maybe I'll see if any of the above are affordable as audio books.

 

[KrazyPete]

Goal - 24 books

Book #11 - How to Be Black by Baratunde R. Thurston - I came to this book through "humor" recommendation lists. It uses humor at times but overall it was heavier than I expected. The book is part memoir and part commentary on race. It's helpful for a white guy like myself to read about the life experiences of a black man. I'm glad that I read it but I can't recommend it.

Short Story - How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman - It seems like the perfect segue from "How to be Black" to a Gaiman novel. I'm noting it here but I'm not counting it towards my goal.

Next up - American Gods by Neil Gaiman - My reading schedule is almost back on track. With this book, Neil Gaiman has a chance to earn a spot on my "Favorite Authors" list. I rooting for you Neil.

 

[wvjules]

So I'm leaving for Paris in a month so I'm going to read "The Paris Wife". I've had the paper book for months now. I think that's why I've been putting it off. lol

 

[PigletsPal2]

threeboysmom: As I've already met my goal of 52 books this year (55 posted, three yet to be posted), could you please increase my goal to 75 books?

This has been such a fun thread, and I've gotten a ton of recommendations for new books and authors; I have some kindred soul readers here, and we still have six more months to share!

Queen Colleen

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #50 The UnCoupling by Meg Wolitzer

Review: A cold chill enters the women in a small New Jersey town, causing them not to want to have sex. The desire is gone and for some reason this causes the women to look at themselves and the ones they love. The book didn't have much in terms of plot but it did mention a lot of issues such as intimacy, war protest and sex. During the time of this chilled spell, the high school is putting on a play, Lysistrata which is about a group of women who abstained from sex as a war protest.

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #40- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I finished this book within a day. It drew me right in & I couldn't put it down. It is a fascinating story as well as creepy. The photos are so creepy & definitely add to the story. I liked being able to see who he was describing. I am looking forward to reading the 2nd book which comes out in January which will begin exactly where this ones leaves off. I hope that one will also have that creepy feeling as well as photos.

A mysterious island.

 An abandoned orphanage.

 A strange collection of very curious photographs.

 It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Next book: Unbroken (recommended by my DH)

 

[3smithboys]

I liked Zoo a lot!

It's a really neat theme I thought. I hope you enjoy it!

Book #24 Zoo... James Patterson

I really liked this book a lot too and could not put it down. I thought the idea was really interesting.


threeboysmom - can you increase my book goal from 30 to 50, please? Thanks!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Book #24 Zoo... James Patterson

I really liked this book a lot too and could not put it down. I thought the idea was really interesting.


threeboysmom - can you increase my book goal from 30 to 50, please? Thanks!

My favorite parts were the attacks and Attila's point of view.

 

[threeboysmom]

Goal - 24 books
Short Story - How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman - It seems like the perfect segue from "How to be Black" to a Gaiman novel. I'm noting it here but I'm not counting it towards my goal.

Haha, and what did you learn about talking to girls at parties? lol lol

 

[threeboysmom]

threeboysmom: As I've already met my goal of 52 books this year (55 posted, three yet to be posted), could you please increase my goal to 75 books?

This has been such a fun thread, and I've gotten a ton of recommendations for new books and authors; I have some kindred soul readers here, and we still have six more months to share!

Queen Colleen

I'm jealous! 55 books already?! I'll update your goal in first post!

Book #24 Zoo... James Patterson

I really liked this book a lot too and could not put it down. I thought the idea was really interesting.


threeboysmom - can you increase my book goal from 30 to 50, please? Thanks!

Yup, will update you as well! Nice work!!

I'm excited to start Zoo next - hopefully soon!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Finished # 15: Never Buried by Edie Claire
From Goodreads:
A young advertising executive finds her life in turmoil--she just lost her job, she may or may not have a boyfriend, and she's trying to help her cousin through a pregnancy. If that weren't enough, she wakes up to find a strange man lying in her backyard hammock. The fact that he is dead, and apparently has been embalmed for years, doesn't exactly help. With lots of time on her hands and a knack for nosing around, the young woman finds herself in the middle of a classic murder mystery. But can she solve the riddle before the killer puts her six feet under?

This was a Kindle freebie. It was a light and enjoyable read. I don't think I would pay for the others in the series, but would not hesitate to read them if I could get them for free.

I give it 3/5 stars.

 

[tiggrbaby]

For those of you who read the book and watched the first installment of the miniseries, what did you think? I drove my husband crazy! All I could say was "Wow, just wow!" every time there was a major change.

 

[nemofans]

Oh, I totally forgot that was starting! I hope they replay it.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#42 The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

The Shining Girls is a novel by South African author Lauren Beukes. The book centers around a time-traveling Depression-era drifter who must murder the "shining girls" in order to continue his travels. Kirby survives the attempt on her life & becomes obsessed with finding her attacker.

Loved this book! 5 out of 5 Stars.

 

[3smithboys]

Yup, will update you as well! Nice work!!

I'm excited to start Zoo next - hopefully soon!

Thanks for the update! Hope you enjoy Zoo! I just picked up The Light Between Oceans at the Library and am going to start it tonight since it was recommended by a few people on this thread. I better get myself ready to cry!

 

[KrazyPete]

Haha, and what did you learn about talking to girls at parties? lol lol

It was pretty much stuff that I already knew. They talk gibberish a lot and are probably aliens.

 

[KrazyPete]

For those of you who read the book and watched the first installment of the miniseries, what did you think? I drove my husband crazy! All I could say was "Wow, just wow!" every time there was a major change.

I liked it but I think I need to watch it again. I kept getting characters mixed up because of all the changes they made. I probably would have been less confused if I hadn't read the book.

Oh, I totally forgot that was starting! I hope they replay it.

Stream it on CBS.com

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 75 books this year.

#56 and #57 down and done.

#56 - Cousin Prudence by Sarah Waldock. Another Jane Austen spin-off with the characters from Emma.

#57 - Rosings - Yet ANOTHER Jane Austen spin-off, featuring Mr. Darcy's cousin Anne de Bourgh.

I think I need to get off this train for awhile!

Queen Colleen