2013 BOOK CHALLENGE! Are you in?

Finished book #41: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

My DH loved this book & kept telling me to read it. It was shocking to read all that this man went thru during WWII. There were multiple parts so brutal that were difficult to read b/c it was too much. I don't know how he survived & came out sane in the end.


On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.


Next book: Some Kind of Fairy Tale
 
Finished book #41: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

My DH loved this book & kept telling me to read it. It was shocking to read all that this man went thru during WWII. There were multiple parts so brutal that were difficult to read b/c it was too much. I don't know how he survived & came out sane in the end.


On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.


Next book: Some Kind of Fairy Tale


This sounds very interesting. I'll have to read it. Thanks!
 
# 8 Jepp, Who Defied the Stars
by Katherine Marsh
This book was a very unique Historical fiction piece. My daughter read before I did. She did not like as much as I did, but I must admit I was more intrigued with the historical part than the story. Takes place in 16th century in Netherlands and Denmark. Second half Jepp meets Tych Brahe (scientist/astronomer).I enjoyed this part the most.
I would give it 31/2 stars, more like four if you like historical fiction.
 
I know we are halfway through the year but I would love to join in. Can I have a 6-month target (till the end of the year)?
 

Book #25 The Light Between Oceans.... It took me a bit to get into this because the writing style is different than the books that I usually go for....but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. Then, as expected, I was sobbing at the end! I'm still thinking about it...a true sign of a good book!

Now I am off to figure out what to read next....1/2 way to my goal! :thumbsup2
 
nemofans said:
Finished book #41: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

My DH loved this book & kept telling me to read it. It was shocking to read all that this man went thru during WWII. There were multiple parts so brutal that were difficult to read b/c it was too much. I don't know how he survived & came out sane in the end.

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the planes bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenants name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, hed been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

Next book: Some Kind of Fairy Tale

This is one of my favorite books. Unbelievable story, so inspiring!
 
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Finished book #41: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

My DH loved this book & kept telling me to read it. It was shocking to read all that this man went thru during WWII. There were multiple parts so brutal that were difficult to read b/c it was too much. I don't know how he survived & came out sane in the end.


On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.


Next book: Some Kind of Fairy Tale



I LOVED Unbroken. I didn't think I would, not my usual genre but it had such great reviews that I gave it a shot and just loved it. I'm still struggling through Ladies Night. It's not awful but I am just not "getting into it"
 
If anyone is interested would gladly send a Kindle or Nook gift copy of my new book in exchange for feedback and or review.

Written for You is a Dark comedic mystery in play format. I might attempt to turn into novel, but figured I would release in the play format first.

Contest for a paperback copy is also availale below. Contest ends today.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18086777-written-for-you
 
#31 - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. An oldie but a goodie! It was a daily deal on either Amazon or Nook.

#32 - A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. A re-read for me; I was stuck with just my iPhone to read on, so re-read it as it's quick. Still made me cry a few times!

#33 - The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. "Eh" is about as much enthusiasm as I can drum up for this one.
 
Finished book #41: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

My DH loved this book & kept telling me to read it. It was shocking to read all that this man went thru during WWII. There were multiple parts so brutal that were difficult to read b/c it was too much. I don't know how he survived & came out sane in the end.


On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.


Next book: Some Kind of Fairy Tale

Another vote for this as a fave book. I learned so much from this book. My father was in WWII but he never talked about it and I would have been too young to understand. And this isnt the kind of detail that they teach you in school.
 
#16/25: Insane City by Dave Barry
From Amazon:
Seth Weinstein knew Tina was way out of his league in pretty much any way you could imagine, which is why it continued to astonish him that he was on the plane now for their destination wedding in Florida. The Groom Posse had already sprung an airport prank on him, and he’d survived it, and if that was the worst of it, everything should be okay. Smooth sailing from now on.

Seth has absolutely no idea what he’s about to get into. In the next several hours, he and his friends will become embroiled with rioters, Russian gangsters, angry strippers, a pimp as big as the Death Star, a very desperate Haitian refugee on the run with her two children from some very bad men, and an eleven-foot albino Burmese python named Blossom. And there are still two days to go before the wedding.

As it turns out, it’s not smooth sailing, it’s more like a trip on the Titanic. And the water below him is getting deeper every minute. By the end, amid gunfire, high-speed chases, and
mayhem of the most unimaginable sort, violent men will fall, heroes will rise, and many lives will change.

Seth’s, not least of all.

I give it 4/5 stars. It was a quick laugh-out-loud read. The events are ridiculous, but slapstick funny.
 
The Light Between Oceans - 4/5
I enjoyed this book. I honestly didn't know how it would end. I felt sorry for Isabella, but at the same time I wanted to smack some sense into her. I can't imagine the loss she felt but also was mad at her selfishness. Tom was a super-likable guy but a bit of a pushover. I love his unconditional love for Izzy but at times thought he needed to say "no" to her once in a while. All in all, I liked this book and would recommend it to friends. I did like the way the author ended it.

I'm almost halfway through listening to Bossypants. It is very laugh out loud listening. I also just started reading The Paris Wife. I'm going to have to add A Moveable Feast to my list now.
 
The Light Between Oceans - 4/5
I enjoyed this book. I honestly didn't know how it would end. I felt sorry for Isabella, but at the same time I wanted to smack some sense into her. I can't imagine the loss she felt but also was mad at her selfishness. Tom was a super-likable guy but a bit of a pushover. I love his unconditional love for Izzy but at times thought he needed to say "no" to her once in a while. All in all, I liked this book and would recommend it to friends. I did like the way the author ended it.

I'm almost halfway through listening to Bossypants. It is very laugh out loud listening. I also just started reading The Paris Wife. I'm going to have to add A Moveable Feast to my list now.

I agree with your comments on The Light Between Oceans and I liked the ending too.

#31 - Dark Places - finished it but didn't enjoy it. It was well written and wrapped up well but I really didn't like the feelings I got from the book. I love dark stories and books that don't always have a happy ending but something about this one just bothered me. I guess that's a sign of a good book though - gives some sort of strong feeling. Looking forward to reading Sharp Objects.
 
Just finished "Sand Castle Bay" by Sherryl Woods. LOVED it! Small town, beach town, no sex, adorable little boy. What's not to love about it? The ending was wound up a little fast and conveniently though.
Right now I'm reading "Brute Strength" by Susan Conant. If you're a dog lover, how can you not love this book? If you're not a dog lover, why would you even want to read this book?
 
Book 40 & 41 of 100 (trying to catch up!)

Book 40: The Heist(O'Hare and Fox #1) by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldburg

Summary from Goodreads:
FBI Special Agent Kate O’Hare is known for her fierce dedication and discipline on the job, chasing down the world’s most wanted criminals and putting them behind bars. Her boss thinks she is tenacious and ambitious; her friends think she is tough, stubborn, and maybe even a bit obsessed. And while Kate has made quite a name for herself for the past five years, the only name she’s cared about is Nicolas Fox—an international crook she wants in more ways than one.

Audacious, handsome, and dangerously charming, Nicolas Fox is a natural con man, notorious for running elaborate scams on very high-profile people. At first he did it for the money. Now he does it for the thrill. He knows that the FBI has been hot on his trail—particularly Kate O’Hare, who has been watching his every move. For Nick, there’s no greater rush than being pursued by a beautiful woman . . . even one who aims to lock him up. But just when it seems that Nicolas Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of all: he convinces the FBI to offer him a job, working side by side with Special Agent Kate O’Hare.

Problem is, teaming up to stop a corrupt investment banker who’s hiding on a private island in Indonesia is going to test O’Hare’s patience and Fox’s skill. Not to mention the skills of their ragtag team made up of flamboyant actors, wanted wheelmen, and Kate’s dad. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars are all in a day’s work . . . if O’Hare and Fox don’t kill each other first.


I really enjoyed this story, and look forward to more of the series. I expected it to be more like the Stephanie Plum novels, and was delighted that it is not. The humor that Evanovich brings to her books is still present, but there is more substance with these stories. It is fun to see the dynamic's of an FBI agent working with the thief she has hunted for many years work together. If you enjoy Janet Evanovich or light hearted con stories, give this one a try.

Book 41: Witch & Wizard (Witch & Wizard #1) by James Patterson

Summary by Goodreads: Imagine you wake up and the world around you-life as you know it-has changed in an instant. That's what has happened to Whit Allgood and his sister, Whisty. They went to sleep as normal teenagers, and woke up as wanted criminals. Accused of holding incredible powers they'd never dreamed possible. And now, just how different they are-special, even-if just beginning to be revealed in a strange new world.

For more information about the series, visit www.WitchandWizard.com.

It begins...now.


This is a young adult series by this well known author. I didn't know fully what to expect, but found that the concept intrigued me. I was drawn into the story quickly, and was able to find that I could relate to these teens who's lives had been turned upside down. I will be continuing the series as I am now starting book # 2 The Gift.
 
Just finished Between Sisters by Kristen Hannah.

I usually really like Kristen Hannah books. This one was enjoyable enough but was REALLY not up to par with her other books. The storyline was pretty good and I certainly wanted to see it through; however, the diaglogue in this book, at times, was fairly simplistic and the "love" scenes were just not as sophistocated as she usually manages to do. I dunno:confused3 this one was just a little rough around the edges.

When I think of Winter Garden and how beautiful of a story that was, it's hard for me to think that this was the same author.
 
Goal: 75 books this year.

#58 down and done.

Mrs Jeffries Turns the Tide by Emily Brightwell is the most recent in this charming series of Victorian mysteries. In this story, Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon's household staff endeavor to track down the true killer of Ellen Langston-Jones, the French tutor of Sir Donovan Gaines' nieces. The Inspector and all of London are sure the killer is Lucius Montague, who was heard and seen threatening Mrs. Langston-Jones shortly before her death, but Mrs. Jeffries has her doubts. Her biggest problem is that Lucius Montague is a very disagreeable character and no one - including the Inspector's staff - is inclined to save his skin.

This is a very pleasant series (if murder mysteries can be called pleasant!) - no blood and guts or gore - and a very nice way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Queen Colleen
 













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