2013 BOOK CHALLENGE! Are you in?

[Simba's Mom]

I just finished Her Something Impetuous. I'm a little confused as to the #, but I think it's 59. I'd first picked up this book because of the mention of her getting a tattoo when her husband left her, so I thought it would be more humorous. Instead, the tattoo artist she picked "just happened" to have a history with her ex-husband, and the rest of the book was about proving him wrong. I just couldn't get beyond the initial premise of the big coincidence of her picking THAT particular tattoo artist. I mean, really! Now I'm reading Wind Chime Point by Sherryl Woods. I've always loved her books, and after reading that implausible tale, I'm treating myself with something I love.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#62 The Witch of Hebron by James Howard Kunstler

Was pretty good. Basically just another book about a futuristic world and the struggle to survive.

 

[portia9]

#96 Disappointed Hopes A Fair Prospect #1 by Cassandra Grafton-I enjoyed this and will probably read the others in the series.

#97 Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V Wasylowski-it really grates on me when characters don't behave or speak in the manner than they should. Otherwise this was an alright story.

#98 Queen Victorias Granddaughters 1860-1918 by Christina Croft-the author wrote this as chapters with themes but I think it would have read much better if she had written it chronologically. It's still an interesting read.

#99 The Railway Children By E Nesbit-I loved this book when I was a kid but wouldn't have read it for over 30 years! I enjoyed re reading it.

 

[threeboysmom]

Everyone is doing so well!! Keep up the good work!

So hard to believe we're almost through 2013. Where did this year go?

Thanks for all of the book recommendations! Most of my favorite reads have come from my fellow DIS'ers!

 

[wvjules]

I did pick up another book last weekend. "When I Found You". I'm almost finished with it. It is a heartwarming story.

Oh, I watched the trailer for The Book Thief and it does look pretty good. I was probably going to see it anyway but the preview gave me chills so it's a must see now. Can't wait for it now actually.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Oh, I watched the trailer for The Book Thief and it does look pretty good. I was probably going to see it anyway but the preview gave me chills so it's a must see now. Can't wait for it now actually.

I just watched the trailer. Chills and tears already... If it ends the same, I might embarrass myself in the theater. It looked like they might not be using the narrator from the book. I love that aspect of the book, but it might be hard to pull off in a movie.

 

[wvjules]

I just watched the trailer. Chills and tears already... If it ends the same, I might embarrass myself in the theater. It looked like they might not be using the narrator from the book. I love that aspect of the book, but it might be hard to pull off in a movie.

Me too!!! I loved hearing his thoughts. (I read it in the voice of Death from Family Guy. lol) But I don't know how it can be incorporated into the movie. I hope atleast the do the first chapter from his POV. That sets up the whole book/movie.

 

[jenny105]

Me too!!! I loved hearing his thoughts. (I read it in the voice of Death from Family Guy. lol) But I don't know how it can be incorporated into the movie. I hope atleast the do the first chapter from his POV. That sets up the whole book/movie.

I don't know if Norm Macdonald is the best choice for a narrator. Maybe they should have him do the book on tape!

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 75 books this year.

#76 down and done. Threeboysmom, please increase my goal to 100 - thank you!

#76 - PassPorter's Guide to Walt Disney World, 2012 edition, by Jennifer Marx, David Marx and Allison C. Marx. I've been to WDW probably 50 times, and I still learned a lot from this book. I'm a subscriber to the PassPorter's web site, and because they had an overstock of the 2012 edition of this book, they offered it to subscribers for $1.00. Since it retails for $24.95, how could I pass it up? The shipping cost more than the book ($6.95), but it was still a bargain. The book goes into great detail about each of the Worlds, Disney Quest, Cirque du Soleil, the Resorts, the water parks, the restaurants, Downtown Disney, and special events.

It includes worksheets for planning your budget, charting your travel (no matter what mode of transporation you use), lodging worksheets, dining reservations worksheets, touring plan worksheets, a sheet to record all your important contact numbers (airline, hotel, restaurants where you have ADRs, bank, credit card companies, emergency contact numbers, etc.) There are beautiful full-color detailed maps and pockets for each day to hold your receipts, baggage tags, notes to yourself. On these pockets are spaces to record your daily memories, reminders of photos taken, meals eaten, souvenirs purchased, description of and notes about your room, and things to do the next day.

The Marx's and their contributors are in no way Disney spokespersons. They pay the same for their vacations as we do for ours (except we get Florida resident discounts, hee hee!), and they pull no punches. If, in their opinion, something is overpriced, not worth the time, misrepresented, or is just not a good deal, they don't hesitate to say so. The only downside I can see is that the prices quoted in this book aren't current; you can be sure that everything costs more now.

I think they still have more books available if anyone is interested. Contact them at http://www.passporter.com.

Queen Colleen

 

[keenercam]

118/150 - Brazen Heiress by Elizabeth Boyle. This was the second in a 3book set I got on Kindle for free or very little money. Probably even better than the first one.

Next up: I started Divergent this morning. My son recommended it months ago and I was originally #38 on the library's waitlist for the ebook. I got the two book set of Divergent/Insurgent, and am looking forward to reading both.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#63 Shadow Child by Joseph A. Citro

Eric Nolan is a man already too familiar with death. His brother's disappearance, the loss of his parents, and his wife's recent demise have left him near the edge. In desperation he returns to his boyhood home, his grandparents' farm in rural Vermont, now occupied by his cousin Pamela and her family.
But something terrible is going on in the woods nearby: its center seems to be a mysterious stone structure.

Pretty good, creepy book.

 

[threeboysmom]

Goal: 75 books this year.

#76 down and done. Threeboysmom, please increase my goal to 100 - thank you!

Queen Colleen

OK, I've updated you! Nice work!!

 

[Glynis]

Goal- 100 Books

Book #56 - "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

This book was reviewed just a few pages ago, so I won't give the plot again. I will say that, while this was a really bleak and dark book, I quite liked it! I found the writing to be starkly beautiful. It's not my favorite of McCarthy's books, but I did enjoy it. Of course, I went into into it knowing that I wouldn't like the ending, so it didn't upset me.

Next up: "Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice" by Maureen McCormick

 

[threeboysmom]

#38 Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

I LOVED this book! About a woman who lost her memory after a traumatic accident. Every morning when she wakes up, she has to start all over again learning who she is and why there's a strange man in her bed claiming he's her loving husband. With the help of a doctor, she begins to keep a daily journal that she can then read each morning to help understand who she is. But along with the knowledge comes a shocking discovery...

#39 Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury

A women learns her husband had a one-night stand 8 years ago, and he learns that a son was conceived when the women he had the affair with is suddenly killed. Can she forgive her husband? And even more importantly, can she come to grips with the fact that there is a young innocent son and he desperately now needs a home...

Story was okay. I wasn't glue to each page like I was the prior book. It was emotional and moving at times, and I found myself wondering throughout, "what would *I* do?"

Currently reading #40 The Ragamuffin Gospel. Non-fiction so it's moving pretty slow, but I need one of these now and then.

 

[jenny105]

Finished On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves. I really enjoyed it! Short chapters made it fly by and it was perfect for a lunch time read. That was book #18 of 25. Starting #19 Revenge Wears Prada this afternoon.

 

[wilma-bride]

Starting #19 Revenge Wears Prada this afternoon.

Ooh, is that a follow-up to The Devil Wears Prada? I absolutely loved that book.

 

[jenny105]

Ooh, is that a follow-up to The Devil Wears Prada? I absolutely loved that book.

Yes it's the sequel. It's set 10 years after the events of DWP. It didn't get the best reviews but I loved the first book & movie so I figured why not give it a shot?

 

[DisneyWalle]

#32 - Adam by Ted Dekker

FBI behavioral psychologist Daniel Clark is a man on a mission. After over a year of tracking a mysterious serial killer known as Eve, he feels closer than ever to discovering the murderer's true identity when he finds Eve's latest victim still alive.
In an effort to save the girl, Daniel narrowly escapes becoming another casualty on Eve's list. Despite seeing the killer with his own eyes, a gunshot wound to the head leaves him with amnesia, unable to remember any details from the incident. His drive to find the killer takes on a whole new meaning when Eve takes yet another victim, one Daniel knows all too well-his estranged wife Heather.
Determined to bring her back alive, Daniel takes his obsession to a dangerous new level, even recreating his own near-death experience in attempt to recall anything from his encounter with Eve. Soon enough he finds himself fighting for Heather's life, and, in the end, his own.

OOO! Another excellent book from this author.

#33 - Without Mercy by Lisa Jackson

Ever since her father was stabbed to death in a home invasion, Julia “Jules” Farentino has been plagued by nightmares. Her half-sister, Shaylee, now seventeen, has had her own difficulties since the tragedy, earning a rap sheet for drug use, theft, and vandalism. Still, when Jules learns of her mother’s decision to send Shay to an elite boarding school in Oregon, she’s skeptical. Blue Rock Academy has a reputation for turning wayward kids around — but one of its students went missing a few months earlier and her body has never been found. On impulse, Jules applies for a teaching job at the Academy. Shortly before Jules arrives, a student is found hanged, another near death, and a hysterical Shay believes it’s murder. Then another girl is found dead. There’s no doubt something sinister is at hand. And Jules has become the next target of a bloodthirsty killer without limits, without remorse, without mercy

I enjoyed this book.

#34 - Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush

Twenty years ago, wild child Jessie Brentwood vanished from St. Elizabeth's high school. Most in Jessie's tight circle of friends believed she simply ran away. Few suspected that Jessie was hiding a shocking secret - one that brought her into the crosshairs of a vicious killer...Two decades pass before a body is unearthed on school grounds and Jessie's old friends reunite to talk. Most are sure that the body is Jessie's, that the mystery of what happened to her has finally been solved. But soon, Jessie's friends each begin to die in horrible, freak accidents that defy explanation...Becca Sutcliff has been haunted for years by unsettling visions of Jessie, certain her friend met with a grisly end. Now the latest deaths have her rattled. Becca can sense that an evil force is shadowing her too, waiting for just the right moment to strike. She feels like she's going crazy. Is it all a coincidence - or has Jessie's killer finally returned to finish what was started all those years ago?

Wonderful book! Kept me guessing till the end.

 

[mmouse37]

118/150 - Brazen Angel by Elizabeth Boyle. This was the second in a 3book set I got on Kindle for free or very little money. Probably even better than the first one.

Next up: I started Divergent this morning. My son recommended it months ago and I was originally #38 on the library's waitlist for the ebook. I got the two book set of Divergent/Insurgent, and am looking forward to reading both.

Just finished Divergent the other day....really liked it!!! Reminded me of the Hunger Games to an extent. About to download Insurgent. I think Allegiant comes out soon.

I have been AWOL from this thread but have been reading!!! When I get time I will post all the ones I finished.

Reading "A Friend of the Family" right now. It is Ok....about a tragedy in a family and the father being accused of something he did not do.


MJ

 

[mrsclark]

Hello everyone, I am new to this thread and plan to set a goal for books to complete by the end of 2013 in the next few days.

We just returned from a trip to WDW and US/IOA last weekend. I am not sure if everyone on this thread knows, but there is a wonderful book outlet called Book Warehouse about 2.5 miles from US/IOA. It is part of a national chain and you can get some really good deals. When I visited in 2011, I made several trips to the store (DH was in the room sick with a head cold, so I went out shopping). While I was there, I think they were running a special all hardcover fiction like $2.50 each.

This time, it was cookbooks and food writing buy 2, get the third free, trade paperback fiction 4 for $10 and hardcover fiction 4 for $15. There are a a lot of older (a few years old) books available. I was checking prices and reviews on my Amazon App while in the store and the store had Amazon beat almost every time on price and a lot of what I found was 3 1/2, 4 or 4 1/2 stars on Amazon. The cashier had to find me a box to pack up all the books I bought.

This chain used to have a location in Branson, MO which is much closer to me than Orlando, but they closed that location, so now I do my best to hit it while we are down at WDW.