ANNUAL READING GOAL CHALLENGE for 2015!

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 30 books this year.

#2 - Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky. A reckless memoir of hostels, hotels and so-called hospitality. This mostly funny, occasionally sad, and always readable expose of what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite hotel is eye-opening. Tomsky gives the lowdown on how to get upgrades and freebies, how to get charges removed from your bill, and how to become a favorite guest of the staff. I found this last especially interesting as DH spends approximately eight months of the year in a hotel. (Hint: tip generously). Very enjoyable read.

Queen Colleen

 

[dizluvah]

Finished book #3 - This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

I went to add this to my goodreads to read list (which hovers around 300 books thanks to many great recommendations from the Dis) and was surprised to find it was already on the list.

 

[FozzieFan]

Book # 1 of 25


Cress by Marissa Meyer

YA book

Amazon description : " In this third book in Marissa Meyer's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has. "

This book was alright... I thought this was the last in the series so that was a let down. I like the series as a whole however, a futuristic scifi take on Cinderella.

Next up : Gone Girl ... Unless my library hold for Game of Thrones comes in

 

[Swimnoid]

3. The Last Town by Blake Crouch

This series seems to be popular right now. This third book continues the story and supposedly ends the series. But he sort of left it open to continue if he really wants to. I really enjoyed the whole series and cant wait to see what they do with it on TV. It is slated to air in mid May.

4. The Lost Island by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
This is the third in the Gideon Crews series.

From Goodreads: Gideon Crew--brilliant scientist, master thief--is living on borrowed time. When his mysterious employer, Eli Glinn, gives him an eyebrow-raising mission, he has no reason to refuse. Gideon's task: steal a page from the priceless Book of Kells, now on display in New York City and protected by unbreakable security.

What starts out at what seems to be a mere robbery turns into an adventure to seek a treasure. I enjoyed this book. There was a lot of areas where you really had to suspend disbelief but it was a good story. I have read several of Preston/Child books and many of their stand alone books and have enjoyed them all.

5. Drop Shot by Harlan Coben

This is the 2nd of the Myron Bolitar series. Myron is a former NBA player who blew out his knee ending his basketball career. After a few other educational and career experiences he becomes a sports agent. In each book he gets one of his clients out of trouble or solves some crime using the skills he gained during his interim after leaving basketball.

This book involves solving the murder of a tennis player who was about to become his client. It is an interesting read and I love how he mixes sports and mystery/suspense. There are lots of twists in this book to keep you wondering.

 

[dismom301930]

Book 3 of 52

We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas

Summary: Destined to be a classic, this powerfully moving, multigenerational debut novel of an Irish-American family is nothing short of a masterwork. Born in 1941, Eileen Tumulty is raised by her Irish immigrant parents in Woodside, Queens, in an apartment where the mood swings between heartbreak and hilarity, depending on whether guests are over and how much alcohol has been consumed. When Eileen meets Ed Leary, a scientist whose bearing is nothing like those of the men she grew up with, she thinks she’s found the perfect partner to deliver her to the cosmopolitan world she longs to inhabit. They marry, and Eileen quickly discovers Ed doesn’t aspire to the same, ever bigger, stakes in the American Dream. Eileen encourages her husband to want more: a better job, better friends, a better house, but as years pass it becomes clear that his growing reluctance is part of a deeper psychological shift. An inescapable darkness enters their lives, and Eileen and Ed and their son Connell try desperately to hold together a semblance of the reality they have known, and to preserve, against long odds, an idea they have cherished of the future.
Through the Learys, novelist Matthew Thomas charts the story of the American Century, particularly the promise of domestic bliss and economic prosperity that captured hearts and minds after WWII. The result is a riveting and affecting work of art; one that reminds us that life is more than a tally of victories and defeats, that we live to love and be loved, and that we should tell each other so before the moment slips away. Epic in scope, heroic in character, masterful in prose, We Are Not Ourselves heralds the arrival of a major new talent in contemporary fiction.

Review: I read this for Book Club, and I am glad I did. It is long - and some parts dragged a bit for me and I would just skim those parts. Some of the minor characters blended together (particularly Eileen & Ed's friends) and I couldn't keep them straight. Other than those minor complaints, I really enjoyed this portrait of a family during the 20th Century. And certain events that took place in the later half of the novel really hit home with me and I connected strongly with the characters during those parts Overall, I am very glad I read this book.

Next up: This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

 

[WDWMom]

Book 4 - Disney at Dawn Kingdom Keepers II

Not my favorite, but working on rereading them so I can finish the series.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I guess I should have set my goal higher. Although we are headed into transition season at work, which means significantly less free time.

Book 4 of 30: Everybody's Got Something, by Robin Roberts

From Goodreads: "Regardless of how much money you have, your race, where you live, what religion you follow, you are going through something. Or you already have or you will. As momma always said, "Everybody's got something."

So begins beloved Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts's new memoir in which she recounts the incredible journey that's been her life so far, and the lessons she's learned along the way. With grace, heart, and humor, she writes about overcoming breast cancer only to learn five years later that she will need a bone marrow transplant to combat a rare blood disorder, the grief and heartbreak she suffered when her mother passed away, her triumphant return to GMA after her medical leave, and the tremendous support and love of her family and friends that saw her through her difficult times.

Following her mother's advice to "make your mess your message," Robin taught a nation of viewers that while it is true that we've all got something -- a medical crisis to face, aging parents to care for, heartbreak in all its many forms --- we've also all got something to give: hope, encouragement, a life-saving transplant or a spirit-saving embrace. As Robin has learned, and what readers of her remarkable story will come to believe as well, it's all about faith, family and friends. And finding out that you are stronger, much stronger, than you think.

I wanted to love this book. I have a lot of respect for Robin Roberts. The book was certainly powerful, engaging, and inspirational. But for a woman who is so well spoken verbally, I was surprised how not well spoken she was in written form. The message was there, and I had no problem plowing through the book, but the writing was not up to her verbal standards.

 

[Jafar30]

Just tore through Devil in the White City. Really good read pretty fascinating stuff.

A few years ago for my NOOK I bought from Gologotha Press 50 Classic Books Volumes 1 and 2. Each volume runs around 2.99. Here are some of the books you get Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, Call of the Wild, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Moby Dick, Alice in Wonderland and many more.

I settled on Oliver Twist

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

The Last Town
Blake Crouch

Welcome to Wayward Pines, the last town.

Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrived in Wayward Pines, Idaho, three weeks ago. In this town, people are told who to marry, where to live, where to work. Their children are taught that David Pilcher, the town’s creator, is god. No one is allowed to leave; even asking questions can get you killed.

But Ethan has discovered the astonishing secret of what lies beyond the electrified fence that surrounds Wayward Pines and protects it from the terrifying world beyond. It is a secret that has the entire population completely under the control of a madman and his army of followers, a secret that is about to come storming through the fence to wipe out this last, fragile remnant of humanity.

Blake Crouch’s electrifying conclusion to the Wayward Pines Series—now a Major Television Event Series debuting Winter 2015 on FOX—will have you glued to the page right down to the very last word

WHHHHHY does it have to be over?!?!?

I really LOVED this series. Is it change the world literature? No. But it's darn entertaining and I couldn't put it down.

I can't wait to see the show either!

If you enjoyed Under the Dome, or the show called Persons Unknown(that was cancelled after one season) then you will love this.

 

[jenny105]

Oh no!

Sorry to burst your bubble lol. But let me know your opinion if you decide to continue the series. I just felt the third book had nothing to do with the rest of the series. It felt as though the author had no idea how she would end the series and just wrote about the first thing she thought of. It didn't need to make sense because it was a guaranteed best seller so it was like she didn't even care.

 

[kt_mom]

3. The Last Town by Blake Crouch

This series seems to be popular right now. This third book continues the story and supposedly ends the series. But he sort of left it open to continue if he really wants to. I really enjoyed the whole series and cant wait to see what they do with it on TV. It is slated to air in mid May.

4. The Lost Island by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
This is the third in the Gideon Crews series.

From Goodreads: Gideon Crew--brilliant scientist, master thief--is living on borrowed time. When his mysterious employer, Eli Glinn, gives him an eyebrow-raising mission, he has no reason to refuse. Gideon's task: steal a page from the priceless Book of Kells, now on display in New York City and protected by unbreakable security.

What starts out at what seems to be a mere robbery turns into an adventure to seek a treasure. I enjoyed this book. There was a lot of areas where you really had to suspend disbelief but it was a good story. I have read several of Preston/Child books and many of their stand alone books and have enjoyed them all.

5. Drop Shot by Harlan Coben

This is the 2nd of the Myron Bolitar series. Myron is a former NBA player who blew out his knee ending his basketball career. After a few other educational and career experiences he becomes a sports agent. In each book he gets one of his clients out of trouble or solves some crime using the skills he gained during his interim after leaving basketball.

This book involves solving the murder of a tennis player who was about to become his client. It is an interesting read and I love how he mixes sports and mystery/suspense. There are lots of twists in this book to keep you wondering.

I love Harlan Coben books, he's one of my favorite authors! I've read all his books except his youth series, but I'm hoping I can get DD interested and we can read them at the same time.

DH was in Vegas this weekend so it was just me and the kids and we had such a nice lazy weekend and I finished a few more books.

Book #4 - Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty - I really enjoy her writing and this one was good but not as good as Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot.
From Amazon: Australian triplets Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle are about to turn thirty-three and one is pregnant, one has just had her life turned upside down, and one is only just keeping hers from skidding off the fast lane. Meanwhile, their divorced parents have been behaving very oddly indeed.

In this family comedy by Liane Moriarty, we follow the three Kettle sisters through their tumultuous thirty-third year -- as they deal with sibling rivalry and secrets, revelations and relationships, unfaithful husbands and unthinkable decisions, and the fabulous, frustrating life of forever being part of a trio.

Book #5 - The Hypnotist Love Story by Liane Moriarty - Again this was good but not my favorite by her.
From Amazon: Ellen O’Farrell is a professional hypnotherapist who works out of the eccentric beachfront home she inherited from her grandparents. It’s a nice life, except for her tumultuous relationship history. She’s stoic about it, but at this point, Ellen wouldn’t mind a lasting one. When she meets Patrick, she’s optimistic. He’s attractive, single, employed, and best of all, he seems to like her back. Then comes that dreaded moment: He thinks they should have a talk.

Braced for the worst, Ellen is pleasantly surprised. It turns out that Patrick’s ex-girlfriend is stalking him. Ellen thinks, Actually, that’s kind of interesting. She’s dating someone worth stalking. She’s intrigued by the woman’s motives. In fact, she’d even love to meet her.

Ellen doesn’t know it, but she already has.

Book #6 - Living So That by Wendy Blight - I've never done one of her devotional studies and I really enjoyed this one.

Right Now I'm reading Me Before You by JoJo Moyes and so far it hasn't grabbed me but I watched football most of yesterday and didn't get very far into it.

 

[BonnieF]

#2/40 - All the Light We Cannot See. I kept reading this in dribs and drabs as other books would come in from the library that needed to be read first. But it deserved better! It's a good story set in World War II.

 

[SallySkelington]

The Last Town
Blake Crouch



WHHHHHY does it have to be over?!?!?

I really LOVED this series. Is it change the world literature? No. But it's darn entertaining and I couldn't put it down.

I can't wait to see the show either!

If you enjoyed Under the Dome, or the show called Persons Unknown(that was cancelled after one season) then you will love this.

Oooh. This sounds good. And I liked Under the Dome!

 

[Deffenm]

Finally finished reading 1st book of the year. I read Kingdom Keepers book 2. It was good for YA book. I started to read it a couple of years ago and never finished so wanted to finish it.

 

[auprincess]

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this thread, but sounds like fun! I'd love to participate. I will set a goal for 40 books this year!

I have already read a couple so far...

1. We are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg ~ I really like her writing style and i'm sure I will check out some more of her books from the library.

2. The Fault in Our Stars ~ I finally jumped on the bandwagon and read it. It was okay ~ have your tissues ready.

3. Divergent ~ not the usual types of books I go for but it was a good, easy read.

I plan to finish the Divergent series; Big Little Lies; and What Alice Forgot. My oldest is almost done with the Little House series and wants to start the Narnia series next ~ it's been so long since I've read them I think I'll read them too.

 

[Momof3dogs]

Book #1 Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline From goodreads. Scottoline delivers once again with Keep Quiet, an emotionally gripping and complex story about one man’s split-second decision to protect his son - and the devastating consequences that follow. Jake Buckman’s relationship with his sixteen-year-old son Ryan is not an easy one, so at the urging of his loving wife, Pam, Jake goes alone to pick up Ryan at their suburban movie theater. On the way home, Ryan asks to drive on a deserted road, and Jake sees it as a chance to make a connection. However, what starts as a father-son bonding opportunity instantly turns into a nightmare. Tragedy strikes, and with Ryan’s entire future hanging in the balance, Jake is forced to make a split-second decision that plunges them both into a world of guilt and lies. Without ever meaning to, Jake and Ryan find themselves living under the crushing weight of their secret, which threatens to tear their family to shreds and ruin them all. Powerful and dramatic, Keep Quiet will have readers and book clubs debating what it means to be a parent and how far you can, and should, go to protect those you love.

This was a book for my book club. I really enjoyed it. It became a little redundant but it was easily overlooked.
I'm trying to decide what to read next... I have way too many books on my to be read list..

 

[Tasha228]

Just finished book #2, James Patterson's Hope to Die. I love the Alex Cross series!

 

[Swimnoid]

6. Shelter by Harlan Coben

From Goodreads: Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. Fortunately, he's met a great girl, Ashley, and it seems like things might finally be improving. But then Ashley vanishes. Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that Ashley isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

This is the first of a YA series. The story was good and they only brought Myron in a little bit. If you are a Myron fan, I kept expecting Win to come in and save the day. but he was not mentioned. I liked the characters he created and will continue the series.

I think this is going to be the year of Harlan Coben for me. I have a bunch of his books on my wish list.

But for a total spin in my reading I am in the middle of Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. About as far away from a murder mystery that you can get.

 

[diznee25]

Just finished book #2, James Patterson's Hope to Die. I love the Alex Cross series!

I was glad to come across this review of James Patterson. Just a few days ago I was on his website looking through all of his book series.

The Alex Cross series looks good, but I was thinking about the Women's Murder Club series. I might grab a sample of the 1st book and try it out.

Michelle

 

[timsprincess]

Just a comment for today -- as I read some comments about 'want to read' lists.

I am 43 and I think I could retire tomorrow, live to be 100, and still not get through all of the books I want to read!

Happy Reading all!

Have a magical day!