ANNUAL READING GOAL CHALLENGE for 2015!

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#39 The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf

My new favorite book of the year so far!

From the jacket:
"Edith Goodnough's parents came to the dry, hard land as homesteaders, arriving by wagon from Iowa in 1896. The grim realities and hardships of their marginal farm daily challenge their existence. After her mother's early death, Edith is bound by love and obligation to her rock hard father and younger brother. When her father's accident leaves him crippled and half mad, Edith knows that any possibility of a life for herself is lost forever. Yet without despair or self pity, Edith pursues a life of purpose and becomes the centerpiece of a vivid story that spans more than eighty years of western history."

From Goodreads:
"Colorado, January 1977. Eighty-year-old Edith Goodnough lies in a hospital bed, IV taped to the back of her hand, police officer at her door. She is charged with murder. The clues: a sack of chicken feed slit with a knife, a milky-eyed dog tied outdoors one cold afternoon. The motives: the brutal business of farming and a family code of ethics as unforgiving as the winter prairie itself."

 

[SallySkelington]

It has been forever since I actually updated!!!! I'm not bothering with reviews because there are so many!

#8 Affair of the Poisons by Anne Somerset

#9: A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin (I finally finished it!!!!!!)

#10: Cornerstone by Misty Provencher

#11: Keystone by Misty Provencher

#12: Jamb by Misty Provencher

Numbers 10-12 are apart of a pretty good YA series, and I definitely suggest it. I'm putting off the last book because I don't want it to end. (If only I had done that with Harry Potter ).

#13: A Love that Never Dies by Allyson Jeleyne

I have no idea what I will be reading next as I'm participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this month. Yay!

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #40 - Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

This is book 2 in the 12 Dancing Princesses series and a spin on the Cinderella story. I do enjoy these characters and the fairy tale like story. This story is focused on Princess Poppy and I did miss some of the other characters from book 1. In my opinion, although I liked Poppy, I feel this is the weaker story of the 3.


Finished book #41 - Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George

This is the 3rd and last book in this series and I had fun reading this one, the 1st book being my favorite though. This story focuses on Princess Petunia and is a spin on both Robin Hood and Red Riding Hood which I found interesting. Petunia was my favorite Princess out of the 12 of them. She stood up to people, including the evil king and princes. I liked that a lot of the characters from book 1 were back in this story too. I wish this series continued though. This series is also good for girls 10 and up.

 

[zippitydoo]

Book #38 of 50: Twisted by Andrew E. Kaufman

From Goodreads:
The psychologist with a troubled past…

Dr. Christopher Kellan spends his days at Loveland Psychiatric Hospital, overseeing a unit known as Alpha Twelve, home to the most deranged and psychotic killers imaginable. His newest patient, Donny Ray Smith, is accused of murdering ten young girls and making their bodies disappear. But during his first encounter with Donny, Christopher finds something else unsettling: the man looks familiar.

The killer with a secret…

Donny Ray knows things about Christopher—things he couldn’t have possibly learned at Loveland. As the psychologist delves deeper into the mysterious patient’s case, Christopher’s life whirls out of control. The contours of his mind are rapidly losing shape, and his grasp on reality is slipping even faster. Is he going mad, or is that what Donny Ray wants him to think?

The terror that binds them…

In this taut psychological thriller from Andrew E. Kaufman, bestselling author of The Lion, the Lamb, the Hunted, a tormented man must face his fear and enter the mind of a killer to find the truth…even if it costs him his sanity.

 

[JaneBanks]

#6 of 30

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

From Goodreads:

Little Women is recognized as one of the best-loved classic children's stories, transcending the boundaries of time and age, making it as popular with adults as it is with young readers. The beloved story of the March girls is a classic American feminist novel, reflecting the tension between cultural obligation and artistic and personal freedom. But which of the four March sisters to love best? For every reader must have their favorite. Independent, tomboyish Jo; delicate, loving Beth; pretty, kind Meg; or precocious and beautiful Amy, the baby of the family? The charming story of these four "little women" and their wise and patient mother Marmee enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England was an instant success when first published in 1868 and has been adored for generations.

I've been wanting to read this for years and I finally did. I really enjoyed it. I laughed and I cried with the March family. I think everyone should give this a read.

 

[willowsnn3]

#40 Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Just finished "Force of Nature" by CJ Box - #9 this year on a goal of 5.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #45 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Book #46 The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Book #47 Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Book #48 Crazy Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan

Book #49 To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book #50 A Good Indian Wife by Anne Cherien

Book #51 The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

Book #52 Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman

Book #53 Black Dahlia by James Ellroy

 

[Christine]

#15/50: The Bone Tree by Greg Isle. This one was just okay and took forever to get through (one of those HUGE books). I used to be a big fan of Greg Isle's books (and I think his earlier books are still AWESOME) but the last few have not wowed me. But since I know the characters, I keep going. These books are not part of a series but they have featured Penn Cage and his father throughout.

 

[jenny105]

I am way behind on my reading. I just finished #13 out of 45, My Week with Marilyn. I thought it was just ok. I had a hard time believing he spent any time with her at all and was just another person trying to make a buck off Monroe.

Next up Pines by Blake Crouch. I'm enjoying the show.

 

[Carstairs38]

#61/100
Lullaby Town by Robert Crais (Cole/Pike #3) – 4

Elvis Cole is hired by a big Hollywood director to find his ex-wife and their son. After a decade of no contact, Elvis takes a little time to pick up the trail, but once he does, the shock at the end might have him in over his head.


The book started out great, but about a third of the way into it, the twist kicked things into high gear. The new characters are great and really show a lot of growth here, which made me love them more. Pike, Cole’s partner in the PI business, is still more caricature than character and the foul language could easily be cut in half and still make the point, but overall, I did enjoy this book.

#62/100
A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman – 5

One day while at the laundromat, teddy bear Corduroy decides he needs a pocket. His search for one introduces him to some strange new things. Can he find a pocket? Will Lisa be able to find him?


Even as a kid, I liked this book more than Corduroy’s first adventure. I think it’s because of the creativity. We know what Corduroy finds along his way, but his explanations for them are creative, logical, and fun. The illustrations capture the story perfectly, and will please kids and parents alike. This is one all ages can enjoy.

#63/100
Bless Her Dead Little Heart by Miranda James (Southern Ladies Mysteries #1) – 4

Sisters An’gel and Dickce Ducote are surprised when their college friend Rosabelle shows up unannounced on their doorstep and states that one of her family members is trying to kill her. But not too long after her family shows up to find Rosabelle, someone dies, and the evidence points to murder. Which of their house full of guests is a killer?


This is a spin off series from the author’s popular Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, but the fact that I’ve only read the first one of those didn’t hamper my enjoyment here at all. Instead, I was introduced to some wonderful characters, series and suspect, I am looking forward to getting to know in future books. The plot moved along great with lots of clues and conflict. Unfortunately, the ending was weaker than it should have been.

#64/100
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis (Domestic Diva Mysteries #1) – 4

Sophie Winston is hosting Thanksgiving for her family and facing off against her high school rival, domestic diva Natasha Smith, in a stuffing contest. The last thing she needs is to find a dead body while out grocery shopping. Worse yet, the police think she is a suspect when they find her picture in the dead man’s car. What is happening?


I’ve heard lots of good about this series, and it is obviously well deserved. The large cast of characters are so well developed I never had a hard time keeping them straight. The plot starts out strongly, but it does get bogged down in the middle before reaching a wonderful climax. I’m certainly curious to see where Sophie goes from here.

#65/100
The Longest Yard Sale by Sherry Harris (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries #2) – 5

Sarah has been working hard to set up the largest community yard sale in New England. When the day arrives, some fires outside of town are the only thing that goes wrong – or so she thinks. After the day is over, she learns her friend Carol was robbed of a painting she was doing on commission. The next morning, Carol finds a dead stranger in her shop. What is happening?


This is a very fun mystery filled with great characters. Seriously, I love spending time with them. The plot includes a few intriguing sub-plots that all tie together in some way at the end of the book. The result kept me turning pages. One word of warning, one part of the first book is spoiled here, but there is no way to continue Sarah’s personal life without doing so.

 

[Deffenm]

17/30 - Memory House
From Goodreads: Memories of motherhood and marriage are fresh for Julia Presley--though tragedy took away both years ago. Finding comfort in the routine of running the Peach Orchard Inn, she lets the historic, mysterious place fill the voids of love and family. No more pleasure of a man's gentle kiss. No more joy in hearing a child call her Mommy. Life is calm, unchanging...until a stranger with a young boy and soul-deep secrets shows up in her Tennessee town and disrupts the loneliness of her world.

18/30 - The Forgotten Seamstress
From Goodreads: A shy girl with no family, Maria knows she's lucky to have landed in the sewing room of the royal household. Before World War I casts its shadow, she catches the eye of the Prince of Wales, a glamorous and intense gentleman. But her life takes a far darker turn, and soon all she has left is a fantastical story about her time at Buckingham Palace.

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #42 - Eeny Meeny by MJ Arlidge

I enjoyed this murder mystery. Someone kidnaps 2 people and only 1 can survive. Helen Grace is a flawed detective bent on solving this case.

Two people are abducted, imprisoned, and left with a gun. As hunger and thirst set in, only one walks away alive.
It’s a game more twisted than any Detective Helen Grace has ever seen. If she hadn’t spoken with the shattered survivors herself, she almost wouldn’t believe them.
Helen is familiar with the dark sides of human nature, including her own, but this case—with its seemingly random victims—has her baffled. But as more people go missing, nothing will be more terrifying than when it all starts making sense....

 

[hulagirl87]

I haven't updated in forever! I'm on book 57 of my goal of 100 for the year! I don't remember where I left off last I posted, with what I said I had read, but I will list a few here that I have really enjoyed and a really brief synopsis

The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver. About twin sisters. One passes away and the surviving sister assumes the dead sister's identity. I haven't read a story like it and finished it in 2 days. I loved it!

Even When you Lie to Me by Jessica Alcott. About a high school student who falls for her teacher.

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout. About a girl who gets amnesia after being in an accident with her best friend, and trying to piece together what happened. This was really good.

The Last Good Day of the Year by Jessica Warman. About a girl who sees her sister get kidnapped during the night. This was intense but I didn't like the ending very much.

The Divergent Trilogy. I liked all these, Divergent being my favorite.

I liked Jennifer L. Armentrout's writing so much that I'm reading her Lux series now. I just started Obsidian and am loving it so far.

I just wish I had more time to read and wasn't so tired at the end of the day to be able to read more!

 

[Carstairs38]

#66/100
Independence Slay by Shelley Freydont (Celebration Bay #3) – 5

The town of Celebration Bay puts on a spectacular Independence Day event with a reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle. Okay, so the battle never took place, but it’s still a fun event that locals and tourists alike love. However, this year, a murder takes place at the event, and the town’s event coordinator has to determine who killed the victim and even if the victim was the intended target before the town completely turns on the charming teen who appears to be the only suspect.


I love this small town and how the books always put me in the mood for the holiday that is being celebrated. The supporting players from previous books aren’t a strong presence here, but the new characters definitely make up for that fact. I do wish one series regular would grow a bit more. The plot is strong with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.

#67/100
Peaches and Scream by Susan Furlong (Georgia Peach Mysteries #1) – 5

Nola Mae Harper is returning to her home town of Cays Mill, Georgia, and her family’s peach farm to help run it while her parents take a three week cruise. However, she’s hardly arrived when she finds the body of the owner of the local lumber mill in the peach orchard. Worse yet, her brother-in-law is arrest for the crime. She and her siblings quickly close ranks and try to clear his name. But can they do it?


This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.

 

[camreesmom]

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I updated!

13/24
Between Husbands & Friends by Nancy Thayer

From Amazon:
When Lucy West and Kate Cunningham meet, the two spirited young women recognize kindred spirits in each other. Both Lucy and Kate married early and lack complete confidence in the brave new world of mothering. As their friendship deepens, their lives become fully intertwined. With husbands and children in tow, they spend glorious summers together in a large house on Nantucket island, sailing and feasting on lobster—and when their husbands are back on the mainland, the two women even get a chance to kick up their heels. The closest of allies, Lucy and Kate share their highs and lows, their joys and darkest secrets.
Or so Kate thought. One summer, in the midst of a devastating family crisis, Lucy reveals a truth she has long kept hidden from her best friend. And in the aftermath of this astonishing revelation, the lives of the Wests and the Cunninghams will never be the same.

This was just ok. I've read other books by this author that I enjoyed a lot more than this one.

 

[camreesmom]

14/24
Save Me by Kristyn Kusek Lewis

From Amazon:
Daphne Mitchell has always believed in cause and effect, right and wrong, good and bad. The good: her dream job as a doctor; Owen, her childhood sweetheart and now husband; the beautiful farmhouse they're restoring together. In fact, most of her life has been good--until the day Owen comes home early from work to tell her he's fallen head over heels for someone else.
Unable to hate him, but also equally incapable of moving forward, Daphne's life hangs in limbo until the day Owen's new girlfriend sustains near-fatal injuries in a car accident. As Daphne becomes a pillar of support for the devastated Owen, and realizes that reconciliation may lie within her grasp, she has to find out whether forgiveness is possible and decide which path is the right one for her.

This book just never really grabbed my attention. It was not one that I couldn't wait to read more and find out what happened. I couldn't wait for it to be over just so I could read something else.

 

[camreesmom]

15/24
The Island by Elin Hildebrand

From Amazon:
Birdie Cousins has thrown herself into the details of her daughter Chess's lavish wedding, from the floating dance floor in her Connecticut back yard to the color of the cocktail napkins. Like any mother of a bride-to-be, she is weathering the storms of excitement and chaos, tears and joy. But Birdie, a woman who prides herself on preparing for every possibility, could never have predicted the late-night phone call from Chess, abruptly announcing that she's cancelled her engagement.

It's only the first hint of what will be a summer of upheavals and revelations. Before the dust has even begun to settle, far worse news arrives, sending Chess into a tailspin of despair. Reluctantly taking a break from the first new romance she's embarked on since the recent end of her 30-year marriage, Birdie circles the wagons and enlists the help of her younger daughter Tate and her own sister India. Soon all four are headed for beautiful, rustic Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket, where their family has summered for generations. No phones, no television, no grocery store - a place without distractions where they can escape their troubles.
But throw sisters, daughters, ex-lovers, and long-kept secrets onto a remote island, and what might sound like a peaceful getaway becomes much more. Before summer has ended, dramatic truths are uncovered, old loves are rekindled, and new loves make themselves known.

This was a good summer read. I felt like I was on the island with the characters because the descriptions were so vivid. I really enjoyed this one.

Next up: Things You Won't Say by Sarah Pekkanen

 

[threeboysmom]

Finished Her by Harriet Lane

I can sum this up in one word - WHAT???!!!

Seriously, this book quite possibly could be the worst book ending I have EVER come across. EVER. I don't think my mouth has closed yet... and I finished the book 20 minutes ago on my lunch break. REALLY??? Geesh, makes Gone Girl's ending seem like peaches & cream at this point!

In summary, Nina basically stalks another woman, Emma, strategically placing herself in Emma's life and building a friendship with her. Unbeknownst to Emma, Nina is actually someone from her long-ago past that is seeking revenge. The reason? Try to imagine the STUPIDEST, MOST CHILDISH reason that you could possibly ever think of and you might come close!

I'm so disgusted! This book was so good as I was reading. The writing, the tension building as the story progressed, the back & forth between Emma & Nina. I loved the cold calculating nature of Nina (yeah I sometimes like the "bad" characters) and the "motherliness" of Emma. However, the last 2 chapters were PURE CRAP. I'll say it again - absolutely insanely STUPID motive for revenge! And the climax that the author was slowly building towards... "when will Emma finally recognize Nina and what will happen when she does" NEVER HAPPENED!

The book just ended in the middle of a final act of revenge... at least I'm guessing that's what it was.

SERIOUSLY??!! I actually feel compelled to contact the author, lol.

 

[willowsnn3]

#41 Now You See Me by S. J. Bolton

Mmmm, kinda liked this one but thought it was too "wordy" most of the time.
Supposed to be the first of books featuring 'Lacey Flint', a detective in England. I don't think I'll try any of the others.