ANNUAL READING GOAL CHALLENGE for 2015!

[threeboysmom]

I'm in the awkward phase of waiting for one of my holds to come through. I'm currently not reading anything!

OH THE HORROR!!

Finished book #58 - The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

I really liked this story. I wanted it to continue to find out more changes she makes in her life. Loved the descriptions of the perfumes & wished I could smell them too. I did figure out the big secret early, but there was more to it that surprised me. One character even comments to the main character when she finally finds out, something like "Didn't it go through your mind that this is why you are being left the inheritance?" Almost like a "DUH! Everyone else has figured it out but you" which I thought was funny.

I recently finished this one and loved it too. Great story & great author.

Hmmm it's been a while since I've last updated. Trying to remember what I've read, LOL!

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry - I adored this book!! Loved the quirky grandma, loved the very precocious 7-year old, loved all of the very strange neighbors, and especially loved how it all tied together in a beautiful storyline.

The Storied Life of AJ Filkry - I loved this one too! Great story especially for a book lover.

Those are the only 2 that have stuck in my mind. The rest of the books I've read I no longer remember so apparently they are not worth reviewing, LOL.

 

[queenofthehive]

10/25 - A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Andrew Marra

Bittersweet book. Extemely well written but very sad book (good moments mixed in but overall very sad. Then again, the setting is during a war....)

 

[Simba's Mom]

"Friendship Bread"-#44 of 65. 5 Stars!

 

[queenofthehive]

11/25 - One Crazy Summer - Rita Williams-Garcia

Loved it- I give it a 4 out of 5 rating.

 

[Carstairs38]

94/120
Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay (Cupcake Bakery #4) – 4
The summer heat is killing business for Fairy Tale Cupcakes, so when Mel and Angie get an offer to sell cupcakes at a rodeo in the mountains, it seems like a great idea. However, when someone is shot at the opening parade, they begin to wonder what they’ve landed in the middle of this time.

I found the first quarter of this book very slow since it sets up several things that could have been handled in a few pages or a couple of chapters max. Once the story does get started, it moves along at a great clip, however. The characters, both old and new, are wonderful, and the climax actually made me tear up.

 

[Carstairs38]

95/120
“B” is for Burglar by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone #2) – 5
Kinsey is hired to track down a missing woman by the woman’s estranged sister. It seems like a boring routine case at first, but the more she digs into it, the more Kinsey begins to question what is happening. No one has seen the woman for months, and the normal avenues of inquiry just aren’t adding up. What is going on?

I really got pulled into this book and great enjoyed it. The plot is strong with plenty of clues and red herrings, but everything came together at the end. The characters are sharp, often with just a few words or sentences. It’s easy to see why this series has been so popular for so long.

96/120
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis – 4
Take a look at temptation from the other side as we see the letters that Screwtape, a senior demon, writes to his nephew and first time tempter Wormwood. Wormwood’s assignment is a new Christian, and he tries to use family life, World War II, and even a new love to turn the Patient away from Jesus. Will it work?

Keeping in mind that these are fictional letters, there is still much to chew on as we see how the enemy can twist anything and everything against us. The subtly employed is incredible and rings true. While some references can be dated (the book was published in 1941), Lewis’s view on how our society would progress is spot on scary. About my only real issue is that he appears to be espousing the view that a Christian can lose their salvation, something I disagree with theologically. Read it with discernment, but by all means read it.

 

[Jafar30]

Book 21/40 Saga Volume 1 by Brian K Vaughn and Fiona Staples *****/*****

I haven't said much about what I read but I wanted to give this a few more words.

Saga is a comic book series that about two star crossed lovers from different worlds who have been at war with each other. Both have a child together and the story is about them being hunted. This is based on the first six issues of the series.

Think Star Wars meets Romeo and Juliet. Now filter that through some very adult material. There is strong language, violence and sex. There are some truly disturbing images. Yet there are also some incredibly moving moments. It certainly won't be for everyone's taste, but so far they've published five volumes and I plan on picking the rest up asap.

 

[Jafar30]

Book #74 A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi

Book #75 Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant

Book #76 Matilda by Roald Dahl

Book #77 Waking up Catholic by Chad R. Togerson

Book #78 Fables 11-16 by Bill Willingham

Book #79 Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham

I absolutely adore Fables.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

I absolutely adore Fables.

I love the series!
I just got the last volume on Amazon

 

[Christine]

#25/50 - The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah - Great book about France during the German occupation during WW2. The story is about 2 sisters and their underground efforts to help downed Allied pilots and Jewish orphans. I really enjoy most books by Kristin Hannah and this one did not disappoint.

Halfway through to my goal now, but I don't have half the year left to finish!!!

 

[Jafar30]

I love the series!
I just got the last volume on Amazon

Yeah I have up until Volume 18 so I need to pick up the rest

 

[threeboysmom]

For those of you that have read "Room" by Emma Donoghue, I just saw that it's been made into a movie! One of my favorite books from last year. I can't wait!

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat...ma_donoghue_s_novel_starring_brie_larson.html

 

[FlightlessDuck]

10 of 12: The Martian by Andy Weir

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Goodreads

5 out of 5. My favorite book of the year. Will watch the movie when it comes out.

Up next: Devoted in Death by J. D. Robb.

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #59 - Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica

This is was OK. The main character was crazy, the husband was an idiot, and their daughter was a spoiled brat. Then you have the homeless girl, Willow, who I connected with and hoped for the best for her. The story dragged on as I thought weeks went by to then find out it was 2 days! This author is good with writing characters you don't like b/c I read her other book, The Good Girl, and didn't like those characters either.

She sees the teenage girl on the train platform, standing in the pouring rain, clutching an infant in her arms. She boards a train and is whisked away. But she can't get the girl out of her head…
Heidi Wood has always been a charitable woman: she works for a nonprofit, takes in stray cats. Still, her husband and daughter are horrified when Heidi returns home one day with a young woman named Willow and her four-month-old baby in tow. Disheveled and apparently homeless, this girl could be a criminal—or worse. But despite her family's objections, Heidi invites Willow and the baby to take refuge in their home.
Heidi spends the next few days helping Willow get back on her feet, but as clues into Willow's past begin to surface, Heidi is forced to decide how far she's willing to go to help a stranger. What starts as an act of kindness quickly spirals into a story far more twisted than anyone could have anticipated.


Finished book #60 - The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

I did not like this book at all. Had to read it for book club. Talk about a book where you hate all the characters! At least the book I reviewed above had 1 character I rooted for. This book had none. The 2 main characters were boring, selfish, and pathetic people. They didn't seem like real people at all and I was tired of all their inner thoughts. The story was dragged down by all the psychological babble that wasn't necessary and tangents that made no sense. This book is described as being similar to Gone Girl. I didn't like the ending in Gone Girl, but at least that story was suspenseful and thrilling. Even the description below is totally false. First of all, they are not married! Second, she doesn't settle scores & he doesn't play for keeps. AND worst of all, she is not a "wife" since they are not married which doesn't make her the Silent Wife! I think you get how maddening this book is. A total waste of time.

Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 75
#51 A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
#52 The Farm by Tom Rob Smith

 

[threeboysmom]

Finished book #60 - The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

I did not like this book at all. Had to read it for book club. Talk about a book where you hate all the characters! At least the book I reviewed above had 1 character I rooted for. This book had none. The 2 main characters were boring, selfish, and pathetic people. They didn't seem like real people at all and I was tired of all their inner thoughts. The story was dragged down by all the psychological babble that wasn't necessary and tangents that made no sense. This book is described as being similar to Gone Girl. I didn't like the ending in Gone Girl, but at least that story was suspenseful and thrilling. Even the description below is totally false. First of all, they are not married! Second, she doesn't settle scores & he doesn't play for keeps. AND worst of all, she is not a "wife" since they are not married which doesn't make her the Silent Wife! I think you get how maddening this book is. A total waste of time.

Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept.

Oh dear. I have this one on my fall/winter reading list. The premise sounded so promising!

 

[jenny105]

Finished book #3 of the mediator series - Reunion. I enjoyed this more than the first two books. I will be continuing the series.

Currently working on Shopaholic to the Stars.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

#10 Armada by Ernest Cline
Big disappointment - Ready Player is one of my favorite books - Loved the 80's and geek references - liked the story - and the way the worked together made both of those so much stronger.
This book had similar references and they were somewhat enjoyable for a 80 geek nerd like myself but in no way did I enjoy any of the three things that made Ready Player One so awesome to me.

(If anyone is interested in reading any of my works gladly send kindle or nook gift copies (Cemetery Girl, Three Twigs for the Campfire, Written for You or Reigning).

 

[Christine]

#26/50: Morning Glory by Sarah Jio. This is the second Sarah Jio book I read. I picked this one as a "filler" between books I had on hold as it was available. I enjoyed the first book I read by this author. This one was "just okay." Typical formulaic romance story, with a little mystery thrown in. It's an easy enough read but probably a little too light for me. I would recommend it though if you like that sort of thing. All her books are based in the Seattle area too, so if you like that area, you may enjoy the setting.

 

[Carstairs38]

97/120
Stone Cold Case by Catherine Dilts (Rock Shop Mysteries #2) – 4
In an effort to learn more about local rocks and minerals, Morgan has been taking a class from the local college. While one a class field trip, she gets separated from everyone else and finds a mountain man guarding a skeleton. The discovery reopens an unsolved disappearance in this small Colorado town. But what happened all those years ago?

It had been a while since I read the first book in this series, but it didn’t take long before I was back on board with the characters again. They are wonderful, and I enjoyed seeing the growth in them. The book had too many sub-plots, which crowded out the mystery a little at the beginning, but as the book when on the mystery took over and came to a very strong climax that kept me turning the pages.

98/120
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg (Fox and O’Hare #4) – 4
The unlikely duo of criminal Nick Fox and FBI Agent Kate O’Hare are after a casino owner who is knowingly helping launder money that goes to terrorists. But as their con is set in motion, things quickly spiral out of control. Will they be able to turn their target into an FBI asset?

These books are always light, fun reads and this book is no exception. The characters could have more depth, but they are developed enough to keep my interest, and the crew that Nick and Kate always pull together is half the fun. The twists and plentiful and the ride is fun. I’m very anxious to get my hands on the next in the series.