Annual Reading Goal Challenge for 2016 - Come and join us!

I used to read about a book a week, but the past few years the demands on my time have gotten more and more and getting my hands on books in English is time consuming in and of itself since DD broke her kindle and I gave her mine.

So, I would like to join but am setting a goal of just 12---something to push me to get to the library and get a book at least once a month but nothing too daunting to work at.

Thanks
 
I used to read about a book a week, but the past few years the demands on my time have gotten more and more and getting my hands on books in English is time consuming in and of itself since DD broke her kindle and I gave her mine.

So, I would like to join but am setting a goal of just 12---something to push me to get to the library and get a book at least once a month but nothing too daunting to work at.

Thanks

Hey, that's one a month which is pretty good! I've aimed for 50 books (just about one a week) and it's really, really hard. Some people here are getting in two books a week!
 
Finished Book 1, The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
I described it previously as a light chick lit book - well it turns fairly heavy, a bit of a tearjerker as characters face challenges and grieve losses. It details the power of friendship. I give it 4 stars.
 

#1 - Slimed! An Oral History of Nickolodeon's Golden Age by Mathew Klickstein

I was so looking forward to reading this. I grew up on late 80s and early 90s Nick. But it lacked a clear narrative and so much of the information left me thinking so what. While there is a list of who's who in the back, I kept having to flip back and forth to see what show the person was talking about. There should have been a code or something. I can't imagine reading this on an ereader.

The book covers late 80s to late 90s and some of those shows I never saw so those boys held little interest for me.

The second half was much better, so I'd say go ahead if you're a 30 something who, like me, wished you could stream You Can't Do That on Television or Clarissa Explains it All or the original Snick shows.
 
I think I'll keep my goal at 80 again this year. There is nothing I am really dying to read this year. I count audio books and I always have a book going in the car, one on my ipad and a paper book going.

I'm currently listening to Sycamore Row by John Grisham. I'm not very far into it but it is good so far! And I'm reading The Long Walk by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). Its an old one and very good.
 
#2 is complete, Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich.

All caught up with Stephanie Plum now.

As with my previous review of the 21st installment, all the same old same old is present and accounted for.

We've got a skip escaping from Lula's backseat (while handcuffed of course) after she's carjacked, bedazzled flea collars for humans, a frat boy on the run, and dead guys with gunpowder on the bottom of their shoes.
And something weird is up with Morelli.

If the last few pages of the book are actual foreshadowing and not just another fake out, we really could (finally!) be close to the end of the series.

Now I'm moving on to Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King.
 
Book 1 completed, based on a recommandation here by hulagirl.

The Raft by S A Bodeen

This was a quick read for me, but still enjoyable. The story follows a 15 year old after a plane crash, and her quest for survival.
 
I'm in for the fourth year in a row. I am aiming for 80 this year. Love getting recommendations from here.
 
I have to ask: for all of you that manage to do 80-100 books a year, how do you do it? I'm in awe. I couldn't do 50 and I consider myself a pretty fast reader.

I figure that there are 52 weeks in a year and I can get through a book in about a week, unless it's something like Outlander, of course, which will take me awhile. I read about an hour a day which is all I have time for. Maybe that's it, I'm not reading enough? So how do you do it? Speedreading, reading several hours a day, short books?

I naturally speed read. I also stay up too late at night reading!
 
So my favourites from last year were A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen. Really enjoyed all three.

So far this year I have read:-

#1 Hester by Margaret Oliphant-this was written in the 1800's. It felt like it dragged a bit but I do think that attention spans aren't what they used to be.

#2 The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie. R. King-this was really good. It's about Sherlock Holmes after he retires and meets a young girl, Mary Russell with a similar talent for noticing things. Mary Russell is the main protagonist and it was a well paced story and very evocative of the era. There are several in the series and I will definitely read more.

#3 Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson-overall I enjoyed this despite the frustration I felt reading it. It was a lot of supposition which isn't really the author's fault because the Kennedys kept Rosemary's story very quiet. For those that don't know, Rosemary was the third child born to Joseph and Rose Kennedy and had some form of intellectual disability, likely due to birth trauma. It is the story of her treatment, education and the impact on the family. Overall a really heartbreaking story but it ended pretty uplifting.

Out of curiosity I looked up the length of those three books for those that are wondering about those that read a lot-collectively they are around 960 pages. I read on my kindle and it gives a reading time guide, usually I read it three or four times faster than the recommended time.
 
Book 1 - Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.

What's to say, really? It is a classic and seems to be one of those books people either love or hate with little middle ground. I read it for the first time in 9th grade and loved it then, but it wasn't something I felt any need to re-read. But since I got Pride & Prejudice & Zombies for Christmas I decided to re-read the original before starting on the zombie update. And I enjoyed it just as much as on my first time through.

Book 2 - Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield.


So, the literary snob in me kept me from reading this one when it first came out. The back-cover blurb about transforming a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read just plain rubbed me the wrong way, so despite a love for zombies and apocalyptic fiction and glowing recommendations from a few friends, I never bothered picking it up. But with the moving coming out, my 14yo expressed interest so DH bought it for the both of us. And it really was quite a fun read, truly an "expansion" of the original story with prose in Austen's style and long passages unchanged from the original. If you're a fan of Austen or of zombies or both, it is worth giving this one a chance.

Book 3 - Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

This one doesn't release until next month, but my daughter's English teacher has an advance copy in his classroom library and she brought it home as one of her holiday reads. Since I read Between Shades of Grey by the same author when my son was assigned it last year, I picked it up when she was finished. It is young adult fiction, told in the first person through the eyes of several key characters, which makes for great storytelling an a fairly easy read even as the book explores some of the darker and often overlooked human tragedies of WWII. I'd never heard about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff before this book, and to read the story told in the first person was heartbreaking at times. It is the sort of book that I'd characterize as important but maybe not enjoyable - the subject matter is just so dark that I find it hard to take pleasure in reading about it, but was certainly thought-provoking and the author does a good job of weaving in small acts of humanity that keep the story from being unrelentingly bleak.

Book #2 of 50 - Bird Box by Josh Malerman

I just completed The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman and would highly recommend it.

Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

I've added all three of these to my to-read list. :)
 
Just finished my first book of the new year, and boy it was outstanding! Nice way to start the year! This may end up being my favorite book of 2016 - the bar has been set high right off the bat!

Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France...but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When France is overrun, Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched; her life and her child’s life is at constant risk. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates around her, she must make one terrible choice after another.

Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old girl, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets the compelling and mysterious Gäetan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can...completely. When he betrays her, Isabelle races headlong into danger and joins the Resistance, never looking back or giving a thought to the real--and deadly--consequences.

With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah takes her talented pen to the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France--a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.


Sooooo good! The characters are very well developed, and the author writes in a very easy-to-read style - it just flows. So many emotions & heartache, but love & strength & courage as well!

Highly recommend! It was also Goodreads' Fiction Book of 2015 (which is why it ended up on my "to read" list) Ooooh and I just saw today that it's being made into a movie!

Up Next: Reconstructing Amelia

I've tried twice to read The Nightingale, and just couldn't get into it. but, with your recommendation, I'll give it another try! Hoping three times the charm?!
 
3/40 - Windfallen, Jojo Moyes - another winner!! An older book by Moyes, but just as good as we've come to expect. A 'past and present' intertwined story - a little baffled at the very last page, but otherwise one I really enjoyed.
 
Just finished my third book of the year Get a life that doesn't suck by Michelle Deangelis. I'm on a self help kick. About to start Grounded by Diana Butler Bass.
 
I'm in this year, even though I disappeared off the face of the earth last year (unintentionally).

My goal is for 50 this year. I'm not sure if I can hit it, but I'm going to try. I'm in school full time, so I really don't know how crazy my schedule will end up being.

My 11 year old is interested in reading the Diary of Anne Frank, so that'll be the first one we tackle. I also received the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for Christmas, so that'll be my second. Can never have too much HP.
 
^^^^ Wow, has it been that long since I've been on the dis?! I guess it's also time to update my signature.
 
#1/50: Turned by Morgan Rice

From Goodreads:
18 year old Caitlin Paine finds herself uprooted from her nice suburb and forced to attend a dangerous New York City high school when her Mom moves again. The one ray of light in her new surroundings is Jonah, a new classmate who takes an instant liking to her.

But before their romance can blossom, Caitlin suddenly finds herself changing. She is overcome by a superhuman strength, a sensitivity to light, a desire to feed--by feelings she does not understand. She seeks answers to what’s happening to her, and her cravings lead her to the wrong place at the wrong time. Her eyes are opened to a hidden world, right beneath her feet, thriving underground in New York City. She finds herself caught between two dangerous covens, right in the middle of a vampire war.

It is at this moment that Caitlin meets Caleb, a mysterious and powerful vampire who rescues her from the dark forces. He needs her to help lead him to the legendary lost artifact. And she needs him for answers, and for protection. Together, they will need to answer one crucial question: who was her real father?

But Caitlin finds herself caught between two men as something else arises between them: a forbidden love. A love between the races that will risk both of their lives, and will force them to decide whether to risk it all for each other…
 
I am in for 20 this year. Fell one shy of 15 last year but have better commute this year hopefully more time to read.
 
finished #1, Top Secret 21 by Janet Evanovich - A Stephanie Plum book. If you've read one, you've read them all, really, at least at this point in the series. I'm at a point with it though where I feel like I need to see it through to the end. Surely she's about ready to wrap up the series. Maybe with 25?

I do recommend this series, because the first 9 or so are clever and refreshing. After that, it starts to become old hat. But they're quick, easy, sometimes laugh out loud funny, books.

I have some of these books on my Kindle but never tried reading them. I am not a fan of series' of books that just drag on and on but might try one and see how I like it.

Just finished my first book of the new year, and boy it was outstanding! Nice way to start the year! This may end up being my favorite book of 2016 - the bar has been set high right off the bat!

Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Wow, high praise. Might add this to my wish list.

2/72

#2 The Accident by Chris Pavone

I have just started another 'The Accident' book - The Accident by C. L. Taylor, which is looking pretty good so far.

I used to read about a book a week, but the past few years the demands on my time have gotten more and more and getting my hands on books in English is time consuming in and of itself since DD broke her kindle and I gave her mine.

So, I would like to join but am setting a goal of just 12---something to push me to get to the library and get a book at least once a month but nothing too daunting to work at.

Thanks

Late jumping in but I will put my book count back at 100!

Welcome both of you

Finished Book 1, The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
I described it previously as a light chick lit book - well it turns fairly heavy, a bit of a tearjerker as characters face challenges and grieve losses. It details the power of friendship. I give it 4 stars.

Sounds good :)

#1 - Slimed! An Oral History of Nickolodeon's Golden Age by Mathew Klickstein

I was so looking forward to reading this. I grew up on late 80s and early 90s Nick. But it lacked a clear narrative and so much of the information left me thinking so what. While there is a list of who's who in the back, I kept having to flip back and forth to see what show the person was talking about. There should have been a code or something. I can't imagine reading this on an ereader.

The book covers late 80s to late 90s and some of those shows I never saw so those boys held little interest for me.

The second half was much better, so I'd say go ahead if you're a 30 something who, like me, wished you could stream You Can't Do That on Television or Clarissa Explains it All or the original Snick shows.

Hi, I didn't have you on the list. Did you want to set a reading goal - sorry if you already did and I missed it.

I think I'll keep my goal at 80 again this year. There is nothing I am really dying to read this year. I count audio books and I always have a book going in the car, one on my ipad and a paper book going.

I'm currently listening to Sycamore Row by John Grisham. I'm not very far into it but it is good so far! And I'm reading The Long Walk by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). Its an old one and very good.

Welcome back :)

#2 is complete, Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich.

All caught up with Stephanie Plum now.

You're on a roll!

Book 1 completed, based on a recommandation here by hulagirl.

The Raft by S A Bodeen

This was a quick read for me, but still enjoyable. The story follows a 15 year old after a plane crash, and her quest for survival.

Sounds like an interesting book.

I'm in for the fourth year in a row. I am aiming for 80 this year. Love getting recommendations from here.

So my favourites from last year were A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen. Really enjoyed all three.

Welcome back. I really loved Me Before You - I have the sequel, After You on my 'to read' list. Only read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen but loved it so much, I really ought to read more by her.

Book 1 - Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Book 2 - Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

Book 3 - Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

You're off to a great start!

3/40 - Windfallen, Jojo Moyes - another winner!! An older book by Moyes, but just as good as we've come to expect. A 'past and present' intertwined story - a little baffled at the very last page, but otherwise one I really enjoyed.

Love Jojo Moyes :)

Just finished my third book of the year Get a life that doesn't suck by Michelle Deangelis. I'm on a self help kick. About to start Grounded by Diana Butler Bass.

Well done!

I'm in this year, even though I disappeared off the face of the earth last year (unintentionally).

My goal is for 50 this year. I'm not sure if I can hit it, but I'm going to try. I'm in school full time, so I really don't know how crazy my schedule will end up being.

My 11 year old is interested in reading the Diary of Anne Frank, so that'll be the first one we tackle. I also received the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for Christmas, so that'll be my second. Can never have too much HP.

^^^^ Wow, has it been that long since I've been on the dis?! I guess it's also time to update my signature.

Welcome - and get that signature line updated lol ;)

#1/50: Turned by Morgan Rice

Another one off the mark.

I am in for 20 this year. Fell one shy of 15 last year but have better commute this year hopefully more time to read.

Welcome back :)
 














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