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

[Swimnoid]

1. The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
100 Teen boys start a walk at the border of Canada and Maine heading south. It is an annual contest to see who can walk the longest. The prize? whatever you can possible want. But...what if you lose?

I really liked this but it left me with too many questions. It told the story of the race with a little background on some of the walkers. But it never said how the walk it started or why. I like to know these things!

It also included a forward by King explaining the Richard Bachman connection which was really interesting.

 

[threeboysmom]

I am not threeboysmom, but I agree with her review. I read it a couple of years ago and was so disturbed by the amount of bullying and the actions of the high schoolers. To me, it was way too much and over the top.

Yes, my feelings exactly, plus the foul language of one of the bullies was so over the top that I found myself having to skip any conversation involving her.

 

[moniqueand2]

I'll give this a go as the year is still young and I can attest to reading two books already. Aim for 30 books by the end of the year.

Thus far I have:

#1 I am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits

I Am Forbidden brings to life four generations of one Satmar family. In 1939 Transylvania, five-year-old Josef witnesses the murder of his family by the Romanian Iron Guard. He is rescued by a Christian maid who raises him as her own son. Five years later, Josef rescues a young girl, Mila, after her parents are killed while running toward the Rebbe they hoped would save them. Josef helps Mila reach Zalman Stern, a leader in the Satmar community, in whose home Mila is raised as a sister to Zalman's daughter, Atara. With the rise of communism in central Europe, the family moves to Paris, to the Marais, where Zalman tries to raise his children apart from the city in which they live. As the two girls mature, Mila's faith intensifies, while her beloved sister Atara discovers a world of books and learning that she cannot ignore.

#2 The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

Simon Watson, a young librarian, lives alone in a house that is slowly crumbling toward the Long Island Sound. One June day, an old book arrives on Simon's doorstep, sent by an antiquarian bookseller who purchased it on speculation. Fragile and water damaged, the book is a log from the owner of a traveling carnival in the 1700s, who reports strange and magical things, including the drowning death of a circus mermaid. Since then, generations of "mermaids" in Simon's family have drowned--always on July 24, which is only weeks away.

 

[MochaDrinker]

Today I finished 5/200 Beter Than Before by Gretchen Rubin which is about making and keeping habits. I felt like I learned a lot I can apply in my life

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: As many books as possible.

1-3 Florida Heat, Deadly Revenge, Street Stalker - all by Rainy Kirkland. Full disclosure: I edited Street Stalker and may be the teeeeeniest bit prejudiced.

These are the first three books in what I'm hoping will become a long-running series. In Florida Heat, probation officer Jo Cazimer witnesses a murder, which puts her own life in jeopardy. Working with her best friend, Detective Kate Snow, they struggle to identify the killer. But in Florida the snakes slither, the 'gators are hungry, and a serial killer is on the loose. My only complaint with this book is that it's a cliff hanger and it took me almost two years to find the sequel!

Deadly Revenge - this is a completely satisfying sequel to Florida Heat, neatly tying up the loose ends. I appreciated learning the back stories of the characters and I gained some insight Into why they did some of the things they did. I liked the way the several different plots come together at the end, and although I was unhappy with the fate of one character, I'm hopeful that this character will be replaced with someone equally interesting.

Street Stalker - I had an advance look at this book, and I couldn't wait for the finished product to be published! And as usual with Rainy's stories, I wasn't disappointed. The sub-plots meld nicely, the characters are well developed, and the story flows smoothly to a surprise ending! I hope this series continues for many more books to come.

A question: Is there any problem with my listing and reviewing books in which I have had a hand? I ask because Rainy Kirkland has asked me to be her full-time editor. My first effort was Street Stalker, so if you fine errors, please be kind!

Queen Colleen

 

[PigletsPal2]

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

Hadley, do you have an APO address? If you do, I'd be happy to send you some books (the international post is too costly, unfortunately). My tastes run generally to mysteries, but I have many other genres as well. One of my new year's resolutions was to purge my many book shelves, and I'd like to give my surplus books to a good home. Send me a PM with your address if you're interested.

Queen Colleen

 

[wilma-bride]

I am not threeboysmom, but I agree with her review. I read it a couple of years ago and was so disturbed by the amount of bullying and the actions of the high schoolers. To me, it was way too much and over the top.

Yes, my feelings exactly, plus the foul language of one of the bullys was so over the top that I found myself having to skip any conversation involving her.

OK, thanks for the clarification. I think I'll give it a miss then as I am not a fan of excessive (and unnecessary) bad language in books. I started reading the book 'The Slap' a while ago and stopped reading after about 2 chapters because of the language.

1. The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
100 Teen boys start a walk at the border of Canada and Maine heading south. It is an annual contest to see who can walk the longest. The prize? whatever you can possible want. But...what if you lose?

I really liked this but it left me with too many questions. It told the story of the race with a little background on some of the walkers. But it never said how the walk it started or why. I like to know these things!

It also included a forward by King explaining the Richard Bachman connection which was really interesting.

That actually sounds like a good book. Might have to add to my 'to read' list.

I'll give this a go as the year is still young and I can attest to reading two books already. Aim for 30 books by the end of the year.

Thus far I have:

#1 I am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits

#2 The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

Welcome

Today I finished 5/200 Beter Than Before by Gretchen Rubin which is about making and keeping habits. I felt like I learned a lot I can apply in my life

Sounds interesting, going to look that one up.

Goal: As many books as possible.

1-3 Florida Heat, Deadly Revenge, Street Stalker - all by Rainy Kirkland. Full disclosure: I edited Street Stalker and may be the teeeeeniest bit prejudiced.

These are the first three books in what I'm hoping will become a long-running series. In Florida Heat, probation officer Jo Cazimer witnesses a murder, which puts her own life in jeopardy. Working with her best friend, Detective Kate Snow, they struggle to identify the killer. But in Florida the snakes slither, the 'gators are hungry, and a serial killer is on the loose. My only complaint with this book is that it's a cliff hanger and it took me almost two years to find the sequel!

Deadly Revenge - this is a completely satisfying sequel to Florida Heat, neatly tying up the loose ends. I appreciated learning the back stories of the characters and I gained some insight Into why they did some of the things they did. I liked the way the several different plots come together at the end, and although I was unhappy with the fate of one character, I'm hopeful that this character will be replaced with someone equally interesting.

Street Stalker - I had an advance look at this book, and I couldn't wait for the finished product to be published! And as usual with Rainy's stories, I wasn't disappointed. The sub-plots meld nicely, the characters are well developed, and the story flows smoothly to a surprise ending! I hope this series continues for many more books to come.

A question: Is there any problem with my listing and reviewing books in which I have had a hand? I ask because Rainy Kirkland has asked me to be her full-time editor. My first effort was Street Stalker, so if you fine errors, please be kind!

Queen Colleen

I don't see any problem with that at all. They sound like interesting books - and that sounds like a great job. I would love to do that for a living since I love to read, although I know (from a proof-reading course I did many moons ago) that reading when proofing and editing is a different type of reading

 

[BumbleB]

I would like to join! Please set my goal at 100

I am most looking forward to reading Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop, Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs, Kingfisher by Patricia McKillip, Riders by Veronica Rossi, Winterwood by Jacey Bedford, and Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

I have already read:

1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3/5 (gets extra points for having Han Solo - otherwise just go see the movie)
2 Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs 4/5
3 Nightfall by Ellen Connor 3/5
4 Infinity Bell by Devon Monk 4/5
5 Waking up Alive by Emma Shortt 3/5

Currently reading Half-Resurrection Blues by Older

Thanks for hosting the thread!

 

[wilma-bride]

I would like to join! Please set my goal at 100

I am most looking forward to reading Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop, Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs, Kingfisher by Patricia McKillip, Riders by Veronica Rossi, Winterwood by Jacey Bedford, and Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee

I have already read:

1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3/5 (gets extra points for having Han Solo - otherwise just go see the movie)
2 Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs 4/5
3 Nightfall by Ellen Connor 3/5
4 Infinity Bell by Devon Monk 4/5
5 Waking up Alive by Emma Shortt 3/5

Currently reading Half-Resurrection Blues by Older

Thanks for hosting the thread!

Welcome

 

[wilma-bride]

Book #4 of 50 - The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss.

Thanks for the recommendation @asta

There is so much I can say about this book. The characters are so likeable and real and I immediately felt Isabel's pain at losing her precious babies but also identified with Tom's moral thinking that it was just wrong to keep baby 'Lucy'. I so badly wanted it all to work out but, as alluded to above, halfway through the book, there is the realisation that their actions have impacted the lives of others. And you begin to wonder how things can ever turn out right.

I proper bawled at the end of this book, so much so that I woke my husband who was sleeping next to me. And then had to explain what had upset me so much. As I was explaining to him, I realised that I was telling it as if it was a true story - and that's honestly how this felt to me.

 

[willowsnn3]

1. The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
100 Teen boys start a walk at the border of Canada and Maine heading south. It is an annual contest to see who can walk the longest. The prize? whatever you can possible want. But...what if you lose?

I really liked this but it left me with too many questions. It told the story of the race with a little background on some of the walkers. But it never said how the walk it started or why. I like to know these things!

It also included a forward by King explaining the Richard Bachman connection which was really interesting.

This has always been one of my favorites. Would love to see this made into a movie.

 

[xlsm]

1. The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
100 Teen boys start a walk at the border of Canada and Maine heading south. It is an annual contest to see who can walk the longest. The prize? whatever you can possible want. But...what if you lose?

I really liked this but it left me with too many questions. It told the story of the race with a little background on some of the walkers. But it never said how the walk it started or why. I like to know these things!

It also included a forward by King explaining the Richard Bachman connection which was really interesting.

This is one of my favorite of his novellas! The unanswered questions are just part of the mystery that make your skin crawl a little. Always leave 'em wanting more! A current comparison would be maybe the dystopian governmental system of the Hunger Games. I have always wanted Joss Whedon to direct a film version, I think it would be incredible.

 

[asta]

Book #4 of 50 - The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss.

Thanks for the recommendation @asta

There is so much I can say about this book. The characters are so likeable and real and I immediately felt Isabel's pain at losing her precious babies but also identified with Tom's moral thinking that it was just wrong to keep baby 'Lucy'. I so badly wanted it all to work out but, as alluded to above, halfway through the book, there is the realisation that their actions have impacted the lives of others. And you begin to wonder how things can ever turn out right.

I proper bawled at the end of this book, so much so that I woke my husband who was sleeping next to me. And then had to explain what had upset me so much. As I was explaining to him, I realised that I was telling it as if it was a true story - and that's honestly how this felt to me.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. We had the same reaction, I was sobbing at the end. These characters were so real that I really cared. I hope the movie does them justice.

 

[threeboysmom]

1. The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
100 Teen boys start a walk at the border of Canada and Maine heading south. It is an annual contest to see who can walk the longest. The prize? whatever you can possible want. But...what if you lose?

I really liked this but it left me with too many questions. It told the story of the race with a little background on some of the walkers. But it never said how the walk it started or why. I like to know these things!

It also included a forward by King explaining the Richard Bachman connection which was really interesting.

This has always been one of my favorites. Would love to see this made into a movie.

I loved this book UNTIL I read the ending. I felt let down in a way because even to this day I'm not really sure HOW it ended, lol. I guess I'm one of those people who like all the loose ends tied up at the end of the book. I remember finishing and being thoroughly confused (and I'm still confused!) - NOT how I like to be when a book is done!

 

[Christine]

I loved this book UNTIL I read the ending. I felt let down in a way because even to this day I'm not really sure HOW it ended, lol. I guess I'm one of those people who like all the loose ends tied up at the end of the book. I remember finishing and being thorough confused (and I'm still confused!) - NOT how I like to be when a book is done!

Stephen King has a few books out there that are really good but the ending was so UNDONE that it ruined the book for me.

 

[KateP85]

Book #4 of 50 - The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss.

Thanks for the recommendation @asta

There is so much I can say about this book. The characters are so likeable and real and I immediately felt Isabel's pain at losing her precious babies but also identified with Tom's moral thinking that it was just wrong to keep baby 'Lucy'. I so badly wanted it all to work out but, as alluded to above, halfway through the book, there is the realisation that their actions have impacted the lives of others. And you begin to wonder how things can ever turn out right.

I proper bawled at the end of this book, so much so that I woke my husband who was sleeping next to me. And then had to explain what had upset me so much. As I was explaining to him, I realised that I was telling it as if it was a true story - and that's honestly how this felt to me.

This sounds wonderful, I'm going to add it to my list.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I want to join again! I really need to be better at posting. I am going to try for 30.

#1 - The Martian - I really enjoyed this book, and I am definitely not a science fiction fan. The guy who is left behind on Mars is a very entertaining character so you get to know his thoughts through his journal. I do want to see the movie now!

I'm currently reading the Martian. It's really good.

I did watch the movie when it was in theatres, and you'll be impressed by how well they turned it into a movie. There are a few things different, but mostly because it'd be too hard to explain through images rather than words, I think.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'm going to be participating, but cannot set a goal yet. I have followed the threads for the past couple of years, and enjoyed some of the really good recommendations from you guys.

 

[camreesmom]

Finished book #2 - The Accident by Linwood Barclay. This was definitely better than the last one of his that I read (Too Close to Home). This one kept me up reading much too late I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.

From Goodreads:
It’s the new normal at the Garber household in Connecticut: Glen, a contractor, has seen his business shaken by the housing crisis, and now his wife, Sheila, is taking a business course at night to increase her chances of landing a good-paying job.
But she should have been home by now.
Waiting for Sheila’s return, with their eight-year-old daughter sleeping soundly, Glen soon finds his worst fears confirmed: Sheila and two others have been killed in a car accident. Adding to the tragedy, the police claim Sheila was responsible.
Glen knows it’s impossible; he knew his wife and she would never do such a thing. When he investigates, Glen begins to uncover layers of lawlessness beneath the placid surface of their suburb, secret after dangerous secret behind the closed doors.
Propelled into a vortex of corruption and illegal activity, pursued by mysterious killers, and confronted by threats from neighbors he thought he knew, Glen must take his own desperate measures and go to terrifying new places in himself to avenge his wife and protect his child.

Up next: The Light Between Oceans because of all the good reviews on here

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

1/12 twerp mark goldbatt


This kid writes a diary about why he hurts a disabled kid