Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#5 Parasite by Mira Grant
From the book jacket:
"A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease. We owe our good health to a humble parasite--a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by SymboGen. When implanted, the intestinal bodyguard worm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system--even secretes designer drugs.
Now years later, almost every human being has a tapeworm living within them. But the parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them."

Five hundred pages, long & drawnout in a lot of places. Interesting enough to finish, but then at the end, I discover it is to be continued.....

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Goal 72 #5 Parasite by Mira Grant From the book jacket: "A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease. We owe our good health to a humble parasite--a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by SymboGen. When implanted, the intestinal bodyguard worm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system--even secretes designer drugs. Now years later, almost every human being has a tapeworm living within them. But the parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them." Five hundred pages, long & drawnout in a lot of places. Interesting enough to finish, but then at the end, I discover it is to be continued.....

I loved that one! I can't wait for the next one.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #7 Tides of Memory by Sidney Sheldon

Book #8 10001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham

Book #9 Fables Vol. I-VII by Bill Willingham

 

[Valgoof]

Book #6-Gone Girl. I had heard that people didnt like the ending, but I was still surprised how much I hated the ending. Liked the book overall though, my favorite so far this year.

 

[wrestlingchick26]

Book 15- legend of sleepy hallow- Washington Irving. This was a free kobo read, was ok- I can either take it or leave it.

Book 16- Short fuses- Stephen Leather, this was another free book- it was 4 short stories- I really enjoyed these stories and I'll be purchasing on of his full length books to read soon.

Book 17- stories for dog lovers- this was again 3 short stories about the joys of dogs, being a dog lover I did enjoy this.

 

[Cynth]

Finished book 4 of 30: Disney after dark, the first book out of the kingdom's keeper series.

I really liked the book and I'll definitely finish this serie.

I'm still reading Nick Carter's Facing the music. It is less of an autobiography and more of a self help book than I tought. I enjoy it but it is not a light read.

 

[portia9]

#19 Kilmeny of the Orchard by L.M Montgomery.

Not the charm of the Anne books.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just finished book #3-"Threading the Needle" by Marie Bostwick. My review-

This was one of my favorite books ever, the story of the friendship of two mature women. They had had a falling out early on, a very typical type of one, of two pre-pubescent girls where one develops different interests and shuns the other. However, I loved the story of them coming back together, the "bad" girl becoming successful. Anyone who's a fan of Debbie Macomber will no doubt be a fan of this book.

I can already tell that my goal of 75 books is too ambitious for this year. Too many things going on and not enough time to read. Last year I started with a goal of 60 and "upped" it to 75. This year I started with a goal of "75" and wish I could "down" it to 60.

 

[xlsm]

Finished book 7 of 45 last night...Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs.

I love (loveloveloveloveLOVE) the television show Bones, and was nervous to read these b/c I've heard the Brennan character is vastly different from page to screen. Curiosity beat out the nerves and I picked up the first of the "Bones" novels and decided to give it a try.

I think the fact that Temperance IS so different made it easier and I was able to completely separate the two.

This was an entertaining crime procedural. She lives/works in Quebec, so the French words and explanations of what the French words mean (especially if you actually know any French and can decipher it for yourself, which I could) was a little tedious. I also didn't feel any of the other characters aside from Tempe were fleshed out enough.

Plot - Temperance discovers similarities between two sets of remains and one new homicide victim, and her actions set in motion the search for a serial killer, much to the dismay of cranky detective Luc Claudel who thinks she's imagining the connections and hates her for meddling in his case. Soon her life, as well as the lives of her friends and family, is in danger. The killer sees Tempe as a threat, and is working to add her to his body count.

The story was intriguing, a few neat little twists and turns, but a tad bit predictable. I would read more of these books to see the evolution of Temperance Brennan.

I rate this a 3.75/5

 

[TheRose227]

Finally Finished #1!

Monuments Men, loved it. I could see it being dry if it was something you weren't interested in. This is one of the few parts of WW2 history I hadn't read about. I was fascinated by the treasure hunt and the men who were a part of it. I can't wait for the movie! I'd recommend for anyone interested in history, or art!

 

[jenny105]

Book #6-Gone Girl. I had heard that people didnt like the ending, but I was still surprised how much I hated the ending. Liked the book overall though, my favorite so far this year.

I was racing the clock to finish it because it was an e-library loan. I got to the end and was like 'are you freaking kidding me???' But I'll still see the movie Ben Affleck and all lol.

 

[sophiagymgall]

Book #1 (out of only 20, so I'm still somewhat on schedule ) - Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad, by Waris Dirie.

Goodreads summary : Waris Dirie ran away from her oppressive life in the African desert when she was barely in her teens, illiterate and impoverished, with nothing to her name but a tattered shawl. She traveled alone across the dangerous Somali desert to Mogadishu—the first leg of a remarkable journey that would take her to London, where she worked as a house servant; then to nearly every corner of the globe as an internationally renowned fashion model; and ultimately to New York City, where she became a human rights ambassador for the U.N. Desert Flower is her extraordinary story.

Review : I've been learning German for a few years and I'm always on the lookout for books in German, which are hard to find in my neck of the woods. Someone was kind enough to provide me with this one (it was translated from English). I'd never heard anything about it and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It is truly amazing to think that this is a true story, and that someone has had all these crazy experiences in a single lifetime. I can't really comment on the style/tone of the book, as my German isn't good enough to evaluate those, but I found it to be an enjoyable and easy read, even though some of the topics featured in the book are pretty heavy. Overall, I'd recommend it

Off to #2 : One Hundred Years of Solitude. I'm already halfway through, so hopefully I'll be done soon!

 

[dizluvah]

Book 9 Allegiant by Veronica Roth....geez I was looking forward to this but it just didn't do much for me. I was disappointed. 2 Stars from me

Book 10 The English Girl by Daniel Silva
I liked this book quite a bit - gave it 4 stars. It has a lot of characters to keep straight and in the beginning I was worried I wouldn't enjoy the writing style but I was quickly caught up in trying to solve the mystery. Apparently, this is book #13 of a series (I had no idea it was a series) but it is the first book I've read by this author and I will certainly select another.

 

[Momof3dogs]

7/50
There's cake in my future

Per goodreads: After listening to her closest friends’ latest travails in love, parenting, and careers, superstitious bride-to-be Nicole (Nic) believes she has the perfect recipe for everyone’s happiness: a bridal shower “cake pull” in which each ribboned silver charm planted in her cake will bring its recipient the magical assistance she needs to change her destiny. Melissa (Mel), still ringless after dating the same man for six years, deserves the engagement ring charm. The red hot chili pepper would be perfect for Seema, who is in love with her best male friend Scott, but can’t seem to make their relationship more than platonic. And recently laid off journalist Nic wants the shovel, which symbolizes hard work, to help her get her career back on track. Nic does everything she can to control who gets which silver keepsake – as well as the future it represents. But when the charmed cake is mysteriously shifted from the place settings Nic arranged around it, no one gets the charm she chose for them. And when the other party guests’ fortunes begin coming true, Mel, Seema, and Nic can’t help but wonder…. Is the cake trying to tell them something?


This is your typical chick-lit and I'm not afraid to say that I loved it! I felt that I could easily connect to each of the 3 main characters in some way. I laughed and cringed. It's an easy, quick read. Can't wait to read the second! I have it on hold at the library.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I'm about 4 chapters into Game of Thrones and got curious: anyone else seeing the show in their heads while reading? I also sort of blame the miniseries Klondike on Discovery for part of this (I have a crush on Richard Madden aka Robb Stark).

 

[threeboysmom]

I can already tell that my goal of 75 books is too ambitious for this year. Too many things going on and not enough time to read. Last year I started with a goal of 60 and "upped" it to 75. This year I started with a goal of "75" and wish I could "down" it to 60.

I will update your goal to reflect 60. I'd rather you spend the year thoroughly enjoying your reading than stressing over making a particular book count (I learned that lesson last year with my own ambitious goal, lol!)

 

[Simba's Mom]

I will update your goal to reflect 60. I'd rather you spend the year thoroughly enjoying your reading than stressing over making a particular book count (I learned that lesson last year with my own ambitious goal, lol!)

Thank you, thank you! Now, can I change my goal also on goodreads?

I just checked Goodreads and [U]Threading the Needle [/U]was book #4 this year. Apparently I missed one I'd read (must have been pretty forgettable!). However, 5 books a month sounds more realistic, and enjoyable, this year, so I'll leave it at 60. Just gl;ad to know I'm not as far behind as I thought. Now reading #5-Rosemary Cottage.

 

[bookgirl]

Thank you, thank you! Now, can I change my goal also on goodreads?

I just checked Goodreads and [U]Threading the Needle [/U]was book #4 this year. Apparently I missed one I'd read (must have been pretty forgettable!). However, 5 books a month sounds more realistic, and enjoyable, this year, so I'll leave it at 60. Just gl;ad to know I'm not as far behind as I thought. Now reading #5-Rosemary Cottage.

If you click on the reading challenge icon you go to the main page and there is an edit feature. I accidently put the wrong number on mine at first as well.

 

[phorsenuf]

5/75 Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates

Don't bother with this one. I was not all that impressed.

From Publishers Weekly
Periodically, Oates seems compelled to write grim novels that explore humanity's darkest corners. Coming on the heels of last year's excellent What I Lived For, this depressing narrative carries macabre imagination to the extreme. It depicts the career of Quentin P., a convicted young sex offender on probation who has turned to serial killing without being caught, despite the worried scrutiny of his family and of his psychiatrist. Convincingly presented as Quentin's diary of his pursuit of the perfect "zombie" (a handsome young man to be rendered compliant and devoted through Quentin's lobotomizing him with an ice pick), the narrative incorporates crude drawings and typographic play to evoke the hermetic imagination of a psychopath; the reader examines the killer's sketches of weapons and staring eyes, and hears him say, "I lost it & screamed at him & shook him BUT I DID NOT HURT HIM I SWEAR." For all its apparent authenticity, however, this novel ventures into territory that has been explored more powerfully by, among others, Dennis Cooper (Frisk), whose chilly minimalism underscores the brutality of such crimes in a way that Oates's more calculatedly histrionic approach does not. This slim, sadistic reverie may be chilling, but it comes off as less a fully realized work than as an exercise from a writer at morbid play.


6/75 Identity (Eyes Wide Open, Book 1) by Ted Dekker

I didn't realize this was a YA series. Not something I usually read. This was book 1 of 3 (very very short though), so I'll have to get the next 2 books to finish. It was good though and I am curious to see how it ends.


Who am I?

My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die.

I'm buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I'm lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won't stop shaking.

Some will say that I m not really here. Some will say I'm delusional. Some will say that I don t even exist. But who are they? I'm the one buried in a grave.

My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen. I'm about to die.

So who are you?

In a return to the kind of storytelling that made Black, Showdown and Three unforgettable, Ted Dekker drags that question into the light with this modern day parable about how we see ourselves.

Humming with intensity and blindsided twists, Eyes Wide Open is raw adrenaline from the first page to the last pure escapism packed with inescapable truth. Not all is as it seems. Or is it? Strap yourself in for the ride of your life. Literally. (Young Adult)

 

[jenny105]

Book 9 Allegiant by Veronica Roth....geez I was looking forward to this but it just didn't do much for me. I was disappointed. 2 Stars from me

This book just came in for me at the library. You aren't the first person to say this. I think I'm going to be let down by this just like I was by Mockingjay!