Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[MarieGrace]

180?? Wow!

Yes, but there again a lot of books I read are pretty short, lol.

 

[Darcy03231]

Just finished #12 Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff. From Amazon:

"Near the end of World War II, a plane carrying 24 members of the United States military, including nine Women’s Army Corps (WAC) members, crashed into the New Guinea jungle during a sightseeing excursion. 21 men and women were killed. The three survivors--a beautiful WAC, a young lieutenant who lost his twin brother in the crash, and a severely injured sergeant--were stranded deep in a jungle valley notorious for its cannibalistic tribes. They had no food, little water, and no way to contact their military base. The story of their survival and the stunning efforts undertaken to save them are the crux of Lost in Shangri-La, Mitchell Zuckoff’s remarkable and inspiring narrative. Faced with the potential brutality of the Dani tribe, known throughout the valley for its violence, the trio’s lives were dependent on an unprecedented rescue mission--a dedicated group of paratroopers jumped into the jungle to provide aid and medical care, consequently leaving the survivors and paratroopers alike trapped on the jungle floor. A perilous rescue by plane became their only possible route to freedom. A riveting story of deliverance under the most unlikely circumstances, Lost in Shangri-La deserves its place among the great survival stories of World War II. --Lynette Mong"

What an amazing story. I loved it. If you like history this is a great red. I give it a 5/5.

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm a little late to the party. Last year I wanted to read 50 books, but our family experienced the "Year from Hell," and that prevented me from getting anywhere near my goal. Things are still pretty hectic around here, so I'm going to shoot for 25 and be happy if I get anywhere close.

I've already finished two this year, so I'm on a good pace to meet the 25. I've read, "The Aviator's Wife" and "Let's Pretend this Never Happened."

The Aviator's Wife was quite good. "Let's Pretend" had some funny parts, but over-all, just meh.

 

[DisneyWalle]

#9- The Titanic Murders by Max Collins

This author creates a murder mystery aboard the ill fated Titanic told during the 4 days leading up to the sinking.

I really enjoyed this book and was pleasantly surprised to not have been able to guess the killer til the very last clue.

Next book - Butterfly by V.C. Andrews

 

[CourtasanSatine]

5 of 50

"The Dalek Generation" by Nicholas Briggs. Its basically another book long episode of the show with 11 and Clara as the leads. I personally liked it since it gave some new insights into the Daleks (a long standing villain within the Doctor Who world).

Next: Game of Thrones (ongoing) and Vampire Academy (due to the movie).

 

[threeboysmom]

I'm in! . My goal for this year is 180.

Welcome! And can I just say I'm jealous over your book goal! I've already prepared my list of 30 books to read this year and there are SO many good ones I'm forced to leave off because I just don't have the time to read more than that (although I'm hoping!!).

I'm a little late to the party. Last year I wanted to read 50 books, but our family experienced the "Year from Hell," and that prevented me from getting anywhere near my goal. Things are still pretty hectic around here, so I'm going to shoot for 25 and be happy if I get anywhere close.

I've already finished two this year, so I'm on a good pace to meet the 25. I've read, "The Aviator's Wife" and "Let's Pretend this Never Happened."

The Aviator's Wife was quite good. "Let's Pretend" had some funny parts, but over-all, just meh.

I was wondering when you'd join us!! I follow you over on Goodreads too so I'm up on what you're currently reading (stalker!!).

I felt the same way about "Let's Pretend" - funny at times but not so much that I'd recommend it....

 

[threeboysmom]

Just finished #3 out of 30.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

I'm not a big fan of Stephen King, but I did read The Shining back in my college days and loved it, so I could not pass up the opportunity to read the sequel to it.

Blah. It took me a long time to get into the storyline (if it weren't for the fact that it was King, I would have quit this book... and that says a lot because I don't generally quit books).

Then around page 150 or so, it started to pick up, and by page 250 or so, I was hooked.... until the end.

I swear that Stephen King doesn't know how to end his books. It's almost like he thinks to himself, "OK, I've written long enough. The end."

And so, I'm reminded once again that I'm not a fan of his (not to mention his crude language). No more Stephen King for me. Well, except for The Stand. I may still read that one at some point.

Now onto the final book of the Harry Potter saga! I AM SO EXCITED!!! I'm probably the only one in America that doesn't know how this ends. I've managed to keep myself away from the movies and away from any discussions of Potter for a long time now even though my family has read through the series and watched all the movies years ago....

 

[HulaHoopy]

2 out of 40

1. Sea of Love by Melissa Foster.

The first book of this series was free on my kindle, so I read a few more in the series too. This will be my last, I am just over them. They are quick reads but not really my thing.

2. Sycamore Row by John Grisham

I loved this book. This is the sequel to A Time to Kill. I had seen that movie, but never read the book. I would have read it first, if I had realized it before I started Sycamore Row. It took awhile to read but I think it was well worth it. I may look for some other Grisham books to read this year.

Next up for me is War Brides (from the kindle lending library)

 

[mumloveseeyore]

book 14/150 dont rhine on my parade by erin evans
from amazon
She speaks and they obey," but even a supernatural ability can't help this stay-at-home mom control her own life.

Don't Rhine on My Parade is a laugh-out-loud urban-fantasy with an unlikely protagonist, a young mother who has an unusual power. Blessed, or perhaps cursed, with the ability to command obedience, Piper Cavanaugh's normal life turns upside down in this full-length novel.

A descendant of the Rhine Maidens who sang sailors to their deaths, Piper has vowed to never use her power of command, but one little slip-up and her secret has come back to bite her - literally. Now she must gain permission to join the United Supernatural Beings, or it's open hunting season on all of humanity. While juggling toddlers, keeping her husband in the dark, and babysitting her rebellious kid sister, Piper finds herself befriending a vampire, stealing from murderous witches, and doing battle with "Satan," otherwise known as her mother-in-law. And she thought grocery shopping with her kids was hard!

Don't Rhine on My Parade is a refreshing switch for readers who long for a more relatable heroine. With commonsense and sass, Piper handles diapers to decapitations as only a mother can. Filled with comedy, action, and thrills, Don't Rhine on My Parade expands the borders of urban fantasy into the suburbs!
book 15/150 it never rhines but it pours by erin evans
the second in the series. Both are fun fluff reads fun for a light read but not great literature

 

[DisneyWalle]

#10 - Butterfly by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:
All she wanted was to be someone's little girl....
Fate made her a lonely orphan, yearning for the embrace of a real family and a loving home. But a golden chance at a new life may not be enough to escape the dark secrets of her past....

This was another quick read. The first in the orphan series, it was a pretty good book. Wasn't real sure where the book was leading but it was good enough for me to want to read the next one. Still don't see how the description on the back of the book actually describes it --- she had no dark secrets from her past.

Next book: Crystal by V.C. Andrews

 

[nemofans]

Now onto the final book of the Harry Potter saga! I AM SO EXCITED!!! I'm probably the only one in America that doesn't know how this ends. I've managed to keep myself away from the movies and away from any discussions of Potter for a long time now even though my family has read through the series and watched all the movies years ago....

My favorite chapter of all time is "The Prince's Tale" in that book! After reading it, I had to put the book down to process the blows that the chapter gave & no other chapter in any book I've ever read caused that reaction from me. I am sort of jealous of you b/c I can never read it unaware again.

 

[xlsm]

Finished 10 of 45, The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This is the 2nd of the Oz books. I had all of these books as a child and I'm reading them with my boys now. They love them as much as I do.

This book features Tin Man, Scarecrow and Glinda and some new fun characters too. The story begins with a boy named Tip creating a Pumpkinhead man to scare his guardian and opressor, the evil sorceress Mombi. He manages to escape from her and heads toward the Emerald City. Later, after Scarecrow is ousted from his throne by an army of disgruntled girls tired of doing laundry and chores at home, the gang sets out to find Princess Ozma, the true ruler of the Emerald City.

I rate this a 3.75/5

 

[dismom301930]

Book 5/50 = Just One Day by Gayle Foreman

Amazon Review - Allyson Healey's life is exactly like her suitcase—packed, planned, ordered. Then on the last day of her three-week post-graduation European tour, she meets Willem. A free-spirited, roving actor, Willem is everything she’s not, and when he invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him, Allyson says yes. This uncharacteristic decision leads to a day of risk and romance, liberation and intimacy: 24 hours that will transform Allyson’s life. A book about love, heartbreak, travel, identity, and the “accidents” of fate, Just One Day shows us how sometimes in order to get found, you first have to get lost. . . and how often the people we are seeking are much closer than we know.

I read a lot of YA lit, and I thought this was okay, not great. However, I liked it enough that I will read the next book in the series (Just One Year) at some point.

Next book: The Orphan Master's Son

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal - 100 books this year, plus the Bible in its entirety.

#4 - Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton. Well, the unthinkable has come to pass. Caroline's brother Charles has married that country bumpkin nobody Jane Bennett, and even more unthinkable, Mr. Darcy has married that even-less-than-nobody sister of Jane's, Elizabeth! And Charles is now insisting that Caroline apologize to both Jane and Elizabeth for what he perceives as her unkind treatment of them or be banished from his household and sent back to her mother in the hinterlands. Whatever shall she do?

An extremely entertaining Austen-eque tale by one of the best Austen wannabes. The situations, descriptions and dialogue are spot-on Austen and I look forward to reading more by Becton.

Many thanks to portia9 for turning me on to this author!

Queen Colleen

 

[DisneyWalle]

#11 - Crystal by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:
ALL SHE WANTED WAS A FAMILY SHE COULD CALL HER OWN....
As an orphan girl, Crystal was one of many -- and utterly alone. But she still dreamed of a shining life of love and happiness, and freedom from the dark legacy of her past...

Good book with another sad but unexpected ending. Again its a quick book to read.

Next Book: Brooke by V.C. Andrews

 

[xlsm]

Finished book 11 of 45, A Lack of Temperance (A Hattie Davish Mystery) by Anna Loan-Wilsey.

This book is sort of a combo of cozy mystery and historical fiction. I chose this book because it is set in Eureka Springs, AR, which is local to me, and is a place where my family spends a lot of time.

That being said...I absolutely LOVED this book!



Miss Hattie Davish is delightful. I adore her.

Miss Davish is called to work as a secretary for Mother Treveleyan, the leader of the temperance movement (and based on Carrie Nation, I'm certain). Before Hattie has even met her new employer face to face, it seems Mother Treveleyan has gone missing.
Hattie becomes invested in solving the mystery behind her disappearance, and while investigating, stumbles upon the dead body of Treveleyan.

Lots of colorful characters, a strong plot, a local setting I'm familiar with, and a fabulous heroine make this book a great one!

A solid 4/5.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 100 books this year, plus the Bible in its entirety.

#5 - Georgiana's Story (Darcy and Fitzwilliam) by Karen Wasylowsky. This quick read follows the months of preparation for Georgiana's "coming out" season and the surprise she has for her brother and her cousin as her special day draws near. Another in the Jane Austen fanfic genre for those of us who are addicted to Austen.

Queen Colleen

 

[DisneyWalle]

#12 - Brooke by V.C Andrews

from Amazon:
All she wanted was a mother's warm embrace....
Brooke was an orphan, abandoned long ago by a mother she barely knew. And though her new family seemed to offer the promise of a new beginning, a dark voice in her heart told her that she was now more alone than ever...


I am loving this quick read books. The story line was fairly simple and predictable after reading the 1st two in the series.

#13: Raven by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:
ALL SHE WANTED WAS AN END TO BROKEN PROMISES....
Her Mama made it painfully clear that she wished Raven had never been born. But even after she was sent to live with her kindly aunt and domineering uncle, humiliating secrets lurked -- and threatened to dash forever Raven's dream of a true home....

Quick read --- This story didn't follow the same story line as the other three. The story in itself is sad --- curious to see what happens with all four girls now that they have been put together.

Next book: Cinnamon by V.C. Andrews

 

[DisneyWalle]

#14 - Cinnamon by V C Andrews

from Amazon:
Cinnamon loves the shadows, because that's where no one can find her...
For Cinnamon, dreaming of imaginary worlds and characters is her only escape from her mother's breakdowns. Her grandmother's overbearing control. Her family's turmoil. But Cinnamon is discovering something special about herself, a gift from deep within that sets her apart: a talent for the theater that would finally give her a chance...to truly escape.


Good book and another quick read

#15 - Honey by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:
In her music, she found sweet salvation....
Honey grew up on a farm under her strict, fanatically religious grandfather's disapproving eye. To him, everything is a sin -- from her natural-born talent for the violin to her innocent interest in boys and dating -- and life is a treacherous path to be walked in fear. When Honey is paired for music practice with a brilliant piano student, wealthy Chandler Maxwell, she discovers a true soul mate. But when a shocking family secret comes to light, Honey discovers the startling cause of her grandfather's bitter fury. And her own precious joy may be lost forever....

Again another quick read. This series has been good - I won't say its been the best set of books but the story lines were decent. And the little twists and turns kept the story interesting and moving.

Next book: Not Tonight, Honey - Wait Til I'm a Size 6

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

#2 Three companion books for Harry Portter. Counting them as one book. Liked some of the tales from Beattle Bard.
Hoped the books would inspire me to start reading the series again, I read first four books with my daughter aloud as she was learning to read so always wanted to reread in silence.