Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#26 Just What Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly

'Lisa holds down a busy job, cares for 3 demanding children, and worries that her husband isn't getting enough TLC. During an incredibly hectic week, Lisa takes her eye off the ball for just a moment and her whole world descends into a nightmare. Her best friend's 13yr old daughter goes missing and it is all Lisa's fault. Lisa sets out to right her wrong. But as she begins digging beneath the surface, Lisa learns that everything is not quite what it appears to be.'

This was just ok to me. The characters all seemed a bit flaky to me to be in a 'serious' book. Lots of twists & turns but the ending was a little lacking to me.

 

[Swimnoid]

Update time!

27. This Time Together by Carol Burnett
Very entertaining memoir of Carol going through how she got started in show business and her journey through the years. It made me go find some of the old sketches on youtube.

28. Small Change by Sheila Roberts
More light reading, this is a story of three best friends who are all in financial trouble for different reasons. They get together every week for a craft club and decide to change it to a budget club where they figure out how to get out of their financial messes. A nice feel good book with some actual good advice.

29. Disney In Shadow by Ridley Pearson
Number 3 of the Kingdom Keepers book. In this one their friend and mentor, Wayne, has disappeared and the group must follow various clues to rescue him. Good plot idea but it jumped all over the place. Most of the fantasy/science fiction aspect was just not plausible and that took away from it.

30. Nowhere to Run by CJ Box
This was #10 in a series about Joe Pickett, a game warden in Wyoming. He comes upon a lone man fishing in the Wyoming Wilderness and chaos ensues from that point. I have never read any of the other of these books. This was good though with lots of suspense and action. I'll probably go find some others of the series. It is good as a stand alone book though.

31. Leaving Unknown by Kerry Reichs
I just sort of stumbled upon this book. It is written by Kathy Reichs' daughter but it is nothing like her Bones series. This is about a young girl finding herself after graduation from college. She suddenly leaves her hometown to take a cross county road trip to visit her friend in LA. Her car breaks down and she must stay in the little town of Unknown until she can get it fixed. A very entertaining light romance, coming into adulthood tale.

32. NYPD Red by James Patterson
Eh, OK. Typical Patterson novel. NYPD Red is a special unit of police. They must find the killer of a bizarre murder spree involving highly placed show business people.

 

[jenny105]

I finished up book #12/30 The Night Circus. I know a lot of you loved this book but I didn't. I hated the way the timeline jumped around. I just couldn't get into the story because of it. Oh well.

Just started Coreyography by Corey Feldman at lunch. I'm only on chapter 2 and I am hooked!

 

[portia9]

#35 Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger

#36 Mr Darcy's Great Escape by Marsha Altman

#37 Captain Wentworth Home From The Sea by Mary Lydon Simonsen

Making slow progress with reading. Can't seem to get into anything.

 

[willowsnn3]

I finished up book #12/30 The Night Circus. I know a lot of you loved this book but I didn't. I hated the way the timeline jumped around. I just couldn't get into the story because of it. Oh well.

Just started Coreyography by Corey Feldman at lunch. I'm only on chapter 2 and I am hooked!

I didn't care for Night Circus either.
Both my dd's had a teen crush on Corey Feldman, lol.
I just found (amidst the clutter) a list of book titles I was interested in. Went to my library's site & I now have 10 books on hold. Hope they kinda trickle in, lol. Just picked up 3 yesterday!

 

[threeboysmom]

I just found (amidst the clutter) a list of book titles I was interested in. Went to my library's site & I now have 10 books on hold. Hope they kinda trickle in, lol. Just picked up 3 yesterday!

Haha, that NEVER happens! Good luck, lol!

 

[Kimmers127]

I didn't care for Night Circus either. Both my dd's had a teen crush on Corey Feldman, lol. I just found (amidst the clutter) a list of book titles I was interested in. Went to my library's site & I now have 10 books on hold. Hope they kinda trickle in, lol. Just picked up 3 yesterday!

This kind of thing is what led to me having THIRTY books out at once last summer, haha. Here's hoping yours trickle in, mine was a flood!

 

[jenny105]

I didn't care for Night Circus either.
Both my dd's had a teen crush on Corey Feldman, lol.

I have been fascinated by the Coreys since I saw them in The Lost Boys. Despite the awful title it's a good read. He speaks about things not by year but by movie and it's so easy to picture him then. I'm a third through it already - the Goonies lol.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 100 books plus the Bible in its entirety.

#14 - Out Of My League by Dirk Hayhurst. This book chronicles the journey of Dirk Hayhurst from high school superstar pitcher through six years in the minor leagues until he's finally called up to the big league parent club, the San Diego Padres. Hayhurst comes from a dysfunctional family but manages to keep his sanity with the help of his fiancee Bonnie and their dreams of a big league career. For any fan of baseball, this is a really good book, full of insider info and insights. In addition to being a good pitcher, Hayhurst is a good writer.

Queen Colleen

 

[Pig Pen]

#10 of 25 - The Dinner by Herman Koch.

This book has been called the "European Gone Girl." I didn't find it as compelling as Gone Girl, but it was a good read. A bit slow at first, but it really got going about 40% in.

Serge Lohman is running for prime minister of the Netherlands. He and his wife are meeting his brother and sister-in-law for dinner at an upscale restaurant. Each couple has a 15 year old son; Serge also has an adopted son from Africa. During the dinner it is slowly revealed that the families share a horrid secret concerning their children, and not everything is what it seems to be.

Off to look for my next book. I am on the waiting list for a bunch but they are not coming through very quickly.

 

[BonnieF]

Hi all - it's been a while since I've posted. Winter just does me in. I thought the awful weather would have meant more reading, but no, the TV was too enticing. But I have made a start on my challenge. Here's my list so far:

1. The Invention of Wings
2.The Light Between Oceans
3. We are Water
4. The Aftermath
5. Left Neglected
6. Just One Evil Act
7. The Goldfinch

I'd recommend all except The Goldfinch. It started out quite well, but the endless tribulations and neglect became too much for me about 3/4 of the way through.

I just picked up Black and White by Dani Shapiro, so I'm on my way to #8.

A question - if anyone cares to answer. Do you consider listening to books the same as reading them in print? Just curious to get other people's take on this.

 

[Kimmers127]

Hi all - it's been a while since I've posted. Winter just does me in. I thought the awful weather would have meant more reading, but no, the TV was too enticing. But I have made a start on my challenge. Here's my list so far: 1. The Invention of Wings 2.The Light Between Oceans 3. We are Water 4. The Aftermath 5. Left Neglected 6. Just One Evil Act 7. The Goldfinch I'd recommend all except The Goldfinch. It started out quite well, but the endless tribulations and neglect became too much for me about 3/4 of the way through. I just picked up Black and White by Dani Shapiro, so I'm on my way to #8. A question - if anyone cares to answer. Do you consider listening to books the same as reading them in print? Just curious to get other people's take on this.

I've never listened to an audio book, but if I did, is definitely count it!

 

[threeboysmom]

I'd recommend all except The Goldfinch. It started out quite well, but the endless tribulations and neglect became too much for me about 3/4 of the way through.

Well that stinks. I have The Goldfinch on hold at the library - was planning on that one for my next read. I'll give it a try anyways, but I hate wasting time on a so-so book.

Finished #12 out of 30:

Six Years by Harlan Coban

Very good read, fast moving, compelling... but not GREAT. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. I felt it was a little too predictable... guess I wanted some sort of unrealistic, unexpected twist at the end.... didn't happen.

Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for . . . but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for more than a decade, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out.

As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart—and who lied to him—soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on carefully constructed fiction.

Still, a good book. Maybe I read it with too high of an expectation...

Currently reading A Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers. About 100 pages in and waffling whether I will continue or not. Just not grabbing me yet...

I think I'm in a book funk lately. Nothing seems to please me, LOL.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 100 books plus the Bible in its entirety.

#15 - Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd. In his latest investigation, Inspector Ian Rutledge, still suffering from dark memories of his service in WWI, is summoned to the quiet, isolated Fen country to solve a series of seemingly unconnected murders before the killer strikes again. This is one of my favorite series; the mother-son team that is Charles Todd can't write fast enough as far as I'm concerned!

Queen Colleen

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #28 - 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill

This is a book of short stories that impressed me. The stories are scary, creepy, interesting, sweet, bizarre...some I wished continued, some left me baffled, some I wished I didn't read right b4 bed. They are fresh, original stories & what is awesome about them is the stuff he leaves out. By that I mean he doesn't state everything that happens, but leaves things unsaid so you imagine the worst. They almost have a Twilight Zone feel about them. I grew up reading Stephen King books & I find Joe Hill books even better.

Next Book: Insane City (for Book Club)

 

[willowsnn3]

Well that stinks. I have The Goldfinch on hold at the library - was planning on that one for my next read. I'll give it a try anyways, but I hate wasting time on a so-so book.

Finished #12 out of 30:

Six Years by Harlan Coban

Very good read, fast moving, compelling... but not GREAT. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. I felt it was a little too predictable... guess I wanted some sort of unrealistic, unexpected twist at the end.... didn't happen.

Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for . . . but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for more than a decade, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out.

As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart—and who lied to him—soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on carefully constructed fiction.

Still, a good book. Maybe I read it with too high of an expectation...

Currently reading A Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers. About 100 pages in and waffling whether I will continue or not. Just not grabbing me yet...

I think I'm in a book funk lately. Nothing seems to please me, LOL.

Ohhh, I loved 'Her Mother's Hope' & the sequel 'Her Daughter's Dream'. Read them back to back & those are some big books, lol.
But they weren't exciting page turners. I kept thinking they would make a good Hallmark channel movie.
But if it hasn't grabbed you yet it might not.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#27 Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
#28 Blue Heaven by C J Box

Fairy Tale: YA book. Fun, light read but predictable. Way too many clichés in the beginning but was interesting enough to want to read more by this author.

Blue Heaven: One of the best books I've read so far this year. Two children sneak off after school to go fishing witness a murder in the woods. Then they are pursued by the murderers who are all ex policemen. They find refuge with an old rancher who has to determine who can help keep the children safe.

 

[jenny105]

Finished book #13/30 Coreyography by Corey Feldman last night. I haven't read a book that fast since the Hunger Games. I was hooked by page 1. It was an excellent, albeit sometimes tough, book to read. I knew about all the drug problems he had but I had no idea the kind of abuse he had to deal with from both his parents & people in the industry. I will forever love the "Two Coreys!" I think I need to go watch the Lost Boys or License to Drive now.

Next up Frostbite, the second book in the Vampire Academy series.

 

[keenercam]

threeboysmom - If you are in a reading funk and want something new and different, one of my all-time favorite books is free on Kindle right now - Saving Wishes by GJ Walker-Smith. Everyone I've recommended it to has loved it and bought the rest of the books in the series.

Other authors who are really keeping me in excellent books: Marie Force, Amy Harmon, Colleen Hooper, Jill Shalvis, and Kristan Higgans.

I haven't had time to update my 2014 booklist here, but I think I am on #65/150. I'll be back soon to put up a list with those which I'd highly recommend.

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 100 books

Book #12 - "While We Were Watching Downton Abbey" by Wendy Wax

From Goodreads: Samantha’s marriage has been complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal. Claire, an empty nester and struggling author, is wondering if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than not having any dreams at all. And after countless battles with her faithless ex-husband, Brooke is coming to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.

But when Edward, the concierge of their historic Atlanta apartment building, invites them for weekly screenings of an addictive television show, the four of them embark on a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through life’s hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey.

My review: I loved this book! It was a really quick read! Very chick-lit! If you need a beach read this summer, this is it! The characters were real, and the situations not too complicated! The addition of Downton Abbey, just made it even better! I would highly recommend it!

Next up: Finish Maze Runner!