Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[zippitydoo]

Book 23 of 50

A Gate of Night(A Shade of Vampire #6) by Bella Forrest

From Goodreads:
Derek and Sofia are finally enjoying a well-deserved break. Staying at a resort with good food, sun and sea, Sofia is thrilled to witness Derek’s re-introduction to the human world.

They would almost be mistaken for a normal young couple, if it were not for the red-eyed monster lurking in the shadows and watching their every move, waiting for his signal to pounce…

 

[kittengal13]

Book 4/60- Just What Kind of Mother Are You? By Paula Daly- 5/5 couldn't put it down. LOVED IT!

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

29 Three Weeks To Say Goodbye by C J Box

Jack & Melissa have spent years trying to have a baby. Finally they adopt a baby girl but nine months later the teenage birth father shows up to claim the baby. Seems he never signed away his parental rights. His father is a powerful judge who wants to raise the child. He has given Jack Melissa 3 weeks to prepare to give up the baby.
But is apparent there is something sinister about the whole situation and Jack & Melissa try to find a way to keep the baby.

Another good thriller by C J Box.

 

[Swimnoid]

33. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
Mrs Pollifax is an old lady who has pretty much given up on life. So she marches into the CIA and asks for a job as a spy. Because of a mix up she is actually hired as a courier and is sent to Mexico for a 3 week vacation during which she must pick up a package to bring back with her. Of course things go awry and she must find her way out of certain death.

I had read some of this series many years ago. Mrs Pollifax is delightful. The book is funny and has suspense as well. I was pleased to find that although this book was written in 1966 is stood the test of time and could easily be set today.

34. Odd Interlude by Dean Koontz
Odd Interlude is a set of 3 short installments of one book. It is to take place just before the happenings in Odd Apocalyse. The story is a typical Odd account with Odd having to save a town and in particular a little girl from a monster. The first two installments build up the suspense and the third brings it to a swift conclusion...perhaps a little too swift. If you are an Odd Thomas fan then you shouldn't miss it.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Throwing in the towel on Cloud Atlas, I just kept getting lost! But I'll try again after watching the movie.

But I did finish Man, Monster and Machine which was about the behind the scenes aspects of Pacific Rim. Not everyone's cup of tea but I personally loved learning about all the behind the scenes aspects of film making.

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #29 - Insane City by Dave Barry

This is May's book for my book club. The story is pretty much just like The Hangover movies. Bachelor weekend, guys go to Miami, get drunk, craziness ensues. Instead of a tiger (like the movie), there's an orangutan. Okay book. If you liked the movies, then read this.

Seth Weinstein always knew Tina was way, way, way out of his league. Which is why he’s still astonished that he’s on a plane heading for their wedding in Florida. The Groom Posse has already pulled an airport prank on him—and he’s survived! It should be easy going from now on.
But Seth has absolutely no idea what he’s about to get into. A simple drink or two with the boys sparks a series of events that will pit Seth and his friends against everything and everyone imaginable, from his very powerful, very disapproving soon-to-be father-in-law to the federal government to a love-struck orangutan.
Seth’s hope for smooth sailing is turning into a trip on the Titanic. And the water is getting deeper by the minute…

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Finally hopped onto the goodreads bandwagon! I'm there as CourtasanSatine.

But I'm slowly but surely plowing through the Game of Thrones novels, only skipped to the Purple Wedding in the books to compare notes with the show.

 

[Pig Pen]

#11 of 25 - The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

Consisting of individual vignettes spanning 50 years, this is the story of the staff of an English language newspaper published in Rome. Founded by an American entrepreneur, the reasons for this venture are murky and puzzling to his family and board members. Each chapter is a snapshot of someone who is involved with the newspaper, from obituary writer, editor-in-chief, to the final publisher who oversees the newspaper's demise and reveals the true reason his grandfather created the newspaper.

Next up is either The Maze Runner or Unbroken. Both were on hold at the library and just became available.

 

[threeboysmom]

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.

It's gotten MUCH better! Have about 100 pages left. Thoroughly enjoying it - glad I stuck with it!

 

[threeboysmom]

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.

Thanks, kennercam! I'll look up that book right now!

 

[willowsnn3]

It's gotten MUCH better! Have about 100 pages left. Thoroughly enjoying it - glad I stuck with it!

Oh, good!

 

[wilma-bride]

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.

Thanks for the recommendation - the first two books were free on Amazon UK so I just downloaded them and will give them a try when I finish the book I'm currently reading

 

[wilma-bride]

Book #14 - The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood

Journalist Kirsty Lindsay is reporting on a series of sickening attacks on young female tourists in a run-down sea-side town. With a serial killer on the loose, Kirsty is determined to be first with the latest scoop and her investigation leads her to funfair cleaner Amber Gordon.

For Kirsty and Amber, it is the first time they have seen each other since that dark day when they were children. Fully aware of the danger they are in and with new identities - and families - to protect, they will do anything it takes to keep their wicked secret hidden...

This book was recommended to me by a friend, who raved so much about it, I felt I had to read it. I must admit, after reading the blurb I wasn't convinced that I was going to like it but it was a surprisingly enjoyable book. While it was mostly predictable, there were a couple of twists and turns that kept you guessing. I did find the ending felt a little bit rushed, almost as if the author wasn't really sure how to finish it - like she'd taken it so far and had to finish it a certain way, rather than the way I felt it should have ended.

I am currently reading Survivor by Lesley Pearse, the third in a mini-series of books including The Promise and Belle, both of which I read last year.

 

[Careree22]

Can I still join? I made a goal of 30 (did that last year and was short by a few) so i'd like to try that again. I am 9 in so far. let me know if it is too late to join Thanks

 

[threeboysmom]

Can I still join? I made a goal of 30 (did that last year and was short by a few) so i'd like to try that again. I am 9 in so far. let me know if it is too late to join Thanks

It's NEVER too late to join! SO GLAD you found us! Welcome!

I have added you.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Finished book #29 - Insane City by Dave Barry

This is May's book for my book club. The story is pretty much just like The Hangover movies. Bachelor weekend, guys go to Miami, get drunk, craziness ensues. Instead of a tiger (like the movie), there's an orangutan. Okay book. If you liked the movies, then read this.

Seth Weinstein always knew Tina was way, way, way out of his league. Which is why he’s still astonished that he’s on a plane heading for their wedding in Florida. The Groom Posse has already pulled an airport prank on him—and he’s survived! It should be easy going from now on.
But Seth has absolutely no idea what he’s about to get into. A simple drink or two with the boys sparks a series of events that will pit Seth and his friends against everything and everyone imaginable, from his very powerful, very disapproving soon-to-be father-in-law to the federal government to a love-struck orangutan.
Seth’s hope for smooth sailing is turning into a trip on the Titanic. And the water is getting deeper by the minute…

I loved The Hangover movies so will be giving this a read. Its time for something silly and fun after a spree of darker books.

 

[Momof3dogs]

15/50
big girl panties---Stephanie Evanovich

From Goodreads:
Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich is a rollicking and poignant romantic comedy about a young widow who decides to get in shape...and winds up getting her groove back--and a whole lot more! Holly Brennan used food to comfort herself through her husband's illness and death. Now she's alone at age thirty-two. And she weighs more than she ever has. When fate throws her in the path of Logan Montgomery, personal trainer to pro athletes, and he offers to train her, Holly concludes it must be a sign. Much as she dreads the thought of working out, Holly knows she needs to put on her big girl panties and see if she can sweat out some of her grief. Soon, the easy intimacy and playful banter of their training sessions lead Logan and Holly to most intense and steamy workouts. But can Holly and Logan go the distance as a couple now that she's met her goals--and other men are noticing

This book had a lot of mixed reviews everywhere I looked. A lot of people thought it made fun of overweight women. I started it with some hesitation, but am very glad I decided to read this book. I laughed quite a bit. I wouldn't say it's a page turner, I could put it down. But it did keep me interested, I wanted to know what happened. I'd give it 4/5 stars.

 

[StephMK]

#9 - Socially Awkward - quick, easy fiction - woman makes up experiment for her sociology project and creates a FB personality to judge how people react to different people. Pretty predictable. Free on Amazon.

#10 - Table for Seven, Whitney Gaskell- 7 friends/neighbors form dinner club. Each chapter is new month & menu, goes through the lives of the 7 during the year. Possible separations, one romance, older wise neighbor and their relationships. Another easy read.

I have a few almost to the top of my wait list at the library so looking forward to some heavier stuff coming up.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#30 Too Close To Home by Linwood Barclay

from the jacket: 'The night they killed our neighbors, we never heard a thing' In a quiet suburban neighborhood, in a house only one door away, a family is brutally murdered for no apparent reason. And you think to yourself: It could have been us. And you start to wonder: What if we're next?

Another good one from Linwood Barclay

Two of the 10 books I have on hold at the library are ready for pickup & 5 are in transit!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just finished book #18 of 60, "Mourning Gloria" by Susan Wittig Albert. Overall I really enjoyed this book-partly because her writing style of casual first person was so warm and cozy, but I admit that a small part of it may have been because the fictional China Bayles lived in Central Texas, so lots of places she mentioned were familiar to me. The only small disappointment I had was that although the book was a cozy mystery, it wasn't funny, but it was fairly light.