Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[CourtasanSatine]

Any insight on The Leftovers? Mostly curious because of the show so I'm on the waiting list.

Right now: Nikki Heat- Richard Castle (Castle tie-in novel)

 

[Jafar30]

15/25

Ready Player One

 

[portia9]

#65 North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 70 books

Book #29 - Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

From Goodreads: In Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, novelist Jennifer Chiaverini presents a stunning account of the friendship that blossomed between Mary Todd Lincoln and her seamstress, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Keckley, a former slave who gained her professional reputation in Washington, D.C. by outfitting the city’s elite. Keckley made history by sewing for First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln within the White House, a trusted witness to many private moments between the President and his wife, two of the most compelling figures in American history.

My review: I have enjoyed the "quilt" books by Jennifer Chiaverini, and was hoping to like this one as well. Unfortunately, and probably not through her own fault, this one was not as likable. Based on historical incidents and people have tied the author to a storyline. However, it was beautifully researched, and there were moments in the book that I really enjoyed. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Abraham Lincoln.

Next up: Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women's Literary Society.

 

[Meetmeinmontauk]

Very late joining in, but my goal is 12 books. I set a goal of 12 last year & didn't meet it so I'm gonna stick with that number. I went crazy in June and read 5 books! I have never read so many books in 1 month

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
2. Looking for Alaska by John Green
3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
4. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
5. The Death Cure by James Dashner

I decided to read TFiOS before the movie came out & pretty much fell in love with John Green. I plan on reading more of his books very soon. I was reminded of The Maze Runner when I saw a recent trailer. The Maze Runner series is the best series I have read in a very long time. I highly recommend it! Up next is The Giver. It's a bit funny that all of my recent book choices are for upcoming films

 

[KrazyPete]

Reading Challenge Goal: 26 Books

June Update: (The titles are linked for jacket synopses and reviews)
#15 Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
I really enjoy Neil Gaiman's books and this one did not disappoint. I was a little afraid that Gaiman had settled into a successful urban fantasy formula and that I would get tired of it. The relatable main character in this story and the completely satisfying ending insured that this won't be the last of his books that I read. In a way, this is an adult coming of age story. Richard is a good guy but he's weak. In life, he tries to stay on a safe path until he's flung into a dark magical London underworld and in trying to find his way back to safety, he finally finds himself.

Flush - Carl Hiaasen
It is pretty much everything that I love about Hiaasen's stories except that he made his usual eccentric male lead into the head of a family and told the tale from the perspective of his two kids. This is a "young reader" level children's book and I'm not counting it towards my goal.

#16 Ready Player One - Earnest Cline
This dystopian future is so grim that they look back at the 80's and see an idyllic era. The story seemed a little predictable but then the whole thing is a bit of an homage to video gaming. If you know how video game storylines generally progress, then this plot is bound to feel familiar. It felt a little adolescent but it was a fun and enjoyable read, especially for a child of the eighties like me.

I'm currently halfway through A Clash of Kings, the second in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" (Game of Thrones) series.

Wanna be my book buddy on Goodreads? My Goodreads Profile

 

[CaliBear]

20/30 The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

from amazon:

In The Golem and the Jinni, a chance meeting between mythical beings takes readers on a dazzling journey through cultures in turn-of-the-century New York.

Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life to by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic and dies at sea on the voyage from Poland. Chava is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York harbor in 1899.

Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire born in the ancient Syrian desert, trapped in an old copper flask, and released in New York City, though still not entirely free

Ahmad and Chava become unlikely friends and soul mates with a mystical connection. Marvelous and compulsively readable, Helene Wecker's debut novel The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of Yiddish and Middle Eastern literature, historical fiction and magical fable, into a wondrously inventive and unforgettable tale.

This is the best book I have read in years. It is part historical fiction, part fantasy, exploring the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience through these mythical creatures. The premise intrigued me, but what kept me riveted was the well-drawn characters. At first the Jinni comes across as arrogant and temperamental, but he's made of fire so that should be expected, no? The Golem, created to obey a master, is sensitive to the desires and dreams of everyone around her. I was completely invested in the Golem and the Jinni and the secondary characters that influence their lives. I highly recommend this book!! It's so good.

 

[rigs32]

#21 - Autobiography of a Fat Bride by Laurie Notaro

I really slowed down when I started the first Game of Thrones book. 550+ pages. Thick prose. It is slow going and difficult to read when I have any distractions. I'm at about page 400 and I have to take a break. Hope to finish it when I travel and have more large chunks of time in the next few months.

Just started An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan. I'm a huge P&P fan, so it's fun to see how she weaves her story into the actual scenes from the Austen novel.

 

[Swimnoid]

I have been very lax lately both in my reading and posting. time to get back on board.

47. Shall We Tell The President by Jeffrey Archer
This is the third installment of the Kane and Abel series. This one follows the daughter who is now POTUS. It really didnt have much about her though. She is threatened with assassination and the story is about the agents who solve the crime. Not nearly as good as most of Archer's books.

48. Chocolate Covered Murder by Leslie Meier
This is #18 in the Lucy Stone mystery series. From Goodreads: Between a cutthroat dessert contest and her daughter's new job at the fanciest chocolate shop Tinker's Cove has ever seen, Lucy Stone is on a steady diet of tempting treats! But with a killer on the loose, and Valentine's Day around the corner, there may be nothing sweeter than revenge. . .

Typical of this series. The series has so many books you really get familiar with the characters. That is usually more fun than the mystery on hand.

49. The Amazing Mrs Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
I started re-reading this series this year. Mrs Pollifax is a senior citizen who falls into becoming a spy. These books are written back in the late 60s and early 70s. The mysteries are light and funny and different without today's technology. In this installment Mrs Pollifax visits Turkey to meet up with another spy in order to bring her in. Of course she gets kidnapped and we follow her and her new acquaintances as they try to escape. Very good!

50. Cesar Millan's Short Guide to a Happy Dog by Cesar Millan
Rather than being a how to train your dog book this is more about philosophy of training and being the leader of your pack. There are some specific details of training but it also covered a lot of Cesar's journey.
It was pretty good.

51. Lost Boys by Orson Scott Card
I love Orson Scott Card books and this one was no exception. This is an early novel of his and ranks as one of my favorites now. From Goodreads: For Step Fletcher, his pregnant wife DeAnne, and their three children, the move to tiny Steuben, North Carolina, offers new hope and a new beginning. But from the first, eight-year-old Stevie's life there is an unending parade of misery and disaster.

The book seems like just a story of a family but you know something is going to happen. It just takes a long time to get there and when it does.....

52. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
This is the sequel to The Shining written way back in 1977. From Goodreads: Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special twelve-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.

Loved it! It was its own book although it did make references to happenings in the Shining. Although over 500 pages it was a pretty quick read that kept you turning pages.

 

[threeboysmom]

Very late joining in, but my goal is 12 books. I set a goal of 12 last year & didn't meet it so I'm gonna stick with that number. I went crazy in June and read 5 books! I have never read so many books in 1 month

A big welcome to our reading group! Glad you could jump in with us again! I've added you to the list.

Thanks for your reviews so far!

 

[threeboysmom]

Finished #23/30

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

I give this one 5 stars easily. It's a book I won't soon forget, that's for certain. Wow. Several times throughout the book, I was tempted to skim/skip ahead because the ordeals and trials this man endured were just so painful for me to read. But what an inspiration - so glad I stuck it out!

Cannot WAIT to see the movie now!

Next up: You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 70 books

Book #30 - "Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women's Literary Society"

From Goodreads: In 1962, Jackie Hart moved to Naples, Florida, from Boston with her husband and children. Wanting something personally fulfilling to do with her time, she starts a reading club and anonymously hosts a radio show, calling herself Miss Dreamsville.

The racially segregated town falls in love with Miss Dreamsville, but doesn’t know what to make of Jackie, who welcomes everyone into her book club, including a woman who did prison time for allegedly killing her husband, a man of questionable sexual preference, a young divorcee, as well as a black woman.

My review: I have actually read this book before, but my book club chose it for this month's meeting, so I had to re-read it. It's enjoyable, but the situations seem unreal to me. Still I like the characters, and enjoyed the day and a half it took me to read it.

 

[Cantw8]

Just finished Mr Mercedes. Not sure what to say about it. I didn't hate it but sure didn't enjoy it. I would not recommend it and real disappointed in it. Not the great writing I have come to expect from Stephen King. It reminds me of one of those "lost" novels from before a writer became famous. I found the writing juvenile at times. Oh well, you can't hit a home run all the time. Currently I am indulging my love of chick lit and reading Janet Evanovich's Top Secret Twenty-One. This Stephanie Plum series is corny as hell but I just love them Next, I think I'm going to try Orphan Train

 

[tiggrbaby]

#16/40: Supreme Justice by Max Allan Collins

From Amazon:
After taking a bullet for his commander-in-chief, Secret Service agent Joseph Reeder is a hero. But his outspoken criticism of the president he saved—who had stacked the Supreme Court with hard-right justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, amp up the Patriot Act, and shred the First Amendment—put Reeder at odds with the Service’s apolitical nature, making him an outcast.
FBI agent Patti Rogers finds herself paired with the unpopular former agent on a task force investigating the killing of Supreme Court Justice Henry Venter. Reeder—nicknamed “Peep” for his unparalleled skills at reading body language—makes a startling discovery while reviewing a security tape: the shooting was premeditated, not a botched robbery. Even more chilling, the controversial Venter may not be the only justice targeted for death...
Is a mastermind mounting an unprecedented judicial coup aimed at replacing ultra-conservative justices with a new liberal majority? To crack the conspiracy and save the lives of not just the justices but also Reeder’s own family, rising star Rogers and legendary investigator Reeder must push their skills—and themselves—to the limit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It really moved along and the characters were interesting. Each chapter began with a quote from someone buried in Arlington National Cemetery (and the location) which was different. I would caution anyone who has strong political feelings might not like this book. It definitely had leanings towards what might be insulting to some (takes place in the future when Roe v. Wade has been repealed).

4.5/5 stars

 

[BeckyEsq]

My goal was 40 books and I believe I am on #20. 1776 by David McCullough. It takes some concentration but it's pretty readable for the subject matter.

 

[timsprincess]

#23 of 30 challenge

All Things Bright and Beautiful (All Creatures Great and Small #2)
by James Herriot

5 stars

All Things Bright and Beautiful is the beloved sequel to Herriot's first collection, All Creatures Great and Small, and picks up as Herriot, now newly married, journeys among the remote hillside farms and valley towns of the Yorkshire Dales, caring for their inhabitants---both two- and four-legged. Throughout, Herriot's deep compassion, humor, and love of life shine out as we laugh, cry, and delight in his portraits of his many, varied animal patients and their equally varied owners.

I really love these stories from a vet in the 30s. They are funny and sad and enjoyable!

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 100 boks this year.

#29 - Hitler's Last Secretary: A Firsthand Account with Hitler by Traudl Junge.

This was interesting as far as it went, but it wasn't very detailed as far as I was concerned. I learned more about life with Hitler from the ACH World at War and World War II in Colour series. The book was a little self-serving for me. I'm fascinated with WWI and WWII and had hoped for more from this book.

Queen Colleen

 

[Meetmeinmontauk]

6/12 The Giver - Lois Lowry

This was a very good read! I am worried about the upcoming film because it looks like it is only loosely based on the book. I will also get around to reading the other 3 books in the series but up next is The Kill Order by James Dashner.

 

[Deffenm]

Book 11/30 - Book Thief: I really liked this book. I wasn't sure what to expect but I am glad I read it.

Book 12/30 - Lone Wolf: This was an ok book.

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 70 books

Book #31 - Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke

From Goodreads: April is a busy time for Hannah Swensen and her bakery; the warm weather makes folks in Lake Eden, Minnesota go wild for something sweet. When Hannah hears that the Cinnamon Roll Six jazz band will be playing at the town's Weekend Jazz Festival, she's more than happy to bake up a generous supply of their namesake confections to welcome the band to town. Before the festival even begins, tragedy strikes when the tour bus overturns. Among those injured is Buddy Neiman, the band's beloved keyboard player. Buddy's injuries appear minor, until his condition suddenly takes a turn for the worse - as in dead. Hannah's no doctor, but she suspects that the surgical scissors someone plunged into Buddy's chest may have something to do with it. Hannah isn't sure just how she'll unravel the mystery, but one thing's for sure: nothing's sweeter than bringing a killer to justice.

My review: I love the Hannah Swenson mysteries! They are not super complicated, the characters are fun and the recipes included are amazing! I have 2 more in the series before I'm all caught up, and I am excited! I love to read the books, and then try the recipes. I've loved them all!!!