Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[CallieMar]

5/20 - The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

From Goodreads:

Brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize, the throne of England, in this dazzling account of the wars of the Plantagenets. They are the claimants and kings who ruled England before the Tudors, and now Philippa Gregory brings them to life through the dramatic and intimate stories of the secret players: the indomitable women, starting with Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen.

The White Queen tells the story of a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition who, catching the eye of the newly crowned boy king, marries him in secret and ascends to royalty. While Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become central figures in a mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the missing princes in the Tower of London whose fate is still unknown. From her uniquely qualified perspective, Philippa Gregory explores this most famous unsolved mystery of English history, informed by impeccable research and framed by her inimitable storytelling skills.

This isn't as soapy as Philippa Gregory's previous novels. It reads more like a detailed historical timeline, with some witchcraft thrown in (Elizabeth's mother claims to be a direct descendant of the water goddess Melusina, and casts a few spells to turn things in Elizabeth's favor). Less gossip in the bedchamber, and more political intrigue. It's almost entirely written in the first person from Elizabeth's perspective but there are a few battleground scenes which is jarring since she was never anywhere near the fighting. And it was difficult keeping track of everyone since they all seem to be named Edward, Richard, George or Henry. I knew very little about the Plantagenets coming into this book and found it very interesting, and will finish out the series eventually.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

5/20 - The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

From Goodreads:

Brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize, the throne of England, in this dazzling account of the wars of the Plantagenets. They are the claimants and kings who ruled England before the Tudors, and now Philippa Gregory brings them to life through the dramatic and intimate stories of the secret players: the indomitable women, starting with Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen.

The White Queen tells the story of a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition who, catching the eye of the newly crowned boy king, marries him in secret and ascends to royalty. While Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become central figures in a mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the missing princes in the Tower of London whose fate is still unknown. From her uniquely qualified perspective, Philippa Gregory explores this most famous unsolved mystery of English history, informed by impeccable research and framed by her inimitable storytelling skills.

This isn't as soapy as Philippa Gregory's previous novels. It reads more like a detailed historical timeline, with some witchcraft thrown in (Elizabeth's mother claims to be a direct descendant of the water goddess Melusina, and casts a few spells to turn things in Elizabeth's favor). Less gossip in the bedchamber, and more political intrigue. It's almost entirely written in the first person from Elizabeth's perspective but there are a few battleground scenes which is jarring since she was never anywhere near the fighting. And it was difficult keeping track of everyone since they all seem to be named Edward, Richard, George or Henry. I knew very little about the Plantagenets coming into this book and found it very interesting, and will finish out the series eventually.

Was this one a Starz series last year? Sounds pretty familiar.

 

[TheRose227]

Book 2: Vampire Academy

I love YA novels these days. While I'm a recent college grad, so not too old, I feel like these are way better than what was there when I was in High School (Twilight was a big thing. Not my cup of tea) I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was a good focus on female friendship and strength and the struggles of growing up. I originally bought the 1st book and figured I'd give it a shot. But I liked it so much I bought the whole series.

And I've had 2 days off from work and I haven't been leaving because of snow.

You know where this is headed.

Book 3: Frost Bite. Really good follow up. I know the idea is for people to be able to pick it up and there needs to be refreshers on information, but it seemed like there were too many refreshers. Absolutely love Rose and the fight they put up. Really sad about other parts.

Book 4: Shadow Kissed I'm really glad this didn't end at a trilogy, and I feel like unlike a series like The Hunger Games this one is clearly meant to be more than 3. The ending was great. Really upsetting because ugh I hate when main characters who I like have bad things happen but I'm really excited to finish this!

Off to finish the rest of these. Work gets in the way of my reading time.

 

[CallieMar]

Was this one a Starz series last year? Sounds pretty familiar.

Yes, they made this into a Starz series. I like historical fiction shows so I will probably watch it eventually.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Yes, they made this into a Starz series. I like historical fiction shows so I will probably watch it eventually.

Thank you! I liked the show so I'll add the book to my growing list.

 

[JennaTX]

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).

I read the first four books before I started watching the series on HBO. My first thought when seeing the show was.....oh that is how you are supposed to say that name! I was totally mispronouncing almost every name!

I had read the first four more than a year ago before I got the fifth book. So I started rereading them. Just finished the fourth one and I am now onto the fifth. Love this series!

 

[DisneyWalle]

#5 - The Wildflowers: Misty by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:
All Misty ever wanted was a normal family. But like so many others, Misty's parents didn't stay together. Now they use Misty to hurt each other, to deliver tiny cruelties in an endless stream. Misty knows her parents might love her. But Misty has an unspeakable secret that burns in the core of her very being: she hates them. Misty isn't as alone as she thinks. She's about to meet three other girls who are just like her -- each one with their own dark secrets to share....

Great book --- Fast read --- Misty's life mirrors that of a girl I remember from high school. It's sad to say but I think many of us know someone like this

#6 - The Wildflowers: Star by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:
Star hides her pain, like the other girls in the therapy group that's supposed to help them. But she knows how she feels deep in her heart. Even though her mother and father are still alive, they are dead to her.
Today, it is her turn to reveal her secrets. Star will tell her story to doctor Marlowe and the others, and she will finally face the dark nightmares of her past....

Great book ---- Fast read ---- Star's life story is heartbreaking

Next book on my list:
The Wildflowers: Jade by V.C. Andrews

 

[portia9]

#20 Real Life Mary Poppins by Paul Brody-brief biography of P.L.Travers. It was ok in light of recently watching Saving Mr Banks.

#21 A Proud Taste of Scarlet and Miniver by E.L.Konigsburg-a YA fictional biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Loved this.

 

[portia9]

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

#3 - Pride and Prejudice: The Scenes Jane Austen Never Wrote. Thanks so much for this recommendation! I loved this book! Each little scene seemed to flow seamlessly into the next, by a different author. They all seemed to have "Austenism" down pat. Don't know if you noticed, but at the end of the book, there is an alphabetical list of all the contributing authors. I've tucked the list in my purse, ready anytime I hit a bookstore.

Queen Colleen

I was really impressed with this one. I thought they all wrote well and it was an interesting premise to do the "behind the scenes" idea.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I am really going to push to finish New Year Island today. The last 20% is really dragging for me.

 

[wvjules]

Finisheed Winter's Tale over the weekend. I was hopeful. The preview for the movie looked intriguing and the book description sounded good. I struggled, a lot, in this book. I was expecting a love story but this wasn't it. Sure, the beginning was about Peter Lake and Beverly Penn but that was about it. It was so long and wordy and so many unneeded characters.

I still want to see the movie because it looks like it's what I thought the book was actually going to be.

Next up: Hollow City then Divergent

 

[jenny105]

Just finished Losing Hope , book 5/30. I loved it! More than Hopeless. I liked finding out more about Holder & Les and I absolutely loved the letters he wrote to her. Such a great book!

Next up is Allegiant. I've been waiting months to get this from the library and it finally came through as an e-loan. I have a feeling I'm going to be let down but I have to read it since I read the rest of the series.

 

[Ginny Favers]

5/25: ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrell

"You have to kill him."



Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She's tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present-imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend James since they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America's most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James's life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina's hopes for their future. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. Em and Marina are in a race against time that only one of them can win.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

A little confusing, not poetic writing by any means, but a really tight plot and gave me a lot to think about. I tore through it. I also like that though it's part of a 2-book series, it works perfectly well as a stand-alone.

 

[sj&k]

Finally finished book number 1/30-Low Pressure by Sandra Brown. It was pretty much standard Sandra Brown, mystery with romance, and I enjoyed it although it was fairly predictable. I'd picked it up in the bookstore clearance section a while back and finally got around to reading it. The next two on my list are Notorious Nineteen and Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich. I have read this series from the beginning and enjoy some of the books more than others. After those two, I've decided to branch out and read some different types of books, so I'll keep reading along here for ideas.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

New Year Island
Paul Draker

Ten strangers... marooned on an island for society's amusement. As they're picked off one by one, they realize that they have something in common -- they've each already survived atrocities. But can they live through this twisted mind game?

I LOVED this book......




At first. Well, probably for the first 75%.

The characters were interesting and so was the setting.

It was engaging, I wanted to see what would happen next...But then it started to DRAG for the last part. And not only that, but it just got plain weird. I feel like it had SUCH potential and the ending fell short.

 

[CaliBear]

I finished #2 of 30: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. This is the first of a series of 14 fantasy novels called The Wheel of Time. I liked it, but I'm not in any rush to read the second book. I might read it someday. Or not. It was really a good book, but I just don't want to devote my year to reading one series, and that is what it would take, considering it took me 3 weeks to read this book.

Not sure what I will read next. I have a George Pellecanos book I'm interested in starting, but I wish I had something a little lighter first. I'll decide tomorrow.

 

[zippitydoo]

Book 7 of 50

The One You Fear(Emma Holden Suspense Mystery #2)by Paul Pilkington

From Goodreads:
Emma Holden and her friends are trying to move on from the horrific events surrounding Dan’s kidnap. But a shocking revelation drags them back into the nightmare and forces them to question everything they once believed to be true. More secrets will be revealed, more lies will be told, and more lives are under threat.

 

[Pig Pen]

#2

Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout.

This is the story of a single mom and her teenaged daughter who are living in a small town probably in the 70s. Both have secrets.

Amy is in high school, a loner with few friends, and ends up having an affair with her substitute teacher - the only person who pays any attention to her. Isabelle is an unhappy woman, frustrated with her life and emotionally absent from her daughter. Some of the townspeople have small cameo roles in the story - which are actually my favorite parts. There are glimpses of the format for Olive Kitteridge which the author wrote a few years later.

I loved Olive Kitteridge, but this one does not match it. It was okay but not great.

Next up is Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel.

 

[DisneyWalle]

Well - with ice and possibility of snow moving in on us in Alabama --- we are all hunkerin down inside our houses with our heaters working overtime. What better way to spend time indoors than to blast the heat, light a candle, play my favorite Vangelis Cd, curl up under a blanket, and read a stack of books. Stay safe and warm everyone!

#7 - Wildflowers: Jade by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:

Jade had listened to Misty and Star tell their stories. Now it is her time to speak. But she can't. For while the others in Dr. Marlowe's therapy group had exposed their hidden pains and secret pasts, they are nothing like Jade. They don't know what it is like to be a pawn in a courtroom battle too hateful to ever forgive. Or that escaping the madness had lured Jade into an ordeal too traumatic to forget....

Another good book...fast read ---- excited to read Cat's story

Next book: The Wildflowers: Cathy by V.C. Andrews

 

[Swimnoid]

8. King and Maxwell by David Baldacci
The latest (#6) in the King and Maxwell series. I thought this was a good installment.

From Goodreads: It seems at first like a simple, tragic story. Tyler Wingo, a teenage boy, learns the awful news that his father, a soldier, was killed in action in Afghanistan. Then the extraordinary happens: Tyler receives a communication from his father . . . after his supposed death.

Tyler hires Sean and Michelle to solve the mystery surrounding his father. But their investigation quickly leads to deeper, more troubling questions. Could Tyler's father really still be alive? What was his true mission? Could Tyler be the next target?

9. 6th Target by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Another of the Womens Murder Club series. As usual it has a couple of different plot lines. I liked it but it could have been better.

From Goodreads: Fred Brinkley, a man who hears voices inside his head, is videotaped murdering four innocent people aboard a ferry. He's charged with attempting to kill two others, one of whom happens to be a now critically injured Claire Washburn.

A five-year-old piano playing prodigy by the name of Madison Tyler is snatched off the street along with her nanny, and with no ransom note coming in to the family, things aren't looking good.

At Blakely Arms, an apartment complex, things are going from bad to worse as a dog is viciously murdered, residents are attacked, and people are beginning to suspect a neighbor in the building.