Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[dismom301930]

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

This is me, too! My DH read them to/with my oder DDs, and I read them with my youngest DD9. But starting with book 6 she wanted to read them on her own….she is about 1/3 of the way through book 7 now. When she gets closer to the end, I will read it as well. We are both excited to finish the series….and the rest of the family is excited to watch the final movies with us. We own all 8 movies, but DD9 and I have not seen the final two yet!!

 

[Darcy03231]

#13 Multiple Wounds by Alan Russell. From Amazon:

"Holly Troy's mind is a complex maze of myth and reality, multiple personalities vying for time in the spotlight. As an artist, she is creative and compelling. As a witness, she is painfully unreliable, unsure of even which person she was the night of the murder. Even Holly can’t be sure of her own innocence. Homicide detective Orson Cheever never thought he would find himself playing psychologist to a Greek goddess in a modern-day murder investigation, but many of Holly's personalities come straight from classical mythology, from Cronos and Pandora to the Fates. As Cheever attempts to unravel truth from myth, he learns that there is even more to Holly than meets the eye. One personality in particular—that of a five-year-old girl—hits a little too close to home, and Cheever is forced to finally pull back the dark curtains of his own past in order to uncover the truth in this psychological thriller."

I really like this book a lot. I'd definitely read more by this author. I'd give it a 4/5.

 

[Valgoof]

#7/50--Language of Flowers. Thank you to whoever recommended this book. I LOVED it!! So happy to finally read a book this year that I enjoyed so much.

Not sure what I will read next. I will probably get something light to read on the plane in 6 days.

 

[PigletsPal2]

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

#6 - Mr. Darcy's Proposal by Susan Mason-Milks. In the author's own words, this is a Pride and Prejudice "what if" story. It starts with the same basic plot and asks "what if" events did not happen the same as in the original? An interesting premise and an enjoyable read for Jane Austen freaks (like me!).

OK, I'm over Jane for the time being. On to something different; maybe my other favorite genre - murder and mayhem, death and destruction!

Queen Colleen

 

[DisneyWalle]

#16: Not Tonight, Honey - Wait' til I'm a size 6 by: Susan Reinhardt

Oh my word! It has been a long time since I have actually laughed repeatedly while reading a book. Reinhardt shares stories from her life in a very humerous way. Yes, at times, the stories are a little crude but still funny. And so sad to say, I can relate to some of them. The stories are centered around her experiences with aging, her husband and her children. I enjoyed this book so much I am in the process of ordering another one by her. In fact, I am planning on passing this on to my sister --- who could use a good laugh right now. Nothing can beat "The Other Taco Bell Dog" and "Going To Pot"

Next book: My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews

 

[CaliBear]

Book 3 of 30: A Firing Offense by George Pelecanos

from amazon:

As the advertising director of Nutty Nathan's, Nick Stefanos knows all the tricks of the electronics business. Blow-out sales and shady deals were his life. When one of the stockboys disappears, it's not news: just another metalhead who went off chasing some dream of big money and easy living. But the kid reminded Nick of himself twelve years ago: an angry punk hooked on speed metal and the fast life. So when the boy's grandfather begs Nick to find the kid, Nick says he'll try. A Firing Offense, Nick Stefanos' debut, shows why, as Barry Gifford puts it, "To miss out on Pelecanos would be criminal."

I started reading Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault.

 

[portia9]

I can't remember if I have finished 3 or 4 books over the past few days. Kindle is upstairs so I will see what I can remember for now.

#22 Expectations of Happiness by Rebecca Ann Collins-a follow on from Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Not too bad.

#23 The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erikson-I didn't mind the author's style but it wasn't historically accurate which is really annoying.

#24 Tempting Fate by Jane Green-this was a major disappointment. Really poor storyline.

 

[KrazyPete]

2014 Reading Challenge Goal: 26 Books

Janaury Update:
Book #1: The Shining by Stephen King
My dad is one of the biggest Stephen King fans ever. He collects every book, movie, and comic. I grew up watching the movies. It's the cinema equivalent of "comfort food" to me. That said, I hardly remembered "The Shining." I decided to read it because the sequel was released recently. I'm the last person in the World to read this book so I won't say anymore about it other than I enjoyed it. I also watched the Stanley Kubrick movie version after reading the book. It's very different but enjoyable in it's own way.

Book #2: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
I liked this book a lot and it's probably the kind of book that many other people would find boring. I can't blame them. It was heavy on the dialog in the beginning. Eventually, the very slow character development pays off. That is the only payoff. There is no great story arch. I identified with some part of each of these characters. Well, not Brett. I don't have much in common with her. Or the bullfighter... but everyone else.

Book #3: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
I'm glad that "The Shining" was still pretty fresh in my memory when I started its sequel. I loved all of the connections back to the first book. I thought Doctor Sleep was every bit as good as the first one. My only criticism would be that AA is a well that Stephen King is drawing from a little too much. It works in this story since Jack Torrance was an alcoholic and it plays a big part in "The Shining."

Next Up: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
I was going to read "The Twelve" but I decided to put something a little lighter in between the two thrillers. So, Gaiman it is then!

 

[lisaviolet]

Well I've finally finished a few.

#1 Gone Girl (a reread) - I had no idea it was being filmed and I wanted to take it all in again. The first time around I just loved the first 2/3 of the novel, as in one of my favourites of the last ten years, yet wanted to kill someone on the last part. Seriously wanted to whip something. Thought reading it again would change something in me and change my mind on the last part. Nope.

#2 Survival Lessons, Alice Hoffman - Can hardly call this a book. It's so short. Picked it up because she said she wrote it to simply remind herself of the beauty of life. That with sorrow comes joy. I simply needed the reminder right now. Really enjoyed it. It's non-fiction and throws all the PC crap and new age junk out the door.

_________________________________________

In the middle of Someone by Alice McDermott right now.

 

[allenfane]

Finished number 4 The Marriage of a Marquis last night. It included several essays about Verne and the translations of his work in addition to the two stories. The second story, 'Jededias Jamet', was apparently going to be a much longer work (along the lines of the rest of his Voyages Extraordinaires) but only consists of three chapters and a rough outline of what would have been the rest. I was really disappointed that it wasn't finished as it sounded like a good story. I keep wanting to go back in time and make Verne finish the rest, but unfortunately I don't have a TARDIS.

Next up is another Verne, though a bit better known, #5 Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

allenfane

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 70 Books

Book #3 - "How To Be Like Walt"

From Goodreads: While many recent biographies of Walt Disney have reveled in the negative, this book takes an honest but positive look at the man behind the myth. For the first time, the book pulls together all the various strands of Disney's life into one straightforward, easy-to-read tale of imagination, perseverance, and optimism. Far from a preachy or oppressive tome, this book scrapes away the minutiae to capture the true magic of a brilliant maverick.

My husband bought this for me for Christmas, and I absolutely LOVED it!! Stories from the people who knew Walt Disney the best! It gave great insight into a great man, and as an added bonus, at the end of each chapter, the author summarizes an area of Walt's personality that we should all cultivate if we want to be as "successful" as Walt. Any Disney lover should read this book!!

Next up: The Seven Mouths Of God by Megan K. Olsen (a former student of mine! I'm excited to read it!!!)

 

[lisaviolet]

Next up: The Seven Mouths Of God by Megan K. Olsen (a former student of mine! I'm excited to read it!!!)

Wow. That's really exciting. Will be looking to hear.

________________________________________________

Long story and OT but I saw a former student today and I realized that HELLO! she must be 35 now. Funny when that happens, when your brain goes WHAT! Anyway, it brought back a lot of joy of some early days, and it was one of the toughest schools in the city. Some great times.

 

[wrestlingchick26]

Book 16- trick or treat murder- Leslie Meier
Book 17- mistletoe murder- Leslie Meier.

I enjoyed both these books easy to read and enough twists to keep you interested.
Very keen to read more of hers.

 

[DisneyWalle]

#17 - My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews

from Amazon:
Audrina wanted to be as good as her sister. Her sister was so special, so perfect -- and dead. Now she will come face to face with the dangerous, terrifying secret that everyone knows. Everyone except... Sweet Audrina.

Oh my word! One of the best books I have read in a long time. The characters are so well formed and developed that I became attached to Audrina and Arden --- so much so, that I had to keep reading -- I had to know what happened. I even felt bad for Vera, which is a difficult task. Great book! This has been the best V. Andrews book I have read to date.

Next book: Celeste by V.C. Andrews

 

[wilma-bride]

Finally finished book number 4 - New Year Island by Paul Draker. I know a lot of people here loved it and, although I found it interesting when I first started it, the second half of the book really dragged for me. I didn't enjoy it at all. I found some of the plot very difficult to follow, couldn't figure out exactly what was real and what was not and I got very confused about who exactly was behind it (maybe because, by the end, I was speed reading/skimming as it was such a struggle to finish).

Still, it's done now and I'm moving onto the next - needing some easy reading, I am opting for Winners by Danielle Steele.

 

[Deffenm]

Book #4 out of 30 - "Let their be cake in your future". I thinik that is what it is called. I got recommendation from someone on here. I thought it was a good quick read. It is about 3 friends who picked out a charm from one of the girls bridal shower cake. None of them got the charm they were hoping for and the book tells how each womans life was impacted by the charm.

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #11 - The Golem and The Jinni by Helene Wecker

I really enjoyed the characters & the plot in this story. It is a long one though, almost 500 pages, & had some slow parts that could have been cut. It is a blend of historical fiction & mythical fantasy which worked well. I give it 4/5 stars.

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.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#8 Innocence by Dean Koontz
#9 If You Find My by Emily Murdoch

Innocence: "He lives in solitude beneath the city, an exile from society, which will destroy him if he is ever seen. She dwells in seclusion, a fugitive from enemies who will do her harm if she is ever found. But the bond between them runs deeper than the tragedies that have scarred their lives."
I swear the beginning of this book reminded me so much of the original Beauty & the Beast tv series, lol. Boring book. I used to be a fan of Dean Koontz but this book I did not care for. One thing that really bothered me was all the 'big' words he used in telling the story. Not that I didn't know or understand the 'big' words, its was just too excessive & in my opinion added nothing to the story.

If You Find Me: "A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency."
Now this was a great book!! Finished it in one day & would recommend it.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #12 The Lightkeeper by Susan Wiggs

Book #13 The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

 

[BeckyEsq]

Finsihed Book 4 out of 40: The Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice. This is the second in the Wolf Chronicles. It is not one of her best but it held my interest.