Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[Pig Pen]

#6 of 25.

Henry Lee is a Chinese American student living in Seattle right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He is a scholarship student at an all-white school but is an outcast because he is Chinese. His only friend is another outcast, a Japanese girl named Keiko. Her family is eventually evacuated during the "relocation" of Japanese into concentration camps.

The story actually starts in the present, with Henry recently widowed. The discovery of old artifacts left behind by evacuated Japanese American families in a hotel basement causes Henry to remember his old friend and wonder what happened to her.

I am only vaguely familiar with the relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII. The book describes the injustice, fear, and prejudices of the time. The similarity to Nazi Germany is disturbing. It was certainly a dark chapter in American history.

Next up "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children."

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #25 Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Review: Felt a little Disneyland homesick so I decided to read about a book from one of the Disney attractions. Sadly enough this trip to Disneyland will be my last for a couple of years.

 

[jenny105]

I just finished Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (book #9/30). I did not have high hopes for this book and only read it because I won it off a blog contest. I was pleasantly surprised. I got sucked into reading Twilight with all the hype and those were terrible books (this is the reason why I will not give in to the 50 Shades hype). I never understood why two guys would fight over Bella Swan. She's boring and annoying. Rose & Lissa are both kick *** in their own way and I enjoyed this book. Enough to give the rest of the series a shot. But I'm still selling it on EBay lol.

 

[lovegrumpy]

Have no idea what number I'm on. Don't feel like looking through the thread. All books are written by Patricia Cornwell

CRUEL AND UNUSUAL

"Killing me won't kill the beast" are the last words of rapist-murderer Ronnie Joe Waddell, written four days before his execution. But they can't explain how Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds Waddell's fingerprints on another crime scene -- after she'd performed his autopsy. If this is some sort of game, Scarpetta seems to be the target. And if the next victim is someone she knows, the punishment will be cruel and unusual...

THE BODY FARM

The Body Farm - a research institute that tests the decomposition of corpses. Black Mountain, North Carolina: a sleepy little town where the local police deal with one homicide a year, if they're unlucky, and where people are still getting used to the idea of locking their doors at night. But violent death is no respecter of venue, and the discovery of the corpse of the corpse of an 11-year-old girl sends shock waves through the community. Dr Kay Scarpetta, Chief medical Examiner on a similar case in Virginia, is called in to apply her forensic skills to this latest atrocity, but the apparent simplicity of the case proves something of a poisoned chalice - until Scarpetta finds enlightenment through the curious pathologists' playground known as the Body Farm


FROM POTTER’S FIELD

Christmas had never been a particularly good time for Dr Kay Scarpetta. Although a holiday for most, it always seem to heighten the alienation felt by society's violent fringe; and that usually means more work for Scarpetta, Virginia's Chief Medical ExaminerI. The body was naked, female and found propped against a fountain in a bleak area of New York's Central Park. Her apparent manner of death points to a modus operandi that is chillingly familiar: the gunshot wound to the head, the sections of skin excised from the body, the displayed corpse - all suggest that Temple Brooks Gault, Scarpetta's nemesis, is back at work. Calling on all her reserves of courage and skill, and the able assistance of colleagues Marino and Wesley, Scarpetta must track this most dangerous of killers in pursuit of survival as well as justice - heading inexorably to an electrifying climax amid the dark, menacing labyrinths of the New York subway.

I love these books and so glad i picked them back up.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just finished "Isle of Palms" by Dorothea Benton Frank. This book was far too long. The first third of the book, about 150 pages, could easily have been covered in about 25 pages. Then the ending kinda dragged. Although I've read and enjoyed other books by this author, this one wasn't one of her best.

 

[Briarmom]

9/50 "Most Talkative" by Andy Cohen.

Andy Cohen hosts 'Watch What Happens Live' on Bravo as well as all of the 'Housewives' reunions. I think he's adorable and funny, as was his book.

 

[Narnian_Princess]

Finally finished The Four Feathers by A. E. W. Mason. I actually really enjoyed it! It's a turn of the (20th) century British adventure novel about a young soldier who is branded a coward by his friends because his withdrawal from the service to marry his fiancé coincides with orders to return to fighting in Africa/the Middle East. As a sign of their disdain, they each send him a white feather. When his fiancé finds out, she also names him coward, gives him another feather, and sends him away. He spends the next six years fighting to redeem his honor and force everyone who gave him a feather to take them back.

This was far better than the last adventure novel I read (Tarzan of the Apes). They share a similar theme of 'ideal manhood,' but the ideal here is far more refined than just grunt/spit/flex muscles. It's traveling the world, feeling fear and overcoming it, being honest and true, appreciating beauty wherever one may find it. This novel even spends quite a bit of time exploring female characters (not always extremely favorably, either, but with at least some degree of complexity). It is also written far, far better than Tarzan.

I discovered there have been quite a few film versions made, and I really want to see a few.


I've also read volumes 3-9 of the Fables graphic novels, but I don't really count those, so I am now 3/30.

 

[mumloveseeyore]

book 30/150 At home by bill bryson
a history of domestic life concentrating on the last 150 years. Ireally enjoyed this as i have an interest in social history. i like bill brysons style of including small random facts to illustrate the period.
book 31/150 the gordonston ladies dogwalking club. bybuncan whitehead.
from Amazon
Little is what it seems to be in a leafy Savannah neighborhood as members of an afternoon cocktail and dog walking club mourn a neighbor’s death. Jealousies surface when friends vie for the widower running for mayor. An old woman with an infamous uncle plots to avenge a wrong. Memories haunt a once successful children’s writer. And a model has won the trip of a lifetime.

But a killer lurks and secrets unfold, as does a web of deceit. Is anyone really who he or she seems to be? A mysterious South American, a young Italian count, and a charitable nephew add suspicion and intrigue, as do an enigmatic organization linked to organized crime, a handsome firefighter, and three widows with hidden agendas. What’s a retired accountant’s secret, and why did a former showgirl really have plastic surgery?

The plot thickens, the Georgia temperature rises, and someone is destined for an early unmarked grave. The truth contorts to a climax that leaves readers breathless.

i didnt quite know what to make of this at first as it took a little while for me to get into it. Darkly humorous and requires a bit of suspension of disbelief. 3/5

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#15 The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

From back cover:
In C. S. Lewis's classic vision of the Afterworld, the narrator boards a bus on a drizzly English afternoon and embarks on an incredible voyage thru Heaven and Hell. He meets a host of supernatural beings far removed from his expectations, and comes to some significant realizations about the nature of good and evil.

Wow! Only 125 pages but very powerful. I devoured this book and am now re reading it again along with the study guide.

 

[jenny105]

Finished #10/30 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. This book was...all over the place. It held my interest enough to read the sequel but I didn't love it.

Up next is What Alice Forgot

 

[xlsm]

Finished 14 and 15 of 45.

14 - Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins: Book 2 of the Underland Chronicles. I'm reading this series with my kids and we all love it. This book isn't quite as good as the first, and it's a little darker and grittier, but we're all very attached to the characters and will continue reading the series all the way through.

In this one, Gregor's baby sister Boots is taken to the Underland and he must go after her and bring her back. He again finds himself at the center of an Underland Prophecy, and the fate of the entire Underland rests in his hands.


15 - Night of the Living Deed by E.J Copperman: I really liked this book. It's the first in a cozy mystery series that I will keep reading. Alison and her nine year old daughter buy an old house on the Jersey shore with the intention of fixing it up and running a guest house. During renovations, Alison discovers that ghosts are living in her house - the previous owner and her private detective. As Alison finds her own life in danger, she agrees to help the ghosts find out who killed them. Was it the realtor? The real estate developer who wants the land to build ocean front condos? Or is it her daughter's cute history teacher?

I liked the style of writing...very conversational, like you're sitting and talking to Alison while she tells you her story. The characters are very funny and likeable.

I rate both of these a 3.75/5

 

[Caseheidi]

Goal 60

All Summaries by Goodreads

Book 15: Silver Borne (book 5 Mercy Thompson Series) by Patricia Briggs
Being a mechanic is hard work. Mercy Thompson, for instance, just spent the last couple of months trying to evade the murderous queen of the local vampire seethe. And now the leader of the werewolf pack, who's maybe-more-than-just-a-friend, has asked for her help. A book of fae secrets has come to light and they're all about to find out how implacable - and dangerous - the fae can be.

OK, so maybe her troubles have nothing to do with the job. But she sure could use a holiday.


Book 16: River marked (Book 6 Mercy Thompson Series) by Patricia Briggs
Being a different breed of shapeshifter-a walker-Mercy Thompson can see ghosts, but the spirit of her long-gone father has never visited her. Until now, on her honeymoon with the Alpha werewolf Adam. An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-and innocent people are dying. As other walkers make their presence known to Mercy, she must reconnect with her heritage to exorcise the world of the legend known as the river devil...


Book 17: Frost Burned (book 7 Mercy Thompson Series) by Patricia Briggs
Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more. After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted. Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from the most unlikely of allies: the vampire seethe


Book 18: Curtsies Conspiracies (book 2 Finishing School Series ) by Gail Carriger
Sophronia, second year at Miss Geraldine's Finishing Academy, helps Dimity avoid London kidnappers and Vieve 10 attend Bunson boys' school. Someone kills for malfunctioning guidance valves that can control 'aether' atmosphere level. Again, she flirts with 'sootie' coal-worker Soap from the boiler room, and cuts Felix, son of Duke Golborne, at come-out ball. Teacher Captain Niall turns werewolf; vampire Prof Braithwope braves 'tether'; mechanimal Bumbersnoot plays essential role


Book 19: The Undead Pool ( Book 12 The Hollows Series) by Kim Harrison
Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils


Book 20: Night Broken (Book 8 Mercy Thompson Series) by Patricia Briggs
An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

So it seems as if I have been on a Urban Fantasy kick lately. These all fall within this category, with maybe the exception of Curtsies Conspiracies which is more Steam Punk Fantasy. I really enjoyed reading all these books. They are fun and keep you pulled in. I would recommend them to everyone. I think if you have never read urban fantasy and would like to give it a try, the Mercy Thompson Series is a good one to test the waters with.

 

[zippitydoo]

Boom 19 of 50

A Blaze of Sun(A Shade of Vampire #5) by Bella Forrest

From Goodreads:
Welcome back to The Shade...

"Of course you know who I am. I'm a daughter of the darkness just as surely as you are his son..."

Ever since his brief encounter with Emilia at The Shade, Derek's thoughts and dreams have been haunted with images of the mysterious, beautiful brunette. Plagued with guilt, he struggles to understand why he is so drawn to this dark stranger from his past.

When Emilia suddenly appears again on the island, Derek is both terrified and intrigued. But this time, he is determined to involve Sofia and discover who this woman is.

If only Derek and Sofia knew, Emilia is a mystery that should be left undiscovered...

 

[Cantw8]

Just finished Jackie Collins Power Trip Ohhhh, I loved it. Trashy, cheesy, predictable..just the perfect book for a mindless escape from reality. Bad Monkey is up next

 

[HulaHoopy]

Goal of 40:

#5 Daughter of Twin Oaks (A Secret Refuge Book #1) – Lauraine Snelling
#6 Sisters of the Confederacy (A Secret Refuge Book #2) – Lauraine Snelling
#7 Long Way Home, The (A Secret Refuge Book #3) – Lauraine Snelling

I really enjoy historical fiction. Snelling’s books are typically religious fiction, but I did not feel the religious aspect was as prominent as in some of her other works. I really enjoyed this series and would definitely recommend it

#8 Invisible – Cecily Anne Paterson

This is a nice quick read

#9 The Sisterhood – Helen Bryan

This book was thought provoking and included an air of mystery. It ended up being a pretty long read, but I definitely enjoyed it.

#10 Orphan Train –Christina Baker Kline

I would recommend this one too!

 

[kinntj]

#2 Allegiant by Veronica Roth

It took me so long to read this book. I didn't want to pick it up as much as the first two.

Next up: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

 

[camreesmom]

Somewhere along the way, I missed a book. I thought I was on book #6 but I really just finished #7 - The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain.

From Amazon: Maya and Rebecca Ward are both accomplished physicians, but that's where the sisters' similarities end. As teenagers, they witnessed their parents' murder, but it was Rebecca who saved Maya from becoming another of the gunman's victims. The tragedy left Maya cautious and timid, settling for a sedate medical practice with her husband, Adam, while Rebecca became the risk taker.

After a devastating hurricane hits the coast of North Carolina, Rebecca and Adam urge Maya to join them in the relief effort. To please her husband, Maya finally agrees. She loses herself in the care and transport of victims, but when her helicopter crashes into raging floodwaters, there appear to be no survivors.

Forced to accept Maya is gone, Rebecca and Adam turn to one another—first for comfort, then in passion—unaware that, miles from civilization, Maya is injured and trapped with strangers she's not certain she can trust. Away from the sister who has always been there to save her, now Maya must find the courage to save herself—unaware that the life she knew has changed forever.


This was a really good book. It had a twist that I was not expecting. I wasn't happy with the ending but it was realistic. I'll read more by this author. 4.5 * out of 5.

Next up: Hidden by Catherine McKenzie.

 

[hulagirl87]

I'm reading The Fault in our Stars right now and it's amazing. I don't want it to end!

A couple books that I have recently finished are Mockingjay (so good!) and One Fifth Avenue (just ok). Oh, and the Melissa Joan Hart autobiography which was sadly disappointing.

 

[cousinbb]

Well I've just finished book 3/13. It is called Beauty's Daughter by Carolyn Meyer. It's a story of Hermione, daughter of Helen of Troy and her adventures in the Trojan war and her love life. It was very interesting. The only downside was trying to pronounce all the Greek names lol!

 

[threeboysmom]

Finished #9 out of 30 ?? (gosh, it's in my signature - you'd think I'd remember!!)

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Aww, I loved this book! I'm not usually into the "romance" genre, but this one was so stinkin' adorable! I loved the quirkiness of the main character, Don. Loved, loved, LOVED him!! So cute with all his "projects" - the "wife project", the "father project", and my favorite the "Rosie project"! Awesome!

Thanks for the recommendations! This is why I love this thread!

Now onto The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. Really looking forward to this one too!