Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[wilma-bride]

Managed to up my pace a bit. Have finished 3 books in the last 3 weeks

Book #16 - The Letter by Kathryn Hughes

1973
Tina Craig has one mission in life – to escape her drunken, abusive husband. She works all the hours she can to save up enough money to leave him. She spends as little time as possible in the violent household she is forced to call home, even volunteering at a charity shop at the weekend to escape Rick’s clutches. One day, whilst sorting through the pockets of a second-hand suit which has been donated to the shop, she comes across an old letter. It is still firmly sealed and unfranked. Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, Tina opens the letter. It was written on 4th September 1939. She is so moved by the contents and bemused as to why the letter was never delivered, she embarks on a quest to find out what became of the writer and his intended recipient, a journey with consequences she could never have predicted.

1939
Billy Stirling knows he has been a fool, but he also knows how to put things right. On 4th September, 1939 he sits down to write a letter that will change his life forever. He slips it into his jacket pocket and, with a spring in his step, and full of optimism, he heads for the nearest post box. How was he to know that his heartfelt missive would not be read for another 34 years, and then by a complete stranger?

The Letter tells the story of two women, born decades apart, but whose paths are destined to cross and how one woman’s devastation leads to the other’s salvation.

I really wasn't sure what to make of this book when I first got it. I'm not really into historical novels, as such. But it came highly recommended so I thought I would try it. No more than a couple of pages in, I was completely hooked. It was a delightful story, of love and loss and I was so happy with how the story unfolded. It made me cry, I don't mind admitting. A great easy read

Book #17 - The Donor by Helen Fitzgerald

Will Marion has two perfect kidneys. His daughters aren't so lucky. Question is: which one should he save?

Will's 47. His wife bailed out when the twins were in nappies and hasn't been seen since. He coped OK by himself at first, giving Georgie and Kay all the love he could, working in a boring admin job to support them. Just after the twins turn sixteen, Georgie suffers kidney failure and is placed on dialysis. Her type is rare, and Will immediately offers to donate an organ. Without a transplant, she would probably never see adulthood. So far so good. But then Kay gets sick. She's also sixteen. Just as precious. Her kidney type just as rare.

Time is critical, and he has to make a decision.

Should he buy a kidney - be an organ tourist?
Should be save one child? If so, which one?
Should be sacrifice himself?

Or is there a fourth solution - one so terrible it has never even crossed his mind?

I read another book by Helen Fitzgerald earlier in they year and quite enjoyed it so thought I would give this one a try. It seemed like a great story. Like the other book I read by this author, it was tough going in places - not sure whether it's the writing style or just unnecessary text - but I persevered and was glad I did. A good book, not great - but perfectly enjoyable.

Book #18 - Calling Romeo by Alexandra Potter

Juliet can't help wishing she had more romance in her life. She loves her boyfriend Will, but after living together for two and a half years, she's come to realise that thirty-something monogamy isn't all it's cracked up to be. Will used to whisk her off to candlelit restaurants. Now his idea of a perfect evening is a video and a vindaloo. He used to leave post-it notes saying 'I love you' on the bathroom mirror. Now the only things she finds are his dirty socks on the bathroom floor. So, when Juliet meets a sexy, dark-eyed Adonis from a rival London advertising agency she is sorely tempted. And when he invites her away for an illicit, no-expense-spared weekend in Verona it's almost impossible to resist. Her very own Romeo.
But does she want to risk losing Will and all they have shared together? Juliet must work out what's really important in life and whether romance really is all about sexy lingerie and red roses.


This is a book I have had on my Kindle for a while and haven't got around to reading. It was exactly what I expected - frothy chick lit. Really liked it though but have enjoyed others by the same author more (Be Careful What You Wish For is one that immediately springs to mind).

 

[CaliBear]

15/30- The Headhunter's Daughter by Tamar Myers

from amazon:

Tamar Myers returns to Africa in The Headhunter’s Daughter, the second book in her wonderful mystery series set in the Belgian Congo in the mid-twentieth century—a riveting and atmospheric follow-up to The Witchdoctor’s Wife. Raised in the Congo herself, the child of missionaries, Myers uses her intimate knowledge of the people, the culture, and the landscape to add richness to this stunning story of an abandoned infant raised by a tribe of headhunters—a masterful mystery that fans of Alexander McCall Smith and The #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency will adore.

This was ok. I really enjoyed the previous book. This one was still interesting in terms of setting and time period, but a lot of random things happen in the story that didn't work for me. I will read the next book- and I have another book by this author from a different series I'll read as well- but not now. I have begun The Yard by Alex Grecian. So far so good!

 

[cousinbb]

I'm a little slow but I just finished book 3/13 . It was "THE ONE" by kiera cass. It's the third book of series. The first being "THE SELECTION" and the second "THE ELITE". They are awesome awesome books! I could read them five times in a row, just so good in my opinion .

 

[portia9]

#53 The Second Chance by Joana Starnes-a Pride and Prejudice fan fiction. Not bad.

 

[Pig Pen]

I just returned from two weeks in Italy and did some very light reading.

#13 of 25 - Maze Runner. It was okay but didn't hold me like Hunger Games. I probably won't continue the series.

I won't count this one as I didn't finish it: Defending Jacob. It sounded like a good plot. During a murder investigation by the DA, the evidence begins to point towards his son as the perp. But there was way too much dialogue and it bogged the story down. I couldn't finish it and still don't know if Jacob was the murderer or not. I may go back and read the last chapter!

#14 of 25 - Home Sweet Anywhere by Lynne Martin. This is the story of how a retired couple sold their home and all their belongings and travel the world completely unfettered. I read this on the plane to Italy. I already subscribed to Lynne's blog and Facebook page so I knew most of their story. The book was mostly a re-hash and I really didn't learn anything new. If the concept is new to you, it may be an interesting read.

I also read a couple of Kindle freebies about traveling and living in Italy but not worth mentioning here. A few were fairly bad!

While in Italy several library books became available but I wasn't able to download so I have to go back into my account and reconstruct what I missed.

I am currently reading and ENJOYING The Rosie Project.

 

[threeboysmom]

Finished book #37 - The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin I highly recommend this book & will be recommending it to my book club to read as well. It is a super quick book as I read it within 1 day! It's about a man who owns a bookstore. His wife died & has had a difficult time coping when someone leaves a baby in his bookstore. I really enjoyed the characters & I just loved the comments he & others make on books which I have read. I think book readers would love this story. A.J. Fikry, the irascible owner of Island Books, has recently endured some tough years: his wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and his prized possession--a rare edition of Poe poems--has been stolen. Over time, he has given up on people, and even the books in his store, instead of offering solace, are yet another reminder of a world that is changing too rapidly. Until a most unexpected occurrence gives him the chance to make his life over and see things anew. Next books: The James Potter series!!

Sounds good! Thanks for the review!

 

[Ginny Favers]

I am so out of it. I've read about 10 books and promptly forgot what they were. The most recent one I read was called FOOL ME TWICE, which was like the movie Overboard, but for teens. It was cute.

If you haven't entered to win an ARC of my book on Goodreads yet, my publisher's giving away 25 copies and you can enter until the 24th: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18722924-drowned?from_search=true It's a YA, post-apocalyptic fantasy. It doesn't come out for a couple months yet.

 

[mumloveseeyore]

book 62/150 rattle his bones by carola dunn
book 63/150to davy jones below by carola dunn
book 64/150past it notes by maureen lipman
this made me laugh and cry in places, an assembly of her columns over the years
book 65/150Amsterdam by ian mcewan
from amazon
When good-time, fortysomething Molly Lane dies of an unspecified degenerative illness, her many friends and numerous lovers are led to think about their own mortality. Vernon Halliday, editor of the up-market newspaper The Judge, persuades his old friend Clive Linley, a self-indulgent composer of some reputation, to enter into a euthanasia pact with him. Should either of them succumb to such an illness, the other will effect his death. From this point onwards we are in little doubt as to the novel's outcome--it's only a matter of who will kill whom. In the meantime, compromising photographs of Molly's most distinguished lover, foreign secretary Julian Garmony, have found their way into the hands of the press, and as rumours circulate he teeters on the edge of disgrace. However, this is McEwan, so it is no surprise to find that the rather unsavoury Garmony comes out on top. McEwan is master of the writer's craft, and while this is the sort of novel that wins prizes, his characters remain curiously soulless amidst the twists and turns of plot.

 

[wilma-bride]

I won't count this one as I didn't finish it: Defending Jacob. It sounded like a good plot. During a murder investigation by the DA, the evidence begins to point towards his son as the perp. But there was way too much dialogue and it bogged the story down. I couldn't finish it and still don't know if Jacob was the murderer or not. I may go back and read the last chapter!



I am currently reading and ENJOYING The Rosie Project.

I agree completely about Defending Jacob. All I will say is that it is worth persevering. Despite not actually enjoying reading it, I'm glad I made it to the end as it was worth it, if that makes sense.

I have tried three times to start The Rosie Project and just couldn't get into it. Is it worth trying again?

 

[threeboysmom]

I enjoyed both Defending Jacob (LOVED!) and The Rosie Project, so I say PERSERVERE!

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#40 Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

This was just 'ok'. Thought it was going to be a thriller/suspense by the description so I was kinda confused about some parts til I went back & read the back cover of the book and found out it had kind of a demon/angel storyline. The author has co-authored a couple books with Ted Dekker tho so I may try those.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

OK, I am finally back. Goal 25.

#2 - Winter's Tale Mark Helprin
#3 - The Museum of Extraordinary Things Alice Hoffman

I am glad I read these back to back. They were both set in NYC at the same time in history. Both mention/use the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

Winter's Tale is amazing and one of my new, all time favorites. Should go on to become a classic, IMHO. So glad I did not bother to see the movie! I now need to read more from Helprin.

Hoffman, I've read plenty of and am never disappointed. "Museum" was no different. Loved it.

#4 - Dark Places
#5 - Sharp Objects....both Gillian Flynn

Had read Gone Girl and shared with my mom, so mom bought these two. So good!!! I am terribly disappointed in casting for "Gone..." and "Dark..." (but that is typical for me), I so wanted to see these brought to life.

Now I just have to catch up on this thread and get back to getting caught up on reading!

 

[threeboysmom]

Finished #14 and #15 out of 30:

Perfect People by Peter James
John and Naomi are grieving the death of their four-year-old son from a rare genetic disorder. They desperately want another child, but they realize the odds of their next child contracting the same disease are high.

Then they hear about geneticist Dr Leo Dettore. He has methods that can spare them the heartache of ever losing another child to any disease. At his clinic is where their nightmare begins.

They should have realized something was wrong when they saw the list. Choices of eye colour, hair, sporting abilities. They can literally design their child. Now it's too late to turn back. Naomi is pregnant and already something is badly wrong . .

Really good premise to the book. I enjoyed the storyline/plot for the most part. Enjoyable read, but am not overly anxious to recommend. I will read another by this author though...

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank
Leslie Anne Greene Carter is the last original wife among her husband's group of cronies. They've all traded in their first wives-the middle-aged women they long ago promised to love and cherish 'til death did them part-for riper peaches: younger . . . blonder . . . more enhanced models.

Leslie is proud of her status and the longevity of her marriage. Sure the spark isn't quite as bright and sometimes takes a little longer to flame. And it wouldn't be too much to ask if her husband paid just an itty bit more attention to her desires. But there's something to be said for a comfortable and deeply familiar relationship. Or at least she thinks until the day, out golfing with her husband and his friends, she slips into a manhole. And nobody realizes that she's gone.

That one misstep opens Leslie's eyes to the sham her perfect life has become. No longer will she be invisible. No longer will she accept being taken for granted. With the healing powers of South Carolina's lush white beaches, candy-colored sunsets, and fiesty and funny residents, Leslie is going to transform herself and reclaim the strong, vibrant, sexy woman she was meant to be.

Pure fluff, but I enjoyed this read. Mostly because I felt I could relate to a lot of the feelings and struggles that the main female character wrestled with

 

[zippitydoo]

Books 24-29 of 50

#24: Trudge(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #1) By Shawn Chesser
#25: Soldier On(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #2) by Shawn Chesser
#26: In Harm’s Way(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #3) by Shawn Chesser
#27: A Pound of Flesh(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #4) by Shawn Chesser

#28: Taboo(CSI Reilly Steel #1) by Casey Hill
From Goodreads:
Forensic investigator Reilly Steel, Quantico-trained and California-born and bred, imagined Dublin to be a far cry from bustling San Francisco, a sleepy backwater where she can lay past ghosts to rest and start anew.
She's arrived in Ireland to drag the Garda forensics team into the 21st-century plus keep tabs on her Irish-born father who's increasingly seeking solace in the bottle after a past tragedy.
But a brutal serial killer soon puts paid to that. A young man and woman are found dead in a hotel room, the gunshot wounds on their naked bodies suggesting a suicide pact. But as Reilly and the team dig deeper, and more bodies are discovered, they soon realise that a twisted murderer is at work, one who seeks to upset society's norms in the most sickening way imaginable…

#29: Hide and Seek by P.S. Brown
From Goodreads:
An unforeseen school reunion sparked by the death of a childhood friend quickly turns into a living nightmare for Peter Stevenson.

Waking the day after, he finds his friends missing, his possessions gone, and himself placed at the centre of a twisted game of hide and seek.

As the day unfolds, Peter is forced to relive his past in order to find and save his friends. And as the cruel challenge against the clock unfolds, he has to come to terms with the fact that any one of his friends could be the mastermind behind the sinister game.

 

[portia9]

#54 Girt The Unauthorised History of Australia by David Hunt-this was pretty funny. I don't know how much it would make sense to non Australians but for anyone that likes Bill Bryson, this has a similar feel.

#55 The Mists of Time by Margaret J Anderson-a kid's book which I really liked.

#56 In The Circle of Time by Margaret J Anderson-as above

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Midnight Crossroad
Charlaine Harris

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

I don't know exactly what I was expecting with this book, but it wasn't what I got. This is supposed to be a supernatural mystery. It is a mystery, but I found it light on the supernatural aspect that I have come to love about Harris.

With that said though, it was an enjoyable read and it introduces the major players of the series. Hopefully through the trilogy, we will learn more about them and the town of Midnight because I see a lot of potential for a fun series.

 

[wrestlingchick26]

Books 24-29 of 50 #24: Trudge(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #1) By Shawn Chesser #25: Soldier On(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #2) by Shawn Chesser #26: In Harm’s Way(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #3) by Shawn Chesser #27: A Pound of Flesh(Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse #4) by Shawn Chesser #28: Taboo(CSI Reilly Steel #1) by Casey Hill From Goodreads: Forensic investigator Reilly Steel, Quantico-trained and California-born and bred, imagined Dublin to be a far cry from bustling San Francisco, a sleepy backwater where she can lay past ghosts to rest and start anew. She's arrived in Ireland to drag the Garda forensics team into the 21st-century plus keep tabs on her Irish-born father who's increasingly seeking solace in the bottle after a past tragedy. But a brutal serial killer soon puts paid to that. A young man and woman are found dead in a hotel room, the gunshot wounds on their naked bodies suggesting a suicide pact. But as Reilly and the team dig deeper, and more bodies are discovered, they soon realise that a twisted murderer is at work, one who seeks to upset society's norms in the most sickening way imaginable… #29: Hide and Seek by P.S. Brown From Goodreads: An unforeseen school reunion sparked by the death of a childhood friend quickly turns into a living nightmare for Peter Stevenson. Waking the day after, he finds his friends missing, his possessions gone, and himself placed at the centre of a twisted game of hide and seek. As the day unfolds, Peter is forced to relive his past in order to find and save his friends. And as the cruel challenge against the clock unfolds, he has to come to terms with the fact that any one of his friends could be the mastermind behind the sinister game.

Did you enjoy surviving the zombie apocalypse? I loved it.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Did you enjoy surviving the zombie apocalypse? I loved it.

I was wondering the same thing. You say you enjoy them though? I like zombie fiction, but I like more survival than action if that makes sense?

Any recommendations?

 

[wrestlingchick26]

I was wondering the same thing. You say you enjoy them though? I like zombie fiction, but I like more survival than action if that makes sense? Any recommendations?

The surviving the zombie apocalypse has a lot of survival and action in them, if you like watching the walking dead you will like the series.
I haven't read much action books, I get my action from the zombie books I read lol

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

The surviving the zombie apocalypse has a lot of survival and action in them, if you like watching the walking dead you will like the series. I haven't read much action books, I get my action from the zombie books I read lol

Thanks!