Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[Pig Pen]

I LOVED The Vacationers. It was the perfect summer read. Not too "chick lit" and some great locales. A group of friends and family rent a villa in Spain for 2 weeks. There are infidelities, teen angst, financial woes, mid-life crises, etc., interspersed with big meals and lots of swimming. Just enough drama to keep the interest piqued.

I recommend it highly.

 

[Kinziepoohsmom]

#19 Field of Prey by John Sandford This book really kept my interest. You always knew who the killer was but at the end there were twists that you never saw coming. Enjoyed this book very much

 

[tiggrbaby]

I managed to finish two books in the past week.

#18/40: Mickey Outside by David Lender

From Amazon:
Former Wall Street whiz and current convict Mickey Steinberg is nearing the end of his three-year sentence at Yankton—the cushy country club prison where he’s enjoyed celebrity status—and he’s ready to get out and get back on top. He doesn’t have the resources he once did, but he’s already hatched a new plan to sell a forgery of a stolen Van Gogh painting through the shady underground art market. He and his new partner, the smooth-talking Paul Reece, have a mark in mind: the sleazy con-man art dealer who swooped in on Mickey’s beloved ex-wife after he was locked up. But with his old partner, Jack Grass, hell-bent on revenge and his pre-prison life closed to him, it won’t be easy.
As their plan becomes ever more complex, Mickey realizes he just wants to make good and make it out of New York City alive.

Characters were likable and the story moved along at a nice pace. I would definitely read more by this author.

4/5 stars

#19/40: Injustice for All by Scott Pratt

From Amazon:
A criminal court judge is found hanging from a tree.

A young employee of the district attorney's office goes missing.

In this third book of the best selling Joe Dillard series, Dillard finds himself in the middle of two volatile mysteries. The primary suspect in the judge's murder is Dillard's son's best friend, and Dillard's wife may have destroyed evidence. Meanwhile, the missing girl turns out to be a mystery far deeper than anyone imagined...

This book was another good John Grisham-like story. I enjoyed it more than the second, and I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

4/5 stars

 

[timsprincess]

I have 3 books to review, as I have finished them all quickly together.

Disney after Dark by Ridley Pearson

5 stars

In this fantastical novel, Disney's Magic Kingdom suddenly becomes a bit eerie. Finn Whitman and four other teens have been hired as Disney World guides, but with an odd twist: With cutting-edge technology, they have been transformed into hologram projections capable of leading guests around the park. What begins as an exciting theme park job turns into a virtual nightmare as Finn and his pals attempt to thwart an uprising by a menacing group of Disney villains.

I loved this quick read that took me back into MK. I finished it in about 2 days and had to work and have a life in there as well. The reading is easy. The book is probably not without flaws but who cares?

A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street #8) by Debbie Macomber

3 stars

Six years after he had walked out on his wife and kids, Grant was freshly single again and looking to reconcile with Bethanne Hamlin. To forgive the betrayal was one thing, she did that for herself. To forget was something that she didn’t think she could ever do and she wasn’t sure if she could ever trust him again either. Being willing to at least think about it for the sake of the grown kids, herself, him, she wasn’t sure, but think about it she was. Hearing that her ex-mother-in-law was planning a road trip across the country to her 50th class reunion in Florida was the perfect excuse to get away and do that thinking. With the addition of her daughter Annie, Ruth and Bethanne set out to see America. Even though Ruth had made plans, the addition of Annie added spontaneity to the group, taking them off the plotted course early in the trip. Helping out in a diner for an old friend of Ruth’s was the fist of may changes to come. Then they have trouble with the rental car with only one source of help, and that coming from a group of motorcycle riders they met at the diner. Offering a ride to the nearest town was the best way for Max to help, but the connection they found while offering confessions may make some decisions more difficult.

This is a nice story about 3 women and their trip across the country. Keeps you entertained.

Cross Fire (Alex Cross #17) by James Patterson

4 stars

Detective Alex Cross and Bree's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington D.C.'s most corrupt: a dirty congressmen and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked politicians, sparking a blaze of theories--is the marksman a hero or a vigilante? The case explodes, and the FBI assigns agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Siegel battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that they are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims' movements--information that only a Washington insider could possess. As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in D.C. and will not relent until he has eliminated Cross and his family for good.

This is a good suspense novel. I enjoy the Alex Cross series. This one does not disappoint.

I am at 26/30 for the year. I may try to go for 40!

 

[jenny105]

I just finished Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line yesterday. I'm a VM fan and surprisingly, the book was pretty good! It was nice to be able to picture the characters and hear their voices in my head too.

Currently about 100 pages in on The Goldfinch.

 

[zippitydoo]

Book 39 of 50

One Lavender Ribbon by Heather Burch

From Goodreads:
Reeling from a bitter divorce, Adrienne Carter abandons Chicago and retreats to the sun, sand, and beauty of Southern Florida, throwing herself into the restoration of a dilapidated old Victorian beach house. Early into the renovations, she discovers a tin box hidden away in the attic that reveals the emotional letters from a WWII paratrooper to a young woman who lived in the house more than a half-century earlier.

The old letters—incredibly poetic and romantic—transcend time, and they arouse in Adrienne a curiosity that leads her to track down the writer of the letters. William “Pops” Bryant is now an old man living in a nearby town with his handsome but overprotective grandson, Will. As Adrienne begins to unravel the secrets of the letters (and the Bryants), she finds herself not yet willing to give up entirely on love.

 

[Glynis]

Just got back from a quick trip to my dad's house. I was able to finish 2 books while there!

Goal - 70 books

Book - 33 "Blackberry Pie Murder" by Joanne Fluke

From Goodreads: It's been a sleepy summer for the folks of Lake Eden, Minnesota. In fact, it's been a whole four months since anyone in the Swensen family has come across a dead body. And that means Hannah Swensen can finally focus on her bakery. . .or can she? Life is never really quiet for Hannah. After all, her mother's wedding is a little over a month away and guess who Delores put in charge of the planning? Yet just when Hannah believes her biggest challenge will be whether to use buttercream or fondant for the wedding cake, she accidentally hits a stranger with her truck while driving down a country road in a raging thunderstorm. Hannah is wracked with guilt, and things get even worse when she's arrested. . .for murder! But an autopsy soon reveals the mystery man, his shirt covered in stains from blackberry pie, would have died even if Hannah hadn't hit him. Now, to clear her name, Hannah will have to follow a trail of pie crumbs to track down the identity of the deceased, find a baker who knows more about murder than how to roll out a perfect pie crust--and get herself to the church on time. . .

My review: I really enjoyed this book, even though it made me a bit uncomfortable, at times. I'm used to the protagonist finding the dead bodies, but to have her actually arrested for murder made me a bit crazy! Still, I loved the story, and it was fun to read! Can't wait to try some of the recipes included!

Book - 34 "Home To Holly Springs" by Jan Karon

From Goodreads: For the first time in decades, Father Tim returns to his birthplace, Holly Springs, Mississippi, in response to a mysterious, unsigned note saying simply: Come home. Little does he know how much these two words will change his life. A story of long-buried secrets, forgiveness, and the wonder of discovering new people, places, and depth of feeling, Home to Holly Springs will enthrall new readers and longtime fans alike.

My review: I have always enjoyed the Mitford series of books written by Jan Karon! They are sweet, innocent stories that are full of goodness. In this book, she explores some of the darker moments in Father Tim's life in Holly Springs. It was still a good book, but I didn't come away feeling as fulfilled as I usually do. Still, I would recommend it!

Next Up: Jan Karon's "In the Company of Others"

 

[lovegrumpy]

I finally took the time to see how many books i read

#12 Jason Priestley a memoir: really liked it

 

[Colleen27]

#46/52 The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

I read someone else's summary of this one upthread and thought it sounded interesting. It was a touching story with a beautiful contrast between the historical storyline and the modern that really illustrated both how much times have changed and how human nature remains much the same. I enjoyed it a great deal.

#48 The Divorce Culture by Barbara Whitehead

A look at the history and impact of divorce in America, particularly the changing attitudes towards marriage, divorce, and the role of the family. This was a slow read with a great deal of cited research and quoted sources, written from a very pro-marriage/anti-divorce perspective that at times raised good points but at others seemed to gloss over serious issues that complicate the topic. Informative and thought provoking, though certain arguments were not entirely persuasive.

#49 Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

The first in the prequel trilogy to The Mortal Instruments series, I found I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the original series. The characters just weren't as enjoyable and the story didn't suck me in despite a few familiar characters, one of them a favorite of mine. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the second one or not.

#50 World Without Us by Alan Weisman

Essentially a book version of the National Geographic series "World Without People", this book examines what would happen to our world if humanity suddenly vanished and in doing so calls attention to the dramatic and lasting consequences of some of our actions and habits. Solidly scientific but still readable, I found this book far more interesting than the similar show for its ability to address each topic in more depth and weave the pieces together into a coherent whole.

I think at this point I'm going to up my goal to 100 books for the year. Obviously 52 isn't turning out to be quite the challenge I'd imagined it would be, thanks to a lot of downtime waiting around for the kids at various activities (many of them in places where dead zones keep me from my electronic time-wasters!).

 

[threeboysmom]

I think at this point I'm going to up my goal to 100 books for the year. Obviously 52 isn't turning out to be quite the challenge I'd imagined it would be, thanks to a lot of downtime waiting around for the kids at various activities (many of them in places where dead zones keep me from my electronic time-wasters!).

Duly noted! I'm envious you can read so many books!

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#53 Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers

I read this one a few years ago and tho I rarely re-read a book, this has always been a favorite of mine. Such a sweet yet heartbreaking story.

"Once Leota's garden was a place of beauty where flowers bloomed and hope thrived. It was her refuge from the deep wounds inflicted by a devastating war, her sanctuary where she knelt before a loving God and prayed for the children who couldn't understand her silent sacrifices.
At 84, Leota is alone, her beloved garden in ruins. All her efforts to reconcile with her adult children have been fruitless. She voices her despair to a loving Father, her only friend. And God brings a wind of change thru unlikely means: one, a college student who thinks he has all the answers; the other, the granddaughter she never hoped to know. But can the devastation wrought by keeping painful family secrets be repaired before she runs out of time?"

Note: This is a Christian faith based novel.

 

[BonnieF]

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

I'm not halfway to my goal - I better buckle down! But we just booked a last minute cruise - not DCL : ( - so I know what I'll be doing on the sea days!

14. Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands ( Chris Bohjalian) - a very dark story, but, as always with him, a good read.
15. Death Comes to Pemberly. (P.D. James). - her homage to Jane Austen, a nice if predicable read.
16. Astonish Me ( Maggie Shipstead)

 

[rigs32]

#22 - An Assembly Such as This by Pamea Aidan

This is the first of a trilogy retelling Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of Mr. Darcy. I enjoyed this a lot. There were some parts that I wanted to just get through to see how he interpreted his interactions with Lizzy (or the way the author decided to have him do so). Though I don't think I can read the other two books in this series right away. A bit too much all at once. I know P&P so well, I'm not worried about a break, so I'll be revisiting, just not yet.

#23 - Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5)
#24 - Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)

I finally finished this series that I started at the beginning of the year. Without spoilers, I will say that what I assumed the final story arc to be actually wrapped up quickly in book 5 and an unexpected arc took over the remaining 1.5 books. I enjoyed them. I was happy with the ending. What I wasn't happy with was how immature, rash, and kinda stupid Rose was all the way through the series. A good portion of her conflict came from her inability to think things through and a too big ego. I just wish the author had made her learn, grow, and mature more during the run of the series, considering how much she went through over the course of the books.

Now starting Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. I wasn't a huge Harry Potter fan, but this got good review from most people, so I'll see how I like it.

 

[portia9]

#66 Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym-I have never read Barbara Pym and I really like how she writes.

#67 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

#68 The Collected Works of A.J.Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin-this was great. I wholeheartedly recommend it. It was a bit quirky, easy to read, well written. Really good.

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #50 - Above by Isla Morley

This book is about a 16 yr old girl who is kidnapped by a man from the community b/c he thinks the apocalypse is coming & chose her to "save". I felt a little mixed by the story while reading it b/c it makes big jumps in time, but the last few chapters make the book. So if you read this, stick with it. When you finish, this story will make you question what you first thought about right & wrong.

Blythe Hallowell is sixteen when she is abducted by a survivalist and locked away in an aban*doned missile silo in Eudora, Kansas. At first, she focuses frantically on finding a way out, until the harrowing truth of her new existence settles in—the crushing loneliness, the terrifying madness of a captor who believes he is saving her from the end of the world, and the persistent temptation to give up. But nothing prepares Blythe for the burden of raising a child in confinement. Deter*mined to give the boy everything she has lost, she pushes aside the truth about a world he may never see for a myth that just might give mean*ing to their lives below ground. Years later, their lives are ambushed by an event at once promis*ing and devastating. As Blythe’s dream of going home hangs in the balance, she faces the ultimate choice—between survival and freedom.

 

[mumloveseeyore]

l havent updated in ages and have rather lost track but i have recently read, a few of the bryant and may mysteries by christopher fowler which i really enjoyed, the sweetness at the bottom of the pie by alan bradley which i thought was ok but didnt enjoy as much as i expected, the Atrocity archives by charles stross, this is a series of supernatural mysteries about a secret government department that has combined higher mathematica and demonology, fun if you can ignore the more mathematical pages,
currently reading book 91 THE luminaries by eleanor catton

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 100 books this year.

#30 - My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall

Autobiography of actress/writer/producer/director Penny Marshall, sister of Gerry, ex-wife of Rob Reiner. Pretty interesting stuff. Not a lot of kiss-and-tell, but she doesn't sugar-coat anything.

Queen Colleen

 

[StephMK]

I LOVED The Vacationers. It was the perfect summer read. Not too "chick lit" and some great locales. A group of friends and family rent a villa in Spain for 2 weeks. There are infidelities, teen angst, financial woes, mid-life crises, etc., interspersed with big meals and lots of swimming. Just enough drama to keep the interest piqued.

I recommend it highly.

#19 Field of Prey by John Sandford This book really kept my interest. You always knew who the killer was but at the end there were twists that you never saw coming. Enjoyed this book very much

Thanks! These both sound good and added my name to the hold list at the library.

I need to go back and figure out what book I listed last. I think I've read 2 since then.

 

[StephMK]

Book #25 - Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf

Sometimes, one small mistake can have life-altering consequences...

As a veteran social worker, Ellen Moore has seen it all - the vilest acts one person can commit against another. The only thing that gets her through the workday is knowing her job helps children. That, and her family: her husband, Adam, and three beautiful kids, twins Leah and Lucas, and eleven-month-old Avery. But with a blink of an eye - with one small mistake - Ellen is suddenly at the mercy of the system she works for. Avery is ripped from her clutches, and her whole world begins crashing down around her.

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jenny Briard has been living with her well-meaning but good-for-nothing father since her mother left them. When her father decides to pack their belongings and move to a new state, Jenny thinks she might be on the road to a better life. But soon she finds herself on her own, forced to survive with nothing but a few dollars and her street smarts. Evading police and the social system, Jenny finds refuge with a kind-hearted waitress. The last thing she needs is a social worker, but when Ellen and Jenny's lives collide unexpectedly, little do they know just how much they can help one another.

I love Heather Gudenkauf's books, she has such a way of making the readers fall in love with the characters. And that's exactly what happened with this book. From start to finish, I was completely enthralled. This really was a great read.

Thanks for the recommendation! Two of her books are available as e-books so I checked out one and got on the wait list for the other. This sounds really good.

I have read an odd collection of books this summer. Nothing has really grabbed me and I missed out on 2 on hold because I forgot to check them out in time. Now I'm back on the wait list again.


#22-All the Summer Girls - Meg Donohue - easy beach read, 3 friends reconnect years after a tragedy and the book looks at each of their lives and the secrets they have kept.

#23 - Say Goodbye to the Survival Mode - Crystal Paine - she is a popular blogger and runs the Money Saving Mom website. It was an interesting read about her history into blogging and how she runs her life. I always get motivated to read books about making life changes when I'm on vacation and then I get home and go - ehh, maybe tomorrow. Anyway, it held my interest and had some good strategies for how to live a productive and positive life.

#24 - What Stays in Vegas - complete junk food book - silly read about a girl who is transferred to the Vegas office of her job. Some romance, mild conflicts, and completely unrealistic situations but funny in parts.

#25 - Whatever You Love - Louise Doughty - I'm not sure what possessed me to read it. I bought it on Amazon for $1.99 during a daily deal. It was a dark book and I was thinking there would be some message or ending that made it worthwhile. I feel like I read a different book than the Amazon reviewer comments because I just did not get that from this book. Here is the summary.

["I study the photo in the same way that a spy might study the face of a counterpart in a rival organization. I am calm as I make this promise: I am going to find out what you love, then whatever it is, I am going to track it down and I am going to take it away from you."

After the death of Laura's nine-year-old daughter, Betty, is ruled an accident in a hit-and-run, Laura decides to take revenge into her own hands, determined to track down the man responsible. All the while, her inner turmoil is reopening the old wounds of her passionate love affair with Betty's father, David, and his abandonment of the family for another woman.

Haunted by her past and driven to a breaking point by her thirst for retribution, Laura discovers the unforeseen lengths she is willing to go to for love and vengeance.]

#26 - Dream Save Do - Betsy & Warren Talbot - this told about their plan to save up enough money to take a year off and travel around the world. Fun read about what they gave up and how their lifestyle changed in order to make their dream happen. They are still traveling the world and have a few blogs I have not checked out. I think I highlighted some quotes in this one because it has some good advice about chasing dreams.

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 70 books

Book #35 - "In The Company of Others" by Jan Karon

From Goodreads: Father Tim and Cynthia arrive in the west of Ireland, intent on researching his Kavanagh ancestry from the comfort of a charming fishing lodge. The charm, however, is broken entirely when Cynthia startles a burglar and sprains her already-injured ankle. Then a cherished and valuable painting is stolen from the lodge owners, and Cynthia's pain pales in comparison to the wound at the center of this bitterly estranged Irish family.

My review: I really enjoy the books of Jan Karon. This was no exception. It was nice to see new characters, and read a new storyline. I love her gentle humor and faith-based writing that is not too over the top. I would recommend this.

Next up: "The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America" by Erik Larson. This is our book club pick, so I need to get it done in record time before our meeting!