Here it is - the OFFICIAL 2014 READING GOAL CHALLENGE THREAD

[Deffenm]

#16/30 -Running Dream

This is a YA book my mom recommended. It is about a track star who ends up losing her leg when the school bus crashes on the way home from a track meet. I thought it was a really good book and hope my kids read it as it has some really good "lessons" in the book.

 

[Pig Pen]

#31 - Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Perfect summer read. I chose this because it takes place in Italy and I was there earlier in the year.

It's 1962 and Pasquale has inherited a decrepit hotel in a dying village on the coast of Italy. He dreams of rehabbing it and attracting rich American tourists. One day a beautiful woman checks in and he thinks his dreams have been realized. However the woman has a secret that changes his life forever.

The story switches back and forth from 1962 Italy to present day Hollywood as the mystery unravels. It was a good, quick read.

Next up is Joyland by Stephen King.

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #66 - Acceptance by Jeff Vandermeer

The is the 3rd & final book in the Southern Reach series. I do not recommend this series. You have no clue what's happening in the 1st two books & the 3rd book gives some answers, but not all. I still want to know what created Area X!!

It is winter in Area X, the mysterious wilderness that has defied explanation for thirty years, rebuffing expedition after expedition, refusing to reveal its secrets. As Area X expands, the agency tasked with investigating and overseeing it--the Southern Reach--has collapsed on itself in confusion. Now one last, desperate team crosses the border, determined to reach a remote island that may hold the answers they've been seeking. If they fail, the outer world is in peril.
Meanwhile, Acceptance tunnels ever deeper into the circumstances surrounding the creation of Area X--what initiated this unnatural upheaval? Among the many who have tried, who has gotten close to understanding Area X--and who may have been corrupted by it?
In this last installment of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy, the mysteries of Area X may be solved, but their consequences and implications are no less profound--or terrifying.

Next Book: The Story of Land & Sea

 

[lovegrumpy]

#13 Patricia Cornwell Point Of Origin

Great read

 

[Colleen27]

#63 - The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Had to read it before the movie came out, and I really enjoyed it. This was teenage male perspective done well (a happy contrast to Monument 14's teen male perspective gone wrong) and the absence of female characters/a love story was a nice change of pace from the more female oriented YA lit my daughter usually gets me reading.

#64 - Your Own Worst Enemy by Kenneth Christian

A predictable self-help book but with a few useful hints and tips that apply to some of my typical organizational and motivational blunders. A little touchy feely for my tastes but worth the read for the few nuggets I've been able to apply to help me get organized and stay focused now that I'm back to school and have a ton more than I'm used to on my plate.

#65 - Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

I'm not sure what to think of this one. A quick read, I did enjoy it but felt like nothing at all was wrapped up in the first volume. And infuriatingly our library doesn't have the second, so if I want to continue the trilogy I'll have to let go of my last intact New Year's Resolution not to buy any more books to add to our already significant book clutter. I may just check my school library or wait until the public library gets a copy to continue on with the trilogy.

#66 - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Ugh, not my cup of tea. DD thought it was okay, all her friends rave about it, so I figured I'd give it a shot but it just seemed so contrived and melodramatic. I don't "do" tearjerkers as a rule so it was a bad choice right from the start, and the working too hard to be clever dialogue and predictably bleak outcome didn't help.

 

[3Gsandme]

I finished "The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarty. Very nice period book, if you like those. I thought the ending drug out a little longer than it needed to, but it was a 4.5/5 stars for me. Very moving at times and a quick read.

I'm almost done with "A Feast for Crows" by George R.R. Martin. These Game of Thrones books are bogging my book count down. I've only logged 13 books since summer began, but I'll have 5000+ pages tied up in the Song of Fire and Ice series. I don't mind, but I still think those books should could for two. At least.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#65 The Wrong Man by John Katzenbach

"Michael O'Connell is a malignant shadow of a man. His brash, handsome features conceal a black and empty soul. Control is his religion. Cunning and criminal skill are his stock-in-trade. Rage is his language.
The harder Ashley tries to break free, the deeper Michael burrows into every aspect of her life. In desperation, Ashley turns to her divorced parents and her mother's new partner, three people locked in a coldly civilized triangle of resentment. But their fierce devotion to Ashley is the common bond that will draw them together to face down a predator."

Altho I am a Katzenbach fan, this one was just ok to me. A bit tedious in places, good plot but characters didn't seem to have much depth so I couldn't seem to care about them much, just wanted to see how things were resolved.

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 70 books

Book #48 - "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver

From Goodreads: Clear-eyed and spirited, Taylor Greer grew up poor in rural Kentucky with the goals of avoiding pregnancy and getting away. But when she heads west with high hopes and a barely functional car, she meets the human condition head-on. By the time Taylor arrives in Tucson, Arizona, she has acquired a completely unexpected child, a three-year-old American Indian girl named Turtle, and must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity for putting down roots. Hers is a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in apparently empty places.

My review: I really enjoyed this book. I've read "The Poisonwood Bible," and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read another by this author. I felt that the characters were honest and believable! I enjoyed the plot line, and felt that it was compelling. I would recommend this wholeheartedly!

Next Up: "I'll Be Seeing You" by Suzanne Hayes

 

[Pig Pen]

#32 - Joyland by Stephen King

This is not one of King's blood and guts horror stories. It's a very entertaining novel, almost a YA novel, about a college student named Devlin Jones who gets a summer job in an amusement park in the early 1970s. He learns that the "Horror House" ride was the scene of a murder years before and is allegedly haunted by a ghost. But that plot turns out to be a minor storyline. The book is more like a coming of age novel. In this way it reminds me a lot of King's novella "The Body" (aka Stand by Me).

I enjoyed this book and appreciated King's unexpected restraint. This could very easily have been a 700 page behemoth (think "It") full of lots of paranormal events, but I think the short novel works well in this case. I would have loved to see more of the backstory of some of the book's other characters - the rich young widow, her psychic son, the serial killer, the fortune-teller, even his old spinster landlady probably had an interesting story!

Anyway, this was another good summer read. It's still summer here in Florida!

Next up is "All the Light We Cannot See."

 

[nemofans]

#63 - The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Had to read it before the movie came out, and I really enjoyed it. This was teenage male perspective done well (a happy contrast to Monument 14's teen male perspective gone wrong) and the absence of female characters/a love story was a nice change of pace from the more female oriented YA lit my daughter usually gets me reading.

#64 - Your Own Worst Enemy by Kenneth Christian

A predictable self-help book but with a few useful hints and tips that apply to some of my typical organizational and motivational blunders. A little touchy feely for my tastes but worth the read for the few nuggets I've been able to apply to help me get organized and stay focused now that I'm back to school and have a ton more than I'm used to on my plate.

#65 - Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

I'm not sure what to think of this one. A quick read, I did enjoy it but felt like nothing at all was wrapped up in the first volume. And infuriatingly our library doesn't have the second, so if I want to continue the trilogy I'll have to let go of my last intact New Year's Resolution not to buy any more books to add to our already significant book clutter. I may just check my school library or wait until the public library gets a copy to continue on with the trilogy.

#66 - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Ugh, not my cup of tea. DD thought it was okay, all her friends rave about it, so I figured I'd give it a shot but it just seemed so contrived and melodramatic. I don't "do" tearjerkers as a rule so it was a bad choice right from the start, and the working too hard to be clever dialogue and predictably bleak outcome didn't help.

I recommend you do not waste $ buying the 2nd book. It's even more frustrating than the 1st book & considered the worst of the series. I finished all 3 in this series, writing the 3rd book review just a few posts from this one, & I did not enjoy this series at all. You do not get answers in book 1 OR 2 & do get some answers in book 3, but not enough to explain what the h*ll caused Area X. Request it from your library & they may order it for you, but do not buy it. It will probably make you hate it more for wasting $ on it. Just my humble opinion...

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #67 - The Story of Land & Sea by Katy Simpson Smith

I would rate this a mediocre story overall. The story is broken into 3 parts (year 1793, 1771-1782, 1793-1794) & I don't understand why it is told in this order. It would have flowed better & (I feel) have more impact to the story if told in sequential order. I enjoyed the 2nd part the best & wished the story continued from that time When John & Helen are at sea b4 it jumped forward again. I did not care for the ending at all, rather dull way to end it.

Set in a small coastal town in North Carolina during the waning years of the American Revolution, this incandescent debut novel follows three generations of family—fathers and daughters, mother and son, master and slave, characters who yearn for redemption amidst a heady brew of war, kidnapping, slavery, and love.
Drawn to the ocean, ten-year-old Tabitha wanders the marshes of her small coastal village and listens to her father’s stories about his pirate voyages and the mother she never knew. Since the loss of his wife Helen, John has remained land-bound for their daughter, but when Tab contracts yellow fever, he turns to the sea once more. Desperate to save his daughter, he takes her aboard a sloop bound for Bermuda, hoping the salt air will heal her.
Years before, Helen herself was raised by a widowed father. Asa, the devout owner of a small plantation, gives his daughter a young slave named Moll for her tenth birthday. Left largely on their own, Helen and Moll develop a close but uneasy companionship. Helen gradually takes over the running of the plantation as the girls grow up, but when she meets John, the pirate turned Continental soldier, she flouts convention and her father’s wishes by falling in love. Moll, meanwhile, is forced into marriage with a stranger. Her only solace is her son, Davy, whom she will protect with a passion that defies the bounds of slavery.
In this elegant, evocative, and haunting debut, Katy Simpson Smith captures the singular love between parent and child, the devastation of love lost, and the lonely paths we travel in the name of renewal.

Next Book: Season of Storms

 

[zippitydoo]

Book #49 of 75: The Gray and Guilty Sea by Scott William Carter
#50 of 75: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank
#51 of 75: The Profiler by Chris Taylor

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

#10
Murder on a Stick
By S. L. Smith
I actually won this book on Goodreads
I liked it, It was a quick enough read.

I would say that the book was better than the tittle, but in many ways worse than the title.
If you are going to title a book Murder on a Sick the Title is only going to work if the book is brilliant.
Minnesotan's and State fair fans might like more than others, Also people who like police investigations.
I'd give it 3.5 stars.
OH the end has a list of all the things that are on a stick at a state fair. THere's a lot.

 

[Colleen27]

I recommend you do not waste $ buying the 2nd book. It's even more frustrating than the 1st book & considered the worst of the series. I finished all 3 in this series, writing the 3rd book review just a few posts from this one, & I did not enjoy this series at all. You do not get answers in book 1 OR 2 & do get some answers in book 3, but not enough to explain what the h*ll caused Area X. Request it from your library & they may order it for you, but do not buy it. It will probably make you hate it more for wasting $ on it. Just my humble opinion...

I saw your review right after I posted. The lack of answers will likely annoy the heck out of me, so I'll finish the series if/when the library gets them. It doesn't really seem like they'd be "keepers" so I don't want to spend the money to buy them.

 

[Glynis]

Goal - 70 books

Book #49 - "I'll Be Seeing You" by Suzanne Hayes

From Goodreads: It's January 1943 when Rita Vincenzo receives her first letter from Glory Whitehall. Glory is an effervescent young mother, impulsive and free as a bird. Rita is a sensible professor's wife with a love of gardening and a generous, old soul. Glory comes from New England society; Rita lives in Iowa, trying to make ends meet. They have nothing in common except one powerful bond: the men they love are fighting in a war a world away from home.

My review: I enjoyed this book, but didn't feel like it lived up to it's promise. I did love the fact that the 2 authors have never met, but simply started writing letters to one another as these characters, and this book came about. I felt like some of the writing was not as "real" as it could have been. I would recommend this, though, as it was enjoyable.

Next up: "The Hours" by Michael Cunningham

 

[dizluvah]

Ages since I posted....Goal 100 books

86 Trouble in Tinseltown by Aimee Duffy
85 First Lady by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
84 Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
83 Hereos are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
82 Crush By Nicole Williams
81 Clash By Nicole Williams
80 Karma by Carly Phillips
79 Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
78 Crash by Nicole Williams
77 I'd Tell you I Love You But Then I'd have to Kill You by Ally Carte


Of the above, I recommend

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
I *think I learned of this book on the dis but I'm not sure so here is an excerpt from goodreads synopsis:
A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.

I gave this 5 stars. Best book I've read all year! This book weaves two stories (historical and modern day) in a perfect balance. I plan to recommend to all who will listen.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gavrielle Zevin
excerpt from goodreads synopsis: A. J. Fikry's life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island-
I gave this 4 stars. My review has spoilers so I wont' share but I found this book uplifting.

 

[Pig Pen]

#33 - Benediction by Kent Haruf

I love this author and this book did not disappoint. He weaves mesmerizing stories about everyday lives.

As with some of his previous books, this story takes place in Holt, Colorado. The elderly hardware store owner has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and he and his wife make plans for his care and death. While dealing with this, his friends, family and co-workers come to terms with their feelings.

Now I will go back to All the Light We Cannot See.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

A Discovery of Witches
Deborah Harkness

I will skip the synopsis because I know many in the group have read and reviewed it already so I will just add my opinion.

I am kind of torn on this one. The parts I enjoyed, I liked A LOT! The parts I disliked almost ruined the book for me. I felt it was very slow at times and I don't really care for Matthew. Even if I didn't find 35% of the book boring, it would be hard to give it a stellar review when I dislike such a main character.


*** I don't think I am going to make this year's goal . It's just been crazy busy with my husband coming home and stuff. It's a little disappointing, but I'm still trying!

 

[nemofans]

Finished book #68 - Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley

I found this book interesting (3/5 stars). The mystery pulled me in. The main character, Celia, was a little annoying though. Parts were a little lacking. Wished there was more to the ghosts involved in the story than just the little there was. Also, the budding romance was weak & lacking as well. The ending was ok. I thought it was leading to a different ending which would have been a better ending.

In 1921, infamous Italian poet Galeazzo D'Ascanio wrote his last and greatest play, inspired by his muse and mistress, actress Celia Sands. On the eve of opening night, Celia vanished, and the play was never performed.
Now, two generations later, Alessandro D'Ascanio plans to stage his grandfather's masterpiece and has offered the lead to a promising young English actress, also named Celia Sands-at the whim of her actress mother, or so she has always thought. When Celia arrives at D'Ascanio's magnificent, isolated Italian villa, she is drawn to the mystery of her namesake's disappearance-and to the compelling, enigmatic Alessandro.
But the closer Celia gets to learning the first Celia's fate, the more she is drawn into a web of murder, passion, and the obsession of genius. Though she knows she should let go of the past, in the dark, in her dreams, it comes back...


Finished book #69 - The First Husband by Laura Dave

Typical chick lit with an entertaining enough story that I read this in half a day.

Los Angeles–based travel writer Annie Adams thinks she has it all. Nick, her longtime film director boyfriend, has finally hit the big time, her column is syndicated, and they've got a great dog. Then Nick moves out. Three months later, Annie is married to Griffin, a down-to-earth chef with a restaurant in the Berkshires. When Nick asks for a second chance, Annie is torn between her husband and the man she might have been meant to marry.

Next book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

 

[threeboysmom]

A Discovery of Witches
Deborah Harkness

I will skip the synopsis because I know many in the group have read and reviewed it already so I will just add my opinion.

I am kind of torn on this one. The parts I enjoyed, I liked A LOT! The parts I disliked almost ruined the book for me. I felt it was very slow at times and I don't really care for Matthew. Even if I didn't find 35% of the book boring, it would be hard to give it a stellar review when I dislike such a main character.


*** I don't think I am going to make this year's goal . It's just been crazy busy with my husband coming home and stuff. It's a little disappointing, but I'm still trying!

Find some short books!!

Orphan Train (which I'm reading now) only has about 275 pages or so. Also, anything by Jojo Moyes is rather short (my new favorite author!) **cough** like Me Before You **cough**