2013 BOOK CHALLENGE! Are you in?

[dizluvah]

Finished book #8, Goal is 40

Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder (#2 in Healer series) This book leaves you with a cliff hanger - and now I have to wait for the next book (no idea when it is due out) arrggghhhh - frustration, although I guess it is a good sign that I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one

Next up is The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty and I have The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe checked out from library so need to read that in the next 2 weeks.

 

[stacy347]

Goal 30

Book #2
Whisper Walker by London Cole

It is a free Kindle download on Amazon right now. Short read, but I like the ideas behind the story. I seem to be on a dystopian kick right now, and this fit the bill. The characters are likeable enough (if you read the short stories at the end you get a little more back story on Drake and Kelsie). Surprisingly enjoyable for a self-published e-book.

Amazon description:
Seventeen year-old Acquisitions Specialist Drake Adair is legendary at his job: he can obtain anything from anyone and from anywhere, without getting caught. At least, he’s never been caught before.

This time things go differently. He ends up on the run from the enemy Guild and takes refuge in a cave, only to get stuck in a pit in the back of the cave. He might be the only living human in there, but he’s not alone.

Kelsie Blake, Drake's roommate and closest friend since she fled her filicidal father, has secrets. Secrets she keeps even from Drake. Sneaking outside the Gates into the wild, she risks everything for a little excitement. Her lies now threaten everything she cares about most in her life.

Drake unearths a plot by an enemy Guild to tear apart life as he knows it. The very people closest to him may be pawns in the grisly scheme, leaving Kelsie and Drake with no one to turn to as they struggle to find answers before it's too late.

Set eighty years after World War III, Kelsie and Drake pair up to protect the only life they know in a harsh and unforgiving world. They must each come to grips with his abilities, her secrets, and their mixed feelings for each other. Will they make it? Or will the very foundations of their lives be ripped from beneath them.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

Book #6 Zelda: A Biography by Nancy Milford

Review: This is a very comprehensive biography of Zelda Fitzgerald. On the surface, she seemed bubbly and a woman of the 1920s who danced in the best clubs of New York. There is more to the story however, the disrepair of life and her own time in institutions. She had a very difficult relationship with her daughter,Scottie and with her husband. I remember in HS hearing that it was Zelda's mental illness and ambition that had hurt Scott Fitzgerald's career but to me without Zelda there wouldn't be a Scott Fitzgerald. Her influence and personality is found greatly in the female characters that he wrote about. Even some of her letters found its way through his books. I would recommend this book but under the suggestion that if you want to read Milford's book be ready to invest your time in this book due to the exhaustive research and many facets to Zelda and Scott's personality and life.

After this book I am totally ready to read a romance or a novel full of lurid drama.

 

[illuminationsfanatic]

I finished my first book over a week ago and am just now getting a chance to post.

Book #1: The Boy Project by Kami Kinard
I am a middle school teacher so I read quite a bit of the young adult books that my students read, this was one of them. It was quite slow, but I think that it's a good read for middle school girls. The main message is that you shouldn't change who you are just for a boy to like you. The book speaks a lot to the importance of staying true to who you are. Overall, I thought it was just ok, but can see why my students like it.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[paulasillars]

I'm sorry but Life of Pi was really not my cup of tea, I got over 1/4 through it - up to part 2 and hated it. I gave up... annoyed that I spent so long it too. It was far too waffly and airy-fairy for my liking. I have to think for my job, I don't want to have to think about my entertainment.

#1 Mercy Thompson: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs Started:Jan 1 Finished:Jan 1
#2 Disney Trivia from the Vault by Dave Smith Started:Jan 1
#3 Mercy Thompson: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs Started:Jan 2 Finished:Jan 5
#4 Mercy Thompson: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs Started:Jan 5 Finished:Jan 8
#5 Mercy Thompson: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs Started:Jan 8 Finished:Jan 13
#6 Mercy Thompson: River Marked by Patricia Briggs Started:Jan 13 Finished:Jan 17
#7 Life of Pi by Yann Mantel Started:18 Jan Gave up:Jan 20
#8 Cassandra Palmer: Touch the Dark by Karen Chance Started 18 Jan Finished:Jan 20
#9 Cassandra Palmer: Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance Started 20 Jan

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Book #6 Zelda: A Biography by Nancy Milford

Review: This is a very comprehensive biography of Zelda Fitzgerald. On the surface, she seemed bubbly and a woman of the 1920s who danced in the best clubs of New York. There is more to the story however, the disrepair of life and her own time in institutions. She had a very difficult relationship with her daughter,Scottie and with her husband. I remember in HS hearing that it was Zelda's mental illness and ambition that had hurt Scott Fitzgerald's career but to me without Zelda there wouldn't be a Scott Fitzgerald. Her influence and personality is found greatly in the female characters that he wrote about. Even some of her letters found its way through his books. I would recommend this book but under the suggestion that if you want to read Milford's book be ready to invest your time in this book due to the exhaustive research and many facets to Zelda and Scott's personality and life.

After this book I am totally ready to read a romance or a novel full of lurid drama.

Thanks for the review! I'm reading the Paris Wife right now and am enjoying the interaction of these writers and artists of the 1920s. I will add this to my to read list. Fitzgerald is one of my favorites.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[quietgirll]

Just finished book 2- Trust Your Eyes, by Linwood Barclay. Always love his books, but wasn't sure from the description of this one originally. Really enjoyed it, he always keeps me guessing, just when I thought I had something figured out, he changed it arOund...right up to the very end. Loved the ending, was a big wow! Definitely Recommend this!

Now starting the racketeer by John Grisham...

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Just held 3 of the Castle novels at the library, looks like those are next.

 

[Maridw]

Count me in. I think I'll try for 25.

Got one down - The Blood Gospel by James Rollins

This one was a "little" different for him. I really like his books, they are always full of action plus a wide variety of places involved. I did like this one even with it being a different style for him.

Could almost say two down, but one is a continuing short story series - The Deadliest Castmember Episode One & Two (actually One was finished before the new year and Two was finished after the new year.

Maybe those that are involved in this could join the Disreaders on Goodreads.com. I know there is at least 1 that is doing the challenge in this group.

Good Luck everyone.

 

[ebtbmom]

I finished book #2 (goal 15), The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

I would rate this book a 4 of 1-5 scale. It had very interesting characters and plot twists. I cared about the characters and what happened to them, especially the narrator, Daniel.

Daniel reads a book that he really loves but when he tries to find more books by the same author he discovers that they have nearly all been destroyed and that the author has a very mysterious past. The story is character driven and centers around them and their lives and connections to each other.

There were a few points that got a little slow, but then there would be a shocking reveal and you'd be sucked back in! I recommend it!

Not sure what I'm reading next.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I finished #4 - Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.

I really liked it! It goes back and forth between 1986 and WW II. It is the story of a friendship/first love of a Chinese boy and Japanese girl. She must go to an internment camp. It is set in Seattle and jazz plays a part of their friendship which I found interesting.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Goal: 52 books this year

Book #6 down and done.

Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle by Ann B. Ross picks up the story of Miss Julia Springer, now Mrs. Sam Murdoch, who takes in her late husband's lover and illegitimate child in spite of the shock of her conservative Southern town.

Hazel Mae and Lloyd have become part of Miss Julia's family, and when Hazel Mae marries a private investigator, J. D. Pickens, and prepares to deliver twins during a snowstorm, Miss Julia has to deal with someone passing bad checks on her account and the suspicion among some in town that Miss Julia had something to do with the dead body found in a tool shed six blocks from her home.

The story is better than I described it, but it is pure fluff, something to read between weightier tomes.

Queen Colleen

 

[Simba's Mom]

I thought I was doing well until I read the post above mine-6 of 52. I just finished 5 of 65, so now I'm starting #6. The one I read was "The Only Way Out" by Susan Mallery. I liked it, didn't love it. It was about special forces/spy guy meets girl with bad reputation who's really sweet. Maybe I'm just turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but it just doesn't seem right to me for people to jump into bed, have wild sex, THEN fall in love. I mean, in my day, when a girl went to bed with a guy she didn't love.....well, there was a name for girs like that. But now-everyone's OK with this??? There was just a little too much rippling muscles, and pert little..... for me.
Next up. "Last Writes", a cozy mystery that doesn't appear to have any sex in it. I think the last book had plenty.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I thought I was doing well until I read the post above mine-6 of 52. I just finished 5 of 65, so now I'm starting #6. The one I read was "The Only Way Out" by Susan Mallery. I liked it, didn't love it. It was about special forces/spy guy meets girl with bad reputation who's really sweet. Maybe I'm just turning into an old fuddy-duddy, but it just doesn't seem right to me for people to jump into bed, have wild sex, THEN fall in love. I mean, in my day, when a girl went to bed with a guy she didn't love.....well, there was a name for girs like that. But now-everyone's OK with this??? There was just a little too much rippling muscles, and pert little..... for me.
Next up. "Last Writes", a cozy mystery that doesn't appear to have any sex in it. I think the last book had plenty.

You're doing fine! I don't think it's a contest, it's a personal challenge. I'm sure there have been years when I've been lucky to read five books, and other years when I've read more than 100. It just depends on what's going on in my life at the time.

I'm with you, though, there's too much casual sex in "literature" today. I much prefer mysteries and books that make me puzzle out the solution, or fluff like the Miss Julia books noted below. Or biographies and memoirs.

Queen Colleen

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal 72

#7 Mission Flats by William Landay

Small town police chief in Maine finds dead body of Boston DA in a cabin by the lake. He pursues the investigation by going to Boston to find out what he can. Lots of twists & turns. Just when you think you have it figured out something else happens. This is by the author of Defending Jacob which I have on my to read list.
4 out of 5 stars

 

[willowsnn3]

Goal: 52 books this year

Book #6 down and done.

Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle by Ann B. Ross picks up the story of Miss Julia Springer, now Mrs. Sam Murdoch, who takes in her late husband's lover and illegitimate child in spite of the shock of her conservative Southern town.

Hazel Mae and Lloyd have become part of Miss Julia's family, and when Hazel Mae marries a private investigator, J. D. Pickens, and prepares to deliver twins during a snowstorm, Miss Julia has to deal with someone passing bad checks on her account and the suspicion among some in town that Miss Julia had something to do with the dead body found in a tool shed six blocks from her home.

The story is better than I described it, but it is pure fluff, something to read between weightier tomes.

Queen Colleen

I've read several of the Miss Julia books. Some have literally made me laugh out loud. Fun to read between more intense books.

 

[*JoGo*]

Thanks for the review! I'm reading the Paris Wife right now and am enjoying the interaction of these writers and artists of the 1920s. I will add this to my to read list. Fitzgerald is one of my favorites.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I read Paris Wife early last year and then read A Moveable Feast and The Sun Also Rises along with two biographies on Hemmingway. Loved Paris Wife!

I am also now interested in the biography of Zelda!! Especially since I want to reread The Great Gatsby before seeing the new movie.

I recommend watching Midnight in Paris! I loved it! Purely fictional but so many of the Lost Generation made appearances.

 

[kimblebee]

Goal 50


#5 Life of Pi

4/5 A good read for me. I liked the descriptions of all the animals, both in the zoo and the ones he encounters later. Before I read the book I knew there was a movie but had not heard or seen anything about it (no cable or Internet). I liked that because I hate seeing the actor instead of my own interpretation of the character while reading. As soon as I was done I went to IMDB to see the trailer. It looks like a good movie and I will try to go see it. I would recommend this book because I was really able to picture what the writer was describing.

I am already halfway through The Giver. My daughter has apparently read the book and deemed it 'weird'. We shall see.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Book #6 Zelda: A Biography by Nancy Milford

Review: This is a very comprehensive biography of Zelda Fitzgerald. On the surface, she seemed bubbly and a woman of the 1920s who danced in the best clubs of New York. There is more to the story however, the disrepair of life and her own time in institutions. She had a very difficult relationship with her daughter,Scottie and with her husband. I remember in HS hearing that it was Zelda's mental illness and ambition that had hurt Scott Fitzgerald's career but to me without Zelda there wouldn't be a Scott Fitzgerald. Her influence and personality is found greatly in the female characters that he wrote about. Even some of her letters found its way through his books. I would recommend this book but under the suggestion that if you want to read Milford's book be ready to invest your time in this book due to the exhaustive research and many facets to Zelda and Scott's personality and life.

After this book I am totally ready to read a romance or a novel full of lurid drama.

I read that book back in high school; I was mesmerized and saddened by her life and death. Maybe it's time for me to read it again!

Goal 50


#5 Life of Pi

4/5 A good read for me. I liked the descriptions of all the animals, both in the zoo and the ones he encounters later. Before I read the book I knew there was a movie but had not heard or seen anything about it (no cable or Internet). I liked that because I hate seeing the actor instead of my own interpretation of the character while reading. As soon as I was done I went to IMDB to see the trailer. It looks like a good movie and I will try to go see it. I would recommend this book because I was really able to picture what the writer was describing.

I am already halfway through The Giver. My daughter has apparently read the book and deemed it 'weird'. We shall see.

I read The Giver years ago when it was a 7th grade requirement for my kids. The ending can be interpreted in more than one way. There are two companion books: Gathering Blue and The Messenger.

 

[nemofans]

So I started reading Home Front today & I have been crying while reading for the last 30 minutes! I had to stop to make dinner, but I can't wait to get back to reading.