Read 100+ Books in 2013 discussion
April Challenge
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It's April and that means one thing - The start of the baseball season. The sweet smell of freshly cut grass the aroma of popcorn and hot dogs, the ice cold beer, the Dodgers beating the dreaded Giants . . . Life is good!Here's my April's challenges:
1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it.
3. For those April showers, read a book about water.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
"The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence Ritter
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice.
About halfway done with "City of Fallen Angels" by Cassandra Clare.With the start of MLB baseball, now reading a collection of short stories by Lawrence Ritter, "The Glory of Their Times."
"This is a book about the early days of baseball. It is a book about what it is like and how it felt to be a ball player at the turn of the century and the decades shortly after . . . "
My April's challenges:1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it.
"Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin.
3. For those April showers, read a book about water.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
"The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence Ritter
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice.
Finished reading "City of Fallen Angels," Book 4 of "The Mortal Instruments" series - 3/5 stars, predictable ending.Now reading "Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin.
"Adelia and her companions-Simon, a Jew, and Mansur, a Moor-travel to England to unravel the mystery of the Cambridge murders, which turn out to be the work of a serial killer, most likely one who has been on Crusade with the king. In a backward and superstitious country like England, Adelia must conceal her true identity as a doctor in order to avoid accusations of witchcraft. Along the way, she is assisted by Sir Rowley Picot, one of the king's tax collectors, a man with a personal stake in the investigation. Rowley may be a needed friend, or the fiend for whom they are searching. As Adelia's investigation takes her into Cambridge's shadowy river paths and behind the closed doors of its churches and nunneries, the hunt intensifies and the killer prepares to strike again."
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Now reading "Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin.
"Adelia and her..."
When the movie for City of Bones, book 1 of the Mortal Instruments, comes out this summer would it be worth seeing?
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2/9, 23 books
1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D--A Promise of Safekeeping by Lisa Dale.
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it--Deadly Sins by Kelly Brant--finished 4/12/13
3. For those April showers, read a book about water--Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature--Powers of Nature by The National Geographic Society.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice--The Conquest of Lady Cassandra--Madeline Hunter--finished 4/16/13.
Bonus:
The Remake: As Time Goes By by Stephen Humphrey Bogart--finished 4/2/13
One Night Stand by Parker Kincade--finished 4/2/13
Foul Play at the Fair by Shelly Freydont--finished 4/7/13
Mittens by Phoenix Baker--finished 4/7/13
Medium Rare: A Boxed Set by Lacy Maran & Kevin Michael--finished 4/8/13
The Highwayman by Angela Plowman--finished 4/9/13
Alex Wales: Promise by Yolanda Sfetsos--finished 4/14/13
The Devil of Whiskey Row by Renee Rose--finished 4/15/13
Once Bitten, Forever Burned by Eva Langlais/Stacey Kennedy--finished 4/17/13
Snow's Heat: Prowling Around by Nicole Hicks--finished 4/18/13
Swift of Heart by Amarinda Jones--finished 4/19/13
Dirty Laundry by Rhys Ford--finished 4/23/13
The Tower of Babbage by Michael Coorlim--finished 4/24/13
Broken Wings by Sandra Edwards--finished 4/25/13
Last Man Standing by Amarinda Jones--finished 4/26/13
When Monsters Come Out to Play by Samantha Foster--finished 4/26/13
A Matter of Spirit by Michael Coorlim--finished 4/27/13
Fade to Love by Allyson Simonian-finished 4/27/13
Gamescape (Serial, Ep.1)by Cege Smith--finished 4/28/13
Lola the Mermaid and the Splish Splash Olympics by Lily Lexington--finished 4/29/13
Vegas, Baby by Sandra Edwards--finished 4/30/13
1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.Murder in Store by D.C. Brod
The Enemy We Know by Donna White Glaser
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it.
The Do-Over by Kathy Dunnehoff
3. For those April showers, read a book about water.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice.
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve
Superbia by Bernard Schaffer
Witness Chase By R. J. Jagger
Rejection - A Lou Drake Mystery By Thomas K. Matthews
The Land of Later on by Anthony Weller
Winter of the World by Ken Follett
The Way They Were by Mary Campisi
Sheila wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Finished reading "City of Fallen Angels," Book 4 of "The Mortal Instruments" series - 3/5 stars, predictable ending.Now reading "Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin.
"..."
I would say yes! I enjoyed the series, but not as much as "The Hunger Games" series.
Here's April's challenges:1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D. The Little Women Letters-Gabrielle Donnelly 4/17/13
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it. Dreams of Joy- Lisa See 4/5/13
3. For those April showers, read a book about water. Sea-Heidi R. Kling 4/17/13
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall-Anne Bronte 4/21/13
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball. Catch of a Lifetime-Luann McLane 4/29/13
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light. A Turn of Light-Julie E. Czerneda 4/26/13
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature. Garden Spells-Sarah Addison Allen (nature plus fantasy) 4/14/13
8. Read a book with a number in its title. Twice Promised-Maggie Brendan 4/3/13, 1984-George Orwell 4/12/13
9. Your choice. The Sweet Far Thing- Libba Bray 4/2/13, A Wanted Man-Linda Lael Miller 4/6/13, Rachel's Secret-BJ Hoff 4/30/13
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1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it. Dreams of Joy- Lisa See 4/5/13
3. For those April showers, read a book about ..."
How was The Sweet Far Thing?
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Sheila wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Here's April's challenges:1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it. Dreams of Joy- Lisa See 4/5/13
3. For those April showers, rea..."
I liked it; here's my review. :)
This is a new genre I'm getting into: Steam Punk, which means that it's sci-fi/fantasy set in Victorian times. It was shelved as young adult, but I wouldn't recommend it for teenagers. The plot was interesting, and the characters were portrayed well, but due to the portrayal of the occult and sexual innuendo, I would only recommend it for adults despite the fact that the characters are around 16 or 17. It was written very well and was entertaining even though it was quite strange in many places.
This is the conclusion of the story from A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels, and I really enjoyed it also.
Rachel wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Here's April's challenges:1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it. Dreams of Joy- Lisa See 4/5/13
3. For those Apr..."
Thanks!
Sheila wrote: "If you like cozy mysteries, I just finished a good one today--Foul Play at the Fair by Shelly Freydont. She sets up her town of Celebration Bay and the people who live in it. The mystery was good..."Thank you Sheila - Sounds like my kind of story!
More of my April challenges:1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
"Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it.
"Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin.
3. For those April showers, read a book about water.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
"The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence Ritter
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice.
"Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait"
Finished reading "Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin - 4/5 stars. Terrific beginning of a good series.Now reading "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell.
"A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinnery server” on death-row; and Zachary, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilization—the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other’s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small."
Also reading "Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait" by Rachel Robinson with Lee Daniels.
"The tale of Jackie Robinson does not begin and end with baseball. It includes family, friends, and--after his retirement--the business world and the civil rights movement. In an evocative, humorous, and personal style, Robinson reveals her husband as a sensitive and committed individual. Her keen observations and sharp memories are enhanced by a unique collection of 301 photographs that allow readers into Robinson's life: his youth, college, army days, and his time with his living family."
This was one of those classics I was determined to read at least once in my life, and now I have done so, hooray! That being said, this was a 2-star read for me because regardless of how well it is written, and it is written very well, I didn't enjoy it, and I rate books in great part on how well I liked them. I didn't particularly like the plot, the characters, or the philosophy involved in the book; however, I understood the book, and it was very thought-provoking. The fact that it took me, a very fast reader, five days to finish the book shows you that I really had to think through what I was reading plus just make myself pick up again and again a book I disliked.
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This was one of those classics I was determined to read at least once in my life, and now I have done so, hooray! That being said, this was a 2-star read for me because regar..."
I also rate books by how much I liked them. I understand what you mean about having a hard time picking up a book you dislike and forcing yourself to read it. I, too, at some time in the future want to read 1984. That's one of those books you know you should read but you dread it.
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4/14/13 5 starsI really enjoyed this one; it was written well and was a fun, sweet, romantic fantasy surrounding a family and a garden. I loved the characters, and the plot was intriguing. It was also a fast read because the prose actually had a good flow; it didn't feel choppy or rushed. Definitely a new found favorite.
Finished "Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait" by Rachel Robinson with Lee Daniels - 5/5 Stars!Also, almost done with "Cloud Atlas." Tough read in the beginning but once you figure out what's going on it's hard to put down. Give it a try!
4/17/13Although it took me a while to really get into the story, I did enjoy it. It's well-written and funny and sweet. I'm not usually really into fan fiction, but with this one, the author didn't try to ape someone else's style or really resurrect someone else's characters. She built her own story and did a good job at it.
4/17/13This book was written well, and I found the characters fun and the plot engaging. It dealt with some difficult issues without being too intense for the target audience. I liked it.
More of my April challenges:1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
"Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it.
"Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin.
3. For those April showers, read a book about water.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
"The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence Ritter
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice.
"Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait" by Rachel Robinson
"The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain
Finished reading "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell - 4/5 Stars!For our book club selection this month, we are reading "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain.
"Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Though deeply in love, the Hemingways are ill prepared for the hard-drinking, fast-living, and free-loving life of Jazz Age Paris. As Ernest struggles to find the voice that will earn him a place in history and pours himself into the novel that will become The Sun Also Rises, Hadley strives to hold on to her sense of self as her roles as wife, friend, and muse become more challenging. Eventually they find themselves facing the ultimate crisis of their marriage—a deception that will lead to the unraveling of everything they’ve fought so hard for."
Hi all. Well I'm glad read from your Goodreads list was on 2 months in a row. It took me a long time to finish "Looking for Alaska" by Peter Jenkins. I liked it but it took a while to get into it. Of all that I've read by Peter Jenkins this was surprising slow. I love his writing, and "A Walk Across America" is one of my favorite books. Alaska has always interested me, and I really thought this book would fly by when I read it. Just had a hard time getting started. "Looking for Alaska" is more like a collection of character studies of the people he met there so I guess the people just became more interesting later on.
I'm now working on reading "The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America". It's on my nook and seems interesting especially since I have kids in the public schools. Thank God though they both like to read. That will educate them better than any school will.
(not the exact edition, but I don't feel like searching it out) 4/21/13This was well-written as expected. The characters were well-drawn also although, of course, a few of them were designed to not be liked. The plot was mysterious, sad, and happy by turns. I also found the writing style interesting as the whole book was a series of large letters with other letters and journal entries being part of those letters-layers upon layers of letters.
Another book for my April challenges:1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
"Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it.
"Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin.
3. For those April showers, read a book about water.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
"The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence Ritter
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice.
"Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait" by Rachel Robinson
"The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain
"Catch 'n Release: The Game" by Susan Hart Hellman
Finished reading this morning "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain. Rated it 4/5 Stars!!!Now have added the following books by Ernest Hemingway to my ever-growing TBR List:
The Sun Also Rises
For Whom the Bell Tolls
A Farewell to Arms
The Old Man and the Sea
Now reading "Catch 'n Release: The Game" by Susan Hart Hellman
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Now have added the following books by Ernest Hemingway to my ever-growing TBR List:
The Sun Also Rises
For Who..."
I read The Sun Also Rises. I felt it was a good representation of rich people and their hangers on. Got the mood of the time and place down well.
4/26/13This is definitely one of the best fantasies I've ever read. It was very well written, and the characters were well drawn and were intriguing. The plot was entertaining and suspenseful and truly interesting. I loved it.
4/29/13I typically shy away from contemporary romances, but I really ended up liking this one. It is exciting, fun, and is somewhat about facing fears. Although the writing itself was not the greatest, I'm glad I read it even if I would have never done so had not one of my group's challenges been to read a book about baseball.
4/30/13Having read this again, I liked it better although I still don't believe it will ever make my favorites list. The characters are well portrayed, and the writing is fairly well done. I had more appreciation for the plot and for the scenarios the characters had to deal with; however, I'm still not a fan of how abruptly the book ended.
Read 100+ Books in 2013
Books mentioned in this topic
Rachel's Secret (other topics)Catch of a Lifetime (other topics)
The Way They Were (other topics)
Winter of the World (other topics)
Murder in Store (other topics)
More...
Here's April's challenges:
1. Read a book whose author's name starts with D.
2. Read a book whose title had a D in it.
3. For those April showers, read a book about water.
4. Read a book from the 4th page of your Goodreads list.
5. With opening day this week, read a book about baseball.
6. With Daylight Savings Time in place now, read a book about light.
7. With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming, read a book about nature.
8. Read a book with a number in its title.
9. Your choice.