2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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Stephanie's 2016 Reading Challenge
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You have some of my favorite books on this list. I can't wait to see what you think.
First Book Complete!Thoughts on The Reversal by Michael Connelly... This is one of those books I couldn't put down and kept me on my toes. What I found most interesting is the fact that Haller was propositioned to work for the prosecution team. Talk about a plot twist in the Lincoln Lawyer series! That got my attention right away. I also like the fact that this novel shared the spotlight between Michael Haller and the detective Harry Bosch. I've become a huge fan of his as well. With any Michael Connelly book I've read thus far, there are plenty of twists and turns I didn't see coming which I thoroughly enjoyed. The only down side was the ending... It left me wondering what really happened. Like I was driven off a cliff or something. With that said, I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. yes, I loved it and would definitely recommend it to others, but was a bit let down at the end.
You've got some great books on this list. Good luck! Go you!
Aubrey wrote: "You've got some great books on this list. Good luck! Go you!"Thanks!
Congrats on finishing your first book in 2016! As a criminal defense attorney, I really appreciate the Mickey Haller books. He gets about as close as almost anyone besides Grisham. Also nice to have another Floridian in the group:) Good luck with your challenge - you have some great books on the list!
Second book complete!Thoughts on The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly... Criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller is back at it again! Filled with courtroom surprises and edge of your seat twist and turns, Michael Connelly is sure to get your blood pumping with The Fifth Witness. While business in the defense world is at an all time low, Haller jumps on the foreclosure bandwagon to make ends meet. Enter Lisa Trammel, client of Mickey's who is now the prime suspect in Mitchell Bondurant's murder. The man in charge of the loan department at the bank and who is responsible for the foreclosure of Lisa Trammel's property. Connelly does not disappoint with this one. Seriously addicting, I thoroughly enjoyed the day to day courtroom drama and would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Great list of books. :) I love lists like that, because I usuallu fine new books through them. Good luck withe them!
Third book complete!Thoughts on The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly... Finishing this book is bitter sweet for me. The Lincoln Lawyer series is by far my favorite thus far. Although I'm happy to have checked this off my list, I'm left wondering what else Mickey Haller could get himself into and it left wanting more! The first half started off pretty slow but picked up quickly toward the end... then BOOM! My jaw dropped to the floor with the surprise ending. The edition I have even offers an alternating ending which is just as shocking as the first! I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I like how you already listed the books for your challenge. I am wondering how you decided on them? Where these one recommended to you or on your To read list. Maybe for next years challenge I could do this. Good Luck with your reading. Your making great progress!!
Fourth book complete!To get a better understanding of what Piper Kerman truly went through during her incarceration in the federal penitentiary, I HAD to separate the book from the Netflix series. This is her recount of the heartbreak, courage and resilience it took to make it through the 15 month sentence (13 with good behavior). Making lifelong friends along the way. Piper's strength was evident and I admire her great fortitude. What I respect most of all is the fact that she is an advocate in making the transition easier for these women to enter back into society. To say I loved this memoir would be an understatement! This deserves the 5 out of 5 star rating.
Stefanie wrote: "I like how you already listed the books for your challenge. I am wondering how you decided on them? Where these one recommended to you or on your To read list. Maybe for next years challenge I coul..."Thank you Stefanie. I find it easier to stay on track with my reading progress when I already have my books planned out for the year. Most of these books are from my personal "to read" list I have been adding to before I joined Goodreads in November of last year. Listopia helped fill in some of the gaps to make it an easier transition from book to book. :)
Megan wrote: "Congrats on finishing your first book in 2016! As a criminal defense attorney, I really appreciate the Mickey Haller books. He gets about as close as almost anyone besides Grisham. Also nice to hav..."Yes Megan, Michael Connelly is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!
Hi Stephanie! Your review of Orange is the New Black makes mw want to read it more. I've got it on my nook. I'll have to move it up. Also I was just letting u know I'm going to be doing a buddy read qoth a few others starting in June( I think, maybe July) of Gone with the Wind. if you want to wait that long to read it.
Alison wrote: "Hi Stephanie! Your review of Orange is the New Black makes mw want to read it more. I've got it on my nook. I'll have to move it up. Also I was just letting u know I'm going to be doing a buddy rea..."Alison I'd love to join the buddy with y'all! Gone With The Wind has been a book I've wanted to tackle for some time now, so I wouldn't mind waiting until June or July. I think you're really going to enjoy Piper Kerman's book! I was in awe of her perseverance by the end, I wanted to know more about her story.
Fifth book complete!Ohhh this book... if I could give any title 10 stars this would be it!! Seriously, If you have not picked up The Duff I suggest you do so now. Kody Keplinger did an amazing job at making these characters so relatable. Whether is was the sarcastic, witty and a little neurotic Bianca (My personal favorite), the bubbly and ditzy Jessica, or the wholesome all-American cheerleader / great friend that is Casey there is something here for most everyone. I had a deep distaste for Wesley in the beginning; he was the rich self absorbed man whore every girl wanted to be around, but by the end I was fictional crushing on the guy... and may I add, even rooting for him. A light hearted fun read that had me in tears from time to time. All in all a GREAT book!!
Sixth book complete!I'll admit it... I'm a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, so when I stumbled across The Wedding, I thought it would live up to it's prequel The Notebook. I cannot say I wasn't intrigued in the beginning because I was, but five or six chapters in and I've almost lost all interest. A very slow paced novel but good nonetheless. It really kicked into high gear toward the end. Completely threw me for a loop and I must admit, even made me shed a few happy tears. Who knew right? I'd give this a 3 out of 5 star rating.
I read Number The Stars By: Louis Lowry Let me know how you liked it when you read it :)
Hi Stephanie! A good selection of books you have to read there, though I only know J.K. Rowling and Michael Connelly. Coincidentally, I've just finished 'The Burning Room' recrntly.
Good luck with your challenge and happy reading!
Since you read Orange is the new black, have you seen or watch the tv show on Netflix?
Heidi wrote: "I read Number The Stars By: Louis Lowry Let me know how you liked it when you read it :)"
Will do!
NancyMaire wrote: "Since you read Orange is the new black, have you seen or watch the tv show on Netflix?"Yes and I LOVE IT!! Although, if you haven't read the book yet, I would suggest not trying to figure out who's who. Pick up the book. It's a great read!
Nick wrote: "Hi Stephanie! A good selection of books you have to read there, though I only know J.K. Rowling and Michael Connelly. Coincidentally, I've just finished 'The Burning Room' recrntly.
Good luck w..."
Thank you
Seventh book complete!What would you do for love; to keep the hope of love alive? That's the question that has been posed time and time again throughout this book. Keep those tissues handy because Nicholas Sparks has done it again... The Choice is sure to let out the flood gates. Travis Parker, a small town guy born and raised in Beaufort, North Carolina. He seems to have it all, great friends, loving family and a career as a veterinarian. Something he is deeply passionate about. Yes, it seems that Travis may have everything he could ever want or need. That is until Gabby Holland moves in next door. A southern belle from Savannah, Georgia who moves to Beaufort to be closer to her longtime boyfriend Kevin. Something stirs deep within Travis and Gabby on their first encounter. Soon they spend an adventurous weekend together and quickly fall in love. Now Gabby has a choice to make... Either stay with Kevin, or follow her heart with Travis. "In the last few days, you've made me feel... alive. You make me feel beautiful and intelligent and wanted, and no matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to tell you how much that's meant to me." Any fan of Nicholas Sparks is sure to love this book! I'd give this a 4 out of 5 star rating.
Eighth book complete!The Perfect Match is Jodi Picoult's ninth novel, originally published by Simon
& Schuster in 2002. ISBN 978-0-7434-1873-7. 368 pages, $16.00
What does it mean to be a good mother? How far would you go in the name of love-and justice?
Using third person multiple pov in The Perfect Match was brilliant in my opinion. The reader gets a first hand look at the thoughts and feelings of each character; we really get to know and understand each and every one of them.
Nina Frost, an assistant district attorney who for seven years had worked hard to prosecute and put away child molesters was shattered to find out her own five year old son, Nathaniel fell victim to the very crime she deals with day in and day out. She knows all too well the devastation a trial could have on young children. After light has been shed on this horrible sexual assult, Nathaniel has been rendered mute. Not able to express himself and put into words who molested him. Caleb and Nina Frost do what any parent would do, they take their son to see Dr. Christine Robichaud, a psychiatrist. Only then is Nathaniel able to start expressing himself. The ASL, or American Sign Language gives him a voice he otherwise wouldn't have. A strange thing happens when Nathaniel signs the word "Father." Nina finally snaps when she realizes "Father" actually is referring to the word "Priest" More specifically, Father "Glen" Szyszynski.
Through this well written novel, Jodi Picoult puts on diaplay the actions and length one will go to in the pursuit to protect the one they love. "Life, it turns out, goes on. There is no cosmic rule that grants you immunity from the details just because you have come face-to-face with a catastrophe." I would definitely recommend this to those who are looking for a heavier read, and I'll give The Perfect Match a 5 out of 5 star rating.
Eleanor & Park / Rainbow Rowell
Read from August 22 to 27, 2016
Eleanor & Park is Rainbow Rowell's first Young Adult novel, originally published by St. Martin’s Press in 2013. ISBN 978-1-2500-1257-9. 336 Pages, $18.99 Hardcover.
"Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art and art wasn't supposed to look nice. It was supposed to make you feel something."
This was my first time reading a Rainbow Rowell novel, and I must say I’m officially hooked! Through the dual narrative, we are able to get a sneak peek inside the minds of Eleanor and Park as each situation unfolds. This novel follows two teenage misfits from Omaha, Nebraska during the mid to late 1980's. They come from completely different backgrounds, and yet they found each other in the most unlikely of places.
Eleanor, a self conscious full figured red head who comes from not only a big family but a broken home. One who has a life that may seem unimaginable to others, if they had only known the truth. It’s easy to feel for Eleanor. To want her to thrive despite her situational shortcomings. Being the new girl at school can be difficult especially when you’re labeled an outcast from day one. With no one willing to let her sit next to them on the bus, looking like a deer in headlights. Park, who’s half Korean in a predominantly white school and an outcast of sorts himself finally speaks out and tells her to "just sit down" (for Gods sake). Park, a lifelong resident of the flats and punk rock lover comes from a well loved small family. I really enjoyed reading about his parents and found his Korean mother to be quite comical.
Eleanor and Park share a seat on the school bus and go weeks on end without uttering a single word to one another. Park is a huge comic book fan and starts bringing them along for the ride. He notices Eleanor stealing glances at his comics and begins turning the pages a little slower and even lends them to her overnight to finish reading. Eventually, a spark ignites and we see a romantic relationship form. Park can’t seem to ever get enough of Eleanor (despite her man clothes and crazy red glowing hair), but Eleanor doesn’t want anyone, especially Park to know how bad home life really is. Once she finally opens herself up to the possibility of someone else loving her, this teenage romance is in full bloom. Park wants to protect Eleanor from everything horrible in her life, and he tries...
This novel definitely had me in my feels. I cried, laughed and got upset with Richie, Eleanor’s stepfather who’s a real piece of work. It’s easy to feel for Eleanor and Park; rooting for them, and feeling the pain they are left to swallow. I would recommend this book to any YA contemporary lover and I gave this novel a 4 out of 5 star rating. Happy Reading!
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Eleanor & Park (other topics)See Me (other topics)
The Reversal (other topics)
The Fifth Witness (other topics)
The Gods of Guilt (other topics)
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1) The Reversal / Michael Connelly (Mickey Haller #3)
2) The Fifth Witness / Michael Connelly (Mickey Haller #4)
3) The Gods of Guilt / Michael Connelly (Mickey Haller #5)
4) Orange is the New Black / Piper Kerman
5) The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend / Kody Keplinger
6) The Wedding / Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook #2)
7) The Choice / Nicholas Sparks
8) Perfect Match / Jodi Picoult
9) Number the Stars / Lois Lowry
10) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas / John Boyne
11) Gone With the Wind / Margaret Mitchell
12) To Kill a Mockingbird / Harper Lee
13) The Edge of Never / J.A. Redmerski (The Edge of Never #1)
14) Baby Proof / Emily Giffin
15) Where We Belong / Emily Giffin
16) For You / Kristen Ashley (The 'Burg #1)
17) Lolita / Vladimir Nabokov
18) The Perks of Being a Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky
19) In Cold Blood / Truman Capote
20) A Child Called "It" / Dave Pelzer
21) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban / J.K Rowling (Harry Potter #3)
22) The Maze Runner / James Dashner (The Maze Runner #1)
23) Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children / Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrine's Children #1)
24) The Time Traveler's Wife / Audry Niffenegger
25) The Help / Kathryn Stockett
26) See Me / Nicholas Sparks
27) If I Stay / Gayle Forman (If I Stay #1)
28) Heart of the Matter / Emily Giffin
29) Love the One You're With / Emily Giffin
30) Bared to You / Sylvia Day (Crossfire #1)
31) Midnight Sun / Stephenie Meyer (Twilight #1.5)