Read 100+ Books in 2014 discussion
December challenge
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6/9, 30 books
1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book--A Gift for Adam by Adriana Kraft--finished 12/15/14.
4. Finish a book you started last month--Swing Set by Joanna Kadish--finished 12/2/14.
5. Read a book about winter--Slush by Lisabet Sarai--finished 12/13/14.
6. Read a book published in 2014--All Roads Lead to Lucca by Sloane Taylor--finished 12/15/14.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel--Blood Lust by Catherine Sharp--finished 12/6/14.
9. Your choice--A Notorious Ruin by Carolyn Jewel--finished 12/4/14.
Bonus:
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by James Dean and Eric Litwin--finished 12/6/14
The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel--finished 12/6/14
Judgment in Death by J. D. Robb--finished 12/11/14
The Riding School by C. P. Mandara--finished 12/13/14
Hoodoo Blue by Katalina Leon--finished 12/13/14
The Big Game by Kayla Lords--finished 12/13/14
The Visitor by Kayla Lords--finished 12/13/14
Scarlet Fever #1 by Anne Bobbitt--finished 12/13/14
Daddy's Naughty Girl by Normandie Alleman--finished 12/13/14
Teacher Knows Best by Jenika Snow--finished 12/15/14
The Riding Crop by Karyn Gerrard--finished 12/15/14
Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt--finished 12/16/13
Starry Night by Debbie Macomber--finished 12/18/13
Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren--finished 12/20/14
Broken People by Ioana Visan--finished 12/22/14
Snowmen at Night by Carolyn and Mark Buehner--finished 12/7/14
Santa's Twin by Dean Koontz--finished 12/25/14
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson--finished 12/25/14
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick--finished 12/26/14
Sweet Maple: Dirty Deeds by V. Vaugn--finished 12/27/14
Sweet Maple: Diamond Collar by V. Vaugn--finished 12/27/14
Betrayal in Death by J. D. Robb--finished 12/31/14
Amsterdam Prostitute, book 1 by V. Vaugn--finished 12/31/14
Amsterdam Prostitute, book 2 by V. Vaugn--finished 12/31/14
The Holidays are upon us so hopefully time to read a few more books while enjoying the time with family and friends!1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book.
"Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson
4. Finish a book you started last month.
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel.
9. Your choice.
Currently reading "Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson, Book 9. of the Walt Longmire series."Sheriff Walt Longmire is reading A Christmas Carol in his office on December 24th when he’s interrupted by the ghost of Christmas past: a young woman with a hairline scar across her forehead and more than a few questions about Walt’s predecessor, Lucian Connally. Walt doesn’t recognize the mystery woman, but she seems to know him and claims to have something she must return to Connally. With his daughter, Cady, and his undersheriff Vic Moretti in Philadelphia for the holidays, Walt is at loose ends, and despite the woman’s reticence to reveal her identity, he agrees to help her."
Off to a great start in my reading this month.1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book.
"Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson
4. Finish a book you started last month.
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel.
"The Concrete Blonde" by Michael Connelly
9. Your choice.
Now reading "The Concrete Blonde" by Michael Connelly, Book 3 of the Detective Harry Bosch series."The Dollmaker was the name of the serial killer who had stalked Los Angeles ruthlessly, leaving grisly calling cards on the faces of his female victims. Now with a single faultless shot, Detective Harry Bosch thinks he has ended the city's nightmare.
But the dead man's widow is suing Harry and the LAPD for killing the wrong man-- an accusation that rings terrifyingly true when a new victim is discovered with the Dollmaker's macabre signature.
So for the second time, Harry must hunt down a death-dealer who is very much alive, before he strikes again. It's a blood-tracked quest that will take Harry from the hard edges of the L.A. night to the last place he ever wanted to go-- the darkness of his own heart."
Mod
So I finished a few books that I haven't posted a review for in a while. So I book I started before this month and finished this month was "On the Banks of Plum Creek" which Ruth and I have been reading together. It was good. I had never read that far in the Little House series before. I like the books much better than the TV series. Very entertaining. I also read multiple holiday books. I started with "Blue Christmas". It was a book about quirky Southerners in Savannah, GA and their holiday adventures. Very good, fun light read. I also read "A Dog Named Christmas". Wonderful book and a nice family story. I finished reading "A Cedar Cove Christmas" which I liked since I 've watched the TV series. The book does give away a few things that hadn't been touched on in the series and since I never read the books before it had a few spoilers for me. All good fun books for the holiday season.
For our book club this month we have chosen "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell."In his landmark bestseller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Now, in Blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant--in the blink of an eye--that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work-in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?
In Blink we meet the psychologist who has learned to predict whether a marriage will last, based on a few minutes of observing a couple; the tennis coach who knows when a player will double-fault before the racket even makes contact with the ball; the antiquities experts who recognize a fake at a glance. Here, too, are great failures of "blink": the election of Warren Harding; "New Coke"; and the shooting of Amadou Diallo by police. Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing"--filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables."
Normally I try not to read 2 books at the same time, but because both are soooooo different, let's go with it!1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book.
"Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson
4. Finish a book you started last month.
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel.
"The Concrete Blonde" by Michael Connelly
9. Your choice.
"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
12-4-14This was a surprisingly unique historical Christian novel that follows a Persian girl from late adolescence until her death, going through her conversion to Christianity from Islam, her romance and marriage, her children, and her late widowhood spent in a convent. Also entwined through much of the novel is a plot of suspense between Najila and the distant cousin she has to oust from her estate after her father's death; he has her kidnapped, assaulted, and tries to kill her even after she becomes his daughter-in-law. It's a brilliantly written novel with characters that live on the pages.
12-7-14This was an interesting Christian mystery novel. I liked the characters and the overall storyline, but sometimes I felt that the pace of the novel was a bit too slow.
December's challenge:1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name. N/A
2. Read a book with an X in the title. N/A
3. Read a holiday book. A Simple Amish Christmas-Vanetta Chapman 12-30-14
4. Finish a book you started last month. N/A
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it. N/A
8. Read a detective novel.
9. Your choice.
Normally I try not to read 2 books at the same time, but because both are soooooo different, let's go with it . . . And still reading 2 books at a time1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book.
"Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson
4. Finish a book you started last month.
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel.
"The Concrete Blonde" by Michael Connelly
"The Last Policeman" by Ben Winters
9. Your choice.
"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
-G.K. Chesterton 12-12-14This was an interesting, informative, and occasionally amusing example of apologetics. It was well written and easy to understand.
Note: This edition does not have the same cover as the one I read, but it does have the right number of pages, so it works for me.
-Chip Hill 12-13-14I had a hard time getting into this novel. I didn't like most of the characters, and I found the plot a little unbelievable. How is an old alcoholic man going to survive nine days trapped in a hole without food or adequate water? I would think he would have died a lot faster from the withdrawal if nothing else. After a while, I kept reading to see how long it would take for the guy to die after I determined he was not going to be found. I did like some of the Scripture parallels and the redemption at the end of the book.
-Patricia Falvey 12-15-14This was an informative and entertaining historical novel taking place in Ireland during the time of the Irish Civil War in the early 1900s. It follows the life of fiery Eileen O'Neill and her family, her job, her part in the revolution, her marriage, her children, and her romantic liaison. It is well written, and the characters are well drawn. I enjoyed it.
What do you mean by oldest book? been on the shelf longest? or published a long time ago?
So I finished reading Christmas Haven. It was a cute little mystery. I enjoyed reading it. I'm finishing up some more Christmas stories. May start next year with some classic literature "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". Been enjoying the holidays so far.
Last book of the year. 1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book.
"Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson
4. Finish a book you started last month.
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel.
"The Concrete Blonde" by Michael Connelly
"The Last Policeman" by Ben Winters
9. Your choice.
"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
"Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson
Now reading "Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson"'As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me...'
Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love — all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story.
Welcome to Christine's life."
Mod
I would go with published but if you can remember what has been on your shelf the longest (I can't) read that one. Either is fine.
Mod
-Patricia Falvey 12-15-14This was an informative and entertaining historical novel taking place in Ireland during the time of the Irish Civil War in the early 1..."
sounds good!
-Natalie Bakopoulos 12-21-14This was an interesting historical novel set during the military coup in Greece in the late 1960s. Set mostly in Greece, it follows the life experiences of a family affected by the regime.
-Sandra Byrd 12-23-14This was an entertaining historical novel about a Swedish emigrant who becomes a highly favored lady-in-waiting to Elizabeth I. It was well written and researched, and the characters were interesting.
-Camy Tang 12-26-14This was a well-written and quite enjoyable Christian suspense novel. The characters were interesting and well-portrayed, and the premise was interesting if a bit unlikely. I really enjoyed it.
-Dorothy Canfield Fisher 12-26-14This was a cute, old-fashioned story about a year in the life of a schoolgirl and about how she changes in personality and finds a real home.
Mod
-Natalie Bakopoulos 12-21-14This was an interesting historical novel set during the military coup in Greece in the late 1960s. Set mostly in Greece, it follows ..."
These all sound good.
Last book of the year. Nope I was wrong! 1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book.
"Spirit of Steamboat" by Craig Johnson
4. Finish a book you started last month.
"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
"Wait for Signs" by Craig Johnson.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel.
"The Concrete Blonde" by Michael Connelly
"The Last Policeman" by Ben Winters
9. Your choice.
"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
"Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson
Now reading "Wait for Signs" by Craig Johnson."Ten years ago, Craig Johnson wrote his first short story, the Hillerman Award–winning “Old Indian Trick.” This was one of the earliest appearances of the sheriff who would go on to star in Johnson’s bestselling, award-winning novels and the A&E hit series Longmire. Each Christmas Eve thereafter, fans rejoiced when Johnson sent out a new short story featuring an episode in Walt’s life that doesn’t appear in the novels; over the years, many have asked why they can’t buy the stories in book form.
Wait for Signs collects those beloved stories—and one entirely new story, “Petunia, Bandit Queen of the Bighorns”—for the very first time in a single volume, regular trade hardcover. With glimpses of Walt’s past from the incident in “Ministerial Aide,” when the sheriff is mistaken for a deity, to the hilarious “Messenger,” where the majority
of the action takes place in a Port-A-Potty, Wait for Signs is a necessary addition to any Longmire fan’s shelf and a wonderful way to introduce new readers to the fictional world of Absaroka County, Wyoming."
Well I was sick so I read a lot but didn't have time to post. Here goes. First off, I have Simple secrets which Rachel just reviewed. I may have to check that out soon. Thanks to my daughter I read all 3 Geronimo Stilton Christmas books. They were all cute reads for kids and very easy holiday fun. I also read a book I've wanted to read for a long time. I read "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". It was interesting and much stranger than I imagined it would be. I loved it more than any movie version I ever saw done. Since I also had it, I read the sequel "Through the Looking Glass". That was also one of the strangest books I've ever read. They were fun though. Now I'm reading the Star Wars trilogy. Just want some easy reads through the end of the year. All fun. Hope we do this again next year. Look forward to a good 2015. Hope you all have a great, blessed new year.
-H.G. Wells 12-29-14This was a well-written sci-fi classic. Sci-fi not being a genre I enjoy reading, I didn't care for it too much, but the premise was interesting.
-Vanetta Chapman 12-30-14This was a sweet Amish romance set during the Christmas season. It is reasonably well-written, and the characters are mostly full and interesting. I enjoyed it; it was a fun read.
Mod
"Ten years ago, Craig Johnson wrote his first short story, the Hillerman Award–winning “Old Indian Trick.” This was one of the earliest appearances o..."
Sounds interesting.
Mod
-H.G. Wells 12-29-14This was a well-written sci-fi classic. Sci-fi not being a genre I enjoy reading, I didn't care for it too much, but the premise was interest..."
I'm not much into sci-fi/fantasy myself but I did enjoy The Invisible Man by H. G. Welles. One of the few that I have enjoyed.
Mod
Alice in Wonderland and Through of the Looking Glass are some of the weirdest books I've read. I did not like them at all with the made-up language and weirdness. It is claimed that the author was on drugs as he wrote the books.
Yes, I will be starting a new group for 2015. Lots of good books were mentioned and posted on your lists. I'm looking forward to reading some of them.
-Ashleigh Bryce Clayton 12-31-14
-John Baker 12-31-14
-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 12-31-14
Read 100+ Books in 2014
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1. Read a book by an author with an X in his/her name.
2. Read a book with an X in the title.
3. Read a holiday book.
4. Finish a book you started last month.
5. Read a book about winter.
6. Read a book published in 2014.
7. Pick a shelf on your bookcase and read the oldest book on it.
8. Read a detective novel.
9. Your choice.