Challenge: 50 Books discussion
2010
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Nance's 2010 50 Books Read in 365 Days
Hey Nance, I just noticed you changed your profile pic....absolutely beautiful...where's that at?Hope June is better than May for you. June always catches me off guard. I can't wait for school to get out so we can relax and then June comes a long and gives me a swift kick with the new schedule and a hundred and one activities with 101 different kinds of sports equipment! Ahhh...now I can't wait for July!
Kerri, the picture you see on my profile is just a random picture that I found on my computer that is overlooking Rio. I just loved it, so I decided to put it on my profile. Just reminded me of summer!! As far as slowing down for the summer...well, my youngest starts soccer camp next Monday for a week... and, then another week in August. She's trying out for JV soccer in August so we have to keep up with the skills. Everybody else is taking it easy. My oldest works, but she drives herself. So, I don't have to worry about that. The two boys are low maintenance. It's those two girls that drive me crazy...which makes life always full of surprises!!
41. THE BODY FINDER (The Body Finder, #1) written by Kimberly Derting (YA) - finished 6/19/10Violet Ambrose is a 16-year-old junior in high school that can find dead people by the echo that their expired bodies put off. There are only a few family members, and her best friend, Jay, that are aware of her unique talent. Recently a serial killer has invaded her neighborhood by first kidnapping young teenage girls, and then murdering them. Eventually Violet locates their corpses by their singular body echo. Along with her ability to locate these bodies, she also finds herself wrestling with the fact that she is having strong romantic feelings for Jay, a person that has been her best friend since they were six-years-old. Unbeknown to Violet is the fact that Jay has the same feelings for her. How they eventually come together, is a sweet and tender love story. The story is full of suspense and intrigue as Violet helps to unearth the killer along with the help of her uncle, the sheriff, before the psychopath commits the next kidnapping/murder. Looking forward to reading the next book of the series, Desires of the Dead, in March, 2011!! 4 stars
Nance wrote: "Kerri, the picture you see on my profile is just a random picture that I found on my computer that is overlooking Rio. I just loved it, so I decided to put it on my profile. Just reminded me of sum..."You know, Nance, I have 4 girls so can totally relate. They're still pretty little with the exception of my oldest (11), but I can see the writing on the wall......
Kerri wrote: "Nance wrote: "Kerri, the picture you see on my profile is just a random picture that I found on my computer that is overlooking Rio. I just loved it, so I decided to put it on my profile. Just remi..."Ok, so who is Marion? LOL!!
Oh, Nance (aka Marion), how funny is that! I was reading Marion's thread right before I wrote on your thread. That's why I shouldn't be on here after 10pm....my brain is fried!!!!(I'm gonna fix it!)
42. THE DECEPTION OF THE EMERALD RING (Pink Carnation #3) written by Lauren Willig - finished 6/28/10This is the third installment of Ms. Willig's Pink Carnation Series. As the novel unfolds, there are two different stories intertwining among the pages. We find an American, Eloise Kelly doing her Harvard dissertion on the notorious spies of the 19th century, the Pink Carnation and the Black Tulip, in England while being romantically attracted to Colin Selwick. Who these spies are and the cause they represent, is the basis between the storyline that is reflected back in time to the Napoleonic wars with England and France. Both storylines are filled with romance and intrigue as Letty Alsworthy becomes passionately involved with Lord Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe while engaging in riveting espionage. Entertaining for the reader that loves 19th Century England that is both adventurous and compassionate! 3.5 stars
43. MY NAME IS MARY SUTTER written by Robin Oliveira - finished 7/6/10This novel takes place during the Civil War whereby a young woman, Mary Sutter, after experiencing her current profession as a mid-wife, which her mother also has done before her, dreams of a "career" as a surgeon. During these times, it is unimaginable of a woman ever becoming more than a mid-wife because it is not proper for women to do such a thing. After asking a physician in her hometown of Albany, NY if she is able to observe his practice of surgery, and being dismissed that it is "out of the question", Mary embarks on a journey to go to Washington, DC to be of help in the war effort as a nurse. Before this difficult decision of hers, we meet her brother, Christian, her twin sister, Jenny, her mother, Amelia, her brother-in-law, Thomas - who Mary has secretly loved, and the doctor who thinks it is unheard of a woman to have aspirations of being a surgeon, James Blevens. When Mary arrives in Washington, she meets William Stipp, a surgeon who is much older with some unresolved feelings from his past. William takes a chance on Mary and decides to let her help out in a hospital that needs all the medical personal available to keep up with the fatalities and injuries as the battles of the war plague on. Mary Sutter is a very determined and courageous character that is able to deal with the casualities of war, which was only supposed to last a few months. She was a strong person that many people in the novel depended on with her assertiveness and compassion for the human mind, body, and soul. This is told from the Northern point of view with descriptive settings and historical detail during a very trying time for the United States, which involved the separation of our great nation! 5 stars
Nance, I just added My Name is Mary Sutter to my TBR list....great review!Did you finish The Angel's Game? I'm starting tonight!
Kerri wrote: "Nance, I just added My Name is Mary Sutter to my TBR list....great review!Did you finish The Angel's Game? I'm starting tonight!"
Kerri, no I didn't finish The Angel's Game yet. It was a bit confusing. I'm about half-way through, though. I had to take a break from it. I'm also reading it on my Sony-reader...which sometimes takes a toll on the eyes. But, I just started In the Woods by Tana French, and I can't seem to put it down...I've heard so many great things about it!!
Oooh, hadn't heard of In the Woods, yet....just added it to my TBR! Thanks for the tip.
Nance wrote: "Kerri wrote: "Nance, I just added My Name is Mary Sutter to my TBR list....great review!Did you finish The Angel's Game? I'm starting tonight!"
Kerri, no I did..."
Oh, and Kerri, did you read The Shadow of the Wind by the same author? I would say that The Angel's Game is not as good as that. It just is not keeping my interest as much as The Shadow of the Wind did. Funny how the same author can write two totally different books, and one you love, and the other is just so-so.
44. THE ANGEL'S GAME written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - finished 7/10/10Okay, so a review for this book is a bit difficult, since some of the book had me totally baffled and a bit confused. David Martin' was a writer for a newspaper who decides to go out on his own. While writing a series of books, he is approached by an unknown publisher, Andreas Corelli. He is offered a lot of money to write a book in a span of one year's time for the mysterious publisher. There is, though, a medical reason why David tells Corelli that he doesn't think he will be able to fulfill his request, which does impact certain aspects of the novel. Many sinister unexplained events happen to David's friends that are both horrific and evil while we learn that The Cemetary of Forgotten Books is yet again involved in the heart of Zafon's novel. As the novel progresses, David falls in love, is befriended by a young teenager that becomes his writing assistant, and is on the run for his life as the police of Barcelona are on his trail for murders that are committed, and they seem to think that David is somehow involved. The novel is a dark gothic story that takes place during the 1920s in Barcelona, where the vivid details to bizarre architecture, dark passageways, and dreary weather unleashes the reader to believe that there is a magnificent ending in store. When I got to the last page, I had to scratch my head and ask "that's it?" The ending just did nothing for me, especially after reading over 400 pgs. There were so many things that I just felt were not resolved, and kept me hanging. It was just an "okay" book for me. 3.5 stars
Nance, go to the Book Addicts spoiler thread and see if you can help enlighten me about The Angel's Game...I was as perplexed as you!
Kerri wrote: "Nance, go to the Book Addicts spoiler thread and see if you can help enlighten me about The Angel's Game...I was as perplexed as you!"Kerri, I think that I am going to have to re-read some parts of the book because it seems that I have missed some critical details as to who Andreas Corelli was. The book doesn't have to come right out and tell me, it just has to give me some inclination that I am on the right track with my thinking. I also didn't get the whole deal with Cristina being at the sanitarium. Why would she be there? I guess I missed the whole idea of her father being there. Well, sometimes when books are so long and full of details, I miss things. And, what about David's thinking that the older Vidal was the one wanting him dead? And him wearing the "angel" brooch? Why would he be told that he wears it all the time? Definitely have to go over the book again!
Glad to hear that you are reading The Bronze Horseman. That's my favorite book ever! Right up there with Gone with the Wind! You won't be disappointed! And, then you have to read the next two books in the series, which I just noticed when I went to Barnes & Noble on Friday, that the second one, Tatiana and Alexander, is out on paperback - probably cheapest on Amazon. Happy reading!!
45. ALMOST HOME written by Pam Jenoff - finished 7/12/10Another great novel by Pam Jenoff! Jordan Weiss is a State Department intelligence officer who is on her way to England at the request of a friend that is suffering from ALS. As soon as she gets there, she is contacted by a former Cambridge classmate, Chris,convincing her that he has every reason to believe that their past classmate, Jared Short, did not accidentally drown and was murdered instead. Both people team up together to figure out the mystery surrounding Jared's death. This is vitally important to Jordan since he was a lot more than just a former classmate, but also the love of her life whom she has not got over. Sarah is also thrown into a mystery with her job while avoiding blown up buildings, murders and deciding who she can trust and who she can't. The death of Jared is somehow tied into the job that she has come to England to investigate. This story alternates between Jordan's and Jared's past life together while attending Cambridge and Jordan's life at the present moment. A tender love story mixed in with the life of espionage and friend loyalty that only a thrilling and adventurous novel can undertake. I was also impressed with the amount of detail Ms. Jenoff used to describe the countless hours and training that it takes for a team to compete as an 8-man rowing team, which was how Jordan and Jared first met. The novel was a fast-paced thriller that left me dangling at the end with the question "what really happened to Jared?", which meant immediately reading the sequel to this book, "A Hidden Affair". 5 stars
46. A HIDDEN AFFAIR written by Pam Jenoff - finished 7/13/10This is the sequel to a previous book written by Pam Jenoff, Almost Home. Ms. Jenoff does not disappoint when she has Jordan Weiss continue her search for her former boyfriend, Jared, that she considered the love her life while attending Cambridge ten years ago. She now decides to pursue her search for him no matter where it takes her, which would finally give her closure to move on with her life. She first encounters Nicole, a mysterious women with ties to Jared, but is on the run. While pursuing Nicole, she also collides with Aaron Bruke, an Israeli operative, that she becomes involved with but has no idea if she can truly trust him. There is some great detail of the wine industry during World War II, which I was not familiar with that has picted my interest. Very intriguing stuff!! While chasing Nicole, the pair travel to many exotic locations, encountering a few wild adventures of their own. I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what the final outcome was and what really happened to Jared those ten years ago. I did shed a few tears when I finally realized what the author had in store for the ending. Another exquisite and well-researched novel by Pam Jenoff! I really do love the characters that she invents. They are real humans with faults and feelings that need understanding and caring as the reader reads the final word typed on that last page. Simply marvelous!! 5 stars
47. STILL MISSING written by Chevy Stevens - finished 7/15/10Annie O'Sullivan was a young realtor who on one day found herself alone cleaning up the remnants of an "open house" for a home that she was in the process of selling. As she is cleaning up, a friendly middle-aged man arrives and wants to be shown the house. The tour through the house takes a turn for the worst, and Annie finds herself a victim of an abduction so horrific and volatile, that she doesn't even know herself anymore. Kept for over a year in a mountain house that is isolated away from civilization as she's known it, we find Annie violated and abused both mentally and physically. How she escapes and what she finally does to her capturer to regain her freedom, has you rooting for her to reclaim her former life. This novel took on the formality of Annie recounting her trauma to her psychiatrist as the daily defilements continued repeatedly. The ending comes with a shocking twist as to who set out to initially abduct the courageous and strong Annie. A novel not to be missed! Some of the facts and scenes in the novel can be a bit graphic and severe to handle, so just beware that this is not a novel to take lightly. I will definitely be looking forward to reading the next Chevy Stevens novel! 5 stars
48. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (Harry Potter #1) written by J.K. Rowling (YA) - finished 7/24/10I finally read this book! I thought that I was the only person who have never read this book or the series yet. J.K. Rowling introduces the character of Harry Potter, a young boy orphaned as a baby that was sent to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin who treated him badly. This series of books has become one of the most beloved among children and adults alike. It is filled with magical and mystical adventures that take place at the mysterious Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the first installment, Harry, along with his new friends Ron and Harmione, tries to solve the mystery of who wishes to steal the Sorcerer's Stone. We are introduced to many characters like Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, Draco Malfoy (an enemy of Harry's), Dumbledore (the headmaster of Hogwarts), Lord Voldemart (a dark wizard that was a star student while he had attended Hogwarts long ago), and Neville (another student) to name a few. According to the stone's myth, if an individual possesses it, that individual will be rich and have eternal life. How Harry and his friends discover who is most likely to be plotting to steal the stone and how they plan on stealing the stone, is full of intrigue, deceitfulness, and unsuspecting surprise. Definitely a book that I will recommend to my kids because none of them have read the series yet! Go figure! 4 stars
49.MILA 18 written by Leon Uris - finished 8/2/10One of the saddest most heartbreaking and courageous books that I have ever read! A lot of people that I know cannot bear to read about the Holocaust in Poland during World War II, which displayed fatal acts of violence and mistreatment to the Jews living in the ghetto of Warsaw. This is a novel of fiction that displays so many believeable characters and realistic settings, that you would think that this book was a work of tremendous memories from the heart and mind of an individual that experienced these agonizing images. The author must have spent countless hours and days researching timelines and descriptive details from this barbaric and emotional time in history. The story revolves around Andrei Androfski, a Jewish captain in the Polish army who decides to fight the Germans as they storm the Warsaw ghetto to deport the remaining Jews to the labor camps, which are really death-camps. His stand, along with the many fighters that join him in their quest for survival and for their story to someday be remembered and told, (Wolf Brandel, Alexander Brandel, Deborah Bronski, her children Rachael and Stephan, Ervin Rosenblum, Ana Grinspan, Chris de Monti, and Andrei's Catholic lover living outside the wall of the ghetto Gabriela Rak), concentrates on trying to protect the remaining population living in the ghetto by hiding them and smuggling them out of the soon-to-be death sentence of the trains leaving to go to the destination of the extermination camps. I couldn't help but feel grief and sadness knowing that this horrific event in history actually took place. The book is filled with graphic and inhuman treatments to acknowledge how barbaric the Germans actually were to the Jewish people imprisoned during the war. A book that still had me thinking about this catastrophe soon after the last page was read. 5 stars
50. NIGHT PLEASURES (Dark Hunter Novel #1) written by Sherrilyn Kenyon - finished 8/10/10 This was a Dark-Hunter Series novel (#1 - after the first initial book Fantasy Lover) created by Sherrilyn Kenyon that was filled with energized fight scenes along with intimately charged love scenes. Kyrian of Thrace is a Dark-Hunter vampire that is sworn to protect humans from the Daimons and Amanda Deveraux is a "boring" accountant that has a family filled with witches and psychics. The two together meet under an unexpected circumstance. She arrives at her sister's house one evening to walk her dog, and upon entering the house, she is hit over the head and kidnapped by Desiderious, an evil Daimon.When she finally awakes hours later, she realizes that she is handcuffed to a "drop-dead gorgeous dangerously captivating" male, Kyrian. Eventually Kyrian must dispose of this evil destructive Daimon before innocent people are hurt or killed. How Kyrian and Amanda together destroy Desiderious is an adventurous and exciting quest for safety against the wicked and vicious Daimons. While working together, their attraction to each other increases and they find themselves unable to fight their feelings towards each other, finally expressing their undying love. We also are introduced to many other characters that will recur in storylines when need be as the series progresses. I'm now looking forward to reading the next installment of the series, Night Embrace! 4 stars
My 50plus Booklist51. Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon (408 pgs) - finished 8/12/10 - 5 stars
52. Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon (343 pgs) - finished 8/14/10 - 3 stars
53. Kiss of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (361 pgs) - finished 8/15/10 - 3 stars
54. Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon (362 pgs) - finished 8/17/10 - 5 stars
55. Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (325 pgs) - finished 8/21/10 - 5 stars
56. Married by Morning (Hathaway #4) by Lisa Kleypas (321 pgs) - finished 8/25/10 - 5 stars
57. Mine Till Midnight (Hathaway #1) by Lisa Kleypas (e-Reader) (384 pgs) - finished 8/26/10 - 5 stars
58. Seduce Me At Sunrise (Hathaway #2) by Lisa Kleypas (e-Reader) (360 pgs) - finished 8/27/10 - 5 stars
59. Love in the Afternoon (Hathaway #5) by Lisa Kleypas (e-Reader) (332 pgs) - finished 8/28/10 - 5 stars
60. In A Heartbeat by Rosalind Noonan (e-Reader) (461 pgs) - finished 9/21/10 - 3.5 stars
61. In the Woods by Tana French (e-Reader) (449 pgs) - finished 9/25/10 - 4 stars
62. The Big 5-OH! by Sandra D. Bricker (e-Reader) (201 pgs) - finished 9/28/10 - 3 stars
63. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (#2) by J.K. Rowling (341 pgs) - finished 9/30/10 - 4 stars
64. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (#3) by J.K. Rowling (435 pgs) - finished 10/4/10 - 5 stars
65. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (#4) by J.K. Rowling (734 pgs) - finished 10/9/10 - 5 stars
66. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (#5) by J.K. Rowling (870 pgs) - finished 10/18/10 - 4 stars
67. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (#6) by J.K. Rowling (652 pgs) - finished 10/25/10 - 5 stars
68. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (#7) by J.K. Rowling (749 pgs) - finished 10/31/01 - 5 stars
69. The Martyr's Song by Ted Dekker (111 pgs) - finished 10/31/10 - 3.5 stars
70. The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard (319 pgs) - finished 11/9/10 - 4 stars
71. How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets by Garth Stein (359 pgs) - finished 11/11/10 - 5 stars
72. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (560 pgs) - finished 12/3/10 - 3.5 stars
73. Vision in White by Nora Roberts (The Bride Quartet Series, #1) (325 pgs) - finished 12/8/10 - 3 stars
74. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts (The Bride Quartet Series, #2) (335 pgs) - finished 12/11/10 - 4 stars
75. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts (The Bride Quartet Series, #3) (325 pgs) - finished 12/12/10 - 4 stars
51. NIGHT EMBRACE (Dark Hunter Novel #2) written by Sherrilyn Kenyon - finished 8/12/10 This is book #2 in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. This is one of the best so far. Talon, an incredibly gorgeous blonde Dark Hunter, is under a curse whereby he is unable to love anyone because of a accidental tragic act he committed against a god's wife. After finally realizing that he will live a lonely desolute life without a soulmate, he comes upon Sunshine Runningwolf, an artist living in New Orleans. He seems to think that she is familiar, and that he has meet her before, but that is impossible since he has lived for centuries and she is so young. Talon and Sunshine eventually become a loving and committed couple that fight every step of the way to stay together and find out their true destiny in the "Dark Hunter World". The more that they remain together, the dangerous it is for Sunshine, who just can't imagine her life without Talon. And, Talon dreams about having a family and a woman that he loves to share it with. This is a page-turning sexy adventure that leaves the reader excited and totally hooked into reading the next book in the series. Through the course of the book, we are introduced to more new characters and are visited with old ones, while learning of their secrets and who they really are. Can't wait to get to Acheron's book, the leader of the Dark Hunters, so I can find out his hidden secrets. I'm sure we're in store for something big and unsuspecting! 5 stars
52. DANCE WITH THE DEVIL (Dark Hunter Novel #3) written by Sherrilyn Kenyon - finished 8/14/10 This is book #3 in the Dark Hunter series written by Sherrilyn Kenyon. This book was just okay to me. It kind of reminded me of The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. Not sure which book was written first, but it took a little away from the Dark Hunter novel. It seemed like too many coincidences occurred. The character Zarek was very much like the character of Zhadist in J.R. Ward's series. Both men were brutally abused physically, both names start with the letter "Z", and both men were very quiet and appeared dangerous and threatening, when all they really wanted was to be loved, trusted, and cared for. Maybe if I haven't had already read J.R. Ward's series, this book would have been an exceptional story of love and trust between two individuals searching for a meaning to their life. Zarek endures a life of a savagely abused Roman slave that eventually is exiled as a Dark Hunter to Alaska. Astrid, a sister to the "three fates", is sent by her mother to judge him and determine if he is worthy of living or dying after a seemingly horrific act is committed when a town is left in Zarek's charge. How these two individuals come together as a compassionate couple is tender and sweet. More secrets of the Dark Hunter series are revealed as more characters are introduced throughtout the novel. 3 stars
53. KISS OF THE NIGHT (Dark Hunter Novel #4) written by Sherrilyn Kenyon - finished 8/15/10 This is a novel from the continuing Dark Hunter series written by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Wulf Tryggvason is an ancient Viking warrior that is cursed by the gods. Almost everyone he comes in contact with forgets who he is and does not remember ever meeting him. He encounters Cassandra, a person who actually remembers him when they next meet . Cassandra ends up to be half-Apollite, who is one of the last surviving of their kind. The Dark Hunters and Apollites are supposed to be enemies. Therefore, Cassandra and Wulf are supposed to dispise each other. Eventually they fall in love, but have to deal with the fact that every Apollite dies at the age of 27 due to a curse that the god Apollo put on them. How these two characters try to save Cassandra's life and deepen their unspeakable love for each other, which comes with great complications and enormous trust in each other, ends up to be a sweet and compassionate love story. 3 stars
54. NIGHT PLAY (Dark Hunter Novel #5) written by Sherrilyn Kenyon - finished 8/17/10 And, the saga continues with the next book of the Dark Hunter series written by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Bride McTierney, a curvaceous good-hearted young woman, who has had in the past relationships with men that just don't appreciate who she really is, experiences an encounter with the lethal and tormented, Vane Kattalakis, who unbeknowst to her is a Were-Hunter wolf with dynamic unimagineable powers. He is her knight in shining armor after a brief embarrassing scene with an ex-boyfriend. From that moment on, neither Bride nor Vane can forget the electrifying attraction between them. But, how can a human, Bride, live in Vane's terrifying and unordinary world? It is a true test of how the heart does not care what are the circumstances behind true love. It exists no matter what the obstacle in its path may be. A wonderful book filled with trust and kindness from the soul! 5 stars
55. Seize the Night (Dark Hunter Novel #6) written by Sherrilyn Kenyon - finished 8/21/10 I really enjoyed this addition to the Dark Hunter series written by Sherrilyn Kenyon. First there is Valerius Magnus, the straight-laced, cold and uptight Roman general, who had witnessed his father and grandfather torture and abuse innocent individuals just for the share joy of demonstrating their power. Then there's Tabitha Devereaux the mortal Daimon hunter who is an independent, opinionated woman that gets bored easily with life choices and especially with men. They meet through seemingly normal circumstances, fighting Daimons, but are sworn enemies due to the fact that Tabitha's twin sister, Amanda, is married to the ex-Dark Hunter, Kyrian, who was fatally crucified by Val's grandfather while he was a Greek general. Eventually these two put aside their differences and succumb to the passion they have for each other. I found myself rooting for the two of them to avoid listening to Tabitha's family and all their criticizing and, instead, listen to their hearts. This is a fast-paced adventurous love story that is consumed with high emotional trauma and beautiful devotedness for an individual who has never experienced real true love before. Two thumbs up! 5 stars
You do know it's possible to O.D. on this, right?
Hey Donna!...Yes, I think I am addicted now to reading every book in this series so far. I even have the 20th book, No Mercy, on order, which comes out in September. I'm going for bust!LoL!
Well, at least you can get Acheron on clearance these days - and you should because it is the BEST book in the series.
56. MARRIED BY MORNING (The Hathaway Series #4) written by Lisa Kleypas - finished 8/25/10This is another outstanding page-turner by the ever-romantically accomplished author Lisa Kleypas. This romance does not disappoint and had me engrossed from the very first page. Catherine Marks is an uptight engrossingly boring campanion to the Hathaway sisters. They treat her like part of the family, except there is one problem. She cannot stand their over-bearing,wickedly handsome older brother, Leo. They argue, they find fault with each other, but most of all, they despise the ground the other walks on...until the unexpectantly ultimate scorching kiss they experience. From that moment on, there is an instant attraction that neither one wants to admit to. Leo realizes that the ridgid spinster Marks is not who she really is. Subsequently the Hathaway family finds themselves in a quandary regarding the possible loss of their home, when it is proclaimed that Leo must find a wife and sire an heir in one year's time...as a result, Leo proposes to marry Catherine Marks! There is one problem, Miss Marks will not marry him. Through time Leo ultimately proves to Cat that they belong together, and she should take him up on his offer. These two characters finally do come together when they realize that yes...they really do love each other! Ms. Kleypas does not miss with this beautiful love story that is convincingly honest and boldly sensual. 5 stars
57. MINE TILL MIDNIGHT (The Hathaway Series #1) written by Lisa Kleypas - finished 8/26/10This is the first book in the Hathaway series written by Lisa Kleypas. We find Amelia, the oldest sister, who is convinced that she will never marry, and who in fact, does not want to marry so she can keep watch over her family. The family consists of an older brother, Leo, and three younger sisters, Winnifred, Poppy, and Beatrix along with a gypsy, Merripen, who has been with the family for years doing odd jobs and repairs in their home. The Hathaways are a comical odd family that do not follow English royal traditions whereby causing scandal wherever they go. Amelia tries to keep order among the siblings since their parents have passed, and in doing so, encounters a dark sexy gypsy, Cam Rohan, that takes her breath away. Cam is the type of man that when he sees something that he wants, he takes it, and he wants Amelia Hathaway! She turns his insides on fire, and he just cannot get her off his mind. Love and whirlwind passion convince Amelia that she is destined to a life with Cam, but will she act on these inconceivable feelings? Read the novel, and you will not be disappointed! 5 stars
58. SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE (The Hathaway Series #2) written by Lisa Kleypas - finished 8/27/10I have to say that I think that this book was the best of the Hathaway series. I just loved the character of Kev Merripen with that brooding dark sensual disposition. He comes off like he doesn't want anyone to know that he has feelings beneath that stonecold heart of his, but Winnifred Hathaway knows different. She has witnessed him deeply care for the family that had taken him in as young child when his gypsy tribe left him for dead. And, she knows deep down that Kev will, and has, always loved her. He just does not think that he is good enough for the ailing beauty, Win, that suffers from a weakened heart during an illness of scarlet fever some years ago. Win finally goes away to get medical attention from a prestigious doctor in France, and, after a few years, comes back to find Kev even more hardened and dangerously quiet than before. There are many obstacles that these individuals have to overcome before they finally emerge as a couple like Win's illness, Kev's social status, a rival admirer of Win's, and Kev's stubborn inclination to presume that he is not worthy of Win's love. Along the way there is also a hidden secret revealed regarding Kev and another individual of the family that takes the Hathaways wholeheartedly by surprise. A lovingly compassionate book full of devotion and tenderness for the excitingly romantic nature! 5 stars
59. LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON (The Hathaway Series, #5) written by Lisa Kleypas - finished 8/28/10This is the last installment of the Hathaway family saga with the youngest daughter, Beatrix. being a strong, somewhat funny, and odd character who is devoted to animals and their well-being. Beatrix Hathaway begins a deceptive favor for a friend of writing letters to a military soldier, Christopher Phelan, under misleading circumstances. Her friend, Prudence Mercer, meets Christopher before he goes off to war and promises to write to him throughout his tour of duty. The first letter that Prudence receives perceives to be so boring, that she enlists the help of Beatrix to respond to it. As the letters arrive to Prudence throughout the next year, Beatrix composes increasingly heartfelt correspondence to the unsuspecting soldier. Christopher relies on her words of comfort and amusing stories to get him through his darkest days during the war. Beatrix finally conceives that she has fallen in love with the heroic soldier, and decides to discontinue writing to the captain, before she causes anymore harm. When these two finally come together after his military duty is over, they realize that they both have the same magical sincere feelings for each other. The story was told lovingly with entertaining and compassionate details of the heart. Learning to trust and conquer past demons with another standing by your side can be a exquisitely alluring attribute. Sorry to see this delightful series come to a close! 5 stars
60. In A Heartbeat written by Rosalind Noonan - finished 9/21/10Kate McGann is a middle-aged school teacher that is stuck in a loveless marriage with her husband, Eli. Together they have a talented baseball player son, Ben, who decides to play summer ball at Syracuse University. While alone in his dorm room at night, Ben is attacked and beaten in the head beyond recognition with a baseball bat and left for dead. Who could have attacked her ambitious son so brutally when he had so much talent and hard work invested in his sport to be a star someday? Each chapter of this book was based on a different character's point-of-view, which enabled the reader to try to piece together the clues as to who could have orchestrated such a barbaric act. Kate was a very strong woman that did not just sit back and wait for justice to prevail. She tries to uncover the truth by leaving her job near home and relocates full-time in Syracuse so that she can be near her son while he is in the hospital recuperating until the perpetrator is caught. This book was a little slow at times, but I just kept plugging along to see who the real criminal was. By 3/4's of the book, I had figured it out, and was very shocked that this person was so disturbed and out-of-touch with reality. The nicest people can be the most unsuspecting to crack under extreme circumstances. 3.5 stars
Nance wrote: "49.MILA 18 by Leon Uris - finished 8/2/10One of the saddest most heartbreaking and courageous books that I have ever read! A lot of people that I know cannot bear to read about the Holocaust in..."
The word I would change in the last paragraph of this review is 'Germans', which should read 'Nazis'. it's the same distinction people are not making today, between 'Muslims' and 'terrorists'.
Carol wrote: "Nance wrote: "49.MILA 18 by Leon Uris - finished 8/2/10One of the saddest most heartbreaking and courageous books that I have ever read! A lot of people that I know cannot bear to read about th..."
Not every German person who fought in the war was considered a "Nazi" at that time. They just were following orders and were too afraid not to do as they were told because they also feared for the lives. It doesn't matter to me what nationality you are or what religion you practice as long as you are a decent person especially in today's society.
61. In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1) written by Tana French - finished 9/25/10In The Woods is a psychological suspense that, from the very first page, has you hooked and mesmorized by the backwoods Dublin rainy picturesque setting. Rob Ryan is a detective on a newly committed homicide case along with his partner Cassie Maddox. The victim, a twelve-year-old ballet protege, Katy Devlin, soon to leave for an exclusive ballet school, is found murdered in an archelogical dig site. During the novel, there is also another storyline paralleling alongside Katy's murder. Rob (Adam) was also the victim of an investigation some twenty years ago concerning the disappearance of his childhood friends, Jamie and Peter. Both bodies were never recovered and the individuals were not heard from ever again. There are constant flashbacks to the previous crime whereby Rob tries to find any similarities to link the two cases together. I really don't understand why this book is not ranked higher with a Goodreads average. It did take me awhile to get through because I have had some personal family problems along the way in the past month, so my reading time has been limited, but I did think that it should have a higher average than just 3.55. In fact, I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series, The Likeness. Definitely a new author, Tana French, that shouldn't be missed! 4 stars
62. The Big 5-OH! written by Sandra D. Bricker - finished 9/28/10This was a cute little read about a widowed OR nurse, Olivia Wallace, nearing her fiftieth birthday, which when all birthdays were considered, always seemed to be "cursed". From broken hearts to car accidents to pneumonia and falling down flights of stairs, her history with turning a new age was not something that Liv looked forward to. In fact, her husband passed away on her birthday, and she was diagnosed with Stage-3 ovarian cancer on her birthday, which just demonstrated to her, that her luck was getting worse. So, as you can see, when nearing her fiftieth birthday, she just wanted it to pass on by. Her bestfriend, Hallie, suggested spending a vacation in Florida whereby she could stay in Hallie's mom's house because she was coming to visit her for a few weeks. Instead of waiting around to see what kind of disaster would strike this year as her birthday approached, she decides to take Hallie up on her offer. While flying to Florida, she meets a man that just makes her heart flutter and her palms sweat, which has not happened since she lost her husband. As she exits the plane, she thinks that it's just too bad that she'll never see him again. Unbeknownst to her, her adventure is just kicking off when she realizes that the house she is staying at, is right next store to this handsome exquisite man, Dr. Jared Hunt. She now realizes that she is in for a life-changing adventure embroiled fondly with a little dog, Missy Boofer, an ornery old neighbor, Clayton Clydesdale, Jared's playboy son, Rand, and a Jared want-to-be-girlfriend, Georgia Brown. A very comically entertaining novel whereby even the most tragic misfortunes can have permanently gratifying results! 3 stars
Nance, based on the positive reviews, both yours and most of the others in the book icon link, I added this to my TBR list. Romance and humor are just what I need right now.
63. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) written by J.K.Rowling (YA) - finished 9/30/10The second installment of J.K. Rowling's magical fantasy of the young wizard, Harry Potter, does not disappoint with its adventurous and mysterious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry enters his second year at Hogwarts whereby a new mystery surrounds the 50-year existance of the mystical school. Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, are again embroiled in a highly deadly secret that involves frightening whispering voices, horrifying petrified bodies, enchanting magical spells, and eerie ghosts haunting bathrooms. This novel was just as entertaining as the first one with a little more knowledge as far as Harry's emerging wizardry abilities are concerned. Harry realizes that his wizardry powers are more paramount than he originally imagined, and is determined that old enemies do not re-surface to try to take control once again of the extraordinary school of magic at Hogarts. 4 stars
64. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3) written by J.K. Rowling (YA) - finished 10/4/10I'm on way to trying to finish all seven books before the last movie comes out on November 19th. I have never read all the books before nor seen the last three movies. The last four books are so long, though...it's going to be close! So anyway, book number 3, "The Prisoner of Azkaban" is full of secrets being revealed and the first chance meeting between Harry and Sirius Black, a friend of his father's. We also are introduced to Remus Lupin (the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor) and Peter Pettigrew, who was presumed dead, also past friends of Harry's father. Sirius has escaped the famous prison of Azkaban, and no one knows where or when he may show up to eliminate the famous Harry Potter, who has exhausted Lord Voldemort's dark powers. Sirius is presumed to be working with the sinister lord. There is a another new teacher, Professor Trelawney, introduced who teaches Divination class, and the dementers, soulless creatures that guard the Azkaban prison, are now guarding the entrance to the castle walls to protect Harry from Sirius. There were some delightfully unimagineable objects unveiled like The Marauder's Map and The Time Turner...along with a few of Hagrid's mystical animal creatures. The language of the series is like none other that I have heard before...full of clever silly little puns that are extraordinarily entertaining. Harry's friends, Hermoine and Ron, are still around to have his back when troubles occur, and Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape are still constantly trying to get Harry expelled from the infamous wizard school, Hogwarts. Book #4, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, now awaits! 5 stars
Nance wrote: "48. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE written by J.K. Rowling (YA) - finished 7/24/10I finally read this book! I thought that I was the only person who have never read this book or the seri..."
I think Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire marks a real shift in the maturity of the characters. It may still be number one for me although I loved all of them. All equally well written.
65. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) written by J.K. Rowling - finished 10/9/10So, I'm finished with the fourth Harry Potter book, and I was definitely not disappointed. Looking at the book, before I began reading it, I thought to myself,"How can a book this large keep my attention? There's got to be some boring parts." But, low and behold, the book just kept getting better as I got closer to the final page. There is to be a Triwizard Tournment whereby three champions are chosen by the Goblet of Fire to participate from Hogwarts and two other witch and wizardry schools. Harry's name, along with Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts and two other champions, Fleur Delacour (Beauxbatons) and Viktor Krum (Durmstrang), are chose to compete, which renders everyone speechless because Harry did not submit his name to the goblet. The four champions are submitted to three tasks, which are judged and scored by a panel of wizards. While the tournament is going on, Lord Voldemort, the dark and menacing leader of the Death Eaters, is slowing acquiring his dangerous powers again. He's just waiting for the opportune time to return his powers to full capacity with the unsuspecting help of Harry Potter. There are some truths to be told as to whose alligance is to Voldemort and whose is to the Ministry of Magic, lead by Cornelius Fudge. As the victor of the tournament is finally crowned, days later at the Leaving Feast, Dumbledore finally devulges the truth about Voldemort finally returning to power with the help of his faithful Death Eaters. This series is really getting intense with the powerful Volemort's return to wreck havoc on the wizardry world. I guess I'll just have to keep reading to see what is in store for Harry Potter and his honorable wizard friends. 5 stars
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Savor the Moment (other topics)Happy Ever After (other topics)
Pictures of You (other topics)
Lipstick in Afghanistan (other topics)
Happy Ever After (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sarah Addison Allen (other topics)Judith McNaught (other topics)
Wow, I finally finished this book! It took me quite awhile because (1) it was extremely long, and (2) it's just one of those books that you really have to think about while reading it. Wally Lamb brings forth a fascinating novel full of sadness, emotional trauma, and real-life situations that will have you tearing up and having to put the book aside at times because it is so heart-wrenching. Dominick and Thomas Birdsey are indentical twin brothers, who as far as personalities go, are very much the opposite. Thomas is a man that battles his inner demons with the disease of schizophrenia while Dominick tries to take care of Thomas as a promise to his passing mother that he will always look out for him. This eventually turns into a full-time job for Dominick. Both men experience very personal experiences in their lives, but the difference between the coping with these experiences is that Thomas lives in a world full of fantasy and hallucinations while Dominick has to deal with reality head-on. The novel deals with many life situations like suicide, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, spousal abuse, and racism. There are also many truths and lies hidden among the pages of the novel. It was a very moving piece of literary magic that was both powerful and breathtaking!! Two thumbs up for this masterpiece!! 5 stars