Lisa's 2012 Challenge

[Lisa]

Here's to 100 books in 2012!


1. Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
2. Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote
3. A Bad Idea I'm About to Do: True Tales of Seriously Poor Judgment and Stunningly Awkward Adventure, Chris Gethard
4. Shine, Lauren Myracle
5. The First Husband, Laura Dave
6. The Initiation and The Captive, Part I, L.J. Smith
7. The Captive, Part II and The Power, L.J. Smith
8. White Girl Problems, Babe Walker
9. Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Laini Taylor
10. Star Island, Carl Hiaasen
11. The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson
12. Girl Unmoored, Jennifer Gooch Hummer
13. If You Ask Me, Betty White
14. The Divide, L.J. Smith
15. The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor, Amy Hollingsworth
16. Bridesmaid Lotto, Rachel Astor
17. Gamble on Engagement, Rachel Astor
18. The Wedding Wager, Rachel Astor

[Stacy]

Go! Go! Go! ;)

[Lisa]

Shine by Lauren Myracle was awful. It was unbearably predictable and about 300 pages too long. I had the whole thing figured out almost instantly, but I kept reading, hoping that there would be a big twist to prove me wrong. Maybe an ending that I didn't see coming 300 pages in advance. It was dreadful. I do not recommend it.

[Tara]

Lisa wrote: "Shine by Lauren Myracle was awful. It was unbearably predictable and about 300 pages too long. I had the whole thing figured out almost instantly, but I kept reading, hoping that there would be a..."

I definitely won't be reading that book. I just read a book, Prospect Park West by Amy Sohn, which was probably just as bad. I made no sense and I only kept rading it because it's on my challange and I didn't want to look for anything else to replace it with. I won't do that again. I will have no trouble stopping a book if it's bad. :) Lesson Learned!

[Lisa]

Tara wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Shine by Lauren Myracle was awful. It was unbearably predictable and about 300 pages too long. I had the whole thing figured out almost instantly, but I kept reading, hoping that the..."

You know...I can't seem to abandon a book. So, I keep forcing myself through books like Shine and then I am just wrecked by the time I finish.

[Lisa]

It's only March and I am already behind on my goal! I need to try a little harder :)

[Lisa]

So, I finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone an hour ago...and now I already miss it. I was not sure how I felt right when ended but, now that I think about it, the VERY end left me wanting more. I hope I'm still as interested when the sequel is released this fall. :)

[Melanie]

Lisa wrote: "So, I finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone an hour ago...and now I already miss it. I was not sure how I felt when it right when ended but, now that i think about it, the VERY end left me wanting m..."

I LOVED that book - I can't wait for the next one, either. :)

[Lisa]

Melanie wrote: "Lisa wrote: "So, I finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone an hour ago...and now I already miss it. I was not sure how I felt when it right when ended but, now that i think about it, the VERY end left..."

I loved most of the book. I don't really get into fantasy/supernatural stories, so...I did have to force myself through some parts of the story, but overall...I did love it. :) I have been thinking about it since I finished it on Saturday and I am DEFINITELY ready for the sequel!

[Lisa]

The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor - Sometimes, something magical and wonderful enters your life at the exact moment you realize how lost and hopeless you feel. This book and the beautiful words of Fred Rogers, I have no doubt by the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, reached the very deepest part of my need and nourished my soul. My childhood pastor recently passed away and reading about the loving way Mister Rogers conducted his daily life and his "truthfulness" reminded me so much of my beloved pastor. He is the only person I have known (personally) that lived his life with a full loving heart and without judgement. He put his life and faith in God's loving hands and accepted loss and triumph with the same open heart and joyous spirit. My husband was fortunate enough to meet him, briefly, several years ago and he felt the deep loss when Rev. Morris passed away. I sobbed like a baby while I read this book. I started crying during the introduction and cried out so much built up anger, sadness, and frustration throughout the chapters. I needed a reminder that it is okay to feel all those emotions, but it is not okay to be consumed by them. These feelings are only temporary and soon enough life will be back to "normal". I understand that not everyone is religious or has a personal relationship with God, but this book is about a beautiful friendship between two people and how Fred Rogers helped Amy Hollingsworth find her own peace and balance and how fortunate she was to call him "friend". Or, as Mister Rogers would have preferred, "neighbor".