Read 100+ Books in 2013 discussion

Well, I didn't do well with the themes. I've been reviewing a bunch of books and none fit the themes. I'll do better in May.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
2. Read a books with E in its title.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.

May


1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E. Abigail's New Hope-Mary Ellis 5/24/13
2. Read a books with E in its title. Empress Orchid-Anchee Min 5/27/13
3. Read a book about flowers or plants. The Language of Flowers-Vanessa Diffenbaugh 5/27/13
4. Read a book with a color in its title. The Blue Sword-Robin McKinley 5/31/13
5. Read a book about a direction. Beside Still Waters-Tricia Goyer started today
6. Read a book about a book. The Tutor's Daughter-Julia Klassen 5/15/13 (talks about books quite often :))
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high. Where We Belong- Emily Giffin 5/25/13
8. Read a book about cookies. N/A
9. Your choice. Where Grace Abides-BJ Hoff 5/2/13, City of Tranquil Light-Bo Caldwell 5/5/13, Falling Together-Marisa de los Santos 5/8/13, Kate's Song-Jennifer Beckstrand 5/10/13, Safe in His Arms-Colleen Coble 5/10/13, Love in the Time of Cholera-Gabriel Garcia Marquez 5/20/13, River of Mercy-BJ Hoff 5/21/13, Letter Perfect-Cathy Marie Hake 5/22/13

Hi Sheila! I didn't do well with the themes myself. I have a large shelf of books to read so I'll need to carefully wade through them all.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
"The Loop" by Nicholas Evans
2. Read a books with E in its title.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.
"Blackball Stars: The Negro League Pioneers" by John B. Holway

Finished reading "Catch 'n Release" by Susan Hart Hellman - Good 1st work by a good friend of mine, 3.5/5 stars! I certainly will continue with the series

Now reading "The Loop" by Nicholas Evans.

"From the author of "The Horse Whisperer" comes a breathtaking story of love, family and man's relationship with the natural world, set against the epic grandeur of the American West. The story surrounds wolf biologist Helen Ross who comes to the ranching town of Hope, Montana, to protect the wolves from those seeking their destruction."

Also reading "Blackball Stars: The Negro League Pioneers by John B. Holway.

"Originally published in 1988, Blackball Stars is a biography of 27 of the greatest players & executives in the history of baseball. It is rich in photographs and statistics, while setting the record straight on the talents of such stars as Bullet Joe Rogan, Chino Smith, Cristobal Torriente, Joe Mendez and Dobie Moore.

Included is a statistical index of all-star teams, Cuban & Mexican league champions, NLB statistical leaders by season and NLB all-time statistical leaders in numerous categories.

Over the years, Holway has personally interviewed more than 70 former players and - with the help of the Society of American Baseball Research - reconstructed batting & pitching stats through a variety of media sources."

5/2/13
Even though there were still some pieces of the story line that I wished hadn't been dealt with so abruptly from the first book of the series, I really liked how this book carried on with the characters and the plot. While the end of this novel is also fairly open, it leaves readers with more hope for good things in the next book in the series. Overall, I liked it a lot.

Chuck wrote: "Hi Sheila! I didn't do well with the themes myself. I have a large shelf of books to read so I'll need to carefully wade through them all.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
"T..."

The Loop was a good book. I enjoyed learning about reintroducing wolves back into the wild.

Well, here I go for May.

2/9, 28 books

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
2. Read a books with E in its title.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies--Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey Cates--finished 5/28/13.
9. Your choice--The Best Man by Adriana Kraft.

Bonus books:
2:20 by Holly A. Hook--finished 5/2/13
Surprise in the Kitchen by Mary Lee--finished 5/3/13
Luna, The Night Butterfly by Lily Lexington--finished 5/3/13
Playtime with Monsters by Michael Yu--finished 5/3/13
Doggie Woggie Doodle & Tinker Toodle--finished 5/3/13
Beebe and the 7 Wonders by Emily Joy--finished 5/3/13
No Way to Haircut Day by Flo Barnett--finished 5/3/13
Awkward Owl by Shawnada Blake--finished 5/3/13
Wiggle Jiggle by Alan Dapre--finished 5/3/13
Dial C for Chihuahua by Waverly Curtis--finished 5/13/13
Foreplay: The Zodiac Club, book 1 by Tammy Valentine--finished 5/17/13
His Secret Dancer by Faberge Nostromo--finished 5/18/13
A Soldier's Return by Ava Delany--finished 5/18/13
To Catch a Spirit by Carrie Pulikien--finished 5/20/13
Angel's Assassin by Laura O'Donnell--finished 5/21/13
The CEO Gets Her Man by Anne Ashby--finished 5/22/13
Franky the Frolicking Fox by J S Yee--finished 5/22/13
The Dark Elements: Tainted Blood by Stacey Kennedy
Love from the Ashes, book 1: Captain Ramsay's Woman by Gwen Campbell--5/24/13
Sweet and Sour Pork: A Three Little Pigs Story with a Twist by Tom Skinner--finished 5/24/13
National Bruschetta Day by Tom Skinner--finished 5/24/13
The Cootie Kisser Convention of Canterbury Court by Jim Gratiot--finished 5/25/13
The Path Not Chosen by Q.C. Masters--finished 5/29/13
The 13th Tail by Daniel Kelly--finished 5/29/13
Melody in Lingerie by Imogen Linn--finished 5/28/13
The Impaler's Revenge by Ioana Visan--finished 5/28/13

Had a few moments and my smartphone so yesterday I read a bunch of children's books. At least I get the color on the phone app.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
"The Loop" by Nicholas Evans
2. Read a books with E in its title.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
"Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha (I think she's headed in a northerly direction!)
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.
"Blackball Stars: The Negro League Pioneers" by John B. Holway

Finished "The Loop" by Nicholas Evans - 5/5 stars! I enjoyed this story as much as his first novel, "The Horse Whisperer.

Now reading "Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha.

"Juniper Song knows secrets–how to keep them and how to search them out. As a girl, noir fiction was her favorite escape, and Philip Marlowe has always been her literary idol. So when her friend Luke asks her to investigate a possible affair between his father and a young employee, Juniper (or "Song" as her friends call her) finds an opportunity to play detective. Driving through L.A.'s side streets, following leads, tailing suspects-it all appeals to Song's romantic ideal of the noir hero.

But when she's knocked out while investigating a mysterious car and finds a body in her own trunk, Song lurches back to the real L.A., becoming embroiled in a crime that goes far beyond role play. What's more, this isn't the first time Song has stuck her nose in other people's business. As she fights to discover the truth about her friend's family, Song reveals one of her own deeply hidden secrets, something dark and damaging, urging her to see the current mystery through, to rectify the mistakes of her past life."

5/5/13

This is a historical novel that reads like a memoir about a missionary couple who served in China prior to the Communist Revolution. The author used the husband's point-of-view as the main narrative and the wife's point-of-view as diary entries. It's written well and is informative and interesting.

5/8/13
Marisa de los Santos is definitely an author I enjoy. So far, I've really enjoyed every book I've read by her. This one has great characters and deals with some deep issues in a simple, straightforward, somewhat lighthearted manner. I really like her writing style.

5/10/13
After a slow buildup, this novel really takes you for a fun and somewhat suspenseful ride. I kept wondering if things would actually work out in the end and was so glad when they did. The novel is written very well and is now a favorite. I will definitely be seeking out the rest of the series. For an Amish novel, this one had a more complex plot than I'm used to seeing, and I really enjoyed the intricacy of this author's writing style.

5/10/13

I really enjoyed this novel. It's well written and entertaining, and I had no idea that it was the second in a series until now. It stood on its own very well.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard
2. Read a books with E in its title.
Elephant Girl: A Human Story by Jane Devin
Ever After by Kim Harrison
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
Relic by Douglas Preston
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.
Another Thing to Fall by Laura Lippman
Grave Situation by Alex MacLean
Here Beneath Low-Flying Planes By Merrill Feitell
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Murder Is A Bad Day To Have A Baby by Jennifer Bennon
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
"The Loop" by Nicholas Evans
2. Read a books with E in its title.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
"Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha (I think she's headed in a northerly direction!)
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.
"Blackball Stars: The Negro League Pioneers" by John B. Holway
"The Cold Dish" by Craig Johnson.

Finished reading "Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha - 4/5 stars for the writer's 1st work.

Now reading "The Cold Dish" by Craig Johnson, Book 1 of the "Sheriff Walt Longmire" series.

"Craig Johnson introduces Sheriff Walt Longmire of Wyoming’s Absaroka County. Johnson draws on his deep attachment to the American West to produce a literary mystery of stunning authenticity, and full of memorable characters. After twenty-five years as sheriff of Absaroka County, Walt Longmire’s hopes of finishing out his tenure in peace are dashed when Cody Pritchard is found dead near the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Two years earlier, Cody has been one of four high school boys given suspended sentences for raping a local Cheyenne girl. Somebody, it would seem, is seeking vengeance, and Longmire might be the only thing standing between the three remaining boys and a Sharps .45-70 rifle.

With lifelong friend Henry Standing Bear, Deputy Victoria Moretti, and a cast of characters both tragic and humorous enough to fill in the vast emptiness of the high plains, Walt Longmire attempts to see that revenge, a dish best served cold, is never served at all."

5/15/13

A well-written and suspenseful romance. The characters are well drawn and very interesting. I really enjoyed it.

I just finished "Elephant Girl: a human story" by Jane Devin. I apologize for no links but my laptops power cord was destroyed by my cat and I'm awaiting the new ones delivery.

I found this to be a remarkable story. Heart wrenching, touching and raw. The story of Darlene, Jessica and Jane (all one person), as told from her own perspective at each point in her life. The thoughts of a child, teenager and adult are astounding.

Never wanted by her parents and abused, she ran away at fourteen to make it better for herself. Her tales of the hardships and people tying to take advantage are powerful, a real gritty look at poverty, depression and maybe just a tiny glimmer of hope.

Well, I didn't do so well on the April challenges. It took me a long time to finish my books last month. I'm doing much better in May. I read Lawrence J. Epstein's "The Land of Eighteen Dreams" which I loved. Check out my review on my page. I am reading "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert currently. I am enjoying it. I'm still trying to finish my D book from last month. I'll keep you posted.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
"The Loop" by Nicholas Evans
2. Read a books with E in its title.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
"Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha (I think she's headed in a northerly direction!)
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.
"Blackball Stars: The Negro League Pioneers" by John B. Holway
"The Cold Dish" by Craig Johnson.

Not sure what category to put "The 5th Wave" in. How about using the "5th" as the 5th month of the year - May?

Anyway, the book is written by Rick Yancey.

Good reading to all!

Now reading "The 5th Wave" by Rick Yancey.

"The Passage meets The Hunger Games in a gripping new series from Carnegie-shortlisted Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, until Cassie meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope for rescuing her brother and even saving herself. Now she must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. Cassie Sullivan gets up."

Just finished "Sharp Objects" by Gillian Flynn.

A returning home story for the dysfunctional. Gillian is the author of Gone Girl which I read earlier this year, Sharp Objects is her first book. I really like how she writes about people who feel like they could be real. Everyone has secrets, something hey want to keep for themselves.


I agree with this par of a quote from Steven King on the back of the novel "an admirably nasty piece of work, elevated by sharp writing and sharper insights."

Five star across the board for Gillian Flynn... Again.

5/20/13
Honestly, this was probably the most dull classic I've read so far. It was well-written as far as technicality was concerned, but the characters felt like cardboard posters, and I had zero interest in the plot. The use of the word "love" also made me annoyed because it was used to mean in various instances that insipid courtly type of love from bygone days, sympathetic conjugal love based on friendship and security alone, or, a great deal of the time, mindless sexual affairs. I had no expectations before reading the book, so I am not disappointed by it but simply dismal because a more maudlin and depressing book I can't imagine.

I'm back from vacation and catching up with everything.

5/21/13
This conclusion to the trilogy was so good. It finally addressed all of the threads of the story line that had been left dangling. The crisis and resolution was so surprising and satisfying. A well-written novel with intriguing characters.

5/22/13
I greatly enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to reading more of the series. It was well-written; the characters were well drawn and truly interesting. I absolutely loved the female protagonist, Ruth. The plot was enjoyable with moments of great hilarity as well as those of sadness or apprehension. There was quite a surprising twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all, which was awesome.

5/24/13
I really loved this novel. The three-pronged plot was really interesting, and I loved the characters. I liked how well Abigail's spiritual journey through reading Scripture was portrayed. A very well-written, entertaining, and emotionally tugging novel.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
"The Loop" by Nicholas Evans
2. Read a books with E in its title.
"Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
5. Read a book about a direction.
"Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha (I think she's headed in a northerly direction!)
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.
"Blackball Stars: The Negro League Pioneers" by John B. Holway
"The Cold Dish" by Craig Johnson.

For our Book Club selection this month, Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke was selected.

First written in 1953 "This novel tells the tale of the last generation of humans on Earth. All developments in space travel are stopped by alien "overlords" who take over Earth, establishing a benevolent dictatorship which eliminates poverty, ignorance & disease. This golden age ends abruptly as the overlords bend to the will of a superior intelligence which demands Earth's destruction."

Should be an interesting meeting when we discuss the story . . . .

Just finished Sweet and Sour Pork by Tom Skinner. What a cute book. It's a variation in the telling of The Three Little Pigs. What makes it different is the artwork. It looks like construction paper. You have got to read what is on the houses and signs. Not sure if it's exactly for kids but it was fun.

So I decided to knock out the color & the flower, in a metaphorical sense, options with one book. I just finished reading "The Black Dahlia Files" about the murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947 Hollywood. It was a great read. It was graphic at times in its violence because of the nature of the crime and those involved in it. I thought it was interesting to see the lengths and depths of the coverups involved in the investigations. I learned some things about that time period that I never knew. Worth reading if you like true crime books.

I'm now going to start my choice book for the month "Sabrina Window". I'll let you know in a couple of days.

I finished my choice for the month "Sabrina's Window". I liked it. Now I am moving on to "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much" as my book about a book. I've heard good things about this book and look forward to reading it.

Colleen wrote: "I finished my choice for the month "Sabrina's Window". I liked it. Now I am moving on to "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much" as my book about a book. I've heard good things about this book and lo..."

Both were good books. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much is fascinating especially his reason for taking books.

I don't know if I can follow the rules exactly but I hope I can read 100 books this year:/ I'm definitely going to try:) I just finished reading the bell jar by Sylvia Plath. Bit of a let down I must say, from all of the reviews I was expecting a lot more. Reading about her life though, that's interesting!!!

Sarah wrote: "I don't know if I can follow the rules exactly but I hope I can read 100 books this year:/ I'm definitely going to try:) I just finished reading the bell jar by Sylvia Plath. Bit of a let down I mu..."

The biggest rule is to have fun!

5/25/13
This was not the best novel I've read by Emily Giffin by any means, however, it was much less of a chick lit than what she normally writes, and I do give her kudos for that. This was more of a family drama than a chick lit novel in my opinion, and it wasn't what I was expecting from her. I did like it though. The characters are interesting, and the story line was interesting.

5/27/13
This was an interesting historical novel. It was very well-written, and I really liked the characters and how they were portrayed. I enjoyed the look into Chinese history.

5/27/13
I really liked this one. The characters were well done and interesting, and the story line was emotionally compelling without being overdone or unrealistic. I liked the misunderstandings and trials due in part to communicating through flowers. A very good and fast read.

I'm going a little on a tangent here but my book for direction will be "The Lost Wife". When you have no sense of direction, you get lost so that is my loose connection. I hope to finish this before May ends. Look forward to the June challenges.

1. Read a book by an author whose name starts with E.
"The Loop" by Nicholas Evans
2. Read a books with E in its title.
"Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke.
3. Read a book about flowers or plants.
4. Read a book with a color in its title.
"15 Seconds" by Andrew Gross . . . Doesn't fit in anywhere on the list but sounded like a colorful read.
5. Read a book about a direction.
"Follow Her Home" by Steph Cha (I think she's headed in a northerly direction!)
6. Read a book about a book.
7. Read a book on the 5th page of your Goodreads list, if yours goes up that high.
8. Read a book about cookies.
9. Your choice.
"Blackball Stars: The Negro League Pioneers" by John B. Holway
"The Cold Dish" by Craig Johnson.

Finished reading "Childhood's End"
by Arthur C. Clark - 4/5 stars!

Now reading "15 Seconds" by Andrew Gross.

"Henry Steadman is a successful Florida plastic surgeon on his way to deliver a keynote address at a conference when his world falls apart. Stopped by the police for a minor traffic violation, the situation escalates and he is pulled from his vehicle, handcuffed, and told he is under arrest. Several other police cars arrive and the questioning turns scary, but after it subsides, and Henry is about to move on, the officer is suddenly killed in his car and there is only one suspect: the very person he was about to arrest not ten minutes before. Henry! When a second friend turns up dead, Henry realizes he's being elaborately framed. But in a chilling twist, the stakes grow even darker, and he is unable to go to the police to clear his name."

So I finished my direction book, The Lost Wife. It was amazing. The story was well-written and heartwrenching. Of course I love historical fiction and cannot even image how people survived and later recovered from the events they experienced during the Holocaust. This book captured an amazing love story. I would highly recommend this book. It was a tear-jerker though.

Colleen wrote: "So I finished my direction book, The Lost Wife. It was amazing. The story was well-written and heartwrenching. Of course I love historical fiction and cannot even image how people survived and l..."

It is also based on a true story of the place and artist colony at that concentration camp. Excellent read.

5/31/13
After a slow start, this was a fun and interesting YA fantasy. The characters were well drawn, and I enjoyed the plot. I was completely surprised by the sudden betrothal and marriage near the end, however, even though it made for a fun denouement. Then, it was bit weird how several years of marriage and several children are all introduced within the last few pages. Overall though, I liked it.