Read 100+ Books in 2014 discussion

Wow! Can you believe how fast the summer went? It barely arrived and now it's over. Let's see what I can come up with for September.

1. Read a book with a U in its title.
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name.
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football.
4. Read a cozy mystery.
5. Read a book set in Europe.
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel.
7. Read something non-fiction.
8. Read about something you love.
9. Your choice.

Summer is over, back to school working, making travel plans, and like Sheila said, buckle down and read!

Here's the start of my September reading:

1. Read a book with a U in its title.
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name.
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football.
4. Read a cozy mystery.
5. Read a book set in Europe.
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel.
"Loop Group" by Larry McMurtry
7. Read something non-fiction.
8. Read about something you love.
9. Your choice.

Now reading "Loop Group" by Larry McMurtry.

"Anticipating the onset of her later years, Maggie leaves behind her manipulative daughters to accompany her best friend, Connie, for one final fling, but a series of misadventures prompts their desperate, gun-toting journey to a Texas ranch."

The reviews weren't kind at all to this McMurtry book. Me? I'm enjoying it! The road trip from Hollywood to Electric City, Texas is pretty funny. Places where Maggie and Connie have all the way are the same places we visited last year.

I just finished "The Scorch Trials". It was book 2 in The Maze Runner series. It kept things moving and introduced some new characters that made a few plot twists happen in book 2. I still like the characters and want to see how things resolve in book 3 though I suspect I may not like how things turn out. Next up is "The Swift Boys and me", another book recommended by Ruth.

More of my September reading:

1. Read a book with a U in its title.
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name.
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football.
"Sacrifice Fly" by Tim O'Mara
4. Read a cozy mystery.
5. Read a book set in Europe.
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel.
"Loop Group" by Larry McMurtry
7. Read something non-fiction.
8. Read about something you love.
9. Your choice.

Finished reading "Loop Group" by Larry McMurtry - 3/5 Stars. Certainly not his finest but still it was a fun read with an interesting cast of characters.

Now reading "Sacrifice Fly by Tim O'Mara.

"Raymond Donne wasn’t always a schoolteacher. Not only did he patrol the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as one of New York’s Finest, but being the nephew of the chief of detectives, he was expected to go on to bigger things. At least he was until the accident that destroyed his knees. Unable to do the job the way he wanted, he became a teacher in the same neighborhood, and did everything he could to put the force behind him and come to terms with the change.

Then Frankie Rivas, a student in Ray’s class and a baseball phenom, stops showing up to school. With Frankie in danger of failing and missing out on a scholarship, Ray goes looking for him, only to find Frankie’s father bludgeoned to death in their apartment. Frankie and his younger sister are gone, possibly on the run. But did Frankie really kill his father? Ray can’t believe it. But then who did, and where are Frankie and his sister? Ray doesn’t know, but if he’s going to have any chance of bringing them home safely, he’s going to have to return to the life, the people, and the demons he walked out on all those years ago."

-Julia Karr 9-2-14
This is one of the most unique dystopian novels I've read. The characters are well drawn, and the plot is interesting and suspenseful. In addition, the idea of what the future looks like is one of the most likely I've encountered.

So I finished "The Swift Boys & Me". It's a story of how 1 event changed the lives of 4 friends. It is a great read for a tween about real life happenings. It was well written and had interesting characters. Very good book. Now I'm reading "Bethlehem Road". It is a book about the book of Ruth in the Bible.

Here's my reads.

6/9, 16 books

1. Read a book with a U in its title--Unraveled by Alyssa Breck--finished 9/17/14.
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name--Johnny Swanson by Eleanor Updale--finished 9/22/14.
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football.
4. Read a cozy mystery--Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams--Finished 9/11/14.
5. Read a book set in Europe.
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel.
7. Read something non-fiction--The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt--finished 9/17/14.
8. Read about something you love--Dragons, Dames, and Video Games by Sahara Kelly--finished 9/6/14.
9. Your choice--Holiday in Death by J. D. Robb--finished 9/4/14.

Bonus books:
A Pleasant Hell by Angela Daniels--finished 9/4/14
Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb--finished 9/7/14
Loyalty in Death by J. D. Robb--finished 9/18/14
Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi--finished 9/21/14
The Advocate's Felony by Teresa Burrell--finished 9/21/14
Once Upon a Dream by Nikki Prince--finished 9/28/14
Emma Learns to Sprout by Shir Guez--finished 9/29/14
Henry & the Crazed Chicken Pirates by Carolyn Crimi--finished 9/29/14
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurine Sendak--finished 9/29/14
Where's My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi--finished 9/29/14

A few more of my September reading:

1. Read a book with a U in its title.
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name.
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football.
"Sacrifice Fly" by Tim O'Mara
4. Read a cozy mystery.
"Crooked Numbers" by Tim O'Mara
5. Read a book set in Europe.
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel.
"Loop Group" by Larry McMurtry
7. Read something non-fiction.
8. Read about something you love.
Science fiction! "The Warlord of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
9. Your choice.

Wayward Son-Tom Pollack 9-7-14
This is a well-written and fairly interesting alternate history novel. I did like it, but I think my husband will enjoy it more than I did.

A Promise for Ellie-Lauraine Snelling 9-8-14
This was a sweet historical Christian romance. I liked the characters and their development, and I liked learning about Norwegian-American culture.

A Lady Like Sarah-Margaret Brownley 9-9-14
This was a really fun historical Christian romance. The characters were really interesting, and I especially enjoyed watching Sarah change.

Shakespeare's Landlord-Charlaine Harris 9-10-14
This is a fun cozy mystery. It is written well, and the characters are interesting.

Looking for Alaska-John Green 9-11-14
This book was depressing and dull. The only redeeming feature about this book for me was that it did a good job portraying friendship.

September challenges

1. Read a book with a U in its title. N/A
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name. The Space Between Us-Thrity Umrigar 9-18-14
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football. N/A
4. Read a cozy mystery. Shakespeare's Landlord-Charlaine Harris; Murder at the Breakers-Alyssa Maxwell 9-24-14
5. Read a book set in Europe. Wayward Son-Tom Pollack (mostly in Italy)
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel. The Forest Lover-Susan Vreeland 9-17-14
7. Read something non-fiction. The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices-Xinran 9-22-14
8. Read about something you love. Just Jane-Nancy Moser (novelized story of Jane Austen's life) 9-21-14
9. Your choice. XVI-Julia Karr 9-2-14; Wayward Son-Tom Pollack 9-7-14; A Promise for Ellie-Lauraine Snelling 9-8-14; A Lady Like Sarah-Margaret Brownley 9-9-14; Looking for Alaska-John Green 9-11-14; One for the Money-Janet Evanovich 9-12-14; The Man from Stone Creek-Linda Lael Miller 9-14-14; Beautiful Darkness-Kami Garcia 9-27-14; Beautiful Chaos-Kami Garcia 9-28-14; Dream Dark-Kami Garcia 9-28-14; Beautiful Redemption-Kami Garcia 9-29-14

I finished "The Bethlehem Road". It was a great study companion to the book of Ruth in the Bible. It had some interesting ideas I never thought of and gave some history to me that I knew a little of. I enjoyed it.

One for the Money-Janet Evanovich
This was an entertaining and rather funny mystery novel. The writing is good, and the characters are interesting.

A few more of my September reading:

1. Read a book with a U in its title.
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name.
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football.
"Sacrifice Fly" by Tim O'Mara
4. Read a cozy mystery.
"Crooked Numbers" by Tim O'Mara
5. Read a book set in Europe.
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel.
"Loop Group" by Larry McMurtry
7. Read something non-fiction.
8. Read about something you love.
Science fiction! "The Warlord of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
9. Your choice.
"The Renegades" by T. Jefferson Parker

Finished "Crooked Numbers," Book 2 of the Raymond Donne series by Tim O'Mara.

Now reading "The Renegades" the T. Jefferson Parker, Book 2 of the Charlie Hood series.

So I just finished my non-fiction for the month "Searching for Virginia Dare". It was an interesting book especially since I used to live in that area. The writer had interesting personal stories included with her research. It was well written and very easy to read for a non-fiction work. Very good book.

A few more of my September reading:

1. Read a book with a U in its title.
2. Read a book written by an author with a U in their name.
3. Baseball season is winding down and football season is starting up, so read a book about baseball or football.
"Sacrifice Fly" by Tim O'Mara
4. Read a cozy mystery.
"Crooked Numbers" by Tim O'Mara
5. Read a book set in Europe.
6. Summer vacations and holidays may be over but read a book about travel.
"Loop Group" by Larry McMurtry
7. Read something non-fiction.
8. Read about something you love.
Science fiction! "The Warlord of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs
9. Your choice.
"The Renegades" by T. Jefferson Parker
"A Serpent's Tooth" by Craig Johnson

Finished reading "The Renegades," 5/5 stars! Now reading "A Serpent's Tooth" by Craig Johnson, Book 9 of the Sheriff Walt Longmire series.

The Man from Stone Creek-Linda Lael Miller 9-14-14
This was an entertaining and well-written historical romance. I really liked the development of the characters as well.

The Forest Lover-Susan Vreeland 9-17-14
This was an interesting novelization of Canadian artist Emily Carr's life.

The Space Between Us-Thrity Umrigar 9-18-14
This is an interesting novel illustrating class differences in India.

Rachel wrote: "One for the Money-Janet Evanovich
This was an entertaining and rather funny mystery novel. The writing is good, and the characters are interesting."

A favorite series of mine.

Just Jane-Nancy Moser 9-21-14
I truly enjoyed this novelized account of Jane Austen's life. It was well-written and entertaining. The characters really come to life. This is definitely a new favorite.

The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices-Xinran 9-22-14
This was a well-written and interesting collection of real women's stories. It was sad though, so I don't think I'll ever read this one again.

Murder at the Breakers-Alyssa Maxwell 9-24-14
I truly enjoyed this historical cozy mystery. The characters are interesting and well drawn, and the outcome was so unexpected. I look forward to reading more of this series.

So I finished 2 books recently. I read "The Best of Me" which I thought was good. I liked knowing a little about where it was set. The setting improved this book for me. The characters were interesting and the story was good, though a little predictable at times.
The 2nd book I read was "Lean In". It was about women in leadership position. I thought it was interesting and well written. I found some of the ideas in the book practical for my position at work. Next up for me is "Long Remember", a novel about the Civil War.
Happy Fall All!!!

Beautiful Darkness-Kami Garcia 9-27-14
I really loved this YA fantasy novel. It is written very well, and the characters are well developed. I also truly enjoyed the different surprises the plot lines revealed.

I'm working on getting caught up. I was on vacation in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada this past week. I went to a book conference in Henderson. Had a good time and bought lots of books.

Beautiful Chaos-Kami Garcia 9-28-14
I really loved this YA fantasy novel. It is written very well, and the characters are well developed. I also truly enjoyed the different surprises the plot lines revealed.

Dream Dark-Kami Garcia (short story) 9-28-14
I really loved this YA fantasy short story. It is a fun edition to the series.

Beautiful Redemption-Kami Garcia 9-29-14
I really loved this YA fantasy novel. It is written very well, and the characters are well developed. I also truly enjoyed the different surprises the plot lines revealed.