Read 100+ Books in 2015 discussion

Well I did not meet my goal of 300 books. I only got 191 but I think I may have met my page challenge of 40000. I have to add up December's pages and add it to the rest of the year's. I hope you all had a good holiday season and received some good books or gift certificates for book stores. So here we go for January.

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
4. Read a book about science.
5. Read a book based on a historical event.
6. Read a classic.
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series.
9. Your choice.

Sheila wrote: "Well I did not meet my goal of 300 books. I only got 191 but I think I may have met my page challenge of 40000. I have to add up December's pages and add it to the rest of the year's. I hope you..."

Wow, 191 books? Amazing!

2015 here I come! So many books to read and not enough time!

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
"Frommer's Easy Guide to National Parks of the American West" by Don and Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson.
4. Read a book about science.
5. Read a book based on a historical event.
6. Read a classic.
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series.
9. Your choice.

Planning our summers travels by reading "Frommer's Easy Guide to National Parks of the American West" by Don and Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson.

We'll be traveling to Glacier National Park this summer for a 2 week visit.

Chuck wrote: "2015 here I come! So many books to read and not enough time!

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
..."

Isn't that the truth!

Chuck wrote: "Planning our summers travels by reading "Frommer's Easy Guide to National Parks of the American West" by Don and Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson.

We'll be traveling to Glacier National Park this s..."

That's sounds interesting.

Well, here I go for January.

8/9, 19 books

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y--Picture Imperfect by Nicola Yeager--finished 1/19/15.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title--Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger--finished 1/6/15.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm--Speakeasy Dead by Vicky Loebel--finished 1/23/15.
4. Read a book about science--The Square Root of Murder by Ada Madison--finished 1/29/15.
5. Read a book based on a historical event--How to Plan a Wedding for a Royal Spy by Vanessa Kelly--finished 1/15/15.
6. Read a classic--Looking for Alaska by John Green--finished 1/17/14.
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series--Seduction by Death by J. D Robb--finished 1/9/15.
9. Your choice--The Holmes-Dracula File by Fred Saberhagen--finished 1/3/15

Bonus:
Forsaken Realms by Katalina Leon--finished 1/2/15
The Ingredients of Bliss by Lisabet Sarai--finished 1/4/15
Detour Ahead by Ariana Kraft--finished 1/6/15
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Willow Rose--finished 1/6/15
Amsterdam Prostitute III by V. Vaugn--finished 1/12/15
Spell Booked by Jim and Joyce Levane--finished 1/13/15
Blue Moon Café Series: Where Shifters Meet for Drinks by Ioana Visan--finished 1/18/15
World's Fair by E. L. Doctorow--finished 1/22/15
D & S Duos, Book 1 by Lisabet Sarai--finished 1/24/15
Epicurean Delights by Adriana Kraft--finished 1/24/15
The Nightingale Circus Collection by Ioana Visan--finished 1/25/14

Need to visit used book stores more often - Just purchased "The Bone Clocks" for $2.00, wow!

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
"Frommer's Easy Guide to National Parks of the American West" by Don and Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson.
4. Read a book about science.
5. Read a book based on a historical event.
6. Read a classic.
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series.
9. Your choice.
"The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell.

Reading "The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell.

"Following a terrible fight with her mother over her boyfriend, fifteen-year-old Holly Sykes slams the door on her family and her old life. But Holly is no typical teenage runaway: A sensitive child once contacted by voices she knew only as "the radio people,"� Holly is a lightning rod for psychic phenomena. Now, as she wanders deeper into the English countryside, visions and coincidences reorder her reality until they assume the aura of a nightmare brought to life.

For Holly has caught the attention of a cabal of dangerous mystics - and their enemies. But her lost weekend is merely the prelude to a shocking disappearance that leaves her family irrevocably scarred. This unsolved mystery will echo through every decade of Holly's life, affecting all the people Holly loves - even the ones who are not yet born.

A Cambridge scholarship boy grooming himself for wealth and influence, a conflicted father who feels alive only while reporting on the war in Iraq, a middle-aged writer mourning his exile from the bestseller list - all have a part to play in this surreal, invisible war on the margins of our world. From the medieval Swiss Alps to the nineteenth-century Australian bush, from a hotel in Shanghai to a Manhattan townhouse in the near future, their stories come together in moments of everyday grace and extraordinary wonder."

So I back. Obviously for my classic I chose The Star Wars Trilogy. Thanks Sheila for the Christmas gift. It was awesome. Each was slightly different than the movies which of course made the books even more awesome. Loved it. And yes, Sheila I can believe that Lewis Carroll was on drugs while writing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Next up for me is Gift of an Eagle which takes places in CA for my book about somewhere warm. It is a memoir of a man who along with his father trained a golden eagle to do falconry. So far it is extremely interesting.
Look forward to another fun year with you all.

Chuck wrote: "Need to visit used book stores more often - Just purchased "The Bone Clocks" for $2.00, wow!

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Rea..."

That's a good buy!

So my book about heroes is "A Million Ways Home" which my daughter got as a Christmas present from her teachers. It is a story about a young girl who witnesses a murder while sneaking out of a children's home where she was staying after her grandma's stroke put her in the hospital. She then ends up with the mother of a police officer as a temporary place to live while the crime is investigated. Very well written book. Grab the tissues before you start it though. I also finished reading "Greasy Rider", an adventure of two guys driving across the country in a veggie powered car. They also explored the environmental impact of several people and companies. It was interesting to read and had the feel of some Bill Bryson books without as much sarcasm. Both were interesting books.

Colleen wrote: "So my book about heroes is "A Million Ways Home" which my daughter got as a Christmas present from her teachers. It is a story about a young girl who witnesses a murder while sneaking out of a chi..."

Greasy Rider sounds interesting. Not sure I could handle A Million Ways Home.

Heard about a new book store in town and paid them a visit. "Open Book" sells new and "gently used" books, walked away with 3 books and paid only $3.

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
"Frommer's Easy Guide to National Parks of the American West" by Don and Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson.
4. Read a book about science.
5. Read a book based on a historical event.
6. Read a classic.
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series.
"The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle" by Hugh Lofting
9. Your choice.
"The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell.

Now reading "The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle" by Hugh Lofting.

"Together with Jip the Dog, Polynesia the Parrot, and 9-year-old Tommy Stubbins, the good doctor sets off in search of a missing colleague. This Newbery Medal–winning adventure recounts the hunt for Long Arrow, the world's greatest naturalist, in treks that range from the Mediterranean and South America to the bottom of the sea. Thanks to the doctor's gift for conversing with animals, the travelers find a solution to every challenge, including a curious encounter with a sea monster and a shipwreck on a mysterious island."

-Veronica Roth 1-1-15
This was an entertaining collection of short stories that gives more insight into the character of Four (Tobias) from the Divergent trilogy. They are written well and are interesting—3 of them take place prior to Four meeting Tris and one of them overlaps some incidents from Divergent where he knows Tris but that are told from his point-of-view.

-Eowyn Ivey 1-4-15
This was a well-written and interesting take on a Russian fairy tale. I enjoyed the character development, and the plot was fanciful and bittersweet. I truly enjoyed it.

-Wanda E. Brunstetter 1-6-15
This trilogy was an enjoyable continuation about the Fisher family introduced in The Daughters of Lancaster County trilogy. The books are well written, and the characters are well developed. I enjoyed the plots a lot.

-L.M. Montgomery 1-7-15
This was a fun novel about a young girl who comes into her own when she begins spending summers with her dad. Jane is more practical and domestic than Montgomery’s characters usually are, but she has a certain level of imagination as well. There are points about her and her story that remind me somewhat of Emily Starr from Emily of New Moon, but Jane is all her own and memorable like all of Montgomery’s child characters.

-Camy Tang 1-8-15
This is the first in a series of novels about the Sakai cousins, four Asian American Christians in a family of Buddhists. They are about faith and persistence despite various difficulties in their lives and the interference of an overwhelming grandma determined to see them married. The book is well written and entertaining, and the characters are well developed.

-Camy Tang 1-9-15
This is the second novel about the Sakai cousins, about the 2nd cousin, Trish. She is one of four Asian American Christians in a family of Buddhists. They are about faith and persistence despite various difficulties in their lives and the interference of an overwhelming grandma determined to see them married. The book is well written and entertaining, and the characters are well developed.

-Camy Tang 1-10-15
This is the third novel about the Sakai cousins, about the 3rd cousin, Venus. She is one of four Asian American Christians in a family of Buddhists. They are about faith and persistence despite various difficulties in their lives and the interference of an overwhelming grandma determined to see them married. The book is well written and entertaining, and the characters are well developed.

-Camy Tang 1-10-15
This is the concluding story about the Sakai cousins, about the 4th cousin, Jenn. She is one of four Asian American Christians in a family of Buddhists. They are about faith and persistence despite various difficulties in their lives and the interference of an overwhelming grandma determined to see them married. This novella is just as well written and entertaining as the first three full novels, but I really wanted a fuller story about Jenn since I relate to her character the most.

Chuck wrote: "Heard about a new book store in town and paid them a visit. "Open Book" sells new and "gently used" books, walked away with 3 books and paid only $3.

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts..."

I love book stores--old, used, new, whatever. I can spend hours going through the books and discovering new ones.

Rachel wrote: "-Veronica Roth 1-1-15
This was an entertaining collection of short stories that gives more insight into the character of Four (Tobias) from th..."

You've read some good ones. I'll have to check them out.

Whenever I visit our local library I usually visit the "Friends of the Library" section and look through all the books for sale. Amazing what you can find!

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
"Frommer's Easy Guide to National Parks of the American West" by Don and Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson.
4. Read a book about science.
5. Read a book based on a historical event.
6. Read a classic.
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series.
"The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle" by Hugh Lofting
9. Your choice.
"The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell.
"Drama City" by George Pelecanos

Chuck wrote: "Whenever I visit our local library I usually visit the "Friends of the Library" section and look through all the books for sale. Amazing what you can find!

1. Read a books by an author whose name ..."

It is amazing what you can find. I know I've picked some books up there and also donated books there.

So Chuck, you are absolutely right about checking out books the library has for sale. That is how I got "Greasy Rider" and "Emily's Ghost" that I just finished. "Emily's Ghost" is a fictitious account of the lives of the Bronte sisters and how they wrote. It was interesting for me since I've read 2 of the 3 sisters writings. The author kept the characters interesting and had some interesting debates about the education of women and the confines of the time period for women. Very well written book. Makes me want to read the 3rd sister, Anne's works.

-Francine Rivers 1-17-15
This is a series of five short novels on the lives of the women who are named in Jesus' genealogy.

1. Unveiled: Tamar
2. Unashamed: Rahab
3. Unshaken: Ruth
4. Unspoken: Bathsheba
5. Unafraid: Mary

They are well written and thought-provoking. I really like the author's portrayal of the characters.

-Ruth Graham 1-23-15
This was a well written and helpful nonfiction book.

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y. N/A
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title. N/A
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
Bloodhound-Tamora Pierce 1-31-15 (she complained about the summer heat a lot)
4. Read a book about science. N/A
5. Read a book based on a historical event. N/A
6. Read a classic.
Jane of Lantern Hill-L.M. Montgomery 1-7-15 (a more modern classic for children)
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series.
The Kentucky Brothers Trilogy-Wanda E. Brunstetter (3-in-1) 1-6-15, Sushi for One?-Camy Tang (book 1) 1-8-15, Only Uni-Camy Tang (book 2) 1-9-15, Single Sashimi-Camy Tang (book 3) 1-10-15, Weddings and Wasabi-Camy Tang (book 4) 1-10-15, A Lineage of Grace: Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity-Francine Rivers (5-in-1) 1-17-15
9. Your choice.
Four: A Divergent Story Collection-Veronica Roth 1-1-15, The Snow Child-Eowyn Ivey 1-4-15,Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There: Trusting Him in Uncertain Times-Ruth Graham 1-23-15, New Horizons-Lois Gladys Leppard 1-24-15, Terrier-Tamora Pierce 1-29-15

Almost the end of January!

"The problem with new books in you have no time for the old ones."

~John Wooden

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in its title.
3. Read a book about somewhere warm.
"Frommer's Easy Guide to National Parks of the American West" by Don and Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson.
4. Read a book about science.
5. Read a book based on a historical event.
6. Read a classic.
7. Read a book about heroes.
8. Read a book that is part of a series.
"The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle" by Hugh Lofting
9. Your choice.
"The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell.
"Drama City" by George Pelecanos
"Headhunters" by Jo Nesbo

Chuck wrote: "Almost the end of January!

"The problem with new books in you have no time for the old ones."

~John Wooden

1. Read a books by an author whose name starts with Y.
2. Read a book that has a Y in i..."

Love the quote.

-Lois Gladys Leppard 1-24-15
I loved the Mandie books growing up, and I still enjoy them even though they're written in a very juvenile style. This book was the last book the author was able to write, and I was very hopeful when I discovered its existence, but I was greatly disappointed in the book. Most of the book consists of chunks of fast description and very little dialogue; the main mystery was never satisfactorily explained, and most of the plot hung on the fact that she was mistreated by other college girls because of her family's wealth and her grandmother's tendency to roll over any school officials trying to treat Mandie as equal to other students. Despite the fact that Mandie is in college, I had to remind myself that she was starting college at 15, not 18 as kids do today; otherwise her juvenile behavior would have been even more off-putting than it was. There were so many loose ends left dangling, and the plot tried to cover far too much time in too few pages so that it was hard to follow what was happening. The first 40 books in the series were good even if it seemed that she had far too many school vacations over the years and didn't emotionally mature a great deal between the ages of 11 and 15, I will always have great nostalgia about Mandie and will ever assume that eventually she would get over her wishy-washy mentality and marry Joe.

-Tamora Pierce 1-29-15
This is the first in the Beka Cooper series. I really enjoyed it. It is well written and entertaining, and the character development is well done.

-Tamora Pierce 1-31-15
This is the second in the Beka Cooper series. I really enjoyed it. It is well written and entertaining, and the character development is well done.