January 2007 Book Challenge - Page 2

[Apryl Srissa]

Can I join

I've never tracked what I read, but I read a lot, so guess I'll aim high, and go for 100.

I just finished one yesterday (guess I can't count it, was mostly in last year ) but it was great. Very controversial, but also very thought provoking. "The Passion of Mary Magdelen" by Elizabeth Cunningham. I was up way to late finishing it, and ended up crying more than once. It is a very different take on Mary's life and role in the over all story.

Right now I'm reading "Helen of Troy" by Margeret George. Not very far into it yet, so don't know how good it will be, but her other books I've read have all been very good (Cleopatra and Mary Queen of Scots)

Can't wait to see what everyone reads, and to see how much I actually do read.

[guestmama9911]

Subbing

[cathe]

"The Man of My Dreams" by Curtis Sittenfeld

Well, I never would have picked this book up by the title but I saw that it was by the author of "Prep" which I liked.

It was really good - about a young woman trying to get over her dysfunctional parents and get a life.

[cathe]

And YEAH Bufomander! You haven't steered me wrong yet

[bilbi]

Subbing.

I wanted my goal for this year to be 52 but since I spend most of my nights on the interent instead of reading I don't think it's realistic.
since I'll turn 39 this summer my goal will also be 39

I love to read books about women in my situation (thirty something mamas trying to do it all...) but can't find that many. I think most authors are still stuck in the "dating" or "first baby" phase.

I just finished Paul Auster's The Brooklin Follies last week (doesn't count for 2007, I know ) and loved it. It's such a sweet, heart warming book and Auster really knows how to tell a story.

[guestmama9911]

My goal this year is to actually finish the books I start. :

I'm bad at that.

[snozzberry]

Originally Posted by bilbi

I just finished Paul Auster's The Brooklin Follies last week (doesn't count for 2007, I know ) and loved it. It's such a sweet, heart warming book and Auster really knows how to tell a story.

I'll have to check that one out! Have you read Timbuktu by Auster? I thought it was a really great story. It's written from the point of view of a dog called Mr. Bones.

[Indigo73]

I am not going to set a goal number since I blew 300 away last year. So I am going to just go with the flow. I won't prattle about the bodice busters that I devour unless I find a gem.

Here are my first mentionable books of the year.

Mistral's Kiss by Laurell K. Hamilton

Removed review

(I was very disappointed with the length, but it was a quick, enjoyable read that tied up a few loose ends from previous books. I can see why the reviews are so mixed.)

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Removed review

(This was an amazing first novel. I am counting my pennies for the sequel, I think I can pull it off this weekend. I couldn't put it down. If you like fantasy grab this one.)

[libba]

I read 83 last year - so I am setting my goal at 90. Can I count the chapter books I read with DD? Reading some Nora Roberts trash right now!

[konamama]

thinking about setting a goal # - just can't do it, feel like it takes some of the fun out of reading for me and would guide me in which books i might pick, shorter ones to gain ground, rather just on interest :-))

so my goal is to just read more, read what i like, and read a lot about homeschooling :-)

and i want to write more, i would love to one day write a children's book and maybe something else...

will return soon with some reviews of what i have finished in 2007.

[mammastar2]

I'll join. I won't set a goal though - I used to be a voracious reader, and I'm finally starting to read again after a long drought, induced by school, motherhood, and full-time work in that order. Just being able to focus on the written word for pleasure again is a big thing for me!

[Bufomander]

Originally Posted by libba

I read 83 last year - so I am setting my goal at 90. Can I count the chapter books I read with DD? Reading some Nora Roberts trash right now!

i'd say you can definitely count chapter books that you read with your dd -- i count the ones i read with my dh!

#1 Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma Jane Bumgarner

i was glad i read this. some good stuff in it and made me feel good all over again about nursing my 2 1/2 yo. the stuff about men/fathers didn't really strike a chord with me -- i guess my dh is just too far from a stereotypical man?

#2 Prime Cut by Diane Mott Davidson

another in her culinary mystery series.

[Autumn Breeze]

I think I will *try* to jpin in too.

I would like to set a goal of 20 books read before next year.

I am currently reading Airframes by Micheal Chricton at dh's suggestion...

[kofduke]

Hey guys - can anyone think of a new way for us to post synopses, since the amazon reviews are too long now? Is there a place they tend to be shorter? I'd hate to have to click on a link for every book that comes up in this thread, but I can't think of another way to do it...

[fremontmama]

#1 Straight Man by Richard Russo

Thoroughly enjoyable read about a smart aleck English professor at a small college. Russo does a great job of character development. I feel like I read a lot of non-fiction last year, so this one is a great fiction one to start off the year with.

[Autumn Breeze]

Originally Posted by kofduke

Hey guys - can anyone think of a new way for us to post synopses, since the amazon reviews are too long now? Is there a place they tend to be shorter? I'd hate to have to click on a link for every book that comes up in this thread, but I can't think of another way to do it...

you can always put in the 100 words and follow with ... and the link after the quote.

[Hollysmom]

I'm in again this year. My goal last year was 50 and I only made it to 24, but I am going to blame all day sickness and a newborn. I am going to shoot for 50 again since I don't plan to have any all day sickness or newborns this year lol!

[snozzberry]

Originally Posted by kofduke

Hey guys - can anyone think of a new way for us to post synopses, since the amazon reviews are too long now? Is there a place they tend to be shorter? I'd hate to have to click on a link for every book that comes up in this thread, but I can't think of another way to do it...

I wonder if the powells.com synopses are generally shorter? As an added benefit, if we all made links to powells.com using the referral template, Mothering would make 10% commission off of any books bought via those links!

[Plady]

Hi mamas,
I'm going to try to join you this year. I often lurk around to get idea for things to read and I'm always curious about keeping track so here it goes:

1. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. The story is about a family in which the youngest daughter is suing her parents for medical emancipation before being required to donate a kidney to her sister. The younger daughter was conceived specifically to be a perfect match when her sister was diagnosed with leukemia.
I whipped through it in just a couple nights, it had me in tears once or twice. Some of it fell flat but overall it was very compelling.

2. Sex Drug and Cocoa Puffs - Chuck Klosterman
Klosterman is one of those too-cool-for-school nerdy types. He has some interesting thoughts on the pop-culture more or less familiar to those born between 1967 and 1984. However, if you aren't into what he's talking about in any given essay (The Real WOrld, Pamela Anderson) it's fairly dull reading.

3. The Golden Compass - Phillip Pullman Do books on MP3 count? I am finding myself wearing my mp3 player all the time in case I have a quiet few minutes to listen to a little more of the story. I'll skip the summary as I'm sure that most everyone is familiar with his trilogy. Suffice to say I can't get enough of it.

[LauraLoo]

subbing.....

I'm going to set a goal of 24 books. I love to read and usually have 3 or 4 books going at the same time. Right now I have 2 going, so I'd better hurry up and add a couple more

Reading now:
Freeing Your Child From Anxiety by Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd