The Challenge Factory discussion

Finished

finished , not my cup of tea. I am currently reading , and

Finished the audio version of The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde – 3*** (Audio performed by Elizabeth Sastre.)
This is book #3 in the Thursday Next series. I love the inventive plots in this series, the numerous literary references, and unexpected (though perfect) pairings (i.e. Miss Havisham reading Heathcliff the riot act). They are fast-paced, action-packed, intricate and highly entertaining. Elizabeth Sastre does a wonderful job of performing the audio version.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished reading Of Men and Their Mothers by Mameve Medwed – 3***
Maisie Grey is divorced and raising her teen son, Tommy, in a modest but nice apartment. Her ex-mother-in-law, Ina, however, cannot step away from criticizing, belittling and otherwise insinuating herself into Maisie's life. This is a comedy of manners with modern complications – custody battles, unfit mothers, meddlesome mothers-in-law, and the Goth craze. The characters ring true, if a bit over the top at times. It's a quick, entertaining read.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished

Currently reading and listenin to

Finished listening to the audio of The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty – 3.5*** (Audio book recorded by the author.)
Smithson Ide (Smithy) is 43, a self-described loser working at a toy factory, a chain-smoker, a drunk and obese, when a family tragedy pushes him to DO something. Coming across his old bicycle, Smithy starts pedaling … and then keeps pedaling on a journey across America and towards a new life. He’s a complicated character and difficult to get to know, but I grew to like him. He is truly a man who has lost himself and his slow reawakening is the whole purpose of this novel.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished listening to the audio of The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by David Michaelis – 3*** (Audio book recorded by Simon Vance.)
Kate Summerscale recreates the events of one specific night, when a child was taken from his bed and brutally murdered. The crime gained much attention in England (and beyond). Among those who noticed were Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. In my opinion, this is good true-crime.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I just finished and I am now reading I hope this book is as good as the first one was!

I've recently finished and . Next up is and .

finished , I am currently reading , &

Finished

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Finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee– 07July13 – 5***** and a ❤
This is my favorite book of all time. I have read it over 20 times and always find something in it I haven’t previously noticed. A classic of American literature.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


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Finished reading The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka – 4****
In this spare but luminously written novel, Otsuka tells the story of young Japanese women who came to America in the early 1900s, following them for several decades to the internment camps of WWII. Otsuka’s writing is strongly evocative of time and place. Highly recommended.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Christine wrote: " I am currently reading & ..."

are you enjoying ? the sequel comes out Aug 8

finished:

Reading: &

I just finished don't know what I will read next.

I just finished reading The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. I found it hard to connect to any of the characters for about the first half of the book which made it a little difficult to get fully into the story. But by about half way through the characters became more developed and I was able to decide on a few of them that I liked and found interesting. I found Diana Holland to be the most intriguing character in the story, and always looked forward to her chapters in the novel. It was definitely a good enough start to a series for me to want to continue reading them. I look forward to seeing what will happen next.

Reading

I've actually been reading a book on my Kobo as my local library has closed on Sunday's, which has slowed down the delivery of the books I chose from other local libraries. So I am reading so far it's ok.

Just started Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I attempted this one when I was in elementary school but found the language too challenging. So I'm going to give it another try now. I look forward to reading it as I love the movie and the era in which the story is set.

I am currently reading by Neil Gaiman and listening to by Danielle Steel. I borowed First Sight cause I was desparate for an audio never expecting to really like it but surprise surprise or maybe it's the heat but I am really enjoying this title. Only problem we are going away for the weekend and while I can read in the car this is a CD and my husband won't also appreciate listening to this too.

I just started . I have only read about 40 pages but it's very good so far.

Finished the audio book Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland – 3*** - Audio read by Karen White
Vreeland turns her attention to Renoir’s masterpiece Le dejeuner des canotiers and how he gathered fourteen distinct individuals to depict a circle of friends enjoying a lovely summer’s day on a café terrace overlooking the Seine. Karen White does a credible job of the audio, but I think I might have enjoyed the work more if I had read it rather than listened.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished reading Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg – 4****
I enjoyed this coming-of-age novel narrated by 12-year-old Katie Nash. Her mother had died; her 18-year-old sister can’t be bother; her father increasingly lashes out in anger. Still, Katie is a keen observer of life; she’s resilient, sensitive and courageous. I fell in love with her.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished reading Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg – 4****
I enjoyed this coming-of-age novel narrated by 12-year-old Katie Nash. Her mother had died; her 18-year-old sister can’t be bother; her fa..."

Not sure if you know this but Durable Goods is the first book in a trilogy. The other two are and Joy School and True to Form. Elizabeth Berg is one of my fave authors although her last few books didn't mover me quite in the same way her earlier books did. Still her so so books are better than most and I do recommend readers looking into her books if they aren't familiar with them.

I would highly recommend the following:

The Pull of The Moon
The Year of Pleasures
Home Safe

Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: "Reading "

Finished this and it was 3.5 stars. The books don't pack a punch. The book cover was the sexiest thing about this book.
Listening to

Finished and continue to listen to . We are going away for the weekend and I am bringing my I PAD along. I may either begin reading by Daniel Silva or by Luanne Rice. These are two of my favorite authors and I almost hate to begin either of their new books because when they are over, I will have to wait again for their new books.

Finished

Currently reading and listening to

Recently finished

Currently reading:

Still on my Summer reading list:

I've got a couple classics going right now: and
A YA title:
And something a bit more serious:

Finished

Currently reading and listening to

Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron wrote: "Christine wrote: " I am currently reading & ..."

are you enjoying ? the sequel co..."

I loved The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden and The Redemption of Callie and Kayden is on my wishlist :)

I finished yesterday and loved it :) and I will read book #2 tonight after a book haul at the library, I have started &

Finished reading Jana Bibi's Excellent Fortunes: A Novel by Betsy Woodman – 3.5***
This is a charming debut novel set in a small Himalayan town in 1959-1960. Janet MacPhersen Laird – a/k/a Jana Bibi – along with her faithful ayah, Mary, and her extraordinary pet parrot, Mr Ganguly, takes over her ancestral home and helps put the village of Hamara Nagar on the map. An entertaining read.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished Weekends at Bellevue by Julie Holland, M.D. – 1*
This has to be the most self-centered memoir I’ve ever read. There is a little bit of interesting information regarding Bellevue’s psychiatric emergency room, but not enough to redeem it. Don’t waste your time.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished

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Currently reading and listening to

Finished reading The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa – 4****
Literary fiction that combines the best of historical fiction and political thriller, set against the backdrop of the last days of the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic. A somewhat slow start, but after about 80 pages I was completely immersed and engaged.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished

Currently reading and listening to

Finished reading Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward – 3.5***
I was pleasantly surprised by this debut novel. Three different women, each emotionally damaged and struggling with loss, loneliness, and forgiveness, find their lives converge in a small Texas town where one awaits her execution for murder. I’d definitely read another one of her novels.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I'm reading some hard sci-fi (Incandescence), some soft sci-fi (Dragonflight), some historical fiction (Atonement) and some suspense (Out).

I'm reading The Fourth Estate by Jefferey Archer.

Finished

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You read so many books together....? (I'm talking of all the books you said you finished.)

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I've finished up Undeniably Yours by Shannon Stacey and Captivated by Nora Roberts both were solid 3 star reads for me. Now moving on to Summer At Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs.

Finished reading Still Water Saints by Alex Espinoza – 3***
Espinoza’s debut is an imaginative look at one year in the lives of the residents of Agua Mansa, California. Perla Portillo, the proprietress of the Botanica Oshun, is at the center of the story. Because the focus of the novel is Perla, all the other characters play supporting roles, and some are quite minor. As may be expected in this kind of ensemble piece, the reader is left without any clear answers as to what happens to these various characters. I enjoyed it, and would read another book by Espinoza.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished Rusty Nail by J A Konrath – 2**
Book #3 in the mystery / thriller series featuring Chicago police Lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels. I’ve had it with this series, which I think is just Konrath’s excuse to write sadistic torture scenes. On the plus side, he does manage to write a fast-paced thriller.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished

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Book Concierge wrote: "Finished Rusty Nail by J A Konrath – 2**
Book #3 in the mystery / thriller series featuring Chicago police Lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels. I’ve had it with this series, which I think is ju..."

Wow, BC, you are hauling it through these books!

Finished

Currently reading and listening to