The Reading Challenge Group discussion

This is a place to catalogue what books you've just finished.

Just finished Foundation by Isaac Asimov. My first book of 2014!

I read Nightmare Abbeywhich is my first book of 2014 and a book club pick for January.

I finished Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie earlier today.

Just finished Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

I finished A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray earlier today. Book one of 75 for this year :-)

Fighting Redemption
I finished Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy.

Just finished the first book of the Harry Potter series - my first book of 2014!

Finished 1000 Creative Writing Prompts, volume 2 by Bryan Cohen on 1/2.

I just finished my first book of 2014 Welcome to My World

Finished book #2 of the Harry Potter series about 4 hours ago, and also just finished reading Animal Farm.

I think this weekend is going to be a busy reading weekend while I try to finish Arabian Nights and pause to read other books in between -- the narrative style gets on my nerves a lot, but it's full of interesting stories. :(

Just finished reading Memoirs of Geisha (historical) last January 1st. Next up, Catch-22 :)

Completed with The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Finished with The Metamorphosis fisrt book of 2014. I loved it. So i think its a good omen for my reader's challenge.

I've been meaning to read The Metamorphosis for so long!

Just finished Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard. I definitely prefer the TV series...

I read it after having the book for nearly an year. Its fantastic. Its a small book and a very easy read.

just finished The Husband's Secret. My first for the year :)

Hey
Just finished Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan, my first of 2014!
I loved it, a proper soppy, happy/sad read, great stuff

I finished Precious Bones last night and am starting A Great and Terrible Beauty now. Also just finished Onyx of the Luxen series, not historical but still read it this month.

Just finished my 3rd book of year, A Confederacy Of Dunces. Tomorrow, I will start Catch-22.

Way to go Rob! I am still in the middle of 2 books. Hope to add one soon to this list

This week I have read The Silent Wife and Where Things Come Back, possibly the finest YA book I've read in years.

I just finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.

Thanks Laura. Hope you are enjoying the 2 you are reading.

I finished reading Math Sense: The Look, Sound, and Feel of Effective Instruction by Christine Moynihan.

My first book of 2014 (and the only book I've read so far) is Legend by Marie Lu.

I just finished The Four Seasonsby Mary Alice Monroe and it was a pretty good read.

I'm going to read Legend by Marie Lu, too, Gabriela :-)

I just finished reading Crossed(the second book in the Matched trilogy) by Ally Condie.

Catch -22 by Joseph Heller

What did you think of it, Rob?

Honestly, It was okay. Some of the logic exchanges were funny. On the other hand, I thought there was way too many characters and the events do not flow in chronological order.

Chase wrote: "I just finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan."

So, what did you think? Did you like it?

My first book of the year is The Island of Dr. Moreau, which I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would.

So, what did you think? Did you like it?"

It was alright, but I found myself caring less and less for it as I went.

In other news, I also finished The White Queen by Philippa Gregory today.

I just finished Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trial. It is about one woman's solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I enjoyed the book as I like travel narratives and have read many this past year. However, I enjoyed Wild by Strayed better.

I just finished Allegiant, the third book in Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy. It feels like I waited forever for it to come out and now I finally got to read it. Closure = good.

Hope to Die book # 1
The Mephisto Club book # 2

I'm guessing you like murder mysteries then, Michael? :D

I finished Joyland and the The Madman's Daughter. Gave them both 4 stars.

I've read Rebecca and Things Fall Apart.

What did you think of Rebecca?

Holly wrote: "What did you think of Rebecca?"

I really enjoyed it! I can't really formulate my thoughts on it yet, though. It kind of haunts your mind for a while after reading it, I'm finding.

Holly wrote: "I'm guessing you like murder mysteries then, Michael? :D"

I read almost anything. Whatever happens to jump off the shelf at the library. My wife gives me the eyebrow when she sees me reading a bodice-ripper!

I just finished Light One Candle by Solly Ganor. It is a survivor story of the Holocaust. Gripping and sad for a biography but gives hope.

I am hoping to read a short book that is similar to that book before I dive into Rebecca.

Have just finished World War Z by Max Brooks and Under The Eagle by Simon Scarrow, good start to 2014. Now reading Dodger by Terry Prachett!

Just finished Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Just finished The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom... Next up 61 hours by Lee Child!

Has anyone read "The Wheel of Time" series? I was reading the reviews and they are rather mixed and since it's a lengthy series I am reluctant to add it to my list of "to read" this year if it is not worth the commitment. I very rarely just put a book down and not finish it, only 1 book I can recall that I just couldn't finish. Any input is appreciated!

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone read "The Wheel of Time" series? I was reading the reviews and they are rather mixed and since it's a lengthy series I am reluctant to add it to my list of "to read" this year if it is ..."

Hi Ashley
I read the first four or five of these, and loved them. Well written, compelling characters, good concepts.
However, by that point, I felt I was reading the same book over and over. On the plus side, at that point I could step out of the series and not feel like I was losing much, but like you, I've almost never started a book, or series I haven't finished, so a tad frustrating.
Hope this helps.

Just finished Ludmila's Broken English. I did love the book, and it has a killer twist, but the ending was shocking, unpleasant and a bit of a let down. I can't decide whether he just couldn't decide how to end it, or has a particularly nasty streak.
However, for language and dialogue and characters, a wonderful read.
Sorry, bit mixed with this one.