Well, December saw the end of The 2013 Goodreads Challenge, and I am thrilled to say I accomplished my goal of reading 100 books in 2013. I also learned a few things along the way….
The challenge was a great reminder of how much I love to read. I'd gotten lazy - leaving the TV on, checking email more than necessary, surfing the web. The challenge brought me back to my books and my books back to me.
But toward the end of the challenge, reading started to feel a little like homework, and that I didn't care for at all. So, for The 2014 Goodreads Challenge, I'm going to aim for 85 books to give myself a little wiggle room, a little time and space to maybe get up off the couch and go outside…without a book in hand. Gasp!
The challenge was a great reminder of how much I love to read. I'd gotten lazy - leaving the TV on, checking email more than necessary, surfing the web. The challenge brought me back to my books and my books back to me.
But toward the end of the challenge, reading started to feel a little like homework, and that I didn't care for at all. So, for The 2014 Goodreads Challenge, I'm going to aim for 85 books to give myself a little wiggle room, a little time and space to maybe get up off the couch and go outside…without a book in hand. Gasp!
*****
Total Books Read in December: 12
Total Books Read in 2013: 101
Total Books Read in 2013: 101
Standouts:
Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson - If I was going to go all geek fangirl on an author (okay, another author), it would be Ms. Jackson. This novel is a love story taken to another level, offering up love in different forms - hopeful and hopeless - and baring its complexities, including its rawness and its sharp edges, its softness and its strength.
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley - This novel is a great reminder of how, when those cracks develop in the foundation of our lives, of our families, they're so easily and insidiously filled in with lies and secrets and silences. I'm a big fan of Ms. Buckley's first novel, The Things That Keep Us Here, and this one has all the same tension, suspense and deep family dynamics.
I received an ARC through the BookBrowse First Impressions program.
The novel will be available February 2014.
Swimming in the Moon by Pamela Schoenewaldt - I'm a sucker for good historical fiction and this second novel by Ms. Schoenewaldt did not disappoint. We're immersed in Lucia's world whether it's in Naples or in Cleveland, the villa or the boarding house, the vaudeville stage or the union hall. Lucia is a true heroine, one you will root for, cry with, and cheer on with every turn of the page. And the ending - even though you'll need tissues - is perfect.
And speaking of tissues . . . .
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Must. Have. Tissues. Handy. That's all I'm going to say about this one since I am late coming to this novel, there's already been a ton of reviews and there's a movie in the works.
Have you read any of these Standouts? Will any of them make your To Be Read list in 2014? What have you read lately that you've loved? Taking part in any reading challenges this year?
*****
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley - This novel is a great reminder of how, when those cracks develop in the foundation of our lives, of our families, they're so easily and insidiously filled in with lies and secrets and silences. I'm a big fan of Ms. Buckley's first novel, The Things That Keep Us Here, and this one has all the same tension, suspense and deep family dynamics.
I received an ARC through the BookBrowse First Impressions program.
The novel will be available February 2014.
*****
Swimming in the Moon by Pamela Schoenewaldt - I'm a sucker for good historical fiction and this second novel by Ms. Schoenewaldt did not disappoint. We're immersed in Lucia's world whether it's in Naples or in Cleveland, the villa or the boarding house, the vaudeville stage or the union hall. Lucia is a true heroine, one you will root for, cry with, and cheer on with every turn of the page. And the ending - even though you'll need tissues - is perfect.
*****
And speaking of tissues . . . .
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Must. Have. Tissues. Handy. That's all I'm going to say about this one since I am late coming to this novel, there's already been a ton of reviews and there's a movie in the works.
*****
Have you read any of these Standouts? Will any of them make your To Be Read list in 2014? What have you read lately that you've loved? Taking part in any reading challenges this year?
I definitely want to read Jackson's book! I've read all of her novels and always enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading. ☺
I think you'll love this one then. My favorite Joshilyn Jackson novel is Backseat Saints but this one might have taken over that slot. Argh, can't decide! :)
DeleteHoly moly! I cannot BELIEVE you read 100 books in one year! I don't think I've read 100 books in my LIFE! (Ok, so maybe in my life, but geez, that's a LOT of books!) I have sort of vowed to myself to do more reading this year and to be more supportive of writers. I've got a lot of work to do to approach anything near your level!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I know people who read more books than I did, and I am in awe of them. Just do what works for you. People had all sorts of goals for that Goodreads Challenge - 30 books, 50, 80. There's no wrong number.
DeleteHi Madeline,
ReplyDeleteWow! What an impressive accomplishment. I haven't read any of the books you posted about, but The Fault in Our Stars is on my list.
Wishing you a Happy New year filled with wonderful words and ideas!
I would definitely recommend it. I don't know if I'll be able to make it through the movie though. Might be too sad.
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful 2014 as well! :)
I'm not a big John Green fan, but you're totally right about The Fault in Our Stars. Many Kleenexes were needed. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 2014!
The funny thing is, I found myself crying at weird spots - not necessarily the parts I was probably "supposed" to cry at.
DeleteHappy 2014 to you, too!
Here's where I admit, I hate to cry. Yup. NO AUTHOR IS GOING TO GRAB MY EMOTIONS AND TWIST THEM FOR THEIR OWN TAINTED PLEASURE.
ReplyDeleteAhem. Honestly, I tend to stay away from contemporaries because I don't have a tissue budget, but I LOVE anything that has a highly imaginative story AND something supernatural or magical in the works. Maybe I'm just trying to spare the thinking part of my brain for my own books. Or my raw nose. *shrugs*
It's funny because I didn't read a lot of contemporary YA before but lately I find myself picking up a number of titles and really enjoying them.
DeleteCongrats on getting to your goal. I haven't read any of those books. I might pick up the last one though I hate crying.
ReplyDeleteWhile there was definitely some crying involved, there were also a few snorts of laughter and some smiles. You'll probably be okay. :)
DeleteCongrats!!!
ReplyDeleteI've had TFIOS on my shelf for a few months now, just waiting for the day when I'm feeling brave and the house is well-stocked with tissues...
You know, I think that's why I didn't read it for so long either. I had heard so many amazing things about it, how sad it was, etc. When I checked out the book from the library, even the girl behind the desk gushed over it. :)
DeleteThanks for those. Always good to have. The John Green was on my pile but I hadn't come across the others.
ReplyDeleteYou all are making me feel much better about not having read TFIOS until recently. I thought I was the only one. :)
DeleteMy reading challenge started to feel like homework too . . . so I changed the goal to 80 and then surpassed it. Whew! I decided I need to read less this year . . . sort of strange, but I think I need more time for writing.
ReplyDeleteI hear you! As much as I like to read - oh, and I do! - I found myself having to push really hard in December to finish up on time.
DeleteThanks for the recommendations! I've been too easily distracted this past year as far as reading goes and I haven't read half as much as I'd have liked to. I definitely am aiming to read more this year. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMaybe add a few of these to your 2014 TBR list? :)
DeleteAnd Happy New Year to you, too!
I suppose great minds think alike, Madeline--I, too, reached my Goodreads goal but also pared it down for 2014! :-)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I read THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. I like John Green--what a master at dialogue! But I always have this moment reading where I think, "What 17 year old talks like this???" Probably because I have 20-somethings who sound like middle-schoolers. :-)
I felt a bit like that, too, about the dialogue.
DeleteAnd hey, find me on Goodreads! I think I looked for you before but couldn't find you....
I haven't read any of these but Someone Else's Love Story is a book I'd pick up for the title alone - it's a fantastic title!
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with that title the first time I heard it ages ago! And it's the perfect title for the story. :)
DeleteWOW -- 101 books? Can't even imagine. I'm impressed! You'll have to add the Write1Sub1 anthology to this year's reading queue. Honored to share that ToC with you.
ReplyDeleteHonored to share the ToC with you and all the other W1S1 people, too. Really looking forward to reading the anthology. :)
Delete