Because of many personal issues in 2005, I wasn’t able to keep a record of the books I read that year. I simply didn’t have energy left for that task. But I do know I read many books even after giving up on listing them. 6 years ago

I never managed to reach 100. 6 years ago

didn’t meet the goal but not bad…......... 6 years ago

but not the 100 I hoped for. 6 years ago

I did a final and official count. I had to add 1 because I listened to an audio book which I consider to be a real book, so the official count for 2005 was: 44.

Not quite 100, but I knew I would never make it that far. I still trumped my number in 2004 which was 18. I’m very proud of myself. :) 7 years ago

not as good as I wanted but I think i did read more books than I bought or received 7 years ago

This is the last book I read in 2005, finished on December 30th. From this point forward, I’ll be counting my books read and logging reviews to the new goal of Read 100 books in 2006. I came close to 100 thisw year, but not quite so we’ll see if I make it in 2006. I’ve enjoyed doing this with y’all. Happy New Year, and I hope to see y’all over at the new goal!

I found this, the second book of the Vampire Huntress series, slightly better than Minion, the first. However, some of the same things that bothered me about that book came to surface in this one too.

I’m glad I hung onto Minion because The Awakening picked up right where that left off, and I had to reread certain portions of that first book to reacquaint myself with some of the things that went down already. I don’t think the author did a very good job of allowing this book to stand on it’s own. Granted, series such as this are meant to be read in order anyway, but like Laurell K. Hamilton does in her Anita books, if she needs to refer to an incident from a previous book, she’ll usually provide enough additional detail so that new readers can continue reading, albeit with a little less knowledge and detail than someone who’s been reading the series in order. This was not the case here; if you didn’t read the previous book, and remember all of it’s little nuances, you’re going to need to before starting on this one. As it stands, I still had to refer back to things from book one since I’d read it 8 months prior to this one.

The story line is still interesting enough to hold interest, and because Banks doesn’t go into detail on each of the main characters in this book like she did in Minion, we don’t have as many passages that drag on too long like in the first book, though they’re certainly not gone completely. At times while reading, I felt that maybe the writing was done in discrete parts, not necessarily in sequence, since sometimes the scenes didn’t seem to blend transparently as they could’ve. Like maybe she’d forgotten she wrote something in an earlier scene, and then describes or talks about it again in a later scene, which may or may not completely jive with what was stated previously. Again, I noticed this behavior much more prominently in the first book than this one.

I won’t go into a synopsis of the story itself, since you can read that at the BookCrossing journal page for this book. But suffice to say, this series looks like it’s going to get even better going forward. 7 years ago

This was a great goal. It ended up that I exceeded the goal by 119 books!!! Yes, next year’s goal is 200 again.

Thanks to everyone for their support!! 7 years ago

finished with a day to spare!!!

definitely worth the effort but isnt it annoying when life gets in the way!! :lol: 7 years ago

I finished my 100th book on friday 30th December :D

Yay for me !!!

100) A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens
99) Meet Addy: An American Girl
98) Meet Kirsten: An American Girl
97) Meet Molly: An American Girl
96) Meet Samantha: An American Girl
95) Meet Felicity: An American Girl 7 years ago

The final book in the “In the Garden” Trilogy, and possibly the lasst book I’ll read in 2005 although there is a good chance I’ll start one today and then it will count towards this goal.

Three women learn that the heart of their historic home holds a mystery of years gone by, as number-one bestselling author Nora Roberts brings her In the Garden trilogy to a captivating conclusion, following Blue Dahlia and Black Rose.

A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night…

Hayley Phillips came to Memphis hoping for a new start, for herself and her unborn child. She wasn’t looking for a handout from her distant cousin Roz, just a job at her thriving In the Garden nursery. What she found was a home surrounded by beauty and the best friends she’s ever had-including Roz’s son Harper. To Hayley’s delight, her new daughter Lily has really taken to him. To Hayley’s chagrin, she has begun to dream about Harper-as much more than a friend…

If Hayley gives in to her desire, she’s afraid the foundation she’s built with Harper will come tumbling down. Especially since she’s begun to suspect that her feelings are no longer completely her own. Flashes of the past and erratic behavior make Hayley believe that the Harper Bride has found a way inside of her mind and body. It’s time to put the Bride to rest once and for all, so Hayley can know her own heart again-and whether she’s willing to risk it… 7 years ago

Chick Lit. 7 years ago

Kushiel’s Chosen
Metro Girl
Queen’s Fool
Charmed Destinies
David Boreanaz
Harm None
Never Burn a Witch
Child of the Hunt
Mists of Avalon
Perfect Trust
Law of Three
Mad Man at Large
Flapdoodle
Round Heeled Woman
It’s a Slippery Slope
Swimming to Cambodia
Dance in the Desert
Love Overboard
Dreams Made Flesh
The Bachelor
Rubaiyat of a Persian Kitten
These Our Actors
Kushiel’s Avatar
Red Tent
Aunt Dimity’s Death
Aunt Dimity and the Duke
Aunt Dimity’s Good Deed
Aunt Dimity Digs In
Aunt Dimity’s Christmas
Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil
Aunt Dimity: Detective
Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday
Aunt Dimity: Snowbound
The Headless Bust
Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin
Dead Beat
Hands & Feet
Visitors
Meet the Stars of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Power of Persuasion
Unnatural Selection
Return to Chaos
Angel Chronicles Vol 1
Angel Chronicles Vol 2
Unseen: The Burning
The Dot & the Line
Unseen: Door to Alternity
Unseen: Long Way Home
Academ’s Fury
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Murcheston
Eleven on Top
Creatures of the Night
The Official Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie Script Book
The Da Vinci Code
Dead Until Dark
Good, Bad… Better
The Curly Girl Handbook
Artemis Fowl
Artemis Fowl the Arctic Incident
Artemis Fowl the Eternity Code
Do Me Right
Prophecies
Dark Times
King of the Dead
Original Sins
Out of the Madhouse
Ghost Roads
Sons of Entropy
Dog Bless America
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
I Am Legend
Unexplained Sniglets of the Universe
Get Thee to a Punnery
Angels and Demons
Happy Haunting, Amelia Bedelia
The Darkening
Shattered Twilight
Broken Sunrise
Fantasy Lover
Death of an Outsider
Willow on the River
You’re Officially a Grown Up
Coyote Moon
Dragonswan
Magic in the Wind
Immortality
Spellbound
Bridal Jitters
The Power of Three
Family Traditions
Heat Stroke
The Magician’s Nephew
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
Zodicat Speaks
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Darkangel
The Silver Chair
The Last Battle
A Gathering of Gargoyles
The Pearl of the Soul of the World
Vishnu’s Snooze Alarm 7 years ago

Dark and scary.Sort of reminds me of Alice in Wonderland but much more scary. 7 years ago

This was very short and quick read. Its about robbery told from a perspective of schizophrenic boy. Quite interesting. 7 years ago

Novel I reviewed for Armchair Interviews. It’s a suspense with a lot of modern technology. 7 years ago

It was a cute story about a woman whose husband left her for a stripper with enormous debt and how she starts her life over in her hometown. 7 years ago

I was expecting something else from this book. Not sure what though but the cover suggested a little more… 7 years ago

In Jane Green’s “Vacation,” Sarah Evans faces the reality that at 36 her life is not even close to what she had envisioned. After eight years of marriage, two children, and relocating from Manhattan to the suburbs, she has lost some of her spark. And she’s no longer attracted to her husband Eddie, who has transformed from studly to sloppy, works long hours, and barely interacts with the family when he’s at home. When Eddie’s job sends him to Chicago, Sarah decides it’s time for a trial separation. Being on her own brings its rewards, as she gets a new job, indulges in a long-overdue makeover, and spends time with her kids. But Sarah comes to realize that she misses Eddie, who has been experiencing some changes of his own. Soon Christmas is fast approaching, and it seems that this year Sarah and Eddie just might be hoping for the same thing.

A first wife, a second wife, the man in the middle, and two graduates of Vilma Veeter’s Bitchcraft Class make for an entertaining read in Jennifer Coburn’s “The Second Wife of Reilly.” When Sarah fell in love with Reilly O’Shaugnessay, she had no idea that six months after their marriage she would go off the deep end. Convinced that Reilly’s former wife Prudence is going to make a play for him, Sarah devises a plan to find her husband’s ex a man of her own. After all, she reasons, it’s the holiday season and everyone deserves a happy ending. Sarah joins forces with her best friend and a new acquaintance to accomplish the task. What she never expects is that her life will be changed by one of Prudence’s perspective suitors.

Liz Ireland proves you can always go home again in “Mistletoe and Holly” but that it might not be what you’re expecting. Every December, Holly Ellis thinks, “This is the year I won’t be on the fringes.” Holly has always felt inadequate when compared to her older brother and younger sister, and it’s only more acute during her family’s picture-perfect “Norman Rockwell” Christmas extravaganzas. This year, though, instead of showing up with her best friend, Isaac, Holly arrives at her parents’ home with her new boyfriend, Jason, in tow - a gorgeous, successful man she’s certain will validate her standing in the family.

But instead of the over-the-top festivities she’s promised him (and has often ridiculed), the house is devoid of decorations, her brother’s marriage has broken up, and her mother makes a surprising announcement. Worst of all, there’s no mistletoe to serve as the backdrop for a romantic moment with her beau. As Holly tries to process the unexpected changes, it’s not Jason she turns to for comfort. Her holiday sweetheart is none other than Isaac…and he even comes with his own mistletoe. 7 years ago

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

I really liked this book. I’ve enjoyed watching Rachel’s character become more proficient in her magick throughout the 3 books of this series. And mmmm… yummy Kisten… I’m glad he’s playing a more prominent role in this book too, and we get to learn more about him as a person. (And that Rachel is finally ready to kick Nick to the curb as she turns an admiring eye towards Kisten. But I won’t say too much there and ruin it for you.)

Ivy is no longer vamping out all the time over Rachel, and their relationship, while still very platonic, is less stressed than it was in the previous book.

That said, I think I still liked the 2nd book the best so far of these three, although this is still a very close 2nd, tied with the first one.

I’ll be sending this book out on a private invitation-only bookring among some of my BC friends… you know who you are. :)

See the BookCrossing journal entry for this book for more links and information. 7 years ago

My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars
I liked it, though not quite as much as the second book in the trilogy, The Subtle Knife, which was my favorite of the three.

The Amber Spyglass picked up right where The Subtle Knife left off, and having been a couple months since I read that, and 15 other books in between, I kind of forgot some of the finer points of the previous story. I kind of wish I’d had that copy handy for a quick refresher before starting on this one. I was able to get back up to speed quickly enough, but there were still some references to previous minor events that happened, and I found myself having to work back through memory or hoping that they’d expand if it was really important to the story. An example that kept being referred to is how Will was arguing with his father at the time he died in book 2. Well, unfortunately, I couldn’t recall the circumstances surrounding Will’s father’s death clearly enough in my head to know if what they were arguing about at the time was significant to the story, and I didn’t even know how he’d died until that detail was eluded to in a later conversation.

I don’t think this was as much of an issue between the first and second books because more of the minor plots and events were wrapped up before the end, while of course the big plot that spans the entire trilogy is left open… but you don’t usually forget the major plotline anyway, just some of the details of the minor ones.

So I always like to give an objective statement or review about the book as well as my opinions on it. And that said, I thought the entire trilogy overall was very good and well written. Though I was both pleased and disappointed in the way everything was resolved. How can that be?

WARNING! SPOILER ALERT.
You must highlight the text below in order to read it.
(EDITED TO ADD: Unfortunately, none of the tags to make the below text harder to read were allowed by 43things, so I hope the above warning will suffice.)

Well, I didn’t like that Lord Asriel died, and I didn’t like that Lyra and Will couldn’t be together after all they’d went through. I guess both those points added a note of sadness to the ending. Of course, all the events that had transpired thus far lead up to the final resolution, and I enjoyed seeing the way everything fit together nicely. 7 years ago

I had wanted to read this book based on quite a few recommendations from other people, then the book was the Book of the month on the book Review board at iVillage and someone sent it to me as a RABCK through bookcrossing, so it all fell into place to get it read. I stopped reading the book I had already started so I could read this one and I finished it in 4 days.

Set in Old Salem around the Halloween season, this charming romantic comedy features a wacky, if good-hearted, self-proclaimed witch and her upstairs neighbor, a reformed bad boy trying to be a responsible father to his adorable four-year-old son, Shane. Needing a reliable baby sitter, Logan Kilgarven agrees to an exchange: he will find a job for Melody at the local TV station, where he is a producer, and she will be on call to baby sit Shane as needed. Melody, however, spurns his offer of a secretarial position, countering with a bid for a cooking show. The catch? Melody can’t cook. At all. But with a combination of sex appeal and well-developed marketing skills, she sells the station owner on the concept, and several spicy encounters in elevators and on counters and desktops are the inevitable result. With both of them fighting their feelings, and several matchmakers as well as one marplot stirring the cauldron, Blair has crafted a fun and sexy romp. 7 years ago

to Survie Inside the twin Towers.

By JIm Dwyer and Kevin Flynn 7 years ago

94)Quinn’s Woman by Susan Mallery
93)’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore
92)A Star In Winter by Anita Stansfield
91)Love At Last by Irene Brand
90)In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
89)Good In Bed by Jennifer Weine
88)Christmas Treasures of the Heart by Cheri Fuller
87)The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks
86)Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
85)Specks In The Sky by Ben Rice
84)Pobby and Dingan by Ben Rice
83)The Christmas Train by Baldacci
82)The Cinderella Rules by Donna Kauffman
81)The Heartbreaker by Carly Phillips
80)The Playboy by Carly Phillips
79)The Bachelor by Carly Phillips 7 years ago

I have now read 94 books this year… have 3 on the go and another 3 waiting in the wings… i think i might make it :) 7 years ago

Good chick lit. 7 years ago

My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars
This was a fairly good read, though not quite as good as the previous book in the series, Sex and the Single Vampire. (This is the third book in the series and A Girl’s Guide to Vampires the first.)

Thank Goddess we no longer see Joy and Roxy, main characters from the first book who reminded me of a couple of whiny teenagers, in this one. We do have Ally and Christian and a few other characters from the second book though and I was glad to see them return in this one.

In this installment, Nell Harris, a Professor of Medieval History at the University of Washington, is also a Charmer who can create and disarm magical charms and curses, a practice she gave up 10 years ago when she accidently killed her best friend while trying to disarm a curse. She’s been asked to the Czech Republic by Melissande, a Dark One (sorta like a Vampire), on the premise of translating an inscription on a fourteenth-century breastplate. The real reason behind Melissande’s asking Nell to come though is because she’s aware of her background as a Charmer. Melissande wants Nell to use her Charming skills to help find her 10-year-old nephew Damian who’s been taken by the demon lord Asmodeus.

Immediately, Nell runs into “The Betrayer”, Melissande’s brother Adrian, who has been bound to Asmodeus, while searching for clues to Asmodeus’s whereabouts in Christian’s castle. Adrian whisks Nell off against her will when he realizes what she can do for him. Despite Adrian’s curse binding him to the demon lord by his father when he was only 2 years old, Nell immediately sees the good in him and they soon realize that Nell is Adrian’s Beloved. (A Beloved is a Dark One’s “other half” who is able to bring light into his soul, etc.)

Melissande, Christian, and the other Dark Ones including Melissande’s other brother Saer are all against Adrian and would prefer to just do away with him. But Adrian also wants to save Damian as well as have Nell remove his curse. So Nell joins forces with Adrian and while working to get the information they need to free Damian, they must also avoid the other Dark Ones trying to slow them down.

Thoughout the story, Nell’s character reminded me a little too much of Joy or Roxy from A Girl’s Guide to Vampires—her comments and American colloquialisms were meant to be funny, but I found them annoying more often than not. Plus, she’s a bit too mouthy for her own good and doesn’t think how her actions will affect what she’s trying to accomplish. Fortunately, there were a number of other funny parts in the story, the mummies for instance, which had me cracking up!

See the BookCrossing journal page for this book for more links and information. 7 years ago

By Arthur Golden 7 years ago

This was a pretty quick read and it made me cry. Mostly because it dealt with the military and issues that hit home, but a nice quick read about believing and hope and faith and just a great inspirational story.

Book Description
Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury offers the final installment in her Red Gloves series-the heartwarming tale of a girl whose only wish is to be held by the father she never knew.15-year-old Hannah Roberts remembers when her father was her closest friend. The image is hazy, though, pulled from her distant childhood memories, and her father is now very cold and distant. Feeling orphaned, Hannah lives a lonely life with her wealthy, ailing grandmother. As Christmas nears, Hannah learns a shocking truth: the man she believed was her father is not her parent after all. In an effort to find answers, she begins a desperate search for her real father, Air Force pilot Mike Conner. Local politicians and the city+s newspaper catch wind of her quest, and the entire state joins in Hannah’s hope-that she’ll find her father before the holidays. 7 years ago

Another goodie. 7 years ago