Summer Goal: a Book a week

[Erudite]

Two things have made me give myself a goal of reading a book a week. One, I'm a reader who doesn't read all that much. I just don't make the time for it, but I do make the time for TV shows, and reading is usually better. Plus during the summer, I have a lot of outside time where I'm watching over kids and I really will have a specific time for reading. And two, I've friended just 4 people on goodreads.com (Are you guys on goodreads.com and would like to be friends with me so I can have more good ideas on what to read?)
and I've started noticing that they read a LOT more than me and great books too, so I'm wanting to up the caliber of what I read. So I've given myself the goal of reading a book a week. Does anyone want to join me as a challenge? Read a book a week throughout the summer and report back on what you read.

My book this first week is The Emperor of Maladies: A Biography of Cancer. My sister (one of my good reads friends) read the book and gave it 5 stars. It sounded interesting, so I downloaded the free sample for my NOOK reader and it IS interesting. I bought the book to read this week.

[natickgirl]

I'm in! Although, if the book is extra long or difficult, I say we get 2 weeks. 8-) Right now I'm reading "Exile" by Robert Patterson (I borrowed it from my grandpa!) & it's going to take me a while. I've started 3 other very different books. This is going to be fun.

[Erudite]

I'm cool with that. I figured out that I would have to 150 pages a day to finish the Biography of Cancer by the end of the week. I'm not sure that is possible. I did get an audio book (Eats Shoots & Leaves) and listened to the whole thing while doing a cross-stitch, so maybe that's my book for this week? Can I count it if I didn't read it? hmmmm

[Erudite]

I counted 2 Nephi as my book for week 1 of June and Why Johnny Can't Read as my book for week 2. I'm still working on the cancer book. It is fascinating...but I have a new project (related to reading at our school...the reason for readin the Johnny book) and that is changing what I need to spend my time on. I'll hopefully finish the cancer biography by the end of the summer!

[natickgirl]

I have finished two books: Exile, and The Robe. I'll report on them as soon as I can! 8-)

[natickgirl]

[SIZE="3"]Exile, by Richard North Patterson:

"From one of America's most compelling novelists comes the mesmerizing story of a lawyer who must defend the woman he loves against a charge of conspiring to assassinate the prime minister of Israel
David Wolfe's life is approaching an exhilarating peak: he's a successful San Francisco lawyer, he's about to get married, and he's being primed for a run for Congress. But when the phone rings and he hears the voice of Hana Arif—the Palestinian woman with whom he had a secret affair in law school—he begins a completely unexpected journey. The next day, the prime minister of Israel is assassinated by a suicide bomber while visiting San Francisco; soon, Hana herself is accused of being the mastermind behind the murder. Now David faces an agonizing choice: Will he, a Jew, represent Hana—who may well be guilty—or will he turn away the one woman he can never forget? The most challenging case of David's career requires that he delve deep into the lives of Hana Arif and her militant Palestinian husband, both of whom have always lived in exile. Ultimately, David's quest takes him to Israel and the West Bank, where, in a series of harrowing encounters, he learns that appearances are not at all what they seem. Culminating in a tense and startling trial with international ramifications, Exile is that rare novel that both entertains and enlightens. At once an intricate tale of betrayal and deception, a moving love story, and a fascinating journey into the lethal politics of the Middle East, this is Richard North Patterson at his most brilliant and engrossing."

What I liked:
This book really helps you appreciate all sides of the conflict between Israel, Palestine, United States, Iran & other countries. The whole Jewish/Muslim fight over land & birthright is much more complicated than I realized. The underlying love story between David & Hana also makes you evaluate your own relationships, and shows how heavily we are influenced by our heritage. I also enjoyed the interesting plot twists & suspense, and was shocked to realize how easily terrorists can infiltrate our society - as evidenced by Sept.11th.

What I didn't like:
Because of the nature of the book, there is violence, suicide bombings, assassinations, some love scenes (not terribly graphic, but still) and occasional strong language. It was also rather lengthy--500+ pages if I remember correctly.

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The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

The story of a Roman soldier who cast lots for Christ's robe and won...

"When Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is sent to Jerusalem, one of his assignments is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Marcellus, a cynical and hardened man, wins the robe Jesus wore to the crucifixion while gambling with other Roman soldiers underneath the dying savior. He later becomes convinced that his hallucinations and violent outbursts are the result of a curse received from the robe, which is now in the possession of his escaped slave, Demetrius, somewhere in the Middle East. He sets out to find Demetrius in order to destroy the robe and the curse and finds faith instead, converting to Christianity." --James McGrath

What I liked:
It is fascinating to go through events in Jesus' life through the eyes of a non-believer. References are made to significant events & miracles, with the details being filled in through your own knowledge of the Bible. I learned a lot about Roman history & slavery, as well as the dynamics between Romans, Jews, Christians, and other groups in the Middle East at the time of Christ.

What I didn't like:
This book is very long (800+ pages) and feels bogged down in details. It was also sappy at times...especially the ending.

Apparently, this was made into a movie starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons, and is now available on Blu-Ray.

[Erudite]

I FINALLY finished the book I started my challenge with. I've read two others in the meantime, due to a project I'm working on, so I think I'm still on track, though I'm counting some scripture books as books too.

[5ft Diva]

Congratulations!!

[Erudite]

I have to admit I've officially failed at this goal. But I that is because I choose HUGE books to read. Next time I'll make a goal like "read 150 pages" a week. That's a whole lot more do-able. My summer has been so much busier than I anticipated! I really just wanted to build my brain a bit with what I'm reading and I feel like I have accomplished that...somewhat.