#6

I originally started this book in the fall of 2012, shortly after it came out. I made it through about half, and just hated it. I didn't understand why it was on many Best Of lists for 2012. I stopped reading it for over a year. At times I would pick it up again and try and read a few pages. I just couldn't. It was awful. Well, I finally picked it up again this month with the intention of finishing it just so I could give it 1 star. But then a weird thing happened. I really started enjoying it. I got into the flow of the story. And finished it within a day of picking it back up. I think it would have helped me and maybe it would help you if you choose to read it, to read the note from the author at the end of the book first. That would have really helped me enjoy the beginning of the book more, and I would have finished it in 2012, not 2014. 

#5

McSweeneys is a publishing house founded by Dave Eggers. This is their quarterly publication. This quarter was a collection of short stories of science fiction and horror stories edited and published by Bradbury and Hitchcock in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. There are also four contemporary authors featured. It's an amazing collection. All the stories in this 448 page collection are solid, but a few of the best include "Night Flight", "Sorry Wrong Number" and the final story in the book "Don't Look Behind You."  Just as Eggers writes in the introduction, please don't read this one until the end. Also read it at night. Alone. 

#4

Finished book number 4 in 2014 yesterday. This was the book club selection for February. I haven't read any of Gaimans books before, so I didn't know what to expect. I guess I would call this a fairy tale for grown-ups. The story is centered around a man who has returned to the street he grew up on and the magicial things that occurred at the farmhouse at the end of the lane. Good book. Quick read. Not worth the $25.99 cover price. More of a short story then a novel. 

#3

The Goldfinch. Amazons 2013 Book of the Year. Finished it late this afternoon. It was an incredible read. Although at 770 pages, it could have been edited down a bit. Especially the last 100 pages or so. Overall though, a very good book, with strong characters, and an outstanding plot. 

NFL

Finished book number 2 yesterday. This one was written by a former Denver Broncos player named Nate Jackson. It was a recap of his seven years in the NFL and everything that goes with it: the injuries, the rehab, the loneliness, the parties, game day, meetings, travel, and the lifestyle. I really enjoyed it. The book really opened my eyes as to the lengths players go to stay in the league from year to year. Two down, 38 to go! 

First Book!

Just finished my first book of the year. This was for the January book club I'm in here in Greeley. It was a good read. I'm interested to hear what others think about it at book club on Saturday. Today is the 123 anniversary of the birth of Zora Neale Hurston, so Google honored her today with a doodle. 

Goals!

My reading goal for 2014 is pretty high. I'm shooting to finish 40 books this year. I am in two monthly book clubs, which, if I read each book each month, will give me 24. That's leaves 16 to pick on my own. Not quite one book every week all year long. So come along for the ride! I'll be posting here each book I finish throughout the year. Here's to great reading in 2014! 

As a quick review, here's the picture of all the books I read in 2013. I think the total was 30.