Firelight by Sophie Jordan

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide. From Goodreads.

This was interesting and I liked the idea of a person changing into a dragon but most of this book was about trying to fit in as a teenager in a new school. I might read the next books. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Serious Readers 2013
Tower Teams Read 2013-2
2013 Ebook Challenge
Author Alphabet Reading Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (dragon

American Vampire by J.R. Rain

Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire.
Now in AMERICAN VAMPIRE, sequel to VAMPIRE MOON, private investigator Samantha Moon receives a heartbreaking phone call from a very unlikely source: a five-year-old girl who's been missing for three months. Now on the hunt, Samantha will use her considerable resources - including her growing supernatural abilities - to locate the missing girl before it's too late. And as she gets closer and closer to the horrible truth, she receives devastating news on the home front. Now with her world turned upside down, Samantha Moon is forced to make the ultimate choice of life and death.
And through it all, she discovers the identity of one mysterious man...a man she has grown to love. From Goodreads.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series but the second disappointed me. Unfortunately this third book didn't improve in my opinion. I have got the next 3 books but I think I will put them quite low on my TBR pile.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (245 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (vampire)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (245 pages)

2012 Ebook Challenge Finished

Thank you Sarah from workadayreads for this reading challenge.

This has been a brilliant challenge for me as I live in a place where it is not that easy to buy books in book stores. Up till end of June I lived in a place completely without a book store and only an extremely tiny library with erratic or non existent opening hours. Now, since the end of August, I live in a place with a small book store and a big library. I have had some kind of ebook reader since 2008 and absolutely love it.

My goal for this challenge was to reach the level of Server - read 100 ebooks.
I reached this goal on the 26th of October with the book Reckless Witch. I have read 134 books for this challenge.

All the posts for this challenge are HERE.
THIS is the list for all the books I have read for this challenge.

2012 Ebook Challenge - List

This is the list of 134 books I have read for this challenge.

1. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey 
2. Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey
3. The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey
4. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
5. Sabriel by Garth Nix 
6. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
7. Hidden by Kelley Armstrong
8. Trader by  Charles de Lint
9. LightMasters: Number 13 by M.G. Wells
10. Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
11. Sojourn by Jana Oliver
12. Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings
13. The Penal Colony by Richard Herley
14. For Love of Mother-Not by Alan Dean Foster
15. Whisper of a Witch by Suza Kates
16. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
17. Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder
18. Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder 
19. Rose by Martin Cruz Smith 
20. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
21. Sojourner by Maria Rachel Hooley
22. A Fisherman of the Inland Sea by Ursula Le Guin
23. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
24. Daughter of the Flames by Zoë Marriott
25. Witchblood by Emma Mills 
26. Convergence 2012 by Robert R. Ricks
27. Fire by Kristin Cashore
28. Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore
29. Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
30. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
31. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
32. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
33. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher
34. Summoned by Susan Leigh Noble 
35. Sowing Secrets by Trisha Ashley
36. The knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
37. The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness
38. That's Another Story: The Autobiography by Julie Walters 
39. Neuromancer by William Gibson
40. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
41. The Tar-aiym Krang by Alan Dean Foster
42. Supernaturally by Kiersten White
43. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
44. Chocolate Wishes by Trisha Ashley
45. Cursed by Jeremy C. Shipp
46. The Howling by Gary Brandner 
47. Indigo by Ophelia Keys  
48. Turner by Karl Drinkwater
49. Ivory by Steve Merrifield
50. The Green King by Stephanie Parker
51. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
52. Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
53. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
54. Chicken Soup for the Soul Love Stories by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Peter Vegso.
55. Graceling by kristin Cashore
56. Darkhouse by Karina Halle
57. Un Lun Dun by China Miéville 
58. Dead Running by Cami Checketts
59. The Wandering Valkyr by Dan Wright
60. Divergent by Veronica Roth
61. Wedding Tiers by Trisha Ashley
62. Death Masks by Jim Butcher 
63. The Road by Cormac McCarthy 
64. Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker 
65. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
66. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 
67. Fierce Dawn by Amber Scott 
68. Lirael by Garth Nix
69. Abhorsen by Garth Nix
70. Algonquin Voices - Selected Stories of Canoe Lake Women by Gaye I. Clemson
71. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi 
72. Along the Trail in Algonquin Park: With Ralph Bice by Bice Ralph 
73. Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong 
74. Chalcot Crescent by Fay Weldon
75. Awakening by Karice Bolton
76. Quietus by Susan Leigh Noble 
77. Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder 
78. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong  
79. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 
80. Secrets by Lynne Barrett-Lee 
81. River Marked by Patricia Briggs 
82. The Brides Baby by Liz Fielding 
83. Witchcraft by Emma Mills 
84. Blood Rites by Jim Butcher 
85. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
86. The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff   
87. The Shockwave Rider by John Brunner
88. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher  
89. The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker 
90. I am Legend by Richard Matheson
91. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
92. Forgiven by Jana Oliver 
93. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
94. White Night by Jim Butcher 
95. Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, Oh My! by Sara C. Roethle 
96. A Modern Witch by Debora Geary 
97. A Hidden Witch by Debora Geary
98. The Witchlings Midnight Curse by Amanda Turner 
99. Outside In by Maria V. Snyder 
100. A Reckless Witch by Debora Geary
101. Small Favor by Jim Butcher  
102. Lonely Souls by Karice Bolton
103. Jewels by Lakisha Spletzer 
104. The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright  
105. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
106. No Hand to Hold & No Legs to Dance on: A Thalidomide Survivor's Story by Louise Medus 
107. Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild  
108. Foretold by Jana Oliver
109. Turn Coat by Jim Butcher 
110. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 
111. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 
112. Zoo City by Lauren Beukes 
113. Y by Bonnie Rozanski
114. Changes by Jim Butcher
115. Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness  
116. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher 
117. Christmas Eve at Swamp's End by Norman Duncan
118. The Christmas Bake-Off by Abby Clements 
119. Snowed Under by Jude Ryan 
120. Old Man's War by John Scalzi 
121. One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson
122. Destiny by Susan Leigh Noble
123. Cold Days by Jim Butcher 
124. The Search by Susan Leigh Noble
125. Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
126. Bah, Humbug! A Romantic Comedy Novella by Heather
127. Embers of the Raven: a Christmas Story from Greenland by Chris Paton 
128. The Christmas Angel by Abbie Farwell Brown 
129. A Little Book For Christmas by Cyrus Townsend Brady 
130. Christmas with Grandma Elsie by Martha Finley
131. Falling for Christmas by Debbie Macomber
132. Santa Maybe by Scarlett Bailey 
133. A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman 
134. Ravenmind: a Christmas Story from Greenland by Chris Paton

Ravenmind: a Christmas Story from Greenland by Chris Paton

The Greenlanders cannot rest, for after the troll comes the wolf. Discover more of the drama under dark winter skies when Tulugaq the shaman and Nissimaaq the great hunter must defeat the shapeshifting Aarluuk.
Inspired by Greenlandic mythical beings, this short Christmas story continues the journey begun in Embers of the Raven. Return once more to the dramatic winter landscape of Greenland with a festive twist for the holidays. From Goodreads

Another enjoyable short story set in Greenland. This time with a vocabulary before the story starts.  The new foe the shape shifting Aarluuk is very strong but again all ends to a certain extent reasonably well. I am looking forward to read more about Paninguak.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 22nd of December 2012)

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. Her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make. From Goodreads

This book is a romance but it is also about what kind of job is for you and coming to terms with what kind of person you want to be. There is of course a religious part as it is set in an Amish community but it is just showing their way of life.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 23rd of August 2012)

Santa Maybe by Scarlett Bailey

Amy Tucker is single. So single in fact she hasn’t had a man in her room for three years and her idea of a good time is buying new kitchenware at Ikea. So when she wakes up on Christmas Eve to find a strange man at the end of her bed, she is more than surprised.
Least of all, when the beautiful man claims to be Santa and has sexy stubble to rival George Clooney.
Santa whisks Amy on an exciting and unforgettable journey around the world through time and space. But can he really make Amy's Christmas dreams come true? From Goodreads

This is an okay story about Santa that has to make Amy's wish of love come true. It is a fun story that definitely doesn't portray Santa or his helpers and their world in the usual way. A nice short romance story.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012 

Falling for Christmas by Debbie Macomber

A Cedar Cove Christmas
Mother-to-be Mary Jo Wyse arrives in Cedar Cove on Christmas Eve, pregnant and alone. And there's no room at the local inn… However, the people in Cedar Cove are all willing to lend a hand. There’s more than enough faith, hope and love to go round this Christmas!
Call Me Mrs Miracle
Emily Merkle (call her Mrs Miracle!) is working in the toy department at Finley’s – a store that needs a Christmas miracle to keep the business afloat. Fortunately, it’s Mrs. Miracle to the rescue. Next to making children happy, she likes nothing better than helping others – including just a bit of matchmaking! From amazon.uk







Two very cosy stories. They both have families that are not perfect or very happy but of course they both end well. Two feel good Christmas stories. I might read more of  Debbie Macomber's books another time.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012

'Tis the Season by China Miéville

Call me childish, but I love all the nonsense – the snow, the trees, the tinsel, the turkey. I love presents. I love carols and cheesy songs. I just love Christmas™.'It would be a dream come true to be able to celebrate Christmas properly: to wake up to a Stocking™, visit Santa™ and open Presents™ around the Christmas Tree™. But this is a luxury reserved for those with shares in YuleCo – controllers of this joyful season – who don’t agree that it’s a holiday for one and all.In this short story, China Miéville’s astonishing imagination allows us a glimpse of how a dystopian Christmas might be. From Goodreads

It is the future and everything about Christmas has been taken over by YuleCo and people are not even allowed to wish each other a Merry Christmas if they haven't  got shares in the company. I am glad this story was short and if I hadn't read Un Lun Dun before I would most likely not read any of his books ever again.

This book qualifies for: 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012

Christmas with Grandma Elsie by Martha Finley

When Elsie welcomes her extended family to Ion for Christmas, Harold and Herbert Travilla decide to dedicate themselves to the Christian mission, and Lulu surprises a pair of burglars. From Goodreads

I have to change my one Polar bear rating to just bad as it is extremely seldom that I do not finish books, and I did finish this one but it was not easy. This book is very religious, and it kept pointing out how good they as Christians are. They have to be missionaries and save the heathens and Mormons. Read this book only if you are very religious. I will not read any more of her books.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 3rd of November 2012)

A Little Book For Christmas by Cyrus Townsend Brady

Containing a Greeting, a Word of Advice, Some Personal Adventures, a Carol, a Meditation, and Three Christmas Stories for All Age.

Well, Cyrus Townsend Brady was a also priest so it was to be expected that there were some Bible related quotes and stories in it. I liked the Christmas stories in the book.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 1st of December 2012)

The Christmas Angel by Abbie Farwell Brown

What would people do if they found her childhood toys lying in the street? Act selfishly? Miss Terry tossed each toy one by one to the snowy sidewalk in front of her house. But her heart is moved when she sees the Christmas Angel kicked aside. Remembering all the years it graced her family mantel, she rushes to rescue it. Back inside, the Christmas Angel comes to life, and reveals the actual destiny for each toy, and for Miss Terry, that she could have never imagined.  From Goodreads.

Miss Terry wants nothing to do with Christmas and decides she wants to burn a box of toys from her and her brother's childhood. Suddenly she decides to put them one by one out on the side walk and see what people will do. She sees people fighting over them, throwing them out in the street and steals one that she wrapped which makes her believe there is no Christmas spirit. This is where the Christmas Angel comes in, after she has rescued it back into the house it comes alive and tells her the story of what happened to each item after she turned away from the window. A heart-warming cosy Christmas read and of course it ends happily.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 3rd of November 2012)

Embers of the Raven: a Christmas Story from Greenland by Chris Paton

Beneath the dark polar night sky the troll lopes across the Arctic landscape collecting children for a feast. Nissimaaq, the hunter, enlists the help of a northern dwarf and his raven to return the children to their family before the turn of winter.
Inspired by Greenlandic mythical beings, this short Christmas story captures the dramatic winter landscape of Greenland with a festive twist for the holidays. From Goodreads.

This was a very enjoyable short read. I do like fantasy so this was right for me with both a troll, a dwarf and mythical beings. I also like that even though it has a happy ending, it does not end well for everyone.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 22nd of November 2012)

Bah, Humbug! A Romantic Comedy Novella by Heather Horrocks

Lexi Anderson is an up-and-coming, Martha Stewart-type TV hostess whose two kids love the Jared Strong adventure novels, which happen to be written by their new neighbor, Kyle Miller. For the first time in his writing career, Kyle has writer’s block--until he sees the snowman on his lawn and realizes it’s the perfect solution to his plot problem. He digs in and discovers two things: one, his villain’s weapon will fit inside a snowman's body, and two, this particular snowman was supposed to be the backdrop for Lexi’s next show. From this improbable beginning comes friendship, but can there be a happy ending for a woman who is afraid to get close again and a man who has shadows from his childhood? Families join together and hearts are healed as this couple goes walking in a winter wonderland. From Goodreads.

A cute Christmas Story with a very fast romance, they met and got engaged in 6 days! But it was nice and entertaining.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 3rd of November 2012)

Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

As Chicago's only professional wizard, Harry Dresden has had cases that have pitted him against insane necromancers, power-hungry faerie queens, enigmatic dark wizards, fallen angels—pretty much a "who's who" of hell and beyond—with the stakes in each case ranging from a lone human soul to the entire human race.
But not every adventure Harry Dresden undertakes is an epic tale of life and death in a world on the edge of annihilation.
Here, together for the first time, are the shorter works of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher—a compendium of cases that Harry and his cadre of allies managed to close in record time. With tales ranging from the deadly serious to the absurdly hilarious—including an all-new never-before-published story—this is a must-have collection for every devoted Harry Dresden fan. From Goodreads
Contains:
"Restoration of Faith", "Vignette", "Something Borrowed" , "It's My Birthday Too", "Heorot", "Day Off", "Backup", "The Warrior", "Last Call", "Love Hurts", "Aftermath"

I had read three or four of these short stories before but I still enjoyed them all. I think my favourite is Backup that is told from Thomas' side. About how he has to save Harry from something Harry doesn't even know is a danger to him. In the books it is clear that Harry could not manage without his friends and though Harry is the main guy in these books I quite enjoy all the other characters so it is nice to read some short stories where they are the main characters.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge,
Scavenger Hunt 2012 Reading Challenge,

The Search by Susan Leigh Noble

For over a thousand years, telepathic cats known as STACs have faithfully searched for those with power over the elements looking for the one foretold to save the Land. None have questioned their duty to fulfill this ancient task.
But when Tosh’s latest charge is murdered because of his Elemental powers, Tosh considers abandoning The Search. Will a glimpse of the future destruction be enough to change his mind? From Goodreads.

This short story about Tosh, a STAC, is a prequel to the Elemental series. An interesting story about how the STAC search for elemental powers and how difficult the life with these can be. Well worth a read in connection with the series.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 30th of November 2012)

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

You can't keep a good wizard down - even when he wants to stay that way.
For years, Harry Dresden has been Chicago's only professional wizard, but a bargain made in desperation with the Queen of Air and Darkness has forced him into a new job: professional killer.
Mab, the mother of wicked faeries, has restored the mostly-dead wizard to health, and dispatches him upon his first mission - to bring death to an immortal. Even as he grapples with the impossible task, Dresden learns of a looming danger to Demonreach, the living island hidden upon Lake Michigan, a place whose true purpose and dark potential have the potential to destroy billions and to land Dresden in the deepest trouble he has ever known - even deeper than being dead. How messed up is that?
Beset by his new enemies and hounded by the old, Dresden has only twenty four hours to reconnect with his old allies, prevent a cataclysm and do the impossible - all while the power he bargained to get - but never meant to keep - lays siege to his very soul.
Magic. It can get a guy killed. From Goodreads

I have really enjoyed this series with Harry Dresden so it is a bit sad to reach the point where I now have to wait for the next book.
In this book Harry Dresden again has to save the world, he just has to tell his friends that he is alive first so they can help him as usual. This book had an unexpected twist in the end and let's just say it is not great to be a friend of Harry as the outcome of that could be either death or worse! Looking forward to the next book and I might have to check out his other series in the mean time.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge,
Scavenger Hunt 2012 Reading Challenge,
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge

Destiny by Susan Leigh Noble

Destroying Quietus should have stopped the destruction to the Land. But it hadn’t. Slowly, the barren areas continue to grow destroying everything in their path. None of Lina’s Elemental powers can repair the damage while the Land remains contaminated by magic.
But there is an ancient scepter created by a Learner that may lift this magical barrier. Before Lina can claim it, the scepter is stolen. Now Lina and Val must race to find the scepter and end the destruction to the Land once and for all. From Goodreads

This is the last book of the Elemental trilogy and it is as good as the 2 previous books. It was good to see how everybody turned out, it was also sad because quite a few of the Elementals died. I have enjoyed this trilogy and will keep an eye out for more books from this author.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge, 
2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge,
Scavenger Hunt 2012 Reading Challenge,
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge

One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson

Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she’s allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves—most of all her husband, Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she’s one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.
Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit’s end. Nothing he’s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa’s adolescent rebellion isn’t helping matters. As Daniel’s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear. From Goodreads.




An okay book but no more than that. It did make me cry in parts but that is not actually difficult! A family falls apart because the wife feels guilty of her mother's stroke. It all ends happily, actually the mother dies on Christmas Day but as everybody has forgiven each other it is a happy ending. Not an author I will look for again.

This book qualifies for: 
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge, 
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2012, 
Scavenger Hunt 2012 Reading Challenge,
Why Buy the Cow? Reading challenge 2012 ( this book was free on Amazon.co.uk the 15th of October 2012) 

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

John Perry did two things on his 75th birthday. First he visited his wife's grave. Then he joined the army.
The good news is that humanity finally made it into interstellar space. The bad news is that planets fit to live on are scarce--and alien races willing to fight us for them are common. So: we fight. To defend Earth, and to stake our own claim to planetary real estate. Far from Earth, the war has been going on for decades: brutal, bloody, unyielding.
Earth itself is a backwater. The bulk of humanity's resources are in the hands of the Colonial Defense Force. Everybody knows that when you reach retirement age, you can join the CDF. They don't want young people; they want people who carry the knowledge and skills of decades of living. You'll be taken off Earth and never allowed to return. You'll serve two years at the front. And if you survive, you'll be given a generous homestead stake of your own, on one of our hard-won colony planets.
John Perry is taking that deal. He has only the vaguest idea what to expect. Because the actual fight, light-years from home, is far, far harder than he can imagine--and what he will become is far stranger.  From Goodreads.

This book was nothing like I expected. I expected a book about a war and it is about war on lots of fronts with blood and gore but it is also about human nature and friendship. Old people joining up for something they know nothing about, they just think someone knows how to make them younger.
I didn't actually know this was the first book of a series when I read this but it is and I am definitely looking to read more of John Scalzi's books.

This book qualifies for:
100 books in a year Reading Challenge 2012, 
Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge,
2012 Sci-Fi Challenge,
2012 Ebook Challenge,
Scavenger Hunt 2012 Reading Challeng