Ash’s Comments (group member since Jun 22, 2008)

Ash’s comments from the Challenge: 50 Books group.

30. The Associated Press Stylebook 2009 by the AP.

Only 20 more to go! Maybe by the end of the year?

29. The Copyeditor's Handbook by Amy Einsohn.

28. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James.

27. My Life in France by Julia Child

26. The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James.

Very interesting book. It makes me want to read all for Charlotte Bronte's (Currer Bell's) work. And for some reason, I thought she wrote more than just four novels. (One of which was published posthumously.) Who knew?

25. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Emily wrote: "Timbuktu by Paul Auster was good. I liked it. Also the Country of Last Things is supposed to be pretty good. Never heard of Travels in the Scriptorium. How did it end up?"

I've read In the Country of Last Things, and it was a pretty decent read, but Travels in the Scriptorium was terrible. An old man is kept in captivity and given drugs to soften his memory - he's held there by the people he's wronged over his lifetime. It sound good, but the actual story is graphic in all the wrong ways. I'm done with Auster! haha.

23. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
24. Travels in the Scriptorium by Paul Auster

I've given Auster another chance, and I still am not a fan. Sometimes he brings things to life with descriptions that are sickening to me. I'll leave it at that. I got a wonderful quote from this book, so it will get a three-star rating.

22. Life & Times of Michael K by J.M. Coetzee

21. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.

Anton wrote: "Ashley wrote: "5. The Book of Illusions: A Novel by Paul Auster

*Slow at times, and somewhat disappointing. Looking into other Auster books."

Ashley wrote: "4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Ha..."

I'm going to give him another shot. I have "Travels in the Scriptorium" coming soon on my reading list. Thank you for the encouragement!

20. The Age Of Innocence by Edith Wharton

WONDERFUL book - I wish there was a sequel!

18. Boost Your Interview IQ by Carole Martin
19. How to Choose the Right Person for the Right Job Every Time by Lori Davila and Louise Kursmark

17. The Metamorphosis and Other Stories by Franz Kafka

Emily wrote: "17. The Worst Hard Time - Timothy Egan
18. The Ghost Map - Steven Johnson
19. Twisted - Laurie Halse Anderson

The Worst Hard Time and Twisted are both AMAZING!"

How do you already have more books that I do? And i've been at this challenge for a year! gah! :)

Emily wrote: "11. My Life in France - Julia Child

(Wish I knew even a smidgen of French for this one. . .)"

I've so been wanting to read this. I need to find it at a library!

16. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

I've always loved this story ever since I first heard of it while working at a bookstore in my hometown. I'm finally getting around to reading it. I'll probably make a collection of my favorite quotes and post them on Goodreads.

15. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

In comparison to the movie, it was completely different. Many important details were opposite of what was depicted in the movie; the main detail being that Ruth and Idgie were in love. In the movie, there was no hinting at that fact - or did I just miss it? Also, there were many charaters that were left out, which has to happen in book-to-movie conversions to help keep things moving. In the trial scene, it's Ruth who gives the emotional testimony that sends people over the edge, but in the book, she's been dead for 8 years at that point! They are both good stories, but definately separate. It was a page-turner for me because it took so many different turns from what occured in the movie. Any thoughts?

so...36 books to go and only 2 months to read them in...somehow I think I need to extend this challenge to 2 years!

Here's to 50 books in two years! :)

14. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Was pretty good. I enjoyed the ending, and I'm thinking there will be more at some point. There's no way the Cullens and the Volturi will live in peace for the rest of eternity.

If I were to recommend these books to a friend, I would tell them to read the first and last books. You get the jist of everything that happens from Twilight and Breaking Dawn. No need to read the exhaustive goings-on in New Moon or Eclipse.