Ann A’s Comments (group member since Apr 18, 2010)

Ann A’s comments from the Challenge: 50 Books group.

I think enjoying what you read is more important than how MUCH you read. Here's to many more enjoyable reads in 2025!

Congratulations on 55 books, Donna! I read and loved the Sue Grafton mysteries as well.

69 - Margo's Got Money Troubles
I really felt my age reading this (!) but I enjoyed it nonetheless. 3 1/2*

70 - Pardonable Lies
Maisie Dobbs seems to grow on me with each successive book. There was just one plot element I found not believable. (view spoiler)[(That Peter and Ralph had a close connection during the war.) (hide spoiler)] 4*

***** I made it just under the wire - reached my goal of 70 books!

66 - Birnam Wood
Catton had me from page one. 5*

67 - The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir
Maybe 1/4 is about the TV show but Bishop has had an interesting life, including winning a Tony as an original cast member of "A Chorus Line". The audio is great. 5*

68 - Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty
I always enjoy Hillary's books, but now that the election is over I would recommend skipping the "what if he wins" chapter. Too disturbing. 4*

63 - Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda
I'm a fan of Randy Rainbow's videos, but guess I wasn't in the mood for this book. Some chapters were better than others, but one was entirely TMI. 3*

64 - Touched by the Sun: My Friendship with Jackie
Again, a big fan of Carly Simon, but didn't love this book. It didn't really seem to be about the friendship. Lots of name-dropping and discussion of Carly's personal issues. 3*

65 - Parrot and Olivier in America
Big, ambitious story with impressive writing. With all the jumping between the two main characters and time periods I'd get confused, though. I should have read it more quickly to keep everything fresh. 3.5*

60 - Death Comes As the End
Entertaining enough, but not up to par with some of Christie's others. 3*

61 - James
I was afraid I might be disappointed after all the hype. I wasn't! I loved it! (Btw: the audio is fantastic.) 5*

62 - Love Medicine
I find Erdrich's writing beautiful and heartbreaking. I feel a real connection to Native American culture, and Erdrich is one of my favorite authors. 4*

57 - Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
I couldn't quite believe everything, but still a fascinating read. 4*

58 - Trespasses
Absorbing story of a young schoolteacher in Ireland during The Troubles. It all felt very authentic. 4*

59 - Solutions and Other Problems
I loved "Hyperbole and a Half", but didn't connect with this one. 2*

54 - Lessons in Chemistry
Finally got to this! I enjoyed it enough to overlook the parts that bothered me (I'm hard on books). 4*

55 - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
I'm counting this as two books because they were published separately and are listed separately on the 1001 books list. A reread of Alice has been on my radar since I found out Lennon and McCartney were great Lewis Carroll fans. 4*

56 - see #55

51 - The Copenhagen Trilogy
I can see why Ditlevsen is considered one of Denmark's best writers. I was drawn in by her brutal honesty in describing her life. Compelling reading. 4.5*

52 - Mrs. Dalloway
I found sections to be brilliant, but got bogged down in others. 3*

53 -Lone Women
Felt like a bunch of puzzle pieces that didn't quite fit together. I'd love to read a good book about lone women homesteaders in Montana. For me, this wasn't it. 2*

48 - Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems
I don't read much poetry, but I will be reading more Billy Collins. Loved this! 5*

49 - The End of Drum-Time
Perhaps the plot was a little loose, but I loved the characters and learning about the Sami reindeer herders. 4*

50 - An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s
I've read some great nonfiction this year, but this was the best of the bunch. 5*

45 - To Say Nothing of the Dog
Loads of fun! 4.5*

46 - The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present
I enjoyed slowly working my way through this book, listening to each song as I read about it. This guy has been writing songs for nearly 70 years! 5*

47 - Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Not a "comfort" read, but SO important. Should be required reading for everyone. 5*

42 - The Alternatives
Didn't fully connect with the characters, but not sorry I read it. The ending was annoying. 3*

43 - Bear
Phillips' writing is mesmerizing. I feel a little guilty for not liking the main character. She and her sister were interesting, though. 3.5*

44 - Butter
Based on true events, but I was never more than casually interested in how things would turn out. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more if I were I a foodie. 2*

Tiffany wrote: "17. What's Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service

If you're a Wingnut, these are a lot of stories you've heard and read bef..."

Oh Jed Bartlet, I miss you!
....Fellow Wingnut (I'll have to check this book out)

40 - True Love
Recommended only for the avid JLo fan (I'm more a "casual" fan). I picked this up on a bargain table several years ago. Working on those old shelves! 3*

41 - Thereby Hangs a Tail
Cute mystery series told from the dog's viewpoint. I'm in the mood for more substance lately, so it's just 3 1/2*.

37 - Henry VIII
I read this before seeing the play. It's ok - not a favorite Shakespeare. 3*

38 - Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That? A Modern Guide to Manners
Rarely thought this was funny, and there's definitely not much insight in the way of manners. 2*

39 - Remarkably Bright Creatures
Can't quite get past the whole octopus thing, but the characters are so endearing I can overlook it. 4*

34 - Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story
Far exceeded my expectations. Bono is a complicated, talented man. A nice blend of stories about his music, activism, and personal life. I recommend the audiobook. 4*

35 - Wellness
A LOT to unpack here. Mostly fascinating and entertaining. I was especially impressed by the extensive bibliography. 4*

36 - Precious and Grace
I think I'm done with this series. I enjoyed it at the beginning, but now it's too "samesy". 3*

31 - Clarissa, or, The History of a Young Lady
Apparently the longest book in the English language. It took me over a year to read it. I can see why some hate it, but the writing is very impressive - especially how the characters basically say the same things over and over, but in different ways! 3*

32 - The Stand
This had been on my shelf for decades. It felt a bit dated, but was entertaining enough. 3*

33 - What Maisie Knew
Henry James is hard work, but I keep going back for more. 3*

28 - Making It So
This looked interesting even though I'm not a Trekkie and didn't know much about Patrick Stewart! It was very good (listened to the audio). 4*

29 - Clear
Lovely writing. 4*

30 - Adam Bede
Hefty classic. It was fine, but didn't live up to Eliot's masterpiece (IMHO), Middlemarch. 3 1/2*

25 - Days Without End
Good war novel. 4*

26 - The Devil's Star
I like this series, but can't remember why I gave this one 3 stars. It may have stretched the believability factor.

27 - The Eyes and the Impossible
Lovely Newbery winner. 4*

Tiffany wrote: "Ann A wrote: "23 - The Secret in the Old Attic
I may have to put these nostalgia reads to bed for good - especially evident when reading one right after Agatha Christie. Just no. Hah..."

Awwww :(

I know - kind of sad, but I have re-read 21 of them and that may be enough. ;)