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

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

#97-A Light in the Attic
Fun, silly poetry, but I didn't like it as well as Where the Sidewalk Ends. 3*

#96-Devil's Trill
I REALLY wanted to like this book, because I loved the idea of a mystery set in the music world. I am generous in giving it 3 stars (because of the music aspect) since the characters didn't really work all that well for me.

#95-The Lost Art of Gratitude
Thoughtful, gentle A.M. Smith, as usual. 4*

#94-Quo Vadis
I suppose this has "great novel" attributes, but my enjoyment was 2 1/2*.

#93-Awakenings
And yet ANOTHER that has been on my shelf for years (and years). Very interesting - can't wait to re-watch the 1990 movie with Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams. 4*

#92-It
Another one that has been on my shelf forever. Good as far as horror novels go (I can't dispute King's writing talent), although one scene about ruined the novel for me. Won't spoil. 3*

#91-It Takes a Village
A book that has been on my shelf for more years than I would care to say. Good ideas - wish we'd made more progress in the area of children's welfare/education. 4*

#90-The White Stag
Newbery winner. Enjoyable from a purely mythological viewpoint, but didn't like the "glorification" of Attila the Hun's conquest. 2 1/2*

#89-A Flight of Pigeons
Novella about Indian rebels in 1857. I love reading books set in India (although this was not a favorite). 3*

#88-The Cat Who Went to Heaven
And yet another Newbery. Enjoyed this Buddhist fable. 3 1/2*

Whew! I need to post more often. I am reading more than I thought I would this year. I'm sure I'll surpass 100 books, but I'm staying loyal to this group! I enjoy reading the updates.

#87-The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
Liked it, but was somehow expecting more. 3*

#86-Three Act Tragedy
I find it comforting that I still have a lot of Christie's books to read, but sad that I may eventually finish them all! 3 1/2*

#85-Les Misérables
Wow. 5*

#84-Love's Labour's Lost
Supposedly Shakespeare's most "intellectually challenging" play. I'm glad I read the play itself as well as some writings ABOUT it before seeing the performance. 3*

#83-King John
Hadn't heard of this play until I read it prior to attending a live performance. Enjoyed it more than expected. 3 1/2*

#82-The Last Coyote
Michael Connelly is always good for a page-turner. 4*

#81-Lily's Crossing
Touching story about a young girl's summer during WWII. 3 1/2*

#80-I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
What a writer. I've added her other auto-bio volumes to my TBR list. 4*

#79-Open
Fascinating, especially for an avid tennis fan like me. 5*

#78-From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Doing well on my "Read the Newberys" goal. 3 1/2*