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

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

Tiffani wrote: "Ann A wrote: "#6 - Night
Brilliant and heartbreaking. 4 1/2*"

Is this the one by Elie Wiesel? I have his book "The Night Trilogy" on my shelf right now, waiting to be read!"

Yes, Tiffani. This first one is short, but packs an emotional wallop. I plan to read the other two in the trilogy as well.

#6 - Night
Brilliant and heartbreaking. 4 1/2*

#5 - Room
I almost gave up on this early on, but the 2nd half was fascinating. 3 1/2*

#4 - Outliers: The Story of Success
Interesting, thought-provoking book about what goes into making a person a "success". 4*

#3 - Rabbit, Run
This is one of those books I had to sit and think about for awhile before deciding how I felt about it. The story is raw, disturbing, and honest, and the writing has flashes of brilliance. Updike doesn't seem to think much of women, but the novel WAS written in 1960, so I take that into account. The main character, Rabbit, is immensely unlikable, and normally that would turn me off an author, but somehow I'm intrigued by Updike and will probably read more. 3 1/2*

#2 - Great Speeches
I bought this book years ago when visiting the Lincoln Memorial. After seeing the movie, "Lincoln", I was inspired to read it. Judging by the eloquence and intelligence displayed in his writing, he must have been an amazing orator. It was especially interesting reading about the Civil War in Lincoln's own words. 4*

#1 - Maisie Dobbs
I liked a lot of things about this book, but I felt there was one aspect that was a bit horror novel-ish and wasn't worthy of the rest of the book. I will be reading more in the series. 3 1/2*

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to lots of happy reading hours in 2013!

Hope everyone met their 2012 goals! I'm happy with my 114 books, since my initial goal was 75.

#114-Anne of the Island
I enjoy these gentle, charming books. 4*

#111-If You Ask Me
Make that THREE 5* in a row! I was thoroughly entertained by this audiobook (read by Betty). My favorite parts were the sections about animals.

#112-The Buddha in the Attic
Uniquely written in a "plural" voice. Powerful. 4*

#113-The Devotion of Suspect X
A different twist on the typical murder mystery. Translated from Japanese and set in Japan, so I found that aspect particularly interesting. 3 1/2*

I am a huge Jane Austen fan, and I think Emma is my second favorite Austen novel (second only to Pride and Prejudice). Yes, Emma is a bit "clueless", but I think her good heart shows through, and she does learn her lesson in the end. I also highly recommend the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow.

#109-The Lotus Eaters: A Novel
Really wonderful novel about a female photojournalist in Vietnam. 5*

#110-A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Loved it. Heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I can't believe it took me so many years to get around to reading this. 5*

And, I think that's the first time EVER that I have had two 5* reads in a row!

#106-Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process
Amazing what animals' brains are capable of! 4*

#107-Payment In Blood
Well-crafted plot. 4*

#108-The Mystery of the Blue Train
Another fine piece of work by Dame Christie. 4*

Tiffany wrote: "68. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1001 Books book #11)

This was my first full-length Agatha Christie book. I read The Golden Ball and Other Stories back in high school and enjoyed it, so I was kin..."

Ah, Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie - two of my favorites! I'm usually no good at guessing "who dunnit", but I did suspect the culprit right from the beginning of Roger Ackroyd (thanks to the blurb on the back of the book giving me a hint - darn them).

#103-The Girl with No Shadow
Loved it. Harris' writing is magical. 4 1/2*

#104-Serious
As a huge tennis fan, I found this very interesting. 4*

#105-Books
If you really love BOOKS (not just reading), this will hold your attention. 3*

Wow - what an interesting list of books you have!

#99-Smoke and Mirrors
Liked some of the stories, others didn't do anything for me. 2 1/2*

#100-Number the Stars
Very good. Newberry winner of 1990. 4*

#101-The Submission: A Novel
Compelling and thought-provoking. I'm not sure why I was left a bit unsatisfied. 3 1/2*

#102-The Stranger's Child
3* for the writing, but I didn't find the story very interesting.

#96-A Fool and His Honey
Didn't like it as well as the others in the series. 2 1/2*

#97-The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
Fascinating. Makes me want to read more about T. Roosevelt. 4*

#98-A Murder of Quality
Not what you would expect from Le Carré, but still good. 3*

#92-The Bungalow Mystery
Not really very good, but this was the original 1930's version, and I have to give it 3* for nostalgia's sake!

#93-Catching Fire
I actually liked this better than The Hunger Games - more intrigue, less action. 4*

#94-Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe
I love Bill Bryson's writing. 4 1/2*

#95-A Year Down Yonder
Newberry winner, 2001. "Grandma" is a great character. 3 1/2*