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

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

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. ;)

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. Haha. 2*

24 - All the Sinners Bleed
I really struggled with how to rate this. It's well-written with compelling characters, but the level of violence and "grittiness" was just a little too much for me. Rounded down to 3.5*

20 - Leslie F*cking Jones
So I bought the book and listened to the audiobook from the library. The audio has WAY more content and just loosely follows the outline of the book. It was very interesting, but the constant vulgar language started to wear on me so I'm subtracting half a star. 3*

21 - The Light Pirate
Terrifying, yet also beautiful. 4*

22 - The Hollow
Christie seemed to flesh out her characters more than she usually does. Loved it. 5*

17 - Happiness Falls
I liked this a lot, although I could have done without the heavy-handed foreshadowing. Fascinating subject matter, and I'll think about communication in a new way now. 4*

18 - Nemesis
I've become enamored with this series. I feel it's higher-level writing than most novels in the crime genre. 4*

19 - Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life
Just didn't like this as well "Under the Tuscan Sun" or "Bella Tuscany". It didn't quite flow, and some sections (particularly the religious art ones) dragged on too long. 3*

14 - The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Only for the intrepid. Some interesting sections, but I was quite often bored. Barely 3*

15 - The Redbreast
Not without its implausible moments and some work to keep the characters and sub-plots straight, but overall an intelligent and satisfying read. 4*

16 - Horse
Great story, stellar writing, and interesting characters. Historical fiction at its best. 5* (ETA: the audio was excellent)

11 - The Rachel Incident
Started off slowly, but became a page-turner. Rachel herself is a train wreck, but you can't look away. 3 1/2*

12 - A Taste for Death
Dalgliesh at it again. 4*

13 - Romney: A Reckoning
I'm not a big Romney fan, but the man at least has some ethics. An interesting read. 4*

8 - Let Us Descend
If I think of it as poetry, it makes a real impact. As a novel, too much magical realism for my taste. 3*

9 - Voyager: Constellations of Memory
This one is right up my alley. Quoting a blurb from the GR description because it's perfect: "Fernandez braids astronomy and astrology, neuroscience and memory, family history and national history into this brief but intensely imagined autobiographical essay." 4 1/2*

10 - Rouge
This had me intrigued for a while, but I became less and less enamored and felt the ending meandered around trying to find its way. 2*

5 - What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
Gotta love when the library is a main character. 3 1/2*

6 - Julia
Retelling a classic is a daunting task, and this one didn't work for me. 2*

7 - Death of an Expert Witness
I do love my British murder mysteries. 4*

2 - Circe
I'm not much of a mythology fan, but this was so superbly written I really enjoyed it. 4*

3 - The Great Believers
Powerful and heartbreaking. 4*

4 - My Name is Barbra
Yes it was long, but as a fan I found most of it very interesting. I recommend the audio as there are "extras" and music (you can easily listen at 1.25 - Babs talks sloowwly). 4*

1 - Brida - I'm hoping to get through many books from my neglected shelves this year. I've had this one a LONG time. Maybe 3 or 4 memorable lines, otherwise meh. 3*

2023 was a crazy busy year and I don't expect 2024 to be much calmer, so I'll lower my goal a little and just see how it goes. Happy New Year and Happy Reading to all!

63 - The English Understand Wool
A short little gem. I'm going to look for more books from this publisher (Storybook ND). 4*

64 - The Shamshine Blind
Clever and entertaining, although slow at times. 4*

65 - The Circle
Pretty scary at how spot on Eggers was with the direction in which social media is going. There were enough eye-rolling moments, though, that it's just a soft pick. 3 1/2*

I finished the year 10 books short of my goal, but that's ok. I feel good about my efforts, and I read some great books. That's the main goal!

62 - Tom Lake
Although a very good book, listening to Meryl Streep narrate was the best part! 4*

59 - The Clue in the Jewel Box
I tend to revisit Nancy Drew a few times a year in fond memory of the books I loved as a child. This one is not a gem. Haha. 2*

60 - Children of the Storm
As usual, Amelia Peabody and crew are great fun. The audio is wonderful. 4*

61 - The Bandit Queens
Occasionally, I come across a book that most everyone seems to love (except me). Although I can appreciate dark humor, it didn't work for me here. I thought the light-hearted treatment of the serious subject matter crossed the line into silliness. 2 1/2*

56 - Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
Very good, but a depressing reminder of just how evil people can be. 4*

57 - Whereabouts
I will happily read anything Lahiri writes. This one was especially impressive given the fact she wrote it in Italian, then translated it into English. 4*

58 - Freewater
2023 Newbery Medal winner. 4*

53 - Miracle Cure
Just awful. 1*

54 - The Girl in His Shadow
I enjoyed this tale of a brilliant young woman fighting to practice medicine in the early 19th century. 4 1/2*

55 - The Covenant of Water
Swept me off my feet! I was also fortunate enough to hear Abraham Verghese speak - he's fascinating. 5*

50 - The Golden One
It's always fun spending time with Amelia Peabody and crew. Also, Barbara Rosenblat might be my favorite narrator. 4*

51 - The Secret Pilgrim
This is my favorite Smiley novel so far (I think I have one left). In addition to his stellar writing, I appreciate le Carré's unflinching look at the world of espionage. No sugar-coating here. 4*

52 - The Ambassadors
This was my 4th James and the toughest one to get through. Just too much work. 2.5*