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

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

I'm presently at 79 books, so I'm going for 100! It's been an unusual year, however. Next year, I'll probably be back at my normal pace of 50-60 per year.

Jamie wrote: "44. Room

Two stars, maybe.

45. Infinite Jest

Equal parts brilliant and terrible. Three and a half stars.

Congrats on finishing Infinite Jest! I am enjoying it, but have to take my time with it. It's a project!

Naomi wrote: "46. Here Comes Trouble by Michael Francis Moore



4-1/2 stars

how does Michael Moore become Michael Moore? i don't know that i've act..."

Have this book on hold at the library. Can't wait to read it!

#75-Our Kind of Traitor
Good, solid Le Carre.

#76-This Beautiful Life
Good writing, but hard to watch the devastation wreaked upon a family by a teen-ager simply forwarding a video on to a friend. 2 1/2*

I might as well go for 100 this year. I may never get this close again!

Your last 3 books are on my TBR list. Just never enough reading hours in the day!

Congratulations! I can see you've had a successful reading year so far, as there are some great books on your list!

Glad you gave it the "old college try", Naomi! I'm going to persevere (taking my time with it) because the mind of DFW fascinates me. Maybe we can do another "group read" when I finish this 4 months from now :)

#72-Romeo and Juliet
What can I say? Shakespeare was a genius.

#73-The Story of Mankind
No. 2 in my quest to read the Newberry winners. This was tough to get through. Lots of good information, but a dry style and horrible illustrations. 2 1/2*

#74-A Midsummer Night's Dream
Loved this. I'm going to see a live production in 3 days and I can't wait!

Naomi wrote: "43. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee




5 stars

i first read this book forty years ago and i'm wondering how it is that i haven't re-read it before..."

I also re-read this book last year after approximately 40 years! I think it's probably my favorite American novel.

Dorothy wrote: "Did y'all see this?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/art..."

Interesting article and entertaining (if depressing) video. Love the song!

Thanks for posting, Dorothy.

Ann wrote: "Leshawn wrote: "8-14-11
#34 "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery. Translated from the French by Alison Anderson.
Published in 2006. 325 pages.
Fantastic! One of my top 10 favorite books..."

I didn't know it was a movie! I'll have to try and find it. I haven't read "Gourmet Rhapsody", but when I did a search to add it to my TBR list, it was already on my "read" shelf. For some reason, GR thinks it's the same book as "Elegance of the Hedgehog"!

I probably won't be joining in, as I re-read the book a couple of years ago. However, I agree with Irene - those of you who haven't read it before are in for a treat. And those of you who are re-reading it will probably have forgotten just how GOOD it is!

Leshawn wrote: "8-14-11
#34 "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery. Translated from the French by Alison Anderson.
Published in 2006. 325 pages.
Fantastic! One of my top 10 favorite books read this year...."

I LOVED this too! It seems to be one of those books that people either love or hate.

I'll try to find that review, Naomi.

Comments on the first 140 pgs:

I am REALLY enjoying this. I only read a little each day because I really have to focus, but I think DFW is BRILLIANT. I like the fact that the book has a bit of everything in it - I go from WTH? moments to laughing out loud to being incredibly disturbed (the suicidal girl in the psych ward - couldn't help but think those feelings were autobiographical). Just finished the first-person, bad spelling, drug-addict section - not sure what that was all about, but looking forward to finding out!

Glad you are hanging in there, Naomi! Hope some others will join us. Are you still pushing through it, Jamie?

#70-The Cellist of Sarajevo
LOVED this. Powerful story and beautiful writing.

#71-The Julius House
Really held my interest, but I felt cheated out of a better ending.

I am ridiculous and read all the footnotes (although it's easy to do with the eBook, because I just click on the footnote number, then can go right back to the text). Try #24 - Bizarre stuff!!!

I know what you mean. I'm hoping they will "link up" soon. I am still enjoying the quality of the writing, though.

Can this guy write or what?! I'm really enjoying it, even though I've had to look up 10 words in the first 20 pages. I like this quote from the introduction by Dave Eggers.
"Wallace, like many other writers who could be otherwise considered too smart for their own good, is always aware of the reader, of the idea that books are essentially meant to entertain, and so almost unerringly balances his prose to suit."
I absolutely agree with this - his writing is challenging, yet definitely entertaining.

#62-Shakespeare's Landlord
I really like the Lily Bard character.

#63-The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Fascinating book - loved the skillful mix of drama, science, and history.

#64-Life and Times of Michael K
A "triumph of human spirit over adversity" novel. Impressive writing, but depressing story.

#65-Outlander
Not bad, but just too long - I got bored in several sections.

#66-Tarzan of the Apes
Actually a fun read. I had no idea there are something like 20 books in this series!

#67-The Godwulf Manuscript
It held my interest, but Spenser is a little too "macho" for me.

#68-Love That Dog
Adorable children's book written in verse about how a boy learns to love poetry.

#69-The Mysterious Affair at Styles
I do love Agatha Christie!

Thanks for the info, Naomi. My library copy should be here in a couple of days, then I'll get started. I think more people might see this thread if it was in the "General" category. I saw some instructions for moving a thread as follows (I can't do it because it was started by you):

click on "edit" button beside thread topic, choose correct folder in the "folder" drop-down list and click "Save".

It is YOUR thread, however, so you can leave it wherever you want!