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

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

90 - The High Window
Noir detective fun. 4*

91 - An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice
Interesting and inspirational autobio. 5*

Nine more! Hope I can do it!! (I have six in progress :)

92 - Tinkers
Overall pretty good, but the "poetic" nature writing bogged (me) down in places. 3*

87 - The Red Badge of Courage
I know many consider this a masterpiece, but I simply didn't like it and had to work to finish it. (I have loved other war novels like All Quiet on the Western Front and The Things They Carry.) 2*

88 - The Four Agreements
Meh. Very simplistic examples, and I'd say over half the book is repetition. Rounding up to 3*.

89 - The Last White Man
I'm being generous because I enjoy Hamid's writing so much. This one left me unsatisfied, however. In many cases, less is more. In this case, less is...not enough. 3 3/4*

Tiffany wrote: "Ann A wrote: "66 - Portrait in Sepia
Allende didn't disappoint. Starting The House of the Spirits soon. I'll be sad to be finished with this trilogy. 4* ..."

"When you finish The House of the Spirits, I'd love to know whether you think I need to read the first two books first, or if the other GR opinions are right that I can start with #3.

Tiffany, you can absolutely start with #3!

Tiffany wrote: "Go for it! I think you can make it to 100!"

Thanks for the encouragement, Tiffany! I have one more long one to finish, then it's a short-book December ;)

84 - The Art Forger
A real page-turner, and as a bonus I learned a lot about art. 4 1/2*

85 - A Good Walk Spoiled: Days and Nights on the PGA Tour
Another book that's been on my shelf for years. I used to follow golf avidly, and this was a fun glimpse into life on the Tour (1994-95). 4*

86 - The House of the Spirits
I'm not usually a fan of magical realism, but Allende weaves a little of it so skillfully into the story I ended up loving it. This book was excellent, but I enjoyed the other less famous ones in the trilogy just as much. 4 1/2*

81 - Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion
Unfair burden placed on women when it comes to preventing pregnancy? Absolutely. 4*

82 - The Black Tower
A little dark for me, but I will continue to read P.D. James. 3 1/2*

83 - The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
Interesting ideas, but a lot of repetition. 3 1/2*

78 - Let Me Tell You: New Stories, Essays, and Other Writings
I've always enjoyed Shirley Jackson's fiction but I didn't know she also wrote essays, many of them humorous ones about her family. 5*

79 - The Haunted Bridge
Every visit with Nancy allows me to briefly be 12 again. ;) 3*

80 - The Light Fantastic
Not a big scifi or fantasy fan, but I do enjoy Pratchett's witty writing. 3 1/2*

Alex wrote: "I hit my goal of 52, thanks to including graphic novels."

Way to go, Alex!

Kathy wrote: "Made the 50!"

Congratulations!

75 - Sag Harbor
Delightful. What a pleasure to read Whitehead's writing after my last book. 4*

76 - Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
I need constant reminders to "stay in the present". So much to worry about! 4*

77 - When You Trap a Tiger
I liked this Newbery winner, but could never quite connect with the magical realism part. 3*

72 - Fight Night
Entertaining overall, but stretched imagination at times that the narrator was supposedly around 10 years old. 3 1/2*

73 - A Girl Returned
I enjoyed this tale of an Italian girl who was "returned" to her natural parents at the age of 14. Rounded up to 4*.

74 - The Bronze Horseman
Well, that was a slog. I appreciate the historical fiction aspect, but the romance - oh brother, don't even get me started. I really need to give myself permission to DNF. 1*

Tiffany wrote: "26. The House of Broken Angels

LOVED!! I'm not often speechless when I write a review of a book, but this is one of those times. It was just so joyous to read, the writing so real ..."

I liked this a lot, too!

69 - Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time
I love good travel writing. Adams may get a little too detailed at times, but overall a very enjoyable book. 4*

70 - Rules of Civility
My first Amor Towles and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to get to A Gentleman in Moscow. 4*

71 - Iron Lake
I liked the first half but the second half had too much going on, much of it not quite believable. Good writing, though, and I liked the indigenous characters aspect. 3 1/2*

66 - Portrait in Sepia
Allende didn't disappoint. Starting The House of the Spirits soon. I'll be sad to be finished with this trilogy. 4*

67 - Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust
I liked Comey's first book a lot. This wasn't as good, but the stories of his days as a prosecutor were fascinating. 3.75*

68 - Unnatural Death
Ah, Lord Peter Wimsey. I'm quite fond of his whimsical way of speaking :) 4*

Tiffany wrote: "21. Sister Carrie

There will be a theme for the next few books (and then a theme for a few books after that).

Back long, long ago when I was in college, between two quarters I read..."

Go, you!!

Tiffany wrote: "Ann A wrote: "63 - Daughter of Fortune
Allende is one of my favorite writers. I was all set to read The House of the Spirits, then realized it was 3rd in a trilogy. This is #1. 4* ..."

I have "The..."

Yeah, it probably makes more sense to read them in publication order. I'm just silly that way - I "must" start with #1 :)

ETA - I will say that I'm reading #2 now (Portrait in Sepia), and am glad I read #1 first...

65 - Moon Tiger
Beautiful writing, but I just didn't like the characters very much. 3*

62 - Open Secrets: Stories
I didn't love all the stories, but I'm giving it 4* for Munro's short story prowess.

63 - Daughter of Fortune
Allende is one of my favorite writers. I was all set to read The House of the Spirits, then realized it was 3rd in a trilogy. This is #1. 4*

64 - Poirot's Early Cases
What a guy! 4*

59 - The Pale Horse
Dame Christie got me again! 4*

60 - A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times
I'm allowing myself one brief comment here: It was interesting learning about just what a Secretary of Defense does. 3.5*

61 - Disappearing Earth
Unique for sure. I'll round up to 4* for its teaching me about a group of people I knew absolutely nothing about.

56 - The Best Women’s Travel Writing, Volume 12: True Stories from Around the World - A random find at the library and I loved it! I'll have to search for the other editions. 5*

57 - Merci Suárez Changes Gears
Reminds me why I keep reading the Newbery winners. 5*

58 - Unnatural Causes
Perfectly decent mystery. A few cringe-worthy characters - it is from 1967. 3*