101 Books to Read Before You Die discussion
What are you reading?
Finished
by Kate Jacobs--- 3 stars.Perfectly tied up book visiting back again with the Friday night knitting club.
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
by Michael Schofield-- 4 Stars.How difficult it was to read about the Schofield family's struggle to figure out what was wrong with their five year old daughter. I couldn't put this one down...
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I liked the book thinking it reminded me of Faulkner's technique of advancing the plot through various narrators. A great story overlaying the sad colonial and post-colonial history of Africa.And book #70 of the 101 book list read....
Finished Coal River by Ellen Marie Wiseman, the writing of which I disliked.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Also finished a re-read of Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton, a spiritual classic that never grows old.
Thread of Grace by Mary Doria RussellThis is another brilliant book by an amazingly versatile author. This is the story of the Italian resistance, set in northwestern Italy in 1943-1945. Despite a full stage of characters, Russell manages to make each stand off the page with vitality and unique personalities. Russell does not shy away from the brutality and capriciousness of war. Readers who crave happy endings may be disappointed since even in victory there are no unadulterated happy endings. But, there is also no unadulterated misery, even in war. This book is woven through with threads of grace: self-sacrifice, heroic decency, valor, unwavering love and acts of personal redemption. This is an incredible and heart-breaking novel.
Just finished reading Hex Hall and I can't wait to read another book of its series...
The Finkler Question by Howard JacobsonI must have been in just the right mood for this award-winning satire. I found the dialogue smart and witty, the characters and their predicaments quite amusing and the questions about friendship, belonging and meaning-making worth pondering.
This Dark Road To Mercy by Wiley CashThis book had a good balance of action and family relationships, of lightness and engaging story line. Two young sisters are kidnapped from foster care by their estranged father. As he tries to out run the authorities, he also is being chased by a hired hit man. What I liked about this book was the theme of redemption and the likable characters. What I felt were weaknesses were the predictable story line, the implausible near misses and the indistinguishable narrator voices (a 12 year old girl, a middle aged guardian ad litem and a violent thug should not speak alike).
Finished
by Jojo Moyes-- 3 StarsMy Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Also finished
by Gillian Flynn-- 3 StarsMy Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
by Amy Poehler 4 Stars.May just be the best autobiography I've read!! Funny yet genuine, I am a fan of Amy Poehler.
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fates and Furies by Lauren GroffReviewing this book is difficult for me. The writing is technically strong, rich with creative images and complex structure. But, at times the writing felt showy and distracted me from becoming engrossed in the narrative. The characters were unique, multi-dimensional, vivid. Yet, they occupied places on the human spectrum that were wholly unfamiliar to me leaving them always just out of reach. The familiar theme of the secrets in a marriage, the reality that we may never truly know the person we share intimacy with for decades, was mined for new insights. Unfortunately, my lack of familiarity with ancient Greek theater, which was frequently alluded, left me unable to unpack a great deal of what this author was trying to communicate. As a matter of taste, I found the preoccupation with sex scenes off-putting and of no literary merit.
The Moonstone by Wilkie CollinsThis was a light, fun 19th century detective story filled with humorous social mockery. As with all 19th century classic novels, I found it far too wordy, but otherwise, enjoyable.
Finished
by Greg Iles-- 3 stars.Didn't love it as much I had hoped I would, but it fulfills the Q for a challenge!!
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm almost done reading Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli.
Here are my airport reads while traveling for Christmas.Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini
In alternating chapters, the reader is treated to a highly fictionalized account of Longfellow’s penning of ’”Christmas Bells”, and sentimental character sketches of individuals present at a children’s choir rehearsal. Reading this was like eating unsweetened cotton candy: flavorless, unsubstantial, but something to do if extremely bored.
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
This is a very easy and quick read.
Finished
by Wiley Cash-- 5 Stars!!I wish this one would've never ended. Loved all the characters-- well except one!! Wonderful way to end the reading year!
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Currently reading The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
Pope Francis’ Revolution of Tenderness And Love by Cardinal Walter KasperFor such a slim volume, these collections of essays situating the theological perspectives of Pope Francis in a larger context, particularly the ecclesiology and papacies of the past 50 years, was very interesting and enlightening.
The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra
This is an amazing collection of interlocking stories set mostly in Siberia and Chechnya. With a few lines of dialogue, a couple of brush strokes of description, a short clip of a scene or one or two gestures, Marra conveys a wealth of insight into a character, place or relationship. Each story packs a powerful punch, the collective is haunting. I could not fall asleep last night for thinking about this book. The turn of phrase is magical, the insights into human nature profound. I rarely give out 5 star ratings, but I think I have my first 5 star of the new year.
Finished
by Colum McCann-- 4 Stars.Three stories of famous historical men, one woman's family interspersed in between. The writing was wonderful and fluid and I would recommend this one to everyone.
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Japanese Lover by Isabel AllendeThis book did not meet my expectations. Based on previous books by this author, I expected extraordinary, but felt this was ordinary. The plot line is familiar. Young love is thwarted by separation brought about by the interment of the Japanese in the 1940s, but, despite absence and cultural barriers, love survives. The gentle love and acceptance of the residence of a senior complex and their families can heal a young woman broken by childhood trauma. The writing is just as ordinary. We are told that a particular character had been one way but now was another, but never see the transformation. Qualities are named but not depicted. The story is told in a clear fashion, but without any poetry or much creativity.
I am finishing reading The Fault in Our Stars and I can see why so many people love this book. Very good book.
At The Water’s Edge by Sara GruennTwo rich, arrogant, alcoholic immature, American friends and the self-pitying, winy wife of one travel to Scotland to hunt for the Lock Nest Monster while the rest of Europe is fighting a real monster in 1945. In keeping with contemporary pop cultural expectations, a sexy, strong yet gentle, secretly rich bachelor Scotsman is running the little country inn where they stay. As the self-pitying pretty wife and the sexy Scotsman are pulled into each other’s orbit, the obnoxious husband suggests a lobotomy. Frankly the only flaw I saw in his suggestion was that he was not offering it to all three of the American travelers who would have only improved under the procedure. But, then again, considering how often they used that organ, I doubt lobotomies would have altered the plot or characters in any discernable fashion.
Finished
by Sebastian Barry-- 1 Star.Wanted to love this one, but just didn't connect...
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished
by Rainbow Rowell-- 3 Stars.Comedy TV writers, Comic Strip illustrator, and a magical phone-- pure entertainment.
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Am reading "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania". It's a fascinating read!
Mod
by Diana Gabaldon- 3 Stars.The third book in the Outlander series left me excited and then bored. Felt a little too long, and I think I will take ..."
That's how I felt about most of the Song of Ice and Fire books, lol! Start out strong, then a lot of "when is something interesting going to happen????"
Mod
I really enjoyed that one, especially the audiobook! I hope you like it :)
Mod
I liked the book thinking it reminded me of Faulkner's technique of advancing the plot through various narrators. A great story overlaying the sad colonial and..."I would never have thought of comparing it to Faulkner (one of the few authors I can't stand!) but I see the comparison. This one got tedious at times, but I really loved it, it stuck with me for a long time after I finished it.
Mod
This book had a good balance of action and family relationships, of lightness and engaging story line. Two young sisters are kidnapped from foster care by the..."
I've been really curious about this one: I really loved Cash's first novel.
Mod
by Jojo Moyes-- 3 StarsMy Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
You wanna know something funny? I've been completely turned off by Moyes' books because the covers look so much like these child-rearing advice books that my parents had from the 80s, and they look so boring! Maybe I should quick judging them by the cover :P
Mod
This was a light, fun 19th century detective story filled with humorous social mockery. As with all 19th century classic novels, I found it far too wordy, but other..."
Is it as good as The Woman in White? I LOVED that one! Great mystery story!
Mod
...But, then again, considering how often they used that organ, I doubt lobotomies would have altered the plot or characters in any discernable fashion. ..."
O my goodness, I laughed out loud at this line! Great review!
I am about 50 pages into Slade House by David Mitchell. This book is intriguing and I can't wait to see what happens next!
I just finished:The Gospel of John by Francis Martin & William Wright
This study of the Gospel of John combined solid textual commentary with side notes containing excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, writings from church luminaries and conciliar statements. I enjoyed the way this work brought together exegetical scholarship, doctrinal points and spiritual reflection.
And
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
A scarf of cascading marigolds connects three characters in mourning. This is primarily Clara’s story. A nurse on Ellis Island, she was on the sidewalk outside the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory as her romantic interest perished in the fire. Andrew, one of her patients, lost the wife he married in a whirlwind courtship of a few weeks, on shipboard. Although separated by a century, Tyran also stood helplessly on the sidewalk as her husband perished in the Twin Towers on 9/11. This novel attempts to explore the process of letting go of a dream of love so that one might once again open to the possibility of it. I purchased this book because it was highly recommended, but I was disappointed. The characters were romance novel set pieces. The writing was so over-boiled it left the story flat. Similes and metaphors were so liberally used that they lost the power to speak and became background noise. Often they were incongruous with the context in which they were employed. The author did not seem to trust her reader. Everything done or said was explained in excruciating simplicity, every point of connection or background was reiterated multiple times.
Finished
by Sara Gruen-- 3.5 StarsI actually enjoyed this one- really quick read if you're able to suspend reality.
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Nightingale by Kristin HannahTwo young French women, sisters, choose different responses to the Nazi occupation of their country. Although their responses may differ, both find an inner courage and act with integrity. Through their suffering, they come to respect and love one another more deeply. I can understand why this novel is so popular. These female characters are the perfect combination of ideal and complex. This book has been accused of romanticizing war, but most readers will find the depiction of brutality sufficient to refute this accusation. I wish I could give half stars because this is a 3.5 star book for me.
Mod
by Sara Gruen-- 3.5 StarsI actually enjoyed this one- really quick read if you're able to suspend reality.
My Review:
https://www..."
I enjoyed Water for Elephants, so I'm curious to try this author again, but I confess this particular book looked a little "girlie" to me, so I may have to get brave and try it :)
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia WolfeThis is a single day in the life of several well-heeled Brits in the mid 1920s. Written as a stream of consciousness with rambling paragraphs, we move from idea to idea, from the head of one character to the next with no transition. Wolfe is obviously trying to introduce taboo topics. This is certainly not a book that a person can lose oneself in. Wolfe is a brilliant artist in the crafting of language.
Alana wrote: "but I confess this particular book looked a little "girlie" to me, so I may have to get brave and try it :) ."It's hit or miss Alana according to the group I'm in that read it-- fun, and a little girlie, but a quick read none the less.
The House of Mirth by Edith WhartonI love the complex, ambiguous characters that Wharton creates. This is the story of a woman who occupies a social no-man’s-land at the turn of the 20th century. Raised among New York’s wealthy socialites to be “ornamental” as she put it, she is left without funds when her parents sank into bankrupsy just before their death. She does not have the money and social standing to marry well nor the skills and temperament to survive as a working woman. Wharton draws us with incredible skill into this setting with its complicated rules and emphasis on appearances.
Finished
by Erika Swyler-- 3.5 Stars.Carnivals, Mermaids that drown, and a hidden family secret.
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Zoli by Colum McCannThis is the story of Zoli, a Romany woman of the 20th century. Hunted by the Fascists and Nazis, robbed of culture by the Communists and liberal European intellectuals, persecuted, despised, displaced, pitied, studied, Zoli’s story is the story of the Roma people. But, Zoli is also a gifted poet and singer who tries to exist in both worlds, Roma and European and can find a home in neither. The voice of Zoli is magnificently simple, broken yet full of dignity, intimate and unknowable. I loved this novel.
The Lake House by Kate MortonThis was a hybrid of a cold case missing child mystery and a family drama which switched back and forth in time between the present and the 1930s. I would consider this a light read, sufficiently engaging as I was reading, but not so compelling that I longed to pick it up again. I also found there to be far too many co incidents and predictable happy outcomes for my taste.
Finished
by Susanna Kearsley-- 3 Stars!Castles, Scottish men, and a historical mystery... Oh my!
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
101 Books to Read Before You Die
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Sarah Henning (other topics)
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Supposedly, this is the history of Manhattan told through the multiple generations of a Dutch/British family. The story begins in the early years of New Amsterdam and concludes in 2009. With four centuries to cover in 850 pages and the limited perspective of only one prosperous family, this is a very limited history at best. Other families enter the narrative for a generation or two, but quickly disappear. With the exception of the Native Americans and the African American families, these secondary characters all follow a rapid upward trajectory. Huge chunks of history is ignored (e.g. both World Wars and the Great Depression) in favor of insignificant factoids irrelevant to the story. The characters are poorly drawn and the writing lacks any creativity.