Challenge: 50 Books discussion
*Retired* 2008 Lists
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krisT's list:
8. Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez (non-fic)the subject matter is good but not so sure about the writing style.
9. Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoultgood but not her best!
10. Northanger Abby by Jane AustenIt was a reread for the PBS new movie on Masterpiece theater. Not my favorite of her works but still a good story.
11. Slipknot by Linda Greenlawher first fiction but I have to say I would rather she kept to her non-fiction writing but maybe she will get better.
12. Elizabeth and Georgiana: The Duke of Devonshire and his two Duchesses by Caroline Chapman (NF)13. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
That was pretty good so now I am ready for the other "ODD" books!
I read Odd Thomas a few years back and I loved it! I didn't read the second one, but just finished the 3rd one: "Brother Odd". Before I voice my opinion - before you've read it, I'll look forward to hearing yours... -Becky
Yes doing well. I have so many from the library that came in at the same time so that is kind of giving me a shove. I am reading the second Odd today and should finish it also. I think Odd is so quirky and I could see this as a tv series. ;)
14. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (NF)
I think this was a good journey book. About discoveries and digging deep into yourself. I think the author tried to do that but not sure she always made good on her tries but that is what a journey of discover is all about.
15. Forever Odd by Dean KoontzMuch like the first of this series, Odd must do something he doesn't like or want to do to help someone else. I think this leads nicely into the next book in the series.
16. You've been Warned by James PattersonA little different than his other stand-alones but I kind of liked it. Anything with a psychological twist to it is always good.
17. Brother Odd by Dean Koontzfinished the trilogy and hope there is going to be more to this series in the future. What a fun cast of main characters.
18. The Winter Rose by Jennifer DonnellyThe sequel to the Tea Rose saga. The story continues and it takes you for a sweet ride back into the streets of London 1900 and the mountains of Africa.
19. Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry MorrisLong but really an interesting read set in a small town in Vermont in the 1960's.
20. In the Wake of Madness: The Murderous Voyage of the Whaleship Sharon by Joan Druett (NF)I think this would be a fun companion book to Moby Dick. While I did not care much for MD this whaleship journey was very quite interesting.
10. Northanger Abby by Jane Austen You know, this book gets such a bad rap, and I suppose I agree when you compare it to some of her others, but I just giggle every time I think of this book. It is a quick read, and filled with the silliness of young women (and men) caught up in their own fantasies influenced by pop culture, circa 1700s. Add to that a woman disgraced and a father slighting a guest...all heck brakes lookse I tell ya!
I read a lot of Songs in Ordinary Time but couldn't get through it. I felt like it had a lot of potential but I kept waiting for something to happen-is it worth giving it another shot?
I do agree with you there Kelly! It is not my favorite of hers but I do love the fantasys of the those young girls, the days when you read about some dashing knight on a white horse to come and save the damsel from the scary ghost haunting her room after being imprisoned by her horrible stepmother etc. The pbs new movie of this the other night really showed the young girls fantasys taking her away. It was cute...and yes funny at times. Still not my favorite but I do like it too.
I think you have to be in the mood for the slow moving story Joanie. I sort of was able to savor the story and then it does pick up when things start coming together at the end but it is no thrill ride that is for sure. Like the title it is the music of ordinary lives. (I do have to question how ordinary some of it is but you know what I mean).
Great count you've got going KrisT!I'd never heard of the Odd series... looks fun; added to my ever-growing list of "to-reads".
21. The House of Meetings by Martin AmisNot all I expected this one to be but it was an okay read about the concentration camps in Moscow in the late 40's and 50's.
22. Tell no One by Harlan CobenReally good thriller, kept me on the edge for most of it.
23. Does my head look big in this? by Randa Abdel-FattahGood YA book!!
24. The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol OatesYou never know where this author is going to take you in her books. I admit even when it was over I was still not sure but it kept me reading.
25. The Little House by Philippa GregoryNot her typical historical this is a page turner in a psychological thriller almost...I could not put it down!
26. Heart full of lies by Ann RuleA little true crime story for my "heart" challenge this month. It is so hard to read true crime because it really is crazier than fiction.
27. My heart may be broken but my hair still looks great by Dixie CashMost definately chick- lit but with a cute, strong and funny main character.
28. The Exact same moon by Jeanne Marie Laskas (NF)This is a follow up to her memoir 50 acres and a Poodle which was really good also!!!
29. The Camel Club by David BaldacciPolitical Thriller type fiction. It was not what I expected from this author after reading his Wish you Well many years ago but it was an okay read.
30. There's no place like here by Cecelia AhernI thought this was going to be a chicklit book but instead it turned out to be more of an alternate universe type book. I really liked this one!!!
31. Betrayal in Death by J D Robb #12 series
32. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovichpart of the between the numbers books...cute funny story!!
33. Still Summer by Jacquelyn MitchardMore of a suspense story this time!
How was Still Summer? I like her stuff (and actually got to meet her last year at this "win a book club with the author" thing someone I knew won.) That was after Cage of Stars which was good, but really really sad.
Joanie, I liked this one. At first I was not sure as it just seemed so regular but then it changed and was very suspenseful. I think it is a tiny bit different than her others but still there are life lessons there to learn which I think she sort of has in all her books.
34. These is my Words by Nancy E Turnervery good historical pioneer woman fiction!
35. The Plague Tales by Ann BensonInteresting parallel tale, one set in the 1300's and the other in a futuristic 2005.
Want to let you know there is another ODD book coming out May 20th, called "Odd Hours"! YAYI too love these books and am really happy that he gave into fan demand and kept writing this character. Its funny, I don't like ANY of his other stuff. :)
Great list btw. You read a lot. Way to go!
Thanks Dawn, someone had mentioned it on another board. I loved the Odd series so far so will keep a lookout for the new ones.!!!
36. An Inconvient Wife by Megan ChanceLoved this historical psychological story. What a surprise it was!! I will have to try more of this author.
37. Heartstone by Phillip MargolinFirst book by this author for me. Really some nice twists and turns in this mystery.
38. Born on a Blue Day: A Memoir (Inside the Extraordinary mind of an Autistic Savant) by Daniel Tammet
39. Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye GibbonsSome really lovely writing in this book and the relationships between the grandmother, mother and granddaughter were very respectful and a joy to read about.
40. Cut to the heart by Ava Dianne Day(Clara Barton and the Darkness of love and war)
41. Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson (YA)Very good pioneering story!
42. The other Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon
43. 7th Heaven by James Pattersonpart of the Women's murder club series!
45. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison AllenSort of reminds me of the feel of Practical Magic. Cute light romantic story.
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Favored Child (other topics)The Tall Pine Polka (other topics)
New Moon (other topics)
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time (other topics)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (other topics)
More...
1. Entering Normal by Anne D. LeClaire
2. Strangers in the Night by Linda Howard
3. The christmas pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank
4. Cujo by Stephen King
5. Perfect Balance by Dr. Robert Greene (non-fic)
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowlings
7. The Great Pretender by Millenia Black
gosh nothing like variety!! ;) krisT