Challenge: 50 Books discussion
*Retired* 2008 Lists
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Becca's books 2008 - I made it!
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7. The Bestiary by Nicholas ChristopherI didn't enjoy this one as much as I had hoped (it was recommended by a reliable source). It was a good read, but I felt somewhat let down when I finished it - I can't really put my finger on it as to why just yet....
8. Then We Came to the End by Joshua FerrisI expected to like this one a lot, but in the end, I thought it was just okay. I didn't find it terribly funny, and Ferris seemed to be trying to do too many things with the story. I did enjoy it, but I can't say I highly recommend it either.
9. Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.Highly recommended reading for anyone.
10. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. AndersonI really enjoyed this - I couldn't put it down! I am looking forward to the second volume in Octavian's story.
11. A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. GainesThis is a moving story of two men's struggle to live and die with dignity. I have to say that until the third to last chapter - Jefferson's Diary - I would only have given this three stars, but Jefferson's account of his own story put this over the top for me. In the end, his words give him the dignity and humanity that allow him to die as a man.
This is such a great example of how reading, and in the broader sense, knowledge can give some one more than tangible things. I want some of the kids at my school to understand how, for some, the ability to read and learn are so valued. So many of our students don't realize what a gift their education really is.
I so agree with you about "A Lesson Before Dying"!It's one of my all time favorite books. It's one that should have made the 1001 Books YOu Must Read Before You Die list and didn't.
How did you like "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time"? I haven't read that one yet.
Leslie - During our book festival a few years ago, a woman came to speak to the middle and high school students about her life in Afghanistan as a child and how she had had to smuggle books in order to read - how her family had never known about the books. The kids were shocked - they had no idea how privileged they were that they could just get a hall pass and head down to the library to read what she had had to keep hidden from everyone. It changed a few perspectives I think, but not nearly enough.Judith - I really enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. I have had a number of students on the autism scale, and Christopher was a very convincing character. Haddon really captured the thought processes of an autistic boy at least as far as I have observed. But it was also simply a very enjoyable, funny and moving read.
12. Bill of Wrongs by Molly Ivins and Lou DuboseWell researched, individual examples of the infractions of our civil liberties at the hands of the Bush administration.
13. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
I'm about to finish Dreams from my Father and am going to move on to The Audacity of Hope. I'm a big Obama fan. You, too? How was the book?
I am very excited about Obama's campaign - The Audacity of Hope was really good and I feel like I have a better grasp of his ideas and political beliefs.
14. The Pig Did It by Joseph CaldwellThis was quite funny through most of the story and I enjoyed the characterizations. But it started to drag towards the end, and the "mystery" is never really resolved.
15. Giving by Bill Clinton16. The Demon-Haunted World:Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan
I would never have thought of Carl Sagan as funny, but I was laughing out loud at his comparison of alien abduction stories to the idea that there is a fire breathing dragon in his garage - one which is invisible, incorporeal, and breathes invisible heatless fire.
17. The Uncommon Reader: A Novella by Alan Bennett
19. Mason-Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne
Hmmm, I'm falling behind here!21. HP and the Sorcerer's Stone
22. HP and the Chamber of Secrets
23. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban
24. HP and the Goblet of Fire
25. HP and the Order of the Phoenix26. HP and the Half-Blood Prince
27. HP and the Deathly HallowsWow - I can't believe how long it took me to re-read this series! Now I feel like I can move on to some new stuff!
28. Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine DaviesRead for Book in Hand's Winter Holidays Challenge.
29. The Christmas Bus by Melody CarlsonRead for Book in Hand's Winter Holidays Challenge.
30. The Ghost at the Table by Suzanne Berne31. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
32. Winter is the Warmest Season
33. How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn
34. Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe by Wendy Mullin
35. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens36. Christmas in Harmony by Phillip Gulley
37. Christmas Lights: A Novel by Christine Pisera Naman38. Boo Humbug by Rene Gutteridge
39. Empire Falls by Richard Russo
I do not recommend either of the first two by any means. I absolutely loved Empire Falls, though. I couldn't put it down after I'd gotten about a quarter of the way in.
Well, I think moving this year has put me off the mark - I don't think I'll make 50, but I have had some good reads this year. I could still make it, but I think it's a long shot!
40. Sew What! Skirts by Francesca DenHartog
41. Brisingr by Christopher PaoliniGod-awful boring. If you had any doubts about Eldest, then stay away from this book!
42. Gluten-Free Baking Classics by Annalise G. RobertsSo far so good - I read all of the non-recipe portions and her ideas sound good. I'm reserving judgement until I've had a chance to try out some of the recipes, but I've got the cornbread in the oven right now!
43. Sense and Sensibility by Jane AustenOne of my all time faves - this is like comfort food for me!
44. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. RowlingThis was under my Christmas tree!
45. Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time by Betty Christiansen I've been looking for ways to use my skills for charity and this book had some great ideas and resources!
I will have to check that book out. I like to make quilts for Project Linus and I recently did a crochet afghan for a fund raiser so I need some more ideas. :)
46. A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes
KrisT wrote: "I will have to check that book out. I like to make quilts for Project Linus and I recently did a crochet afghan for a fund raiser so I need some more ideas. :)"I'm reading another right now called Knitting for Good. So far I like the authors ideas, but she doesn't have as many specific recommendations as Betty Christiansen did in Knitting for Peace. Still, I think it's worth a look.
Thanks Becca, My library doesn't have the first one but I will check on the other too. Every little idea helps! ;)
47. Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch by Betsy Greer48. The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright
I might just make it - I'm about halfway through with The Hobbit and When We Were Romans and they aren't terribly long books! I think I can finish both by tomorrow before we go downtown - woo-hoo!!
I made it! At the wire!49. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein
50. When We Were Romans by Matthew Kneale
I definitely recommend When We Were Romans, if you don't mind the story being filtered through the thoughts of a nine year old boy. This was a little distracting in places - misspellings made it hard to tell what he was talking about at times ("crussons" for croissants for example), but it didn't really detract from the story.
1. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
3. Watership Down by Richard Adams
4. Lies: And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken
5. Arthur and George by Julian Barnes
6. The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson