Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2014
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Renee's Radical, Rambunctious, Revelatory 100 Book Challenge for 2014
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Renee
(last edited Dec 22, 2013 01:01PM)
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Dec 22, 2013 01:00PM
I'm starting my challenge one week early to take advantage of my Winter Break. This year I hope to include some of the books I already own, and to finish a few that got started but side-tracked. :)
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1) My Life in France
Refreshing and fascinating memoir of Julia Child's life in France and as she made herself into The French Chef of American television.
2) The Battle of the Labyrinth
Rick Riordan embroiders onto the mythology of Daedelus and the Labyrinth.
3) Post Captain
A reread of one of my favorite books. Aubrey and Maturin will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest fictional friendships, such as Holmes and Watson, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
4) Bitten
A collection of Dark Fantasy erotic stories. As with most collections, some stories were very well done and others... Meh.
5) Black Butler, Vol. 15
New story arc. Glad to be off the Zombie Ship. This series is terrific. Dark, creepy, witty fun with exceptional illustration.
6) The Future of Us
The concept is clever but the story merely cute. The lead female character left me flat. See, I can't even remember her name and I JUST finished!
7) My Brother Sam Is Dead
Miserable.
8) Heat Rises
Number 3 and my favorite in the series so far. I just love the crossover between these books and the Castle series on TV. Clever and delightful.
2014!!! So excited that you are finally here! I am looking forward to an exceptional year. Out with the old, indeed. Woohoo!!
January9) The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The great detective comes out of hiding and reveals himself alive. Several good stories in this... Abbey Grange, Solitary Cyclist, Norwood Builder
10) The Last Olympian
Satisfying conclusion to the series.
11) The Secret Keeper
Enjoyable novel that includes love story, mystery, personal tragedy, and the ties of family and friendship, interwoven between WW II and present day England.
12) Life of Pi
It took me a long time to finish this. I found Pi's experiences exhausting and needed to take frequent breaks. A fascinating, moving, thought-provoking tale.
13) The Art of Racing in the Rain
Read in one sitting. A great read for lovers of animals and tear-jerkers
14) The Stand-in Groom
Cute. Very light. Set in Boston.
15) The Tantric Principle
Meh.
16) S. E. C. R. E. T. #1
A group of women supports fantasies for emotionally needy 30-something's who earn charms for fulfilling fantasies. Silly.
I love Nineteenth Century novels, and had so much fun with The Forsyte Saga last year that I joined a couple more GR book groups which focus on this era. I expect my book count for 2014 to contain quite a few, including rereads of old favorites, hopefully with some new perspectives. 17) The Age of Innocence
Wharton novels get pretty dark, but leave you thinking about them long after. I was quite taken with this story of love, passion, and societal pressures.
18) David Copperfield
This has long been my favorite Dickens. The characters are unforgettable. Rereading this with a GR book group was fun.
19) Madame Bovary
I'm glad I reread this. It's still a miserable story, but i was able to appreciate the beautiful writing. I can see why it is considered such a classic. But, it, and everyone in it, is miserable. Be forewarned.
20) Wild
Interesting that I finished this in the same week as Madame Bovary. Both women were selfish, self-destructive, and destructive to everyone around them. However, the real-life, 21st century Strayed chose to hike the PCT to regain her equilibrium and grow up. I didn't find the memoir to be particularly profound, but I enjoyed reading about her experiences on the trail, and was gratified to see that the experience made a difference to her life trajectory.
21) The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
Creepy, cool, and thought-provoking. Set in the 1700s. Part spoof, part cautionary tale.
22) Frozen Heat
More Nikki Heat.
23) The Two Drovers
This was really a short story, but I read it as an introduction to Sir Walter Scott so I'm counting it and planning to read more Scott in future.
FebruaryShort month. Little time to read. I'm involved in several long reads that I might not be able to finish until March. But I'm enjoying them so no complaints. :)
Wow! You are doing great. I think you'll read more than you quoted by the end of the year. Nice :)
It's possible, but, then, it has been a snowy winter with many more hours for reading than usual. ;)
February24) The Right Wrong Number
Kindle freebie that was not advertised as a short, but a sweet story nevertheless.
25) The Count of Monte Christo
Highly enjoyable reread of the classic adventure.
26) The Rosie Project
Charming. This will probably end up on my list of favorites for the year.
27) The Night Circus
I didn't like this at first, due to the lack of plot and character development. But, I'm quite visual, so in the end, I was won over by the lovely descriptive passages.
March28) No Name
Awesome Read! A real page turner. Two fascinating heroines struggling against the odds in Victorian England.
29) The Maze Runner
I really looked forward to this, but didn't love it.
30) The Scorch Trials
Although it was violent, I liked this much better than The Maze Runner, however, the first book of the series really does set up the action of this one.
31) Death Cure
Fast-paced conclusion to Maze Runner series.
32) Northanger Abbey
Austen's first written, last published novel. NA explores several if the themes she used later, as well as the value of novels. The style is light and amusing.
33) 1984 by George Orwell
I can definitely see why this is a classic. The invention of the dystopian novel.
34) His Last Bow
Sherlock and Watson continue to solve mysteries into middle age. Some very good stories, although the title story is of a very different style.
35) Outliers: The Story of Success
Fascinating look at the components that go into the creation of some of the most successful people in sports, business, the arts, etc.
36) The Thousand and One Arabian Nights, Volume 1 of 16
Perfect for reading in between other books. The stories are filled with magic and mayhem and sex and humor and tragedy and human frailty. I love the way they are layer, story within story within the framework of Scheherazade and her brilliant plan to outwit her sultan.
37) The Fault in Our Stars
I will finish this by the end of March!
April38) Bossypants
Pleasant, if you've followed any aspect of Tina Fey's career. Not hilarious. Lots of filler.
39) Sh*t My Dad Says
Halpern apparently tweeted the raucously sage bon-mots of his father's advice from over the years, then collected them into a book with a few interlinking vignettes from his childhood. Made me chuckle.
40) Confederacy of Dunces
Overrated tripe.
41) My Man, Jeeves
The four stories with Jeeves and Wooster are delightful, but the four featuring Reginald Pepper suffer from too much slang and not enough Jeeves.
42) Wives and Daughters
Charming. I found myself quite taken with the characters and their interactions and heartaches.
43) Pinocchio
Apparently, you can do a lot to a wooden marionette without causing irreparable damage. :)
44) The Mayor of Casterbridge
Excellent! A fascinating character study of a man at the mercy of his passion and his regret.
45) Chronicles of Clovis
Great Fun! A collection of short stories by Saki (H.H. Munro). Loved it. Dark, witty, quirky, and snarky. All my favorite things. Saki doesn't need to try to be smart; he is smart. Thank God.
46) Me Before You
Sweet, funny, heart-rending, and up lifting. I absolutely loved this story!
47) The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 2
Excellent recording of the second half of this collection.
48) I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron
Ephron's final collection of remembrances. Very amusing observations on aging.
49) The One and Only Ivan
My third graders loved this and I completely agree.
Thanks! I am an Audio Book Slut for certain. :)
Your doing great Renee! I told you you'll do more than 50 this year. :)
Oops I mean 75
Renee wrote: "Thanks! I am an Audio Book Slut for certain. :)"LOL. I'm growing increasingly fond of Audiobooks myself, although I don't think I've quite crossed into Slutdom (hood?) yet!
50) A Briefer History of Time by Hawkins.
Made me feel both smarter and stupider at the same time. I think I'm going to have to listen to this a few times before I feel I've been able to take enough away.
51) The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde
Beautifully written. Completely engaging. Bitingly witty. Definitely a classic.
More by Oscar Wilde...52) The Importance of Being Earnest
53) Lady Windermere's Fan
54) An Ideal Husband
Renee wrote: "Thanks! I am an Audio Book Slut for certain. :)"I love this! I am totally a ABS (Audio Book Slut) too! We should have our own group that supports our habit.
Renee wrote: "More by Oscar Wilde...52) The Importance of Being Earnest
53) Lady Windermere's Fan
54) An Ideal Hus..."
I haven't read these last two, but really enjoyed 'Earnest' and 'Dorian Grey'. Sigh...two more for my ridiculously long TBR list.
Both Windermere and Husband have been made into very good movies. Husband was set in period with the marvelous Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver, Cate Blanchet. Windemere was set in 20s/30s and called A Good Woman. (Scarlett Johansen and Helen Hunt) I enjoyed both enormously. Plays and movies. :)
55) The Idiot by Dostoyevsky
My first real experience with Russian Lit. It wasn't an easy read, but it knocked my socks off.
56) Beasts and Super Beasts by Saki
More of the Good Stuff!
57) Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Tedious and disappointing.
May58) Til We Have Faces by CS Lewis
Excellent read for people who love mythology, traditional literature, and retellings. Which I do.
59) Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
The young, independent Bathsheba is courted by three very different suitors, only one of whom is truly worthy. :)
60) Matilda by Roald Dahl
The story is true crazy, hyperbolic Dahl and the audio by Kate Winslet was superb beyond description.
Renee wrote: "55) The Idiot by Dostoyevsky My first real experience with Russian Lit. It wasn't an easy read, but it knocked my socks off.
56) Beasts and Super Beasts by Saki [bookc..."
Wow - 60! I can't keep up with you! I love Doestoevsky - haven't read "The Idiot" yet, but highly recommend "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov".
Looks like we'll both surpass our goals of 75 books for the year!
61) Journey to the Center of the Earth
As a teen, I just loved Jules Verne. Grandfather of all science fiction!!
62) 1Q84 (Book 1) by Haruki Murakami
One of my very favorite authors, but this was hard to get into.
63) Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
I enjoyed this more than I expected. The writing is very basic, but I got caught up in the story anyway.
64) Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly
Sensational and fascinating.
65) Ringworld by Larry Niven
Creative concepts and aliens. Flat storyline. Amusing style.
66) Quiet by Susan Cain.
Awesome-ly interesting! I highly recommend this.
67) Jude, the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
Symbolism filled tragedy. I'll have to read it again when I can focus on the symbolism, rather than the story.
68) Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Sweet coming of age story set in a medieval, dragon-filled world.
69) The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Beautifully written. Ray Bradbury was the poet of science fiction writing.
Renee, I've just started reading Thomas Hardy's Jude, the Obscure as part of my classics challenge (on PaperBackSwap).Recently, I read Hardy's Tess for a local book club. His writing is so remarkable!
Rose
Agreed. I read quite a bit of Hardy this year. His endings are torture, but I'm left with so much to think about.
June70) Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope
Very long but delightful.
71) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Simply written but packs a punch.
72) Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand
Didn't love it.
73) Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
Quirky story about not fitting in.
Renee, Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping is one of my most favorite books. I've read it several times.Have you seen the movie (featuring Christine Lahti)? It is also exquisite!
Rose
Yeah. Back when it came out. It's the reason Housekeeping has been on my tbr list for so long.
74) Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls ]
This was an enjoyable audio. An alternate storyline to the famous musical.
75) The Lemon Orchard
Great summer read!
76) Middlemarch by George Eliot
Brilliant, multi-layered story that gets better every time I read it.
77) The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Effective little ghost story.
78) Twelve Angry Men
A terrific audio version of the play.
79) The Lifted Veil by George Eliot
This one was weird. George Eliot trying her hand at the Gothic genre.
80) Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Terrific summer read! A sweet, quirky romance with snappy realistic dialog.
81) The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The main character is really unhappy with the choices open to her as a woman. Reminded me of Madame Bovary with more sympathetic characters.
82) Daisy Miller
Excellent novella concerning the clash of cultures and manners between European and American society.
83) Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
I listened to an audio abridgment that I really, really didn't like. I'll have to try something else by Morrison before I can tell if I like her books.
84) Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
85) The Perks of Being a Wallflower
86) Dune by Frank Herbert
87) The Husband's Sevret by Lianne Moriarty
Wow - you're nearly to 100 and the year is only half over! Way to go! I bought The Awakening and Girl in Translation at my latest library used book sale - haven't gotten to them yet. June was a crazy month and I didn't get much reading done. Hopefully, July will be better.
Both were very good but obviously very different. :)
Challenge: 50 Books
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