Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2014
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Meg's List - 2014
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2. The Goldfinch - TarttI was really liking this book until the ending. I felt the last chapters became too preachy for me. I would have prefered as a reader to draw my own conclusions on the experiences of life our protagonist went through not have him tell us.
3. The Visions of Emma Blau - Ursula HegiI really like this author; however, this was not one of my favorites. I liked it about 2/3 in but the last third got disjointed and uninteresting.
4. We Are Water - Wally LambI love Wally Lamb. There were a few books that weren't my favorite, but he has come back with a brilliant novel this time. It gets a bit predictable, but the characters were great. The hardest part of the book to read is the character Kent who is a child molester. This book is not for the faint of heart.
5. Soldier of the Great War - Mark HelprinHelprin is a wonderful writer with a great vocabulary. There was a bit too much description which, at times, was a deterent. This book, to me, was like a modern version of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
6. The Invention of Wings - KiddI loved this book. Highly recommended.
7. The Yellow Birds - Kevin PowersI didn't like this book at all. I couldn't get into it.
8. The Good Lord Bird - McBrideI really enjoyed this book even though it is hard to believe the "transvestite" Onion as the narrator for John Brown and his abolitionist army. I haven't had the time to research this to see if this character really existed.
9. North River - Pete HamillA nice light read where the setting is New York City during the depression. Pretty predictable.
10. The Lone Wolf. - Jodi PicoultIt was interesting learning about wolves. The story line was somewhat interesting but the ending was very predictable not the usual zinger Picoult ending.
11. The Death of Santini - Pat ConroyI don't know what I was expecting but this book didn't resolve what I wanted it to. I wanted to understand and know more about how he came to get over a lot of the his father's abuse and his childhood.
12. A Grown Up Kind of PrettyA nice light Southern read.
I was thinking of reading The Invention of Wings during the summer as a summer read and glad that you thought it was good. As for Jodi Picoult, I've read 19 Minutes and it was ok but I'm finding that not too many people are liking her books.
Some if picoult's books are outstanding others not so much. I use some of her books in training teacher aides. Works very well
13. The Birth House - McKayMidwifery vs doctor during the Great War. The beginning is slow, takes about 100 pages to really get into it but it is definitely worth it.
14. The List - A great book but not for the week hearted.
15. Becoming Madame Mao - Anchee MinInteresting but got tedious.
16. Frankie and Stankie - Barbara TrapadoA high 3 star rating. Story of sisters living in South Africa and learning about Apartheid. I wish there was more information regarding Apartheid.
17. Fever - Mary Beth KeaneInteresting to learn about Typhoid Mary and how society and the medical community treated her.
18. Cairo - Ahdaf Soueifthe style of writing really didn't hook me
19. Private Life - Jane SmileyA light, quick reading historical fiction. Nothing deep, poor ending.
20. Second Chance - Jan GreenA good beach read, very predictable but I needed something light.
21. Orphan Master's Son - Adam JohnsonI had trouble staying with this books. Parts of it grabbed me, parts of it lost me.
22. Adersonville - MacKinley KantorBrutal, difficult to read
23. The Light in the Ruins - BohjalianNot my favorite Bohjalian book
24. Movement of Stars - BrillInteresting but slow moving
25. Affliction - Russell BanksI felt it was a combination of Richard Russo and Pat Conroy. Well done small town setting.
26. The Maid's Version - WoodrellI really had trouble getting into this book.
27. Edge of Eternity - FollettThe is the last of the trilogy. I really enjoyed this book as it was all the historical pieces that I grew up with. Interesting to see how history treated it all through Follett's viewpoint.
28. This is How You Lose Her - Junot DiazI really like this author. At times I get frustrated with the Spanish but the easy going writing style packs a lot of cultural knowledge.
29. The Vanishing Act of Esme LennoxInteresting story line, easy read
30. Silver Star - J WallsAnything by this author is a good read.
31. Monkey Hunting - GarciaI lost interest in the book midway.
This book was ok. I found it difficult to become involved.