75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2014 Completed)
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Jan's 2014 Challenge
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70. Stitches : a handbook on meaning, hope, and repairby Anne Lamott
2.5 stars
A slim inspirational book with Anne's trademark wit and wisdom but once again, the meanderings and flight of ideas made it less than satisfying. This is my second book by Lamott that I've been less than satisfied with, although in all fairness, Traveling Mercies is a hard act to follow.
71. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet2.5 stars
I gave up at the halfway mark but at 960 pages, I made it through 480 pages before giving up so I'd say I can count it as "read" :-) It's just not my cup of tea. I recently watched an excellent documentary series, Apocalypse WWI, that was much more fascinating and informative than this fictionalized account with stereotypical characters inserted into history. I think I'll stick to NF for my history.
JanB wrote: "71. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet2.5 stars
I gave up at the halfway mark but at 960 pages, I made it through 480 pages before giving up so I'd say I can count it as "read" :-) It's just not my cup of tea..."
Jan, I couldn't agree with you more - on both counts. I read something else by Ken Follet once before and similarly gave up (for me, it was at just over 1/3 through it). I had the same reaction as you did to this one. I hope the next books you read (as you approach the goal!) are more satisfying than your last couple were.
Mod
Karol wrote: "JanB wrote: "71. Fall of Giants by Ken Follet2.5 stars
I gave up at the halfway mark but at 960 pages, I made it through 480 pages before giving up so I'd say I can count it as "read" :-) It's j..."
Karol, thanks for your comment. I feel in the minority and it's nice to know I'm not alone :-)
Elyse wrote: "You're almost there, Jan!"Elyse, four more books to go in 2 weeks - the busiest 2 weeks of the year. We shall see if I can do it :-)
Mod
Elyse wrote: "Just pick some slim ones! ;)"Elyse, I have a few in mind - and they will balance the big chunksters I read this year :-)
72. being Mortal by Atul Gawande4 stars
An important book that should be read by everyone, including those in the medical and allied health professions. The author presents a different model for how we approach aging and death in our society and includes important questions to ask yourself and your loved ones.
The book isn't perfect, but if it does nothing more than open up communication between health professionals and patients, adult children and aging parents, and between your and your loved ones, then it will be well worth reading.
73. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Lifeby Jen Sincero
I came across this title when Audible had a section on recommended audio books by authors and this one was recommended by Lisa Genova, an author I enjoy very much.
I decided to pre-read it before purchasing it for someone who is ready for some major changes in her life but is paralyzed by fear and doubt. It's a good book with wise advice, with a style that I think would appeal to younger women (warning: there's some coarse language that may or may not offend). Although there’s a bit of new-agey “The Secret” type thinking in one chapter, it can be tossed aside while keeping the (mostly) good parts.
The recipient will be getting the book in paperback (with a highlighter) :-)
The Death of Common Sense and Profiles of Those Who Knew Him by Lori Borgman5 stars
This little booklet is only 50 pages (so I'm not counting it toward my challenge)and was given to me by a friend. It's an amusing piece of satire written as an obituary for common sense and his "friends". Very clever commentary on modern culture. Highly recommended!
Almost there...I think you can do it!!
Alecia, I'll be reading as fast as I can! :)
74. Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain by Portia de Rossi3 stars
At times painful to read, this is a window into the mind of someone suffering from an eating disorder, and you can't help but feel anything but sympathy for Portia. She fully details her descent into disordered eating but,unfortunately, her recovery was glossed over. Rehab and therapy to recover from an eating disorder is hard work with many ups and downs. One could read this book and get the impression that it's easy, when it is not. Some of her "tips" at the end seemed silly.
75. Time to Murder and Create by Lawrence Block4 stars
This is the second in the Matthew Scudder series and I enjoyed it as much as the first. Matthew is a complicated guy and I look forward to the next book.
Whew....barely squeaked in my 75th book this year!
You did it!!! Congratulations and Happy New Year!
3 stars
I liked it but not as well as I liked the first two books in the series. This third installment follows the same formula as the first two. Dave is once again brought in on a seemingly unsolvable case, but unfortunately, the plot lacks the suspense of the first 2 books and the story didn't warrant >400 pages. Also, for being such a Supercop legend Dave does some amazingly stupid things and he never actually solves the case (the same device was used in the first 2 books). Instead there is a climactic scene where Dave gets in a bind, his life is threatened, and the killer is revealed before reinforcements arrive to save the day. Dave was surprised at the identity of the killer and so was I, but not in a good way. (view spoiler)[ in fact, the killer was such a minor character I barely remembered him (hide spoiler)]
I do like the main characters and I liked that there seems to be some character growth with his wife Madeleine and his son Kyle. Verdon writes well and is very creative, but I'd like to see tighter plotting and a different type of ending in the next book.