Laurel's Reading 2016

[Laurel]

Here we go again. I made my goal last year, but only because I read a whole series of children's graphic novels! Keeping my goal at 48 books (4 per month) for 2016.

[Shirley]

That's my goal, too, Laurel. I find I can't raise mine too high or it becomes unmanageable.

[Laurel]

Not off to a great start this year. I thought to tackle the Whitbread awards, since the Man Bookers are all so violent...

1. The Destiny Waltz was a DNF, though I gave it over 200 pages, so I shall count it as read. I don't mind depressing books, nor slow and introspective, but this just. wasn't. going. anywhere. Nor was I learning much about the Anglo-Jewish experience of the 20th century. Or poetry, or big-band music. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Mercian Hymns - the Whitbread winner for poetry 1971. Rather interesting. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Leslie]

Don't feel bad; one of my first books this year was also a DNF... stretching your horizons means that sometimes you come across something not at all to your taste. Live and learn :)

[Laurel]

3. How to Eat Fried Worms - Book club book for January. We read a children's book for one of our months. It was okay, but very little substance. I think even as a child I would have been a bit bored by it.

[Laurel]

4. Margaret of Anjou - 4 stars.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Laurel]

5. Where'd You Go, Bernadette - 4 stars
Book club book for February. Most of the group didn't care for it. I gave it (generously) 4 stars for the format - told through a variety of written correspondence - and for the very funny social satire of Seattle society. The ending went off the rails however...

[Laurel]

6. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things - another DNF
This was a book club read for Tomes on Tap (metro area librarians), but I didn't get the book until after the group meeting. I thought it was hilarious for about 30 pages, and then it got old. Decided to give it up after 126 pages. 3 stars - just not for me.

[Laurel]

7. A Siege of Bitterns - 4 stars
Probably also over-rated, but good enough that I want to continue with the series. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Laurel]

8. Wish You Were Here - 4 stars
A reread of a cozy mystery series on audio. They go by very quickly. I hope to catch up with the series by the end of the year.

[Laurel]

9. Rest in Pieces -5 stars
This one kept me guessing, even though I've read it before.

[Laurel]

10. The Rosie Project - 4 stars
A nice, light, funny read for book club.

[Shirley]

Laurel wrote: "10. The Rosie Project - 4 stars
A nice, light, funny read for book club."

I also read this at my book club, it's quite a good choice for discussion, we found.