75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2017 GR Challenge)
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Jan's 2017 Challenge
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62. Final Girls by Riley Sager2 stars
I'm in the outlier club with this one. My believability alarms were going off with too many implausible things happening.
Recommended for a quick forgettable beach read if you can turn off your inner critic.
63. Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips4 stars
Joan and her 4 year old son, Lincoln, are at the zoo nearing closing time when Joan realizes she's living every parent's nightmare: shooters are on the prowl in the zoo.
A riveting page turner than I devoured in one day!
** I received a copy of the book from Netgalley
64. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward5 stars!
This will be one of my favorite books of 2017 for sure.
This is a gritty and heartbreaking story, with writing so beautiful, a setting so real, and characters so well-developed, that I was completely immersed in the story from the beginning. My heart broke again and again for the people, alive and dead, who inhabit these pages.
I’m not normally a fan of the magical realism of "ghosts", but in this case it works, and the ending - oh my, that ending - brought it all together so it made sense why it was included.
The story has racism, poverty, drug addiction, injustice, abuse. But the story is also one about love and hope. There are characters who angered and disgusted me, but then there are characters like JoJo, Mam, and Pop who bring love and hope to these pages, and restores faith in humanity.
Highly recommended!
** I received a copy of the book from Netgalley
65. If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss4 stars
Loved this one. The story takes place in Appalachia in the 1970s, and the book opens when newly married pregnant Sadie is beaten by her husband.
From here, the story is narrated by a colorful cast of characters who inhabit the town. Each adds their backstory and perspective to the story, ultimately creating a complete picture of the people and the events that take place.
Some characters are noble and good, while others are despicable, but all are unforgettable. The people of this village stick together and often help one another out in unexpected ways. I especially loved the depiction of female friendships and how they were a source of strength and support for one another.
Although there are many characters, this is Sadie’s story, and the book begins and ends with her. The tension slowly builds throughout the novel to the very end, and what a surprise ending it is!
This was an excellent debut and recommended for fans of character-driven, Southern “Grit Lit”, but isn’t bothered by the fact that not every character’s story is resolved and neatly tied up in a bow.
** I received a copy of the book from Netgalley
66. Glass Houses (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #13) by Louise Penny2.5 stars
This is one of my favorite series but this book was not a favorite. The quirky characters and cozy atmosphere are missing. The book opens with a murder trial but reader is kept in the dark and not told who the victim was until we're past the 50% mark.
Armand is angsty and insufferable while the other characters in the village are in danger of becoming caricatures of themselves.
The author lost her husband in the last year and states in the epilogue that writing this book was therapeutic...she has my sympathy. I hope the Three Pines I've come to love will return in the next book.
67. The Saboteur by Andrew Gross4 stars
In 1943, a team of Norwegian saboteurs carried out a dangerous mission that destroyed the Nazis' source of heavy water, a fluid needed to produce nuclear weapons. The race to develop the world's first atomic bomb was on, and it was a race that would alter the course of the war.
The first half was the set up and the last 1/2 of the book was tense and action-packed. Mr Gross does a fine job staying true to the actual events with creating tension and intrigue while highlighting just how difficult this mission was, both physically and emotionally. The epilogue where he gives an accounting of the real events was appreciated.
One of my favorite quotes in the book: "The funny thing about bravery, sometimes it was no more than people being afraid to shrink from doing the right thing." We owe such a debt to these brave men.
68. Eat Only When You're Hungry by Lindsay Hunter2 stars
Meh...not a fan and despite the blurb calling it wickedly funny, it was anything but. It was depressing.
69. The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham4 stars
Wow! What an addictive listen this was. I listened to the majority of it on a long drive and I was riveted. The time flew by. For listening pleasure it was a 5 star.
70. Lie to me by J.T. Ellison2stars
Less is more and never is it more evident than in this book. The first 50% was a Gone Girl theme: wife missing, husband is a suspect but he - or everyone - is an unreliable narrator. I persevered after reading some positive reviews. But the book then jumped the shark with so many subplots and twists and turns that I felt my eyes start to roll. IMO it just became silly and unbelievable. And that ending?! ugh
71. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz4.5 stars
I'm a huge fan of Agatha Christie and the entire genre. It was great fun reading this with a group as we discussed the clues and played amateur sleuth trying to figure out whodunit in this clever literary mystery that is a story within a story, with both stories interconnected. Highly recommended - storytelling at it's best!
72. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng4.5 stars
The characters are so well-developed, the setting so real, and the story so well told, that it was a pleasure to read. The issues of motherhood, class, ethnicity and privilege are explored. What makes a good parent? There are no easy answers in this novel and it leaves the reader with much to think about. This would make an excellent book club choice.
I wasn't a fan of the author's first book, but absolutely loved this one. Highly recommended!
73. The Alice Network by Alice Quinn2.5 stars
This read like chick-lit to me and made my eyes roll much of the time. I did however enjoy the epilogue and going to the internet and learning about the real life Alice Network of spies in WWI. The truth is better than fiction in this case.
74. Lies She Told by Cate Holahan4 stars
I enjoyed this cleverly written, twisty, book within a book. A murder occurs in both and fact blurs with fiction when the author's novel in progress is eerily similar to events happening in her real life. This one is an addictive multi-layered story within a story that kept me on my toes.
75. The Deep Dark Descending by Allen Eskens4.5 stars
A gripping read - a detective finds out his wife's death from a hit and run was no accident. he's consumed with a desire to find his wife's killers and exact justice - or is it vengeance?
The story is fast-paced and the tension is palpable. The frigid Minnesota winter was as much of a character as Max was. I was guessing/hoping how the events would play out right up until the very end. And what an end it was! Highly recommended!
76. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin4 stars
What happens in the aftermath of an intern and congressman’s affair? To the congressman, nothing. His career and marriage remains intact and life goes on pretty much as before. To the young intern, Aviva, everything changes. She’s the victim of slut-shaming and her job prospects dry up. A simple google search ensures her past will follow her everywhere.
So Aviva/Jane starts her life over, and legally changes her name to Jane Young. But secrets have a way of being revealed sooner or late and so is Jane’s.
Weighty topics are tackled yet it remains heartfelt and humorous. It’s light but intelligent and filled with strong likable female characters.
77. A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena2 stars only because I finished it. I should have followed my instincts and abandoned it . Not the book for me!
Mod
4 stars
What happens in the aftermath of an intern and congressman’s affair? To the congressman, nothing. His career and marriage remains intact and life goe..."
Gabrielle Zevin surely writes in a wide variety of genres! I've read some of her YA and post-apocalyptics/dystopian. Definitely interested in checking this out!
Elyse wrote: "JanB wrote: "76. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin4 stars
What happens in the aftermath of an intern and congressman’s affair? To the congressman, nothing. His career and marriage remains intact..."
Elyse, I didn't even know she writes YA or dystopian novels. I've only read The Storied Life of AJ Fikry.
I'll definitely be interested in your thoughts if you read this one!
77. A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapeno 2 stars only because I finished it but should have followed my instincts and it would have been a DNF!
78. The Marriage Pact by Michele Richmond4 stars
A newly married couple join an exclusive club designed to keep marriages happy and intact. It soon becomes clear that its a cult with reams of rules and when the inevitable happens and rules are broken, they are subjected to ever-increasing consequences.
There's a little bit of sci-fi-fi element (how is the Pact all-knowing?) and if you can buy into a smart educated couple joining such a club/cult (so many do in real life too so I had no issue with that aspect), it makes for an interesting read.
79. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote2 stars
Holly Golightly is a floozy and an opportunist looking for a wealthy sugar daddy. Yawn...
80. The Visitors by Catherine Burns2 stars
Slow and repetitive. More icky creepy than chills and thrills. Not recommended
81. The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey 4 stars
Australian mystery/police procedural with a very flawed main investigator, Gemma Woodstock. This is the start of a new series and I liked it well enough to look forward to the next installment.
JanB wrote: "79. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote2 stars
Holly Golightly is a floozy and an opportunist looking for a wealthy sugar daddy. Yawn..."
Really! I thought that book was supposed to be all that! That's too bad.
I haven't read Breakfast at Tiffany's, but I saw the movie a few years ago and couldn't figure out what everyone else sees in it. Eh, it's far from the only classic where I'm in the minority.
Carol, we were all surprised too! Who cares to read about a gold-digging floozy? There was no point to the story at all. Charleen, it's been years since I've seen it but I'm guessing the popularity was all about Audrey Hepburn :-) Who definitely seems to have been miscast!
Mod
4.5 stars
The characters are so well-developed, the setting so real, and the story so well told, that it was a pleasure to read. The issues of motherhood, ..."
Ughhh I was really into this and my library loan expired. I went to request it again and I'm number 65 on the list.
Andrea, ugh...that's awful! I've been known to keep it a few days past the due date and pay the fine or if it's an e-book, I turn off the wi-fi and finish it 😬
Mod
Oh I absolutely always turn off the wifi to finish library e-books. At least they "take" those back anyways. I could never return a physical book to the library late. I don't have it in me. I'm so straight-edge. haha
Elyse, I consider late fines a donation...lolI don't keep it long but if I'm close to finishing I'll keep it a day or two later if I can't renew due to wait lists. Unfortunately when life intervenes some books have to go back unread :-(
Mod
I don't keep it long but if I'm close to finishing I'll keep it a day or two later if I can't renew due to wait lists. Unfortunately when life interven..."
Yep I've had that happen! I try not to get newer books for that reason. lol
JanB wrote: "Andrea, ugh...that's awful! I've been known to keep it a few days past the due date and pay the fine or if it's an e-book, I turn off the wi-fi and finish it 😬"What a good idea! I never thought of that.
Mod
WHAT?!?! I never even thought about turning off my wifi!! That is genius!!
Andrea, yes, that's me, a genius, lol!!! Just kidding. I'm sure someone clued me in or I would have never figured it out on my own, lol
Mod
I've been lax about updating my list here, so I'm adding these at the 11th hour. This # is a personal best!82. Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda – 4 stars (audio)
83. *Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak 4 stars (EW)
84. Don’t Let Go by Harlan Coben 4 stars (EW)
85. The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter – no rating, hated it
86. Little Broken Things by Nicole Baart – 3 stars
87. The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens 4 stars
88. Exquisite by Sarah Stovall 4 stars (NG)
89. *After the Eclipse: A Mother’s Murder, A Daughter’s Search by Sarah Perry 5 stars
90. *The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash 4 stars
91. This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash (audio)
92. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate - 3.5 stars
93. Artemis - 2 stars
94. *The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman - 5 stars
95. *The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg - 4 stars (NG)
96. Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks: A Librarian’s Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence - 4 stars (audio)
97. Now That You Mention It by Kristen Higgins - 3.5 stars (EW)
98. *The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn - 5 stars (EW)
99. You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein - 4 stars (audio)
100. *The Wife Between us by Hendricks Greer -4 stars (NG)
101. Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson - mixed bag, 3 stars
102. *Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang - 5 stars (NG)
Mod
Elyse and Andrea, thanks! 2017 was a great reading year for me :)
Mod
Andrea, I agree, reading is fun and productive! 😊
75 Books...More or Less!
Books mentioned in this topic
The Last American Man (other topics)Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (other topics)
4 stars
Compelling and heartbreaking, this is a look at how mental illness affects 3 generations of women. The story is beautifully written and I came to care about the characters.
I'm not sure why this book isn't getting more buzz, because it certainly deserves to get more attention than it does. I read this with a GR group and it was the perfect book to generate interesting discussions.