Tim's 50 for 2017 - Trying Again!

[Tim]

Last couple years I have come up just short. Trying for more consistency on my reading schedule throughout the year for 2017.

1. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. Excellent writing and tragic story. Really brings to life the horrors that we learned about rather briefly in school, while also shining a light on the compassion of some people and the terrible nature of others. Really good book. I'm keeping this one on a list of books I plan to recommend to my son, when he's a bit older.

[Tiffany, Administrator]

Tim wrote: "Last couple years I have come up just short. Trying for more consistency on my reading schedule throughout the year for 2017."

Good luck! We're here to cheer you on!

[Tim]

2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Had this on my "to read" list for quite a while now, a couple friends said it was good and of course the movie was out, etc. Never like to watch movies prior to reading books.

I did enjoy it. Didn't always guess which direction the story was going to go... a pretty engaging book. Looking forward to seeing the movie now.

[Tim]

3. Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland by Christopher R. Browning. Incredible book - but pretty terrifying material. The story of the "Ordinary Men" of a police battalion from Nazi Germany, initially sick and horrified at the orders they were given and they move along to become mostly much more comfortable with the atrocities they commit in Poland. Fascinating and terrifying stuff. An important book.

[Tim]

4. The Daybreakers by Louis L'Amour. Started reading the "Sackett" books last year as a tribute to my grandfather, who really loved L'Amour, and hoping to wrap up the series this year. They are always fun Westerns, light reads that are just pleasurable.

[Tim]

5. End of the Drive by Louis L'Amour. Really enjoyed this collection of short stories. I don't read story collections very often - hardly ever - but this one has me thinking about reading more. Fast reads, memorable characters. Good L'Amour writing.

[Tim]

6. The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes. I was surprised by how much I liked this Star Wars novel, as I hadn't read one in quite awhile but still have a long term goal of reading them all. I don't believe I had read any books by Steven Barnes previously and I really liked his style, would like to read more of his work.

[Tim]

7. Jedi Trial by David Sherman. First real glimpse at the trouble on the horizon for Anakin Skywalker in this one. Good story, some interesting character additions that I doubt I'll come across again. Debating between another Star Wars or something else next.

[Tim]

8. Heartbreak Hotel by Heartbreak Hotel. I really liked this one. Sometimes Kellerman's stories have gotten a little repetitive for me, but I think this time he left out a couple of the annoying repeated things that pop up in every story and I liked the storyline here. Fun read.

[Tim]

9. The Burial Hour by Jeffery Deaver.

I am so far behind on reading. This book was OK. I usually LOVE Deaver, but I found this one straying a little far into modern politics / refugee crisis type stuff. I don't fault him for trying but didn't find it particularly succesful. Looking forward to the next one still.

[Tim]

10. 16th Seduction by James Patterson. STill so far off pace but getting ready to make a summer reading run. Liked this more than the last Lindsay Boxer/WMC book, not bad.

[Tim]

11. The Fix by David Baldacci. I really get a kick out of the Amos Decker books, he is an interesting character. Enjoyed this book a great deal. Looking forward to the next Will Robie book by Baldacci later this year.

[Tim]

12. Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. I don't usually read "horror" genre books, but this came up on a list I saw of books recommended by Stephen King, and I really thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking into more books by this author. Engaging and frightening read.

[Tim]

13. Brighton by Michael Harvey. Really enjoyed this book, which also came from the list of Stephen King recommendations I came across last week. Not a typical thriller for me, no detective or psychologist point of view, just an interesting (and troubling) story that is told very well.

[Tim]

14. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Did a little summer family reading project with my 9 year old, wife and I all read the book together. I had fond memories of reading this book back when I was a kid. Still a good read, enjoyed it a lot.

15. Slade House by David Mitchell. Didn't love this one as much. Still picking off books from the Stephen King recommendation list. It had some interesting parts, but maybe just not a style that fits with my preferences so well. I did like the ending, that left it up in the air as to what would happen.

[Tim]

16. The Late Show by Michael Connelly. Enjoyed this new Connelly series beginning - some familiar Connelly style with a new character. Nice foundation for more books to come, I hope.

[Tim]

17. Haunted by James Patterson.

18. A Column of Fire by Ken Follett.

Haunted was just typical Patterson / Michael Bennett fiction.

A Column of Fire I really loved. Pillars of the Earth was the book that got me back into reading back in 2009 and I love this addition to the "Kingsbridge" saga. Very entertaining and some day I hope to read all three books again.

[Tim]

19. End Game by David Baldacci. I think Will Robie is my favorite Baldacci character. Always very entertaining reads.

20. The People vs. Alex Cross by James Patterson. Alex Cross books are getting a little tired, I think sometimes Patterson is running out of Cross ideas, but I still keep going for the nostalgia of them. I can't quit you, Alex Cross.

I failed my challenge miserably this year, but I will be back at it for 2018!!