Rosemarie Platinum (Final Year)

[Rosemarie]

I plan to read some lighter books this year for a really fun challenge.

[Tracey]

Rosemarie wrote: "I plan to read some lighter books this year for a really fun challenge."

Sounds a good idea :)

[Rosemarie]

In addition, I may choose books that are uplifting or that I really want to share with other readers.

[Rosemarie]

1900-1909: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells
1910-1919: His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle
1920-1929: The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers
1930-1939: Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Bernard Nordhoff
1940-1949: The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene
1950-1959: The Silver Chalice by Thomas B. Costain
1960-1969: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
1970-1979: Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie
1980-1989: Watchmen by Alan Moore
1990-1999: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

[Rosemarie]

The Silver Chalice is a historical novel that takes place during the early days of Christianity.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the uplifting message of this book.

[Brian]

Rosemarie wrote: "The Silver Chalice is a historical novel that takes place during the early days of Christianity.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the uplifting message of this book."

I saw the movie many years ago and remember it as Paul Newman's first movie.

[Rosemarie]

I have never seen the movie, but it must have been made in the 1950's.

[Brian]

The book was 1952 and the movie followed shortly after in 1954.
The movie is not considered to be very good. I don't remember it that well, just a vision of Paul Newman in 1st Century garb. He played Basil.
The book looks pretty long.

[Rosemarie]

The book is long. I think he was miscast as Basil.
I know the movie Quo Vadis is not that good either, despite the cast.

[Rosemarie]

Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Bernard Nordhoff was a very enjoyable read. The story is told by a fictional narrator, who was a midshipman on the Bounty.

[Brian]

Curious, I checked and found that both the 1935 (Gable/Laughton) and 1962 (Brando/Howard) movies called Mutiny on the Bounty were based on this book, co-authored by James Norman Hall.
The 1982 (Gibson/Hopkins) movie is based on a non-fiction history by Richard Hough called Captain Bligh & Mr. Christian. It is considered more accurate, as it should be since the other 2 versions are based on a work of fiction and don't claim to be 100% accurate.
This novel sounds interesting.

[Rosemarie]

I really enjoyed it, especially the parts in Tahiti. The narrator is a likeable character.

[Rosemarie]

Postern of Fate is the final book in the Tommy and Tuppence series. They are now ready to enjoy retirement in the country when they get mixed up in a mystery relating to their new house. I enjoyed this one a lot. It was a different kind of mystery, but also very clever.

[Brian]

Ms. Christie has many series I wasn't aware of. While you enjoyed the book, I was surprised to see that Postern of Fate had the average rating of 3.23 stars, pretty low, especially for a Christie mystery. Nice cover with the rocking horse.

[Rosemarie]

It is a fairly low key mystery and it really helps if you have read the N or M? before reading this one.

[Rosemarie]

His Last Bow is a collection of eight entertaining mysteries, featuring the brilliant Sherlock Holmes and the amiable Doctor Watson.

[Rosemarie]

The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers is the first of the Charlie Chan detective novels, set in Hawaii.
The main character in this book is a young man sent to Hawaii to bring is aunt back to Boston, but finds himself involved in a murder mystery and a charming romance.
It was a really fun read.

[Rosemarie]

The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells is one of his lighter science fiction novels, for the most part.

[Rosemarie]

The Heart of the Matter was not a fun read, in fact, it was a sad book. I am using it since it is part of the Penguin Great Books of then20th Century series.
Greene writes well as usual, and succeeds in creating the oppressive atmosphere surrounding Scobie.

[Brian]

The Heart of the Matter is the highest ranked Greene on the Modern Library 100 English language novels of the 20th century but there are several other Greene's I prefer.

I hadn't heard of the Penguin book series but, since I'm a sucker for lists, I looked at it and see I've read all the listed books except for Swann's Way,and the other stories besides Metamorphosis. Someday I'll read Swann's Way, but I think I put it off because I feel like I should read the entire series, so I don't start.

[Rosemarie]

I actually like some of his other novels better too. This was a pretty grim read overall, but he did create a memorable character in Scobie.

[Rosemarie]

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein is the best science fiction book I have in a long time, other than Dune.

[Rosemarie]

Watchmen took me completely out of my comfort zone. It was a dark but fascinating read.

[Brian]

Rosemarie wrote: "Watchmen took me completely out of my comfort zone. It was a dark but fascinating read."

I read Watchman. I was a comic book fan, as were my brothers, and 2 of my sons enjoy the comics, superhero and graphic novel scene. One of them gave it to me as a present so I read it, and then saw the movie. While they were both OK, I have lost most of my desire for superhero-type/fantasy stories. Hence the 2 star rating. I felt similar about the Hitchhiker Guide books and movie.
I may try the Good Omens TV series, though, as my 2 sons love it and I try to keep up with things to talk about with them.

[Tracey]

Rosemarie wrote: "Postern of Fate is the final book in the Tommy and Tuppence series. They are now ready to enjoy retirement in the country when they get mixed up in a mystery relating to their new hou..."

I really enjoyed this one too. I read a lot of Christie this year.

[Rosemarie]

I borrowed the book from one of my daughters, who is really into graphic novels at the moment.
I loved the DC comics as a kid.

[Rosemarie]

The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 is a wonderful middle grade book that takes place for the most part in Flint, Michigan.

Nostalgia note: they mention the Windsor radio station that I listened to as a teenager because it had the best mix of music CKLW

[Rosemarie]

I have now completed the four year challenge!

[Peter]

Rosemarie wrote: "I have now completed the four year challenge!"

Congratulations, Rosemarie. What an achievement!

[Rosemarie]

Thank you, Peter. I can't believe how quickly they have passed.

[Joseph]

Rosemarie wrote: "I have now completed the four year challenge!"

Congratulations!

[Rosemarie]

Thank you, Joseph!

[Tracey]

Great work Rosemarie.

I will be posting all the books that have been read on the bookshelf and will keep the group open for those who want to read comments or do the challenge themselves.

Thank you so much for doing this challenge with me; with your enthusiasm and dedication, it has made this so very worthwhile.

[Rosemarie]

Thank you! And thank you for creating the challenge, Tracey. It's been a fun and worthwhile experience.