75 Books...More or Less! discussion

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Archive (2019 GR Completed) > Kelli's 2019 Reading Challenge

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message 1: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments Have been away from this group for awhile but looking forward to getting back into it. I am going for 75 books, only reached 65 in 2018 so hoping to increase it in 2019. Happy reading and all the best in reaching your own goals.


message 2: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8830 comments Mod
Welcome back, Kelli! Good luck!


message 3: by Andrea, Moderator (new)

Andrea | 4460 comments Mod
Hi Kelli! I can't wait to see what you read this year :)


message 4: by Stacie (new)

Stacie (stacieh) | 1945 comments 65 is still a lot of books! But, it's always nice to give yourself permission to "read more" ;)


message 5: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 1. The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand (1-2 Jan) An adult version of Parent Trap, thoroughly enjoyable, 3 stars
2. Moon Over Paris by Jennifer Robson (3-4 Jan) 3rd in a series about the WW1 era, great series, 3 stars
3. Summer List by Amy Mason Doan (5-6 Jan) Very good first novel by this author about parents/friends/secrets, 3 stars


message 6: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 4. Saving Faith by David Baldacci (7-9 Jan) Political Thriller that I've had for ages. Intriguing. 3 stars


message 7: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
@Kelli, I like how you note down the date range for your books, That's data I should add to my stats!


message 8: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 5. The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey (10-11 Jan) Good fictional novel about Gustave Klimt's life companion and Vienna at that time. 3 stars


message 9: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "5. The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey (10-11 Jan) Good fictional novel about Gustave Klimt's life companion and Vienna at that time. 3 stars"


Oh I like this. I love Klimt's work.


message 10: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 6. Enemy Women by Jeannette Jiles (12-14 Jan) Civil War Era, very different writing style. 2 stars


message 11: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 7. Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall (15-17 Jan) Excellent novel, highly recommend it. Can't believe I had it on my shelf for so long. 4 stars


message 12: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 8. On Beauty by Zadie Smith (18-23 Jan) A book with a mix of all types of characters that melt together in a really interesting manner and story. Much preferred this novel of hers to White Teeth. 3 stars


message 13: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 9. The Secret Servent by Daniel Silva (24-27 Jan). God spy thriller. 3 stars


message 14: by Andrea, Moderator (new)

Andrea | 4460 comments Mod
Kelli - I picked On Beauty as one of my books I own that I am reading this year.


message 15: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments Andrea wrote: "Kelli - I picked On Beauty as one of my books I own that I am reading this year."

It was good, would be interesting to hear your thoughts once you've finished it. It is a long one though.


message 16: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars


message 17: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 11. Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir (28 Jan-2 Feb and 7 Feb-10 Feb). Well researched historical account of this controversial case. 3 stars


message 18: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars"

Everyone is reading that one!


message 19: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments Juli wrote: "Kelli wrote: "10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars"

Everyone is reading that one!"


Juli wrote: "Kelli wrote: "10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars"

Everyone is reading that one!"


My Book Group loved it.


message 20: by Kelli (last edited Feb 14, 2019 01:44AM) (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 12. The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse (11-13 Feb). Intriguing gothic/period "thriller". Very different from her other novels, which I devoured as well. 3 stars


message 21: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "12. The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse (11-13 Feb). Intriguing gothic/period "thriller". Very different from her other novels, which I devoured as well. 3 stars"

Hahahaha, I was like "Kate Moss' dad was a taxidermist, how fun" ... then I saw the actually spelling of the last name.


message 22: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments Juli wrote: "Kelli wrote: "12. The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse (11-13 Feb). Intriguing gothic/period "thriller". Very different from her other novels, which I devoured as well. 3 stars"

Hahahaha, I wa..."


You are not the first to be confused LOL


message 23: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 13. Body Surfing by Anita Shreve. Not my favorite novel of hers but did enjoy it. 3 stars

14. Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak. Love his writing. Teenage dealings and family theme. 4 stars


message 24: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 15. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. Fun, Laugh-Out-Loud, Chick-Lit. 3 stars


message 25: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 16. The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs. Navy family saga with a female mid-life crisis and almost empty nest syndrome. 3 stars


message 26: by Kelli (last edited Mar 08, 2019 06:25AM) (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 17. Degree of Guilt by James North Patterson. Good crime drama.
3 stars

18. Love, Iris by Elizabeth Noble (5-8 March). Read for book group, not too sure about this one as a choice for discussion. It was good chick-lit. 3 stars


message 27: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 19. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (9-10 March). Wonderfully written. An intriguing mix of mystery, love, secrets, betrayal, identity and revenge, all set against the backdrop of 17th century Amsterdam. 4 stars


message 28: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 20. The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (11-13 March). Enjoyed the writing, the characters and the story in this novel about a dysfunctional family. 3 stars


message 29: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 21. The Long Walk Home by Will North (14-15 March). A bit sappy but enjoyable for a quick read. 3 stars


message 30: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 22. True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey (17-20 March). Booker Prize Winner. "Adjectival" great book with a wonderfully unique writing style. 4 stars


message 31: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "22. True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey (17-20 March). Booker Prize Winner. "Adjectival" great book with a wonderfully unique writing style. 4 stars"

What do you mean with adjectival in this context?


message 32: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments You have to read the book....it's unique to it.


message 33: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 23. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (21-22 March). Very alternative writing style that is not everyone's cup of tea but I really liked it. 3 plus stars


message 34: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8830 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "23. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (21-22 March). Very alternative writing style that is not everyone's cup of tea but I really liked it. 3 plus stars"

I couldn't with this one! I tried reading, I tried audio. Right, just not my cup of tea!


message 35: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments I understand that. I don’t know if audio wouldn’t work for this one.


message 36: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 24. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi (23-28 March). Interesting book that delves into history of Tehran and women's lives and their treatment at the time thru literature. 3 stars


message 37: by Elyse, Moderator (last edited Mar 29, 2019 05:29AM) (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8830 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "24. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi (23-28 March). Interesting book that delves into history of Tehran and women's lives and their treatment at the time thru literature. ..."

I bought this at a yard sale last year. I did want to listen to the audiobook but couldn't pass up only spending 25 cents. lol. I haven't read it yet.


message 38: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments Well worth the 25 cents.


message 39: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 25. Miss Chopsticks by Xinran (29-31 March) Interesting story based on true characters but not great as a novel. 2 stars


message 40: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 26. Vernon God Little by D.B.C. Pierre (1-3 April) Well-deserved Booker Prize Winner; harsh language but the author is skillful with it. Really routed and felt for Vernon. 4 stars


message 41: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 27. Homeland by Clare Frances (4-7 April) Nicely written and interesting history of Polish veterans in the UK after WW2. Could have had a more intriguing story. 3 stars.


message 42: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 28. Need to Know by Karen Cleveland (7-9 April) Good psychological spy thriller. 3 stars


message 43: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "28. Need to Know by Karen Cleveland (7-9 April) Good psychological spy thriller. 3 stars"

What's your favorite psychological thriller?


message 44: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments I'd say that's a toss up between Gone Girl and He Said She Said. How about your favorite?


message 45: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "I'd say that's a toss up between Gone Girl and He Said She Said. How about your favorite?"

I quite liked Gone Girl. I would consider the Hannibal Lecter series psychological thrillers. So probably Silence of the Lambs. I haven't read He Said She Said. I'll check it out.


message 46: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 29. Strike of Lightning by Moe Assoum (10-11 April) Great escape into fantasy written by a colleague of mine.


message 47: by Kelli (new)

Kelli | 209 comments 30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars


message 48: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8830 comments Mod
Kelli wrote: "30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars"

Karen White is hit or miss for me. I mean, the books I didn't LOVE, I didn't hate either I was just neutral about them but I did love Flight Patterns. And I did love her collab with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig, The Forgotten Room. I have an Overdrive hold on their new collab, The Glass Ocean.


message 49: by Juli, Moderator (new)

Juli | 1933 comments Mod
Elyse wrote: "Kelli wrote: "30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars"

Karen White is hit or miss for me. I mean, the books I didn't LOVE, I..."


Elyse, I think you just changed my mind on what book I will read for the popsuagr prompt "a book by two female authors". I was gonna read The Wife Between Us but I am in need of a lighter book. A historical fiction romance sounds just perfect right now.


message 50: by Elyse, Moderator (new)

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 8830 comments Mod
Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Kelli wrote: "30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars"

Karen White is hit or miss for me. I mean, the books I ..."


Does it have to be 2 or it is 2 or more? There are 3 female authors for The Forgotten Room and The Glass Ocean.


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