75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2019 GR Completed)
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Kelli's 2019 Reading Challenge
31. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Cannot believe I had not read this before. Wonderful all around. 5 stars
Mod
I love that book! Are you considering reading Go Set a Watchman?
Absolutely. I have it on my shelf too. Have you read it yet?
Mod
Yes, it fascinating to see how different the book could've been. I felt it read like a really solid draft and I am glad some editor or even Harper Lee ended up making some major edits to create the masterpiece it is today :)
32. Personal History by Katharine Graham. What a remarkable women and wonderful autobiography. 4 stars
33. Dear Mrs. Bird by A J Pearce. Charming novel taking place in WWII London. 3 stars
34. The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook. I really enjoy historical fiction especially from the WWII era. This book occurs after the end of the war in Germany with a different take than other novels of this time period. Looking forward to seeing the film. 3 stars
35. The Hot Flash Club by Nancy Thayer. Fun, light and entertaining read. 3 stars.
36. The Wine of Solitude by Irene Nemirovsky. Superb semi-biographical novel which delves into a mother/daughter relationship during the time of the Russian Revolution by the Ukrainian born author of Suite Francaise. Such a tragedy for literature that she lost her life at at an early age at Auschwitz but thanks to her daughter's discovery of her manuscript years later her work was reintroduced. 4 stars
37. The Summer Nanny by Holly Chamberlin. Probably a good beach read with the summer theme. 2-1/2 - 3 stars.
38. Second Honeymoon by Joanna Trollope. Well written satire on a family of adult children. Lots of lessons learned. 3 stars.
The Flight of Cornelia Blackwood by Susan Elliot Wright. Heartwrenching story of a woman's struggle. Told in the past and present with all coming out at the very end. Thoroughly enjoyed this gripping novel that deals with a subject not spoken about enough. Met the author at an event and she was absolutely lovely. 4 stars.
Mod
Sounds like a good book! Adding to my TBR.
40. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. Debut novel short listed for several prizes. Very quirky, funny story about a dysfunctional family in the UK with Ukrainian origins. Took me awhile to pick it up as it didn't seem to gel with everyone but I enjoyed it. 3 stars.
41. The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery. Good beach read but with a bit of depth. 3 stars
42. Without the Moon by Cathi Unsworth. Good thriller during the London Blitz. 3 stars
43. Language of Kindness by Christie Watson. Interesting account of a woman's experience in nursing and what it means to be a nurse. Highly recommend, especially if you are thinking of nursing. 4 stars44. Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlan. Well told story of a somewhat dysfunctional family and history. 3 stars
45. Little Aunt Crane by Geling Yan. Historical story telling that takes place in China. Good characters. All about survival. 3 stars
46. After All These Years by Susan Isaacs. Light, fun, humorous murder mystery. 3 stars.
47. First Daughter by Eric Van Lustbader. Good political thriller. 3 stars.
Mod
Oh this does sound cute! Adding to my TBR. Endless. lol.
48. Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell. An Oprah choice from years ago. A young man's story of a really missed up family. Serious topics but a lot of humor. 3 stars.
Elyse wrote: "Kelli wrote: "46. After All These Years by Susan Isaacs. Light, fun, humorous murder mystery. 3 stars."Oh this does sound cute! Adding to my TBR. Endless. lol."
It was.
49. Waiting to Be Heard by Amanda Knox. Memoir of her time in Italy before and during her trial and while in jail. Interesting. 3 stars
Mod
I enjoyed this as an audiobook. I still think she's innocent!
Elyse wrote: "Kelli wrote: "49. Waiting to Be Heard by Amanda Knox. Memoir of her time in Italy before and during her trial and while in jail. Interesting. 3 stars"I enjoyed this as an audiobook. I still think..."gre
I agree, I feel for her.
50. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman. I enjoyed it overall but found parts of it a bit dry. 3 stars.
51, Leaving the World by Douglas Kennedy. Beautifully written but full of tragedy for the female lead character. The male author's understanding of a woman's difficult time was on the mark. 4 stars.
52,. Three Junes by Julia Glass. I was very happy to finish this book. Writing was good but the story was odd. Giving it a generous 3 stars.
53. Spencerville by Nelson DeMille. 2 Stars. Nothing like his other novels and not as good.
54. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan. Love Amy Tan's writing. Great story of a Chinese-American woman learning her mother's and her grandmother's history thru her mother's writing of memories that she doesn't want to forget. 3 stars
Mod
I still haven't read any Amy Tan but I own this one and a couple more!
55. Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddon. Beautifully written story dealing with a woman's grief, told in the past and present. Lovely descriptions of summers in coastal Main. The ending is a surprise from out of nowhere but keeps you thinking after you finish as to exactly what took place in the last 20 pages or so. 3 stars.
56. The Final Judgment by Richard North Patterson. Good crime/legal drama with family intrigue. 3 stars.
57. this is how it always is by Laurie Frankel. Wonderful book which beautifully deals with a difficult topic. 4 stars
58. The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Love her writing. This is not a mystery as in you are trying to figure out who did what because you know this all from the first few pages. Even so this makes you as on edge as the characters, which creates an intriguing tension and anticipation. It's long and full of awful people but worth the read. 4 stars.
Mod
I read The Goldfinch and didn't really like it but I'm hoping The Secret History will hook me. Otherwise, I'll be done with this author. :/
Her style is similar in both books. I am going to read The Little Friend eventually. I get the impression not everyone enjoys her stuff but I like it.
Mod
Oh good to know. Might try it on audio, see if I can get into it better.
59. Are You Afraid of the Dark by Sidney Sheldon. Quick read. 2 stars.
60. Three Weeks in Paris by Barbara Taylor Bradshaw. 2 stars. Quick and predictable.
61. One Flight Up by Susan Fales-Hill. 3 stars. Good, light read.
62. Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende. 2 stars. Boring.
63. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. 5 stars. An absolutely superb novel, painful in parts but a wonderful read.
64. Death at La Feniche by Donna Leon. 3 stars. Good old-fashion style murder mystery.
65. The 17th Suspect by James Patterson. 2 stars, quick crime novel.
Mod
I have been on the wait list forever for this one! I think I'm just going to buy it if I don't get it soon.
Andrea wrote: "Kelli wrote: "63. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. 5 stars. An absolutely superb novel, painful in parts but a wonderful read."I have been on the wait list forever for this one! I think I'm ..."
It is really good and definitely worth the wait or purchase.
75 Books...More or Less!
Books mentioned in this topic
Go Set a Watchman (other topics)The Wife Between Us (other topics)
Flight Patterns (other topics)
The Forgotten Room (other topics)
The Glass Ocean (other topics)
Karen White is hit or miss for me. I mean,..."
It says two but I don't care if it's three. I will count it toward that category.