R3: SS Stuck to Books (11)

[btwthesepages]

Rolled a 6 (5+1). Now on spot 56.

->Read a series #5
->Read a series #6
->Read a series #56(:P)
->Read a book by A Author

[Marty]

I forget, does the A have to be the first letter in the last name or can it be in the first name?

[Hilary]

I checked a couple of weeks ago and it can be any part of the name. I am going to read , a author.

[Elle]

I'm going to read an "A" book- by Mitch Albom

[Marty]

Okay, I'll read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

[btwthesepages]

Looks like this is gonna be the last week of this challenge since two other teams have crossed 75 this week and working towards the reviews :)
I just wanted to say in advance that you guys have been a great team and it was so good to be a part of this challenge. Rose you are a wonderful captain :)
And I'm going to go with an A author book too this week ;)

[Elle]

Sha
Spot 56
by Mitch Albom

Finished 10/26/14
Rating: ★★★
Review:

This is the second Mitch Albom book I've read. It seems to have so much of a premise as Tuesday's with Morrie. It's possible that if I hadn't read that one, the rating for this book would be higher. I just felt like I was reading the same thing- the act or idea of death teaching life lessons to gain understanding of oneself. Some of the cliche phrases were driving me nuts. It's not a bad story, it's actually kind of thought out well, however, the execution of the writing just annoyed me for some reason. Anyway, the story is about an amusement park maintenance man who dies trying to save a little girl from a broken and falling rollercoaster cart. When he goes to heaven, he encounters five people that bring meaning to his life and allows him to find peace. It reminded me of Scrooge and the 3 ghosts but with much different scenery. :)

[Rose]

Sorry for the MIA. Friends down for a visit this weekend.

Looks like we have a winner, but I'm going to finish this weeks out. I'm thinking Midshipman Bolitho by Alexander Kent.

It's been an awesome challenge. I'm going to miss the weekly reading inspiration and chatting :(

[Hilary]

I have loved doing this challenge with you all :) I am going to miss it a lot!


Spot 56
, A Author
Finished 10/28/14
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This story takes place right before a group of (very rich) friends are to head off to college. I enjoyed reading this book because it was a quick, easy read. Lex is a funny, interesting character. The story was quick moving, but I felt like I was missing something. The characters kept referring to events that took place over the past few years, and some of those events were pretty dramatic. It left me feeling like there must have been some other book before this one... but as far as I can tell, there is not. The author lists Jackie Collins as one of her influences, and I love Jackie :) I would like to continue reading this series to find out what happens to this group of friends. I would really like to see a book that covers their earlier teen years too!

[btwthesepages]

This challenge was so much fun! You guys were a great team :)

Spot 56: A author
A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan
Read: 30th October
Rating: 4 stars
Review: *3.5 STARS ACTUALLY*
A female protagonist with a good sense of humour? They're the ones I like the best :D
And Digit "Farah Higgins" certainly had that in her favour. Digit is a math genius who lands into trouble after decoding a terrorist message about a bombing accidentally. What follows is exciting, funny, romantic and full of suspense. The romance is with the FBI operative who's in charge of her safety. In lockdown with a hot FBI guy? You can see where this is going can't you :P
What didn't make sense was the "eco" terrorist group. Fighting to save the planet but it's okay to kill a few people? Seriously?
All in all a good book. Will definitely be reading the next in series book :)

[Marty]

Great work, ladies! It was great fun.

Spot 56
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Rating: 4 stars

Review:
This novel was largely based on Solzhenitsyn's own experiences in a Siberian concentration camp for those who were accused of treason and other crimes against the state during the Stalinist era of Russia. Ivan Denisovich is guilty of nothing more than escaping from a German prisoner of war camp. He is accused of being a German spy and, afraid and bewildered, eventually 'confesses.' The story takes place in literally one day. The lives of the zeks, as the prisoners are called, are utterly miserable. Lack of food and warm clothing, punishing work and long hours, constant worries about getting sent to 'the cells' dominate their minds. The story is also one of resilience and survival despite these horrors. The zeks have a plethora of clever maneuvers for staying one step ahead of starvation and punishment. Ivan takes pleasure in very small victories: a masonry job well done, an extra bowl of kasha, a cigarette and the comradery of his work group are enough to keep him going.