Challenge: 50 Books discussion
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Susan and the Pups 2015 Reading Challenge
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No. 40 Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott ***This book about various women who played various roles during the Civil War was okay; a little confusing since it switched back and forth among the four women. I read it for my library book group and forgot to include it on my list. I read it in February.
Pages read: 10,479 pages + 513 pages = 10,992 pages
Listening time: 110 hrs., 6 mins
No. 41 - Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington ***
This is a classic book of the Aborigines of Australia, the story of three girls who run away from enforced schooling and cross hundreds of miles of Australian bush to return home. The book, written by a daughter of one of the girls, is so badly written and poorly arranged. I chose for my first discussion class at the local college Institute of Adult learning, and, unfortunately it is the first book. Luckily it is short, so I hope people will be able to get through it. And, I hope it will not deter them from continuing the rest of the course. I read all the other books I picked, and will be sure to read all the others before I pick them.
Pages read: 10,992 pages + 136 pages = 11,128 pages
Listening time: 110 hrs., 6 mins
No. 42 The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier****This is the author's first book, pre-Girl With a Pearl Earring. I have been having some problems with Chevalier's latest work, thinking she is sticking to her usual modus operadi of an ordinary person meeting up with a famous historical figure when that formula is no longer working for her. I found this book, however, to be very well-written. Once again, I found with this story, which takes place in two different eras, that the modern character is too fraught with insecurities and whiny complaints when compared with classic,more noble suffering of the historical character. The chapters alternate between the present and the past, building up in tension as it reaches the climax. Very good pacing.
Pages read: 11,128 pages + 304 pages = 11,432 pages
Listening time: 110 hrs., 6 mins
No. 43 Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan ****Very good. I still prefer the non-fiction biography Fanny Stevenson: A Romance of Destiny by Alexandra Lapierre, but I found this book to be very interesting. Fanny Stevenson had a fascinating life that was continually changing as she moved from one place to another. A creative woman in both the the visual and literary arts, she sought to express herself while in a traditional marriage, and found it equally difficult in an unusual literary marriage. Many pertinent themes are woven into the story of Fanny's life.
Pages read: 11,432 pages + 474 pages = 11,906 pages
Listening time: 110 hrs., 6 mins
No. 44 - The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown *I guess I am seriously in the minority on this. The one star signifies only my lack of interest in this subject matter. Joe Rantz's early life was interesting just in its awfulness, and I am very glad that his life turned out happily. But the stroke by stroke training and racing was, for me, dead boring. It was the One Book chosen for everyone in Maryland to read, and I read it for one of book clubs.
Pages read: 11,906 pages + 416 pages = 12,322 pages
Listening time: 110 hrs., 6 mins
No. 45 - Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga **About the Tutsi-Hutu conflict, this takes place in a girls' school in Rwanda. I was looking for a discussible book for my class for next semester. I don't think I want this to be it. As I further process the book my thoughts and rating may change.
Pages read: 12, 322 pages + 244 pages = 12, 566 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins.
No. 46 - Sweetland by Michael Crummey ***** Second reading this year of this book for the class that I am teaching. So much more is found on the second reading, but now I am worried that some class member will not like it. Pages read: 12,566 pages + 318 pages = 12,884 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins.
No. 47 Your Republic Is Calling You by Young-Ha Kim * I read this book as a possible book for my discussion class. It sounded so good -- about a North Korean spy who has been living for many years in South Korea, but now has been called home to NK. It covers one day in his life as he reacts to the call home, and follows the lives of his wife and daughter. The book had no meaning for me at all. It is definitely a reject.Pages read: 12,884 pages + 326 pages = 13,210 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins.
No. 48 The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty by Amanda Filipacchi ***Unusual book with a humorous treatment of the subject of physical beauty or the lack of it in today's world. Went a bit too far, in my estimation. I am sorry that I had to miss the discussion of this book in IAL class.
Pages read:: 13,210 pages + 336 pages = 13,546 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins.
No. 49 The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett ****
Reread for KI Book Club -- We are amused.
First read 11/20/08
Pages read:: 13,546 pages + 120 pages = 13,666 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins.
No. 50 The Colour by Rose Tremain ****This was the second time I read this book and it seemed harder going than last time. I remember the beginning very well, but had forgotten the second portion of the book. I picked this book for my class on Other English Speaking Countries, and I hope people were able to get through it. Last weeks Faye told me that all the books were very hard, and I'm not sure if that is really true or if Faye is failing. She always seemed very with it. Debbie leads the discussion tomorrow, so I haven't thought about discussion questions.
Pages read: 13,666 pages + 382 pages =14,048 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins.
No, 51 Early Warning by Jane Smiley (audiobook) **
Listened to this audiobook in the sarjust because I listened to the first one, Some Luck. Many characters, not terribly interesting lives.
Pages read: 13,666 pages + 382 pages =14,048 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins.
No, 52 The Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri *****This is my second reading of this book before I lead a discussion of my class. Two running themes -- I can call them the sublime and the ridiculous. A man's mental experiences as he dies juxtaposed with the day to day worries of the people around him. Also the theme of quests, menial and religious by all the occupants of the apartment house. Theme of popular culture (Bollywood) superseding religious motifs. Right now I a bit confused as to how to organize my discussion topics. Start with the mundane? With the wonderful participants I have, though, the discussion will probably take off on its own.
Pages read: 14,048 pages + 301 pages = 14, 349 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 53 My Journey Down the Reincarnation Highway: The True Story of a Man Who Found Nine of His Past Lives by Frank Mares ***
Okay read. According to this, a person not only chooses his next left, parents and who to reincarnate with, but can arrange how others treat him and react to him. As in, from the age of 15 to age 30 I will have no friends and will be bullied. It can explain away a lot of things, and can eliminate nights of lying awake wondering what you could have done differently. Nothing, if you purposely stacked the cards against yourself.
Pages read: 14, 349 pages + 228 pages = 14,567 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No.54 Days in the History of Silence by Merethe Lindstrøm ****Dark,Scandinavian, brooding. Very good. Need to think about this a while.
Pages read: 14,567 pages + 236 pages = 14,803 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 55 I Curse the River of Time by Per Petterson ***
From November 9, 2015-- Liked this much less on the second reading. Demoted it to 3 stars. Too many street directions and street names. Should be a short story. I reread it for the possibility of using it for my class next semester. I won't.
Pages read: 14,803 pages * 309 pages = 15,112 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 56 The Leaving of Things by Jay Antani ***Interesting story about an Indian boy returning with his family to his native country after having spent his formative years in America. He must learn to accept and appreciate his own country and decide where his future lays.
Pages read: 15,112 pages + 321 pages = 15,433 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 57 The Favored Daughter: One Woman's Fight to Lead Afghanistan into the Future by Fawzia Koofi ***
Interesting story of a successful woman politician in Afghanistan. Her story tells about life before, during and after the Taliban regime.
Pages read: 15,433 pages + 272 pages= 15,705 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 58 - The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto ***My first Banana Yoshimoto book. My liking for this book went up and down during my reading. A lot of telling and no showing. Okay.
Pages read: 15,705 pages + 188 pages = 15,813 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 59 - The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak (audiobook) ***
The lives of two families -- one turkish and one armenian -- intertwined in the past are reconnected again in the present, with focus on the two daughters of the family, one Turkish and one Armenian-American. Much of the daughters' stories I found a bit boring. [ Two monumental family secrets that the reader did not know existed are revealed at the very end of the book, forcing the reader to reassess all the observations she has made during her reading. I don't know if I care for this technique, since one secret complicates the entire story beyond belief. And begs the question, "Did the Armenian grandmother know, and, if not, how did she not know?" But, we are not given any insight into that grandmother. And only one family member with psychic powers is privy to both secrets.So, is there any learning and growth in the family? Also, it may be that the relations between the two families and among the family members symbolize the cruel history between the Turks and Armenians, but that will take further thought, after I think about the individual relationships. And I am not sure I want to give this book that much thought.
Pages read: 15,705 pages + 188 pages = 15,813 pages
Listening time: 128 hours, 17 mins + 12 hours,39 mins= 140 hours,56 mins.
No. 60 - [book:Child Wonder|10697717] by Roy Jacobsen ***
I think I need to read this again. Due to time constraints I picked this book for my discussion class, having read only 1/4 of it. I am not sure I got what exactly what was going on. Told from a child's point of view, it really never translates into adult point of view. I hope someone in my class can fill me in. It is typically Scandinavian. I hope my star rating goes up on the second read.
Pages read: 15,705 pages + 256 pages = 15,961 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 61 Fishbowl: A Novel by Bradley Somer
I was attracted to this book because I like the premise of strangers living side by side being forced to interact by situations. I am looking for books on this theme for a possible class theme. I enjoyed this book to a point, but would be hesitant to pick it for others to read because it is too prurient. I liked it though.
Pages read: 15,961 pages + 304 pages = 16,265 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 62 The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany *****This novel shows violence, corruption, anger, cruelty, hatred, sex as a commodity, abuse of women -- a world where hope is born only to die, where your place and circumstances of birth dictate your entire life, where choices are so limited that they are almost nonexistence, where there is always someone waiting to use the disadvantaged, where everywhere one turns there is a contract to sign your life away. It is a depressing world, but unfortunately a truthful one. It is about the intersecting lives of people who live or work in one building in Egypt, but could it take place anywhere?
Pages read: 16,265 pages + 256 pages = 16,521 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 63 Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova ***
This was a pretty good read. I know how Huntington's disease works, so I knew the problems that the family would face --especially the idea of deciding whether or not to find out if you are gene positive. I don't know if reading a fictionalized example of the situation helped me to imagine it more acutely. I can imagine its horror. The book does not follow Joe through the end of his experience, and I can only think that as the disease progresses that the stresses on Rosie will be phenomenal. To watch this happen to her husband, to live it every day, and know that at least two of her children will go through the same thing, and that perhaps she would live long enough to have to endure that, is beyond my comprehension. Being a caregiver to a person with a long-term, chronic disease, I am more interested in Rosie's story. Maybe she should be the one to go off to Portland or London. Also, as horrible as it is for Joe's gene-positive children to know they will get HD some day, I think that having their inevitable future played out before them by their father, and seeing their mother going through the roles their spouses will have to endure, may be more crushing. I think that would make a more compelling book.
Pages read: 16,521 pages + 523 pages = 17,044 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
No. 64 Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart **
I don't know --I expected it to be better. I thought it was much to long for the substance of its plot. It could have used a good editing IMO. I was puzzled by the youngest girl -- she seemed rather simple.
Pages read: 17,044 pages + 416 pages = 17,460 pages
Listening time: 110 hours, 6 mins. + 18 hours, 11 mins. = 128 hours, 17 mins
Whew! I had to go searching for my 65th book, which I finally found:No.65 -The Daylight Marriage byHeidi Pitlor
This seemed to be a cross between the first part of Gone Girl and the last book that we read for the Kent Island Book Club, Everything I Never Told You. I am trying to discern the significance of the title. I read this book in one day.
Pages read: 17,460 pages + 256 pages = 17,716 pages
Listening time= 128 hours, 17 mins.
Done and done. Met the challenge.I will be doing 65 books again in 2016
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Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Daylight Marriage (other topics)The Yacoubian Building (other topics)
Inside the O'Briens (other topics)
Girl Waits with Gun (other topics)
Fishbowl (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Heidi Pitlor (other topics)Amy Stewart (other topics)
Lisa Genova (other topics)
Alaa Al Aswany (other topics)
Elif Shafak (other topics)
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At first I really loved this because I know the tarot and I like selkies. But about half the way through something seemed to go awry. I enjoyed the historical part more than the contemporary part (I always do), but after a while the contemporary people just seemed to be running thither and yon accomplishing nothing. Also, at the end, I wanted a more precise genealogy between the historical characters and the others who were revealed to part of the family. (view spoiler)[ Also, the character of Churchworthy always appeared to be ominous to me, and in the end, he . . . wasn't. (hide spoiler)] A lot of the book just . . . wasn't.
Pages read: 10,479 pages + 340 pages = 10,819 pages
Listening time: 110 hrs. 6 mins