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Determination Lists & Challenges
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JulieLill's 2021 Reading Challenge
His topics seem so random and i think, "Really?" Then, i read one & am wowed. Clever man to write well enough to make the books keep our interest. Cod was a winner, too.
madrano wrote: "His topics seem so random and i think, "Really?" Then, i read one & am wowed. Clever man to write well enough to make the books keep our interest. Cod was a winner, too."I have not read that one yet but in Salt, he talks about cod so I am interested to see how he wrote a book only about cod.
I know! It had me puzzled that an entire book could be about cod, of all things.
That one is on my TBR, John. What a topic for readers.
The Dog Who Could Fly: The Incredible True Story of a WWII Airman and the Four-Legged Hero Who Flew At His Side
Damien Lewis
4/5 stars
This is a heartwarming story about Robert Bozdach, a WWII Czechoslovakian pilot who finds a German Shepard puppy on a mission after he was shot down. He refused to leave the dog to his own devices and he soon became a passenger aboard Bozdach’s plane when the airman went on missions and a friend to the other soldiers wherever Bozdach fought. I thought this was wonderfully written. Opposites-Dogs
I've never heard of such a thing. What a bond.
madrano wrote: "I've never heard of such a thing. What a bond."This was good and it was also interesting to learn of Bozdach's career in the war. He had started in Czechoslovakia went to fly for France and ended up flying for England.
One "little fact" i've liked learning over the years is WWII & its pilots. Quite a number ended up being pilots under the flags of two or three other nations. I know US pilots did so because the US was slow to declare war. For some reason i thought each nation would be suspicious of a pilot from another country who wanted to fly in theirs. Guess i'm wrong. Likely, they needed all they could get.
Saturday
Ian McEwan
4/5 stars
Neurosurgeon, Henry Perowne wakes up to what was supposed to be an uneventful day of work and time with his family. However, the opposite occurs and an after a traffic accident between him and someone who is not so happy about the outcome starts off a chain of events that will affect him and his whole family. I enjoy McEwan’s books - you never know what is going to happen in them. Ian McEwan Book
I agree, Julie, about his writing. Fun to see where it goes, in fact. You are doing well with your 2021 list. Hurrah!
Martian Time-Slip
Philip K. Dick
3/5 stars
Mars is now a colony of Earth though there are a lot of problems in living there, like having not enough water access. However, it is still valuable land and entrepreneurs are buying up property. The plot surrounds a young boy; Manfred who is autistic and who may be able to see the future. Arnie Kott, leader of the Water Works Union hears about Manfred’s possible ability and takes him to the FDR Mountains on Mars to try and use his mental powers to see if his development plans will come true. Interesting concept but just a okay book for me. 1964
Julie wrote: "Martian Time-Slip
Philip K. Dick
3/5 stars
Mars is now a colony of Earth though there are a lot of problems in living there, like ha..."
With our landing there, it sounds like the perfect time to read this novel. Sorry, it wasn't a 5 star book.
The premise sounds good, though. Pity the writing didn't live up to it. In '64 it must have drawn many to read it.
I have been pretty lucky picking books and I liked it but not one of my favorites.
I started The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John M. Barry and am pretty impressed with the writing so far!
I hope the Barry book is all you hope it will be, Julie.
Strange but True
John Searles
4/5 stars
The Chases have had a hard life, their son Ronnie was killed in an automobile accident which severely injured his date/girlfriend Melissa. One night Melissa shows up on their door step claiming she is pregnant with Ronnie’s baby though Ronnie has been dead for 5 years. So begins this very interesting mystery about a family wracked with grief, trying to get through life and absorbing this new information. Is the baby really Ronnie’s? Is Melissa trying to scam them? Mystery
What a curious story, Julie. I gotta read it, right? Thanks for the title.
Diary of a Mad Housewife
Sue Kaufman
4/5 stars
Set in the 60’s, Bettina Balser is a stay at home mom, the norm for that generation dealing with child and husband issues. One of her outlets is a diary to vent all her feelings as she deals with her issues, fears and everything going around her including an affair of hers with a writer. Well written and still holds up today! 1967
Julie wrote: "Diary of a Mad Housewife
Sue Kaufman
4/5 stars
Set in the 60’s, Bettina Balser is a stay at home mom, the norm for that gen..."
This was a good movie from 1970.
Stars: Richard Benjamin, Frank Langella, Carrie Snodgress
Internet movie data base
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065636/
I liked this book very much and i read it before even having kids. I'm sure it's more relevant today in many ways. Good memory.
Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "Diary of a Mad Housewife
Sue Kaufman
4/5 stars
Set in the 60’s, Bettina Balser is a stay at home mom, the nor..."
I think I have seen the movie many years ago- I ordered it from the library to see how it compares to the book!
I liked the film, it was the first time i'd seen Carrie Snodgrass, but the people didn't at all seem the way i imagined them. It almost seemed whiny, which i don't recall thinking as i read the book. Please let us know what you think of the movie.
madrano wrote: "I liked the film, it was the first time i'd seen Carrie Snodgrass, but the people didn't at all seem the way i imagined them. It almost seemed whiny, which i don't recall thinking as i read the boo..."I recall she was quite good in the role. I see she was nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA Award for the role.
I was wondering about her and just learned of her passing. :(
Wiki
While waiting for a liver transplant, Snodgress was hospitalized in Los Angeles, where she died of heart failure on April 1, 2004, at age 58.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_...
I didn't realize she was dead, either. I liked her, i think i just didn't imagine someone like her when i read the book. Honestly, that happens often to me. :-)
The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History
John M. Barry
4/5 stars
This is a historical comprehensive look at the 1918 flu/influenza epidemic. Barry discusses the epidemic, the scientists who went about researching influenza and their attempts to find a vaccine for it and he includes information about previous epidemics. He also writes about the time period and what was going on during the flu in the USA and other countries. Detailed but very readable. Medicine/Health
Airs Above the Ground
Mary Stewart
4/5 stars
Vanessa, whose husband is missing, sees him in a newsreel from Vienna though he was supposed to be on a business trip to Stockholm. Worried she takes off to Vienna and encounters on the plane her friend’s son Timothy on a trip without telling his parents. They bond and decide to travel together to find out what has happened to her husband Lewis but they also get caught up in investigating a mysterious circus fire. Are the two connected? Very enjoyable! 1965
Vastly different works, Julie. I know you read a wide variety of books but this post illustrates how wide.I think i'd most like the fact that Barry includes info on previous epidemics. I suppose it's typical that people only think of the one they are in and the previous, without considering the long trail of them.
The Stewart novel sounds very goo. How they got to a circus fire is worth the price of admission!
Congratulations on your steady progress on your 2021 DL!
Julie wrote: "The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History
John M. Barry
..."
I have this on my TBR. I'm glad to see you liked it and found it accessible.
Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History
[author:John M. ..."
I thought it was well written, there is a lot medical discussion but I don't think it was too difficult to get through especially since we have been inundated with our own pandemic that has been thoroughly covered by the news.
LOL, Julie, isn't that the truth? I feel i know more about mutating viruses than i ever thought i would know.
In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash
Jean Shepherd
5/5 stars
This book was the basis for the wonderful film A Christmas Story and is a fictional account of Shepard’s life as a child in Indiana. It starts out with Ralph returning to his hometown and hooking up with his friend Flick, now a bartender at his own bar and relating their childhood /adolescent escapades. Some of the stories that were included in the film were altered and a few of the stories were not covered in the film but it was a great read and hard to put down. Highly recommended! I
The GR comment on the book reminded me of what i liked best about Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine. There are so many stories along those lines which are pleasurable, even when they end with us mourning "days gone by". Thanks for this comment, i will remember to look up his books.
When Eight Bells Toll
Alistair MacLean
4/5 stars
This is the suspenseful fictional tale of the British Secret Service. Philip Calvert, agent, is called upon by his superior chief, Rear Admiral Sir Arthur Arnford-Jones to assist in a mission to find the Nantesville, a ship which has gone missing with eight millions pounds of gold. But this is not the first ship to go missing; but it was the first ship that was equipped with a transmitter and 2 secret servicemen aboard. Can Calvert find the ship without getting killed and just who could he trust? I have never read MacLean before but I found his writing compelling. 1966
Julie, i've not read MacLean either but can remember the excitement created with each new book from him. Even people i knew who weren't readers enjoyed his books. Your synopsis explains why--who doesn't want to know?!
madrano wrote: "Julie, i've not read MacLean either but can remember the excitement created with each new book from him. Even people i knew who weren't readers enjoyed his books. Your synopsis explains why--who do..."Doing the challenges has introduced me to many new and old authors who I probably would never read normally!
We've certainly benefited from your challenges. I think many of us have happily had our TBR list grow as you share the books you've read. Thank you!
Eight Cousins
Louisa May Alcott
4/5 stars
This is the story of the orphaned Rose Campbell who after the death of her mother is sent to live with her aunts and then eventually with her guardian her Uncle Alec. Upon moving into her aunt’s house she learns that she has seven boy cousins and it takes a bit of time to get used to all the activity. Though this is a juvenile book, I found it quite fun, sweet and amusing. E
I'm glad you liked the book, Julie. When you mentioned the "queue" elsewhere, i reread my notes on the book. Alcott brought families alive, in my opinion. It feels as though you really get to know the family.
The Johnstown Flood
David McCullough
5/5 stars
This is the fascinating look at a flood that devastated Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1889. Johnstown was a small town with mostly workers that worked at the coal/steel plants. It also was the site of a resort that had many famous industry members including Andrew Melon and Andrew Carnegie. Unfortunately, the resort had a dam and that dam was not well maintained and on May 31, 1889 it burst open killing thousands and opening up an investigation into what happened and who was responsible. McCullough does wonderful job relaying the story of the people of the area and what happened after the tragedy. 1968
Julie wrote: "The Johnstown Flood
David McCullough
5/5 stars
This is the fascinating look at a flood that devastated Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1..."
Nice review, Julie. I'll add this one to my TBR notebook. Thanks!
We used to live around 30 minutes from Johnstown, in Somerset, PA, in the early 70s. Our first visit to the city was informative. Several buildings downtown had measured markers but no explanations. At last we found one which explained that the top of the markers illustrated how high the water at that spot was on the day of the flood. There wasn't a single one which was under 6'. It was jarring.
There is a documentary in our library system on the flood so I ordered it. I'll let you know if it is any good!
Neat! I look forward to hearing about this.
Homo Mysterious: Evolutionary Puzzles of Human Nature
David Philip Barash
3.5/5 stars
Barash explores the history of mankind and why humans do the things that they do. Topics he explores, include religion in culture, how did art develop, the development of consciousness, the different life spans between men and women and much more. While he explores these questions, he also raises more questions that have yet to be answered. Very interesting! H
Julie, that sounds like an entertaining, as well as educational book. I haven't heard of Barash but recall the title Madame Bovary's Ovaries: A Darwinian Look at Literature. :-)
The Edible Woman
Margaret Atwood
4/5 stars
Set in the mid 1960’s, Marian McAlpin is engaged to a wonderful man and is set to get married but she has developed a problem. She can’t eat meat. She hides the problem from her friends and fiancé and starts to hang out with Duncan whom she met in a laundromat. Life is becoming unbearable for her as she has to face her future. Can she get over her fears or let them over take her? Atwood doesn’t disappoint in this story! 1969
This sounds interesting, Julie. Thanks for bringing the title to my attention.
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I never realized the impact of salt till I read this book- I do like Kurlansky's subjects for his books!