John's 2022 100 Challenge

[madrano]

Duh. Maybe my eyes aren't "fixed", as i saw the #3 as a 2! Oddly, though, the GR page for CHB Kitchin doesn't list Christmas as second in the series. Still--Fun! A holiday book.

[John]

Finished The World of Plymouth Plantation today for a different challenge's requirement of "book received as a gift"; however, I'm using it here for category 31: history.

[madrano]

John, this book looks as though it would be a good one to learn about the plantation beyond what most of us learned in history class. Was it boring to read or, rather, did it keep your interest in a lively way?

[John]

madrano wrote: "John, this book looks as though it would be a good one to learn about the plantation beyond what most of us learned in history class. Was it boring to read or, rather, did it keep your interest in ..."

As it was a series of many shorter focuses, never really got bogged down (much).

[madrano]

Good to hear, John. I'm always on the outlook for history about those limited segments of history. I feel i know Jamestown (Virginia) well but never found a book i really felt covered what i wanted in a well-written manner. Thanks for the reply.

[John]

Categories 11 and 23

Brandwashed had been on my TBR pile for a while. As I rarely read business books, decided to tackle this one for the challenge. I have a business degree, so much of the information I already knew, but it's presented well enough that it'd be interesting for many readers (general interest).

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Categories 11 and 23

Brandwashed had been on my TBR pile for a while. As I rarely read business books, decided to tackle this one for the challenge. I have a business degree, so mu..."

Terrific title ! I'm going to put it on my TBR list. I see that Morgan Spurlock did the foreword.

I would think that even though it was published in 2011 things have only gotten worse.

Reminds me of No Logo by Naomi Klein.
Its been on my TBR list forever. It's also an oldie as it was published in 2009. However, I see it's available in a eBook version. I think I own a copy but it's in storage.

[madrano]

Good work, John.

[John]

Just finished Death on Nantucket, which clearly qualified as a beach read (49) to me! Another reviewer wrote "It's pure chick-lit!" which sounds accurate as far as I'm concerned. I'll get around to a formal two-star write-up later.

[madrano]

John wrote: "a formal two-star write-up..."

Love that phrase, John. I'm looking forward to that!

[John]

Science category (28) out of the way with Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World. Great job of making science approachable, with excellent audio narration from one of my favorite readers, Michael Page.

[Alias Reader]

Well done, John !

[madrano]

Congratulations, John. I like the idea of working through an author's day to illuminate the science that made that day come together.

[John]

Category 53 - Book about racism

The Devil Finds Work by James Baldwin truly exceeded my expectations. This short work focuses on racism in the movies, though not in an obvious way. Highly recommended, especially Dion Graham's audio narration.

[madrano]

I'm glad to learn this title, John. He was a thoughtful man, so reading this would be insightful, i believe.

[Alias Reader]

Thanks for the title, John ! I'm glad to read that it was a winner.

[John]

Just finished The Bookshop, which qualifies as categories 64 (published in 1970s) and 99 (buddy read).

[Alias Reader]

Nice !

Thank you for doing the Buddy Read. It's always fun to discuss a book with friends.

[madrano]

Yes, thanks for joining us. I think longer about books when we read it as a group. How happy for us all to be able to cross off two more categories!

[John]

I have a bit more to say in conclusion (final thoughts) later. Buddy Read was a great idea!

[madrano]

I'm looking forward to hearing concluding thoughts. This book will probably stay with me awhile, at least until i read The Golden Child. I'm second on hold for it now.

[John]

Just finished On Foot to Canterbury: A Son's Pilgrimage, which I've slotted in under category (25): religious/spirituality. When I write the actual review, it'll be five stars as it exceeded expectations.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Just finished On Foot to Canterbury: A Son's Pilgrimage, which I've slotted in under category (25): religious/spirituality. When I write the actual review, it'll be five stars as it..."

5 stars ! Nice.

[madrano]

John, this sounds like a wonderful piece of work. For years now i've been fascinated by the idea of pilgrimages through the centuries. Sadly, neither of the two libraries to which i have access offer it. I'll have to widen my search. Looking forward to your comments on the book.

[John]

madrano wrote: "John, this sounds like a wonderful piece of work. For years now i've been fascinated by the idea of pilgrimages through the centuries. Sadly, neither of the two libraries to which i have access off..."

Are you able to do purchase suggestions?

[madrano]

I am, and i did so. Lately, i haven't had much success, however. :-(

[John]

Just finished Fortress Europe: Dispatches from a Gated Continent by Matthew Carr, which I'm counting towards (56) author with whom you disagree, and (80) book about a specific continent.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "(56) author with whom you disagree..."

Nice. That is one of the harder category.

[madrano]

John, that sounds as though it would be a tough book to read on an emotional level. Good work on crossing two off your list.

[John]

Checking in to record The Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter as qualifying for categories (63) Written in the 1980s and (76) adapted for film/television.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Checking in to record The Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter as qualifying for categories (63) Written in the 1980s and (76) adapted for film/television."

Excellent !

[madrano]

Well done, John. Are you reading through this series or just randomly selecting one as they catch your eyes? I like to read in order but am not bound by that rule.

[John]

madrano wrote: "Well done, John. Are you reading through this series or just randomly selecting one as they catch your eyes? I like to read in order but am not bound by that rule."

I read this one on purpose for its being an 80s book, but plan to read others.

[madrano]

Thanks for replying quickly, John. As you may recall, nowadays i start with the first book in the series (if available), then often don't return to the series at all.

[John]

madrano wrote: "Thanks for replying quickly, John. As you may recall, nowadays i start with the first book in the series (if available), then often don't return to the series at all."

With these, I've seen them all as videos, so it's not as though I'm experiencing Morse for the first time.

[Barbara]

John wrote: "With these, I've seen them all as videos, so it's not as though I'm experiencing Morse for the first time...."

I like the Morse TV show but always find the plots overly convoluted.

[madrano]

I have only seen the Endeavour series about Morse. It's not that i didn't try the older Morse but, as you wrote, Barbara, they were too elaborate for me. Yet, since watching all the younger versions, we have tried a couple of the older episodes and can follow them better. They still aren't calling to us, though.

[Rachel]

I agree many of the new TV shows have plots that are very complex.
What book is the group set to read next?

[madrano]

Rachel, for several years now we've been random with a group book reading. After a long break, several of us read The Bookshop--Penelope Fitzgerald together last month. Here is a link to the discussion. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

What we've generally been doing is suggesting that if someone wants a book buddy, they post it somewhere. This link has been specifically set up for suggestions--https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... . As you can see, it's been hit-or-miss.

We've also been known to discuss short stories, as books seem to be too big a commitment because we have such varied tastes. On page 4 of the Book Buddy thread, you can see that we discussed why it seems to be more of a challenge to find books to read as a group nowadays. Being pickier seems to be one. LOL!

However, a couple of us listed some books we were interested in reading & we zeroed in on one, which we read. I liked that idea, as there seemed more options, even if fewer participants. I'm willing to try again, just let me know.

[Alias Reader]

One option is to check out the Determination Lists some have posted. If you are interested in one of the books, you might be able to work out a Buddy Read with that person. Otherwise we generally don't do group reads anymore as deb noted.

[John]

Just finished Who is Mr Satoshi?, which I'm using for (17) audiobook. Likely a four-star review.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Just finished Who is Mr Satoshi?, which I'm using for (17) audiobook. Likely a four-star review."

Very nice, John.

[madrano]

I must admit i'm intrigued, John, with the premise of the Jonathan Lee book.

[Rachel]

My library does not own Who is Mr. Satoshi. I did read the GR blurb and must say it sounds intriguing. However, I only read and listen to books that I can get through Overdrive/Libby.

[Rachel]

Also, thanks for the info to all about the group. I am happy either to read together or just book chat with all of you. It is fun to check my email and see the updates to the group.

[madrano]

Rachel wrote: "However, I only read and listen to books that I can get through Overdrive/Libby."

Same here, Rachel. It's all so convenient and there is a "deadline" of sorts, so i don't have books lurking in the background, so to speak. If i can't see my books, i am quite likely to forget about them. Of course, this is true for the books i have in storage, too, so there is probably a flaw in my thinking. :-)

Rachel wrote: "Also, thanks for the info to all about the group. I am happy either to read together or just book chat with all of you. It is fun to check my email and see the updates to the group."

I used to get updates via email but switched when we began traveling. It seemed easier.

[John]

Just finished Hot Countries by Alec Waugh which I'm using towards (66) published before 1960.

[Alias Reader]

Wow ! You all read so quickly.

I am still reading and enjoying The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World, I'm not sure if I can finish before the end of the month.

[John]

Satoshi was an audiobook I listened to each evening. Hot Countries was a Kindle book on my phone that I read at lunch (away from home) throughout the month. I have a few titles intended for this challenge that will need a lot longer than a month.

[Alias Reader]

I love the way you use technology to get reading in during your spare moments. Great ideas.