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100 Book Prompt Challenge -2023
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John's 100 Book Challenge - 2023
John wrote: "Read at least 23 books in 2023 (33)"
Happy 23 in 23, John !
John wrote: " Thanks to you both for the comments! Kitchin's Christmas mystery is available as a 99 cent Kindle ebook Thanks, John. I haven’t yet entered that world.
Published before you were born (39)The Present and the Past by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Oh my! A precocious three year old conducting a funeral for a dead mole discarded by the gardener. The book consists almost entirely of un-natural (to me) dialogue among some rather odd characters. Audiobook made it sound like the soundtrack of a play!
John wrote: "Published before you were born (39)The Present and the Past by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Oh my! A precocious three year old conducting a funeral for a dead mole discarded..."
Well, that sounds oddly interesting!
John wrote: "Published before you were born (39)The Present and the Past by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Oh my! A precocious three year old conducting a funeral for a dead mole discarded..."
Well done on another prompt, John !
Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "Published before you were born (39)..."Congratulations for another prompt, John -- after reading yours and a couple of other plot synopses of that it seems like it would be quite the reach for me!
Good job for getting through that, John. It doesn't sound compelling to me.
Well done, John. This is a book which promises a look into the past, that ends up disappointing, thanks to dialogue. I’ve read a book or two like that, too. Usually they are British, or so it seems to me. At least you have completed the prompt.
Set in a country you don't live in (38)Time After Time by Molly Keane
More to come soon in my monthly review list. I liked this Irish author's Good Behaviour, so decided to read this one next. First story was a satire, lots of laughs at the over-the-top characters and situations. This one is an actual novel, I believe set c. 1970? Rotating points of view among the four senior siblings who live together on the decayed estate (only one ever married, no children). Seems like a bit of a trope, but works here. Audio especially interesting as the youngest daughter has a local Irish accent, while the others speak with upper class English voices. Glad I started with the other book, but this one would be fine for those interested in something more complex.
Nice job on the prompt, John.Thanks for the info on the audio. Since I've been listening to more audio books and have joined audible, I am very aware of narrators and how much they influence my enjoyment of a book.
This morning I just finished the audio of Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty read by Anderson Cooper. I found his delivery flat. It didn't add to the book. However, since it's about his family and I know him from TV I guess it was okay. I think his delivery is more suited to reading the news.
John wrote: "Set in a country you don't live in (38)Time After Time by Molly Keane
More to come soon in my monthly review list. I liked this Irish author's [book:Good Behaviour|..."
Thanks for this comment, John. The story sounds good. The audio discrepancy of accents is amusing, imo.
Well accomplished on the prompt.
Alias Reader wrote: "Nice job on the prompt, John.Thanks for the info on the audio. Since I've been listening to more audio books and have joined audible, I am very aware of narrators and how much they influence my e..."
Alias, interesting note on the audio about his own family. Engaging him must have been a no-brainer. Oops.
John wrote: "Set in a country you don't live in (38)Time After Time by Molly Keane ..."
Thanks for the blurb and congratulations on another prompt
So much Irish lately, from all directions! I think maybe I am starting to hear the distant tune of a trip, humming ever so softly . . .
John wrote: "Set in a country you don't live in (38)Time After Time by Molly Keane
More to come soon in my monthly review list. I liked this Irish author's [book:Good Behaviour|..."
Sounds very good, John.
Alias Reader wrote: "Nice job on the prompt, John.Thanks for the info on the audio. Since I've been listening to more audio books and have joined audible, I am very aware of narrators and how much they influence my e..."
I like Anderson Cooper a lot, so I'm kind of disappointed to read his delivery was flat even though I never choose audiobooks.
Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) I like Anderson Cooper a lot, so I'm kind of disappointed to read his delivery was flat even though I never choose audiobooks.
The material didn't help. It sounded like he was reading a Wikipedia entry. A barrage of facts and names.
Spiritual or Inspirational (99)Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
I'll get into the details later in a review. I'd heard so much about Power of Now as a 'classic' that I thought I'd tackle it. However, I got this one from the library instead (in error). It's basically an abridged version of the original text, which worked out better as the author makes his point quickly, rest of this one being suggestions for meditative practice.
John wrote: "Spiritual or Inspirational (99)Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
I'll get into the..."
I read The Power of Now many years ago. I liked that I owned the book and could underline things so later I could just read my highlighting. These books can get repetitive, so I think the abridged version is the way to go.
Likewise, the abridged version is the better route for me. We look forward to further thoughts on this one, John. Tolle’s is a name I’ve heard for years as a positive resource for spirituality.
Health, wellness, etc. (69) which is not a genre I usually read (64)Traditional Chinese Medicine: The Complete Guide to Acupressure, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Cures and Qi Gong by Duo Gao
I was looking for a book on Qi Gong/Tai Chi, but this one that includes such a section seemed interesting on the library shelf. I think the excercise aspect will be better in a video, but this wasn't a bad overview of the larger subject.
John wrote: "Health, wellness, etc. (69) which is not a genre I usually read (64)."Heard that! Good move on two more prompts, congratulations John.
John wrote: "Health, wellness, etc. (69) which is not a genre I usually read (64)[book:Traditional Chinese Medicine: The Complete Guide to Acupressure, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Cures and Qi ..."
The yoga teacher I used to have at the YMCA used to do a bit of Qi Gong with us. You have to get into the right frame of mind to do those slow movements. It's very interesting. Also great for balance.
Good job on the prompts, John !
Good idea for balance. Thanks, Alias, for that note.
Set on a farm or ranch (6) and set in the country where you live (87)Harvest: An Adventure into the Heart of America's Family Farms by Richard Horan
I infer that the prompt is geared towards fiction, but as we're laid back here, thought I'd tackle this nonfiction TBR title. Uneven like some essay collections, the best would make excellent stand-alone entries in a magazine or anthology. Overall, the parts didn't make a whole, to be explained further in my formal review.
John wrote: "Set on a farm or ranch (6)Harvest: An Adventure into the Heart of America's Family Farms by Richard Horan
I infer that the prompt is geared towards fiction, but ..."
Well done, John.
All prompts are for fiction or non fiction. Whichever works for you.
John wrote: "Set on a farm or ranch (6)Harvest: An Adventure into the Heart of America's Family Farms by Richard Horan
I infer that the prompt is geared towards fiction, but ..."
Neat selection for the prompt, John. This sounds good to me, particularly after driving across US farmlands the last couple of weeks. Thanks.
Set in a country you have never visited (79)Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
No surprise for me at all that this Polish writer snagged a Nobel prize for this title! I had to speed up the audiobook, which is rare, but when I got traction with this one I was hooked! Observations by Janina, the older, intelligent, eccentric main character were a hoot, but being old enough to recall the Cold War helped when she talked about the "old" days.
Review will be either four or five stars ... we'll see ...
Neat, John. I have an e-copy but have yet to begin it. I got it when you mentioned the title earlier this month. Even more eager to start now!Good selection for the prompt.
Oh, that looks cool, thanks John - and congratulations on the prompt!
John wrote: "Set in a country you have never visited (79)Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
No surprise for me at all that this Polish writer snagged..."
John, the reviews state: " satisfying thriller cum fairy tale, "
Does it contain magical realism ?
I see the book is also a translation so fits that prompt if you need that.
Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "Set in a country you have never visited (79)Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
No surprise for me at all that this Polish w..."
I don't get the fairy tale part. It's a standard novel.
Thanks, John. Good to know. I asked a friend who read it and she also and said it was a standard novel and she loved it. I don't like magical realism, fairy tales etc. So I'll put it in my TBR notebook.
Curious way to promote a book, then. It makes me older what those reviewers saw.
I would say that there is definitely some magic involving mysterios animals in the deep forest. The old lady is affected by her belief in the creatures and her beliefs impact her behavior. I wouldnt call it a standard novel, either. But different strokes….
Michele wrote: "I would say that there is definitely some magic involving mysterios animals in the deep forest. The old lady is affected by her belief in the creatures and her beliefs impact her behavior. I wouldn..."This is good to know, as i will keep your comments in mind, Michele.
Thriller or Mystery (90)The Fine Art of Invisible Detection by Robert Goddard
I'd read a few by this author before, but this premise really stood out, especially focus on a Japanese female agency worker who'd never been on a case before being sucked into the action here. She ended up such a great character that I'm looking forward to the sequel out soon. The only "ding" might be that things fell into place a bit too neatly a couple of times. The parallel storylines worked well I thought.
Nice job on the prompt, John. I don't read many mystery/thrillers so I am not familiar with Goddard. I'll check him out. Thanks !
John wrote: "Thriller or Mystery (90)The Fine Art of Invisible Detection by Robert Goddard
I'd read a few by this author before, but this premise really stood out, especially f..."
Good, informative review. Sounds like an interesting book, too.
Michele
Book with maps or photographs (78)Jewels: A Secret History by Victoria Finlay
This one had been on my TBR pile for a while, so this prompt got me to finally go for it on my phone to read over restaurant lunches. Appreciated the travel narrative as well as the history. The final chapter on diamonds seemed long enough that I started thinking "We're not done yet?" partway through, though the rest of them were fine.
The photos themselves weren't all that impressive, but I really liked the woodcuts she used to accompany the history. Glad I read it.
John wrote: "The final chapter on diamonds seemed long enough that I started thinking "We're not done yet?".."LOL
Nice job on the prompt, John.
Book with magic (21) and published in 2023 (31)The Murder Wheel by Tom Mead
Second in a series featuring retired magician Joseph Spector. I liked the first one that gave him a new lease on life after retirement being a police consultant. This one I found frustrating as Spector didn't really become actively involved until late in the story.
John wrote: "Book with magic (21) and published in 2023 (31)The Murder Wheel by Tom Mead
Second in a series featuring retired magician Joseph Spector. I liked the first one ..."
That would frustrate me, too, John.
John wrote: "Book with magic (21) and published in 2023 (31)The Murder Wheel by Tom Mead
Second in a series featuring retired magician Joseph Spector. I liked the first one ..."
Nice job on what for me will be a very difficult prompt (magic)
Sorry the second book didn't live up to the first in the series.
Book about mental health (81)On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety by Andrea Petersen
If it weren't for this challenge, I'd have likely not gone on reading. The memoir aspect didn't resonate with me much. Not a book I'd call general interest in learning more about the subject.
John wrote: "Book about mental health (81)On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety by Andrea Petersen
If it weren't for this challenge, I'd have likely not gone on reading. The me..."
From reading the synopsis, it seems the author had a lot of phobias. I've never heard of a fear of licking an envelope. I'm guessing it was a germ thing. I hope at the end she found some relief with the various things she tried.
Sorry the book didn't work for you. I hope your next one is a winner.
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And thank you for introducing us to Kitchin’s fiction. Sadly i couldn’t locate an ebook version of Crime at Christmas, which i intended as my DL 4- A book you chose ..."
Thanks to you both for the comments! Kitchin's Christmas mystery is available as a 99 cent Kindle ebook.