JulieLill's 2024 Reading Challenge

[madrano]

It sounds jarring, Julie. I've added it to my TBR. Thanks for sharing about it.

[Alias Reader]

Well done on another prompt, Julie !

[Julie]

Still Here: The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch
Alexandra Jacobs
4/5 stars
What an interesting life and story the author weaves around Elaine Stritch, an actress who performed on TV, stage and in the movies for years! A Dozen Film and TV Books

[Alias Reader]

I'm not familiar with that actress.

Nice job on another prompt, Julie !

[madrano]

Julie wrote: "
Still Here: The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch
Alexandra Jacobs
..."

I always loved her unique voice. I'm glad to know that her bio fits the woman i imagine her to be. Thanks, Julie. And congratulations on your roll of reading!

[Julie]

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection
Carol Burnett
4/5 stars
Not a complete autobiography but Burnett relates tales of her life on her show, the celebrities she encountered on her show and audiences who motivated her. If you are a Carol Burnett fan, you would enjoy this book. A Dozen Film and TV Books

[Alias Reader]

Sounds like a perfect book for the prompt, Julie. Well done !

[madrano]

I like her very much, such a naturally funny woman.

[Julie]

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Patrick Süskind
4/5 stars
This is quite an interesting dark story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille who was born in Paris in 1738. He has no smell of himself but has an absolute sense of smell. He has made as mission to identify and isolate the perfect scent of all - life. 1985

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Patrick Süskind
4/5 stars
This is quite an interesting dark story of Jean-Baptiste Grenou..."

This would be a good one for those doing our Book Challenge. One prompt is a book related to one of the 5 senses. I already filled it in with a book about hearing.

Nice job on your 1985 prompt !

[madrano]

That novel is still with me, in some ways, Julie. As i recall, i read it not long after it was published but some descriptions were so vivid, i still feel them. A movie was made of it, but i didn’t want to see it, which is unusual for me.

[Julie]

The Little Liar
Mitch Albom
4/5 stars
A story of the holocaust and the young man, Nico Krispis from Greece who never told a lie yet convinced his countrymen to go to safety and jobs. But seeing them on the station he realizes they were being sent to Auschwitz. Well written! Books Off My Never-Ending Reading List

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
The Little Liar
Mitch Albom
4/5 stars
A story of the holocaust and the young man, Nico Krispis from Greece who never told a lie ..."

Good job getting one of your TBR Mountain !

[madrano]

Every book removed from your TBR (i fully "get" the Never-Ending), is a Plus, imo.

Sadly, it also allows me to add another to it. Ha!

Well done, Julie.

[Julie]

James Herriot
4/5 stars
I think I have read most of Herriot's books and this one is still as good as all of his other books. He is one of my favorite authors! Non-Fiction

[madrano]

Sweet, Julie.

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
James Herriot
4/5 stars
I think I have read most of Herriot's books and this one is still as good as all of his other books. He is one o..."

I love animals but for some reason never watched the TV show or read the books. I should.

[Julie]

A Dark-Adapted Eye
Barbara Vine
4/5 stars
A death upends the lives of a family when Vera Hillyard was hanged for murdering a child in this unusual story of a family tragedy! 1986

[madrano]

As i read the blurb, i wondered why i hadn't heard of the author, as the book sounds good. Then i saw from the cover that it was a pseudonym used by Ruth Rendell. While i haven't read any of Rendell's work, i recognized the name. Neat.

And thanks for sharing about this selection from the year 1986, Julie.

[Alias Reader]

Nice job on the 1986 prompt Julie !

[Julie]

This Is How You Lose the Time War
Amal El-Mohtar
2.5/5 stars
I was not impressed with this science fiction book in which a dying world which has two rivals trying to win a war. Science Fiction

[madrano]

Thanks for drawing our attention to this one, Julie. The cover appeals to me, given the topic. Since it's short, i've added it to my TBR because the GR blurb hooked me with the Burn notice.

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
This Is How You Lose the Time War
Amal El-Mohtar
2.5/5 stars
I was not impressed with this science fiction bo..."

I'm not into science fiction. Still, I'm sorry to hear this was underwhelming for you. Hope your next one is a 5 star read.

[Julie]

Not every book appeals to everyone. On to the next book!

[madrano]

Yes!

[Julie]

Station Eleven
Emily St. John Mandel
3/5 stars
This is a much darker fictional version of what we went through with Covid. Fortunately, we recovered. I enjoyed this book. Science Fiction

[madrano]

Agree, Julie. I read it pre-Covid but would probably like it more now.

[Julie]

Recursion
Blake Crouch
3/5 stars
This is the science fiction story surrounding a New York City cop Barry Sutton and scientist Helena Smith. Smith wanted to have people to keep and remember their memories. However, her technology attacks the mind and changes the past and the world. Very interesting! Science Fiction

[Alias Reader]

Well done on another prompt, Julie !

[madrano]

I read this one a few years ago, Julie, and liked it quite a bit, too. The science and opinions about memory intrigued me. I also read his Upgrade, which was fascinating. I have his Dark Matter on my TBR, as well. He's a keeper, imo.

[Julie]

Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair
Lucy Knisley
3/5 stars
Lucy Knisley writes and draws about her beloved cat Linney. Very short but very sweet!
Books Off My Neverending Reading List

[madrano]

I've not heard of this internet series but think it's a fun concept. Thanks for sharing about it with us, Julie.

[Alias Reader]

Well done reading a book off your Neverending Reading List, Julie !
It sounds like a nice book to read between heavy books.

[Julie]

The Berry Pickers
Amanda Peters
4/5 stars
A family from Maine who travel and pick crops find their four-year-old daughter is missing and it tears the family apart. Each chapter reflects one of the family members thoughts, feelings and actions. Very well written! Books Off My Reading List

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
The Berry Pickers
Amanda Peters
4/5 stars
A family from Maine who travel and pick crops find their four-year-old daughter ..."

I've seen this title on a lot of Best Of lists. I'm glad to see it was a winner for you.

[madrano]

What a novel. Thanks for the title, Julie. And congratulations on your continued success in removing books from your Challenge!

[Julie]

The Door
Magda Szabó
4/5 stars
This is the story of two neighbors in communist Hungary. One is Magda a writer and the other is Emerence, a peasant/housekeeper who will not allow anyone to come into her house. Slowly, Magda becomes a friend to her when Emerence becomes ill but will their relationship last? 1987

[madrano]

Julie wrote: "
The Door
Magda Szabó
4/5 stars
This is the story of two neighbors in communist Hungary. One is Magda a writer and the other is Emerence, a..."

I read and liked this book. It took me awhile to become comfortable with the writing, but once i did, i was off! I'm glad it was a good one for you, Julie.

[Alias Reader]

Good job on checking off another prompt, Julie !

[Julie]

The Paris Novel
Ruth Reichl
4/5 stars
I love Ruth Reichl but I thought this was a non-fiction book. However, it was a fictional book about Stella who has inherited some money from her mother so she who heads off for Paris and has some wonderful adventures and meets some wonderful people. Highly recommended! Character Biography

[madrano]

Thanks for sharing here, Julie. I commented on your post on another thread already but i want to say i was surprised to learn Reichl had written a novel. Neat.

[Alias Reader]

Another prompt checked off. Well done, Julie !

[Julie]

Friend of My Youth
Alice Munro
3/5 stars
A wonderful collection of ten short fictional stories written by Alice Munro who reaches into the soul of her characters and bring out the best and the worse of them. Books Off My Reading List

[Alias Reader]

Well done on another prompt, Julie !

[madrano]

Thanks for sharing about this book, Julie. The few Munro short stories i've read were a pleasure.

[Julie]

The Swimming-Pool Library
Alan Hollinghurst
3/5 stars
This is a coming-of-age story before AIDS of a young man who is gay and the relationships he has with his lovers and friends. Well written but a little long! 1988.

[madrano]

Eye catching title. I'm unfamiliar with the title but have heard of the author.

[Julie]

Thornyhold
Mary Stewart
4/5 stars
Gilly Ramsey inherits a home from her cousin and Gellis, an herbalist and decides to live there. The neighbors call it the witch's house. Gilly who is shy and a loner and she opens up to a young boy and his father. A sweet story! Books Off My Neverending Reading List

[madrano]

I've not read a Mary Stewart novel. This one sounds charming. Thanks for sharing, Julie.

[Alias Reader]

Mary Stewart ! That's a blast from the past. I see she passed away at 97 !

Wikipedia
Mary, Lady Stewart was a British novelist who developed the romantic mystery genre, featuring smart, adventurous heroines who could hold their own in dangerous situations.

Born: September 17, 1916, Sunderland, United Kingdom
Died: May 9, 2014 (age 97 years), Loch Awe, United Kingdom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_St...