JulieLill's 2024 Reading Challenge

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "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, adventurou..."

Thanks for this additional info, Alias.

[Julie]

Julie wrote: "
Thornyhold
Mary Stewart
4/5 stars
Gilly Ramsey inherits a home from her cousin and Gellis, an herbalist and decides to live there. The nei..."

If you haven't read her - try out her Merlin and Arthur series - it was very well done! The first one is The Crystal Cave.

[madrano]

I remember hearing about that one, long ago. Thanks for the title, Julie.

The Crystal Cave

[Julie]

Who Cooked the Last Supper: The Women's History of the World
Rosalind Miles
4/5 stars
Fascinating true stories of women's history! A great read!
Non-Fiction

[Alias Reader]

I've put the book on my TBR list, Julie. Thanks for bringing the title to my attention.

[madrano]

This sounds good. Thanks for sharing about it, Julie.

[Julie]

My Mama, Cass: A Memoir
Owen Elliot-Kugell
4/5 stars
Wonderful biography of Cass Eliot by her daughter. Definitely for fans of The Mamas and the Papas! One Last Ruth Reichl Book and 8 Biographies

[Alias Reader]

Well done on another prompt, Julie !

[madrano]

Thanks for that info, Julie. What a nice thing for her daughter to write.

I love that Challenge title. LOL!

[Julie]

Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States
J. Albert Mann
4/5 stars
This was a fascinating book about the history of labor in the United States. It discusses exploitation of workers including child workers, miners who wanted to unionize, textile workers wanting wages that would cover their expenses and have left over money and organizing Uber drivers. Non-fiction

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States
J. Albert Mann
4/5 stars
T..."

A very timely read being Labor Day.

[madrano]

Julie wrote: "
Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States
J. Albert Mann
4/5 stars
T..."

Great title, too. Thanks for the info, Julie.

[Julie]

White House Wild Child: How Alice Roosevelt Broke All the Rules and Won the Heart of America
Shelley Fraser Mickle
4/5 stars
Interesting biography of Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Teddy Roosevelt! One Last Ruth Reichl Book and 8 Biographies

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
.."

Thanks for the title, Julie. I am always up for a book about the Roosevelt family. I'm adding it to my TBR notebook.

The next book on the family that I plan to read is by Kermit Roosevelt III His book is The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America's Story

"Kermit Roosevelt III is an American author, lawyer, and David Berger Professor for the Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is a great-great-grandson of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and a distant cousin of President Franklin D. Roosevelt."

[Julie]

The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts
Tom Farley Jr.
3.5/5 stars
This is the biography of Chris Farley who made it big on Saturday Night Live and in films. However, his addictions doomed him and he died early! Well written but sad! A Dozen Film And TV Books

[Alias Reader]

Well done on the prompt, Julie. I like the prompt (a dozen books on film & TV)

[Julie]

The Haunted Forest Tour
James A. Moore
3.5/5 stars
This is the story of the Haunted Forest Tour. Riders will be amazed at the creatures on this Halloween night. However, something goes terribly wrong with the tour which is supposed to be very safe but the creatures in the night will see that won't be true! I enjoyed this book! Horror Novel

[Alias Reader]

Well done on the prompt, Julie !

[Julie]

The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface
Glenn Kenny
3/5 stars
This is the story of the making of the film Scarface starring Al Pacino. This is a pretty detailed account of things that happened during the shooting of the film and some history and the legacy of the film. A Dozen Film and TV Books

[Alias Reader]

I do like Pacino. However, I haven't watched this film as it looked so violent.

[Julie]

56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports
Kostya Kennedy
3/5 stars
Interesting sports book on Joe DiMaggio and his winning streak in the summer of 1941. Sports

[Alias Reader]

Julie, you have such an eclectic list of prompts. I love it !

[madrano]

Julie wrote: "..."

Julie, she fascinated her generation, i must say. Did you end up liking her & what you learned about her? From what little i've read, she sounded quite prickly.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks for the title, Julie. I am always up for a book about the Roosevelt family. I'm adding it to my TBR notebook...."

Alias, i must tell you about two Roosevelt books which have come my way in the last couple of years. The first was kinda from my own daughter. She was executrix for an 80 year old woman/friend's personal, but not financial estate. Autumn found My Brother Theodore Roosevelt, written by Ted's sister, Corinne Roosevelt Robinson. She sent it to me.

Then, as she was applying for psychological studies earlier this year, she reached out to the editor who worked on Autumn's book, for a recommendation. In the process, the editor offered to send me The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President--Edward F. O'Keefe, which was due to be published soon. Apparently the two discussed by lifelong goal for Presidential bios.

Have i read either? Nope. I would really prefer to get through all the President's bios before reading them. Maybe i'll need to reassess, eh?

[madrano]

Julie wrote: "
The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface
Glenn Kenny
3/5 stars
This is the story of the making of the..."

I'm surprised about this. I wonder what has to happen before a book is written & published about a film? I'd love to read about the Gidget movies! lol...or not, i seriously loved the first two!

Julie, thanks for sharing about the books you've read this month. As Alias indicated, your selections are quite varied.

[Alias Reader]

Deb, My Brother Theodore Roosevelt is listed as a "scarce antiquarian book" You might want to check out its value.

I've not read either book.

[madrano]

Oooo, thank you, Alias. I had no idea. I just thought it was sweet that she wrote a book to honor him. It's in our storage unit, so i cannot even tell which edition, at this point. Still, good to know, as i'll treat it with more respect.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "Oooo, thank you, Alias. I had no idea. I just thought it was sweet that she wrote a book to honor him. It's in our storage unit, so i cannot even tell which edition, at this point. Still, good to k..."

:) The book is rare, so even if it's not a first edition and in good condition, it might be worth a lot. Let's hope so ! 🤞

[Julie]

You Never Know: A Memoir
Tom Selleck
4/5 stars
This is his second autobiography, that I have read on him and his writing is very good. He talks about his life and his career. This also covers his time on Magnum PI. I wonder if he will write another book since this does not cover Blue Bloods (my husband's favorite show). A Dozen Film and TV Books

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: ":) The book is rare, so even if it's not a first edition and in good condition, it might be worth a lot. Let's hope so ! . ..."

Wow, i didn't realize that. Thanks, again.

[madrano]

Julie wrote: "
You Never Know: A Memoir
Tom Selleck
4/5 stars
This is his second autobiography, that I have read on him and his writi..."

What a full life he must be leading. I first remember seeing him on The Rockford Files, when he was outshining Jim Rockford with his fresh PI skills. Funny episode.

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
You Never Know: A Memoir
Tom Selleck
4/5 stars
This is his second autobiography, that I have read on him and his writi..."

I used to enjoy Magnum. I think that and The Rockford Files were my favs.

Well done on another prompt, Julie !

[Julie]

What Dreams May Come
Richard Matheson
4/5 stars
This the story of Chris and his wife Annie. When Chris is killed from an accident, he discovers that life hasn't ended but he is now in Heaven. Annie has lost all hope without her husband and he will try to stop her horror of despair. Horror

[madrano]

I remember the unusual film made from this book. I don't think i realized it was meant to be horror, though. It seemed more a love story, not that one precludes the other. I do remember the hell scenes (or was that purgatory, can't recall).

Good selection, Julie.

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "I remember the unusual film made from this book. I don't think i realized it was meant to be horror, though. It seemed more a love story, not that one precludes the other. I do remember the hell sc..."

I needed a book for horror so I picked that book but it is kinda a love/horror story!

[madrano]

New genre! LOL

[Julie]

The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II
Buzz Bissinger
4/5 stars
This is the story of a group of the All American football players who entered WWII and served in the Marine Corp. This is the story of those players and who survived and who died. I enjoyed this book. Non-Fiction

[Alias Reader]

Well done on another prompt, Julie !

[madrano]

Interesting story, Julie. I'm passing the title on, to my husband, who likes football and war books. Thank you.

[Julie]

The Madwoman and the Roomba: My Year of Domestic Mayhem
Sandra Tsing Loh
4/5 stars
This was a very delightful book about her family experiences and of her domestic mayhems. I have never heard of her before but she has written several books and I am looking forward to reading more of her. Biography

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
The Madwoman and the Roomba: My Year of Domestic Mayhem
Sandra Tsing Loh
4/5 stars
This w..."

Well done on another prompt, Julie.

I love the title of the book. It sounds like it might be a good book on audio.

[Rachel]

Julie wrote: "2024 Reading Challenge

1. 1980- Whispers by Dean Koontz 4/5 stars 1/25/2024
2. 1981- Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez ..."

Way to go Julie.

[madrano]

Julie wrote: "
The Madwoman and the Roomba: My Year of Domestic Mayhem
Sandra Tsing Loh
4/5 stars
This w..."

Great title, i'm happy to learn the book lives up to it, Julie. You find such interesting books. And we are all tickled to hear about them from you. Thanks!

[Julie]

My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me
Caleb Carr
4/5 stars
Caleb Carr is a bestselling author, and he has written a wonderful story about his life and his pet cat Masha who he rescued from an animal shelter. Non-Fiction

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me
[author:Caleb Carr|27779..."

One of my friends read this one. She enjoyed it but found it sad.

[madrano]

Isn't that neat? Oh, i just remembered he died this year. I only read one of his books, but i liked it very much. The Alientist

[Julie]

madrano wrote: "Isn't that neat? Oh, i just remembered he died this year. I only read one of his books, but i liked it very much. The Alientist"

I didn't know that he passed away. So sorry!

[madrano]

Sad, isn't it? From his obituary, i learned that he was a well-respected historian on military history. Also, his dad was part of the "Beat Generation", so Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg were family friends.

He led an interesting life, much broader than i realized, having only read Alienist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caleb_Carr

[Julie]

Will
Will Smith
4/5 stars
This is the actor Will Smith's autobiography and published in 2021. I thought this was quite an interesting book and a good read. Biography

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "
Will
Will Smith
4/5 stars
This is the actor Will Smith's autobiography and published in 2021. I thought this was quite an interesting book ..."

I don't know anything about his personal life. Though after the dust up with that on stage antics, I sort of felt sorry for him. Of course he was 100% wrong to do that. However, it seemed like his wife (sorry I forget her name) was very domineering. It doesn't seem like a good situation. But I can be totally wrong. I don't follow celebrities much.

Good job on the prompt. I'm glad to see you rated it well.