Challenge: 50 Books discussion
2010
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Kate's 2nd attempt @ 50 (in 2010)
date
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2. Hurting for Love: Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome
Delved into some non-fiction peripheral to work. This book is dated but relevant.
4. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
****I read this book and The Help simultaneously. I liked the way Deliverance Dane resolved; I find the Salem Witch Trials fascinating and the back-and-forth b/w eras/centuries held my interest. Great read!
5. Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Diagnosis, Options, and Answers
I'm always throwing in some non-fiction. Good background -- interesting decade-old theories.
How is it? Do you like it.I have that book in my personnal library and I don't why I always put it back on the shelf.
Kate wrote: "7. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession[bookcover:The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, ..."I recently checked this book out from my local library, among many others, and was wondering what you thought of it. Is it one that I should move to the top of my TBR list?
Hey Marie and Emma - Boy I'm a slow responder! I did finish this book. I enjoy journalistic insights into various kinds of characters. Nothing complicated -- nothing profound -- enjoyed it o.k.
8. Thirteen Reasons Why
***This book was another insightful YA read. Holds its own on a difficult topic (teen suicide). Nothing instructional; the story is narrated by the victim and told to a survivor/friend. I enjoyed it. 3 1/2 stars, maybe?
9. Out Stealing Horses
*****5 star read narrated by a main character who ingested the travails of a life painfully and meaningfully lived during an era and in a place I didn't know well. Beautiful story -- a Norwegian Olive Kitteridge, maybe . . . LOVED IT!
11. A Reader's Manifesto: An Attack on the Growing Pretentiousness in American Literary Prose
I think everyone should read and think about this littl tome.
12. Oh. My. Gods.
***I like YA. This one was a little silly but I enjoyed it. Very simple. Ending way too cute.
13. But Inside I'm Screaming
***My kind of book: aloof father, high pressure career, abusive relationship, inpatient psych stay, epiphany.
I had already read Me & Emma (child abuse victim's psych journey . . .) and have come to like author Elizabeth Flock. This book is not as well done as Me & Emma (a bit too "let's tie up all this loose ends FAST, without alotta depth . . .) but it's good.
14.
My Favorite Herb: How North America's Great Chefs Savor the Flavor of HerbsGoodreads is one of the first places where I've met other cookbook readers. If I actually try a bunch of these wonderful recipes from fresh herbs I've grown --the hobby (of reading AND of gardening) will have paid off!
LOL, because I have dozens of cook books and I grow my own herbs, but seem to always have killed the plant I need for the recipe I'm making & have to resort to dried. Just bought all new plants Saturday. Any bets on how long they'll live?
Donna -- our deck is COVERED by plants we need to get into the ground and I'm pretty sure yesterday I planted some stuff that was already dead (nasturtium is lookin' sad . . ). Still fun, though!
15. The Patron Saint of Liars
Another hands-down 5 star read. Granted, the plot and many themes spoke to me, personally, which may be why I feel so touched. I mean, I wanna be friends with Ann Patchett! This book was beautiful. Complicated, wandering woman ends up at a "Home for Pregnant Girls" and tries to build, or complete, a life.
Kate wrote: "our deck is COVERED by plants we need to get into the ground and I'm pretty sure yesterday I planted some stuff that was already dead (nasturtium is lookin' sad . . ). Still fun, though!"I just got back from Arizona & forgot to move the new herbs to a less sunny location before I left. It's looking like I'm one for four, although the cilantro looked perkier this morning... I could just be deluding myself.
16. Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie is Not the Answer
This book was fun. Over time I'll read Lancaster's other, seemingly similar "memoirs". As I was wrapping it up last night with this, my first, I did find myself laughing out loud. Triggering breathless chortles in your readers is no easy feat. Solid 3 star writing, fun and funny.
17. Look Again
This book sucked me in at the bookstore; I really wanted to see how it ended given all of the hype. 3 stars.
18. Cutting for Stone
Solid, solid 4.5 star read. Magical storytelling. I underlined many passages to save before I pass this on to a co-worker. Tour-de-force comes to mind.
20. Saving Ceecee Honeycutt
I almost put this one down because it seemed too cute for my tastes. I ended up enjoying it immensely and saving several quotes. Passing it on ASAP. Solid 4 star storytelling (great young narrator)
21.
The Concrete Blonde Picked this up on vacation. I'm not sure I've read Connelly before. Good entertainment; not as suspenseful as Phil Margolin but I may read more . . .
23. Happens Every Day: An All-Too-True Story 3 stars. Nice voice. Favorite genre. Read it in the bookstore over lunch . . .
24. Tinkers
I skimmed quite a bit (due more to my attention span than to the story??) Another 3, 3.5 star read?
25. In the Woods
I do not understand criticism of this book; it's a solid 4 star read (unless people don't enjoy the genre, I suppose). The narrator one loves to hate. The twists and turns have you flipping back trying to keep up with the cross-references. For one chapter I thought I was going to throw the book at the wall, fearing an attempt to wrap the whole story up superficially and conveniently in shiny ribbon -- neither the author nor I are dumb enough, thankfully, to appreciate that approach. One of the characters emerges through what I think brilliant analysis of a "type"; I won't spill the beans because it's late in the novel. I'll be sharing several quotable passages. Great read!!!!!!!!!
I really like her writing and pretty much enjoyed the book, but I think the criticism comes from the fact that we never find out what happened to those kids!Kate wrote: "25. In the Woods
I do not understand criticism of this book; it's a solid 4 star read (unless people don't enjoy the genre, I suppose). The narrato..."
Mary wrote: "I really like her writing and pretty much enjoyed the book, but I think the criticism comes from the fact that we never find out what happened to those kids!Kate wrote: "25. [book:In the Woods..."
I myself really liked the book too. Sometimes, however, there has to be a little unsolved mystery if authors are going to get you to read their next book. I think that the main mystery of the book was the little girl that was killed...and, that mystery was solved - right? So, I'm going to read the next book just to see what new crime is committed, and how they go about solving it. I think that it is written from another person's point-of-view. If I remember correctly from the reviews I've read, there is the same reaction from people who read that book too. I like to read the reviews just to get a feel for a book, but I don't always go by them. It's the same thing about movies for me. I see what I want to see...and, then just decide for myself if it was worth it or not.
26. Pictures of Hollis Woods
Nice story. Sad story. On this subject matter, simple story (journey of a foster child).
27. I Curse the River of Time
I enjoyed Out Stealing Horses MUCH more; this story reads similarly and deals with complex family relationships but I never connected to it. I have an autographed copy if anyone would like it!!
28. Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities[bookcover:Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities|1551737Wow, slow year!! Must pick up the pace!!!!
28. Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities[bookcover:Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities|1551737Wow, slow year!! Must pick up the pace!!!!
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities (other topics)Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities (other topics)
I Curse the River of Time (other topics)
Pictures of Hollis Woods (other topics)
In the Woods (other topics)
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This book straddled 2009 and 2010. I finally finished it today and I think I would recommended it. The end was spellbinding, I have to say -- and glimpses into the main character's psyche were brilliant. The intrigue surrounding Hannah and her character, generally, were really well developed. I was both put off AND inspired by all of the literary quotes -- were they too self-serving (look at what I know!) too obvious (show me, don't tell me . . .) or just awkwardly placed (as in, put this in a footnote, not the text . . .) I'm just not sure. 3 stars