Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2011
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My first 50-book challenge
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Looks like you've read some good ones. Welcome to the Challenge!
Thanks. enjoying reading messages--book and reading discussions.I realized that I left out one of the books I've read this year.
Forever by Hamill (Intrigued by the premise of the story, but about halfway through it really began to bog down, lost the descriptive energy of the first part of the book; the encounters with historical characters often seemed gratuitous, a NYC through the years name-dropping)
27/50 books
Finished The Queen's Pawn by Christy English (Found the story interesting, though uneven. On the downside--Often felt that modern thoughts and ideas were being ascribed to the historical characters, and sections of the book read like an historical romance novel. Overall, it was interesting enough to want to read English's second book, To Be Queen.)28/50
Completed Clara and Mr. Tiffany. Enjoyed this historical fiction, another of of Vreeland's written about artists. The story was inspired by the correspondence of Clara Driscoll. Having read a number of books related to this era of women's suffrage and the labor movement, I found this book even more interesting. Very interesting to see how the men's union stood against the women's group and forced Tiffany to make concessions. Illustrates the complex mix of work issues, power, and social mores.29/50
Read The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman. Third book by the author that I have read. I often tired of the fantasy-realism of the story, but found many insightful comments on relationships and several turns of phrase that I really enjoyed and which kept me reading.I remembered, too, when a friend returned a loaned book that I have also read Nudge by Richard H. Thaler this year. Interesting book about how people choose and influencing peoples' decisions.
31/50
Cleaning book shelves and found another book I have read this year--as part of a history grant program--but had not listed.Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. YA historical fiction that does what good historical fiction should--makes you feel not only an eyewitness to the history, but also makes you see it from another person's point of view.
32/50
Reread Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to be ready for seeing the final movie in the series. Movies all very good, well done. Details, nuances, and adventures of the books all the better.33/50
Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo HigashinoVery good murder mystery with the execution of the coverup the focus of the story. The story is a match of wits and philosophies between two old friends.
34/50
Iron House by John HartVery disappointing. Stock characters thrown into every thriller situation--mobsters, sadists, senators, rich folk, poor folk, secrets (that the community would have figured out long before Michael arrived). There was no suspense.
35/50
The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama by Gwen Ifill Very interesting narrative based on interviews and research about the changes in the political landscape for African Americans, including a generational shift. 36/50
A Christmas Carol by Charles DickensI listen to this at least once a year. Also like to watch one or two of the TV/movie adaptations.
37/50
The Borrower by Rebecca MakkaiThough I enjoyed some of the chapter headings based on books, some of the book references and adaptations of style, I just felt throughout how sadly uninteresting this story was. The childish and pompous nature of the kidnapper grated. I kept thinking--before you take on rescuing someone else's life, grow up yourself.
38/50
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell HammettListened to this on Audible. Great hard-boiled detective novel--classic with its clipped dialogue and terse descriptions.
39/50
The Mapping of Love and Death (Maisie Dobbs, #7)by Jacqueline WinspearMy first introduction to Masie and I really enjoyed the story and characters. Will read more in series.
40/50
The Paris Wife by Paula McLainEnjoyed the fictional account of Hemingway's first marriage. Lots of name dropping but most fit well in the story, not seeming gratuitous. Makes me want to know more about the real Hadley.
41/50
The NamesakeI saw the movie based on the book before reading the story. I liked both the movie and the novel, though I found the book much more complex and interesting.
42/50
Autobiography of Mark Twain: The Complete and Authoritative Edition, Volume 1 Twain, MarkWonderful, listening to this on Audible.
Urban Teens in the Library: Research and Practice
Informative book about library programs and street lit that meet the needs of African American and Hispanic youths.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Listened to this on Audible. Classic story of the lost generation. A more richly despairing story than the movie version. and while I thought the movie screenplay was well written and acted, the book is more nuanced.
45/50
The Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoEnjoyed this allegorical story of seeking to live your life well. Unlike a number of readers I didn't find it a self help volume. I took it as the simple story of a boy who pursues his dream, adapts as he needs to changes in circumstance, is observant, and listens and learns from those he encounters.
Listened to this on Audible.
46/50
Case Histories by Kate AtkinsonSuggested by a friend who also told me there is a PBS series based on the books that will be airing soon.
Atkinson did a wonderful job of describing her characters through dialogue and plot. Juxtaposition of times and stories keeps it very interesting. And after a couple of times of reading something that I knew I had read about before, slowed my reading and made me stay more in the story.
47/50
Just want to comment that I read Wicked a few years back and while I didn't hate it, I wasn't all that impressed. I thought the basic story was good (and I'll admit I'm a big fan of the musical - although I saw the show after reading the book), but I thought the book was just okay. Surprises me how many people absolutely adore it.
One Good Turn by AtkinsonAnother great read. Characters that are interesting with overlaps of stories, incidents recalled from different characters' perspectives.
48/50
Cutting for Stone by VergheseState of Wonder by Patchett
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by McCullers
Misquoting Jesus by Ehrman
Curious Case of Benjamin Button by Fitzgerald
The Lair of the White Worm by Bram Stoker
The Devil's Highway by Urrea
55/50
Congratulations on reaching 55! It looks like you've read some great books this year.
Thanks Kate and Ann for comments. I am going to select a few books from your lists to read.
The Bells by HarvellThis book was wonderful to read--part history, part fairy tale. But I was so disappointed in the final chapters. They seemed rushed and not filled with the symphony of sounds that thrilled and echoed through the rest of the book. Well worth reading, though ending too cliched.
56/50
The Book of Tea by OkakuraLovely 1906 essay on Teaism, describing the history of tea ceremony in China and Japan. Includes author's thoughts on how tea culture influenced and was influenced by different Dynasties, religions, art, architecture. Tangential thoughts on Occidental vs Oriental actions, interests and points of view as well as Japanese flower-masters and use of flowers to enhance tea ceremonies.
The Librarian by Eric HobbsOk, though seems a bit cliched even for younger readers.
58/50
Back to work by Bill ClintonMarked a lot of passages to reread. Interesting thoughts on our domestic politics and current economic condition.
59/50
Night Circus by MorgensternLanguage as image. Myself as reveur, following the Night Circus. Enchanting, mesmerizing story.
60/50
Four Agreements by RuizReread this. Didn't find it as compelling. Actually, a little tedious, though I do still find the four statements good precepts for how to live in the world.
61/50
Homer's Odyssey by Cooper (ok, author a little self-absorbed)
The Postmistress by Blake (good discussion in our Book Club about whether we should step into situations to protect people, and should we decide what is best for others)
The Good Thief by Tinti (really didn't like the book, reread it anyway before I heard the author speak; still couldn't like characters or story)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (a reread of one of my favorite books with such strong, vivid characters. Found the Trilogy riveting, enjoyed movie adaptations, though third was weak, and looking forward to American movie version)
Skylight Confessions and Ice Queen by Hoffman (heard author speak at our Arts & Lectures series) Of the two, I preferred Skylight Confessions. I like Hoffman's allusions and references to fairy tales, but at times they become cloying.
A. Lincoln by White (good biography of Lincoln, listened to Audible)
The Big Burn by Egan (great nonfiction about the people and events surrounding the Big Burn in Montana/Idaho in 1910 and creation of Forestry Service, Audible narration very good) [another great read by Egan, read previously, is The Worst Hard Time]
The Big Short by Lewis (describes the machinations of those who created our great financial disaster)
Still Life, A Fatal Grace and The Brutal Telling by Penny (three enjoyable and pretty satisfying mysteries, set in Canada)
Caleb's Crossing (another very good historical fiction by Brooks) [my favorite is still People of the Book, followed by Year of Wonder, Brooks is able to make the reader feel part of the setting/time of the story]
Civil War: A Narrative, Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Foote (listening to Audible) [counting this as 3 books]
Call for the Dead by le Carre (always love le Carre storytelling)
Game Change by Heilemann & Halperin (very interesting insider look at 2008 campaign)
In the Garden of Beasts by Larson (good nonfiction about 1933-34 Berlin, but left me dissatisfied because I felt the author was so ambivalent about the characters of Dodd and his daughter)
Shanghai Girls by See (another great historical fiction from the author, as good as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan)
The Weird Sisters by Brown (ok read, characters seem stock characters)
Wicked by Maguire (read this because I never had, and really did not like it. Wonder if I am only one who didn't find it great)
The Social Animal by Brooks (I expected something different than what I got from reading reviews. ok, but disappointed since I really do find Brooks an insightful political pundit)
Triangle: the fire that changed America by Von Drehle (well-told and documented account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and labor movement of the early 20th century)
They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky: the true story of the Lost Boys from Sudan by Deng (harrowing account of the lives of the Lost Boys as they tried to survive the violence of the civil war in Sudan)
Making Sense of History: Using high-quality literature and hands-on experiences to build content knowledge by Zarnowski (exciting resource for deepening student understanding and interest in history through literature) [author spoke to our Teaching American History grant participants]
Books read to date for challenge: 26/50