Angie H's 2009 Book Challenge

[Karol]

Angie, I've got another friend who also really enjoys Charles Martin. I've only read one thing by him, and it was a nonfiction book. Kind of interesting - the book jacket back then said he writes nonfiction with an occasional foray into fiction. I think that has changed over the years! In any event, he's a good writer.

[Angie H]

yes he must have changed because in the back of the book there are at least three other fiction books he has written. I will definitely check out more of his books. Kay, you should add this one to your reading list I think you would enjoy it. =)

[Karol]

Angie wrote: "yes he must have changed because in the back of the book there are at least three other fiction books he has written. I will definitely check out more of his books. Kay, you should add this one to ..."

Done! Thanks for the recommendation.

[Angie H]

32. Gaudy Night-Dorothy L Sayers 1.5/5..
Wow I think I'm in last place in this challenge. Maybe I should stop reading books that are at least 500 pages. lol... but anyways.....
This book was terrible. The best part was the last 50 pages. It was an old British mystery which sounds good BUT it was about 300 pages too long, and there were so many characters that it just ended up being very confusing. I've heard that her other books are much better... but I can't see me reading any other book by this author anytime soon...

[Karol]

Angie wrote: "32. Gaudy Night-Dorothy L Sayers 1.5/5..
Wow I think I'm in last place in this challenge. Maybe I should stop reading books that are at least 500 pages. ..."

Angie, I admire you for sticking with the book. I had once heard great things about Dorothy Sayers, too. Started reading one of her books and never got past the first 30 pages!

And I don't think you're in last place!

[Angie H]

33. Empire Falls-Richard Russo 4/5 stars.
I always like it when our book club pulls out a 4 star book. Like some of the other books I can't say anything really MAJOR happens but it was still really good. The characters were interesting right from the beginning. A great read!

[Andrea, Moderator]

Angie, for some reason I had a hard time with the first half of this book, it just moved very slow for me. I ended up loving the book and I have several more Russo books on the back burner! Have you read anything else by Russo? I'm dying to read That Old Cape Magic, I live just a few miles from the Cape Cod line in MA.

[Angie H]

No I've never read anything else by him.. it was a fluke that I even read this book ( it was on our book club list) but a very nice surprise.

HAHA I must have been into the book right away because my last book was SO borning ( look above)

If you read any of his other books make sure to let me know what you thought of them!!

[Angie H]

34. The Catcher in the Rye-J.D Salinger..Well this book has me a little torn. I didn't mind the book but I definitely could have done without all the swearing. It was way too much and unnecessary.On that account it gets a 2.5/5..if it didn't have the swearing it would get a 3/5.
I had read this for the first time when I was about 16 and I had 4/5 so its funny to see how much our likes and dislikes change over time.
Even though the book was pretty much about nothing.. I found it entertaining how every conversation he had he went off on a "rabbit trail"... It was interesting being inside of his head for awhile even though he is a little messed up!

[Angie H]

35. Columbine-Dave Cullen. 4/5. WOW... thats all I can say after reading this book. There was so much information in this book its a little emotionally draining. After reading this book I can not believe how many misconceptions about this event were out there. The media just ate it all up without getting the facts. I was surprised by many things that I learned from this book.
This book was very hard to put down. I reccommend it to anyone who is interested in the subject and wanting to find out the truth. very well written, a book I will not forget.

[Andrea, Moderator]

Angie, thanks for the great review, i am adding this to my list for sure! Did you read Wally Lambs book The Hour I First Believed? That book has a lot of information based on the Columbine shootings. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the comparison of the two.

[Angie H]

Hey Andrea! nope I have not read anything by Wally Lamb actually. I would be interesting in checking that out as well... but not for awhile. I can't handle any books on school shootings right now. Its too depressing and emotionally draining...but maybe someday!
thanks for the recommendation!

[Angie H]

36. Anybody Out There-Marian Keyes 4/5.I just love Marian Keyes. Aside from the f-bombs she likes to drop in her books her writing is hilarious. I just love her Irish wit. This book was a nice fluffy read. Chick- lit at its best!

[Angie H]

37. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close-Jonathan Foer 4/5 stars.
This book was like nothing I have ever read. I'm not going to give a review because I don't believe my review will do this book justice. All I can say is I highly recommend this book! It was a page-turner from beginning to end.

I think my new goal is going to be 40 books this year. =)

[Karol]

Angie wrote: "37.Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close-Jonathan Foer 4/5 stars.
This book was like nothing I have ever read. I'm not going to give a..."

Just added it to my "To Read" list!

[Andrea, Moderator]

I added this too, I love recommendations from fellow readers!

[Angie H]

I hope you both like it! =)

[Angie H]

38. [image error] Portnoy's Complaint-Philip Roth. 0/5 stars... yup thats right 0 stars. I'm kind of cheating a little on this one because I never actually finished it. This book was so bad I could only read 60 pages. This was for book club supposed to be a "readable classic".. but I did not find it readable AT ALL. The language is filthy, the content is crude and insulting to my faith.I'm definitely NOT recommending this one... What a disappointment.

[Angie H]

39. Belly Laughs The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth-Jenny mcCarthy 4/5 stars. I read this book back in Aug and it was TOO funny. Many times this book had me laughing out loud. My husband would constantly be asking me what was so funny so of course I would have to share. I think he ended up reading almost the whole book. Great book if you want to look on the lighter side of pregnancy.

[Angie H]

40. Like Dandelion Dust Karen Kingsbury 4/5 stars. This book was like a nice breath of fresh air. A great story with a powerful message. loved it!

well I have hit 40 books! I think I'll be done for this year, as we are moving in the next week and I'll be super busy. Better luck next year I suppose!!Either way it was fun to be part of this year's challenge! =)

[Karol]

Angie wrote: "40. Like Dandelion Dust Karen Kingsbury 4/5 stars. This book was like a nice breath of fresh air. A great story with a powerful message. loved it..."

Angie, sounds like you have a heck of a lot going on. Congrats on reaching 40 - nicely done! Best wishes with your move, and I hope you'll stay in touch in the new year.

Are you moving a great distance, or a shorter one?

[Angie H]

Thanks Kay!
Yup i'll be back next year for sure.. hopefully I can get a little closer to that 75 mark!!

Just moving across town. Hubby and I just bought our first home so we are VERY excited!!!

Merry Christmas!!

[Karol]

Angie,

Congratulations on your first home. What a wonderful Christmas gift!

[Andrea, Moderator]

Angie, you must be so excited to move in!!! Do you watch HGTV? They have some really cool shows for buying homes, decorating, and home related projects. I am so happy for you!

[Angie H]

Thanks to both of you!!!
Yes Andrea I love HGTV, it is pretty much the only show I watch! =)

[Angie H]

41. Brightest Star in the Sky-Marian Keyes 4/5 stars.
Well I guess I was able to fit one more in..
This was a typical Marian Keyes book interesting, witty, characters that just make you want to keep flipping the pages. The concept of the book was a little strange.. but all in all a good way to end the year.
see you all in 2010!

[Karol]

Happy New Year, Angie! Glad you'll be sticking with us in 2010.