Challenge: 50 Books discussion
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Maureen's 50 Books Read In One Year Challenge
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Maureen
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May 28, 2014 01:41AM
37. Sycamore Row ( a Jake Brigance #2), John Grisham. Great characters, interesting storyline that had to be digested slowly, due to so many characters and details. I hope the author has plans for Jake Brigance series.
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39. Friends Forever, Danielle Steel Read in June, 2014I haven't read a Danielle Steel novel in 25 years, but read this book as a book club choice. I expected a light story fluffy story. However, the author developed the characters of Gabby, Billy, Izzy, Andy, and Sean quite well. The children meet in kindergarten; and both they and their parents become friends for life, through all its ups and downs. I really don't want to delve too much into their friendships and story lines to spoil surprises and twists that the author developed quite well (through narrative form with surprisingly little dialogue). I will say that I recommend this book to her fans and those who haven't read her in awhile. Though there are sad and tragic moments, it is a great book for the beach or curling up on a quiet winter evening.
40. The Forever Queen, Helen Hollick. An interesting account of Queen Emma of Normandy married at 13 years old to King Aethelread of England, and later to King Cnut of England, Denmark and Norway. The book follows the life of Emma as she manages to exert control of her life and destiny in man's world. Emma is the great aunt of Duke William of Normandy who eventually conquered England in 1066. Though fictional narrative, the author has combined history with fiction to recreate the dark ages of England from the time of the Viking invaders to the events leading up to the Norman invasion and conquest.
41. I am the Chosen King, Helen Hollick
42. The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert
Maureen wrote: "42. The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert"I have this coming up on the tbr pile. What did you think?
43. Borman, Tracy; Queen of the Conqueror, The life if Matilda I, wife of William the conqueror--biography. The biography read like a narrative, translating sources such as the writings of Malmesbury and Orderic Vitalis from the time, as well as oral histories and stories and legal charters. The book gives a background on the life and legacy set forth by this forceful, intelligent woman, and how her leadership s the woman behind the man changed the course of English history forever.
44. Thirteen Moons, Charles Frazier, author of Cold Mountain. Through the character of Will Cooper, Charles Frazier recreates the lives of the Cherokee tribe from the early 19th to early 20th century. As a young orphan he is indentured by his aunt and uncle to run a trading post on the Indian Territory in western North Carolina. Full of wit and promise, Will assimilates himself within the Cherokee Nation and his life is changed forever. Loosely based upon the real life of William Holland Thomas, Frazier traces the life of Will to old age as he, reflects on all that transpired. For those like myself, who were somewhat familiar but not especially educated on the Indian Removal and the Cherokee nation of North Carolina, the author's prose brings this world vividly to life. Though Will, Bear, Claire and Featherstone, Frazier uses Will's voice in a memoir style to bring a forgotten world to life again. Take you time and savor this but definitely read it!
Donna wrote: "Maureen wrote: "42. The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert"I have this coming up on the tbr pile. What did you think?". Slow and tedious at times but interesting. All loose ends are swiftly tied together in the resolution. I really did enjoy it. I thought the characters were interesting opening up the world through voyages and explorations around the Pacific Ocean and through the Amazon rainforest in the late 18th and 19th centuries. If you like historical fiction about a variety of times and places you will enjoy it as much as I did. 3 1/2-4 stars
45. The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes, Diane Chamberlain--3 stars--Are we ultimately responsible for poor choices or crimes made in adolescence, or does living a good life redeem us? the uthor provides the readers with a poor beginning, with a weak character, making ridiculous choices, who goes on to live a model life in fear of discovery. To say more would spoil the book. While the character development was weak at times I do recommend this book, especially for book clubs, where lively discussions about the characters morality etc. will abound. Enjoy.The Kindle ebook version has many editing errors (in spelling and spacing) that I found annoying. Buy the book.
46. The Orphan Train, Christiana Baker Kline, Very well done. Cristina Baker Kline writes the perfect blend of characters in the past and present. She seamlessly ties them all together. A must read.
48. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
49. The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult -- forgiveness is the underlying theme in this book. Sage Singer, believes that she is responsible for her mother's death in a car accident. She cannot forgive herself though she has been attending years of grief counseling. She avoids people, working evenings in solitude in a bakery. While at grief counseling she meets Josef Weber, a harmless 90 year old German who confesses to her that he was an SS officer during the war; he is seeking forgiveness from a Jewish person before he dies. Confronted by this information, Sage, the granddaughter of a holocaust survivor has to decide whether or not she can forgive him. What are her moral responsibilities toward this well loved man in the community who was also an SS officer? Jodi Picoult brings another book with complex moral issues which will provide stimulating discussion to all who read it.
50. The Racketeer, John Grisham. Lots of twists and unexpected turns, but not one of Grisham's best in my opinion.
Well I've made my goal of 50 in in a year with two weeks to spare!
51. Campbell, Drusilla The Edge of the Sky--a slow and confusing beginning with characters that were not likable and/or stereotypical. However, as the plot develops I did begin to enjoy the book. the main characters of Lana porter and her daughters, Beth and Micki, did develop and grow. The stereotypical Sicilian brother was an awful prejudicial statement by the author which I found shallow and offensive.
Mod
Congratulations!
1. The Giver Lois Lowry
2.. The Heart of Liberty, Thomas Fleming
Tiffany wrote: "Maureen wrote: "Well I've made my goal of 50 in in a year with two weeks to spare!"Congratulations!"
Thanks Tiffany. I really enjoy it too!
3. The Nazi Officer's Wife, Edith Hahn Beer. The memoir of a Jewish girl living in Vienna during the time of the Nazi takeover. In order to survive, circumstances forced her to hide in plain sight, living as a Jew in Germany. The term was U-boat for Jews who lived and hid among the Nazi's. Ms. Beer's story gives an interesting perspective of survival in a a world of hatred, fear and death.
4. The Midwife's Confession, Diane Chamberlain. 10/25/14
5. The Ghosts of Belfast, Stuart Neville.
6. The Secret Diary of a Princess: a novel of Marie Antoinetteby Melanie Clegg (Goodreads Author)
7. Beyond the Cliffs of Kerryby Amanda Hughes (Goodreads Author)
8. The Chalice (Joanna Stafford #2)by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)
9. The Crown (Joanna Stafford #1)by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)
10. The King's Favorite Son (the John Plantagenet Triliogy Book 1) Jane Foxall
11. The Stain of Treason (The John Plantagenet Trilogy Book 2) by Jane Foxall
12. The Detox Beauty Diet: Delicious Re pies and Foods to Look Beautiful by Rockridge Press
13. Water Diet: How to Ultimately Lose Weight, Boost Your Metabolism and Regain Control of your Health through Water Detox by Andrew Young.
