Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Life has gotten in the way of my reading in the past few years and I'm starting to miss the feeling of constantly having a story to turn to. This year, I'm getting back into it!

Good luck!

#1: The Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations

Read this for a class but it was surprisingly engaging. Lots of stories to illustrate the important points.

Kelani wrote: "Good luck!"

Thanks!

#2: Rules of Civility

Very much enjoyed this. It was smart, engaging and thoughtful. I loved the window it gave me into the late 1930s New York society and I could very much relate to the main character's thoughts and feelings.

#3:Matched

I think Ally Condie created an interesting setting for her story in this book. It reminds me a little bit of a slightly more grown up version of The Giver. I like the characters too. I didn't find it so engaging that I couldn't put it down, but I'm interested enough to want to see what happens in the rest of the series.

#4: Crossed

Continuing where Matched left off, this book changes the setting, reduces the number of characters and focuses mostly on Cassia and Ky's relationship. There wasn't much for plot, in my opinion, but it was still okay. I'm still interested enough to want to read the third book.

#5: Cranford

It's an amazingly charming book about middle-aged, gossipy women. At first, the story didn't seem to have a clear purpose, but it's winding plot settled nicely in the end. Now I'm going to watch the Masterpiece miniseries and compare!

I'm reading Cranford right now: lovely, lovely! The Masterpiece mini-series is also of a topnotch quality. What more could a person want?

Rose

#6: A Clash of Kings

Not as compelling as Game of Thrones, but still good and it sets the stage well for the third book, which I think is one of his best.

Obsessedreader wrote: "I'm reading Cranford right now: lovely, lovely! The Masterpiece mini-series is also of a topnotch quality. What more could a person want?

Rose"

Agreed! I loved both.

#7:City of Bones

Interestingly twisted, this book made me both cringe and swoon. I love the author's use of metaphors; they are so tangible. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

#8: The Standard for Portfolio Management

Read this for school. It was pretty boring, but useful.

#9: Advanced Project Portfolio Management and the Pmo: Multiplying Roi at Warp Speed

Also read this for school. Also boring and unfortunately, not useful. The authors explain important points but in a circuitous way that drove me insane. There are other PMO books out there - pick one of those.

#10: Reached

Good book. Interesting messaging and a nice end to the series.

#11: City of Ashes

Kept me wanting more. Engaging plot, colorful diction, and capable of evoking unexpected emotions. Definitely give it a read.

#12: A Discovery of Witches

I thought this was a great read. Many layers in the plot and while not always great at making me feel the emotions of the characters in the books, it was engaging. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

Lindsay wrote: "#12: A Discovery of Witches

I thought this was a great read. Many layers in the plot and while not always great at making me feel the emotions of the characters in the books, it was engaging. Look..."
Hi Lindsay!
Would you recommend this book? I'm always looking for new reads and the description sounds good but you never can tell.
Thanks
Carol

Hi Carol,

I would! If you like stories that toggle real life and fantasy, I think you'll like this.

Sincerely,
Lindsay

#13: City of Glass

Awesome end to the series. It's the third book you hope for in any trilogy.

#14: City of Fallen Angels

Disappointing. Despite the fact that when I consider how the author ties everything together to advance the story, it seems logical, I can't help but feel that the story was somewhat forced. Jace's character became depressing - I missed the heady sarcasm from the other books.

#15: The Great Gatsby

Excellent. One of those classics that I can't believe I went through high school without reading.

#16: City of Lost Souls

Great 2nd book to the "second" trilogy in the Mortal Instruments saga. I liked it more than City of Fallen Angels and am looking forward to the final installment. I'm really sick of Jace being the victim though, so I hope we see more of the confidence and sarcasm that were introduced with him in book one.

#17: Wives and Daughters

This book was excellent! Would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good story. My only disappointment was that it was unfinished - I'm sure the ending would have been great. I had previously seen the BBC dramatization and after having read the book, I think they did a decent job of bringing it to life - check it out if you get the chance.

#18: Shadow of Night

Not as good as the first book in the series, but it was still enjoyable. I think Harkness spent a little too much time integrating the characters into their "past" environment. Maybe I feel that way because I'm not a major history buff. However, the forward motion I enjoyed in the first book was subdued in this second book. Diana and Matthew traveled into the past to find a book and get Diana an education and it seemed like they made very little progress by the end. A lot happened to them in between but it seemed to be mostly secondary plot lines instead of keeping the main one moving. I hope the third book picks up the pace a bit.

#19: Beautiful Creatures

I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were excellent. The thing that bothered me about it in general, was that I thought some of the plot didn't twine together as well as in other books. Maybe I just need to reread it. But it gave weight to Ethan's mother sending them the message "from the grave" as it were and Ethan and Lena didn't seem to do much with that information. It didn't help them or hurt them and they didn't act on it or anything. It just seemed like a tangent that ended nowhere. Still, overall, I thought the plot was interesting I just wasn't wowed.

#20: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The beginning of this book was excellent. I felt plunged into a world of anguish and hardship. The ensuing chapters were undeniably gripping, but I was disappointed with the story. I think there were opportunities to go into some more detail about the how and why of Mary's world instead of leaving so many things implied. Maybe the point was to show a deterioration of Mary's sanity, but the achievement of seeing the ocean at the expense of everyone she loves is depressing and the book seems to make it out to be some kind of achievement.

This would probably make a good horror film, but I wasn't impressed enough to want to read the sequel.

#21:Little Night

Heartwarming love story. Luanne Rice is my go-to author for heartwarming love stories whether they be passionate, familial or both. She's excellent at telling them all and this book is no disappointment.

#22: The Philosopher's Apprentice: A Novel

This was a really weird book. I say that with both admiration and bewilderment. It has three parts and they're so distinct that they could have probably been made into a trilogy rather than combined in one book, but it's still excellent as is. I love Mr. Morrow's style of writing and while his diction requires me to keep a dictionary on hand (perhaps I need to read more to educate myself better!), I enjoyed reading this story. His characters are both relatable and wildly unique at the same time and his imagination is superb.

#23: The Sun Also Rises

Really interesting and unique read. I like his style of writing, though, not having experienced that era, there were a few nuances I missed that I had to research to get the full effect. I like the themes though. Definitely a classic.

#24: The Geometry of Sisters

Another great Luanne Rice novel. She does have a formula, haha. I've been into these more lately...I'm reading another one right now. Stay tuned!

#25: The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners

Sister book to The Geometry of Sisters. Same setting and some of the same characters. Great story.

#26: Of Mice and Men

Can't believe it took me so long to pick up this book. Great read. I love the variety of characters he creates in such a short story. Everyone has a reason for who they are.

#27: Mrs. Dalloway

This is a very original book. I enjoyed the narration. The author does a great job, in my opinion, of simulating human thought.

#28: Blindness

Great look into how an epidemic can debilitate society. As my father would say, this is a "human condition" story in which we get some great insights into how different people deal with tragedies like these.

#29: Gathering Blue

I like Lois Lowry's stories. The Giver was one of my favorite books growing up. However, it bugged me that she ended this story just when the action was about to get going. I would have loved to hear how she fared in her quest to bring down the village regime in favor of a more peaceful way of life.

#30: Confessions of a Shopaholic

This was a breath of fresh, fun air. After a couple of depressing books, it was nice to read something so light! I love to shop and while I am not in debt like Becky Bloomwood, I could totally relate to the feelings and sensations she described when faced with endless sale items and glittery products in stores. I'm reading the sequel now!

#31: Beautiful Darkness

I was so disappointed in this sequel. At the end of it all, you're basically in the same place as at the end of Beautiful Creatures with some switch-ups in the cast (no pun intended). Maybe it's because I've been reading books with more reflection in them lately, but I felt this one was very light on details. Most of the story was plot (or whining by Ethan). I missed the depth of the characters that was more present in the first book. I'll probably still give the next book a chance because I hate to quit a series, but seriously disappointed in this one.

#32: Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

Great sequel! I'm in the middle of the 3rd book now.

#33: Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Another great sequel!

#34: Shopaholic and Sister

I love these. I liked the 3rd one better than this one, but it was still a lot of fun to read.

#35: The Other Life

A bit graphic on the pregnancy details for me, but it had an interesting concept and great characters.


Didn't get to 50, unfortunately, but I'm still happy with 35. :)