Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Wishing everyone a 2014 filled with lots of great books!

In addition to at least 75 books for the year, I want to challenge myself to read the following:

- At least 12 Newbery winners (28 read as of 12/31/13)
- At least 12 books from the "1001 Books to Read Before You Die" combined lists (123 read as of 12/31/13)

End of year note: Read 121 books, including 18 Newbery Medal winners and 13 from the "1001 Books" list. Exceeded my goals!

1 - Whose Body?
Clever, but I found listening to the early-20-century British slang a bit hard to follow with the audiobook. 3*

2 - Anna Karenina
Can't believe I just got around to this! I love Tolstoy. 5*

3 - An Atheist in the FOXhole: A Liberal's Eight-Year Odyssey Inside the Heart of the Right-Wing Media
Highly entertaining. 4*

4 - The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town
Truly sad story about the conviction of an innocent man. Perhaps a little too much detail at times. 3*

5 - The Bookseller of Kabul
Very interesting subject matter, but I thought the effort to make the nonfiction "seem" like fiction was awkward. I suspect the translation was partially responsible. 3*

6 - Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States
A wealth of interesting info. I'm a huge Bill Bryson fan. 4*

7 - Caddie Woodlawn
Another fun Newbery winner about a brave young girl in 1860's Wisconsin. 3 1/2*

8 - Angels Flight
Still a big Connelly fan, but this one had maybe a few too many bad guys and dead bodies. 3 1/2*

9 - Dobry
Charming Newbery winner about a boy growing up in a Bulgarian village. 3*

10 - The Sittaford Mystery
Another great Christie mystery. 4*

11 - The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
Interesting premise, but not much of a "story". 2*

12 - On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
I've never really aspired to be a writer, but found this fascinating nonetheless (plus King is FUNNY). 4*

13 - A Suitable Vengeance
Also a big Elizabeth George fan. 4*

14 - Rabbit Hill
Newbery winner about man and nature co-existing. 3 1/2*

15 - Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
Here's my brief review:
"Hmmm...I have mixed feelings about this one, as do many others. While I sympathize greatly with the plight of the Afghan women and appreciate Rodriguez's efforts to help them, I thought many of her decisions were odd, if not downright bizarre. I also found myself questioning if certain events really happened as she described them, and that's a feeling I rarely have when reading nonfiction." 3*

16 - The Yiddish Policemen's Union
Chabon tells a creative tale, with amazing writing to go along with it. I'm subtracting a little because I got confused at times! 3 3/4*

17 - The Sisters Brothers
There are so many things to like about this book. Never thought I'd appreciate a western so much. 4 1/2*

Off to a great start!!

1) I so need to read Anna Karenina!
2) I also loved the King book on writing.
3) I read the Agatha Christie's a long time ago. I think I'll take you're cue and start doing some rereads this year. Maybe some Dorothy Sayers, as well.

18 - Thimble Summer
Newbery medal winner about a Wisconsin farm girl. I'm having a lot of fun with my "read the Newberys" quest! 3 1/2*

19 - A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
Good ideas, but a lot of repetition and not very different from his first book. 3*

20 - Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
Can't imagine why I didn't get around to this book earlier. Charming - and I especially appreciate Marley's personality, having lived for 10 years (and counting) with my own neurotic dog! 4*

21 - Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze
Well-told story of a boy growing up in 1920's China. 1933 Newbery winner. 4*

22 - Rebecca
Lovely writing, but "hit-you-over-the-head" foreshadowing. 3*

23 - The View from Saturday
One of my favorite children's authors. I have thoroughly enjoyed both of her Newbery winners. 4*

Just realized you're doing the Newberry list. What a great idea!!

Renee wrote: "Just realized you're doing the Newberry list. What a great idea!!"

Yes, it's been fun! I think I'm through about 1/3 of them. They add a nice bit of variety to my reading.

Oh, I love so many of the Newberry books, what a great list to work through!

The Yiddish Policemen's Union is one I am hoping to get through this year and I also LOVED The Sisters Brothers!

Tima wrote: "Oh, I love so many of the Newberry books, what a great list to work through!

The Yiddish Policemen's Union is one I am hoping to get through this year and I also LOVED The Sisters Brothers!"

Yes, The Sisters Brothers was unique, wasn't it? Good luck with your 2014 reading!

24 - Blood Work
Another winner from Connelly. 4*

25 - The Slave Dancer
Qualified 3*. Important subject, but wasn't a big fan of the "way" the story was told. Hard to put my finger on exactly why.

26 - Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores
Funny, but sad how...(*searches for synonym - just can't think of a better word*) stupid... people can be! 3*

27 - Defending Jacob
Well-written page-turner. If you're a parent, you won't forget it. The ending was NOT what I expected. 4*

28 - Talk of the Devil: Encounters with Seven Dictators
Incredible how, across the board, these murdering dictators seem to have no remorse. I probably would have appreciated the book more if I had more than a rudimentary knowledge of their regimes. 3 1/2*

29-Secrets of Eden
Too lazy to enumerate the many things I didn't like about this book. Apparently his other books are better, but I doubt I'll give him another chance. 1*

30-Johnny Tremain
Classic Newbery winner. 4*

31-Long Walk to Freedom
Amazing story and man. 5*

32-Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama
It's truly tragic what has happened in Tibet, but fascinating to read about this man who is still working in exile to inspire others and create a better life for his people. My daughter saw the Dalai Lama speak a few weeks ago, and said the atmosphere was incredible. 4*

33-Caleb's Crossing
I admired many things about the book, but wish I had felt in touch with Caleb a little more. Also, "converting the savages" has never been a favorite theme of mine. 3 1/2*

34-The Lowland
Sad story, but Lahiri's beautiful writing makes it uplifting at the same time. 4*

35-Peril at End House
I sort of guessed "whodunit", but still great fun. 4*

36-Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
Heartbreaking and depressing, yet fascinating. Katherine Boo courageously details life in a Mumbai slum. This one will stay with me. 5*

37-...And Now Miguel
Newbery winner about a 12-year-old sheep farmer in New Mexico. The thing I love about the Newberys is the variety of subjects and geographical locations. Ideal reading material for a young person growing up. 3*

38-Clear Light of Day
Wonderful novel. Desai transported me so thoroughly into her world I could easily have read this in one sitting (if life hadn't interrupted!) 5*

39-Roller Skates
Another charming Newbery winner (except for the bizarre episode at the end of Chapter VII - what the heck?!) 3*

40-The Postmistress
I really wanted to like this book, but I thought the writing was uneven. It did seem to be well-researched, but too many passages made me either scratch my head or roll my eyes. 2 1/2*

41-Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women
A bit dry, but still interesting life story of Louisa May Alcott. I'm now finished with the 1920's and 30's in my "Read the Newberys" quest! 3*

Nice job, Ann!

42-Swami And Friends
Clever tale of a 10-year-old mischievous boy in India. 3*

43-The Wheel on the School
Absolutely delightful tale of a group of Dutch school-children's efforts to bring storks back to their town. Newbery winner, 1955. 4 1/2*

44-A Darkness More Than Night
Connelly's novels continue to be my page-turning, guilty pleasure. 4*

45-Case Histories
Excellent writing, but a tad dark for my tastes. 3*

46-The Unconsoled
Very strange book, but Ishiguro's writing flows beautifully. 3 1/2*

You're doing a great job with your challenge. Are you working from a website for your Newbery list, by any chance?

Renee wrote: "You're doing a great job with your challenge. Are you working from a website for your Newbery list, by any chance?"

Thanks, Renee! I actually just use a spreadsheet for my Newbery reads.

47-Grimm's Fairy Tales
Interesting how much darker many of the original stories are than the "popular" versions. 3*

48-Bertie Plays the Blues: A 44 Scotland Street Novel
I think this may have supplanted 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' as my favorite A.M. Smith series. 4*

49-A Week in Winter
Lovely novel. I will miss Maeve Binchy. 4*

50-Bad Monkey
Definitely some laugh-out-loud parts, but a little crude for me. 3*

51-The Mystery at Lilac Inn
I want to be Nancy when I grow up! 3*

52-Fangirl
I don't read a lot of YA, but will read more by Rainbow Rowell. She's a clever writer with interesting characters. The (thankfully short) Simon and Baz fanfiction sections of the book did bore me. 3 1/2*

53-The Giver
I'm discovering some real gems in reading the Newberys. 5*

I've been meaning to read Fangirl, as I loved Eleanor and Park. And, of course, The Giver, was excellent. You're doing great!

54-One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories
I appreciate Novak's intelligent nuttiness! 4*

55-Ender's Game
Entertaining enough, but the genre is not really my cup of tea. 3*

56-The Uncommon Reader
Utterly charming. 4 1/2*

57-The Mummy Case
Peters's books may not be serious mysteries, but they're fun. 4*

58-Crank
Disturbing, but riveting. 4*

59-The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon
Maybe not quite 4*, but I'll always round up for the gentle, uplifting A.M. Smith.

60-Breakfast at Tiffany's: And Three Stories
Capote is some writer. 4*

Ann A wrote: 58-Crank
Disturbing, but riveting. 4*..."

I just started this as a compare/contrast to my "Go Ask Alice" reread. So far I'm intrigued by the format.

Donna wrote: "Ann A wrote: 58-Crank
Disturbing, but riveting. 4*..."

I just started this as a compare/contrast to my "Go Ask Alice" reread. So far I'm intrigued by the format."

I really liked the free verse format - hadn't read anything like that before.

When I picked it up from the GBPL (knowing nothing about the book), I wondered how you could get a Game of Thrones sized book out of teenage drug abuse. LOL. And yet she manages to so clearly convey her story in very few words.

61-Billy Joel The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man
Perhaps not stellar writing, but I loved reading about Billy's music. 4*

62-Kinsey and Me: Stories
Some 4* stories, but overall not up to her standards of the full-length "Alphabet" mysteries, which I love. 3*

63-Poirot Investigates 4*

64-Unusual Uses for Olive Oil
Liked it, but not as much as the earlier ones in this series. 3*

65-Island of the Blue Dolphins
Rounded this up to 4* (from 3 1/2) because it is based on a true story.

66-Flowers for Algernon
I must be about the only person who couldn't LOVE this book - it just made me too sad. 3 1/2*

67-Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
Entertaining, but I was expecting more from this. 3*

68-Lord Edgware Dies
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love Agatha Christie! 4*

69-The Thirteenth Tale
A dark tale, but I found the writing mesmerizing. 4*

70-The Charming Quirks of Others
A.M. Smith is always a comfort read for me. I am glad I don't have to think as hard as Isabel does. 3*

71-Anne of Windy Poplars
Anne is great fun. 4*

72-Eleanor & Park
I'm too old and cynical to love this (though I did LIKE it). I was also frustrated with Eleanor's mother. 3*

73-Someday, Someday, Maybe
A cut above most of the chick-lit I've read (I don't read the genre much). Since my daughters and I loved The Gilmore Girls, I probably added an extra 1/2*. 4*

74-You Can Date Boys When You're Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About
The entire book wasn't worthy of my 4*, but it made me laugh enough that I'll be generous...4*

75-The Poisonwood Bible
Heartbreaking and brilliant. 5*

76-Walk Two Moons
Plot too heavy handed with the disappearing mothers, (and another in a psychiatric hospital, to boot.) 2 1/2*

77-King Henry IV, Part 1
Enjoyed this, as I always do Shakespeare. Am going to see a performance of this tomorrow, and I appreciate the plays more if I read them first. 4*

78-The Comedy of Errors
Probably only Shakespeare could get away with such silliness. Looking forward to the performance. 4*

79-An Object of Beauty
I'm impressed with Steve Martin's writing chops, and I enjoyed learning more about the art world. However, I really disliked the main character. The audiobook was well-done, but I recommend getting a library copy of the book as well since it has photos of some of the paintings mentioned. 3*

80-Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Great Newbery winner. I enjoyed the audio version by Lynn Thigpen, with a blurb by the author at the end. 4*

81-And the Mountains Echoed
Absolutely LOVED this book. My favorite of Hosseini's three novels so far. What a talent this man is. 5*

82-Mystic River
Normally I wouldn't give 4* to a book this dark and gritty, but I'm an admirer of Lehane's writing and this was a real page-turner. 4*

83-The Goldfinch
I loved most of the book. There were a few sections that annoyed me and went on too long. 4*

84-Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and bin Laden from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001
Worth the effort to get through this one - can absolutely understand why it won a Pulitzer. 5*

85-The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Lovely story and wonderful drawings. 4*

86-Anne's House of Dreams
This series is losing steam. This was #5 and I enjoyed the earlier ones more. Three more to go, so I'll see it through... 3*

87-Rapunzel's Revenge
Fairly entertaining graphic novel - a new genre for me. 3*

88-The Keeper of Lost Causes
Normally love mysteries, but this one didn't do it for me. 2 1/2*

89-Falling Up
Delightful. 4*

90-The Light Between Oceans
Lovely, sad story. 4*

91-The Friday Night Knitting Club
Not bad, for chick lit. 3*

92-Ariel
Disturbing poems, but Plath was unquestionably talented. 4*

93-The Signature of All Things
I found the science more interesting than Alma's life story. 3*

94-Call It Courage
Newbery-winning hero legend. 3 1/2*

95-The Good Lord Bird
Entertaining fictional tale of abolitionist John Brown. 4*

96-The Wisdom of Menopause (Revised Edition): Creating Physical and Emotional Health During the Change
Lots of info - most of it valuable - I think. 4*

97-The Pale King
I think DFW's work is brilliant and hilarious. I'm sure parts of this book would have made more sense if he had finished it before he died, but I agree with the editor - there was just too much good stuff not to publish it. 4* (certain sections were 5*)

98-A Town Like Alice
Very enjoyable. 4*

99-Death Of A Gossip
The best part of this was listening to the Scottish accents on the audiobook. Not Agatha Christie, but entertaining. 3*

100-A Tale for the Time Being
Parts of this were brilliant, but the sections from Ruth's viewpoint didn't work as well for me. 3 1/2*

101-In the First Circle
VERY good. Solzhenitsyn is some writer. The chapter from Stalin's "viewpoint" was fascinating. 4*

102-Maya's Notebook
The Chilean history and supporting characters were great, but Maya and all her poor decisions began to bore me. 3*

103-This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women
Enjoyable book of inspirational essays. 4*

104-Fever
Ok, but I expected more somehow. 3*

105-The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Lovely book. 4*