75 Books...More or Less! discussion

I’m going to go with the spirit of the original group this year and set my goal at 75. I read more than that in 2018, but I have some heavier, more involved books planned for 2019, and I want to keep it pressure-free while still working toward a goal. Let the games begin!

1. Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley
5 stars
This is the most difficult review for me to write so for for a book from this series. To avoid any spoilers, I will just say that it is everything we’ve come to expect from Flavia, and more. It evoked more feelings from me, by far, than the others. Read it. Just read it. Now.

Joy wrote: "1. Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley
5 stars
This is the most difficult review for me to write so for for a book from this series. To avoid any spoi..."

Great first book of the year! You can't lose with a Flavia book! :) But now you've only got 2 left. :(

I’ve been binge reading them to get to the ARC of #10 that I received from NetGalley, and then I found out that #10 will probably be the last one. I’m so sad!

Joy wrote: "I’ve been binge reading them to get to the ARC of #10 that I received from NetGalley, and then I found out that #10 will probably be the last one. I’m so sad!"

Yes it will be. :( I have the last one from NetGalley as well. I want to read it but then again I don't want to!

2. The Salt of the Earth by Józef Wittlin
4 Stars
Salt of the earth is a richly detailed, deliberately paced exploration of the inner workings of the men who are swept up in a war created by others. In the first of a classic trilogy of World War 1 literature, we follow a railroad porter from his everyday life to his consignment in the Austro-Hungarian army and the first days of his training.
The book is full of passages that are foreign to a typical American way of thinking and phrasing but are rich and beautiful and thought-provoking. It provides an Eastern European perspective on the war and is a highly worthwhile read.

3. The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley
4 stars
This is neither my most nor least favorite of the series. I absolutely adore the way that Flavia and Dogger’s relationship is developing, and the family storyline is utterly captivating. The mystery itself, not so much. It seems a bit scattered and is left with some loose ends. Nevertheless, Flavia is Flavia, and her books are a pleasure to read.

Joy wrote: "3. The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley
4 stars
This is neither my most nor least favorite of the series. I absolutely adore the way that Flavia an..."

And now you can start the final book. *sniff* I'll be starting it today or tomorrow too! Want to do a buddy read?

I wish I had the book so I could read with you guys!

Elyse wrote: "Joy wrote: "3. The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley
4 stars
This is neither my most nor least favorite of the series. I absolutely adore the way th..."

I’d love to. I have to catch up on a couple others first, though. I probably won’t be starting it until the middle or end of the week, so you might already have it finished.

4. The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris
5 stars
In a time of renewed popularity of the Norse myths, it is difficult to find a new angle without coming off as gimmicky. Harris succeeds beautifully in the Gospel of Loki. The antihero of both Chaos and Asgard gives a fresh and personal touch to the narrative along with wit and love-to-hate-that-bad-boy charm. I look forward to reading the sequel.

Joy wrote: "4. The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris
5 stars
In a time of renewed popularity of the Norse myths, it is difficult to find a new angle without coming off as gim..."

Adding to my TBR!

5. The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
3 stars
First things first - this was a selection for my local book club. It is not my usual genre, nor would I have read it otherwise.

For lovers of nonfiction, The River of Doubt is bound to be a standout. The writing is exceptional, and the content is educational and memorable. I learned quite a bit about the history, flora, and fauna of Brazil. Millard’s research is evident not only in the writing, but in the extensive notes that are included.

If this was a fictional adventure like those of Jack London or Edgar Rice Burroughs, I would have enjoyed it very much. However, Roosevelt and his son’s arrogance and white privilege make the fact that they are not fictional characters a sad shame. Their egos and glory-hunting cost men their lives. Despite the other more positive elements of the Roosevelt legacy in American history, I didn’t care much for him in this episode. I have more empathy for the camaradas and natives who are being used and endangered.

Although the book is very well-crafted and executed, it was not a read that I enjoyed.

6. The Power of Darkness: A Drama in Five Acts by Leo Tolstoy
5 stars
An all-absorbing drama that begins like a soap opera and suddenly becomes as real as a Greek Tragedy. The pacing is almost frantic, hurling the reader into an abyss of degradation and Dante-esque results. The Power of Darkness belongs in the annals alongside the family and community tragedies of Ibsen, Miller, and O’Neill. A true classic.

7. The Alarming Palsy of James Orr
3.5 stars
What a bizarre story. I suppose it is supposed to have that effect, but the grotesque and crude elements that continue to appear make the book progressively more and more disturbing, or, appropriately enough, “alarming.” It is probably a book that I will remember. The writing flows smoothly and is very well-paced. I can appreciate the skilled craftsmanship involved and still say that I did not much enjoy the read.

8. The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley
4 stars
I have come to see Flavia, Dogger, Mrs. Mullet, and Buckshaw as such warm, comfortable friends. The mystery in this one was as well-designed as always, and the writing, impeccable. I did miss the sisterly dynamic, but Undine provides a new spin on that thread. Another Flavia hit!

9. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5 stars
This was truly a book I couldn’t put down. I read it in two days, abandoning all sorts of other obligations. The main character is one of the most sympathetic I’ve met in a long time, and the narrative is rich and beautiful and fraught with tension at the same time. There is a perfect balance of nature writing and storytelling, each lifting the other to a higher level. I can’t say enough good things - this one is not to be missed. I can’t wait for Owens’ next novel.

Joy wrote: "9. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5 stars
This was truly a book I couldn’t put down. I read it in two days, abandoning all sorts of other obligations. The m..."

This one has been catching my eye for a while!

Joy wrote: "9. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5 stars
This was truly a book I couldn’t put down. I read it in two days, abandoning all sorts of other obligations. The m..."

I loved that book too!

10. We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
4 stars
This is book club read. Review to follow.

11. Aunty Lee's Delights by Ovidia Yu
3.5 stars
The title character and her cooking are absolutely the highlights of Aunty Lee’s Delights. The prose feels a bit stilted and choppy in places, and the mystery becomes overly complicated, I think. I’ve had this book on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I read it, but I doubt I’ll continue with the series.

12. The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
4.5 stars
Even better than The Ghost Bride, which was completely spellbinding. Choo blends mystical and real-world elements seamlessly. I was so captivated by these characters and their truly life-threatening predicaments that the book just flew by. I wouldn’t mind a sequel, as a matter of fact.

My only issue is that there is a lot going on in a relatively small space, and I’m not a fan of alternating viewpoints. It was done very well, though, in this instance.

An excellent read that would be a perfect book club selection or addition to the shelves of any world literature collection

Joy wrote: "12. The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
4.5 stars
Even better than The Ghost Bride, which was completely spellbinding. Choo blends mystical and real-world elements seam..."

I picked this up as an additional BotM! I still haven't read Ghost Bride and I bought the e-book for a challenge a couple years ago. lol.

And I just found out Netflix is adapting The Ghost Bride!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNeiQ...

They are both really good. I think her writing got better with The Night Tiger. The Netflix adaptation of The Ghost Bride is kind of exciting. If done well, it could be amazing!

13. Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
5 stars
I read a few Baldwin short stories in college and grad school but had never made time for a full novel until now. His lyricism and authentic voice, the power that he generates with that voice, and his brilliant crafting of characters, terse plot line, and rich imagery combine to justify his classic status. Time has done nothing to dull any of these. If anything, it has distilled them into a more potent experience. This one, specifically, is quite impactful for readers who have some experience or frame of reference for a Pentecostal-type church setting. I will be thinking about it for quite a while and will absolutely be using it as a shining example of a great work of American Literature.

You're zooming right along, and no stinkers, yay!

14. Daughter of Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
3 stars
I was so excited to read the sequel to a most incredible story, Moloka’i. Unfortunately, Daughter of Moloka’i falls quite short of its predecessor. The story and characters seem to flatten as soon as the setting moves from Hawaii to California. The account of the internment camps is quite similar, if not as engaging and memorable, as others I have read.

I believe Brennert likes Rachel much more than he likes Ruth. When Rachel is in the story, there is a return to the rich emotional depth and beauty that made Moloka’i so amazing. Book 2 has flashes of that magic, but is, for the most part, disappointing.

15. Tying the Knot by Elizabeth Spann Craig
4 stars
I really like this author’s writing style: light, humorous, and smooth/flowing. I’m becoming more and more attached to the Dappled Hills residents and enjoy following their lives as much as trying to unravel the mysteries. This installment, #5, is a comfortable, well-done story with just enough twists to keep me guessing right up until the reveal. I’m looking forward to #6.

16. Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman
4 stars
This was a book club selection. I’d never heard of it before, but it turned out to be quite a hit in the group. Everyone who read it gave it 4 or 5 stars. I’d describe it as a cross between Little House on the Prarie, the books of Janette Oake, and those of Gene Stratton-Porter. There is nature writing, homesteading tales, and nature writing. Taking place in Canada gives it a bit of a different angle for readers of the United States, as we generally associate these types of stories with the unsettled Midwestern/Western regions of our own country. All in all, it was a good read with a bit of something for everyone.

17. A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam
5 stars
One of the best wartime novels I’ve read in a long time. Anam creates characters that are so real and sympathetic that the passion of the young, the terrors of war, and the incredible depth of loss are felt in every page. I will remember this one for a very long time.

A note - the audio version of the book is very well done. I recommend it without reservation.

18. Patch of Trouble by Elizabeth Spann Craig
3 stars
Book #6: the mystery itself is mediocre. In spots, there seems to be a lack of finesse in disclosing clues or bits of information. Meadow, Boris, and Miss Sissy are the absolute highlights in the narrative. Also, the budding romance between Beatrice and Wyatt is tender and quite warm-fuzzy.

Sadly, the switch from Berkeley to self-publishing is very obvious here. The paperback is much more uncomfortable in the hand, and I couldn’t seem to settle in to the flow of the writing at all until I gave up and switched to the ebook. Then, even though there are still typo/editing errors, it moved much more quickly. I will be reading the digital version of book 7 and hoping for a return to the light, humorous prose that usually makes Craig’s books such a pleasure.

19. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
5 stars
There are books that transcend one’s ability to speak clearly and fully about them because they are so utterly, viscerally true. For me, Gilead is one is those books. I was left in a complete emotional and intellectual daze when I reached the final page. Robinson captures a clergy life and voice with precision, creates both spiritual and personal relationships for the clergy narrator, and sustains the “final words to my young son as I near my death” urgency for the entire volume. Saying that Gilead is deserving of its Pulitzer Prize doesn’t even begin to give credit for the craft Robinson achieves, but it is a start, and the best I have to offer.

Joy wrote: "19. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
5 stars
There are books that transcend one’s ability to speak clearly and fully about them because they are so utterly, viscerally true. ..."

Those are what I call "Wookiee Books"; something so powerful that words fail every time that you try to explain why it touched you so deeply and the best you can do is hand the book over with an inarticulate grunt that may, or may not, worry the recipient, LOL!

Stacie, I love that!!! I may have to borrow it, if you don’t mind.

Elyse wrote: "Joy wrote: "12. The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
4.5 stars
Even better than The Ghost Bride, which was completely spellbinding. Choo blends mystical and real-world e..."

Annnnnnnnnnd now I have been on YouTube for a 1/2 hour instead of reading!!! ;-)

Joy wrote: "19. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
5 stars
There are books that transcend one’s ability to speak clearly and fully about them because they are so utterly, viscerally true. ..."

Your review is so much more than I could have ever written - I should borrow yours and just give you the full credit!! ;-)

20. The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
4 stars
Lisa See stands alongside Tan, Erdrich, Allende, Silko, and other multicultural voices in contemporary American literature. The Island of Sea Women tells a part of the Korean War that is unknown to most of us. It also celebrates womanhood through its many phases and the bonds that women create with their grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and friends. Moving back and forth through time and from third to first person could become clunky or distracting, but in See’s deft hand, it does not. A reader is left with a new understanding of the complexities of war and wounds that fail to heal. A worthwhile and satisfying read.

Dawn Michelle, you know you’re always welcome to borrow and quote from me 💜

21. Crazy Horse Weeps: Stories of Young Lives on South Dakota's Indian Reservations by Joseph M. Marshall III
3 stars
At its heart, this book seems to be by Lakota, for Lakota. There is a repetitive account of the tragic history of Native peoples, current examples of a lack of any change on the part of the white powers in the country, and a desperate plea to do everything possible to preserve and pass on Native culture and traditions to the next generation. There are good takeaways scattered throughout: “Hope is often the last resort, the last effort we make when all else has failed or fallen short.” and the one that struck me as most poignant: “Legality is a matter of power, not a matter of justice.” I didn’t find any new information for myself in this volume, but anyone who takes the time to read it will certainly feel the passion of Marshall’s message. It could be a go-to for inspiration or motivation toward support of a Lakota (or other Native) cause. A strong voice.

22. Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews
4.5 stars
Ok, I’m now irrevocably hooked on this series. I read the first one at the insistence of Dawn Michelle. As usual, she was not wrong. I am a bit of a bird-lover, and I liked #1 enough to pick up this one, #2. The series really takes off now that the introductions are out of the way. The narrative voice, the cast of characters, and the literary references throughout make it a very fun read. I have a feeling Meg Langslow and I will be friends for a long time. How many books are in this series? 30-something? Yeah, a looooong time.

Joy wrote: "22. Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews
4.5 stars
Ok, I’m now irrevocably hooked on this series. I read the first one at the insistence of Dawn Michelle. As usual, she..."

[whispers....24 with the 25th out soon]

Dawn Michelle wrote: "Joy wrote: "22. Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews
4.5 stars
Ok, I’m now irrevocably hooked on this series. I read the first one at the insistence of Dawn Michelle. A..."

Only 25? No problem! I feel much better now. 😂

Joy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Joy wrote: "22. Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews
4.5 stars
Ok, I’m now irrevocably hooked on this series. I read the first one at the insisten..."

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! ;-)

23. The Tale of Genji: Dreams at Dawn Vol. 1 by Waki Yamato
5 stars
A 21st century way to experience an 11th century tale. The climate is right for a new generation of readers to meet The Shining One and his entourage. This graphic novel version tells the first part of the story: Genji’s birth, coming of age, and romantic exploits as a young man. Along the way, we are introduced to the nuances of court life In ancient Japan. There are so many possibilities for Waki Yamato’s work. Besides its appeal as an incredibly artful graphic novel in its own right, teachers of World Literature could find it an accessible way to engage students in meaningful discussion of their reading of the original novel by Murasaki Shikibu. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

24. Druids by Morgan Llywelyn
5 stars
This was a solid four-star book until the final 20% or so. Llywelyn has remarkable talent for blending deep, heartfelt personal relationships with accounts of historical, tactical, often brutal battle scenes. The result leaves any reader with a soul emotionally wrecked. I now remember why I waited so long between her books. I will need serious recovery time before I move on to the sequel. Well done, Morgan Llywelyn. Well done.

Joy wrote: "24. Druids by Morgan Llywelyn
5 stars
This was a solid four-star book until the final 20% or so. Llywelyn has remarkable talent for blending deep, heartfelt personal r..."

I bought a ton of books at a yard sale about 10 years ago and in that bunch were 10-15 Llewelyn books. Still haven't read them but still want to! lol. I love Irish/Celtic/Druidic history!

Elyse wrote: "Joy wrote: "24. Druids by Morgan Llywelyn
5 stars
This was a solid four-star book until the final 20% or so. Llywelyn has remarkable talent for blending deep, heartfel..."

I started with Lion of Ireland on the recommendation of a good friend. This was my second, and its sequel will be next. Then I have my eye on one called Red Branch (or some such thing). I am completely hooked.

Joy wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Joy wrote: "24. Druids by Morgan Llywelyn
5 stars
This was a solid four-star book until the final 20% or so. Llywelyn has remarkable talent for blending ..."

I have Lion of Ireland and Druids AND Red Branch! lol

25. The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
4 stars
The synopsis of this Pulitzer Prize winner captured my interest immediately. However, I was feeling less than captivated for a large portion. The writing is exquisite, and the narrator of the audio is absolutely perfect. It simply seemed to move too slowly. As I passed the halfway point and began the final two sections, however, elements came together in a beautiful, intricate way. Warning if you listen to the audiobook in the car: it is difficult to drive while crying.

Joy wrote: "25. The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
4 stars
The synopsis of this Pulitzer Prize winner captured my interest immediately. However, I was feeling less than..."

Your disclaimer is awesome!