75 Books...More or Less! discussion

My goal is 75 and hoping to read several big books this year.

Kelli wrote: "My goal is 75 and hoping to read several big books this year."

Good Luck - do you have any Big Books on your list yet?

Hoping to read at least 6 big books (500 pages or more) this year that I have on my shelf. Will start with my second book of the year, The Alice Network, which I have already started.

1. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri, 1-3 January. 4 stars. Superb story, superb writing. Highly recommend this one.

Kelli wrote: "1. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri..."

I got this from NG and really want to read it soon!

Elyse, it's really worth it.

2. and #1 over 500 pages -- The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, 4-6 January, 4 stars. I loved this book it is WW1, WW2, suspense, romance all wonderfully presented by the author and based on some true events characters.

3. Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris, 7-10 January, 4 stars. A heart wrenching great book with an ethics lesson.

both books, The Alice Network and Sold on a Monday are on my tbr pile. I really have to get to those.

They are both wonderful.

4. By the Rivers of Babylon by Nelson DeMille, 10-15 January, 3 stars. Good political thriller that's been on my shelf for years so a bit dated but still enjoyed it.

5. and #2 over 500 pages -- Last Man Standing, 16-22 January, 4 stars. A good crime thriller although a bit lengthy that's also been on my shelf way too long.

6. French Lessons by Ellen Sussman, 23-25 January, 3 stars. A very Parisian and French experience told in short story form.

7. The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton, 26-31 January, 4 stars. Novel by a great author and finished by a Wharton expert years after her death.

8. Life is a Beach by Claire Cook, 1 February, 3 stars. Fun easy read about sisters, relationships and turning 50.

I really like Clair Cook books. She runs fun easy books to read with good characters. She is a local author for me so when she writes about places like Marshberry I know she probably was think of the cute beach town of Marshfield, MA.

Andrea wrote: "I really like Clair Cook books. She runs fun easy books to read with good characters. She is a local author for me so when she writes about places like Marshberry I know she probably was think of t..."

I really enjoyed it and that's cool that you are familiar with the local, I love when I read a book that puts me back into a place I know well.

9. Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate, 2-6 February, 4 stars. Wonderfully told story about family relations, the good and bad.

10-12. The Regeneration Trilogy by Pat Barker, 7-17 February, overall 3 stars. Three novels taking place during WWI dealing with shell-shock and other mental health issues due to the war. Might be better not to read them all in a row.....

13. The Dutch Wife by Ellen Keith, 18-22 February, 4 stars. WWII era novel from the perspective of a Dutch woman imprisoned for political crimes, a Nazi Officer and 1970s Argentina.

14. The Runaway Wife by Rowan Coleman, 23-29 February, 3 stars. Well written novel dealing with overcoming an abusive relationship and rekindling a lost one.

15. From Scratch by Tembi Locke, 1-7 March, 3 stars. A memoire written by an actress recounting the struggle of losing her husband too early and dealing with cultural family issues.

16. Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks, 8-10 March, 3 stars. A novel based on a true lost love story.

17. The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook, 11-12 March, 3 stars. Fun, light read.

Haven't updated for awhile. Work during lockdown has doubled so my reading time has been much reduced. Hoping to reach 60 but will continue to aim for 75.

18. The Day John Died by Christopher Anderson, finished 25 March, 3 stars. Old book I picked off my dusty shelf about John Kennedy Jr. with interesting insights.

19. Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley, finished 3 April

20. Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans, finished 8 April, 3 stars. Good historical novel about an unusual friendship set in WWII/London Blitz.

21. A Summer Affair by Elin Hinderbrand, finished 18 April, 3 stars. Another good novel by Elin Hinderbrand, pure escapism.

22. The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah, finished 29 April, 5 stars. Wonderful book about the sad affect the Vietnam War had on father who moved his family to Alaska and how they adapted and dealt with personal challenges. Heartbreaking story.

23. Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelley, finished 12 May. 4 stars. A prequel to the equally superb novel, The Lilac Girls, but can be read on its own. The story is based on true heroine Caroline Ferriday taking place during WWI with settings in Russia, Paris and New York.

24. Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver, 13-22 May, 3 stars. The follow on story to The Bean Trees where Taylor saves an abandoned little 3 year-old Cherokee girl. This novel is about a Taylor's sruggles to keep her daughter Turtle when the Nation wants her back. Lots of interesting characters in the mix.

Kelli wrote: "24. Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver, 13-22 May, 3 stars. The follow on story to The Bean Trees where Taylor saves an abandoned little 3 year-old Cherokee girl. This novel is about a Taylor's s..."

I still have to read this one. Thanks for reminding me!

25. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, 23-25 May, 4 stars. I wasn't sure at first how well a sequel written so long after such a wonderful book would be. Due to all the hype, etc. I held off reading it until it was picked for my book group. Having said that, this sequel was fantastic.

Kelli wrote: "25. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, 23-25 May, 4 stars. I wasn't sure at first how well a sequel written so long after such a wonderful book would be. Due to all the hype, etc. I held off readin..."

I've still got to read it!

I still have not read the Handmaid's Tale. I feel like I really need to make time for both of these.

Kelli wrote: "25. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, 23-25 May, 4 stars. I wasn't sure at first how well a sequel written so long after such a wonderful book would be. Due to all the hype, etc. I held off readin..."

It's definitely worth putting on the top of the list.

Andrea wrote: "I still have not read the Handmaid's Tale. I feel like I really need to make time for both of these."

They are both superb.

Okay, maybe that will be my fall challenge. I'm taking on the The Tea Rose series for my summer challenge.

26. The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar, 26-29 May, 3 stars but being generous. I was really hoping for more history about Flight Girls during WWII which interests since I met one years ago when I was young but it turned out to be more of a fluffy romance. It was entertaining and a quick read though.

27. Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison, 30 May-6 June, 3 stars. Not usually my style but read it for book group. A well written and moving historical fiction perfect for any fan of the Old West and the outlaws it bred.

28 and 29. Dragon Queen and Spirit on the Dragon by William Andrews,4/5 stars. Book 2 and 3 in a series. Great writing, Korean history, absolutely highly recommend this series.

30. All our yesterdays by Robert Barker, 18-21 June, 3 stars. Crime drama and family history.

31. The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green, 22-24 June, 4 stars. Another wonderful book by Jane Green dealing with resolving family issues.

32. 18th Abduction by James Patterson, 25-27 June,3 stars. Quick, easy, escapism.

33. The Winemaker's Wife by Kristen Harmel, 28-30 June, 4 stars. Wonderful WWII novel taking place in the 1940's and in modern times about the French resistance and a vineyard. Lovely read.

34. and #3 over 500 pages. Silent Witness by James North Patterson, 1-5 July, 3 stars. Engrossing legal crime drama. A very old one that has been on my shelf way too long, still worth reading.

35. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, 6-11 July, 4 stars. Very cleverly written Russian historical fiction. Absolutely loved it.

Kelli wrote: "35. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, 6-11 July, 4 stars. Very cleverly written Russian historical fiction. Absolutely loved it."

I really need to pick this one up. It has been sitting on my shelf now for ages.

36. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand, 12-15 July, 3 stars. Another good book by Elin Hilderbrand with good characters and engaging story taking place in Nantucket.

37. The Golden Hour by Margaret Wurtele, 16-18 July, 4 stars. A story of a naive seventeen year old girl who is misguided but sees the need to join the partisans, which her slightly older brother is already involved with, to do her bit for Italy during WWII. All this despite the fact their father is a fascist.

38. The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler, 19-22 July, 3 stars. Anne Tyler is a great story teller and writer and here she has done it again in a novel about complex relationships and family dynamics.

39. Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallary, 23-25 July, 3 stars. A Mischief Bay novel about two very different sisters and a mother that is always critical.

40. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 26-27 July. 4 stars. Beautifully and tragically written novel about Nigeria by a talented Nigerian writer.

41. Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham, 28 July-1 August. 4 stars. A well written and thorough account and history of the accident at Chernobyl.

42. The Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff, 1-5 August. 3 stars.
I enjoyed the book but wished for more about the Treaty of Versailles especially as this was from the German's view. A rather unlikable main character but understood her struggles. A bit more fluff than substance but a good read.

43. The One by John Marrs, 6-8 August. 4 stars. A wonderful psychological thriller that will scare you away from on-line dating sites. Lots of twists and turns. A quick read and very engaging.

44. Falling Home by Karen White, 9-13 August. 3 stars. This novel is family oriented with happiness, sadness, Southernisms, humor and is a sort of predicable romcom but thoroughly enjoyable.

45. The Little Friend by Donna Tartt, 14-31 August. 3 stars. A very long read, extremely deep and dark and not anything like the book's description but absolutely worth it. Story of a 12 year old girl but not a child's tale at all.

46. Battle Scars by Jason Fox, 1-6 September. 4 stars. A brutally honest account of an elite military member's experience and how PTSD, depression, and mental health in general affected this man and his struggle to overcome it. He is now doing wonderful work to help others. Brilliant.

Kelli wrote: "45. The Little Friend by Donna Tartt, 14-31 August. 3 stars. A very long read, extremely deep and dark and not anything like the book's description but absolutely worth it. Story of a 12 year old g..."

I hated The Goldfinch so I'm wary of Tartt's novels.

I wouldn't recommend this one or The Secret History to you then. Her books drain you.

Kelli wrote: "I wouldn't recommend this one or The Secret History to you then. Her books drain you."

Thank you! I might, if I have nothing else to listen to, try The Secret History on audio someday.

47. The Familiars by Stacey Halls, 7-14 September. 3 stars. Good historical fiction with a Gothic element.

48. Summer of 69 by Elin Hilderbrand, 3 stars. A lot happened that summer. Good historical novel of recent history. 15-22 September

49. The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure, 4 stars. WWII Novel set in occupied Paris. The main character is unlikeable at the beginning but his journey to becoming a better human being is formidable. A bit of a nail biter. 23-25 September

50. Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, 3 stars. Good fun quick fictional read around Grace Kelly's wedding. 26-27 September

51. We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter, 5 stars. Based on a true story about an entire Polish family and their incredible 6 years during WWII. I cannot recommend it highly enough, absolutely outstanding in a modest way. 28 September-5 October

52. Verity by Colleen Hoover, 4 stars. A griping psychological thriller that you can't stop wondering about. 6 October-10 October.

Kelli wrote: "52. Verity by Colleen Hoover, 4 stars. A griping psychological thriller that you can't stop wondering about. 6 October-10 October."

I still haven't read a Colleen Hoover book!

Kelli wrote: "52. Verity by Colleen Hoover, 4 stars. A griping psychological thriller that you can't stop wondering about. 6 October-10 October."

I read that one too but kinda hated it. The characters were all so terrible.