Challenge: 50 Books discussion

I should read LESS this year and get some other projects done, but I just love reading too much! I'm going for 100 again...

1 - A Natural Woman: A Memoir
I enjoyed this audiobook read by the author. She sang snippets of many of her songs throughout. She's had a pretty fascinating life. 4 1/2*

Ann A wrote: "I should read LESS this year and get some other projects done, but I just love reading too much! I'm going for 100 again..."

HA! Well, you know, audiobooks help you multitask: listen to a book while working on other projects :)

Good luck on your 100!!

2 - Golden State (Tournament of Books)
The ending was bizarre, but it gets 4* for its timely subject matter. (it will make you think hard about our current environment and the fluid definition of a "fact").

3 - Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future
Most of the Democratic presidential candidates have written books, but I read in The New Yorker that this was the best of the bunch. It WAS very good. 4 1/2*

4 - Normal People (ToB)
Rounded up from 3 1/2* because of the writing. I enjoyed listening to this on audio, but was ready to say goodbye to the characters by the end (hence, I doubt I'll be watching the upcoming miniseries). 4*

5 - Your House Will Pay (ToB)
I started to lose a little of the sense of authenticity towards the end, but overall well-done. I admire the author for tackling such a difficult subject. 4*

6 - The Water Dancer (ToB)
I liked the first half better than the second (thought it started to lose its way), but still 4*.

7 - Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
For a graphic novel, this really packed a wallop. 5*

I ended up with 77 books in 2020 - not bad considering the terrible year it was.

I'm going to move this thread to the 2020 Finish Line, but continue to update it until I catch up. I like to look back at my mini-reviews!

ETA: I decided not to add all my 2020 books here - too much work! I'll try to do better at keeping up in 2021.

Congratulations on your 77! Even though it wasn't the 100 you originally wanted, that's still an amazing year of reading!