Mount TBR Challenge 2024 discussion

I want to work on my TBR Owned (174 books) this year, and so I am starting with this level. EDIT: I just realized the first book was not one I owned, but rather one of the longest on my TBR Wishlist. Since I have now read the rules, I realize that library books are not allowed. I have removed the first book.

Finished:
Tea with Hezbollah: Sitting at the Enemies' Table Our Journey Through the Middle East by Ted Dekker

Finished:
Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World

Oh, my! This book turned out to be different in many ways from what I had thought it would be. I had no idea that native peoples were so advanced in everything from farming methods based on weather to building in earthquake zones. A good study of how native peoples were extorted, abused and yet how much how they lived and things they knew influenced the world we know today. 3*

Finished:
Blood Cries

OK. So I thought this was a non-fiction book. Turns out to be a realistic novel set in Israel during the 80s. And, given the troubles in the West Bank area and with Hamas, it felt really current! It focuses on a reporter, his love and her family, and an Israeli general but mixed in between is the politics of an American living in Israel and the many different levels of people trying to live there. I am grateful that I finally read it. It caused me to think about issues I have skimmed over. 4*

Finished:
Ragman and Other Cries of Faith

Well, another book that I had misjudged. I thought this was a book of Jewish faith stories. You know, stories to illustrate faith in action. Instead this is a Christian author who is writing about his life...granted it is faith in action messages and stories. Interesting...and passed on to a friend.

Finished:
The Invitation

I had attempted this book before and then set it aside. This time I read each chapter and many of the meditations. Each meditation had a formula...sit or lie quietly and concentrate on your breathing...etc. Meditation is just not for me, but the chapter content was useful. 3*

Finished:
Company of Thieves

Interesting story, but not the one I hoped it would be. The cover related it to Carl Hiaasen whose books I find funny. Not so with this one, still it had a few redeeming moments. 3*

Keep going! You can do it!

Finished:
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas

I have owned this book since 2015 and never once picked it up to read, partly because it was written by James Patterson, I think. See, I had read his mysteries so much that I reached a saturation point for his writing...or so I thought.

Who would have thought he could write a love story that was so moving? I cried, walked away until I could pick it back up, and cried some more. Finished wishing there was more.

It seems right that this should finish my climb of this mountain.