75 Books...More or Less! discussion

wow! that year went by fast.. and no I didn't read my 75 books BUT this year is going to be different...hopefully.. and if not I'll read some great books along the way. I have a few fat ones planned for 2010.. along with a couple series, not to mention my classic book club reading list.. So i'm looking forward for the year to start and the reading to begin! Good luck everyone!!

now.. lets see if this ticker works.....

Angie - the ticker looks great! :)
good luck with your challenge in 2010 :)

Awesome ticker Angie!

Thank you, Thank you! =)

#1. Housekeeping-Marilynne Robinson. 3.5/5
This was an interesting book and a quick read. A story about two sisters that were raised by their grandmother, two great aunts, and then their eccentric aunt. The writing is beautiful and leaves me a little confused at times but I still enjoyed the story. Should be an interesting book to discuss with book club. Thats about all I can say about this one.

2. Left Behind Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins 5/5
I loved this book!!! I've had this series sitting on my TBR shelf for quite awhile now, and made it my personal goal to finish it this year. I figured it would slow me down as they are not small books.. but I was wrong...

A whole series about after Christ Raptures his church and what happens to those left behind. I personally find the book of Revelations a little confusing so it was nice to have someone interpret it and make it more " readable". Great story can't wait to dive into book #2...

I'm glad that you liked the Left Behind books. A couple years ago, I read the Left Behind teenage books. Those were good, so I want to move up the "grown up" books. It's nice to hear a positive endorsement of them.

Julie wrote: "I'm glad that you liked the Left Behind books. A couple years ago, I read the Left Behind teenage books. Those were good, so I want to move up the "grown up" books. It's nice to hear a positive end..."

I'm sure if you enjoyed the teenage ones you will enjoy these ones. I'm only on book #2 so I have no idea how good the whole series is. I can tell you though that the first book was really good and made me pick up the second one right away! =)

Left Behind is a very interesting series. I've read them all twice, and could probably be talked into a third time without too much difficulty.

Kay wrote: "Left Behind is a very interesting series. I've read them all twice, and could probably be talked into a third time without too much difficulty."

I knew you had good taste Kay! =)

#3. Tribulation Force-Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins 4/5.
Another great book in the left behind series.. on to book 3.

Angie wrote: "#3.Tribulation Force-Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins 4/5.
Another great book in the left behind series.. on to book 3."

The Left Behind Series is a FAST read!! They are so good, and at the end of each book they leave you reaching for the next one!! I loved this series!

#4. Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist-Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins. 4.5/5
This book had suspense.. kept you on your toes. Another great book to the Left Behind series. Each book ends with a cliff-hanger that makes you just want to pick up the next book.Book #4 here I come!

#5.Under Fire -Henri Barbusse 3/5
"Under Fire follows the fortunes of the French Sixth Battalion during the First World War. This was for my classic book club. Normally I don't like war books but I didn't find this one too bad. some parts were interesting... and even though I didn't know who any of the characters were in the story ( way too many and really strange names) I still was able to follow the story. It was good in small spurts, but not a book I could sit down and read from cover to cover.

#6. [image error] Soul Harvest-Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins 5/5. #4 in the Left Behind Series the "adventure" continues. Great books!

#7. Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie-Ole Edvart Rolvaag-3.5/5 stars.

The classic story of a Norwegian pioneer family's struggles with the land and the elements of the Dakota Territory as they try to make a new life in America.

I read this for my classic book club, and we were definitely split in the decision. I really liked this book. The ending was a little abrupt but other than that it was a good read.

#8. Love Walked In Marisa de los Santos 4/5 stars.

This book was a pleasant surprise. It was not your typical chick-lit book. It had a great story and to top it off the writing was beautiful. I would definitely recommend this book.

Angie wrote: "#8.Love Walked In Marisa de los Santos 4/5 stars.

This book was a pleasant surprise. It was not your typical chick-lit book. It had a great story a..."

This one has been on my "To get to one day" list for along time! I may have to move it up the list now! lol

I've also wanted this one for a while, I might buy it for vacation since a lot of people have told me they liked it!

I think you would both like it, but if you don't please don't hold me responsible! =)

Never- pinky swear! I'm a firm believer in to each his own :)

#9. Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed-Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins 4.5/5.
Number 5 in the Left Behind Series. Still enjoying it and almost half way done. All I can say is I'm SO glad i'm not going to be around when all this stuff happens!!

#10 Winter GardenKristin Hannah 4/5 stars.

Not everything is always as it seems, and this book proved just that. The book is about the relationship between two daughters and their mother. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. This is the second book I've read by this author and I can't wait to read some more of her stuff!

Angie, I like Kristin Hannah too. She writes a nice story, nothing over the top or super crazy. I find that when I read her books I can pass them off to just about anyone and they say they liked it too.

#11. The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use It-David Niven 3/5 stars.

This is a short book with some good advice. Quick and easy to read. Most of it is common sense that we just tend to ignore.

#12. Moloka'i-Alan Brennert 3.5/5 stars.
This book was quite interesting.It is about a little girl who gets banished to the leper colony on the island of Molokai. its happy, sad, cruel,and informative. Although I don't believe/agree with all the pagan gods I just kind of skimmed through some of those parts. This book was worth the read, and if the topic interests you then I would recommend it.

Angie wrote: "I think you would both like it, but if you don't please don't hold me responsible! =)"

Definitely wouldn't! Don't worry!!

Angie, I have Moloka'i on my TBR pile. I think I'll like it based on your review. Thanks!

#13. The Shipping News- Annie Proulx. 3.5/5

I read this book for my classic book club.
This book was kind of quirky! Better than I expected it would be.

#14. Cry, the Beloved Country-Alan Paton 4/5 stars

Another book club book,that I enjoyed.

#15. House Rules Jodi Picoult 3.5/5
Well being a HUGE fan of Jodi I WISH I could give this book more than a 3.5/5.. but I just can't. I was hooked from the beginning.. I really liked the story and the characters.. but the last few chapters left me a little disappointed. Although I enjoyed the book, I didn't find it a waste of time, It still was not one of my favorites. Having said this it will not stop me from reading anymore of her books. I'm still a huge fan!!

Angie, I lot of faithful Jodi fans are saying that they are kind of sick of the formula she uses for her books. Do you have any thoughts on this? I've read all of her older books, but I'm behind on her newer ones so I can't comment on it.

Its not really the formula per say that I didn't like about this book.. I don't want to give too much away, but I just found it too predictable. I know alot of people did not like " Handle with Care" but I loved that one.. this one was just different. Like I said I enjoyed it up till the last couple chapters and then it was a little disaapointing. You should read it and then we can discuss it more =)

#16. Doctor Zhivago-Boris Pasternak 3.5/5

Another one to cross off the classic book club list.

I usually find Russian novels hard to read and confusing with all the crazy names and such... but this one was quite enjoyable.As far as Russian novels go I liked it better than Anna Karenina ( I'm probably going to get flamed for that) lol.. but I found it easier to read.I think I'm going to have to watch the movie.. although I hear it is nothing like the book....

On a side note i've fallen very behind in this challenge.. in order to finish I need to read 8 books a month. :o Wish me luck! lol

#17 The Icarus Girl -Helen Oyeyemi 3.5/5 stars.
we read this one for book club, although its not a classic =)
This book was interesting.. we all had a different idea as to who Tilly Tilly really was. Some parts were kind of creepy and the ending was a little abrupt.. but it was a quick read, only took me two days! =)

#18. Cutting for Stone-Abraham Verghese 5/5 stars.
I loved this book!! It was such a beautiful story and so interesting.Would reccommend it to everyone.. although It seems like everyone is already reading it!! =)

#19 The Fall of the House of Usher-Edgar Allan Poe.. 0/5 stars!

Blah! there is 15 minutes of my life I'll never get back... =(

#20 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson.
This book I find VERY difficult to review. There were many things I liked about the book, and many that I disliked. I know MANY people that are reading this book right now and just love it... but I have some concerns.
If I was rating it based on just the main plot/mystery and such I would probably give it a 4/5 I found that part all interesting.. well some of the financial stuff was a little confusing but all and all the plot was well written I thought.
If I was to rate the book overall I think I would only give it a 3.5/5... I just found it had WAY too much swearing.. I mean really was it necessary? not so much.. too much sex and some very graphic situations that made my stomach turn. If this was a movie i'm pretty sure I would of turned it off half way through.

Am I going to read the next one in the series?? I'm not really sure. I am intrigued to see where the rest of the story goes BUT I've also been told that the second book is even sleazier( if that is a word)than the first one.Hmmm.. I guess I'll just have to see how I'm feeling when the next book comes in.

Please don't hate me if you LOVED this book.. to each his own, right?? =)

Angie wrote: "#18.Cutting for Stone-Abraham Verghese 5/5 stars.
I loved this book!! It was such a beautiful story and so interesting.Would reccommend it to ev..."

An amazing book!!!

Angie wrote: "#18.Cutting for Stone-Abraham Verghese 5/5 stars.
I loved this book!! It was such a beautiful story and so interesting.Would reccommend it to ev..."

Angie, our book club just chose this one and I'm anxious to read it...I have heard all good things!

Angie wrote: "#20The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson.
This book I find VERY difficult to review. There were many things I liked about ..."

Angie, I agree. I also found this book hard to review. I found the beginning slow and tedious but enjoyed the middle part of the book. I thought the mystery was intriguing and the characters compelling, especially Lisbeth. However, I too was rather disgusted by the graphic nature of the crimes. I have cut the author some slack on this point after I learned that he was an investigative reporter and wanted to highlight the issue of violence against women. I'm reading the second book now but it's too early to have an opinion.

JanB, I have another friend who thought that the graphic parts were just a little too over the edge.

I am sad to hear that you didn't like The Fall of the House of Usher. Have you read other stuff by Poe? I personally love The TellTale Heart.

JanB wrote: "Angie wrote: "#20The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson.
This book I find VERY difficult to review. There were many things I..."

I did not realize that he was an investigative reporter... I guess that would make sense why he was so graphic when it came to the abuse against the women. I still don't think i'm going to finish the series though.. There are WAY too many books out there that I want to read, to waste my time on a series that I just think is "ok".....maybe someday though!

Julie wrote: "I am sad to hear that you didn't like The Fall of the House of Usher. Have you read other stuff by Poe? I personally love The TellTale Heart."

No I haven't read anything else.. I read it for my book club, and I was rushing to finish it so maybe that is why I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. maybe someday I'll try and read something else by him!

#21 Assassins Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkinds. 4/5.

#6 in the Left Behind Series! Half way done! Took a little break but happy to get back to the series. This book was not my favorite so far, but still worth reading. Can't wait to start the next one, I think it will be very interesting.

#22. The Indwelling-Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins 4.5/5

#7 in the left behind series. I liked this book even better than the last one. more than half way done the series hopefully I can finish it this year

At the moment reading Gone with the Wind and that is a FAT book so it will probably take me awhile......

#23 Gone With the Wind-Margaret Mitchell 4/5 stars

WOW this book took me a long time to read.. but at 959pgs I guess that would explain why. It was worth the read for sure.

What an accomplishment Angie!

thank you! =) now on to some fluffy reads lol..