75 Books...More or Less! discussion

So here goes..my goal is to read at least 75 books this year (my stretch goal is 100 with an emphasis on stretch). I read 60 books in 2009 but didn't really start reading in earnest until mid to late February so I think 75 is definitely a reasonable target. We'll see how it works out!

1. [image error] Under the Dome - Stephen King. Finished 1/3. 5 stars.

Terrific first read of the year -- started in 2009 but finished in the new year.

2. Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh. Finished 1/5. 4 stars.

So...I decided to take a trip down memory lane. First of the series and I plan to read the other three. Purely sentimental and enjoyable for the memories.

3. Green Metropolis - David Owen. Finished 1/9. 4 stars.

I really enjoyed reading this book, up until the latter part where the author provided a wholly inadequate explanation for why he did not live in the way that he felt the rest of the world should be moving towards.

The points in the book about how and why urban living, in particular Manhattan, is in many ways the most desirable from an environmental perspective, was fascinating since I had not thought about being "green" in those ways. I think the author made powerful arguments for re-thinking how the environment would be best helped or least harmed by how humans live and how to increase the odds that humans will live in a way that minimizes damage to the environment.

4. Harriet Spies Again - Helen Ericson. Finished 1/10. 3 stars.

Sentimental read; second book in the series.

5. Death of a Salesman - Arthur Miller. Finished 1/13. 2 stars.

I originally read this in high school and remembered enough parts that it seemed like a good choice for a re-read. It was a quick read, but I remember that the reason it stood out so much was that my teacher took such pleasure in exploring the various points of the story.

Pauline wrote: "1. [image error] Under the Dome - Stephen King. Finished 1/3. 5 stars.

Terrific first read of the year -- started in 2009 but finished in the new year. "

I'm planning to read this in 2010.

Pauline wrote: "2. Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh. Finished 1/5. 4 stars.

So...I decided to take a trip down memory lane. First of the series and I plan to read the other thr..."

I loved this book as a kid...I love going back and revisiting "old friends" in the books that I read growing up!

6. The Making of a President 1960 - Theodore White. Finished 1/24. 3 stars.

This was an interesting read, with some good insights into how the political process played out. It was especially interesting to have the perspective written at the time, rather than after many years had elapsed. Some of the situations are well known, but the book provides more detail, and the other situations that have not been publicized that are included in the book are interesting as well. In particular, it is fascinating how the candidates tried to stay on top of what was going on in the primaries and the elections using what was then cutting edge technology -- typewriters, secretarial pools, and the like.

The race issue was not handled well, in my opinion, but in many ways represented where politics and the country was at that time.

This book took way longer to finish than I expected. It is quoted as 530 pages, but given the amount of time that I spent reading, I should have finished several days ago!

"Pauline wrote: "2. Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh. Finished 1/5. 4 stars.

So...I decided to take a trip down memory lane. First of the series and I plan to ..."

Joy wrote: I loved this book as a kid...I love going back and revisiting "old friends" in the books that I read growing up!

Glad I'm not the only one that loved this book! It was interesting to read the book and try to figure out/remember what aspects of the book would have appealed to me when I first read it.

7. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates Finished 1/28. 4 stars.

I read this book after seeing the movie, and that turned out to be the proper sequence. While I enjoyed the movie, the book provided the additional nuance and detail that made the characters more complete. While there wasn't enough detail to come to a reasoned understanding of all the characters, there was enough to contemplate the options for why things were done (or not done). Yates' writing style is fluid and enjoyable.

Pauline wrote: "6. The Making of a President 1960 - Theodore White. Finished 1/24. 3 stars.

This was an interesting read, with some good insights into how the p..."

Pauline, I'm adding this to my "to read" list!

"Pauline wrote: "6. The Making of a President 1960 - Theodore White. Finished 1/24. 3 stars.

This was an interesting read, with some good insight...


Kay wrote: Pauline, I'm adding this to my "to read" list! "

Great! Let me know what you think of it if you do read it (if your TBR pile is anything like mine it may take a little bit of time to get to!)

8. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Finished 2/6. 3 stars.

I enjoyed many parts of this book, while other parts dragged too much for my liking. It felt like too much time was spent on points that were already made. It was clear that the author wanted to make a point along with telling a story and both of those goals could have been accomplished in fewer words. It was enjoyable to see another country through the eyes of different characters and the author was really able to convey points effectively through their dialogue (especially Rachel). The explanation for why the mother felt guilt for what her daughters went through in Africa, however, missed the biggest point in my opinion and that caused me to not enjoy the remainder of the book as much as what preceded it.

9. I Am America: And So Can You! by Stephen Colbert. Finished 2/7. 3 stars.

Funny fast read, with a very similar style to his television show.

10. I, Alex Cross by James Patterson. Finished 2/11. 4 stars.

This was surprisingly good. I had read the first few books in this series many years ago and enjoyed them but had not continued with the series. I'm glad I decided to read this, the last in the series. It did a nice job of intermingling the mystery with the personal aspects of Alex's life and the story moved along very quickly. I'll be going back and reading this whole series.

11. Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb. Finished 2/14. 4 stars.

Fantastic -- this series continues at such a high quality. Nice, subtle use of humor as well -- I still chuckle remembering one particular line that had me laughing out loud the first time I read it.

12. Harriet the Spy, Double Agent by Louise Fitzhugh. Finished 2/14. 3 stars.

Continuing with my read of this series...a trip down memory lane. Quick read that stayed true to the original, even though it was written by a different author that had permission from the original author's estate to write the book. One left to go in the series.

13. The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. Finished 2/15. 4 stars.

Schmaltzy, but surprisingly good. Nicely told story that had surprises that ended "perfectly" but still was an enjoyable read.

14. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Finished 2/20. 3 stars.

This book raised interesting questions about conscience and the impact that life decisions have on a person. The story was plodding in those sections where the author attempted to explain the excesses of Dorian Gray, but in general the story moved along fairly well.

15. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. Finished 2/21. 3 stars.

Interesting but not a great read. Steinbeck can definitely convey a scene/story with his words and is telling a story of living real, average life, not what those in an ivory tower feel is average life. A pleasant book.

Pauline, You've got me interested in "Harriet the Spy" now - a series I never did read. Plus J.D. Robb and the James Patterson/Alex Cross series.

This is how my TBR list gets out of hand!

I remember LOVING Harriet the Spy when I was a kid. Never realized there were more in the series.

Me either!

Yeah, I wish I knew there were others in the Harriet the Spy series when I was younger and so into the first book. I did find out about The Long Secret which is the last book in the series that I have left to read. They're fun now but I know I would have enjoyed them much more when I was younger.

16. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris. Finished 2/27. 3 stars.

Not particularly a great read but it did move the series along (this is the Sookie Stackhouse vampire series that the HBO series True Blood is based on). Not enough to make me quit reading but I do hope future installments are a little more enjoyable.

17. The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Finished 3/3. 1 star.

The most positive thing I can say about this short story is that I am now able to check off that I read it. I'm a little surprised that this is considered a classic. The author does have an ability to convey imagery very effectively but the end of the story left me wondering "is that it?" - the "point" is not conveyed very effectively.

18. Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead. Finished 3/6. 5 stars.

This book transported me to Sag Harbor (where I haven't ever been) and through a summer vacation; I could almost smell the ocean breeze. The story is the main character's summer vacation at the beach; as is typical with a teenager's experience, there wasn't any overly dramatic experience but a lot of change that occurs under the surface that will be reflected on as an adult. The pleasure in this story is the journey not the destination.

19. South of Broad by Pat Conroy. Finished 3/10. 1 star.

Well this was a disappointment. It started out well and I initially had high hopes that this would be an engaging book that was well written. And then the overwrought prose and unrealistic dialogue began...and continued. The unlikely plot twists began to pile up so that it became a game to guess the next one; and one of the twists that was supposed to be a big surprise was obvious at the beginning of the book but took 300 pages to be "revealed". I have not read other books by Pat Conroy and it looks like this is not one of his more popular books based on other reviews, but unfortunately this book disappointed me enough that I will not be giving him a second chance.

Pauline wrote: "18. Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead. Finished 3/6. 5 stars.

This book transported me to Sag Harbor (where I haven't ever been) and throu..."

I have this one in my stacks...I'm glad to hear it got 5 stars from you! I like hearing good reviews for books I have in my TBR shelf! Lets me know I have something great to look forward to! =)

Pauline, I have heard a lot of mixer reviews on the new Conroy. I think people either like it or are left feeling like it was just eh' After reading Beach Music I think it would be hard to read something and not have high expectations!

Andrea - I agree. I've seen the same dynamic in the reviews I have read of the book. Unfortunately it didn't work for me.

20. Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. Finished 3/13. 2 stars.

This book would have been more enjoyable without the preaching. The story outside of the environmental lesson that the author chose to integrate (not successfully in my opinion) was good. Barbara Kingsolver definitely is a talented writer, but based on the two books that I have now read of hers, she seems committed to integrating a lesson into her books and doesn't do it in a way that allows the story to flow naturally.

Pauline wrote: "20. Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. Finished 3/13. 2 stars.

This book would have been more enjoyable without the preaching. The stor..."

I agree 100%. She is so talented but the self-righteous preaching is hard to swallow. I've given up on her books.

21. Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne. Finished 3/24. 5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to expect but heard good things about the book that the movie was based on. It felt like an extended "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" - teen story but absurd and very funny. My measure for 5 stars vs. 4 stars is whether I have a strong interest in re-reading the book; this will definitely be re-read.

22. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. Finished 3/27. 3 stars.

Nice book, quick read. Typical Nicholas Sparks' romantic novel but enjoyable as long as you know going in what to expect.

I love Nicholas Sparks but I keep waiting for him to come out with bigger story that is less predictable.

Andrea -- I agree. I think he could do a nice job with a bigger story, but for whatever reason he has stayed with more formulaic stories (at least for his novels that I have read so far).

23. Dune by Frank Herbert. Finished 4/8. 4 stars.

This was a great science-fiction read. I don't read this genre very often but am glad I took many recommendations on this book. The story moved along fairly quickly and when the writing got "too technical" I could still follow the story even if the details weren't clear.

24. The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver. Finished 4/9. 3 stars.

I originally started reading this book last year and didn't finish it before it was due back to the library. I finally was able to re-check it out after being on the waitlist and finish the remainder, which resulted in my read being somewhat disjointed.

In spite of the delay in finishing the book from the original start, it was a good read. The author did an effective job of conveying the viewpoint that our lives can change and go in very different directions as a result of our choices, but there may be a place that we end up at regardless of the choices in our lives. This place is influenced by how we have experienced and interpreted life; that interpretation can sometimes be the same even though the experiences are different.

Pauline, the Post Birthday World sounds like something I would really like. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

Andrea -- it is an interesting read - I particularly like the way the author ties the two different life paths together at the end. It was a nice touch.

25. Anthem by Ayn Rand. Finished 4/11. 3 stars.

This was a quick read that used the story to make a point about society and the individual vs. the group. Reading the book wasn't painful, but it very clearly had a purpose which wasn't to tell an entertaining story. I intend to read Ayn Rand's more well-known novels, but started with this one as an introduction to her writing style. I am interested to see how her other books will rank.

Pauline wrote: "25. Anthem by Ayn Rand. Finished 4/11. 3 stars.

This was a quick read that used the story to make a point about society and the individual vs. the ..."

I started Atlas shrugged while in college and had to put it down as it was too much while doing a full courseload, I mean to read it sometime this year. I read The Fountainhead last year, and loved it...her philosophy, objectivism, is amazing...

Joy -- I plan to read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead at some point; I am looking forward to reading more of her.

26. New York by Edward Rutherfurd. Finished 4/25. 4 stars.

The story spans hundreds of years and many generations, all set in Manhattan. It was captivating and was essentially several novels in one, with the stories threaded together with links between and within families. This is a great book covering the history of New York.

27. Lost in the Meritocracy: The Undereducation of an Overachiever by Walter Kirn. Finished 4/28. 2 stars.

While the writing was fluid, this book felt like cotton candy where I just couldn't see the "big" point. There were smaller points that were made effectively through stories that the author shared, but it just didn't feel like a fully formed book. I'm not sure I would have finished this if it had been a long book.

28. So Much for That by Lionel Shriver. Finished 5/3. 4 stars.

This was very enjoyable. Although the subject wasn't always pleasant (cancer, illness, how health care costs can impact one's finances), the story is very engaging (and even at times laugh out loud funny).

29. The Pact by Jodi Picoult. Finished 5/5. 3 stars.

Interesting, fluffy read (although the topic dealt with teen suicide), but was too soap opera-ish in places. This was the first Jodi Picoult novel I've read and although I didn't love the book, I'll check out some of her other novels.

Pauline wrote: "28. So Much for That by Lionel Shriver. Finished 5/3. 4 stars.

This was very enjoyable. Although the subject wasn't always plea..."

Pauline,

This was one of the better books I read this year (see my 4 and 5 star books and my 75 books). I also thought it was a very good, empathetic, sympathetic, and you're right, sometimes funny, take on a not-so-pleasant subject. Have you read her earlier book, We Need to Talk about Kevin? That one is very thought-provking and haunting.

Alecia