Challenge: 50 Books discussion
2010
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Cathy of PA 50 Book Challenge
I read The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane last year. What did you think about it? I found that at times it was a little bit boring and the story at times was a little too lengthy!
I was somewhat disappointed with this book, too. I thought it was interesting that the author had a vested interest in creating this story because of her researched "Salem" lineage. I thought the story meandered abit and could have been better written with a greater opportunity to connect to readers.Actually, last January I read a similar-themed book that my sister recommended that was abit shorter and more enjoyable. It was called "The Shape of Mercy" by Susan Meissner.
3. World Without End (Audiobook) by Ken FollettGood story, but the longest audiobook I've ever done...45 1/2 hours. The narrator John Lee was great.
4. My Lobotomy: A Memoir by Howard Dully and Charles Fleming
Not great writing, but a disturbing journey of a misunderstood, unloved twelve-year old boy who received a transorbital("ice-pick") lobotomy and his life-long search for understanding and peace.
The last chapter recreates his NPR interview of Nov. 2005 in detail. After completing the book I went to npr.org and found and listened to the complete recording under 'My Lobotomy': Howard Dully's Journey.
Fascinating and disturbing memoir.
5. Dreams of My Russian Summers by Andrei Makine
6. A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. GainesIn honor of Martin Luther King Day I will be reading several books by above African-American author this month. Loved the above classic and will now begin "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman". This one was made into a pretty good movie in the 70's(I'm showing my age) starring Cecily Tyson as the main character. Does anyone remember seeing the movie way back when or do you have any comments on books written by Ernest J. Gaines?
8. Digging to America by Anne Tyler....audiobook Light, but enjoyable story for the car ride to work.
9.In My Father's House by Ernest J. Gaines....Third by this author. Enjoyed this one more than book #7. Actually, preferred the 1970's movie to book #7(very unusual). I loved "A Lesson Before Dying".It was nice to read several books by the author and I hope to get one more in before the close of 2010.
11. Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas. I had not read anything by this author and probably would not had chosen to if not the selection of my bookclub. I was pleasantly surprised by a tale of a frienship of an older woman of a high-country mining town during the Great Depression with that of a young, lonely newcomer to her community.A special friendship develops between the two women through their mutual interest in quilting and the older women's ability to retell or weave stories of her life sewn together like the quilts. Her lifetime of stories provide the tapestry of the book and Nit, the younger woman, being young and curious has an ear and heart for the stories that envelop her into this new harsh mountain community and lifestyle. The stories provide healing for both women..... "Quilts are like lives. They're made up of a lot a little pieces."
A cozy read for this winter season.
12. The Unit byNinni Holmqvist. Engaging, quick read of a dystopian society. Well-written, somewhat disturbing, and I think it would make a great movie!
14. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession byAllison Hoover Bartlett
15.Cutting for Stone byAbraham Verghese.An audio book can be engaging and interesting while on your commute to work. A well-written epic novel as this is is then taken into your home to further enjoy the wonders of a superb and riveting first novel. To lie awake as you would with a grand book well past the midnight hour on the eve of another snowstorm listening with continued absorption until the story closes says much for the caliper of this novel.
This is a well-developed novel full of characters of the most memorable and remarkable sort. Alot of the story is under a framework of medicine and surgery , but is so much more a story of wonder, misery, and redemption. A novel that never fails you and reaches deeply into your heart and mind and remains with you beyond the closing of the book, or in this case an unrivaled, well-narrated audio experience. Truely loved this one and I will now go and purchase this novel for a permanent place on my bookshelf.
18. Rooftops of Tehran: A Novel byMahbod Seraji.An emotionally felt story of deep friendship and young love during a tumultuous time of brewing revolution in Iran. I easily connected with the characters and felt the pain and grief they encountered, while also rejoicing in the true degree of friendship and love in these well-written characters. Universal themes in a faraway setting.
Weather is getting nice and I'm slowing down a bit now that winter has passed. It took me awhile to finish this one.... Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips. (Number 25 and still counting.)
27. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers28. Italian Shoes: A Novel by Henning Mankell
29. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
30. The Women by T.C. Boyle31. Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
32. My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
40.
The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow
41.
The Shadow Year: A Novel by Jeffrey Ford
42.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book by Anita Silvey
43.
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
44.
Eat, Drink, and Weigh Less: A Flexible and Delicious Way to Shrink Your Waist Without Going Hungry by Mollie Katzen
45.
My Abandonment by Peter Rock
46.
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
47.
The Devil Amongst the Lawyers: A Ballad by NovelSharyn McCrumb
48.
The Secret Lives of Buildings: From the Ruins of the Parthenon to the Vegas Strip in Thirteen Stories by Edward Hollis
This is it I have read 50 in 2010...yipee!!!!! Of course, I will keep reading...how can I not. There are all kinds of addicts. I guess there are worst things than book addicts.49.
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
50.
The Ghost Orchid by Carol Goodman (audiobook).
Congrats Cathy! You are on course for 100 :-)
Oh, I loved Mister Pip! Anyone who has savored Great Expectations should appreciate this unique little book (although there is some grisly violence at certain points). Rose
52.
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova.
Just finished this on audio. It was abit lengthy, but an interesting mystery that unfolds that involves love, obsession, and lots of painting. The actor Treat Willliams, a very recognizable voice, reads as one of the main characters in this novel. If there was a 3 and a half star rating it would fall about here, not quite a full-four book, but definitely worth a second glance.
55.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
56.
City of Thieves by David Benioff. This is my favorite book of the summer. I did it on audiobook and loved it.
57.
The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Tóibín
58.
Once Upon a Day by Lisa Tucker. Picked this one out at the library and was pleasantly surprised.
59.
While I Was Gone by Sue Miller
60.
If the Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr
The Swan Thieves is the best book I've read yet this year.Rose
Obsessedreader wrote: "The Swan Thieves is the best book I've read yet this year.Rose"
I read it one audiobook and gave it four stars. One of the main readers on the audio was the actor Treat Williams. That was kind of cool since his voice is so recognizable.
My favorites this year were: Cutting for Stone, The Help, and City of Thieves.
61.
The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin
62.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon - audiobook
Cathy, I agree that The Help and Cutting For Stone were both excellent books. I was disappointed in City of Thieves, however. Halfway through, I anticipated the ending and was really hoping it wouldn't be that trite.Rose
63.
The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley64.
Freedom Summer: The Savage Season That Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracy by Bruce Watson
65.
Blame: A Novel by Michelle Huneven66.
The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard67.
Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross68.
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan TropperTropper's novel was the best of this lot. It was a funny and insightful look at a dysfunctional family as they sat shiva for their deceased father/husband.
Pickard's novel was a 3 1/2 read filled with the unveiling of long ago secrets of murder in small-town America. A good read filled with suspense that keeps you going until the mystery is solved.
"Mr. Peanut" had a good premise with a mediocre execution. I found this one confusing at times.
"Blame" I completed on audio. There are better narrations and books for audio out there. An average read with a decent twist at the end, but the story felt a bit drawn out at times.
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Girl in Translation (other topics)Kings of the Earth (other topics)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (other topics)
Every Last Cuckoo (other topics)
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jean Kwok (other topics)Jon Clinch (other topics)
Rebecca Skloot (other topics)
Kate Maloy (other topics)
Walter Mosley (other topics)
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January begun:
1. Addition by Toni Jordan
2. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Elizabeth
Howe
I will also be including my audiobook that was begun over the holidays, but is extremely long(36 discs) with a good portion being completed in 2010, well soon to be completed this year.
I only made it to 35 books last year, but did not have this group's challenge to spur me onto greater heights in personal literature.
Avid PA reader