Challenge: 50 Books discussion

1. The Shadow Year: A Novel by Jeffrey Ford (5 Stars)

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

A Very Long Engagement by Sébastien Japrisot

[image error] Playing Partners: A Father, a Son and Their Shared Passion for Golf by George Peper

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

In the Woods by Tana French

The Likeness: A Novel by Tana French

9. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

10. Haunted Ground: A Novel by Erin Hart

11. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

12. Gentlemen and Players: A Novel by Joanne Harris

13. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

14. Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

15. Already Dead by Charlie Huston

16. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

17. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

18. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

19. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

20. The Yellow House: A Novel by Patricia Falvey

21. The Forgery of Venus: A Novel by Michael Gruber

22. Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara

23. The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd

I listened to this book and really struggled with its length...I think I would have been better off to finished a section and took a break from it and then go back and treat it as if I were reading 3 or 4 separate books.....

24. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

If I could have I would have given this book 4 1/2 stars....I thought that it was written excellently and Shaara was able to put a personal side to each of these historic characters which enabled me to relate to and gain a understanding of the purpose that each of these mean felt...Shaara also was able to convey the magnitude and importance of this conflict and how it set the course of the rest of the war...this was without a doubt the best Civil War book that I have ever read...

25. Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris

26. Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières

4 Stars (****)

I finished this book and I am so happy...I tried to read it a few months ago and I just couldnt get through the first 100 pages...after that, for me, it turned into a beautiful story...the author vividly describes how difficult times were for those living and caught up in the struggle which was going on at that time and blended several relationships into that which made me want to not want to put the book down the further I got into it...

27. Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia by David L. Cook

5 Stars (*****)

This book was a gift to me from someone who cares about me and it really touched my heart...I think anyone who loves and cares about the game of golf but more importantly cares about where they are in their lives should read this book...

28. Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

4 Stars (****)

I laughed from the first page to the last with all the sarcastic one-liners...it was a wonderful book to read to kind of switch gears and refresh my mind for something more in-depth....

29. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

30. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

4 Stars (****)

31. A Course Called Ireland: A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee by Tom Coyne

4 Stars (****)

This is from the perspective of someone who planned a trip to Ireland for 8 men and for over a year either called someone there or emailed a golf course or B&B planning the trip of a lifetime...the author was spot on in descibing the beauty of the country...the golf courses...the people...the food...problems with dogs...."The Incident"....issues with the narrow roads (I had a wreck)...and especially Ballybunion...Ive been there..enough said...

Wonderful book...if you have a passion for golf but more than that if you have a passion golf in a place like no other this is a must read...

32. The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue

4 Stars (****)

33. Billy Boy by Bud Shrake

4 Stars (****)

A book which was a gift to me and before reading it I really didnt have any expectations...I found that Billy was such a interesting character that you just had to cheer for him throughout the whole story...Not just a story about golf but a story about life..."Billy Boy" was a wonderful gift!

34. Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

4 Stars (****)

35. Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart

4 Stars (****)

36. Fields of Fire by James Webb

4 Stars (****)

37. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

4 Stars (****)

38. Kings of the Earth by Jon Clinch

4 Stars (****)

The style in which this book was written kept my interest throughout...

39. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

4 Stars (****)

I finished this book and the beginning was a chore at times...the further in...the more I discovered...the more I enjoyed it...it was a good book and probably of the ones Ive read this year I would give this one another go down the road to enjoy some of the more comical parts...

40. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

3 Stars (***)

41. In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd

4 Stars (****)

There was one part where I laughed until I almost cried...although it was set before my time I remember experiencing similar things when I was a boy...especially the fireworks incident!!...a wonderful book to put a smile on your face!

42. The Rosetta Key by William Dietrich

3 Stars (***)

43. Faithful Place by Tana French

4 Stars(****)

Mid way through the book I was pretty sure I knew who was responsible and my thoughts were true...I wasnt sure if I should be disappointed that I figured the ending out or if that added to the intensity of the perceived conflict between the characters as the book progressed...of course being a cop for 23 years myself my mind tends to look at things from a different angle at times...Another very good book from this author...

44. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

4 Stars (****)

45. One Foot in Eden: A Novel by Ron Rash

4 Stars (****)

46. Along Came a Spider by James Patterson

4 Stars (****)

FOUR MORE TO GO!!

47. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

4 Stars (****)

48. Plainsong by Kent Haruf

4 1/2 Stars (**** 1/2)

I just felt good when I finished this book...I really loved it and I found myself caring for some of the characters...

Bob wrote: "48.Plainsong by Kent Haruf

4 1/2 Stars (**** 1/2)

I just felt good when I finished this book...I really loved it and I found myself cari..."

I have had this book sitting on my book shelf for I don't know how many years maybe 6 or 8. I've got to get around to reading it. I've seen several reviews that said they really liked the book. I think they made it into a made for t.v. movie, maybe on Lifetime. I didn't watch it though since I wanted to read the book. Thanks for the review!

49. Case Histories: A Novel by Kate Atkinson

3 Stars (***)

One more to go!!!