The 104 Book Challenge - 2011 discussion

New to this group~looking forward to the challenge:)

I was very impressed with The Measure of A Man, both in his actions and how well the book was written. He's written another, Life Beyond Measure - letters to my Great-Granddaughter you might want to check out.

Thanks Mary, I was impressed too. It sure lends itself to a thoughful examination of my own life. I will check out Life Beyond Measure.

Anne Frank is amazing! But I wasn't a huge fan of Wuthering Heights, but I hope you like it far better then I did

Sarah wrote: "Anne Frank is amazing! But I wasn't a huge fan of Wuthering Heights, but I hope you like it far better then I did"

Hi Sarah, I'm sure I will love Anne Frank. I may have read it long ago but want to go back and read again. Wurthering Heights does sound depressing. I saw the movie is several versions so thought I'd read the book.

I'm planning to read The Diary of Anne Frank soon too. I can't believe I've never read such an iconic book. I've always felt kind of embarrassed when it comes up in conversation, like a complete illiterate!
Well, it's good to know you two have such positive opinions. Maybe I'll move it up on my priority list.

Diane wrote: "I'm planning to read The Diary of Anne Frank soon too. I can't believe I've never read such an iconic book. I've always felt kind of embarrassed when it comes up in conversation, like a complete i..."

Yes Diane, I think it would be a great idea to move it up. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Just finished "The Friday Night Knitting Club". I enjoyed the bond of friendship that was formed between this group of women. The book had a realistic storyline. Just everyday experiences that could happen to anyone.

Finished "Crazy Cool". Super Hot guys who used to be street thugs now working for the government in special ops. Set in Denver among the art world this book offers action, mystery and sex.

Southern Lights~ I gave this book a 2 star rating. I used to read DS books but it has been a long time. This story looked good but I was disappointed by the cast of characters. The ex husband was such a weak man and the way the marriage broke up was totally unbelievable bordering on ridiculous. The story branched off into too many directions.

Breaking Point~I've read several books from this series but read them out of order. This story is mostly about 40 plus yr old Max, FBI team leader and 20 something yr old Gina, Aids field worker in Kenya. Gina's in love with Max and has no problem with his age however Max has lots of issues. The age difference and the fact that he didn't "Save" Gina (who he didn't know at that time)from an airplane hijacking where she was violently raped and beaten. SB uses a lot of psycho-babble which I just realized she injected into the other books I've read to some degree or other. This one has more. Jules Cassidy is another character in this story. I was familar with him from the other books and I liked him. He's a FBI agent and really smart. Has a great sense of humor and is gay. In this story I didn't like how he kept calling his male boss "sweetie". I mean I just think that is unprofessional in any work setting whether your male or female. This book didn't rate high with me.

The Personal History of Rachel DuPree~This book was just ok. Nothing to notable. It does depict the harshness of living in the Badlands of SD. I've seen the Badlands and can imagine that to be true.

The Kitchen House~ I really liked this book. The characters were wonderfully portrayed. I loved how the black slaves took the little orphaned Irish girl into their "family". Mama May was wise and strong, holding everyone together. She knew just how to handle the white plantation owners. I think they respected her even though they never would have said it. The story was filled with a lot of tragedy though. I think the author added just about every kind of heartache there is. I would recommend this book.

Crazy Wild~
Creed Riveria, mostly recovered for wounds both physical and mental is back home at Steele Street in Denver. He is assigned to watch known terrorist, Cody Stark as she tries to sell the location of a missle to the highest bidder whether it be the Russians or the Islamists. Creed soon realises Cody is not who he thinks she is. Cody is a woman on the run who is caught up in something she hide from. Creed decides to help her even if it costs him his job.

The Art of Racing in the Rain~
Denny, an aspiring race car driver adopts Enzo as a puppy. Of indeterminable breed, Enzo is very intelligent. So much so that it is he who tells this story. His love and faithfulness for Denny, his wife Eve and their daughter, Zoe are what fuels this story. Enzo spends his days watching TV and learning a lot about car racing and also about reincarnation. He believes that when he dies he will come back as a human man. This story makes you laugh and cry. I'd highly recommend it.

Reese's Bride~
Eight yrs ago Reese and Elizabeth made promises to marry when he returned from the war. When circumstances change Elizabeth marries another man. Upon his death she finds herself and young son is danger. She turns to Reese, who has just returned from the war, for safety. Being the honorable man that he is, he offers her his protection even though he hates her for betraying her promise. Elizabeth has a secret that she has been keeping from Reese but the truth will be told soon enough.

I really enjoyed this book. Did you? Did you know that they've made this story into a movie which will be released this summer?

Lisa wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. Did you? Did you know that they've made this story into a movie which will be released this summer?"

I'm almost done with it. Maybe later today or tomorrow. I really like it. I am not very familiar with Chinese culture so it is educational. I didn't know about the movie but I bet it would be good. I have another Lisa See book to read on my list. Shanghai Girls .

You're in for a treat then!

Sounds interesting..is it?

Lisa wrote: "Sounds interesting..is it?"

Yes, he is my husbands second cousin. It is a sad story of his life growing up. His mother passed away when he was 7 and he was abandoned by his father. Sickly as a child and small for his age his grandmother raised him and his half brother who was also abandoned by a father. They grow up on the PA/NY border in a small town. His feelings of worthlessness and fear overshadowed his life.

Thanks for the update Barb!

1.The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiographyby Sidney Poitier1-2-11
2.Fahrenheit 451byRay Bradbury4-3-11
3.The Zero GamebyBrad Meltzer4-16-11
4.Wish You WellbyDavid Baldacci4-16-11
5.The Neon RainbyJames Lee Burke4-23-11
6.Under Her SkinbySusan Mallery3-30-11
7.Water for ElephantsbySara Gruen4-21-11
8.A Hunger Like No OtherbyKresley Cole4-4-11
9.Tempt the Devilby Anna Campbell2-17-11
10.One Knight Onlyby Julie Latham 1-20-11
11.Dracula My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James1-2-11
12.Hunting MidnightbyEmma Holly 3-28-11
13. The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann1-2-11
14. Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot1-1-11
15. The Brave by Nicholas Evans1-5-11
16. Crazy SweetbyTara Janzen4-27-11
17.Bad Blood by John Sandford2-19-11
18.Rule's Bride by Kat Martin1-31-11
19.Reese's BridebyKat Martin3-25-11
20.Talk Me Down byVictoria Dahl4-8-11
21.Dragonflightby Ann McCarthy1-11-11
22.Birthright by Nora Roberts1-12-11
23..The Art of Racing in the RainbyGarth Stein3-23-11
24.Crazy WildbyTara Janzen3-19-11
25.Breaking PointbySuzanne Brockmann3-9-11
26.Moon Sworn by Keri Arthur1-14-11
27.Years by La Vyrle Spencer1-22-11
28.The Last Days by Joel Rosenberg1-7-11
29.To the Wedding by John Berger1-17-11
30.Winter Moon by Dean Koontz1-21-11
31. Blood Oathby Christopher Farnsworth2-3-11
32.Sex, Lies, and Online Dating by Rachel Gibson1-30-11
33.Sullivan's Woman by Nora Roberts1-30-11
34.Not Another Bad Dateby Rachel Gibson2-15-11
35.Into the Fire bySuzanne Brockmann 2-6-11
36.Good Poemsby Garrison Keillor3-4-11
37.Vanished by Joseph Finder2-12-11
38.The Bancroft StrategybyRobert Ludlum4-7-11
39.Southern Lights byDanielle Steel 3-7-11
40.Crazy Coolby Tara Jenkins3-6-11
41.The Spy Who Came in from the ColdbyJohn le Carré4-29-11
42.Beneath a Darkening Moon by Keri Arthur2-14-11
43.Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girlby Anne Frank 2-23-11
44.The Personal History of Rachel DuPree: A NovelbyAnn Weisgarber3-14-11
45.Mr. Cavendish, I Presumeby Julia Quinn2-22-11
46. Just ImaginebySusan Elizabeth Phillips5-30-11
47.In Dreams by Nora Roberts 2-24-11
48. Spellbound by Nora Roberts2-27-11
49.The Friday Night Knitting ClubbyKate Jacobs3-5-11
50. The Kitchen HousebyKathleen Grissom3-12-11
51. Living without Credentials by Donald Neuville ( an unpublished autobiography)5-15-11
52. Sparkling CyanidebyAgatha Christie4-30-11
53. Simply IrresistiblebyRachel Gibson5-1-11
54.Snow Flower and the Secret FanbyLisa See5-7-11
55.The IdiotbyFyodor Dostoyevsky5-29-11
56. Codes of BetrayalbyDorothy Uhnak5-11-11
57. I, Alex CrossbyJames Patterson5-11-11
58. Carolina IslebyJude Deveraux5-15-11
59.Buried PreybyJohn Sandford5-23-11

60. JulietbyAnne Fortier6-9-11

61. EverlastingbyIris Johansen6-9-11

62. True Love and Other DisastersbyRachel Gibson6-12-11

63.Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the VeilbyDeborah Rodriguez6-15-11

64. Bound to Shadowsby Keri Arthur6-15-11

65.RainwaterbySandra Brown6-16-11

66.Heaven's PrisonersbyJames Lee Burke 6-22-11

67.Black IcebyAnne Stuart 6-22-11

68. Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and BackTodd Burpo 6-25-11

69. Nothing But TroublebyRachel Gibson 7-2-11

70. Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam WarbyBruce Henderson7-2-11

71. Text Order Bride byKirsten Osbourne 7-9-11

72. Save My SoulbyZoe Winters7-10-11

73.LysistratabyAristophanes7-13-11

74. A Stolen Life: A MemoirbyJaycee Lee Dugard7-14-11

75. Naughty NeighborBYJanet Evanovich7-16-11

76. Extreme DangerbyShannon McKenna 7-20-11
Hated it! But wanted to use for three challenges:(

77.Dragonfly in AmberbyDiana Gabaldon8-7-11

78.Cutting for StonebyAbraham Verghese7-30-11

79.Scream for Me (book #8)byKaren Rose7-29-11

80. The Red ShoesbyHans Christian Andersen8-1-11

81. WenchbyDolen Perkins-Valdez8-9-11

83.The White QueenbyPhilippa Gregory8-11-11

84.Vampire's ball by Julie V 8-10-11

85. SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL SniperbyHoward E. Wasdin8-16-11

Great story about the Navy SEALs.

86. Ghost MoonbyRebecca York8-25-11
This book has it all. Werewolves, ghosts, murder, travel through different dimensions and terrorists. The problem is is that it is all thrown together into a weak story line and characters.

87. Lola Carlyle Reveals AllbyRachel Gibson8-15-11
I like the way RG writes. I don't think this is one of her best.

88. True ConfessionsbyRachel Gibson8-21-11
A big city girl finds love in a small mountain town.

89. Sunset LimitedbyJames Lee Burke8-17-11