75 Books...More or Less! discussion

I love to read, and I love a challenge so this sounds interesting. =) I am only on book #56 for this year, so 75 books should be a nice challenge.

Great, Angie! I'm glad you've joined us!

1.The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 4/5 Stars. I thought this book was really good. Once I started I could't stop, read almost all of it in one sitting! definitely recommend it.

2. Gideon's Gift-Karen Kingsbury- 3/5 stars. It was a quick read with a good message.

3. Maggie's Miracle: A Novel-Karen Kingsbury. 3/5

4.Too Good to Be True-Shelia O'flanagan. 3/5. This was a nice, fluffy, light read. I love this author! If you like Sophie Kinsella or Marian Keyes' books you should probably check out this author!!

5. -This book took me way too long to read. I'm very behind in my challenge lol.. as for the book I rated it 3/5 stars.I enjoyed the first 500 pages and then I just lost interest for awhile. It was too long...but I liked the story, and the last 50 pages of the book redeemed itself..

6. PS, I Love You I gave this book 4/5 stars..I really enjoyed this book, but I must say that if you watch the movie first you might be disappointed. The movie and book are VERY different... It was a quick read with a few twists just to keep things interesting..

7. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder-Joanne Fluke. 3/5 stars. I don't usually read mysteries, but I must say I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, I liked the characters, and look forward to reading more from the series...

Angie, IMHO the series gets better as you go along. I liked the 2nd in the series (Strawberry Shortcake Murder) much more than the first. And I'm still reading . . . (I'm right in the middle of #4, the Lemon Meringue Pie Murder)

Kay wrote: "Angie, IMHO the series gets better as you go along. I liked the 2nd in the series (Strawberry Shortcake Murder) much more than the first. And I'm still reading . . . (I'm right in the middle of #..."

Oh Good!! I'm glad to hear that they just keep getting better.. I look forward to reading more from the series...

8.The Joy Luck Club -Amy Tan. 3/5 stars. This book was good. Quite a cultural shock. I enjoyed the many stories, mother's and daughters, but it also got a little confusing trying to keep all 8 people straight. Other than that though I found it very interesting.

I read Joy Luck Club years ago and it is still among my favorites. It can be little confusing, especially because of the flashbacks and keeping track of which daughter goes with which mother, but the stories of the mothers give some heartwrenching insights into life in the first half of twentieth century China. I've read several of Amy Tan's and would rank her as one of my favorite authors. The "Joy Luck Club" movie was extremely well done - one that had me in tears by the end.

Susan wrote: "I read Joy Luck Club years ago and it is still among my favorites. It can be little confusing, especially because of the flashbacks and keeping track of which daughter goes with which mother, but ..."

yes I totally agree!!
Hmm I didn't realize she had any other books.. which ones would you recommend?. I never realized there was a movie either.. I'll have to check that out! thanks!

I liked The Bonesetter's Daughter and One Hundered Secret Senses. The Joy Luck Club movie was made in 1993.

Susan wrote: "I liked The Bonesetter's Daughter and One Hundered Secret Senses. The Joy Luck Club movie was made in 1993.
"

Thank you, I'll have to check those out!!

9. Eat, Pray, Love One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia-Elizabeth Gilbert. 4/5 stars. I've had this book on my shelf for a LONG time, and I wish I wouldn't of waited so long to read it. I really enjoyed this book. I did not agree with everything in it, BUT I did enjoy seeing her personal growth which I thought was very important. Good book, but of course not for everyone. I've noticed it has had some VERY mixed reviews...

10. Me Talk Pretty One Day-David Sedaris. 2.5-3/5 I know I'm in the minority here but I was a little disappointed in this book. I wanted to LOVE it, but I didn't.. I'm not saying I didn't laugh, because I did quite a few times, but other times I just found the content "questionable". I don't think I'll be reading anything else by him anytime soon.

11. The Pact A Love Story-Jodi Picoult. 4/5. I always enjoy Jodi's books. They grab me right at the beginning and I have a really hard time putting them down. This book was no exception.

12. The Grapes of Wrath-John Steinbeck. I give this book a 3.5/5 stars. I definitely enjoyed it more this time, than I did in High School.

13. [image error] Anathema-Colleen Coble. 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. It had a little bit of everything, I could not put this book down.If you like Christian fiction this is a must read!

Angie, I'm taking your recommendation! I've added this to my office "To Read" list! I've read some of Colleen Coble's other books (Rock Harbor series) and really enjoy her writing style.

Kay wrote: "Angie, I'm taking your recommendation! I've added this to my office "To Read" list! I've read some of Colleen Coble's other books (Rock Harbor series) and really enjoy her writing style."

This was the first book I had read by her, I received it as a gift.I was wondering about the Rock Harbor series! thank you , I think I'll add those ones to my "to-read" list. =)

14. Knit Two-Kate Jacobs. 4/5 stars.

15. [image error] Dr. Jekyl and Mr. HydeRobert Louis Stevenson. I would probably give this book 2.5/5. It was ok.. but not great. It was short which is nice.. but then again made the story very choppy.. maybe it would have been better if it was longer.

I liked the Afterword written by Charles L. Grant. " .. Think about it the next time someone gets you so mad you look down and see your fists are cleanched; think about it the next time your temper explodes and you reach for something to throw or break..." "Down There. Down there in the dark. Your in Control. You know you are.The question is: does Hyde know it too?"

16. Crossing to Safety-Wallace Stagner. 4/5 stars. Two young couples become friends when the men are teaching at the University of Wisconsin in this testament to friendship and marriage. I'm not really sure WHY I liked this book so much, honestly nothing really happens in the book.. but there was just something about the characters that made it an enjoyable read for me.. hard to expalin.. :)

Angie,

Well, here's another book I'm adding to my "To Read" list because of your review. Thanks!

Kay wrote: "Angie,

Well, here's another book I'm adding to my "To Read" list because of your review. Thanks!"

I sure hope you like it!! Like I said not much happens but it is just so beautifully written.. out of 5 book club members 4 of us loved it!!

17. [image error] The Kite Runner-Khaled Hosseini. 5/5 stars!! Wow what a fantastic book! I can't believe it has taken me so long to read it. Its a sad, but beautiful story! Highly recommend it to everyone!!!

18. Kiss-Ted Dekker 4/5 stars. This book was great. A pretty quick read for me. The only other books I have read by this author was the Circle Trilogy which I really liked. This was much different but equally good. Some suspense, some scandals, a little romance and a positive message. It just doesn't get much better than that! =)

Angie wrote: "18.Kiss-Ted Dekker 4/5 stars. This book was great. A pretty quick read for me. The only other books I have read by this author was the Circle Trilogy which I ..."

Would you believe . . . yet ANOTHER that I'm adding to my "To Read" list.

I hope you like it Kay!! =)

19. [image error] The Priest-Francine Rivers 3/5. I grew up hearing the Biblical stories of Moses leading the people out of Egypt, the ten commandments, and them wandering in the wilderness ect. So it was interesting to read the same stories but from his brother, Aaron's perspective. I'm also a fan of Francine Rivers. I think she is a wonderful author!

20.
Water for Elephants-Sara Gruen. 4/5 stars. Again I'm sure I'm the last person to read this book... but for those who still haven't read it.. I enjoyed this book. I thought the concept of the book was unique and quite interesting. Running away with a travelling circus. Some parts ( like most books) had me cringing and wondering why they were in there at all. Also the abuse to animals wasn't so great.. but it gave you a good look at what things were probably like. Without giving anything away this book bounces back and forth between a younger Jacob and an elderly Jacob. Being a nurse myself, I must say I found the chapters with Jacob in the nursing home quite entertaining!! Anyways if you haven't read this book you should probably check it out!

21. True Colors-Kristin Hannah 3.5/5 stars. This was a pretty good book. About three sisters, rivalry, forgiveness, redemption, and showed what it means to be a family. If you have siblings ( espeically sisters) I'm sure you will be able to relate in some way to this book. I had never read anything by this author before, but I would definitely give her another try.

22. Bitter is the New Black Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office-Jen Lancaster. 4/5 This book was TOO funny. It was a very quick read and I found myself laughing out loud more times then I can count. The only downfall... she curses like a sailor...:(.. If you can get over that and you would like something light, funny, and sarcastic then i recommend this book. I know I'll be reading more by this author.

23. The Bell Jar-Slyvia Plath. 4/5 stars. I found this book very interesting. Deals with a college girl who is fighting with depression. Its a quick read and very well written. I understand why it is on many "lists".

24. Handle with CareJodi Picoult. 4/5. Hmm this book has had many mixed reviews.. but I'm not sure why. I thought it was a typical Jodi Picoult book. It had a controversial issue, it was thought provoking, it ends in a courtroom, and there was a big twist. Not sure what more you would be expecting when reading one of her books. Needless to say I thought it was very good. Did I like it better than My sister's Keeper, or Nineteen minutes? no.. but I'm still a fan of her work.

25. A Tree Grows in BrooklynBetty Smith. 4.5/5. This book was wonderful. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get through it. Its set in the early 1900's.. approx 1914... About a poor, young girl growing up in Brooklyn. I can't really say much more without giving it away, but if you haven't read it, and you enjoy the classics, I reccommend this one. It is an easy read and a great story.

one of my favorites!

Merri wrote: "one of my favorites!"

Ditto!

26. The Stone Diaries-Carol Shields. 2.5/5.. this book was ok.. I'm not really sure how to explain it. It was interesting in the fact that the whole book is taken from everyone else's perspective other than the main character's.. if that makes sense. =). The book was ok. but definitely not one of my favorites!!

27. The Middle Place-Kelly Corrigan 4/5 stars. This memoir was wonderful! I loved the relationship between Kelly and her dad " Greenie" I really enjoyed how she used humor to deal with the sad situations. It's one of those books that once you start reading it, you will find it difficult to put down! Highly reccommend it!

Angie wrote: "27.The Middle Place-Kelly Corrigan 4/5 stars. This memoir was wonderful! I loved the relationship between Kelly and her dad " Greenie" I really en..."

Well, you convinced me! I've added it to my To Read list.

28. Angels A Novel-Marian Keyes. 2.5/5. I was a little disappointed in this book. I have liked all of Marian's other books.. great "chick lit: for the beach.. but this one just did not measure up. oh well.. better luck next time. =)

29. [image error] Frankenstein-Mary Shelley. 3/5 stars. I read this book for book club. I really had no idea what this one was about.. I was pleasantly surprised. Although it took me a LONG time to read it I did enjoy the story. It was different which is nice to read sometimes. It was not an easy read though so its time for me to bring on the fluff... my brain is fried! =)

30. Twenties Girl A Novel-Sophie Kinsella 2.5/5.. It pains me to give one of Sophie's books a 2.5. She is one of my favorite "chick lit" authors, but there was just something about me and this book that didn't mesh. Hopefully her next book is better because I definitely enjoy all her other books and her humor.

Angie wrote: "30.Twenties Girl A Novel-Sophie Kinsella 2.5/5.. It pains me to give one of Sophie's books a 2.5. She is one of my favorite "chick lit" aut..."

Angie, I just hate it when an author I usually enjoy writes a klinker. It's always disappointing . . .

so true, but I guess not even authors can be perfect! =)

31. When Crickets Cry-Charles Martin 5/5. This book was such a pleasant surprise. I had never read this Christian author before. This book was beautiful and I would recommend it to anyone that likes Christian fiction. It kept me interested from start to finish. Simply beautiful!