Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Alright guys, I'm just starting out and it is already March, so I don't know if I will be able to get all 50 in by December, but I am going to try my best!
#1 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I loved this book. I especially loved that the author included some true Afghan history and culture in with the book. I enjoy reading about other cultures and how different yet similar they are to the way we live in the USA. This book makes the life of Afghan women so much more real than the filtered information we get off the television.

Welcome Joy. Good luck on your 50. I know you can do it :)

Juli

Go Joy, go Joy, go Joy!

#2 Seven Up BY Janet Evanovich

A lite, humerous read that works best for me to read during down time at work. I can put it down in a hurry and pick it right back up when I'm ready.

#3 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This was an amazing book!

#4 Manhunt The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson

Not my favorite type of book. I don't usually read true crime. However, I really learned a great deal about Lincoln's assasination.

#5 The Five People You Meet in Heaven byMitch Albom

This was a good book, not the best I've ever read, but it was enjoyable and positive.

#6 The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve

I really enjoyed this book! It had a great story line that really makes you think about the people in your life.

Joy wrote: "#6 The Pilot's Wife by [a:Anita Shreve|3530|Anita Shreve|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1225..."

Well I am glad someone liked that book. Most people I've talked to weren't a big fan.

#7 Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

I really enjoyed this book. I love the way the author incorporated the recipes into the story. I also just spent the last week in the Texas Valley and Mexico and learned how to make homemade flour tortillas, so this book tied in well with that setting.

#8 Andrew Jackson by Robert V. Remini
#9 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
#10 Beauty Shop for Rent . . . fully equipped, inquire within by Laura Bowers
#11 Eva Underground by Dandi Daley Mackall

With the exception of the Andrew Jackson audiobook, I really liked all these books. They were very fun and enjoyable to read. I listed to the Andrew Jackson audiobook on a road trip with my boyfriend because he was interested in it, I had a hard time staying awake.

(LOL about Andy! Maybe he should count as 2!)
Congrats on your first ten!

Mary Todd wrote: "(LOL about Andy! Maybe he should count as 2!)
Congrats on your first ten!"

Thanks for the congrats! I wish Andy counted as 2! :) lol

#12 Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich

This book had me laughing out loud as usual...I love Stephanie Plum!

#13Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
I can't wait for the movie to come out!

I loved Angels and Demons, but I thought the ending was silly.

Aprile wrote: "I loved Angels and Demons, but I thought the ending was silly."

The ending was a little silly, but I loved it for all the puzzles in the art. I have never been to Europe and I always wonder how much of the stuff he writes about is really there.

#14 The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

#15 Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Very cute, but disturbing book. I was amazed at the library when I found out it was on the middle school level reading shelves. I almost didn't check it out, but so many people had such good things to say about it. Now I'm glad I read it!

#16 The Glass Castle A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

I thought this was a great book. I can't imagine having such selfish parents! It is amazing that their children turned out as well as they did. The author has an amazing talent for making a horrible situation look a little better. This book also gave me new insight into why some people are homeless by choice.

#17 Living on the Edge of America At Home on the Texas-Mexico Border by Robert Lee Maril

This book jumped around too much so it was hard to follow. It was nice to tie some of the stories in to places I visited over spring break this year.

#18 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Great book. I enjoyed it tremendously. Very heart-wrenching.

I think I am the only person in the world who didn't like The Book Thief LOL. I couldn't even finish it!

Aprile wrote: "I think I am the only person in the world who didn't like The Book Thief LOL. I couldn't even finish it!"

Wow! Of course, everyone has different tastes. If they didn't, there would be way too many out of work authors in the world!

#19 Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

This was a story from King Arthur's time in poem form. It was cute and romantic, but didn't really stand out in my mind.

#20 Royal Affairs A Lusty Romp Through the Extramarital Adventures That Rocked the British Monarchy by Leslie Carroll

A very entertaining and straightforward book.

#21 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Wasn't really impressed by this book, although, the author did a great job of making Holden sound crazy.

#22 To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

How can you not LOVE Stephanie Plum!

#23 From a Buick 8 by Stephen King

Love that this book actually had an ending with all the loose ends tied up. Most of King's books leave you hanging at the end and you have to guess how everything will finally come out.

#24 Blaze A Novel by Richard Bachman (Stephen King)

This book was okay, but not on the level that Stephen King now writes. I liked it, but it was not exceptional.

#25 Eat, Pray, Love One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book really just made me sad that I don't have enough money to spend a year traveling.

Mary Todd wrote: "

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Thanks for the ticker Mary!

#26 The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Long, but great. I consider any author that can make the reader feel such strong emotions about the characters very talented. Besides, what's better than reading about building cathedral churches with kings, earls, monks, witches, and more.

#27 The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

What a great story! I enjoyed every minute of it!

Me too! I listened on tape and the reader was incredible!

#28 I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci

Recipes good...story bad.

#29 In Defense of Food An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

I recommend this book to every American that eats food. It is easy to read with reliable sources. The information is common sense that is no longer so common. Once again the US government gets its hands on something and screws it all up.

#30 The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Loved this book! As you are reading, you forget that this is a science fiction book and fall in love with all the characters regardless of whether they are supposed to be good or bad.

#31 Key of Light by Nora Roberts

Great guilty pleasure book. I love the plot, and who doesn't need a good romance every once in a while. I can't wait to read the next two books in this trilogy.

#32 Dead Until Darkby Charlaine Harris

Good book. I hear this series gets better, so I can't wait to read the next one. I alway enjoy a good story about vampires.