75 Books...More or Less! discussion

Looking forward to this year's challenge!

Happy reading and listening!

Welcome back and good luck, Hillary!

Glad to see you, Hillary! Good luck on your 2014 challenge.

1- Things Mother Used to Make by Lydia Maria Gurney. Freebie from Amazon. Some interesting advices for back in early 1900s but not too pratical for today's uses.


2-City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
4th book in the series but not as good as the others IMHO.



3- Ulysses by James Joyce

4- Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James Ok but Romance it isn't.




5- Me Before You by JoJO Moyes Sad... Well written even though I didn't agree totally with the ending, but understood it.

6- While We Were Watchin Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax
I have now added the TV series to my Netflix que.




7- The Best Christmas Pageant Every by Barbara Robinson
Very Funny and Light read.

Awww The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! I read that in 4th grade. :)

That's quite a varied assortment of books so far!

I like wide variety of genre. Always willing to try different ones but still have my favorites.

8- Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Ok... more on dull side


9- Forbidden Sister by V.C. Andrews
Well I found out after reading this... the author is dead and the family has hired someone to write post humorously


10- The Final Warning by James Patterson
2 stars... worse one in the series.

11- Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters

Love the plot, but be prepared to get confused between characters and having the time shifting back and forth.


12- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Pleased to have listened to this classic.

Hillary, Looks like you've had a busy start this year. What a great mix of selections!

I just recently read Rebecca and thought it was really good. Classics can be hit or miss for me so I was glad I enjoyed this one.

13- The Corpse Reader by Antonio Gaarrido

This was a free Kindle at the time. 3 stars, however would have been higher if the author didn't have too many modern day forensic for 1600s.


14- The Hobbitt by JRR Tolkein

Love this book as well as the movies.

15. The Girl Who Chased the Moon The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Another light read and mystical book I plan to add the author as a favorite.


16. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. City of Lost Souls

Musch better than book #4. so glad I con't with the book ... now will request #6.

17. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Allen Addison
Very good book. I do love this author's unique books, yet light.


18. Lose weight Without Dieting by David Nordmark
Freebie on Kindle... some useful hints, but do like the visual photos of exercises. Slowly trying them.




19. Pretties by Scott Westerfield
Now need to request the 3rd Uglies book Specialist. I will say the ending of Pretties was a surprise.



20. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
If you like holocaust books, this is a must read or listen to. I truly love this book!!

I need to read more Sarah Addison Allen!

21. The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

I will not be surprised if this book is made into a movie. Very enjoyable.


22. Incredibly soup

Freebie... Interesting recipes but not sure if I would cook but 1/3 of them.



23. Under the Dome by Stephen King

After this book, I plan to watch the TV series.


24. Sh*t my Dad Says by Justin Halpren

Enjoyable and humorous book. It is good to read a light book.

25. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King




26. City of Thieves by David Benioff



27. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith


28. Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo

29. The Sound of Fury by William Falkner

Surprisingly enjoyable


30. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Very Surprised about the ending!!



31. The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

Average but ok IMHO


32. The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser


This was my Bible Study book... First few chapters were way over my head.

Hillary, you hasve me racking my brain trying to remember how the Pretties ended...lol I'm going to have to see if I canremember!

Swan Thieves is in my TBR.
I was surprised...and still bitter...about the ending of Allgiant!!

Swan Thief is also on my shelf :)

33. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher


Ok... May have been better if I started with book 1 vs 13



34. Looking for salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore


Cute and light read



35. Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly

I did enjoy this book and plan to read Bill's other books


36. The Little Friend by Donna Tartt


The cover is much scarier than the book

I totally agree, it reminds me of that Chucky doll..hehehe

37. The Scavenger's Daughters by Kay Bratt

Enjoyable book with Chinese history. I plan to read the sequel


38. Atonement by Ian McEwan

As usual, the book was better than the movie. That said, I did enjoy the movie.



39. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

If you like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, you will enjoy this book. I have heard there will be a sequel and hope that is true.

40. Lowering Cholestrol: 50 Simple Ways To Get Your Cholesterol Down Naturally and Dramatically by Lisa Lee

Lots of good pts, but not everything is realistic.




41. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Personally I enjoyed The Casual Vacancy much better.




42. The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Its ok...



43. The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth


One really has to admire the author for writing in prose. Easy read, but do not totally agree with the plot.

I really like Rowling's writing and storytelling style, but The Cuckoo's Calling is much more my kind of book. I thought The Casual Vacancy was very GOOD, but not all that enjoyable, at least not for me.

44. I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou


Short book but what happen then, is happening now.



45. 31 Days to a Clean and Organized Home by B.J. Knights


Mostly common sense and do not think you can do this whole work in 31 days unless you do not have other things to do in your life, like work and family.



46. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline


Enjoyable book and great history. That said, I think the modern day punishment for Molly's crime was severe as well as the Foster Mother's fit.

47. The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood




48. MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood



I enjoyed these books and wasn't lost since I didn't read the 1st one in the series. This is a different dystopia style of thinking and would not be for everyone. It is totally different from the Hunger Game series. Lots of sexual innuendos and blunt words.

49. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

An event can change a person's life forever. This is what happened in this book.



50. Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of WWII's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides

Although I knew a lot of what happened in the Philippines, but learned more details in this book. It is good to read about other ppl's account, not just history.


51. Hyperbole and Half by Allie Brosh

3 stars There were 2 chapters on the dogs that I could relate to.

52. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tam.

Definitely could relate being a child of an Alzheimer parent. I wish I could get info of my Pop's past.



53. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Not my cup of tea and give the story a 3 star. However, this was an audio book and definitely give it a 5 star. Love having several readers and sound effects. It was like listening to a play.



54. Specials by Scott Westerfield.

Enjoyable, but not as good as the other books in the series.

Hillary wrote: "The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Not my cup of tea and give the story a 3 star. However, this was an audio book and definitely give it a 5 star. "

Somehow, I've never made it through a novel by this author. You've given me a great idea, in that I will try the audio version.

55. Extras by Scott Westerfield

Last book in the series. In some ways it was totally different from the previous 3 books. The old characters were brought in but the new characters were the main ones.



56. Howllow City by Ransom Riggs

I really enjoy this series and cannot wait for the 3rd book. The pictures are as interesting as the storyline. It has the X-men feel.



57. Moral Disorder by Margaret Atwood.

So glad this was an audible book, otherwise I probably would not have finished it.

I thought the Uglies series declined through each book. :/ It started out so good and interesting. And I really like the Miss Peregrine series! Hollow City got freaky! Moral Disorder sounds interesting. Maybe I'll check out the audio book. I just finished The Handmaid's Tale and really liked it.

I left off on the second book in the Uglies Series, it was interesting enough that I have my ete out for the other two if I come across them for the right price.

58. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.

Its ok and glad I listened to it.



59. Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

During and after WWII where a Japanese American family is accused of crime and their tribulation. Moral dilemmas of individuals on whether to do good or do ill.



60. An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor

Reminds me of All Animals Great and Small



61. Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

62. Burial Rites by Hanna Kent

This is the author's 1st book. If this is any indication of her future novels, she will be famous!! Very well written!



63. Middlemarch by George Elliot

I am glad I listened to this classic, but still not my cup of tea.



64. The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

Majority of the book was consistent with the movie, which I was glad of. However, the book's ending is totally different from the movie.

65. One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

This is a very good book!!!!!



66. Paleo for Beginner's by Gina Crawford

Its ok, but the diet isn't for me.



67. Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie

If you like history, this book is for you. The author does his research

68. Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Ending was strange, plus didn't believe in the Global warming. Other than that, the book was enjoyable.



69. Cress by Marissa Meyer

I cannot wait til the 4th book, Winters. In fact I would not be surprised that the Lunar Chronicles will become movies.



70. Black Hills by Nora Roberts

Enjoyable! I rarely do not find a Nora's book un-enjoyable.

71. Terry Treetop and the Lost Egg by Tali Carmi


Cute Children's book



72. The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg

Hated the ending, but enjoyed the storyline.



73. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

Enjoyable and will read the other series. Amazon had a special for $0.99 for the 1st 5 books. This storyline is also on Goodread series list.

74. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.


I listen to this book and do not know what the hype is about. Especially do not know the connotation of being an "Uncle Tom". Uncle Tom stood up in what he believed and died for it. He never turned anyone in. Totally believed in God.



75. Blessings by Anna Quindlen


Enjoyable book plus met my 'Q' author.



76. The Witness by Nora Roberts.

Another enjoyable light and entertaining book by NR. I do like having light book between serious ones.

Hillary, congrats on already reaching the "75" goal for 2014! Looking over the titles you've read, it's quite eclectic. Lots of interesting variety . . .

77. Goodnight June by Sarah Jio


Cute and quick read. She has written better books, but this is still enjoyable



78. The Atlantis Gene by A.G. Riddle


Freebie book and interesting. I gave it a 3 star. That said, I plan to read the sequel.



79. South Broad by Pat Conroy


4 stars... This was an audible book and the narrator did and an excellent job!!

80. Safe by the Marshal's Side by Shirlee McCoy

Freebie off amazon. This was very predictable and unrealistic book, hence gave it a 2 star.



81. Living Simply in an Anxious World by Robert J. Wicks


My Bible Study group book. Each chapter brought a lively discussion.




82. The Initiate by Veronica Roth.


Enjoyable but not as good as Roth's other books. This is 0.2 version of Four (Divergent) and hope to read the other Four series.

Hillary wrote: "82. The Initiate (Divergent, #0.2) by Veronica Roth The Initiate by Veronica Roth.


Enjoyable but not as good as Roth's other books. This is 0.2 version of Four (Divergent) and hope to read the other Four series..."

I enjoyed the Four novellas and feel like the books would've been better if all the books had been dual perspectives!

83. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse


3 stars


84. Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward


4 stars. I do like this vampire romance series



85. Exercise for Weight Loss by P. Seymour


I wrote sevral ideas down, but this will only be successful if I do them. For a free book, this was great.

86. The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb.


I gave this book a 2 stars and probably would have given it a 1 star if it weren't for the slight catch on finding about the family history.



87. Health: Limitless Energy


Short e-book and wrote the high points down.

88. Evening Class by Mauve Binchy

I did enjoy this book ans was surprise how short it was... or was it an easy read and it went fast? ;-) Regardless, I loved how one person touched another person, directly or indirectly.


89. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Ok I rarely give a 5 star. This audio version was totally worth the full 5 stars! One can relate to each of the characters.

90. Xenocide by Orson Scott Card


Strong 4 star!! It makes me wonder if there will be movie sequel to Ender. I hope so.



91. The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn Beer


The title is misleading, that said, I did enjoy reading about her history. Her husband didn't enter the war til the end. The author wrote this book for her daughter. If you are in that mindset, the book is good.



92. Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig


This was not a bad Christian book. I did enjoy the war aspect but the author is not realistic when it comes to medicine. That said, I am willing to read the sequel, providing it's free or $1.99 or less.