75 Books...More or Less! discussion

Hoping to get closer to that 75 this year!

You can do it! Welcome back!

I second that!!

Thank you Elyse and Andrea! It's great to be joining in for another year. Thanks for keeping this group going!

It's our pleasure, you guys are the best!

I enjoy this group so much and am so glad I stumbled on it a few years ago! :)

Elyse wrote: "I enjoy this group so much and am so glad I stumbled on it a few years ago! :)"

I think we all are, Elyse!

1. Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey. Enjoyable historical fiction - it felt more character based than history based to me.

2. In the Light of the Garden by Heather Burch. Fun read, a bit of a Sarah Addison Allen feel to it.

3. Secrets of Nanreath Hall by Alix Rickloff. Enjoyable, but took me awhile to get into the story. Probably because it's another dual storyline!

4. The Likeness by Tana French. I'm loving Tana French novels!! This one kept me turning the pages and I'm already dreaming of reading book #3!

Annie wrote: "1. Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey. Enjoyable historical fiction - it felt more character based than history based to me.

2. [book:In the Light of the Garden|3084..."

Annie, I did not know that The Trespasser (Dublin Murder Squad #6) was part of a series. I grabbed it at the library on audio and I was 5 discs in before I figured it out. I honestly can't stop listening. I was late for work the pother day because I was at a really good part and lost track of time sitting in the parking lot...hahah

Andrea wrote: "Annie, I did not know that The Trespasser (Dublin Murder Squad #6) was part of a series. I grabbed it at the library on audio and I was 5 discs in before I figured it out. I honestly can't stop listening. I was late for work the pother day because I was at a really good part and lost track of time sitting in the parking lot...hahah "

Andrea, I actually purchased The Trespasser but put it aside once I found out it was part of a series. After reading books 1 and 2, I realized I could have read them out of order.

I laughed aloud at your 'late for work' comment! I can certainly see how it could happen - a few times now my family has had to call me, repeatedly, to drag me away from my reading. I haven't been lost in a book like that in quite awhile!

The audio is AMAZING because of all the accents!

Andrea wrote: "The audio is AMAZING because of all the accents!"

Andrea, I'll certainly check my library for the audio version. Thank you!

Andrea wrote: "I was late for work the pother day because I was at a really good part and lost track of time sitting in the parking lot...hahah..." I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that. I got to work an hour early last week and was still late because I was reading, hahahaha! The manager asked what happened, did I get distracted in a conversation? I had to tell her, no, I was reading and lost track of everything. Nicest thing though: she overrode my clock-in and didn't count me late, LOL!

Stacie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I was late for work the pother day because I was at a really good part and lost track of time sitting in the parking lot...hahah..." I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that. I go..."

Stacie, Your manager must be a fellow booklover!

Stacie wrote: "I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that. I got to work an hour early last week and was still late because I was reading, hahahaha! The manager asked what happened..."

OMG haha!! I've been a few minutes late but never more than that.

5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I've had this series on my TBR shelf for a long time now. Looking forward to book 2!

Annie wrote: "5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I've had this series on my TBR shelf for a long time now. Looking forward to book 2!"

So good! I've been wanting to re-read this series for awhile. I never read them consecutively and I really want to!

6. The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg. This was a wonderful journey through the decades with the folks of Elmwood Springs, Missouri. Readers will quickly recognize family, friends, and neighbors between the covers of this book. Enjoyable read.

7. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Loved it! On to book 3!

8. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

9. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

10. At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

Annie wrote: "9. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

10. At the Water's Edge by [author:Sara Gruen|..."

Both in my TBR! I loved Water for Elephants and I have At the Water's Edge.

Elyse wrote: "Annie wrote: "9. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

10. At the Water's Edge by [author:Sara Gruen|..."

Both in my TBR! I loved Water for Elephants a..."

Elyse, I had a difficult time getting into "The Miniaturist", this was actually my second attempt at it! I'm glad I stuck with it.

For some reason, maybe the writing style, "At the Water's Edge" grabbed my attention right from the beginning. This was my first book by Sara Gruen.

11. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline. Loved it!

12. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon

13. Say Goodbye for Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde

14. The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon - I really enjoyed this book and will look for others by this author!

15. Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson - Enjoyed this YA book, well written.

16. Love and Gravity by Samantha Sotto

17. The Dry by Jane Harper

18. From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

19. Lockdown by Laurie R. King

20. Dreamland Burning - YA historical fiction/mystery - very well done!

21. Manderley Forever by Tatiana de Rosnay

22. Always by Sarah Jio

Annie wrote: "11. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline. Loved it!"

I just added this to my TBR from another recommendation!

Elyse wrote: "Annie wrote: "11. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline. Loved it!"

I just added this to my TBR from another recommendation!"

Elyse, After reading this book I've made a note on my bucket list to add the Olson House in Cushing, Maine to my "places I need to visit" section, lol!

23. Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Annie wrote: "Elyse, After reading this book I've made a note on my bucket list to add the Olson House in Cushing, Maine to my "places I need to visit" section, lol!..."

I live in New Hampshire and visit Maine fairly often but wow, Cushing is up there!

Annie wrote: "23. Beartown by Fredrik Backman"

Did you like it? Not his best but still good, imo!

Elyse wrote: "Annie wrote: "23. Beartown by Fredrik Backman"

Did you like it? Not his best but still good, imo!"

I loved Beartown! I think my brain is still in processing mode so I haven't written a review yet. Backman writes such wonderful characters and he manages to touch on such tough topics. Beartown certainly had a different feel than his previous books, but it didn't disappoint!

Elyse wrote: "Annie wrote: "Elyse, After reading this book I've made a note on my bucket list to add the Olson House in Cushing, Maine to my "places I need to visit" section, lol!..."

I live in New Hampshire an..."

Elyse, I'm in southern NH and I agree, Cushing is up there! About a 3 hour ride for me so it would have to be included in some future vacation plans. Some day...

Annie wrote: "Elyse, I'm in southern NH and I agree, Cushing is up there! About a 3 hour ride for me so it would have to be included in some future vacation plans. Some day......"

A little over 4 hours for me. lol. My in-laws live in Old Orchard Beach. For now. They may be moving back soon...

Elyse wrote: "Annie wrote: "23. Beartown by Fredrik Backman"

Did you like it? Not his best but still good, imo!"

Elyse, Did you know that Fredrik Backman is writing a sequel to Beartown? Heard this in an interview with him - he's currently finishing the book. Titled, "Us Against You", to be released in approximately 1 year in the US.

Annie wrote: "Elyse, Did you know that Fredrik Backman is writing a sequel to Beartown? Heard this in an interview with him - he's currently finishing the book. Titled, "Us Against You", to be released in approximately 1 year in the US..."

I heard it's going to be a trilogy! :)

24. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. This book took me forever to finish. While I enjoy this author's writing, for some reason this novel just didn't grab my attention. However, I loved how Moriarty concluded the story so I'm very glad I saw the book through to the end!

Annie wrote: "24. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. This book took me forever to finish. While I enjoy this author's writing, for some reason this novel just didn't grab my at..."

This is in my TBR. I just finished listening to Big Little Lies and really enjoyed it. And then I binged the miniseries. Liked it less than the book.

Big Little Lies is currently sitting on my nightstand so I'm glad to hear you really enjoyed it! I was a bit hesitant after getting bogged down in Truly Madly Guilty.

25. The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson. Fun read!

26. Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips. Great summer read - kept me turning the pages!

Annie wrote: "24. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. This book took me forever to finish. While I enjoy this author's writing, for some reason this novel just didn't grab my at..."

I was on a roll with her books and then it got crazy at work and I lost my momentum. I love her writing though and I'm looking forward to reading other books by her.

27. The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

28. Glass Houses by Louise Penny

29. The 100-Year Life: Living and working in an age of longevity by Lynda Gratton

30. The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor

31. The Saturday Evening Girls Club: A Novel by Jane Healey

Annie wrote: "30. The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor..."

I recently read The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor and loved it! How was this one?

Elyse wrote: "Annie wrote: "30. The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor..."

I recently read The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor and loved it! How was this one?"

I loved it! Very well researched, fascinating story!

32. The Lightkeeper's Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol. Really enjoyed this one - kept me turning the pages as the story unfolded!

33. The End of Temperance Dare by Wendy Webb. A fun, atmospheric October read!

34. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin.

35. Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber. Lighthearted Christmas tale, reminiscent of the movie "You've Got Mail." Fun read! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for supplying me with an early reader copy.

36. The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman. Wow! Not what I was expecting! This is not your typical Christmas read. Fredrik Backman has written a very short, but powerful story between the covers of this book. The thoughts and feelings from this tale will not quickly leave my mind.