The History Book Club discussion

Angie, this is your thread for 2017. I have included the link to the required format thread and an example. If you had a 2016 thread - it is archived - but you can still add books to it for the last few days of December.

Please follow the standard required format below - I hope you enjoy your reading in 2017. Here is also a link for assistance with the required guidelines:

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

IMPORTANT - THE REVIEW SHOULD BE SHORT AND SWEET - THERE ARE NO LINKS OF ANY KIND IN THE BODY OF THE REVIEW ALLOWED. NONE. DO NOT REFER TO ANY OTHER BOOK IN YOUR BRIEF REVIEW. THE ONLY BOOK CITED IN YOUR REVIEW IS THE ONE YOU ARE REVIEWING - NO OTHERS. ALL LINKS TO OTHER THREADS OR REVIEWS ARE DELETED IMMEDIATELY - THERE WILL BE NO WARNING. WE CONSIDER THIS SELF PROMOTION AND IT IS NOT ALLOWED AND IS IN VIOLATION OF OUR RULES AND GUIDELINES.

JANUARY

1. by Kazuo Ishiguro
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: This was an enjoyable though at times slow read. There were moments where I was infuriated by the restrained, unreliable narrator, but in the end, it was a beautiful character study of a man who has dedicated his existence to something at the expense of any kind of personal life, only to now find himself questioning that choice. Just beautiful.

Good job Angie - you are off to a great start. And I am delighted that you read a book by Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro

2. by Robert Louis Stevenson
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: Adventure
Rating: B
Review: I enjoyed David Balfour’s coming-of-age trials and tribulations in the Scottish Highlands far more than I thought I would. While Stevenson’s style can be a bit distant and impersonal at times, I still found David to be an engaging protagonist, and his transformation from youth to man was enjoyable to watch.

3. by Dean A. James (no photo)
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
Rating: B-
Review: This is definitely a guilty pleasure for me. It felt like it's trying to be a parody of both the cozy mystery genre and the paranormal genre, but it fell a bit short on both counts. Still, it was exactly what I was looking for--a light, airy read.

4. by Truman Capote
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: Non-Fiction, True Crime
Rating: B
Review: I don't read a lot of True Crime, but this book has been so widely lauded that I wanted to give it a chance. I really enjoyed Capote's style here--his descriptions of a small town rocked out of its normal existence by the brutal killings of the Clutter family were particularly engrossing.

5. by William Shakespeare
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: Play
Rating: A
Review: This is probably my favorite of Shakespeare's plays. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are such complex and engaging characters. It's a gorgeous character study.

Angie wrote: "5. by William Shakespeare
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: Play
Rating: A
Review: This is probably my favorite of Shakesp..."

Did you ever hear Ian McKellen on the "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" soliloquy? Amazing. Here's a link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGbZC...

Peter wrote: "Angie wrote: "5. by William Shakespeare
Finish date: January 2017
Genre: Play
Rating: A
Review: This is probably my favor..."

Thank you for sharing this. I had never seen his analysis or delivery of the scene before. Brilliant!

FEBRUARY

6. by Katherine Arden
Finish date: February 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: A-
Review: This book featured some beautiful world-building and captivating prose. The use of traditional Russian tales, as well as the careful portrayal of the historical setting made this an enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

7. by J.K. Rowling
Finish date: February 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: A
Review: The wizarding world created by Rowling is just amazing. It's been years since I first read this book, and I actually enjoyed it more this time around. I think appreciate the complexity of Rowling's world-building--the little nuances that help to create a larger narrative--so much more now. This is the book that sends the life of our hero, Harry, in a darker direction by the end of the story.

8. by J.K. Rowling
Finish date: February 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: B+
Review: Since this is a screenplay, I expected the fantastical elements of the story to be muted somewhat. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to see that the format still allowed Rowling to build a wonderful version of magical 1920s New York, Some of the plot points were a little obvious, but overall, it was a fun book that blended two of my favorite thiings--history and fantasy--into one delightful story.

Good progress - you already have 41 unique and different people following and reading your reviews on this thread.

9. by Neil Gaiman
Finish date: February 2017
Genre: Mythology
Rating: B
Review: This is a pretty standard (and solid) retelling of key tales in Norse mythology. Reading this was like visiting old friends and catching up on their exploits. Some of the tales were familiar, while others were fresh and new. My only gripe with this was the fact that Gaiman sometimes seemed a bit... cutesy in his retellings. I normally don't mind that, but at times, it distracted me from the tales. But overall, this was a good read, and I can see it becoming a go-to reference on Norse myths.

I added number 6 to my list, thanks!

APRIL

10. by Tom Reiss
Finish date: April 2017
Genre: History, Biography
Rating: B-
Review: In this book, Reiss tells the life of General Alex Dumas, who was born a slave and later rose in the ranks of the French military during the French Revolution. For the most part, this is an interesting read. My one complaint is that to tell Dumas's story, Reiss takes kind of a wide view of the history of the era. That's fine... but sometimes the core story--the life of Dumas--gets lost in the shuffle. Still, I'm glad I read it. It presented an interesting account of race relations during the French Revolutionary period.

MAY

11. by Graham Moore
Finish date: May 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: This lovely piece of historical fiction follows young lawyer Paul Cravath as he tries to navigate a victory in the War of Currents. Moore's gorgeous prose is peppered with real life characters such as Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla as he harnesses the spirit of an exciting period of transition. And there's even a love story. Highly recommended.

12. by Dennis Lehane
Finish date: May 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A+
Review: As usual, Lehane has woven a beautiful, engaging story. This book follows two men--one white, one black--during the years 1918 and 1919. The story touches on events from the 1918 influenza epidemic to the Great Molasses Flood (yes, that's a thing) to the Boston Police Strike. Lehane does an excellent job of recreating the time period and exploring the lives of flawed but sympathetic human beings.

Ah yes, the Great Molasses Flood, one of the best obscure chapters in New England history. :-)

Paul wrote: "Ah yes, the Great Molasses Flood, one of the best obscure chapters in New England history. :-)"

History is filled with oddball things that sound like fiction. :)

JUNE

13. by Sherwood Anderson
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Short Stories
Rating: B-
Review: This has been on my list for a long time, and I’m glad I finally read it. Certain stories were moments of greatness, but... as a whole, they were hit and miss for me. Some of them meandered more than I would have liked, and I had very little connection to George Willard, who was, for all intents and purposes, the protagonist of the collection. By the time he left Winesburg, I was ready for him (and me) to go.

Still, there were moments that will stick with me. Louise Bentley's rejection of her son, the loneliness and isolation created by the townspeople themselves, the fanaticism of Jesse Bentley...

Definitely worth reading.

Thank you for following the rules and guidelines.

14. by Bruce Springsteen
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Autobiography, Memoir
Rating: A-
Review: In this surprisingly candid memoir, Springsteen reflected on his family, his relationships, and his music, and all the while, he didn't try to hide his own flaws. I respect that a lot. I was particularly moved by his relationship with his father, his remembrance of Clarence Clemons's death, and his thoughts on his own struggles with depression. He does ramble a bit at times, but that's okay. It's part of the charm of a memoir.

15. by Justin Richardson
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Childrens
Rating: A-
Review: This is a delightful book. I was curious about all the fuss garnered by a book about cute penguins. It blows my mind to find that this book has been often banned and challenged. I expected some controversial piece of literature disguised as a kid's book, but it really is just a kid's book. And a cute one. I'm glad I read it.

16. by Dean A. James (no photo)
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
Rating: C
Review: In this light read, vampire sleuth Simon Kirby-Jones rebuffs the attentions of his handsome assistant, Giles, while solving the murder of a celebrity decorator. There is a sub-plot involving his vampire symptom restraining pills (yes, that's a thing), which is never adequately addressed. Eh. I don't know. Considering that it was meant to be a light read, it sure took me a while to summon up the interest to finish it.

17. by Charles Dickens
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: I can finally scratch this off my "why haven't I read this" list. I quite enjoyed it. First, I should point out how much I loved the humorous bits throughout the book. Certain moments had me laughing out loud. I found our protagonist, Pip, to be aggravating at times, but he was a candid and conscientious narrator. Recommended.

18. by George Orwell
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: A
Review: This is the second time I've read this--and I'm still struck by how brilliantly Orwell warns of the dangers of blind faith and of giving too much without a system in place to check it. It's a simple novella, but it's effective.

19. by Joy Harjo
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Poetry
Rating: B+
Review: This is a lovely collection of poems that explore both threads of Harjo's personal life and her identity as a member of the Muscogee Nation. Further, she reflects on larger issues facing indigenous peoples.

20. by Agatha Christie
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B
Review: This is one of the foundational texts of the mystery genre, and for good reason. I don't want to say too much, because I don't want to spoil the uninitiated; but I will say that Christie weaves a suspenseful tale that is well worth reading.

21. by Sam Shepard
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Play
Rating: A+
Review: Absolutely amazing. In this play, Shepard explores the surreal world of a dysfunctional family torn apart by a secret. The characters are at once grotesque and fascinating.

22. by Anne Sexton
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Poetry
Rating: A
Review: I struggled with what rating to give this book. It's stark and beautiful. It's sad and often painful. It's tragic and real. In the end, I decided that any discomfort I might have felt with some of her poems was a good thing. She succeeded in making me feel something, and that kind of emotional resonance is what I'm looking for in poetry.

23. by Robert Frost
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Poetry
Rating: B-
Review: I have mixed feelings about this collection. It's a short, inexpensive volume, and it does have a few lovely poems. But... many of the poems lacked emotional resonance for me.

Angie you are making great progress so I thought I would pop in and say that. Also your reviews are now being read by 80 different people. The views are only counted when somebody different reads your thread.

Thanks, Bentley!

Thank you Vicki for noticing something I failed to notice and helping out Angie.

Thank you Angie for being so quick to fix the error. Good job once again.

24. by Ernest Cline
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: B-
Review: I really debated about what rating to give this. On one hand, Cline created an interesting world and makes an important commentary about the impact of technology. At the same time, though, I was frustrated with the amount of "telling" vs. "showing," as well as redundant phrasing. Still, I think it's a worthwhile read, and there is some great 80s nostalgia peppered throughout.

25. by Anthony Doerr
Finish date: June 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: Beautiful prose and sympathetic characters make this book a worthwhile read. Doerr creates poetry throughout the narrative. He can be a tad long-winded at times, and when the multiple threads of the novel finally came together, I wanted... more, I guess? Definitely a fine piece of writing, though.

JULY

26. by Stephen King
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Horror
Rating: B
Review: While this isn't a perfect book, it's a good one. I loved the use of the epistolary form here, because it allowed for a fuller exploration of the story.

27. by William Shakespeare
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Play
Rating: A
Review: This had me laughing out loud. Mistaken identities and matters of the heart combine to create an experience that is at once absurd and hilarious. I could nitpick about the quick, tied-with-a-bow ending, but really, what right do I have to nitpick Shakespeare?

28. by Johnny Cash
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Poetry
Rating: C
Review: Let me first say that I am a big fan of Johnny Cash's music. I read this book for that reason. With that out of the way, I can say that I really struggled to arrive at a rating for this volume of previously unpublished lyrics and poems. On one hand, I found the writings and ancillary pictures/images of Cash's handwritten pages intriguing. It gave me some insight into who he was and what he thought about. Reading the volume, I experienced a burst of nostalgia, and it felt good.

This is about more than nostalgia, though. The debate on the lips of many people is whether lyrics are poetry or not. Well, of course they are. But lyrics without music are like half-finished poems, and it's difficult to judge Cash's lyrics without the benefit of music. Having said that... I wanted to like these writings more than I did. IThere were moments that really touched me, but overall, I didn't feel the emotional resonance I hoped for throughout the book. Still, I' glad I read it. It's something that all Johnny Cash fans should check out,

You read fast Angie. Good job

29. by Jenny Colgan
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Romance
Rating: C+
Review: This is one of those fresh-from-the-dryer fluffy romance books where everything turns out A-OK. There are a lot of convenient "plot twists" and a plucky narrator. Not my usual fair, but I liked it well enough.

Sometimes you just want to hear and read about things turning out OK. It is refreshing.

30. by Ray Bradbury
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Science Fiction, Short Stories
Rating: A-
Review: Bradbury was a master of words, and this amazing collection of short stories is stunning. It is at once bleak and masterful, absurd and poetic. The image of humanity portrayed here is not an optimistic one--though some of the stories do have a hint of hope tucked inside. Highly recommended.

31. by Charlaine Harris
Finish date; July 2017
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Rating: A
Review: This is the second time I've read this, and though I know the story well, I enjoyed it. Sookie Stackhouse is a sympathetic and at times infuriating character, but I enjoy her reactions to having been plunged into a culture very different from her own. Harris has done some nice world-building here--blending the mundane with the supernatural.

32. by Kevin Hearne
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: B
Review: This was pretty much what I've come to expect out of the Iron Druid series. This fifth book in the series had all the requisite humor and shenanigans. Atticus, the aforementioned Iron Druid, manages to anger multiple pantheons in this one, so business as usual.

33. by Laura Morrigan
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Fantasy
Rating: A-
Review: This is a fun little cozy mystery about an animal specialist who has a deeper connection with animals than she wants to admit. It's funny and breezy with likable characters and a fast-paced plot.

34. by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Finish date: July 2017
Genre: Essay
Rating: A
Review: In this work, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses gender in the modern era and the need for altering our perspectives to achieve greater equality between the sexes. What struck me while I was reading this was that most of it is common sense. But then I realized that to many people, it would be surprising and even inflammatory. This is why her work is so essential. Our perception of gender is socially constructed, and we have the power to change things for the better. Great read.

You are moving right along.

Bentley wrote: "You are moving right along."

Insomnia helps. :)