75 Books...More or Less! discussion

I'm going for 100 once more.
This time I may be more generous with myself, counting shorter books as well as longer ones to make my goal.

Everything counts! :) A book is a book!

1. by Elizabeth Kostova January 20th

This was a reread for me and I had a very different reaction to it this time around.

There a lot of characters to keep track of (not my favorite thing), the story line is basically a lot of running around Europe chasing Dracula. When we finally get to meet him, he's kind of interesting as an intellectual but still not quite worth all the work it took to get to him. And then they kill him rather too easily, as far as I'm concerned.
3 stars

The Historian is in my TBR but I did not know it was about chasing Dracula. lol

Elyse wrote: "The Historian is in my TBR but I did not know it was about chasing Dracula. lol"

Yeah, it's a lot of professors and intellectuals doing research, following up on leads, and going to ancient monasteries and the like to find his tombs.

Rachel Joy wrote: "Yeah, it's a lot of professors and intellectuals doing research, following up on leads, and going to ancient monasteries and the like to find his tombs..."

Huh. Cool!

Rachel Joy wrote: "I'm going for 100 once more.
This time I may be more generous with myself, counting shorter books as well as longer ones to make my goal."

The way I see it, if really big books count only as one, then little ones should too!

2. by Alethea Kontis January 30th

This was a lot of fun!
Yet another installment in the Books of Arilland series.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale retelling.
4 stars

3. by E.L. James January 30th

1 star, need I say more?

Rachel Joy wrote: "3. by E.L. James January 30th

1 star, need I say more?"

No ma'am you need not! lol

4. by Alexandre Dumas February 5th

I read this book years ago. I think I read it for fun, which seems like a stretch to me now having read it again.

This story is so long, so involved, so intricate with all the many, many characters to keep track of, and all the various tangents that Dumas takes the reader on. Having said that, it's a good story of revenge and brings up the question of when revenge has gone too far. Or maybe the question should be, is revenge ever warranted? Can revenge ever be done without hurting the innocent in its wake?

Good questions to think about.
4 stars

Rachel Joy wrote: "4. by Alenxandre Dumas February 5th

I read this book years ago. I think I read it for fun, which seems like a stretch to me now having read it again.

Th..."

It is a good one. But I'll never re-read it. lol

Good work towards you goal! I too find it difficult to keep track of too many characters. I thought it was just me!

5. by Nathaniel Hawthorne February 8th

This was a reread for me.
I read this book years and years ago, can't really remember if it was for school or for pleasure. Knowing myself, it could've been either reason. At any rate, I think I enjoyed it even more this time around. As a much older woman, with more world and personal experience, I felt that I could really understand the passions and actions of the characters.

This book can be approached as many different things, but I believe that it is ultimately about the human heart and what it is infinitely capable of. I am a fan of Nathaniel Hawthorne's, so I would naturally recommend his work to anyone who wishes to hear a really good story told.
This is classic literature at its best. Truly.
5 stars

Elyse wrote: "The Historian is in my TBR but I did not know it was about chasing Dracula. lol"

I have this book to read too and I had no idea it had anything to do with Dracula...hahah

6. by Jeaniene Frost February 10th

I read this to the end because it was recommended by a GR friend. I really wanted to like it, I really tried to like it, but I've been spoiled by something better and my expectations are at a much higher level than Ms. Frost can reach.

Cat is interesting as a half-human, half-vampire oddity, but . . . to give up the chase within the first book was, quite frankly, disappointing. I like a bit of build up to my characters' getting together, some anticipation to look forward to so that when it does happen, the waiting makes it all the sweeter. Know what I mean?
2 stars

7. by Alexandra Sirowy February 12th

I really enjoyed this book.

This is horror done well. I was a bit disappointed in the ending, a bit too corny for my taste and not so in keeping with the atmosphere of the rest of the book.

Overall however, I recommend this.
4 stars

8. by P. D. James February 16th

My favorite quote is when Charlotte, Mrs. Collins, is described thus: Charlotte had figured out how to handle her husband by giving him compliments on characteristics he did not possess but ones she wished he would cultivate. It worked because Mr. Collins was not smart enough to notice the manipulation being practiced on him. Good for her!

This is a continuation of Pride and Prejudice, with brief mentions of both the Elliots from Persuasion and the Knightleys from Emma. Interesting.
4 stars

Rachel Joy wrote: "8. by P. D. James February 16th

My favorite quote is when Charlotte, Mrs. Collins, is described thus: Charlotte had figured out how to handle her husb..."

Sounds good!

Elyse wrote: "Rachel Joy wrote: "8. by P. D. James February 16th

My favorite quote is when Charlotte, Mrs. Collins, is described thus: Charlotte had figured out how..."

It is. If Austen were around today to read it, I think she would approve.

9. by Kalayna Price February 18th

I made an important decision recently, that I would only continue reading a series if it was really worth it, as in four-or-five-stars-worth-it. I think it's only fair to spend my precious time on books that I find very entertaining.

With that in mind, I will not be continuing with this series and here's why. The characters were almost three-dimensional, but not quite. The action and suspense was okay but not that, well, suspenseful. The story was okay but not that interesting. And, yet again, the kick-ass heroine gave it up in the first book? How about a little anticipation, a little build up to the romance, maybe even a sense of courtship before jumping on each other??
3 stars

Rachel Joy wrote: "9. by Kalayna Price February 18th

I made an important decision recently, that I would only continue reading a series if it was really worth it, as in four-or-five-s..."

So frustrating!

10. by Darynda Jones February 21st

This is a reread, and what fun it was!

Always remember,
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
5 stars

Rachel Joy wrote: "10. by Darynda Jones February 21st

This is a reread, and what fun it was!

Always remember,
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crun..."

Seriously sounds like such a fun series. Do you read or listen?

Yes ;).
The first time I read them, and now I am listening and following along when I can, i.e. when I'm not driving and such. I love being read to and Lorelei King is a master reader.

Elyse, Darynda Jones' writing is witty, intelligent, sexy, and so incredibly funny. I seriously, highly recommend her!!

Rachel Joy wrote: "Yes ;).
The first time I read them, and now I am listening and following along when I can, i.e. when I'm not driving and such. I love being read to and Lorelei King is a master reader.

Elyse, Dar..."

I think I'll do the audiobooks!

11. by Laini Taylor February 25th

This is one of my favorite series. Ever!
This is my second time reading it ;).

Every now and then you come across an author who was meant to write, I mean someone who is truly a wordsmith, and Laini Taylor is one. Her ability to keep you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter, her talent at bringing you into the worlds in her imagination, and her insightful descriptions of her characters' inner struggles all come together to create a story that you will not be able to put down until you get to the end, and then you'll want to pick it up and read it all over again.

This book gets the highest of recommendations from me!!!
5 stars

12. by CLAMP February 26th

I'm still somewhat shocked that the same group of women created this manga as did the manga XXXHolic, Omnibus 1!
This was boring and I will not be reading on in this series.
1 star

13. by Kendare Blake February 26th

I'm sincerely on the fence with this book. I love the idea of writing about the Greek gods in today's world but . . .
Athena is my Goddess, the Goddess of Wisdom. In this book she is portrayed as a cold-hearted, inhuman, calculating machine who just keeps destroying everything in her path. That's not the Athena I learned about in school, the Athena I look up to.
(view spoiler)[There's also the whole issue with Aidan dying at the end. Really?? He's freaking Apollo for Heaven's sake, he can't die. Without him, what's the point of even reading on in the trilogy? (hide spoiler)]
3 stars

14. by Darynda Jones February 27th

Okay, it's official: I'm hooked! I love Charley and all the wonderful ways she sees everything.

"Holy mother of banana cream pie!"
This series grows on you and before you know it, you're completely engrossed in Charley's world and can't wait to find out what's going to happen next.

Second reading:
"Yeah, but what if life hands me pickles?"
I ended up buying the third book, as well as all the other books in the series.
If you haven't read this series, read it and join in the fun ;)!!
5 stars

15. by CLAMP February 27th

Juvenile.
And boring.
1 star

16. by Rumiko Takahashi February 27th

No, thank you.
Very gory. Sick and twisted.
1 star

17. by CLAMP February 27th

In this long day of cleaning out my manga collection, at least this one was worth the time it took to read it. It's still not great and I will not be reading on, as it does not meet my four-star minimum for reading on in a series.
The characters are cute and all, but still a bit two-dimensional.
3 stars

18. by Kazue Kato February 27th

The artwork and characterization are good, just not good enough or original enough to tempt me to read more.
3 stars

19. by Darynda Jones February 28th

Second time reading this.

I rarely find an author that I like so much that I actually make an effort to buy an entire series of books and keep them to read again in the future sometime. Darynda Jones is one of those wonderful exceptions!

The Charley Davidson series is funny, exciting, sexy, dramatic, and just plain good writing. Each chapter begins with a great little quote that usually has me laughing. And then there are all the characters, so well defined that you can picture them in your mind, you can imagine what it would be like to meet them somewhere in your life. Finally, the incredible heat between Charley and Reyes is enough to keep you in cold showers for a while. Whew!

If you like mysteries, read this series. If you like paranormal, read this series. If you like witty, funny books, read this series. Just read this series ;)!
5 stars

20. by Yana Toboso March 2nd

That was really fun!
Ironically, the one manga that I read this week that I do decide to continue on with is one that I got out of the library ;). That'll teach me to buy them before I know if I like them.
Time to go to the library and get me some more.
4 stars

21. by Diana Rowland March 5th

That was fun!

Rowland has created an urban fantasy world full of demons, summoners, magic, and mystery. Her demons are simply beings from another realm, and no more evil than humans may or may not be. In other words, they are beings with the capability of being both good or evil just like humans.

I'm not sure how I feel about Rhyzkahl. He's quite violent, has no sense of responsibility for his actions or for those less powerful than himself, and may be totally using Kara for his own purposes. Probably is, in fact. I do like Ryan and hope that there may be something more in the future--it's pretty obvious that there has to be something more for him and Kara, and I'm looking forward to it.
4 stars

Rachel Joy wrote: "1. by Elizabeth Kostova January 20th

This was a reread for me and I had a very different reaction to it this time around.

There a lot of characters to keep track o..."

Unboxing my books to shelve them, turns out I have this in paperback! Covers are pretty ratty, must've got it for a quarter. :) Moving to my physical TBR pile!

22. by Yana Toboso March 6th

Interesting twist on the Jack the Ripper case.
Still a lot of fun, and am continuing on to book #3.
4 stars

Elyse wrote: "Rachel Joy wrote: "1. by Elizabeth Kostova January 20th

Wow! How very fun to find all those books you forgot you had ;).

Rachel Joy wrote: "Wow! How very fun to find all those books you forgot you had ;)."

There's a LOT that I forgot I had. lol. I have a huge stack now next to my reading chair.

23. by Darynda Jones March 11th

Installment number 4 in this wonderfully hilarious, suspenseful, and sexy series of Charley Davidson.

What else can I say? If you haven't read this, READ IT ;)!!
5 stars

24. by Darynda Jones March 11th

"Whoever is in charge of making sure I don't do stupid shit is fired."

This series is so much fun, I can't imagine what I will do when it finally comes to an end. Hopefully that won't be for some years to come. I suppose I will, at that time, just read the whole thing all over again.

It's that good!!
5 stars

25. by Daphne du Maurier March 12th

Well now. That was a dramatic ending if I've ever read one.

This is not Daphne du Maurier's best work. Not by far. In fact, it is my least favorite of all her books, and I've read almost all of her work. Reading through other GR reviews and discussions on this book, many people agree with me in that there is not a single likable character in this story. There isn't. It is overly dramatic, melodramatic, du Maurier pulling a rather cheap trick in keeping the reader in suspense until the very end as to what really happened. There are so many problems with this book. There are so many unanswered questions that du Maurier just leaves hanging out there.

If you want to read du Maurier, read Frenchman's Creek or Jamaica Inn.
3 stars

26. by Yana Toboso March 14th

Really well written. There's drama, comedy, paranormal action, and he likes cats.
What can I say, I like Sebastian.
4 stars

27. by Darynda Jones March 14th

My favorite chapter opening quotes from this book are:

"Sometimes I wrestle my demons.
Sometimes we just snuggle."

"There should be one line at every store for people who have their shit together."

As always, Ms. Jones rises to the occasion by providing the ultimate in entertainment!
Onward to book seven.
5 stars

28. by Yana Toboso March 18th

4 stars

29. by Darynda Jones March 17th

I'm still laughing over this chapter opening quote:

"mawage\'mah-'wahge\ n.
1; a bwessed awangement
2; a dweam wifin a dweam"

Any author who appreciates The Princess Bride like that is aces in my book!!
And my new favorite secondary character is Osh. I can't wait to see what he does in the next book.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you haven't read this series . . . you're missing out!
5 stars

My almost-two-year-old says "hewwo" for hello (sounds just like Elmer Fudd) it makes me think of "mawage" every time.

<3 The Princess Bride! My brother had that speech on index cards are his wedding.