Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Let's go for 100 again (including at least 20 from the 1001 list). Good luck to all and many happy 2018 reading hours!

1 - 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Interesting stuff. I've become a bit of a history buff (after disliking it in high school). 4*

2 - Uncommon Type: Some Stories
I was surprised at how much I liked this. Is there anything Tom Hanks can't do? The last few stories lost some steam for me. 4*

3 - A Bollywood Affair
I like a little believability with my chick-lit. 1*

4 - 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
I got bogged down in a few places, but most of it was very interesting. 4*

5 - Tell the Wolves I'm Home
A lovely debut novel that had me totally absorbed. 4*

6 - Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions 4*

7 - A Matter of Time
A lot of characters to keep track of at first, but I love Deshpande's writing, and will be searching for more of her work . 4*

8 - The Hippopotamus Pool 3 1/2*

9 - I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship: Hilarious, Heartwarming Tales about Man's Best Friend from America's Favorite Humorists
Fun book (recommended for dog lovers only). 4*

10 - Fever Dream
Confusing at first, but it ended up passing my "unique, but not TOO strange" test. 3*

11 - The Yellow Birds
I haven't been so powerfully affected by a war novel since All Quiet on the Western Front. 5*

12 - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1001 books)
Can't believe I haven't read this before now. 4*

13 - You Can't Spell America Without Me: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of My Fantastic First Year as President Donald J. Trump
Had higher expectations... 3*

14 - The Cat Who Tailed a Thief
Nice, cozy little mystery. Trying to get through some books that have been on my shelves for years and years...3*

15 - Death of a Charming Man
These eaudiobooks are an entertaining walking companion. 4*

16 - Dark Shadows: Heiress of Collinwood
It was fun revisiting some of the characters from the original TV series, but I think I'd rather re-watch those episodes than continue to read the new books. 3*

17 - Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
I was disappointed after all the hype. Interesting memoir of "hillbilly makes good", nothing more. 3*

18 - Meditation in 7 Easy Steps
Motivation to continue working on meditation practice and staying present. 4*

19 - The Sign of Four
I enjoy Sherlock Holmes, but this wasn't my favorite. 3*

20 - Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living
I enjoyed this when I read it, but not much of it stuck with me (except there were a few recipes I want to try). 4*

21 - Neverwhere
I wasn't a big fan of "American Gods", so I was surprised to like this as much as I did. 4*

22 - Pachinko
Favorite of the year so far. 5*

23 - Lincoln in the Bardo
Great audiobook performance with an all-star cast. The story was daring, innovative, etc. - just not really my cup of tea. 3*

24 - Idaho
Some beautiful writing, but I had a lot of issues with it. 3*

25 - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Quite a (1000-page) story. 4*

26 - Sing, Unburied, Sing 4*

27 - Boys in the Trees: A Memoir
4-ish stars, although there was more than I wanted to know about Carly and James.

28 - Hamilton: The Revolution
All sorts of fascinating tidbits for Hamilton junkies. Love the book, love the musical, love Lin-Manuel Miranda. 5*

29 - Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
Excellent book. These stories are heartbreaking, but as long as we have organizations like The Equal Justice Initiative, we have to be hopeful. 5*

30 - The End of the Affair
Great writing, but too much religion for me. 3*

31 - Nemesis 3*

32 - The Underground Railroad 3 1/2*
Was expecting more from this - not sure why.

33 - First Among Sequels
My favorite romp so far into the world of Thursday Next. I continue to marvel (and chuckle) at the wit of Jasper Fforde. 4*

34 - Exit West
I'm a big fan of Mohsin Hamid, although I didn't like this one as well as The Reluctant Fundamentalist. 4*

35 - Death of a Nag
I did guess "who dunnit", but still enjoyed hanging out with lovable, goofy Hamish. 4*

36 - North and South
One of my favorite "1001 books" so far. There are similarities to Jane Austen, but Gaskell digs deeper into social issues. 5*

37 - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine 4*

I'll have to cut down on my comments, as I'm so far behind on listing my books read!

38 - Moby-Dick or, The Whale
More hard work than enjoyment, I'm afraid. Maybe I'll revisit it some day. 2 1/2*

39 - We Have Always Lived in the Castle
I'm not a big fan of horror, but I appreciate the eerie, subtle kind at which Jackson is a master. 4*

40 - Death of a Macho Man
Fun times with Hamish. 4*

Still trying to get all my books added for 2018. I'll have to forego most comments. I'll do better at keeping up this year!

41 - Missing Joseph 4*

42 - Little Fires Everywhere - Intense! 4*

43 - All the Little Liars 4*

44 - How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays 4*

45 - My Cousin Rachel
Liked this better than 'Rebecca'. 4*

short - Blue on Black 4*

46 - The Rosie Effect 4*

47 - Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole 4*

48 - Rainbow Valley 3*

49 - Henry VI, Part 1 4*

50 - White Tears 4*

I've decided not to enter the rest of my 2018 books here - too time-consuming. I read a total of 91 regular books and 2 shorts. Didn't quite meet my goal of 100, but got pretty close!

Hope everyone had a super year of reading. Onward and upward to 2019!