75 Books...More or Less! discussion

Have been away from this group for awhile but looking forward to getting back into it. I am going for 75 books, only reached 65 in 2018 so hoping to increase it in 2019. Happy reading and all the best in reaching your own goals.

Welcome back, Kelli! Good luck!

Hi Kelli! I can't wait to see what you read this year :)

65 is still a lot of books! But, it's always nice to give yourself permission to "read more" ;)

1. The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand (1-2 Jan) An adult version of Parent Trap, thoroughly enjoyable, 3 stars
2. Moon Over Paris by Jennifer Robson (3-4 Jan) 3rd in a series about the WW1 era, great series, 3 stars
3. Summer List by Amy Mason Doan (5-6 Jan) Very good first novel by this author about parents/friends/secrets, 3 stars

4. Saving Faith by David Baldacci (7-9 Jan) Political Thriller that I've had for ages. Intriguing. 3 stars

@Kelli, I like how you note down the date range for your books, That's data I should add to my stats!

5. The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey (10-11 Jan) Good fictional novel about Gustave Klimt's life companion and Vienna at that time. 3 stars

Kelli wrote: "5. The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey (10-11 Jan) Good fictional novel about Gustave Klimt's life companion and Vienna at that time. 3 stars"


Oh I like this. I love Klimt's work.

6. Enemy Women by Jeannette Jiles (12-14 Jan) Civil War Era, very different writing style. 2 stars

7. Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall (15-17 Jan) Excellent novel, highly recommend it. Can't believe I had it on my shelf for so long. 4 stars

8. On Beauty by Zadie Smith (18-23 Jan) A book with a mix of all types of characters that melt together in a really interesting manner and story. Much preferred this novel of hers to White Teeth. 3 stars

9. The Secret Servent by Daniel Silva (24-27 Jan). God spy thriller. 3 stars

Kelli - I picked On Beauty as one of my books I own that I am reading this year.

Andrea wrote: "Kelli - I picked On Beauty as one of my books I own that I am reading this year."

It was good, would be interesting to hear your thoughts once you've finished it. It is a long one though.

10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars

11. Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir (28 Jan-2 Feb and 7 Feb-10 Feb). Well researched historical account of this controversial case. 3 stars

Kelli wrote: "10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars"

Everyone is reading that one!

Juli wrote: "Kelli wrote: "10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars"

Everyone is reading that one!"

Juli wrote: "Kelli wrote: "10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (3-6 Feb). Interesting novel on family dynamics, mothering and small communities. 4 stars"

Everyone is reading that one!"

My Book Group loved it.

12. The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse (11-13 Feb). Intriguing gothic/period "thriller". Very different from her other novels, which I devoured as well. 3 stars

Kelli wrote: "12. The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse (11-13 Feb). Intriguing gothic/period "thriller". Very different from her other novels, which I devoured as well. 3 stars"

Hahahaha, I was like "Kate Moss' dad was a taxidermist, how fun" ... then I saw the actually spelling of the last name.

Juli wrote: "Kelli wrote: "12. The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse (11-13 Feb). Intriguing gothic/period "thriller". Very different from her other novels, which I devoured as well. 3 stars"

Hahahaha, I wa..."

You are not the first to be confused LOL

13. Body Surfing by Anita Shreve. Not my favorite novel of hers but did enjoy it. 3 stars

14. Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak. Love his writing. Teenage dealings and family theme. 4 stars

15. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. Fun, Laugh-Out-Loud, Chick-Lit. 3 stars

16. The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs. Navy family saga with a female mid-life crisis and almost empty nest syndrome. 3 stars

17. Degree of Guilt by James North Patterson. Good crime drama.
3 stars

18. Love, Iris by Elizabeth Noble (5-8 March). Read for book group, not too sure about this one as a choice for discussion. It was good chick-lit. 3 stars

19. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (9-10 March). Wonderfully written. An intriguing mix of mystery, love, secrets, betrayal, identity and revenge, all set against the backdrop of 17th century Amsterdam. 4 stars

20. The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (11-13 March). Enjoyed the writing, the characters and the story in this novel about a dysfunctional family. 3 stars

21. The Long Walk Home by Will North (14-15 March). A bit sappy but enjoyable for a quick read. 3 stars

22. True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey (17-20 March). Booker Prize Winner. "Adjectival" great book with a wonderfully unique writing style. 4 stars

Kelli wrote: "22. True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey (17-20 March). Booker Prize Winner. "Adjectival" great book with a wonderfully unique writing style. 4 stars"

What do you mean with adjectival in this context?

You have to read the book....it's unique to it.

23. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (21-22 March). Very alternative writing style that is not everyone's cup of tea but I really liked it. 3 plus stars

Kelli wrote: "23. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (21-22 March). Very alternative writing style that is not everyone's cup of tea but I really liked it. 3 plus stars"

I couldn't with this one! I tried reading, I tried audio. Right, just not my cup of tea!

I understand that. I don’t know if audio wouldn’t work for this one.

24. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi (23-28 March). Interesting book that delves into history of Tehran and women's lives and their treatment at the time thru literature. 3 stars

Kelli wrote: "24. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi (23-28 March). Interesting book that delves into history of Tehran and women's lives and their treatment at the time thru literature. ..."

I bought this at a yard sale last year. I did want to listen to the audiobook but couldn't pass up only spending 25 cents. lol. I haven't read it yet.

Well worth the 25 cents.

25. Miss Chopsticks by Xinran (29-31 March) Interesting story based on true characters but not great as a novel. 2 stars

26. Vernon God Little by D.B.C. Pierre (1-3 April) Well-deserved Booker Prize Winner; harsh language but the author is skillful with it. Really routed and felt for Vernon. 4 stars

27. Homeland by Clare Frances (4-7 April) Nicely written and interesting history of Polish veterans in the UK after WW2. Could have had a more intriguing story. 3 stars.

28. Need to Know by Karen Cleveland (7-9 April) Good psychological spy thriller. 3 stars

Kelli wrote: "28. Need to Know by Karen Cleveland (7-9 April) Good psychological spy thriller. 3 stars"

What's your favorite psychological thriller?

I'd say that's a toss up between Gone Girl and He Said She Said. How about your favorite?

Kelli wrote: "I'd say that's a toss up between Gone Girl and He Said She Said. How about your favorite?"

I quite liked Gone Girl. I would consider the Hannibal Lecter series psychological thrillers. So probably Silence of the Lambs. I haven't read He Said She Said. I'll check it out.

29. Strike of Lightning by Moe Assoum (10-11 April) Great escape into fantasy written by a colleague of mine.

30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars

Kelli wrote: "30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars"

Karen White is hit or miss for me. I mean, the books I didn't LOVE, I didn't hate either I was just neutral about them but I did love Flight Patterns. And I did love her collab with Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig, The Forgotten Room. I have an Overdrive hold on their new collab, The Glass Ocean.

Elyse wrote: "Kelli wrote: "30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars"

Karen White is hit or miss for me. I mean, the books I didn't LOVE, I..."

Elyse, I think you just changed my mind on what book I will read for the popsuagr prompt "a book by two female authors". I was gonna read The Wife Between Us but I am in need of a lighter book. A historical fiction romance sounds just perfect right now.

Juli wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Kelli wrote: "30. The Sound of Glass by Karen White (12-16 April) A great novel with a mix of mystery, love, healing. 3 stars"

Karen White is hit or miss for me. I mean, the books I ..."

Does it have to be 2 or it is 2 or more? There are 3 female authors for The Forgotten Room and The Glass Ocean.