75 Books...More or Less! discussion

Katie wrote: "So, I'm hoping to reach 100 books this year, which would be more than I've read in any year. Even if I don't make it, though, I'm still going to be happy with whatever number I get to, since the main goal is just to read :)..."

You're already almost halfway there, that's great! And you're absolutely right, the goal is just to read! And enjoy it!

Ok now I have more time and I can comment on your books:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - I own it and want to finally read it this year!!
Stormbreaker, Dune - I also own these but they're not on my radar this year
The Winter of the Witch - I've gotten the book twice from Overdrive and both times have ran out of time before getting very far. I've got a couple weeks left on the Holds list this time and I'm determined to read it! I know that if I buy the book, it will just get forgotten. lol
Tangleweed and Brine - This sounds good! Adding to my TBR
Shadow of Night/Book of Life - I did not enjoy the first book but I own the second book so I might read it someday. Agh. I wanted to like this trilogy!
The Secret Countess - I read her books when I was younger. They're really good YA historical fiction
A Man Called Ove - Love love love!!! I'm a Backman fan for life!
Belle: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast - I also read a ton of these when I was younger. I love fairy tale retellings!
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet - Definitely want to read this trilogy
The Night Circus - Didn't enjoy this one. So surprised by the amount of love for it! lol
The Tattooist of Auschwitz - On the Overdrive Holds list for the audiobook
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book, The Dreamers, Bridge of Clay - in my long-term TBR

:)

Katie wrote: "I love fairy tale retellings too :) Winternight is kind of a unicorn in that all the books are as good as each other. I love Arden's style of writing. Hope you enjoy it when you get to it.

Yeah, I..."

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (or My Grandmother Sends Her Regards, etc.) was my first Backman so it holds a special place for me!

Katie wrote: "43. The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

New-to-me author
From: Library (audio app)
Rating: 4/5 - very interesting look at some overlooked/misinter..."

I'm excited to listen to this!

Katie wrote: "49. The Girl From The Savoy by Hazel Gaynor

New-to-me author
From: My shelves
Rating: 3/5 - enjoyable historical fiction. It had its issues but there were parts that were lovely.
Full review: here"

I really liked her fictional Titanic novel.

You can always just increase to 75 and see where that takes you! :) But congrats on hitting 50!

Katie wrote: "Ready Player One is next up! :)..."

If you know anything about pop culture in the 80's, you'll enjoy it! :)

Katie wrote: "Elyse wrote: "If you know anything about pop culture in the 80's, you'll enjoy it! :)"

Ha! I know a bit. I was little in the 80s, so most of what I know is from after the fact :)"

Ditto, I was born in '86 but both my husband and I are geeks so we knew a lot of the references. lol

Katie wrote: "Really happy with my reading volume this week. Two books read from my shelves and one extra. Good start to July :)"

Plus, you are getting close to your GR challenge goal and you're over halfway to your group goal! Woot!

56-58 are in my TBR. I own The Belles and Left Hand of Darkness. Hidden Life of Tree is in my Audible wishlist. I enjoyed Circe but liked Song of Achilles better. Though I gave both 4 stars.

Katie wrote: "I'm absolutely flying this month. My reading mojo is really working for me! Eleven books so far, and seven from my own shelves. How do I bottle this elixir so that I can have this success every mon..."

Way to go! I really think being a member of this group has helped motivate me and forced me to focus. Keep up the good reading!

Katie, so many good books! I had to resist the urge to add more to my list that I have not read yet.

Katie wrote: "67. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

New-to-me author
From: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 5/5 - absolutely loved this, Very funny, very romantic, and very idealistic in a needfully wish-fulfilm..."

Evvvveryone has loved this! I've had an ARC of it and I really should read it!! lol.

Katie wrote: "73. Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers #3) by Becky Chambers

From: Library (physical book)
Rating: 5/5 - Chambers ends the trilogy on a high. This was so emotional and optimistic and lovely. I'v..."

Can't wait to read this trilogy! Bought first one on sale.

Katie wrote: "And that's book 75! It took less than three months to get from 52 to 75. I'm definitely on a roll this year!

I've changed my Goodreads goal to 100, so it'll be interesting to see if I can get ther..."

Woohoo great job, Katie!

Katie wrote: "I've never had my goal that high, and I've never read this much in a year, before, so we shall see :)..."

This is definitely your year! Read allllllllll the books! :D

Katie wrote: "76. The Power by Naomi Alderman

New-to-me author
From: My shelves
Rating: 3/5 - an intriguing premise, but I can't say that I actually liked this book.
Full review: to come."

I'll be listening to this on audio soon.

Katie wrote: "80. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

New-to-me author
From: My shelves
Rating: 1.5/5 - sometimes the movie is better. Oh dear, I really did not like the writing here.
Full review: to come"

Oh noooo!!! :( :(

Katie wrote: "83. The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace

New-to-me author
From: My shelves
Rating: 4/5 - really liked this. Poetry should capture something essential, and, for me, this does. ..."

Seriously. Packs a frickin punch!!!!

Katie wrote: "Yes! I hate the 'this isn't poetry' comments. Didn't those snobs ever think about looking beyond the format to what she's actually saying??? *rolls eyes*"

Too many people still think that poetry has to rhyme. It's called free verse y'all! lol.

Wow, great job so far for this year! I just started this group/the challenge but I think my total for this year so far is around 35 books, lol :) You're inspiring me to read more!

eta: I could only get through the first two Lunar Chronicles books, loved the first one but then it went down hill from there sigh....

Katie wrote: "87 books! Holy moly! Watch me never have a reading year like this again after this... :)"

You're doing so great, Katie!!

Hey, you're almost there- only 9 more to go! :)

Katie wrote: "93. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

New-to-me author
From: Scribd (audio)
Rating: 4/5 - a different kind of read for me. Bittersweet, lovely, and sad.
Full review: here"

I felt the same way. It was a movie on Netflix. Not sure if it is still on there. Starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

Katie wrote: "Oh, my goodness, 97 books! I'm actually going to surpass 100 books this year! Wow!"

Woohoo awesome Katie!!

Katie wrote: "OMG, I did it! 100 books! Wow!"

Wow, Katie great job!! With 2 months to spare!

Katie wrote: "104. Garden Spells (Waverley Family #1) by Sarah Addison Allen

New-to-me author
From: Library (physical)
Rating: 4/5 - really enjoyed this magical read
Full review: here"

I've owned this one for awhile and it's so short, I have no excuse not to read it. lol.

Katie wrote: "102. The Witch Doesn't Burn In This One by Amanda Lovelace

From: My shelves
Rating: 5/5 - loved the fire in these poems. New favourite.
Full review: here"


I keep seeing her books pop up in my suggestions but I haven't read any of these yet. I might have to take a look; I think my library has them...

Katie wrote: "OMG, I did it! 100 books! Wow!"

Congratulations on hitting 100 books! That would be my ultimate goal for a year. That's awesome!

Great job, you knocked 100 books out with time to spare!

Katie wrote: "110. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow

New-to-me author
From: My shelves
Rating: 5/5 - absolutely adore this book. New favourite.
Full review: here"

Oh awesome! I'll have to read it..some...time...next year...lol

Katie wrote: "112. The Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust #2) by Philip Pullman

From: Library (physical)
Rating: 2/5 - I'm extremely apprehensive about elements of this book and what Pullman may ultimately b..."

Oh noooo!

Katie wrote: "I know! 😢I was kind of shocked, to be honest. I can only go on what I've read in this book, since the final book won't be out for ages yet, so maybe it won't go the way it seems like it's going, bu..."

Now I may wait to read the trilogy together. I haven't read La Belle Sauvage yet.

I really enjoyed a Gentleman in Moscow.

Katie wrote: "I'd like to finish them up by the 31st, rather than carry any over to the new year, because I'm weird like that..."

I'm the same way. Just finished my last novel for 2019 and I won't pick up another because I know I can't finish in the next couple days. Though I am eyeing a couple comic trades I'd like to re-read, if I get the time.

Katie wrote: "I really did not expect to be at 120 books by the end of this year. I'm pretty amazed with myself, actually.

I do have a few more I'd like to get to by the end of the year. I'd like to finish them..."

Great job, Katie!! I'm the same way. I don't even like to carry books into the next MONTH, let alone the next year. lol. You're not weird and it's not just you! :)

Katie wrote: " I'd like to finish them up by the 31st, rather than carry any over to the new year, because I'm weird like that (I know it doesn't really matter), so we'll see how I get on. "


You are definitely not alone as there are several members who prefer to start the year with page 1 :) (I'm in the 'read straight through the turning of the year' camp, but I don't think you're weird!)

Great job!