75 Books...More or Less! discussion

Long books can be so rewarding Karol!

Welcome back, Karol!

Karol wrote: "#1 Confronting the Presidents: No Spin Assessments from Washington to Biden, by Bill O'Reilly

Enjoyed this summary that included a short biography of each president..."

Sounds good! I just added it to my To Read folder.

Karol wrote: "#20 The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, by C.L. Miller

This book was a delight for me, an antique hunter who was in the business for a while! I've gotta' say I..."

Sounds fun!

Karol wrote: "#36 How to Raise an Elephant, by Alexander McCall Smith

Heartwarming as always, and this one made me laugh out loud a lot!"

I've been slowly collecting this series mostly through library book sales, I think I've got about 10 now. Haven't read one yet lol. I've also been doing it with the Cat Who... books by Lilian Jackson Braun. I have about 20 of those!

I've read most of Hepworth's books and all of her thrillers, she's really hit or miss for me! I gave this one 3 stars.

Karol wrote: "I can see that rating, Elyse. I thought I had read two of her books, but looking at the My Books listing there is only this one. I know I have read another but can't figure out what that was! Well, it will come to me sometime . . . or else I'll pick one up that I think is new to me and it will seem very familiar!..."

I've definitely accidentally re-read a book or two before! 😂

Karol wrote: "#47 Crafty Cat Crimes: 100 Tiny Cat Tale Mysteries, edited by Stefan R. Dziemianowicz..."

Sounds pretty funny!

#48 All the Way: A Biography of Frank Sinatra, by Michael Freedland

I found this hardbound book in a used book store. It was written late in Sinatra's life and published shortly after his death. For fans of Frank Sinatra or the Rat Pack in general, it was a very interesting read, despite a writing style that was not the best. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

#49 Cinder, by Marissa Meyer

Finally read this book after hearing so many positive reviews when it came out over a decade ago. This is not my typical genre to read, but the storytelling was very good and I enjoyed it.

#50 Trouble In The Town Hall, by Jeanne M. Dams

A solid cozy mystery in a great setting. This is # 2 in the Dorothy Martin series.

Karol wrote: "#49 Cinder, by Marissa Meyer

Finally read this book after hearing so many positive reviews when it came out over a decade ago. This is not my typical genre to read..."

Love the Lunar Chronicles!

#51 Blessing of the Lost Girls, by J.A. Jance

I am now caught up with the Sheriff Joanna Brady series . . . one of my favorite mystery/suspense series. Lots of great police procedural stuff in this series.

Next one come out in September and I believe I will be looking for it.

#52 Betrayal at Blackthorn Park, by Julia Kelly

This was the 2nd book in a new series. It was enjoyable to read, but somehow it didn't draw me in as much as the first book (which for any author would be a difficult act to follow). Still, I enjoyed reading about Evelyne as she worked with her partner to solve another very complex case.

I believe a third book in the series is coming out in September and I will likely read that one as well.

#53 Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland, by Salena Zito

Very well told synopsis of how Donald J. Trump won the votes of people in Pennsylvania and other swing states - and oh, yes - the author was only a few feet away from Trump during the assassination attempt in Butler. Her description of that day and the after math is remarkable.


#54 Drool Baby, by C.A. Newsome

The second book built on the mystery solved in the first book. I wasn't all that interested in the main storyline. However, I did enjoy reading about the characters enough to consider the book a worthwhile read.


#55 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum

It was interesting to re-read this childhood classic. I know the 1939 movie of it so well that it is hard to separate at times what the author describes from what the movie portrays of each character. But I did enjoy this journey back in time.

#56 Scalia: Rise to Greatness, 1936-1986
Interesting biography about how Scalia became a justice of the Supreme Court. It was fascinating to see his educational and career path, as well as to learn that his friendship with Ruth Bader Ginsburg started well before their tenure on the Supreme Court, when they were both on the U.S. Court of Appeals, D. C. Circuit.

#57 The Murder on the Links, by Agatha Christie
This seemed like one of Christie's better novels. It had a good mix of mystery, intrigue, and humor

#58 Wilderness Paths and Desert Streams, by Lora Avery
This is a 40-day devotional published that led me to some deeper and more insightful thinking about my walk as a Christian. More meaty than many of the devotionals that I've used.

#59 Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War, by Tony Horwitz
I know lots of people who liked this book so perhaps my expectations were too high. I didn't happen to care for it at all. It seemed like the profiles of the people he met on his journey were cartoon caricatures for the most part. (My apologies to anyone who disagrees with me - I could have missed something.)

#60 Winning Hearts, by Debbie Macomber
Great beach read romance! Engaging, but not requiring much from the reader besides simple enjoyment.

#61 Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson
My, how I loved this book! I loved the tone and setting of this novel, as well as the characters. There was a lot going on in this story, but it all had a feeling of reality from the absurd and annoying to the most beautiful. This novel reflects that life is complex, and it shines a light on the things that are the most important.