75 Books...More or Less! discussion

I do enjoy Robert Parker's Spenser and friends. The are like my old friends. But some of his books are better than others. And this one was just OK. And barely that. Too much musing about love and sex and not enough (hardly any!) plot. The print is so large on the pages that I finished it in a very short time. I have enjoyed other Spenser books more than this one. This was my 1st 2010 book The Professional by Robert B. Parker|6318241]

Great job on #1!!

For all of you who might be looking for ideas for a new (or old) book to read, I have a great book. Perhaps some of you have heard of it...The Top Ten, Writers Pick Their Favorite Books by J. Peder Zane.

I was fascinated to see the books the writers I admired picked to be on their top ten list. It's broken down into all kinds of categories and can be an inspiration.

Book #2 American Rust by Philipp Meyer 3/5 stars

While I liked parts of this novel and appreciated some of the writing , it petered off in places. Meyer interweaves threads of his story told through several different characters. Some of the chapters are startlingly gritty and compelling. Others lost me and seemed somewhat repetitive. I do see a very good writer here, and hope his next novel is more cohesive.

Alecia wrote: "For all of you who might be looking for ideas for a new (or old) book to read, I have a great book. Perhaps some of you have heard of it...The Top Ten, Writers Pick Their Favorite Books by J. Peder..."

This sounds interesting! Just what i need something to help my bolster my TBR just a bit more...haha!

2010 Book #3 Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler 4/5 stars

I had read a few very mixed reviews of Noah's Compass before I got my hands on it from the library. I like Anne Tyler's writing so much that even one of her lesser works is an enjoyable read. And her main character, Liam Pennywell, is a fully turned-out, nuanced character. Any author who can make me smile or laugh a little out loud while I'm reading is OK by me. Tyler is a wise observer of life and human nature. I liked this novel quite a lot

2010 Book #4 The Humbling by Philip Roth 1/5 stars

The Humbling was given to me as a gift and I read it practically in one sitting. I had read the very negative reviews and probably would have skipped it. An article (about sex in novels now vs. then )that I read included this book. Supposedly, one woman was so disgusted by the graphic sex that she threw the book in the garbage. Well, I wouldn't go that far, but point taken. The problem with the sex scenes was, dare I say it, they seemed gratuitous.

I love Philip Roth! He may be my favorite author (or very near the top of my list). At his best, he write excellent prose and is usually compelling. This, alas, was nowhere near the caliber of what I expect from him. And it isn't so much about the length of The Humbling. I have read Everyman (wonderful!), Exit Ghost and Indignation, and they were all very short but memorable. But this one was like a cliche with a hackneyed ending with none of the humor and insight that I love about Roth's writing. He is in the last part of his life/career now, and all of his books seem to reflect that. But this one didn't make it.

Alecia wrote: "2010 Book #3 Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler 4/5 stars

I had read a few very mixed reviews of Noah's Compass before I got my hands on it from the library. I like Anne Tyler's writing so much that ..."

Good to know! Just this morning I put my name on the library wait list. I like Tyler's writing too!

Book #5...That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo

I would give this book 2 1/2 stars. Richard Russo is a very good writer. I just didn't think this book was one of his best efforts. I kept looking at how much longer there was to this novel, which is never a good sign. I never thought the trouble between the protagonist, Jack Griffin, and his wife Joy was so overwhelming as to cause them to split up. The story revolves around Griffin's past, with time spent with his parents at the Cape. He interweaves this storyline with a present day telling of his daughter's wedding events. I did find his description of a youthful summer spent renting next to the Browning family very poignant.

Hi, Alecia. I'm really enjoying your comments (glad you're part of the "75" group,

Sorry to hear you didn't like the Russo book. I've never read anything by him - but I'm always so disappointed when an author I usually enjoy comes out with a clinker.

Thanks, Kay. I'm glad to be part of the "75" group. As far as Richard Russo, I must confess that I never loved him. I appreciate his writing ability, but he never has written anything that made me "swoon". I was just looking for a book to read, and there this one was. I'm currently reading the latrest short story collection by Amy Bloom (she also wrote Away) and will post that one very soon.

Book #6 Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom

Amy Bloom is an amazing writer. I was uncertain as to rate it 4 or 5 stars and I'm still not sure. I generally shy away from short stories, as I love to be fully engaged by a novel. The exception to this was Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. But I believe Strout's stories were all connected somehow. These stories were only connected by the theme of (I guess) love. I remember really enjoying Bloom's previous novel, Away.

Some of the stories in this book were abolutely exquisite, and brought tears to my eyes. I am particularly thinking of the one about a social worker who works in a hosptial and a terribly hurt teen age patient. It's told so delicately and observed so astutley as to almost take your breath away by it's simplicity. All the stories are engaging to a greater or lessor degree, but all are worthy.

Alecia- I love short stories that intertwine!

Andrea-If you read this one, you'll post whether you found these intertwined enough for you. There is no one character linking all of the stories (which I think I prefer). But these stories are in the hands of a very gifted writer.

Alecia, I have not read this one yet, but I'm going to try requesting it from the library. Based on your review I think I'll like it a lot!

Book # 7 The Future of Love by Shirley Abbott /3 stars

This is a 9/11 book, and it is about the effect it had on different families and couples. Of course, there have been quite a few novels with similar themes written since then. It actually picked up after the horrific events of 9/11 and the story moved along faster. Some of the characters were more fully fleshed out than others. I was not that enthusiastic about this book when I began, but enjoyed more it as I went along.

Has anyone read the obituary for Robert B. Parker? I've been reading his books (I think all of the Spenser books) for a very long time now. I feel as if I knew him. The obit said he died of a sudden heart attack while at his desk working on a book.

Book #8 Star How Warren Beatty Seduced America by Peter Biskind/ 3 1/2 stars

OK, you have to be over a certain age to even really know who Warren Beatty is/was. And even though he was never one of my personal favorites, I admit to a weird fascination with his promiscuity, which is legend. I believe this fascination the reader may have for the sheer numbers of his "love life" is the drawing power of this extensively researched autobiography. I especially enjoyed the first half of the book when Warren exhibits all of his friskiness and the reader is awed/repulsed(?) by the sheer numbers of his conquests. I also admit to not having known how much he had to do with the actual making of his movies, and how he directed and produced many of them. He was an extraordinarily handsome, eccentric, difficult, bright, and talented human being. For anyone interested in his life with all the details, it's a good read.

Book #9 Runner by Thomas Perry/ 2 1/2 stars

I don't know how to describe Thomas Perry's writing. Maybe cool and removed? I always feel as if he's going to break into this emotional lapse and really get into his main character's head. But he never does, and I've read most, if not all of his Jane Whitefield books. I think it would be actually a 2.5 rating. Jane is a person who hides people who are running from bad people. She's got all kinds of tricks up her sleeve and observes everything around her meticulously in order to survive and help these people disappear. The books are interesting for me to read in a kind of clinical, detached way.In this book, Jane is married and trying to conceive, but cannot.So she shows some human characteristics. But even so, the writing never grabs the reader

Book #10 Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez 3 1/2 stars

This was a good read, and I'd actually give it a 3.5 star rating.. I have read novels with this same theme before. The title sounds provocative, perhaps conjuring up images of a bar maid in the middle-ages. But this is about slavery.The author has one of the definitions of WENCH on the front page of her novel:

United States: (1812 1832): A black or colored female servant; a negress (1848): A colored woman of any age; a negress or mularess, especially one in service.

Perkins-Valdez takes theses definitions as her starting point, and weaves a story of four slaves, with one in particular named Lizzie. They all are kept as mistressess of their masters and most have children with these men. It is an interesting take on their situation, as the tale is told from their point of view, showing the yearning to be free and the conflict of being a mistress and a slave at the same time. It also has an interesting take on Lizzie's master's wife's reaction to this situation

Book # 11 Ask the Dust by John Fante 3 stars

I found the writing overwrought, but intense, and ,at times, beautiful. I thought the story line was melodramatic, and maybe it's because I'm far away from young (weird) love and it's related feelings. And it is dated with the word "hophead" being used to describe marijuana smokers. Not my cup of tea, but an interesting short read, and a period piece.

Alecia wrote: "Book #8 Star How Warren Beatty Seduced America by Peter Biskind/ 3 1/2 stars

OK, you have to be over a certain age to even really know who Warren Beatty is/was. And even though he was never one ..."

I haven't been totally fascinated with Beatty but I do enjoy watching him on the screen. (Yes, I'm over that certain age where I do know who he is. Ned Beatty, too.)

I am tivo-ing "Bonnie and Clyde" on TCM. I wonder how that holds up? Speaking of Ned Beatty, remember "Deliverance"? Warren's a lot cuter.

Book #12 The Privileges by Jonathan Dee 4 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Dee is an excellent writer, and I was swept along in this novel about a family who had many blessings, great wealth being on of them. It is unusual to paint a sympathetic portrait of such a wealthy family. The only thing I wasn't quite sure of at the end of this, was what, if any, point Dee was trying to make. Money seemed to buy them mostly anything they wanted. I'm interested to hear more views on this book, and I highly recommended it, both for it's beautiful writing, and it's unusual take on the subject of wealth.

Wow, I could use your list to broaden my horizons, as I've not read anything on your list and actually not even heard of some of the authors on it!! Thanks for helping grow my TBR list! Can't wait to see what you pick up next!

Thanks, Joy. I have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince, though. I notice that you are reading (maybe re-reading) a lot of the classics. That inspires me, also!I am currently finishing up a book called The Murderer's Daughters. You'll see my review soon.

Alecia wrote: "Thanks, Joy. I have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince, though. I notice that you are reading (maybe re-reading) a lot of the classics. That inspires me, also!I am currently finishing up a boo..."

Yeah, I have decided to read a lot of the classics that I never got to or had to read when I was in school, I'm really enjoying them! Can't wait to see your new review!

Book # 13 The Murderer's Daughter by Randy Susan Meyers 3 1/2 stars

I would actually give this book 3.5 stars as I almost gave it 4 stars. What differentiates a good, readable book by a talented writer from being merely good to very good? I'm not sure how to explain my feelings on that. One of the reasons may be the difference between very good writing and beautiful prose.

This is a very good book about two little girls who go through a horrific experience early in their lives. Their drunken father kills their own mother, attacks his youngest daughter, and tries (but fails) to kill himself. The girls are abandoned by their family and have to go into an orphanage. The way each of them copes with this trauma is what the book is about. Chapters are told in each girl's different voice. The younger years are told very well. I felt that as they aged, however, the story became a little draggy. But over all, a very good read by a very promising writer. I would read another book by this author

Book #14 G.I. Bones by Martin Limon, 1 star

This book was not for me. Although it was an interesting background...South Korea in the 70's, I found the writing and storyline less than compelling.

Book # 15 The First Rule by Robert Crais 2/5stars

I have read all or most of Robert Crais' novels, and I generally find him to be a competant mystery/action writer. The books usually "star" Elvis Cole and his silent militaristic sidekick, Joe Pike. This time it's Joe's turn to be the hero. I thought the story started out very strong, and I was enjoying it. But then, I found the plotting getting murky and wordy and I actually lost interest. So when I start looking at the number of pages left, that's not a good sign.

Book #16 The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado 3 1/2 stars
This book was strongly recommended to me, and I read it for that reason.I would actually give it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. I seem to have read a few memoirs this year(Half-Broke Horses, Saving Mum and Pup and a few more). This memoir holds it's own and was very interesting to me as I knew next to nothing about the experience of Egyptian Jews. I think the narrator/daughter, Loulou, tells her family's story with honesty and sensitivity. She clearly adored her father (the man in the white sharkskin suit), but she presents him with all of his faults. I also thought it was well written, at times poetic.

Book # 17 The Last Days of the Romanovs by Helen Rappaport 3/5 stars
I had traveled to St. Petersberg last year, and had visited such places as the Winter Palace, Peterhof and the Peter and Paul fortress (where the crypts of the Romanov remains are kept along with other tsars and royals). I had read Peter the Great by Robert K. Massie before I went, which was a heroic, eminently readable account of Peter's life and times. This book addressed my fascination with Nicholas, Alexandra and their family. Their execution is presented in extremely gorey detail. The story haunts me, and I susptect, many others. Rappaport tries to present a portrayal of each of the family member's different personalities, and she focusused on their life while being imprsisoned.She also interweaves the political turmoil going on around them. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in this haunting story.

Book # 18 Blame by Michele Huneven 2/5 stars
I am only giving this book 2 stars instead of 1 because it had an intriguing premise. Other than this premise, of being blamed and punished for a crime, I found the book disappointing. Patsy, the woman blamed for killing two people when she was drunk and driving, spends a good part of her life feeling guilt and blame for this crime. There is a twist to the story, but it comes along very late in the book. The writing itself was dry, and I did not like the way the dialogue was presented. The story meandered around (with the exception of the prison scenes, which I thought were well fleshed-out and had feeling)and I was actually quite bored through much of it.

Book #19 The Politician by Andrew Young 3/5 stars

I bought this book in the airport, somewhat shamefaced. A sleazy tell-all, and I couldn't resist. Well, it was a pretty good read. John Edwards is a sleaze-bag and showed really poor judgement. Poor Elizabeth Edwards doesn't come off too well either (although I sympathize with her plight). But why, oh why, would someone like Andrew Young admit to being the father of this woman's child, and then live with her and his whole family while she is pregnant?? Talk about poor judgement. An interesting take on politics, ambition, and moral lapses.

Book #20 A Visible Darkness by Jonathan King 3/5 stars
This was a pretty good read. I don't know if King has written any more in this series, as this is an older one.

Book #21 So Much For That by Lionel Shriver 4/5 stars
There are parts of this book that I would actually rate no more than 2 stars. Sometimes the writing gets overwrought, awkward, and has the characters thinking or talking about the healthcare system or other issues in a preachy, pedantic way. But, in the end, the powerful writing and subject matter of the book impelled me to give it 4 stars (which, as one can see by my list, I do not give easily).

If you want to read a gifted writer describe how it is to be a terminally ill patient, a husband/caretaker or friend of a sick loved one, this book does that exquisitly well. The awkwardness of friends coming to visit Glynis, the sick protagonist is very accurately felt here. There is awkwardness and disappointment on both sides. What is the "right" thing to say? Friends drop by the wayside and stop visiting as Glynis does not make it easy for them. She feels she is very sick and probably dying, and doesn't owe her friends or family any great insight into the process, nor does she feel the need to be polite and entertaining. Shep, her husband and caretaker, gives up his dream of retiring to an island, a dream he has meticulously planned for most of his life. It is a novel of giving, suffering, sacrifice, regrets,and yes, love. The best friends of this couple, Carol and Jackson, also have their own marital and terrible family health problems going on. And this novel brilliantly describes hospital experiences and visits with Dr.s imparting bad news with expert, feeling prose.

This is a powerful novel with something to say. The sum here is greater than the parts, and I found it to be very special.

Alecia, I just wanted to say how much I love reading your reviews.

Thank you. Amdrea. I love keeping a record of books I have read and rating them. I read so much, I never had a good way of recording them, and now here it is!

I started recording my read books when I worked in the library. So I guess I have a 20 year history of 95% of what I've read. For some reason I didn't think to include books I read for school and then I know I missed a few along the way. I feel really fortunate that I had the insight to start as early as I did.

Book # 22
Hard Feelings by Jason Starr 3 1/2 stars
I really enjoyed this noir novel. I am actually giving it 3.5 stars for the sheer cringe-worthy enjoyment of reading this. You know Richard Segal's tale will end badly and it does. But the narrator's voice is an easy, "rational" one and takes the reader through his downward slide with authority

Book #23
A Fair Maiden by Joyce Carol Oates 3/5tars
I am giving this 3 stars over 2 stars because of JCO's always terrific prose. This novella is definitely weird and creepy. The pairing of the grandfatherly rich guy and 16 year old summer nanny is off-putting. But once again, as in most of her work, you are drawn in by the power of her writing. The story itself is not a terrific success, but it was a good read. I cannot believe how much work this prolific writer puts out, as it just seems to pour out of her. Astounding, even though some works are better than others.

Alecia, JCO can write about some pretty dark stuff. I love her writing but I tend to think that she might be a weird person. I'm going to have to see if I can find some interviews with her.

You are right, she has an "unusual" imagination. Even her jacket photos of her make her look eerie. But that woman can write!! This new novella isn't one of her better works, though. I remember really liking "The Gravedigger's Daughter", "The Falls" and "Middle Age" a lot. Let me know if you find any interviews.

Alecia, did you read We are the Mullvaney's? That was another really great one! The Falls took me a bit to get into and then I was like wow, wow, wow til' the end.

I'm pretty sure I read that one, but I'll look it over to check next time I'm at the library. I know it was supposed to have been a good one.

Book #24 In An Evil Time by Bill Pronzini 2/5 stars
I like Bill Pronzini, but his "Nameless Detective" books are far better than this. I think his writing improved with age.

Book #25 Cane River by Lalita Tademy 3/5 stars
I am away from home and was looking for books to read in the local library. This one was recommended by someone at goodreads,so I thought I'd try it. It was a good read. I found it got a bit muddled at the end because the cast of characters got a little more confusing for me to keep track of as the generations passed. But the early chapters are evocotive of slave life, and the personal touch is that the family being described are the authors descendants. She uses a bare bones history and fleshes out their characters very well. I enjoyed the book as you can tell this writing was a labor of love for the author.

Book #26 Booby Trap by Bill Pronzini
I am giving this book a 2.5/5 rating. I think I read this one before, but I am on vacation and this was there to be read. I really like Bill Pronzini, but his earlier works don't hold up to some of his later books.

Book # 27 A Wasteland of Strangers by Bill Pronzini 3/5 stars
Finishing this book conincides with finishing my vacation, and also my reading of old Pronzini novels. He's such a good writier, but, as I said in previous reviews, he inproved with age. I still eagerly read his new novels, especially his "Nameless" series. Long may he run.

Alecia wrote: "Book # 27 A Wasteland of Strangers by Bill Pronzini 3/5 stars
Finishing this book conincides with finishing my vacation, and also my reading of old Pronzini novels. He's such a good writier, but, ..."

Hope you had a good vacation, I see lots of books here I need to add to my TBR list!!

Book #28 The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen 3/5 stars
This book was on a few author's "10 best" lists in the book The Top Ten by J. Peder Zane. It always interests me what others list as their favorite or most meaningful books. I've read other books I never would have read from these lists. Some I liked, some not, but all are interesting and worthy. This one was a novel of another era. It was published, I believe, in 1938, and is an observation of the English class system, kindness, cruelty, etc., as seen from 16 year old Portia's eyes. She is an orphan sent to live with her half brother and sister-in-law. The sister-in-law doesn't care for her very much, and there is much lonliness and confusion on Portia's part. She falls for a "cad" named Eddie and the story goes from there. The writing is beautiful at times, but it is so dated and foreign to us in the 21st century, that I don't think it could ever be a classic like Catcher in the Rye. But I was happy to read this author, even if just once.