Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Sorry....I just realized I'm supposed to post this HERE, not on the main discussion list.

I'm on my way with two finished:Watership Down and The Book Thief. I've just started my third: Unlikely Allies: How a Merchant, a Playwright, and a Spy Saved the American Revolution

I'm thrilled to be a part of this group and can't wait to watch everyone meet their goal of 50 books (or more!).

Helene in TX

#3.

#4. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

#5. The Alexandria Link: A Novelby Steve Berry

#6. The Country Life by Rachel Cusk

#7. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books Azar Nafisi

#8. The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy

#9. Ellen Foster, byKaye Gibbons

Helene wrote: "#7. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books Azar Nafisi"

Ellen: this book sounds so interesting. was it good - did you enjoy it?

Did you mean the book Ellen Foster? Yes, I really did enjoy it - it was a very quick read, not only in length, but in the cadence and style. I enjoyed the way the author really sounded like an 11 year old girl walking a fine line between a harsh, jaded reality and a world of hope.

I enjoyed Reading Lolita in Tehran as well, just not as much as I thought I would. I must admit I skimmed through a few of the more verbose sections!

Hope that answered your question! :)

i actually meant Reading Lolita in Tehran. it has such a great theme - too bad, it sounds like it could have used some editing. thanks Helene!

#10. Rainwater by Sandra Brown

Ten down, 90 to go!

#11. Sunflowers by Sheramy Bundrick

5 stars - I really enjoyed this book.

#12. I Heard the Owl Call My Name: byMargaret Craven

#13. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

3 stars

#14. After the Fire, a Still Small Voice: A Novel byEvie Wyld

1 star

#15. [image error] 100 Heartbeats: A Journey to Meet Our Planet's Endangered Animals and the Heroes Working to Save Them byJeff Corwin

3 stars

#16. Night by Elie Wiesel

4 stars - a very quick but intense read.

#17 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo byStieg Larsson

5 stars - best mystery I've read in a very long time! I can't wait to read the next one.

#18. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

3 stars

#19. The Charlemagne Pursuit: A NovelbySteve Berry

3 stars - I'm enjoying the Cotton Malone series more and more with each book.

#20. The Girl Who Played with Fire byStieg Larsson

a 5 star read....engrossing, fast-paced, couldn't put it down!

#21. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

3 stars

#21. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

3 stars....maybe 3 1/2

#22 Saving Fish from Drowning: A Novel by Amy Tan

Not my favorite book by Tan. It did pick up in the second half...enough to earn 3 stars.

#23. The Thirteenth Tale byDiane Setterfield

3 stars.

#24. The Sanctuary Sparrow: The Seventh Chronicle of Brother Cadfael byEllis Peters

3 stars....I love a quick medieval mystery!

How did you like The 13th Tale? And what did you get out of it?

Carol wrote: "How did you like The 13th Tale? And what did you get out of it?"

I enjoyed it as a nice old-fashioned kind of story. Book lovers love tales of book lovers, don't they? It isn't extremely deep nor did it take any real emotional investment on my part; it is just a good story.

#25. Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls byMary Bray Pipher

4 stars - Every parent of a preteen daughter should read this book.

( 1/2 way to 50! )

#26. The Help byKathryn Stockett

4 stars

#27. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

4 Stars

#28. The Secret Magdalene: A Novel by Ki Longfellow

5 stars - incredible.

#29 Cutting for Stone byAbraham Verghese

4 1/2 stars

#30. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

4 stars

#31. Nefertiti byMichelle Moran

4 stars - a VERY enjoyable read!

#32. The Forgotten Garden byKate Morton

3 stars

#33. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

4 1/2 stars

#34. A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King

3 stars - the storyline isn't as good as in the first book but I will certainly continue reading the series as I like the writing and the characters.

#35. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

1 star - I slogged, skimmed, and skipped over entire pages just to get through it.

Helene wrote: "#35. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

1 star - I slogged, skimmed, and skipped over e..."

Since we usually rate books pretty similarly, I guess I will be moving this either off my list or definitely to the bottom of my HUGE TBR list!
Hope all is going well!

#36. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

4 stars

#37. A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King

3 1/2 stars

#38. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

I didn't think I would like this book after reading all the 'love it or hate it' reviews. However, the dark, flawed characters drew me in enough to give this book 4 stars.

Oh good, maybe I'll move it up in my TBR pile. Totally agree with you on "A Heartbreaking Work...." it's kept me from reading anything else by Eggers.

Chris wrote: "Oh good, maybe I'll move it up in my TBR pile. Totally agree with you on "A Heartbreaking Work...." it's kept me from reading anything else by Eggers."

Whew....it is nice to hear you agree with me, Chris! I'm sure Eggers' work says something to someone out there - it just isn't me! lol.

#39. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

3 stars for being pretty dull until the last two chapters where it really takes off. I'll read more of Lehane in the future.

Wow, Helene, we have very similar taste in books!! I can't WAIT to read the second Girl/Dragon/Tattoo -- it might even be next? Do you like Ann Patchett? Reading Patron Saint of Liars -- awesome read.

Kate wrote: "Wow, Helene, we have very similar taste in books!! I can't WAIT to read the second Girl/Dragon/Tattoo -- it might even be next? Do you like Ann Patchett? Reading Patron Saint of Liars -- awesome..."

I don't think I've read any Ann Patchett. I'll have to put one of hers on my TBR list. Thanks for the tip!

Right now I'm waiting to get the 3rd Larsson book from the library. I check my place in the queue daily and it looks like I'll be getting it in the next few days!!! Can you tell I'm slightly excited? Can't wait to read it!

#40. Keeping Watch by Laurie R. King

4 stars. I was already a fan of Laurie King and her Mary Russell series but this book blew me away. Really fantastic and completely different from everything else I've read by her. Wow.

Helene wrote: "Kate wrote: "Wow, Helene, we have very similar taste in books!! I can't WAIT to read the second Girl/Dragon/Tattoo -- it might even be next? Do you like Ann Patchett? Reading Patron Saint of Lia..."

Ann Patchett is wonderful! Bel Canto is such a beautiful book, and I loved The Magician's Assistant. I'd highly recommend her!