The 104 Book Challenge - 2011 discussion

1. Flood by Stephen Baxter

I've heard about that book, how is it going? Xx

It wasn't a bad book...but I had read some reviews before I started reading, the majority of the reviewers thought the character development was lacking.
After finishing it, I have to agree, although I don't know whether it stood out more because of what I had read about it!!
I also found it a little long, but when I got to the end, I realised I was quite disappointed there wasn't anymore chapters! I have the sequel, Ark, on my TBR pile, but I think I'll read a few non-SF books first.

2. Concrete Island by J.G. Ballard

3.On the Third Day by Rhys Thomas

4. In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Opdyke

5. The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell

6. The Death of Grass by John Christopher

7. Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore... what a funny guy!

8. Day by Day Armageddon by J.L.Bourne (audiobook)

9. Beyond Exile: Day by Day Armageddon by J.L.Bourne

10. Meat by Joseph D'Lacey

Hey Kat...what did you think of Meat?

Hi Suzy,
To be honest, it surprised me. I'd picked it up thinking it would be just another horror book.
However, the writing style really drew me in, and I couldn't put it down. The premise of the story itself is quite disturbing, and there are some very graphic descriptions, but the message of the book really made me stop and think about things in my own life. I'd definitely recommend it, if you have a strong stomach :-)

11. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

(I thought I really needed a change from my previous zombie/apocalypse/horror run!)

The very reason I didn't see the movie is because Miley Cyrus is in it ;-). But I did enjoy the book very much!

12. Forgetting Zoe by Ray Robinson

I haven't read The Last Song. Actually, I haven't read any Nicholas Sparks yet. But I have to say, I really loved Miley Cyrus in the movie. I think she did a wonderful job. :-)
It was one of my favorite movies of last year.

13. Phantoms by Dean Koontz

Oooh, I read that almost 20 years ago (jeez, I'm old). I think it was one of the first more adult books I read, and I liked it, but I don't remember that much about it. Although, I do remember some characters still. Kat, what did you think? :-)

14. Four Fires by Bryce Courtenay
Back to my aussie roots :-)

How was Forgetting Zoe? I've heard a ton but not really anything that makes it stick out yet!

15. Prodigal Son by Dean Koontz

16. City of Night by Dean Koontz

17. Dead and Alive by Dean Koontz

18. Lost Souls by Dean Koontz

19. Dry by Augusten Burroughs

20. Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King

Kat~ did you like Dry? I have been thinking of reading it. I listened to Dolores Claiborne last year on audibook... very much enjoyed it!

Hi Lesley - I really liked Dry - I read Running With Scissors some years ago, and in retrospect I would have liked to read it again first. I found Dry quite a bit darker (and sadder!) than I thought it would be, but it also made me stop and think quite a few times.
I also listened to Dolores Claiborne on audiobook, and although at first I found the narrator quite annoying, she quickly grew on me and had me on edge and completely enthralled!

21. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

22. One Day by David Nicholls

23. Earth Abides by George R. Stewart

24. Kane & Abel by Jeffrey Archer

25. A Different Kind of Courage: Gretel's Story by Gretel Wachtel

26. The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust by Edith Hahn Beer

27. The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks

28. Blacklands by Belinda Bauer

28 books already! That's amazing! I've got some catching up to do! I think I'm only ok #16. I feel like I read every single second of every available moment (lol, not that I'm complaining!)

29. The Surrogate by Tania Carver

Thanks Amy :-) I feel like I'm reading every second of every available moment too! Two hours of commuting every day is helping and the fact that I'm 'cheating' with audiobooks...have to stop myself from being so deadline focused though, I'm worried I'm missing the enjoyment of reading!

I feel like that too a little bit. Lol, I started a new book today and when I saw how many pages it was, it was almost a deterrent! It used to be that I rated a book solely on how long it was because I hated getting into a book and then it being over less than a day later. However, I find myself reading a lot more really awesome books. I guess we shouldn't get booked down by the deadline and just enjoy the ride!

I get too hung up on finishing the book and adding to my list sometimes too. :) Also, Kat- I listen to audiobooks on my long commute too. Feels like cheating, but I get so many books "read" that way! :)

I know what you mean Amy, I used to dismiss anything under 500 pages automatically! But this is helping me discover that I'm missing lots of good books being that discriminatory!

I was really hesitant about audiobooks Kristen, I thought I wouldn't be able to enjoy the story as much as physically reading it. Again, I was wrong :-)

30. The Strain by Guillermo del Toro

31. Dying to Live by Kim Paffenroth

32. The Rising by Brian Keene

33. Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde

34. In Stitches: The Highs and Lows of Life as an AandE Doctor by Nick Edwards