75 Books...More or Less! discussion

1. Women in Love by DH Lawrence

Adriana, I hate to admit this, but I've never ready anything by DH Lawrence. Have you also read The Rainbow, for which Women in Love is a sequel? What do you think of his writing?

The writing was on par with what you’d expect from a writer of that period. Think Jane Austen, which was mention in the book and I believe an influence. I preferred Lady Chatterley’s Lover, it was a lot less PG. I have not read The Rainbow but I’m not sure if I will. The characters and the story are bit “nonsensical”. I do plan on reading The Virgin and the Gipsy.

Book 2: The White Queen

Adriana wrote: "Book 2: The White Queen"

I'm reading that right now. What did you think of it?

Charleen wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Book 2: The White Queen"

I'm reading that right now. What did you think of it?"

I really liked it but I also had no expectations. I really didn’t know much about Elizabeth Woodville and even though it’s fiction, it humanized her for me. By humanizing her I mean I that no longer view her as some one-dimensional abstract footnote in history. Like most of royal history, we know the outcome but it’s the imaginative details that are fun to read about. I had read “Daughter of York,” which was about her sister-in-law Margaret of York, but it really didn’t shed light on Elizabeth. I’m looking forward to reading the “Red Queen,” but based on the reviews it may not be as enjoyable.
I read most of the Tudor series back to back, with the exception of “The Queen’s Fool,” I started it but never finished. After The Boleyn Inheritance I read “Innocent Traitor,” by Alison Weir and “The Virgin Queen’s Daughter,” by Ella March Chase after I read the Virgin’s Lover. Yes, I was on a Tudor binge but after “The Other Queen,” I had to take a break.
What I love about these books is that we see the transformation from hopeful, excited, naïve, young girls to strong minded, determined, hardened women. Now I’m ready for more British Monarchs!

Adriana wrote: "What I love about these books is that we see the transformation from hopeful, excited, naïve, young girls to strong minded, determined, hardened women."

Yeah, about that . . . one of the things in this book I found unrealistic was the way the romance between Elizabeth and Edward was portrayed as love at first sight. I could definitely see her entering into an advantageous situation, especially for the sake of her young sons. And, given his reputation, I can even see her falling for him so quickly. But I just thought it could have been shown more as a decision she made consciously, instead of, "I can't help the way I feel!" She seemed to be taking a risk just asking the king to restore her property, but she did it for the sake of her sons. Those first few pages made me think of her as an already pretty strong woman. So I found it hard to believe she'd agree to secretly marry him, without admitting that that was a risk too. Instead we just get, "He'll come back for me, I know he will!" which seems a bit too naive for someone who's already been married and widowed.

But, despite my reaction to that early on, I was still drawn into the story really quickly, which I suppose says something for Philippa Gregory's storytelling abilities. And even though I've never considered myself a big fan of historical fiction, I'm eager to read more by her.

Book 3: The Spare Wife by Alex Witchel

Book 4: Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Book 5:The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Book 6: The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

Adriana wrote: "Book 5:The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini"

I'm curious about this one. Did you think it lived up to the hype?

Charleen wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Book 5:The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini"

I'm curious about this one. Did you think it lived up to the hype?"

It did but it's very heavy stuff. Issues with Dad, issues with self, sexual assault of children and war.

I followed it up by what I thought would be a light read but turned out to be not so light.

Adriana wrote: "Charleen wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Book 5:The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini"

I'm curious about this one. Did you think it lived up to the hype?"

It did but it's very heavy stuff. Issues with D..."

I loved The Kite Runner, but agree that it deals with some heavy issues. I also recommend A Thousand Splendid Sons, by the same author... but again, not a "light read".

I read that one a couple of years ago and The Kite Runner was on my to-read list becaue of it. I loved that one but I think I’m bias to books with female protagonists and/or strong female characters.

I recommend Blood of Flower by Anita Amirrezvani. (Strong female protagonists ;))

Book 7: I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson

Book 9: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Adriana wrote: "Book 8: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield"

Ooh, I really liked this one! I may have to re-read it soon.

Charleen wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Book 8: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield"

Ooh, I really liked this one! I may have to re-read it soon."

So did I. I have return my copy to the library but I think I'm going to have to buy it.

Book 8: The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

I loved The Kite Runner!!! An amazing book :)

Book 10: The Splendor of Silence by Indu Sundaresan

Book 11: My French Whore by Gene Wilder

12: There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern

Book 13: The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

Book 14: The Lady of the Rivers (The Cousins' War, #3) by Philippa Gregory

Book 15: Jackdaws by Ken Follett

Adriana wrote: "Book 14: The Lady of the Rivers (The Cousins' War, #3) by Philippa Gregory"

I have recently started getting into Philippa Gregory. I really liked this one. What did you think of it?

Charleen wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Book 14: The Lady of the Rivers (The Cousins' War, #3) by Philippa Gregory"

I have recently started getting into Philippa Gregory. I really liked this one. What did you think of it?"

I really enjoyed it. Like the “White Queen” it has a small element of magic and Gregory is a great storyteller. She did a great job of weaving in details from the “White Queen” and “The Red Queen”. The book is primarily about Lady Rivers but it is also about Margaret of Anjou so I feel like she killed 2 birds with one stone.
Now, in order to bridge together the Cousins War and the Tudor series she needs to write a book about Elizabeth of York. :) For that reason I’ve added to my To-Read list “To Hold the Crown” by Jean Plaidy. Let’s see how she compares to Gregory.
It feels so good to be reading again!

Book 16: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment by Steve Harvey

Book 17: You're Wearing That?: Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation by Deborah Tannen

Book 18:Babylon Revisited and Other Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Adriana, you are just moving right along. You are reading a lot of diverse books this year too.

Andrea wrote: "Adriana, you are just moving right along. You are reading a lot of diverse books this year too."

I'm trying to branch-out a bit more.

19: The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Book 20: Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Book 21: The Best Laid Plans by Lynn Schnurnberger

Book 22: Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith

BOOK 23: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO BY Stieg Larsson.

So much more complex than the movie but the books always are. I've already started the next one!

Book 24: The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson.

Adriana wrote: "Book 24: The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson."

A lot of people said this was better than the first book, but personally it was my least favorite in the series. What did you think of it?

Charleen wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Book 24: The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson."

A lot of people said this was better than the first book, but personally it was my least favorite in the series. What did ..."

I've just started reading the 3rd book but so far the first is my personal favorite. The pace of the second book started off slow and I just kept waiting for it to get interesting. It wasn't until her friend was kidnapped that it really took off. Because the 3rd book picks-up right where the 2nd left off I'm enjoying it more than the 2nd one.

BOOK 25: THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS NEST BY STIEG LARSSON

This is the last one, I'm saving it to read because I don't want the series to end.

Book 26: The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike

Book 27: Dracula in Love by Karen Essex

Book 28: Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin.

Book 29: The Death of Vishnu by Manila Suri

I loved "The Mistress of the Art of Death" (actually you have read a lot of my favorites this year!) What did you think?

Adriana wrote: "Book 29: The Death of Vishnu by Manila Suri"

It wasn't what I was expecting. I was trying to find something dark and gothic for October and I didn’t want to reread Frankenstein, Bram Stroker’s Dracula or Ann Rice. That being said it was totally up my alley. I love historical fiction and books with intelligent women as the protagonist so this was definitely a winner.